Heatho the Pharaoh’s “#YGSU” is a throwback to some classic hip hop. We waste no time and jump right into things at the start of the record with “O.S.N.S.” It has this low key attitude to the delivery but one cannot deny that it’s fly as heck. For a song called “Dat Loud,” it’s not as wild as one would initially assume. It’s rapid at times, but not this overtly hype track that would turn it out. We step back into the late ‘90s with “Candy Alligators.” It sounds like something from those days of Cash Money. As the record plays on, “Get It, Got It, Good” is where that wild track comes in and makes you stand up and take notice of what Heatho the Pharaoh can really do as an artist to get the party started with a reality based jam. Closing out the album is one with a futuristic feel, “Gorilla Ballz.” The beat has a spacey vibe and it’s a good way to cap things off. If you like early Cash Money, check out Heatho the Pharaoh’s “#YGSU,” out now. (https://heathothepharaoh.bandcamp.com/album/ygsu)

HOLLYWOOD J BLACC can do it up and do it down, the main thing to know is that he’s got all the bases covered. “Living in a Battlefield” starts off strong. It goes in with the hook and captures you in an instant. Then the beat and pace really keeps you going throughout. It has this understated energy to it. With “That’s My Shawty” BLACC does it again but with a R&B flare that really makes you want to get sensual. He can get turnt up and he can slow it down. HOLLYWOOD J BLACC is playing on both sides of the fence and winning. If you’re in the need of a winner in the hip hop realm, check out HOLLYWOOD J BLACC now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc5MK47HGHt9rVslRAczsQQ/videos)

The city of Brotherly Love just got a bit better with Jmotto. “Thoughts of the Innocence at Philadelphia, PA” is an odd one. It’s more of a weird conversation between two people instead of a song. Thankfully “No Limits” really makes up for the last one. This one showcases more of an artist instead of someone messing around with their Macbook. There is something intoxicating about “Voices.” Maybe it’s the intimidation, maybe it’s the spooktacular vocals or maybe it’s the fact that if you let it play long enough, it’ll work its way into the core of your brain stem. Speaking of spooked, “Scared” kind of does what “Voices” does but in a less menacing way. After listening to them all, “They Don’t Know” is for sure the best representation of what Jmotto can do as an emcee. He’s more laid back than a rapid spitfire, but can make beats that make you bounce in a chilled manner. If you’re into artists who are about that, check out Philly’s Jmotto today. (https://soundcloud.com/Stuntworld_347)

It’s like Skintay couldn’t figure out where to go with his sound. The good news is that it works. He’s able to give listeners an array of styles that fall under one grand umbrella. “Yall Gotta Go” was a surprise and proved you can’t judge a book by its cover. I was expecting some gangster rap. Instead it had this funky ‘70s inspired beat teamed with rhymes that really come across like a good time. It reminded me a little of a Will Smith song. Jre Riley joins Skintay on “Hard to Get.” Here we have R&B tossed into the mix. With “Do Dat” things pick up and it sounds more like a run of the mill rap song that lives in the club. That smoothness comes back with “Boyfriend” featuring Rodney Poe. What comes to the surface here is the fact that Skintay doesn’t have one style. He went from funky to Jiggy to very Common-like here with a poetic feel. If you like artists who can really change lanes swiftly when it comes to making music you want to listen to, check out Milwaukee’s Skintay today. (https://soundcloud.com/skintay)

Gray Smoke Productions has a lot up their sleeve and it’s not tricks, but a plethora of treats. First up is “Take Them Clothes Off” by Dj TB featuring Ross Kelly. The beat of this one is okay, but it’s really the rhymes that stand out. Ross steps into the driver’s seat on “Goin In” with DJ Kellz by his side. It’s not as hype as the last, and has more of a chill factor to it. The people behind Gray Smoke bring us “Party Problems” next and it has a good bounce to it. I’m not sure who is behind it, but they have a good technical skill when it comes to delivery. We get a feminine touch with Maegen’s “Ease My Pain,” which is also the first time we hear some R&B from this camp as well. It’s clear that Gray Smoke know the ins and outs of making a great hip hop track. The proof is in the tracks they churn out like clockwork. Skills and precision are what these folks focus on and if that’s what you like in your hip hop, make sure to keep tabs on Gray Smoke Productions. (https://www.youtube.com/user/GraySmokeProductions/videos)

P-Wonda Ooh Wee is an emcee who blends the hardness of the pavement with the beats of a night out. Odd intros can make or break a track. When it comes to “Just Sent It at The Juggathon,” it makes it. The obscure start really makes you want to stick around to see what’s next. It sounds like something you’d hear the youngest brother on Fox’s hit series “Empire,” spit out. With “Think She a Stripper” you get this very dark delivery that tells a story. One would think a subject would rely on a catchy club beat. Instead it has more of a story to it with a great hook. P-Wonda Ooh Wee is all about setting you up with the intros and that goes with “Hood Certified” too. This one comes at you like an attack. With “Dat Aintcho Girl” has a very Southern feel to it. It smells like it came from the streets of Hot-Lanta. If you like hip hop that has a very club meets street vibe, check out P-Wonda Ooh Wee today. (https://m.soundcloud.com/p-wonda-ooh-wee)

7 Solo has an abundance of things going on when it comes to “The Grand Incredible Mixtape.” “Relocator” opens us up to an emcee who has a light beat but a fierce bite. As we head onto “We Gone Make It Jump,” the intro sounds a bit like Jay Z welcoming us in, then things stray away from that and it turns into something that sounds like a song LL Cool J may have released around the same time he did that track for “Deep Blue Sea.” We pick things up and head to the dance floor with “Write One” and then strap up for “Boot Camp.” What’s great about that one is that it sounds like something you’d hear at an actual boot camp, one that Major Payne ran. When it came to “Wild With Cheese,” it was hard to say you knew exactly what to expect. It was a little street, but a little funky - in a good way. If you were to ask the direction this mixtape had, you’d be spinning in circles. It’s all over the place but in a way that makes you want to try and navigate it. If you like rappers who never cease to come up with something interesting, check out 7 Solo’s “The Grand Incredible Mixtape.” (https://www.datpiff.com/7-SOLO-The-Grand-Incredible-Mixtape.600441.html)

Leathal Weapon raps like he’s from the street and sings like a radio star. It’s all about the sick rhymes and disses with “I’m The Hottest.” It’s pretty easy for this artist to point out what someone isn’t and to declare you’re the best. At least it is for Leathal Weapon. Things don’t come across as menacing as the last on “They Just Salty.” One would expect this one to be a little more sassy just because of the title. It’s just so-so. GB and JC of the Finest hop on to help out with “In These Streetz.” It’s a departure from where we started. This one is based more on storytelling and has a great R&B hook. It’s not best for this time of year, but wait a few more months and you’ll have your hip hop Christmas classic is “All I Want.” It’s niche but not corny and actually fun with a great beat. We stick with that R&B feel with “Fantasy Man.” If one had to choose which side of Leathal Weapon was best, it’d definitely be this Chris Brown like thing he has going on when he slows it down and goes more mainstream with it. If you’re a fan of urban music that is fine tuned, check out Leathal Weapon today. (https://soundcloud.com/leathalweapon918 )

Want a rising star? Look up and check out DC Da Champ. “Dreams” has a very east coast feel. You can always tell when you have a song from the Big Apple. Here it’s a little obvious thanks to name dropping the city, but also because of the well constructed, less thug-like appearance of the beat. With “Nuyorican” you get a new term that I’m sure 99% of the population isn’t that familiar with. This one picks it up but stays grounded and doesn’t go overboard too much. The attitude starts to rear its head with “Ready or Not” thanks to the aggression coming through at a fast pace. We slow it back down and things get really interesting with DC and “This Ain’t No Sing Along.” The intro throws you a curveball but things smooth out beautifully in a Nas-like way. Hi boy Nate Vokalz jumps on a track that has a popular term in the hip hop realm, “Ride or Die.” All in all this emcee has his cards stacked up right and can strike at any moment because it’d be right. If you like what makes the east coast hip hop scene pop, check out DC Da Champ today. (https://www.dcdachamp.com/)

AG’s Empire is a place where hip hop talent shines. They have a tight knit group of skilled rappers and producers looking to make their Empire reign supreme. Mani feat. R.O.B. “Big Bang” has a sweet beat that people are going to attach themselves to instantly. It has this Snoop Dogg in the ’00s feel to it. With “You Already Know What It I$” starts with this beautiful lounge like piano. When the rhymes drop in, they come hard but the music stays elegant. It’s a nice contrast between the two that works out great. We circle back to Mani but stick on the elegant path as far as music in concerned. This time though the lyrics are reality based and have a great story behind them. We hear one produced by R.O.B. now with “Murder in the First.” We step away from the mentality of the previous two and head straight to the street wise ways of hip hop with this one. This guy proves to be a key asset to AG’s Empire as we hear his skills in the construction of “Time Alone” and “Let Me Get It.” If you’re looking for the next crop of artists to get into, check out who’s coming out of AG’s Empire. (https://www.hulkshare.com/AGsEmpire)

Appearing like T.I.’s Tiny intertwined with the skills of Da Brat, REMODY comes through as one of the up and coming female emcees in the hip hop game. Leading her game is her newest track “SWAGG” featuring Fred The Godson. The two together are flawless and seamless. They play off one another well and it comes through in the end result - which is a hot track that oozes charisma and well, swag. REMODY comes through like a clear cut rhymer but what was great was towards the end when she sang some notes and really showcased that she could do more than spit rhymes. She’s a well-rounded artist who will definitely be a must-know in 2015. If you like artists like Da Brat and Missy Elliot, check out REMODY and her “SWAGG” featuring Fred The Godson today. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8t7tMra3Lo)

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)