Alpha Male Society - "A on the Fitted" feat. Thee Tom Hardy

A+ for this posse cut from Alpha Male Society featuring Thee Tom Hardy. This record really takes me back to my teenage years listening to late night radio freestyles."A on the Fitted" is quintessential Hip-Hop. Beats and rhymes. No excess.

The crew consists of 3 members; Diablo Archer, H2OKZ and Mallz. Each members verse is handled well but H2OKZ's staccato flow stood out most for me. Overall, "A on the Fitted" just feels right. The crew does North Carolina proud.

Stream and free download down bottom and look for 'Background Check 2' on May 20th.  

Sherrod White - "One in a Million" Music Video

Monday morning inspiration is always welcome in my world. I, like many of you, absolutely dread Monday's. At least I dread all the crap that seems to surface on Monday's exclusively. In reality, any day that I'm alive is a good one!

It was nice to hear Sherrod White this morning talking about decidedly positive things. It took off my Monday edge and calmed me down. "One in a Million" has an all classic Boom Bap groove produced by Tone Jonez. The old soul feeling is rich and made more impressive by the fact there are no record samples.

Sherrod takes his time with the track and gives a solid lyrical performance. The visual perfectly compliments the sounds as it's about simplicity and truth and neither needs any "dressing up."  I definitely appreciated the content and timing on this track. Check out the music video below...

Jerm - "Time"

"Time" opens up with a hypnotic 808 pattern that locks you in immediately. It has a down tempo mesmerizing feel like 2 Chainz' "No Lie." I've always been a sucker for this specific sound and "Time" is no different. Producer Billionaire Boyscout showed his ass on this one! 

Over the 3 minute span of the track, Charlotte, NC relative newcomer Jerm contemplates the depth and complexity of time in a Drake-ish styling that works perfectly. This is one of those off the radar joints that I play in my car and people are like, "WHO IS THAT!?"

Let Jerm infect you with the free stream and download below.

Rodd D - "Sade" (For the Gang)

Whoa. It's been a minute since I last heard from Rodd D. As a matter of fact, the last track I heard was "Relapse" with JustKeith and that was at least a year ago.

Anyway, I just got a new joint called "Sade" and Rodd D puts on for Greensboro over a Sade sample. All around tight work as Rodd D has a great handle of flow and delivery with solid content to boot and Sade never fails. This has that '80s uptempo synth driven slap of legend.

 Stream it. Absorb it. Love it.

YC the Cynic - "More and More" NC Remix

image via ynotmydream.net

Following up the super dope video for "More and More" last month, YC brings us the North Carolina remix featuring Big Pooh, King Mez and Chaundon. All rappers making their splash from the Tar Heel state. This is a great look for YC! 

Audio stream and free download below. Are you digging the original or remix better?

9th Wonder - "Make It Big"

"I don't think we decide our own legacy, to be honest with you. When you leave the game or when you leave this Earth, people will decide your legacy for you." -9th Wonder

I think I can speak for the Hip-Hop masses here and say that 9th's legacy is well defined. The credits speak for themselves. The hits are numerous. He's one of the best to ever do it!

Check out this video for "Make It Big" featuring some of the many highlights and collaborations from 9th's illustrious career as a music producer.

Rapsody - "Black Girl Jedi"

It's nigh impossible to go wrong with 9th Wonder production behind you. It only adds to the experience if the MC is skilled enough with words to take it up another notch. Rapsody just so happens to be skilled and it makes for exemplary "Boom Bap". Put your bookbag down for a second and check this out....

Big Remo - "Side of the City" Video

IWW (It's a Wonderful World) music group is the home of a very talented roster of artists from North Carolina. Their homegrown sound, spearheaded by legendary producer and NC native 9th Wonder, is blurring the line between "mainstream" and "underground" Hip-Hop. 

Big Remo just blessed the web with this new video for "Side of the City". Produced by Eric G, this is official head nod material! Remo breaks down his life as it relates to his place of birth; Winston-Salem. 

Check out the video and let Remo fill you in....