This is our first label in the Soundklout series. The biggest reason I chose them first is because there are slim pickings when it comes to hip-hop on SoundCloud - I’m trying to recruit more.
Rhymesayers is a collective of hip-hop acts from all over the U.S., but is based out of Minneapolis, MN. I was originally going to show a few tracks from their most notable act, Atmosphere, but thought there’s a lot more to Rhymesayers than just that. However, if you don’t know Atmo, get to, they maybe overrated compared to the rest of Rhymesayers, but they’re underrated compared to the rest of rap.
Really wanted to feature Kyprios as one of my first SoundKlouters, but there was one problem – he only has 6 tracks up on SoundCloud. I usually try to find artists with at least 20-30, so I can weed the better from the… not so better. But I knew how much I wanted him in a few weeks back, so I thought if all 6 tracks were solid he’d be up next. Let’s just say they were.
I was first introduced to K-Murdock through his stylings with Restoring Poetry in Music (RPM). He’s not technically a part of the band, but has contributed to it, as you’ll soon see. I’ve mostly gotten to know his work through Panacea and more recently his collaboration with Mega Ran, entitled Forever Famicom. But now going through his SoundCloud, I’m beginning to realize how much more he has to offer.
I’ll admit, I was a Raw Poetic fanatic and didn’t want to hear anything K would do without him. It took me long enough to listen to him and Mega Ran, but now hearing everything else, I realize how expansive his sound is. As much as I love his work in Panacea, I began to lose touch with them in their more recent albums. Going through all his other side projects on SC, from his work with rap artists I’ve admired for years to some absolutely gorgeous female vocals I’ve never heard, I’m pissed I didn’t get to it til now.
The whole notion of the G.O.A.T is thrown around all too loosely nowadays, but listen to any track from 28-year-old Shad K and you’ll understand why he holds the title in my books. The London, Ontario, Canada based MC nabbed a Juno earlier this year for Best Rap Recording, ousting out Young Money heavyweight Drake. Check out this freestyle where Shad showcases his skills-packing punchlines for 6 minutes on end.
Feel free to check out Shad’s other efforts, I guarantee you they will not disappoint. His latest album, TSOL, is out now on Black Box Recordings.
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For our second contest with K-Murdock, we’re celebrating the release of The Ronin, a 7-track EP filled with songs produced by K over the past three years. He decided to center the EP around independence because the tracks were all wandering singles floating around in pro tools until he decided to compile them all into an EP. The title, Ronin, also refers to the samurais of the feudal period who were independent of any masters [...]
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It only takes a little something to make the beat ring right. Born UndaDogz take an old school sound with their single, “Back Then”, and put a little finesse to it. Love what they’re doin’ with that East Coast style, gonna try to get out of my West Coast funk, though it may take a bit more convincing.
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Stigmah comes on strong at first, but soon after you realize his flow in “King of Arcades” is fairly laid-back for such an intense beat. His rocked-out sound may be the first thing to catch your ear, but the wordplay with his gamer theme is what’ll keep ya. Stigmah weaves tales between reality and the digital world and makes flowing sound so damn easy.
It’s good to hear some quality rap coming from the South. Never been much a fan before, but as far as the underground hip-hop scene is goin, it’s gainin some real attention over here… well, really only in Atlanta, but it’s a good start.
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Headnodic knows his West Coast MC’s and he’s gettin the best of ‘em on his newly released album, Red Line Radio. Surprisingly though, this isn’t what made the album, Headnodic’s production and ability to build something around the vocalist sets this above any ordinary mix of some of my favorite MC’s. Not only that, my favorite track isn’t by the classic MC’s I grew up on, but Ms. Destani Wolf.
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