Cali Yun-Gun is coming at you straight from the Golden Coast. “Kisses On Me” is where we start this musical endeavor with this emcee from Santa Cruz, California. It’s a great place to start because it sounds like a professionally done track you’d hear playing on the radio. It’s pristine from start to finish. It kind of reminds me of something Ray J would do because of the light hip hop and the hooks. Then we get into “Played so Hard, Prayed so Long.” In just two tracks you can hear this artist’s attention to detail. Things get a little sexy with “Way She Put It Down,” and then have some company with “What Dat Cali Like” thanks to guest appearances from Taj He Spitz and Macc Milliaon. One of the best out of all that Cali Yun-Gun has to offer comes from “I Am That” featuring Hazel Doll and Young Kcaz. What’s appreciated here is the quick pace of the lyrics and the beat. We’ll end this on a high note with “Victory.” This track is a good one to go out on not only because it’ll remind hip hop fans a bit of Nas and because it tells a story of reality. If all this sounds like something you can get behind, check out Cali Yun-Gun today. (https://www.yun-gun.net )
Rod is an emcee who isn’t afraid to go for it. “Wake Up” featuring Ruthy La La is a fast paced ride. It’s a look at the world and what’s going on and the problems there are out there and Ruthy helps string together Rod’s words with a beautiful, soulful performance. In “Because To God JESUS I Pray” has him bringing that same rhyme game you heard in the latter but then his pals featured on this one make it have this unexpected Reggae vibe. We step away from all that to get into “Fight’n Words.” This one has the best beat of the bunch. It sounds very sci-fi movie, like an alien is creeping somewhere in the shadows and it has a solid line that you’ll repeat for sure, “french toast of the west coast.” Wrapping up this rapper’s songs we have “So What’ it to You.” The delivery of this one kind of comes through like a conversation at times but overall it comes in second the “Fight’n Words.” All in all Rod’s music can be summed up as hip hop with a bit of an experimental twist. If that sounds like what you’re into, check out this west coast rapper today. (https://myspace.com/bboyrodneyroc/music/songs)
Out in Ohio sits C Physics and he’s trying his best to make his presence known world wide. “This is Real Life” is all about that sentiment. Everyone with a dream of skipping out on their own town for the big time can relate to every word in this one. Failure is not an option when it comes to going for your dream. With “Take It Slow” you don’t get that universal “I can do it” attitude, but you do get a song that has a R&B base and a sensual feel. The intro of “Dreamers” is good with the monologue but we go back to that universal feel of “This is Real Life” with “Dreamers.” It is a very positive message to deliver to the masses. What was unexpected though from C Physics? This homage to “Seinfeld” at the start of “More Than Friends.” Hey, that’s what’s great about hip hop, the influences and samples can come from anywhere and it works. We get a little hard with “Don’t Sleep.” This one stands out from all of the above because it’s not a sexy song or one that’s about making it. It just has a great beat and the rhymes stand up tall. All in all though, C Physics’ songs that have to do with his dreams and whatnot are the best. You can’t help but love his drive, so help him take his game out of Ohio and check him out now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/cphysics)
Eliot Ness has a lot of friends in high places but can do his own thing when put to the test. “Cadillac” featuring NIQ and Paul Wall comes across as a good joint to get behind. It has a good Cash Money sounding flow to it. Then you have Scotty Boi, T. Berry and DJ Sky High lending a helping hand to “Money Calls.” I like this one. It has a subtle freshness to it. With so many emcees on one track, it could sound overcrowded, but it doesn’t. It’s well balanced like a healthy meal. “We On” kind of follows the same formula as the last while “I’m Me” lets Eliot Ness shine on his own. No featured artists, just him and he does a good job without anyone else but it is nice to have friends around, right? “Boss” has a more R&B feel than anything else and it’s a nice break in between all the hip hop. It showcases another side of him as an artist and it shows that he can tackle whatever you toss at him while still spitting rhymes. If there was a new rapper to check out today, it’d be Eliot Ness. Do yourself a favor and take him on today. (https://www.mtv.com/artists/eliot-ness/)
U.S.G. is doing it up and bringing both sides to the table. “Neva Fold” features the likes of Phoenix, Swan Gody, Mega and T.W.O. What it is all about is never folding and giving up. It’s a good positive message set to a beat that sounds very hard but really it’s an enlightening song that could bring a sense of understanding to someone feeling low. We get into what really makes U.S.G. pop though when we roll up on “Spills I Wanna Rock.” We hear how fast his can come at you. He wastes no time and has a very interesting choice of an intro when it comes to “Let The Show Begin.” You just never know how a hip hop song is going to unfold but it’s always a pleasant surprise when you start to peel back the paper and get a song like this and ones like “Rain on Em” and “Line Em Up.” 2Shot produced “We Ain’t All Perfect Papers” and Scrills hops on to help out his boy U.S.G. This one had more of a realistic tone and tells a telling story. It’s eye opening to the real struggles people face. That’s really the hip hop that’s always the most interesting to hear. Currently though you can hear U.S.G. promoting two singles that are bound to take hip hop over. “That 30” sounds a little like a more audible Pitbull when it starts and the other is repping where U.S.G. calls home, “Bklyn Finest.” With Swan Gody, Mr. Spills, T.W.O., Yung Mega, Papers and YP you can be for sure that this one is hard to dismiss. It comes across like a modern day Wu Tang joint. If you’re a fan of both the fun and the seriousness of hip hop, check out U.S.G. today. (https://www.officialusg.com/)
Tru Def is a young emcee who sounds like he’s been doing this since ‘93. When Tru Def hit up RAW in Dallas he not only demanded attention from the crowd, but took it with an explosive performance. That’s something to respect from a hip hop artist. The one’s that can go onstage solo and take control, that’s impressive and respectable. Then when you get to his music offstage, he still commands that attention. Songs like “King Of The Hill” regulates and really captures you with a simplicity. He really likes the idea of royalty as we get into “King.” This one has a great hook in it that you can hear throughout. It kind of is this omnipresent feature. “Another One” kind of passes you by but then “Bout Dat Life” pulls you back in with it’s hard hitting pace. We go from that hard hitting track to one that scales it down a bit, “Do Me.” It’s definitely one of those songs that will get stuck in your head because it’s easy and very memorable. Kelton Blackshare hops on “The World Is Ours” and together they create an instant hit. It had this understated energy that comes through in a way that makes this one an undeniable one. If you’re a fan of Drake and TI, check out Tru Def today. (https://www.trusocietymusic.com/)
Dubbstyle comes at you from College Station and does it so at his own pace. “Take a Chance” kicks things off for us nice and slow. The flow is not over the top and it actually sounds like it could be a R&B track due to the music but you can hear that hip hop flow just fine in the delivery. This style seems to just be how Dubbstyle rolls because you get the same thing more or less with “Life on Hold.” Although it sounds similar, the story is different than the last. I do like that we got something a with a little more energy with “Thugs Repent” but it wasn’t too much. He keeps true to who he is while switching it up just a bit. But then we get to “Do It 2 ‘Em” and here something out of the ordinary we’ve come to know as Dubbstyle. This one is more aggressive and in your face than the others. The same can be said of “Smash on Em.” Then we head out on “Fadin.’” This song takes us back to the point where we started; chilled hip hop. In the end I have to say that I like when he keeps things relaxed. It helps you really hear the lyrics and take them in. If you’re a fan of rappers who know how to really tell a story, check out Dubbstyle today. (https://soundcloud.com/dubbstyle)
Hood Ninjas’ “Infinite Sphere” is a great collection of artists showcasing a particular skill and bringing that to the forefront to create a captivating hip hop track. It’s a story of where they came from and it’s one worth telling. I must admit the imagery of the video is a bit intimidating but it only helps fuel the fire behind the lyrics and makes for an all-around good time. The style is very cool, calm and collected but it has a great impact. I’m not sure what hood the Hood Ninjas represent but their style reminds of me of the chilled feel of the west coast seen. If that’s what you’re into, check out “Infinite Sphere” from Hood Ninjas. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEMfmnZwXe8&index=1&list=PL799664EA3884AAA5)
L.X.G. is all about letting you know what’s what and does it in a professional manner. “Re Up” featuring Bluntz is a very raw track. It sounds like one of those songs that came to mind and was instantly scribbled down and was born to be a stand out for the artist. It’s so full of life that you can’t help but like it. L.X.G. gets a little more constructed with “Creative Minds.” This one slows it down a bit from the last in the verses at first but then the beat speeds up and so does his delivery a bit. In the mix and at the end of our time together we’re getting to know a little more about L.X.G. by presenting his well, you know. “This My Shit” has a repetitive nature and isn’t about getting some deep message across but rather getting stuck in listeners’ heads on a loop. It’s like that Wiz Khalifa song that just said black and yellow for four minutes straight - and that was a hit, right? That method isn’t broke, it works. So let’s see if you like artists in the hip hop game that come across put together and aren’t wasting your time, check out L.X.G. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtlSAyTy4J9WfvaEFg41HZA/videos)
V12 comes at you from the streets of Raleigh. “T.N.O.” translates to “trust no one” and it’s a message that’s not delivered loud and clear but rather in a way that plays it kind of low key. The atmosphere changes a lot with “Drop.” The last song has this dark feel to it, while this one sounds like a life of the party and it is. It sounds like V12 is trying to start a movement, well some sort of dance move with it. Attitude comes back in full force with the intimidation of “What Dey Say.” The lyrics in the verse have anger to them, but the chorus is more sing-song in nature. One of the best coming from V12 is “Lil Mama Bad.” Why? Well this joint has what makes a hip hop track stand out - good beat, catchy feel and it makes you bounce. Another mom centric song is “Yeah Mama” and it could do without the crying at the start. Ending on a different note, we have “Streets Nasty.” It’s definitely not one you’d want your mama to hear, but you and your boys? You can be sure you’ll be singing along to this one together. If you’re into hip hop that has a lot of fire behind it, check out V12. (https://soundcloud.com/yung-12-1)
It does not matter who stepped onto the court before or who has after, there will never be someone as significant in the sport of basketball as Michael Jordan. From his shots to his shoes, the hip hop community has really taking a liking to him over the years and RandiVision is no different. That is why it is not surprising that he made a song about the greatest player of all time called “MJ23.” Well it’s not about him, but more a comparison to the basketball player. When you view yourself as the top dog - who else is there to compare yourself to? Exactly. As for the song, the beat is good but it’s the delivery of the lyrics that really send this one home. That’s not all this emcee has up his sleeve though. The real root of what makes this artist stand out sits within the rest. “Quantum” has this interesting element that makes it memorable. It doesn’t do it the whole time, but when RandiVision goes up at the end of each line at the end of one of the earlier verses, it makes an impression that’s lasting. What is good about “Comput3d” is that it’s slow enough that those who aren’t quick with their tongue can rap along. “Purple Cloudz” isn’t the strongest of the batch. This one fell a little flat to what came before it. Keeping with the colorful titles, we’ll wrap this up with “Blue Dolpinz.” This is a great note to end on. It’s got a pace that is radio ready and sounds like something Drake would push out. If you’re into Top 40 hip hop, check out RandiVision. (https://www.randivision.com/home) (https://www.randivision.com/)
Sam Phresh is an emcee who plays it safe. “Buy The World” is a cool and calm beat that really soothes. Then you have “Hatin” comes slow while “Reckless Pt. 2” picks it up but still has this cool demeanor. I like that Phresh never over does it. Finally Sam Phresh gets a little more push with “Beware” but still doesn’t go hard as some emcees. If you like hip hop that plays it chill and real, check out Sam Phresh today. (https://soundcloud.com/samphresh)
