D Money is a southern boy with a charm and gift for the hip hop game. Dhove steps up to help him out on “Dats All I Need” and together they transform a hip hop song into one filled to the rim with some R&B flare. The rhymes and the smooth hook balance out one another well. This one is a bit more energetic but not too much. It flows well and had a great story to tell. It definitely takes more than one listen to catch all that D Money is spitting out. He’s been doing his thing for a few years now but it seems like he’s got a good grasp on things. So if you like that Southern style of rap, check out D Money today. (https://www.jango.com/music/Own+My+Own+Ent+Off+Tha+Blocc+Records+D+Money+Da+Prince?l=0)

D.F.R is short for Da Family Ruthless and the rhymes don’t lie - ruthless they are. “Til They Bury Me” is a hard hitting track thank to the way D.F.R rhymes and attacks every word delivered. Then he still has that abrasive wall up as he comes with a lot of attitude in “Gusto.” In “Leave Shells (Man Down)” you get intimidation from every word spit out, while in “Life Chances” slows it down and gets serious about reality. Ca$his helps his boy out on “Hood Star” and the energy is tight. Then like a whirlwind in sweeps “Rap God King.” It’s fast pace is hard to keep up with, but that’s definitely a good thing. It takes the cake for what you’ll get from D.F.R. So if you like your hip hop with a Midwest twist, check out D.F.R. (https://www.reverbnation.com/DaFamilyRuthless)

Wayne Boy doesn’t stick to one area and you can’t stop him. “Kazz World” is more an anthem for the emcee than the rest of us. It’s like a declaration - “Wayne Boy is here!” He makes use of autotune just a bit in “100 Million” but it’s so light that it’s his rhymes that really shine through. What is great about “Grind Forever” is the beat. It really keeps ears perked up. That one may be Wayne Boy’s best as a whole because of it. Then you have “Not bout That Drama (From a Different World).” This one has a great mass appeal. It could be one of those crossover songs that people that aren’t always into hip hop fall for. It’s easy on the ears. “Jersey” is a hype track, but then you get “So Original” and that’s where a lot of the greatness of this rapper sits. In the end Wayne Boy’s style is eclectic. You can have it light, you can get hype and you can go mainstream. He covers all the bases so score with him. (https://soundcloud.com/wayneboy)

With Benji Montana, you’re bound to get one of his songs - or two - stuck in your head. “Baby Don’t Cry” featuring Mal Wood is a flows nicely and the hook sounds a little like MC Chris but a little mature - not his style but that high voice. Everyone has hard times so it’s not a surprise that “Hard Times” would be a crowd favorite when going through Montana’s tracks. Things get serious with “Mistakes” and then even more so with “R N S.” Then in an ironic twist we’re going to talk about the laid back “Intro” first. It’s got what the kids call swag and doesn’t let up. If you like your hip hop served with a dash of grace then check out Benji Montana now. (https://www.unsigned.com/benjimontana)

Charlie Chizzles And Pone is a hip hop duo doing it up in the Big Apple. “Heard They With Them Ops” sounds like it’s a hood version of something that’d be Call of Duty. That one is a bit dark but things lighten up with “Call at Far Rockamerica.” It can be a little robotic but it adds something different to the mix. Things get hardcore when it comes to “Rampage” and it’s a hard hitting one that comes at you with a whole lot of aggression and passion. “Power Respect” chills things out and really puts their voice in perspective. I think the best might be “Baddest” just because it’s different from the rest and sounds more sing-song at times. However the same can be said about the fun of “Wave It.” I think we’re ending this on a good note with “To The Top” because it’s a reminder of where Charlie Chizzles And Pone is going if they keep it up. (https://soundcloud.com/charlie-chizzles-pone)

DiCipher is on point and sounds like a heavy hitter already. “Can You Feel Me” has this more street version of Common feel going on. The lines are clean and fresh and it’s refreshing to hear such precision coming from an indie artist. The start of “Let’s Make History” makes you agree to the task at hand right away. Then the rhymes kick in and it’s even grander. Duk hops on “So Good” and the two give a great performance that’s hype. That energy continues on with “Blue Sky.” It’s upbeat but not out of control. The best and probably most eye catching is “Attention Whores.” How can you go wrong with a title at that? You can’t and that’s proven from the press of play. If you are searching endlessly for an emcee who possesses a sense of professionalism then by all means - check out DiCipher ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/DiCipher)

Indy Stones’ “Livin Life” is an honest approach to a young emcees life. It’s is a chill track that doesn’t over overdo it. It’s all about this artist’s life and that entails a lot of sex, weed and just well, living life to the fullest at his age. I think younger hip hop fans will appreciate the overall tone of the song, while older fans will respect the honesty and storytelling. This isn’t a hype track by any means so if you’re in the market for some laid back tracks - then “Livin Life” by Indy Stones is the place to shop. (https://soundcloud.com/indystones)

Mr.BrownSwagger comes from the Midwest and represents the anthems out there. “Catch Me Or See Me” is a song that has this laid back beat but the lyrics come across with a lot of energy. So things balance out. “Livin Like a Star” kind of has that same feel but things are switched around. It’s definitely an anthem for those who think they are living that high life. Then you have “2 Times (For Dem Strippers)” which is an anthem for…well, exotic dancers out there. Okay, so there are a lot of songs from Mr.BrownSwagger that could serve as life anthems over here - but this one is more universal that - “Born to Win.” Then rolling into “Like Rondo Did Wade” you have a song that plays but it doesn’t really stick, that’s where “I Do it Like I Does” comes in and caps things off hard. If you like that Illinois style of hip hop then check out Mr.BrownSwagger ASAP and get your music on. (https://www.reverbnation.com/MrBrownswagger)

Young Loe is a talented emcee that can make you move, groove and sing. “Fo’ Real” is a good track that plays like a radio hit you’d hear from the likes of artists like Nelly. With “Small Thangs 2 A Giant” you have this sort of throwback to ’70s funk while “Playa’s Delight” sounds a bit like ’90s R&B with a hip hop mentality. Things take a street turn with “How U Know.” You get a feminine touch with “Down Wit U” and then by the time “Thuggin & Hustlin” starts you have a very chilled vibe with that cool beat. The best of the batch is “A Helluva Life.” You can’t touch that one. It’s one of those songs that you want to learn every word to and sing your heart out to. The hook is stellar. If you like hip hop that mixes other styles in well - check out Young Loe today. (https://youngloe.com)

Young Mizzy is an emcee who likes to keep his boys close by in case they need to drop a hit. “Dope Smoke Vol. 1” has Young Mizzy alongside TMoney, BMurder and Sencelezz. The four of them together deliver a track that has haunting parts intertwined with a street feel, but is all around a very chilled hood track. If you like hip hop that sounds as real as the drama chaos that surrounds it, then check out Young Mizzy’s “Dope Smoke Vol. 1” now. (https://youtu.be/df0-6At17Do)

Marcus Taylor is an emcee from Texas who doesn’t do it big, but takes his time to get his point across crystal clear. “Barry White” was unexpected. It was more a mid-tempo, smooth delivery than a straight up street track. Then with “She’s On Fire” you have speeds it up and goes out to the girl on fire - is this one for Katniss Everdeen? Once “Today” comes through you can do nothing but sway to it and its R&B flare. It’s an easy going track but it packs a punch - that’s for sure. “Time Bomb” is a timely song with all the gunfire heading out around the US. It’s more a tale about the person from the other side of the bullets point of the view though and their regrets. Another one that packs a punch is “Abduction.” You’d think it’d be attacking you but instead it slowly guides you. We pick things up a bit with “I Ain’t Lyin” but it still plays it cool. So if you like your hip hop chilled like a cold brew, check out Marcus Taylor today. (https://soundcloud.com/m-taylor-5)

Some rappers like to be smooth with it and some like Mentol like to attack you with their sound. “Lifes Changed” is a little intimidating. So that’s a warning to anyone who likes their hip hop soft and light. This may not be for you. He has some help from STeelToe on “Sacrifice.” This one is as hard as the last and really has a great beat. With “Dat’s Right” it sounds like a freestyle battle put on a record. It has disses galore. Another friend with Mentol is IP and together they do their thing hard on “Slam It Down.” Things get a little weird with “Distance Between Us.” It sounds like something you’d hear in a hip hop driven nightmare at times. With a title like “Blue Waffle,” expectations are high and they are met with this one. If you like hip hop that’s extremely hardcore and not for the weak - then Mentol from New Hampshire is your boy for sure. So check him and his rhymes out now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/Mentol84)