Big Tone: The Art of Ink
For the longest time, I wanted to let people know about this album from Detroit veteran, Big Tone. No slouch on the Detroit hip hop scene, Tone has appeared on Dilla’s Welcome 2 Detroit (“It’s Like That”) and holds a steady rep amongst the city. He released an album in 2005 entitled The Drought that got heavily overlooked, thus, releasing this project on Tres Records. He raps, but he also produces, and he’s very good at both. Gathering names like Guilty Simpson, Blu, and Ta’raach for this album, The Art of Ink succeeds in various degrees leading from ideas of growth, passion, prosperity, and inspiration. It’s a feel good record loaded with soul and meaning behind it’s tattoo based theme.
Junclassic: Imaginary Enemies
Fresh off of internet-love extending from just about all the significant hip hop websites and blogs, Junclassic stays grinding with his most recent project, Imaginary Enemies. His 4th full length project is produced entirely by DJ Husky, a talented producer relying heavily on soulful samples and very, very impressive drums. This album really is exclusive considering that only 500 copies were made, but Classified Recordings have taken on Junclassic’s project and have developed a little engine that could. Particularly in love with “ZeeZe’s Grove” and “BabyLove,” this writer has totally been won over by this eye and ear opening emcee.
Sleaze: Summer Fresh
Even though summer is over (at least in Toronto), it doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate great music that came out during its run. Sleaze drops Summer Fresh, a raw, gritty, it-is-what-it-is project dripping in the fun that bred hip hop [at one point]. It has no concern with business, but only with the pleasures of the genre, and Sleaze deals with the descriptive natures the music tells us. Released through the net label Just Plain Sound, Sleaze delivers a rarity in hip hop, originality. It is original production, original rhymes, and original concept. It can even be downloaded here!
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Co-sign on the Junclassic album.
Heard the Big Tone and Junclassic. Bout to check out the Sleaze.
Can’t thank yall enuff Sean Deez, Justin and Madd Doogz.
I gotta do the knowledge to Big Tone and Sleaze.
Indie HipHop Lets Get It!!!!