Heyeyella Zhudaru1963 stick up kids st Pete hip hop

May 24, 2022May 24, 2022

Heyeyella- Cloud Crown

Following up his St.Pete Hip Hop Classic Album “Strange Noize”, Zhudaru’s own Heyeyella shows no signs of slowing down on “Cloud Crown”.

The project starts out with the fun “Different Vybez” produced by Laz Beats. They teased this song awhile back when Heyeyella and Laz where putting in work at the Zhu. The video for this joint crafted by Smokeyperception takes you on a smoke filled journey through the Edge District.

Next up is “Steel Garden”. Lyrics wise this is one of the best songs Heyeyella has dropped to date. The way he flipped “Hardknock” on the hook was a dope take on a classic track. If Led Zeppelin made Hip Hop this is what it would sound like.

“Underworld Funk” is a song of the year contender. The first verse before the beat switch has us putting our faith in Yella. The beat switch hits at just the right time and we are met with a barrage of bars from Yella, until we are transported back to reality when the original beat returns. Def need a visual for this joint.

“Splash” is the anthem. You can turn up to this song or just chill out, reminds me of the type of music Wiz used to put out when I was a Jit. I can really see this one going viral with the right movement behind it. The beat switch up at the end featuring Black Selene takes the song up another notch.

“Mannerz Freestyle” will have you on grind mode. The banging beat compliments Yella’s spastic flow. Mackey Emannuel pulls up on the track to add some gravitas. Zhu shit!

“Drunken Master” has that dusty basement vibe to it. That horn in the background of the beat won’t hit you until repeat listens but it adds so much. I can see the whole crowd singing along to the chorus of this one. Really solid track, especially after back to back bangers.

“Wave Up” has a futuristic sound to it. Heyeyella got his wave up, brining him up to a higher frequency. Alec Burnright comes through for some water talk. I really dig the vibe of this track, and the feel good structure of it.

It was already going to be tough to meet the exceptions I had after “Strange Noize” reached Classic status. Honestly this project might even be better. The mash up of head knockers and feel good tracks, mixed in with god level songs like “Steel Garden” and “Underworld Funk” is the perfect balance. You definitely will be seeing this at the top of the EP of the year list.

December 26, 2021

Heyeyella- Strange Noize

One of my most highly anticipated projects of this year was “Strange Noize” by Heyeyella. After hearing his past projects, singles as well as features on the St.Pete Hip Hop classic “Sky Zhone” from Zhudaru1963 and song of the contender “Stick Up Kids” that Yella dropped earlier this year. The time has finally come, turn on your radios and get ready, “Energy, Frequency, Message!”

The project begins with the intro, a staticky signal than transports you to a different world, welcome to “Strange Noize”.

I love the groovy vibes on “Piece Of Mind”. The hook is one of my favorites on the project, reminiscent to other southern hip hop classic records. Really solid way to start off the project.

The static returns transitioning into my favorite track on the project “Goat Cheese”. Being teased in several videos leading up I was so ready to hear this joint in full, I even showed my co workers the video and song and got them singing that shit with me. ABR killed that jazzy beat. Heyeyellas flow on the first verse is next level, switching from double time to reg speed. Anytime Zhudaru1963 jumps on a track he always comes correct, adding gravitas to the track. This one a Zhu classic foreal.

“Sky Is Falling” feels like some end of the movie type shit. It was dope how Yella seamlessly goes into the hook of the song, making it still feel like it’s a continuation of the verse. One of my favorite beats off the project.

Another stand out track for me has got to be “Birds Eye View”. I chant the hell out of this hook all the time. The beat progression on this one is crazy, with sounds constantly being added throughout the track. My favorite part of the track is how methodic Yella comes in on the second verse, he snaps foreal. This needs to be the next video.

“Occult Studies” transports you to another world. The old school video game sounding vibes to the beat as well as Yellas, lyrics dealing with magic bring the track together. I would highly recommend checking out the video for this joint, Yella always kills his visuals.

I am a big fan of projects that only have a few features on them, allowing the artist to shine on his own. But whenever a feature does pop up it makes them more memorable and have more of an impact on the project. The chill vibes on “Pareidolia X Godz Face” featuring ABR & Rishi Beats comes in at the perfect time. It’s always dope to hear Rishi on a track, and it’s only right to let ABR do his thing as well.

“Step” gets things jumping. This joint isn’t something you would except coming from Heyeyella but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. It would be dope to see a video of this one with everyone from the Zhu and a few other special guests doing the dance.

The vibes on “HeyCoSiz” is almost on some Neo Soul type shit. I can’t wait to hear this one live. Songs like this put you on good vibes, even when you are having the worst day.

“Divine Symmetry” is for all the real Hip Hop fans. Bars on bars, Yella kills the beat, spreading hood vibes and fighting demons. This track is a reminder to watch out for the opps, cause they always watching you.

“Way Too Legit” paints the picture of everyday life in sunny St.Pete. The beat matches the sunny vibe while Yellas lyrics match the gritty aspect of life in the burg.

The strings on “Wonderland” are a jam for sure, especially when the piano kicks in. One of my favorite line on the project is “visualizing them victories, ain’t made it yet but my mind ready”. The message is strong on this one. Great way to end an amazing project

“Strange Noize” lived up to and exceeded expectations. Since it dropped the project had been in heavy rotation. I am so hype to hear some of these joints if not the whole project live, as well as get more of the vibes from the visuals that will be dropping in the future. Shout out to Yella and the entire Zhu for dropping a dope project the city can be proud of. ENERGY, FREQUENCY, MESSAGE.

February 7, 2021February 7, 2021

It’s A Stick Up.

After a friends and family only premiere, Heyeyella has finally dropped the full “Stick Up Kids” video, featuring the man himself Zhudaru1963.

I really dug the boom bap approach Heyeyella took on this track. Not many artists have tapped into that sound in the St.Pete Hip Hop scene, but Heyeyella is one of the best spitters the city has to offer.

The duo brought “Belly” vibes on this one.

The video plays out with Heyeyella and Zhudaru1963 taking part in a drop but in order to get to the next point they are driven around the city. While driving Heyeyella spits some of his illest bars to date like “We ain’t tryin to sit in illusions, homie you better wake up!”

Zhu kills his verse every time he touches a mic.

Once the drop is done, Heyeyella and Zhu swerve off, setting the stage for Zhu to spit his verse. Zhudaru1963 always delivers on his verses, leaving us with quotable lines for days. A gem from this track is “ I’m outchea in the world, where a dog eats fleas, you wouldn’t understand cause you livin on your knees.”

This video is a huge accomplishment for not only Heyeyella and Zhu but also the entire St.Pete Hip Hop scene. Videos play a crucial role in telling your songs story or even showcasing your artistry in a visual medium, and the homies definitely proved it on this one. “Strange Noize” is now at the top of my most anticipated albums list.