Illinois has a couple big places on the map, but PercyT is hoping to put Harvey on it in a big way. “Patron” is the way to start the party, right? Whether it’s the kind you sip or take in through your ears through a track. Here PercyT gives us a smooth musical taste of the drink and it’s definitely an homage to the pricey beverage. With “Under Pressure” he goes for a freestyle manner and what I love about this one is that it feels so in the moment. He’s the only one to focus on, those dagger like rhymes that come out with a honest force. We then head back into a more formal track with beats and planned out lines with “Amazing.” A chill track leads us into one with more bite in its step.” Hustlin’” is the song you want to come on when you’re out to get things going. Then we calm down and end this journey with “Put It Down.” It’s a calm ending to a ride that had us all over the place. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s chill but has bursts of hype, check out PercyT today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/2wenty_thr33)
With new music on the horizon, there’s no stopping Hafi. “Mad Love” featuring Delaney Armstrong is a great track to start this off with. He brings this quick approach to the table while she settles things down with her soulful voice. The idea of “Ride or Die” has been big in hip hop and life for a long time. It’s like this Bonnie and Clyde mentality; always being there for the one you love. While that’s the basis, Hafi doesn’t get all romantic with it. He gives it a street feel. “Arisen” takes us from that to a beat that is a little dancey. It’s not as hard as the track that preceded it, more laid back all around. We go back to the rapid ways with “Top of the World (T.O.W.).” What I like about this one is that it’s the type of song that has no face. Anyone could relate to this one, because at some point in their life they’ll feel like they’re on the top. Last up is “Matter of Time (Monster),” and we’re ending on a high note. This one, along with “Mad Love,” would be the ones I took to radio and the masses if I were Hafi. He’s got the chops, now it’s time you check him out. Don’t forget to check out his latest, “Ashes to Ashes,” that just just dropped September 30. (https://www.facebook.com/hafimusic/timeline)
Over in Ohio rappers like Machine Gun Kelly are bringing things at a rapid fire pace, but then there are emcees like Lil Izz who prove you can take it nice and slow and still get the job done. We start out the gates fast with “Run It” featuring Lotto. Here we get a radio ready track right off the bat. It plays with traditional hip hop beats and intertwines them with this light autotune. In “Blew My Mood” continues on the hot streak. It’s clear that Lil Izz has his sights set on being on the level of the Chris Browns and Big Seans out there. Heading into “That Bitch” it’s a little rough as far as wording, but the music and beat stays true to what we’ve come to establish is this rising star’s style. Then just like that, Lil Izz pulls the charm out with “Only Us.” That continues with “Hold That Down.” If you’re a fan of hip hop that comes with a sense of swagger and finesse, check out Lil Izz ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/dinerofinesse)
Moe Music started putting up his beats only a year ago, and already has enough to make true fans out of the masses. “Lonely” has a kickback beat that’s teamed with this great use of autotune. It’s one of those songs where the hook lives long after the track is said and done. With Krazi Money by his side, the put together “Money.” It’s all about the currency at hand, but what’s notable here is that it sounds laid back but at times it has these bursts of energy. Then we go to the other side of things and slow it down immensely with “Unspoken.” What I liked about this one was the calm and easing feel of it all. Then we hope onto the train and head into a bit of darkness with “Bloody Nightmares.” Visually, I thought this one would be scarier, but instead it wasn’t too different than what we’d heard from Moe Music so far. I would’ve liked if this one delivered a chilling vibe. If you’re a fan of hip hop that takes you from one extreme to another with the push of a button, check out Moe Music now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjFRwYs4_MODgoZ3BI9wHSw/videos)
Nashville is known for making the greatest Country out there, but Yung Chief is proving they have some hip hop to share too. “Getn It In” finds a balance between a nice radio track and a gritty beat you’d hear in the hood. It’s got a great hook that won’t quit. We head more towards a Mystikal feel with “Work.” There’s a chaos found within this one’s confines that will make heads spin, in a good way. In “Bounce It” we’re still in that hectic vibe. It’s clear that Yung Chief likes to create tracks that ensure a hype time out. Just as soon as you think you’ve got a grasp on this guy, he calms it down with “Cali Life.” Being true to the Golden State, this one’s a chill zone. Lastly, “Pissed Off” ends things on a high note with a lot of rage intertwined with energy. It’s a great one that would get a club hopping. If you’re a fan of gritty hip hop from the south, check out Yung Chief today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/2thickrecordsyungchief)
Ziggy B is part of the Bum Squad and what he brings is a mixture of chills and risks. “Wraith” has this conversational aspect to it. The flow isn’t one you’d hear in the club, or even at a party but rather on a mixtape as a hidden gem. We’ve uncovered it early in the game. Now moving onto “Friday” Ziggy brings Fat Ray and Travy onboard and together the three bring this chilled track to life. Fat Ray is back with him on “Use.” This one builds up some suspense at the start and it’s here that we hear for the first time something I would consider ready for the radio. Last up, “Sanctuary” with R-Jizzle let’s us end on a high note. That suspense from the last continues on here and we’re welcomed into a world that has a bit of a nightmarish feel. I take it back, this is the radio hit of the one. It has the most life to it. If you’re into hip hop that takes risks at times but can be chill the rest of the time, check out Ziggy B today. (https://soundcloud.com/bumsquad)
Kapitol HP’s “Head of State” is a hip hop record that is the soundtrack for a night out from the homie’s house to the club and back again. The title track kicks this record off with a note and then gets into the music that would be the soundtrack to any block party. “Steady Hustle” brings to life a similar vibe from the last while “2 for Me” featuring EnCrowd G is more like a song you’d hear if Chris Brown teamed up with the likes of Tyga. Kapitol HP brings what he declares a “strip club anthem” to the table, or rather stage, with Bryan Jones. Together they’ll make booties clap with “Face Down.” From the ladies on the stage to “Diamond Girl,” this song sounds like it could still be be the perfect fit for a gentlemen’s club down in Atlanta. Last up is “Looking in the Mirror.” Here we’re given a more in your face approach to hip hop. Kapitol HP is on the hunt in this one. If you’re a fan of the St. Louis rap scene, check out its rising Kapitol HP’s “Head of State,” out now. (https://kapitolhp.bandcamp.com/album/head-of-state-3)
North Carolina just got a little hotter with 100gran’s rhymes. “The One” isn’t what I expected. It’s this chill hip hop that makes you sit back and take in every ounce like water on a hot day. Then we head into “9 in My Hand.” It brings the energy levels up a bit, relying on the pace of the lyrics being spit more so than the beat. In “Queen City” 100gran takes us for a ride with this explicit journey. Like “9” this one is all about following the words - at first. Then the beat comes through strong and both flow together nicely. We take things back to the chill zone with “Lil Weezy.” As “One By One” takes us to the end with a sensual beat. If you’re a fan of hip hop that finds the balance between taking it easy and bringing it hard, check out 100gran today. (https://soundcloud.com/cuttaman100gran)
Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged” is not what I expected, but it definitely exceeded expectations. “Lyons Square Park” starts with this ominous intro that goes straight into a reality charged outlook on life. You don’t get the artist but the man Myers really is with this. With “Jordans On A Saturday” featuring aReJay Ella, it’s not what I expected. I thought based solely on the title that this would be a lighthearted track about some kicks. Instead it is a passion fueled piece broken apart by Ella’s bursts of soul. The music takes a break with “Taking Names” as it’s a well spoken track. Then we’re back with the chilling “Heavy Metal Rally,” while we close out with “Villania/In My Time Of Dying.” The last track brings us full circle with a sense of elegance throughout. Those into social hip hop will want to check out Jackson Myers’ “Underprivileged,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/jacksonmyerslives)
Out in the Midwest S$treetz (On Da Beatz) is doing his best with his rhymes. “Wave 2 Me” featuring Kabrina is where we start off and it’s on this slow ride that this journey gets going. The lead in is long and sounds like you’re floating down a hall of smoke, like in a dream. Things don’t pick up when S$treetz comes in but his vocals are crisp and intertwined with the effects, this is one stellar track. “Once We Leave the Bar” could go in a number of directions but the one we traveled is a hype track that makes you move in an instant. It’s definitely a hook up anthem. From hooking up to breaking up, “Words from a Broken Heart” really flips the script from the last. It’s clear he’s lost a love, but he’s not taking the woe-is-me route, but instead staying strong in this track that intertwines spoken word with hip hop well. With “I Care About You” we’re welcomed by a faint vocal performance that grows in strength as the track plays on. When S$treetz (On Da Beatz) comes in, he really tells a tale you’d want to hear on repeat. If you’re a fan of hip hop that has heart, check out Ohio’s S$treetz (On Da Beatz) now. (https://soundcloud.com/StrzBtz).
Ms. Keshion may call Miami home, but her sound sounds like it’s coming from the streets of New York. “Girl to Woman” is a coming of age tale done in a hip hop manner. Every little girl is going to grow up and this is an anthem for that. From Barbies to being grown. The hook shouting out the popular doll is on point. In “Breaking Down” we’re far from where we started. While the first could be likened to something Lil Mama would push out, this one really does sound like the woman of the equation from the first. This track showcases a sense of maturity. Lastly, “Nobody Had Faith” kind of takes the girl and the woman and meets in the middle. The beat has a hint of a youthful presence but Ms. Keshion’s vocals are coming through like a grown woman should. If you’re a fan of artists like Lil Kim and Trina, check out Ms. Keshion. (https://www.reverbnation.com/mskeshion)
Hiigh Society’s track “Finesser” has blockbuster written all over it. “Finesser” sounds like a song you’d hear at the start of a movie like “Fast and Furious.” It has this strong grasp right at the start with a haunting overtone. Honestly, that intro is the best part, but as the song continues on - you can see how movie makers would be able to break it apart and use different aspects at different parts of the film, be it a party, a meeting and the climactic parts. If this is just the start of what Hiigh Society is capable of, then stay tuned for more - most definitely. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umN31jLE_f8)
