Casey Veggies

Customized Greatly Vol. 3

4/5

All good things worth keeping come to those who wait… and those who work their butts off. That’s exactly what Los Angeles’ own Casey Veggies had at the forefront of his mind five years ago when he ventured on making Customized Greatly Volume 3 (CGV3), which dropped fresh last week. CGV3is the pinnacle of Veggies’ three-part mixtape series that began when he was 13 years old withVolume 1 (2008). Two years later at 15 and Casey released Volume 2. However, in between Vol. 2and CGV3 he released Sleeping In Class in 2010 and a Deluxe Edition in 2011. To say that Caseyhas been on his grind would probably be an Read the rest of this entry »

Rockie Fresh 

Driving 88

APG Music Group

4/5

Whether or not his name directly influenced the title “Driving 88″, Rockie Fresh’s latest project breaks down barriers between two well-loved musical styles. The young 20-year-old Chicago native delivers nothing but a fresh take on Rap with a Rock-led vibe. It may be that as his third project he’s more confident in his sound, which is more firmly presented. Nevertheless, Driving 88 is one of the more original-sounding projects I’ve come across thus far in 2012.

Rockie, who chose “88” in reference to the interstate highway running through Chicago, fuses together the liberating Read the rest of this entry »

Thelonious Martin 

[Super]

Dope Couture/TastemakersNJ

4/5

A Hip Hop ode to [Adult Swim]. It definitely hasn’t been done like this before, but budding producer Thelonious Martin definitely did it.  The New Jersey native, whose first name accordingly references the great Jazz legend Thelonious Monk, used all surreal elements of the late-night show to create [Super]. Not only does this beat tape pay dues to the humorous series of satire, but it’s also a harmonious homage to the late J Dilla and all of the Stones Throw greatness.

19-year-old Thelonious Martin released [Super] last summer of 2011, but it continues to be discovered and re-discovered by fans. Read the rest of this entry »

AraabMuzik

Instrumental University

Duke Productions

4/5

There’s something very remarkable about proficiently done instrumental albums. You may be wondering what exactly is a “proficiently” done instrumental project? Well, for starters it’s one that agrees with your ears by captivating certain sounds together at the right moments. Also, memorable instrumentals are known to lure the listener into a state of deep contemplation and escape. Just ask east coast beat-guru AraabMuzik, who released his second solo album, Instrumental University (Duke Productions), at the end of January.

AraabMuzik’s resume isn’t very long, but it is very strong. Quality over quantity, right? He’s most known for his Dipset affiliation and teaming up with Jim Jones, The Diplomatshomies Cam’ron and Vado, Fabolous, Lloyd Banks, Jadakiss, and Busta Rhymes.Araab, whose real name is Abraham Orellana, hails from Providence, RI and remains true to the East as he’s currently planning a collabo with Harlem’s own A$AP Rocky. He’ll also be at Coachella this year!  Read the rest of this entry »

ScHoolboy Q

Habits & Contradictions 

Top Dawg Entertainment/ G.E.D Inc

5/5

A lot more meaning lies underneath the cover of ScHoolboy Q’s newest independent album Habits & Contradictions (HnC). When this Los Angeles native officially released the album on January 14th, he immediately elevated his own capabilities, the reputation of TDE, and contemporary Hip Hop. ScHoolboy Q has already set the bar mighty high for releases in 2012. But, it’s not just the exceptional ebb & flow of the album as a whole. There is a lot more substance Q speaks of and he shares a lot more here Read the rest of this entry »

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib

Thuggin’ EP

Stones Throw Records

5/5 Stars

From the very first time the Thuggin’ EP project was mentioned to me until the moment I finished listening to the whole thing, the concept of a ‘perfect balance’ echoed through my mind over and over. In so many ways does this EP make sense of a what I’d call a ‘Hip Hop equilibrium’. Stones Throw’s staple-producer Madlib & Freddie Gibbs create a harmonious duality in which a legend meets a talented initiate, West Coast meets Midwest (Gibbs hails from Gary, IN), and instrumental tracks shake hands with some solid lyrics.

Stones Throw Records released this EP last November, but I’ve been waiting to lend my excitement to Read the rest of this entry »

I Self Devine

LA State of Mind

Rhymesayers Entertainment

4/5 Stars

What a better way to begin 2012 than with a fresh new mixtape from one of the smartest, smoothest top dogs in the underground game, I Self Devine. While simultaneously representing the Twin Cities, Atlanta, & Los Angeles, the Rhymesayers Entertainment guru released LA State Of Mind on January 5th in hopes to give some new year inspiration to plenty of appreciative ears.

LA State of Mind is part of a bigger picture. It is the first in a series of four mixtapes, entitled “The Culture Series” and I honestly Read the rest of this entry »