If you are unaware of E and Daniels (not Ian Daniels haha) then what you have here is a collection of rappers not to be messed with. When your crew contains a heavyweight list of spitters including tony D, Skirmz, Theme, Gizmo, Mystro, Reveal, Ceezlin, Josiah Matrix, Micall Parkunson, Mr13, Locksmyth and more, your debut release had better be dope. Unsurprisingly they didn’t disappoint.
Given that this is a crew named after their favourite alcoholic beverage, I was expecting a rowdy affair, which is what was delivered. An energetic warning that they are here and will not be going anywhere soon. E and Daniels collectively all sound at home with each other, despite the very varied styles they each have. You can tell they spend a lot of time together getting wavey and spitting bars. The motto here seems to be ‘ bring the bars’ because the amount of punch lines and multis is crazy. I reckon they have an unspoken competition with each other going on because they all bring some of their hardest bars I’ve heard from many of these emcees. Particularly Mr 13 , who has his strongest showing on this EP, Production from top dons such as Micall Parknsun, Last Resort , Endemic and more make this a very solid first offering.
Bookended by solo tracks from Josiah Matrix and Raawz, it’s a mostly posse cut affair, which is exactly what I expected with so many hungry artists. Tales of excess and bragging over head noddingly simple styled production. 8 tracks of quality hip hop to just kick back and enjoy. Personal highlight is the track ‘Main Event’ cos Gizmo goes iiiiinnnnn! Given that this is a precursor to an album they are dropping early next year it’s an exciting start and I hope to hear more fire from them soon.
Words: Adam
You can stream and cop the ‘Bar Crawl’ EP here
Tracklist:
1. Josiah Matrix – Ain’t This Something Produced By Suspence.
2. Mr 13, Ceezlin, Josiah Matrix & Flabz – Same Old Same – Produced By Endemic.
3. Tony D, Locksmyth, Mr 13, Dr Psycho, Ceezlin, Flabz, Jae Moe, Micall Parknsun, RaWwz, Mystro, & Gemini – What You Drinking? – Produced By Brainiac Beats.
4. Gi3mo & Josiah Matrix – Main Event – Produced By Last Resort. Cuts By DJ Cosmo.
5. Flabz, Dr Psycho, JosiahMatrix, & Mr 13 – Halloween – Produced By Earthman.
6. Gi3mo, Theme, Josiah Matrix, & Flabz – Slaughter – Produced By Micall Parknsun.
7. Mr 13, Locksmyth, Money Mitch, & Josiah Matrix – I Can’t Keep – Produced By N.S.D.
UK producer Endemic brings us the second in his ‘Terminal Illness’ series, and it is a triumph in grimy but soulful production, a great selection of potent lyricists and just enough of a range of subjects to keep the project entertaining throughout.
Although hailing from the UK, Endemic has recently relocated to the US, and seems to have landed on his feet, as the guestlist on ‘Terminal Illness 2′ is a whos who of US underground talent including Ruste Juxx, Afu-Ra, Killah Priest, Tragedy Khadafi (who smashes every tune he is on!), Roc Marciano and many more, as well as a smattering of top draw UK Rappers (M9, Ray Vendetta, Cyrus Malachi and Tesla’s Ghost, who all more than hold their own on tracks with their US Counterparts).
This album has got a real 90’s feel to it, which is only fitting considering the certified credentials of the rappers involved, and is a must for anyone who misses the grimy sound of the 90’s underground.
Although the majority of the tracks are showcases for the skills of the rappers, topics such as government corruption ( Political Criminals 2013 Ft. P.R. Terrorist, Bugsy da God & Cyrus Malachi) and police brutality ( Babylon Reload Ft. Killah Priest, Hell Razah & Shabazz the Disciple) are also covered.
Usually it is fairly easy to pick 2 or 3 standout tracks, but really the whole album is a pleasure to listen to, but if I had to choose I would say ’20/20 Vision’ Feat Tragedy Khadafi, Skyzoo, Kevlaar 7 & Salute da Kidd, ‘High Society’ Feat. Tragedy Khadafi, Ruste Juxx & Afu Ra and ‘Circle Makerz’ Ft. Tesla’s Ghost & Ray Vendetta as my pick of the bunch.
All in all a quality release filled with sick verses and classic production, for fans of that classic sound and dope lyrics this is well worth a listen!
Words: Chris.
Endemic’s ‘Terminal Illness 2’ is OUT NOW!
Tracklist…..
Intro Ft. DJ Switch
King’s Indian Attack Ft. Masta Killa, Cappadonna, Bronze Nazareth & DJ Switch
High Society Ft. Tragedy Khadafi, Ruste Juxx & Afu Ra
Purple Hearts Ft. Bronze Nazareth, Kevlaar 7 & Salute da Kidd
Royal Flush Ft. Planet Asia, Ruste Juxx & DJ Switch
Capos Ft. Roc Marciano, P.R. Terrorist & Kevlaar 7
Outbreak [Interlude]
Babylon Reload Ft. Killah Priest, Hell Razah & Shabazz the Disciple
Political Criminals 2013 Ft. P.R. Terrorist, Bugsy da God & Cyrus Malachi
Circle Makerz Ft. Tesla’s Ghost & Ray Vendetta
Calisthenics Ft. Tragedy Khadafi, Sav Killz & Bugsy da God
Elite [Interlude]
Cardinal Ft. Supreme, Darkim be Allah & DJ Switch
20/20 Vision Ft. Tragedy Khadafi, Skyzoo, Kevlaar 7 & Salute da Kidd
Diamond Knights Ft. Prodigal Sunn, William Cooper & M9
APEX ZERO -“REALITY PROVOKING LIBERATION” Album Launch Featuring Live performances From IRON BRAYDZ & CAXTON PRESS. Filmed at The Hoochinoo Live event at Vibe Bar, Brick lane by Chiba Visuals. Get the album here…
Willie The Kid and Bronze Nazareth have collaborated on a musical effort of grandiose proportions. Appropriately entitled ‘The Living Daylights’ the LP is a 13-track venture containing the earthy and whimsical sound of Bronze’s production and the colourfully complex wizardry of Willie The Kid’s literary prose. The collaboration is seemingly long over due as both Willie The Kid and Bronze Nazareth are natives of Grand Rapids, MI the second largest city in the state. Finally, they match wits on a musical landscape which blends the new age, boom-bap sample driven production from Bronze Nazareth’s legendary Wu-Tang Clan infused sound; with the vibrant and refreshingly intricate disposition of Willie the kid’s bristly rhymes.
Today, the duo releases a new track, “Delirium,” from The Living Daylights, featuring Sean Price & Sha Stimuli (produced by Bronze Nazareth):
‘The Living Daylights’ will be released in January 2014.
Tracklisting for Willie The Kid & Bronze Nazareth’s ‘The Living Daylights”: