Probably my favorite part about the St.Pete Hip Hop scene is the versatility of the artists and the sounds they bring to the city. On “Introducing”, GM brings Boom Bap to the Burg crafting a project that sounds like it’s straight out the 95’.
The East Coast “Boom Bap” sound has always been a favorite of mine and pretty much when I think of traditional Hip Hop that’s the song d that comes to mind. GM the duo comprised of Johnny Adama & Tjaru are two of the only artists this era to craft a project that sounds like it’s straight out of that “Boom Bap” era. Probably the closest thing is “1999” by Joey Bada$$ and the work Griselda is doing as of late.
GM goes over classic beats we all know and love like “It Ain’t Hard To Tell” and “Everything Remains Raw” but makes them feel like their own track bringing a new aspect to the beat. For some of these joints I personally like the GM versions more because I can relate to the 727 vibes.
The project starts off with the title track “intro(ducing)” which is a great taste of what’s to come from the project. Johnny and Tjaru fit like a glove over the soul sample beat. Adama & Tjaru are so relatable with their bars.
“Say It” has the duo on their Dirty South shit over the old school Luda beat. Tjaru already had the stoner rap classic “How High” with Crown Marquiss and this is just another example of what the hook master can do.
“Blue Dreams” is on some triumphant shit. The duo goes bar for bar on the track putting on for the set. I really dug the melodic vibes on Tjaru’s verse. GM in the building!
“4 Seasons” reminds me of some shit you just put on in the afternoon while you thinking about your life and day. Johnny’s hook is really dope, and I like how they amp up the beat more for the hook. I like the different approach each MC took with their verses. Johnny’s was more about how he’s gonna reach his goals and make it out the struggle and Tjaru’s verse is sort of dealing with the same concept but from the aspect of dealing with women.
“Sheesh” really is that, Johnny and Tjaru go brazy over the classic Nas beat, pretty much making the song their own.
“-__- Dead” has the duo over one of my favorite Outkast beats of all time. What I like most about this track is they still are bringing the bars but it’s still on the phonk shit that we have grown accustomed to from the pair. I always love when Adama gets on that pimp shit.
By far my favorite track on the project is “Whatever”. Whenever I hear this track it literally transports me back to the 95’. The video they made back in the day captures that vibe perfectly. If you showed someone this track and they had never heard the Busta version I’m pretty sure they would think it was made back in the day.
“Who You With 2011” is on some shiny suite shit. This one has big “Easy Money” vibes for me.
Adama and Tjaru just know why beats fit them and there are many times while listening to this project where I was just like damn man, this really one of them ones. “Waiting(…..waiting)” is a perfect example of that. I got patients!!
“February 13th” is on some big Tab Rap vibes. The story telling by Adama is some next level shit. I would love to see what he would do with a concept album.
Not sure if they where inspired by the Charles Hamilton track that uses the same beat but that’s instantly what I thought of when I heard it. The melodic hook on “Temptations” was really well done by Tjaru.
You know the homies always gotta throw some West Coast shit on a project since we on the West Side of FLA. “Friday” is some major gang shit. Tjaru’s flow and delivery is untouchable on this one.
“On Your Mark” just blew my mind. Adama and Tjaru over a classic DJ Premier beat is can’t miss. As far as just straight bars I am not sure there is anyone in the entire state fucking with these guys.
Although the duo is at different phases of their artistry now, the boom bap roots are still present in their music today, “Easy Money” is an example of that. This without a doubt is a special project for the city and I would highly recommend everyone going back and checking it out, especially if your a true Hip Hop head. They really are the last 2.