Blackgang Bullet is an emcee who takes his time. “Black Gang” is a very low key track. There’s not much to it and it kind of verges on creepy - like it’d be from an urban horror film or something. “Sending Shots” kind of picks things up, but Blackgang Bullet is still taking the chill road with his rhymes. Unlike Drake, Blackgang Bullet is going the opposite with “Started From Tha Top.” This one may be the best so far, but you really are waiting for things to pop and they never do. “We Run Tha Streetz” has promise at the start as the energy is kind of there, and then yes - more upbeat than the last. Although it’s not a club anthem, it does sound a bit livelier than the rest. If you’re a fan of laid back hip hop, check out Blackgang Bullet for sure. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSrzOJkqE8-62nwuJXkm6XA/videos)
It’s no surprise that A.D. Weighs comes from Detroit. That gritty city produces some of the best hip hop has to offer. The emcees out of that area are always poised and in control. “Private Affairs” starts with this operatic string session and then it sounds like a slower paced Busta Rhymes comes through. With “Crows Feet & Reading Glasses” it starts like a an old blues song and has that loop throughout and really tosses a realistic tale in your face. Things get a little less serious sounding than the last two with the upbeat “Gullible Chick.” While those two made you think, this one offers up a little fun. We get back to the serious mode with “Ask Around,” but the bounce of the beat will keep the shoulders moving. If you want some hip hop that has a very sturdy footing, check out A.D. Weighs ASAP. (https://www.reverbnation.com/adweighs)
Reality Zay’s “The Reality Show” demo is for fans of good, clean hip hop. “Dreams I” has a great R&B flare at the start and then it goes into a clean cut rap delivery. You can find good messages in “Our Future” and can see the light with it. Get a little romantic with “I Wanna Marry You.” It’s possibly the best you’ll find on “The Reality Show.” Everything falls into place with this one and it shines. Well. that song is great but it may be outdone by the hook in “Ready to Live.” Wrapping things up and rouding out the record is “Heaven or Hell.” It has a very ’90s vibe to it, like something you’d hear musically from an artist like Mos Def - based on the beat. All in all you’ll get a realistic outlook on life with Reality Zay’s “The Reality Show,” so rightfully titled this one. So check it out today because it’s been out since June, so stop waiting and go for it. (https://realityzay.bandcamp.com/album/the-reality-show-demo)
Qualteau is a hip hop artist from Charlotte, North Carolina that does it up good. “A-1” is as good as the steak sauce, while “Feeling Good” offers up a track with a great hook that’ll be the reason it gets stuck in heads. One of the better of the bunch though it the “She Do It.” The fast pace and beat really allows for it to be a club anthem. You can see both men and women enjoying this one, strongly. We slow things down with “Down to Business.” It’s not the most hype, but it gives you a break to cool down. “Hit Da Trap” brings the energy back and it’s good. Another fresh track from Qualteau has to be “Carolina Pimpin.” It’s got a dance to it, never quits and really down Carolina proud. That one sounds like some old school Cash Money records right there, for sure. So if you like your hip hop served up fresh, check out Qualteau today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/Qualteau)
Granzlee Banks’ rhymes take their time but come hard. “Turn Up” sure is a catch one. The hook is simple and only two words so you can get that down pact really quick. With “Enough” doesn’t overdo it, but remains on top of things with the beat. One of the best and most entertaining from Granzlee Banks comes with “Do or Die.” Fans with definitely be repeating that “Hugh Hef” line weeks after listening. You actually get something a bit harder with “Blow Sum.” It was the first time he crossed over into that gangster rap sound. Rounding things out, “In Chiraq” gives you a word you may not know off the top of your head, but that’s not as important as the music. It’s a little explicit but slowly enters your mindset and settles in. If you like hip hop that has a very easygoing feel but has street appeal, check out Granzlee Banks ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/granzlee-moneyman-banks)
New Jersey’s Tribalations is bringing thought to hip hop. “I Came To Rock” isn’t the party anthem one was expecting. I thought it’d have more of a Top 40 feel to it. Instead it didn’t. It was more about setting up what Tribalations is all about. “So Exclusive” had a better beat than the last and really is a summer jam thanks to it. It could be the best from him as a whole package. G Way hops on “O.M.G. What Was That” to serve up a song that sounds very mature and like earlier Nas. The force of “Mastermind” is on point and some of the strongest you’ll get from Tribalations for sure. The same can be said of “Rise To Power” though. Remember when I wanted a party anthem? Well, it’s clear that Tribalations isn’t an artist you head to for cheesy hip hop. He’s a serious artist making rhymes that make you think. Check out Tribalations today before you get to anything else. (https://www.reverbnation.com/tribalations)
SouthMaine is a multifaceted artist that’s got his bases covered and is ready to score the home run. “Get It Now” is a song you can definitely listen to on repeat, and so is “Salute” but for different reasons. The first is more easygoing and the second is a powerhouse of energy. It reminded me a little of Cash Money back in the late ’90s. You get some R&B with the start of “Hold U Down.” It’s a different approach and refreshing to hear amidst all the rhymes. They complement one another well. The best from SouthMaine comes with honesty in the form of “Truth.” It takes all the elements of what he’s about and tosses them in one track; it’s energetic, abrasive and memorable. Rounding things out are a few more soulful tracks like “I Can’t Believe” and “Don’t Leave.” SouthMaine is a well-rounded individual definitely worth your time, so check him out ASAP. (https://soundcloud.com/southmaine)
Over in Virginia sits a true emcee that goes by the name Konscience. “1 Path” is a real track. It spits the truth and has a great flow to it. It’s about the reality of Konscience’s life and what he’s all about and the path he’s on. He gets a little lose with “Fiya.” While it’s a little lighter than the last, it still has a serious overtone in the lyrics. If you need a pick me up then listen to “Believe.” The positivity flows from the speakers through the air and straight into you. Rounding things out for Konscience is “Worlds Most Dangerous.” It remains like the others; real. There are no gimmicks with Konscience’s style and that’s why it’s to be respected. If you’re into credible hip hop that speaks with honesty, check him out today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/KonscienceK)
J Kilo is one scary emcee. “Lazy Bitchez” featuring Loco K. starts off pretty intimidating and that doesn’t let up until it’s over and done with. It’s not a feel good song, that’s for show. It has a lot of muscle behind it and isn’t to be taken lightly. If you are indeed one of those lazy bitches, you might not want this as your personal anthem because it’s not talking about you in a positive light. J Kilo and Loco K. come across like pitbulls in this fierce track, ready to attack whoever sits in their way to the top. Check out J Kilo’s intimidation today. (https://soundcloud.com/str8ballinpromotions/lazy-bitchez-by-j-kilo-k-loco-k-ent)
Moe Power is an emcee from California who sounds like he could rep the south. “Smell It” featuring Joe Suave has this intro that gets you bouncing in your seat. Then it comes through like something you’d hear coming out of the Cash Money camp. It’s got that hip hop swag to it that is similar to Lil’ Wayne at times. The song as a whole is a bit of a cautionary tale. It’s got some naughty lines at times but it’s still a fun song to rap along to. So what are they smelling? It seems to be a tossup between money and the ladies - two very important aspects in hip hop culture. So if you’re ready to smell it, check out Moe Power and his buddy Joe Suave’s track, out now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/moepower7)
Gooh Official’s “Humble But Hungry” is a all-around good time mixtape. “Humble But Hungry (What About Me)” featuring Neek Neek sounds like something that would’ve been killing it on the radio in the ’90s. It has this soft R&B intro that will remind people of Monica thanks to the soul of it. Neek Neek’s back to help out Gooh on “Doing Thangs.” Those two are a perfect team but Gooh can step out on his own to make his presence known like with “Broken Love-Lorn.” He keeps things flowing slowly and it really gives you a chance to hear what he’s saying in his rhymes. He also does his own thing with “In Yo City.” This one picks it up and really is a good way to not only cap off the mixtape, but this review. So if you’re into young emcees doing it up with an old school vibe, check out Gooh Official’s “Humble But Hungry,” out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/Gooh-Official-Humble-But-Hungry-mixtape.613895.html)
the Dream Chaser is a hip hop artist who does things his way. “The future is now” has a good beat and gets to the point by putting the hook on repeat. The energy of “Can’t be done” really sets the tone and is a hype starter, that’s for sure. I got kind of this Nate Dogg feel when it came to “Do that” just because it had this deeper tone at times. The piano of “Wastin Time” really captures your attention and then layering that on top of a hip hop beat; fresh. He kind of does the same with “Come with your flows,” and that too is impressive. It makes the Dream Chaser’s tracks really stick out. Things get heavy with “The Time Has Come.” That heavy act comes across in “3 out of 4,” but also translates to confidence on this one. the Dream Chaser is an artist who’s not only not scared to chase his dreams, but also not afraid to try new things musically. Check him out for yourself and be a fan. (https://www.reverbnation.com/thedreamchaser)
