New Joint – Phyba

Phyba – “Unexpected Encounters” (CDVZ.BandCamp.Com / 2020)

Mellow, jazz-infused title track from the London lyricist’s new album which features production from Giallo Point, Vic Grimes, Stu Bangas, Futurewave and Oliver Sudden.

New Joint – Phyba x Giallo Point

Phyba x Giallo Point – “Rubberband” (@PhybaCDVZ / @GialloPoint / 2019)

Mellow mood music and cinematic visuals from the Crate Divizion camp.

New Joint – Phyba & Giallo Point

Phyba & Giallo Point – “E12 528” (CDVZ.BandCamp.Com / 2019)

Ominous, drum-heavy dopeness from the UK duo’s new album “RENÉ MESRINE” out now on the Crate Divizion label.

New Joint – Phyba

Phyba – “Isotonic Water” (@PhybaCDVZ / 2018)

London lyricist Phyba drops laidback verses over a smooth sonic backdrop provided by Oliver Sudden.

New Joint – PhybaOptikz & Vic Grimes

PhybaOptikz & Vic Grimes – “John Doe” (@PhybaCDVZ / 2017)

Atmospheric, dusty-fingered flavour produced by Canada’s Vic Grimes and taken from London rhymer PhybaOptikz’ forthcoming “Diamond District” album.

New Joint – Vic Grimes & PhybaOptikz

Vic Grimes & PhybaOptikz – “Carlssons” (@VicGrimes / @PhybaCDVZ / 2017)

Sonic drama in the form of the lead single off the forthcoming collabo album from Canadian producer Vic Grimes and UK emcee PhybaOptikz.

New Joint – PhybaOptikz & Giallo Point

PhybaOptikz & Giallo Point – “Frank Underwood” (@PhybaCDVZ / 2017)

Understated brilliance from the UK emcee’s Giallo Point-produced album “Voynich Manuscript”.

 

Voynich Manuscript Album Stream – PhybaOptikz & Giallo Point

New batch of atmospheric, suspenseful beats and rhymes from the ever-reliable Crate Divizion camp, featuring Daniel Son, SmooVth and Task Force’s Farma G.

New Joint – Daniel Son / Giallo Point

Daniel Son & Giallo Point – “Big Remo” (@DISSBBM / 2017)

Cinematic wordplay from the Canadian emcee’s Giallo Point-produced album “Remo Gaggi”.

 

Parisian Connections Album Stream – Chateaux Clan

Dope UK / Canadian collabo from the Crate Divizion camp featuring emcees PhybaOptikz and Daniel Son dropping vivid, intricate verses over top-shelf production from Giallo Point and Vic Grimes.

New Joint – Recognize Ali & Giallo Point

Recognize Ali & Giallo Point – “Gold Pen Assassin” (@GialloPoint / 2017)

UK-based beat king Giallo Point continues to build a reputation as one of the most consistent producers out via this lead single from his “Back 2 Mecca” collabo project with Stateside emcee Recognize Ali.

New Joint – Daniel Son

Daniel Son ft. Raspy – “Flat Tyres” (@DISSBBM / 2017)

Taken from the forthcoming “Remo Gaggi” compilation produced by Crate Divizion’s Giallo Point.

New Joint – Ray Vendetta

Ray Vendetta – “Terrific Style (Michael’s Glove)” (@Ray_Vendetta / 2017)

The Triple Darkness emcee teams-up with Crate Divizion producer PhybaOptikz for a mellow-yet-raw lesson in quality lyricism.

New Joint – Daniel Son

Daniel Son – “Sliding Doors” (@DISSBBM / 2017)

PhybaOptikz-produced dopeness from the Canadian emcee off the forthcoming “Felonious Trunks” project.

New Joint – Daniel Son / PhybaOptikz / Giallo Point

Daniel Son & PhybaOptikz – “Bargaining Chips” (@DISSBBM / @PhybaOptikzCDVZ / 2017)

Mellow madness from the forthcoming album “Parisian Connections II: Chateaux Clan”.

New Joint – SmooVth & Giallo Point

SmooVth & Giallo Point ft. SageInfinite, Recognize Ali, Daniel Son etc – “Cold Winter” (@SmooVth / @GialloPoint / 2017)

Dope posse cut from the US / UK duo’s forthcoming collabo album “Medellin”.

New Joint – Saipher Soze & Daniel Son

Saipher Soze & Daniel Son – “Bueller, Ferris” (@DISSBBM / 2017)

Giallo Point-produced head-nodder from the Canadian duo’s new “Divizion Rivals” project.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2016 (Part Three) – Meyhem Lauren / J-Zone / Ghost etc.

Check Part One and Part Two.

Meyhem Lauren – “Piatto D’Oro” (Fools Gold Records) – Backed by production from beat kings such as Large Professor, DJ Muggs and The Alchemist, Queens, NY resident Meyhem Lauren continued to play his part in 2016 to ensure traditional rough, rugged and raw Rotten Apple rap stayed alive, with “Piatoo D’Oro” providing the perfect theme music for Timberland-and-Polo fiends across the globe.

Si Phili – “The 11th Hour” (Phoenix Recordings) – Having already made an indelible mark on the UK Hip-Hop scene as a member of Phi Life Cypher, Luton lyricist Si Phili approached his debut solo album with both the experience of a seasoned mic vet and the hunger of a new artist with a point to prove. Featuring talented producers such as Pete Cannon, Leaf Dog and Richy Spitz, “The 11th Hour” found Phili unleashing a relentless barrage of intense wordplay, covering a variety of topics in the process.

The Game – “1992” (Blood Money Entertainment) – Strip away the rap beefs, personal dramas and industry politics that have surrounded The Game’s career over the years and one thing remains undeniable – Jayceon Terrell Taylor can definitely rhyme. This concept-based project found the former Aftermath emcee revisiting early-90s Los Angeles via personal, descriptive verses with respectful nods to West Coast icons such as Ice-T, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre. Compton is still in the house!

J-Zone – “Fish-N-Grits” (J-Zone.BandCamp.Com) – Never afraid to tell-it-how-it-is, NYC’s multi-talented J-Zone once again offered listeners the opportunity to see the world through his own unique perspective on his latest full-length release, combining sharp observational humour with funky beats and Rotten Apple attitude. Dealing with topics such as rap’s generational debate, hipsters and gentrification, “Fish-N-Grits” was the perfect sonic antidote for the non-stop b.s. pushed daily from both the underground and mainstream Hip-Hop scenes. As Zone himself says, there’s only two types of music, good and bad.

Royce 5’9 – “Layers” (Bad Half Entertainment) – Lead by the autobiographical brilliance of the S1-produced “Tabernacle”, Detroit veteran Royce’s sixth solo album was arguably his best body of work to date. Filled with unflinching honesty, sly wit and well-honed rhyme skills, “Layers” was a fitting title for a project which gave the listener further insight into the life of the man behind the mic.

Akil The MC – “Sound Check” (AkilTheMC.BandCamp.Com) – Jurassic 5 member Akil filled this solo album with hard-hitting motivational music delivered in his traditional true-school style, effectively balancing his back-in-the-day roots with a present-day passion for the microphone.

Mikey D’Struction – “Day Of D’Struction” (Elements Of Hip-Hop) – Largely produced by Russia’s Ligalize, this album from Queens legend Mikey D found the veteran emcee avoiding the temptation of trying to fit in with current rap trends in order to appeal to a wider audience, choosing instead to stick to his sonic guns, delivering sharp, battle-ready rhymes over hardcore, speaker-rattling beats.

Black Josh – “Ape Tape” (BlahRecords,BandCamp.Com) – After first listening to Josh’s “Ape Tape” EP, one word came to mind – vibes! Boasting an organic, impromptu feel, this thoroughly entertaining release featured the UK artist lacing varied production with his sharp Manchester wit, politically-incorrect sense of humour and honest inner-city observations.

Torae – “Entitled” (Internal Affairs Entertainment) – Backed by a successful Kickstarter campaign, this album from Brooklyn emcee Torae satisfied loyal fans by delivering the consistently high-standard of lyricism we’ve come to expect from the NY representative with quality production from heavy-hitters such as Pete Rock, DJ Premier and Nottz.

Elzhi – “Lead Poison” (Glow 365) – After a five year hiatus and release date delays, Detroit’s Elzhi finally returned with an album that played like a sonic therapy session for the former Slum Village member, who had been battling with depression during the recording of the project. Clever, introspective and creative, “Lead Poison” showcased the results of a naturally gifted artist dealing with life’s problems through his pad and pen.

Ruste Juxx & Kyo Itachi – “Meteorite” (Shinigamie Records) – Bolstered by the impeccable production of France’s Kyo Itachi, former Sean Price protégé Ruste Juxx went intergalactic like a Timberland-wearing Silver Surfer on this rugged gem of an album, transmitting direct from the planet of Brooklyn accompanied by Illa Noyz, Bankai Fam’s Skanks and Rock of Heltah Skeltah.

Ghost – “Shards Of Memories” (Ghost.BandCamp.Com) – Ambitiously bridging the gap between the UK-raised, Australia-based producer’s underground Hip-Hop roots and his desire to craft something that reached beyond the traditional sound of dusty drums and head-nodding loops, “Shards Of Memories” was an impressive effort which was both polished and well-executed whilst also managing to retain a spontaneous, unpredictable edge.

Trace Motivate – “Bored, Lonely And Possibly Intoxicated” (TraceMotivate.BandCamp.Com) – Stepping beyond the aggressive,  competition-crushing rhymes heard on releases from his group Grindhouse Project, Canada’a Trace Motivate offered personal reflection and honest life observations on this six-track concept-based release.

Tribe Of Judah – “Organically Grown” (Gravity Academy Records) – Maryland’s Tribe Of Judah mixed political commentary and social observation with street-savvy Hip-Hop bravado on their impressive Tokyo Cigar-produced debut album.

Rapsody – “Crown” (Jamla / Roc Nation) – Inspiring and passionate, North Carolina’s first lady of the mic Rapsody was on a mission to motivate her listeners with “Crown”, encouraging the younger generation in particular to reach for their goals via forthright rhymes delivered over soulful production from 9th Wonder, Nottz and Khrysis.

PhybaOptikz – “Shades Of Alejandro” (PhybaOptikz.BandCamp.Com) – London’s PhybaOptikz delivered a smooth, atmospheric concept album under the guise of his alter-ego Alejandro, showcasing the UK producer-on-the-mic getting busy over an ill selection of hypnotic loops with assistance from Crate Divizion comrades Giallo Point and Vic Grimes.

Arkatek & KelpiNINE – “Master Builder” (ArkatekMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Atlanta-based wordsmith Arkatek encouraged listeners to bring their third-eye vision into focus via well-crafted verses over drum-heavy production from KelpiNINE on this US / Ukraine collabo project.

K Zorro & Bad Company – “Deferred Gratification” (NewGuardzOnline.BandCamp.Com) – Talented London emcee K Zorro dropped intelligent, captivating verses over atmospheric production from musical ally Bad Company on this collaborative project which was both streetwise and socially-aware.

Sebastian Hochstein – “Name Dropping” (Illect.BandCamp.Com) – German producer Sebastian Hochstein called on the likes of Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na, Sadat X and Scribbling Idiots to provide lyrical support on this impressive EP, a release which was rooted in a dusty, sample-based sound.

Tha God Fahim & Giallo Point – “Eyes Of War” (Crate Divizion) – Atlanta’s Fahim spat righteous rawness over the brilliant, gripping production of UK music man Giallo Point on this quality Crate Divizion release.

Part Four coming soon.

The Remixes EP Stream – Giallo Point

Collection of quality remixes courtesy of Giallo Point, featuring the talented UK producer reworking cuts from the likes of Nas, O.C. and KRS-One.

 

 

Divizion Rivals Album Stream – Saipher Soze & Daniel Son

Canada’s Saipher Soze and Daniel Son lace quality production from Giallo Point, Vic Grimes and PhybaOptikz with street-smart verses for this new Crate Divizion release.