Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten is back with another edition of the most coveted list in the Hip Hop industry. Why is it so special? Because it comes from the heart! There are no corporate overseers looking over our shoulders telling us who to include, no under the table pay offs, no relationships we’re worried about damaging, and no fear of losing our jobs!!! It’s purely based on what our ears are telling us…which is EXACTLY what a true Top 10 list is supposed to be. It’s all so simple. Follow THE REAL or get caught up in the hype of other sites. The choice is yours. Now on to the Top 10…
1) MICHAEL CHRISTMAS & LOGIC linked up for a track from the forthcoming “What A Weird Day” album and the end result was a colossal collabo for the ages. “Where You Been” is powered by a frantic, soul-fueled Teddy Roxpin produced track that inspired both emcees to spit heartfelt, lyrically inventive gems about their lives, careers, and dreams for the future. “Let all the bullsh** slide for a minute” and listen to this track. “The sky is the limit.”
2) ED LASER, BOB BANNER & LEGACY STARR shoot for the heavens with the new CLOUD CITY COALITION cut, “Almighty.” The D.R.U.G.S beats produced banger incorporated a funky bassline, piano riff, and gospel choir into a sonic stew that already had us shouting “Hallelujah” the minute the talented trio grabbed the mic! If you’re looking for a song to raise your spirits, this is the one to do it. Cloud City Coalition & D.R.U.G.S beats are runnin’ thangs in your area. Thank God for that!
3) Many legends are satisfied with resting on their past laurels. Not CRAIG G. The Juice Crew stand out solidifies his relevance on the scene & shows the young’uns how it’s done on the powerhouse single, “It’s My Turn.” The funky, infectious cut provides the perfect backdrop for Craig’s smooth yet piercing vocals. No one can dispatch an opponent as effortlessly as he can…and if you weren’t aware of that fact before, you will be after listening to this track. Craig’s pen game is so impressive that he makes material from today’s emcees sound laughable. He’s “gonna keep droppin’ new stuff just to f**k your mood up.” Well, our mood greatly improved after hearing this joint…so if we have to pretend to be angry to get more bangers like this, so be it!
4) TYLER, THE CREATOR has been repeatedly criticized in the press for abandoning his initial themes of darkness and isolation for a more cheery, uplifting sound that currently permeates throughout his music. “F**k It” is his brutal response. Actually “brutal” might be the wrong word because it wouldn’t be a Tyler song without his usual dose of maniacal humor. What the track DOES showcase is a (temporary) return to the “Bastard” Tyler beloved by true OF fans. Topics of critics, Eminem, women, homosexuality, freedom, virginity, and his musicianship are bandied about brilliantly and efficiently by the “Cherry Bomb” creator. We respect and appreciate Tyler’s creative growth but a little regression doesn’t hurt either…especially when it encourages an innovative artist to return to the lab & produce a fantastic track like this!
5) MAFFEW RAGAZINO is one of those artists who can pummel a beat into submission until it adapts to his laser-precise delivery and vocal style. On the 5ickness produced, “Gouda,” we get the sense that the master lyricist didn’t have to take that route. Why would he, when everything about the track is tailor made to accommodate his irrepressible skills on the mic. Maffew and 5ickness complement each other so well because they both respect the art…and the game! Currency & quality converge on “Gouda.” You better run out & get it now!
6) When you hear the names CONWAY, SKYZOO & WESTSIDE GUNN, you know that you’re guaranteed quality Hip Hop. Add producer, Daringer, to the list and it raises that standard of excellence to another level(if that’s even possible). “Sky Joint” is a collabo cut from Conway’s forthcoming, “Devil’s Rejects 2,” project that promises plenty of hardcore Hip Hop action. Best believe it’ll deliver…because the laid back gem below surely does. And then some!
7) A.K. possesses more talent and soul than your typical emcee. He doesn’t require a lot of time to get his message and/or content across to the listeners because he knows exactly what he wants to say and HOW to say it(Check Rakim for a reference on how to be the MOST effective in the least amount of time as a perfect example). A.K’s, “Live From The Southside,” clocks in at 1:56, but it packs a powerful punch that lasts much longer. The local news sound bytes about Chicago’s southside, the lush chords and melodies, and of course, A.K’s spectacular flow and delivery add up to sonic excellence!
8) Behind The Boards Beast, Confidence, not only knows how to craft a dope track but he also knows who sounds best on it! BORN UNIQUE & JAYSAUN were enlisted for his new banger, “That’s It,” and they immediately started ripping the ish out of the poor mic before it even realized what hit it! Next thing you know, DJ Technic launched into a savage attack on the 1 & 2’s and let’s just tell it like it is…another masterpiece was born! If you like pop rap that’s fine. But we prefer our music hardcore. REAL Hip Hop is here to stay…and we can say that with CONFIDENCE.
9) J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League & Royce Music Group laced lyrical masterminds, EARTHGANG, with a superb soundscape of unrepentant rhythm on “AWOL”(from their upcoming “Strays With Rabies” project). JOHNNY VENUS & DOCTUR DOT spit pure gems of introspection that penetrate the mind, body, and soul with quality content that takes a few plays to fully absorb. One listen to this and you’ll be a firm believer in the talent of this amazing duo. If you don’t think EarthGang’s got next…you’re sadly mistaken.
10) MED, BLU, MADLIB are three names that mean so much to so many. The talent these entities possess individually is enough to make a listener’s head spin…so hearing that they were teaming up for an entire album titled, “Bad Neighbor,” means that those same heads must be twisting around to a Linda Blair/Exorcist type magnitude of hysteria that will be felt for centuries to come! “Finer Things” is the latest leak from the project that shakes things up even further by inviting the great PHONTE & LIKEWISE to the party. We pressed play, passed out, and woke up in a neck brace. We don’t think it’s strong enough to endure another go ’round…but we’re about to find out!
Well, that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
