Tag Archives: skyzoo

”Keep Me Company” Shows Skyzoo at His Most Vulnerable (Album Review)

Brooklyn, New York veteran Skyzoo signing to Old Soul Music for his 9th solo LP. Emerging in the underground off the 9th Wonder produced Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, he continued to make a name for himself with a consistent discography. Highlights include The Salvation, the !llmind produced Live from the Tape DeckA Dream DeferredMusic for My Friends, the Apollo Brown produced The Easy TruthIn Celebration of Us & my personal favorite: the Pete Rock produced Retropolitan dedicated to his home state. All the Brilliant Things built itself around gentrification & coming off The Mind of a Saint dedicated one of my favorite shows Snowfall, he’s calling for everyone to Keep Me Company.

“Community Service” featuring a spoken word out from JRose is this jazzy boom bap opener produced by JR Swiftz discussing scriptures written in threads seemingly holding us all together & the aptly titled voluntary work lasting for eternity whereas “Finder’s Keepers” keeps the jazz rap vibes going talking about not leaving until finding what you came for. “Home Away from Home” addresses still being the one they call up even though he’s been gone while the atmospheric boom bap joint “Ayinde in the March” talks about the corner getting immortalized soon as it dies.

As for “Drug Free School Zone”, we have Sky acknowledging that his footprints are on the soapbox trying to rebuild pride ahead of “Prayers for the Customers” getting back on the jazz rap tip warning to not run around like you one of them after you done with them. The bare-boned yet layered all at once “Courtesy Call” featuring Chuck D advising to stand down if murder’s involved, but then the soulful “Esoteric” describes the feeling as abstruse.

“Record Store Day” after the “Store Runs” interlude playfully talks about women in record stores, which is very much my type personally while “Sleeping Beauty” pushes further towards the final leg of his Old Soul Music debut by talking about your presence speaking volumes before you even say a word. “Wins of the Father” points out that being proud goes both ways on top of sending an open letter to his seed & “Jazz in the Projects” sends it off with an 8-minute jazz rap closer hoping you win the wars you haven’t told anyone that you’re fighting.

Centered on the idea of growth, Keep Me Company shows Skyzoo at his most vulnerable since he speaks on his current personal state along with the effects of the past & the assumptions of the future. Feeling alone in this growth spurt of sorts, Sky come across people who felt the exact same way & lets everyone know that they should fear none if they’re in the middle of their own spurt too since the blessing of growth can be sometimes disguised.

Score: 8/10

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Skyzoo Drops New Single “The Workload” Featuring Method Man

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The idea for “The Workload” came after Method Man & Redman’s festival performance this past summer, with the iconic duo putting on a masterclass of hip-hop, but feeling disconnected from the younger generation; due to them not understanding the greatness they were witnessing.  When Meth said he was done with a certain demographic, I understood his stance, as me growing a Wu loyalist left me frustrated with how that all played out.  Thus, “The Workload” was born. 

Using that moment to show the somehow mislead of this era what they’re out of touch with; a legend in the truest sense.  It was an honor to craft this record with Meth, putting on a lyrical clinic, all while giving him his flowers in the same breath,  Cartune produced the record and when I heard it, the energy of Meth’s post-concert response seemed to fit the tone of the beat.  Fast forward a few months later and here we are.

The post Skyzoo Drops New Single “The Workload” Featuring Method Man appeared first on .

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Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message”

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Hip-hop legend Rakim is breaking new ground with his new project, G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH), by flexing his skills both on the mic and behind the boards.  Widely lauded as the best lyricist of all time, The God MC himself is blessing the culture with the next step in his historic career; and his first project in 15 years.  G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is now available.

“I feel like the battery in my back has been reenergized,” Rakim said about his new project, which arrives nearly four decades after the release of his classic debut with Eric B., Paid In Full. Since then, he’s continued to shape the landscape and culture of hip-hop as we know it, inspiring rising artists with his hype live shows and incredible studio albums. And while he’s produced some of his previous work—notably “Don’t Sweat the Technique,” “Juice (Know The Ledge),” and “Paid In Full”—this feels like new territory for the 18th Letter, whose production and scratching talents are nothing short of remarkable.

G.O.D.’S NETWORK (REB7RTH) is proof that Rakim is truly one of the most special artists we’ve known, not just in hip-hop, but all of music. You can tell he feels that level of praise when speaking about the genesis of the album. “Having the ability to showcase my talents behind the boards, coupled with the elite lyricism the world already knows and gives me infinite praise for, alongside some of the best talents to ever do it is truly a blessing and for that I am humbled,” Rakim declared.

The album’s first single, “Be Ill,” is the perfect introduction, as it pairs Rakim’s raw rhymes and head-nodding production with slick guest features from Kurupt and Masta Killa. Elsewhere, Rakim slows it down for the soulful “Love Is The Message,” which features Nipsey Hussle, Planet Asia, Louis King, Snoop Dogg, Sally Green, Kobe Honeycutt, and the LA Grand Choir. And then there’s the chest-thumping “International,” a straight-up slapper with hard-hitting rhymes from Kool G. Rap, Tristate, and Joell Ortiz.

The post Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message” first appeared on The Source.

The post Rakim Releases First New Project In 15 Years ‘G.O.D.’S Network (Reb7rth)’, New Video “Love Is The Message” appeared first on The Source.

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San Antonio Rapper Intre Is A Hidden Gem

Born in Los Angeles and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Intre weaves hard-hitting street reality raps with motivational get it out the mud business talk. An artist of Mexican, Jamaican and Italian descent, Intre has a unique yet familiar approach to Hip Hop, an aggressively fluid flow and an ear for top tier boom bap production. He has shared the stage with some of Hip Hop’s best MCs such as JID, Skyzoo, Crimeapple and more, as well as collaborating on wax with some of the Hip Hop undergrounds best.

Intre’s latest release “Throwaway Burners, Vol. 3” perfectly captures both his past experiences and hunger to climb the ranks as a MC. The opening track “Liberator” produced by Murk Russell sets the tone for the project. Intre tells his origin story detailing how he almost lost everything in the streets over a dark, piano laced soundscape. While he revisits his LA roots sonically on “Blood On My Hands,” channeling inspiration from the likes of Kid Frost. The Austin Terrell produced track showcases his sense of urgency to make it in this business by any means. Another highlight on the album is the HeemB$F assisted track “Clientele,” an ode to the hustler’s ambition.

If you are a fan of grimy reality rap and redemption, I highly recommend you check out Intre’s catalogue, while “Throwaway Burners, Vol. 3” may be his best work yet. Intre is steadily climbing and ready to break out into the national underground scene. Make sure to follow him on Instagram @intreago as well as click the link in his bio to check out his previous works, music videos and other content!

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Charlie Smarts & DJ Ill Digitz Link Up With Skyzoo For “Air Max 95”

New York-based (by way of North Carolina) Charlie Smarts & DJ Ill Digitz are gearing up for the debut release, Charlietape. This album is poised to highlight the “NY-to-NC experience”. The production of the LP will feature beats from 9th Wonder, Jansport J, Eric G, and others.

As a teaser to the album, they just dropped a few singles. The latest leak is a track that features witty wordplay courtesy of Charlie and Brooklyn-based Skyzoo. Canada’s Muneshine is the beatsmith behind the horny and drum-filled backbone. The raps of Charlie Smarts & Skyzoo fit the track perfectly, while Digitz provides a funky scratch outro.

Only two tracks have been released as teasers to the full LP, the KLIM-produced “Haters Anonymous” was the first single, peep the video below.

These two artists complement each other with grace. Charlie & Digitz wanted to break a few of Hip Hop’s current stigmas and blueprints with this new album. We will have to check it out when they release the full 19-track project at the end of the month.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Skyzoo & Friends Bring “The Mind of a Saint” Tour to Los Angeles

Skyzoo performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.
Skyzoo performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.

It was a dark and rainy March 5th evening, but the neon lights from Catch One’s marquee attracted the brightest emcees and Hip Hop connoisseurs to Pico Blvd. The renowned venue hosted Skyzoo’s “The Mind of a Saint” tour with supportive performances from Big Twins, Rigz & Mooch, Lenox Hughes, & Los Angeles’ Oshea Boyd.

This event was a benefit concert with all proceeds being donated to A Place Called Home in South Central, or “South LA” as the gentrified population know it. The night started off with a boom-bap soundtrack provided by DJMIKEC, while early patrons ordered drinks and consciously bobbed their heads. In the corner, there was a crew of guys in leather jackets surrounded by aromatic clouds of weed mouthing the words to every classic rap song that pumped through the speakers.

Annette LBC (of Hold You Down Entertainment, one of the promoters of the night), did her best to keep the crowd entertained and gaveaway tickets to the upcoming Rhymefest concert to a few lucky people. 

Oshea Boyd performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.
Oshea Boyd performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.

A few seconds later, she introduced the first performer Oshea Boyd. He calmly walked on stage draped in a LA Kings jersey, with a denim hat covering his braids. His smooth demeanor quickly faded away as his energetic verses filled the void that an opener is usually tasked with. Boyd’s comfortability on stage was a relief. He interacted with the crowd just as a seasoned veteran would. A brief break in his songs was compensated with an incredible acapella verse that solidified the intention of his lyrics. His quick stint on stage was closed on Boyd’s feelings of gratitude and the importance of this show. I’m looking forward to the emergence of Oshea Boyd’s career.

Lenox Hughes & Planet Asia perform at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.
Lenox Hughes & Planet Asia perform at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.

Next up on stage was Harlem-born & Los Angeles-based MC, Lenox Hughes. As he graced the microphone in an all black outfit with his muscles breaking out his t-shirt, his entourage hopped backstage to provide physical support. Hughes’ set made me reminisce of a rapper spitting rhymes with homies on the corner of the block – but I guess that’s what Gold Chain Music is all about. Midway through his set, he calls a special guest to join him for a song – it’s none other than Planet Asia. These two artists have chemistry that is showcased not only in the recorded form, but in the live show atmosphere as well. There was a point when Planet Asia took over DJ duties to provide music dropouts, so Hughes’ lyrics could be fully understood. The end of the set felt like a family affair as K. Burns provided vocals on “Off the Books”.

Rigz & Mooch perform at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.
Rigz & Mooch perform at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.

The New York soundscapes were on full display for the night. Rigz & Mooch added their Rochchester, NY sensibilities and Big Twins represented for Queensbridge. Mooch gave respect to the California weed that improved his performance, while Rigz showed love to the Dodgers by donning a conveted Dodgers jacket. These two performers traded verses all while keeping their energy high. Big Twins performance was brash and raw due to the self-admitted hangover, however DJ Mishaps made sure not a single soul in the audience cared.

Big Twins performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.
Big Twins performs at Catch One in Los Angeles, Calif. on March 5, 2023.

All the performances thus far were a great showcase of the talent on both coasts. The crowd thoroughly enjoyed themselves by the amount of hands in the air and “ayes” being screamed. As trumpeter Sean Taylor soundchecked his instrument, the entire crowd knew something big was about to happen. Within a minute, Skyzoo stepped to the stage while the audience came closer to embrace the headliner. His set opened with the jazzy backdrop of “Eminent Domain”, the bass of the track hit my stomach and gave my heart an extra beat.

The productions of The Other Guys compliment Skyzoo’s lyrics like coffee and creamer. Skyzoo’s storytelling skills have excelled at a pace of top tier athletes. A short vocal break for Skyzoo was filled with Sean Taylor’s freestyle trumpet performance of Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “T.R.O.Y.”. To see and hear this in a live setting was the cherry on top of this rap ice cream sundae. The Mind of a Saint is a concept album that interpolates the story of Snowfall’s Franklin Saint. Skyzoo treats the LA-based story with respect and reverence while presenting auditory content that begs the listener to engage their brain on the topics of hustling drugs, government hypocrisy, and moral empathy. I enjoy the boom-bap aesthetic and styles of the 90s, but seeing Skyzoo perform in a live setting reminded me why I fell in love with this artform. This performance got me as high as one of Franklin’s fiends, all in the name of Hip Hop.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Skyzoo “The Mind Of A Saint” LIVE Hits Los Angeles With Big Twins, Rigz, Mooch +More! Sunday March 5th 2023

East Coast Hip Hop legend Skyzoo brings us “The Mind os A Saint” LIVE Sunday 3/5/23 8PM at Catch One Club!  Grab your TICKETS now CATCH.ONE.  This is a benefit show with proceeds going to ℙ ℂ ℍ @apch2830 of South Central doing amazing work for our youth and community .

 

None of this would be possible without the generosity and support of:

@ogmusicman
@cxppington (artwork)
@bigtwinsqb
@rigz585
@dacloth_mooch
@lenox_hughes
@osheaboyd
@djmishaps
@djmikec
@ughhblog

This is an early show: 8pm to midnight. Can’t make it? Please consider buying a ticket and gifting it to someone. Let’s sell this out!!! Via @rhymefanatic

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Skyzoo Embarks Us on a Journey through “The Mind of a Saint” (Album Review)

This is the 8th full-length album from Brooklyn veteran Skyzoo. Emerging in the underground off the 9th Wonder produced Cloud 9: The 3 Day High, he continued to make a name for himself with a lengthy yet very consistent discography. Highlights include The Salvation, the !llmind produced Live from the Tape DeckA Dream Deferred, Music for My Friends, the Apollo Brown produced The Easy Truth, In Celebration of Us & my personal favorite: the Pete Rock produced Retropolitan. Last time we heard from Sky was a year & a half ago when he dropped the gentrification-themed All the Brilliant Things, but is returning to dedicate The Mind of a Saint to one of my favorite shows ahead of it’s final season next month: Snowfall.

“Eminent Domain” is a jazzy boom bap opener encouraging to picture opportunities by rewriting the rules whereas “Views from the Valley” takes a more soulful route in terms of sound acknowledging how the angels look different on the other side of the city. “Panthers & Powder” brings back the jazz with some kicks & snares admiring the beauty within all of it leading into the spacious “Straight Drop” talking about how it’s God levels in the town when they up.

Moving on from there with “100 to One”, we have Sky acknowledging that he has more to say than a few 16 bars & a hook on here saying it’s best to act like you ain’t know over a swooning beat with some trumpets leading into the piano-infused “Bodies!” opening up about everyone Franklin has killed so far deserved to die. “The Balancing Act” blends some horns & crooning vocals together talking about being the messiah type while “Brick by Brick” returns to the boom bap kicking that outside shit for the 1 time. The penultimate track “Apologies in Order” is an endearing open letter with the beat having a glistening quality to it & “Purity” is a solemn 7-minute closer with talking about becoming the oracle.

There’s always been a source of inspiration for every single body of work that Skyzoo has put out & it’s amazing how he continues to be consistent after all these years because I don’t see how anyone who has the sane amount of love for hip hop & Snowfall would dislike this album. He excellently captures what Franklin Saint’s innermost thoughts could be when dealing with the world he’s caught within & the production playing to the conventional jazz/boom bap hybrids we’ve come to know & love him for.

Score: 8/10

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Rahim Samad Enlists Skyzoo For Official Video For “8th Wonder”

Florida MC, Rahim Samad has released his self-directed Music Video, “8th Wonder”, featuring the great Brooklyn MCSkyzoo. The track is from Rahim’s upcoming album ‘Solar DNA’ 

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Leedz Edutainment Strengthens His Album With “A Worker Among Workers (Deluxe)”

Independent Hip Hop promoter Leedz Edutainment strengthens his critically acclaimed underground album with A Worker Among Workers (Deluxe Version). The 30-track project features featuring notable Hip Hop artists Masta Ace, Smif-N-Wessun, Slaine, Reks, Skyzoo, Edo.G, Termanology, Spose, A-F-R-O, Locksmith, El Da Sensei, Jarv, Zumbi Of Zion I, Ren Thomas, Akrobatik and includes seven exclusive bonus tracks. “I wanted to enhance the album with some new song concepts, remixes, interludes, and covers I felt brought out the theme of the project in more detail” says Leedz.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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