With some standout verses on Palm Pact’s “Armada”, Bomber is starting off 2021 with a bang on his “Feed The County EP”.
“Armada” is a great starting point if you want to hear some more work from Bomber.
What I like most about Palm Pact is the diversity of everyone in the crew. Bomber is definitely more about flexing and putting on for the city, which allows him to ride over trap bangers with ease. Bomber reminds me of a Tampa Bay Skepta, it’s more about how he says stuff rather than what he’s saying.
The intro “Make It Cook” sets up the theme for the EP, with Bomber cooking up for the entire Pinellas County.
One of my fav tracks is the piano based “It’s Always Wartime” with one of my favorite lines being “I’ve been Tom Brady, even before he came to Tampa”. I am not sure of the sample but it has a “Kingdom Hearts” vibe to it.
Despite this being a Bomber solo project, some of the other Palm Pact members are spliced throughout the album. Ryan Rev adds some melody to “Come Correct” which is bound to get the crowd hype whenever it comes on at upcoming shows. “Let Me Know” is on some more chill vibes with an airy beat. Euphemistic’s fast tempo flow is a nice change of pace to change up the album, since Bomber usually has a slower flow. The album ends with a “Highway” featuring Kai Ken, who adds a more chopped up verse to the track, that fits with more of the chill vibe on the outro.
My second favorite track on the project is “Strange Days” produced by UAC’s Kmon Beats. The beat change after the chopped and screwed intro was a nice touch. Kmon blessed Bomber with more of a cloud rap style beat, but that’s not to say it still doesn’t have some knock to it.
Bomber is carving a lane for himself in the St.Pete Hip Hop scene. Not sure what he’s got primed for the rest of 2021, but I know once he finds all of the Chaos Emeralds he is poised to drop a classic.
Despite COVID putting a lot of things on hold, it didn’t slow down the St. Hip Hop scene. With artists and collectives from around the burg delivering some of their best work I had no choice but to make a list.
Definitely the hardest project out of Tampa in years.
Honorable Mention: Big Baby Scumbag- www.flexedupshawty.com
Big baby would have been like number two on the list but this being a St.Pete list I didn’t feel it was right. With that being said it’s definitely the hardest project the 813 has produced in years. Scumbag delivers some of the best bangers of the year, especially on “Bobby Hill”. Big Baby is going to take over the entire Bay Area in 2021.
Palm Pact brought out the entire burg on “Armada”.
6. Palm Pact- “Armada”
2020 was definitely the year of the compilation albums, and “Armada” was no expectation. With tracks ranging across all genres of Hip-Hip, there’s practically a song and style for everyone. It was really dope to see the UAC homies on the album as well.
Big things coming out of the Clergy collective in 2021.
5. Andy Christ- “Juice EP”
The Juice EP from Andy Christ gave me faith in the underground scene, with his ability to make catchy songs but also make bangers. Andy Christ has been running the show scene for the past few years. Once the debut project is finally released Andy Christ and Clergy will be the underground kings.
“St.Creaturesburg” brought that Underground Florida Sound to the burg.
4. Young Mop- “St.Creaturesburg”
Young Mop had a big 2020, with three projects in total and numerous singles under his belt I had to put one of the projects on the list. I really dug how dark this project was, capturing a different side of St.Pete that not many other artists touch on. From the production to Mop’s bars, despite his dark days being over, “St.Creaturesburg” will have an impact in the scene for years to come.
Don Rock created the “Slug Rap” blueprint on “Welcome To The Players Club.”
3. Dj Don Rock- “Welcome To The Players Club”
It is important for a scene to take a distinct sound turning the genre of Hip-Hop into something a region can fully embrace as their own. On “Welcome To The Players Club”, Don Rock gives birth to the new “Slugged Out” St.Pete Hip Hop. From start to finish, just press play, light a blunt, and crawl down Central Ave phonking this tape. “This ain’t no chopped & screwed.”
The Zhudaru collective has vibes for everyone, across all genres.
2. Zhudaru1963- “Skyzhone”
For me this project is so special due to the different sound and style each member of the Zhudaru1963 collective brings. From Kayo Da Beast, Mackey Emmanuel, and Alec Burnright, Heyeyella giving you smash hits with “I Go Off”. Or Acoupstix providing your Sunday afternoon Bucs game chill vibes with “Arrogance”. The crew definitely achieved Skyzhone level. Kailxo Ratchet comes through with the trails and tribulations of street life in St.Pete. With all the members of Zhu slated to drop full length projects in 2021, the movement is only going to get bigger.
1. Onlyonetwo- 222
I haven’t felt this way about a St.Pete Hip Hop project since J Goodie’s “Reminisce & Muse” probably the best project ever to come out of the area. Onlyonetwo is able to capture the street life and just life in general, without coming off as forced. To me he’s like a mix between Roddy Ricch and Lil Baby but a way better lyricist than both while still crafting is own sound. From top to bottom this project is flawless with “Square One”, “Sacrifice”, and “Chosen Few” featuring Kevin Cossom. I feel like everyone can get behind Onlyonetwo sound and it’s only a matter of time before he blows up nationally.
Everyone on this list really went in this year, establishing their sound, as well as finally giving St.Pete Hip Hop heads a feeling that, St.Pete has its own vibe when it comes to this rap shit.
The Hip-Hop landscape in the 727 is thriving more than ever with drops from UAC and Palm Pact. I also wanted to shed some love on the 727 legend Crown Marquiss.
Palm Pact “Armada” now available on Spotify.
Palm Pact is back again this time bringing the entire burg with them on “Armada”. This project features 20 tracks from the Palm Pact collective Kai Ken, Euphemistic, Bomber, Ryan Rev, and Jolly Green. The homies at UAC, kmon and khol bars came through on my favorite track of the project “In The Moment”. 19 producers came together to create this project, creating the soundscape for each track.
“Black Sheep” My favorite track from UAC.
The UAC collective of Kmon Beats and Khol Barz have been dropping bangers over the last few years. From the “Hi Jack Ep” series to “Saturday With Sativa” UAC is definitely laying the groundwork for what is next to come. Check out their new single “Manifest Destiny”.
Crown Marquiss’s “Live From The South Side” is a classic album in the St.Pete Hip-Hop community.
Definitely the best rapper I have ever heard come out of the burg, Crown Marquiss has been dropping heat since I was a Jit. Whether it’s from “Hit Wonder” or “ 2 Houses” Crown has a solid body of projects that are ready to be rediscovered. As a whole I would say “ Live From The South Side” is Crown’s best project to date with “Crown Vic” being his latest drop in 2019. Crown will always be immortal in the 727 hip hop scene based solely on his verse from the J-Goodie classic “Unsuccessful”, which is probably the best song in the history of the city. I can still spit the entire track verse for verse. Whatever is next for Crown Marquiss I am hoping it drops soon, the burg is ready for some more “Local Muzik”!!!!
