I’m kind of mad at myself that I’m just getting to this one. However, that’s a testament to the fact that 2017 has had a lot of dope music. However, DMV artist Ezko offers up some tasty and emotionally-invested boombap hip-hop on Buy My$elf. The project is an album that deals with the rapper’s disillusionment with […]
Read moreNew SOTBMusic: @BigLenbo Tells Us About Strange Days in New (To Me) Mixtape
I’m a bit late on this one (by a few days). But, better late than never, especially for some boombap-tinged hip-hop from Maryland’s Big Lenbo. There’s not really much I can say about this project, except that if you’re not willing to stay around for something other than a turn-up beat, you’ll probably be lost […]
Read moreNew SOTBMusic: @OTComeUp – Cal Ripken
I’m a sucker for stories about Baltimore. Hell, I made a trilogy of albums dedicated to the city I was born and raised in. So, here comes the brother D. Yelv with the Cal Ripken mixtape and I checked it, because, as I said, I’m a sucker for Baltimore hip-hop (even though I know there […]
Read moreSOTBMusic: Is There One "True" Hip-Hop Sound Anymore?
In this piece, I discuss the follies of holding onto one sound in hip-hop. Additionally, I argue that all rap, even the trash, has its place within the genre. This will probably offend some of you, but I’m okay with that. I’d rather have my real opinions out there than to front about it all. […]
Read moreNew Music: @RickyAlchemy x @Adam_Antium – Marvelous EP
New music from artist Ricky Alchemy, the alter-ego of Adam Antium. It’s got a really lo-fi feel to it and has some pretty solid tracks over all. The intro track, “Marvelous,” I love the breakdown on it; allows for some pretty abstractly-delivered flows about life and the complexities of it. The production goes between trippy […]
Read moreNew Music: @Common – Black America Again
No, you’re not getting a review on this one out of me. Not yet, anyway. I’ll just say that it’s a combination of Nobody’s Smiling, Be, D’Angelo’s Black Messiah, and TPAB. It’s unapologetically pro-Black, full of think piece-friendly moments, and that “classic Common” sound while still being modern. So, I’ll shut up and let you […]
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