Showing posts with label hiphop album. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiphop album. Show all posts


It is said that growing up in chaotic environments has a way of molding people. When constantly surrounded by death, turmoil, tragedy and poverty, many suffer a trauma to their humanity. In order to survive, they must revert back to their most animalistic nature—their “Basic Instincts”—and use them to weather the test of their chaotic lives. Matt Movin’ is an epitome of this reality, and his recent mixtape of that exact name is all you’ll need to agree. “Basic Instincts” is fifty one minutes of a man’s life growing up in the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee. From losing friends to both prison, as well as gun violence; to surviving his own incarceration, Matt Movin’ details it all. He does so over a batch of beats as arctic as his cover art; frosted by icy melodies and paced, trap drums. Throughout this fourteen track foray, the rapper volleys between his natural, Tennessee twang and a melodic, autotune delivery. Where the former perfectly conveys the aggression he’s gained from his tumultuous life, the latter reflects a coldness he was also forced to develop. These are his two “Basic Instincts”, and with them, he has learned to survive. Despite the ups-and-downs of his life, however, what this mixtape also tells us about Matt Movin’, is that he is determined to overcome his predicaments. His ambition courses potently through the veins of this project; and he is using his “Basic Instincts” to fuel it. Soon, no radio or club anywhere will be able to ignore.



“Basic Instincts” on Spotify 
[Download // Stream]




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Although, currently unfinished and untitled, the upcoming project of Indiana rapper, G Humble, is already positioned to make a splash. On his website, this Gary talent has premiered four, spirited tracks from the promised record; with each packing their own, peculiar punch. “Sunshine” is a guitar-ridden, melody-driven trap rap ballad, featuring Raymond. G Humble chronicles an unforgettable sexual encounter on this track; a subject that trails him into the other joints, “Inner Freak” and “Catch A Vibe”. Where the latter is more suited for a tranquil smoke session with that special someone, the former is an auto-tuned, club-ready jam. A sensual chord progression, fulfilled by rolling trap percussions, and a mist of glowing melodies, take “Inner Freak” worlds beyond ours. Your only chance of returning to earth after orbiting this seductive banger, is jumping back to a track earlier in the collection, “Love Changes”. Perhaps the purest display of Hip-Hop within this selection, “Love Changes” is soulful and sublime. Its melody is entirely sample-based, illuminated by the belt of an ardent songstress. Bars from G Humble run alongside the trot of a steady drum loop and wavy bass-line; the perfect canvas for painting his life’s portrait. Just as G Humble does on this track, we must also appreciate his mother for the effort she put into raising him. For, without her tenacity, there would be no G Humble. Without G Humble, we would not have this captivating set of music to enjoy. If this is the guaranteed direction of his upcoming album, it is worth every second of our wait.



Listen to G Humble





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With a brilliant blend of melodic R&B and hardcore trap comes North Carolinian artist, Benjamin Ken. Loaded with fourteen, versatile tracks, is his recent, astronomical endeavor, “BEN 2 REAL”. When it comes down to it, there is a distinct dichotomy that spans the entirety of the project. On one hand lies the gentle, melodious side of the Atlanta-based artist, that bleeds out on records such as “INTRO (HERE FOR YOU)”, “PRETTY GIRL VIBES”, “REAL ONE (ft. Lea Robinson)”, “DRUNK TEXT”, and “LIFELINE”, among others. In the shadow of that hand, lies Ken’s darker half, molded by those Southern streets. That treacherous, trunk-thumping sound can be found in cuts such as “ROOFTOPS”, “2 Real”, “GUCCI (ft. Walt)”, “CELEBRATION” and “CRAZZI”.


What Ken demonstrates through this duality, is the powerful dexterity of his songwriting. He proves proficient in crafting slow-burning, alt-R&B records for the ladies; while, likewise, giving fellas a list of bangers to ride to. The only other we’ve ever known as skilled with this separation of sound, hails from Toronto, and has been dominating the charts for the past ten years, hit after hit. The moment “BEN 2 REAL”, in all of its impressive versatility, hits the mainstream, Benjamin Ken could be following in those same, exact footsteps. Click the link, and see for yourself.



“Ben 2 Real” 
[Download/Stream]

Recent Interview -


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“Restoring the feel” is more than a phrase for Wisconsin wordsmith, Obi Khan. With his latest opus, “THC-4”, Khan draws a lyrical line in the sand between himself, and his new-school contemporaries. In a class of freshman, the Madison-based madman gives 16, sample-heavy reasons why he is among Honors. His beat selection is inarguable; consisting of some of the most diabolical, yet divine boom-bap you’ll hear all year. Predominately produced by Thanos Beats, these instrumentals are tried and true of the cornerstone of 90s Hip-Hop. They feature dingy, vinyl-samples and apposite vocals embedded in each borrowed record. From a production standpoint, the joint “Where Do I Go” has to be one of the album’s crowning moments. It features a Draculean melody, voiced through an organ, chaperoned by rusty boom-bap drums and a vocal sample that echoes the words of the song’s title. On the record, and every other that graces this masterpiece, the Obi Khan delivers excellently. He raps with such a guttural growl in his delivery, that seems to spawn from an unseen abyss within him. This apocalyptic aggression is exactly what amplifies his lyricism; making your ears want to listen to every bar he spits. On tracks such as “Bionic Man”, “Gods (ft. Thanos & Arewhy of Brotherhood 603)”, “Faded”, “Kamala (ft. Professa Dibbs)”, “Time”, “Itch The Scratch (ft. Thanos & Jabba the Kut)” and “Check the GRhyme (ft. DJ PAIN 1)”, the Midwest rhymesayer utterly disembowels the microphone; rapping circles around any of your favorite emcees. Although, I have a slew of personal favorites from the project, it can easily be played front to back without any skips or interruptions. Obi Khan has crafted a timeless hip-hop masterpiece, worth a thousand times more than he’s offering it for. If you’re a fan of lyrical greatness, dirty boom-bap, and overall, underground ingenuity, “THC-4” can not be ignored.



Album: THC-4 (Releasing Aug 24th)



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The disappearance of cliques such as Three Six Mafia, UGK, and 8Ball & MJG left unpredicted fissures in the rap game. Ever since that Southern domination of so many years ago, mainstream Hip-Hop has been missing something. Missing that raw, boondock bounce that had so many clubs rocking and Cadillac speakers knocking. Although, a return to form is indeed brewing in Memphis; none is as encapsulating as new-age rapper, Kreep. Through his new album, “Sorry, I’m Late”, loaded with 13 hot records, the Alabama native fills a void we should have never created, in the first place. Because, by the end of this opus, it’s crystal clear why that era of Southern Hip-Hop was one of its greatest: its rawness and honesty. There’s a preternatural darkness hugging many corners of the album, where flexing and bragging have no place; and only Kreep’s truth can illuminate. Laced by the most quintessential, country 808s; our Heart of the Dixie rapper will lyrically pull you into his real life. He bounces across tracks such as “Actin’ Up II”, “Fiya”, “Don’t Count Me Out”, “Emotions”, “Realest Illest”, “Bout Dat Life” and “Drell’s Tale” with a nostalgic, Three Six-esque cadence, fully disclosing the griminess of his environment and circumstances. 




Although, Kreep defines himself as a new-age artist; he does not conform to that paradigm. He shows in multiple moments of this project, that he would rather his audience have something honest and real, ripped straight from his own trials and tribulations, to relate to; instead of flaunt money or drugs like everyone else. Personal favorites on this album have to be, “My Girlfriend” and “Bout Dat Life”. The former for its irresistible, vintage sample, strong 808s and impeccable story; and the latter for its pure, late-90s aesthetic. If you are a fan of early, organic Southern Hip-Hop, this album is worth every second of your listen. The Heart of the Dixie is pumping once again; and Kreep is the one to thank. 



“SORRY, IM LATE” Stream/Download 





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In a game dominated by mumble rap, true lyricists are a diamond in the rough. Houston has a long historical imprint in Hip Hop from the Geto Boys in the 80's and 90's to the whole Houston movement in the early 2000's. Kweli(not to be confused with Talib Kweli) is next up to carry the torch for H-Town. His new EP 'B4' makes a good case if there were an argument. 

To simply describe the project, short and sweet. The 3 track, 8 minute tape is packed with hard hitting lyrics, gems for you ponder, and witty rhymes over billions mellow production that sounds out of the 1990s. B4 features the sounds from Emani, Lucid Sounds, and the legendary Organized Noize. Though only 3 tracks, Kweli's impressive skills remind me of hearing a young T.I. for the first time. I'm definitely anticipating what Kweli has in store, he's only going to be able to hold us over with B4, but so long.



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PopGotBarz. And it's a fact. The Connecticut native is back with a fiery project entitled "Been Doing This" featuring his witty wordplay and storytelling abilities. You can't over look the production. Pop handpicked some of today's best rising producers to compliment his vision. The standout records on the project: "Honest", "Up Now", "Timeline" and "Set It Off".

PopGotBarz was born in Brooklyn, New York. After moving to New London, CT Pop began rapping in 2014. Being a student of the industry he always tried to make sure his music stood out. Daring to be different with his music and fashion styles. He is a family first dude with success on his mind and hunger in his heart.

Take a listen to the new project & be on the lookout this 2018 as PopGotBarz hits the major cities in the U.S.







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Music is a universal language. One that mythically transcends most national and societal boundaries normally unbroken on planet Earth. If you want a beautiful, polarizing example of this concept, look no further than award-winning, Cameroonian emcee, Vocaliz, and his eclectic 12-track opus, “Afrikan in New York”. “Afrikan in New York” is in all ways Vocaliz’s “break-out” album; his solo debut apart from Ghanian producer, Afana. It is an evolution on the artist’s signature sound: marrying African sonics with Urban inflections. The record kicks off with a title track that features rhythmic, tropical marimbas, backed by a scorching clap and thunderous 808s. One thing Vocaliz makes certain on this track is that his national pride will never die; setting the tone of African conceptuality and confidence for the rest of the album. This similar sentiment is echoed on a personal favorite, “Oh Na Na” a reggae-esque anthem whose main beat-break is a loop of organic, hip-hop drums. It is in these moments on the album where his Brooklyn basis shines. Tracks such as “At the Speed of Love” (another favorite), “May Be”, and “We Up” (another favorite) have a pristine, Golden Era hip-hop tonality to them; while the tracks succeeding them are much more modern and “trap” in expression. 


As the only rapper on the entire album, Vocaliz phenomenally brings something new and refreshing to each and every beat he spits on. Whether its afrobeat, reggae, boom-bap or trap, this Cameroon-born, Brooklyn-based emcee attacks the music wholeheartedly; able to bend and maneuver his accent to suit and emphasize some already remarkable bars. When it comes to his sound, Vocaliz proves on this astounding debut that he has conquered it; and the universal language of music is yet another one he’s doubtlessly mastered. Vocaliz his recent shared his journey with TheDopeness interview series. Enjoy “Afrikan in New York” and join Vocaliz's growing movement today!





“AFRIKAN IN NEW YORK” on Spotify 





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Gryhme… Thee EP is exactly what is sounds like… Grime plus rhymes. Obi Khan brings the grimiest of vocals I’ve heard in a while… he sounds almost like a grime goblin. Yet the rhymes within that grimey voice are on point. Obi Khan delivers messages of true life struggles and deep personal topics with playful references that listeners can relate to. The production of most of the tracks from producer Thanos Beats who brings an old school bounce but with hard feel to match that grime style of Obi Khan. All around, Gryhme can be listened to casually just bumping tunes but should also be listened to closely to grab important jewels. Some of our favorite tracks to listen to were: Voices In My Head, The Circus, Check the Grhyme, The Life. Follow Obi Khan's growing movement and get the full project on Bandcamp today.

Gryhme… Thee EP [Download]





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In the streets you either hustle or you don't eat. Rapper, Mr. Cuttz has lived with this cold hard fact since an early age after his mother passed away. That undying hunger is what made Cuttz the man that we see today. An ambitious street-smart businessman! 


On New Years Day Mr Cuttz will release his long-awaited album “I Will Not Lose” to the world! “I Will Not Lose” is a glimspe through the eyes of a boss as he manuevers to a higher level. Mr. Cuttz says, “This album is a chance to express how I see the world.” The new album is packed with hood tales trap anthems, chick songs, and club bangers!

Follow him as he stunts on 1st single “HaTas is MoTiVaTioN”, (produced by Helluva). 2nd single “About Us”, tells insights on suspect relationships dealing with gutta hood rat females! He shows his ambition of a hustler on 3rd single “Destination” and 4th single “Lost Ones” includes a dedication to mom R.I.P... The 5th single “Downtown” is set to drop on Valentine’s Day to show his appreciation for his ride or die soul mate who he was committed to before the fame. Last and final single “IamKing” drops on Easter Sunday! The album is a dedication to his mother who passed over 20 years ago which left him behind with two brothers and older sister in which left him to learn how to survive on my his own ever since his moms passing! Also, he lost his best friend in 2006 which would motivate him to go even harder. Track 13 JRoc - Dboy’s ft Cuttz is a track from his friend who passed. R.I.P forever, lives through him. In conclusion, “I Will Not Lose” is a stellar project that is packed with trap gems and amazing production! Listen to hits from “I Will Not Lose” today!














The new age hiphop movement is here, with the help of heat makers K.James & J.Fortson. Their new 12-track project, "Free Your Mind, Have Faith" has an universal sound that rivals that of today's radio. On "Free Your Mind, Have Faith" you'll hear the Knoxville, TN artist covering a variety of wavy topics and dropping a host of conscious lyrics over an ear-pleasing audio garden of beats. Enjoy the fresh music and follow K.James' growing movement today. -Carl BFM Jones