Milwaukee’s Comondabeat isn’t afraid to say what’s on his mind as he relays his life to a stellar set of beats. “Karma” is all about the chilled, relaxed feel. The lyrics tell a story a lot can relate to about a girl, but overall it’s one of those songs you can just kick back to. With “Hippieish” the intro takes you on a worldly trip. It has this Indian feel to it that really stands out even though it remains in the background. That paired with the more aggressive pace of Comondabeat’s flow pairs nicely. There’s a clear connection with that track and “I’m Rollin.” He starts with a shout out to the hippies, but that’s where it stops because this seems to be the most real track coming from this emcee. Creative minds can totally relate to this one. Those who choose to take that path rather than college or a nine to five. Lastly, “Nuthin Changed” kind of takes us back to where we started in the case of wanting to sit back and relax with the beat. However, what’s clear as glass is that Comondabeat is a storyteller and does it well. if you’re into hip hop that has a base in reality, check out Comondabeat - he has a lot in his back pocket to discover. (https://soundcloud.com/comondabeat)
Dossman Thomas has a lot going on, but it all shapes up and meshes well. “Give ‘Em Hell!” has a fun feel to it and will remind some of what Mac Miller’s been spitting out. That frat rap vibe. With his buddy Zach Kramer by his side on “Love,” he really changes it up and gives us a track that has a more seductive demeanor. One would think “Nosebleed” would have this aggressive beat but really, it’s like Neo-Soul music intertwined with some attitude. Tino hops on “What To Do” and that seduction is back, but not in the lyrics. Lyrically this sounds like it could be the theme song for every 20-something. “Said A Lot” brings us back to that Neo-Soul but the vocals match up this time around. In the end Dossman Thomas has a lot of elements to his sound. He’s one part soul, a hint of frat and has a dash or two of sass that creates a sound that everyone from fans of Mac Miller to Wiz Khalifa would enjoy. So check out his record, “Dossman, Thomas EP,” out now. (https://soundcloud.com/dossman_thomas/sets/dossman-thomas-ep)
California has so much talent, it’s hard to know where to start. So here’s some help. J-Kal is a young emcee that knows his way around not only a slick beat, but also has an immense way with words. “Lose Control” doesn’t waste any time getting the party started. It starts with a sample lyrically of Will Smith’s “Fresh Prince.” He flips the script though and tosses his tale in it and makes it about his life in California. It’s only his first single, so there’s no telling where he’ll go from here. Our guess is up though. So if you want to be on top of the latest rappers making waves, check out J-Kal’s “Lose Control.” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQv6G9jTK8Q)
Being from California, I had a particular taste when it comes to rap but I can’t help but give major props to the rhymes that come from the east, and the artists like Em Crysis. “I Don’t Know Why” has a killer hook that sounds like something Michael Jackson would’ve been a part of. That falsetto is on point. That teamed with the masculinity of Em’s rhymes, makes way for a perfectly balanced track. In “Feel So High” we’re introduced to another great hook. It’s clear that this emcee has a signature style. However, this one doesn’t flow as freely as the last. If you’re a fan of east coast rap, check out Em Crysis. He’s coming straight out of Brooklyn and to your stereo’s now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/emcrysis1)
There are so many roads to walk when it comes to hip hop. Some go for a chilled zone like Wiz Khalifa and some take a more aggressive root like Rick Ross. Then there are those who like to reflect on life like Nas, Kanye West and newcomer Ghazi Akeem. His fresh single “Lost” is anything but. It’s as focused as could as he relays a clear cut message in his rhymes and makes you feel every word that escapes his lips. It lacks a club beat and has more of reality to it. You really get wrapped up in the lyrics, the story they tell - the story that Ghazi Akeem tells with such a passion. If you’re into hip hop that has a message, check him out now and get lost in his ways. (https://soundcloud.com/ghaziakeem)
This March Reece Surreal released “The Black Dali Mixtape” and we’re here to tell you why it should stick with you all the way through the summer, fall and winter months. It starts with “I’m Done.” This track has a great energy to it that makes your ears perk up. The beat is a little ‘80s while the the delivery comes through in a modern way. In “U Know My Style” Reece we get this odd feel. It sounds like he layered two tracks on top of one another. It causes some confusion, but it keeps you interested. Then you have Lindsey McKay offering her vocals to the smooth diss, “They Lame” as well as the one that deals with the haters “Can’t F with Reece.” Things get a little aggressive with “Not Your Average Rapper.” He comes through cool and confident and that’s the overall feel from Reece Surreal. If you’re underground hip hop that experiments, check out “The Black Dali Mixtape,” out now. (https://reecesurreal.bandcamp.com/releases)
California is known for a lot; beautiful beaches, majestic mountains and of course hip hop. While it started out east, the rap that came out California had something unique about it and that’s what Kydd Raz has done on his latest, “Heart of Cali.” “Bars of Dope” opens the record and comes across with a lot of bite. It has this angry vibe but keeps you interested with the stellar beat. Heading into “IDGAF” we’re introduced to another great beat. The flow of the lyrics are chill and the pace a bit relaxed so they work in unison. Kydd Raz offers some life advice with “Don’t Be No Punk.” The music of this one reminds me a lot of the last track. The title track has a lot to live up. It does the trick in delivering listeners an overall great musical aroma. It has some attitude, but you can’t help but learn the words and then try and spit it out yourself. Closing out the album is “Wit This Shit.” This one caps things off with a track that sounds like it could’ve been the musical child of Mystikal and Snoop Dogg. It has this pizzaz, but keeps it street. If you’re a fan of west coast hip hop, check out Kydd Raz’s “Heart of Cali,” out now. (https://kyddraz.bandcamp.com/album/heart-of-cali)
When it comes to kick backs, King Cupid is well, the king. “All Bad” comes to us in a very chill manner. It picks up towards the end, but overall it’s one of those songs you put on when you’re kicking back and don’t want to do much - but relax. With “Wait On It” it’s clear that King Cupid is a laid back guy. His rhymes don’t come out at a rapid pace, but this one’s pace gives us a bit more to move to. With that said, “He Can’t” really does the trick. It’s like we get more and more from this emcee as we continue to press play. It was a slow start, but here we are with a track that has a fresh beat as well as a great performance from King. Smooth with a few bumps is how one can best describe “Google Me.” The music gives off this velvet feel, but the lyrics have a ton of edge. If you’re a fan of chilled beats, check out King Cupid now. (https://www.audiomack.com/artist/king-cupid)
Baltimore has a lot on their plate with an act like Bodymore Banga$. “In My Living Room” has a sinister feel to it. The deep delivery verges on evil in the beginning and sends a chill down the spine, but then it lightens up and becomes a welcoming experience with a great beat. While listening to “Eastside” you’re introduced to the track with a very elegant start. The keys play well and balance out the rhymes that come through with a menacing vibe. In “Shit Cool” we’re given a similar sweet sounding intro, only this time we’re not scared when the lyrics come through, but rather given a great bounce. All in all, this one sits best with everyone. It’s middle of the road, but plays well with all. With “Fight” that club style comes through as we’re bouncing right out the gate. Then it gets thuggish and we head from the dance floor to the streets in an instant. When it comes to creating music that covers all the bases, Bodymore Banga$ does it right. We have intimidation, club beats and sweet sounds all encased in one area. That’s not easy to do, so if you’re a fan of variety, check out Bodymore Banga$ now. (https://www.reverbnation.com/Bodymorebangas)
Rap music has always had a story to tell, so pull up a chair and get down with what BiG T has to say. “Hell and Back” gives us a slow start in getting to know this emcee. Vocally, he sounds like he could be in the same class as DMX, but with less barking and rage. As we move along, we hit “Sells” and we pick up the energy a bit. This one has a cool beat to it that has a bit of a pop feel to it, but the lyrics come through as a full on thug performance. What’s great about “Action” is that it doesn’t let down. The title says it all and that’s what you get. We continue to flow on that level with “Thuggin.” It was a slow start, but once we get into the depths of BiG T, we found out what he can really do. He’s a master of taking his aggression and putting it to use in his rhymes in ways that welcome listeners in and keep them going along with him. If you’re a fan of DMX and Juvenile, check out BiG T today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/bigt70)
Out of Fontana comes Babyzav. He’s got a bag full of tricks to share. “Impala” has a very SoCal vibe in its sound. You can hear a little Snoop Dogg influence in this one as it has this “Gin and Juice” bounce to it. In “Missing You,” we go from one end of the spectrum to the other as things get a little sensitive as there is this beautiful vocal performance and the rhymes come across with a nice flow. That feel continues with “My Everything,” but then we hit the party scene with “Run This Party.” It’s got this pop-crossover mentality. Last up is “The Ones We Love” and we return to that sensitive state of mind. Where we started with “Impala” is not where we ended and it was quite the surprise. However, while it’s a shock - it shows the range that Babyzav has and because of his versatility - that’s why he’s one to check out. So give him some of your time today. (https://soundcloud.com/babyzav)
It’s hard to keep your cool and have a heart in hip hop, but somehow Lamar McNair does it. “I Ain’t Trippin” has a lot of layers to it soundwise. With that, it will never fail to keep listeners’ attentions. In “Young King” cools it down a bit and comes through with a nice demeanor that doesn’t do much to grab you. It’s fairly balanced as it has this sweet base but on the surface has attitude. It’s pretty much the greatest from Lamar McNair, but moving on we have “My Niggas.” This one surprisingly has a lot of heart to it, as does “On the Run for the Money.” What I like about this emcee is that he has this strong backbone and delivers music that has this thug appeal, but at the same time is able to balance it out with some depth and emotion. He’s created this nice mixture of the two and should be checked out if you’re a fan of Kendrick Lamar and Lil Wayne. So with that, make sure to put Lamar McNair on your to do list. (https://soundcloud.com/lamarmcnair)
