Summertime brings out the BEAST in an artist. That’s why we’ve been receiving a steady supply of heat that gives us third degree burns when we press play! You’ll see what we mean when you check out the dope tracks below. Yep, you put two & two together. It’s time for another edition of Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten!
1) REKS joined forces with AKROBATIK, EDO. G, & TERMANOLOGY for a spectacular display of top notch lyricism on the Audible Doctor laced heat rocket, “Plane Gang.” The ill track will possess your very soul as it sends listeners into a zone of unbridled Boom Bap while showcasing the supreme power of the Massachusetts Marauders! The grind DON”T STOP as DJ DeadEye complements the funky proceedings with serious skill & finesse on the 1 & 2’s. “The Greatest X” album is shaping up to be a problem!…One the lackluster industry should be more than happy to have!
2) NOLAN THE NINJA linked up with Clear Soul Forces’ NOVELISS and together they attacked a funky Def Dee produced soundscape to reclaim their “40 acres.” When two of the BEST emcees in the game go IN on a track greatness is expected. Well, guess what? THEY DELIVER! Did you have any doubts? We didn’t. Nolan & Noveliss go for the throat & rip out your he(art)! It must be lonely having no competition. Somehow we think they’ll manage.
3) VEE SKEENO is influencing n***as to get their style up. While suckas are still trying to figure out how to get beyond basic Dr. Seuss rhymes, Skeeno’s gettin’ posted on Insomniac Magazine! On the Karde produced Boom Bap masterpiece, “Gang Ish,” Vintage Veez rips competitors a new asshole without bustin’ a sweat. Yeah, he’s that cool. And so is the muthaf***in’ track! We’ve been tellin’ y’all about the skills of the mic champ for a long time now. Catch up or get left behind!
4) SKRATCH BASTID and SHAD pay tribute to Camp Lo’s classic, “Luchini,” joint with the summer sleeper, “Limoncello!” While S.B. serves up a exciting soundscape that sounds like a day at the beach put on wax, Shad drops animated bars that make us turn the A.C. to full blast from all the heat he’s spittin’!!! It’s just like that. Now proceed to take a listen!
5) Crate Divizion’s PHYBAOPTIKZ teamed up with Brown Bag Money’s DANIEL SON & SMOOVTH of #TheWinners for a sinister Giallo Point produced gem titled “Fools Gold.” The “Shades Of Alejandro” highlight presents 3 distinct and extremely ill flows perfect in both style & execution. The cut is pure gold and only a fool would say it’s not. While you losers are checkin’ for the latest Benz, these guys got their eyes on a solid gold blimp!
6) BLU & NOTTZ ‘s last collabo was 2013’s “Gods In The Spirit” EP and now they’re set to make a big return with the forthcoming “Titans In The Flesh” project. One listen to lead single (the dope funk-laden), “Atlantis,” and it’s clear that despite the 3 year gap, these sonic masterminds haven’t missed a beat. The track is one of those joints you can play over & over again. So we did. It’s designed to appeal to both B-Boys & tatted up mermaids alike.
7) With all the political and economic drama we’ve been having of late, the country was really in need of a boost in morale…and damn did we get it with the POISONOUS DIGGS x MONTAGE ONE release, “The Stimulus!” The sonic cavalry rode in on DirtyDiggs laced production to enact a Killa Kali & Montage One fueled audio assault for the ages! You’ll never see the days of famine as long as these artists have something to say about it. Poisonous Diggs & Montage One will keep feedin’ you great music! Listen to the lyrics young’uns. “’bout time these kids hear Kal’s rhymes!”
8) MC WHITEOWL dropped the first single from his collabo project with South African production maestro, Jakk Wonders, and DAMN…it’s a BANGER! “Pickle Juice” infuses soul samples and down home grooves that force you to nod your head and send accolades to the dope duo for bringin’ that ol’ thang back! MC WhiteOwl keeps the party jumpin’ with his powerful flow & vocal presence. We need this music to survive! No sour face…just a big SALUTE!
9) CONSTANT DEVIANTS can’t make a wack track. ‘Not like they would ever want to. A perfect example of their continued creative excellence is the new DJ Cutt produced, “DeLorean,” from their eagerly anticipated “Omerta” album(dropping June 28th). It’s yet another Boom Bap lover’s wet dream that’s probably too good for any of us. But hey, we’ll take it! If C.D. keep spoiling us with so much dope ish we might get a sense of entitlement. Hopefully not though because the group might vanish from the scene as a way of punishing us. If that were to happen the music industry would be a much darker place. Besides, who could fill the void created from their departure?…Hear the crickets chirping?…Yup. Exactly our point.
10) REEF THE LOST CAUZE & BEAR-ONE enlisted PEEDI CRAKK, STS, & TRUCK NORTH for a searing take down on all the radio programmers who refuse to play and acknowledge the dope underground artists keeping the essence of the music and culture alive! “Radio Suckas” takes a clear shot at the B.S. political machinations of an entertainment platform that should’ve been overhauled decades ago. In the internet age, shady programming directors & pay for play transmissions should be ignored anyway. Besides, who needs radio when you have INSOMNIAC MAGAZINE?!?
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
