Who said hip hop couldn’t be paired with a higher power? Tony Boone has found a nice balance to bring his street smarts to the gospel realm. While you won’t find traditional gospel sounds, you’ll hear that passion. “Rise Above” starts with beauty and then goes into a chilled rhyme session that brings about positivity. In “Lern to Luv,” that idea of upbeat energy is still present as the lyrics continue to bring about hope while maintaining that dope beat. In “Father Forgive Me” Boone comes a bit harder in his delivery, showcasing a need for this forgiveness. Heading into “All My Love,” it sounds like a track that 2Pac would’ve put out along the lines of “Changes.” It has that street meets relatable factor. If you’re a fan of artists like J Cole, check out Tony Boone’s music today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/artist/3332051)
Everyone has a story to tell, so sit back while DCP spits one out. “Visions” tells a great story of where DCP came from and it’s got a sense of reality to it that will be easy for those who had to rise up out of bad times will be able to relate to. In “Never Quit” the beat has a bit more energy than the last. It still has that inspirational tone though. Things continue to get more energized as the music plays. That’s the case as we roll into “D.W.I.” It’s not the most responsible track, but it does have a great hook. He drops a line about the Marriott and then we head to “Hotel Party.” We see what he did there, and we like the connection he can make throughout his tracks. What I expected from this one though was a bit more excitement. This is more a kick back than a party. What stands out as DCP’s strength is the realness of the lyrics. Like where we started and on “Only Human.” Those stand way taller than the more niche ones like” D.W.I.” and “Hotel Party.” Plus, the chorus of “Only Human” is stellar. If you’re a fan of Mac Miller and Wiz Khalifa, check out DCP today. (https://soundcloud.com/dcp_assocated007)
When it comes to making people listen, Flo Frazier is king. His style commands attention like no other, so let’s not waste time and get to “I Am Different Vol. 1.” The “Intro” sets us up for a record that smells of intimidation and that arome continues fast with “I’m Back.” Flo has this very masculine delivery and it makes your back straighten and you take notice in an instant - partly out of fear. With “Shoutout to the Haters” he’s joined by Black Collar Biz and Gates Montana. It starts with a little Kat Williams and then goes into a track that’s surrounded by a bit of darkness. Continuing on, “Don’t Let Em” calms things down a bit, but Flo can’t be tamed. That’s a lesson to walk away with when it comes to his music. If you find yourself checking out Rick Ross and Meek Mill, then it’s time for you to add “I Am Different Vol. 1” to your collection. So get on Flo Frazier now. (https://www.datpiff.com/Flo-Frazier-I-Am-Different-Vol1-mixtape.181710.html)
When a lot of the guys and gals are spitting it out fast, emcees like Alex Koncrete are blending rhymes with soul and bringing something else to the table. “Up In My Window” featuring Drummer has this swag about it that will resonate with fans of Drake. It intertwines hip hop with a classic R&B. So it has a balance of street and smooth. In “Dreams and Nightmares” continues listeners down that path with a very slow tempo run in the rhymes. Then comes “Stay.” It’s a cover of the Rihanna hit. It doesn’t sound too different than the original, only with a masculine vocal performance this time around. If you’re a fan of Drake, then Alex Koncrete is the direction you want to take your musical journey today. So make some time and check him out today. (https://soundcloud.com/alex-koncrete)
Dreadrock covers all the basics to give off some fresh hip hop rhymes. “Thotiana” is great because you don’t know what it is. It could be a slang term, or a name. It has a mystery about it that makes you not only want to listen, but have to to get the whole picture. It’s a bit more out in the open with “I Got Cash.” A simple concept everyone is familiar with a hook that won’t quit when it comes to the chorus. It’s more catchy because you want to learn it and master it. In “Just Swerv” Dreadrock brings this sense of anticipation to the table with a drawn out intro. We’ve had girls, money and now some herbal refreshments with “Get High.” This one comes across like a song you listen and get down to at a kick back. It’s not over the top, or too mellow - but just right. “We Made It” slows the party down with it’s laid back feel, while “The Same” works to bring the energy back up. Dreadrock is an artist who knows his way around rhymes, but will only get better with time. So check him out because he’s here to stay. (https://www.youtube.com/user/2tudrock/videos)
The thing people assume about hip hop is that it’s all the same, but real fans know that’s not the case. When it comes to Ghalil Einstein, he doesn’t play by some of the rules but overall has a great balance of beats. What better way to get introduced to an artist than by a song that shares his name? Well that’s where we’re beginning today with “Ghalil Einstein.” It gives us an overall idea of what to expect and that is a laid back emcee who seems to have a flare for the dramatics to him. Then with “Hankerin’” that chilled mentality continues on. No matter the beat, his words come out in a way that don’t allow for a lot of hype. That is until “Gun Sideways” comes through. Here he picks up his pace a bit and gives us something different and new. With that, “Chainsaw” is a mix of the two. The beat offers up some aggression, while the lyrics come across as a bit slower. If you’re a fan of Gucci Mane, check out Ghalil Einstein today. (https://www.youtube.com/user/Ensteinsmith/videos)
Down in the south, music comes through with a signature style. And Son Of Ice is all dressed up with everywhere to go with his track “Light Years.” It starts with the intention that it’s going to be this sort of kickback track. It remains chill, but Son of Ice’s flow has this swag to it that takes it a notch above a laid back time. It has a steady pace to it with a little bounce in its step that allows for some shoulder shimmy action. You can see yourself getting down to this one at the club without turning it up too much. It’s the right amount of fast and slow; balanced cool. If you’re a fan of Chris Brown and Big Sean, check out Son of Ice’s “Light Years,” available now. (https://soundcloud.com/son-of-ice-music)
Connor Cassidy gives his listeners a dose of reality in his rhymes. We start things off with a “Getaway.” Unlike a lot of hip hop tracks on there, this one begins with a solid guitar intro. Then the lyrics start to flow and it’s transformed into a whole new song. It has a sense of reality to it with a relaxed flow. “Hijack” continues on that same path with a similar musical mentality. The truth is that “Lies” comes across chiller than the last two. What’s to be noted about Cassidy is that he’s able to captivate with his rhymes because they carry a lot of heart and emotion. You can hear that he puts his all into every word his spits. Another note about “Lies” is that it has this R&B flavor mixed in a bit. Last up, “All of You” switches it up and gives us a lot of energy from this emerging emcee. If you’re a fan of Wiz Khalifa and Faboulous, check out Connor Cassidy’s music today. (https://www.connorcassidy.com/#base)
Not even old enough to buy a beer, Young Rizz is doing big things in the MN. “Who Want It” starts off very dramatic. It’s as if a fight is about to begin. The build up softens as he gets into the song, but the delivery still has a sense of intimidation. Moving on to “Bloomin’” has that same feel as the last in the intro but I think gets more run of the mill once the lyrics are laid out. His girl Angel helps him out on “Greater Later” and gives this track a R&B flare. We get back to the tricked out hip hop with “Blindfolded” and continue on that path as we head into “Not Gon’ Stop Us.” One of the best of the batch is “Strive.” It doesn’t do anything like the rest. It doesn’t have that intimidating feel, nor does it have anyone on it. It’s just Young Rizz doing what he does best. It seems the most personal too. It’s always nice to be able to get a real feel for the emcee. If you like artists like Wiz Khalifa and Tyga, check out Young Rizz. (https://www.facebook.com/Mryoungrizz)
SoHusky’s “LoneWolf” takes the idea of being alone and gives it a hip hop twist. The title track has a slow build up and when it starts, you’re not sure what you’re in for. What you get it a chilled stack of rhymes. That relaxed vibe continues on with “Loner.” It’s clear that there’s a running theme with this emcee - he’s not one for company. “No Love” questions society while “Hooked” is titled very well as you won’t be able to get it out of your head for a long time after thanks to the well, hook. This whole time you get the sense that SoHusky doesn’t play well with others, but alas he has a guest on the album. OnlySin hops on to do his thing on “Break the Law.” Rounding out this relaxed record is the very real “Why” and “Myself,” which is fitting and caps off things nicely. If you’re a fan of hip hop that isn’t all about that crunk mentality, but more so reality - then check out SoHusky’s “LoneWolf,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/sohusky)
Out in Maryland Erie Ave does his thing and is ready for the prime time action. “Blessing” doesn’t do a lot to really capture you, but that’s not the case with “10 Bands.” This one hits you like a train right off the bat and continues that momentum throughout. That calms down a bit with the quick “Ready or Not.” It’s a short track that leaves you wanting more. Then in walks “Hustle” and there is the “more” you wanted. It has a swag to it that makes it a party starter. Things smooth out with the chilled ways of “Alright” and keep on with the vibe as “Prime Time” takes charge. With each track, you can hear a steady rise for Erie Ave. He’s got a style that fans of artists like Faboulous would appreciate. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s been chilled like wine, check out Erie Ave. (https://soundcloud.com/ErieAve)
Not every artist starts out knowing the ins and outs. In our musical journey with Dizzie D, we start with an emcee who lets the music guide and then takes the reins and powers through to be the boss man. “Hard Knock” sounds like the start of a movie when it starts. You can see a camera following a winding road and landing on a shot of a haunted house. Then when the rhymes come through, it doesn’t have that same feel. It’s a little less dramatic than the music. With “It’s Good” the rhymes come through very chill for the most part, getting some energy as it goes along but again - it’s the beat that really helps this track glide on. Overall this one is a killer track. As we head into “Bounce” it’s like Dizzie D finally found his footing and comes through strong as an emcee and the music no longer has the upperhand. He shines as the star. That streak continues on with “Fame” and we finally hear him and it’s a stunning performance. His confidence oozes from each line. If you’re a fan of artists like Kendrick Lamar, check out Dizzie D now. (https://soundcloud.com/dizzie_d)
