Carolinah is a young emcee coming straight from Louisiana to your stereo. The great thing about “Alright” is that it gets right to the point and doesn’t stop. It’s one of those songs you hear that doesn’t allow you to forget it. It has a great beat and the lyrics are easy to comprehend as well. You don’t get enough of “80s Baby,” it’s over before it really gets started…Then with “Block Music,” I expected something lighter in context - just had a block party in mind. Instead it was more on the serious side of life. The best coming from Carolinah has to be “King.” It takes all the great things he has to offer, lines them up and executes a prime track. The beat, the lyrics, the pace - they are all on point and deliver. If you’re into that southern style hip hop, check out Carolinah ASAP. (https://iamcarolinah.com/)
Down in Florida Buckwild does his thing and keeps it street and real. As “Dope Boy Dreams” you feel like you’re in a few different tracks. In four minutes it goes from a sing-along fashion to a very serious tone by the end. It always circles back to where it began but after a while you get the jist of it. “Mighty Deadly” starts with a nice sounding intro matched with a radio like monologue. The Buckwild comes in and breaks that nice sound with an aggressive impression. “We Made It” may be the best one from Buckwild. It’s got this great pace that makes you bounce with an intensity. Well I said that and then in walked “Fuck Fame.” This one really questions the idea of fame and music and really makes you think while still being entertaining. In the end all you can do with anything though is “Keep It Real” and that’s just what Buckwild does, not only in this track but all around. If you’re into street hip hop then you have got to do yourself a favor and get wild with Buckwild. (https://www.slipnsliderecords.net/profile/Buckwild)
The West Coast is still churns out great emcees like Jay Stubbs. “Waitin For You” tells a really great narrative and you can really hear the storyteller in him. With “Coke and a Smile” you get a song that’s a little lighter at the start, but it still has that sense of reality and you can tell this is a West Coast boy from the first line. Jay Stubbs switches it up just a bit and tosses in an old school R&B feel with “She Loves Me,” while “My Type Of Party” brings you back to the very intense hip hop realm that Jay Stubbs likes to create. We end things with a great one that samples not only a classic but Maury, “I Need Money $$$” really does it up and takes the cake when it comes to this rappers jams. If you artists like Kid Cudi and Big Sean, check out Jay Stubbs now. (https://www.jango.com/music/Jay+Stubbs?l=0)
If you had to sum up NZO’s music in two words they’d be intimidation and precision. “V For Virginia” is a very aggressive song that states where NZO stands as an artist and is really an intimidating track, which isn’t a bad thing. Then things get really cool with “Motivated.” It sounds like he has someone like Twista on the record. It’s fast, but still has that intimidation factor. Finally with “Who Run It” you lose that aggression and get a more laid back song that really follows a slower pace, but remains on top of its game. I thought of the song that states “We built this city on rock and roll,” but was not expecting the sample even if NZO titled this one “We Built This City,” so after the shock, I really dug into this one with both hands and came out with it being one of the best this rapper has to offer. If you like artists like YG and Young Thug, then you’ll definitely be feeling what NZO is dealing with his music, so check it. (https://www.jango.com/music/NZO?l=0)
Emaximus’ “Ripper” isn’t a LP, but it’s overflowing with skills. “Ripper” is a good representation of the album as a whole, and it’s not wonder why it’s the title track. With “Freeze Frame” you have a lighter feel than the last and it has more of a mainstream feel to it. Intimidation and confidence is what comes through as well as pure goodness with “So Amazing.” The same goes for “They Don’t Really Know Me,” but this one comes with a stronger hook for listeners. Don’t forget to get introduced to the man behind the rhymes with “It’s Emaximus.” All in all this EP is a strong hip hop record that plays well with those who like artists who rely on forceful beats and rhymes. Make sure to make time for Emaximus’ “Ripper,” out now. (https://www.vodrecordings.net/emaximus.html)
Trigga & Semi are a dynamic duo that is doing it up their way in the hip hop realm. “Booming” featuring Yukmouth spits out the verses like a machine gun, but then gives you a true hook in the chorus to give fans a chance to catch their breaths. Then when “Rolling” rolls in you have a song that’s more about setting a house party mood. It’s about that herbal refreshment, so bound to be a fan favorite. Landing in between those two sits “Hubba Rock.” It’s not as fast as the first, but doesn’t belong at the party. It’s more so for a cruise around town. If you like fast emcees like Twista and ones who can bring the heat like David Banner…then you have to do yourself a favor and check out Trigga & Semi. (https://www.cdbaby.com/cd/triggasemi)
One place that has been in the news for almost all the wrong reasons lately has been Florida. Well when it comes to that state, ODG had a lot to say as he paints an honest picture in his latest single “Trayvon And Jordan.” The lyrics are rattled off like a slam poetry session over music that gets tribal at times but overall commands attention. ODG has a lot to say and if “Trayvon and Jordan” is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what he’s capable of…we’re excited to see what’s next. So if you like honest hip hop that’s about life, check out ODG now. (https://www.audiomack.com/song/odg/trayvon-and-jordan)
Young is coming hard for you, so watch out and take notice. “H.G. Substantial” comes on strong and makes this emcee undeniable. With “The World Gone Love Me” scales it back a bit and it’s as abrupt as the last and takes an easier path from the speakers to your ears. Then he brings it back up with “Murder” and rapid shout outs to Rihanna. The best from Young has to be “The Devil Is A Lie.” It showcased the most passion from this emcee and really captures your attention from start to finish. If you like rappers like Tyga and Wiz Khalifa, check out Young today. (https://soundcloud.com/theycallmeyoung-1)
Dwayne Davis is a rap artist who has a very important question for you. “Why U Wanna Kno” is basically a straightforward track about asking why people are up in your business. It has a lot of sass, but also sounds like it could be a comical track as well. Like, you could see SNL doing a digital short to it after being tweaked a bit. If you like hip hop that gets to the point, check out Dwayne Davis, and that’s all you need to know. (https://youtu.be/sCpVQiuntaM)
D-Edge started out as a DJ on the radio and now has his sights set on having his songs spinning on the FM dials. Like a cat “9th Life” comes strong for you. You can hear the confidence in that one from the start and that plays over and out through the rest; like in the piano driven beginnings of “All Day” and the very hard “Controlled Substance.” You get a bit of a more laid back version of D-Edge with “How I Feel.” The pace and his delivery aren’t as BAM! It’s more of a chill free zone. His pal Smiley hops on “RockaBye” for a more upbeat track. It serves for a track that’d get you moving. If you like hip hop that’s chalked full of great beats and attitude, check out D-Edge ASAP. (https://www.mtv.com/artists/d-edge/)
ATM is an emcee who with a lot under his belt who just wants you to dig in. “Macho Man” starts out with a conversation, but then drops into a song that has a beat like an old school track, but the lyrics come through with a modern likeness to it. His vocals are great and never let you down. Then you have “Last One” featuring Kallay and Rasta Kelly. It starts with this almost reggae feel but then that quickly dies down and it has a very hip hop feel that is strong. You can live out your fantasies with ATM and Dame Vegas’ “Hit the Lotto,” while adopting “Player of the Year” as your own - if you feel you deserve that title. “Lotto” sounds like a darker, less radio friendly Ludacris. ATM brings forth a force to be reckoned with his music and it’s great for those who like hip hop that’s harder than most. (https://www.yungatm.com/)
