Halloween may be over but Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten is here to stay! Faithful readers already know the drill, so we won’t waste your time with another long-winded intro. Just dive right into the pool of high-powered hits & check out the list below.
1) CHANCE THE RAPPER joined forces with SABA to release a heavenly masterpiece for the masses titled “Angels.” From the acrobatic flows and clever lyrics to the triumphant horns, Calypso steel drums, and gospel harmonizing, this track truly delivers! Chance’s angels must be smiling.
2) Sweden’s behind the boards sensation, ISHI, delivered a MONSTROUS production with the FRENCH MONTANA & RAEKWON featured, “We Run.” This is one of those tracks that compels you to nod your head until the damn thing falls off! Dope joints like these don’t appear often, so best believe we’ll be running to the record store when he drops a full length album!
3) ST Records production mastermind, BILLY LOMAN, created an irresistible gem called “Panoramic” that took our office by storm! TERMANOLOGY & REKS spit well-crafted rhymes over Billy’s lush soundscape and instantly generated excitement for the forthcoming “9-5” album. The sonic genius obviously puts in a lot of hard work. We’ll reward him by playing this joint around the clock!
4) MOSS brought the heat again by recruiting JON CONNOR, WILLIE THE KID, VSTYLEZ, BIG GOV & GUILTY SIMPSON for “Emotional Redux.” It’s more hardcore heat from the “Marching To The Sound Of My Own Drum” album that guaranteed MoSS a spot on our list…as well as a spot on the list of top producers. Period. Listen to the sonic craftsmanship and we bet you’ll agree!
5) BASIC DA GENERAL teamed up with ST. LAZ & FEENICES for a dope joint called “No Shortcuts” that took no shorts on giving listeners that raw, Boom Bap sound we crave on the regular! These emcees sound so good together that we feel they should form a super group. Take a listen, then imagine an entire platter of tracks from these guys! Beats, rhymes, style and skills for days…”No Shortcuts” is exactly what we needed!
6) NOLAN THE NINJA linked up with PHAT KAT(aka RONNIE EURO)to cut through all the fake rap bulls**t and deliver pure, uncut, hardcore Hip Hop for true heads to appreciate! The 5ynoT produced “deploi.” continues Nolan’s penchant for wrecking mics and destroying all opposition in sight! If you don’t think the emcee’s “f_ck the hype” EP is gonna change the game on November 10th, you’re f_cking crazy!
7) DAVE B finally dropped his eagerly anticipated album and no one could be more excited about it than the staff of Insomniac Magazine. “Punch Drunk” gave us the same smooth, soulful sound we’ve come to expect from the lyricist while getting a little experimental with the music as well. “Dead End” was surely one of the project’s highlights with its minimalist construction and Dave’s breezy, effortless flow enhancing the entire track. “Dead End” might be the title of the cut, but we know no roadblocks can detour this emcee’s bright future!
8) SPECTACULAR DIAGNOSTICS poured his sonic brilliance into a new cut featuring THAGODFAHIM and demonstrated the level of quality that’s generated when two creative renegades combine their talents. “Tha God” blasted through our speakers with mystical rhythms, warrior drums and hardcore rhymes. Embrace the energy. This is what POWER sounds like!
9) Stan Da Man provided the aural landscape for NORE, SHEEK LOUCH, STYLES P, and SAMMI J’s march to victory on DJ KAY SLAY’s “Heat.” The “Shadow Of The Sun” stand out brings the action to the forefront and leaves it there for the duration of its 3 minute run. These legends are showing the young generation how it’s done. Sit down & take notes!
10) BIG K.R.I.T. delivered a 9th Wonder produced loosie with RAPSODY that showcased a “Guillotine Flow” we could all get behind! The funky production and lyrical execution guaranteed we’d be repeating this one all week long…Well, it’s the beginning of a new week…and we’re STILL playing it. Step back!…We’re not stopping now!
Well, that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
