It’s that time again people, Christmas and hopefully you have hip hop heads in your family that love to listen to good rap music so here are some albums from this year that you can throw in your loved ones stocking!

Cloud 19 (Braille and S1)- Late last year Braille announced Cloud 19 I was a little skeptical because I wasn’t a big fan of The IV Edition. Cloud 19 came out and I was blown away by everything this album offered. S1 brought banging beats and Braille brought rhymes that made the listener think and made the listener appreciate the art of talented lyricism.

Restocked (TheBreax)- I was introduced to TheBreax early this year on the SphereofHipHop podcast where they played “For What” and “Success”. And yet I still wasn’t entirely sold on them, I ended up picking this and their previous record up because of the guests that appeared on them. And let me tell you TheBreax are legit. They have most mainstream sounding production but it’s still their own and unique. Ruslan is talented and his lyrics are thought-provoking and definitely ask for some introspection.

Black and Read All Over (Sharlok Poems)- Sharlok releases his best project to date in my opinion. This time Sharlok brings Theory Hazit and Oddisee to handle the beats and they we will beat you over the head with the crazy beats they came up with. It has guests Othello, Stro the 89th Key, Propaganda, LMNO, Pigeon John and others. I feel like this release flew under the radar and that people are sleeping on it so wake up and smell the fresh hip hop.

Friends Enemies Apples Apples (Mr. J Medieros)- While I haven’t listened to this album yet, Mr. J has always had a reputation of writing rhymes that dive straight into your heart and soul and make you think about yourself, world issues, the people around you and more. The production is entirely covered by J’s Procussions partner Stro the 89th Key and features guest vocals from Tara Ellis.

Modern Marvels (Theory Hazit)- It’s shipping out in about a week and half and people who’ve listened to it already say it’s sure fire! All the beats are by Toni Shift and features JustMe, Wonder Brown, Tanya Morgan, Aletta and more. Buy it from Sphere and you get the beats from the album a special Illect Recordings shirt and you get a bonus digital album from Theory Lord Fire 2 (which is unreleased Hazit material) for $30.

Honorable Mentions

Guest Room (Cas Metah)
Before the Twilight (JustMe)
Sojournalism (Sojourn)
Kings of Tragedy (Kings of Tragedy…..stop sleeping on this one kids)

In honor of Cas Metah’s new album Guest Room I’ve compiled some of my favorite guest appearances and put them together to make one of the longer podcasts I’ve done almost 2 hours long! Features artists from all over the Christian Hip Hop spectrum, 2mex, Mouf Warren, The Strange Fruit Project, K-Drama, Cash Hollistah and so many more! So take a listen and go get CAS METAH’S GUEST ROOM ALBUM!!!

Download Here

Live As It Gets feat. Theory Hazit and Playdough (Move Merchants)- Move Merchants

Planes and Trains feat. Pigeon John and Blueprint (Mars ILL)- Backbreakanomics

Falcon Plume feat. Scribbling Idiots (Sintax)- Curb Appeal

Def Tole feat. Theory Hazit, Cas Metah, Kas (EDM)- Def Defying Mixtape

Down But Never Out feat. Sev Statik, Manchild, Sintax, Illtripp and Listener (Sivion)- Mood Enhancement

Season of Tears feat. Zane and Elsie (Sev Statik)- Speak Life

I Wouldn’t Do It feat. Big Rec, Surreal, Sivion, Theory Hazit (Braille)- Box of Rhymes

Seasons Change feat. Mouf Warren and Ruffian (Cas Metah)- Providence Road

We Got It feat. Sojourn, Sivion and Theory Hazit produced by Ohmega Watts (Sharlok Poems)- Blooming Sounds

Let Go feat. Supastition and The Masterminds (Braille)- Shades of Grey

You Don’t Want That feat. ManChild, Playdough, Jurny Big, Macho and Raphi (The Tunnel Rats)- Underground Rise: Sunset/Sunrise

Let Me feat. Phat K.A.T.S, Freddie Bruno and Playdough (Sivion)- Mood Enchancement

Let Go feat. Bracey, Dre Murray, Jacob Izrael, and R-Swift (K-Drama)- Boombapitism

Heart and Soul feat. Lyriz and MotionPlus (Cas Metah)- Providence Road

Nobody Say feat. Raphi and Braille (Theory Hazit)- Lord Fire produced by Vintage

The Treatment feat. ManChild, Braille and Big Rec (Ohmega Watts)- The Find

Surprise Cypher (remix) feat. Adam L, Surreal, Sivion, Sojourn and Sharlok Poems (Lightheaded)- Wrong Way

Posse on Burnside feat. Ethic and Othello (Acts 29)- Underexposed

No 2 Ways feat. Triune, MotionPlus, Cas Metah, Griffin and Relic (Sev Statik)- Back to Dust produced by DJ Dust

Killin It feat. OneLife, Cash Hollistah and Big Rec (Scribbling Idiots)- Idiomatic Mixtape Volume I

Outro feat. Red Cloud, Sojourn, John Reuben, Pigeon John and ManChild (Lightheaded)- Pure Thoughts

Remember The Day feat. Dax, 2mex, Neogen, Dert, Big Rec, Mouf Warren, Dokument, Chosen 1, Griffin, Lazarus, Raphi, Drastic, Propaganda and Macho (The Tunnel Rats)- Underground Rise: Sunset/Sunrise

Low Budget feat. Rush, Cas Metah, MotionPlus (JustMe)- One Man’s Trash

My Suitcase feat. Sojourn and JustMe (Ajax Starglider)- Middle Class Broadcast

Just Raps feat. Future Shock and Scribbling Idiots (JustMe)- One Man’s Trash

Broken Heart feat. The Strange Fruit Project, Ragen Fykes, Thesis (Braille)- Cloud Nineteen produced by S1

Freaky Flow feat. L.A Symphony (Flynn)- In Like Flynn

Get Ignorant (remix) feat. Braille, Theory Hazit, Sev Statik, Nomis, R-Swift, Proph1 (The Breax)-Restocked

It’s Nineteen feat. Ragen Fykes- Braille (Cloud Nineteen)

Special feat. Thesis produced by 9^th Wonder- Strange Fruit

Project (The Healing)

Better feat. Dax- Raphi (Cali Quake)

Jiminy Cricket- The Procussions (5 Sparrows for 2 Cents)

Rap Fans- Mars ILL (Raw Material)

That’s It- The Sound Providers (Looking Backwards)

Hardrock feat. Lightheaded- Braille (Cloud Nineteen)

Mistakes- LPG (The Gadfly)

Fill It In feat. DJ Idull (Cloud Nineteen)

Rhythm- Soul Plasma (Simply Soul)

Freedom Fighters feat. Jurny Big- Playdough (Lonely Superstar)

Full Swing feat. Neogen and Deacon- Ohmega Watts (The Find)

Ruckus Bring feat. PageOne- MG the Visionary (Transparemcee)

Get Away feat. Francesca- LMNO and Kev Brown (Selective Hearing)

Broken Heart feat. Strange Fruit Project, Ragen Fykes and Thesis- Braille (Cloud Nineteen)

Mr. J Medieros is my favorite member of the Procussions and when I heard he was coming out with a solo album I jumped at the chance to get it. Mr. J’s album Of gods and girls showcases J’s ability to rhyme about important topics our world is dealing with today. There is no subject that Mr. J can’t cover, he covers topics such as money, the impact of his family to even more serious issues such as his general view of the world to rape, Mr. J covers these topics with a strong yet not intimidating voice. So how does the former Procussions member measure up to other solo efforts? Well I’m glad you asked….

The lyricism starts strong with the track “Silent Earth” one of my favorites overall with the lyrics and the production. The track at least to me seems to cover J’s perspective on the world around all of us. “Silent Earth” shows the strength in Mr. J’s lyricism and just shows the theme of the entire album.

“Constance” is the track from this album that caused the most buzz in the media. The track covers the very real issue of human trafficking in India. The song was featured on 60 Minutes when they did a special on human trafficking. Mr. J does a superb job putting the listener in the scene where all of this happens. The first verse of the track covers the story of Constance who is being sold to someone to make a video of her and sell it on the Internet. The second verse is about the person who watches the videos of Constance on the Internet and is oblivious to the true situation. This one of the heavier songs on the album, but it’s also one of the best.

Towards the middle of the album and on to the end the album gets everything about the album gets better. “Keep Pace” is where best part starts. To inform you “Keep Pace” is still to this day is my 2^nd favorite track of all time (Ohmega Watts “Mind Power being #1). The chorus for this track says it all:

“Your life is worth more than that

Your body is built to weather any storm in fact

We are never meant for any harm relax

See the stars in heaven you were born for that

While the angels blowing horns cuz your back from the dead

In the middle of a war you’re trapped in your head

I’d rather chase the wonder of the light instead

And keep the pace till the hunger of this child is fed”

To me this song screams keep going no matter what the circumstances and also should remind many of the message that no matter what God throws at you he promises not to give you more than you’re able to handle.

The next track on the album is “Money” which features former L.A Symphony member Pigeon John. The track is about let me think….hmmm….MONEY!!! Basically how money is useful but can also drive us to directions that are not so good. The beat definitely has that party feel to it and also the one that you put in your car stereo and blast to 11.

Go forward two tracks and you run into another favorite track of mine “Call You” which is a thank you song to the people that helped J get to where he is today. The fact that Mr. J was able to keep this stellar lyricism going throughout the entire album just shows his talent.

The last thing I will mention with this album is the last four tracks on the album are remix tracks. With remixes by Joey Beats, the Siamese Sisters, Mike Kilo and Ohmega Watts. A “Silent Earth” remix by Ohmega Watts, “Half A Dream” remix by the Siamese Sisters, “Constance” by Joey Beats and an “Amelie” remix by Mike Kilo. Every single remix track is amazing and I kinda wish other emcees would follow in Mr. J’s footsteps with the bonus remix tracks.

Ever since I heard Mr. J on “The Life of Brian” (Up All Night Album) I’ve always wanted to hear a solo project from J and he did not disappoint with this release. The only gripe I have with Of gods and girls is the album is a little too serious I love how he covers a multitude of topics with this release, but I do wish there were more “fun” songs on the album. Procussions fans should definitely pick this up and watch for MR. J’S NEW ALBUM COMING LATER THIS YEAR!! CHECK MR. J’S MYSPACE FOR A COUPLE OF NEW TRACKS!!!!

Lyrically impressive

Doesn’t hold back and can tackle any topic

Four remix tracks

“fun” tracks are almost non-existent

Not too many guest appearances

Lyrics: 5

Production: 4

Keep Pace

Half A Dream Remix by Siamese Sisters

Silent Earth remix by Ohmega Watts

Call You

Money feat. Pigeon John and DJ Vajra

So I play a lot of music on my podcasts, but what is music is actually rotating on my Zune right now?

Over the past week I’ve been listening to….

Single Tracks

1. Sucka Sucka Yeah Yeah feat. Theory Hazit by Kings of Tragedy

2. The Inevitable by K-Drama

3. Let Go feat. Bracey, Dre Murray, Jacob Izrael and R-Swift by K-Drama

4. Broken Heart feat. Strange Fruit Project and Ragen Fykes by Braille

5. Almost Famous (instrumental) produced by Vintage by SI

6. Publicity Stunt Doubles (instrumental) produced by Theory Hazit by SI

7. Moonlighting produced by Theory Hazit by SI

8. Freaky Flow feat. L.A Symphony by Flynn

9. Wonderfully Delicious feat. K-Drama and Chandre by The Kings of Tragedy

10. Freedom Fighters feat. Jurny Big by Playdough

11. Know Your Name feat. Mojoe, The Ill and HeadKrack by S1

12. The Abolition of ManChild by Mars ILL

13. Killin’ It feat. Cash Hollistah, Big Rec by SI

14. My Name Is Griffin by The Tunnel Rats

15. Planet DOK by The Tunnel Rats

16. Unconditional by Lightheaded

Albums

Def Defying Mixtape by EDM (Mouf Warren and Griffin)

Boombaptism by K-Drama

Euphonic Roots by Mike Beats

The Kings of Tragedy by The Kings of Tragedy

Braille, at least in my opinion has took a bit of a dip since his classic Shades of Grey in his defense however, it’s really hard to come with classic albums time after time after time. The IV Edition, while the album drew a lot of attention, I thought that album spelled a new direction for the artist. So when would we see the Shades of Grey Braille? I’ll just tell you right now Braille and S1’s Cloud Nineteen is easily Braille’s best effort in a while.

S1, who is S1? S1 (stands for Symbolic One) is a talented producer for the Strange Fruit Project. Many of you who have listened to The IV Edition heard S1 produce the track “Blessed Man” (one of my favorites of the album by the way). S1 also produced an entire album Music Box for a whole slew of underground Hip Hop groups and emcees. So when you combine Braille’s lyricism and S1’s production you get AWESOMENESS!!

The production style on this album varies from head banging to R&B sounding tracks. The album starts with It’s Nineteen and the beat has a heavenly feel to and Braille’s message is very clear and eye-opening. In our society today going above and beyond the average is known as “Cloud-9”, but Braille says, why can’t we go above and beyond the above and beyond and going for “Cloud-19”. Get it! Braille brings talented singer Ragen Fykes (who appeared on “Get It Right” from The IV Edition and “Work the Wealth” from Watts Happening) whose chorus this song and others on Cloud Nineteen to the next level.

While 2009 has just begun and there are so many new releases coming later this year, “Broken Heart” is my favorite song of the new year. “Broken Heart” features the entire Strange Fruit Project crew and Ragen Fykes comes for the second of three songs on this album and she handles the chorus of this song. Each emcee raps about an event that “broke their heart”. Braille talks about his father passing away, the second verse handles how important family is to him (sorry…I’m not real familiar with The Strange Fruit Project) and the last verse handles how one’s mother died and the impact she had on his life (another Strange Fruit Project emcee that I once again am not familiar with it’s either MyOne or Myth). S1 produced an absolute gem with this one and it fits the topic of this song perfectly. I’ve listened to this song 26 times on my Windows Media Player and about 50 more times on my Zune so this is the Song of the Year so far in my books!

“Fill It In” is the “10 Years” (from Shades of Grey) in my opinion Braille covers a multitude of subjects in this song. From finances to the state of hip hop Braille takes those topics and more and let’s you know how it is. This track also shows the versatility of S1, you go from the heavenly sounding “It’s Nineteen” to the head banging of “Fill It In”. Braille also brings DJ Idull to do his thing on this track.

This album should be in the running for Christian Hip Hop album of the year when it’s all said and done. This album is a classic and should be picked up fans and hip hop fans alike. The album has no filler so songs whatsoever and should get the listener to some introspection with where they are in life. The funny thing about this whole thing is BRAILLE IS ALREADY WORKING ON HIS NEXT ALBUM TO RELEASE THIS FALL!!! If his next album is anything like Cloud Nineteen I suggest you pre-order this one right now, I know I will.

Good

No Filler Tracks every track is Gold

Guest Appearances from both Braille and S1 (Theory Hazit, Thesis, The Strange Fruit Project, Ragen Fykes etc.)

The first Lightheaded Track in about 2 years (WHERE’S LO-FI HEIGHTS)!

Braille’s best album since Shades of Grey

Bad

I’m selfish so I wish this album was about 50 tracks long!

Rating: 5/5 (Like Hip Hop BUY IT!!!)

If You Can’t Buy The Album Download These Tracks!!!

Broken Heart feat. The Strange Fruit Project, Ragen Fykes and Thesis

Hardrock feat. Lightheaded

Fill It In feat. Theory Hazit

Skepticold

It’s Nineteen feat. Ragen Fykes

Yes Braille confirmed it the album will release in March. Here’s the tracklisting:

1. Sky Dive (intro)
2. It’s Nineteen featuring Ragen Fykes (vocals) and Rob Swift (cuts)
3. For Life
4. Broken Heart featuring Strange Fruit Project (vocals), Ragen Fykes (vocals) and Thesis (vocals)
5. That’s My Word featuring Theory Hazit (vocals) and Rob Swift (cuts)
6. Fill It In featuring Dj Idull (cuts)
7. Skepticold
8. Heart of God
9. Found Her featuring Shawn Lee (piano and strings)
10. From The Pulpit
11. Megaphone Phonics featuring Vursatyl of the Lifesavas (vocals), Rob Swift (cuts) and Tony Cook from the JBs and James Brown band (drums)
12. Work That Way
13. HardRock featuring Lightheaded (vocals), Rob Swift (cuts) and Pataphysics (trupets)
14. Stay Together featuring Ragen Fykes
15. Parachutes and Ladders (outro)
BONUS – “Frankenstein”

Yes, Surreal is back with his last solo release being in 2006, Surreal gives his fans a Christmas present by releasing, Pardon My Dust (which was actually released in November). Over the past couple of years Surreal has built quite the track with his past albums, Future Classic and True Indeed. Surreal has also worked some of the most talented artists and producers not just in the Christian Hip Hop world, but in the Underground Hip Hop world also. So how does Pardon My Dust measure up to Surreal’s past work? Should is this one worth dusting off or is it worth leaving in the dust?

While Surreal isn’t working with the vintage sounding Sound Providers, the production hasn’t missed a step. “Mama Don’t Cry” is the first track on the album and is also the first standout track on the album. Surreal introduces the track by saying that people (specifically in ghettos) carry guns to protect themselves and some people don’t understand that. But Surreal also covers the hurtful side of guns how they are sometimes used for revenge and can cause more problems. Another important message Surreal is trying to convey in this song is how a lot us don’t take to heart what’s really happening with the increased death toll. The part of the verse below to a certain extent encases Surreal’s message for this song.

“You hear the death toll on the news and it’s cold

Because numbers don’t breathe and numbers lack soul

He’s a living human being with dreams and goals”

During my first listen of Pardon My Dust turned out to only be half of a listen because I couldn’t get past the song “The Surface” which features Dillion Maurer. I listened to the song at least 12 times in one sitting (not kidding). The beat to this song is so addicting and it should remind some listeners of Ohmega Watts production (specifically “Mind Power” “Stay Tuned” “No Delay”). The only downside to this song is that it ends to fast, with a verse from Dillion Maurer and Surreal then, song over. The chorus tells what the entire song is about: “People tell that the universe is perfect, I guess you have to dig beneath the surface….”. If you don’t get the entire album at least download this song.

“Stay the Same” is one of my favorite tracks production wise, but most importantly lyrically and spiritually. Surreal’s message is simple: the world changes, but God never does and that’s a guarantee. Surreal produced this song himself and while it has the usual hip hop components to it, but he adds a creative edge, by throwing in the addictive sounding saxophone in the chorus of the track.

Pardon My Dust is a decent album, but it has some things holding it back from being a good or even classic album. First of all is the entire second half of the album, I absolutely love the first half of the album, the second half is ok. The intenseness of the verses and the production seem to slip after the song “First Chapter”.

The first not so good track off the second half would be “The Recipe”. Now here at the Christian Hip Hop blog we’re really not a big fan of the whole using bad words (see “Simply Ill” and Freddie Bruno’s use of the N-word on that track), but Surreal takes it to another level by swearing at least six times in this song and kind of had that mainstream “I’m the best rapper in the game” vibe to it. While I don’t mind Christian Hip Hop artists and tracks that have that vibe, I don’t believe you should swear in order to get that point across.

Surreal also puts the Quartz remix to “Mama Don’t Cry” which at least in opinion isn’t as good as the original. The original beat to the song is much better than what the remix has. The light at the end of the dark tunnel that is the second half of the album shines with the song “Pursuit”. The chorus says our pursuit should contain: life, love, happiness, truth, family and friends. Guest artist Supastition, raps about how he wants to seen when his career is over, not just as an artist, but as a father too. The production has a piano beat to it (which for any of you that know me, know that I love beats containing the piano), thus making this track a must listen.

Pardon My Dust is an album full of ups and downs, this was one of the hardest albums to give a concrete score to. If one considers the first half of the album one would say that the album is amazing. Move on to the second half of the album and that person’s opinion might change. Pardon My Dust is worth getting (uh…hello can somebody say FREE!!!), his fans will appreciate Surreal’s story telling raps and his lyrics praising the Lord however, fans might be disappointed in the swearing that Surreal does (this on the other hand is not a reason to not get the album).

You can pick up the album FOR FREE at : http://www.rappersiknow.com/2008/11/10/surreal-pardon-my-dust/

It’s FREE (Need I Say More)

The first half of the album

Surreal continues to showcase his love for God in his raps

THE SURFACE feat. Dillion Maurer

The second half of the album

Surreal’s Swearing (NOOOOOOO!!!!)

Just download the whole album it’s FFFFRRRRREEEEE!!!!!

Yes, I’m back and in the span of this whole month and a half, I lost my microphone (aka my Mp3 player) and I didn’t make the Varsity Basketball. However I did get accepted into Bowling Green State University and Kent State University and intend to major in Journalism. Lastly I got so much new music over the past two months it’s ridiculous and guess what, you guys get to listen in. Since I lost my microphone you guys don’t get any commentary (I know you guys are crying as you read this), but every song played on this podcast is music I have yet to play on the past podcasts. So brace yourself and get ready for Christian Hip Hop Domination. Oh…SHOUT OUT TO MY BOY TretheThird I can’t wait to pick up the album next spring (if you haven’t heard his music go to his site TretheThird.com and download two singles from his debut album).

Click Here To Download Podcast #16

Track Name- Artist (album)

Pangaea- The Visionaries (Pangaea)*

Poetry In Motion 3- Braille (Scatterbrain)

5 Minutes feat. The Procussions- The Sound Providers (An Evening With The Sound Providers)*

Enough- Theory Hazit (Lord Fire Bonus CD)

Goodness feat. Braille- Tony Stone (The Creation)

Cob Webs- Falling Tsar (Falling Tsar)*

Where’s The Time feat. Mouf Warren (JustMe and Cas Metah are Unemployed)

Ready Forum produced by S1- The Strange Fruit Project (The Healing)*

See Clear- Acts 29 (Underexposed)*

Stay the Same- Surreal (Pardon My Dust)

Journey Journal feat. Lucidity- Cas Metah (Providence Road)

*The Visionaries are: LMNO, 2Mex and others

Falling Tsar is: Theory Hazit, Wonder Brown, JustMe and Sev Statik

The Strange Fruit Project is: Mythic, Myone, S1

The Sound Providers are: J Skills and Soulo

If you’ve been keeping tabs on many of the Christian Hip Hop artists you’ll learn that there are many veteran artists and groups coming out with new material. There are also many rumored releases that have yet to be confirmed all this will be covered in the next couple of paragraphs.

 Modern Marvels (Theory Hazit)-This album was rumored to be coming out in November of this year, but unfortunately pushed back to the summer of next year. Theory has two solid releases already in Lord Fire and Extra Credit, I expect Modern Marvels to continue to show Theory’s prowess as a producer and rapper. I don’t expect this album to be as good as Lord Fire, I expect it to be the same if not better than Extra Credit.

Cloud Nineteen produced by S1 (Braille)-Braille has many albums under his belt however I believe Shades of Grey was his best work and he hasn’t hit that level since that release. Now I’m saying his work after that (Box of Rhymes, The IV Edition, Scatterbrain) was bad it’s just lyrically he has sort of strayed away from the religious aspect of his rhymes. But with this release Cloud Nineteen Braille brings Strange Fruit Project producer S1 along for the ride. A lot of this album has been kept under wraps as of late but the album is set to release in March of 2009. Braille’s single Frankenstein is up for download at Rapzilla.com.

The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be (DeepSpace5)-DeepSpace5 has been on a roll ever since they released their debut (The Night We Called It A Day). While the group slipped just a bit with their DeepSpace5oul release the group is back with a new feature-length album and I truly can’t wait for this release. This album is more under wraps than Braille’s new album, most have no idea when it will be released, what guests might appear on the track and the group hasn’t released a single yet. The less we know about this album the more excited I get about this release.

Dirty Words (Sharlok Poems and Dust)-ALLOW ME TO EMPHASIZE THAT THIS ALBUM HAS NO CONFIRMED RELEASE DATE IN FACT IT MIGHT NEVER COME OUT! THIS IS AN ALBUM I WISH WOULD COME OUT!! Poems and Dust have been collaborating since about 2001, however the group has never released an album. If you go to Dust’s website you can see a music video the group has made, a video and song that should convince any listener that the group should release an album.