Month: July 2023

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Big Racks- Lift-Off EP

Big Racks gives fans a taste of what’s to come on his latest effort Lift-Off EP.

🏕️💯👩‍🚀

Mostly know for providing the production for some of your favorite artists out of the St.Pete Underground Scene, most notably his work on tracks for DYINGOUTSOUTH, and Tony0K’s full length “WW4” that dropped at the top of the year. With all the momentum Big Racks has been making in the scene as of late it was only right to review his latest EP, all self produced, as well as self engineered.

“Been About It” kicks the project off with a banger. Racks goes off the dome with a barrage of bars. He ain’t have no choice but to run it up, you know how we rockin. We need a video for this joint for sure. This that Friday pay day flex music, ya herd!

Racks takes a darker approach on “Piped Up City”. This track is a short but sweet banger. The way Racks spits on the hook comes off like a check list. Got that whip, check, got that bitch, check, got that stick, check. Probably my favorite hook on the project.

“Ibiza” is my shit. It’s got that Detroit style production but brings it all together with a cloud rap inspired sample. Racks killed it with the vocals towards the mid section of the track. This that throwing bands in the club type of record. Love the production.

“IDK” send you straight to space. Racks flow is a bit more experimental on this one but it fits the wonky nature of the beat. Just when you think Racks is all production, he drops gems that stick with you again and again.

The project closes out with the booted up “Fully Loaded”. Once again I dig how Racks uses his vocals on the more hook elements on the track. Really solid way to end out a fire EP.

With his yet to be titled full length dropping at the top of next year, Big Racks has definitely staked his claim when it comes to top producers in the scene on both sides of the bay. What I liked about this EP is Racks showed he can also shine as not only the producer but as the total package. You can best believe “Lift-Off EP” is going to be heavy in the rotation for the rest of the year.

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Mike Finesse- Sage Mode

All the way from NY, the homie Mike Finesse channels all his chakras on “Sage Mode”

🏕️💯 🐸 🥷

The project kicks off with the title track “Sage Mode”. Tons of video game references throughout the track make it an enjoyable listen. Mike went crazy with that Wendy’s 4 for 4 line. It seems Mike has leveled up all the way to Sage Mode, and is presenting us with this project.

Things take a more melodic note on “Serpentz”. Everyone has delt with snakes and betrayal and Mike is no different. All the trials and tribulations Mike has faced throughout his life built him up to reach the level he is at today. I really dig the melodic change up on this track, taking a break from the morning Hardcore Hip Hop sound Mike is known for.

The airy “No Way” bring a light hearted tone to the project. Mike’s done playing games and is on the search for something real. I really mess with the hook on this joint.

“Make Out Paradise” is one for the club. This track shows how versatile Mike is, he can go from the streets, to heartbreak, to the club! This track is short but sweet, with Mike still getting his point across.

I love the beat on “Amaterasu”. Mike is back on his Hardcore Hip Hop shit but adding in a melodic twist. This track has Mike’s best flow on the whole project.

“Ghosts” is on some street vibes. Just because everything look all good on the outside doesn’t mean that things are all good on the inside. Mike tackles the ghosts and skeletons hiding in his closet on this introspective track. From drugs to trifling hoes, Mike puts his all into this song.

“Reaper Death Seal” has a bit of a somber vibe but Mike does his thing on the melodic tip. The trickling Hi Hats on the beat make for a great soundscape for Mike to do his thing.

“Hidden Rain Village (Pain)” featuring the one and only Michaela Paladio is hands down my favorite track on the project. From the Castle Cagliostro sample on the beat to the storytelling Mike delivers throughout the song. Not only is the sample insane but the beat is very hard hitting, adding a bit of NY Drill vibes to the track. Michaela brings it home with her lush vocals on the outro, add a gravitas to the track.

The homie Mike Finesse really did his thing on “Sage Mode”. I feel like the Tampa Bay Area could really get behind this project once they give it a listen. That “Hidden Rain Village” track is one of them ones. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for Mike Finesse and the rest of the 4EverLitt crew in the rest of 2023.