A Baltimore Love Thing

Baltimore's Current Wave Of Emcees

2011-12-05T18:50:00.001-08:00

I recently reviewed three projects that all showed growth in Baltimore's small scene of Hip-Hop. All three of these projects show how diverse the music has become here. All of them show some potential that reaches beyond Baltimore.

Rickie Jacobs: Die Brilliant

Rickie Jacob’s Die Brilliant is another step for Baltimore’s plot at Hip-Hop success. The young emcee has been on a steady climb with consistent work but this project is his most definite piece to date. The project almost entirely produced by Street Scott, easily mixes old school lyrical dexterity with new school production. He’s in it to win it.

The intro doesn’t serve as the best precursor for the album. It comes off more Drake-ish than anything. He resumes his role throughout with a couple of key tracks.

“SeXXX” Produced by Street Scott is an addictive play on Crystal Waters “She’s Homeless”. Rickie rides the loop like Tony Hawk in his prime. His lisp is noticeable but not something that’s too annoying. It put’s you in the mind of Fat Lip of Pharycyde fame with Big L’s flow.

On “My Generation” Street Scott supplies that same choppy sample and drum roll that we saw on “SeXXX”. It’s a winning formula. He describes the hippy syndrome that’s plagued our current generation, “ We go to Hi- school/ Would you like an invitation/ We ain’t never gonna graduate cause we never finished baking.”

“Victory Lap” is an awesome track about Rickie’s journey as a rapper on the rise. In Baltimore you see a lot of rappers lose their identity in creating a radio ready record. On this tape he pulls it off multiple times. Maybe with Rickie’s help we’ll all Die Brilliant.

Starrz: Skyy Jones II

Looking at the discography of Starrz, the hardworking energetic rapper from Baltimore, Maryland, it’s obvious he won’t be letting up anytime soon. The introduction track, “The Fly Life 2” produced by Street Scott & Jay Feddy starts off sounding classic and beautiful thanks to the voice provided by Nova Starz. It doesn’t take Starrz long to intrude on that melody and embark on his “Swag!” which lasts nearly the entire album.

Starrz’s one-liners are witty but often don’t deserve the gas he puts behind them. On the tape’s first single “UuuugHh” he provides the energy but the track suffers from “so-so” metaphors.

On the bouncy Street Scott laced jam “Gold Chain” he finally gets it right. Somewhere in between all the swag and the braggadocios rhymes he finds his lane. Another Jam is “Weed & My Girlfriend” produced by Hitman & Kurtis Toledo. The hook is catchy and the beat is bouncy enough to get a mean two-step going. Already a fan of Shah Rebel’s hooks, I figured I would dig the cowbell tinged jam “Froze”. I was right. Compared to his earlier work, Sky Jones 2 is way smoother and car ready.

Starrz is current. Point blank. A far cry away from older Baltimore artist struggling to find there way amongst Hip-Hop’s current wave of emcees. He’s into snapbacks and he rocks Jordans. He represents a generation of kids but the album could be way more well rounded in subject matter.

The 21 track project, is a lengthy, well-produced and crisp sounding project. Skyy Jones II could be the most complete, well produced, Baltimore album in a minute. But is it exactly what we need? Only time will tell.

Rome Cee: The Extra Mile

Rome Cee, seemingly came out of nowhere and most great rappers do. The Extra Mile surfaced a couple months ago on local label Under Sound Music, a collective of artists seemingly influenced by 90’s hip-hop.

“By Your Side” produced by E.Hill is my favorite track on the album. It’s his most radio-ready track and his raspy voice compliments the choppy soul sample. He describes Baltimore in a way only a Baltimorean can. “It’s crabs in my city that don’t want success/ that daddy shit is in me really, I just want what’s best.”

“Mommy and Daddy” is another great track also produced by E.Hill. He chronicles his life and lessons within 3 minutes in 47 seconds.

The Extra Mile shows an emcee who has faced adversity and hasn’t let it wither his spirit. He raps like someone who’s struggled in the city and can look back at it all with wisdom and smiles. All in All, this effort is an album that I’d like to see from a Baltimore artist. I’m looking forward to seeing his progression this year.

Eze Jackson Is The Realest Emcee In Baltimore

2011-12-05T17:31:00.001-08:00

It’s a beautiful thing when you have someone who can step up to the plate and represent the city the right way. I heard about Soul Cannon through my Baltimore friend/emcee Greenspan. The frontman, Eze Jackson, met with me in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and gave me a copy of there first album entitled Kaboom. I went home and listened to the band, fell in love with the live hip-hop sound and proceeded to put it on my first mixtape compilation, A Baltimore Love Thing Vol 1. Being in New York, sometimes I miss out on all the dope events at home. Mobtown Studios in collaboration with Eze Jackson recorded a live show featuring the Soul Cannnon front man. Download the zip below and enjoy.

MicroshowEzeJackson

WWW.ABALTIMORELOVETHING.COM

2010-10-19T17:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the continuing support. ABLT will continue on at www.abaltimorelovething.com

Dirt Platoon - Deeper Than Dirt

2010-09-21T07:42:00.000-07:00

I've heard of Dirt Platoon before but I didn't take the time out to listen. Baltimore producer, Tom Delay sent me an email about their latest album and I took the time out. They're single "Pennsylvania Avenue" is pretty dope. Raw Raps. Rugged Beats. Cool Wordplay. Check it Out! - Ryan Lyons

Favorite Jams:
"Pennsylvania Avenue"
"E.L.A.I.N.E"
"Deeper Than Dirt"

Dirt Platoon-Deeper Than Dirt

Be There

2010-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

DDM - "Money Power Respect"

2010-09-19T08:33:00.000-07:00

Midas keeps his series going with a freestyle over The Lox's "Money Power Respect" instrumental. Prepare to be shocked by the video. He's got a really weird vibe, but the flow is on point.

phLLFthy - The Rain Freestyle

2010-09-16T14:44:00.000-07:00

These guys went in on everyone's favorite Missy Elliot track.

Previous (PhLLFthy)

Rye Rye Interview w/ VEVO at SWSX

2010-09-06T09:31:00.000-07:00

Perusing through youtube I saw some great videos featuring Rye Rye at SWSX 2010 music festival. We can't wait for Go!Pop!Bang!

Marky " Louis Squares"

2010-09-01T14:19:00.000-07:00

MARKY - Louis Squares from Winning Streak on Vimeo.

Marky is a great artist. It's good to see him reappear with some great concepts, and visuals. This song uses the original instrumental for Nas's classic "Take It In Blood" instrumental. Download the mixtape The Journey to Markyland, USA: The Rest Stop Series.

Cee-lo - " Fuck You' (VIDEO)

2010-09-01T14:07:00.000-07:00

Cee-lo didn't disappoint with the video for everyone's favorite song "Fuck You". Did you know that current popular singer Bruno Mars helped write this smash of a song?! Expect Cee-lo's LadyKiller later this year.

Wendel Patrick - THE CYPHER (feat. Saleem, Topix, & Eze Jackson of Soul Cannon)

2010-08-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

Honestly Eze Jackson is probably one of my favorite emcees in Baltimore. Soul Cannon is a dope band. Look them up, and check them out on www.SoulCannon.com or our mixtape Abaltimorelovething Presents The mixtape Vol 1.

Curt@!n$ & DOM KENNEDY : 2 Sports Cars (Video)

2010-08-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

What have yall been bumpin' lately. I've been playing this Curt@!n$ mixtape non-stop. I love this collaboration with Dom Kennedy. Let's keep this one going.

CurT@!n$ "2 Sports Cars" feat. Dom Kennedy from CurT@!n$ on Vimeo.

Download: The Dissertation: The Wu-Thesis

N.E.R.D. MTV Live Sessions

2010-08-22T11:46:00.000-07:00

Pictured: Pharrell Williams circa 2002

I must say that as a N.E.R.D fan, I've been nervous about the direction of their upcoming album, Nothing. After this release of their live show with MTV I feel a little better. This group is always good at improvisation, and their slow-tempo joints are always my favorites. The song titled, "Help Me" sounds great with Pharrell giving his best James Brown grunt. Check it out below:

N.E.R.D. MTV Live Sessions by Hypetrak

Thanks BBC

City and Poly Education Standards Scrutinized

2010-08-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Pictured: City High School

A new article in the Baltimore Sun goes into detail about City, and Poly - two Baltimore public schools which currently fall into an unsatisfying rating according to Baltimore schools CEO Andrés Alonso. I’ve, personally, attended Baltimore City Public Schools throughout my life, and I consider the education to be "Comme Ci, Comme Ça" . There are some great teachers present , but our children can be pushed further. I also believe that the children have to want an education. Some students see their parents struggle financially having experienced the same education. We need more role-models, and field trips to organizations outside of the city. Students need experiences that will force them to dream beyond their 4-block radius. - Ryan Lyons

Statistics from article:

"Of the students who graduated in the Class of 2003, 46 percent from Poly and 39 percent from City had earned a degree from a two- or four-year college six years later, rates that top school officials concede are far too low." - Liz Bowie of The Baltimore Sun

Read Article : Here

PhLLFthy - "Play In The Rain"

2010-08-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

This joint is a jam, and it's a great video. Props to Trey R, for puttin' me on. Look out for their upcoming project Live, real soon!

Update: The mixtape is here, and very dope!

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Provided by DatPiff.com

Blaqstarr Album Release January 2011

2010-08-21T06:02:00.000-07:00

Via twitter Blaqstarr said his debut album is scheduled for release in the beginning of 2011, through N.E.E.T./ Interscope records, and we can't friggin' wait!

DDM "All About The Benjamins" ( Video)

2010-08-21T05:51:00.000-07:00

Yall should be scared of Midas. He goes in on everything!

Kanye West - "Power (Remix)" featuring Jay-z, and Swizz Beats

2010-08-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Lately it seems as though Kanye West has the whole world in his hands. Are we mad yet? I'll get back to you. This "Power (Remix)" is electric enough to have you jammin' all day, no need to thank us. Jay-z even name drops Taylor Swift. ha

" What do it mean to be a boss? It means second place is the 1st one who lost” - Kanye West

Kanye West - Power Remix (ft. Jay-Z) by jt$

Cee-lo - "Fuck You"

2010-08-20T10:20:00.000-07:00

Cee-lo always manages to stand-out, even when everyones trying to do something different. This song could very well be the anthem of the year. FUCK YOU! Look out for his album LadyKiller later this year.

Cee-Lo Green- Fuck You by abaltimorelovething

Some previous joints from Cee-lo you may have missed:

Cee-Lo - Georgia by abaltimorelovething Cee-Lo- I Want You by abaltimorelovething

Bossman - " Jockin' My Cool" feat. CLEO MERLO

2010-08-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

Bossman's third single from The Re-up is definitely a radio smash! Get the album if you haven't already!

Preview “The Re-Up” HERE.

Los - "Power Freestyle"

2010-08-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

Los did a great job with this freestyle. Cameos by Lola Luv, Smash, & Starrz

Sim-PLEX " I Get It In"

2010-08-16T14:49:00.000-07:00

Sim-PLEX has been working hard on their EP entitled "Rebellion", but until that drops here's a new joint from the guys. This jam has nice bounce to it!

Sim-PLEX - "I Get It In" by music1288

Upcoming Sim-PLEX performances:
The Ottobar for the Moustache Crew's last party for the summer on Friday August 27th

Saturday August 28th we will be performing in DC for the grand opening of Club 2122 (previously known as Club24) alongside DJ Sega & the Nuh Uh!

Westside Certified - J-Luv, Fat Ant, Tae Eaze, R.I.C.O, Veli Smalls, Cee ( Video By Wiz Productions)

2010-08-13T00:08:00.000-07:00

This joint is a banger, with the T.I sample, and the bass all the way turnt up. It feels good to be from Baltimore. It's a lot of language in this joint that you might not understand unless your from Baltimore. Just take it in, and know that we love to rep our city. Props To Todd Dorsey of Wiz Productions for the great video!

Rickie Jacobs Feat. 2 Pistols – Be Honest (Prod. by The Awesome Sound)

2010-08-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

This is a jam. Baltimore artist Rickie Jacobs is gearing up to release his debut project Air Jacobs. We recently showcased his street single Yes Yes Y’all, featuring Artic and Wordsmith. I'm definitely interested in hearing much more.

Download: Rickie Jacobs Feat. 2 Pistols – Be Honest

DDM cover of Kanye West's Power

2010-08-12T17:38:00.000-07:00

Midas be goin off! Hahahaha. " Hail Mary, better say a prayer/ cuz i be charged up like a SSSS Super Saiyan"