“Fuck Donald Trump. Yeah I said what I said, n***a,”
Spits Ketch as he opens the track, unapologetically. On “Cry For Help,” KetchP drops some jewels for Juneteenth 2020. The Detroit emcee spits the important facts and questions the continued oppression at hand from an unfiltered perspective. The beat, courtesy of Detroit producer Blizzard, sports dusty, droning organs and booming drums. Ketch details the levels of racism, hate and the sheer ineptitude of humanity in our “civilized” society. We all may hear what’s going on, but it’s time we all truly Listen to the “Cry For Help.”
Rec Ali calls on East Coast veterans and Non Phixion alum, Lord Goat (Goretex) and Ill Bill to board the “Bullet Train.” Stu Bangas lays down a menacing piano loop and his signature booming drums for a tense ride. Lord Goat brings his striking lyrics and Ill Bill delivers an in-ya-face hook. Recognize Ali cleans up the track with his brash attitude and clever rhyme schemes.
Check out “Bullet Train” here:
off the brand new LP Guerilla Dynasty available here:
Free Mind: “I almost gave up on making music. I was going through a lot in my personal life and I felt stuck. I wanted to level up. I was tired of the same thing over and over. I wasn’t happy with music or my circumstances at that moment in time.”
Reinvention shows Free Mind’s capable production skills on 10 beats with an enjoyable variety of tones and mood. The LA producer drops his latest instrumental project, full of his signature chopped samples. Known mostly for his warm vibes, soul samples and knocking drums, Free Mind expands his sonic palette for more melodic arrangements, pulling away from solely embracing the warm vibes and weaving in some varying textures to great effect.
DRHH: Why Reinvention?
Free Mind: “I felt like I needed to take my sound to another level. I wanted to evolve past where I was as far as artists I would work with and just have a totally different outlook on life and music overall. So I consciously put forth the effort to grow past where I was… Subconsciously, I just started doing different things. I didn’t even realize it was happening until it happened. I guess I wanted it so bad that I manifested it by doing the necessary work. I started reading this new book by 50 Cent and in there is a chapter titled “Evolve or Die.” I think it’s really important that we always do that, to keep evolving and reinventing ourselves.”
The evolution is apparent across the 10 tracks of Reinvention. Fitting that the first track, “Let my Pen Bleed” shows the soulful chops that have partially defined him previously. Free Mind slides into the melodic groove of “Eye of the Beholder,” with a stirring female vocal loop. “Empty Nest” is a jazzy mellow beat which easily transitions into the somber “ooohs” echoing on “Stories.” Joints like “Go Crazy” just bang hard with Free Mind’s signature thump stamped on every beat. “Cerebral Cortex” shows Free Mind connecting samples to create a melody, while on “Grime,” the prominence of the triumphant horns sample becomes the focus, creating a slight tension, a vibe Free Mind is clearly fostering on some of these new beats. His Nipsey tribute, “Young Kings” is plenty soulful, featuring gospel choir loops. Free Mind closes it out with “Cry Sometimes,” the melancholy joint that symbolizes the growth and evolution as a man, alluding to the fact that we all need a release at times. Free Mind has shown his growth as he expands his range of sounds on Reinvention.
The Queens producer shows us his lyrical abilities, shining over Farma production. The Artivist may be known for his production chops but he’s been rhyming for awhile now, taking it more seriously over the last couple of years. With “Moonflower,” The Artivi$t laments over a significant loss and touches on things personal and dear to him. With a gorgeous guitar sample, Farma creates a soundscape that allows The Artivi$t to take us into his mind and persona, leaving himself still somewhat guarded behind the metaphors and wordplay.
ATL’s HIGHEND GRIMM comes through with his raspy flow again on “Burnt Urnge G Wagon” featuring Massachusetts legend Estee Nack. With the second single off his upcoming EP, Satan Snitchin, HIGHEND GRIMM recruits the ever prolific SupaNackMan for a fly verse over Camouflage Monk production. GRIMM’s contrasting flow and voice finds a perfect balance with the luxurious sound of a simple and delicate flute loop courtesy of Camo Monk. Stay tuned, Satan Snitchin drops soon.
Jamil Honesty: “The dope thing about this project is it solidifies our sound, Grazz and I.”
Frequent collaborators Jamil Honesty and DJ Grazzhoppa come together to form as The Fix. With their debut album, This is War, they bring the heavy artillery to attack the competition. Boasting solid features from Codenine, Cayoz, Ill Conscious, Ace Cannons, Monique Harcum, Supreme Cerebral, Revalation, Substance810 and Josiah the Gift, Jamil’s ever-Sharp rhymes pair naturally over the dusty loops and hard drums courtesy of Grazzhoppa, creating a raw and pure sound. The Belgian DJ and producer adds his own signature cuts and scratch-hooks to many of the tracks, creating an immersive hip hop experience. Grazzhoppa provides the perfect sonic canvas for Jamil to paint his vivid portrayals of street life. Check out Jamil’s own beat-making chops on “Freestyle 2020 feat Supreme Cerebral” as he produces under the alias Macabeats. Standout tracks include “Real Shit”, “Mechanikal Movements feat Codenine, and “Chamber Musik.” With “Pain” feat Monique Harcum, the addition of an R&B hook and more deeply personal content show Jamil’s growth in writing and developing songs.
Jamil Honesty: “Grazzhoppa and I have been collaborating since 2013 and to be honest it has been a pleasure working with him and us creating these moments. This project has been four years in the making, because some of this is even pre- Martyr Musik; actually about half of it. “Real shit” was the first record we recorded as The Fix. A couple of my favorite records we did is Mechanikal Movements and Chamber Musik, I just love the vibe of those joints.”
Jamil doesn’t disappoint with his wordplay and his beat selection remains on-point as always. Overall, a dope project from one of the underground’s most consistent lyricists over solid production.
Long Islanders connect as John Jigg$ calls on fellow Walker alum Bub Rock in the new visuals for “Gordon Gartrelle.” The joint, produced by Pat Banahan sports blaring horns and an elegant flute loop for Jigg$ and Bub to float on. The video shows the LINY emcees meeting at the crib, just chopping it up and staying fly. For those that missed out on the classic 80’s tv The Cosby show, son Theo was gassed to finally cop a shirt by legendary designer Gordon Gartrelle. The video coincides with Jigg$ new release Jigganometry, out now.
Fortes: “This is a collection of my favorite instrumentals I’ve produced for Styles.”
Beats for a Ghost is an 8 track project of Fortes’ production solely for Styles P over the last few years. Although this collection of beats are mostly retreads, they still present well as a compendium of Fortes’ beloved tracks he’s produced for his friend, mentor and collaborator.
“Blood Sweat and Tears” starts off the instrumentals with an angelic, sped-up vocal loop over thumping drums. “Deadman” finds Fortes in his sweet spot with layered elements for ample texture and feel. On “Bring it in,” he opts for an X-Files mood with effects over synths and piano notes. “Vibes” delivers just that. Fortes finds the warmth with a perfect balance of a melodic piano loop and percussion. He keeps it funky with the spaceship guitar groove of “Keep it True.” Fortes pulls an otherwise jarring vocal sample into the fold but makes it work on “The White Noise.” Beats for a Ghost also includes both the instrumental and full version of “I got Issues” with Styles P, featuring bouncy drums and a strong vocal sample that repeats the track title. With Beats for a Ghost Fortes provides a well-rounded assembly of his Styles beats with a nice bonus joint for fans of both Fortes and Styles to enjoy.
Producer BadBeats 87 lends a smooth sonic palette for Sageinfinite with a couple new joints. The jazzed-out tracks suit the emcee as he weaves his flow throughout the beats. Sageinfinite comes across slightly playful, yet still maintains a cool demeanor. SageInf delivers his flow slow and easy, but never lazy on “The Business.”
Coming with the nostalgic summertime vibe, “Life Support” is a bit more uptempo but still relaxed and smooth, replete with the high synth loops. BadBeats 87 and SageInfinite show some chemistry here, a good pairing. These two collaboration tracks arrive just in time for the hot and hazy summer nights.
Atlanta’s raspy underdog, HIGHEND GRIMM emerges with grimy, luxury rhymes over elegant Camouflage Monk flute loops. Lord Juco lends his candid rhymes and humorous flow as an all-star feature. “Satan Snitchin” is the lead single off the upcoming EP of the same title. 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.
GRIMM: I’ll just tell ya now..I feel like I’ve lived one of the most interesting lives in this music shit.. I’ve flatlined twice in the same night when I was a kid ..so 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.
Deeply Rooted HipHop 