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George Hollow – “New Boy George”

December 2, 2016

Pittsburgh’s George Hollow works off of his roots in the psychedelic and country to pump out uniquely twanged hip hop. Single “New Boy George” comes from Hollow’s Dreams of an Insomniac project, and is a showcase of dope flows, clever words and smooth sounds. The beat combines a little bit of chipmunk sampling with some dazzling piano and delicate guitar plucks. It’s lush but has the boom bap that lets Hollow handle it with the tenacity of a traditional emcee. The track is autobiographical, as Hollow discusses his past and present, his hopes and dreams, and his ideas and vices. Give Dreams of an Insomniac a listen and check out “New Boy George” below.

Manu Crook$ feat. Miracle – “Blowin’ Up”

December 2, 2016

Manu Crook$ and Miracle double-team a silky guitar instrumental, and the result is the subdued hype that is “Blowin’ Up.” Manu’s ruggedness trades with the smooth voice of Miracle, and it’s as natural of a collaboration as there can be. Manu and DOPAMINE collabed on the instrumental, which shines just as bright as the vocal contributions. It’s sparse when needed, but full enough to make the track bang. Sunset and sunrise are encapsulated in the track’s vibes, with a sense of mysticism. Crook$ and Miracle know what their night will feel like, even if they couldn’t tell you what it’ll look like. Press play below.

FC the MC – “This Way”

December 2, 2016

Connecticut’s FC is a boom bap understudy with a sound in the wave of contemporary NYC rap. His single “This Way” is a pledge to imperfection, evident with the opening line “Most my life lessons I regret cause I’m quite reckless.” FC shakes off his youthful demeanor with a polished sound that captures your ears as you nod along with a head-bobbing beat.  “This Way” features a sharply rapped hook, and sounds extra crisp with the baritone voice of FC. His lyricism focuses on overcoming self-doubt and progressing, while still holding true to himself. Give it a listen below.

NOVI NOV – “Monstah” feat. Fort Knox

November 30, 2016

Atlanta’s NOVI NOV brings his accessible flow to the forefront on his single “Monstah” with an assist from primetime personality Fort Knox. Fluttering violins serve as the backdrop for a rapid lyrical assault, in which Nov details all that he’s capable of. Constantly mixing up his schemes and attack, NOVI sounds like a fusion of Em and Strange Music. Fort Knox keeps the hype going to close out the track, talking up the tenacity of the talented NOVI NOV. Give it a listen below and check out more from NOVI here. It’ll make you feel like you can run a marathon.

Mac Irv – “Change”

November 30, 2016

“I’m getting booked all over, I remember when they looked all over.” Minneapolis rapper Mac Irv reminisces on the times before things swung in his favor on his latest single “Change.” Comparing himself to Biggie, Mac details his devotion to overcome the odds with his people, ultimately proving he can make things change. On the hook Mac switches up his tone and proves to be masterful with melodies and catchiness. His distinctive voice gains more catch with some effects on the chorus, but he flexes his great sound up and down the verses. With hard-hitting bars but an accessible feel, Mac’s “Change” is a great listen for any hip hop head. Listen below.

Geebz – “Future Wifey”

November 30, 2016

A gem of Geebz purposeful recent project Don’t Hold the Juice is the single “Future Wifey.” The North Carolina rapper draws inspiration and likeliness from NC’s J. Cole, Lauryn Hill, and the recent gospel-themes releases from Kanye, Chance the Rapper and Mick Jenkins. Geebz coos out to a love he knows he’ll meet one day; “This song is for you even though we haven’t met.” “Future Wifey” is a groovy jam ready for the masses, with some kicking drums and a smooth hook. Check out Don’t Hold the Juice here and listen to “Future Wifey” below.

Sammus – “Song About Sex”

November 30, 2016

Ithaca’s Sammus hits a nerve with her single “Songs About Sex.” The fiery track speaks to sexual experiences (both good and bad) from a women’s perspective. The femcee talks about great sex with shitty people, poignantly expressed in the line “I can’t judge girl, I’ve been there I’ve done that, I’ve cum dumb hard so I run back.” She also details the all-too-real threat of assault, rounding the bases of a track ripe with emotion. The song’s beat flips an elevator music sample and brings it into the 2010s. I could explain this track front and back but Sammus’ words do it more justice on the chorus; “This is a song about sex in which I do not condemn women for the realities in which they are living. We should not be forgetting, we should be forward living, you should be for what we can’t afford to keep on forgetting.”[...]

XL – “Bloom”

November 8, 2016

XL’s work on his latest rap single “Bloom” is a unique mix of poetic lyricism and quintessential rap. He balances the recreational weed lines (“As soon as I went green made sure to cut pollution, now the only smog I see is coming from a Swisher Sweet”) with more substantial stuff (“I ain’t trying see ya doomed I’m just trying to keep ya bloomed from the womb to the tomb.”) “Bloom’s” boom bap production provide a dope landscape for XL to do as he pleases over the beat. XL’s got a well-rounded flow and has the ability to jump on whatever subject he pleases. Give it a listen below.

Sentry Sinvil – “Keep Goin”

November 8, 2016

Sharp with braggadocio, NY’s Sentry Sinvil’s got a sharp tongue and perseverance flowing through his veins. He croons here and there, but Sentry’s rapid rapping is “Keep Goin’s” big draw. With myriad rhyme schemes, he drops punch after punch. Highlights include “Your favorite rapper wearing Sentry Sinvil pajamas,” which closes out a particularly tough verse. “Keep Goin’s” disjointed beat immediately calls to one of Sinvil’s key influencers in DOOM. It’s easy to vibe to, and impressive to actually tune in for. Check it out below, and listen to his latest release Rare Gems here. 

The Siege – “Duplicate”

November 8, 2016

Drumline percussion, lion roars, and junkyard flows make The Siege’s “Duplicate” a perfect hype-up track. The Siege is a SoCal hip hop duo consisting of Taz Conley on the mic and Riley Taylor making things happen behind the scenes. Riley’s production has the aforementioned excitedness, but is also built around a dope country-western guitar plucks. On the mic, Taz is dynamic in what he can touch on. The front half of the track is heavy on punchlines, but the tone changes with a beat flip to close out the song, and Taz gets introspective regarding his relationships (“they say that forgiveness is freedom”). It’s a dope track in all aspects, check it out below.

Jasn – “L to the Head”

November 5, 2016

Jasn’s “L to the Head” is a tight two minute declaration of skill. The rapper (with a assist from some dope Moberg production) is confident and in-your-face regarding his status. “I am I, and you are you.” Even without context that burns. He knows the power of succinctness (“I speak less but I’ve been forming better statements.”) and when to throw some words around. There’s an ultra dope “presence/blessing/delicatessen” rhyme scheme in minute two that any fan of lyricism needs to check out. Give it a listen below.

Quadie Diesel – “Mr. Feeny” (D.R.A.M. Remixx)

November 5, 2016

Quadie Diesel has a hit on his hands with “Mr. Feeny.” Everyone’s favorite Boy Meets World character (Sorry, Topanga) is at the center of the track, as Quadie’s clientele of fiends makes him feel like the John Adams High School teacher and Cory Matthews mentor. It’s a silly anthem, but one so memorable that a replay is necessary immediately after the first listen. This slapping song kills the chorus too, with the trap-flavored hook “I got fiends I think I’m Mr. Feeny.” Already having one of the best 2016s of anyone in the game, the lovable D.R.A.M. hops on this track and more than delivers with his charismatic flow and puppy-dog charm. The beat’s got a bizarre melody not unlike Lil Yachty’s “Minnesota.” Give it a listen below while you queue up Boy Meets World.

Manzo – “Venice”

November 5, 2016

Milwaukee’s Manzo has his eyes set west on his second release “Venice.” The track details his emotions during transitional periods and jobs while pursuing his music career. It’s not all glamorous, but there’s a give and take, Manzo describes with “spent my last paycheck on groceries, Dulce, and a muhfuckin’ gold chain.” “Venice” has an excited drum pattern with some strong, sustained horns. It’s a great landscape for Manzo to lay out his path, and he takes off with it. Give it a listen below.

Cliz – “Class Is In Session”

November 5, 2016

Cliz’s “Class is in Session” is a controversial, fiery take on the true value of a college education. For a creative like Cliz, it’s necessary to beg the question “how do you tell me that I need a master’s or bachelor’s when I’ve already mastered what I want to become on this Earth?” He stands up to the narrative that successful people need to go to four years of college, and challenges the logic of making a lifetime financial commitment when you’re a naive 18-year-old. Cliz doesn’t  condemn it all, but he’s adding quality insight to the conversation. Give it a listen below.

E-Pro – “Jam Bands Ruined Your Life”

November 5, 2016

Upstate NY’s E-Pro has whittled together a hilarious song and accompanying video for his Joke Rogan single “Jam Bands Ruined Your Life.” The rapper spins the tale of an impressionable freshman who did acid with his new friends at college and ended up being the biggest Grateful Deal fan you’ve ever met. He’s relentless, and informed with his roasts namedropping notable psychedelic pioneers like the line “Even Terrance McKenna thinks you’re retarded.” It’s a fun, hilarious story about someone we all know, with the badass ending “Moral of the story: You don’t gotta be this kid, you could listen to boom bap rap like E-Pro did.” Check it out below and more from E-Pro on the Joke Rogan project.