Welcome back for another edition of Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten. If you’ve been following us for the long haul you know that we usually don’t include freestyles and remixes on our list…but every now and then we make an exception. Today is one of those times because our #1 entry was re-worked to the point where it could be categorized as an entirely new song. Wanna know what it is? Just look below. AND don’t stop there ’cause the artists on this Top 10 play to win!
Insomniac Magazine Weekly Top Ten 9/23/2015
1) AWKWORD enlisted the services of production master & Brown Bag All Star, Audible Doctor, to add some creative finesse to his “Go!” track which was originally produced by Domingo & featured Slug(of Atmosphere), Maya Azucena, and JOELL ORTIZ. While Joell’s verse remains intact for the updated version, WORDSWORTH, AARON COHEN & K.SPARKS are now invited to the party for the NYC Remix. Audible Doctor proves that he’s a beast behind the boards by supplying the emcees with sonic manna from the gods! The funk drenched groove brings out the best from each lyricist. You can FEEL the sweat flying off their foreheads as they spit superior bars of Hip Hop ecstasy. The mics probably melted from all the heat radiating off this cut. Turn the A.C. WAAAYY up when listening!
2) Now THIS is the VIC MENSA we’ve been missing! After what we hope was only a temporary detour into electro nightmareland, the lyricist returns with a cut produced by himself, Stefan Ponce, Peter Cottontale, J. Hill & Om’mas Keith that proves too many cooks in the kitchen don’t always spoil the broth. “All That Shines” is a gem that showcases Vic’s versatility and immeasurable talent on the mic. It transcends Hip Hop without losing the genre’s purest essence.
3) DA VILLINS & VIC SPENCER’s “IKE EYES” ode to Sean Price is a soulful piece of Hip Hop perfection. A combination of raw lyrics and expert flows add up to musical excellence. One listen will lead to another…but with top notch talent like this it’s to be expected.
4) SAM SCARFO set things off on his forthcoming “Sunset: The Tales Of Sam Scarfo” by teaming up with powerhouse talent, AR-AB, for the explosive “Shootouts.” It’s a Jersey/Philly collabo that promises to take no prisoners. The Delivery Boy produced track will blow out your speakers but make you happy to buy new ones so you can play the joint again! Hit the deck! Sam Scarfo & Ar-Ab are comin’ out blastin’!
5) ASHER ROTH is walking the fine line between earth and the astral plane on the Black Milk produced cut, “The Hierophant.” Asher has been amassing an impressive collection of dope loosies lately. This one is no exception. Free flowing rhymes & Boom Bap at its best!
6) AR-AB gives us a preview of what’s to come on his “Who Harder Than Me 3” mixtape with the STACKS RUEGA featured, R5 produced cut, “You Musta Heard.” Ar-Ab & Stacks are runnin’ the streets AND the industry! If you haven’t heard about ’em get a late pass. No one’s harder…and no one makes better music.
7) A$TON MATTHEWS & $HA HEF rip into a HNIC produced track that’s guaranteed to bury their competitors. “Hunger Games” incorporates snippets of one of Tupac’s last interviews to give the entire production a powerful effect. The “Hail Mary” co-opted chorus adds to the allure while the lyricists drop hardcore bars for the underground.
8) Two legends are on this track! SCARFACE & JOHN LEGEND team up for a cut from ‘Face’s “Deeply Rooted” album called “God.” The Houston storyteller weaves his always impressive lyrical gifts into a narrative about “playing God for a day” while Mr.Legend croons the powerful hook. It’s another triumph for an artist who has dropped many Hip Hop jewels in the past and promises to add more to the collection with his upcoming release.
9) MAC MILLER is the perfect example of an emcee who gets better with each release. “Break The Law” is the latest track to be premiered from the forthcoming “GO:OD AM” album & it kicks major a** on all levels. If you’re not excited about “GO:OD AM” yet, play this track and you will be!
10) ADD-2 joins forces with RAPSODY on the Khrysis produced “Rewind” and brought us back to the exciting energy of the 90’s with the dirty drums and funky sample. Listening to this made us realize that we need to rewind more often. In fact we’ll start right now.
Well, that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
