What appears to be a commercial for the HBO series “Hard Knocks,” Viz Dawg’s video for “Get Me The Ball” has a very masculine feel to it; men in very great shape on a football field, an energetic yet abrasive beat, and a hardcore sound. After realizing this isn’t an ad for a show, this is a pretty great song. I could hear this during any practice around the country, gym and even clubs. It reminds me a little of the Ying Yang twins minus the mainstream pop vibes they had at times. It’s more about the grit of that Atlanta sound. If you’re in the market for a song that pumps you up, check out “Get Me The Ball” by Viz Dawg, out now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yL3bY3H35M)

Matic is a rising emcee who has some tricks up his sleeve. “Come Shop Wit Me” featuring his boy Tec finds its hook in the title. Really though that’s where the song kind of falters. It’s catchy, but definitely would benefit from something a bit more. With “Whole Lotta Work,” I think he steps it up in terms of all around packaging. The beat is intriguing and not overdone in any manner. Last up, “Stoner” comes through and I think is really the icing on the cake. It has this unique sound to it and this is what I’d like to hear more of when it comes to this emcee’s sound. If you’re a fan of emerging hip hop artists who have a lot to offer, check out Matic today. (https://soundcloud.com/planetmatic)

Courtney Chambers - Tales of the Aftermath URL: https://www.courtneychambers.net/ Courtney Chambers is far from the stereotypical blonde haired California girl. This native of the Coachella Valley has released a stunning fourth album, Tales of the Aftermath, which marries impressive musical versatility with a poetic sensibility and smoky, impassioned vocals. The stylistic shifts move from a blues foundation into areas as diverse as neo-classical ballads, jangly folk rock experiments, and spare acoustic pieces. Chambers is a multi-instrumentalist, manning both piano and guitar on this release, but it isn’t a perfunctory role. Her playing, particularly on piano, is an important thread in the album’s sonic tapestry. Producer and second guitarist Sean Hoffman, known for his work with the American Music Club among many other projects, creates an evocative virtual stage for Chambers, himself, and the other players to occupy. A bevy of superb atmospheric qualities drive many of the songs, but listeners are fortunate that Chambers and Hoffman alike possess the artistic discernment to never overindulge and drive the songs into heavy-handed melodrama. There is a delicate, yet exquisite, balance between the assorted instruments that helps strength Tales of the Aftermath into a cohesive listening experience.

Smoke’s latest “Kendall Jenner - Who Am Eye?” is out now and we’re getting into it. It starts off with a slow jam, “Root Of All Evil,” and then picks up with a what sounds like a radio favorite, “Letter 2 God.” As we roll along, “Pu$$y Game” starts off kind of rocky, but finds its footing in the end. It’s definitely a song that would make someone blush. As soon as that one ends and we think this is all about being a player, but then “I Need You” comes through and showcases some heart. In “Music Industry” I expected to hear more digs at the realm, but it was a little light. In the end Smoke has a great set of tracks in his bag on “Kendall Jenner - Who Am Eye?” out now! (www.datpiff.com/SMOKE-Kendall-Jenner-Who-Am-Eye-mixtape.741856.html?utm_campaign=piff.me&utm_source=&utm_medium=piff.me)

You don’t hear too much rap from the North West, but Alex Xander AKA PAPI is going to change that. Let’s get started ironically with “The Wait.” When you see only a picture, you can never truly know what to expect when the music starts. I was surprised to hear Alex showcase some vocal abilities when it came to actually carrying a tune here instead of just spitting out rhymes. The boy can sing on top of rapping. In “Now You Know Pt. 2 (LEGEND)” we start off with some dramatics and then ease up for the rest of the show. We keep going on that easy road with “Rich Mahogany” while rounding things out with “MAIDS,” a track that showcases more of an attitude from the emcee. What I loved was when Alex Xander showed off something a little different with the vocals. He should put more of that into his music and he’ll continue to stand apart from the crowd. With that, here’s to watching his career grow in the New Year. (https://www.reverbnation.com/RealAlexXander?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav)

Chris Capalano is an emcee from the Windy City who has a sound that really shows off a supreme talent. We start this out with Chris and his bud Good with “Half A Brick.” Here we have a lot of energy right out of the gate. The intro alone of this song could get adrenaline pumping, and once the lines start to come out - that doesn’t change. As we move onto “Somebody Snitching” we get another great intro but this time it’s because this one is completely different from the last. Instead of this hype feel, we get a more sing-song, playground rhyme and then Chris Capalano comes through fresh. What’s to be appreciated about “Hands High” is that Miami nightlife feel the music brings to life. From the heat of Miami to the streets of urban America, we land in a “Sea of Doubt.” Here is the real icing on the cake of the whole lot. It has a great vibe all the way through and really showcases a true set of skills. If you want to hear more from this Chicago based rapper, check him out now. (https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=606804)

Tony Casanova’s “T Up Like Me” has this mystery when it starts. You don’t know whether or not things are going to get crazy or not. When you listen more, it’s that anticipation - topped with the great pace at which Tony Casanova delivers - that really makes you like the track. This sounds like something that’s out and about right now on the radio. With acts like Kendrick Lamar and Fetty Wap, that’s where Tony Casanova belongs in the spectrum of hip hop right now. Check out his latest, “T Up Like Me,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/tonycasanova-1/t-up-like-me)

When it comes to getting things started, 2K’s is right there with music in the holsters - ready to go. “(Exxxciting)” opens with this elongated intro then it gets into this track that really follows an excellent pace that keeps spirits high the whole way through. That’s 2K’s latest track that just got released. Going back a bit though we can hear in “Wut I Know” is that 2K’s has always had a handle on beats that keep listeners on their toes. This one feels a bit harder than the newest, but all are good. With some help from Celebrity, 2K’s’ “Wutcha Want” sounds like a song that would turn the club up in a low key way. The rhymes are chill and allot listeners to follow along with ease. Last up is a joint called “KOOL.” Here we kind of go back to where we started with the intro that takes some time but gets you warmed up and ready to go with on point lyrics that bring the entertainment. If you’re a fan of hip hop that has a house party/club vibe, check out 2K’s today. (https://www.youtube.com/user/certifiedportboyz/videos)

Down in Baton Rouge Image is making beats and rhymes and the first one we got on the table is “Rise And Shine.” Here he’s a little ball of positivity and a little encouraging in what he has to say. With that we head into “Lost Black Queen.” It’s clear that Image is all about provoking thought with what he has to say in song. Then in “Like Father Like Son,” he goes more towards a mainstream sound. What I appreciate about Image is that he takes control of what he has to say, but isn’t afraid to bust out a fun track either. He finds a balance, but what he does best is bringing light to his sound with well written and structured songs. If you’re into thinking with your music, check out Image now. (https://soundcloud.com/i-m-a-g-e16/tracks)

Red Cartel Music’s Shoota is telling us what he’s doing things for. It’s all for “My Homies.” Well that’s the name of the track that features Young V.S. The video follows a story at the start and takes awhile to get to the song, but once things get started, you’re attracted to the beat that sounds a little like something you’d hear out of the South’s rap scene. It’s a low key beat that let’s the bounce of it all take control. It’s a song you could hear everyone from kids in high school to college kids getting behind. If you’re a fan of hip hop that mixes streets with slick beats, check out Red Cartel Music’s Shoota, now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkG5l0wyZqo&feature=youtu.be)

Leo Harmonay “Somewhere Over the Hudson” Official URL: https://www.lharmonic.com/music/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/leo.harmonay About the Artist: Leo Harmonay just released his latest effort entitled “Somewhere Over the Hudson”. Right from the beginning track “Colors” his intimate sound is rooted in Folk-Pop rock and colored by his own powerful observations about life in general. Today, the theme of ‘roads less traveled’ remains firmly ensconced in his life. The blue highways of America still call; there are so many more to see and experience. And more songs to write about them…stories of hope, survival, love, discovery, loss, crazy situations, of making peace with life and with simply being alive – this is how I was the album.

1 Double O has some pretty interesting beats in their bag of tricks. As someone who watches cooking shows too much, “Rachel Ray” instantly caught my eye and quickly my ears. It was this slow paced track in the intro but then things picked up and got rapid. With “Gift And A Curse” keeps the pace slow but this one has more soul to it than the last, while “We Smoke” does the same thing, but has more of a house kickback feel to it with a cloud of smoke hanging over it. One thing admirable about 1 Double O is that they are very precise in the construction of their music. Each sounds very well done and it’s heard in the ones we’ve already noted as well as others like “Shooters” and “Bout It.” It’s not rare to find indie artists who sound like they’re backed by a million dollar deal, but it’s not common either. In this case we’ve found it with 1 Double O. Check out their precision with rhymes now. (https://soundcloud.com/sadiq-wood)