The Greener Side of Hip Hop

This the only masked artist that I’ll rock with – BHGMusic group’s BenJamIN. Earlier today, (it’s still Friday in Cali as of this writing) BenJamIN released his first single for 2019 entitled “Roses”. Produced by JohnnystormBeats. The theme of this dreamy, boom bap track is part self reflection on life (and on BenJamIN’s soul), and part “a hustle or die” mantra with and for his day ones…

“They ask what gives a man life?
Seeing my people good
All that matters,
If that’s settled,
I’m good,
If they take this man’s life…
Put that on my damn life.”

If you’ve listened to BenJamIN’s track “The Homies” which he released last year, you’ll understand… There’s no going back – “Roses”.

“Roses” is now available on all streamimg platforms, but feel free to get your ears right and listen below. Enjoy!

This is week two of Oklahoma’s native Jacobi Ryan’s “#52in365 #FormerlyFresh” campaign and this week Jacobi released the firery and energetically pleasing “L Intentioned”! Keeping up with the theme of last week’s release, “If You Gon Know Me”, the track gives listeners more about what Jacobi is and isn’t about. But, (this the weekly drill), if you want to find out the “genius” behind the track, check out his podcast “The More I Know, The More I Don’t” right here this coming Monday at 8 a.m. CST.

“L Intentioned” is available on all streaming platforms but you can listen to the snippet below. Enjoy!

Klokwize is back with his first release for the new year entitled “Dangerous Youth”. The lyrics are akin to a letter about himself. On the track Klokwize finds “his new voice in nostalgia” as he reminiscences about his life experiences and the possible regrettable parts of himself IN his past hence the title “Dangerous Youth”. Klokwize also gives fans and listeners that familiar bluesy, hip hop soul, complete with the gritty gravelly flow that he has become known for. “Dangerous Youth” also features vocals by Amanda Sloan which adds to the calm, yet pleasant melodic vibe in the track. The track will appear on Klokwize’s forthcoming EP of the same title, “Dangerous Youth” which will be released on January 25th. Happy New Year Klokwize! Y’all listen up and enjoy!!

“Sometimes, I sit and wonder why, are we living here just to die?” – I$O INDIES

New York duo I$O Indies recently released their visual for “Church” which is a track off their current five track EP “I.S.O.” that was released last year. As I$O even states on the track – “it’s a vibe”, a beautiful one at that filled with dope music and lyricism (their metaphors and flows are wild) with that classic 90s feel. However, both Ant and Dill rhyme not so much about the ups AND downs of life, but more about how shitty the reality of life IS. Like, it’s an effed up plateau (“bodies drop in the summer, feelin’ trapped like Maze Runner) that you can’t get off of. And I$O INDIES packaged it up into a hard lyrical sermon and thus you get – “Church”. In a music world where the mainstream sometimes consists of messiness and aesthetics we forget some of the grittiness and realness that made an era of hip hop and hip hop itself so dope… I$O INDIES got you. Enjoy!

Bay Area hip hop couple Ms. Incredible and Fly Benzo released the visuals for their track “Every Single Day” in early December. The visual consists of Fly Benzo doing his side hustle as an Uber driver as he rhymes and picks up passengers along the way which also includes Ms. Incredible and their children.  “Every Single Day” has a cool mellow flow and both Ms. Incredible and Fly Benzo spit a verse on the proverbial steps and journey before success – the struggle.  I like the memorable and engaging hook – “Every single day, I _____” on repeat –  as a listener can easily resonate with the simplicity of it and also fill in the blanks with their own experiences. Despite the theme of the song and visual the music and rhymes still exude an extremely good vibe – it’s all love and determination.  Y’all enjoy!

“I open up my heart, every time I spit rhymes…” –  Pennjamin Bannekar

Pennjamin Bannekar  recently released his first single of the year starting with “I Know It”. On the catchy track, equipped with the rapper/singer style that Pennjamin is known for, Pennjamin raps about the negative sides of pursuing his dream, especially when he’s faced with rhetoric of other’s people’s advice and expectations. Still, the show must go on. And, as Penn says on the track, he has to chase them goals (he know it). Listen to the track below, and look for more singles to drop each month in 2019 from Pennjamin Banneker. Y’all enjoy!!

New to TGSofHH, but definitely veterans in the rap game, Port, Huron’s The Lyricists recently returned from a hiatus with new visuals for the boom bap inspired track “AWW SHHH”. The Lyricists consists of members Rym-(Benda), Ill-Tone, DJ Speed, and A,E,I,O,U, an sometimes Y. The track will be featured on their upcoming project “The Best So Far”. Enjoy!

Photo Credit: @s_ikeimages/IG

Podcast bringa’…

Jacobi Ryan wrapped up the first episode of his podcast “The More I Know, The More I Don’t” last night. The Lawton, Oklahoma native’s first episode was yet another introduction to who he is (there are more layers to him than on his track “If You Gon Know Me”) and he also provided insight on honing his craft as an artist over the years (as well as his strategy for releasing new material), the “#52in365 #FormerlyFresh” Campaign”, and most importantly what to expect from his podcast each week. The main focus of tbe podcast will involve Jacobi Ryan focusing on his own creative genius by discussing the singles he’s dropping each week in 2019 – this Friday’s weekly single will be a track entitled “L-intentioned”.

Although, the podcast is in it’s infancy, his truth and the authenticity of Jacobi’s stream of consciousness will keep listeners reeled in. Not every voice on a podcast or radio will engage you and make you want to listen – trust me, Jacobi got you covered. So, heading into 2019, he’s controlling his own image and thoughts as an emerging artist FROM the top. Thus, there won’t be any question as to who Jacobi Ryan IS or isn’t in the years to come. I see you Jacobi…

Y’all stick with this artist and follow this man’s light!

“The More I Know, The More I Don’t” will be available every Monday at 8 a.m. at Anchor FM, www.jacobiryan.com, and on all streaming platforms. Also, check out Jacobi on Tha Rap Podcast with hosts DeezegotSteeze, Original Flow, and Willis.

Click the link to listen to Episode 1 of “The More I Know, The More I Don’t”.

Still ascending from the flames of the O.C.D. cypher with Chris Rivers and Oswin Benjamin… Denzil Porter segues off on his own and invites us to the bondfire with the visuals for the energetic “According To Them”. Trust me, you’ll be glad you came… Happy Monday and enjoy!!

Still ringing in the new year and still establishing the necessity for hip hop bars, (no weak rappers allowed) this is another one from the Dcypha produced track entitled “Push Back” by Taiyamo Denku featuring his cohorts, veteran bar smith Royal Flush and Original D-Block member J Hood. Enjoy!