2-Cole took his first steps in Louisiana and you can hear that southern influence in his hip hop. “Money Train” is a great representation of what this guy is all about. He was born for this and gets that money, and he’s proving why with this track and the rest to follow. While weed may be at the top of the conversation with “Pour up dat Purple” it’s not the title, alas it’s about having a good time with specific treats. “When U Want It” is unlike the ones already mentioned. This one could be the lead single for 2-Cole if he went to radio – that’s just a thought. If you ever wondered who did it…well he answers with “Did Dat.” If you like hip hop that reps the down south, check out 2-Cole. (https://www.reverbnation.com/2cole)
1412 The Negro Leagues1412 The Negro Leagues is a group of emcess who complement one another every time they combine their talents and powers. “On Point” is a great title for this one because that’s exactly what it is. “So Cool” is what everyone wants to be and now those who might not be…can have an anthem that gives the impression that they are. Things get a little calm with “Cream.” Usually the crew brings about an energy that’s hard to immolate but this track allows a rap-along vibe. While “Killin It” brings a feminine touch to the table with the great R&B, “Bad Habits” kept it slow but brought that cool swag up a notch. If you’re into hip hop emcees that make things a group event, check out 1412 The Negro Leagues. (https://www.youtube.com/user/nl1412/videos)
Young D is surprisingly an emcee from Kansas. You don’t hear a lot about the rap game there, but he’s ready to make his mark and presence known. “Get It for Myself” featuring Fred Nice starts out strong and continues on that path towards the end. The hook sounds like Jason Derulo while the rhymes are a bit fiercer. It’s a yin-tang type of thing going on. “One One” showcases the production value in Young D’s music and it’s clear he takes his time and puts a lot of effort into what he does. Any hip hop fan will want to adopt “Hip-Hop Love” as their anthem. It’s not a love song towards another person, but rather the genre that brings Young D so much gratification – and really, music is one of the greatest relationships one can have, ever. Then he goes and name drops Power Rangers, so “Powered Up” may be the best song based on just that. Well, for ’90s babies. If you’re into well-made hip hop that falls somewhere between Drake and Self Provoked, check out Young D. (https://www.facebook.com/YoungD620)
Tre Live is a pristine example of hard work because it shows in every single song you come across from him. From “Remedy” to “It’s Ok” Tre Live is on top of his game. Usually young emcees half-ass things and don’t think things through – not this guy. The songs are well-made and don’t let up; ever. You have hype “Red Ropes” and then the party starter “Too Legit,” so basically every base is covered with Tre Live to hit it home and score. Lastly, “Outro” is one of those songs that grab you and never let’s go. Every lyric takes you deeper into Tre Live’s mindset and it’s a place you don’t want to leave. It goes from hip hop to some down south, hearty soul. It’s just a great listening experience from start to finish. Going out on this song is perfection. If your iPod is littered with everything from Wiz Khalifa to Drake, you have to check out Tre Live. (https://soundcloud.com/trelive)
African Mack calls the Big Apple home, but wants to bring his sound to the masses and we think he just might. “Mack” is basically a song about African Mack and what he’s all about. It’s a good declaration and expected from a rapper. They all have to make a claim to get in the game, right? “No Weed” kind of follows the same beat patter and the previous and doesn’t overdo anything. With “Pockets Getting Bigger” is self-explanatory; it’s all about the money, as is “Money N Greens” which samples 112’s “Peaches and Cream.” It’s actually pretty awesome. There was no sample that I could recognize in “Let’s Roll Up and Smoke Alone,” but I could tell you that this is a song that’d be a group sing-along. “Know My Name” slows things down and brings a deeper level to African Mack’s music as does “Fall Back.” If you’re into artists like Drake and Kendrick Lamar, check out African Mack. (https://soundcloud.com/africanmack)
Tank Fifth is an emcee who does things big and doesn’t simmer down for anyone. “Supa Dupa” is well produced and is definitely a contender for the best of from Tank Fifth, but “All The Way” may be up there as well for incorporating R&B elements into the mix. That’s always a great treat to hear the soft soul with the harder rhymes. Tank’s friend Darrell helps out with “Boy Shorts” and it brings that same feel as “All The Way” did. “I’m Fly” declares what Tank Fifth to be true and showcases his confidence not only in his rhymes but himself personally. Then you have “Eeee” which could be about just about anything with a title like that. It turns out that is just the sound one makes, and the song has this really awesome beat. That along with the “Eeee” heard about could turn into something out in the real world; pretty soon we’ll all have that “Eeee” reaction. If you’re into artists who are like true to hip hop and its roots at the turn of the millennium, check out Tank Fifth. (https://www.youtube.com/user/clov2/videos)
Cutthroat is an energetic emcee from Iowa of all places who gets it popping. “I Don’t Kno About U” is a dark song and never loses that eerie feel. While that one was scaring people, “Only God Can Judge Me” lifts that scary veil and brings a light to Cutthroat’s music. It was really unexpected seeing as the first song had this dark cloud around it, but that split and in walked this very cool way of delivering up faith. He then gets some help from Kyser and Certified on “Yeen Ain’t Gon Do Nothin.” This song is all about the energy and has a ton of it. With “Rims” you had to expect a lot of car talk, and that’s what you got except with a shout out to Italy…interesting. If you like hip hop that’s like French Montana and Meek Mill, check out what Cutthroat has to offer. (https://www.jango.com/music/cutthroat?l=0)
Jah_Money is a New York emcee who plays it cool. “Encore” is a great song from teh start thanks to the shout out to Roy Jetson. Anyone who can tie in cartoons in their rhyme is fine by me. Other than that, it follows a good beat that’s not overdone like a steak cooked by a first day cook. “The Funeral” starts dark, as expected. The music plays like a scene from a well, funeral. Then it gets down to the nitty gritty, but it stays dark the whole time. “Stuntin’” lightens things up but doesn’t bring it to a maximum level. This wouldn’t be the song to turn a party up. It plays it safe as does “Paper” and “House Party.” Jah_Money is an artist who does things his way and brings forth music that’s more about chilling and relaxing at the crib, on the front porch with a drink in one hand and a song in the air – Jah_Money’s that it. If that sounds like your scene, check out Jay_Money. (https://soundcloud.com/jah_money)
Bricks2tons is an emcee from NYC who does things at a rapic pace. “My Money Good” starts with a little kid’s voice but then gets to business and goes hard. It’s essential hip hop track; pop culture references, shout outs and a sick beat. Bricks2tons can deliver the goods to you fast and doesn’t let up throughout the verses, but takes it down a bit during the choruses, but not much. He comes from the east, but sounds like a west coast rapper. If you’re into hip hop that’s loud and fast, check out. Bricks2tons. (https://www.jango.com/music/bricks2tons?l=0)
Tenascious B was born in the sun of California but was raised in the city of sin just state over in Las Vegas. He started writing in ‘98 and went on to release his first album in 2004. If you’re curious as what you can expect from Tenascious B, then check out “Scream.” It’s a hard hitting single that is all about a hot piece of work. It’s about female admiration, but from a hip hop, more street perspective that comes across as kind of charming depending on what kind of girl you are. As for the music, the hook is where it’s at and will make you move – that’s a guarantee. If you want to see what else Tenascious B has to offer, check him out. (https://www.jango.com/stations/325900280/tunein?l=0)
Boule Boyz is a rap group from the Bronx in New York. They’re three men who’ve come together to make it pop and that’s just what they plan on doing. “Brand New” comes hard and sounds like a defense mechnism. It’s intimidating yet the chorus is soft. So it’s a nice balance of the two. “Big Bizness” doesn’t have those lighter moments, and is all well, business the whole time through. Almost every rapper will have a song that’s about where they’re from and Boule Boyz is no different, they have “The Bronx” and it’s nothing too out of the ordinary as far as a hometown homage. “All Black Everything” has a great back beat. The tinkling makes the heavy lyrics come across better. “Rihanna” is a hype song that has reggae feel to it, which is fitting given the Caribbean title. So if you’re into hip hop that’s clearly riddled with east coast influences and comes at you with a full force, check out Boule Boyz. (https://www.reverbnation.com/bouleboyzbiz)
Konsept The Genius is a Guyanese-American rapper born in the summer of ‘89 who has taken life by horns. “I Know the Genius” was produced fine by NateKodi. It’s a good introduction to the artist and sets the tone for what is to expect from Konsept The Genius. “Welcome to Phunkytown” is a bit faster than the last but it’s not overwhelming. It’s actually a cool song that you can get lost in – much like a new city to explore. “More Than That” starts with this techy sound like a computer is bringing you the hip hop realness. Who doesn’t want a tree house? In this case “Tree House” is about how the cool kids are only allowed in his – only he’s talking about a different kind of tree, if you know what we mean. Konsept The Genius has been at it for almost a decade and shows no signs of stopping, so check him out. (https://www.reverbnation.com/konseptsmusic)
