We start out strong with Devin Roman and his “Bout Dat Action.” It’s a laid back track but it’s the track that keeps on giving in that the quick parts that come in spurts give it some pep and life. In “Da Money” we continue on the same path. It’s clear that this emcee likes to take it slow and doesn’t overdo it. He’s not about the flashy hip hop that’s more so for the jokes in sororities, but more so for the purists that like that true hip hop sound. That’s apparent in everything from “Bossed Up” to “Bandz Shawty” to “Trap House.” If you’re the kind of person who likes your rap served up raw, check out Devin Roman now. (https://www.devinromanmusic.net/)
Phase Aka’s latest “Table’z Turne’d” dropped this past January and if you haven’t got a chance to listen yet - where have you been? With a slick intro that then leads into “I Will Neva Change,” Phase Aka takes things in a chill manner and doesn’t overdo it when he laments that he’ll be the same, forever and always for he’s true to himself. Now that you know he’ll always stay who he is, he deals with some “Pressure” and tells more of a story here in an offbeat manner. Something learned in “Mean Girls,” we enter “Frenimes” with an interesting musical composition that takes this song to a new level throughout. In “How We Live” we get a more traditional, modern take on hip hop while we hit the club with “Thot Juice.” If you’re a fan of Brooklyn hip hop, check out Phase Aka’s “Table’z Turne’d,” out now. (https://phaseaka.bandcamp.com/album/tablez-turnd)
Michigan’s Ceo Carter is dishing out something quite different on his latest, “iCeo.” Starting out with the title track, he doesn’t miss a beat as he approaches the mic with an intensity and a fervor. Right after that “F**k Ya Mean” comes through with a drama building intro that finally comes through with a lot of attitude and a fine line paying homage to Gary Coleman’s best. Flint Po hops on “My Mind” and together they give that same attitude as the last but are more raw with it. Towards the end if “iCeo” we hear that familiar drama as “Come Up” starts, as things come to a close with a piano driven “Confessions.” This record is solid if you’re a fan of hip hop that takes an alternative route, check out Ceo Carter’s “iCeo,” now. It just dropped, so it’s hot off the presses and ready to go. (https://ceocarter.bandcamp.com/)
Big Pure’s “Respect The Plug” comes at you like a delicious, balanced meal. Opening up with “Sandlot Gang,” Big comes out swinging and it’s a homerun. The hook is sick and continues to live on long after the song is done. It’s one of those songs you could hear as a theme or on a commercial for a brand. It’s got staying power. In “We Waxx” we slow it down and it’s a whole different story coming through. It’s more a story than a catchy mixtape creation. Moving onto “FMJ!” the energy level is brought back up and Big gets a little fierce with the delivery, but what remains is what we heard from the start, that hook. It’s a back and forth dance as we then lighten up with “Diamond Girl” and here I want to shout out the sweet music in the background. Over everything, that’s the star of this track. Closing out this record is “Maybe(M)” and it does so with some R&B notes and a lot of heart as things smooth over. For an album that has good variety of styles, look no further than Big Pure’s “Respect The Plug,” out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/BIG-PURE-Respect-The-Plug-mixtape.706145.html)
Straight out of the Southside, MALLG is dropping his anticipated “Definition of a Hustler.” The record starts off with “The Definition” and it creates a mood that can’t be denied. If you’re into rap that doesn’t play well with others, this is for you. It’s not the rap you’d hear at the end of a happy go lucky movie, this is for those who like it raw. He continues with the hard edge in “Brand New” but here the music eases things a bit but the bite is still has harsh as the last. We couldn’t move forward without talking about “The Hustler.” We just mentioned ease and this one throws you for a loop because it has a definite soulful feel. He shows a whole different side of what he can do here. He sounds a little cinematic in “Woop Dee Woop” with a Nicki Minaj-like fellow emcee helping him on on this joint. If you’re a fan of rap that comes with a huge dose of high powered grit, check out “Definition of a Hustler” by MALLG, out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/MALLG-Definition-Of-A-Huslter-mixtape.758457.html)
Era Tha Kidd’s “G.R.I.N.D” is his latest and it’s making some waves in the hip hop scene. The intro goes for longer than expected, but it sets the tone for the rest of the record. We then head into “Nothing Was The Same” and it’s a little slow at first with a skit but then Era Tha Kidd comes in and he tells his tale in a chilled manner. We keep that laid back demeanor going strong with “Like Me.” In which it sounds a little like if Akon went into actual rap and not mainstream hip-pop. We then head into something that has more bite with “I’m On It.” If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s on the same level as the likes of Tyga and Wiz Khalifa, check out Era Tha Kidd’s “G.R.I.N.D,” out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/Era-Tha-Kidd-GRIND-mixtape.598244.html)
Fred J’s “Addicts Like ME” is perfect from start to finish. Kicking off with “Cleantime Celebration,” we get this hype beat that sounds like it could kick off any night down at the club. The title track takes it down a notch, with clean lines - this one sounds like something you’d hear on the radio today. We get some inspiration with “Be Somebody” and “Nobody Like Jesus,” while get a sense of romance in “My Girl” and find a little of an Ice Cube sound towards the end of “Gotta Find My Way Out.” Fred J has a well-rounded record on his hands with “Addicts Like ME.” He brings modern day hip hop and intertwines it with some throwback west coast sounds, while building and creating a reality with his lyrics. Check out Fred J’s “Addicts Like ME,” out now. (https://www.cleantimerecords.com/)
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)
Rap doesn’t have to be all about the bling. Some of it can be about something a lot more, like spirituality. That’s where artists like D.P. comes in with his album “The Way Out.” A decade old, the record is timeless. Each track stands out like a classic like “A Man.” It’s sweet R&B flare really tells a story while “Fill Me” takes us to a more hip hop side of the artist. In “Power in His Name,” soul, hip hop and belief marry one another to come together for a stunning, and beautiful track. “The Way Out” sounds like a song the whole congregation could join in during service. 15 tracks deep, “The Way Out” is a great album for those who like to listen to more uplifting hip hop. Check out D.P.’s latest now. (https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dphiphop)
MaC Dee’s “Kim” starts with a traditional intro and then goes into “What?” featuring Noble. It doesn’t have a traditional flow to it. The rhymes come out in this unstructured manner but it works. As the chorus rolls through, it’s like a mixture of monologues and music. With “On U” we get a bit of a funky meets R&B vibe with the music and because of that, the words come through in a finer manner than the last. The title kind of makes you expect it, but MaC Dee and Vanhook’s “Magical Woman” does have this magical touch in the beats used. Almost a throwback to ’90s R&B for a second. Don’t adjust the volume when “Understand (Karma In Magnitude)” comes into play. It will start soon enough and when it does, you’ll have one of the best on “Kim.” In the end “Keep It Movin’” caps off the record with a ’70s feel that MaC Dee makes come full circle back to the present day with his delivery. If you’re a fan of hip hop that plays well with classic R&B, check out MaC Dee’s “Kim,” out now. (https://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/35767/mac-dee-kim.html)
Young G aka Iceolated dropped a new mixtape called “Confidential Evidence 2” and it’s as dope as could be. Right out the gate Iceolated does it up with “G Thang.” Sampling one of Eminem’s best, “What You Done To Be” pays homage to the classic with the beat and the aggression in the delivery is on point as well. You can hear that the emcee is passionate about every word he spits out. With “Pretty Boy Swag” I was expecting a lighter tone, but instead that same angry vibe is going on. Then with “My Best Friend” the tide changes with the music at least. All in all “Confidential Evidence 2” is a record that does not lack in the passion department. Iceolated is an emcee with a mission and he’s clear with it. Check him out now if you’re a fan of artists like Machine Gun Kelly. (https://www.datpiff.com/TG-The-Beast-Confidential-Evidence-2-mixtape.720276.html)
Joe Cash Mahall’s latest mixtape “2 Sides 2 Everything” jammed packed with tracks so let’s get right to it. Sean Kyd hops on and helps out with the intro, “Long Time” and here we get a feel for what’s to come on the rest of this mix. “Moving” starts out subtle but then gets into the action as does “Heaven Knows,” only with a funkier beat. “The Message” takes us to the street and then we are taken aback by the cascade of talented friends Joe Cash Mahall has from Cory Jones to Tory Lanez. This is a mixtape for hip hop fans who are into acts like Big Sean because Joe brings it hard, but still can be fresh for the mainstream folks. Check out “2 Sides 2 Everything,” out now. (https://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/35405/joe-cash-mahall-2-sides-2-everything.html)
