Sep 06, 2016

Man Mr. Miranda is a dope emcee and a honest man. So incredible when folks are willing to pour so much realness onto a track. Miss Rebecca comes through with the sweet assist on the chorus. Wishig the dude tons of success on his upcoming shows in Japan.

Sep 06, 2016

St. Louis Gibbor joined the AOTA DJs for a little gift of gabbing. Check it out.

Sep 06, 2016

Pariah Pete dropped a present for his 17th and it showcases a kid influenced by Mac Miller, Joey Badass, and MF Doom. The album reaches the sound Pariah Pete is most comfortable with on Ruefully and the following tracks.

Sep 06, 2016

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Sep 06, 2016

Sweet little beat from Lil Terror.

Sep 06, 2016

A dope cover caught the eye, and even sicker song is what was found. Filo crafts a smooth RnB track and by the time we reach the part where he's in the car with a shorty listening to the radio, listening to a sad girl sing.....woah!

Sep 06, 2016

Chill downtempo track from the dude slushing across the state. Here he gets the assist from Uprhnd's Cris, who kicks a few bars cause he gots to  fuck with brownboi.

Sep 06, 2016

Flintlocc was a busy dude in August releasing this EP and a single. If you prefer your rap a little darker thematically, then Flintlocc is your dude.

Sep 06, 2016

Here i-Dee kicks those real, honest, vulnerable raps. Qux laces him up with a smooth beat featuring an Erykah Badu sample on the chorus. The Surfer Sundays series has really allowed i-Dee to flex his versatility and here we appreciate that i-Dee throws his heart on his sleeve questioning why he raps and then remembering his art lives forever.

Sep 06, 2016

You like your rap with a dose of dope lyrics? Check Damon Logan's second album where he flexes his skills on tracks like Swoosh 2. The rest on the album sounds influenced by modern soundscapes from trap to that off-beat rhyming. Then something special happens on Ocean(s) featuring Slator Blacc where a head nodder of a beat with a dope flute and funk guitar sample allows the rappers the perfect foundation to kick hot shit.

Sep 06, 2016

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Sep 06, 2016

Verses with Ja Rules name in it, Pharcyde samples, old school beat, and rhymes like they're influenced by Joey Badass....this is definitely an ode to that true school hip hop.

Sep 06, 2016

Chill out at coupe speed with herbnknowledge.

Sep 06, 2016

Four track mixtape from Rosewhudd - diverse sounding rap from a dude pumping out a bunch of content.

Sep 01, 2016

Frame Sinatra laces Teddy and Slator Blacc with a dope head nodder featuring a nice sample.

Sep 01, 2016

Tucson's Jaca Zulu pieces together a diverse, dope soundscape on this EP. Whatever type of beat offered, Jaca is able to ride it while saying something. No wasted breath or bullshit on this album. Around Your Way  sounds inspired by old school Missy Elliot. Standouts include Trail Mix and Million Milligrams.

Sep 01, 2016

Beat is kind of a laid back trap beat but Benji still jumps all over it with his flow. As he says, he puts in work on the mic.

Sep 01, 2016

I'm up at 5 in the morning writing this and DROCK says because of the time he knows I'm working. Thanks D!

Sep 01, 2016

RnBxTrapxRap track featuring a diverse lineup.

Sep 01, 2016

This songs builds into something very interesting. The beat builds on itself and by the time we reach the chorus, there are new sounds layered on top. Also Dope use of an excerpt from a movie (guess which one).

Sep 01, 2016

Yo we thought Ma$ announced his retirement at 17 on Twitter...guess he Lied. Well we benefit as dude does his thing over a mellow beat.

Sep 01, 2016

Visuals off the track from the Dash L.P.

Sep 01, 2016

Man Yaddi was having a rough day, week, month, and is drinking reminiscing along with some Steel Reserve. When it's time to hit the Steel, serious drinking is going to occur. Seriously though, honest lyrics presented here, which is dope.

Sep 01, 2016

A video for WINNIN in which it looks like Noetic and his crew are having a great evening.

Sep 01, 2016

RoQy dropped some visuals to go along with his track #BLM and it serves to punctuate (!!) the hard hitting rhymes he kicks.

Sep 01, 2016

Yo we couldn't claim to cover all Arizona hip hop if we didn't write about MC Magic. Love him or hate him, his music, or what he's doing on the radio - you gotta respect him. He's an AZ rap legend who made a name for himself by hustling and working his ass off. I still remember seeing him at the swap meet selling mixtapes and making special rhymes for folks birthdays for $5. He made his name by paying his dues and definitely deserves all his success whether you like it or not.

Sep 01, 2016

Visuals from Soundvision Films for Dre Polo's track Juice.

Sep 01, 2016

MZ Boom Bap from Portugal and Arizona's own MC Shinobi are like a match made in heaven on this track. MZ drops that boom bap with the 90s New York flava that Shinobi's flow sounds perfect over.

Aug 31, 2016

Fresh off winning the One Take contest, Ali Tomineek drops this visual. Check it out.

Aug 31, 2016

Futuristic's career has always been heavily assisted by his visuals. He's gone all in with the releases and is now up to 6 drops in the last few weeks. Is there a track off As Seen On The Internet that won't have a video? Check em all out at the Buff Nerds Youtube page but this is our favorite cause we love the message.  

Aug 31, 2016

J.Rob The Chief released a batch of new videos from his recently album. Check them all out on his Youtube channel. This is our favorite. Plus if you haven't kicked it with your peoples in a park like J.Rob in this video, do you even AZ, bro?

Aug 31, 2016

Song is dope. Now check the video that has downtown Phoenix lookin lovely. 

Aug 31, 2016

Mega Ran dropped the visuals to go along with his ode to the show Stranger Things. Shouts out to Ran for mentioning Strange Famous in the hook.

Aug 31, 2016

Yooo with a nice flow over a true school beat, Tre Coupe drops a banger. Check this out....it's super dope!

Aug 30, 2016

We really like what Kidd Grimm and Doni are cooking up. Is this a dope track? Not really. But it showcases something unique about those two - they're willing to push the envelope and try something new and we respect that. It doesn't always work but when it does, it's great.

Aug 30, 2016

There's a lot of trap coming out of AZ (and every where for that matter) and it's getting a little stale but All Year stays fresh. Dude gets props for the local reference - "hotter than the Sun Devil down at the UofA." Really enjoyable is when he's going ham on the track and then kicks some French so he pauses to question what he just said.

Aug 30, 2016

Is it EDM? Is it RnB? Is it rap? I don't know and I'd prefer not to pigeonhole it cause it's super dope. That beat though! Tok Sik and Halee Cole sound very nice opposite each other. They have a modern day Ja Rule and Ashanti sound without the cheese.

Aug 30, 2016

Dorian Colter has been a busy man lately releasing two tracks in the last 20 days or so. Here he's clearly inspired by Chance the Rapper and we benefit as a result. Very few rappers can handle that spazzy, high energy wildin' like Dorian Colter. It's an exciting song from an artist we've been excited about for a long time. Don't sleep on him.

Aug 30, 2016

He's Devin the Dude meets Nas but he's from the coastal, Drake but less emo, Ye with less than ego, and more Mac Millery than Bryson Tillery - and he's dope as fuck. Another entry in the Surfer Sundays series and as always it's sick. Check it out then check out The FloCast with i-dee on the podcast page.

Aug 30, 2016

Amma exudes so much emotion on her records. Here the music is uplifting but in her lyrics you can feel the optimism and power despite the loss of love.

Aug 30, 2016

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Aug 30, 2016

Teek drops a new mixtape featuring beats made by legendary producer J Dilla. Teek's gruff voice is a dope contrast to J's velvety beats. The standout is Same as You (The Red). On that track Teek kicks his observations and thoughts on the issues between police and the people.

Aug 24, 2016

Fresh off the announcement of their 30 city tour, Stoner Jordan and Bag of Tricks Cat release Wake Up produced by JRHITMAKER.

Aug 24, 2016

Rashenal and G-Owens drop a track indicating that all seasons they bring it. We first heard this track on West Coast Wednesday's and it didn't immediately stand out. After a few listens though, it definitely stuck in my head. That subtle guitar in the background reminds me of palm trees swaying and the chorus is a perfect summer time refrain to sing along with.

Aug 23, 2016

Sit down, wait for your heartbeat to settle, and then get lost between the concious and unconcious. That is the space this song exists in.

Aug 23, 2016

"Don't let em take you off your grind" is an apt chorus right now. I mean now a days producing content and staying consistent is crucial. These three and their respective crews are three of the most consistent in AZ right now. 

Aug 23, 2016

This is simply a dope track. Each rapper speaks knowledge and Ellie Roots drops a jazzy, ill chorus. The piano sample sets a thoughtful mood and the drums and 808s are smartly placed. Good shit here man.

Aug 23, 2016

WCW with Australian producer Sadiva...check it out. Dopest podcast in AZ right now.

Aug 23, 2016

Late night, cruising with the windows down, and in a dope car type track. I can see the lights reflecting off a polished hood as the car rolls through the intersection.

Aug 23, 2016

"This is that kicking back/and getting laxed/I let my light be shown" is a rhyme kicked on Be a Boss and it pretty much sums up this entire album. This is a before the turn-up, pre-club album. FrescoToldYa has a smooth flow and ProducedbyTyler laces him up perfectly. Standouts include Night Like This, Day Dreamin' and Be a Boss.

Aug 23, 2016

Black One has said he's gonna take this track down soon. So like a Pokemon catch it before it's gone because it's a dope summer journey through the streets of Tucson that could be played anywhere. the beat is a head nodder and Marley B skips across the heat waves with ease.

Aug 23, 2016

Mister McCoop drops a 9 track mixtape chock full of bouncy trap beats.

Aug 23, 2016

I was just talking to someone recently about 3-6 Mafia and why that sound hasn't inspired more rappers. Well here it goes, Doddy Gatz and Baker replicate that sound as best they could and it's a southern bounce banger. Try not nodding your head to this one.

Aug 23, 2016

Set against the backdrop of a dope piano sample, Woodro and Broc Lee kick a few concious about self raps.

Aug 23, 2016

Prince Jabbar released 6 new tracks. Different Now is the best of the bunch.

Aug 23, 2016

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Aug 23, 2016

DZE is an observer and a storyteller. ASTOLDBY is a journey with DZE through childhood perceptions, growing up, family affairs, and his various relationships. It's a thinking man's album full of emotion. The depth on the album is real. Each track has so many minute details in the lyrics it's obvious DZE has experienced what he is speaking on. Standouts include Kids, Trekell Park, Jules, and What a Day.

Aug 18, 2016

Eloy's lonely isolation is our gain. On SOLOMOBBIN, he's crafted a track that is bouncy but that captures his being alone. It captures the essence he's going for without being depressing. He raps the following "

i think twice/as fast as the last grown man/a stampede/of thieves and wolves and wolves and sheep/
they came to please/they left for the meek."

Aug 18, 2016

Visus typicaly kicks political and socially concious rhymes. Here he does the same but does so in a way to let us that he has knowledge of the street life.

Aug 18, 2016

Not sure where the opening movie sample is from but when dude's arm is broken, the sound it makes is legit. Another smooth cut from a dude who's been impressive thus far.

Aug 18, 2016

Doddy dropped this 6 track album with exclusive production from Tenngage. It ranges from trap to west coast g-ride sounds.

Aug 18, 2016

Little trap track from one of the groups that just opened up from Demrick.

Aug 18, 2016

Keep Kom with Kom Loko on this slow, chill track.

Aug 18, 2016

David Lara is another R&B dude who came to our attention. This is a mellow track where the only "percussion " is snaps of the finger allowing David's voice to take center stage under a spotlight.

Aug 18, 2016

Not too many rappers in AZ repping Fountain Hills; here you go though.

Aug 18, 2016

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Aug 18, 2016

Ends is a confident dude and he spits those Greatest Ever type raps. Beautiful: The Ness Kennedy Sessions is chock full of braggadocious and game changer type rhymes. For example on I'm Here he spits, "I'm a lead the revolution through the music and then move it to a bigger impact/just follow the lead." It's on An Open Letter where shit really gets real as he kicks raps about thoughts on his family, mortality, and legacy.

Aug 18, 2016

Art as a form of self-medication is necessary for an artist at times, and I'm certain it's more often than not beneficial. From a listeners vantage point, the intimate view can be a beautiful thing to observe. Lando Chill uses this album as a means to come to grips with his Father's death and it is executed exactly as it needed to be. We're fortunate to sit in on the spellbinding single Coroner, where Lando's visit from the coroner makes him realize what his father's death means and question the realities of a music scne driven by social media culture. It's an album full of keen observations and introspection. Other standsout include Early in the Morning, Save Me, and I'm Awake.

Aug 18, 2016

On Jake Eff's new album, he wants to present what life as a resident on Burgess is like. Thus the aptly named album has references to all the things happening on his block (imagine indulgent fun) and outside (trips to Benihana to eat teriyaki chicken and sip champagne to name one). Jake Eff doesn't overly complicate things with his rhymes, he kicks straightforward raps. SB Louie adds density to the record with his beats whether he's uilizing samples or synths. Standouts include F.N.O.B., My Level, No Other Place, and Yes I Do. 

Aug 18, 2016

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Aug 16, 2016

Some people believe Futuristic took a shot at THEEDESTINATION. Here THEEDESTINATION doesn't mince words. He goes at Futuristic. See for yourself.

Aug 16, 2016

Yuma's Steven Zavala drops some introspective rhymes.

Aug 16, 2016

It's like we can't do a news page update without including a track from a Products of Infamy member. This crew is so large and stays consistently releasing music. This track from the Herban Legends is a stoney track.

Aug 16, 2016

Yung joey's debut release has a few things going well for it. First of all, the cover is super dope. The Arizona sunset captured is beautiful. Second, he has a dope selection of producers with nawlidge nick, Jordan 1ne, and Kaylib all contributing. Finally, he's in a good lane as a rapper that works for him. He has a good voice and when his lyrics really start coming around like on Birds, you can begin to see the potential.

Aug 16, 2016

We've been told since Cruise & Loh mentioned it on the Legal Trap interview that we'd be hearing a collab album with Uprhnd. Here is one track off the highly anticipated album and it doesn't disappoint. The tracks cool as fuck, chill vibe allows the rappers verses to shine. Loh kicks a memorable, quotable verse that is memoralized in Brownboi Maj's ukulele verse on the FloCast. Cruise and Izzy don't let Loh have all the fun as they both drop that fire as well.

Aug 16, 2016

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Aug 16, 2016

Don't sleep on Tucson people...there are a lot of rappers down there doing their thing. Tucson's Adrian Veee drops a 9-track record with features from EZGoin, Stev Martin, Self Explan, and Tommy Will. Truth Be Told is trappy in its beats and lyrical content. It's in Sluggish feat. EZGoin and 100 feat. Tommy Will that the album really shines. Everything Adrian Veee is trying to accomplish with this album is fully on display in those tracks.

Aug 16, 2016

"A proper kid who comes from the the ghetto, but not the opposite," says MastodonRare on this intro to the album that will be released on September 30. On the strength of this and his other music, we eagerly await what's coming. The samples and the bars in this track are all dope.

Aug 16, 2016

This track from Sonoma gets a little dark at times. The beginning opens like the theme song to a scary movie and then the themes are kind of morbid.

Aug 16, 2016

We agree with Visus on this song when he says Arizona is about to blow up.

Aug 16, 2016

Ain't too many can surf with i-Dee and Eddie Wellz. The Biggie and Bad Boy references are pretty abundant as well as a subtle sample in the beat in this latest installment of the SurferSundays series.

Aug 16, 2016

Laid Back is a perfect title for this trck. The beat is a laid back, drink in your hand, sitting in a dark room contemplating life type beat. Visus however kicks those hard hitting rhymes.

Aug 16, 2016

Often in AZ, people make the comment that everyone sounds the same. Doni should be considered the exception. He doesn't sound like anyone else. His sound and lyrics are all unique sounding here in AZ. It's fun and playful. Mad Greens has an acoustic guitar sample over a simple beat. Each rapper kicks a verse with Jordyn Larue kicking a cute rhyme that sounds like an outro to the song. Doni and FanningSystem both kick a rhyme that is all over the place content-wise but it sounds dope and has some quotable moments.

Aug 16, 2016

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Aug 12, 2016

A concept record that will be included on Gibbys mixtape dubbed Planet Nowhere. Eddie Wellz has that mad passionate flow that draws the listener in. He raps "although I have purpose/never been perfect/perfect ain't worth it/I'm still out here searching." Hardly if ever has a more true rhyme, pertinent for everyone, been kicked.

Aug 12, 2016

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Aug 12, 2016

Whoever Bri is, thank God for her. First, the vocal sample used by Space Ranger Vic is dope. Emmitt's emotive lyrics and flow jogging over the beat works perfectly with the beat. Then he gets on some Positive K back and forth with the chick that's pretty entertaining.

Aug 12, 2016

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Aug 11, 2016

Different is good. Adventurous is interesting. This beat is on some hip hop Frank Zappa shit - it's all over the place and  it works. I'm not sure if the congas were recorded live but they sound super nice. CKK's ebbs and flows with the beat in a way that's very satisfying.

Aug 11, 2016

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Aug 11, 2016

Galaxy Saeed kicks his flow over a legit trap beat. The beat is a head nodding banger. Galaxy Saeed is on some D&D shit kicking rhymes about swords and dragons.

Aug 11, 2016

Tok Sik and fresco. kick that backpacker style vibes talking about things that inspire them. Beat is smooth like skating the streets on a cool day.

Aug 11, 2016

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Aug 11, 2016

Stokes got that chilling in front of the liquor store, then hitting the block and chilling with the team in the front yard sound.

Aug 11, 2016

This songs hits! It has that car door rattling bass. And he's not a doctor or a mortician, he's looking for guts through other means.

Aug 11, 2016

An ode to the phrase that doesn't mean what parents think it means.

Aug 11, 2016

Salty Brasi raps that he grew up in the underground and this track makes me believe him. He and Charlie Mumbles craft a record that sounds like it could've come out of the west coast scene that spawned Dilated Peoples, People Under the Stairs, and the Living Legends.

Aug 11, 2016

Wits starts out as a lonely piano that slows the heart rate. Once the bass hits, you almost feel like you're in the dark room with one candle burning shown on the cover. Stress then steps up to the mic like a dude with a purpose. Cris finishes things off. It's mentioned in the comments this is little teaser for Cris' mixtape - we'll look forward to seeing the finished product. 

Aug 11, 2016

Products of Infamy is a quiet group making loud and consistent moves. It feels like theyre releasing new music every week. The latest, from member fresco., is a series of mellow boom bap bangers. Standouts include Pineapple Express produced by ffkk, which is an ode to the herbal remedies, and Old School where he kicks a dope line that goes "yo this beats apple bum is looking very bonita."

Aug 11, 2016

Jaca Zulu asks a pertinent question in these dangerous times - "Will I live in peace, before I rest in it?" Slapping the listener with a political banger and thought provoking lyrics, Jaca doesn't mince words. He spits  "judge, jury, execution way before the court dismissed" and the feeling the justice system is becoming a system of injustice smacks the listener in the face.

Aug 09, 2016

While I originally said just a rapper rapping over a dope beat. What I mean, is a dude becoming an emcee doing his thing.The beat is actually kind of chaotic with the sparsely placed cymbal hits but Delly is able to kick his flow with no problem. And he has a few positive messages mixed into his lyrics.

Aug 09, 2016

Under Society is one of those artists we discovered as a result of the One Take contest. This is the song for their One Take video where the camera follows 6 different rappers. Seems like a pretty tough task but it's pulled off well. The track allows each rapper the opportunity to do their thing over a simple beat.

Aug 09, 2016

From the cover to the lyrics to the hook somethings going on here. Demi wants secrecy from his chick but he says she can handle it.

Aug 09, 2016

Not sure who the artist is here so if you know, get at us - let us know. This track has that Ibiza or nu-disco beat with a little rapping over it. It's different but we like what we hear.

Aug 09, 2016

Nobody is a mantra; a message from a wise old soul spit by a young lady. Go ahead say it with me - I don't think it's good for us/to dwell on all the useless stuff/life goes on and it aint waiting for nobody.

Aug 09, 2016

We may have missed a couple Sundays but don't believe we started sleeping on this man. The Surfer Sunday's keep coming and we keep listening....are you? Cause you should be.

Aug 09, 2016

indikae and Ma$ go in on this beat. indikae flexes some versatility on this track and Ma$, who's still only 17, continues with the consistency.

Aug 09, 2016

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Aug 09, 2016

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Aug 09, 2016

Injury Reserve made a lot of noise in 2015 making a couple best of lists. They are liable to again with Oh Shit!! This is a dope record that features a sick piano sample and the crew bringing out some in yo face energetic rhymes. I was hooked immediately but when dude kicks that "this that raised by the internet without no dad rap" I was hanging on every word after.

Aug 09, 2016

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Aug 09, 2016

Every so often I click a song expecting one thing and then I'm completely blown away. This is one of those instances. Vast has that easy going - make it sound easy flow like a Freddie Gibbs. His line about being Snoop, Jay-z, and Kanye at certain points in life is super dope. We look forward to more from dude.

Aug 09, 2016

Tucson's Bear is relatively new to the rap game. He has a good ear for beats and has a pretty nice flow. Most of the beats on this EP have that early to mid 90s east coast sound. Check it out especially if you're into that sound.

Aug 09, 2016

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Aug 09, 2016

Explicit raps hard - he basically goes at juggulars when he raps. Don't Step to Me is no different. He and Mr. Hyde each spit one verse basically firing off warnings.

Aug 09, 2016

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Aug 09, 2016

Posse cuts are dope. Take 4+ hungry rappers, throw them on one track and watch them try to out-rhyme each other. Stoney and DJ Hotboy put together a list of dudes who can rap a little bit and they don't disappoint lyrically.

Aug 09, 2016

Skynet Music, Dj Stude's imprint, released this track from Fenzel Washington that was recorded in 2011. This music is timeless however. It works today or would've worked in the late 90's if it came out of the Mac Dre bay-funk era. His delivery is silly but not cheesy; not like Shock G's when he's doing Humpty Hump. Fenzel's actually saying quite a bit lyrically.

Aug 09, 2016

We haven't heard from Dirty Dan since Hunnids, which was a personal favorite around here. On Last Forever, he's featured on a smooth RnB track from Corey Blunt. Both make clear they're just trying to smash and that's it.

Aug 09, 2016

Social and political commentary is a Visus specialty. Here he's dropping opinions on the political landscape over a dark, brooding beat. He's making it very clear who he likes in the 2016 election.

Aug 09, 2016

Yung kicks a little ode to that little pill raising serontonin levels since 1978. The beat has a dope little bounce in it when the horn sample drops.

Aug 09, 2016

Strong emotional states elicit beautiful art. It's terrible Odd Squad had to say goodbye to one of their members but the tribute paid on this track is beautiful. Also check Tried to Tell 'Em which was released a couple days laters. It's the last track they recorded with Frosty before his passing.

Aug 01, 2016

Compelled to speak up on the Black Lives Matter movement, RoQy TyRaiD lights up every square inch of this track with poetic insight.  Re-educating us on the madness thats going on in our country.  Cleverly reciting all the senseless brutality against humanity.  Extremely high replay value.  

Jul 30, 2016

Dorian Colter, real names on gimmicks.  Diving head first into this alphabet soup of a track, a quick two minute thirty seconds in length but, Dorian fills every line with the quintessential up and down word play we know him oh so well for.  

Jul 31, 2016

Little smooth joint from MP$ who's busy getting at the ladies and it sounds like they're loving him back. And they should love this track.

Jul 31, 2016

This is where Ma$ is at his best...give him a dope beat to rock over and just let him flow. Dude rips a a couple verses with such ease.

Jul 31, 2016

Looking inward and spitting what is seen outward is one way to get things off your chest. Woodro's doing that on Living Lost and it is accompanied by a visual that is a metaphor for his musical career. The lyrics are dense and on first listen a few things might be missed. Listen again and the deep honesty Woodro is spitting bleeds through.