Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten: Don’t Sleep On These New Releases

Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten grows in popularity with each passing week. What’s the main reason why? We think it has something to do with the unpredictability of it all. Other magazines & blog sites focus on the same mainstream rappers to fill out their lists, but we pride ourselves on being champions of the underground! No disrespect (well, maybe a little…Correction: A LOT) to the high gloss, nonsensical rap some corporations are throwing money behind, but in most cases, the real talent comes from the artists who don’t have the major budgets or connections to saturate your TV or radio stations on an hourly basis. Those are the artists we appreciate the most. With that being said, let’s get into this week’s list.

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1) MICK JENKINS never fails to deliver powerful material for the listeners. The Lee Bannon & ThemPeople produced track, “Alchemy,” instantly struck a nerve with each member of the Insomniac staff, igniting both a sense of excitement…and reflection. Mick has that kind of effect on us. Even when nodding our heads to the beat, he makes us question why. Any artist with the ability to pull the audience into his world so completely is an artist to be respected. No problem there. We loved everything about “Alchemy” and are looking forward to more greatness on his upcoming long-form project, “Wave(s).

2) TOWKIO, CHANCE THE RAPPER, LIDO & ERYN ALLEN KANE’s new track was crafted in the heavens above and beamed directly into our unworthy human ears for sonic consumption. That may not be the truth but “Heaven Only Knows” it seems that way. The Lido produced gem is a splendid composition of unwavering creativity, designed to awaken our senses and salivate for more treats from Towkio’s upcoming “.Wav Theory” project. Mission accomplished.

3) JAE TIPS, DA YOUNG FELLAZ, CORY GUNZ, JUST & DUB brought New York back by rapping over New York Tracks. ‘Some of the BEST ones…we must add. Their selective crate digging combined with phenomenal word play certified the crew a place on the Top Ten. We know you guys all have separate careers, but don’t make this a one off. NYC needs real lyricists to represent!

4) ZION I & LOCKSMITH stomped out impurities in the rap game with conscious lyrics and an unstoppable pile driver beat courtesy of Aagee. Each emcee delivers precious bars of wisdom that wouldn’t mean a thing without the necessary skills to make us listen. “Culture Freedom” demonstrates that they don’t merely have said skills…Zion I & Locksmith have them in abundance!

5) SCIENZE, BLU & ELLE PIERRE took us on a journey through “Southside, Queens” with some 90’s style King I Divine produced boom-bap. It instantly transported us to another time…another place. A place where quality eclipses quantity…A place where artists like ScienZe, Blu, Elle Pierre & King I Divine ride the top of the charts & get their proper respect. We believe history can be re-written. That time & place is NOW.

6) TRUCK NORTH & DJ BEAR-ONE combined their talents to become Black Daniels. Apparently Black Daniels equals DOPE MUSIC because that’s what the Philly lyricist and coveted DJ/Producer conceived with “Black Amsterdam.” The track possesses that laid-back, slow crawl funk we can’t get enough of…’Personally, we can’t wait to see what they have in store for fans on their collabo EP, “Blood On The Dance Floor.”

7) EL PREZ & SEAN FALYON flowed over Jansport J’s “Society” track in such a masterful fashion that they instantly smacked listeners upside the head & made them realize what true lyricists were all about…”Ohhh, this is what Hip Hop is supposed to sound like!” Insomniac wants to commend El Prez, Sean, and Jansport J for their skills and understanding of the genre. What better way to say thank you then by awarding them a place on the charts?

8) DENAUN collaborated with RAPSODY & SCRAM JONES on the self-produced “Told Y’all” track from his upcoming “Stuff In My Backpack” project…and it’s incredible! The jazz-fueled, mellow cut serves up lyrics of empowerment for anyone who was ever told they couldn’t accomplish their goals. Who gets the last laugh now?!?

9) KNYTRO caught our attention on Marc 7’s “Come 2 Far” track & did it again with his latest banger recorded with North London’s High Frequency & produced by Hudson Mohawke. The rapid-fire lyricism matched with propulsive, high-energy beats warranted “Attention” a spot on the list.

10) VARSITY DROPOUTS & NIPSEY HUSSLE brought intensity to the Tyku produced joint “Real Recognize” and it paid off in pure pleasure to our ears. If anyone knows what’s real it’s these guys…and that’s why they made the countdown.

Well Insomniacs, that’s it for another week. Catch ya next time and….DON”T SLEEP!

– Kevin Keith