When you want to know where the next big thing in hip hop is, head to Richmond, Virginia and ask for Prince Canon. We kick off our trip with Canon’s music with “Inception.” It has this very ‘70s heading into “Sesame Street” feel to it. It sounds distant but then that classic, smooth hip hop beat drops in and that intro takes a tiny backseat. Smooth, it’s clear that’s what this emcee is all about as we trek on into “Benjamin.” We head a little more towards the beat with “Plot Twist.” That was ironic but moving on, “Into the Mind of Will” sounds like a music box opened at the start of a scary movie to build suspense. Then Canon comes in and takes over but not enough to ignore the spine tingling feel of the music in the background. Ending on a high note, “Versace” flows hard and comes out of the gate strong. It’s the icing on the cake and you should take a bite and check out Prince Canon today. (https://soundcloud.com/princecanon)
It’s always something different from your main man Movie. “I Would Neva” has a dark feel to it. The music has a hood vibe and the delivery bursts with intimidation. A movie scene, very appropriate for this artists name, starts out “Mad Huh.” This one has more of a mainstream feel of the last thanks to the hook like part after the monologue. The energy is high with “Medicated,” ironic when you think about it but it works. This one really showcases a different side of Movie. We started out with a very intimidating artist but this one has his guards down and makes you want to get to know him more. Every track takes on a new persona and that continues on with “Rules.” With Smuve on deck we head more towards R&B with “Motion Picture.” This one goes into the pop realm a bit. If you want variety from an emcee, check out Movie now. (https://makeemmad.com/movie/)
In the sea of hopefuls KooZie the #SWEP_R rises above with well made R&B and hip hop fusions. “Killin’ Spree” has a very aggressive name but when it starts, that’s not the case at all. It’s more sensual and about a girl and not a street game. LND joins KooZie for “So Sincere” and this one isn’t as sweet at the last and has a more hip hop base but really has a chilled beat. With “Replay” you finally get the sense that KooZie is an artist bred on artists like Usher but with an edge. He can surely sing but can incorporate some street wise to it. That’s more apparent in the fun ways of “Hang Time.” This one shows off the energy that comes with a KooZie track. Then we slow it back down a bit with “Shadow.” Like Usher and Ne-Yo, KooZie the #SWEP_R has managed to find the balance between doing R&B and hip hop and doing them both well. If that’s what you like, that mix, check out Atlanta’s boy now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/koozietheswepr?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav)
The city of Brotherly Love just got a bit better with Jmotto. “Thoughts of the Innocence at Philadelphia, PA” is an odd one. It’s more of a weird conversation between two people instead of a song. Thankfully “No Limits” really makes up for the last one. This one showcases more of an artist instead of someone messing around with their Macbook. There is something intoxicating about “Voices.” Maybe it’s the intimidation, maybe it’s the spooktacular vocals or maybe it’s the fact that if you let it play long enough, it’ll work its way into the core of your brain stem. Speaking of spooked, “Scared” kind of does what “Voices” does but in a less menacing way. After listening to them all, “They Don’t Know” is for sure the best representation of what Jmotto can do as an emcee. He’s more laid back than a rapid spitfire, but can make beats that make you bounce in a chilled manner. If you’re into artists who are about that, check out Philly’s Jmotto today. (https://soundcloud.com/Stuntworld_347)
HOLLYWOOD J BLACC can do it up and do it down, the main thing to know is that he’s got all the bases covered. “Living in a Battlefield” starts off strong. It goes in with the hook and captures you in an instant. Then the beat and pace really keeps you going throughout. It has this understated energy to it. With “That’s My Shawty” BLACC does it again but with a R&B flare that really makes you want to get sensual. He can get turnt up and he can slow it down. HOLLYWOOD J BLACC is playing on both sides of the fence and winning. If you’re in the need of a winner in the hip hop realm, check out HOLLYWOOD J BLACC now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc5MK47HGHt9rVslRAczsQQ/videos)
You don’t hear much about the hip hop scene up in Seattle. It’s a place known mostly for it’s grunge ways in the ‘90s and coffee soon after. That is until Money Making Prince. With IVtheGreatest on the helm, Money Making Prince goes to work on “Born to Die.” Sampling Lana Del Rey’s song of the same name, this remix is both invigorating, haunting and hype as hell. The energy the rap brings to it makes it a whole new experience. Stepping away from the dark pop, we head straight towards the hip hop with “On My Grizzle.” This may be the hardest he has up his sleeve. He keeps the hits coming with “My House of Pain.” What fans will love about this artist is that there’s never a dull moment. Another sample that really makes you smile is up next with “Poison.” Really though, what he does with the original is sick. Lastly, we finish strong with “Kiss My Sass.” If you’re in the need for hip hop that don’t stop - make sure you put checking out Money Making Prince on the top of your to do list. (https://www.reverbnation.com/princerespectroyalty)
Big does things big time. “Gift” is about the present and has this very old school, almost ODB feel to it. With “Wanna Get To Know Ya” the vocals have a very audible Biz Markie vibe. It’s like he took speech classes. I’m not entirely sure what “Slab” is about but it’s a great catchy treat. Then we roll onto “Ain’t No H*** in My Blood.” This one really changes things up and lightens things with the vocal sounds in the hook. Last up, “Lot of Pain” is where it’s at. This one has a really great feminine touch to its hook that makes it stand out against the other tracks that came before it. If you’re a fan of artists like Ice Cube and Dre, check out Big today. (https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=1371499)
It’s like Skintay couldn’t figure out where to go with his sound. The good news is that it works. He’s able to give listeners an array of styles that fall under one grand umbrella. “Yall Gotta Go” was a surprise and proved you can’t judge a book by its cover. I was expecting some gangster rap. Instead it had this funky ‘70s inspired beat teamed with rhymes that really come across like a good time. It reminded me a little of a Will Smith song. Jre Riley joins Skintay on “Hard to Get.” Here we have R&B tossed into the mix. With “Do Dat” things pick up and it sounds more like a run of the mill rap song that lives in the club. That smoothness comes back with “Boyfriend” featuring Rodney Poe. What comes to the surface here is the fact that Skintay doesn’t have one style. He went from funky to Jiggy to very Common-like here with a poetic feel. If you like artists who can really change lanes swiftly when it comes to making music you want to listen to, check out Milwaukee’s Skintay today. (https://soundcloud.com/skintay)
Gray Smoke Productions has a lot up their sleeve and it’s not tricks, but a plethora of treats. First up is “Take Them Clothes Off” by Dj TB featuring Ross Kelly. The beat of this one is okay, but it’s really the rhymes that stand out. Ross steps into the driver’s seat on “Goin In” with DJ Kellz by his side. It’s not as hype as the last, and has more of a chill factor to it. The people behind Gray Smoke bring us “Party Problems” next and it has a good bounce to it. I’m not sure who is behind it, but they have a good technical skill when it comes to delivery. We get a feminine touch with Maegen’s “Ease My Pain,” which is also the first time we hear some R&B from this camp as well. It’s clear that Gray Smoke know the ins and outs of making a great hip hop track. The proof is in the tracks they churn out like clockwork. Skills and precision are what these folks focus on and if that’s what you like in your hip hop, make sure to keep tabs on Gray Smoke Productions. (https://www.youtube.com/user/GraySmokeProductions/videos)
P-Wonda Ooh Wee is an emcee who blends the hardness of the pavement with the beats of a night out. Odd intros can make or break a track. When it comes to “Just Sent It at The Juggathon,” it makes it. The obscure start really makes you want to stick around to see what’s next. It sounds like something you’d hear the youngest brother on Fox’s hit series “Empire,” spit out. With “Think She a Stripper” you get this very dark delivery that tells a story. One would think a subject would rely on a catchy club beat. Instead it has more of a story to it with a great hook. P-Wonda Ooh Wee is all about setting you up with the intros and that goes with “Hood Certified” too. This one comes at you like an attack. With “Dat Aintcho Girl” has a very Southern feel to it. It smells like it came from the streets of Hot-Lanta. If you like hip hop that has a very club meets street vibe, check out P-Wonda Ooh Wee today. (https://m.soundcloud.com/p-wonda-ooh-wee)
Leathal Weapon raps like he’s from the street and sings like a radio star. It’s all about the sick rhymes and disses with “I’m The Hottest.” It’s pretty easy for this artist to point out what someone isn’t and to declare you’re the best. At least it is for Leathal Weapon. Things don’t come across as menacing as the last on “They Just Salty.” One would expect this one to be a little more sassy just because of the title. It’s just so-so. GB and JC of the Finest hop on to help out with “In These Streetz.” It’s a departure from where we started. This one is based more on storytelling and has a great R&B hook. It’s not best for this time of year, but wait a few more months and you’ll have your hip hop Christmas classic is “All I Want.” It’s niche but not corny and actually fun with a great beat. We stick with that R&B feel with “Fantasy Man.” If one had to choose which side of Leathal Weapon was best, it’d definitely be this Chris Brown like thing he has going on when he slows it down and goes more mainstream with it. If you’re a fan of urban music that is fine tuned, check out Leathal Weapon today. (https://soundcloud.com/leathalweapon918 )
Want a rising star? Look up and check out DC Da Champ. “Dreams” has a very east coast feel. You can always tell when you have a song from the Big Apple. Here it’s a little obvious thanks to name dropping the city, but also because of the well constructed, less thug-like appearance of the beat. With “Nuyorican” you get a new term that I’m sure 99% of the population isn’t that familiar with. This one picks it up but stays grounded and doesn’t go overboard too much. The attitude starts to rear its head with “Ready or Not” thanks to the aggression coming through at a fast pace. We slow it back down and things get really interesting with DC and “This Ain’t No Sing Along.” The intro throws you a curveball but things smooth out beautifully in a Nas-like way. Hi boy Nate Vokalz jumps on a track that has a popular term in the hip hop realm, “Ride or Die.” All in all this emcee has his cards stacked up right and can strike at any moment because it’d be right. If you like what makes the east coast hip hop scene pop, check out DC Da Champ today. (https://www.dcdachamp.com/)
