Image via BeenSlackin/Instagram
Donald Morrison chooses Key Lime over Pumpkin, and it’s not even close.
Milc & Smoke DZA – “West Ham”
Milc’s verses are tremendously detailed. They’re laced with slang or inside knowledge that makes it clear he’s living what he raps about. He’s technically gifted too – with enough personality and self-awareness to set himself apart from the thousands of technically gifted rappers speaking into the void. And he actually has something to say, a rarity in music across all genres these days. “I should sign to a major like Def Jam, wouldn’t feel right like when I beat it with my left hand, i’ll be gone till November like a Wyclef jam,” he says on “West Ham.” The beat sounds straight out of the blog era, like something Young Roddy would have rapped on 13 years ago.
Milc sets the tone for Smoke DZA to come in and deliver one of his best verses in years. The Harlem-born rapper, known as one of the pioneers of lifestyle rap along with Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y, brings us into his world with the skill and precision of a Tarantino movie. “I don’t reflect, even the poor me wasn’t like ‘poor me,’” he says. The Portland-born Milc sounds like he’s finally arrived when next to legends like DZA. It sounds like they’ve been rapping together for years. In a just world, “West Ham” will get a music video and be hailed as the bi-coastal masterpiece it is.
Drakeo The Ruler – “SCOREBOARD”
Listening to new Drakeo The Ruler just reminds me of how long it’s been since I’ve heard from Mei Ling. An entire world of references and inside digs disappeared the day Drakeo died. Luckily, the world he created is vast. It continues to live on through his brother Ralfy The Plug and the extended Stinc universe. Not to mention the innumerable Drakeo clones floating around the LA music scene and beyond. “Scoreboard,” produced by Narcowave, is another example of Drakeo’s inimitability. It also shows the inherent limits of a posthumous release, feeling a bit short and unfinished. It’s still an exciting release for fans who’ve missed Drakeo’s signature brand of gallows humor.
03 Greedo – “Still Feel Loaded”
03 Greedo distorts his voice even further for the spiritual successor to one of his best pre-prison songs. The original “Loaded” is one of the most moving vocal performances of the past 10 years. It’s a song I still play to this day if I’m feeling depressed or hopeless. Greedo’s voice is almost that of a chipmunk’s at the beginning of “Still Feel Loaded,” but quickly transformsmas he picks up steam in his verse. Greedo lets us know that although he can’t get truly loaded anymore, he still finds a way to relax, saying “I can’t do no drugs, just smoke shit,” and “piss test ain’t nothing I’ma beat that hoe with flying colors.” This is what it sounds like when a rapper on parole actually raps about his real life. No matter how successful he gets he’s still one piss test away from losing his freedom.
Maxo Kream – “EYE KNOW”
“Eye Know” is the second Maxo Kream single to be produced by Evilgiane, a Surf Gang-alum who’s graduated to producing for some of the biggest names in rap. If Maxo was looking to slightly revamp his sound after a series of successful solo releases, there’s almost no better choice than tapping Evilgiane for a full collaboration album. Maxo has long had one of the most distinct flows in contemporary rap, easily able to morph to different types of subgenres and sounds. Evilgiane is the architect to a dustier type of dance music, somehow quick and mellow at the same time. Maxo Kream isn’t talked about enough as someone who constantly evolves his sound while remaining true to what he knows.
BeenSlackin – “AKON LONELY”
Beenslackin is more known for his inventive fit pics than he is for his music. But with “Akon Lonely” that’s all about to change. The New York-based artist has stumbled onto an earworm with “call me Akon, I’m so lonely,” which has been stuck in my head for days. The video is just as chaotic as the song, taking on the aesthetics of a 90s skate video. I would love to see Beenslackin perform this live decked out in all designer. That would feel like a win for the entire city.
Emptying the Chamber
