You can almost sense Stalley gaining confidence with each new release. On the seventh track of his “Songs By Me, Stalley” series, the Ohio native’s familiar stoicism is nowhere to be found. The brief Block Beattaz-produced “Midnight Satori” has a bit of an edge that may surprise some fans. Read the rest of this entry »

Rap can be easy, or, better put, it can be formulaic. Rapper A can gain Internet notoriety by generically coasting over any bass- or boom-bap-heavy beat without breaking a sweat and it’ll still resonate. It takes skill – real skill – to make tracks that are omnipotent, metaphoric and great, characteristics G-Side has shown a knack for.

The duo’s latest, “Spaceships,” resonates in two ways: its title symbolically represents their hometown of Huntsville, Alabama (an American aerospace mecca), and also relays the feeling of wanting to blast away from the past in search of greener pastures. Fellow Huntsville comrades, Block Beattaz, lace a somber piano loop, but that ambiance wouldn’t be enough without the following line: “So I’m packing up my bags, I’mma take a chance with the states/I can’t wait another year because my hood dying off everyday.”

It’s either/or for G-Side: remain grounded or take the chance with the unknown. The former’s a dead-end and the latter’s risky. However, with skill in G-Side’s corner, it’s a no-brainer: countdown to lift-off.

“87 Regal” is billed as the “fifth and final” song in the beard’s Song By Me, Stalley series. If this Block Beattaz-produced burner is the last that means Savage Journey… is around the corner. If my gueesstimate is accurate then…

I’ll play “87 Regal” on repeat for the weekend and remain patient for the full project.

Stalley – “87 Regal” (Prod. By Block Beattaz)

There was a time when emcees wanted to be heard, in the most literal sense of the word. They were loud. The Chuck Ds, Melle Mels and Runs of the world didn’t let rhymes tumble carelessly from their mouths, as commonly heard in this current swag-based musical environment. Read the rest of this entry »

Y’know the nighttime is the right time to get involved in all sorts of G’d up wackiness and adult activities. Whether it’s wolves or vampy bloodsuckers that rise up when the moon reveals its glow to the world, Jackie Chain will remain in his usual demeanor: cool, grinning and ready to beat the block up with his pimpish ways. Read the rest of this entry »

The Songs By Me, Stalley series has kept the Ohioan in the public eye since the new year began, proving to be an excellent appetizer for his upcoming mixtape, Savage Journey To The American Dream. In a candid interview, the MMG representative discusses the process behind the music, the Songs By… series and more. Read the rest of this entry »

“Cause they wonder how I’m (Maybach Music), and I stay conscious.”

The Song By Me, Stalley series continues on with “God’s Child,” which features a simmering soundbed by Huntsville production crew Block Beattaz. Right now, I’m feeling real prophetic after recently drawing comparison between Stalley and God’s Son only to see him follow up with an anointed moniker and short verse explaining how he keeps his halo clean despite his surroundings.

As an extra, enjoy 330 MC’s “Blue Sky” freestyle.

Stalley – “God’s Child” (Prod. By Block Beattaz)

Stalley – “Blue Sky (Freestyle)”

Having a bad day? Is that incompetent boss of yours driving you up the wall that’s already felt like it’s been caving in on you? Well, if you’re in need of a quick getaway that’s both legal and won’t get your fired, take a trip with G-Side to their “Land In The Sky.” Read the rest of this entry »

Freddie Gibbs’ Cold Day In Hell will be the tape that has a snowball’s chance being remembered weeks and months from now. While others are dropping novelty tapes for the holiday, Freddie’s release seems meant to be played through winter and beyond. The tone is set by the distinguished art alone, which may be the illest seen this year. Beyond the cover, Cold Day… holds equally sick music and “consistency” best describes what Gibbs does best on this release. Read the rest of this entry »

Mi hermano Will @ Yours Tru.ly slipped the Block Beataz remix of “Hometown Hero” into the inbox but time wouldn’t permit sharing right then. Never too late though for a track that never gets old. Read the rest of this entry »

“Tryin’ get a kiss hoe, that’s a no no…”

Since Jackie Chain had a quick-trigger finger with his Block-Beataz-produced Who Da Mane mixtape and released it without much real promotion, many of you may have missed the Universal Motown signee’s cinematic “Stalker.” Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re a fan of grimy, gangsta’ rap and cement-splitting bass, than look no further than G-Side’s two-exclamation-point-warranting banger, “Bass!!” Surprisingly a leftover from this AL tag-team’s recent release, The One…Cohesive, this Block-Beattaz-based collaboration with Gangsta Gibbs could very easily incite a riot in your trunk if you don’t tame your subs. Read the rest of this entry »

Mackin’ ain’t easy but Jackie Chain never looked for any shorts or losses. He does, however, look for love in life’s little pleasures. The money comes by the bar so there’s plenty of love in his rhyming and you know the Huntsville homie got a lotta love for the ladies and kids. But Jackie Chain’s true affection is dedicated to getting his brain fried, roasted and crispified by the minute. Jackie loves Mary, exes and ohs. Read the rest of this entry »

Considering the song title and crisp visual focuses around a microphone, you might assume Jackie Chain’s “This Is Not Enough” would be less geared toward his typical mackin’ and pistol packin’ ways and leaning more towards actual lyricism. But, alas, the content remains carefree and this prelude into his upcoming release is merely a platform for this quick-tongued War Eagle to show off his nifty iPad. Read the rest of this entry »

Journey with Gary, Indiana’s finest 360° on the authentic gangsta tip. The OG mixtape was a rawer-than-sushi shootout designed for your weed smokin’ joyrides through the mind of the methodical genius. Where as Str8 Killa, presented a more concise and direct scope through Freddie Gibbs’ songmaking merits. And now, we have the full-length project stripped of its street décor to give your EP the missing pieces to the studio quality puzzle. Read the rest of this entry »