Latest Posts

Bill $aber’s Creative Trap Sound Shines on Newest Project

June 22, 2016

Erie County rapper Bill $aber kicks off his latest project with a chorus of “If I fuck your bitch, my n***a do not get to stressing.” Its bold, nonchalant nature relays the confidence of the man behind the mic. On I.P.I.C $aber is a junkyard dog, dropping intense, aggressive floetry in a calculated manner. Opening track “Kum and Go” sets the standard, but the blueprint for $aber’s sound seems to happen on “You Talk it I Live it.” Atdenn’s sparse production leaves clean space for head nods and for $aber to preach his gospel of weird raunchiness, evidenced on lines like”If I don’t fuck she gonna pout.” Atdenn and Boyfriend make appearances on several cuts on here too and work right in with the aesthetic. The $aber crew are a raunchy, odd outfit perfectly comfortable saying exactly what they want. Playful keys are building blocks for a ton of these beats (“Homicide $aber[...]

IDE – “Flight Patterns”

June 10, 2016

Brooklyn’s IDE lays down some ferocious lyricism on his new track “Flight Patterns.” Produced by Lucky Loopiani, “Flight Patterns” has a wonderful, classic hip hop beat centered around some plucked Asian strings. It sounds heavily influenced by the work of Wu Tang leader RZA. Behind the mic IDE is boastful, contemplative and gritty, relaying his New York spirit in lines like “I’m just lost in the maze, but I’ll find my way.” His flow weaves between crass and rapid as he lays down a fiery performance. For hip hop heads looking for more IDE, his newest project “Breathe Easy” drops this month. Give “Flight Patterns” a listen below.

midnight Premieres Single Feat. The Internet

June 2, 2016

Rochester singer midnight returns his electric-soul sound to us by way of his new single “Native America.” In his controlled falsetto, midnight gently navigates through the bounding synths and kicks of the beat. “Native America” is driven upon the sin and dishonesty that resulted in the foundation of our country. The title and track reference both the atrocities committed against the indigenous people of the Americas, and how how the normalcy of violence and stubbornness is engrained in our being. “We’re in Native America,” midnight sings “where the lies are infamous, but the truth, it lives in us.” It is charged and sharp while remaining beautiful and delicate. The track features production from the Internet, well-known for rising up with the hip hop collective Odd Future and receiving acclaim for their 2015 album Ego Death .“Native America” comes ahead of the midnight’s July 1st release of his EP 0:00. midnight describes the project[...]

Novi Nov – “Thinkin’ Bout Ya”

June 1, 2016

Pop-rap, or rap produced with commercial intent is a relatively polarizing genre. Everybody has heard a joke about Pitbull or Flo Rida sucking (even though “My House” bangs). In that same vein though, it’s hard to ignore the catchiness and charisma that an artist like Fetty Wap carries with him on all those singles. Pittsburgh rapper Novi Nov comes from the world of one of the most commercially successful rappers of the last few years in Wiz Khalifa. Though he hasn’t reached that status, he’s churning out some simple, enjoyable rap tracks with memorable, sing-songy choruses to plant into listeners’ heads. His latest single “Thinkin’ Bout Ya” describes a lady who won’t escape Novi’s thoughts. The chorus is a ton of fun and Novi doesn’t hold back on verses, switching between rapid and melodic flows. Light-hearted, commercial music is often the most fun, and that’s what Novi goes for and[...]

Kato Dox – “Gone”

May 27, 2016

Austin, Texas’ Kato Dox’ ambitious mindset is the thesis for his new single “Gone.”Dox analyzes his come-up’s causation and effects over some hard-hitting production.  He likens his sacrifices and desperation to his conviction in lines like “When God is asleep then the Devil listen, might sell my soul before i turn up missing.”  Kato is relentless behind the mic. His chanting chorus serves as a break from the rapid flows he serves up with each verse. The song takes the fun, care-free elements we often see in rap and couples them with some speculative and reflective commentary. These themes are mirrored in the production, which fuses the trap sound popular in today’s music with some jazzy trumpets. It’s like a conversation at a party that ends up getting deeper than you planned, but it’s great and you roll with it. Give it a listen below.

C.L. Smooth (feat. Skyzoo & DJ Devastate) – “Perfect Timing (Max I Million Remix)”

April 26, 2016

Sweden’s Max I Million has cooked up a re-imagination of the Coalmine Records’ classic cut, “Perfect Timing,” featuring both C.L. Smooth and Skyzoo. DJ Devastate adds to the remix by scratching up the original chorus, in an ode to the craft. The beat is a good fusion of newer electronic production and classic hip-hop, and also features some Dr. Dre-type keys interspersed. Check it out below.  

Saga ft. Blu – “Up”

April 2, 2016

Brooklyn’s Saga has been a king of loosies of late. His latest standalone “Up” is a perfect rap track to transition from the depths of winter into warmer vibes. The warm, easy production is handled by France’s 20syl and is perfectly complimentary to the smooth flows of the rappers. Saga’s well-rounded attack features some really dope rhyme schemes and lyricism, and the song has a great structure. It’s a collaboration with noted emcee Blu, who along with a guest verse brings vocals to the chorus and throughout the song. Working with Blu and headed on a tour with Asher Roth soon, Saga is well on his come-up. Get your spring on and give it a listen. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/254754559″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

David Sanya & EhCee – “Liquid Love”

March 23, 2016

David Sanya and EhCee’s “Liquid Love” is a song that’s ready to be featured in a commercial. The track from the Toronto-based artists has that distinct sound to it, one that’d bring your attention to the tv to watch an outfit of ethnically diverse 20-somethings happily sipping on some Sprite. That’s a likely situation. EhCee’s fantastic pop-R&B chorus jumps out with every listen. Distinct and catchy; it’s nearly anthemic. David Sanya’s production plods and pops when needed, echoing melodies and providing some clever bubbling throughout. EhCee’s voice has a lot of single-power, and Sanya’s sphere of influence allows for him to create all sorts of future R&B sounds in his production. Listen to “Liquid Love” below. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/253814417″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]

Stream YLXR’s Magnificent “Stream”

March 9, 2016

Buffalo producer YLXR has a million different sounds in his pocket. Drawing influence from ambient, electronic, hip hop and countless other genres of music, YLXR’s releases can be counted on to surprise you musically in the best way. Latest release “Stream” is another win for his track record. The front half of the track features fluttering with synths and plucked strings, punctuated with a sparse but thoughtful bottom half. In the manner of an emotional transition, sounds come and go. The sampled words “In a moment, everything can change,” are expertly reflected in the song, and after they drop the track gets a gust of air before exhaling in the outro. The track is a full experience start to finish, with the each sound thoughtfully included. Per usual with YLXR, it’s a must-listen. Stream “Stream” in the stream below.

Chill Ali Drops “Paypa Thin” Video

March 4, 2016

Chill Ali remains a model of consistency within the Buffalo rap scene. Within the Rich Slave umbrella, Ali has been a beacon of consistently chill releases for the last couple of years. Much like in his previous work, “Paypa Thin” has the dichotomy of smooth music but striking lyricism. Extremely personal lines, like Ali’s relationship with his mother and their struggles in finding safe places to stay, can get lost with your natural inclination to bob your head to his music. “Paypa Thin” in particular has a great beat to get lost in, with vocals samples from the same world as Ty $’s latest work with Kanye appearing within the production. Always chill, but multifaceted at the same time, Ali has come through again with a nice track. Peep below.

Dr. Ooo Remixes Usher and Pharrell for “1050”

February 24, 2016

Buffalo rapper and EKL associate Dr. Ooo is one of the city’s most refined wordsmiths. His lyrics and flow shine on in each track he releases, and when he’s having fun on a track the feeling is contagious. This is the case on “1050,” a remix of the 2001 Usher joint “U Don’t Have to Call.” 2001 was primetime for the Neptunes, but Pharrell and Chad Hugo’s work is timeless. The beat for “UDHTC” is just groovy and drum-heavy, setting up Dr. Ooo for a fun freestyle of sorts. Ooo tests out all sorts of flows while talking acidic fruits and high numbers. And he’s also juggling for most of the video. Entertaining, lighthearted, impressive and sexy, just the way Usher would want it. Watch below.

Don Scuzz Hits on Love and Let Die

February 18, 2016

Buffalo rapper and Hooligang member Don Scuzz is a hard hitter. Best recognized by his gruff, intimidating flow and ability to rap the hell out of a chorus, Scuzz comes into the middle of February with another project under his belt. In Valentine’s Day spirit, Love and Let Die is a Scuzzian fusion of street sounds and lyrics with surprisingly great depth to them. Project highlight “50 Facts” stands as one the best tracks we’ve heard from the Don. Built off of a Zaytoven-esque descending piano, Don and guest Meechy El Camino stick to a melodic flow reminiscent of throwback stuff from Dipset and even French Montana’s non-mainstream work. Meechy asserts himself on the first half of the track, dropping a verse with some really great flow switches and all around solid lyricism. Whether he’s on “Genesee faded off Hennessy” or “pulling off in the Jag with the MTV hat to the[...]

Doc 0bvious Catches Eyes on Attention to Detail

February 16, 2016

Buffalo rapper Doc 0bvious comes from city supergroup Prime Example. The collective is known for crafting entire packages of soulful hip hop, stretching from production through to lyricism. 0bvious bleeds that same blood, and his solo debut Attention to Detail is a testament to the DNA that he and his crew stand by. 0bvious kicks off the project with “Plot Summary,” properly outlined in the opening line “The Doc’s here to put a boot in that ass.” Production throughout the project is handled by Prime Examples’ own Program, and on here he opts for a beat heavy on groovy bass. Doc continues his confident bars for the duration of the track, which gets a dope closing of Method Man sample cuts from DJ Optimus Prime. Though the meat of Doc’s game is his ability to drop bars, his songwriting shines on several tracks here. The album’s third track “Over There” values simplicity[...]

200 Kids Outside Drop Thirst-Quenching Album

February 5, 2016

For being a relatively newer act, 200 Kids Outside have got their formula nailed down. It’s not a conventional one either. Across three projects dating back to last spring, the duo of producer Minel and vocalist Neetchy have been making music drawing from influences in alt-hip hop, southern trap and R&B, and have owned it the whole way. Minel’s been a maestro on the boards providing crisp production of varying styles for Neetchy’s signature melodic vocals which float between singing and rapping. YA’LL Need a Drink is a great seven-song taste of what the duo have been working on since last August’s AutoPilot.  Album opener “WiFi” sonically is a quintessential 200 Kids song. Minel takes no time getting into his vault of swirling synths and melancholic keys, and Neetchy’s layered vocals serve as the opening bell that their project is here. “I don’t wanna cry, but the water clears my eyes,” sings Neetchy, taking[...]

Short Moscato Releases Spree of Songs

February 3, 2016

Buffalo hip hop mainstay Short Moscato started off the New Year strong with four new quick-hitters in the month of January. Moscato dropped the 13 song Whatever/Forever project in the last quarter of 2015, an album filled with great tracks from he and his talented friends in the scene. This year’s loosies work off of the Short Moscato blueprint: a hard flow, personal lyrics, and beats of all sorts. The string was lead by “Turquoise,” an ethereal track with a heavy psilocybin influence. In between moments of reflection and revelation, Moscato cuts through with refreshing poignancy, as seen in the line “a Dutch should never ever cost more than $1.50.” Much of the track stays true to the titular theme though, as Moscato questions his need and habit and is guided by a narrator suggesting the use of turquoise as relief. Moscato goes on to appear on the Lucky Seven track “Netlfix &[...]