Rap – Jamaican Art Hub

bigTree: ‘lost & fumed’ Mixtape

“After work she pick up phone an’ seh fi link up/ So after work, nuh badda ‘itch up, mek we lif’ up/ After work, she give it up, quick like a stick up/ At first she never with us, now she affi switch up” – bigTree, “Switch Up (BFF)”

This is one mixtape I’ve been playing repeatedly. ‘lost & fumed’, the latest release by bigTreeJM (bigNatty and bigMoody) is near-perfect, in my opinion. Featuring the contributions of Knixx Taylor (“Giant”), Mila.Akilah (“Double Tap”) and Spacekat (“Let Yuh Go”), production was done by SOS Dynamikz and bigTreeJM.

bigTree has the ability to weave the patois sound into hip hop/rap frames that are appropriate, clear and authentic. Guest artistes are also given a lot of room to explore their creativity, and the chemistry is never rushed. If one expects to hear some reggae or dancehall, this is present in “Contraband Freestyle”; however, the rest of the songs are a Jamaican rapper’s haven. Have a listen today!

To follow bigTree and access their work, please see the accompanying links:

Blessings in abundance!

The Sickest Drama: ‘Luxury Tax’ LP

Jamaica has a tried-and-true relationship with hip hop, and among reggae and dancehall practitioners there can always be found rappers who are honing their skills and grabbing attention. Currently, the latest buzz centers around The Sickest Drama, who forms 1/4 of the Jamaican Hip Hop group The Council of the Gods, and his new album, ‘Luxury Tax’.

With 10 tracks, one gets a proper introduction to what originally-rapped lyrics from Jamaica sound like. Mixing patois with the nuances, slangs, themes and wordplays of hip hop, we get a blend that switches flows seamlessly, keeping one listening from start to finish. Featured acts include Sheree (“Balances”), Tripl3 Thr3at (“Infinity Gauntlet”), Dizzy the iLL One (“White Noise”), (“Man vs Machine”) and RZNZ (“Man vs Machine”).

Producers on the album include Dizzy the iLL One, Massy The Creator, Damien Beatz, WolvesDen, and Justin Jay Beats. All songs were mixed and mastered by Space Age Rasta. The album’s artwork was done by Jane Alexia. The album is a strong statement by The Sickest Drama, and will have a long shelf life for years to come.

To support The Sickest Drama and access his work, please see the following links:

Instagram

BandCamp Streaming Link

Blessings in abundance!

Khaii: ‘Underrated’ (Debut Album)

Khaii‘s two-sided album, ‘Underrated’, a great way to close out the year 2022. Enlisting the features of various local collaborators, Khaii uses multiple genres and growing lyrical wit to outshine many of her peers in this body of work.

Side A includes 7 tracks, with notable guests such as Rebel and Wally Dee (“Skit”), Kacique (“Bad Suh”), and “Underrated” with Kee B and Fyah Roiall. Side B also has 7 tracks, including features such as Anthonia (“Majesty”), and “Higher Standard” featuring Soun Bwoii, Nevaramo and Negus Imara. A bonus track with Hoodcelebrityy (“Virgin”) is also included. Production is credited to YvnqFrezh Records.

We may need to re-evaluate our overall approach to music production going forward. Hearing all of Khaii’s unbridled creativity on the album really brought to mind the reality that many artistes never truly get to tap into molding a well-rounded sound that they like, due to a variety of reasons. Being able to put out a body of work that you won’t cringe at years later should be every creator’s goal, at least for integrity’s sake. It always makes for great music; I can’t even decide on a side.

In order to follow Khaii and access her work, please follow the links below. Also, get a chance to meet her in person at her club house party on December 10, 2022. The location will be Dreamz Premium Lounge in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, with a $2000 admission price at the gate. Khaii and Wally Dee will host a meet a greet session with refreshments from 2 PM – 4 PM, and there’s a party that kicks off from 7 PM – 12 AM.

Streaming Links for Various Sites

Blessings in abundance!