Hopsin - BE11A CIAO
After a steady-ish start to the week in terms of new releases, Hopsin burst back on to the scene with this instant classic. With the music video paying homage to the highly rated Spanish Netflix show Money Heist and a perfect produced beat, Hopsin showed us why he has been one of the best independent artists for a long time. At first when i heard some of the lyrics i honestly thought he was aiming them at Canadian rapper Dax as there has been some words crossed on social media lately about Dax 'stealing' some of Hopsins styles and copying aspects from music videos but after a second listen I think he's aiming the lyrics at everyone. Something that has to be mentioned about this track is the flows, there are many different flows used and it just adds to the build up in what is getting said. For me and not in a bragging sort of way he uses this track to prove what he has accomplished within the music industry, playing on the fact he is independent and the way his 'format' has been copied by numerus artists I in a way think he is wanting recognition for that instead of people trying to pass it off as their own. As with all Hopsin tracks there are a few tongue in cheek lyrics such as "my mental state is about as stable as legs on a paraplegic" . For me the best verse in this comes in the final third of the track all to do with other rappers cappin, being fake and fabricating music streams to make themselves look better than they are, This part of the track Hopsin once again changes flow and sounds untouchable when he gets into this pocket. For me, this is a more mainstream track by Hopsin, especially with more of a commercialised video, but its also one of his best.
Shadow | Red Bull 64 bars
Just appreciate the flow, Shadow in the studio at Red Bull Music making things look easy over the strings on this New Wave Beat$ production. Going back to basics with rhyming talent the first 50 seconds rolls off his tongue to either an 'e' or a 'y' at the end of every line which he exenterates perfectly. I think on the video I made I couldn't stress enough about Shadow's talents or how over looked he is in the scene right now, which is a massive shame as he really is one of the best out there. Playing on his loyalty to his inner circle and the disloyalty of some girls on their guys is the theme of the first verse, closely followed by his progress from eating processed meat to Porterhouse steaks, how he now wearing designer clothing and glasses as an analogy of how far he has come. One thing i really like is how he has become a role model, especially for he brother whom he mentions, the hard work he has put and and his non stop work rate for chasing recognition and 'the cheddar' as his puts it is inspiring, it shows that hard work really does pay off. If there are any young artists out there reading this you should really look at Shadow as a format for how to work.
NERVE - WALK & TALK (PART 4) FT. NOKZ78
On a week where he releases his much anticipated 'Tall Poppy Season EP' Nerve also bring us part 4 in his Walk and Talk series, how ever this one has a twist, this also has highly rated Brisbane artist Nokz for his 3rd featured verse within a week. Nerve starts with what he known for - incredible word play, playing on the themes of getting A grades (narcotics and school) girls and touring he easily connects different subjects together without the listener even noticing, not only that, he throws in different styles, giving us a taste of RnB Nerve which instantly reminded me of a young Craig David. I've never really thought of Nerve calling anyone out before but he sort of does in this, he in a way goes at drill artists and their way of bragging about stuff they do and then grass on themselves on a track, the rental cars they try pass off as their own or their fake clothing. Following suit from the name, 'Walk and Talk' has Nerve walking through a bar in a very well put together production, one thing i did notice is after he mentions about being there for his friends and family more and more people start to following him, and unbelievably it all looks like it is done in one take. At the end of his verse(s) he 'picks' up Nokz whom if you watch my reactions or read last weeks blog you'll know how highly i rate him, Nokz changes up the whole feel of the track in a way, even though Nerve passed over going at people Nokz completely goes at people. "if the world turns on me, they'll get a shell to the back, like Ninja Turtles, but fuck Splinter, have no love for a rat" that's literally how he's starting, comparing himself and his closest to Spartans from the film 300, Nokz hasn't come to play. Just like the same way James Harden wanted to play for the Nets, in which Nokz compares some people to, saying they are basically keyboard warriors, the stand out line for me and also the most intelligent is "they sippin' or trippin' if they think their competition, no one beats me with a mic, my uso im Scotty Pippen..." literally a scheme of how good the Chicago Bulls team was in the days of Michael Jordan and Scotty Pippen. Personally, even though I don't think he would ever do it I honestly think Nokz bars on this would be very well suited to a drill track, he comes out with nothing but smoke for everyone!
21 District - Same Team feat. Mexongan
Lets start by just mentioning that this track made me look stupid, throughout my video to this, i was biggin up 21 District going their own way, having kind of their own genre and im going to call it 'Club Drill' ....then, the end of the track there's a preview, a snippet, a small cut of what is on the way, a drill track! It seems 21 are going back to their roots in some upcoming tracks! Starting with a phone call and the emergence of a female filled stretch this track is perfect for the clubs, talking about how he started out by jacking cars with a crowbar and how his teachers saying he wouldn't go for Jay Lekz tells us about how much has changed in now has in cars with chauffeur's and that he's proved people wrong since an early age but now he's living life's dreams, a line though that took me by surprise is the fact that he's over the drama in his life which made me question if he wants to squash some beefs if possible. A1 follows suit with the same sort of energy wanting to break the cycle of the good and bad in his life and the lives of the closest around him. This does however mean a lot of hard work which I don't think either of these guys are scared of, there are a few little mentions of doing what needs to be done if required like riding for their day ones but i think the main message of this track is wanting to keep people out of prison and any sort of trouble if possible. Jay gets 2 verses in this and between all three verses we hear the voice of Mexongan, whom I've never actually heard before but this guy has a voice which breaks the track up a little bit and gives it a slightly mainstream feel. Jays 2nd verse like i was saying is more of a bragging verse talking about designer gear and girls. I think 21 aren't as big as they once was but maybe that's because of the new way they have been going with their music and it might not be everyone's cup of tea, however I think that their next track will bring some numbers back if the feeling of the snippet is correct. Sometimes people just want to see beef and unfortunately don't like artists experimenting with new sounds.
Real Deal Skeng - Stop Us
I've followed RDS since they was relatively unknown, since the days their videos got uploaded by TMC Media and the word that describes them is consistent. Sticking with their tried and tested format which includes the 64 bit intro by Roar Games, RDS come with their unique drill/rap sound and a few close to the bone bars, which include taking trips to kick opps in the head and one of the most stand out bars of how lucky you are if one of them has their way with your girl because itl basically turn her into a deviant! It wouldn't be a drill track with out the mention of the use of knives and the second verse starts exactly like that, straight from a phone call to leaving a guy on the floor after getting 'chopped' up. Over a drill beat with high hats and a video filmed in a gang surrounding I think RDS have got themselves a real following of fans, this video alone within days is pushing over 40k views which i think makes it their fastest growing video to date. A generally short track which is nothing new in this genre gives us a basic listen to normal 'trap' life with the dealing of drugs, lose women and threats of sorting out their opps in many different ways. If the 3 guys (YDK The Faceless, 77 Dippa and 2 Trappy) carry on with the speed of growth they have been gaining, I think they'll be a real force to reckon with in the near future.