“Cookin Circles” is the latest from Franso Mafio. It starts with a hook and then gets into the emcee’s past. You really get a feel for where this rapper came up from and while it never pops off into this hype track, it remains solid in its sense of reality and that’s to be respected. His sound is reminiscent of those artists who come with more bark in their delivery like Ice Cube and Nate Dogg. If you have those guys n your music library already, then add Franso Mafio’s “Cookin Circles” into the mix too. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UQKmoh4p_A)
Era Tha Kidd’s “G.R.I.N.D” is his latest and it’s making some waves in the hip hop scene. The intro goes for longer than expected, but it sets the tone for the rest of the record. We then head into “Nothing Was The Same” and it’s a little slow at first with a skit but then Era Tha Kidd comes in and he tells his tale in a chilled manner. We keep that laid back demeanor going strong with “Like Me.” In which it sounds a little like if Akon went into actual rap and not mainstream hip-pop. We then head into something that has more bite with “I’m On It.” If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s on the same level as the likes of Tyga and Wiz Khalifa, check out Era Tha Kidd’s “G.R.I.N.D,” out now. (https://www.datpiff.com/Era-Tha-Kidd-GRIND-mixtape.598244.html)
What appears to be a commercial for the HBO series “Hard Knocks,” Viz Dawg’s video for “Get Me The Ball” has a very masculine feel to it; men in very great shape on a football field, an energetic yet abrasive beat, and a hardcore sound. After realizing this isn’t an ad for a show, this is a pretty great song. I could hear this during any practice around the country, gym and even clubs. It reminds me a little of the Ying Yang twins minus the mainstream pop vibes they had at times. It’s more about the grit of that Atlanta sound. If you’re in the market for a song that pumps you up, check out “Get Me The Ball” by Viz Dawg, out now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yL3bY3H35M)
Today we got Geez straight out of the city of Brotherly Love. With Luchini by his side on “I Want You,” we start off on a good foot. Sounding like something that Jason Derulo would put out, this mix of hip hop, R&B and a little pop for good measure is just what the musical doctor ordered. I could hear this on the radio right now. We change the page and come across a new side as “All My Niggas” shows a harder side of the artist. We find the middle ground in “Really Not Really.” It’s not as smooth as the first but not as rough as the last, but just right. When it comes to having everything in a row, lined up perfectly - Geez knows what he’s doing and has it all planned out right. He’s a young emcee who’s ready to show what he has to the world. So let him and check him out today! (https://soundcloud.com/2freakygeez)
Down in the Bluegrass state Fresco_letsgo is working hard to make his name a household one across the world. “Can’t Sleep” is an ironic one to start off with since the rain is falling hard outside my window and I could curl up into a ball, but alas I have this banging track playing and cannot. The beat sounds like something sort of industrial, but the lyrics are a little lost in between. With “Saint” we get a cleaner sound. “Shine” has a daunting vibe that sounds a little like the start of a horror movie involving ghosts. Then it never really picks up. When all’s said and done, Fresco_letsgo has gotten a great grasp on making beats, but needs to work on making the rhymes pop just as much. You can check out Kentucky’s own Fresco_letsgo now. (https://soundcloud.com/Fresco_story)
Fred J’s “Addicts Like ME” is perfect from start to finish. Kicking off with “Cleantime Celebration,” we get this hype beat that sounds like it could kick off any night down at the club. The title track takes it down a notch, with clean lines - this one sounds like something you’d hear on the radio today. We get some inspiration with “Be Somebody” and “Nobody Like Jesus,” while get a sense of romance in “My Girl” and find a little of an Ice Cube sound towards the end of “Gotta Find My Way Out.” Fred J has a well-rounded record on his hands with “Addicts Like ME.” He brings modern day hip hop and intertwines it with some throwback west coast sounds, while building and creating a reality with his lyrics. Check out Fred J’s “Addicts Like ME,” out now. (https://www.cleantimerecords.com/)
