Over in Ohio rappers like Machine Gun Kelly are bringing things at a rapid fire pace, but then there are emcees like Lil Izz who prove you can take it nice and slow and still get the job done. We start out the gates fast with “Run It” featuring Lotto. Here we get a radio ready track right off the bat. It plays with traditional hip hop beats and intertwines them with this light autotune. In “Blew My Mood” continues on the hot streak. It’s clear that Lil Izz has his sights set on being on the level of the Chris Browns and Big Seans out there. Heading into “That Bitch” it’s a little rough as far as wording, but the music and beat stays true to what we’ve come to establish is this rising star’s style. Then just like that, Lil Izz pulls the charm out with “Only Us.” That continues with “Hold That Down.” If you’re a fan of hip hop that comes with a sense of swagger and finesse, check out Lil Izz ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/dinerofinesse)
Moe Music started putting up his beats only a year ago, and already has enough to make true fans out of the masses. “Lonely” has a kickback beat that’s teamed with this great use of autotune. It’s one of those songs where the hook lives long after the track is said and done. With Krazi Money by his side, the put together “Money.” It’s all about the currency at hand, but what’s notable here is that it sounds laid back but at times it has these bursts of energy. Then we go to the other side of things and slow it down immensely with “Unspoken.” What I liked about this one was the calm and easing feel of it all. Then we hope onto the train and head into a bit of darkness with “Bloody Nightmares.” Visually, I thought this one would be scarier, but instead it wasn’t too different than what we’d heard from Moe Music so far. I would’ve liked if this one delivered a chilling vibe. If you’re a fan of hip hop that takes you from one extreme to another with the push of a button, check out Moe Music now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFRwYs4_MODgoZ3BI9wHSw/videos)
Jeremy Porter and the Tucos - Above the Sweet Tea Line
URL: https://www.thetucos.com/
As an album, it’s hard to gauge just exactly what kind of record Above the Sweet Tea Line is. Jeremy Porter and the Tucos don’t allow for easy interpretation and mix up their tunes quite frequently, maintaining a heavy emphasis on rock while allowing many other flavors to seep into and steep their specialized potion into something bewitching and alternative.
Nashville is known for making the greatest Country out there, but Yung Chief is proving they have some hip hop to share too. “Getn It In” finds a balance between a nice radio track and a gritty beat you’d hear in the hood. It’s got a great hook that won’t quit. We head more towards a Mystikal feel with “Work.” There’s a chaos found within this one’s confines that will make heads spin, in a good way. In “Bounce It” we’re still in that hectic vibe. It’s clear that Yung Chief likes to create tracks that ensure a hype time out. Just as soon as you think you’ve got a grasp on this guy, he calms it down with “Cali Life.” Being true to the Golden State, this one’s a chill zone. Lastly, “Pissed Off” ends things on a high note with a lot of rage intertwined with energy. It’s a great one that would get a club hopping. If you’re a fan of gritty hip hop from the south, check out Yung Chief today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/2thickrecordsyungchief)
Chris Sabatino - Maybe Not This Time
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/Maybe-This-Time-Chris-Sabatino/dp/B00YDF981A
From small town Ohio, Chris Sabatino sounds like a man on a mission on his debut EP, Maybe Not This Time. He certainly draws a lot of inspiration from old country artists as well as blue-collar rockers like Mellencamp and Petty. The tunes are held together with acoustic guitars, electric leads, standard time-keeping and Sabatino’s rough voice and down and out lyricism. Thank goodness he’s not coming from that modern line of country where rap and pop take over the grit of the songwriting.
Ziggy B is part of the Bum Squad and what he brings is a mixture of chills and risks. “Wraith” has this conversational aspect to it. The flow isn’t one you’d hear in the club, or even at a party but rather on a mixtape as a hidden gem. We’ve uncovered it early in the game. Now moving onto “Friday” Ziggy brings Fat Ray and Travy onboard and together the three bring this chilled track to life. Fat Ray is back with him on “Use.” This one builds up some suspense at the start and it’s here that we hear for the first time something I would consider ready for the radio. Last up, “Sanctuary” with R-Jizzle let’s us end on a high note. That suspense from the last continues on here and we’re welcomed into a world that has a bit of a nightmarish feel. I take it back, this is the radio hit of the one. It has the most life to it. If you’re into hip hop that takes risks at times but can be chill the rest of the time, check out Ziggy B today. (https://soundcloud.com/bumsquad)
Kapitol HP’s “Head of State” is a hip hop record that is the soundtrack for a night out from the homie’s house to the club and back again. The title track kicks this record off with a note and then gets into the music that would be the soundtrack to any block party. “Steady Hustle” brings to life a similar vibe from the last while “2 for Me” featuring EnCrowd G is more like a song you’d hear if Chris Brown teamed up with the likes of Tyga. Kapitol HP brings what he declares a “strip club anthem” to the table, or rather stage, with Bryan Jones. Together they’ll make booties clap with “Face Down.” From the ladies on the stage to “Diamond Girl,” this song sounds like it could still be be the perfect fit for a gentlemen’s club down in Atlanta. Last up is “Looking in the Mirror.” Here we’re given a more in your face approach to hip hop. Kapitol HP is on the hunt in this one. If you’re a fan of the St. Louis rap scene, check out its rising Kapitol HP’s “Head of State,” out now. (https://kapitolhp.bandcamp.com/album/head-of-state-3)
North Carolina just got a little hotter with 100gran’s rhymes. “The One” isn’t what I expected. It’s this chill hip hop that makes you sit back and take in every ounce like water on a hot day. Then we head into “9 in My Hand.” It brings the energy levels up a bit, relying on the pace of the lyrics being spit more so than the beat. In “Queen City” 100gran takes us for a ride with this explicit journey. Like “9” this one is all about following the words - at first. Then the beat comes through strong and both flow together nicely. We take things back to the chill zone with “Lil Weezy.” As “One By One” takes us to the end with a sensual beat. If you’re a fan of hip hop that finds the balance between taking it easy and bringing it hard, check out 100gran today. (https://soundcloud.com/cuttaman100gran)
Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged” is not what I expected, but it definitely exceeded expectations. “Lyons Square Park” starts with this ominous intro that goes straight into a reality charged outlook on life. You don’t get the artist but the man Myers really is with this. With “Jordans On A Saturday” featuring aReJay Ella, it’s not what I expected. I thought based solely on the title that this would be a lighthearted track about some kicks. Instead it is a passion fueled piece broken apart by Ella’s bursts of soul. The music takes a break with “Taking Names” as it’s a well spoken track. Then we’re back with the chilling “Heavy Metal Rally,” while we close out with “Villania/In My Time Of Dying.” The last track brings us full circle with a sense of elegance throughout. Those into social hip hop will want to check out Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/jacksonmyerslives)
Out in the Midwest S$treetz (On Da Beatz) is doing his best with his rhymes. “Wave 2 Me” featuring Kabrina is where we start off and it’s on this slow ride that this journey gets going. The lead in is long and sounds like you’re floating down a hall of smoke, like in a dream. Things don’t pick up when S$treetz comes in but his vocals are crisp and intertwined with the effects, this is one stellar track. “Once We Leave the Bar” could go in a number of directions but the one we traveled is a hype track that makes you move in an instant. It’s definitely a hook up anthem. From hooking up to breaking up, “Words from a Broken Heart” really flips the script from the last. It’s clear he’s lost a love, but he’s not taking the woe-is-me route, but instead staying strong in this track that intertwines spoken word with hip hop well. With “I Care About You” we’re welcomed by a faint vocal performance that grows in strength as the track plays on. When S$treetz (On Da Beatz) comes in, he really tells a tale you’d want to hear on repeat. If you’re a fan of hip hop that has heart, check out Ohio’s S$treetz (On Da Beatz) now. (https://soundcloud.com/StrzBtz).
Ms. Keshion may call Miami home, but her sound sounds like it’s coming from the streets of New York. “Girl to Woman” is a coming of age tale done in a hip hop manner. Every little girl is going to grow up and this is an anthem for that. From Barbies to being grown. The hook shouting out the popular doll is on point. In “Breaking Down” we’re far from where we started. While the first could be likened to something Lil Mama would push out, this one really does sound like the woman of the equation from the first. This track showcases a sense of maturity. Lastly, “Nobody Had Faith” kind of takes the girl and the woman and meets in the middle. The beat has a hint of a youthful presence but Ms. Keshion’s vocals are coming through like a grown woman should. If you’re a fan of artists like Lil Kim and Trina, check out Ms. Keshion. (https://www.reverbnation.com/mskeshion)
Emily Gold – Recluse
I-TUNES: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/recluse/id1004052092
You can count Emily Gold as the most enticing new artist you haven’t heard in 2015. Okay, maybe somehow through some social channel you’ve stumbled upon her music, but the chances are low with the only release to date being an EP. Emily is on the cusp of releasing her first full-length, Recluse, and this is real music with real feeling and emotion. It’s not orthodox, though it does owe somewhat of a debt to many great bands of yore (Low, My Bloody Valentine, Swervedriver, Pink Floyd, Portishead), but it’s completely original even when stacked up against those legendary artists.
