Thursday, February 26, 2009
Nipsey Hu$$le: Bullets Ain’t Got No Name
If you’re more prone to liking trunk rattling, West Coast gangster rap, Nipsey Hu$$le is your man. Nipsey oozes that California, G-funk style and has been gaining a lot of attention in the hip-hop community. A product of south central Los Angeles, Slauson Avenue, Nipsey grew up a devout Rolling 60’s Crip and his music is a reflection.
He released two mixtapes alongside DJ Felli Fel, Bullets Ain’t Got No Name Volume 1 & 2, the first one being an instant, must-have classic. A few words about the music: his shit bangs. His lyrics are on point, the hooks are catchy and the beats are infectious.
Nipsey is looking for a full-time DJ and is currently running a contest online in order to find one. Expect Nipsey to drop his debut solo album sometime in the middle of the year.
Blu: (So)ul Amazing 1 & 2
A certified purveyor of true, roots hip hop, Los Angeles native Blu is one of the most promising MCs to come out of California. Although not technically a rookie, he released his critically acclaimed debut album Below the Heavens with producer Exile in August of ’07. Blu has worked hard, dropping two mixtapes, an EP and a full length album.
The mixtapes, (So)ul Amazing 1 & 2, play smooth, flowing and cohesive. Blu also released an album that www.hiphopdx.com rated top 25 of 2008, as the Johnson half of the group Johnson & Jonson with producer Mainframe. Blu also teamed up with producer Ta’Raach for an experimental hip-hop EP, The Piece Talks.
Blu’s father was a pastor, and gospel music influenced him just as much as MCs such as Common, Mos Def and Slum Village. If you like classic, roots hip hop, Blu is a name to get excited about.
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