ATSIC S04E41 - Make Sure
If you like trap music you’re in luck, because this week it’s one more mix full of it. I had to make sure to get all this music played before the season ended. As always, it’s an hour of unedited, under-discovered Hip Hop. That’s my favourite way to describe it. Some of these artists are getting plenty of streams, but no one on here is a full on household name. They could all get much more successful, and they all deserve to, from what I’ve seen.
The Wu feature to start things off on this one is Intell, 2nd Generation Wu, with Shaka Amazulu the 7th. They did an EP together called Aware Wolf recently. Intell stays busy, and his consistency is incredible. If there’s no new new from the Wu generals, I can always go to U-God’s offspring for something dope.
The reason this final trap mix came together was because SNRK and Drezus dropped “‘96 Bulls.” I didn’t want to have to wait til January to play it, and I had enough trap saved up from the past weeks to do an hour, so one more trip around the trap track had to happen. Snotty Nose Rez Kids been on a run, and it’s good to see Drezus back out of hibernation, the game needs these guys carrying the torch for native Hip Hop, and this track is them doing exactly that. They did an open verse challenge for it too, but the only new verse I’ve heard yet is from Ray the Nihilist. I woulda liked to be able to play that remix version and add him to the dream team roster, but didn’t get a chance to rip it from IG and put it together.
Euphorik and COLEMAN joined forces for “Shake,” a track looking back at their come up, and current earth shaking status. They’ve already won, so congratulations to them. Every artist has a different idea of what success looks like, I’ve been asking rappers what their is lately, and getting a range of answers. Good to hear some guys are meeting their goals, I’m here to cheer for it.
“My Paper" is a new one from Lolabunz talking about not seeing the love from people she came up with, and grinding relentlessly to progress from the bottom, where she started. Hustle motivation music.
Then it’s an upbeat bop called “Jungle" from Lou Phelps. A baseline made for getting the club bouncing, and bars about designer jeans and pulling women from the club. Can’t say I can relate to all that, but it’s an undeniable jam.
Dr. Freshe and Def3 also offer up one to move the crowd, coming to win with a new EDM infused anthem, “Gladiator", doing damage on these cockroaches. I saw a clip of them performing this track to an enormous crowd, so it looks like they cracked the code to making rap people wanna hear in 2023. Hypnotic rhythms and plenty of upbeat energy.
5KHizzy is an Edmonton artist I’d slept on. “Never Left (The World Is Yours)” has him stepping cleanly and speaking with his chest while he talks about his intention to keep chasing his dreams and getting love. 10 monthly listeners on Spotify, show some love to an upcoming artist, the music sounds like it should have a lot more spins.
Klee 013 and Speng Squire have a new one named after American Gangster Frank Lucas. Getting it from the dirt like it’s Minecraft. Songs like this using big famous movie clips is a trend I appreciate in modern rap, no one gives any fucks about clearing samples.
Back in Edmonton, Juicy Blue & Matt Burnell are back with more. The regular collaborators dropped “Cold,” an upbeat bounce with a huge bass line carrying things along. Shouts to the winters YEG used to get before global warming turned the province into a weird ass winter desert.
Beatcave & Tome recruited Jon Kabongo for their new one “The Town.” He’s an artists I’ve been watching lately, making some noise and generally passing along a more conscious message. Don’t know much about Tome, but it sounds like he’s from the UK. Beatcave is some sort of musician collective based in Toronto, so it’s always cool to see who’s been collabing through them.
Philip Solo joins Golden Bsp for “Off My Meds”, which was a fun one. Never know what you’ll get from Phil, sometimes its unhinged Youtube long form videos, sometimes it’s emo rap, sometimes it’s metal screaming mashed Hip Hop. This one’s one of my favs, they both had some funny and well crafted bars.
7even7ide7moke is another Edmonton based artist who I’ve recently come across who’s also making dope music, and he seems to be getting a lot more love than some of the other guys in his city. He’s got Trippz on this one “Growing Pains” off his new album “Based on a True Story Vol 3,” documenting the struggle on the come up. Edmonton’s got so much talent making music that sounds modern and is still really bar heavy, and I’m here to play it.
Brothers Grim are back after a hiatus, with a new album entirely produced by fellow Edmontonian Kyrple. The lead single “GP20” is a weed anthem, with Pat listing off various strains, and Komrad reflecting on his tendency to rep for Beverly. Kryple’s always dope, retracing his steps since selling weed by the gas station. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the album when it drops in 2024. The second single “Beverly” is out now too, and both of these have videos.
Kryple stays busy, producing and rapping for artists across the country. “Get It” has him joining TwoYoung for Winnipeg artist Max Winds new single. Can’t be sure he produced this one as well, but I suspect it based on the sound. More motivation music for everyone trying to get a record deal. Max mentions considering signing with Atlantic, Kryple mentions signing to himself. So many lanes trying to find a way to the paper.
Young Rose’s new one “Ron Artest” from his “4Telling Ep” starts with what sounds like someones mom telling them to do better. He’s based in Montreal, and you can hear it in the production, I don’t know who did this, but its got the same vibes as Mike Shabb or Nicholas Craven, with bars that could fit on a trap beat delivered over some smooth, almost drumless jazz.
Toronto sound comes through clear on “Toxic(Remix)”, a new track from PrivateNamePrivateNumber. Mostly because of the slang and accent. Dope shit.
Producer Leggy17 got Young Stitch on his new one “Hold Me,” where he raps about being over the party life, and needing a woman who’s down to ride. An ode to the times that the trip gets too real.
There’s also tracks from Sayzee, who’s been killing it lately, Philly Regs, Jackie Art & Pressa, NAYA ALI, and DOOM$, but I’m tired of finding new ways to tell you that the songs are about making money and flexing on doubters. Motivate yourself, just don’t get trapped in a jail cell or shot in the streets.
I’ll write more about this mix when I get time to tomorrow, check back soon.
Thanks for the support and for checking in. Feel free to share your thoughts on the mixes, songs, artists, my opinions, or anything else. Sound off in the comments here, on Mixcloud, or on any of the socials (YouTube).
The second season of my interview series, 'Fly in Formation,' has concluded, but Season 3 is returning in January! The Jan/Feb schedule is available online. Check the promo below to see who's coming up. Make sure to hit follow on Twitch or subscribe so you don’t have to watch the ad breaks during interviews! Help build a community by popping up in chat and asking questions to me or the guests. I’ll do more promo for next season of FiF through December.
Every week, I purchase every song I play, unless the artist sent it to me, saving me a buck. I believe in buying music to support independent artists. Making music is time-consuming and expensive. Streaming doesn’t pay much at all, and since streaming has become the way most people consume music, it’s even more important to make sure to buy tickets, buy music (physical or digital), and buy merch from artists you want to hear more from. Streaming pays next to nothing, so if you want artists working on more music instead of working more shifts at their day job, you need to show them love by opening your wallet and giving them financial support.
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