“We’re gonna need a bigger list!” That statement generally summed up the opinion of our hard-working staff when a flood of dope releases popped up on the radar. Some asked if we could stretch the chart to a Top 15 or at least a Top 12…But that’s not how it works. We collectively bit the bullet & narrowed down the countdown for the latest star-studded edition of INSOMNIAC’S WEEKLY TOP TEN!
1) ROYCE DA 5’9″ enlisted PUSHA T & RICK ROSS for the Mr. Porter produced “Layers” from his forthcoming album of the same name & proved yet again that Hip Hop lyricism isn’t dead…It’s just waiting for the right emcees to come along and express it properly. Each artist enters the arena with impressive flows and stand out lines, but Royce gets bonus points for his hilarious example of how he gets down like Doug E. Fresh between the sheets. One more winner from the Slaughterhouse sensation. Give it up for REAL Hip Hop!
2) HAVOC & THE ALCHEMIST always come up with something special whenever they collaborate. Their latest joint effort, “Maintain”(F*ck How You Feel), adds another sonic gem to their impressive trophy case of street approved bangers with soulful grooves and gritty rhymes that will please all true Hip Hop aficionados. The track is just a taste of what to expect from their forthcoming album, “The Silent Partner.” But don’t let the title fool ya. Any project from these two talents is bound to make a lot of noise!
3) PHIFE might not be here in physical form but his creative spirit is felt in every fiber of the J Dilla produced, “Nutshell,” track intended for his forthcoming “Give Thanks” EP. The 5 Foot Assassin playfully flows over the funky soundscape as he reminds listeners of why he’s such a dope MC. We didn’t need any convincing. His unique delivery & NO B.S. approach on the mic is already the stuff of legend…Combining those skills with Dilla’s iconic beats only enhances the mystique. Two cherished Hip Hop heavyweights look down on us from the heavens to rock the party for another round. We give thanks to these artistic titans as DJ Rasta Root scratches us off into the sunset.
4) JP BEATS has a string of credits that go back farther than your grandpa’s hairline. Starting out as a session musician for Dr. Dre & The World Class Wreckin’ Cru & producing for the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, and Keith Murray among others, the behind the boards mastermind definitely has his finger on the pulse of what’s happening on the scene! His latest release involves a power trio of emcees, KXNG CROOKED, COPYWRITE & CHINO XL, who set off a “Triple Sieze.” It’s a monstrous cut that blends the best beats & bars in a brief three and a half minute runtime. This is one dope ass track from JP’s “From Dre Till Now” compilation project. If you wanna hear more(AND YOU WILL!) we suggest you cop the album on iTunes!
5) Croatian producer, KOOLADE, had all the right ingredients to cook up an irresistible banger for the ages. First he created a hypnotic, B-Boy head-nodding soundscape that could never be ignored, then he enlisted RAH DIGGA, SEAN PRICE & TONY TOUCH to deliver an otherworldly amount of energy on his stand out joint, “Say Nothing.” This cut is a mega-sized lyrical throwdown with Rah Digga getting so fed up she has to take a breath….”Woosah!” & Sean P turning heads to spit lines about Infinity Gauntlets & the competition needing “10 Jay Z’s & 3,000 Andres” to even come close to his level! It’s the perfect example of a superior track from beginning to end. If you have to pick one song to get you amped up for the day, CHOOSE THIS!
6) THE VOYAGERS deliver that lyrically stacked CT Boom Bap with their latest joint, “The Dope.” The Musikal produced gem finds Hip Hop journeymen, JADEN CASTRO & PRINCE ROYAL, dropping a barrage of blunted bars that immediately got us lifted! The energy, imagination, and talent of this crew has always been undeniable. We don’t know what’s in the ish they’re smokin’, but if it inspires them to create bangers like this all we can say is…DON’T STOP!
7) French producer/DJ, ODWEEYNE, delivered the third edition of his series, “The BlackList” and invited a Griselda titan into the So Cracked Lab for a gritty display of mic domination. The track itself is hardcore Boom Bap of the highest quality…In other words, the perfect joint for the sinister stylings of CONWAY THE MACHINE. The Buffalo, New York born spitter wastes no time with his lyrical assault. He goes in for the kill, attacking the beat with a sick vengeance until it finally submits to his will. That’s the Conway we all appreciate. Hip Hop music. Raw & unfiltered!
8) BLACK THOUGHT is one of the best emcees in existence yet so understated in his demeanor. Maybe that’s the reason people forget he can body any track and embarrass your favorite rappers’ favorite rappers. Truth is, when you’re that talented there’s no reason to brag…but why not show off for the homies when you’re assisted by STYLES P, on a 9th Wonder laced joint titled, “Making A Murderer?” At the very least you can show the young’uns how it’s done. Tariq drops so many gifts in the 41/2 minute track that we were convinced it was Christmas time! We once thought about a rap career, then heard Black Thought & got a job at UPS.
9) MED teamed up with BLU & ELZHI for “Caddy Music” from the “Bang Ya Head 4” compilation project and blew our minds with an endless stream of top notch lyrics that won’t soon be forgotten. The track has so many shifts & changes that it’s like 5 songs in one. That’s okay though because all the chaos doesn’t lessen the joint’s impact. In fact, it only adds to the fun. The sonic craftsman behind this ADD driven cut is Bombay, so you already know you’re in good hands. When we listen to a track we like to feel like we’re taking an adventure. This song delivers on that count & serves up a one-way ticket to musical paradise.
10) BLUEPRINT beat out a lot of competition for this slot on the countdown. Other tracks had plenty of bells & whistles to keep our attention but the JustSayPLZ produced, “Long Term,” kept pulling us back in & refused to let go. The lines about being your own provider and setting examples for your kids resonated deeply with the staff and made us think about how quickly life can pass us by if we don’t put our plans into action. Meaningful content, incredible mic skills & an infectious soundscape add up to success. Blueprint is definitely in it for the long term!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
