Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten enters the arena with more audio excitement! Sit back & relax while checking out these power-packed tracks…
1) If the singles we’ve heard so far from the forthcoming “TNT” album are any indication, BIG TWINS & TWIZ THE BEAT PRO have been carefully crafting a masterpiece! PRODIGY is featured on the latest leak from the project titled, “The Rotten Apple,” and together the trio combine forces to deliver descriptive lyrics and stellar production that perfectly detail the gritty reality of life in New York City. Twiz works wonders on the boards by creating a soundscape layered with sped-up vocal samples, dramatic breakdowns, and attention-grabbing instrumentation that give the track an exhilarating, live feel. You can almost smell the stench of the city streets when listening to this song. The Big Apple might be rotten…but we wouldn’t have it any other way!
2) Never sleep on the brilliance of Bay Area production master, COLE JAMES CASH! Enlisting the supreme talents of EFF YOO, SKYZOO & LEX on “NYC Subway Fights” (Final Flight), the sonic architect creates an underground environment so dark & menacing, it plays like an intense scene from “The Warriors!” An ominous groove, frenetic cuts, and sinister sound effects paint a vivid portrait of a city the weak of heart might do best to avoid. It’s a riveting track that’s comparable to the early work of classic production team, The Bomb Squad, for being able to juggle so many audio elements & blend them seamlessly within the construction of the overall product. If you need a modern example of the kind of raw excitement Hip Hop can offer, you play this track. Cole James Cash, Eff Yoo, Skyzoo & LEX must all be commended for delivering a tour de force of creativity that will never be forgotten!
3) CRAIG G & KOOL KEITH put the entire rap game on notice with “Make Your Arrangements.” The “I Rap & Go Home” POWER SINGLE focuses on true lyricism and takes no shorts in delivering the full majesty & essence of Hip Hop music in its five minute runtime. If you dare step to these legendary emcees you better come prepared. What? You have no skills? We figured that. Make your arrangements…
4) WESTSIDE GUNN’s “FLYGOD” album contains so many dope tracks that each one has the potential of becoming a single. The latest joint to get some extra shine is Gunn’s Daringer produced dedication to fallen member of the fam, MachineGun Black. “Chine Gun” serves up a laid back soundscape with a nice nostalgic B-Boy vibe & a clever nod to Smoothe Da Hustler’s acrobatic rhyme style from “Broken Language.” As the proceedings come to an end, the trail of dope music still lingers. Before we can catch our breath, Black is forever immortalized by a final freestyle from beyond…
5) AGALLAH FARO teamed up with #TheWinners power players, HUS KINGPIN & ROZEWOOD, for a “Monumental” collabo track from “Bo: The Legend Of The Water Dragon.” The self-produced joint is an all-out lyrical throwdown featuring three of the underground’s greatest spitters blessing the set with off the charts mic skills. Let’s correct that “off the charts” part because the talent these emcees possess means they’ll be on our chart for a long, LONG time to come!
6) PLANET ASIA & DJ CONCEPT brought more “Seventy Nine” soul to the masses on the MARVELOUS MAG featured “International.” Serving up a compelling, melancholy vibe to complement P.A’s reflective musings, Concept delivers another winning track. Speaking of winners, Marvelous reps for his collective of the same name to provide smooth vocals on the hook. It’s REAL Hip Hop baby & it’s “International.”
7) DOMO GENESIS hit listeners with an explosive new WIZ KHALIFA, TYLER,THE CREATOR & JUICY J featured single from his forthcoming “Genesis” album titled “Go”(GAS). The Tyler produced gem delivers the Golf Wang General’s trademark mix of soulful grooves and sinister chords that motivate the emcees to carry out a no holds barred lyrical assault on the track. “Guitars sound like some Kill Bill ish!” It’s cinematic action too big for the movie screen but perfectly at home coming from your speakers!
8) HORSESHOE GANG delivered a lyrical barrage about racism & police brutality on the Tabu produced “Shoe-icide Squad” that drives home the point that mic skills and powerful subject matter can co-exist on the same track. If the joint sounds familiar, it’s because the group used the same instrumental to quickly dispatch their Funk Volume(RIP) rhyme rivals when things got a little heated awhile back. One listen to Horseshoe Gang and you know you’re being treated to quality. It’s “Anti-Trap Music!” Straight Boom Bap!
9) TERMANOLOGY, REKS & SAHEED teamed up for a banger from Boomshell Records’ “Immaculate Artifact” EP called “I-95” that brought the heat & shined the spotlight on raw, unfiltered lyricism. Spraying “verbal bouquets” all over soulful soundscapes are what these emcees are known for. Boomshell Records wanted top tier talent on their new project. It’s clear to see their wish was granted!
10) ELZHI showcased mad lyrical skills & a flair for masterful storytelling on the Bombay produced, “Weedipedia.” The emcee’s haze-filled nightmare is a dream for true Hip Hop heads everywhere. If other joints are wearin’ you down, take a hit off this track. It’s a natural high!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
