Author: Clodagh Leon

A.P. x Talk2walls – “The Green Destiny” (EP Review)

Posted on by Clodagh Leon

The pairing of Long Beach-based rapper A.P. and Orlando producer Talk2walls has resulted in a new joint EP “The Green Destiny”. In their first-ever effort together, will these two gifted artists be able to become hip hop’s next major rapper/producer duo? 


When it comes to A.P.’s performance, he does everything you want a great MC to do. Hard bars, witty punchlines, and a memorable delivery are some of the things that make cuts like “Act One” and “Coast Line” so enjoyable. In addition, his hook game on songs like “Jack Nicholson” shows he’s way better at creating memorable bridges than the rest of his contemporaries. On the closing leg of the extended play, A.P.’s performance only gets more intense as we see his topical depth and connectedness focus down on moments like the elusive “Green Destiny” and the introspective “White Window”. Summed up in the vocally mellow but topically powerful “Sundaze”, the poetic demeanor that A.P. utilizes through this entire record makes him one of the smoothest MC’s in the entire underground right now. 

Behind the boards, there’s a well crafted intricate soundscape from Talk2walls. Whether it’s the jazzy “Act One” or the immersive “Green Destiny,” each song does an amazing job at adding layers to this well thought out experience. The moment that shows off Walls’s production ability at its pinnacle is hands down “Interlude,” which is a solely instrumental track that captures a handful of emotions with some simple loops and samples. With the sonic range that this record covered, I honestly believe Talk2walls has all the skills going forward to become an all-time great producer.

In conclusion, “The Green Destiny” is a great EP that shows off what can be the next great rapper/producer duo. Both A.P. and Talk2walls do their thing with their intricate lyrics and soulful score. Going forward, if these two can put their efforts into something much more significant, we may be able to see hip hops evergrowing boundaries broken once again.

Rating: 8/10

Highlights: Intropsetve lyricism, Soulful production, Atmosphere

byesadboy Shares New “Grow Up” Single

Posted on by Clodagh Leon

Meet byesadboy, Los Angeles best-kept secret in today’s West Coast music, who is about to become one of this year’s spankin’ new artists. Originally becoming a bump on the radar in 2018 with his breakout song “What Do You Say,” it was his 2020 hit “Hold My Hand” that transformed the new artist into a new star. Now, he is ready to take over 2021, starting with the release of his new single, titled, “Grow Up.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFXlh_4jA4V/

The song is a byesadboy best so far. An up-tempo coming-of-age track about growing up and living out your dreams. It’s a long-overdue collaboration track with popular producers, Late Boomer Club, that byesadboy has been manifesting for a while now. He explains:

“‘Grow Up’ is the product of a long-awaited collaboration between Byesadboy and production duo Late Boomers Club. On the surface, the track is an upbeat, anthemic smash that combines the youthful dissent of Pop-Punk with the swagger and bounce of Hip-Hop. Underneath, it is a uniquely personal discourse that weighs the positive fulfillment of a committed relationship with the euphoria of partying and not taking responsibility.”

“Grow Up” follows the new artist’s previously released track “Overdose.” The new song sets up the artist’s anticipated new album, currently untitled, slated for a 2021 release. Not much is known about the album at press time, but for everything byesadboy, follow the star daily on social media. After “Grow Up,” hear byesadboy’s complete catalog, available now on Soundcloud.

Take a listen to “Grow Up” below.

Zayzayy Drops Visual For Buzzing “G Shock” Single

Posted on by Clodagh Leon

After dropping the buzzing visual for the hit song “Poles Inna Whip” last November, emerging Maryland artist Zayzayy returns — with a promising 2021 in store — starting with the release of the new video to the new single “G Shock.”

The Justin Jacobs-directed video for the song, which also prepares fans for the forthcoming album Start of Forever as the lead single, sees the thriving rapper pull a large home invasion that results in a high-speed chase with an unknown ending. Lyrically, Zayzayy is starving for blue hunnits and delivers a couple of money-hungry verses by any means necessary like the first verse, he raps: “Mask down, searching for a lick till the sun up/Mask down, gotta move these pounds until I come up/I was 15, robbin the runners.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJxYLBuhRJw/

One of the most popular watches in today’s fashion, G-Shock is a resistant military and tactical watches with outstanding water-resistant features. A brand that Zayzayy has been a fan of since childhood and the inspiration behind his new single, “I made the songs thinking about ways to come up,” Zayzayy said in the press release. “Growing up g shock was the watches everyone wanted and I remember days I could afford it. So we took risks to get it. G-Shock symbolizes me one a better life. Me wanting the best things in life.”

“G Shock” is the new release and apart of a new direction for the rising artist. It’s his first release under the new label All Season Records, which is in conjunction with the popular Create Music Group. The release of the video follows Zayzayy’s 2020 album release Beyond The Naked Eye. Now, he is setting up the drop of his next album — coming sometime-2021 — that fans can find daily updates on his Instagram.

Check out the new video for “G Shock” below, afterward, stream it here via All Season Records/Create Music Group.

Kev Brown & J Scienide Drop ‘Stray From The Pack’ Album & ‘Out The Safari’ Video

Posted on by Clodagh Leon

The DMV area duo of Kev Brown & J Scienide return with their sophomore album, “Stray From The Pack”, and it’s an immediately gripping display of real artistic collaboration. The two multi-talented artists—they both rap and produce on here—have crafted an incredibly organic project that celebrates classic collabo albums (think EPMD, Jaylib, and Madvillain) while continuing to move the genre forward. The tandem also recently linked to shoot the visuals for “Out the Safari,” which is both a celebration of the album’s release and their work together as a whole. Stray From The Pack is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms through Scienide’s Statik King imprint via Fat Beats Records. Vinyl copies are due out soon in limited quantities by way of De Rap Winkel Records.

 

Born Allah – “Analog Baby” (EP Review)

Posted on by Clodagh Leon

Los Angeles rhyme veteran, Born Allah, has teamed up with German production powerhouse, Zpu Zilla, to bring us something special this week in “Analog Baby”. This is a 6 track EP which is definitely one for all the real hip hop heads out there. The dynamic duo enlisted the collaboration of DJ Mark Luv and Rakaa and the combinations are deadly!

“Dedication”, wow! What a way to begin. The production itself is a hit, then you get DJ Mark Luv to bless the track some more and Born Allah does what he does best. Born Allah’s flow is hard hitting but also cool, calm and collected all at the same time. Clever rhyme schemes as he effortlessly rides the drums with even more clever bars. My favourite part about this is that it genuinely sounds like he is having fun with it. Witty and braggadocios, this is hip hop!

“Analog Baby” is the third track on the EP and once again, that production! You can probably tell that I am pretty excited about the way Zpu Zilla cuts up samples and laces them with some of the cleanest hip hop drums I have heard in a long time. Born Allah consistently delivers heat, merging impressive wordplay with a catchy hook. This song captures the vibe of the project from start to finish. Beats, bars and what seems like an everlasting cadence.

“Jabril (Let the Horns Blow)” is the final track on the EP and features Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, and man, does this song live up to the hype! Born Allah starts us off as Zilla literally lets the horns blow. From that point on this song is filled with lethal bars, buttery smooth flows and truly world class production. Rakaa gives us everything that we love about him and more. It’s rare that we are blessed with the opportunity to hear two veteran wordsmiths just devour a beat like this. Thank you Born Allah and Rakaa, I am so glad I was here for this!

If you have made it this far, you will know that I really enjoyed this body of work and I think you will too. It was pure hip hop through and through. This is the kind of EP that will be talked about as a classic. A genuine congratulations to all involved, you really blessed us with this! Go follow Born Allah on Instagram: @daddygrace

Score: 9/10