With Benji Montana, you’re bound to get one of his songs - or two - stuck in your head. “Baby Don’t Cry” featuring Mal Wood is a flows nicely and the hook sounds a little like MC Chris but a little mature - not his style but that high voice. Everyone has hard times so it’s not a surprise that “Hard Times” would be a crowd favorite when going through Montana’s tracks. Things get serious with “Mistakes” and then even more so with “R N S.” Then in an ironic twist we’re going to talk about the laid back “Intro” first. It’s got what the kids call swag and doesn’t let up. If you like your hip hop served with a dash of grace then check out Benji Montana now. (https://www.unsigned.com/benjimontana)
The Real Busta Free might sound familiar but he’s doing his own thing just fine. “One Nite” starts and it sounds vocally similar to T.I. I take that as a sign of great things to come and they did. It really kicks off things in a good way. The party don’t stop there as “Homeboy” comes through to take things to the next level. You get a different tone with “Collect Block.” It sounds more like a thoughtful rhyme than a good time anthem. I like his vocal performance in “Soul On It.” That’s not something you’d likely hear in a hip hop review and it’s not like he’s singing, but he sounds a little like Pac and it’s greatly appreciated. If you like hip hop that makes you feel like you’re listening to the best of the best, then check out The Real Busta Free’s beats and rhymes ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/the-real-bustafree)
Orthodox Prime comes at you intertwining the world of the Lord and traditional hip hop with “Gen 50: 20” featuring Pastor Michael D. Green. You aren’t sure what you’re getting yourself into when you hit play and the sermon from Green comes out strong and powerful. Then that is quickly followed by Prime’s rhymes that are just as telling as the words that came at the start. It’s a truly powerful musical experience and for those who like their hip hop with a since of higher power, but still with that true blue hip hop feel. If that sounds like what you’re into, check out Orthodox Prime’s “Gen 50: 20.” now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kldSUj1lqf8&list=UUDjGqsta_yVB4BRd8jFJaHg)
Some rappers like to be smooth with it and some like Mentol like to attack you with their sound. “Lifes Changed” is a little intimidating. So that’s a warning to anyone who likes their hip hop soft and light. This may not be for you. He has some help from STeelToe on “Sacrifice.” This one is as hard as the last and really has a great beat. With “Dat’s Right” it sounds like a freestyle battle put on a record. It has disses galore. Another friend with Mentol is IP and together they do their thing hard on “Slam It Down.” Things get a little weird with “Distance Between Us.” It sounds like something you’d hear in a hip hop driven nightmare at times. With a title like “Blue Waffle,” expectations are high and they are met with this one. If you like hip hop that’s extremely hardcore and not for the weak - then Mentol from New Hampshire is your boy for sure. So check him and his rhymes out now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/Mentol84)
Marcus Taylor is an emcee from Texas who doesn’t do it big, but takes his time to get his point across crystal clear. “Barry White” was unexpected. It was more a mid-tempo, smooth delivery than a straight up street track. Then with “She’s On Fire” you have speeds it up and goes out to the girl on fire - is this one for Katniss Everdeen? Once “Today” comes through you can do nothing but sway to it and its R&B flare. It’s an easy going track but it packs a punch - that’s for sure. “Time Bomb” is a timely song with all the gunfire heading out around the US. It’s more a tale about the person from the other side of the bullets point of the view though and their regrets. Another one that packs a punch is “Abduction.” You’d think it’d be attacking you but instead it slowly guides you. We pick things up a bit with “I Ain’t Lyin” but it still plays it cool. So if you like your hip hop chilled like a cold brew, check out Marcus Taylor today. (https://soundcloud.com/m-taylor-5)
Skittles isn’t just a rapper, but a singer and performer. “The Best Song Ever” isn’t a cover of that One Direction chart topper, but you’ll soon forget that pop tune once this one enters your life. It comes at you like a shark attack - fast and unexpected. With “Nobody Ever Gives a Fuck” the intro definitely doesn’t add up to the f-bomb in the title as it comes across like an elegant piece on piano. Then when he drops that first line, things align. “She’s Not a Virgin Mary” didn’t really stick out like the rock infused “Something Bad You’ve Made” did. It samples a Linkin Park track from their first, and best, album “Hybrid Theory.” This one gets an A+, as does the other rock infused “I Can’t Find a Reason.” Much like the thought that ran through my head with the first track, I was like…Is this “Delilah” a cover of that Plain White Ts’ track? It isn’t and it proves to be good on its own path. If you like rappers who can rock it out and sing about, check out Skittles now. (https://soundcloud.com/skittles28)
’s “Hot Potato” is a play on the classic children’s game with the hook “drop it like it’s hot.” It’s a clever play on words and the music makes you want to well, drop it. It kind of reminds me of something the Ying Yang twins might put out. It has a similar feel to their chilled hits while still keeping that swag factor. If you need a new club hit to keep the party flowing when you still want to move it but not too much - head towards P.GWOPO “Hot Potato.” (https://soundcloud.com/mehden-ave/p-gwopo-hot-potato-prod-by)
When it comes to keeping it real Coinz does it right. “The Vow” is a promise to himself to keep on keeping on no matter what happens. This past year one of the most said phrases has been “Let It Go” thanks to Disney’s powerhouse hit “Frozen.” Well thankfully Coinz song by the same name is not a version of that - because all these months later, I for one am over that princess track. So his version was welcomed with wide arms. J. Floyd steps in to take “I’m On It” to the next level. It’s a chilled track that does a great job at doing the job just right. Then things pick up a little with “Got a Problem.” Then you have a song of celebration on making it to where they are in life, “Bottles” featuring King Cashes. It’s one of those feel good tracks that make you have a sense of pride if you can relate. If you like your hip hop with a sense of humanity then check out Coinz today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/coinzmusic)
Phokus might sound hard as nails, but he’s a good guy and an even better emcee. Well, when it comes to Phokus’ newest - “Oh Well” has this old school feel to it with the soulful element heard throughout that adds a sense of maturity to the song. Then you have “Smiling Faces” which he claims is for all the emcees out there. It comes through like a hardcore freestyle and raw. A few years ago he released some other must-listens like the catchy “Back at It Again” and the smooth city ways of “Time to Let You Know.” That one sounds like a night out in the Big Apple but mixed with the hip hop feel of the streets. So uptown meets downtown. His oldest track you’ll find is the positive message of “Keep Shinin.” That one is just an upbeat lesson in life set to song. So if you like hip hop that has good vibes but still keeps it hustling, check out Phokus. (https://www.youtube.com/user/MrPhokus/videos)
Canary Kaine is one smooth operator. “Street Love” has a cool laid back feel to it and has a great hook in it. The verses are laid out a little faster than the chorus, but it adds a dynamic. “Her Addiction” is like an R&B track with some swag attached. Then you have “Let Her See It” which is another slow hip hop track - more sensual than anything. Plus, the video really adds a stimulating visual to the lyrics. Things pick up a bit once ladies are the subject matter with “King Shit.” Then we get back to sexy with “Fire.” A good one to wrap things up with Canary Kaine is “Ladies Night.” It seems like that’s the case with this guys life seven days a week. So can we assume this is his anthem? While we say yes to that, you should check out Canary Kaine if you’re into hip hop that’s chilled with a side of seduction. (https://www.facebook.com/khirykaine)
Samattick is a fresh emcee that’s all about keeping it cool. N.i. hops on “Dear Diary” and both bring it with the swag and even a Bob Barker shout out. Only they could make that dude sound street. One perfect for this time of year is rightfully titled “Summertime.” It sounds like something you’d hear with Brooklyn summer days as the backdrop; hydrants getting turnt up. “FML” is a song all of us can connect to because we’ve all been there saying that statement at one point in our lives. What I liked about “Ciggs and Vapors” was that it was a bit quirky like Childish Gambino. Then he gets that street mentality back with “Gangsta.” We’ll end where we started with one from Samattick and N.i. “What You Know.” It’s hype and comes for you from the second you hit play. So watch out and check out Samattick if you’re into the new school of hip hop coming out. (https://soundcloud.com/Beast2893)
SBX2A comes straight to you from the big PA. “Not Around Here” is a quick one. It’s hard to really grasp it and only those with a special skill set will be able to actually rap along to it. Things slow down as far as pace is concerned with “Reflections.” It is a great song even though it doesn’t come at you at Outkast speeds. “My Energy” is like the middle child between those last two. It comes a little faster but not like a cheetah but packs a healthy punch. It was short and sweet, but “Close UR Eyes” is more a slow jam from SBX2A. I thought “Honey Love” would be a tinder love song, but it was quick and hype. That same hype thing can be said of some that follow like “P’s Font” and “No Matter How Hard.” That one actually sounds like a pop crossover hit right there. All in all though if you’re a fan of well versed emcees, then you will dig what SBX2A has in store. So make sure to make time for SBX2A today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/sbx2a)
