Rickie Jacobs: Die Brilliant
Rickie Jacob’s Die Brilliant is another step for Baltimore’s plot at Hip-Hop success. The young emcee has been on a steady climb with consistent work but this project is his most definite piece to date. The project almost entirely produced by Street Scott, easily mixes old school lyrical dexterity with new school production. He’s in it to win it.
The intro doesn’t serve as the best precursor for the album. It comes off more Drake-ish than anything. He resumes his role throughout with a couple of key tracks.
“SeXXX” Produced by Street Scott is an addictive play on Crystal Waters “She’s Homeless”. Rickie rides the loop like Tony Hawk in his prime. His lisp is noticeable but not something that’s too annoying. It put’s you in the mind of Fat Lip of Pharycyde fame with Big L’s flow.
On “My Generation” Street Scott supplies that same choppy sample and drum roll that we saw on “SeXXX”. It’s a winning formula. He describes the hippy syndrome that’s plagued our current generation, “ We go to Hi- school/ Would you like an invitation/ We ain’t never gonna graduate cause we never finished baking.”
“Victory Lap” is an awesome track about Rickie’s journey as a rapper on the rise. In Baltimore you see a lot of rappers lose their identity in creating a radio ready record. On this tape he pulls it off multiple times. Maybe with Rickie’s help we’ll all Die Brilliant.
Starrz: Skyy Jones II
Looking at the discography of Starrz, the hardworking energetic rapper from Baltimore, Maryland, it’s obvious he won’t be letting up anytime soon. The introduction track, “The Fly Life 2” produced by Street Scott & Jay Feddy starts off sounding classic and beautiful thanks to the voice provided by Nova Starz. It doesn’t take Starrz long to intrude on that melody and embark on his “Swag!” which lasts nearly the entire album.
Starrz’s one-liners are witty but often don’t deserve the gas he puts behind them. On the tape’s first single “UuuugHh” he provides the energy but the track suffers from “so-so” metaphors.
On the bouncy Street Scott laced jam “Gold Chain” he finally gets it right. Somewhere in between all the swag and the braggadocios rhymes he finds his lane. Another Jam is “Weed & My Girlfriend” produced by Hitman & Kurtis Toledo. The hook is catchy and the beat is bouncy enough to get a mean two-step going. Already a fan of Shah Rebel’s hooks, I figured I would dig the cowbell tinged jam “Froze”. I was right. Compared to his earlier work, Sky Jones 2 is way smoother and car ready.
Starrz is current. Point blank. A far cry away from older Baltimore artist struggling to find there way amongst Hip-Hop’s current wave of emcees. He’s into snapbacks and he rocks Jordans. He represents a generation of kids but the album could be way more well rounded in subject matter.
The 21 track project, is a lengthy, well-produced and crisp sounding project. Skyy Jones II could be the most complete, well produced, Baltimore album in a minute. But is it exactly what we need? Only time will tell.
Starrz’s one-liners are witty but often don’t deserve the gas he puts behind them. On the tape’s first single “UuuugHh” he provides the energy but the track suffers from “so-so” metaphors.
On the bouncy Street Scott laced jam “Gold Chain” he finally gets it right. Somewhere in between all the swag and the braggadocios rhymes he finds his lane. Another Jam is “Weed & My Girlfriend” produced by Hitman & Kurtis Toledo. The hook is catchy and the beat is bouncy enough to get a mean two-step going. Already a fan of Shah Rebel’s hooks, I figured I would dig the cowbell tinged jam “Froze”. I was right. Compared to his earlier work, Sky Jones 2 is way smoother and car ready.
Starrz is current. Point blank. A far cry away from older Baltimore artist struggling to find there way amongst Hip-Hop’s current wave of emcees. He’s into snapbacks and he rocks Jordans. He represents a generation of kids but the album could be way more well rounded in subject matter.
The 21 track project, is a lengthy, well-produced and crisp sounding project. Skyy Jones II could be the most complete, well produced, Baltimore album in a minute. But is it exactly what we need? Only time will tell.
Rome Cee: The Extra Mile
Rome Cee, seemingly came out of nowhere and most great rappers do. The Extra Mile surfaced a couple months ago on local label Under Sound Music, a collective of artists seemingly influenced by 90’s hip-hop.
“By Your Side” produced by E.Hill is my favorite track on the album. It’s his most radio-ready track and his raspy voice compliments the choppy soul sample. He describes Baltimore in a way only a Baltimorean can. “It’s crabs in my city that don’t want success/ that daddy shit is in me really, I just want what’s best.”
“Mommy and Daddy” is another great track also produced by E.Hill. He chronicles his life and lessons within 3 minutes in 47 seconds.
The Extra Mile shows an emcee who has faced adversity and hasn’t let it wither his spirit. He raps like someone who’s struggled in the city and can look back at it all with wisdom and smiles. All in All, this effort is an album that I’d like to see from a Baltimore artist. I’m looking forward to seeing his progression this year.
