S.K. - "I Just Came to Ball"

Do you remember when Stephen Curry took relative unknown Davidson to the Midwest Regional Final against powerhouse, and subsequent tournament champions, Kansas? He single handedly busted millions of tournament pick 'em brackets, including mine.

Stephen Curry is still killing 'em quietly. I mean, it's no secret that he's one of the best guards playing in the NBA today but he still doesn't have the top billing that a LeBron James or Kobe Bryant or even Chris Paul has. None of the fanfare matters however. Steph Curry comes to ball. Every. Single. Night.

Like Steph Curry, (S.K.'s example, not mine.) S.K. just came to ball in the Rap game. The noise may be here or there for this artist or that one but S.K. is a silent assassin in his own right. Sent in late yesterday for his Thursday Takeover series, "I Just Came to Ball" is another savage attack from the Philly native MC.  


He has bars for days, the voice of a Spartan and an incredible ear for beats. This joint is certified Hip-Hop! Get some...

SK - "Somebody Tell 'Em"

 

The Philly beat bully SK is back already with another bar heavy joint called "Somebody Tell 'Em." No gimmicks at all here. Just stripped down grimey Hip-Hop.

Producer Pickee P was apparently trying to pop a speaker with this one. When the 808 hits it HITS! The vintage piano loop leaves the perfect amount of space for SK to talk that talk and let the world know that he's here. It gives me the image of a jook joint fight in the early 1900s. I'm talking throwing stools, smashing bottles and brandishing knives. I love the way SK blends old and new and keeps it all rugged.

For all of the tough talk in Rap on the radio, it SOUNDS like clouds and cushions. Props to SK for keeping that "straight no chase" alive and well. Free stream and download on deck. You know the drill...

SK - "The Jab"

The jab. The single most important punch in boxing. You establish a strong jab and even if you don't have incredible knockout power, you can still win on points by beating your opponent with an effective jab. SK uses this analogy brilliantly to compare the art of Rap with boxing on "The Jab." The comparison works perfectly as both skills are bloodsport. If you want to win, you have to beat the next man.

In Rap, you have the chorus, verse and bridge. In boxing you have the hook, jab and uppercut. Follow me for a second with this in mind...

The chorus is the punch that hits you from the blind side. A repetitive punch that is effective but still not as important as the jab. You hit somebody with a strong chorus and they will remember it. The verse is the meat and potatoes of rhyming. If you can't put together quality verses time and time again, you can't be great. Ask any champion. Then there is the bridge. If you've mastered a complete combination, the bridge will take your attack to the next level and put your opponent on his ass.

SK puts on for Philly with this track. I'm ALL IN on this joint! Stream and download below.

Chill Moody - "One Shot" feat. Beano Music Video

 

Pardon the late pass on this joint but it's too ill to not share. I found this track looking for new work from Beano and happened across this music video.

Chill Moody and Beano are underground staples in West Philly. While I haven't followed either artist closely, I've been aware of them for quite some time. The first time I heard Beano, I actually saw him perform live and I was impressed with his talent and ability.Obviously that stuck with me.

"One Shot" is one of two tracks that the two collaborated on for Chill's January release 'RFM' (Running From Myself). The first thing that will stand out to you is the storytelling. It almost seems as if the song was written specifically to shoot this video! Then you'll note (provided you're either 1. Old enough to remember. or 2. Well versed in the culture.) the influence and homage to Biz Markie's "Just a Friend." It's done brilliantly and gives me a great feeling.

Both Chill Moody and Beano killed this one! The whole experience is self explanatory so just hit the play button and love this record. Free stream and download of 'RFM' below the video. 

SK - "No Sympathy" Music Video

This is what you call Philly Raw! Proof that all rappers from Philly are NOT the same. SK is new to my radar but makes his presence known in a big way with "No Sympathy" the title track from his most recent project in collaboration with producer Wes Manchild.

'No Sympathy' the EP dropped in late August last year but the video is fresh cut. Director Artiphacts serves up a clean visual in stark contrast to the grime and grit of SK's delivery. The title is absolutely fitting as there is clearly no sympathy for euro-pop-crossover rappers. This is modern music with classic edge. An important distinction.

Check out the video below and hop over to the full EP afterwards.

Download the No Sympathy EP