Latest Posts

L.A.N.C.E. – “Eve”

April 6, 2017

Fontana, California’s L.A.N.C.E. is quick with imagery and tight rhymes with his music. Over the traditional, light beat of “Eve” he details the complexity of a relationship between himself and another dreamer. Through his verses he drops complex rhyme schemes, third eye references, and goes into philosophy with Plato and Aristotle references. The best part of the track is the simplicity of the chorus, “One time one time, we was chilling in the park after dark.” In that moment, that succinctness and depth puts the whole track over the top and focuses the picture. Give it a listen below and check out more from L.A.N.C.E. here. 

Malcolm – “Money Ain’t a Thing Freestyle”

April 4, 2017

Speaking with the confidence of the city that’s behind him, rapper Malcolm takes on the legendary beat behind “Money Ain’t a Thang,” the 1998 collaborative effort between Jay Z and Jermaine Dupri. The New Jersey native unleashes a calm fury in a tight two minutes of freestyle rapping, with standout bars like “Rush Hour at the trap, where the fuck is Jackie Chan?” Malcolm makes references to Hov by name and also with the delivery of his street-smart attitude. Check out his YouTube page for more freestyles over classic beats and stay tuned for an upcoming EP.

J Blaze – “CAMP”

April 4, 2017

J Blaze makes rap anthems that shame your cookie cutter radio singles. Fresh in his Alonzo Mourning jersey, Blaze boasts unconventional brags that separate his one-liners from the stuff you’re used to. Fuck a coup, Blaze is into his four-door Teslas. The beat blurs the lines of trap and allows for Blaze to switch up his flows at ease. To put it simply, it’s a fun track to listen to. Blaze has charisma and his lyrics have character. It’s perfect to rap along in the car to with the top down, and if Blaze had it his way Elon Musk would be riding shotgun. Listen below.

D3X – “Paradise”

March 8, 2017

Mobb Deep’s Prodigy once said “I’m 19 but my mind is old.” After his vivid descriptions of his environment in the streets no one could doubt him. Philly’s D3X is also a young dude making waves for profound thought that trumps his modest age of 16. On his single “Paradise,” D3X leads off his first verse with the line “When did the world get so cold?” before he talks the crimes he’s seen people commit just to survive. The “Paradise” D3X describes in this track is this warped, inside-out world where vices get you far, and morality can leave you screwed. D3X himself references this in the chorus, saying he’s drowning. It’s a track with great depth, and shows a lot of promise for the young artist. “Paradise” is the first track off of D3X’s latest EP Distorted Visionz, you can check it out here. Press play below.

Mansa.wav – “Heat Wav”

February 27, 2017

Long Island rapper Mansa.wav’s smooth flow gives him a versatility that shines on his single “Heat Wav.” Wav’s sing-song delivery is on point, and makes for the killer hook “When I drop the mixtape we be chilling in a heat wave.” Mansa’s got a lot of charm in his lyrics (“I’m really straight suburban so it’s fuck what the streets say”) and his one-liners have their own Mansa flavor to them. DJ Flippp’s production gives Manza the perfect landscape to play with his flow, and “Heat Wav” is a a great listen because of it. The track comes from Mansa’s VSW 2 project, check it out below.

Tr38cho – “Big Twinkie”

February 27, 2017

Buffalo’s Tr38cho (Tre Ocho) needs just one verse to make waves on his single “Big Twinkie.” Taking influence from legendary lyricist Eyedea, Ocho fits in punchlines and commentary into the minute and a half track, with statements like “I’m from the part of the city they aren’t trying to gentrify.” The instrumental has a grimy 90s NYC feel to it, and the Ghostbusters Twinkie scene leads in and out of the song. Give it a listen below.

El Capitán – “Sun Tzu”

February 27, 2017

California rap duo El Capitán identity is expertly represented in their single “Sun Tzu.” The track’s production has a country twang, built around desert guitar strums. The mental image of a tumbleweed crossing the sand will enter your brain when you hear this song, guaranteed. Abhi the Nomad takes the first verse and rips of a string of tight lines and then Local Foster takes over before a the beat flips and the energy blows. Both Abhi and Foster flow with relaxed, sharp intensity and are prone to quick-witted lines and “researching the cure to the common rapper.” “Sun Tzu’s” video is a cinematic epic and worth the watch regardless of how good the tune is. Press play below.

Short Moscato – “Whisper (Disappear)”

February 21, 2017

Buffalo rapper Short Moscato is a proven wordsmith that also comes through with thematic songs and projects on the regular. His latest track “Whisper” discusses his methods of escape from his insecurities and beyond. The voice of John Lennon talks of the transcendental powers of meditation, and Moscato follows him up by delving into his own explorations. He delivers just one titular verse, allowing for Lennon and medasin’s production to frame his messages. Medasin’s light-yet-abrasive outro captures the flux of Moscato’s deliverance, and wraps up a tight track. “Whisper” is the first single off of Moscato’s commercial debut The Colour of Air, due out March 17th.

Infidelix – “American Spirit”

February 20, 2017

Rapping by the way of Texas, Berlin, and elsewhere around the world, emcee Infidelix brings a global perspective to his music. His worldwide experience works in his favor when it comes to owning his sound and his message. On his newest single “American Spirit” Infidelix rhymes “I’m not in it for the business I’m in it because I need to get shit off of my chest.” That personal connection is rife in his music, where the passion for the art comes first and foremost.  He’s been through the gutter, and turned that adversity into opportunity (“I bought a one-way ticket to the rest of my days.”) With dizzying flows and a classic hip hop beat, Infidelix’ “American Spirit” is an awesome rap performance that has us hyped up for his upcoming project Busk Life. Listen below.

Mega Powers – “Hit the Streets”

February 20, 2017

Buffalo’s Mega Powers is the tandem of emcee Ideal and producer Jacebeats. Their name calls to the legendary wrestling duo of Hulk Hogan and the Macho Man Randy Savage and they’ve got the talent to back it up. “Hit the Streets” is an idealist boom bap single with a call to action to take things back to the people. Ideal’s bars promote independent thinking and living in the moment, while Jace’s joyful production features show-stealing vocal samples and horns. The “Hit the Streets” music video continues the throwback vibes  as Ideal takes center stage while Jace stunts stoically in the background. “Hit the Streets” is the debut single for the Mega Powers’ much-anticipated upcoming album 0 = 1. Press play below.

Lottery Odds – “3:16”

February 11, 2017

Lottery Odds’ single “3:16” has one of the most exciting intros to a rap song of all time. The WWF’s Stone Cold Steve Austin delivers a blistering promo directed towards Chris Jericho, Booker T and Vince McMahon setting up a steel cage match on Monday Night Raw, the crowd is charismatic as hell and SCSA delivers quotable line after quotable line. As the promo dies down, a bombastic beat takes over and Lottery Odds time begins. Channeling his inner Stone Cold, Odds takes a confident delivery into his verse, sounding like he’s at the top of his game. This is just an incredibly fun and enjoyable track. Perfect parts rap and wrestling, and that’s a fusion that’ll never fail. Drink it in below.

Nick Menn – “So Ill”

February 11, 2017

Fairview Heights, Illinois’ Nick Menn covers all the bases in being a well-rounded emcee on his single “So Ill.” The wordplay is there in spades, ridiculously so when he’s talking about a chick doing some coke and spins it into “She was fingering up the ‘ye like her name was Amber Rose.” In addition to his skill with words, Menn’s flows are off the charts. He starts off with a straight on flow, but goes into chopper mode on his second verse and acapella to close out the track. It’s in this outro where Menn gets especially serious about his career. “Fuck Netflix and chill, I’d rather talk net worth and build.” With his sphere of approaches, Menn makes “So Ill” a must listen. Give it a play below.

Ran Reed – “Pathetic M.C.s” ft. Bumpy Knuckles

February 11, 2017

Tri-state rapper Ran Reed teams up with Long Island wrecking ball Bumpy Knuckles to create the blunt, bruising call-out “Pathetic M.C.s.” Ran Reed’s nasty delivery gets its flavor immediately with the opening line “Rappers ain’t rapping no more they straight mumbling, give them a year their career starts crumbling.” Bumpy Knuckles comes in on the second verse, succinctly describing his presence on the track with the line “Even when I’m quiet, my voice starts riots.” Reed also takes on production duties for this track, flipping  the soulful opening into a knocking, standout beat. These two deliver intimidating and intense verses that leave their fellow emcees shaking. Listen to “Pathetic M.C.s” below, and peep the project it comes from, Still Commanding Respect. 

Cynic the Apache – “Ham on Rye”

February 11, 2017

Cynic the Apache’s silky rhymes prove to be killer on Get the Gringo 2 opener “Ham on Rye.” The Millennium Jazz Music artist has a knack for transitioning seamlessly between lines. One leads right into another, as Cynic recounts the person he’s been and the path he’s on currently. With his personal drive, his parents’ help and assistance from friends he’s able to push out a cut with head-bobber flows and fitting production. Jazzy drums and guesting horns carry a perfect instrumental for Cynic to lay down his verses. “He’s the kind of kid who can beat you in Connect 4 in just three moves.” Press play on “Ham on Rye” below.

Jacob ZL – “Worst Days”

December 19, 2016

“They say the good die young and you know I’m still alive,” raps Flatbush’s Jacob ZL on his single “Worst Days.” Over a smooth beat courtesy of tomcbumps and purpan, Jacob recounts the time he spent with an old love. Discussing both the highs and the lows, “Worst Days'” dichotomy lifts the song from a depressing place into a vivid story. Passion drove ZL’s relationship and it wasn’t a sustainable deal, he claims with the line “How are we supposed to work when the first thought was that this wouldn’t work?” ZL’s crafted a track to vibe to but flexes his storytelling chops at the same time. Give it a listen below.