Success is rightfully named. “Driving Mr Daisy” instantly reminded me of something you’d hear on a current Kanye West record. It had that robotic delivery yet was still cool and calm. You get a real sense of what Success can do with tracks like “Virgin Mary Pt 1,” “Empire Fall,” and “Mission Impossible.” One of the best from the bunch though has to be the storytelling that comes with “Virginia Girls.” Another great one that is bound to be a crowd favorite is the twist on a fairy tale classic, “Glass Slippers.” It might have the simplest name, but “On” is right on the money. There is something about the hook that well, hooks you. All in all what Success has going on will take him far. The rhymes are clean, the songs are crystal clear and it’s an array of vibes going on. So check Success out today, not tomorrow…today. (https://alleyesonsuccess.com/music/)
John Blake puts an optimistic spin on hip hop. “Be Me” featuring Kristin Nicole and Kiarrah Guerra is a really positive track that has a great trio of vocals on it. It’s definitely a spirit lifter. The Leerix helps out on “Pour It” and this one takes a different path to your brain. It’s not like the last; it’s more traditional club hip hop. Then we’re back to the wholesome sounds with “Your Light (Let It Shine)” featuring Elisa Polanco. This one, like “Be Me,” is sends out a powerful message - don’t give up on your life. That light keeps shining on with John Blake and Michael Pashalian’s “Two Steps.” It seems like for the most part John Blake is an artist who took his love of hip hop and added a great twist to it. It’s not uncommon to hear these positive life lessons in this genre, but it’s always refreshing to. If you like your rap with a dose of happiness, check out John Blake now. (https://soundcloud.com/johnblakenation)
JHall comes from the streets of Michigan and has put all his time and energy into his craft and it shows. “Light It Up” is a track that’s not only well performed - but well produced. It’s crisp and has fine lines. The hook really solidifies this one, but JHall definitely brings it in the lyrics department. Kudos to him on this one. If the rest of what he has in his arsenal is like this song - there’s no doubt that JHall can be the next big thing in hip hop. So if you want to be ahead of the crowd, check out JHall’s “Light It Up” ASAP. (https://www.jango.com/music/JHall+Hip+Hop+Rap+?l=0)
Dat Bul is a force to be reckoned with on the mic. His buddy Jai comes through on “Falling Down.” This one is a slow paced track that picks up soon after it starts in a bit of an aggressive manner. Things smooth out when “Sometimes I Talk” comes around. This one really showcases the person behind the lyrics well. “Since I Started” has a great bounce to it that makes you just bob your head to every lyric escaping his lips. With “I Like Dis” things get a bit more in your face, but just a bit. Dat Bul comes across a little more aggressive but not in a Busta Rhymes way, just takes more charge than the other tracks we’ve heard thus far. We’re ending this with a really high note with the Rasta feel of “Streets Is Hot.” The hook has that island feel, but the rhymes are true blue Dat Bul style. If you like hip hop that’s got energy but can also keep it cool, check out Dat Bul now. (https://soundcloud.com/dat-bul)
Cesar The Mann is a rapper who doesn’t speed through things. “On The Run” is a problem I wish I had - getting money and not looking back. The song on the other hand could’ve used some more energy. It could’ve been like the Zone Beats produced “No Wonder.” It starts out with a good pace but slows it down a bit. It seems like Cesar The Mann is always on the move. First he ran with that green and now he has “Runaway.” At this point I’ve come to realize that this emcee isn’t about getting super hype. He takes this laid back, cool approach to his rhymes. You can hear that in all of the above as well as the sensitive “Wondering” another one about heading out, “Go.” If you like your hip hop that’s more easygoing, check out Minneapolis’ Cesar The Mann before you start your day. (https://soundcloud.com/callmeceeez)
White Noise’s “Gravity” is chalked full of fine tuned hip hop. “Paint My Picture In Blood” is a graphic mental picture, and a great track. It’s strong and doesn’t let up. The same can be said of “Bran New” as well. Only this one brings it at a different pace. It’s more sensual with the delivery while still being street. Things slow way down, understandably, with “Smoke On.” That sentiment plays on with the Cheech and Chong shout out in “We Gone Rally.” Then White Noise gets deep questioning almost everything with “Whats The Reason.” It’s a song that really makes you think, while “All They Count Iz Ones” rounds out the record on a high note. If you like hip hop that gets deep, but also keeps thing entertaining, then check out “Gravity” now by White Noise. (https://www.nimbitmusic.com/whitenoyz)
Joe Phuz’s “Compressed Audio” is a hip hop EP that features the antics from B. Zip. “Stop Frontin’” is a slow and steady track that takes its time to actually get to the action. I think the pace of “Now Tha World” actually works in Joe Phuz and Zip’s favor. The music and the lyrics actually play better together than the first track. Then wrapping things up is “Hunger Painz.” It’s the most energetic of the bunch and has a bit of a club vibe to it with all the different sound elements heard throughout. It was definitely a good note to end on. If you are a fan of artists like Chance the Rapper, check out Joe Phuz and his boy B. Zip on “Compressed Audio.” (https://soundcloud.com/joeberry-1/sets/compressed-audio)
Da Hired Gunz is a west coast hip hop duo who turn it out. “She Wanna” is all about what a girl wants, and it is quite different than what Christina Augilera sang about back in the day. Right off the bat “Fuck The Game” comes at you like a shark attack with the f-bombs. It’s definitely not one that’s ready for the radio world. It’d lose its essence having to be edited down. You get this sense of empowerment with “R U Ready.” It sounds like something you’d hear on a EA sports game geared towards the NBA or something. One of the best from Da Hired Gunz has to be “Death Before Dishonor.” It was just basic hip hop that wasn’t the least bit overbearing. Then we round things out shaking it with “Shakin They Tail.” It’s one of those songs that dominates a club floor. If you’re into west coast hip hop that’s about doing it up, check out Da Hired Gunz today. (https://www.dahiredgunz.com/#!__home)
Dre Blac combines the best of a R&B hook with the skills it takes to make a hip hop track pop to create “Miss Materialistic.” It sounds like something you’d likely hear on a Drake record since he’s known for that he’s known for doing that best. This track’s well produced and executes what it sets out to do with precision. It’s definitely recommended if you’re into Top 40 hip hop. So make sure to check out South Carolina’s Dre Blac today. (https://www.jango.com/music/DRE+BLAC?l=0)
CalDoJa is an actor, director and even finds time to be an emcee. “CalDoJa City” featuring Christoph has a rock feel to the hip hop. The music gives you a full band feel rather than a beat. Christoph is back to help out on “The Good Die Young” rocks it out as well while delivering the rhymes. It reminds me of when Puff Daddy would team up with Jimmy Page and Travis Barker. Stepping away from Christoph, “The Anomaly” comes at you and really relies on the lyrics and aggression they’re sung with. There’s a definite passion behind CalDoJa that’s not to be questioned. That fervor takes a little break and gets a little laid back, for CalDoJa, with “Miami.” It’s not your Will Smith version, but a more street homage to the Florida city. If you’re into hip hop that comes with a big dose of attitude and skill, check out CalDoJa. (https://www.caldoja.com/)
Nate B. comes at you using the power of collaborations. “Dreamer” featuring J-Dwb is a very demure track that’s sets the base for Nate B.’s whole persona. He tells his start and from there it’s all the other parts of his story. Rich Deezy hops on “Best of Me” and this one turns it up just a little bit compared to the last one. This one’s a more universal track and less personal. You’ll soon come to realize that Nate loves to collaborate and on “Gettin’ Smashed” he works with Sass, as he does on “Sounds In the Street.” Both capture a good vibe and showcase a lot of rhyming skills. Actually, Nate B. works a lot with Sass, so it’s in your best interest to get in tune with Sass as well. They work well together and are pretty much a well packaged item. If you’re into well made hip hop that covers all the bases, check out Nate B. and all his friends now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCpl_4D-CvGfyUGD2S868A/videos)
Identity Crisis’ “The Passion of the Crisis” puts actual thought to the hip hop genre. “Air Raid” is definitely a different take on hip hop. It’s not about the typical topics you’d find in that genre. It has a more world news aspect to it. That one was a bit intense as far as content and delivery, but “Kill Em With Kindness” comes across more laid back in the sense that you don’t feel under musical attack. It’s about living in “harmony” so it makes sense. Somewhere between those two sits “House of Pain.” It’s not abrasive nor is it demure. It serves up something that feels just right. When it comes to the best of the best on “The Passion of the Crisis,” it might just be “Win or Lose” thanks to the feminine hook. If you’re in the market for conscience hip hop, look no further because you’ve found your new favorite with Identity Crisis. (https://weareidentitycrisis.bandcamp.com/)
