New Joint – Little Brother / Darien Brockington

Little Brother ft. Darien Brockington – “Right On Time” (@LittleBrotherNC / 2020)

Soulful Nottz-produced feel-good flavour from Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh’s brilliant “May The Lord Watch” album.

New Joint – Little Brother / Carlitta Durand

Little Brother ft. Carlitta Durand – “Everything” (@LittleBrotherNC / 2020)

Personal, soul-searching rhymes from Phonte and Big Pooh on this melodic Khrysis-produced head-nodder off their “May The Lord Watch” album.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2019 (Part Five) – Little Brother / 38 Spesh & Big Ghost Ltd / Foreign Beggars etc.

Check Part One, Part Two, Part Three & Part Four.

Little Brother – “May The Lord Watch” (LittleBrotherNC.Com) – An absolute masterpiece of an album, this reunion project from Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh found the two North Carolina emcees offering mature, honest views and opinions on life, career and society, backed by the soulful thump of producers such as Khrysis, Nottz and Focus.

Ded Tebiase & Ash The Author – “Apex” (VillageLiveRecords.Com) – Succeeding in their shared mission for 2019 which was to “step the levels up”, this joint effort from UK producer / emcee combo Ded Tebiase and Ash The Author was full of sublime, drum-heavy beats and sharp, charismatic wordplay. Tebiase proved himself to be a true master of his craft here, blending the influence of golden-era greats with his own sonic personality, whilst Ash remained lively and engaging throughout. Brilliant musical team-work.

Sleep Sinatra – “Sources Of Nature” (GourmetDeluxxx.BandCamp.Com) – Delivering more of that “intricately manufactured quality product” that he’s become known for, Sleep Sinatra continued his run of consistency with this Custodian Of Records-produced project. Showcasing his impressive brand of thoughtful, introspective wordplay over melodic, full-bodied beats, the Nebraska-based emcee once again proved himself to be a lyricist who is clearly invested in elevating the art of rhyme.

Kev Brown & J Scienide – “Drum Machine Tape Cassette” (KevBrown.BandCamp.Com) – The DMV duo shared their undeniable creative chemistry throughout this full-length collabo project, packed with impressive beat science and accomplished verses. Grounded in a satisfyingly raw and spontaneous dusty basement sound, this album proved itself to be a joy for crate-diggers and lyric-lovers alike.

Knowledge The Pirate – “Black Cesar” (FXCKRAP.BandCamp.Com) – Following up 2018’s “Flintlock” album, East Coast emcee Knowledge The Pirate dropped more street-related rhymes from an OG’s perspective on this Elemnt-produced project. Detailed, cinematic verses sat perfectly atop a meticulously crafted selection of loops and samples.

Big Tone + House Shoes – “Big Shoes” (StreetCornerMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Years of combined personal Hip-Hop history were poured into this collaborative effort from Big Tone and House Shoes, two individuals who each played a key role in the Detroit Hip-Hop scene during a pivotal period for the city in terms of it receiving attention on a global scale. Aside from dope bars and quality production in abundance, this album resonated with experience, passion and determination.

Ronnie Bosh – “All People Expect” (HighFocus.BandCamp.Com) – Full of character and understated swagger, this long-awaited debut album from London’s Bosh definitely delivered the goods. Mixing punchline-heavy verses and concept-driven tracks with infectious hooks and the well-executed production of Dirty Dike, this was a slow-burner that offered something new each time you played it.

Murs – “The Iliad Is Dead And The Odyssey Is Over” (MursRaps.Com) – Time has proven again and again that when former Living Legends member Murs gets together with producer 9th Wonder, good music is guaranteed. This concise project from the LA lyricist (featuring additional musical input from 9th’s Soul Council) continued that tradition. Murs’ talent for blending humour, social observations and emcee arrogance was in full effect here, backed by brilliantly tailored production which gave his personality-filled rhymes just the right amount of sonic kick.

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – “Bandana” (Madlib.BandCamp.Com) – Following up 2014’s brilliant “Piñata”album,  sonic odd couple Gibbs and Madlib once again demonstrated that opposites really do attract, with Freddie’s Indiana-influenced gangsta rhymes sounding right at home over the eclectic, unpredictable sample-heavy soundscapes of the West Coast producer.

DJ Muggs & Crimeapple – “Medallo” (SoulAssassins.Com) – Another fine example of Cypress Hill’s Muggs keeping his ear to the underground, this release found the LA-based producer linking with New Jersey’s Crimeapple, an artist who has steadily built a buzz for himself over the last few years with his sharp lyrical wit. The sparse, stripped-back sonics heard here gave the East Coast artist’s verses plenty of room to breathe, allowing Crime’s skills to be fully appreciated.

MED & Guilty Simpson – “Child Of The Jungle” (BangYaHead.BandCamp.Com) – An entertaining meeting of two sonically like-minded individuals, this joint effort from Cali’s MED and Detroit’s Guilty Simpson was organic, impressive and thoroughly enjoyable. The pair delivered blue-collar bars throughout, backed by some of the finest production of the year from the likes of Madlib, Nottz, Apollo Brown and more.

Griselda – “WWCD” (ShadyRecords.Com) – Having flooded the market in recent times with a string of quality solo projects, Buffalo’s Westside Gunn, Conway The Machine and Benny The Butcher finally delivered the crew album that Griselda fans had been waiting for. Produced by Daringer and the UK’s Beat Butcha, this project was another dose of uncut street music, with the trio showing no signs of running out of hard-knock stories to tell.

Nolan The Ninja – “SPORTEE” (MelloMusicGroup.BandCamp.Com) – Detroit’s Nolan The Ninja rhymes like his life depends on it, and that sense of urgency was felt throughout this 5YNot-produced album; a well-crafted collection of vibrant, energetic verses, broken beats and crackling samples. The Motor City artist’s passion for Hip-Hop could clearly be heard on every track included here.

Micall Parknsun & Giallo Point – “The Magnum Opus” (GialloPoint.BandCamp.Com) – Arguably the hardest working producer of 2019, Giallo Point closed the year out alongside fellow UK representative Micall Parknsun, delivering this epic sixteen-track project packed with robust rhymes, understated, drama-fuelled loops and strong appearances from the likes of Da Flyy Hooligan, Juga-Naut, Jehst and more.

38 Spesh & Big Ghost Ltd – “A Bullet For Every Heathen” (38SpeshAirVinyls.BandCamp.Com) – Continuing his relentless work ethic of recent times, Rochester, NY’s 38 Spesh teamed-up with the mighty Big Ghost Ltd for this impressive display of gritty, street-related beats and rhymes. Vivid verses matched with atmospheric production ensured this project stood-out from those in a similar lane.

Sean Price & Lil Fame – “Price Of Fame” (SeanPriceLilFame.BandCamp.Com) – Tag-teaming like a heavyweight Hip-Hop wrestling duo, the late, great Sean Price and M.O.P.’s Lil Fame delivered some good old-fashioned Brooklyn hard-rock flavour on this rowdy collection of stripped-down beats and New York straight talk. BK all day!

junclassic – “SIZE: Husky” (junclassic.BandCamp.Com) – Veteran Queens, NY emcee junclassic dropped a new addition to his already extensive catalogue of unique Rotten Apple rap in the form of this quality Husky-produced project, which mixed true-school sensibilities with moments of musical experimentation.

Klashnekoff – “Iona” (Klashnekoff.BandCamp.Com) – UK rap legend Klashnekoff has always had a talent for injecting heartfelt emotion and personal experience into his verses, but on this particular project (his first for seven years), the London emcee proved that his pen game had elevated to even higher heights since we last heard from him. A concept-driven album, based around the loss of his mother, K-Lash poured raw honesty and feeling into every track here, resulting in a genuinely soul-stirring listening experience.

Pounds x Buckwild – “Trafficante” (Pounds.BandCamp.Com) – Rochester, NY’s Pounds paired his gruff, street-savvy delivery with the dusty-fingered production of Diggin’ In The Crates legend Buckwild for this brooding collection of East Coast head-nodders. Appearances from Roc Marciano, Benny The Butcher and Crimeapple added further lyrical weight to the project.

Foreign Beggars – “Matriarchy” (ForeignBeggars.BandCamp.Com) – Since the 2003 release of their classic debut album “Asylum Speakers”, London’s Foreign Beggars crew have built a strong reputation for delivering genre-blurring beats and rhymes of the highest standard. This final long-player from the group was a brilliant blend of styles, offering a grateful nod to the late-90s / early-2000s UK Hip-Hop scene the Beggars came out of, whilst embracing the more contemporary sounds of the present day. Sonically refreshing and lyrically inspiring, this was a fitting way for the FBs to say farewell. Thanks for the musical memories!

 

New Joint – Little Brother / Madison McFerrin

Little Brother ft. Madison McFerrin – “Black Magic (Make It Better)” (@LittleBrotherNC / 2019)

One of the many standout cuts from Phonte and Big Pooh’s triumphant reunion project “May The Lord Watch”.

 

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh / Cocoa Sarai

Rapper Big Pooh ft. Cocoa Sarai – “Pray | Prey” (@RapperBigPooh / 2018)

The Little Brother emcee drops his usual high standard of worldly lyricism over piano-laced Focus… production.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh

Rapper Big Pooh – “Corner Store Blues” (@RapperBigPooh / 2017)

Smoothed-out DJ Flash-produced flavour from the North Carolina emcee’s “For Members Only” project.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh

Rapper Big Pooh – “Augmentation” (@MelloMusicGroup / 2015)

Taken from the Little Brother emcee’s forthcoming Apollo Brown-produced project “Words Paint Pictures”.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh

Rapper Big Pooh – “Cool It Down” (For Members Only / 2013)

The Little Brother emcee ponders the finer things in life on this new cut.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh / Chaundon

Rapper Big Pooh ft. Chaundon – “Cognac” (For Members Only / 2013)

Mackalicious flavour from the Little Brother emcee on this Focus-produced track from “Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 2”.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh

Rapper Big Pooh – “Friends” (For Members Only / 2012)

The Little Brother emcee lets emotions run high on this Astronote-produced track from his new project “Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 2”.

New Joint – Phonte / Carlitta Durand

Phonte ft. Carlitta Durand – “Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” (FE Music / 2012)

The North Carolina emcee shows off his impressive vocal talents on this smoothed-out track from last year’s “Charity Starts At Home” album.

New Joint – Phonte / Median

Phonte ft. Median – “Eternally” (+FE Music / 2012)

Amusing visuals for this 9th Wonder-produced track from the Little Brother emcee’s quality 2011 solo project “Charity Starts At Home”.

The Wonder Year Documentary Preview – 9th Wonder / Kenneth Price

Director Kenneth Price gives a preview of his new documentary “The Wonder Year” which follows twelve months in the life of super-producer 9th Wonder.

New Joint – Phonte / Evidence / Big K.R.I.T.

Phonte ft. Evidence & Big K.R.I.T. – “The Life Of Kings” (FE Music / 2012)

The Little Brother emcee drops some visuals for one of the nicest tracks from his album “Charity Starts At Home” – Evidence looks a little different in this clip though…

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh / NoOne / Chevy Jones

Rapper Big Pooh ft. NoOne & Chevy Jones – “Special” (@RapperBigPooh / 2012)

The North Carolina emcee dusts off a previously unreleased video for this track from his 2011 mixtape “Fat Boy Fresh Vol. 1”.

New Joint – Phonte

Phonte – “The Good Fight” (Foreign Exchange Music / 2012)

9th Wonder-produced track from the Little Brother emcee’s brilliant 2011 album “Charity Starts At Home”.

New Joint – Chaundon

Chaundon – “Conviction” (Golden Era Music / 2012)

More new music from the North Carolina emcee as part of his current #GoldenEraMonday series.

New Joint – Phonte

Phonte – “Dance In The Reign” (FE Music / 2012)

Swiff D-produced track from the Little Brother emcee’s album “Charity Starts At Home”.

Keep It Underground? – 9th Wonder

HoodAffairsTV interview with 9th Wonder giving his opinion on the underground vs. mainstream debate.

New Joint – Rapper Big Pooh / Choklate

Rapper Big Pooh ft. Choklate – “They Say” (For Members Only / 2011)

Dark concept video from the Little Brother emcee’s new album “Dirty Pretty Things”.