The Windy City is known for a lot of things, and today we’re adding emcee Ceo Mikey to that long list. “Fathers Keeper” starts with a sample done in a falsetto, but then Ceo comes through with reality driven words. It’s an interesting sample too. It takes a minute to realize, because it’s been even longer since Kings of Leon were relevant. There’s quite the build up to “You Can’t Party with Us.” It’s quite the diss put to song, it’s also very hype and fun - even though it’s a dig at someone you don’t like. We go from keeping it real, to not playing around to a hard hitting joint with “No Love.” This one has a more aggressive take on the delivery end. That feel continues on with “I Did It (Outro).” That’s not where this ends though with Ceo Mikey. We’re going to wrap this up with a very interesting one, “Rigamortis.” It has this lowkey Mardi Gras feel in the beat, while the lyrics come across in a chilled manner. When it all boils down, Ceo Mikey is the full package. He can spit out rhymes about his life, tear you down or build the party. If you like well-rounded hip hop artists, check out Ceo Mikey sooner than later. (https://soundcloud.com/mikeybnice)
Ezy money keeps his cool as one of the latest emerging emcees. “And I” has a swagger feel to it that makes it a stand out right out the gate. We head to the streets, ironically with “Streets Ain’t Safe.” This one has a chilled vibe but still holds a strong intimidation. With “Set Up” it comes across like the others, but has a more whisper tone. We go from keeping things low key to getting a little energetic with “Talk that Talk.” This is the most oomph we’ve had from Ezy money the whole time and it’s refreshing. It seems like that’s where we’re at now because “$tag on it$” has an upbeat. It’s not overdone or anything, it’s not getting crazy but compared to where we started with Ezy money, this is up. Rounding out things with this rapper is “On My Momma.” This is a great one to end with because it has a good beat, a fantastic lyrical flow and makes you want more. If that’s what happens to you - check out Ezy money and keep an eye out for what he does next. (https://www.reverbnation.com/ezymoney)
You don’t hear much about the hip hop scene in Colorado, but Young Z is about to change that. “Life’s Good” featuring David Frederick has a sick beat that goes throughout and sounds like something from The Ying Yang Twins camp back in the day. He’s all about creating a captivating beat that gets you hooked, and the proof is in the butter and the tunes. That sentiment doesn’t stop as we go from “Good” to “Bandwagon.” Then we roll on to “We On” with Eric The Almighty helping out to give this one an extra ounce of oomph. It’s time for a remix as we hit “Believe Me.” This one is easy to follow along to. Young Z isn’t one to spit fire when he rhymes. He takes his time and fans will appreciate his laid back approach to hip hop. Then he proves me wrong and picks it up with “Bitch You Would.” This sounds like a song that would be popular with high school kids, but would never get played at the school dance for obvious reasons; maybe a house party instead. We’ll close this out with “Closet Thing.” What is great about going from “Bitch” to this one is the energy shift.” Young Z can really change lanes swiftly and can showcase a all sides in a definitive manner that’s to be respected. If you like well rounded artists, check out Young Z sooner than later. (https://soundcloud.com/youngz605)
Travis M.’s “The MisUnderstood” is a blast from the past with a note in the present. After we get through the introduction we head into “Process.” It is a really laid back track. I thought from the intro that this one was going to be a ratchet record, instead this song came on and was well composed and straight laced. With the title track we get a fresh beat that has an old school, ’80s feel. With “BEAST” I thought we’d step up the energy a bit, and I was kind of right. The rhymes come a bit faster than we’ve gotten so far and it was a nice shake up. Travis M.’s pal Gina Smith hops on to help out on the anthem-like gem “Faith” while Serene gets in on the fun with “Gennesis.” As the record rolls on you can hear his influences that sound a bit New York in “Dream Land Gone Wrong.” He ends things with “Monsta with Xan.” This one really picks it up and comes across like a different artist. Travis M. gives us an old school feel in 2015 and it’s a reminder that some young emcees are still picking things up from the past and making them new again. If you like chill hip hop that can get hype when it’s necessary, check out Travis M. (https://soundcloud.com/TravisMjustM)
HMK offers up something different at every turn. “Ship It” has a great line about being a cell phone and roaming, but with today’s internet culture - this may be the most unexpected hit among fandoms thanks to the idea of shipping fictional couples. It’d be funny to hear this looped on a fan made video of the stars of say “Supernatural.” All that aside, HMK is creating fine tuned hip hop that fans of that style of music will love. The former was more serious a bit, but “Mr. Inappropriate” lightens up things with its beat, the lyrics - not so much. It’s a little threatening but it’s fun to listen to bounce to the chorus. We step into the club for “Make It Hot.” It’s more a dance track than a hip hop jam with its electronic base. We head back to the basics with “I Waz Gon’ Bol” and then close things out with the old school feel of “Sittin’ In Tha Park.” What’s great about what comes from HMK is that no two songs sound the same. Each press of play is unique. If you like a healthy mix, check out HMK right now. (https://www.jango.com/stations/337271688/tunein?l=0)
A lot of rappers rely on the beat, not Chayne Spitta. All of his magic is in his words. “Hail Mary” comes across like young guns like Tyga and Wiz Khalifa. When it starts, it’s your typical hip hop track but as you unravel the layers, things get fast and furious. As soon those words were typed, “Standing Still,” and slows it down. “Killer” continues to keep the vibe going slow and steady but a bit more constructed. Spitta gets a little naughty with “Twerk Some.” Produced by Freshwaterbeats, this one has a lot of rated-r language and definitely wouldn’t make it onto radio, but would definitely be a playlist favorite at parties. I feel “It’s All Good” sounds more or less the same as the last one we shined a light on. With a title like that, it would’ve been nice to hear a lighter beat to this one and a less serious tone. While I would’ve liked that one hyped up, “Say What U Mean’s” slow pace is perfection. When it comes to hip hop, Chayne Spitta doesn’t rush it out and lays it down nice and slow, but isn’t afraid to pack a punch lyrically. Keep tabs on him because he has new joints coming April 2015. (https://soundcloud.com/chaynespitta)
One Six has a lot of ammo up his sleeve and he isn’t afraid to use it in the rap game to come out on top. “Southern Cali Bullshit” starts with an omnipresent monologue that sends chills down the spine but then makes the mind wander to a futuristic movie. It’s less of a song and more of just an intro track to set the tone for what’s to come. We get some humor with “Dessert” as the idea of what a salad fork causes some laughter. Then the rhymes kick in and we’re given low key fun with a cool beat thanks to Six and “JMusiQ. Prote J On The Beat produced “The Blueprint” and with him on board we get a really chill gem. It plays more like a really cool speech rather than a song. Young Ceno hops on to help out with “Open” as we pick things up with a track that’ll make booties clap. Finally we end where the day begins with “Early Mornin.’” We hear his daily routine and get a little green with envy that’s how One Six starts his days. If you’re into hip hop that has a very youthful demeanor like Wiz and Hoodie Allen, then check out One Six now. (https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/blaq-kennedy-southern-cali-bullshit-mixtape.110652.html?song-1861928)
T.M.E is a hip hop trio from Houston, Texas made up of H.B., Kano Sano and Easy-International. Together they’ve got a handful of tracks on deck that offer up a variety. “Stone Cold Stunna” has a chorus that exists on being repetitive, and it’s really the verses that drive this song. The hook captures you but the meat of the track lays within every other part. The music of “Another Bitch” stands out here. It reminds me of something Timberland would’ve done back in the day, or something you would’ve heard in a Dru Hill hit. With a title like “Freakin to R Kelly,” you have to expect magic. We ditch street hip hop and go more for a mainstream feel with it as this one borrows from an R&B standpoint. Capping things off with T.M.E is “Texas Slow.” It’s a club jam that will have girls moving nice and slow, but never fear - booties will still be able to pop to it. If you’re into hip hop that offers up a wide range, check out T.M.E today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/hustlinb4)
When it comes to hip hop, DLK ENTERPRISE knows what they are doing as a label. “I’m On” keeps things steady and never really pops off. You continue to wait for that one moment, but it never comes. With “Last Time I Checked” listeners get a very dramatic, theatrical intro. It sounds like it could be used for the hip hop version of “Phantom of the Opera.” Rolling into “So Real G Mix,” you get tossed back to the ’70s for a second and then blasted into the here and now thanks to the exuberant delivery that comes through loud and clear. DLK ENTERPRISE is a label built on fine tuning and that’s heard throughout and we continue to experience that with “Dirty Lil Kidz.” Finally “A Mob Tale” takes us back to the drama. If you’re one for falling for labels as a whole, make sure to check out what DLK ENTERPRISE is cranking out. (https://www.dlkenterprise.com/)
He has the heart of a lion and the audacity of a mainstream rapper. Too Deep is a force and is ready to take on whatever comes his way. “Flicker” starts like a scene out of a horror movie with a scream and music that makes the skin crawl. Then things take a turn and it doesn’t even sound like the same song when the rhymes kick in. Too Deep turns it up with “Man Up” with a very fast pace delivery, which relies on his words and not the beat. He takes control of the action with his natural gift like a boss. With every push of play a new side of Too Deep comes through. “Ballen Ant Easy” sounds like something that’d come from The Ying Yang Twins back in the day. Comm comes hard when he hops on “New Club.” Then things calm down a bit with the sly and fly ways of “Finally Made It!” In between all the hard rhymes, this one stands tall. We turn it back up and round this out with “All About The Money.” Materialistic, but realistic is the key here. If you like emcees who can do it up and turn it down in one move, check out Too Deep now. (https://www.imtoodeep.com/)
Rydha has a very east coast vibe in his rhymes. That makes sense since he comes from the streets and avenues of Brooklyn, New York. His single “One More Try” has a nice base as you can hear that feminine touch in the background but it doesn’t for one second overshadow his flow. Musically everything is there, lyrically he’s saying a lot of important things that you rarely hear from the younger emcees. If you’re in the market for a Big Apple rapper with something to say, check out Rydha’s “One More Try.” (https://soundcloud.com/rydha_ptp)
Out in Chicago there is Jon De Pledge, a man who can do it on his own but likes his pals around. “Wine & Spirits” has him side by side with Cii La Cole & IV. He doesn’t do much in this track but keep it going with his random occurrences saying the title. It’s mostly the females doing the work. While that song sat more in the R&B realm, this one hops on the hip hop track while maintaining a laid back vibe. It’s served very chill. Pledge stands center stage with “The Fame.” It’s good to have your friends on board but this song is proof that it’s also good to step out on your own as well and shine. Then he’s back with his boy with Add-2 on “No Sense.” This one really sticks out but I definitely leaned more towards “The Fame” in the end. It’s always nice to hear what someone can do on their own. If you’re into young emcees who flow like a pro, check out Jon De Pledge today. (https://soundcloud.com/jdpjski)
