Don’t Sleep On These New Hip Hop Releases
The tradition continues, Insomniac Magazine’s weekly Hip Hop Top 10. Celebrate authenticity with another dose comprised of the latest and greatest underground gems in the music industry. Sit back and take time to absorb the authenticity in Hip Hop.
1) PHONTE’s magnificent “No News Is Good News” album has been out since March…but he breathed new life into the project with the release of his single & Chris Charles helmed video for the Marco Polo produced “So Help Me God!” The Foreign Exchange and former Little Brother lyricist shut down all emcees with a braggadocious rhyme onslaught that confirmed his dominance on the Hip Hop scene. If you didn’t know he reigned supreme before you know it now. Step out of his way ’cause he’ll murder you n***as!!!
2) DOKTOR RHEAL dropped some “Unreleased Gems” on the listeners and one of the major highlights was the SMOOVTH & MACH HOMMY collabo “Caterpillars!” Over a deliberately slow grinding groove, the revered rhyme gods flawlessly flow with colorful style & conviction. One listen to the track will imbue you with pride & confidence. Let two of the best lyricists in the game uplift your spirits & help you break out your shell!
3) MEGA RAN & BAG OF TRICKS CATS shine like 2 “Emerald Knights” on the DJ DN3 produced monster joint “Get Out The 90’s!” The emcees respect the classics but make a strong case for progress as they deliver solid bars equipped to last! Master your craft & build a strong foundation for the future! Mega Ran & Bag of Tricks Cats carve out a niche firmly entrenched in modern times!
4) TIYE PHOENIX dives into the “Masters Program” with a lyrical showcase that can only be described as “Too Deep!” The rhyme renegade shatters egos and terrorizes competitors with bars of molten lava! Each line is meticulously crafted & delivered with enough force to blow up your entire block! When the smoke clears Tiye will be the last one standing. Keep digging all you want but you’ll never find a gem as precious as the warrior queen on the mic!
5) ROQY TYRAID sets the world on fire with the AZRA 1990 powered heater “Jim Kelly!” Performing backflips to a beat & applying a series of roundhouse rhymes is nothing new to the Phoenix, Arizona bar slinger…which is why his blaxploitation meets martial arts visual for the soul-fueled track sets the perfect tone! Listening to Roqy rhyme will restore your faith in the underground. He’s got a black belt in lyricism. You’ll be impressed by his style.
6) SMOOVTH & MILANO FROM DITC get “Fly” on another master cut from “Unreleased Gems.” This one finds the lyrical masterminds in full pimp mode as they strut over hustler’s heat conjured by the mind of DOKTOR RHEAL. The joint walks listeners out to the track and LEAVES ‘EM THERE! Y’all b***es betta get their money cause this crew don’t play!
7) “Blink” & you might miss the incredible rise of underground executioners MAGGIE THE 7TH! Before you know it this crew will have achieved the highest level of success…and you wouldn’t even have seen it coming! Armed with propulsive production from TOKYO CIGAR, the collective consisting of TONE BLUNT, ICEBERG THEORY, SANTINO, LA SIN, and K will take over the scene & decimate the competition. Listen to the raw energy below & don’t get on their bad side!
8) J SANDS & GRAP LUVA emerge from the darkness with a funky new joint called “The Twilight!” The BUKA Entertainment 20th year compilation cut combines dope beats, sleek grooves, and Doo Wop vocals to create a high energy track the lyricists rip into with ease! The night is young so prime yourself for action. We wouldn’t dare sleep on a track this ill!
9) JAMIL HONESTY, J SCIENIDE & HOBGOBLIN deliver “Martyr Musik” madness called “Blocka!” Over a horn-driven loop, Jamil & J shoot the gift with passion & precision! It’s all about beats & hard rhymes which is exactly what you’ve come to expect from these sonic titans! Get amped up for a new adventure! The 3 man army’s going to war!
10) MILEZ GRIMEZ & SWANN NOTTY bring “Murderous & Venomous” music to the masses with the Marco Polo produced “Sound The Horns!” The hardcore rhymes and fantastically funky track will keep your head nodding from morning to night as you revel in the raw fury of two ill emcees unleashed & UNHINGED!!!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
