The Weekly Dip 12/17
The Big Holiday is creeping up on us but it honestly feels like it’s been Christmas all month cause these artists just continue to bless us with all this beautiful new music! They’re are just so generous with the gift giving aren’t they & we as well, have just been so receiving of it. Anyway, let’s tear the wrapping off these gifts & see what’s inside!
Big Beautiful Williams - Christmas with The Tree Team
As if The Tree Team hasn’t blessed us with enough beautiful music this year, we get hit with some Christmas music from them? And let me tell you, I’m not the biggest fan of Christmas music but this ain’t no standardized shit we got here, this batch of songs here lowkey reminds of, kinda their own rendition of Outkast when they were asked to make Christmas music for this compilation so they just literally talked about what they do on Christmas, you probably wouldn’t even know it was a Christmas song if you just heard it without knowing that. The difference here is that, you know it’s Christmas music obviously but it don’t sound like no caroling I’ve ever heard before.
Big Beautiful Williams has such an impeccable narrating voice & if you know Reek & Sage then you know what I mean, I mean I’d let him read me these tales til I fall asleep. The 1st story we get is “The Grinch”, where Khali & Eastside Fish, whom I’m glad were hearing more of here, take on the role of said grinches. It is so ignorant & I absolutely love it, hitting licks on Christmas like it’s nothing & you simply just gotta admire it. Imagine you wake up thinking you’re about to see Santa but it’s just Eastside loading all the gifts into his satchel & Khali drinking up all your milk & eating up all your cookies, even your Mom’s cause you don’t really think she was only “kissing” Santa, did you? I wouldn’t do shit about it personally cause what can you do? I just love how nonchalant they are about this criminality they’ve created on record but I don’t blame them, you should’ve accepted these grinches & maybe they wouldn’t feel the need to take what’s rightfully theirs.
On “December 25th”, Eastside Fish details Christmas for him, which sounds like a swell time if you ask me but we also get reminded to be grateful cause I know a lot of us struggle with that. It can be difficult to appreciate what’s already in front in you but he urges us out of his experience to do so at this time of year cause who knows if we’ll make it to the next go round? It’s all in God’s hands, as it should be with Fish & I think we too should leave it there. Then lastly we end with the poignant tearjerker “Snowfall”, where we get some of the most heartfelt verses from each artist, starting with Khali, who is a master when it comes to introspection. I could feel the pain in his voice as he was probably thinking of times where he was in a less fortunate position like a lot people are this time of year but at least if nobody cares, Khali does but someone always does. Reek then speaks on his mother, who is his superhero cause she did everything she could for him growing up, sacrificed a lot for his happiness so imagine how beautiful it must feel for him to be able to return the favor now, that’s what it’s all about. Then Levi with the crooning that is as fervorous as that fireplace they’re all sitting by & Throwed Mind with this soothing production though! The Tree Team has more gifts for us soon though so let these hold you over until then!
Andria Rose - Solita
If I’m not mistaken, my Spanish is horrible, Solita means “loner”, which makes sense cause she’s isolated with herself in this visual treatment to this dreamy standout off her latest “Telenovela” EP. The production on this song is so ethereally ephemeral & her vocals just seep deeply into your soul, ensuring that her words are beyond felt. She has this sense of comfortability within her own isolation & that’s an important trait to have, it shows how much you truly love yourself that you can be alright with being alone. Her visuals are as lulling as the music, you just got lost in following her every step, she’s literally an angel just floating anywhere she pleases & it is quite honestly one of the most sensual videos you’ll see.
Krizz Kaliko - Somewhere
Who’s house? EARHOUSE! Krizz Kaliko just stays blessing us this Christmas doesn’t he? First with “Gifted” then “Snowfall” & now yet another poignant number from him & it’s honestly the most anthemic of the three. I believe Krizz could speaking on a multitude of things or it can at least be applied but I think the overall message here is to the homeless, as he’s on his Phil Collins here, just hoping that these people have somewhere to go, someone who loves them & if not, I’m sure he’d kindly offer his love to them like he’s doing with this powerful record here. Last time he touched on something similar was in the visuals for “Stop the World” which this record is right up there beside it.
Yoshi Vintage - VCR
It’s been a minute since we last heard from Yoshi but it was well worth the wait, almost like when you can’t get a tape out the “VCR” but why would you wanna do that with this record, just hit rewind after each play! Here, not only do we get more of Yoshi’s presence on the mic, which, if you ask me, is one of the most fiercest lyricists we got right now but we get more of her in the directorial chair, as well as a screenwriter, gotta love when one person does it all, versatility! Just like her flow, the visuals are all over the place, each edit into a different look is just so well executed & it’s clear that she’s just having fun with it at this point. But not only do we get that but much to my surprise, it’s actually a double visual, that just put more emphasis on her versatility with “Sandcastles”, a poignant number that, while soft in its hopeful tonality is tidal wavy in its emotion & a powerful teaser of what else is to come from Yoshi & much love to Python P for his work here too, Pakk Music going up all next year!
Yung Lou, Lucky Luciano - I Got It All (Remix)
Yung Lou taking it back to the days of the long posse cut? I’m all here for it & not only that, but the message they’re all administering to us is a powerful one & one that must be heeded. There’s a lot of individuals here adding onto this standout from Lou’s recent effort “Reignition”, which if you haven’t heard, I highly recommend, his most polished work to date. Every person here has something meaningful to say & it’s not everyday we get posse cuts like this, I can’t even say I’ve heard many come out the Reach camp, no offense if I’m actually being ignorant before speaking but S/o Lecrae, someone should blow up his page with Yung Lou starting with this. Of course though, bro just had to get the legend Lucky Luciano on this to make it all the more monumental a remix. And S/o Lou for always speaking to the youth but also giving them the opportunity to speak to their peers themself as well, that’s beautiful!
Banco - Always
Latinos really showed out this year & I couldn’t be happier about that. It reminds me of my middle school days where this style of music was really what I was listening to but for whatever reason, I tried to escape it but of course, it found it’s way back to me as I grew, that was “Always” gonna be the case cause artists like Banco are few & far between & boy has he been active this year, 2 stellar albums & a slew of singles that only further emphasize his player, we get yet another that is one of his most soulful efforts yet. It’s always a celebration with him but there’s something so poignant about this one, he’s clearly just living the dream & enjoying every second of it but he also infuses that with the utmost wisdom whenever he has something to say.
Boldy James, The Alchemist - Super Tecmo Bo
I’m a simple man, I see The Alchemist, I instantly click & to add onto that, I’m a much simpler man that when I see Boldy James & Al have linked yet again for another body of work, their chemistry is just so undeniable, that’s usually the case when Al locks in with a certain artist & Boldy is one of those certain artists. Not just anybody can ride a beat like “No Laughing Matter” but every beat on here is just tailor made for Boldy to speak tales of his life over. I can’t speak too much on it cause I simply don’t relate but that won’t stop me from admiring his pen whenever Alchemist is supplying him with the fuel to bring these verses out of him & the fact that ICECOLDBISHOP is the lone feature here, that’s one hell of a co-sign for him & a subtle reminder of who the fuck is up next cause he’s about to takeover so much love to Boldy for having that ear.
Benny The Butcher - Mr. Pyrex Man
The Butcher coming! Benny has been taking on that role of the silent sniper even though each body he’s caught this year has been much publicized, he’s just such a sharp shooter with each verse he’s fired off this year that you honestly ain’t even know what the fuck hit you, especially those bodies he dropped. “Mr. Pyrex Man” is just classic Benny, bar heavy street talk, as brashly in your face as you’d expect, like a Pyrex glass getting busted over your head like Richie does to Beansie in his first few minutes of being introduced in the Sopranos & I don’t care that he uses a coffee pot, it still applies, being that this is the 1st single off the upcoming Black Soprano Family album, “Long Live DJ Shay”. All I can say is, you know that I know damn well that it’s gonna be some of their best work to date if we starting out this tough!
Fly Anakin feat Nickelus F - Ghost
Fly Anakin is having an amazing year with releases from his Pink Siiifu collaborative tape “$mokebreak” that dropped at the beginning of 2021, followed by a deluxe version of the project titled “FlySiifu.” He even had time to drop a solo album in the mix titled “Pixote,” which easily is one of the hardest tapes to surface in the year. Even with all this success, it looks like Fly Anakin is gearing up for a new project release either before 2021 is up or maybe to start the new year off right. What gave us any indication of that happening was when he dropped a single at the end of October titled “Sean Price” that showcases a set of vicious raps placed over prestigious production that mimic the full-fledged force of the late great legendary emcee that the track was titled after. It then wasn’t long for another single to then surface at the end of November titled “Ghost” featuring Nickelus F. It’s accompanied by production from Like of Pac Div & had also dropped a video for it simultaneously on the same day. It was because both tracks had the same cover art is why we think another project from him is on the rise. The latest release is one of our favorite 4th quarter drops, and it’s easy to see why in mere seconds of the video. Take a look here and be on the looking for 2022 to be another successful year for Fly Anakin.
Willis The Lion - Humans
Browsing recently through Twitter looking for new music to post on the site, I came across this talented artist named Willis The Lion. He had shared a video to his 2020 record titled “Safe Space” with the caption stating, “so many people sleeping, that’s fine,” which puzzled me because right out the gate, I found his music to be one of the most gifted selections especially since most music all sounds the same nowadays. I praised his raps and his singing ability on the record, and immediately right after, I began doing my homework on his content. I saw that back in October; he dropped an alternative single titled “Humans” that gave listeners different sides of him in terms of sound but altogether, it was a delightful listening experience to witness a series of harmonious rhythms from beginning to end. I’m putting all my chips down that Willis The Lion will have an explosive 2022 with content; if people are still sleeping on music, then this is the wake-up call they need to get familiar with him now.
Marco Plus feat Quon Popi - Steve Harvey
Track 9 off Marco Plus album, “The Souf Got Sum 2 Say”, got the visual treatment at the end of November with views coming in at standard speed with more pressure applied daily to see Marco Plus & Quon Popi show out like “Steve Harvey” in this eccentric hit. The track is served nicely with a trap feel from Quon’s end that’s mixed in well with the chorus while Marco is still hitting y’all with that lyrical work that has been praised by many and saluted in the most definitive ranking of emcees on the come up. The video shot by fkkkr does an incredible job of showcasing both artists style so well that you can’t help but admire the final product. I expect we’ll maybe see a few more visuals for the album appear, including some new features in the world and possibly Marco on tour. I have him high on my list to take off in 2022 and keep it running up with more success in his career. Just wait and see him conquer.