The Weekly Dip 1/14/22
I’m pretty sure y’all will agree this is one of the best series to hit our site in a while. It’s essentially like, our end of the week playlist & music as we all know, drops at such an extremely high rate that it’s impossible for us to not keep coming back for a dip, despite the weather, which there’s been some sun creeping in here & there but still a bit too chilly to take a dive so let us bring the warm splashes to you instead.
Nojo Wallace - Different Freestyle (Video)
All praise to 93 Kurt Loder, who had recently posted Nojo Wallace's latest visual release titled “Different Freestyle” on their 93 Weekly series. It helped better introduce me to Nojo, who I became a fan of instantly. The video intrigued me off the rip since it was directed beautifully with many precision shots that showcase Nojo’s ability to be a menace behind the raps. Nonchalantly, he’s sliding on this Vohn-produce record with ease, just spitting venomous line after line with expressing pure chaos in his rhyme scheme. He’s diabolically showing off his creativity in such distinctive nature; the aesthetic of the video reminds me of Kendrick’s “King’s Dead” visual, but this video is wrapped up more mystery with valiant efforts that I can’t help but applaud & riot when checking in to the viewing. It’s safe to say that Nojo Wallace will be very high on my list of artists to watch out for in the year. I plan to have any future releases of his placed on the site while getting those sleeping on his music to wake the fuck up and notice a talented emcee in front of your eyes. - Frank Campos
Dreamiecloud - Icie (Single)
“Icie from the inside, icie from outside” is spoken in such mellifluous cadence by our new favorite songstress Dreamiecloud who recently dropped her new single “Icie” just last night. The track is an amusing ballad of how fresh & cool dreamiecloud is where nobody can duplicate her awesomeness. With an endearing melody in his vocals, she explains why she’s the meanest, realest, and the icyest on the scene, never feeling heated. She slays with such a mellow vibe throughout the Dustin Cavazos-produce record; there’s a reason why most don’t get the option to be in her presence; if you were cold as her, you freeze to death. The single is short but enough to know that it will be in constant rotation for the weeks ahead; stay tuned in to hear more Dreaminecloud and make sure you're wearing warm clothes by the fire. - Frank Campos
Mateo Sun - Know Damn Well (Single)
Since the 4th quarter of 2021, Mateo Sun had been silent with releases but had done a few features, which means he stayed recording, so we knew it probably wouldn’t be long to start seeing some solo work surface again from him. It happened to be earlier in the week when we got his first track of 2022 titled “Know Damn Well” with ihatehawtboy-production residing in the background with ominous sounds while Mateo builds the beat-up brick by brick. Big Sun rapper is walking up the block like Omar in The Wire, firepower in his hands with a mild manner to him just looking to remove any opps in his way. He’s lowering his vocals while spitting that shit you thought was cooked in the kitchen and served to the streets. The block is hot when Mateo emerges from hiding; the fire-breathing dragon is woke from his slumber and plans to devour anything in sight. It’s an excellent welcoming record, and I’m sure the first of many, expect to see another year of Sun dominating the streets of San Antonio once again. - Frank Campos
Loki Loveless - Must Be Dumb (Intro) (Video)
After releasing his “Waterboy” visual last month, Loki Loveless is back with another DavieeDavee-cinematic video titled “Must Be Dumb” produced by Duvin. The release is the intro record to his upcoming project “Dysphoria,” slated to drop on January 29th, where we’ve already seen two previews of what to expect, and the anticipation is continuing to grow at an expeditious pace. The visual interpretation is no matter how beaten and battered Loki gets from his haters, he’s always going to wipe himself off and get back up again. Don’t start planning to see him grounded because he’s not giving you the satisfaction. You must be playing stupid if you think he’s not going out without a fight; he’s here for the long run and will not let you believe otherwise. He’s crooning with a melody throughout the track that builds a euphoric sound that creates a vibe to just back to while also using it at a high level of endearment to those wanting to see you down severely. Expect to see more great art like this from Loki in the future and start paying attention more to greatness like him coming out of the city. - Frank Campos
Russ - Remember (Single)
Of course, Russ wasn’t gonna let up on his versatility as an artist, after shaking the rap game up violently, like it was dice in a can, he’s back on the R&B tip longtime fans expect him to always come with & that he does. I had never really given Russ that chance until “CHOMP” came along but my first impression of him was his crooning & I just always thought he was a great hook guy, little did I know he’s a full out hitmaker. Everything about this is just so subtly bittersweet, nostalgia has never sounded more sad for me personally cause boy do I relate on those reminisces, I know, as well as Russ knows that it’s something we should probably get over but hopefully if he leaves her be, she’ll have as much time to reflect on what once was, pining over what could’ve been.
Kevin McGee feat My’Key Iso - SOPU (Video)
“Smoking’ out, “Pourin’ Up”, putting dick up in your slut” is honestly one of the greatest opening lines in all of Hip Hop History, that shit is just so iconic so imagine my excitement upon hearing Kevin & Iso here expounding on the importance of said lyric, let alone record in this beautiful homage to the late great, Pimp C. Kev is currently prepping the release of his long awaited “Comeback Kev”, where he’ll be reminding listeners just how great all these singles thus far still are & the visuals for essentially the hardest record on the record is just a little tease of what’s to come, Kev & Iso are just so in their element putting on for their hometown with this concise anthem & accompanying visuals that make the record all the more powerful. It’s amazing how much you can do with so little, it’s not all extravagant, just two MC’s showing off pure skill.
Valley - The After Party (Single)
We were trying to keep our dip to just singles & visuals only but this is an exception being that 3 bonus records to their beautiful opus from last year “Last Birthday” is not technically an EP, you could consider it a single essentially, especially since there’s not really much to break down about these records, it’s just pure pop goodiness! I’m curious as to why the title track didn’t make the original cut but it’s nice to hear them make such earnest statements to those they adore. We even get some more of that poignancy on the heartstring strumming “7 Stories” where it’s clear he’s dealing with an avoidant personality, that’s currently my situation & like him, I’m stuck here singing my little broken glass heart out, holding onto the hope that eventually she’ll come back, though the pining here coupled with the epic acoustics makes me feel like that’s not likely so I’ll just stand outside this birthday party with my “Paper Cup”, just feeling sorry for myself, poor me & him, with our achy breaky hearts!
AZ & 2 Chainz - Motorola Era
Motorola is honestly better than iPhone, simply because of the nostalgia behind it so the legendary AZ knew to use that to kick off the 1st hint of what’s to come with his “Doe or Die” deluxe. The two elite lyricists tap back into their street days to deliver that braggadocio with the gusto they’ve been known to deliver with. It’s always nice hearing Chainz show out just how skilled an MC he is whenever he does records with these legends, let alone hops over beats from the likes of Statik Selektah, he just sounds so comfortable & you know the topic comes easy for the boss & AZ just has that bounce to his syllable, coupled with that iconic voice, it’s just nice to see legends still out here killing shit & putting out some of the hardest music of their still, ever growing careers.
JID feat 21 Savage & Baby Tate - Surround Sound (Video)
You ain’t never heard “Surround Sound” quite like this, this production alone will rattle the concrete down into gravel & then of course, both MC’s popping their shit off & surprisingly, 21 is keeping up with JID’s seemingly never ending lyricism, he’s over time proven that he can keep up with the best of them by simply just being himself, it’s that iconic voice & flow of his that just really sound great matched with JID, who kills both beats on this colossal record. I love whenever beat switches happen, he & 21 killed the 1st section so it was only right JID over killed it & Baby Tate’s contribution was the perfect segway into the latter half of this record, that’ll surely make a lot of music trying to compare sound monotone as hell!
JMAC the Dragon & Darx - Know Wassup
I mean, do I even need to say much, I’m sure you all “Know Wassup” whenever the Dragon comes out of hibernation, just to give anybody who may have been doubting a swift reminder that lyrically, he’s just so rarely seen by many but whenever he shows his face, you got a dragon fire headed your way. The thing I love about JMAC is that, he never sacrifices the skill, no matter what kind of record he’s doing & the fact that he can jump from the trap beats that we heard on “Level Up” back to his Boom Bap roots on here is impeccable. A real MC can rhyme over anything & Darx is no slouch either, keeping right up with the Dragon & breathing the same amount of fire that can burn, at the very least, a significant chunk of the game right the fuck off so, I’d get out of the way if I were you, you should already know wassup when these two are near a mic.
Joey Bada$$ - THE REV3NGE (Video)
I’m gonna be honest, Joey hasn’t always been someone I’ve kept a close eye on but obviously I’ve always admired who he was & what he’s brought to the game solo, as well as with Pro Era so to see him still out here applying the pressure is a beautiful sight cause look, he’s once again forced me to pay attention & it’s not even that classic Boom Bap sound he dominates so effortlessly, which makes it all the more powerful cause he’s showing that, he don’t need to stick to one thing to kill shit & come back with a vengeance that I’m sure is gonna continue to play out throughout the year if he’s kicking things off with an epic anthem like this with visuals that are equally as colossal, indicating another strong year for the elite MC.