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.

Baiyu - "Cold Hearted"

Success isn't easy. It takes a largely selfish type of commitment that most people can't handle. Just think about the most successful people in any craft. They all were/are deeply committed to their craft. Whether it be art, or sports or fashion, the most successful of the bunch generally sacrifice many other things to give the proper time and energy to honing their skills.

Likely, the most challenging thing to balance with success is love. Relationships are difficult enough on their own but that difficulty is multiplied many times over when coupled with ambition. Love and success often become adversaries in competition for attention.

Baiyu tackles this theme in her new monthly release "Cold Hearted." Easily one of the most personable and genuine people I've ever met, Baiyu quips, "A lot of times people are intrigued by my lightheartedness despite everything I've been tasked and blessed with in life. At the same time, somehow I feel very closed in and hardened when it comes to love." 

Check the stream and free download below. Happy Monday!

DeLon - "Pretty Girls"

This track comes by way of Los Angeles based rapper and producer DeLon. "Pretty Girls" is a grab from his upcoming album '1st Gen.' The title '1st Gen' refers to his first generation Sri Lankan American heritage.

DeLon has already had some major successes in his career but is looking to make a stronger stamp here in the US. While he's a relative unknown here, he's had 4 songs chart in Sri Lanka. Very impressive.

"Pretty Girls" is a fun track. It's radio ready groove and John Legend-esque hook are super catchy. I was singing along by the second chorus. DeLon does a solid job on the verses. It's all high energy and neat wordplay. Nothing spectacular but clean. I just really enjoy the overall feel of the track. It's put together exceptionally well.

Check out the free 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. 

YC the Cynic - "Hallelujah"

Since the release of 'Fall FWD', almost 2 years ago, fans of Bronx native YC the Cynic have been hearing a lot about his upcoming project called 'GNK.' He finally took to Kickstarter last year to get the project fully off the ground and was successful so now we have a window of "this summer."

To get listeners acclimated to his new sound and artistic direction he hit us with "Hallelujah" this morning through MTV Hive. The track showcases a more aggressive but no less witty and poetic YC the Cynic. This feels much more commercially viable for me and I'm glad to see and hear him evolve as an artist. The DJ Illanoiz produced track is simple and eerie so it's a great compliment to YC's complex rhyme structure and content. He doesn't need an overproduced track to carry him.

I'm very much looking forward to 'GNK' anyway but this joint definitely ups the anticipation. Check out the free stream and download below...