When it comes to getting things started, 2K’s is right there with music in the holsters - ready to go. “(Exxxciting)” opens with this elongated intro then it gets into this track that really follows an excellent pace that keeps spirits high the whole way through. That’s 2K’s latest track that just got released. Going back a bit though we can hear in “Wut I Know” is that 2K’s has always had a handle on beats that keep listeners on their toes. This one feels a bit harder than the newest, but all are good. With some help from Celebrity, 2K’s’ “Wutcha Want” sounds like a song that would turn the club up in a low key way. The rhymes are chill and allot listeners to follow along with ease. Last up is a joint called “KOOL.” Here we kind of go back to where we started with the intro that takes some time but gets you warmed up and ready to go with on point lyrics that bring the entertainment. If you’re a fan of hip hop that has a house party/club vibe, check out 2K’s today. (https://www.youtube.com/user/certifiedportboyz/videos)
Red Cartel Music’s Shoota is telling us what he’s doing things for. It’s all for “My Homies.” Well that’s the name of the track that features Young V.S. The video follows a story at the start and takes awhile to get to the song, but once things get started, you’re attracted to the beat that sounds a little like something you’d hear out of the South’s rap scene. It’s a low key beat that let’s the bounce of it all take control. It’s a song you could hear everyone from kids in high school to college kids getting behind. If you’re a fan of hip hop that mixes streets with slick beats, check out Red Cartel Music’s Shoota, now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkG5l0wyZqo&feature=youtu.be)
Down in Baton Rouge Image is making beats and rhymes and the first one we got on the table is “Rise And Shine.” Here he’s a little ball of positivity and a little encouraging in what he has to say. With that we head into “Lost Black Queen.” It’s clear that Image is all about provoking thought with what he has to say in song. Then in “Like Father Like Son,” he goes more towards a mainstream sound. What I appreciate about Image is that he takes control of what he has to say, but isn’t afraid to bust out a fun track either. He finds a balance, but what he does best is bringing light to his sound with well written and structured songs. If you’re into thinking with your music, check out Image now. (https://soundcloud.com/i-m-a-g-e16/tracks)
Leo Harmonay “Somewhere Over the Hudson”
Official URL: https://www.lharmonic.com/music/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/leo.harmonay
About the Artist: Leo Harmonay just released his latest effort entitled “Somewhere Over the Hudson”. Right from the beginning track “Colors” his intimate sound is rooted in Folk-Pop rock and colored by his own powerful observations about life in general. Today, the theme of ‘roads less traveled’ remains firmly ensconced in his life. The blue highways of America still call; there are so many more to see and experience. And more songs to write about them…stories of hope, survival, love, discovery, loss, crazy situations, of making peace with life and with simply being alive – this is how I was the album.
It was 2008 when JvstWu started rapping. Four years later he got into the beat game and here we are a few years after that. “Basement Approved” sounds like something coming out in the current breed of emcees. It had this hard shell but a sense of reality to it. It’s not over the top and for the club, but for the hip hop purists. With “The Nine Theory” he comes through like a true storyteller. He doesn’t follow a beat as much as he does a steady pace while it’s the lyrics that stand out. In “SuprBxD” JvstWu brings forth a sound that sounds video game like. With no words, it’s all about the music here. Last up, “The Getaway” takes us back to the start. We get that storyteller vibe intertwined with a harder delivery. If you’re into hip hop that has an edge, check out New Jersey’s JvstWu now. (https://www.jvstwu.com)
1 Double O has some pretty interesting beats in their bag of tricks. As someone who watches cooking shows too much, “Rachel Ray” instantly caught my eye and quickly my ears. It was this slow paced track in the intro but then things picked up and got rapid. With “Gift And A Curse” keeps the pace slow but this one has more soul to it than the last, while “We Smoke” does the same thing, but has more of a house kickback feel to it with a cloud of smoke hanging over it. One thing admirable about 1 Double O is that they are very precise in the construction of their music. Each sounds very well done and it’s heard in the ones we’ve already noted as well as others like “Shooters” and “Bout It.” It’s not rare to find indie artists who sound like they’re backed by a million dollar deal, but it’s not common either. In this case we’ve found it with 1 Double O. Check out their precision with rhymes now. (https://soundcloud.com/sadiq-wood)
In the already saturated and over populated world of party music another record about the party life of party people is welcomed, as one would expect, with a big drowsy yawn. Yes parties are kind of fun, party people are always on fleek and the party life is definitely trill. What more is there left to be said about this tired old theme?
Well apparently our friend Jopaul really believes he has something new to add to the conversation, but I can say it is not something we have not already heard several hundreds of times before. “Time Of My Life” is pretty much stuck in a retro time warp, and it is so retro I am quite surprised Jopaul did not see his own face staring right back at him from his rearview mirror as he drove away from the scene of this awful crime.
Mike Millionz has a couple sides to him, but there’s one that sticks out more for all the right reasons. “Put In Work” starts us off and while it is quite risque in the beginning, you can’t help but find yourself singing along to it within seconds - at least the look; “…if that ass fat, then make that ass clap…” Moving right along from the one with the killer hook we head to “Fuckin Problem’ featuring Karmela. What I love about this one is the reality behind snitching. It comes through like a verbal assault to those caught with their lips flapping. Then we flip the script and calm down and really mature with “Run Chi-Raq.” I really like the sound of this one. It showed a more grown-up lyricist. The same goes for “Change.” While we started out on fun note, this is where this emcee shines brightest. If you’re a fan of artists like Wiz, check out Mike Millionz today. (https://soundcloud.com/mike-millionz-1)
K.I.D does it up with a handful of tracks. “Tony” went somewhere I didn’t think it would. Fresh pressed in the photo on his site, I thought K.I.D may come through with some R&B. Instead this emcee came hard. He keeps bringing it as “Not Regular” says what no man wants to hear, but rest assure they’ll be singing along. They’ll also be singing and agreeing to “Wanna Die Rich” because who doesn’t? Lastly, we get a little reggae with the start of “Energy” but then smooth it out as it comes through similar to what came before while “Hookah” closes up shop with a fantastic, captivating intro. If you’re a fan of hip hop that sounds like it’s somewhere between the streets and the radio, check out K.I.D now. (https://soundcloud.com/user34470188)
Get Familiar Music Group is a collection of emcees who want to be the next hot crew in the hip hop scene, and we’re going to check out a handful of them. Mz Lady showcases her chops in “Hot Nigga.” With a style that will remind some of Lil Kim back in the day, she’s full of sass and skills through and through. Her boy Benji Frank comes through next with “Turn Down 4 What.” Not the song you think, but his own take on the phrase. This one has an Atlanta feel to it while Tribe Era bring a night out at the club with “Swagged Up.” Last but certainly not least, we get familar with Shellz and Deniro. Each carry their weight through “Extra Ordinary” well. This one takes the storytelling approach and it goes over great. If you’re a fan of hip hop crews that work well together, and are bound to make it - check out Get Familiar Music Group now. (https://www.youtube.com/user/GetFamiliartv1/videos)
Young Wight is lighting up the west coast. “Let Me Kill That” gives off the impression that things are going to get real, but really this one stayed pretty light thanks to a club beat attached. In “Doubt That” we hear another sick beat to go along with the lyrics. This one has more of a bite though in the delivery. Moving into “Wat’s the Deal” we hear the realness that I assumed would come from the first track I hit play to. Instead it’s in this tune. We stick with that vibe as “Shit” makes heads bounce and bodies move. That’s just the tip of the iceberg from this rising emcee out of Los Angeles. Check him out ASAP! (https://www.reverbnation.com/youngwight)
GIIXX does things differently, but they pay off. “Hypnotized” sounds like an old school song that your dad would’ve listened to intertwined with something that’s a little more modern. The beat wants you to move, but the vocals want you to just groove nice and slow. That same sentiment comes in again as we hit “Thirsty Thursday.” Based on the content though, I could see this being a club favorite towards the end of the week. GIIXX plays around with a little soul influence with “Who Dat.” It’s almost sensual as he continues to ask the title. Speaking of, he gives that off again with “The Way She Moves.” While GIIXX started out as a throwback, he quickly came into the new millennium fast. If you’re a fan of hip hop that takes on a R&B cover, check out GIIXX today. (https://soundcloud.com/the-gee/tracks)
