Mic. Carr’s “Cut The Jazz” makes you think you’re in for one thing and then another pops off. “Give to Get” starts out smooth and then you’re welcomed by a very calm storm of hip hop that has a sense of refinement. With “Second to None” you’re introduced to more singing than rhyming right off the bat. Then vocals like Common come through and you’re taken under a musical spell with a sample of what sounds like “I Wanna Sex You Up.” A little R&B flare settles in nice with “Nothin’ Better” as Ronny Soprano does his thing with Mic. Carr on both “Somethin’” and “The Move.” Wrapping up this record is what appears to be the best, judging by the title, “MVP.” What’s great and what listeners should know about Mic. Carr is that his style comes across as a poet and not as some run of mill rapper like Lil’ Wayne. Mic. does his thing with a sense of class and it’s all on “Cut The Jazz,” out now. So check it if you’re into that neo-soul hip hop scene. (https://micmusic9.bandcamp.com/album/cut-the-jazz)
Out in the Midwest Staticthebeast is doing his thing with hip hop and creating a style that can’t be beat. “For the Money” has a great hook and sounds more on the pop side. It has that Akon feel to it. In that it has a flow, but at the same time can be sung and is fun. That’s all in the hook though. The rhymes follow that beat but come across like a good ol’ fashioned emcee. With “Sex With Me” we hear a sensuality brought on by a guitar played slowly at the start. Then the lyrics kick in and kick things into gear. While the music continues to play sensually, the rhymes come fast. It’s a nice balance of nice and slow. It’s like imitating the lovemaking experience. If you like hip hop that intertwines with mainstream and R&B, check out Staticthebeast now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/staticthebeast4)
Detroit’s known for a lot of things, but soon it’ll be known as the home of Al Luv. “Determined” gets the point across with repetition. If you want a song that’s easy to learn, this is it. Once all the determination sets in, things get more sing-song and the hip hop takes a break with the chorus. Moving on, “Get It Ready” takes the idea of the chorus of the last one and creates a whole song that’s in that style. It’s more mainstream hip hop in that it has a beat that’s more pop-like than street. We go more towards the street though with “G.M.S.” It has a harder feel than we’ve heard so far. It sounds like a song that would be a great listen on a summer day, outside on the porch. “From the Hood to the Hills” lets us continue on this path of harder sounds from Al. This one stands tall as it has a sense of reality in it lyrics. Going into “Dats Me!” we have a track that would get booties shaking on the floor with the hook alone. To close this one out, we’ll end with “Gotta Keep It Movin.’” It’s a great one to end our time with Al Luv because it’s not only a great track that sends positivity through you, but is also a reminder to keep on keeping on. With that, if you’re a fan of hip hop that can be both chill and street, check out Al Luv today. (https://soundcloud.com/al-luvv)
Bigg.T’s “Something That I’m Missing” is a stellar song that could be on your next playlist for the rest of the year, and into the next. It starts with that baby voice element that is sometimes used. It acts as the hook as Bigg.T comes through with with laidback and well constructed lyrics that showcase a sense of maturity. What’s also great about them is that they’re realistic. It’s not about the traditional hip hop lifestyle of money, girls, and whatnot - but Bigg.T really relays about his life and you feel more connected to him as more than artist, but as a person. That connection makes you want to check out more and see what else he has up his sleeve. If you’re into artists like Kendrick Lamar, check out Bigg. T now. (https://janicebanks293.wix.com/upcominggeneration)
Lanza does his best with what he has, and if he keeps it up will be one of tomorrow’s must-listen artists. “Soldier” has an eccentric style. When it starts it’s more like talking than the hip hop flow most are used to, but then it goes on and gets more traditional with a hook. With “Came a Long Way” we get a sample of what appears to be either a sermon or track from way back in the day. Here you hear more flow from Lanza and it really showcases what he can do better than where we started off. With Tool by his side on “Be With You,” we get more of a neo-soul infused track here. “Aiming for the Stars” starts with a fantastic ivory trickle and then when the lyrics come through it’s all about what he’s going to do and what he’s done to get where he wants to go. Lastly we take on the best decade with “90’s.” What would’ve made this one pop off more would be if it was done more with a ‘90s beat or if the lyrics paid homage to those ten years a bit more. All in all Lanza is a young emcee who still has a ways to go, but definitely has a strong platform to spring off of. He’ll be as asset to hip hop soon. (https://soundcloud.com/lancepuesey)
So Deep Entertainment has a lot on their plate. With “One Accord” you get a great case of R&B. It has a sense of the sweet sounds of the ‘90s when this music went from “Soul Train” to the homes of everyone. “All I Need” also makes you feel nostalgic because the beginning sounds like the intro to a video cassette. That blaring is then hip hop comes blaring out in a way that would make you a fan in an instant. We go back to the soul with “Eyes of An Angel.” This one has a Gospel influence and beautiful harmonies everyone involved. So Deep Entertainment has a lot to offer music fans whether it be Pretti Boi Shon, Black Magic or just with the variety of genres. You can have a taste of R&B, rap and gospel all in one stop. So Deep if for music people who don’t like to feast on just one thing, but like a little bit of everything. (https://soundcloud.com/so-deep-entertainment)
When it comes to a great label, you have to have a lot going on for people to be interested and to make a name for yourself. That’s the mission Zobe Records completes. Artists like Kenn Retro holds it down with his Chris Brown like ways in “Holding It Down” and the more hip hop “Do My Thing.” Then they also have the rapid fire Staccato who really doesn’t mess around when it comes to rhymes. He’s like a speed racer and someone who can’t be caught on the mic. Don’t be mistaken though, it’s not a boys’ club at Zobe. They have some great female artists on the roster like Kayisha and Liana who’s single “Sometimes I” is a sweet mixture of pop and R&B. If you’re a fan of well made music, check out what Zobe Records is putting out in the music sphere today. (https://www.zoberecords.com/)
Tae Zu knows his way around a beat and that’s the truth. “Two Sides of One Half” comes across as confident. He is a man who knows his way around a rhyme and this showcases that to a tee. With “Troubled Scars” we start off soft with what appears to sound like a classical musical. The piano guides you into something that comes off as serene, and then Tae Zu comes in, but not hard. The beat has a light feel to it. Then with “Who Do You” things take a turn down R&B avenue. We’re back on the hip hop trail with “Point’em Out.” This one really sets the tone for someone who knows the facts of the craft and can do it justice. It has the strongest delivery as well. Closing this one out is “Slicker Guy.” Here Tae Zu gives us his all with a cool beat. He spits the lyrics out in a way that’s easy to follow but dosed in swag. If you’re a fan of artists like Nas, check out Tae Zu today. (https://soundcloud.com/ffep/sets/the-world-of-tae-zu)
Coming straight at you from the big PA, I$O Jyn sounds as New York as they can be. “Lyrical Manslaughter” has this very New York, Jay Z - big sound. It sounds like the video would feature the bright lights of the Big Apple. You can envision that in an instant. Plus, the rhymes flow so naturally, you can’t help but dig in and enjoy. We really started on a high point so heading on from here we’ll see if we can hit that peak position again. “LU BU” comes stronger than the last with rapid lyrics but it’s not the grand finale like the latter. “HopOff” comes across as pure intimidation. With “Suave So Kleen” it sounds like something out of a movie at first. The setup has a lot of drama. Then when things get started it doesn’t pop off like one would expect, but stays subtle. When you boils things down where were started is where the star of I$O Jyn’s tracks sits. It’s rare to hear a song like that from a indie emcee but it’s up there with the big dogs in terms of production, lyrics and overall presentation. If you want a master of his craft, check out I$O Jyn now. (https://soundcloud.com/isojyn)
Dommy has his head in the game and it’s clear that he’s going places. First one out the gate features Hubbs and together the go bold with “Bland.” It really sets the tone for what Dommy is capable as an artist. He puts himself out there and lays out what he’s all about. He continues to put on the table what he’s about and why he’s in the game with “Ambition.” It’s lyrical content is telling while its beat is sickening. With “Pro’s And Cons” we have a bit of icing for this hip hop filled cake. The hook has more edge than a lot of tracks out there and really does the trick. We get a need for speed with “Realization.” Here Dommy spits the rhymes fast and in a frenzy, but it’s still audible. We hit the street in a cool way with “Bi-Polar.” It has a more raw feel than the rest, while still maintaining a sense of cool. Being from Erie, Pennsylvania he should try and hook up with another emcee from that area - I$O Jyn. With that, we’ll sign off so you can sign on and check out Dommy. (https://soundcloud.com/dommy-doo)
Johnny Bones is a skilled emcee who can do his thing as well as flip the script on some remixes. “Face Down” is the North Star of this rapper’s journey. It’s the point of interest that all his listeners will head towards. It’s well-rounded in the fact that it has a great beat, a steady flow, and sick rhymes. With “Relations” things are turned down a bit but it’s a smooth, and cool song that grabs your attention with its attention to detail. Then we get hype again in the delivery department with “Turn Up.” Johnny Bones comes at you with rapid fire lyrics. When it comes to what’s radio ready, you wouldn’t hear “Get Smoked” on your local dial any time soon just because of the explicit wording, but cleaned up it could be a weekly smash on the FM waves. Today there isn’t anyone who hasn’t fallen in love with Coco, but with Bones’ remix, he’s sure to get anyone who has yet to be engulfed in this track. He also has a sweet remix of “Yayo” that’s worth checking out as well. Whether he’s doing originals or remixing, one thing’s for sure - Johnny Bones has got the skills mastered, so stop wasting anymore time and check him out now. (https://www.youtube.com/user/cityboibones/videos)
Deezy Fresh is an emcee who does things his way or no way at all. “On Shight” has a great beat but when it comes to the delivery, it could be a bit stronger. It’s a bit all over the place. With “Boo Thang” things are slowed down at the start and it’s far from a love song between people. It’s for those who aren’t ready to be tied down by love, but are all about that baller life. When it comes to “Bob Marley,” it would’ve been expected to hear a reggae beat, so it was surprising when that’s not what came out when “play” was pressed. At this point in the listening experience with Deezy Fresh, “Real Nigga” is one of the best. It’s slow paced but it seems to be the best representation of what he’s all about as an artist. With that said, “Packman” is pretty great too. It’s like a chilled version of Childish Gambino. If you’re a fan of hip hop that plays by its own rules, check out Deezy Fresh today. (https://soundcloud.com/abcfresh)
