The Weekly Dip 11/18/22

If y’all thought we were slowing down with our weekly dip then you got another thing coming. Why on God’s green earth would we ever stop supplying y’all with these tidal waves while y’all are just trying to surf comfortably? We just really enjoy shaking things up don’t we? 

Papa J Ruiz - Eternal (Video)

Earlier in the week, we came across the latest single from Denver native Papa J Ruiz titled “Eternal,” which dropped simultaneously with a visual shit by Sperry Springer. The release has Papa J spitting that lyrical carnage while venting out the ups and downs that he’s faced to get him in a more comfortable position where it currently roams freely in. He’s on the warpath to conquer and rise, especially on occasions where he doesn’t have to deal with the sucka shit that comes with life’s dealt hands. Papa J Ruiz is applying pressure on this JG-produced record where the video has him ten toes down speaking out truths and facts, a pledge that he has seen some of his closet idols fall to. Still, it’s their words that have helped him this far, so why not keep going what the success that they preach? His cadence is boastful and energetic throughout this release; you can tell he puts everything on the line when he gets to spitting; Papa J Ruiz isn’t looking to back peddle now; he’s pushing forward until his name is known throughout the globe. - Frank Campos

Shadoh feat SETTHETONE-T - Spaced Out (Single)

The new Bonnie and Clyde, Shadoh & SETTHETONE-T, released a new single earlier this week titled “Spaced Out,” with both artists combining a series of venerable bars over the galactic production curated by Jake Anwah that sounds like it was recorded in space. Shadoh takes the first leg of the record, explaining that she’s feeling lost in the clouds; it could be the smoke coming from her tokes, with the aroma covering up her emotions of feeling betrayed by a love interest that didn’t take care of her heart. Looking up, all she sees are stars and moons, and she isn’t thinking of coming down anytime soon, so why not just float and keep her head in the galactic sky. SETTHETONE-T’s story follows up after a breakup, he’s patching things close, but the more he fixes it, the more the tears start to open back up. He’s lost, but in the sense of not knowing how to hold everything close once again, he feels the walls getting more consolidated and is looking for something to help him get through it. The ballad is sensational and one to keep in rotation for your daily listening. - Frank Campos

Niza feat DeShaun Jay - Roll With Me (Single)

Finding a new creative environment out on the west coast, Niza returned to the music with a new single earlier this week featuring DeShaun Jay titled “Roll With Me.” The record has Niza stringing out melodic vocals and hooks to get us back in a trance to her alluring sound that follows up with DeShaun explaining if you want to ride with him, the passenger seat is open, but understand his grind and his time come in hand to hand if you willing to go, you got to trust the technique when it comes to his lifestyle. Past troubles with women got him locked up like Fort Knox; understand he isn’t going to open to a lot of shit at first, but as time goes on, he’ll let you in eventually; you just got to be patient and keep it one hundred with him. Niza returns to water whipping the chorus before entering her verse with such elegancy as she expresses her love being a drug where she wants to induce the high with you. You’re all in her head, and she loves the vibe you got her feeling; she locked on you and only you. Admire the view, the one of the skyline and the one you see when you look at her; enjoy the air, the breeze, the smoke that you share, and she knows you’ll fall into something new and exciting with her. - Frank Campos

The Teeta & Swagga P - Til You Make It (Single)

Earlier in the week, The Teeta shared a preview of his upcoming single with Swagga P titled “Til You Make It” which from the brief clip, you can already hear that it has an infectious chorus that’s combined with a pristine-looking viewing shot by Candy Apple that I’m sure will have listeners and viewers gravitating to the drop on Friday. Once the single surfaced, we saw many fans sharing their support for the record while others were captivated by the video that did the latest hit justice. While most time, people focus on the movement of their opps, The Teeta got his mind on the dead presidents instead, which is what sets him differently from most, he’s gliding over the production like he’s dripped up in skates, but this ain’t nothing new to The Teeta to flex out in lavish wordplay and let his successful lifestyle do the talking. Swagga P’s verse has a little more energy in his flow; his recent Ric character bleeds through the video, showcasing he’s the life of the party whenever he comes around. The video looks like a whole lot of fun, so bringing that type of vibe to the releases will have you sending this track in rotation for the holiday season to turn up with your family and friends. - Frank Campos

Kevin McGee - Mandalay Bay feat. Eastside Fish (Single)

When Kevin McGee announced his latest series “Kevin McGee & Friends”, it had us so excited to see which big names he was gonna be linking with. The man is an anthem making machine & sure knows how to bring the best out of the artists he chooses to work with. You know if he kicked it off with Baby Aztro then whoever was to follow was about to be massive. Last installment, we got him & Deshaun Jay & now, he may have dropped the best of all 3 with this collab with everyone’s favorite Fish from the East! His production choice on this may be his most hyphy yet. He doesn’t even waste anytime, immediately knocking doors down with his impeccable voice & lyrical gusto, rhyming with the utmost bravado, like he’s determined to hit them touchdowns by any means necessary! He sets things up nicely for Fish to deliver a more pacey flow, something we’re not really used to hearing from him, he’s usually more laid back but he switches it up here, showcasing some more versatility stylistically. He still nonchalantly ripping shit though, it’s the voice for me.

Q - Today (Video)

If you’re unfamiliar with Q, just know that he’s that human that makes music, music strictly intended to yank & snip those little heartstrings of yours. On his latest, “Today”, the emotion is ever so evocative as he expresses forgiveness for one self. His level of self awareness & determination to overcome is so so powerful & that’s just in the beginning portion of this record, wait until that drop hits & that funk comes, who knew healing could sound this groovy? The visuals are simplistic, with this beautiful soul emitting his light, even through his silhouette for this soliloquy of solitude. It’s honestly one of the more intimate numbers you’ll hear this year. The single itself also contains “Stereo Driver”, just in case you fall in love with this one like we know you’ll immediately will!

Shunie - Bitch Where (Video)

Shunie is back & triumphant as ever with his latest testimonial & he has just one question for you, “bitch, where you been?” cause if you ain’t been keeping up with Shunie then what the fuck is you doing? He don’t got time for these bitches who only wanna complain over what he chooses to do in his leisurely time, you there for one thing & one thing only, don’t make him reiterate why. Shunie ain’t like the rest of these rappers & why would he ever try to be, it’s not like they’re anything you would ever wish to amount to. They don’t seem to know they’ve overstayed their welcome, they don’t know when it’s time to hang it up & go on hiatus. Not Shunie though, he knew he needed a break from this rap thing to go experience life a little more & now he’s back & better than ever, with a clear enough mindset to deliver elite level bars, chock full of hilarity. He’s as honest as they come.

TB Robby - 3 AM (Video)

That Boy Robby a lyrical menace ain’t he? This rapping shit really ain’t nothing to a phenom, after all, he do got the spirit of Pun & all his other influences coursing through his veins, how else would he be able to consistently drop high level bar heavy work on them? It’s 3 in the morning & while other people are sleeping, presumably on him, he’s here shaking shit up so as to wake them to death, with his straightforwardly blunt & conversational flow atop the trunk rattling production. TB really just be talking to them but it’s what he’s saying that should strike fear in those who don’t really be about the shit they rapping about. He was hard to deal with before he had a deal & that alone should tell you, oh he’s a big deal & seemingly nothing has changed about his character since signing that dotted line, in fact, he’s only become more famished the way he’s been eating these beats up.

TEDDYTHELEGACY - Nine Eleven (Video)

TEDDY is all about longevity, it’s literally in his name as we’re here standing in awe, baring witness to the legacy he’s carving out for himself before our very eyes. He’s been at this for a minute now but it feels like he’s only just begun, that’s how refreshing it is to hear from him & luckily for us, he decided that now would be the perfect time to come back onto the scene with a triumphant vengeance on the 1st single drop from his upcoming “No Way Out Of Hell” record. Ironically so, “Nine Eleven” sounds like he’s making his way out of it or at least embracing the moments he gets to spend in Heaven. He’s expressing how fast time just keeps moving, he can barely keep up with himself but he takes this limited time available to do some self reflecting as he ponders his next moves. It’s an exciting return for one of our juggernauts musically & a beautifully conversational ode of determination.

X-Raided - No 1 Is Safe (Video)

When I found out the legendary X-Raided, fresh out of a 26 year prison stint, was linking up with the generals of Strange Music, you bet your ass I was excited. A couple features later & boom, he was officially signed to the label, another monstrous addition to their ever growing roster & one that had Strange fans rejoicing at the thought of another hardcore lyricist being part of the imprint. He’s Strange Music to the fullest & what better way to begin his official journey with the label then a lyrical tirade to smack listeners upside their head with its content. X-Raided’s lyricism is so in depth, so layered that, if you’re not one for using your brain, cause the level of elite lyricism coming at you would make anyone’s head hurt, you’re better off sitting down & watching his breakdown of this record cause like Iso, it’s just bar after bar of intelligent wordplay. We haven’t seen a Strange debut like this since Iso first signed! A colossal first single before we get hit with the album! No 1 Is Safe from the return of X-Raided, he carry the heat like Mourning, Glock 33 sting that ass like a Hornet, that wordplay is insane & I ain’t even a sports fan like that!

Willo - Toast (Video)

If you haven’t heard of Willo then now would be the time to get familiar. His latest record “Toast” has a beat as smooth as butter, with Willo’s unique take on it slicing through it like a hot knife. There’s a playful wittiness being channeled throughout his storytelling on this record, even the little sound effects he’s doing, the adlibs, it just adds so much more energy to the inertia tinged record. He’s right in your face with these visuals, letting you know how easily he can crush a beat or an opp into crumbs if they dare try to swipe those left on his plate. His ferocity on this record may be the meanest delivery we’ve heard all year. Excited to see what else the man has in store for us.