Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten hits ya with the best & brightest talent each & every week. When you want pure, unadulterated Hip Hop for your listening pleasure this is the list to check out. So get yourself in gear and enjoy the Top 10!
1) KILLA KALI teamed up with MONTAGE ONE for a DirtyDiggs produced joint that took soulful Hip Hop to new heights with “Can’t Walk Away.” It was a slow day in the office when we received this track in our in-boxes. We prayed for some excitement to wake our asses up and DAMN…they delivered!!! An all-out sonic smackdown of beats & rhymes bludgeoned us into submission when we pressed play. It was a “Kalibrated Assault” on our senses that we NEVER hope to recover from!
2) AYE WUN will never lose “The Essence!” His new self-produced banger conveys the creativity, purity, and raw Boom Bap of underground Hip Hop at its finest! The Queens lyricist takes us on an aural journey of what it means to truly represent the culture with a gem that’s hard to beat. When pop rap is bringing you down throw on this joint to cleanse your soul!
3) AZURE is gearing up for the release of his “Leap Year” project and instantly pops up on our most eagerly-anticipated artist radar by dropping the amazing, self-produced joint, “Under The Sun”(featuring MURS). The laid back, soulful track triggers waves of nostalgia as the two lyricists drop smooth flowing verses that showcase their mastery of the mic. This is what heaven sounds like…
4) CHANCE THE RAPPER already proved to us that he had “Angels” and now he’s “Somewhere In Paradise” with JEREMIH & R. KELLY. The supernatural emcee produces hits in his sleep and is set to take over the silver screen as well. For this track he brings the same amount of positive, high-powered energy that all listeners feed off of & crave, He “woke up this morning.” Thank God for that! If you think anyone can stop you, you’re mistaken. “The devil’s a liar!”
5) HUS KINGPIN & KILLER BEN didn’t need to blow up the DeathStar to impress us with the Twiz The BEATPRO produced “Star Wars.” The lyricists spit a barrage of warrior-worthy bars that put us in the mindset for battle as the intense soundscape provided the perfect theme to ensure our victory. Winners & Writers attack! The opposition doesn’t stand a chance!
6) NORCAL NICK delivered a D-Rock produced gem revolving around the ups & downs of relationships on “You And My Convenient Amnesia.” You can fuss, fight, and threaten to call it quits…but when she walks in the room wearing that sexy dress all that ish is (temporarily) forgotten. We’ve all had convenient amnesia. NorCal Nick is the first to write a song about it!
7) ENDEMIC EMERALD was applying his production mastery to a track from the legendary TRAGEDY KHADAFI when ROYAL FLUSH & NUTSO heard what was going on & said it ain’t no fun ’til the homies get some! Each lyricist rips chunks out of the soul-fueled joint that serves as a “Counter Strike” to any emcees who dare step in their way! The underground has risen. Crisis averted!
8) FREEWAY’s recent health issues spurred him to contemplate the lives of acquaintances & loved ones who “Wasted” their potential. Over an infectious Merc Beatz produced track the Philly Freezer lets it be known that he will continue to push forward and win. No doubts here. We believe every word!
9) BENEFICENCE mixes up some more “Basement Chemistry” by teaming up with lyrical legend, MASTA ACE, for his new single, “When The Sun Comes.” KON Sci of MindsOne layers the track with lush grooves and raw beats that allow the emcees to shine bright. The skills are on full display & the talent is…BLINDING!
10) SHAD says its been a “Long Fall”…but the Canadian rhyme slinger rises back to the top with this compelling new joint for the listeners. Check the deft wordplay & witness the power of a lyrical juggernaut! Winter may be taking longer than usual to get here…but who cares when the fall sounds this good!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON”T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
