Matt Hylom - Donald Glover [Music Review]
“This track is a JAzz influenced Hip-Hop track with chill vibes. Matt Hylom delivers this flow with emotive tranquility you can feel down deep in your soul. My only complaint is I was left craving more. ”
I.Deal - Parents Proud [Music Review]
“I.Deal takes a unique tact on the track ‘Parents Proud.’ Hip-Hop is often about counter culture and rebelling against the shackles of the establishment. This track is actually a hard hitting ode to parental support and unrelenting love and support. The skill is that the track still slaps and has an edge of defiance int hat blood is thicker kind of way.”
M-Dot x Confidence - 24 to 1 [Music Review]
“M-Dot lays down the hard hitting lyrics in a flow that lands with passion and precision. Confidence produced the track with a nod to the old school boom Bap that made Hip Hop what it is today. ‘24 to 1’ defies the trend of catchy hooks and instead leans into the power of verse and a well delivered flow.
Real, honest grit and emotion carry the day on this track. And I am here for it.”
Cam Carter - Fake Sunsets [Music Review]
“Cam Carter and Ray K team up on this hypnotic Hip Hop vibe about the fakeness that permeates through not only Southern California but society on the whole.
The beat and build almost mirrors some of the vapid Pop tracks that certainly add to the trendy fakeness of our culture but these artists do a masterful job of toeing the line between highlighting the fakeness and creating a track with bite.”
JayWood - ASSUMPTIONS [Music Video Review]
“Jay Wood demands your attention with his track ‘ASSUMPTIONS.’ But probably not in the way you imagine. This trippy, almost psychedelic flow is a vibe that doesn’t force your full attention by force like so many Rap tracks but rather is alluring in musical groove kind of way.”
Harry Gray - Passport Baby [Music Review]
“Blurring genre lines, Harry Gray delivers a soulful groove to this Rap flow. Harry pays no mind to mainstream sounds and instead stays true to making music that evokes a spiritual response from himself and his listeners.
”Passport Baby’ is a vibe that carries the listener along like a plane bound for an exotic vacation. Grab a cold drink and kick back, relaxing times are in your future when you settle into this smooth track.”
JAMMY - Rigged! [Review]
“The song has a catchy beat that immediately draws you in. I also like the creative approach taken by JAMMY. He effectively share’s his perspective on political issues and relatable experiences, making the song resonate on a deeper level on political issues as well as things people experience. The song is short but has an impact to whoever is listening.”
RYN SCOTT - Just Human [Music Video Review]
“RYN SCOTT drops this self-aware flow that should resonate with the masses given we are all ... ‘Just Human.’
The track takes on a subject and view often ignored in the blustery, cocksure world of Hip-Hop and that alone is refreshing. The genuine honesty, and vulnerability give the song grit in a surprising fashion and the spot on timing and impassioned flow sell it all in a way that makes this an easy track to fell as much as you hear.”
Red Lotus - THE GAME [Music Review]
“Red Lotus stands and delivers on his new track, ‘The Game.’ There is a Kendrick level intricacy to the message and intent and it gives the song a power that is rare these days, but for this one I;m going to let the artists tell you more.
From Red Lotus ... “This song was inspired by a powerful lesson my father used to share with me before he was tragically murdered: ‘The game ain’t free. Nothing in life is free; even when we gain, we must lose something.’ It’s a lyrical rap track with cypher-like elements, rooted in storytelling—a craft I believe is becoming a lost art in hip-hop. The message emphasizes the sacrifices that come with life’s pursuits, delivered with raw emotion and thought-provoking lyrics. This track is for anyone who values meaningful narratives and the authenticity of classic hip-hop.”
A song to dive in and digest over multiple listens. ”
Drop Dead Lane - Live your Life [Music Review]
“What would it sound like if Busta Rhymes took on performing some Eminem?
Drop Dead Lane gives us an idea on ‘Live Your Life.’ At least early on the growl and gravel and rapid hard hitting flow had that feel. The track did have a few different vibes and sounds so it stands on its own but that was my initial reaction before the lyrical intensity took over and had me solely focused on this build.”
Vocab Slick - Jewelz (feat. Starski) [Music Video Review]
“Vocab Slick teams up with Starski to give an engaging Old School Hop-Hop track and video. The lyrical flow hits bringing a story as well as a strong hook. The video adds to the grit and dynamic and the flow is delivered with that hard hitting verve few Hip-Hop artists let come out these days. This is a track with both grit and genuine flavor that simple feels legit.”
Soolie - Grapes [Music Review]
“Soolie reps the Bay area these days after growing up in Ohio. ‘Grapes’ tells his story with great lyricism and a steady unrelenting flow that harkens to another era of Hip-Hop. That said the track is legit and right at home in today’s musical landscape. This is a hard hitting track that lands all the right lyrical punches.”
RYN SCOTT - Moments [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Ryn Scott offers up an sweeping track with ‘Moments.’ You can hear the influence of his native Michigan in the cadence and songwriting. This is part hype track and part reflective warning. We all hav eto take a moment and pay attention this one life we are living and this song is a reminder to do exactly that.”
Wisoff - Every 6 Years [Music Review]
Rating: 2 out of 5
“This is a matter of outhinking yourself as an artist. There are great moments to this performance and the premise was rock solid.
The problems were all in the production dynamics and arrangement. Had Wiseoff simply unleashed this track with a steady flow and build I’d have been all in, but the embellishment and add-ons got in the way emotionally for me and left the overall track feeling disjointed and needlessly chaotic. ”
Lil Primo - STARBURST [Music Review]
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Lil Primo feels anything but lil on this big bold track. ‘Starburst’ has that old school, in-your-face vibe, and Primo infuses that hard flow with fresh linds and a crisp delivery that lands the lyrical punches with skill and precision.
This LA are rapper brings the perfect verve to his flow and the writing hits with grit and emotion.”
Nicki Knightz - Step With Me (ft. JoeJas) [Music Video Review]
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
“The video is simple but works well witht he lyrics and vibe. This track was a mixed bag for me overall. I dig the writing and the passion put into the delivery of these flows, thought he staccato beat and start and stop feel on that side left the build feeling chaotic in a disorganized kind of way for me.
Both Nicki Knightz and JoeJas convey the emotion well in their flow and I admire their talent but this arrangement felt like a bit of mess for me.”
Florigineel x Thai Thai x Young Buck - Clowns [Music Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“Blunt and in your face! Florigineel, Thai Tahi, and Young Buck unleash a hard edged Rap track with teeth. ‘Clowns’ has some old school, Gangsta Rap sensibilities and some new world grit.
Each flow hits and the lyrical punches jab uppercut, and deliver one knockout blow after another. This is the brand of unflinching Rap you remember and the Rap we all need to hear more of because let’s face it the world is a softer place these days and that’s not always a good thing.”
TaReef KnockOut - My Way Out [Music Review]
Rating: 2 out of 5
“This track offered up a mixed bag of reactions for me. I do like the writing and the low-key beat hits to pair with a nice groove giving a solid emotional balance to the lyrics.
On the other hand, the vocal delivery came off very flat and emotionless for the most part. The hook is delivered with more emotive energy though it does feel overly repetitive and the verses just didn’t have enough passion behind them for this one to catch fire for me personally.
How did TaReef KnockOut’s track ‘My Way Out’ land for you?”
Jasper The Scary Ghost - Let Me Just (Vibe) [Music Review]
Rating: 2 out of 5
“The intro felt more like something out of a 1950s spy movie than it did a hype track for a Hip-Hop song.
The flow has talent and a nice energy, though that beat and backing struck me as an odd choice to pair up with. The writing here did not give me a lot new. so the hook ground me out with its repetition and while I like the passion of these performances, this one never had the lyrical punch to truly get me going.
Let us know if the track hit differently for you.”
Quiz - The Conversation [Music Video Review]
Rating: 4 out of 5
“The world today is full of anger, hate, a and unwarranted entitlement. Quiz takes the road less travelled with the track ‘ The Conversation’ part of an album titled ‘Grateful.’
The album titles comes though in the conversation of this song as Quiz sows good vibes and gratitude. The flow here is one of humanity and healing and it’s time we all turned our focus to such pursuits as we try our best to tune out the hate and dissent so many feed on in these times.”