January 2022 – Page 3

January 1, 2022

Top 10 EPs of 2021

EPs or Extended Plays allow artists to drop bodies of work without dropping a full length album. Whether it’s to hold fans over until the full project or to just apply pressure, EPs are crucial. These are my Top 10 EPs of 2021.

Vonzell Sly had a pretty impressive 2021. Between “Insomniac” and “Full Force” his wonky style is really catching on. Tracks like “Spy VS Spy” and “Dali Face Bandit” are standouts.

With production provided by Six Ave, Tre Butler drops yet another introspective project with “To Whom It May”, filled with some of the best beats and bars the 727 has to offer. This project has me hype for whatever Tre drops next. Where’s that video for “L2L” at?

Part 1 of the “Manic” series was unleashed earlier this year, continuing Andy’s dominance of the St.Pete Underground. With new bangers like “Expensive Taste” and “Issue” featuring Breezy Montclair, as well as introspective songs like “Mirror”. Andy has grown a lot with his music in just a years time. “Manic Part 2” coming soon.

I really dig the vibe of this project. “1 Spliff” is one of my favorite tracks of the year. The emphasis on samples and boom bap production is hopefully a trend we see more of in 2022, with Skully at the forefront of the movement.

Despite not getting a solo project from Dro this year, he was still able to stay at the top of his game with collab projects, singles, and his compilation EP “Dro & Friends 2”. Not only did this introduce me to new artists like OK.Tav and Notsew, but it also gave me two of my new favorite tracks from Dro “It ain’t gon work” and “AllOFTHISMONEY”, and of course you know Kushh Newton is on production.

AV dropped not one but two EPs this year but his “The Motivator” project was my favorite. With street bangers “Get Your Money Up” and “Believe” getting heavy rotation in the city, it’s safe to say AV is still at the top when it comes to this 727 street shit. “Ballin On Purpose” is my shit though.

Who said we can’t Drill in Tampa Bay. Outside World ENTs own Ay08 & Fetti Suo joined forces to create a Drill blueprint for the city. “Unlucky” and “Fetti Hunna” are solid bangers that set the tone for the EP, but it’s the classic “Suo Suo” that ran it up for me. Shout out to Guapo and Illz.

After really impressing me with “Oh Boy, It’s My Lucky Day”, Deleteeglitch went even harder on the “Primordial Soup EP”. We need a small super group album between Glitch, Sunny Fritz, and Breezy Montclair, that shit would be legendary. “THETRUTHWILLPISSYOUOFF” featuring Døøf is reason enough to check out this project.

St.Pete’s own Chester Watson came back on the scene with his DOOM esque tribute album “1997”. Possibly the best produced project of the year, Watson was able to pay homage to the Metal Faced villain without coming off as corny. “Sunbeam” is one of my favorite tracks of all time now. That Danny Brown feature was wild.

2020s album of the year winner came back strong with two of the cities best EPs “Fire” and “Earth”. Personally I like “Fire” more, probably cause I have sat more with the project, or it could be the Leo energy, but either way Onlyonetwo is one of my favorite MCs in the game period. “Been Fair” is still my favorite song from the homie but “Downfall” is now a close second.

This shit right here mane is a classic. The St.Pete lifestyle raps, combined with the Southern Hip Hop esthetic makes “Good Fellas EP” EP of the year. Every song is fire and a different vibe. “Think Tank” and “Tango” are my favorite tracks but with each listen I feel that changes. Jotta & Nova really cemented themselves not only as a duo but as solo MCs building anticipation for whatever comes next. With the $lugg group project in the works, I am sure 2022 will be a huge year for the Goodfellas.

January 1, 2022January 1, 2022

Top 10 Music Videos of 2021

Visuals are essential for any song or project to reach a greater connection with the listener. Here are my Top 10 Music Videos of 2021.

A more recent entry but Heyeyella’s video for “Occult Stories” had to make its way on the list in some capacity. I love the shots around the Zhu. The “Goat Cheese” section of the video is on some next level shit. The homie ABMACON Visuals shot this beauty.

The washed out visuals for Breezy Montclair’s track “What U Luv” brought new energy to the track for me. This shit was on repeat often. CMPSER had one hell of a year and this is only the beginning.

Really dig the spilt screen element of this video, as well as the skatepark setting. I replayed the hell out of this video, especially since it’s not available on Apple Music anymore. Shot by Michael Kenney

The whole theme and Gameboy vibe of this video instantly made this one of my favorite Preme tracks. Indie Indigo and Quintin Cambridge have stand out features. The 3D effects Preme showed us at the listening party sealed this ones spot in the top 10. Shot by Joc Zilla.

Dephree always delivers with his single roll outs. From stepping on Legos, to getting his abs right for summer. This video has laughs and nails the fun vibe Dephree was going for. Shot by Jake Whitney.

The story telling on the video for “When Where How” is what really makes this one for me. If you look hard enough you might even see a cameo from yours truly. Shot by King Zabb.

Mari always kills it with the visuals but the lavish hotel setting really nailed the vibe Mari was going for. It wouldn’t be a Mari So Dope video without the Ralph Duffle or Henny Bottle in hand. Shot by WalkaVisionz.

When I heard I was getting visuals for my favorite song off Kent Loon’s album “Bittersweet” I was so hype. Two of St.Pete’s own coming together on one track is very special. The video reminded me of a big ass studio sesh but it was def a vibe. Directed & Shot by Moji Wilson

The cemetery setting is a vibe for sure. This is a perfect example of visuals bringing a song to another level. Big shout out to REACH, that fit goes crazy. Shot by Atom Visonz

Despite not making its way on to “Strange Noize” this video definitely brought the hype. The hand off mid track was a really dope action scene. I really liked the “Belly” esthetic of the video. Whenever I hear this track from now on I just picture the visuals, brining another life to the track.

Whenever brands and an artist collab on a track it’s something special. Richie Guapo’s FUKKEM collab with FUKK EM Worldwide is one of them ones. Quinton2times really brought it with the visuals bringing his style to the forefront, while still making room for Guapoto make the scenes his own. That car scene might be shot of the year. Shout out my dawg Fat Geechie.

Video of the year goes to Lil Fancy & CMPSER for “Kimbo”. Mainly because this song is only on YouTube I played the hell out of this video. The in house location, is reminiscent of old school Chief Keef videos from back in the day. Fancy’s energy and persona comes right at you through the screen. That opening shot of Lil Fancy is shot of the year. It’s all for the love.

January 1, 2022

Top 10 Songs Of 2021

To differentiate songs from singles I wanted to drop my Top 10 Songs Of 2021 list, highlighting my favorite tracks that are featured on albums or projects.

Young Mop dropped his most mature project to date with 2021s “MOP”. My favorite joint off that project is “DiAMOND iN THE ROUGH” featuring Stoop Kid. This is just one of them feel good joints you put on when your smoking at the end of a long day. Whole Lotta BTMVLE, Whole Lotta TRiBE SHiT!

This is what happens when two of the best in the burg come together on one track. Onlyonetwo and Tre Butler are regarded as two of the best lyricist in the city, definitely proving that on “L2L”. It’s a beautiful thing seeing 727 artists come together, not worrying about which verse is better, just worrying about making a dope record.

Bro had so many dope tracks this year I didn’t wanna have to many spots filled so all the tracks that didn’t make the top list could have like “I Digress”, “All Me”, “A Vibe”, “Say U Luv Me”, “Think About”, and “Play Games”.

Deleteeglitch really made his presence felt this year, especially with heady tracks like “Siamese Gold”. The off kilter abstract beat fit Glitch to a tee. YZM had one of my verses this year, and I always love seeing that dudes versatility on a track. 9henom killed his part as well switching up his flow several times throughout his verse.

The video really made this one go for me, brining the track to another level. 2020 Album of the year winner Onlyonetwo continued his dominance with the “Fire EP”, with “Downfall” playing a big part in that equation. This shit is an anthem.

Pusha Preme’s “Red Oktober” is a stacked album but my favorite cut off the project has gotta be “Never Thought” featuring Jay Browne. Preme got the best Jay Browne verse to date, and the video he premiered at the listening party brings things up just another notch. It’s only a matter of time until the Bucs run out to this joint.

After being featured in various clips leading up to the album, I had know I idea just how dope a song about “Goat Cheese” could be. The ABR laced beat was the perfect space for HeyeYella to just spazz out in the beginning of the track. Zhudaru comes through on his verse adding gravitas to the track. If I ain’t repping CLP I’m repping Zhu!

The 1st but not last Johnny Adama and Tjaru collab track to make it’s way on the list, “Patient” is just my shit mane. Off first listen I have loved this track and even have a whole video shot in my head for it, but I’ll be patient.

This track right here is on some next level shit. It’s by far one of the best beats I have ever heard, able to stand toe to toe with some of the underground’s best production. Deleteeglitch always brings his best when it comes to the bars. Really hype to see what Døøf does next.

Ever since I got a sneak peek of this song before the official drop it’s been at the top of my list. Kozyy8 is my rookie of the year off this track alone. I would play this joint back to back to back and I’m still not tired of it.

“SUO SUO” is one of the hardest tracks I’ve heard all year. Who else is really out here doing Tampa Bay Drill shit but Outside World ENT. This track along with “Reverse” are laying the foundation for what could be the next big sound in Tampa Bay Hip Hop. Ay08 cemented himself as one of the top producers coming out of the 813.

Just the snippet of this song got me hype. This one has been on repeat since the project dropped. Drogotdoe is already one of my favorites in the 813. Once he paired up with 9phenom shit was game over. The hook from Dro is one of my favorites, and the way 9henom flipped his vocals on each verse was a vibe. Shout out to producer of the year Kushh Newton.

This has been song of the year since I heard it. I am not sure what it is about this track but it just hits me. From the way Adama starts it off, to when the horns kick in on the beat, to Tjaru’s classic verse this song has everything I want and need in a Hip Hop track. It’s a toss up between this track and a few others for best song to ever come out of the 727. All time favorite right here.