Yes Insomniacs, the time is here. It’s the latest edition of Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten…and as usual, we bring you the cream of the crop in Hip Hop music. Check below for some familiar names & a few stars on the rise. You know how we do. Now sit back and enjoy!
1) DJ SOKO dropped a new track titled “Stand Up,” from his forthcoming “Domino Effect” album(dropping August 21st)and treated us to stand out performances from lyricists, GUILTY SIMPSON & HASSAAN MACKEY. The Apollo Brown produced banger erupted through our office speakers and immediately livened up the dour proceedings. Super-charged cuts and scratches from Soko elevated the excitement even further as we shouted, “Who’s number 1?!?” Only one man could take that spot…The incredible DJ Soko!
2) CHANCE THE RAPPER & NONAME GYPSY make beautiful music together on “Israel”(Sparring). The heavenly Cam O’bi produced cut allows the lyricists to execute effortless abstract flows that send listeners on a sonic journey unlike any other. We don’t know what Chance & Noname do to get themselves into such a pure state of mental enlightenment, but whatever it is…don’t stop!
3) MAC MILLER & the late SEAN PRICE seem like a mismatched team if ever there was one…but the energy they transmit on “Pet Sounds” will resonate with us for months to come! “I wanna…I wanna, wanna punch you” is imprinted in our minds along with Sean’s always unforgettable lines…”I’m so dope you could put the lighter on the spoon” and “F**k the King Of New York/In my presence they all peasants/The King is all talk”…Whew! RI#P big man!
4) GOODBYE TOMORROW showed us “The Way” with this dense, atmospheric and ultimately satisfying gem from the “Goodbye Tomorrow: A Journey Through The Mind Of A Non-Believer” album. Chicago’s music mastermind never fails to push the boundaries of creativity. In a world of cookie-cutter clones Goodbye Tomorrow shines bright as a true original!
5) SEAN PRICE, ILLA GHEE, ROYAL FLUSH joined forces for some new “Songs In The Key Of Price” action that was “Soul Perfect.” Listen to this track over AND OVER again to experience lyrical supremacy on the m-i-c. Very few artists can come close to matching the level of this powerful trio. If you want to know what real Hip Hop’s all about, begin by checking out this song!
6) It’s fitting that RUSS would record a song called “Longevity Freestyle” because he’s guaranteed to have longevity in the rap game. When you can rhyme, sing and produce EXCEPTIONALLY well you MUST be rewarded for it. We’ve done that for Russ time & time again & we won’t stop now. The gifted talent is only getting started though…’cause as he says, he’s “shooting for the stars/this is barely me cockin’ back.” Yep, he’s just toying with us. Imagine what would happen if he actually tried.
7) INNANET JAMES & GISELLA DAE time traveled back to the 90’s with “Groupie Luv” and can now add Insomniac to the list of bodies camped outside their hotel room. The Tek.lun produced track is filled with dope beats, rhymes, and grooves galore. It’s an audio experience we were excited to be a part of…and just like real groupies, we can’t get enough!
8) FINALE teamed up with BILAL SALAAM for the soul-drenched “Plain View” from the Oddisee produced “Odds & Ends” album & brought the heat! Complex bars with smooth flows make for a top notch listening experience. ‘Need quality music? Then listen to Finale!
9) LAIS crafted a laid back, reflective track that triggered major memories of romance gone bad on “Tell Me.” The Toronto emcee is a master at conveying genuine mood and emotion & the pain he expresses has been felt by us all. This is a sonic gem that needs no polishing. Appreciate every moment.
10) STYLES P teamed up with his LOX compadre, JADAKISS, for “My Party” and generated immediate anticipation for the forthcoming “A Wise Guy And A Wise Guy” album…Wait a minute, our Hip Hop alert just went off telling us it’s available for download NOW!!! That’s good news because fans can’t get enough of The Ghost from Y.O. “My Party” is the perfect title because the new release will have listeners celebrating all week long!
Well, that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON”T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
