Zhudaru1963 delivers something for the ladies on the DJ Donnie Luv assisted “Skin Tone”.
Following up one of the years best singles “Trap Marley”, I was interested to see what would come next out of the Zhu. With no full project announced as of yet, I’m cool with loose singles dropping from time to time just to show the rest of the game what’s up.
I like as of late that Zhu is having fun, becoming a bit more playful with his latest tracks. If “Trap Marley” was for the streets, than “Skin Tone” has got to be for the ladies. That’s not to say that fellas can’t get down to the track as well, the beat is to good not to get ya moving, plus that hook instantly will get stuck in your head.
The Sluggs come to the Zhu, when Donnie Luv comes through to add some ad libs, and talk that talk. Her gravitas added to the song for sure, and you know I had to get hype when two of the burgs biggest collectives come together.
I can almost assume we will get some visuals for this joint soon so be on the look out for that. You can already bet this is going to get heavy rotation on “The New Tampa Bay” playlist, so don’t sleep.
In between hosting her various DJ events and running $lugged $ound$, DJ Don Rock puts her producer cap on with a late night beat tape “ With Luv, From Luv”, that will have everyone wanting to make it shake at the rink.
The intro track “Off Beat Flow” reminds me of something that could have been on her previous tape “WTPC”, really dope soul sample chops on this one.
The strings on “Better Left Unsaid” paired nicely with the 808s that pop up later into the beat. A beat like this shows Don Rock’s versatility as a producer.
“I $till Luv” has more of an airy, Cloud Rap style sound to hit. That being my favorite genre of Hip Hop I was all for it. Donnie had me once she added in those washed out vocal sounds, had me feeling like it was 11 Clams Casino, which is the highest complement I can give.
“U Shld Be Here” has Don in her $lugged out soul vibes. This is that one you put on for tha late night creep. My favorite part of a Don Rock beat are her drops, “babyyyyyy”.
The “For U” Sade track hit me right in my heart. Anytime Sade is sampled or used in a track you got me, she’s a living Angel and can do no wrong.
“$lugg Luv” is back on that airy production I love so I was all for it. It’s like I’m floating in the clouds with Don Rock on the way to Astro Skate, and you know we finna rip shit up.
You know Donnie had to close the tape out with that jiggy roller rink sound. This one is gonna have everyone in the line doing all types of stunts. Shit if you can’t meet us at Cascade pretty sure Astro will do, we pullin up on the pink bus.
Personally I am a huge fan of beat tapes so when I heard the $lugg founder dropped a new tape for all the $luggs I had to do a write up. Really hype for whatever project Donnie has up next for the set.
In between hosting her various DJ events and running $lugged $ound$, DJ Don Rock puts her producer cap on with a late night beat tape “ With Luv, From Luv”, that will have everyone wanting to make it shake at the rink.
The intro track “Off Beat Flow” reminds me of something that could have been on her previous tape “WTPC”, really dope soul sample chops on this one.
The strings on “Better Left Unsaid” paired nicely with the 808s that pop up later into the beat. A beat like this shows Don Rock’s versatility as a producer.
“I $till Luv” has more of an airy, Cloud Rap style sound to hit. That being my favorite genre of Hip Hop I was all for it. Donnie had me once she added in those washed out vocal sounds, had me feeling like it was 11 Clams Casino, which is the highest complement I can give.
“U Shld Be Here” has Don in her $lugged out soul vibes. This is that one you put on for tha late night creep. My favorite part of a Don Rock beat are her drops, “babyyyyyy”.
The “For U” Sade track hit me right in my heart. Anytime Sade is sampled or used in a track you got me, she’s a living Angel and can do no wrong.
“$lugg Luv” is back on that airy production I love so I was all for it. It’s like I’m floating in the clouds with Don Rock on the way to Astro Skate, and you know we finna rip shit up.
You know Donnie had to close the tape out with that jiggy roller rink sound. This one is gonna have everyone in the line doing all types of stunts. Shit if you can’t meet us at Cascade pretty sure Astro will do, we pullin up on the pink bus.
Personally I am a huge fan of beat tapes so when I heard the $lugg founder dropped a new tape for all the $luggs I had to do a write up. Really hype for whatever project Donnie has up next for the set.
With the inaugural “Slugged Nites” on the horizon I wanted to take the opportunity to shed some light on the movement as well as my Jit Camp certified Slug Rap classics.
The project that started it all.
DJ Don Rock’s 2020 release “Welcome To The Players Club” is the blueprint for the Slugged Sound and the Slug Rap genre. Taking inspiration from the 1998 Bernie Mac classic “The Players Club”, The Don takes you on a slowed down ride throughout St.Pete.That’s not to say their aren’t some bangers on the project, Don Rocks music is what you get hype with in the club and what gets ya in your feelings after the club.
The DBZ samples just hit diff.
Not being biased but the record is super special to me. Laz Beats another key producer in the Slug movement, joined forces with me to craft the second essential Slug Rap project. Taking inspiration from the DBZ character we formed “Lord Slug”. Using the blueprint Don Rock gave us, Laz & I crafted the perfect Slugged Out mix that is guaranteed to have you “Jammin Slug”. Featuring tracks from some of my favorite artists like Bones and Freddie Gibbs there is something for everyone on the project. Laz did his thing on the mix, chopping up the tracks and hitting them with that reverb just like a Super Namekian. The vision all comes together with hands down the best cover art of 2021 crafted by the Abstract Poet.
One of my most an EPs of 2021.
Jerry Nova and BTMVLE Jotta will be hitting the stage performing tracks off their upcoming “Good Fellas“ EP. With plenty of solo work on the horizon for both maybe we can get a few sneaks peaks for their upcoming projects. Be on the look out for Jotta’s “Cheap Vacation” dropping soon.
One of the best lyricist in the city.
At this point one of the most prominent figures in the St.Pete Hip Hop scenes, I know Tre Butler is going to kill his set. His 2018 project “What About Before?” is mad underrated and he’s got one of my favorite singles out right now “Guardian Angel”. If your a fan of crazy bars and flows, Tre is your guy.
Master Rishi
The producers line up for the first event is crazy. Let me tell y’all now, this Rishi Beats set is about to be next level. Making a name for himself in the scene over the last few years, no one chops up a sample like Master Rishi. Diving more into the MC side of things I hope we get a sneak peak of what he’s been working on lately, if it’s anything like his new single “CHURCH” we are in for a treat fellow slugs.
Vinniethebeatdealer is one of 813 finest.
Whether you want that trap shit, boom bap, or some jazzy vibes Vinniethebeatdealer got you when it comes to production. Really hype to see what kind of vibe he brings to the set.
Chef J.D. is Basedgod in the kitchen.Choose your food adventure.
Hands down the food pop up king, Chef J.D. knows what flavors your palette wants before it even knows it. Who else out here making stuffed chicken wings with mozzarella. I am not the biggest fan of pasta dishes but anytime Chef J.D. is cooking you know the Jit has got to pull up. I heard Chef is blessing all the slugs at Slugged Nites with a loaded fries special you don’t wanna miss. Chef’s Choice is for the GOATS!
Chicken wings stuffed with mozzarella!! No one is killing the pop up pasta game like this.
The inaugural “Slugged Nites” event is stacked between all the artists, Djs, Producers, and vendors there is something for everyone, even Capi gettin on the ones and twos. So come out on 3/20 and support The Slugs and I, I guarantee you’ll be “Jammin Slug!”
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.
Inspired by the film “The Players Club”, The Queen of “Slugged Music” Dj Don Rock, creates a blueprint for the 727 specific “Slugged Music” sound.
The J Dilla style alarms and Bernie Mack sample set the stage on the intro, providing the trademark slowed down “Slugged Out” style of not only the production but also the MCs. This mixtape was made to just crawl down Central Ave at 1 A.M. hot boxing a blunt of St.Pete’s finest.
What separates Don Rock’s “Slugged Music” from others sub genres like “chopped and screwed” its the wavier lush esthetic of each track. The production feels more like a slow swim in a cup of lean, rather than totally sinking to the bottom with “chopped and screwed”.
Tracks like “Fantasy Freestyle” and “O.W.N” deal with the trials and tribulations of late night romances.
With everything being slowed down that’s not to say Don Rock it’s bringing the heat when it comes to her bars. “Trifecta ft. Jerry Nova” captures that versatility, having us second guessing our circles after 2020.
Like all of us on “The Players Ball”, Don Rock shows the emotions of a late night in the city we know and love St.Petersburg.
