After dropping projects fully produced by Roc Marciano and IceRocks, L.A. native XP The Marxman is back with a new album titled Sincere Leader Pt. 2. The LP is entirely produced by SlideBeatz and features Daniel Son, Supreme Cerebral, Ren Thomas, and Thrash Thorn. With the first video, XP delivers his sly, tough bars over snapping drums on “Toys for Tots.” SlideBeatz throws in some smooth horns on the hook as well to complete the dope track. The video, full of layered visual effects (courtesy of director Isuppose) shows XP strapped up for combat, verbally unloading clips. Peep here:
On “Bateman$,” Los Angeles emcee Localblac comes through with his stark imagery and menacing rhymes, unleashing lyrical terror over the rumbling beat.
LocalBlac: “This just a loosie, but a part of a string of singles I’m releasing with Chapter Tres.”
Blac is on a mission here, unloading focused bars over a sinister, head-nodding beat with sawing synths courtesy of Chapter Tres. Stay tuned for more flames from these two. Peep “Bateman$” here:
Chicago’s ILL Gordon releases the visuals for “Grace of God,” the fourth single from his #Barzondeck2 project, which dropped back in May. The video, shot and edited by Deka Derse for Buc Productions, shows Gordo posted up by the church, wandering the cemetery while he hands out damnations, and prays for the lives and of weak emcees. The beat, produced by Reg Vader sports menacing piano chords and dusty snares as Gordo brings his fierce delivery to the track. Lyrically, ILL Gordon shows that he is a force to be reckoned with; So catch up or pray for salvation!
Nomad Carlos: “With the Farma joint, (2019’s Cipher)I felt like I was more experimenting, but it kinda helped me get my foot in. With The Psyche, I’d say it was more of a comfort zone.”
On The Psyche, Jamaican-bred rapper Nomad Carlos returns with a 7 track EP, this time collaborating with Queens producer The Artivist. For the most part, Carlos opts for the mellow and melodic loops from Arti, creating a relaxed vibe throughout. The Artivist brings the head-nod on “One Step Ahead,” followed by the more intense arrangement of “Slice Em.” The EP slips back into the smooth and nostalgic feel of “Persephone” as Carlos and Five Steez swap stories about wicked women and their ways. On the final track, “Impulsive Warrior,” it all seems to gel as the 80’s synths and chill r&b feel suit the casual flow of Carlos and BadFX’s British accent tinged with Jamaican patois. Peep the video for the “Psyche Gauge” here:
Nomad Carlos: “I always admired The Artivist’s ear for samples more than anything, which I think (those) really brings out the best in my style.”
Carlos intertwines his neutral accent with Jamaican slang, peppered with frequent nods to the homeland. Nomad’s passive flow may deter some and come off as lackadaisical or uninspired. That really may be the only standing criticism with Carlos as an artist. Despite some bars seeming to lack some emotion, Nomad Carlos has definitely dug a bit deeper with his pen, showing some growth as a writer and on the mic in with his delivery.
The Psyche plays well as a short EP showing some growth for Nomad Carlos while showcasing The Artivist’s consistent production. Look forward to continued evolution from Carlos and his comrades and The Artivist’s production blessing more tapes.
GRIMM: “Family and people around always told me I’ve survived everything from my youth and even all the street shit only because God has huge plans for me. I definitely see life from a different perspective than most. I’ve always had a sense of (my own) destiny.”
Hailing from Atlanta, HIGHEND GRIMM seeks to reinvent himself in the underground with villainous debauchery over elegant Camouflage Monk beats. Satan Snitchin is GRIMM’s 5 track EP full of cocaine affluence and street boasts. HIGHEND GRIMM starts it off with “HOLA,” a French vocal loop with a low end rumble. On the hook GRIMM spits:
“GRIMM got more stitches than three Frankensteins; Flatlined twice, n***a, I already died; Need some guns or some drugs? I’m your guy”
“Burnt Urnge G Wagon” features Massachusetts legend Estee Nack. HIGHEND GRIMM recruits the ever prolific SupaNackMan for a fly verse. GRIMM’s contrasting flow and voice finds a perfect balance with the luxurious sound of a simple flute loop courtesy of Camo Monk.
On “Cashmere Glocks,” HIGHEND GRIMM provides the lavish crime imagery over a swaying clarinet loop and ample dusty drums.
GRIMM: “I’m not new. I’ve been makin music in the ATL underground scene since 2012. I decided to branch out because I’m evolving and grew up on East Coast hip hop as much as ATL rap. “My mom is from Newark, Nj so there was nothin but Wu Tang, Mobb Deep, Big Pun, old 50 cent mixtapes, The Lox, and The clipse playin in the crib. Soon as I stepped outside it was Atlanta shit so I absorbed both.”
On the title track, HIGHEND GRIMM spits the grimy, luxury rhymes over elegant Camouflage Monk flute loops. Lord Juco lends his candid rhymes and humorous flow as the second all-star feature on the EP. GRIMM upholds the grittiness of his hoarse voice with his criminal tales, in stark contrast to the often delicate, high-end sophistication of Camouflage Monk’s beats.
On “Toast To The Coke,” GRIMM closes the EP out in villainous fashion over suspenseful strings, illustrating his victories and celebrating in style.
GRIMM: “I feel like I’m coming with the best quality product since Griselda. From my artwork to the content. Lord Juco definitely been a stand up guy. Big S/O to him and the homie Cxppington, also to Deeply Rooted for all their support. I’m here to push boundaries, push the culture, push creativity forward and take chances most artist are too scared or don’t have the talent to do. I know I have a distinct voice, a distinct aesthetic and a distinct personality. 99% of artist these days don’t even have 1 out of the 3. I’m a 1 of 1.”
GRIMM: “When it come to anything, I do it like it could be my last time doing it. I live everyday like it’s my last and with no fear. I feel like it translates into the music through my personality, aesthetics etc.”
SeKwence has established himself as a legitimate talent and has even begun to carve a niche that he’s developed over the past few years. He’s been able to mold that sound through his cast of dope producers, featured artists, his strong beat selection and of course, his raspy vocals. With his latest effort, BLOOM, SeK finds himself immersed with likeminded talent. He’s taken his craft to the next level with artists he’s brought into the fold along with new collaborators to prominently feature beside his own Souless crew, entrenching themselves as dope artists as well.
With BLOOM, Selwence gives us tracks full of warm melodies, compressed beats, joyful vibes. SeKwence really shines on the opener “Bag$$” feat Jah-Monte Ogbon. He hits his stride on the solo joint “Highs And Lows,” and soaks in the vibrance of “Foundation” feat Allen Thomas. SeKwence floats on the playful and quirky “Sun Gods” feat $uff. SeKwence brings it back to reality on the somber “Empty Stomachs” feat Teller Bank$ and Norfside Shae. Frequent collaborators, Sleep Sinatra and Lord Juco come through on a track each, as consistent and reliable as ever. SeK closes out the album with “Still The Same,” an ode to his former and current self over a nostalgic instrumental.
It’s the overall quality that shines through as a polished project, displaying a variety of sonic textures that SeKwence embraces with ease. With sharp production from Killer Kane, Grubby Pawz, Bart Burrman, FLLS, Promise, Ruci, Keem The Cipher, and Big Gucci Krow, BLOOM plays through like a solid journey.
Deeply Rooted caught up with SeKwence to talk about BLOOM.
DRHH: You clearly stepped it up on this one- Was there a different approach?
Sek: “I knew after going the complete conceptual route with LAKE WATER I wanted BLOOM to just be fun. Just a fye collection of songs, dope in its own regard. The songs do sound like summer to me so that worked out. For me, BLOOM represents just summertime in the South. Everything’s more vibrant color-wise when the flowers start blooming. I feel like I thrive in the sun especially. Felt like it was just perfect. And I’ve always wanted to drop a project on my birthday so I checked that off the list too.”
DRHH: What’s writing like for you?
Sek: “When I first started really taking it serious I felt the need to write everyday. I felt like I had to prove to people I can rap as good as anyone. At this point of my career I write way less. Not that I’m not just as hungry as before.. It’s more of a timing thing now and not forcing anything. Breaks are just as productive as working.
DRHH: Beat selection is so important…
Sek: “I can never force something over production I don’t truly feel. It’s always about the feeling to me. And some stuff I sit on for months without touching and revisit and it’s exactly what I want. But I absolutely love experimenting with stuff, you’re gonna see a lot more of that from me.”
DRHH: BLOOM definitely sounds more polished. Were you consciously aware of this and feeding the growth/evolution?
Sek: “Yeah man it’s a subconscious thing like I realized but it also almost comes naturally, without me knowing. The growth comes from the love. If I love something like I do this music I’m gonna work til I’m perfect.”
DRHH: There’s this thing about water with you, if you even notice or if it’s conscious or not.. Nevermind Lake Water, but many of the beats you choose have this ethereal, floating like you’re underwater type of feel.
Sek: Yeah you might be right on that. I’m giving these boys waves to ride on anyway, haha! But nah, not even on no arrogant shit though! I’m proud of all the progress I’ve made the past few years. I’m here forever. Love y’all mucho. Thank you to my Souless fam, Deeply Rooted fam, and all the homies. We going up forever.
As a personal friend of SeKwence’s, it’s been dope to see his growth and see how his music has evolved but maintained in quality. He’s certainly the first to support, congratulate and endorse anything from his extended musical families. As SeKwence has grown over these past few years of his musical career, his creativity, passion and talent fuel his continued success. But it’s his humanity and kind spirit that may be his greatest assets as he continues on his musical journey. Cop BLOOM here:
With the first single off his upcoming EP, the South Carolina rapper delivers “Heed The Symbols.” French producer Keor Meteor supplies the mellow groove of the soundscape full of plucked strings and echoing bells. Corey calls on some of the underground’s most distinct talents in Sleep Sinatra and SeKwence to bring inspired verses. Keep an eye out for Gipson’s EP 84.3FM: Carolina Radio dropping on July 31st.
Corey G: “I figured I’d make my own (sound), conceptually, that represented where I live, where I’m at right now in life and with whom I think are the illest in hiphop at the moment.”
“They Don’t Know” is the first single produced by P-Ro & written by Mayhem (of EMS) off of their upcoming “PROclaiMAYtion” EP. “They Don’t Know” is a powerful message of anger, frustration and pain over a soulful backdrop. Truth is a harsh thing to face sometimes, but desperately important, especially in a world that too often turns a blind eye to it. This is a raw, but poetic dose of truth and reality from fed-up black people living in this world, addressed to those who don’t, and can’t possibly know.
On The Definition Of, Michigan’s Substance810 resurrects his career with 11 tracks showing off his rhymes and production skills. The trajectory of Substance810’s music is, at the least, an interesting one. Having been in the game, with several projects since his debut in 2006, Substance810 has seen the change in the music industry, for the better and worse.
Substance810: “I was frustrated with the climate of the industry in 2016. It became work.. And when that happens the fun is lost. So I took a break and started riding bicycles.”
DRHH: What was the new found inspiration? Sub: “While being on a bike listening to beats one day, inspiration just flowed back. In November 2017 I started back making beats on the MPC. I slowly started penning songs to those beats, inspiration grew until the point where I knew it was time. It’s 2020 now, bars are back and I’m here for it. I’m Creating selfishly; boom bap hip hop for myself and heads like me.”
Over a thumping track with digital effects, “All my life” produced by Know It, Sub’s focused flow is reintroduced to hip hop. On “F*ck You Talmbout?!” The track opens with a Lord Jamar sound byte and sports a MTK sample. Substance deconstructs the modern hip hop industry and his experience navigating the game. He spits about his clear dislike for mumble rap and fairy tale rhymes. On the production side, Substance810 brings a slight funk with the falling synths, bouncy bass and slight choir vocals in the background.
Sub gets quality Baltimore features with “Royal Rhymes” feat. Jamil Honesty and “Tunnel Vision” feat. Jay Royale. The top tier features continue with the banger “The Rising” featuring Daniel Son and Rome Streetz. Substance leans on the talented DJ Grazzhoppa to handle the cuts on the album.
On “Chop Suey” Feat Drip Matthews Sub spits lines like “I only know how to kick the truest, cold fit and my kicks is newish,” Here his personality emerges as the everyday guy, acknowledging this reality without playing himself.
The chopped synth organs of “Just Ridiculous,” pulsate as Substance810 delivers clever bars with some witty wordplay. Check out “Just Ridiculous” here:
“Midnight Oil” sees Substance in his sweet spot, both as a producer and on the mic. The beat builds a bit of tension and maintains a haunting, nostalgic quality. One of the standout tracks on the album. The album ends on “Dark Clouds” with Substance810 writing about personal struggles and deals with his demons therapeutically, through the mic. He shows some vulnerability discussing his daughter’s autism, his own depression and how he creates amidst those challenges.
The Definition Of shows Substance810 as an emcee trying to elevate his rhymes above the average rapper and taking his polished beats to the next level with great usage of samples along with plenty of thump. We get a definition of Substance810 with this album. He shows us glimpses of his own pain and hardships but also his triumphs and some good old rap braggadocio. Substance810 brings the talent behind the boards and on the mic with The Definition Of.
With the first single off the upcoming project The Loner, Massachusetts artists Oak Lonetree and Chairman Chow combine for “Late for Supper.” Chow lays down a unique short piano loop with subtle percussion as Oak spits in his soft-spoken flow, maintaining his tongue in cheek humor and candid observations. With a release on Fathers Day, the connection runs deeper than just a tribute to dear ol dad.
Chairman Chow: “The synchronicity on this one is strong for me cause my father had 23 and a half years of sobriety when he passed away. Adopting me a year after drying up. I met Oak 6 years ago, right after he sobered up. Funny cause I bumped all his music about him getting fucked up before, then when I went to pass him a joint he was like “I’m ok.” Glad he found the right path for him cause he ended up starting a family after.
Deeply Rooted HipHop 