Nas once said “sleep is the cousin of death.” The staff at Insomniac Magazine take that statement to heart & work around the clock to narrow down the new releases until we have our weekly Top Ten. So stay awake with our crew & let’s get down to business!
1)BRUSE WANE dropped a new album called “The Earl Manigault Of Rap” and emerged from the batcave with a gem featuring heavy-hitters, SEAN PRICE & CHRIS RIVERS, that spit “Venom” over all the weak-ass emcees who dare step to them! The non-stop lyrical barrage immediately demands repeat play and the power trio on this track bring the Boom-Bap!
2) WESTSIDE GUNN has a permanent home on our Top 10. Wanna know why? Then take a listen to the Apollo Brown produced “Mr. T” and check the technique of the Griselda Records juggernaut as he flows over one of the most soulful tracks released all year. Gunn is an underground champion who delivers serious heat on every joint he drops. Match his talent with Apollo’s sonic mastery and you get one hell of a masterpiece!
3)HUS KINGPIN joined forces with #TheWinners first lady, EL AY, to deliver a heart-breaking tale of love lost but never forgotten on “Leila.” The song is a dedication to Hus’ shorty who passed away from lupus when he was in boot camp training for the Air Force. The emotion behind the lyrics, vocals, and DJ Premier produced beat resonate long after the song is over. Cherish the lives of your loved ones when they’re here and honor every memory when their souls have transcended to a higher plane.
4) RICK ROSS is riding a Jahlil Beats joint to the bank on “Crocodile Python.” The track sounds like a MOVIE…and let’s face it, there’s definitely drama with the in your face instrumentation and paranoid lyrics from the boss himself! Ross has been on a roll since the “Black Dollar” mixtape. We know the heat will continue when his “Black Market” album drops in December.
5) London’s PHYBAOPTIKZ enlisted NYC’s underground WINNERS, HUS KINGPIN & SMOOVTH, for a stroll through the seedy part of town on “Full English.” Vic Grimes lays down a sinister soundscape for the dope cut from the forthcoming, “Stickup On The 22nd Floor” album that serves up criminology for the listeners…international style.
6) KRS-ONE smashes mic stands and shatters the studio booth plexiglass on his “Now Hear This!” track, “Duty.” On tour, off tour…your fate is sealed if you try to battle him. The Blastmaster connects with an upper-cut & delivers a K.O. to the competition!
7) BOB BANNER brings it home again with “BLACK GOLD,” the latest release from his forthcoming album, “The Gamma Project.” Regwriterythmz continues to merge the Boom-Bap sound of the 90’s with some next level, futuristic ish that’s guaranteed to keep your head nodding. If you’re looking for top notch Hip Hop, choose the emcee who “battled St. Nick for all this gift,” and best believe Bob will always deliver!
8) OTIS REED enlisted FASHAWN for the Juke Bawks produced “What If God” and made us ponder how the world would view The Creator if he was black. The emcees paint vivid descriptions & cite various examples of just how different things would be. We applaud the lyricists for thinking outside the box to deliver material that’s far from routine.
9) B. MAVERICK was down to his last Dutch…but that’s okay, because it inspired him to craft a funky gem titled “Blunts On Credit.” The track slinks along at a cool, blunted out pace as B rips the mic with his raspy flow. Check the technique! It’s pure heaven for a true Hip Hop connoisseur.
10) Montreal’s, HUSSER, has been making a lot of noise with his crew, The Posterz, but it’s his solo joint, “Name Another N!99@,” (produced by Ragers) that’ll stomp out your speakers with its HEAVY Boom-Bap aesthetic. If you want to hear a joint that’s instantly compelling you’ve got one. “Name Another N!99@” grips your body & refuses to let go!
Well that’s it for this week. Catch ya next time and…DON”T SLEEP!
– Kevin Keith
