Tag: Skyzoo

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

Alongside Eric B and as a solo artist, Rakim “The God Emcee” has released seven studio albums during his lengthy and massively influential career. His long-awaited, highly-anticipated,eighth album and first full-length studio album in 15 years, the self-produced G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth) is slated for a July 26, 2024 release through all formats — yes, digital, CD, cassette and 12″ and 7″ vinyl through www.rakimpresents.com in collaboration with Holy Toledo Productions, Compound Interest Entertainment, RRC Music and 1332 Records.

The album will feature guest spots and collaborations with the late Nipsey Hustle, DMX and Prodigy, as well as B.G., Method Man, 38 Spesh, Kurupt, Masta Killa, Skyzoo, Kool G. Rap, Joell Ortiz, KXNG Crooked, Planet Asia and a lengthy list of others.

G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth)‘s second and latest single “Now Is The Time” sees the legend teaming up with B.G., Hus Kingpin and Compton Menace. Anchored around a menacing Rakim production pairing tweeter and woofer rattling boom bap with an eerily looping, twinkling synth line, the Preemo-like production is roomy enough for Rakim, Hus Kingpin and Compton Menace to trade swaggering and bullying street shit-inspired verses. While capturing Rakim at his most inspired and vital in some time, the song also serves as a reminder that real hip-hop — dope emcee spitting real lyrics over dope and soulful production — is still out there and will always be necessary.

With “Be Ill,” Rakim holds down vocals, production and cuts, and he is joined by Dogg Pound and Wu-Tang contemporaries Kurupt and Masta Killa. “Be Ill” is now available at all DSP’s. The video for “Be Ill” will be released on 6-21.24 at 9am EST and will be premiered by Rolling Stone at 8 am EST. The video provides the viewer a golden-era esque time capsule for when all you needed to showcase your skills were two turntables and a microphone. Rakim, Kurupt and Masta Killa all shine in their very unique ways throughout the Rakim produced soundscape, and it serves as a further reminder that it was Rakim’s production that brought to life previous classics such as “Juice” (Know The Ledge), “Don’t Sweat The Technique,” “Paid In Full,” and so many others.

Now Is The Time (feat. B.G., Hus Kingpin & Compton Menace),” taken from his first new project in 15-years, G.O.D.’s Network (Reb7rth).

Single Review by William Ruben Helms

DJ Devastate was a Helsingborg, Sweden-born producer, turntablist, and DJ, who collaborated with an impressive array of artists including El Da Sensei, Max I Million, DJ Create, Wildchild and MED, Chuck D and others with material being released Stateside on Coalmine Records and in his native Sweden through Counterweight Records. Earlier this year, the up-and-coming Swedish-born DJ, turntablist, and producer suddenly and tragically died at the age of 35.

Celebrating his life and his work, Coalmine Records and Counterweight Records teamed up to release a two LP compilation of some of each label’s favorite tracks In Recollection: A Dual Label Anthology. The Counterweight Records side has eight tracks including the Create & Devastate produced “I Rap Black” by Chuck D., Bishop Lamont and Mykill Miers; the Devastate-produced “Riddim Up On Em” and Baby Blak’s “Moves 2 Make;” and his remix of Chapee and Max I Million’s “Feel It.” The Coalmine side has five tracks, including the Devastate-produced “Show Stoppa” by El Da Sensei; the Max I Million remix of C.L. Smooth and Skyzoo’s “Perfect Timing,” which features Devastate’s turntablism; J57′s remix of “Show Stoppa;” Create & Devastate’s “Most Confident;” and the compilation’s latest single, the fifth on the Coalmine side, the posthumously released “Crime After Crime,” which features Illa Ghee spitting gritty and menacing bars over a Devastate beat centered around chopped up Biggie samples of “Suicidal Thoughts” and “Sky’s the Limit” bolstered by thumping 808s and Devastate’s scratching.

Sometimes compilations are typically sad affairs — especially in light of the tragic, too soon death of an up-and-coming artist, this particular track and the compilation is a reminder of the Swedish DJ, turnbalist and producer’s immense talent and what the hip-hop world will sorely miss.