Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten rolls out another list of underground Hip Hop heat! Check the chart below for top quality joints from the best in the biz…and if you’re not familiar with some of the artists we’ve posted, it’s time to get acquainted. Your introduction begins NOW!
1) PRODIGY took another breather from Mobb Deep duties to drop a new banger from his forthcoming “Helgelian Dialectic” album titled “Tyranny.” The ominous, foreboding track showcases the lyricist taking aim at the U.S. government for its legacy of lies & corruption. It’s heavy material to digest…but we wouldn’t expect anything less from one of QB’s best!
2) WESTSIDE GUNN & THE PURIST delivered a special Valentine’s Day gift to the fans in the form of their “Roses Are Red..So Is Blood” project. The 2 minute soul masterpiece, “Donna Karen,” featuring MACH HOMMY is one of the major highlights with its moody, understated construction(a simple loop) conveying a sense of tranquility that stands in stark contrast to the urgency of Mach & Gunn’s vocals. This is Hip Hop minimalism at its finest. No bells or whistles needed!
3) WIZ KHALIFA is one of those artists who tends to lean toward overly commercial fare despite the fact he obviously possesses the chops to deliver more meaningful(and lasting)material. “Fake” is the perfect testament to that statement as it revolves around the lyricist’s desire to cut through all the B.S. that comes with fame & focus on the things in life that really matter. Although a line about the imminent birth of his son dates Wiz’s lyrics, it doesn’t lessen their impact. His message would be ignored however, if it wasn’t for the soul-kissed sonics created by production king, Monsta Beatz. A track like this needs to be rewarded. And that’s exactly what we did.
4) SABA stood on his “Soap Box” to spit lyrical venom on a range of topics from 6 piece chicken & coleslaw to Chief Keef on Worldstar, school closings, Mozart, his granny’s pension being cut & 400 years of oppression. There’s MUCH more than that…and it’s executed brilliantly! The rock/soul hybrid masterfully crafted by Saba & Phoelix is a sonic force of nature that kicks in the speakers & grips the listeners without ever letting go. Some people get up on their soap box to rant & rave. Saba gets on his to drop lyrical jewels. Every verse is a work of art…and we’ll definitely keep listening.
5) WAX WONDER enlisted KXNG CROOKED for some Havoc produced heat titled “Mind Your Own” that served as the perfect merger of west coast lyricism and east coast Boom Bap. It’s one of those joints with an infectiously catchy chorus that you couldn’t get out of your head if you tried. It’ll be hard to mind your own when the track becomes imprinted in your brain!
6) ILLPO is collaborating on a D.R.U.G.S.BEATS produced project & the first preview of things to come is the seriously funky, “young boi.” Showcasing animated flows & a slick sense of humor over a triumphant track is a surefire way to get the listeners attention. We definitely woke up when hearing the joint. Our eyes have been opened!
7) BISHOP LAMONT tapped behind the board superstar, King Karnov, to work his production magic on the XZIBIT & KALEB SIMMONDS featured “Back Up Off Me” from the upcoming album, “The Reformation,” and delivered another MONSTER track for the masses. Karnov flips a classic DJ Premier/Gang Starr beat and turns the entire affair into audio armageddon as the lyricists slay all posers on the mic. It’s an all-out war from the west coast saviors! Victory was pre-ordained from the start.
8) SUPREME CEREBRAL linked up with PLANET ASIA & turntable superstar, INDJNOUS, for a soulful platter of D.Mar produced heat called “Prophetic Jewels.” The laid back groove gives the lyricists free liberty to flex on the track with go for broke rhymes & flows that shatter any hopes of the competition EVER catching up! As prophesied, these emcees will never be defeated. Behold the lyrical jewels of the chosen ones!
9) MAFFEW RAGAZINO brought the action back to the streets on the Kil produced “Dice Game” and gave us that gritty Hip Hop we’ve been craving. Maffew’s lyrics paint vivid images of crime, hard times, fast money, and the boys in blue lurking around the corner. “Life ain’t nothin’ but a dice game” but this emcee plays to win!
10) SATHIA SAI BABA poured out his soul about relationship issues on the Au Chyld produced “Hate Me.” Immaculately crafted, the track finds the lyricist reflecting on the mercurial mood of his lover as his “first place” status in her life has been downgraded to the point where she despises him. Sathia’s girlfriend may “hate” him because he’s honest…but it’s that same honesty that will make this track a valued treasure to fans who will embrace his artistic vision & vulnerability.
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON”T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
