Red Cartel Music’s Shoota is telling us what he’s doing things for. It’s all for “My Homies.” Well that’s the name of the track that features Young V.S. The video follows a story at the start and takes awhile to get to the song, but once things get started, you’re attracted to the beat that sounds a little like something you’d hear out of the South’s rap scene. It’s a low key beat that let’s the bounce of it all take control. It’s a song you could hear everyone from kids in high school to college kids getting behind. If you’re a fan of hip hop that mixes streets with slick beats, check out Red Cartel Music’s Shoota, now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkG5l0wyZqo&feature=youtu.be)
Down in Baton Rouge Image is making beats and rhymes and the first one we got on the table is “Rise And Shine.” Here he’s a little ball of positivity and a little encouraging in what he has to say. With that we head into “Lost Black Queen.” It’s clear that Image is all about provoking thought with what he has to say in song. Then in “Like Father Like Son,” he goes more towards a mainstream sound. What I appreciate about Image is that he takes control of what he has to say, but isn’t afraid to bust out a fun track either. He finds a balance, but what he does best is bringing light to his sound with well written and structured songs. If you’re into thinking with your music, check out Image now. (https://soundcloud.com/i-m-a-g-e16/tracks)
It was 2008 when JvstWu started rapping. Four years later he got into the beat game and here we are a few years after that. “Basement Approved” sounds like something coming out in the current breed of emcees. It had this hard shell but a sense of reality to it. It’s not over the top and for the club, but for the hip hop purists. With “The Nine Theory” he comes through like a true storyteller. He doesn’t follow a beat as much as he does a steady pace while it’s the lyrics that stand out. In “SuprBxD” JvstWu brings forth a sound that sounds video game like. With no words, it’s all about the music here. Last up, “The Getaway” takes us back to the start. We get that storyteller vibe intertwined with a harder delivery. If you’re into hip hop that has an edge, check out New Jersey’s JvstWu now. (https://www.jvstwu.com)
1 Double O has some pretty interesting beats in their bag of tricks. As someone who watches cooking shows too much, “Rachel Ray” instantly caught my eye and quickly my ears. It was this slow paced track in the intro but then things picked up and got rapid. With “Gift And A Curse” keeps the pace slow but this one has more soul to it than the last, while “We Smoke” does the same thing, but has more of a house kickback feel to it with a cloud of smoke hanging over it. One thing admirable about 1 Double O is that they are very precise in the construction of their music. Each sounds very well done and it’s heard in the ones we’ve already noted as well as others like “Shooters” and “Bout It.” It’s not rare to find indie artists who sound like they’re backed by a million dollar deal, but it’s not common either. In this case we’ve found it with 1 Double O. Check out their precision with rhymes now. (https://soundcloud.com/sadiq-wood)
Mike Millionz has a couple sides to him, but there’s one that sticks out more for all the right reasons. “Put In Work” starts us off and while it is quite risque in the beginning, you can’t help but find yourself singing along to it within seconds - at least the look; “…if that ass fat, then make that ass clap…” Moving right along from the one with the killer hook we head to “Fuckin Problem’ featuring Karmela. What I love about this one is the reality behind snitching. It comes through like a verbal assault to those caught with their lips flapping. Then we flip the script and calm down and really mature with “Run Chi-Raq.” I really like the sound of this one. It showed a more grown-up lyricist. The same goes for “Change.” While we started out on fun note, this is where this emcee shines brightest. If you’re a fan of artists like Wiz, check out Mike Millionz today. (https://soundcloud.com/mike-millionz-1)
Get Familiar Music Group is a collection of emcees who want to be the next hot crew in the hip hop scene, and we’re going to check out a handful of them. Mz Lady showcases her chops in “Hot Nigga.” With a style that will remind some of Lil Kim back in the day, she’s full of sass and skills through and through. Her boy Benji Frank comes through next with “Turn Down 4 What.” Not the song you think, but his own take on the phrase. This one has an Atlanta feel to it while Tribe Era bring a night out at the club with “Swagged Up.” Last but certainly not least, we get familar with Shellz and Deniro. Each carry their weight through “Extra Ordinary” well. This one takes the storytelling approach and it goes over great. If you’re a fan of hip hop crews that work well together, and are bound to make it - check out Get Familiar Music Group now. (https://www.youtube.com/user/GetFamiliartv1/videos)
GIIXX does things differently, but they pay off. “Hypnotized” sounds like an old school song that your dad would’ve listened to intertwined with something that’s a little more modern. The beat wants you to move, but the vocals want you to just groove nice and slow. That same sentiment comes in again as we hit “Thirsty Thursday.” Based on the content though, I could see this being a club favorite towards the end of the week. GIIXX plays around with a little soul influence with “Who Dat.” It’s almost sensual as he continues to ask the title. Speaking of, he gives that off again with “The Way She Moves.” While GIIXX started out as a throwback, he quickly came into the new millennium fast. If you’re a fan of hip hop that takes on a R&B cover, check out GIIXX today. (https://soundcloud.com/the-gee/tracks)
Big T AKA Gemini came from the streets and knows what it’s like to struggle for what you have in life, and he portrays that in every ounce of the music he puts out. “Wartime” is all about that mentality and you can hear that explosive drive in his delivery to make it and overcome. It sounds like a violent attack on the world. In “Fucked Up” he calms it down a bit and gives a bit of a softer side but at the same time he doesn’t drop the fact about where he came from and how hard he’s had it. The same can be said about “10 Gold Rings” while “Sawed Off Pump” comes through like a mix between the two sides we’ve come to know from Big T AKA Gemini. It’s the most “pop” his sound gets as he’s a street emcee through and through. If you’re a fan of rappers who have a real struggle to their past and portray that through song, check out Big T AKA Gemini. (https://soundcloud.com/big_t_aka_gemini)
J.R LaFlame is repping the Seattle scene with his laid back take on the rap game. “Pilot” introduces us to his sound like a pilot of a TV show would to its main characters. With this, he’s like a hip hop version of the rock band, The Gorillaz. Listen closely to the vocals for that one. That chilled factor of his music continues with “Second Quarter.” He is coming hard, but like a gator - waiting for the right second to attack. With “Memories” he sounds more like he’s spitting out spoken word than a rhyme while he’s serving up some dreamscape like music with “ReFLEXtions.” It starts off very hazy but then comes through fast and quick. If you’re a fan of hip hop that sounds like the hottest underground, check out J.R LaFlame out of Seattle. (https://soundcloud.com/jrlaflame)
Miles Paradise’s latest single “Depression” featuring Loud starts out with an almost Tupac like beat but then it goes into something little more Common, neo-soul feeling. The content of the lyrics is not something we hear often in hip hop, it’s taking on the reality of a mentality that many suffer from but also noting the environmental factors of it all. The hook about having problems and no one helping you solve them is something we could all take note of. If you like hip hop with a message, check out Miles Paradise’s “Depression,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/miles-paradise/miles-paradise-ft-loud-depression-prod-by-kevin-mabz)
We start off our time with KenG Ricks and his track “Tonite.” This sounds like a song you’d hear hanging with a young crowd. Not One Direction young, but a group of people who also like to let lose with Big Sean and Rihanna. The same goes for “Many Hearts.” While the last song was pure hip hop, this one is more like something you’d hear from Chris Brown when he showcased the pipes. Lastly, “Summertime Fun” really is a welcoming song in the dead of winter. It has this well, fun, feel that really makes you want to head back to the hotter months. If you’re a fan of mainstream music that you’d once find on BET’s “106 & Park,” check out KenG Ricks today. (https://soundcloud.com/user-651557531)
BooMoney is an emcee working hard to make the presence known. “Blow” has a good, laid back beat that could get things started. His boy Y.G. MoneyBagz hops on to help out with “GangShyt.” Together they’ve created a song that relies a little too much on the T-Pain like elements at time. It’d be nice to hear this one without the effects. In “Hard and Strong” BooMoney delivers something you could hear on a Lil Wayne mixtape. It has a really big sound in terms of the beat and music is concerned. Last up, “16 Barz” is slow to start and is the pure definition of chill. It never hits that huge mark but it’s got a good foundation. When it comes to BooMoney, he’s got what it takes and could make it if he keeps at it. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_W987iPYoQnQjBCfTnit5Q)
