There has been a common eclectic theme in the more refined emcees these days, and Black Milk is no exception. His latest release, No Poison No Paradise, can be considered one of his more musically mature projects.
ARTIST(S): Black Milk
ALBUM: No Poison No Paradise
OVERALL RATING:
There has been a common eclectic theme in the more refined emcees these days, and Black Milk is no exception. His latest release, No Poison No Paradise, can be considered one of his more musically mature projects. From start to finish, this project has a mixture of hard-hitting production with musical arrangements you might find on an Erykah Badu album.
This project keyed in on Black Milk's ability to adapt and experiment with his delivery over sometimes random production; which was the strength of this project. From the start of "Interpret Sabotage," the beats are solid and the vocalists in tracks like this and "Parallels" definitely compliment the track and fit well with the production.
Another feature of this project is the wide array of instrumentals, whether they are intro, outros or full length interludes. The production definitely focused on providing a more musically rounded theme around deep drops, thoughtful lyrics and artsy jams like "Sonny Jr." and "X Chords" that simply fit the overall feel of the album.
One thing that is obvious from this album is that Black Milk doesn't mind experimenting, and he pulls it off well with tracks like "Black Sabbath," where he completely dominated the delivery over tight-knit drums and a grunge-like sound selection. Truthfully, sometimes the experimenting went a bit far and didn't blend well as in "Poison," where the background vocals clashed with his own vocals. Nonetheless, he still pulls off some deep thought in lyric with lines like, "What does it all mean, to lose your soul to try to live an american dream / fuck a life here, I'd rather go to sleep and live inside my nightmare."
If you like experimental production and slick wordplay, this is definitely an album you will want in your collection. The only down sides to this project were that in some tracks like, "Deion's House" where the overall production of the song wasn't bright enough and became a bit monotonous. While the lyrics were on point in "Codes and Cab Fare" from both Black Milk and Black Thought, the production just left the listener wanting a little more impact.
Overall, the album was well put together, musically mature and definitely one that lyricists will appreciate. Take some time to check out the video for "Sunday's Best" and "Monday's Worst;" which seemed like a good duo of contrast concepts.
Joe Stu and Hip Hop producer, D.R.U.G.S. combined to make a project that would exemplify not only the culture of our music; but the struggles and battles that come with being an artist.
ARTIST(S): Joe Stu + D.R.U.G.S. (ATL)
ALBUM: Wrong Turns in the Right Direction
OVERALL RATING:
In an age where messages are rarely received, and everything is about the party life, it's refreshing to get projects like these. Joe Stu and Hip Hop producer, D.R.U.G.S. combined to make a project that would exemplify not only the culture of our music; but the struggles and battles that come with being an artist. Conveying personal, political and spiritual messages through powerful production and undeniable lyricism, "Wrong Turns in the Right Direction" definitely lives up to its name.
The Jazz/Soul influence is quickly noticed from the very intro of the project, complete with consciously-driven spoken word over a smooth saxophone and piano combo. This blends nicely with the hard drop of ARE YOU READY, and sets the tone for what could be called, "struggle music."
The tracks that really stood out on this project were the one's featuring vocalists like LIFE feat. Jahah, and LOVE GONE feat. Sage and Najja. Their selection in vocalists complimented the song and the artist; which is not always a strong point for rap artists. Another notable collaboration on this project was CLOUDY DAYS feat. Krystal and Shred TVT; which definitely made it to the BSR playlists.
One of the strongest values to the project was the delivery on tracks. Having bars is one thing, but when you can properly execute them over a rhythm and make it your own sound; that separates the rappers from the emcees. Joe Stu's ability to weave concepts and execute them precisely led to a high rating on lyrics. One notable line on REALITY RAP explaining the fraudulent nature of reality TV, he stated, "Basketball Wives got these women thinking if they spread their thighs, that they could get a house and a ride / and a TV show to match plus some child support payments, in the end, I guess it's all entertainment." Rather than judge the watchers and fans, he merely questions whether the concept of watching and participating in the circus is wrong or right. And at the end of that track, he was real enough to just say he likes to watch his shows. How more honest can it get?
Overall, the project was definitely a quality product, and we would recommend it to anyone who loves an artist who is transparent and conscious; yet down to earth enough to make it comical and real to the listener.
Like any other project, this one had a few down sides to it. ARE YOU READY needed a bit more variation on the production as it seemed to drag on a bit. HOOKED wasn't really up to the standard of the other tracks and seemed a little flat on the mix. CLOUDY DAYS, though being one of the favorites, still needed a bit more prominence on the vocals in the hook. And PARTY feat. Los Rider was a great party concept (true to its name), but the mid-range frequencies seemed to clash a little bit and took away from the dynamics of the production and delivery.
Nonetheless, the project from start to finish held strong through the review process. A salute to Joe Stu and D.R.U.G.S. for a great collaboration of music that we believe every Hip Hop enthusiast will enjoy.
CHECK OUT THE MUSIC VIDEO OF THE "GORILLA" SINGLE:
ALBUM RATINGS
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Lyrics:
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OVERALL:
Please click here for more information on guidelines for our bootslap rating system.
With the cover art of William Cooper's "Behold a Pale Horse," and titled, FIELD VISION, A-M-P makes it clear that his art is more than just rap music.
Artist: A-M-P (Tampa, FL) Mixtape: Field Vision
OVERALL RATING:
With the cover art of William Cooper's "Behold a Pale Horse," and titled, FIELD VISIONS, A-M-P makes it clear that his art is more than just rap music. Opening the album with an acapella over war sounds on "Draft Day," the feel of the album seems to be more political in nature but definitely takes quite a few turns throughout the playlist. It's safe to say that A-M-P doesn't necessarily stay in any one lane on this album.
Tracks like "Good Mood" and "Friends Mutual," put an unexpected twist on his style. Though it's versatile (and versatility is generally a good thing), it could also divert some listeners to pick and choose tracks as opposed to listening to the whole project in one take.
An obvious strength of the album is his more conscious tracks like "New Nation" where the wordplay picks up a bit, and his ability to paint the concepts through lyrics work well. A definite REPEAT TRACK would be "Someone to Hold" that has a strong vocalist hook, and the verses tell a clear story for any listener to sink into.
The production and arrangement of most tracks give them a good vibe and the mix on this mixtape was absolutely clean. The sound from track to track was even and there weren't much weak points on the mixes track by track. The mix held a lot of the weight in the final overall rating on this review. Minus a few bumps in levels here and there, we couldn't complain about this one on general sound at all.
While this project was generally well done, it didn't stand out a lot in regards to wordplay and delivery. The content was great and topics ranged from relationships to 120 lessons, but there wasn't enough fluidity between tracks; and sometimes the delivery was a bit too mellow on some tracks like "Good Mood." There were times when the laid back approach could have used a more lively approach.
Another pain point for this mixtape would be some of the hooks on tracks like "Shut 'em Down" and "Two Bad Chicks," which could have used a little bit of work on the hooks. It took away from the value of songs that had some potential.
Overall the album was clean and well diversified. I would like to see a more conceptual project from him in the future where he chooses a lane for that specific project and runs with it. A few of these tracks made it to our playlist. Get your copy online
ALBUM RATINGS
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Lyrics:
Mix:
OVERALL:
Please click here for more information on guidelines for our bootslap rating system.
In an age where jackin' for beats is the normal part of the journey; there comes the inevitable throwback mixtape that will take that concept and turn it into an ingenious piece of work.
ARTIST(S): Beast Corps / Tony Touch
MIXTAPE: Spittin' to Da Oldies, Vol. 1 RELEASED: 2012
OVERALL RATING:
In an age where jackin' for beats is the normal part of the journey; there comes the inevitable throwback mixtape that will take that concept and turn it into an ingenious piece of work. This is how the collaboration project between Tony Touch and Beast Corps felt with their "Spittin' To Da Oldies, Vol. 1" mixtape.
It's one of those mixtapes that is niched to the 90's era fan mostly; blending the older production with an authentic DJ touch, and then adding some witty lines and comical punch lines to resemble a bit of the "spoof rap" people like Redman and Lords of the Underground were well known for. (Yes, reader, if you remember these names and beats, YOU will soon realize these "oldies" meant the music YOU listened to as a teen… pause)
If there's one thing that the listener becomes quickly aware of, it's to not underestimate the power of a remake with Beast Corps behind it. Their ability to not only match the flow and delivery down to syllables; but their odd ability to blend even the mixes similar like in "New York City Love" that was an NY rendition of "California Love" complete with effects and melody to match.
Not only was the delivery and mix similar to their originals, but the wordplay was complimentary to each track. In "Twinz Pt. II," you even get the Spanish rap twisted into the wordplay on a Big Pun remake when they say… "My blood is puro, my corazon is oscuro / hit these menudo n***az with a little puerto rican judo."
The DJ feel to the whole project was definitely much needed in this era of automated mixtapes. Having the Tony Touch name and brand along with drops of everyone from Parish Smith, to Lord Finesse, and even Method Man on the intro to their remake of "Bring the Pain" called "F**kin' Wit the Beast".
The bottom line on this project is that it's for the golden era lovers. If you don't appreciate 90's era production, you probably will not like this mixtape much. It's the risk taken when doing projects like these. The mixes definitely sound more golden era than contemporary; so it won't have that advanced HD feel that younger generations are used to. Honestly, it's not supposed to.
While we hesitate to call this a spoof mixtape; that's the best way we can describe the style of lyrics and delivery. There are a lot of funny lines and scenarios Beast Corps paints throughout the entire mixtape. It makes for a very entertaining compilation of remakes that both compliment the instrumentals and helps make the songs their own.
Unfortunately, this also means a lack of serious tracks that most golden era fans also enjoy. There's not really much substance in a lot of the tracks beyond the fact that it's made to have a good time. So, while the wordplay was on point and the blends and drops have the listener going; there was no real MEAT to the project that could push it beyond a house party favorite.
WATCH THE VIDEO
ALBUM RATINGS
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OVERALL:
Please click here for more information on guidelines for our bootslap rating system.
We at BootSlap are advocates for Indies with QUALITY MUSIC; so we base our reviews on 4 key components. This system of rating provides us a standard of quality that is not simply left to the bias of the writer or reader.
An overview of the BootSlap Rating System
In every masterpiece, there are various components that make up that work of art in a way that exemplifies it as genius. Whether it is the stanzas in a poem, the movements in a symphony or the components of a Hip Hop record; there are pieces to that work that come together and make it QUALITY MUSIC. We at BootSlap are advocates for Indies with QUALITY MUSIC; so we base our reviews on 4 key components. This system of rating provides us a standard of quality that is not simply left to the bias of the writer or reader.
IN OTHER WORDS...
The lyrics in music may be as elementary as Kermit the frog with a twist of tight jeans and pocket protectors; but the production is phenomenal, the mix is phenomenal, and the overall delivery of the artist projected well. They may get a good rating.
On the other hand; the lyrics may be completely flawless, but the delivery might sound more like a Gregorian chant, and the production is completely mixed like an old school cassette tape playing on a dusty boombox with one speaker working. That might not get a great rating. Just a simple thought to ponder when you make music.
WHAT WE'RE BASICALLY SAYING IS…
We are eliminating the opinion and trying to observe MUSIC for exactly what it is… MUSIC! So, I guess you want to know the formula, huh?
THE OFFICIAL BOOTSLAP REVIEW SYSTEM
They look something like this (halves look like this… )
AND BELOW IS HOW WE BREAK IT OUT ON THE SCALE
- 5 BOOTS: FLAWLESS!!!!
- 4.5 BOOTS: Repeat Alert!!!!
- 4 BOOTS: Pretty Damn Good!!!!
- 3.5 BOOTS: This gets a #salute
- 3 BOOTS: Good Work!
- 2.5 BOOTS: It's good, but might need some work
- 2 BOOTS: Definitely needs some work, but it has potential
- 1.5 BOOTS: It's OK…. (yea, how that sounded in your head)
- 1 BOOT: Not really a strong point, huh?
- HALF A BOOT: C'Mon Son…. (insert Ed Lover pic here)
Like we said earlier… there are COMPONENTS to every masterpiece, so this is how we ask ourselves how to rate projects:
LYRICS: Are you on topic, do you articulate well and are you creative with the way you put those words together? Lyricism is the key here, but making sense matters JUST AS MUCH here. What story are you telling me? Do I get it?
PRODUCTION: Is the production well composed, constructed and mixed? Does it tell its own story and carry its weight on the project? Is it even original??????? (We have to ask these days….)
MIX: Does everything sound clean? Are the frequencies balanced correctly across the record? Does this sound like a QUALITY MIX? Every type of music and genre has its own way to mix and blend frequencies; does the mix match your song?
OVERALL: This is done by simply taking the 3 components above; Lyrics, Production and Mix, and calculating the average between them. This then equals the overall rating of the project. Rounding in any way is up to the discretion of the writer. Think of it as a MINUS or PLUS on a test (i.e. c-, b+, etc etc blah blah blah)
THIS IS HOW WE COME UP WITH OUR RATING OF PROJECTS. LIKE IT OR HATE IT, THIS IS WHAT KEEPS US HONEST AND KEEPS ARTISTS GROWING. THERE IS NO PROGRESS FOR THE INDIE ARTIST IF THEY CANNOT SET NEW STANDARDS ONCE THEY MEET THE OLD ONES.
So, we decided to peep out Kembe X's new joint titled SELF RULE for a 2nd Round review. Most times, artists have a hard enough time getting just a few good songs in ONE project; much less a group of successive projects that show TRUE growth.
Artist(s): Kembe X Mixtape: Self Rule Mixtape (2011)
Overall Rating:
So, we decided to peep out Kembe X's new joint titled SELF RULE for a 2nd Round review. Most times, artists have a hard enough time getting just a few good songs in ONE project; much less a group of successive projects that show TRUE growth. As usual, his ability to create intricate wordplay is probably the most ingenious part of his delivery.
He starts off the project with an inspiring Malcolm X speech for the intro. Their mix and choice of background music was definitely well done. This is actually something that could be said about a lot of the project, overall. The choice in production matched the lyrics extremely well throughout the project.
From "Introlude" with its smooth delivery and laid back production, to "Quarter and a Nightmare" with its odd use of melodies over smooth lines of rhythm; Kembe's ability to weave a story that pulls in the listener is undeniable. Any listener will notice, right away, that not only is Kembe X able to adapt easily to various rhythms; but his choice of production is phenomenal.
Some tracks worth a DEFINITE mention are, "Patience," which helped bring the project back into perspective and made it come alive midway when the track tempos starting blurring together. This track is a definite REPEAT BUTTON CULPRIT! The only thing it could have used was less saturation on the distortion of the vocals of the hook. It was a bit heavy and could have balanced out a bit better to sound less gritty.
Between "Backwards" with its old school "Midnight Marauder's" feel, and smooth bass riffs and woodwinds of "Don't Quit;" it's clear his influences are not just constrained to recent music. Kembe X seems to be rooted in MUCH MORE than today's superficial digi-songs. His music reaches back out to the listener and incites that old warm feel Chi-Town artists are known well for.
While we have a lot of good to say about this project, and the ratings speak the same; there were some slight downsides to the project that could have used some work. "Cold Summer" loses a little momentum, which he makes up with his ability to paint a picture with lyrics. "Don't Quite" could have used a little more work on the bridge and the feature artist, Alex Wiley, could have had better breath control in his delivery.
Despite the very minute flaws on this project; the quality, wordplay, production and overall mix puts Kembe X on a different playing field than many indie artists who are still trying to mature their sound. Peep out the download and HEAR HIP HOP REVIVING FIRST HAND!
OK, so we came across this submission this week and thought it was DEFINITELY worth a good mention. This was probably one of the better finds we have had in a while, and aspiring Emcee, Kembe X
Artist(s): Kembe X
Overall Rating:
OK, so we came across this submission this week and thought it was DEFINITELY worth a good mention. This was probably one of the better finds we have had in a while, and aspiring Emcee, Kembe X, hailing from the South Suburbs of Chicago exemplifies the very nature of a poetic emcee. His wordplay is ridiculously talented, and his ability to deliver accurately on beat is undeniable in every sense of the word!
From the first track we heard titled, "Balla Shit Till," it immediately became clear this was no average rapper or simple artist. His wordplay and ability to deliver what seems to be tongue twisting adventures without any issue make it apparent this artist is definitely hungry enough to make some serious damage given the right tools.
Throughout all the tracks sent to us, we noticed 3 very glaring issues that needed work; but these were (quite honestly) the ONLY issues with the tracks submitted.
Mixing was very poor. It did not match the quality of his lyrics, and it almost took away from the punch of the song overall, leaving the listener almost wanting more of his lyrics with new beats.
The usage of effects, especially in the initial track "Balla Shit Till," was a bit unbalanced with the final mix. It was almost as if they went back and did this over the master or something.
Too many mid range frequencies (500-700mhz) in the EQ and not enough 120mhz, 2khz and 10khz frequencies in the final output.
If these mixing issues were corrected, Kembe X may have gotten an additional point, and we are looking forward to hearing more of him in the future with some QUALITY PRODUCTION and QUALITY MIXES. Once he has this, we definitely think Kembe X will be quite a force to contend with in the game.
Y'all have heard of Watchmen by now, so you should know the emcee they call PRO. His lyrical ability is undeniable, much like the rest of the crew, and he has now released a new album called, I NEED THERAPY.
Artist(s): PRO Album Name: I Need Therapy Year of Release: 2011
Overall Rating:
Y'all have heard of Watchmen by now, so you should know the emcee they call PRO. His lyrical ability is undeniable, much like the rest of the crew, and he has now released a new album called, I NEED THERAPY; which for the most part feeds that inner-lyrical person that enjoyed the sounds of Rakim, Wu and the like. This album, though not as strong as I had hoped for was indeed a good listen.
The intro titled, "Dark Passenger" lives up to its name with the creepy intro; and when PRO begins rhyming, you almost feel like your listening to 90's Rakim. That is not to say it's a bad thing because lyrically, the talent is most definitely there.
One thing that was very clear is that PRO was attempting to paint a lot of stories throughout this album, and he does very well with tracks like "Where" and "Sunshine" that includes singing vocals. Most of the feel for these tracks is deep and soul-ish. It was definitely NOT what I expected to hear, but I kind of enjoyed the fact that it was different, and I appreciated the range of music he implemented into the production. Tracks like "The Truth", "GO" and "Dangerous" were definitely REWIND WORTHY tracks, so be sure not to miss listening to those on the album.
Overall, the Mix on this album was pretty good. Tracks like "The Truth" had some smooth lows, and overall the blends of frequencies were very clean. You can hear a VERY GOOD separation of sounds in the track called "Where".
There weren't a lot of downers in this album, but a few key points to work on that dropped the score a little. "Encontramos" was a good track to bring the bilingual hook, but the delivery could have been a bit smoother on this one to match with the beat. His delivery was great for what it was, but this track needed something with a little less attach on the delivery. "I Will" was not as impressive as it could have been with a better mix on the higher end frequencies.
For those who like LYRICS, this is a GREAT ALBUM and serves its purpose well. For those who are looking for something a little out of the box, it may be a hit and miss for you.
For those who are not familiar with Cambatta and his lyrical content, the latest album, Visionary 2 will serve as a quick reminder that there are still relevant artists in the Florida scene.
Artist(s):Cambatta Album Name: Visionary 2 Year of Release: 2010
Overall Rating:
For those who are not familiar with Cambatta and his lyrical content, the latest album, Visionary 2 will serve as a quick reminder that there are still relevant artists in the Florida scene. Cambatta mixes his ability to weave lyrical content into everyday experiences; and makes a definite mark on the Hip Hop scene with this latest addition.
From the start of the album with "The Re-Introduction," he create the very feel Hip Hop is known for, while shooting off lyrics like, "These are visual statements, as far as that pop shit, I have minimal patience / it feels like the end of a civilization, and I'm the only nigga escapin'" to leave the listener even FURTHER interested in hearing more.
Tracks that DEFINITELY stand out a lot on this album, which are far more than just the average two gems in most album are: "On My Way," which seperates Cambatta from the stereotypical rapper; "Unstoppable Bullet," which tells a strong message; "Light it UP," with a feature from LAWS of Justice League; and "Green Light," which describes the double-edged character of money and our need for it.
While there's not much bad to say about this album, there were some slightly low points to the overall album. Tracks like "Stoopid" could have been mixed a bit better with the sample used to make it sound clearer; "Right Back At You" wasn't too impressive compared to the other tracks around it, but the singing was nice; and "Don't Blame Me," which could have used a little more work on the hook to make it stand out a bit more.
Overall, this album was HEAT!!!! This one is a definite MUST HAVE in the collection of raw Hip Hop music. Anyone who ever doubted Cambatta's ability on the mic should definitely give this download a try. Don't miss the track, "Good Ol' Days" if you come from that Golden Age of Hip Hop. You will DEFINITELY RELATE to this!
R.A.P.P. Quelle - After The Art: We Are Up (Mixtape Review) on BootSlapRap.com | Home of the independant reviews and business.
Artist(s): R.A.P.P. Quelle Album Name: After The Art: We Are Up Mixtape Year of Release: 2010
Overall Rating:
Most mixtapes are filled with DJ cuts and slices with overbearing DJ's screaming at the mic biding for the attention of the listener as much as the emcee. This was NOT the case for R.A.P.P. Quelle's latest mixtape release, After the Art: We Are Up. Quelle's ability to weave words together as well as the mixtape more closely resembling the track flow of an actual album make this mixtape a good addition to the collection.
The mixtape starts with the eerie song from Pirates of the Caribbean 3, almost making the listener wonder what he means from that. Are WE as Hip Hop the pirates singing our song to the death pursuing perpetual voice in the music market? Nonetheless, the mixtape moves on to the next track resembling the usual shout outs and long intros traditionally seen.
As the first real cut begins with "Why Be Afraid," I couldn't help but think of DMX and his gritty yelling on the mic. R.A.P.P. Quelle does this, but with a twist of his own that stands him apart a bit from DMX. It's more than obvious that Quelle is not your average rapper, and his lyrics alone help him a lot of the way along with tracks like "The Enigma is All Me" and "We Are Up (Light Up Remix)"
Tracks like "Forgot About Wishing" using the airplanes instrumental showcase some of his heart in this music when he states, "I pray none of these words get lost in translation / Hopefully you get every bar that I'm saying." He makes it obvious he has no plans of stopping.
There are some downsides to this mixtape which really accounted for most of the loss in points. One major point is that Quelle's delivery really doesn't range out well. He's pretty much screaming most of the time or at least sounding like he is. The texture of his voice should be a bit mellower on some tracks and lacks that drop in tracks like "All the Way Up" and "PSA."
Some other things to mention are his selection of tracks, which I thought with his delivery, could have been a bit heavier to match his aggressive tone. Not all the beats matched him specifically, but worked out merely on the fact that he got lyrics for days. I would like to hear him on some heavy percussion, low-end drops and tracks that match more of his voice texture.
ARTIST(S): Joe Stu + D.R.U.G.S. (ATL)
One of the strongest values to the project was the delivery on tracks. Having bars is one thing, but when you can properly execute them over a rhythm and make it your own sound; that separates the rappers from the emcees. Joe Stu's ability to weave concepts and execute them precisely led to a high rating on lyrics. One notable line on REALITY RAP explaining the fraudulent nature of reality TV, he stated, "Basketball Wives got these women thinking if they spread their thighs, that they could get a house and a ride / and a TV show to match plus some child support payments, in the end, I guess it's all entertainment." Rather than judge the watchers and fans, he merely questions whether the concept of watching and participating in the circus is wrong or right. And at the end of that track, he was real enough to just say he likes to watch his shows. How more honest can it get?
Artist: A-M-P (Tampa, FL)
ARTIST(S): Beast Corps / Tony Touch
(halves look like this… 
)
Artist(s): Kembe X
OK, so we came across this submission this week and thought it was DEFINITELY worth a good mention. This was probably one of the better finds we have had in a while, and aspiring Emcee, Kembe X, hailing from the South Suburbs of Chicago exemplifies the very nature of a poetic emcee. His wordplay is ridiculously talented, and his ability to deliver accurately on beat is undeniable in every sense of the word!
Y'all have heard of Watchmen by now, so you should know the emcee they call PRO. His lyrical ability is undeniable, much like the rest of the crew, and he has now released a new album called, I NEED THERAPY; which for the most part feeds that inner-lyrical person that enjoyed the sounds of Rakim, Wu and the like. This album, though not as strong as I had hoped for was indeed a good listen. 
For those who are not familiar with Cambatta and his lyrical content, the latest album, Visionary 2 will serve as a quick reminder that there are still relevant artists in the Florida scene. Cambatta mixes his ability to weave lyrical content into everyday experiences; and makes a definite mark on the Hip Hop scene with this latest addition.
Artist(s): R.A.P.P. Quelle