R3AL Y3TI RAP

F. Stokes - "My Simple"

2012-03-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

F. Stokes can do no wrong. Songwriting, performance, video game...all inspirationally flawless. This cat is gonna have a great 2012. He's also got this new EP out, Love, Always, which is highly recommended by the entire crew here at Real Yeti Rap. It's all this good -- "My Simple" ain't even the best cut on the EP.

Purchase on iTunes

Thelonious Martin - "The 10 Minute Tape"

2012-03-04T21:26:00.000-08:00

10.Minute.Tape by Thelonious Martin

Beautiful slice of art. This Chicago producer is one of the most impressive this bitter cynic has heard in quite awhile. His consistency and range indicate a musical mind with a bright future, but more importantly, holy fuck this knocks. Turn it up.

The 5 Spot: PremRock

2012-03-03T19:50:00.002-08:00

Recently, the fine duo (whom I’d just discovered myself) Hump Jones & Dr. Quandary approached me for my take on 5 artists that need to be brought more shine upon. Humbled, I immediately started scanning the recent memory banks for some standouts and it didn’t take too long to settle on five MCs who tend to make me press rewind on my iPod or make me study their live show. The only common thread these cats have is I have had the pleasure of meeting with or have collaborated with all 5... Which certainly wasn’t criterion for my picks but certainly didn’t hurt anyone’s case as they all possess decent human qualities on top of being incredible artists. I won’t pick an order here, just want you to check these cats.... Not now... but right fucking NOW!

Has-Lo

One of the more technically gifted writers I’ve come across in the last few years indy or mainstream, Has is also blessed with one of the better rap voices in this here genre. I was explaining the appeal of Has to a friend, and I think I said something like “he wastes zero words.” Which is pretty true, there isn’t any filler with Has. Every syllable is important. He released the fantastic “In Case I Don't Make it” last year as well as an equally tough remix “Conversation B.” Oh, Has is also damn good live and this is a pretty solid combo moving forward. My gut, though comprised mostly of beer, possesses tremendous instincts, and those instincts tell me Has is going far. A large QUALITY catalog and seemingly co-signed by all the right folks, I think he’s going to make me look pretty smart in the near future. So, in short, “you need to come inside and check Lo” Has-Lo that is.

Open Mike Eagle

Mike dropped my favorite record of 2011 (Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes), continued a consistent stream of quality work and guest appearances and impressed me with his live set. Unless he dropped a Kesha remix with Travis Barker on drums he was a Blake Griffin over Kendrick Perkins slam dunk to make this list. Mike’s style combines the most desirable elements of the Project Blowed camp with his own melodic musings and the combination results in exactly the shit I want to hear at this stage in my life. I don’t know if mainstream success is in Mike’s future but it shouldn’t matter. I can see Mike becoming one of the forefront of the indy scene type artists that becomes everybody’s favorite MC’s favorite, which in turn translates into longevity. To me, that’s worth way more. Hop on the bandwagon early and get familiar.

Jesse Abraham

Now if you live in New York and pay close attention to the indy hip-hop scene you’ll probably know myself and JA are pretty close associates. I wanted to remain objective as possible during this write-up but there is a reason I keep people around me and that’s usually due to their level of skill and dedication which in turn makes me a better artist. So in short... JA is that dope.
You’re going to get a pro when you work with JA and you’re going to get a pro when you pay to see him perform. Tongue-twisting wordplay often with an absurdist touch can illustrate his skill but it doesn’t define him entirely. He can make songs about just about anything. I have the privilege of hearing an advance of his next release and it’s a courageous endeavor which not at all coincidentally sounds like his best work to date. So I guess I’m cheating a little bit with my crystal ball but I have a gut feeling he’ll be on quite a few people’s radars after this year. Why don’t you get a jump on everyone and check him NOW!

Elucid

One of the more cerebral MC’s I’ve come across in the past year, Elucid’s demeanor on the mic is fierce enough to make any “swag” rapper question their life’s goals. The Brooklyn native’s uniquely gruff cadence usually fits perfectly to the backdrops he chooses, which as of late have been provided by A.M. Breakups. They have teamed up to form the duo “Cult Favorite” and seem bent on world destruction... or at least a full-length release this year on Breakup’s Reservoir Sound imprint. Elucid is not for the hip-hop listener novice, he will certainly turn your head and make you reach for that rewind button. The more I’ve heard of his work both past and present, the more intrigued I’ve become. And most of the artists that I respect seem to share a common fondness of his skill set, which is something I value highly. Pay attention to your favorite artist’s favorite artists. It sounds elementary but you need to do this. It will shed light on some corners you otherwise overlooked. Start with “the Sub Bass Diet” and keep moving from there.

The Sub Bass Diet by E L U C I D

Cavalier

The chief, the shaman, the BK spit bandit who’s hi-jacked countless NYC showcases I’ve witnessed firsthand, otherwise known as Cavalier. Cav is an intense yet peaceful individual. Cav keeps his presence relatively sporadic, making overseas pilgrimages on the regular only to return and pick up where he left off. Cav hit the ground running with a phenomenal disc called “The Breaking.” This is a great album and pretty concise snapshot of the individual himself. Cav has a Nas-like quality to his narratives and kind of weaves in and out of rhyme schemes leaving the listener with a pretty damn lucid experience. I know for a fact Cav is sitting on a trunk load of material and will scatter it out like Buckshot throughout the near future. I suggest you tackle his first offering and get ready for the knowledge the chiefly one is about to put on full display.

www.CavWins.com

So, there you have it. All the ammo you need to get a jump on these artists I believe need more shine and right now. Download the freebies, purchase the ones for sale, put your friends on and let the knowledge soak in. Until next time...

--Prem

Komrade - "Metal to Rust"

2012-03-02T15:12:00.001-08:00

Video is gorgeously done. Props to Jeff Eckert on that. I wasn't feeling the rapper at first, despite the rep that The Brothers Grim have, but I can at least respect the perspective...I was digging the slice of life by the 2nd verse. Also: helps that the video is motherfucking awesome.

I still say he could have deleted half of the bars on here and written something tighter, though. I can sympathize: the content cycle is a bitch, and even co-ordinating a single project independently is a nightmare. Still, I feel like this cat has the intellect and capacity to do better. Looking forward to future output from Edmonton, CA.

IV the Polymath x Thirtyseven - "The Frame"

2012-02-29T10:33:00.001-08:00

World Around Wednesday #7 -- another free single from World Around:

The Frame by IV the Polymath & Thirtyseven

From Komodo Dragons on leashes to putting Oliver North on trial...this cut pretty much covers everything. IV the Polymath smashes. Check out his latest album: New vs. Old

Man Mantis - "Red Dragonfly"

2012-02-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

Dark visions and future funk. This treatment by Joe Ramos enhances the track with some nightmare techno-shamanism. (The incarnation of Man Mantis who makes a cameo here has since been replaced by the 2012 mutation.)

Check out Cities Without Houses and stay tuned for way more Man Mantis material this summer.

Gonna Die Here by Man Mantis

5 Spot: Picks from Hump Jones

2012-02-27T10:27:00.002-08:00

Before we kick off our first regular series, The 5 Spot, I had to hijack the meme for a second. My Top 5 songs from artists I feel like you need, physically need, to hear...click the pic to check it out.

Coming Up: More rap! More classic rap shit! More lyrical awesomeness from amazing rappers! More offensive & shallow "think pieces" to get us troll views! More videos that only make sense when you are thoroughly stoned! More opinions! More sentences! More rap!

American Style Cardboard - "Driveway"

2012-02-26T10:06:00.000-08:00

Driveway by Doc Delay & Godforbid

American Style Cardboard = Godforbid & Doc Delay. This is one of the finest cuts off their album, a stripped-down but detail-packed narrative song that's basically a short film.

Alaskan Fishermen - "Fire and Ice"

2012-02-25T11:27:00.002-08:00

One of the best rap albums of all time. Easy. Over the course of the next month, we will probably post every single track, but definitely go and hunt it down anyway.

Here's a review from 2003 -- probably the only review to get written. Spoiler: "...this is a lyrically rich gem that will have you rewinding all over the place."

UPDATE: Turns out there's a sequel on the way. Got a preview and that shit is facemelter status. Those Jeremy Page productions are huger than ever: completely insane. No word on when the album will drop but there are at least finished tracks that exceed expectations. Big thanks to Godforbid.

Joey BADA$$ x Capital STEEZ - "Survival Tactics"

2012-02-25T10:34:00.000-08:00

I love this kind of nihilism. Real Yeti Rap will always have a soft spot for angry youth, and this is a primo dose. Joey has a lot of buzz going but hot damn if Capital STEEZ didn't steal the whole show on this one: killer flow and way more memorable lines...you know, that New York shit. Dig it.

Czarface: The Cynicism of Keeping it Real

2012-02-23T13:52:00.003-08:00

No doubt about it, this is a smart move. Czarface is an album-length recreation of the moment that established & defined the career of 7L & Esoteric -- a collaboration with Inspectah Deck, Speaking Real Words.

That shit was The Fucking Blueprint for indie rap success: you buy a feature verse from someone with serious credibility, you get them on the best beat on the album, and you tour on that shit until the money runs out. Right at the dawn of the Internets Era, 7L & Esoteric were there, ready and...well, ready and fully funded. That was over a decade ago, and since then the 7L & Eso brand has gotten drowned out as 100,000 other indie acts attempted to follow in their footsteps.

So how do you plot a comeback? Pretty much exactly like this. The press release for Czarface reads like an updated Blueprint for the 2012 Blog Rap scene. Deck insists they're keeping it realer than real: "The industry doesn’t need another well packaged, put together 'act'" he says...but when your project has guest spots from Roc Marciano, Action Bronson and Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire it's hard to pretend there's no packaging involved.

Now, any project in 2012 should feature all three of those cats. Don't get me wrong.

Is there still an underground? Esoteric desperately wants to have an Empire to fight against: "CZARFACE is a vigilante, anti-hero character who serves as the face of the project, and his focus is on annihilating the media darlings that the mainstream caters to." In an era where Rhymesayers and Def Jux (RIP) artists are placing on the Billboard Top 10 album charts and major label rappers are selling fewer units than ever, what the fuck does "underground" even mean in 2012?

The underground won. Rap is just a huge open-air slaughterhouse now, and there are more rappers than actual hip hop fans. Every open mic avenger in the 90's wanted it to be about skills, and now they're all coping with the consequences of getting exactly what they wanted. The underground blew up, the industry burned down, and now we're pimping ourselves like it was part of the plan all along.

Nice try.

Sene - "exit,us."

2012-02-23T09:17:00.001-08:00

Pretty fucking genius. Not a new track but important enough to re-visit. Interesting to note that it remains the only song on his Bandcamp -- always nice to see an artist resist the Constant Content philosophy. This cut is a legacy unto itself.

sene - exit,us. by sene

Sene runs with good company and makes smart moves -- looking forward to new material in 2012. Meanwhile, enjoy this here and pass it on.

TFM x IV The Polymath - "Winter Instro Mix"

2012-02-22T09:37:00.000-08:00

Very tasty mix right here. The Find has always been a Quality Over Quantity kinda operation and they made a smart bet having IV The Polymath compile and mix this collection of instrumental hip hop.

TFM & IV The Polymath - Winter Instro Mix (2012) by Thefindmag on Mixcloud

IV The Polymath is a quality producer in his own right -- check out his latest album, New vs. Old, which just got released. He's also done a dope Audible Hype interview that's worth the read: IV THE POLYMATH ON DIY HIP HOP PRODUCTION AND BUSINESS.

Gonjasufi - "The Blame"

2012-02-21T13:58:00.000-08:00

One of the most beautiful weirdos in hip hop. What keeps him so compelling, of course, is the fact he's completely sane and tapped into a rich vein of living, breathing Meaning. This cat is busy raising kids & teaching yoga -- his work is grounded in reality and animated by the Tarot cycle.

That rapper shit is for children. This is something altogether different.

Milo Takes Baths

2012-02-21T11:01:00.000-08:00

Milo takes Baths by Milo

This wins on many fronts: innovative beats, original and intricate lyrics, and creative but creepy cover art, too. Full package art rap, we dig it. Thanks to Lesson 6 for the heads-up on this cat.

The Best Love is Free 3: The Cypher

2012-02-20T08:51:00.000-08:00

Why couldn't they get a third mic in the mix here? Watching rappers pass that shit is always uncomfortable. That being said, this video was put together to promote this year's The Best Love is Free event/compilation, and features some of our favorite MPLS artists, including Phillip Morris, Toki Wright & Mally. The cypher has a decidedly genuine vibe: it has some spectacular, shining moments, but they come with a bunch of verses that are otherwise mostly forgettable.

The secret hero of this whole shebang is, without a doubt, the homie Carnage, who layers up some pretty fresh live beatbox jams with the aid of a loop pedal.

Keeping it Real on "Hyperbolic Chamber Music"

2012-02-17T09:35:00.000-08:00

This is neither groundbreaking nor acceptable. It is, on the other hand, a good way to get people talking. That's about Mishka's brand, though...or at least, it's definitely got nothing to do with 25 forgettable rappers and 1 Isaiah Toothtaker. There's nothing wrong with the beat, courtesy of Ryan "Extended Remix" Hemsworth: it's a warm synth bath that frankly outshines most of the dudes here.

Just kidding. This song is fucking legendary. You will still be listening to this in 50 years and it will be the most meaningful soundtrack your life could possibly have. All of these young poets will go on to staggering success, critical acclaim and thousands of groupie pregnancies on every continent. This is the future of everything: marketing, music, even sex itself. Everywhere you go this summer, you will hear this song playing...and you will only say: "TURN IT UP."

This is a joke, right? It has to be. This song comes with a press release that actually, literally, seriously contained the following sentence: "A beastly rendition of what happens when rappers can only keep it real." Nobody writes something like that with a straight face...do they?

Fuck it, though, I'm already over it. It's been hours since that shit dropped and there's a couple thousand new mixtapes out since then. I got a facefull of coffee and blunts and I have very important opinions to tweet about, I can't be living in the past yo. Submit all tracks to YoHumpJones@gmail.com

Notes to Self: "Nobody" ft Evidence

2012-02-16T08:22:00.000-08:00

The best part about being a real deal sleeping-ass hater? I'm always surprised by dope shit. No shocker that the track itself rocks -- we've covered Notes to Self already and Evidence is a legitimate legend -- but this video? This video right here? Holy shit, yo. This is ninja grade rap nerdery with an autistic devotion to detail. Facemelter status.

These cats are definitely one of the best crews to show up in the past few. Hopefully they don't release anything else for 3 years like Tool or Pink Floyd instead of getting caught up in the zombie hype cycle that passes for "success" in 2012. #CHEERS to dope art from dope artists.

Godforbid & Thirtyseven - Big Day for the Little People

2012-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Big Day for the Little People by Godforbid & Thirtyseven

Godforbid & Thirtyseven isn't an official name -- it's more like deliberate copyright infringement. Two rappers who have had their names usurped by mere rock bands teaming up to reclaim reality, or something. This cut is a demo from 2007, which represents the 6th installment of World Around Wednesday, which is a sentence I just typed with 5 fingers. There are no coincidences in the Kali Yuga.

Get familiar with That Handsome Devil and American Style Cardboard.

Curly Castro - They Call Me Castro (prod. Blueprint)

2012-02-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

God damn Curly Castro can rap.

The video isn't visionary, but it is another well-edited joint from videographer Mighty Joe Castro (presumably no relation). Spit footage interspersed with some interesting scenes from #Occupy in Philadelphia, which Curly Castro was mad vocal about supporting. We give him crazy props for that. This tune, with a murderous backdrop by Blueprint, is from his upcoming LP Fidel, which will also feature appearances from Has-Lo, Georgia Ann Muldrow, Small Professor, Open Mike Eagle, Ralph Rip Shit and Zilla Rocca among others.

PremRock & Willie Green - "Jogger" ft. Open Mike Eagle

2012-02-10T18:36:00.000-08:00

Yes. Willie Green and PremRock delivered something special with their album....the title of which is...yeah, "PremRock & Willie Green." Still, that's the kind of brand messaging that makes it easier to book tours. Anyone smart enough to tag in Open Mike Eagle for a track is worth paying close attention to.

The video is perfectly paced, and the photography shines every frame. Dig it.
Also check out the project itself: iTunes link. #WHALAM

Fashawn & Exile - "Life as a Shorty"

2012-02-10T18:25:00.000-08:00

Classicalicious. Oh, you've seen it before? Watch it again yo. Definitely looking forward to their next album. While I don't think Boy Meets World was as good as Below The Heavens, I also like Fashawn a lot more as a rapper. The fact he's humble enough to keep respecting Exile says a lot about his future, too.

This is a great video plus a standout track. Fashawn cuts a line perfectly over this, from the casual visuals to the flow pattern itself -- flawless victory.

Brother Ali - Room With a View

2012-02-10T18:15:00.000-08:00

Not a fan of this beat, but Ali carries it. It's a testament to how fucking compelling he is that I still like it enough to post it. A flawless video definitely helps. Despite being basically "dude in a hotel writes raps" -- the Dave Wilson / Ryan Thompson team manage to keep the video fresh.

Here's a toast to grown-up rap. Brother Ali is one of the best living.

The ILLZ - To Know Your Place In The Universe

2012-02-08T07:17:00.000-08:00

This whole video has the look and feel of a TV ad for a singles chat line or a dating website, and that's unfortunate. But also kind of hilarious.

The music is spacious enough to carry itself - they could have just done 2 minutes of amorphous, unfocused shapes in front of a black background and it would have been an effective video. The verse has the cadence of hypnosis yet still wouldn't sound out of place in any given cipher.

The ILLZ is living proof that you don't have to follow the formula. DIY hip hop heads, indie artists - do some research on the past 2 years of this cats career. He's made interesting moves and most of them have worked. It's rare to see an artist build his career around his identity...all too often, it works the other way.

Mad Flows - Fo' Leaf feat. TASK1ne, Konkwest, Chuuwee & Lifted

2012-02-07T10:22:00.000-08:00

This is an instant classic: an insane posse cut from the West Coast squad Cypher Cyndicate. Even the video is timeless, basically consisting of live footage and studio antics. It's just like it was 1994 all over again.

We've been fans of the homies Chuuwee and Mad Flows over here for a minute now; it comes as no surprise that the other dudes they roll with are also on some real yeti shit. #TWENTYTWELVE y'all. Enjoy.

Oneiric Field Mandala - Dr. Quandary

2012-02-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Raw, dark, psychedelic boom bap that draws from African deserts and Indian cities in equal measure. I fucking loved this track.

Oneiric Field Mandala by Dr. Quandary

Dr. Quandary is, of course, a founder of World Around Records and an instrumental artist with serious bona fides for 2012. If you're digging this, his debut album is highly recommended: Beyond All Spheres of Force and Matter.

Grind Mode Cipher V. 7 ft. Sneaky Pete

2012-02-04T11:12:00.000-08:00

Sneaky Pete is a comic book character. He did one of the funniest Audible Hype interviews ever and despite his frustrations, believes in his talentses and never stops moving. This appearance in the latest Grind Time Cipher installation is case in point. He alternates between "over it" nonchalance and poly-syllable hunger through his 16 bars and, you know, keeps it interesting.

I like the platform format of this Grind Time Cipher shit. It also reminds me why going to hip hop shows hurts my soul in 2012, but I have faith all these kids will grow up and learn to dress and act like adults before this decade is through. Humans keep learning and that's a beautiful thing.

Busdriver ft. Aesop Rock? Nuff Said.

2012-02-03T11:11:00.000-08:00

Busdriver is hit or miss for me -- but he's been hitting non-stop for at least a full year, so maybe I'm just a fan now. Time will tell. Meanwhile, this shit goes. New Aesop is always welcome, especially this post-None Shall Pass incarnation with the tight raps.

Biff Tannen - Shottie

2012-02-03T09:45:00.000-08:00

Biff Tannen by Shottie

New material from 95labs guru TeV95 and Miami emcee Shottie. Delorean is dropping soon. The planning and execution behind this warmup promo has been worth studying.

"Jeddore Premium Flow" - More Hump Jones Lyrics

2012-01-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

Took way, way too long - hopefully this will brighten up some shitty day in the future. Fun Fact: This song is 94 bars. Why, though?

Jeddore Premium is Jim Lahey's weapon of choice from the apex of all television programming, Trailer Park Boys. It's an obscure off-brand version of Alberta Premium.

Ongoing media assault available via Channel Hump.

Rasheed Chappell - "Break Loose"

2012-01-16T15:17:00.000-08:00

Rasheed Chappell does not fuck around with the flows. You can definitely hear a lot of Black Thought on this cut, but that's...not exactly a bad thing. Also not terrible: this genius-ass video for it, using simple effects and an artistic eye to get huge results. Psychedelic old school with a lunatic on the mic...real yeti rap shit. This is rad.

D-Sisive - No More Words

2012-01-16T14:20:00.000-08:00

Took me a long time to grok this cat, I'll admit. Brutally depressing raps over low-key beats wasn't really my thing, but in recent years D-Sisive has evolved into a motherfucking monster. I have a deep respect for his career, his decisions and his story. There's a lot of Canuck talent that gets slept on -- precisely because asshole bloggers like me insist on labeling it "Canadian" instead of merely hip hop -- but this cat is near the top of that list, along with Flight Distance, Notes to Self and the goofy dope Jeff Spec.

Video was great and the animation here is flawlessly integrated. Clever, catchy, dope. D-Sisive FTW.

We Are World Around, Vol. 2

2012-01-12T18:48:00.000-08:00

#WHALAM the 2012 compilation from World Around Records dropped at prime time this evening. Free download.

We Are World Around, Vol. 2 by World Around Records

Notes to Self - "All of the Above"

2012-01-11T20:36:00.000-08:00

Hell yes flows. These cats are point, especially the first two...and the third cat makes up for it on sheer mustache power alone. Although I would have preferred more bears in this video, I can understand why that didn't happen. This group is quality and I wish them the best in 2012. Video is funny, innovative and beautifully shot.

FRESH: Turntablism and LSD

2012-01-11T15:28:00.000-08:00

"We take acid, drink OJ, and eat Subway sandwiches. And then scratch at two hundred beats per minute. Non-stop for eighteen hours. Subways, two hundred bpms, and acid. That's it."

From How to Wreck a Nice Beach: The Vocoder from WWII to Hip Hop by the extremely awesome Dave Tompkins:

DXT has made a living from this susurration. "That's why I'm here, I guess," he says with a weary smile. "I was the first to scratch that sound." DJ Disk, who trained on "Change the Beat," calls fresh the perfect freak accident. "We take acid, drink OJ, and eat Subway sandwiches. And then scratch at two hundred beats per minute. Non-stop for eighteen hours. Subways, two hundred bpms, and acid. That's it."

"When I was on acid, I would see things like beams of light... and I would hear sounds that sounded an awful lot like car horns." - Mitch Hedberg

"Sodapop & Bubblegum" - American Style Cardboard

2012-01-10T13:52:00.000-08:00

Sodapop & Bubblegum (feat. Thirtyseven) by Doc Delay & Godforbid

YES #DAUG ...YES. Been itching to release this for over a year. Doc Delay and Godforbid's project American Style Cardboard dropped at the beginning of 2012 and yours truly got some bars in on the final cut, Sodapop & Bubblegum. Godforbid is one of my all-time favorite rappers so being on a track with him is already an honor and all that rap nerd shit, but this one? FACEMELTER. Enjoy and check the whole album out.

Humpasaur Jones - "Funeral Groupies"

2012-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

Lyrics videos don't have to suck. Dig it.

Download the original track via Bandcamp.

Jean Grae - "U&Me&EveryoneWeKnow"

2012-01-01T17:25:00.000-08:00

Fresh music from Jean Grae. I guess in 2012 Blu finally has EverybodyNamingSongsLikeThis now, though? Production by M-Phazes.

Essentialism: The Trials of Jean Grae - Village Voice

Best Hip Hop Songs of 2011 | Yeti Style

2011-12-31T10:09:00.000-08:00

1. Killer Mike - "Burn"

Came out early in 2011 and nobody topped it since.

2. Blueprint - "Radio Inactive"

Blueprint's rebirth in 2011 was an awesome surprise. He's basically been touring all year, but an album this good needs that kind of treatment.

3. Kendrick Lamar - Hiii Power

2011 was definitely Kendrick Lamar's year. One of the few runaway success stories in hip hop that was 100% deserved and awesome.

4. Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire ft. Despot, Das Racist, Danny Brown, EL-P - The Last Huzzah

Add Necro on the beat and this is just an overdose of good things. Video of the year finalist, too.

5. Open Mike Eagle - Dishes

His album Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes was Top 5 material. This cat is a serious talent.

6. Blu ft. Edan - Ronald Morgan

Holy shit. I don't know if No York even technically came out yet but damn, what an album.

7. Ka - Cold Facts

Came from out of nowhere, now has my full attention based on this flawless song.

8. Nas - Nasty

Easy.

9. Zilla Rocca ft. Has-Lo - Full Spectrum

Powerful song, breathing new life into a classic concept over an exceptional Dr. Quandary beat.

10. P.L.O. - The Heat (American Language Remix) feat. Has-Lo, Zilla Rocca & Curly Castro

Facemelter. Yeah, this is the same artists twice in a row, but this song has been in heavy rotation.

Humpasaur Jones - "2011 Anthembanger"

2011-12-31T00:45:00.000-08:00

Last day that we can promote this. Big thanks to @SoundsCustom for a great year.

2011 Anthembanger by Humpasaur Jones

what kind of half-assed last laugh circus is that?
stumbling home, drunk and alone, purple and black
woke up soaked in blood, open cuts
swollen up, still drunk and my throat is numb, YUP
I got a broken a mic and motherfucking dumb name
and she's a trophy wife with a custom mustang
and if you think I got no chance at all
you can lick my itching hot romantic balls
what's that? you're thug rap? is that so, buttercup?
keep your flaps closed and your asshole buttoned up
still hustling beats and quality tracks
fuck it, it's nothing unique but it's all that we have
writers block is bullshit, I force it out
beat five pages from a dead horses mouth
if I eat my own flesh and speak to the dead
then exactly what the fuck am I competing against?
and can I build a machine to kill major labels
when I'm still waiting tables too filthy to clean?
relax with weed heads and some quality pot
I mean the kind that re-sets your biological clock
came up with these sentences I wanted to drop
it's not a deep message, just a possible thought
...you bought them fame, then watched them rot away
now kids are robbing graves and THAT SHIT IS NOT OKAY
but fuck it, man...I don't even trust my fans
cuz I do rock, and you treat me like a Tupac cover band
show respect cuz I'm known for broken necks
like, I might be stoned, let me grab this microphone and _____
but that was cocky of me...see, it's opposite week
and I'm actually a sensitive and conscious emcee
from Vermont and I'm free of STD's and college degrees
left a condom or three inside your Moms but it's PEACE
I got a broken mic and motherfucking dumb name
and she's a trophy wife with a custom mustang
and if you think I got no chance at all
you can lick my itching hot...

...and that's positive feedback
naked hippie chicks burning bras in a weed patch
most dudes would be afraid of REAL nudity
a bunch of virgin minds in gated communities
shocker, I know: Hump Jones, cocky and stoned
like "Your whole city sucks and I just wanna go home"
head banging, bloody forehead at the chess game
and checkmate your left brain in less than ten plays
run around hunting down girls in town...
and tell 'em we're representing for the WORLD AROUND
just kidding...you're all failures with dumb women
and my new stuff is too much for only one listen

ANTiERTHANG - The Deadliest

2011-12-31T00:03:00.000-08:00

New Chicago project featuring...a lot of talented-ass rapper-ass rappers. Dig it:

ANTiERTHANG: "The Deadliest (Bionik Mix)" feat Mikkey Halsted, SuaveDaLyricist & Tommy Nova by Griffen

Best Hip Hop Video of 2011 | Wiley - "Numbers in Action"

2011-12-30T11:11:00.000-08:00

Brilliance. Taking familiar ideas further. Playful and powerful. Runner up: "The Last Huzzah" remix.

PremRock - "The Writers' Block"

2011-12-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

Way to take a pun to the next level and then some. The video and verses are both on point, very slick, subtle and smooth hip hop right here. I can dig it.

More info: Planet PremRock

Witness & The Family Secret - "Yesterday's Wake"

2011-12-24T12:19:00.000-08:00

More shit like this in 2012, please. More live band / emcee collaborations in the future. Word to Treehouse holding it down in Chicago. Witness is outta PA and The Family Secret is a hella young band of motherfucking wizards from Albany, NY. They're fam with the homie Daimyo...small Universe, especially where good music and dope rap overlap.

Highly recommended: The last album Witness dropped is a unique jazz-rap masterpiece. Lyricism and production both shine -- this project is worth your attention. Behold The Everafter LP...

The Everafter LP by Witness

Phillip Morris - "Why You Have To Go And Break Phillip Morris' Heart?"

2011-12-22T18:37:00.000-08:00

Why You Have To Go And Break Phillip Morris' Heart? by Phillip Morris

Always good to get a new track from this cat. One of my favorite Chicago emcees returns with a fascinating mix of comic detachment and first-person confessional.

Side Note: I don't know why he calls himself nerd rap, since he can actually spit and "Nerdcore" as a genre is defined by absurdly shitty emcees. Phillip Morris is a much more interesting breed than his own hashtags give him credit for.

Louis Mackey - "Everything, Everywhere, Always"

2011-12-21T10:17:00.000-08:00

Tasty new piece from my #daug Louis Mackey. This is some shit I can leave on repeat for a full day...jazzy, dirty, funky as hell.

Louis Mackey - Everything, Everywhere, Always by World Around Records

Louis Mackey just got named one of the Top 5 MC's of 2011 by DJ Jazzpants, which is dope. Lou's working on a shit-ton of new projects, which is no surprise. If you want to dig into more of Lou's instrumental work, start with Destroyer of All Things...

Destroyer of All Things by Louis Mackey

Que Billah - The Conspiracy

2011-12-20T22:32:00.000-08:00

Dope video, creative flows, I can dig it. Que Billah just released a mixtape called Bird Shit that the Real Yeti Rap team has yet to review. This here, though? Quality work, enjoy the trip.

Sulaiman - "Past Perfect"

2011-12-19T12:58:00.000-08:00

Future flames. Overall, this was 7/10 material -- a lot of songs dropped out of rotation, but that's because I have no tolerance for modern R&B shit. The songs that remained, though, are fucking incredible. Case in point: As a Man Thinketh, produced by Thelonious Martin, which channels a blunted Napoleon Hill manifesto over one of the best jazz-rap beats in years...

As A Man Thinketh (produced by Thelonious Martin) by suliforshort

Thelonious isn't the only standout producer here -- Nez and Rio also make a strong showing with some glittery/dirty raw techno bangers, especially on "Good as Hell," which is a clinic in catchy pop songwriting...

Good As Hell (produced by NEZ & RIO) by suliforshort
Finally, the Longevity produced cut "Don't Be An Asshole" is an album highlight and a just plain good message For The Kids...dig it:

Don't Be An Asshole (produced by Lonegevity) by suliforshort

Also, do not f'ing forget that Sulaiman also just dropped this "Local Nobodies" project, which is absurdly great music. 2012 is looking good for this cat, a Chicago standout with a flexible style and good damn taste.

The Black Opera - Villains

2011-12-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

Fire. This is simple and powerful, strong photography and tight narrative cuts keep things moving...an iconic video.

Every single thing that this project has released is high quality. Really impressive project. If you've never heard of The Black Opera before, buy their album. This shit is that "Good Hip Hop" everyone's always talking about.

Dig their website - their operation is on point and if you're a rapper or producer, take notes. Also a case study in project planning and tight branding.

#CLASSIC - Alaskan Fishermen - Oh God!

2011-12-16T20:51:00.000-08:00

Way too many quotables. Godforbid's solo track off the fucking classic Fire & Ice. FLOWS.

"women want me for the beautiful kids
stick around, put food in the fridge
take your tools and fix junior's bed
his room is a mess...I ain't doing that shit
must be some guy that you're confusing me with..."

"when I get cuts, scientists are lining up to buy the blood
but you better have Budweiser trucks, or drive a bus
of girls gymnastics, in them classes that teach 'em how to bend backwards
...that kind stuff"

What is Godforbid doing now? If you didn't already know about That Handsome Devil, that's pretty stupidface, I won't lie. They're Wikipedia type big. One of my favorite cuts off their last album:

Holy Shit, New Blu & Exile Album

2011-12-16T12:52:00.000-08:00

Arty, self-indulgent and consistently amazing. About what I'd expect from their second album: a lot of unexpected shit. Interludes are pointless, there's a couple throwaway tracks where Blu is mumbling over minimalism, but the gems? Some of the finest cuts I've heard this year from anyone.

Then again, like it says down in the liner notes: Unfinished, Unmixed, Unmastered...

give me my flowers while i can smell them by exile & blu

LULZ: $15 though? Seriously? Kids these days, I swear.

MAN MANTIS - "Gonna Die Here"

2011-12-14T23:11:00.000-08:00

Gonna Die Here (Single) by Man Mantis
Sneak attack from Man Mantis. This monster keeps evolving. Future space funk that thumps...dig it.

GET CONNECTED: FACEBOOK | TWITTER

Man Mantis Interview via Audible Hype

CITIES WITHOUT HOUSES -- COP THAT

Local Nobodies - "One"

2011-12-14T22:48:00.001-08:00

One by Local Nobodies

One of the best projects of the year. Thanks to CNTRBND for giving me the heads-up on Sulaiman when I first landed in Chicago. Mathien, of course, we've done been up on...thanks to Louis Mackey for that, way back when.

This "mixtape" is actually a pretty flawless album. Only two cuts on here I don't bump weeks later. Music is incredible. Consistently catchy without being pop bullshit. Two dope artists having fun.

HUMPASAUR JONES - "The Patience"

2011-12-14T22:47:00.000-08:00

The Patience by Humpasaur Jones
Flows. Louis Mackey on the beat -- he also recorded and mixed the track.

Roku - Music for Misfits

2011-12-13T22:39:00.000-08:00

Great beat tape -- mellow, tasty, perfect for rapping...or cleaning up a small LSD lab with some friends.

Music for Misfits by Roku

Dig it.

12/15 HUMP JONES @ Springfield, IL

2011-12-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

Third Thursday Art Show - 12/15/2011 @ Hickox House
Hump Jones | Fortune 5000 | 95 Mental | Corn tha Coon
Art show starts 6 pm ... Hip Hop starts at 11 pm.
518 E Capitol Ave. in Springfield, Illinois

http://www.humpjones.com
http://humpjones.bandcamp.com
http://www.twitter.com/humpjones

Lyrics:
It's true: the Hickox House is hosting hip hop now
yeah, there goes the neighborhood, shit's gone downhill
still, if you like to get incredibly high
and you're stuck here in Springfield, where everything dies
remember: December One Five - the fifteenth, at exactly Eleven, I'm live
and when they let me inside?
I'll drop a set that ignites an epidemic of consensual sexual crimes
I'm lewd & lascivious, ready to rhyme
and leave the crowd tweaking out off the adrenaline high
that I provided for your vegetable minds
YOU KNOW YOUR SCENE NEEDS ME
I'm bringing you dope cinema flows on free CD's
I'm performance art without the boring parts and stupid costumes
my musics' hot, smooth and funky, you should stop through
I drop #TROOF - not another impostor on pop grooves and stolen beats
...I'm just a local nobody
but most MC's don't approach my knees unless they're quoting me
I'm going deep - and besides, fuck it, man, the show is free...

Algorhythms - "Ram Nam Satya Hai" - s. maharba Remix

2011-12-11T16:20:00.000-08:00

"Ram Nam Satya Hai" - The name of Ram is truth. When you're naming songs after Hindu funeral chants, you know it's going to be dark & heavy stuff...and this s. maharba remix delivers the goods. Cosmic, cold, but still boom bap.

Recommended: The original Algorhythms EP.

Big Thanks: The Tairy Hesticles channel.

No Humans Allowed - "Not of This Earth"

2011-12-10T20:57:00.000-08:00

but easy chump, this beat is just a reason to be breathing demons up
til I’m seeing leaking guts, steeping in sea of blood
he told it clear the little prick only had to speak it once
his whole career is moldy beer, cigarettes and seedy blunts
I’m awfully sick of settling for small kicks of adrenaline
half-wit women, liquor and prescription medicine
-Louis Mackey

Bandcamp link Check out this unusually awesome review of the No Humans Allowed project via DJ Jazzpants.

Further: Last.fm | Donuts & Milk