Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten returns with more underground Hip Hop heat & our latest edition is like a throwback to the golden era. We have Sadat X, Sheek Louch, KRS-One, Atmosphere, Ghostface Killah, DMX!!!…All we need now is a time machine and free tickets to the Fresh Fest & our day would be set! Did your favorites make the cut? Only one way to find out. Sit back & check out the list below!
1) ATMOSPHERE created an all-out jam session by ringing up Plain Ole Bill for some top of the line turntable action, G Koop for funky instrumentation & lyrical assassins, BLUEPRINT & AESOP ROCK, for some microphone mastery of the highest order. “This Lonely Rose” is like a caffeine boost that kick starts your day! It’s a sonic wake up call that lets you know everything’s gonna be just fine.
2) Once known as Dynamic Equilibrium, the duo GEM CODE bring perfect balance and a wealth of talent to their electric collabo with SADAT X & AUDIBLE DOCTOR titled “Complex.” The production possesses that unmistakably gritty New York sound that underground heads are immediately drawn to. It’s a dope soundscape complemented by equally dope rhymes from artists who don’t just make music…they live it!
3) YOUR OLD DROOG flipped “the show about nothing’s” theme song & dropped so many clever hoops references on the self-produced “Basketball & Seinfeld” that it made our heads spin. In actuality, the joint reminds us of the “Axel F” theme song from “Beverly Hills Cop” with its bouncy groove, funky synths, and early 80’s vibe. YOD rhymes rings around the track and yet again proves that he’s a master of his craft. If “Basketball and Seinfeld” were key factors in making him the lyricist he is today, more emcees need to get with the program!
4) DMX burst out the gate like a mad dog on a Dame Grease produced joint from the vaults called “Ain’t No Were To Hide!” Apparently, snippets of the song surfaced on mixtapes as early as 2007…but the dust that collected on the reel did nothing to take away from the energy and hunger of an emcee in his prime! Hopefully X will recover enough to work more magic in the studio soon. Hip Hop sorely needs him!
5) Brooklyn’s TORAE received a sonic blessing from the Chocolate Boy Wonder himself, Pete Rock, for a new track from his forthcoming “Entitled” album called “Get Down.” The lyrics and production are so seamless that you might miss all of the little nuances sprinkled throughout the song. We recommend more than one listen on this one…which you’ll do anyway because it’s THAT dope!
6) KRS-ONE treated us to a nice little appetizer with “Drugs Won,” but his second single, “Sound Man,” is where The Blastmaster’s true power is revealed! Classic Boom Bap working in conjunction with Kris’ mass arsenal of dope rhymes, blows the roof off the party….and then some! “Now Hear This!” is being readied as we speak. You better listen!
7) SHEEK LOUCH & GHOSTFACE KILLAH spun stories of street life into gold on “I Luv It.” Vivid rhymes & the raw, intensity of the track transport the listeners to days and nights on the block where the only thing that mattered was the hustle. “Silverback Gorilla 2” is dropping December 4th. We “Luv It” already!
8) GORILLA NEMS teamed up with DIRTY SANCHEZ for a Kirk Knight produced banger that brought the beast out of two emcees who were already establishing themselves as the hardcore champions of underground Hip Hop. On “Break Bread” the Brooklyn spitters shred the mic into pieces while showing lesser emcees what true talent’s all about! Break Bread with these two rhyme masters again & keep the joint on repeat!
9) DEPHLOW delivered a Phoniks produced gem from the forthcoming “Deph Threats” album and showcased lyrical dexterity over a soulful track on “Troubled Young Man.” Obviously we follow trouble because Insomniac will be first on the check-in when the project drops November 30th!
10) D-SISIVE & FACTOR CHANDELIER unveiled a previously unreleased track called “Blind Melon” and sent us on a journey of memories both happy and depressing. This song has such impact, it might be difficult to recover. In fact, the moody soundscape and abstract lyrics may eventually push you over the edge. If that happens don’t even worry about it. We’ll pick quality music over sanity any day of the week.
Well, that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON’T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
