Canadian Irish artist JRoberts once again proves his place in the Hip Hop industry with the release of his latest single “Keep It Moving“. JRoberts showcases his heavy delivery and lyrical presence with rising Hip Hop East Coast veteran RJ Payne, adding an extra layer of bar work and impeccable rhyme schemes to the track. The production from Body Bag Ben adds the perfect foundation for the artists’ bars, with its compelling rhythms and expertly crafted soundscapes.
Oxnard, California; home to many gangs, Madlib, Anderson paak…and strawberries, Ironically; we have 2 of Oxnard’s most underground heavy hitters getting us some organic “audio fruit” in this saturated market of hip hop we’re living in.
The beat is some smooth crafted and fly vibes by Crown, and it happens to fit Mark 4ord and Body Bag Ben perfectly. 4ord who is Fresh off his last underground classic “Sun baths in north korea” goes first for about 32 bars and floats over the beat.
Ben is next and seals the deal, stating he will john wick all the witnesses. Very memorable line. Ben Is fresh off his last project he just produced for Canibus entitled Kaiju and is entering his new release for a new EP entitled “Vulgar Display” which will be releasing through Fat beats. The Album will feature Verses from Supreme cerebral as well as 4ord, so this track is a great glimpse of what we will see on the upcoming project.
This is a brand new collaborative EP between Body Bag Ben & Rick Hyde. One hails from Oxnard, California & the other being a flagship artist of the Buffalo label Black Soprano Family Records founded by none other than Benny the Butcher. Now I don’t think these guys have ever worked with each other prior to this, but I was curious about Hyde the Body Bag given how much I enjoyed his Milano Constantine collab album Written in Blood right at the end of last year.
“Skywalker OG” is a grimy boom bap opener with GoToMar$ to say what they make in 90 days is what you work towards yearly whereas “Voodoo” sounds much more drearier with them spitting that gun talk. GoToMar$ returns on the malicious title track while the penultimate song “Make Amends” wickedly speaks on freezing cats right where they stand. Then there’s “Tiger Blood”, which is a decent lil posse cut to end the EP.
Even though I got nothing but love for both of these cats, Hyde the Body Bag is just ok to me. I like the chemistry between the MCs & the old school production, but I think they overdid it with the features. All that being said, the hardcore fans will definitely get a kick out of it.
Manhattan MCMadhattan recently dropped his latest project “Sink Or Swim.” Over flawless production largely by IceRocks, Madhattan reminisces on his upbringing in the city, what he had to do to get by and describes his daily life in the Rotten Apple today with precise lyricism and wit. To sink or swim means to fail or succeed entirely by one’s own efforts, and as Madhattan explains on the intro, Manhattan is entirely surrounded by water, and to not just survive the Gotham City but succeed, it builds layers of character not everyone can endure.
The track “Dirty White Boy” finds Madhattan reminiscing on the dirt he did to get by over a hypnotic, drum heavy beat crafted by Trumentillz. Tracks like “Canal Street,” “Stoop Situations” and probably my favorite track on the album “Pavement” precisely describe life in the concrete jungle of New York City through Mad’s perspective. Shoutout to IceRocks by the way, as usual he provided a gritty yet soulful boom bap soundscape throughout much of this album that Madhattan floats over.
“Now,” which is produced by NV, is another standout track on the project, soon followed by the ElCamino assisted “No Shorts.” If you’re a fan of reality rap and lyrical story-telling street Hip Hop you will not be disappointed. Hattan paints a picture throughout this highly personal project.
When asked about the project, Madhattan stated “This shit really was like giving a piece of me to the people. I’m just happy it’s in the world and I hope people listen.”
I highly recommend you do. Stream “Sink Or Swim” below, and on all DSPs.
Body Bag Ben and Rick Hyde announce the release of their forthcoming collaborative EP, Hyde The Body Bag, with a snarling and chilling lead single, “Voodoo,” that sets the tone for what to expect from the full project. Hailing from Oxnard, CA and Buffalo, NY, respectively, BBB and Rick are a natural fit for anyone who’s followed their careers to date—or anyone getting introduced to them on this track. “Voodoo” is the grime-covered encapsulation of what these two bring to the table: provocative and vivid lyricism over creaky, neck-breaking production. The single is available now through all major DSPs, with their collab EP due out this summer!
– How did you first connect? And was it always the intention of collaborating for a body of work? Please detail the process of how, “Write It in Blood“ came to fruition.
Milano: We actually worked before on a joint called “Don’t Become a Victim” off my collab EP with Planet Asia. Peace to my Brothers DJ Enyoutee, Jay Royal And Planet Asia. That’s when I First Heard about BBB on the production side.
Body Bag Ben: Yah, after “Don’t Become a Victim” it was a no-brainer to collab for a full body of work.
– What prompted you both to lead off with the album single, “The Hearse” back in February? And how has the track/video been received?
Milano: We wanted to drop something for the people. Plus It’s metaphorical…we’re really going to come body the competition [laughs].
Body Bag Ben: We just wanted to get something out there for the people and start getting the ball rolling.
– Upon release of “The Hearse” the album was announced with the working title, 2 Kings. What prompted the title change, and how did you come up with the idea for the new album title?
Milano: I produced a track called “Write It in Blood.” It was only right we went with that title. It’s It sums up the passion we write with through all the blood, sweat and tears.
Body Bag Ben: Yah after that track was completed, it just felt right for that to be the album title. We both really tapped in with the pen on this one.
– Body Bag Ben, for those unfamiliar, please shed some light on your background. Considering your multi-faceted skill set, did you begin your foray into hip-hop first as a deejay, emcee or producer? And at what point did you decide to collaborate with other emcees? Please detail.
You know what’s funny about that is I started deejaying when I was like 12-13. Shit just stuck with me. I got into beat boxing, break dancing and emceeing not to long afterwards, probably around 14. I started playing instruments at a young age as well, and producing kind of just came natural to me. I’ve always had a passion for working with other artists to create some wild shit. I was in multiple bands growing up, we were signed to a record label, toured all over and all that stuff, so having that collaborative spirit has always been a thing for me.
– Milano, your career has had a strong second wind over the past few years. Do you find most of your fanbase familiar with you from your D.I.T.C. affiliation, or do you feel that you’ve been discovered in recent years more so on the merit of your music. Please detail.
I believe it’s a 50/50 split. I’m Heavily ingrained in D.I.T.C’s history and have been featured on their albumsWorldwide (2000) and Street Talk (2005), records like “Where You At?” featuring Big Pun & Big L (RIP) as well as “Hey Luv” from OC And Cuban Link. Since 2016 I’ve dropped verses for Hus Kingpin, SmooVth and many other dope emcees to branch out. In 2017 my brothers DJ Skizz, Marco Polo and I gave the people, The Way We Were LP. In 2018 I dropped Attaché Case, produced entirely by Oh Jay. Being consistent is key, so in 2019 I dropped two more projects; Boulevard Author, produced entirely by Showbiz, and DJ Enyoutee Presents: The Planet Asia & Milano Constantine EP, which Is Insane.
– Milano, What’s your favorite track off the EP, and why? And please reference your favorite bar from this song that highlights your elite level lyricism.
I love “Sparks Steak House” for the Emotion I put into the bars: “You hear that Dirt Cranking, this is God’s work, TD Jakes Kirk Franklin / $500 a plate at the Banquet / Silk handkerchiefs, Bally’s near my ankle shit”
Check out the world premiere of, “Sparks Steak House” right here courtesy of UGHHBLOG:
– Body Bag Ben, what’s your favorite beat that you produced on this EP that you feel really showcases your prowess as a producer? Please explain.
I like them all [laughs], but probably “Hell or High Water,” it just has that energy you know. *Peep an exlcusive snippet on Instagram.
– Body Bag Ben, when compared to other artists that you’ve collaborated with, what is it about Milano that stands out and makes him unique from the pack. Please detail.
On top of being a really dope emcee and producer he’s a stand up dude, that to me means more then anything when I’m working with people. This project turned into a friendship for sure.
– Milano, considering that BBB produced the lions share of the album, at what point was it decided to include your own production for the album cuts, “Sparks Steak House” and “Write It in Blood”?
We were probably about five or six songs deep. I know Ben was only going to give me that gritty shit. So I wanted to switch the mood with something soulful yet sinister on “Sparks Steak House.” Then I just went straight for the jugular when I chopped up, “Write it In Blood.”
– Body Bag Ben, due to the pandemic, I realize the opportunity to record together was not possible. That said, did you produce tracks for this album specifically with Milano in mind, or did you send him beats that you had already produced for him to choose from? And being that you’re on opposite coasts, please detail the recording process. Would you track your vocals first, and send ‘em off to Milano to add his verses, or visa versa? Please detail.
This year’s has been tough for everyone and to be honest this project was built so organically that it sounds like we recorded it together in a studio. We definitely played off each others energy; he would send his verses I would send him mine and it just worked out perfect man. I couldn’t be happier with the final product.”
– Now that the project is complete and ready to be delivered to the masses, please detail what you would like fans and listeners to take away from the project. Please detail.
Milano: I want the masses to walk through this musical art gallery of emotions and leave saying, “we just witnessed Basquiat and Rembrandt in the flesh”…audio art.
Body Bag Ben: I want people to break their neck rockin’ to these joints! I want people to say there’s not one track worth skipping. From top to the bottom we both worked hard on this and we did it for the listeners, word up.
– Please reference your forthcoming projects for 2021 that you’re at liberty to speak upon:
Milano: We have an album with Showbiz & D.I.T.C titled, Place Your Bets, a project with DJ Swet from Spain tentatively titled, Block Work. We working…God bless.
Body Bag Ben: I have an LP with J-Scienide, an EP with Chino XL and an EP with Rick Hyde. All have crazy features on them. And that’s just what I know is happening 100%. I’m always looking towards the future you know.
– And now for our infamous question. Body Bag Ben, what’s your definition of underground hip-hop?
Body Bag Ben: To me, underground hip-hop is a combination of a shared history, a brotherhood compartmentalized through love and pain. You can’t fake the feeling when it hits you. You know it’s real.
The East-meets-West Coast connection of Milano Constantine & Body Bag Ben share their snarling new single, “Write It In Blood,” alongside their frequent collaborator Planet Asia. It also serves as the focus track from the duo’s forthcoming album of the same name. Produced by Milano, the menacing track provides the fuel for all three emcees to go straight for the jugular. “Write It in Blood” is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms, with their full length LP dropping the following Tues, Dec. 29.
Oxnard, CA producer BodyBagBen delivers one of the hardest tracks of 2020 so far with “Lord Body,” his riot-causing new single co-piloted by the legendary M.O.P. This absolute haymaker of a track is brimming with everything you’d want from the legendary Brownsville rap duo, including their signature adlibs, trademark bully raps, and larger-than-life sh*t-talk. Lil Fame and Billy Danze have truly found a new partner in crime with Ben. “Lord Body” is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms. And for the heads in search of some dope summer apparel, Body is offering the single artwork as a dope, fashion forward merch pressed on high quality navy t-shirts, exclusively through his Bandcamp page.
