Music Reviews

G Eazy

★★★★☆ 4/5 — Not only was G Eazy the highest selling artist of the week when he released, he outsold Rick Ross and Chris Brown in first week album sales. The single “You Got Me” garnered a lot of attention with his buzzing and steadily growing fan base, and for some of the Bay fans it shows a very Bay attitude within the lyrics. What I like most about him is how he represents the veterans by featuring artists like Keyshia Cole and E40 in the song “Nothing to Me”, and featuring Bay Area songstress Kehlani in the song “everything will be okay”. In every play he reps our culture.

Kehlani

★★★★★ 5/5 — Kehlani has right now no official album release, which is quite amazing considering she is one of the most talked about artists in 2015. Not only was her sophomore mixtape release a success, it peaked on the Billboard 200 at [number] 36, and Top R&B/Hip Hop [Albums,] peaking at number 5. In addition to this, she was also nominated for a 2016 Grammy Award for Best Urban Contemporary Album for “You Should Be Here”. She is currently on tour in North America and Europe promoting her newest release.

RobLo

Roblo doesn’t short us on this new mob collective project, which features the whole cast of the Mob Figaz and family. The song “A Brave New World” has that classic mob sound that we have grown to love in the decades we have been avid listeners. My favorite new addition is Bo Strangles, who also features on “Brave New World 2”. Gotta say this but, Joe Blow gases throughout the whole project. If you have listened to the “One Mob” project, this has some added fuel to the fire to me — being entirely produced by RobLo, what more can you ask for?

Jacka & Berner

★★★★★ 5/5 — The Jacka & Berner come correct with the third installment of the Drought Season series. This album gave an old school, East Oakland feel with samples such as Keyshia Cole. The feel of this album is reminiscing on the past. It discusses the struggle from living in the streets to prospering in their fields professionally. Catch Berner swaggin in his highly regarded lifestyle brand Cookies. RIP THE JACKA. Album features production by Rob Lo, Cozmo, Jeffro, Stinje — go get it!

Shady Nate

★★★★★ 5/5 — Praised and argued as one of the most lyrical on Livewire Records, Shady Nate brings us his second installment to his Bo Fessional series. Fresh out from a va[c]ation, Shady Nate has hit the pavement hard. Since releasing this project, he has also been working on a slew of new material for the fans. He recently shot a visual off the project, called “Whip It”, and it quickly garnered over 12,000 plays in the first couple of weeks. The album is available now for purchase on iTunes.

HBK [CJ]

★★★★★ 5/5 — [The record balances modern textures] such as synthetic leads and 808’s, then turn[s] around bringing out [a] professional pianist, giving the listener an authentic Hip-Hop experience. His raspy and melodic voice gives him the advantage, with the funky basslines in songs like “Go Hard”, yet he still knows when to tone it down on songs like “How Would You Feel” featuring Kevin McCall. CJ brings out group member IAMSU, Kevin McCall as mentioned, and legendary producer G Koop — [it all] gives this album a well rounded listen.

Mozzy

★★★★★ 5/5 — Only one word comes to mind when you hear Mozzy’s new project: BANGER! The MC used his YELLOW TAPE ACTIVITYS to show his fans another side of his artistry. He unveiled prevalent lyricism, and even a political side, on the verge of the likes of Tupac, one would say. Mozzy spoke of his family life, and even in a poetic fashion with his words that wasn’t seen in his character before. Receiving much love from the industry from the likes of Chris Brown, YG, and Nipsey Hussle etc. NorCal’s much needed breath of fresh air. Word up to Mozzy.

DJ Biggie B

★★★★☆ 4/5 — DJ Biggie B is no stranger to NorCal Hip Hop. Stemming from Fresno, California, Biggie B has no problem hitting the pavement and making his own way. So with that kind of mentality, he decided to join forces with All Bay Radio, All Bay’s newest media outlet partnered with KPR1.com. This mixtape is the first of many, and features HBK CJ, Nino, Elujay, DLO, Mac Purp, IAMSU, YT Triz, Boo Banga, Beeda Weeda, Big Homie, and many more. Go to DJBiggieB.com for new mixtapes.

Various Artists — One Mob

★★★★☆ 4/5 — Philthy Rich, Lil Blood, Mozzy and Joe Blow team up with Lil AJ to form a new hip hop collective, “One Mob”. This feels like a newer rendition of the “Paraphernalia to the Mobb”, which also had their own powerhouse of artists like Cydal, The Luniz, and 3X Krazy. One Mob has not shorted the streets of hot songs, like in the song “Never Sold Weight”, featuring Livewire Records rapper J Stalin. Pure fire! The album is pure mob, featuring Street Knowledge, J Stalin, Yukmouth, Husalah, Fed X, Boo Banga, Carey Stacks, and more.

Nef The Pharaoh

★★★★★ 5/5 — Bay Area’s newest young star, Vallejo’s own Nef the Pharaoh, who blew up on his single “Big Tymin” and his self titled EP. A new signee to E40’s Sic Wid It Records, along with a distribution deal through Columbia, Nef’s approach with this project seemed to be to show his versatility. Nef has national notoriety from major industry figures such as Kehlani, YG, and Drake. The future of this young MC is bright.

J Stalin

★★★★☆ 4/5 — J Stalin reemerges himself as one of the Bay Area’s prominent music figures with his LP Tears of Joy. After what seemed like a year and a half of silence, Stalin comes with a fully loaded array of the Bay Area’s top rappers and producers including Mozzy, G Eazy, E40, Iamsu, Philthy Rich, JuneOnnaBeat, DJ Fresh. Definitely check out the “Bye Felicia” single featuring L’Jay. There is also a video featuring Lil Debbie. You can definitely say this project established his buzz in Bay Area music.

HBK CJ & IAMSU

★★★★★ 5/5 — HBK front runner “CJ” teams up with HBK head honcho IAMSU over a Mike Watts production to bring us the M.S.G.D., and a dope visual directed by Evan Croker. This HBK Gang duo always bring the heat, and as Fader puts it they “generally come together to bring something conscious to Hip Hop”. The single and video has done well, getting placements on Young California, DJ Carisma, The Fader, HotNewHipHop, Thizzler, Karen Civil, and many other notable blogs.

Don P

★★★★☆ 4/5 — Don P comes back with [a] new project you can vibe to. The project has a slew of features, but you definitely can’t miss the newest single “We In This Bitch”, produced by @KontrabandBeatz. The song is also accompanied by a dope music visual directed by @BroJackson. Another blazing track, “In Motion”, produced by Poe Boy producer Freeway T Jay, features HBK frontman “Skipper” on the track. Album features The Jacka, AP9, Dwayne Wiggins, Dru Down, B Legit, Spice 1, and more.