The weekend’s winding down, but the party’s just beginning here at Insomniac Magazine. Celebrate a new month and new music with our Weekly Top Ten!
1) JOEY PURP pulled a dope track sneak attack by teaming up with SABA & theMIND for a Thelonious Martin produced power gem called “Cornerstore.” The artists paint a vivid description of life growing up in the hood while Donnie Trumpet, Peter Cottontale, JP Floyd & Knox Fortune add musical embellishment with colorful jazz riffs that enhance the proceedings. This is only the first single from Joey’s forthcoming “#iiiDrops” album so imagine what other goodies he has in store for us. We want a classic! Joey just might be the emcee to deliver.
2) HAVOC & THE ALCHEMIST link up with METHOD MAN for some funky, head-noddin’ Boom Bap on “Buck 50’s & Bullet Wounds.” Over a dusty, blunted beat, the lyricists combine forces to give us that street ish we can’t get enough of! To say we’re lovin’ this joint is an understatement. It’s getting really hard to stay quiet about “The Silent Partner!”
3) VEE SKEENO may be “lost in the world at 21” on the Bugseed produced, “NOMAD,” but he’s definitely found his calling in Hip Hop as one of the most creative and impressive talents on the scene today! Vintage Veez throttles the dope jazz-fueled track by the neck and rips into it like a hungry vampire looking for a midnight snack! Along with his mesmerizing flow, the energetic lyricist also hits home with plenty of social commentary. Vee’s third eye is wide open on some next level ish! No 9 to 5 is needed when you possess skills like this. F**k the day job!
4) Get your Eddie Murphy kufis and Worlds Of Curls activator out of storage ’cause DURAG DYNASTY just linked up with DOMO GENESIS and the omnipresent Alchemist to take a “Class Picture.” The crew “murders the goofs” with a soul-powered attack on the mic that will leave the competition feelin’ like a “broken down Lincoln.” They’ll keep rockin’ til’ you take your last breath and “without a murder clause they’re beatin’ bars to death!”
5) WHITE OWL had “One Chance” to kill a Statik Selektah beat and he damn well knew what to do with it!!! The rising spitter goes hard on the track, flaunting reckless, unhinged bars of destruction while even managing to give a shout out to the legendary Casanova Rud(what y’all know about that?!?) When you not only do justice to a track but go above and beyond what’s required from an emcee, you get a SECOND chance. Something tells us that White Owl & Statik will be cookin’ up another gem in the lab real soon.
6) BLUEPRINT sent film noir into the future with the ultra-creative Aesop Rock produced masterpiece, “Graffiti Writer Killed.” The “I, Robot” meets “Beat Street” styled murder mystery tale from the forthcoming “Vigilante Genesis” project is less than 2 minutes long but packs a lot of power! Cerebral, ground-breaking….Hip Hop is clearly expanding into a new & exciting territory. Much respect to Blueprint & Aesop Rock. Let them lead the way!
7) CHUCK STRANGERS took us back to the beginning on “34th & Beverley.” The Pro Era producer/lyricist relayed his East Flatbush origins to the listeners and pulled us into a world revolving around friends like Kevin(“who wasn’t really a tough guy/when he shine his 9, Yo he listen to Doves Cry”) and days trying hard to “be Erick & Parrish fused.” It’s good to reminisce when you’re at the top of your game & Chuck easily scores accolades from fans and peers alike. His story is one of success. He can look back on the good and bad times in BK without straying too far from his roots.
8) G FISHER & KIDD CALLED QUEST join forces with D_DAVE for a deadly overhaul of LL Cool J’s iconic “I Shot Ya” on “They Need Security.” “No skinny jeans s**t” on this track! You won’t find any mumble mouth musings or Pop rap crap. Nah! It’s all about dope beats and rhymes. Walk in their hood and get clapped! “Talk about bars/My s**t harder than the cell block!” If you want authenticity look no further!
9) THE WHOEVERS & CHRIS $PENCER bring fans a smooth soul lyrical invasion on “You’re My Boy Blue.” Whenever Vic Spencer & Chris Crack team up we’re always treated to high quality Hip Hop. Add The WHOevers to the equation and that standard of quality is elevated even further. It’s a J. Arthur produced joint that sticks in your head. Don’t be one of those guys who “believes in people you don’t know/ like stage divin’ in mosh crowds.” Invest your time in worthy artists you can depend on. The WHOevers & Chris $pencer should be at the top of your list!
10) CAPPACITY may be blowin’ smoke out the window at his “Mommas House”…but we’re predicting it won’t be for very long if he keeps supplying funky ass joints like this banger from his forthcoming “Calm In The Storm” project. Nobody’s gettin’ busy like this dude…I mean, he says it himself…and we f***ing believe him! Just lay in the cut & appreciate the music.
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
