CYHI THE PRYNCE RELEASES FIRST JOINT SINCE BLACK HYSTORI PROJECT

After the massive success of his Black Hystori Project, I expected to hear a lot more from CyHi The Prynce, one of the most slept on rappers in my opinion. However, after the drop, he went silent for six months. I was disappointed, but the gift Stone Mountain’s prince just dropped off more than makes up for it.

“Credit ‘I’ Deserve” is CyHi laying claim to the game and commanding respect, because even he knows he’s under-appreciated. Black Hystori Project was not only his best project to date, but one of the best projects of the year. Period.

“My diction is an addiction, the way I give a description some may consider it snitchin’.
Just trynna give a vivid depiction of how n*ggas was livin’. Would you rather hear me rappin’ about stickin’ d*ck in a vixen?”

Aside from “Credit ‘I’ Deserve” being a great song on its own, the album art is also fantastic… But not for normal reasons. In a little box at the bottom reads “BHP2” — a not-so-subtle hint that we’ll be getting a Black Hystori Project 2, and it’s probably gonna be coming sooner rather than later.

FINALLY SOME NEW PHIL ADE

Other than dropping “As Soon As I Get On” featuring Mya back in September, one of my favourite independent artists, Phil Ade, has been relatively quiet. He’s been building a lot of hype about his forthcoming Respect Due project, and has me stoked.

He just released “Way Too Much” featuring fellow DMV-rapper Chaz French, the first sign that the new mixtape may be just around the corner.

ACE COSGROVE IS ANYTHING BUT ROBOTIC

I often get a lot of people sending me their music saying that it’s next big thing.  And usually — it isn’t. So when Ace Cosgrove sent me a link to his new album UsvsRobots, I cautiously bumped it, and I was blown away.

UsvsRobots is a clever, dynamic effort from the young Maryland native. He delivers everything from effortless stoner-rap on “Making Moves” and “High 5,” to well-executed retro-rap on “Golden Chills,” and a funky track reminiscent of N.E.R.D. on “Getting Loot.”

While still a relative unknown, Ace is gaining steam and has every right to hold down a spot on your iPod. Stay tuned for my exclusive interview with Ace Cosgrove, and a new video release next Tuesday on KLX.

A MORE MELLOW CONSEQUENCE

While some people will never be able to get over his feud with ex-best-friend Kanye West, I care more about the music — and Consequence seems to always deliver.

On his latest track, “The Whole World,” Consequence enlists Mark Crozer to croon a campfire favourite while Cons adds vocals and a punchy verse late in the song.  He’s always stuck to a classic, vintage hip-hop sound, but this indie-sounding track is a really nice shift.

Don’t listen to what some people are saying online — this is a great song. Hopefully we’ll hear more like this down the road from the former G.O.O.D. Music rappper.

Watching haters wonder why Gambino got the game locked

Yesterday, Childish Gambino dropped part one of a two-part project, STN MTN/KAUAI. It wouldn’t be a Childish Gambino project without some form of creativity beyond the music. The first part (STN MTN) dropped as a free mixtape, and part two (KAUAI) will drop any day now as paid EP. The transition form mixtape to album will be seamless.

Gambino says this is the first true concept mixtape. STN MTN, referring to his hometown of Stone Mountain, Georgia,  is presented as a dream ‘Bino has where he’s the king of Atlanta hip hop. The mixtape mimics DJ Drama’s famous ‘Gangsta Grillz’ mixtapes, and goes hard on every track. Aside from “Candler Road” all the tracks are new.

STN MTN starts off with a heavy intro (“Dream Southern/Hospitality/Partna Dem”) that perfectly sets the story, and allows Gambino to go off on others who still aren’t convinced that he’s on top of the game.

And let me tell you — he is. Be sure to check out “No Small Talk,” “Move That Dope/Nectel Chirp/Let Your Hair Blow,” and “Go DJ.”

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