DeMarkus teamed up with Prenice Whitman for “Low Key.” It has a turned down beat. It starts out and continues on with a dark feel but it really plays well throughout. The two mens parts play well off one another as well. One has a very big presence when it comes to the intimidation game, while the other lightens things up a bit. The chorus is where it’s at though when it comes to this track. That’s where you get the most personality and the it does its job. If you’re looking for a new joint to add to your latest hype hip hop mix, check out DeMarkus featuring Prenice Whitman and their gem “Low Key” today. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yavu2mbusqo)

DreBanks gives you today and yesterday with his hip hop. “Dam It Fills Good” with Fied on board gives you a somewhat intimidating feel. The music comes across very Metropolitan. One would guess New York for DreBanks comes from Grand Rapids. Green Eye’s helps out on “Loud Pack.” Here it’s more about a song you can sing along with your boys. It’s not a club track or super hype, but just something for you and your friends to put on when chilling at the crib. One of the best comes when he teams up with TBanks for what can only be described as a throwback to ’90s R&B with “Pushin Me Away.” TBanks comes back for “Girl In Da Club.” It’s not the same as before, which was sort of a let down personally because that R&B flare was on point but it’s nice to see that they can switch it up. After all the friends and homies are out, DreBanks steps out on his own with “I’m Back.” This one has a very upbeat feel that’s like a bit of a throwback to the ’70s and ’80s with the vibe of the music and pace. It’s nice to hear that classic feel in the music. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s reminiscent of what the past had going on but with a flare that screams 2015, check out DreBanks. (https://soundcloud.com/drebanks)

When you take hip hop and flip it on its side, you get Bydezign. “Void Life” starts like a trippy ’70s rock track but then rhymes start to flow through and you’re transported to another world. There are even some Middle Eastern sounds tossed about that make this truly an interesting piece of music. It doesn’t stop there, oh no. “Exchanges” offers listeners an earthly sounding beat. It’s like something you’d hear at a yoga session in the middle of a rave- if that exists. In “Devotion” the rhymes are back but it’s like world music taken to the streets. That Middle Eastern influence is back in full effect in “Trial and Error” in this track that transcends as Bydezign comes in with his signature style. If you like your hip hop with new elements that are typically unused in the genre, check out Bydezign now rather than later. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCo0b7rIRXU0awY9lA-OFyAA/videos)

You get a dose of reality and a shot of excellence with Shooty Paid. “Broke Nigga!” has a lot of energy. It has a very communal feel to it, like you put it on and everyone at the party would chime in and sing along. With “#ThankYou!” you’re going to be trending thanks to the singing chorus parts that blend well with the slimmed down rhymes. The hype comes back with “BandzUp.” All in all Shooty Paid has a very youthful feel to his music. The music would play well on a mix with Wiz Khalifa and Tyga. When “Tired” started I wasn’t really feeling it, but as it played on it really grew on me like moss on a tree. The beat intertwined with the build up of the finesse and delivery really makes it a well-rounded joint in the end. Plus, the lyrics are really meaningful and true to those who are fed up with struggling day to day. It’s an anthem for the hard workers out there. If you’re into modern day hip hop that showcases reality and talent, check out Shooty Paid now rather than later. (https://soundcloud.com/shootypaid)

Get familiar with J.O.E.Y’s “Biggest Fan: Biggest Critic” record. We start things out slow with “G.M.T (All A Nigga Need).” In case you’re not in the know with the acronym, the song spells it out clearly; girl, money and team. When you’re young that seems to be all you need. That’s where this music is targeted at - those who are young and still learning the ways of the world. Stylistically “Dreams Money Can Buy” is great. The odd background noise in the music you hear slightly at the start and throughout pulls the curiosity out of you. Then we get to this chilled love track, “I Wanna Be You.” Vocally you’ll know it’s J.O.E.Y but musically it sounds like a different artist than the previous tracks. This only goes to show how eclectic this artist can be. His growth is throughout a record instead of a career. You have youthful hip hop intertwined with relaxed beats and then samples of pop tracks tossed in with “Deep” that samples the Adele hit. We pick things up as we roll on with “Rollin’” that steps it up energywise. The best though seems to be “Dreams.” The hook is stellar and comes through like perfection. If you’re into being in the know about artists about to pop off, check out J.O.E.Y and his record “Biggest Fan: Biggest Critic” ASAP. (https://www.audiomack.com/album/joey-2/biggest-fan-biggest-critic)

****Over in Philly Tophboogie and Drematic make up the hip hop and rock duo Wallfly Feedback. They intertwine their influences and loves to bring forth a type of music that speaks louder than words. “Quiet Your Mind” is a quick fix for you that love hip hop. It feels pure as the only beat comes straight from one of the guys beatboxing. It’s raw on the surface but sounds like clean lines thanks to the clear cut rhymes. With “My Generation” things lean more towards singer-songwriter as the song is sung and not rapped in the intro but then the hip hop kicks in. It sounds like what the Black Eyed Peas were way back when before they turned super pop and Top 40 and actually had a message in their music. If you’re into hip hop that dares to be different and has more than just slick beats but a meaning, check out Wallfly Feedback. (https://wallflyfeedback.com/)

Out in Texas John Jay has mastered the art of work and play in hip hop. The intro to “The Answers” mixes R&B soul and an old school announcement and both work together to bring you to the track at hand. Jay really lays it out as he goes from verse to verse with ease. His flow is on point as we go from the attack on “Collection Plate” to asking if we like it in “Ain’t Gon’ Do It.” It’s been pretty similar sounding tracks but that’s until “Are You In” brought a sense of maturity to his sound. It was a bit like early Nas in a way. That sentiment continues as we get into the storytelling side of Jay with “Push Play.” Songs that make you move and send energy through you are fun and fine but these ones that show off the artistry of what he can do are what shine the brightest. If you like artists who can both have a good time but bring to life reality through rhyme, check out John Jay today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/teamjohnjay)

Wavy Wyngz is a rapper who really goes above and beyond to get the job done. “T Dot” is a really uplifting and empowering song. It’s all about being able to overcome obstacles and doing it for yourself and not really out of spite or to show up anyone. It’s a great, positive message. He was modest in that one but then had to show himself some love with “Wavy Wyngz.” Everyone deserves to pat their own back every once in awhile, right? Then we head on into “F*** It I’m On” and it has this sort of rock vibe to it when it starts. You can hear this guitar like sound and then it has a very easy hook to learn. It’s not for the radio realm but would be a chill zone track for the club scene. Speaking of the club, it’s not an over the top booty shaking movement but “New Shit” has this beat to it that makes you want to move about in a very sensual way. The best thing about Wavy Wyngz is that each track is a new side of him, and they only get better. He can lay it out in a realistic way like where we started and let loose in tracks like “City To City.” If you want a hip hop artist who can keep you on your toes soundwise, check out Wavy Wyngz now. (https://soundcloud.com/wavy-wyngz)

Carmen Skyy is a female emcee that has an huge amount of talent encased in her mixtape “Backstage.” The “Intro” sounds like something you’d hear in a movie. It’s less musical and more Lifetime biopic. Then the actual music settles in with the title track featuring Rheka. It doesn’t sound like a overly pop track, it has substance to it. Giel hops on to help with “Glitter” and unlike that Mariah Carey movie, this “Glitter” is something to put on repeat. Things do get a little pop, but more on the dance side of things with “I’m Ready.” I thought it was reminiscent of what Black Eyed Peas would spit out with Fergie delivering the rhymes. We get a hip hop fueled love song with “I’m a Believer” and then simplify things with “Be.” All in all “Backstage” wasn’t what you’d expect. When it’s easy for female emcees to fall into the same boat and be pushed out to sea, Carmen really does a good job defining her sound and style. If you’re into musical individuals, check out Carmen Skyy. (https://carmenskyy.com/#page2)

Empire of God$ does it big in two big ways. “Wake&Bake” is a weird place to start out on but it works for a chill Sunday afternoon. You can’t beat having a track that delivers a good time in the form of song constructed of sly beats and relaxed overall aura. The herbal refreshments and feel continues with “Orange Juice & Weed Crumbs.” What’s really great about this one is that some may dismiss it because of the title, but it keeps it classy with the music and presentation. The same can be said of “Ode To My Bitch.” While the title doesn’t sound too flattering, you can’t help but get lost in the R&B influences here. It’s been a lot of that but then Empire of God$ brings more of a hip hop vibe with “Now (All I Know).” It just steps it up in terms of how much you can move to it. We continue on that path as we get well into “I Go Hard.” So it’s apparent that Empire of God$ has two speeds; chilled out and fast and slightly furious. If you like hip hop that can showcase both sides of the coin, check out Empire of God$. (https://soundcloud.com/theholyempire)

David Dennis’s “Allure” isn’t your typical hip hop venture. The “Intro” of the record plays like a preview for what’s to come and sounds like a quick clip you’d see on YouTube for for an album. It’s less of an intro and more of a preview. From that I wasn’t expecting what came from “Enticement.” I thought this would be a party rock record but instead this song was well composed and showcased a musical maturity. That same mentality flows right into “Elevated.” The lyrics are more sensual than realistic than the last though. That chill factor keeps on going as we glide into “Disbelief.” The best of “Allure” comes with “Isolation.” Which is kind of ironic when you think about it. If you’re into hip hop that doesn’t go overboard in the least, check out David Dennis’s “Allure,” out now and be prepared to sit, listen and be cool, calm and collected. (https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/david-dennis-allure-mixtape.107400.html)

Today we’re here to dish about all the talent that comes from Old Yella Recordz. First up is the hype ways of Brizzal Bandana with a song that’s meant as a command to the ladies, “All 4.” What is great about this song is that you can instantly see a dance craze being formed from it. Then we calm down a bit with Swissa’s “Erythang iight” featuring Blackmike and White Boi Mike. This one still has a fresh beat that you can definitely get behind but it’s not as wild as what Brizzal was bringing. Blackmike comes back but on his own track alongside Soulja Red on “Why They Don’t Like Me.” While this one doesn’t have “club” written all over it, listeners can appreciate the reality of it. It seems like we come full circle and end on a very energetic track, fittingly with Cocaine’s “Supa Bad” featuring some help from Lay Lay. When it comes to Old Yella Recordz, one thing’s for sure…All the bases of hip hop are covered. You have serious notes, club hits and tracks that are just for chilling. Make sure to check out what’s coming from this camp today. (https://soundcloud.com/oldyellarecordz)