Dom$port & The Kushites – “Da Start Of Sumn Beautiful: Before, There Was Kush, But Now, There’s Babylon” (AllThingsWavy.BandCamp.Com) – This album from North Carolina’s Dom$port was a non-stop vibe. Appearing keen to create his own musical identity, $port drew the listener in with his personable style and in-the-pocket flow, mixing street-smart observations with third-eye-opening lines. This release was definitely based on an equal creative partnership though as producer jGiza of The Kushites played a large part in establishing the album’s sonic personality with his inspired use of smooth, vintage samples.
Bub Styles & Retrospec – “Ramble Raps Vol. 2” (Retrospec88.BandCamp.Com) – Recorded in just one day in Queens, NY last May, this second emcee / producer collaboration from the gruff-voiced Bub Styles and fellow Brooklyn resident Retrospec was an unapologetically hardcore dose of Rotten Apple rap. Styles’ rhymes were as raw as ever, with his tap-ya-jaw punchlines being given further impact thanks to the sublime beats of Retrospec. With a lengthy list of features from the likes of Eff Yoo, Sauce Heist and Passport Rav, “Ramble Raps Vol. 2” offered an essential snapshot of now-school New York.
King Kashmere & Alecs DeLarge – “The Album To End All Alien Abductions” (HighFocus.BandCamp.Com) – Any release from London rhyme time traveller Kashmere is always an entertaining journey into the strange unknown and, as its title suggested, this collaboration with fellow High Focus artist Alecs DeLarge was no exception. An off-kilter, sci-fi-influenced sonic jump through hyperspace, Kashmere (a self-proclaimed “relic from an old dimension”) delivered his usual brand of colourful, shape-shifting wordplay, with a few moments of genuine personal reflection included. DeLarge’s brilliant production lifted the album to another level, with the likes of Verb T, Moka Only and Fliptrix all strapping themselves in to assist on mic duties.
Five Steez & Son Raw – “Re:DEFined” (FiveSteez.BandCamp.Com) – Over a decade since his debut, Kingston, Jamaica’s Five Steez teamed-up with Canada’s Son Raw to drop arguably his best release to date from what is an already impressive catalogue. Steez has always possessed a natural rhyming ability, but the ease with which he floated over Son Raw’s emotive production was a testament to the creative chemistry shared between the pair. Reaffirming his position not just within the Jamaican rap scene but also on the global Hip-Hop stage, Five Steez made himself heard loud and clear around the world with this one.
Mathematik – “Mathuniversal” (DJParental.BandCamp.Com) – Veteran Canadian emcee Mathematik reached out to France for assistance in putting his latest album together, calling on the production talents of Paris-based brothers Parental and Lex (de Kalhex) to bolster his true-school rhymes, both of whom rose to the challenge with aplomb. With a jazz influence running throughout, the flavours on offer here ranged from melodic 90s-influenced boom-bap to hypnotic, ethereal soundscapes, with Mathematik’s microphone mastery shining brightly on every track.
The Colony – “The Price Of Living” (HiddenIdentityProductions.BandCamp.Com) – Longstanding UK Hip-Hop fans will already be familiar with The Colony and group members such as Sir Smurf Lil, Conspicuous and Willo Wispa. Reuniting after a lengthy hiatus for this release on Evil Ed’s Hidden Identity label, the crew proved that ain’t nothing changed but the year as they picked up exactly where they left off, dropping hard-hitting rhymes over great production, with each member carrying their fair share of the lyrical weight.
Jonny Virgo & Kong The Artisan – “More Love, More Power” (NoelPolandRecords.BandCamp.Com) – Recorded as a tribute to his late brother Mighty Man, this album from London’s Jonny Virgo found the artist exploring his thoughts and feelings with a vulnerable honesty, resulting in some beautifully captivating moments. The production from the brilliant Kong The Artisan added real depth here, setting a musical mood that sounded tailor-made for the messages in Virgo’s rhymes. Soul-stirring stuff.
Backwood Sweetie – “Ancestral Aspect” (BackwoodSweetie.BandCamp.Com) – A majestic mix of spoken word, forthright rhyming and Black pride, this EP was further proof (if any was required) of Maryland artist Backwood Sweetie’s unique, undeniable talent. Packing her verses with powerful images and substantial food for thought, Sweetie provided mental stimulation throughout the four tracks on offer here, accompanied by quality production from Gunnar and Skip The Kid.
IAMGAWD & Clypto – “Bloodstained Suede” (NXMEDIXCRE.BandCamp.Com) – One of the most impressive artists to have emerged in recent years, Chicago’s IAMGAWD is someone who sounds like he was born to rhyme, his natural ability and commanding flow demanding and deserving attention. This Clypto-produced release found the Windy City wordsmith using his authoritative delivery to comment on the reality of inner-city life in Chi-town whilst also taking opportunities to dismiss the competition with some explosive, well-executed bars. Chicago never forgot how to rap, stated GAWD on here. True, indeed.
Eddie Kaine & Finn – “Quincy Street Blues” (EddieKaine.BandCamp.Com) – Like Antonio Hardy, Christopher Wallace and Shawn Carter before him, Eddie Kaine embodies the borough of Brooklyn in his music. Adding another dope release to his ever-growing catalogue, this album, produced by Canada’s Finn, was full of well-crafted rhymes rooted in the cracked concrete of Crooklyn’s sidewalks. Kaine’s streetwise verses were delivered from a balanced perspective, with Finn’s mellow beats allowing the NY emcee’s lyrics the room to really be heard and appreciated.
Speaker Bullies – “Art Of Disrespect” (SpeakerBullies.BandCamp.Com) – North Carolina’s Supastition came out swinging on this collaborative release with Maryland producer Praise. Using the concept behind Speaker Bullies to highlight a different side of his musical personality fans might not be used to hearing, Supa dropped forceful verses with jaw-cracking punchlines here, swaggering over Praise’s relentlessly pounding beats with a gleeful smirk and an eff-you attitude.
B. Cool Aid – “Leather Blvd.” (LexRecords.BandCamp.Com) – A hazy, unpredictable blend of Hip-Hop, soul, funk and jazz, this latest release from Los Angeles-based duo Pink Siifu and Ahwlee was as hard to pin down as a trail of weed smoke. Best experienced in its entirety rather than by picking out certain tracks, this was music to lose yourself in and let your mind float away to. Sensuous, breezy grooves took the listener for a walk down the imagined Leather Boulevard, encountering the likes of Digable Planet’s Ladybug Mecca, Dungeon Family’s Big Rube and vocalist Jimmeta Rose along the way.
El Michels Affair & Black Thought – “Glorious Game” (ElMichelsAffair.BandCamp.Com) – I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Black Thought’s place in the greatest emcees of all-time conversation has sometimes been overlooked as he’s been so good for so long his brilliance has almost been taken for granted. But Thought is one of the greatest emcees of all-time and this collaboration with the excellent El Michels Affair provided further evidence as to why. Eloquently weaving lyrical snapshots of his life around the exceptional musicianship of EMA, Black Thought took us into his Illadelph state of mind in verbal technicolour.
Cyrus Malachi – “The Feather Of Tehuti” (HiddenIdentityProductions.BandCamp.Com) – Amidst the chaos that surrounds us, the UK’s Cyrus Malachi continued to stand on his square, attempting to shine a light into the darkness. This Cappah-produced album found the gruff-voiced emcee tackling what he sees as the decay of modern society, drawing inspiration from the cold, unforgiving streets of inner-city London as well as ancient teachings and philosophy. Heavy mental music.
Soliheen – “Close Encounters” (Soliheen.BandCamp.Com) – As a former member of early-90s UK crew Lords Of Rap and having provided production for the late, great TY, London-raised, California-based Soliheen has a personal history steeped in Hip-Hop culture. A personal history that is brilliantly told throughout this self-produced album. Playful childhood memories, teenage experiences of racism, music career dreams, failed record deals, relationships, teaching jobs, adult responsibilities, fatherhood. Soliheen took the listener on a roller-coaster ride of feelings, thoughts and emotions, with his passion for music acting as the thread holding everything together. An inspiring listen.
UFO Fev & Spanish Ran – “Painting Houses” (UFOFev.BandCamp.Com) – East Harlem’s UFO Fev has been busy over recent years, dropping a string of releases which have demonstrated both his talent for choosing producers to work with who truly compliment his style as well as his attention to musical detail and quality control. “Painting Houses” (one of a handful of projects from Fev in 2023) saw the NY emcee collaborating with Bronx producer Spanish Ran, resulting in an album that was drenched in city-that-never-sleeps attitude, with Fev’s skillful rhymes and Ran’s atmospheric production conjuring up images of late-night New York drama.
Airklipz – “Road Rhythms” (NyarkMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Full of hard-knock rhymes from South London’s Airklipz, this EP highlighted the UK emcee’s ability to deliver street-related subject matter with honesty and a been-there-done-that tone, whilst avoiding any type of glorification. Backed by the wailing samples and laidback vibes of producers Thugs Bunny, Sunday and 3Banks, Airklipz’ poignant verses hit the target here, give listeners a glimpse into his personal journey.
Eloh Kush x Reckonize Real – “Pillarz” (ElohKush.BandCamp.Com – Enlisting the skills of NY producer Reckonize Real, New Jersey’s Eloh Kush packed this EP full of meditative rhymes covering topics including his thoughts on Hip-Hop’s current shortcomings and his struggle with health issues. Ranging from mellow drum-less moments of reflection to pounding posse cuts, “Pillarz” was a potent package.
Cognac Kingz – “86 Drug Deala Wardrobe” (GrilchyParty.BandCamp.Com) – Philly’s Him Lo pulled on his Kangol, Polo shirt and customized leather, straightened his name-plate belt-buckle, and then stepped in the studio to verbally man-handle the latest batch of beats supplied by the UK’s Giallo Point for this “86 Drug Deala Wardrobe” release. The Buze Bruvaz member’s lyrical approach was typically uncompromising, politically-incorrect and larger-than-life, ensuring that long-standing fans weren’t disappointed.
Tokyo Cigar – “26: The Maryland Era” (TokyoCigarMusic.BandCamp.Com) – With this album producer-on-the-mic Tokyo Cigar delivered a sonic dedication to the state he called home when he “truly immersed himself into Hip-Hop’s elements”, pairing visceral, captivating rhymes with his unique brand of anything-goes musical science.
Check Part Four here.
Old To The New - Ryan Proctor's Beats, Rhymes & Hip-Hop Nostalgia 