Image via YNS Flocko/Instagram
Liking hookah is the only Drake-coded thing about Donald Morrison.
Anycia – “DRIVE THRU”
Any song that’s bookended with an elongated “huuuuuh” will get my attention. It’s my favorite ad-lib right now. And Atlanta’ Anycia is one of the smartest and smoothest rappers working. I sometimes describe her music as the female answer to Veeze, but that’s reductive. She does things that Veeze can’t and vice-versa. Although, they do share qualities: both make music look effortless to the point of being almost boring. Their passive delivery might cause you to miss their biting witticisms and street wisdom. But some of the best lyrics and ad-libs, you’ll hear this year come from Anycia.
“DRIVE THRU” is one of her more scathing tracks in recent memory. “You are not a human, you’re a drive-thru” is the funniest and most brutal line I’ve heard in recent memory. The beat is all subtle synths, deep bass and gorgeous keyboard riffs. The verse is filled with colorful lines like “might let him hit from the back, but I’m nervous,” and “told me he didn’t give head, he lied, I like a man who eat it with pride.” She’s one of the most original new rappers that I’ve heard in a minute.
YNS Flocko – “Touchdown” (feat. Ralfy The Plug)
Something about a high school-themed music video will always make me laugh. But, then again, hip-hop is a young man’s game. A large majority of its listeners are high schoolers. YNS Flocko, who looks as if he may have only recently graduated himself, filmed his new video in presumably some high school in LA. He’s a surprisingly good rapper for a newcomer, and clearly is a student of the late-great Drakeo The Ruler. To top it off, the always-reliable Ralfy The Plug shows up on the second verse with his classic dance moves and irreverent shit-talking.
Cypress Moreno – “DRUMLINE” (feat. ASM Bopster & 03 Greedo)
The Rap-Up writers agree: this Cypress Moreno beat on “DRUMLINE” by ASM Bopster and 03 Greedo is the best beat of the year so far. The industrial bass is reminiscent of early Hyphy music from Mac Dre, E-40 and Keak Da Sneak, and the snare and bells only deepen the connection. It’s a perfect expansion, as well as homage, to the kind of Bay Area slapper we haven’t seen in quite some time.
Cypress Moreno has been one of the hardest producers in LA for years, producing entire tapes for Big Sad 1900 and basically every other LA rapper worth their weight. “DRUMLINE” is a perfect vehicle for ASM Bopster and 03 Greedo to flex their individual take on New LA ratchet. The heavy and sparse bass is perfect for Bopster, who works well on production meant to be played loudly on the dance floor. This is also a space # Greedo is more than comfortable. I expect this to be played loudly and proudly in LA for years to come.
Mike Sherm – “Lil Baby”
Mike Sherm has never stopped making good music. “Lil Baby” is the latest in a string of YouTube and Spotify slappers that have been quietly racking up millions of streams for the quietly huge Bay Area rapper.
454 – CASTS OF A DREAMER
On Casts of a Dreamer every song flows together like they’re all separate rivers going into one large ocean. The rapper/producer accomplishes so much that it’s hard to pinpoint what I like the most. My suggestion is to read this excellent review on Pitchfork and to just pick a time where you can play the entire tape in one sitting. It’s an incredible piece of work that was originally released as an exclusive cassette tape for die-hard fans, but is now uploaded onto 454’s Youtube and Soundcloud accounts. I hope the non-traditional access to the album doesn’t dissuade casual listeners.
Emptying the Chamber
