Kapitol HP’s “Head of State” is a hip hop record that is the soundtrack for a night out from the homie’s house to the club and back again. The title track kicks this record off with a note and then gets into the music that would be the soundtrack to any block party. “Steady Hustle” brings to life a similar vibe from the last while “2 for Me” featuring EnCrowd G is more like a song you’d hear if Chris Brown teamed up with the likes of Tyga. Kapitol HP brings what he declares a “strip club anthem” to the table, or rather stage, with Bryan Jones. Together they’ll make booties clap with “Face Down.” From the ladies on the stage to “Diamond Girl,” this song sounds like it could still be be the perfect fit for a gentlemen’s club down in Atlanta. Last up is “Looking in the Mirror.” Here we’re given a more in your face approach to hip hop. Kapitol HP is on the hunt in this one. If you’re a fan of the St. Louis rap scene, check out its rising Kapitol HP’s “Head of State,” out now. (https://kapitolhp.bandcamp.com/album/head-of-state-3)
Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged” is not what I expected, but it definitely exceeded expectations. “Lyons Square Park” starts with this ominous intro that goes straight into a reality charged outlook on life. You don’t get the artist but the man Myers really is with this. With “Jordans On A Saturday” featuring aReJay Ella, it’s not what I expected. I thought based solely on the title that this would be a lighthearted track about some kicks. Instead it is a passion fueled piece broken apart by Ella’s bursts of soul. The music takes a break with “Taking Names” as it’s a well spoken track. Then we’re back with the chilling “Heavy Metal Rally,” while we close out with “Villania/In My Time Of Dying.” The last track brings us full circle with a sense of elegance throughout. Those into social hip hop will want to check out Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/jacksonmyerslives)
Staxkz’s “Separation Anxiety” mixtape is jam packed. “Educated Ignorance” starts the record off with a blast. Without seeing what this emcee looks like, you can hear a since of youth in his voice. Not in a way that he is all about fun, but just he has a young sound like he’s in the same game as Tyga and Drake. The title track starts off a little funky, but in a good way. It kind of just sits in the middle, but “I Know” gives off an energy that’s electric. In a way that Drake would kickstart a track, Staxkz plays on a laid back club feel to get this party started. This one has radio written all over it. He’d be smart to take this one to the masses. The same can be said of “The Long Way” and “Gone Ham” featuring his boy B Lanes. As the record progresses, you hear highs and lows from Staxkz and get into some aggression here and there, like with “Who With Me.” “Separation Anxiety” is a versatile hip hop record that should be on your “must listen” list at the top. So note that and check out Staxkz now. (https://www.datpiff.com/StaXkZ-Seperation-Anxiety-mixtape.450855.html)
Page and Powers’ “The Sky is Where You Fly” has more heart than a cardiologists office. The record opens up with the title track. It’s a positive message surrounded by a chill beat. It’s not uncommon to hear a love song in hip hop, but it’s not the norm on every album. That’s where Page and Powers differs with “Beautiful You Face.” It’s sweet and sentimental and a new side to get to know. That sentiment continues out throughout and then there’s a special shout out to the parents out there. “Remembered Always” stands out for the subject matter - most definitely. It’s interesting to hear a song about mothers and fathers. Usually it’s one or the other, or neither. All in all, this is now a hip hop record that has street cred in mind. There’s a lack of club hits, curse words and aggression - but it’s hip hop - just on a different page. It’s written with heart and is a delight. if you like your rap with some feelings, check out Page and Powers’s “The Sky is Where You Fly,” out now. (https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/pageandpowers1)
Dossman Thomas has a lot going on, but it all shapes up and meshes well. “Give ‘Em Hell!” has a fun feel to it and will remind some of what Mac Miller’s been spitting out. That frat rap vibe. With his buddy Zach Kramer by his side on “Love,” he really changes it up and gives us a track that has a more seductive demeanor. One would think “Nosebleed” would have this aggressive beat but really, it’s like Neo-Soul music intertwined with some attitude. Tino hops on “What To Do” and that seduction is back, but not in the lyrics. Lyrically this sounds like it could be the theme song for every 20-something. “Said A Lot” brings us back to that Neo-Soul but the vocals match up this time around. In the end Dossman Thomas has a lot of elements to his sound. He’s one part soul, a hint of frat and has a dash or two of sass that creates a sound that everyone from fans of Mac Miller to Wiz Khalifa would enjoy. So check out his record, “Dossman, Thomas EP,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/dossman_thomas/sets/dossman-thomas-ep)
This March Reece Surreal released “The Black Dali Mixtape” and we’re here to tell you why it should stick with you all the way through the summer, fall and winter months. It starts with “I’m Done.” This track has a great energy to it that makes your ears perk up. The beat is a little ‘80s while the the delivery comes through in a modern way. In “U Know My Style” Reece we get this odd feel. It sounds like he layered two tracks on top of one another. It causes some confusion, but it keeps you interested. Then you have Lindsey McKay offering her vocals to the smooth diss, “They Lame” as well as the one that deals with the haters “Can’t F with Reece.” Things get a little aggressive with “Not Your Average Rapper.” He comes through cool and confident and that’s the overall feel from Reece Surreal. If you’re underground hip hop that experiments, check out “The Black Dali Mixtape,” out now. (https://reecesurreal.bandcamp.com/releases)
California is known for a lot; beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and of course hip hop. While it started out east, the rap that came out California had something unique about it and that’s what Kydd Raz has done on his latest, “Heart of Cali.” “Bars of Dope” opens the record and comes across with a lot of bite. It has this angry vibe but keeps you interested with the stellar beat. Heading into “IDGAF” we’re introduced to another great beat. The flow of the lyrics are chill and the pace a bit relaxed so they work in unison. Kydd Raz offers some life advice with “Don’t Be No Punk.” The music of this one reminds me a lot of the last track. The title track has a lot to live up. It does the trick in delivering listeners an overall great musical aroma. It has some attitude, but you can’t help but learn the words and then try and spit it out yourself. Closing out the album is “Wit This Shit.” This one caps things off with a track that sounds like it could’ve been the musical child of Mystikal and Snoop Dogg. It has this pizzaz, but keeps it street. If you’re a fan of west coast hip hop, check out Kydd Raz’s “Heart of Cali,” out now. (https://kyddraz.bandcamp.com/album/heart-of-cali)
Coming straight to you from Hotlanta is Maverick with his EP “Prosperous Psyche." We kick things off with “Only Tonight.” This joint has a hip hop backbone, but the skin of a R&B track. It’s smooth but has those rhymes laid out clean. We get that same smoothness with what sounds like a little Asian influence in the music. It’s a great east meets west fusion. Reality sets in with “Pain and Pleasure.” Those who like to keep it real will gravitate towards this one, for sure. Last up on this EP is “On The Move.” Here Maverick stays positive and offers some advice while keeping it cool. If you like hip hop that has been baked in the oven with an R&B glaze, make sure that Maverick’s “Prosperous Psyche” is put in your iTunes cue. (https://soundcloud.com/maverickworld)
Mic. Carr’s “Cut The Jazz” makes you think you’re in for one thing and then another pops off. “Give to Get” starts out smooth and then you’re welcomed by a very calm storm of hip hop that has a sense of refinement. With “Second to None” you’re introduced to more singing than rhyming right off the bat. Then vocals like Common come through and you’re taken under a musical spell with a sample of what sounds like “I Wanna Sex You Up.” A little R&B flare settles in nice with “Nothin’ Better” as Ronny Soprano does his thing with Mic. Carr on both “Somethin’” and “The Move.” Wrapping up this record is what appears to be the best, judging by the title, “MVP.” What’s great and what listeners should know about Mic. Carr is that his style comes across as a poet and not as some run of mill rapper like Lil’ Wayne. Mic. does his thing with a sense of class and it’s all on “Cut The Jazz,” out now. So check it if you’re into that neo-soul hip hop scene. (https://micmusic9.bandcamp.com/album/cut-the-jazz)
Black Out’s “Throughell4wealth” is a healthy dose of rap, rap and more rap. “Sanctuary” starts out in an eerie way with a childlike intro but as soon as Black Out comes in, all that is pushed aside and his audacity takes over. It takes a second for “You Playing” to get underway but it’s worth the wait. It doesn’t go hard, but it has this very easygoing pace that has a chilled feel to it but it keeps the swag high. Smacks hops on for a double dose of hits on “All This Hell” and “Never Stop.” Things take an aggressive turn with “My Future” but it’s welcomed. It showcases that this is an artist who doesn’t mess around and won’t be pushed around. We close out with a great start on “The End.” That feminine touch at the start is way better than where this mixtape started with that horror movie like children chorus. “The End” is the perfect well, end to the record. If you like artists like Kendrick Lamar, check out Black Out’s “Throughell4wealth,” out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/-blackout-Throughell4wealth-mixtape.659132.html)
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)
Travis M.’s “The MisUnderstood” is a blast from the past with a note in the present. After we get through the introduction we head into “Process.” It is a really laid back track. I thought from the intro that this one was going to be a ratchet record, instead this song came on and was well composed and straight laced. With the title track we get a fresh beat that has an old school, ’80s feel. With “BEAST” I thought we’d step up the energy a bit, and I was kind of right. The rhymes come a bit faster than we’ve gotten so far and it was a nice shake up. Travis M.’s pal Gina Smith hops on to help out on the anthem-like gem “Faith” while Serene gets in on the fun with “Gennesis.” As the record rolls on you can hear his influences that sound a bit New York in “Dream Land Gone Wrong.” He ends things with “Monsta with Xan.” This one really picks it up and comes across like a different artist. Travis M. gives us an old school feel in 2015 and it’s a reminder that some young emcees are still picking things up from the past and making them new again. If you like chill hip hop that can get hype when it’s necessary, check out Travis M. (https://soundcloud.com/TravisMjustM)
