Apollo the Great - "5AM Eastern Time"

Apollo the Great is an inspired MC. The way it should be. He's talking about real grit and true crime like nobody else. See, Apollo is from Camden, New Jersey. Consistently one of the most dangerous and poor cities in America. A city where half of it's police force were laid off late last year because they didn't have enouch presence, control or effect. They needed to bring in a non union force and double their presence. How can you not rap about that?

Taking the instrumental from Drake's "5AM in Toronto," Apollo gives more of that Camden scary tales raw that is his staple. It's dark and street but clearly based in remarkable skill and true hunger for an escape.

Check out the free stream and download below. His latest album, 'Hennessy Diaries,' is available now on iTunes.

  

Apollo the Great - "Above the Sky"

They say nothing good comes out of Camden. Apollo the Great says that "they" are so very wrong.

Long regarded as one of the most key independent artists to watch in the tri-state area, Apollo is back in full media swing for promotion of his upcoming 'Hennessy Diaries' project. This new release, "Above the Sky" launched at Complex yesterday and we're sure to see Apollo heat up as the weather cools down.

The young lyricist tore up the scene in 2010 with "Call it Quits" and the next thing anyone knew, he was gracing the pages of XXL, cutting records with the likes of Sean Price and Joell Ortiz and gracing stages wherever real Hip-Hop was to be found. It's no secret that Apollo the Great is drawing from an era slightly before his time. He has a way with words and an ear that are not of this time and place.

That works out to be a beautiful thing and "Above the Sky" has already gotten me fired up for the full album. Dig into the free stream below....