Alabama has a lot of history running through it, but it’s time to focus on the present with Bunka Loyalty. “Patience” takes its time and comes through very stern. It’s like the father of the bunch. It commands your attention with very little effort. You’ll be drawn to it in an instant. In “Thank Ya” Bunk still takes him time, but there is a little more pep in this one’s step. It sounds like if you took Busta Rhymes down a notch. Fly Guy comes through with him on “It Hurts” and together these two raise the bar. It continues to rise as “No Feelins” comes through hard as hell. Whenever an emcee has a vibe that makes you think you’d be committing a crime if you were turn the track - that’s when you know that artist has complete control over what they’re doing. If you’re into rappers like Busta and The Game, check out Bunka Loyalty now. (https://www.facebook.com/bunka5150)

B.u.D. comes from the mean streets of Santa Clarita. No, that is a beautiful area north of LA that is void of graffiti, but this emcee is bringing a sense of reality to the place that looks like a scene out of “Leave it to Beaver” with his rhymes. “Stranger In My Hood” starts off in a way that one would think this ambient rock song was going to start - something on the lines of Muse. Instead that theatrical intro continues as the backdrop to a clear cut hip hop track. Now that we know what is expected, “Hypocrite (Waves)” comes through with some ease. This time the delivery it taken down a notch. While in “Bottles” the beat strays away from that drama and is like club music, but the lyrics are laid back. The imagery set with just the first seconds of “Rainy Streets” cools the mind and puts you at ease. Last up, “Ocean Floor Kisses” continues to create this elegant imagery, and the music is easygoing while B.u.D. comes across with a bit of urgency in his words. If you’re a fan of artists like Mac Miller and Tyga, check out B.u.D. now. (https://soundcloud.com/b_u_d23)

Over in Ohio, TDH is doing it up for the world. “Sometimes” starts this off and it has great lyrics and a beat that gets you hyped quick. With all that’s going on in the news with “Black Lives Matter,” this is a great track to hear. Things are more or less the same with “Something Has to Be Done.” Instead of being energetic though, this one plays on the drama of the operatic vibe that starts it out and can be heard throughout. The topic continues to be talked about in “Venting” and this one sits between the two. It’s not as theatrical as the last, but not as upbeat and the first. We step back into some older tracks and get away from the social issues with “Cold Summer.” In this one, you just have a track that would get you riled up because it sounds like something a NFL player would hear to get pumped for his game. Note, that Hannah Montana reference that does through you for a loop. If you’re a fan of hip hop that can let loose, but also has something to say about what’s going on in this world - check out TDH ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/TDH_CTMG)

Staxkz’s “Separation Anxiety” mixtape is jam packed. “Educated Ignorance” starts the record off with a blast. Without seeing what this emcee looks like, you can hear a since of youth in his voice. Not in a way that he is all about fun, but just he has a young sound like he’s in the same game as Tyga and Drake. The title track starts off a little funky, but in a good way. It kind of just sits in the middle, but “I Know” gives off an energy that’s electric. In a way that Drake would kickstart a track, Staxkz plays on a laid back club feel to get this party started. This one has radio written all over it. He’d be smart to take this one to the masses. The same can be said of “The Long Way” and “Gone Ham” featuring his boy B Lanes. As the record progresses, you hear highs and lows from Staxkz and get into some aggression here and there, like with “Who With Me.” “Separation Anxiety” is a versatile hip hop record that should be on your “must listen” list at the top. So note that and check out Staxkz now. (https://www.datpiff.com/StaXkZ-Seperation-Anxiety-mixtape.450855.html)

Tito Glenn is a man with a chip on his shoulder and he’s getting it off through sound. “I Like That” kicks off this journey with exact precision. Tito wastes no time getting to business. He comes in hard, but eases up to delivery a mid-tempo track that stays in the middle lane. He then slows it down with “What I Do.” Lyrically this guy comes through with a realistic approach, never relying on a fantasy, but what he’s experienced like in “Like You.” He sounds like a young Eminem in “I Know You Hate Me” not only because of the vocals but because of the anger present in the delivery. Music is often a release for those who make it, and it’s clear that Tito is a man with a lot bottled up inside. So open up and check out Tito Glenn if you’re into hip hop that has a lot of angst inside. (https://soundcloud.com/titoglenn)

Frankie Pyro is all about the balancing act. “Nietzsche (Interlude)” is where we begin and it’s this monologue of sorts that’s short and to the point, not delivered by the artist at hand. Then we get into “Sour Patches.” This one has a Common feel to it. The lyrics and beat have a mission, one that’s more about informing than entertaining. In “Phoenix” things take an aggressive turn. It’s not a harsh beat, but rather the lyrical delivery. You can hear the anger in every line. We head back to the laid back ways with “European Poverty” while “Thoughts at 5am” sounds like such. When it’s that early, or late depending on how you look at it, thoughts are random and come out in a bit of a ramble. That’s what this song sounds like, so it’s perfectly titled. If you’re a fan of Common but also have a love for the harder stuff, check out Frankie Pyro now. (https://soundcloud.com/frankie-pyro)

King Bizzie sounds like a man with a plan. “All These Problems” has an epic intro that makes you sit on the edge of your seat - like what’s about to start. What comes through is an intense delivery of strong words and imagery. D. Blake comes on and out for “Still I Rise.” Together they make a song that’s a great balance of R&B and hip hop. It sounds a little like Sisqo on a rap track. With “Be the Man” Bizzie is as aggressive as where we started, but there’s a life lesson within these walls. In “Gettin’ Benjamins” he sounds a little like DMX on a chill pill - no barking, just a gruff delivery. Lastly, “Unwind the Twine” ends on a high note. The beat here is like one you’d hear in the club, but not in some mainstream Pitbull - this one remains street without crossing into the mainstream. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s all meat with a lot of heat, check out King Bizzie right now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/kingbizzie7)

So Wavy TB comes from the east coast, but his style sounds a little west with some Florida in it. “We Stack It” has a great beat. It’s one you’d hear at a kickback, one that makes everyone sing along in a way that’s not too hype, but keeps things light and fun. Speaking of fun, “Don’t Need Wings to Fly” really takes us to another place with So Wavy TB. Here the island feel is strong and that gangsta’ vibe from where we started floats away with ease. We head back to the street with “Like Me.” It’s interesting to see how versatile this emcee is. With “100 Million Miles” he lays it down slow and the pace plays like a sing-song version of a hip hop track. It’s clear that So Wavy TB knows his way around a rhyme, but he just needs to settle on where he wants to be, the street, the island or both. If he’s going to spit out some Sean Kingston, he needs to put more into it and offer up more like that. If you’re into this, check out So Wavy TB today. (https://soundcloud.com/so-wavy-tb)

J. Light is an emcee who illuminates with sweet sounds. We’re kicking this off right with “Where the Party At” featuring D. Cannons. Instead of this over the top party anthem, this one is more laid back and chill. It’s got a sensual feel to it. Vidal Garcia hops on “Bad Behavior” to help out with the track that will have all the ladies on the dance floor dancing and shaking in a manner that will leave men weak in the knees. “Keep It On the Real” has this old school R&B feel to it right off the bat that is welcoming, while “Showcase” gives us a real hip hop laced track. While the rest up until this point have has this laid back feel, this one goes street on us. If you’re a fan of emcees who give it to you with a bit of sensual thuggery, check out J. Light ASAP. (https://www.youtube.com/user/carlos102395/videos)

Jillian Speer – Daggers & Suede URL: https://www.jillianspeer.com/ From Los Angeles (originally from Seattle) comes a fresh female artist known as Jillian Speer who just released her latest 6 track EP release “Daggers & Suede” I always listen to the opening track extremely carefully. It’s the opening track the artist has selected to hit your ears first and foremost. The opening Tracy Chapman remake “Fast Car” sets the stage rather well for a gripping/polarizing CD like this. I happen to love dark and slow moving melancholy music that doesn’t try to hard to win you over. That’s how I would describe the title track. It was an emotionally gripping intro piece that stuck in my head and had me eager for what was ahead. All in all the whole EP is brilliantly delivered with a richly woven textures with songs that go far deeper than the next artist. Music will remind you of Tracy Chapman, Mary Black, Joan Osborne and Paula Cole. To be honest I can’t say enough about Speer and her overall appeal (visual and vocal) and sound. Here’s a few lines from her bio: Originally hailing from north of Seattle, the singer-songwriter Jillian Speer grew up with music as an integral part in of her life from an early age. Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Modern Dance classes that started at three years old instilled the work ethic for perfection. At nine years old she began vocal lessons and at ten years old she began training in classical guitar. Writing songs, dance class, competitions, guitar recitals, intensive summer arts camps, and performing in local musicals best describes her school years until she turned 16 and spent a school year in India. That year was an experience that would deeply affect her life as well as influence her music. Upon her return to the states, the then 17 year-old began recording with world music producers and finished schooling. But the Pacific Northwest could only contain Jillian for so long and she moved to Los Angeles. She began performing solo shows and recording her first album. As she continued building her fan base in LA, a great amount of buzz was growing about this new arrival to the city of angels.

Jupiter in Velvet - The World Didn’t Start With U URL: https://www.jupiterinvelvet.com/ No clichés. It’s too easy to say that youth will have its way and point to Jupiter in Velvet as yet another swaggering young artist empowered by his temporary alliance with time to make great music. After a thorough listen to his album The World Didn’t Start With U, it’s difficult to imagine him flaming out five minutes after his thirtieth or fortieth birthday. This is songwriting with legs and boundless flexibility to change with an artist’s ever-evolving vision. The twelve tracks comprising The World Didn’t Start With U are kinetic, irrepressible testimony to the enduring power of great guitar players and melody. More than that, however, the songs ripple and churn with vital energies that transcend the current. The World Didn’t Start With U is aiming high.

Claiming to be from a place called Nicetown, USA, Mulah brings a classic, steady pace to the hip hop table. “5 On It” has a good beat that takes you back to the late ‘90s but the lyrics and the pace of what Mulah is doing, keeps you in the present. With “Smile” he dishes out the chill pills to anyone who’ll listen. This laid back track will ensure you leave with a smile, so pass it along. His pal Ambitious hops on to help out with a couple of tracks including “Hollyweezy.” It has a sense of energy we have yet to hear from Mulah. His boy brings it out in him. In the other he and Ambitious keep the spirits high with “What We Do.” In “The Ride” the reality of his storytelling stands out above everything else and it’s clear that he is a wordsmith above everything. If you’re into emcees who write with their heart, then check out Mulah today. (https://soundcloud.com/ulah45g)