whYJay is one of my favourite spitters from Manchester right now, it seems like every week he's either realising a video, doing a freestyle, jumping on a set or performing live, and now his much anticipated mix-tape WHOSWHYJAY? is finally out now for free download. This is a collection of some real tracks that cover intelligent subjects rather than the usual guns and bitches that seem to be what every MC these days seem to think people want to hear. I think my favourite track on the mix-tape has to either Balance or Myself, whYJay is breath of fresh air in a slightly stale scene right now with his unique flow and hard lyrics he is defiantly the difference between a YouTube Mc and an artist, whichis good since most people seem to have forgotten the difference. Not to mention this mix-tape has features from the likes of Predz, CDot, Sin Seer and Mr Meening, as well as producers such as Dirtklod, Riddle and Katapullt. This is defiantly going to be on regular rotation on my iPod for the next six months. Go get it now!
From beginning to end Manchester's Tap D's stunning new release "Tapped and What" is an utter Hip Hop classic with features from the likes of Skanka, Geko, Ideal and more. After my first spin of "Tapped and What" my first impressions were that Tap D could fully push through to the mainstream with a deep flow filled with lyrics so hard they leave your ears feeling like you'v just been ten rounds with Tyson. The first "Hands on Deck" is an explosive way to start an album, considering its bodying fellow Manchester MC and Don't Flop organiser Chronicle.Hands on Deck is swiftly followed by the epic future Hip Hop anthem How You Feel, this track could easily be found in the mainstream with its easy to listen beat yet hood lyrics that can almost never be predicted! The levels are kept high through out "Tapped and What" with stand out tracks like Life In The Ghetto, Big Shit Ft. Skanka, My G Ft. Geko & Skanka and Run The Roads Ft. Skanka, but don't be fooled, each tracks could stand on its own as a single release. If he keeps putting out release like this Tap D is going to be the name on everyone's lips.
The Manchester lyrical master known as D'Lyfa Reilly is back with his musical masterpiece Cloud Rhyme. This seven track release is a intense journey into the mind of D'Lyfa from the beginning track "Nimbus Proem" featuring fellow Red IQ member C Aye Monk, to "FreeDumb" which is an eye opening listen which opens several truths and also shows off D'Lyfa's lyrical skill whit its quick pace flow and intelligent bars. Of course there's a track for the blazers out there, "Amsterdamnesia" is a clever track playing on all the strains of bud and the many ways you can get lifted. For me the personal highlight of Cloud Rhyme is "Orion Nebula" which is an absolute Hip Hop anthem!
Member of Misfit Music & Mosh Team, Illatant is one of the biggest names in the Manchester Hip Hop scene right now. His flow is so hard it smashes coal into diamonds! This release is a must have, its filled with twenty-two anthems that all bump harder than a woman driver. The album features artists such as Shotty Horroh, Briggzy, J.Strike, Raptor, CitySwift, Notes, Relly Allstar, CJ3, Legal Eyez, Motive, Kamo, Savage & Rick Charles. The stand tracks for me are I'm A Problem featuring Shotty Horroh, Adrenaline Rush, Who's Laughing Now, Fuck Em All Ft. Savage & Legal Eyez and Listen Ft. Kamo but I didn't dislike a single track! I highly recommend this release for any fan of well polished raw Hip Hop! So what you still reading this for? Go download your new favourite release now!!!
Manchester Hip Hop collective Mothership Connection released this classic piece of music on April 20th, A.K.A. 420 for those who understand the link. Mothership is comprised of Dubbul O, Legion, Cheech the Grim Reefa, Goshin and Cheyenne. Each one of these valuable members combined gives the psychedelia funky hip hop madness that you hear blasting through speakers! It's been a long time since I'v listened to a release back to back seven times but Emitape 420 is an excellent release, I literately cannot stop listening to this. Some of the stand out tracks include In Time featuring Marvs, The Shadows and Funkadelica, but to pick out tracks suggests the others are weaker. Not the case here, every track is utterly banging! Did I mention its a free download? Hell yerr!