It’s time for Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten and the staff survived another round of brutal cuts & last minute saves for the list presented before you below. The reason I say “the staff survived” is because each week turns into a savage, knock down, free-for-all when we’re compiling the countdown. Tempers flare, feelings get hurt, punches are thrown, co-workers quit(SERIOUSLY)…but we’d rather have a staff that’s passionate about the music than a bunch of mindless drones who pick the same radio-friendly singles over and over again. Now sit back and enjoy the list while I catch a cab to the hospital. I have a few broken ribs to attend to…but it’s all in the name of Hip Hop, so that makes it alright…
1) L.A. producer, FALCONS(from the Athletixx Crew), signed a deal with Fool’s Gold Records, then linked up with GOLDLINK & CHAZ FRENCH for some un-pc, NSFW sonic action called “Aquafina.” The beats, chords and wiry, energized flows can be best described as Outkast & The Goodie Mob meet The Pharcyde at Dr. Dre’s new futuristic studio facility on Mars. This is one of those tracks that’s IMPOSSIBLE to deny! Everything about it works…and this is just the beginning because Falcons’ “Terra” EP is droppin’ July 17th!
2) L’ORANGE has always been one of the most creative, forward thinking producers & anytime he teams up with legendary, lyrical journeyman, KOOL KEITH, listeners are treated to unforgettable gems that push Hip Hop beyond all realms of musical possibility. This time the pair enlist “icon among ions”, J-LIVE, for a voyage through the astral plane called “The Traveler.” It’s an intergalactic, mind trip you won’t soon forget and an excellent lead-in to L’Orange & Keith’s July 24th release of their new “Time? Astonishing!” project, courtesy of Mello Music Group.
3) JAMALL BUFFORD takes a break from The Black Opera to drop a scorching new solo joint called “Summer After Summer.” Super producer, Slot-A, works wonders behind the boards to create a funky, compelling soundscape and Jamall’s TBO brethren, MAGESTIK LEGEND, even pitches in to assist with the chorus. Songs like these make us wish the summer could last forever!
4) BISHOP LAMONT joined forces with RICH KIDD to showcase the true meaning of Black Power on the explosive “Mutiny.” Self-hatred, interracial dating, black-on-black crime and media coonery are all hot button topics that the duo have no problems addressing on this Rich Kidd produced gem. In this day and age of nonsensical clown rap, it’s refreshing to hear emcees with a message.
5) DAVE B delivered his trademark melodic flow on the Jake One produced “The Way,” and once again emerged with a winning track that we couldn’t help but replay again & again. Shelby Poole contributed the lush vocals that further enhance the Seattle spitter’s latest offering. Dave B is officially “King Of The Loosie,” but we know it’s just a matter of time before we are treated to an entire collection of gems from this incredible lyricist.
6) SuperSTah Snuk linked up with Statik Selektah for the first single from his “Man Of 1,000 STyles” album. The result is the irresistibly funky “Falling In Love.” Snuk completely owns the beat(Not an easy task. Remember he’s rhyming over Statik’s superior production). His “in the pocket” delivery and smooth flow combined with Statik’s behind the boards mastery made us fall in love with this track!
7) DONMONIQUE enlisted SLAYTER & DANNY BROWN for a Stelios Phili production called “Tha Low” and MURDERED the track. Each emcee brings the heat, but it must be said that Danny Brown’s nasal, unhinged delivery is what pushed the cut over the rails for us. We jumped up on our desks and stage dived onto the cold, hard, unforgiving floor below. Only a few of us survived.
8) RAZ FRESCO & CHUCK INGLISH took it to the streets(LITERALLY!) with the new track “Cortez Nikes.” We stomp through the NYC pavement wearing ours on the regular, so it’s good to know our favorite choice of footwear now has a theme song. This is some real 90’s throwback type ish & we enjoyed every minute of it! If the rest of the forthcoming “Pablo Frescobar” album is on this level TRUE Hip Hop fans are guaranteed to be pleased.
9) RECKONIZE REAL provided powerhouse production on a new joint called “The Blame Game” and hit up MAYHEM(from EMS), BIG POOH(formerly of Little Brother) & singer, JUSTIN COHEN, to propel the track even further into the musical stratosphere. The collabo give it their all and produce a surefire hit for the summer. Put all the blame on these amazing talents. Real Hip Hop music heals the soul!
10) TAYYIB ALI brought his Philly based lyrical finesse to a Teddy Roxpin produced joint called “Unfair” and showed lesser competitors the correct way to rock the mic. With a calm, laid back flow this smooth, it’s almost unfair to categorize him with other rising emcees. Tayyib Ali’s skills go far beyond the norm. This emcee is in a league of his own.
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
