We know you’ve been waiting for a brand new week of underground insanity, so here it is! Insomniac’s Weekly Top 10 is back!!! Now get yourself in gear & check the sounds!
1) THE FUNK JUNKIE transported listeners to a new realm of “Moondirt” rhythms by enlisting JOOK THE FIRST & J. NOLAN for a jazzy power joint called “What We Doing.” With production that stirred up 90’s Boom Bap nostalgia & free-flowing lyrics that name checked icons like Pete Rock, CL Smooth, Warren G & Black Moon, it was impossible for the team to lose! “What We Doing” delivers feel good vibes with lasting impact. It’s sonic chicken soup for the soul. Spread love to the people and rock the spot!
2) The re-“Animation” of Hip Hop is taking place in Allentown, PA and lyrical phenomenon, GQ NOTHIN PRETTY, along with Queensbridge Capo, TRAGEDY KHADAFI, are the ones to set things off! The DJ Tray laced sonic invasion, “High Quota,” is one of those high-powered bangers that will blow holes in your speakers with its monstrous production & deadly rhymes! GQ, Tragedy, and Tray come across as underground assassins mercilessly wiping out the competition with sheer talent & unyielding tenacity! Check the skills then salute all those involved!
3) L.I.F.E. LONG & super producer, Bunty Beats, released a fantastic new album called “Bat Out The Cave” that is sure to be heralded as one of 2017’s Hip Hop highlights. One of the reasons for the widespread praise is due to the inclusion of the PRINCE PO & POISON PEN featured standout cut, “Monster Mash.” There’s nothing that rivals the power of three cherished emcees in their prime BODYING a beat perfectly suited for their musical frames. This colossal mash up of styles is monstrous…and a helluva lot of fun!
4) WESTSIDEGUNN & CONWAY(aka HALL N’ NASH)have been grindin’ so long and consistently releasing a non-stop stream of dope music that it’s not surprising they would capture the attention of a certain Slim Shady megastar. With the debut of the brothers’ dedication to fallen friend & cherished supporter, “MACHINEGUN BLACK,” Gunn & G.O.A.T ride a Just Blaze laced heater into greatness as Eminem welcomes them to the Shady Records fam. If you didn’t believe in ’em before they honestly don’t give a f**k & if you’re jumpin’ on the bandwagon now hey, good for you. Either way they’ll be alright and keep winning. Silly rappers, you should know by now that it’s a Griselda world. They’re eatin’ steaks at Peter Luger while you’re just a squirrel tryin’ to get a nut.
5) The true testament of an emcee’s talent is his ability to deliver meaningful and original content with skill & finesse. MC WHITEOWL shows that he possesses these qualities in abundance with the eye-opening FATCATHAYZE156 laced track, “Credit.” The immaculately crafted gem showcases the lyricist in top form as he breaks down every aspect of the “pay with plastic” scheme consumers struggle to dig themselves out of. DJ FRED ONES complements the action with clever precision cuts that enhance the production and make us think twice about swiping that card. We’ll leave it in our wallet or pull out the scissors & eliminate it altogether. Big salute to the spitter. Lesson learned!
6) EA$Y MONEY & producer extraordinaire, Billy Loman, are working on a new album. But before that drops they decided to bless listeners with the CONWAY featured master gem, “Live By.” When that sinister groove slinks in & The Machine kicks rhymes into gear ya know you’re in for some raw s**t! Ea$y keeps the action moving forward by warning the opposition that he’s not one to play! His goons will clap back if it comes to that…so watch your mouth. Listen to the lyricists and you won’t have a problem. Ignore their words & you won’t live to see another day.
7) BUB STYLES is putting the finishing touches on his “Long Nights, Cold Winters” album…but managed to drop a sneak peek of things to come with the Ace Fayce laced “Cash Box,” featuring prolific rhyme slayer, CONWAY THE MACHINE. The beat itself is like ecstasy to the brain as it forces listeners to nod their heads relentlessly to the Boom Bap. Add extremely skilled lyricism to the mix and there you have it…another dope joint added to your playlist. ‘Hip Hop Heat that can’t be contained!
8) KINCEE & ROC MARCIANO slang “Clusters” of dope rhymes over a B-Sun laced backdrop & delivered pure listening satisfaction in the process! The G’s & the hustlas will appreciate the Boom Bap driven soundscape and ill rhyme flows that permeate from your speakers. It’s a funky track you’ll play back & keep on constant rotation!
9) BANISH, BIG TWINS & AGALLAH know where the competition live. Now they’re coming to their town with nothing but horrible intentions! On the Digital Martyrs laced “Paying You A Visit” the mic titans decimate the intense soundscape with ill rhymes punctuated by dope cuts from InDJnous. As the lyricists rip the track you can close your eyes and envision the carnage! It’s that underground s**t…signed, sealed & delivered!
10) ICEBERG THEORY rides us out of the countdown for another week with the August Fanon produced, “Way Of A Pilgrim.” The ethereal, otherworldly sonic backdrop gives the lyricist full license to spit ruggedly creative flows that elevate the surrounding action. As the artist “frees frequencies frequently” we nod our heads in approval. Hemingway would be proud.
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
