Tune Tuesdays 3-9-10
Posted by WEKetchum | Filed under uncategorized
Detroit hip-hop veterans do a commendable job of showing their consistency from year to year, but recent weeks have shown how the city’s young rap scene is preserving the future to be as strong as its past. The next two music columns will speak on the high quality releases from these up-and-comers.
JYoung The General & Nick Speed, Black History Year: Installment One
The first release of this week is a from an artist that this blogger manages, JYoung The General. Black History Year is an installment of EPs executive produced by Nick Speed - a Detroit musician who works with G-Unit, Talib Kweli, and others - that looks to educate about black history through song. I won’t offer a review of my opinion since I manage JYoung, but song concepts include a conversation between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., an ode to black comedians, Haiti’s fight for independence, and more. The disc has gotten rave reviews so far, so if you’re interested, give it a listen and download!
DOWNLOAD HERE
Nametag & Black Bethoven, The Soul System EP
Nametag has previously gotten some help from his cousin Black Milk and other noteworthy emcees from Detroit, but The Soul System EP sees him striking out on his own, and to great results. His pen game is on point, with songs like “Beast Mode” (feat. Kopelli of Cold Men Young) showcasing punchlines and wordplay, and “Can We Try” and “About You (Part 2)” chronicling the highs and lows of relationships. Tag also shows that his ear for beats isn’t limited to his cousin by enlisting producer Black Bethoven for the EP’s six songs. The fellow Detroiter shows his worth, using minimalistic bangers like “The Product” to highlight Nametag’s braggadocio and the soulful, sample-based “Visionz” to help pay respects to Tag’s mother. If Nametag continues working on his own while not relying on others as a crutch, he’s sure to be one of the most formidable emcees in the city.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Young Scolla, Escaping Reality EP
After becoming a member of URB magazine’s annually lauded “Next 100” list and a feature with fledgling Atlanta emcee Pill, Scolla has come a long way since dropping his The Block Obama mixtape a year ago. A listen to Escaping Reality helps newcomers realize what the hype is about. The Detroit native’s penchant for choosing beats is fantastic, as each song has the polish of a major league product while still complimenting his concepts. Lyrically, Scolla tackles universal subjects—the heavy “Decisions” speaks on the choices that a drug dealer, a stripper, and a recession-burdened college graduate make to get their dough, and “Get By” focuses on persevering through struggles to reach success. The production occasionally outshines Scolla, but otherwise, Escaping Reality is a quality project from a Detroit artist who has a bright future ahead of him.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Related posts:
- New Tune Tuesdays 3-30-10
- Tune Thursdays 3-18-10
- New Tune Wednesday 2-03-10
- New Tune Thursdays 6-24-10
- #MusicMondays 4-12-10 (#RapRehab Day 12)
