The weekend is over but the excitement continues with Insomniac’s Weekly Top Ten. Scan the list & compare your Hip Hop notes with ours as we run it down the line. Let’s begin…
1) When a rough copy of “Road To Perdition” was released online, JAY ELECTRONICA figured that instead of pulling the track, he would give fans the CD quality version. ‘Good thing too, because listeners everywhere lost their minds! Who knows when “Act II: Patents of Nobility” will ever see the light of day…but for the time being we can console ourselves with this powerful track from a master lyricist.
2) ACTION BRONSON & CHANCE THE RAPPER teamed up for yet another funky track(“Baby Blue”) from the upcoming “Mr. Wonderful” album. The fact that Mark Ronson was the mastermind behind the cut enhances its sonic pedigree even more. ‘Looks to us like Bronson’s gonna have 2015 on lock. Trust!
3) TEDDY FANTUM transformed introspection into solid gold with his new cut “Temporary.” The Toronto lyricist blew us away with his incredible flow and delivery. We couldn’t stop playing the track! More Teddy Fantum please!
4) MURS, SLUG & CES CRU joined forces to put the fun in “Fun-eral” with this gritty, hardcore track that fans can get for free when they pre-order MURS’ “Have A Nice Life” album. Lyrics, as expected, are on point & Jesse Shatkin outdoes himself on the production tip.
5) S.T.S., PEEDI CRAKK & TRUCK NORTH dropped jewels over a DJ Bear-One track and showed fans the full force of Philly artistry. “Black UFO” was previously unreleased, but we’re glad listeners finally have the chance to hear Hip Hop music at its finest.
6) RICKIE JACOBS ripped into the Ryan Ryu Alexy produced “Jack Daniels Freestyle” with such precision that he should be considered a lyrical surgeon. If partying at 2am produces tracks like this, we need to start drinking more.
7) GANGRENE(THE ALCHEMIST & OH NO) enlisted EARL SWEATSHIRT & Future Island’s SAM HERRING to create this highlight from their Grand Theft Auto V inspired album, “Welcome to Los Santos.” “Play It Cool” is a simple title, but fans listening to the cut won’t be able to keep their composure.
8) TINK & TIMBALAND played off their amazing synergy to give us the “Ratchet Commandments.” It had all the bells and whistles…and exceptional beats and lyrics we come to expect from the pair. Yeah, it’s a given that Tink is poised to blow!
9) SALOMON FAYE can rap rings around your favorite rapper while expanding your consciousness at the same time. “Black Power” is a testament to the artist’s amazing lyrical abilities and elevated state of awareness. We’ll be hearing MUCH more from the outstanding emcee in the near future.
10) MASTA ACE, WORDSWORTH & STRICKLIN are lyrical beasts! So when they formed like Voltron to create EMC, listeners had every right to expect greatness. Well, they weren’t disappointed. “Fly Thoughts” featuring Pearl Gates is everything you would expect from Hip Hop royalty. Lyrics should ALWAYS matter!
That wraps up another list for the week. Catch ya next time and…Don’t sleep!
– Kevin Keith
