Insomniac Magazine brings the heat for another edition of our Weekly Top Ten. For the greatest sounds of the underground look no further than the list below!
1) Hamburg, Germany’s CHINCH 33 is a beast on the turntables! That unwavering dedication to his craft extends to the artistry placed into the dynamic “Yuma” LP which stands out for its high level production, Boom Bap sensibilities, and spotlight on the lyrical heroes of the underground. On the SMOOVTH featured “At Night,” produced by Dave Sparkz, #TheWinners phenomenon controls the proceedings with his self-assured delivery and skill at dispatching any rivals who dare cross his path. SmooVth paints a picture of the intense atmosphere surrounding his neighborhood while a sinister groove spurs him on to continued success. Chinch 33 complements the gritty canvass with supreme scratches & cuts that sound great in the daytime, but even better AT NIGHT.
2) RIPSHOP & REEL DRAMA teamed up with TRAGEDY & REKS for some “Regime Change” excitement that was “Sicker Than Your Average” Hip Hop track you’ve been hearing in rotation. Funky production & ill cuts with sound bites from Biggie, KRS-One, & Lord Finesse combine with immaculate flows from the unstoppable emcees. They’ve got mad skills & styles. They will get wild!…Best believe!
3) MEECHY ELCAMINO & AL.DIVINO discarded the paint by numbers canvasses of failed creatives and showcased a REAL work of art on the brand new “Andy & Jean-Michel.” If Warhol & Basquiat were alive today they would bow in deference to the lyrical gems and hypnotic soundscapes displayed in collaboration with sonic curator, Boodeini. The street architects have taken over the gallery. Enter at your own risk!
4) Ocean Ave Records’ BIG BOUTY warns listeners not to take drugs while admittedly indulging in them himself on the fittingly addictive Melodic Addiction laced “Substance Abuse.” The track is brilliant because it exposes the duality of the artist as well as the dual nature within us all. Big Bouty reflects on the sad path his father took then humorously discusses his own insatiable cravings(“I still eat Molly/here, eat acid/ What you got right there?/I’ll probably eat that s**t!”) We don’t know where Big Bouty will end up but when it comes to this song, we need another hit!
5) You can’t have a Top 10 without DANIEL SON! “Don Sonzarelli” is the Brown Bag Money lyricist’s latest joint and by now you should know it doesn’t disappoint! With Giallo Point working his supreme craftsmanship behind the boards, the Toronto Tornado gets his Hurricane Carter on and works on baggin’ Trina in Miami while throwing up a middle finger to all the haters! Daniel Son is the kind of emcee who will body a track, crush all your rap career dreams, then disappear in a black beamer. He’s on top and never falling off. Accept it & move on.
6) Killa Kali & DirtyDiggs are so dope that even their 1 minute teasers steamroll over all other tracks stacked next to ’em. On the POISONOUS DIGGS banger, “Hitchcock Skit,” we get an extremely brief but effective stream of consciousness lyrical assault powered by the pinnacle of Boom Bap. There’s no stopping the soul…and Poisonous Diggs always carry a full supply!
7) Rap’s John Grisham, PUSHA T, steps out of the boardroom to remind the streets who’s really runnin’ thangs! The Mike Will Made It produced “H.G.T.V.” demonstrates that the power lyricist hasn’t…and will NEVER…lose his magic on the mic. Obama will be leaving office soon…but at least Blobama’s here to take the weight!
8) VIC SPENCER has always been platinum on the underground circuit and now he takes his unrivaled mic mastery to outer space on the brand new Tev95 produced banger, “Platinum Planets.” The lyrical renegade makes us wish we had the life that he has as he confuses birds with his amazing powers of flight. It’s just another day in the life of the greatest. You may hate but it doesn’t change a thing.
9) DANIEL SON already has fans salivating for his upcoming “Drama Ave” project…but to keep listeners drooling even more, he hits ’em over the head with the Vic Grimes laced banger, “ISIAH THOMAS.” The ball is clearly in the BBM spitter’s court as he evades the Feds while shooting and scoring another hit! He’ll never stop doing numbers wit’ the team. BBM & CDVZ are a deadly combination!
10) PREMROCK & FRESH KILS set the party off and leave bodies in their wake on the “Leave In Tact” triumph, “No Pleas Copped.” The hardcore banger flaunts lethal lyrics that will readily eviscerate the competition & an unhinged rock element to amp up the action to monstrous levels of excitement. Don’t cop any pleas. Just submit to the power of REAL Hip Hop & get ready to be blown away!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time…and DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
