“Cookin Circles” is the latest from Franso Mafio. It starts with a hook and then gets into the emcee’s past. You really get a feel for where this rapper came up from and while it never pops off into this hype track, it remains solid in its sense of reality and that’s to be respected. His sound is reminiscent of those artists who come with more bark in their delivery like Ice Cube and Nate Dogg. If you have those guys n your music library already, then add Franso Mafio’s “Cookin Circles” into the mix too. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UQKmoh4p_A)
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)
What appears to be a commercial for the HBO series “Hard Knocks,” Viz Dawg’s video for “Get Me The Ball” has a very masculine feel to it; men in very great shape on a football field, an energetic yet abrasive beat, and a hardcore sound. After realizing this isn’t an ad for a show, this is a pretty great song. I could hear this during any practice around the country, gym and even clubs. It reminds me a little of the Ying Yang twins minus the mainstream pop vibes they had at times. It’s more about the grit of that Atlanta sound. If you’re in the market for a song that pumps you up, check out “Get Me The Ball” by Viz Dawg, out now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yL3bY3H35M)
Today we got Geez straight out of the city of Brotherly Love. With Luchini by his side on “I Want You,” we start off on a good foot. Sounding like something that Jason Derulo would put out, this mix of hip hop, R&B and a little pop for good measure is just what the musical doctor ordered. I could hear this on the radio right now. We change the page and come across a new side as “All My Niggas” shows a harder side of the artist. We find the middle ground in “Really Not Really.” It’s not as smooth as the first but not as rough as the last, but just right. When it comes to having everything in a row, lined up perfectly - Geez knows what he’s doing and has it all planned out right. He’s a young emcee who’s ready to show what he has to the world. So let him and check him out today! (https://soundcloud.com/2freakygeez)
Down in the Bluegrass state Fresco_letsgo is working hard to make his name a household one across the world. “Can’t Sleep” is an ironic one to start off with since the rain is falling hard outside my window and I could curl up into a ball, but alas I have this banging track playing and cannot. The beat sounds like something sort of industrial, but the lyrics are a little lost in between. With “Saint” we get a cleaner sound. “Shine” has a daunting vibe that sounds a little like the start of a horror movie involving ghosts. Then it never really picks up. When all’s said and done, Fresco_letsgo has gotten a great grasp on making beats, but needs to work on making the rhymes pop just as much. You can check out Kentucky’s own Fresco_letsgo now. (https://soundcloud.com/Fresco_story)
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/)
Matic is a rising emcee who has some tricks up his sleeve. “Come Shop Wit Me” featuring his boy Tec finds its hook in the title. Really though that’s where the song kind of falters. It’s catchy, but definitely would benefit from something a bit more. With “Whole Lotta Work,” I think he steps it up in terms of all around packaging. The beat is intriguing and not overdone in any manner. Last up, “Stoner” comes through and I think is really the icing on the cake. It has this unique sound to it and this is what I’d like to hear more of when it comes to this emcee’s sound. If you’re a fan of emerging hip hop artists who have a lot to offer, check out Matic today. (https://soundcloud.com/planetmatic)
Tony Casanova’s “T Up Like Me” has this mystery when it starts. You don’t know whether or not things are going to get crazy or not. When you listen more, it’s that anticipation - topped with the great pace at which Tony Casanova delivers - that really makes you like the track. This sounds like something that’s out and about right now on the radio. With acts like Kendrick Lamar and Fetty Wap, that’s where Tony Casanova belongs in the spectrum of hip hop right now. Check out his latest, “T Up Like Me,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/tonycasanova-1/t-up-like-me)
Chris Capalano is an emcee from the Windy City who has a sound that really shows off a supreme talent. We start this out with Chris and his bud Good with “Half A Brick.” Here we have a lot of energy right out of the gate. The intro alone of this song could get adrenaline pumping, and once the lines start to come out - that doesn’t change. As we move onto “Somebody Snitching” we get another great intro but this time it’s because this one is completely different from the last. Instead of this hype feel, we get a more sing-song, playground rhyme and then Chris Capalano comes through fresh. What’s to be appreciated about “Hands High” is that Miami nightlife feel the music brings to life. From the heat of Miami to the streets of urban America, we land in a “Sea of Doubt.” Here is the real icing on the cake of the whole lot. It has a great vibe all the way through and really showcases a true set of skills. If you want to hear more from this Chicago based rapper, check him out now. (https://www.soundclick.com/bands/default.cfm?bandID=606804)
You don’t hear too much rap from the North West, but Alex Xander AKA PAPI is going to change that. Let’s get started ironically with “The Wait.” When you see only a picture, you can never truly know what to expect when the music starts. I was surprised to hear Alex showcase some vocal abilities when it came to actually carrying a tune here instead of just spitting out rhymes. The boy can sing on top of rapping. In “Now You Know Pt. 2 (LEGEND)” we start off with some dramatics and then ease up for the rest of the show. We keep going on that easy road with “Rich Mahogany” while rounding things out with “MAIDS,” a track that showcases more of an attitude from the emcee. What I loved was when Alex Xander showed off something a little different with the vocals. He should put more of that into his music and he’ll continue to stand apart from the crowd. With that, here’s to watching his career grow in the New Year. (https://www.reverbnation.com/RealAlexXander?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav)
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)
When it comes to getting things started, 2K’s is right there with music in the holsters - ready to go. “(Exxxciting)” opens with this elongated intro then it gets into this track that really follows an excellent pace that keeps spirits high the whole way through. That’s 2K’s latest track that just got released. Going back a bit though we can hear in “Wut I Know” is that 2K’s has always had a handle on beats that keep listeners on their toes. This one feels a bit harder than the newest, but all are good. With some help from Celebrity, 2K’s’ “Wutcha Want” sounds like a song that would turn the club up in a low key way. The rhymes are chill and allot listeners to follow along with ease. Last up is a joint called “KOOL.” Here we kind of go back to where we started with the intro that takes some time but gets you warmed up and ready to go with on point lyrics that bring the entertainment. If you’re a fan of hip hop that has a house party/club vibe, check out 2K’s today. (https://www.youtube.com/user/certifiedportboyz/videos)
