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)
Young Wight is lighting up the west coast. “Let Me Kill That” gives off the impression that things are going to get real, but really this one stayed pretty light thanks to a club beat attached. In “Doubt That” we hear another sick beat to go along with the lyrics. This one has more of a bite though in the delivery. Moving into “Wat’s the Deal” we hear the realness that I assumed would come from the first track I hit play to. Instead it’s in this tune. We stick with that vibe as “Shit” makes heads bounce and bodies move. That’s just the tip of the iceberg from this rising emcee out of Los Angeles. Check him out ASAP! (https://www.reverbnation.com/youngwight)
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)
Lobos is part of the ElNEl crew and what he brings is a case of grit to the table. “303” sounds like a pitbull took the mic. There’s a strong sense of aggression in a calm setting. You never know if he’s going to bite, but his bark is quite intimidating. With “God,” that same sentiment is heard throughout. Only this one has more life to it. The beat allows more movement of the body while listening. ElNEl has a lot of great emcees under their umbrella but what Lobos brings is the muscle in the music. Check him and the rest of the ElNEl crew now. (https://soundcloud.com/elnelproductions)
Iigo Killin Em really knows how to make a song that makes you get all lost in the music. At least that’s how we started out with “DaMonster” featuring Eeks Stevedrive. It doesn’t overdo things, and has an attitude to it that really makes it this swagger filled gem. With Kingtoot by his side, Iigo Killin Em goes into “Pressure” with his head held high and kills it. It’s also a great song that people can really dig their teeth into on a personal level. We ease up with “Have Some Fun.” It isn’t too different from where we began, but there is a lighter sense to the track. Going out with a bang, “Likes” is simple in title, but it brings it throughout. It’s laid back approach is stellar. You don’t have to get all cray to have a good time. If you’re a fan of hip hop that doesn’t pull tricks, check out Iigo Killin Em. He has more where all this came from. (https://soundcloud.com/mike-iigo-killin-em)
Toni knows how to balance the best of what he has. “B.I.G.G.I.E” is a funky song that has a sense of R&B to it, but it really sounds like when neo-soul was coming up through the rap spectrum. It has some aggression to the delivery but the music kept things going cool. Then there was “Successful.” This one was more hip hop based, like a freestyle of sorts. There’s more of story with this one. In “Legacy” it’s not as concise as the other two. This one could use some tinkering. What he did with the first song was what he did best. I really liked how he married a few elements rather than just sticking with run of the mill hip hop. That’s the path I hope he continues to follow in his career. If you want to check out a budding emcee, check out Toni today. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbg_kEJmt2F7arOmoDgcOwg/videos)
