Thursday, October 1, 2009

Philmac - P-Funk

Philmac is a boldly talented rapper and producer originally from Birmingham, AL. He has also held residence in Atlanta, GA. P-Funk is his debut album and it was released in 1998 on Phunky Entertainment. All the groovy production is provided by Philmac himself and he uses his signature style on each track. He basically hand played each instrument and earned the title as the one man band. The beats are an ensemble of funky guitar licks, ingenious keyboarding and menacing drums. That alone gives the record an exclusively canny southern feel. The lyrics don't fall short either. His tone is gratifyingly laid back but the delivery happens to be actively fast paced. The rhymes are thoroughly complex while also being genuinely lyrical. The album contains an amiable collection of fourteen tracks and all of them are equally marvelous. The subject matter is also boasted through a wide range of topics. Overall the record is a fine representation of the southern genre and it is fully compelling. It is also a polished work of art that is achieved with sheer hard work and dedication. It was later re-released in the year, 2008. Philmac is currently in the process of working on his sophomore album which is appropriately titled as "The Prince."

Deadly Verses
Illegal

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Profound, Ltd. - Possession With Intent To Distribute

Profound, Ltd. - Possession With Intent To Distribute
Profound, Ltd. are a duo from Houston, TX. It consists of Groove and Banoe. Possession With Intent To Distribute is their debut album and it was released in 2000 on Red Boy Records. Production on the record is done by DJ Dolby D, Damon Spencer, Game-Be-No and Ulta E. The beats fuse elements of that classic southern funk with new wave melodies. That approach is firmly effective so the rhythms end up being thoroughly captivating. The tracks also happen to include decent amounts of chopping and scratching which are all courtesy of DJ Dolby D. The lyrics carry a sturdy vibe all throughout. Both members yield distinct styles and have the ability to spit. Groove delivers his fair share with a deeper tone and dialect while Banoe conveys with word play and content schemes. Their rhymes substantially vary just as well as their subject matter. The album starts off a bit on the club savvy side but quickly takes a turn towards a much more serious direction. Guest appearances are made by Pimp C of UGK, Lil' Keke of the Screwed Up Click, Legal Substanz, Low Down, A-Wall, Dolby D, Showtyme, I.B.G. and Red Boy. Overall the album contains good quality material and it is unblemished inside and out. It is one of the many gems that get released nationally but go unnoticed entirely. The duo had plans for a follow up album but that idea was later dropped mainly due to the mediocre attention and the lack of notoriety the group received.

Deadly Verses
Remember ft. I.B.G., Legal Substanz, & Dolby D

One Year Anniversary

Its been one year since I started this blog. So to commemorate its' anniversary, I would like to make this post. I made a similar post when I first achieved ten thousand plus hits on the page. What I thought then was an accomplishment, simply turned out to be an ample beginning. It is one year later and I have received over one hundred thousand hits. What had commenced as an experiment, is now willingly a tradition. First and foremost I would like to take the time out and thank all the viewers, followers, friends and affiliates. That includes the likes of JB, Sho, MadMan, rhhino, Kyozai, Gizzle, Chanky, Kid Slizzard, Godfather, Igor, MORT, Kingpin, Fo20, Cash, eggggg, Percy Mack, ilconnection, majestysozey, kivipaperisakset, and keep checking back here for more dope, straight from the south.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

The Texas Shootout

The Texas Shootout
The Texas Shootout is a very unique type of album that was released in 1996 on Elite Records. Some might classify this record as a compilation but it is truly much more than just that. It is constructed with six bona fide lyricists whom all represent out of Houston, TX. The banging production is provided by Noel "The Chief" Aleman and it easily exceeds expectations. Each track is made with exquisite precision and is filled with many notable instruments. These are some top quality rhythms and they can only be described as that genuine hardcore sound which had surrounded the city of Houston in the mid ninety's. Now with that being said, the album is divided into four parts. Each part is assigned to an artist and each of them delivers four tracks a piece. The record begins with a bonus group track and then splits into its' appropriate sections. Leading the charge is a group called Critical Madnez. It is a duo made up of two females who are under the aliases, Critical and Madnez. Their style is very exclusive and it should not be taken lightly. Both of them excel on the mic and their rhymes are equally rough. They can certainly hold their own and are responsible for tracks two through five. Madnez also chips in as a back up vocalist on different tracks for other members. Next up is Snipe, who is also known as "Da Funky 1/2 Breed." He rips tracks six through nine and spits them at a sensible rate. He also possesses a solid vocabulary and is not afraid to use it. Snipe's performance on the record is definitely one of the ones that stand out. Following after that is the roguish duo known as Infrared. It consists of Grinch and Ginx. Their assault on the mic is dreadfully ruthless and harsh. They abundantly trade verses and provide tracks ten through thirteen. The final artist to contribute is Wood, who later became a member of the infamous Half Dead Organization. As always, he does not disappoint on the microphone. His raw tongue twisting rhymes are present and are clearly cold blooded. Wood concludes the album with tracks fourteen through seventeen. He executed them in such a superb manner that it is certainly worthy of mentioning. Overall the record is a complete hidden gem and it is put together very immensely. Each artist conveyed a solid presentation which in turn made it a necessity to own. The album ended up being out of print mostly because of the record label shutting down over financial issues. Also members Snipe, Infrared and Critical Madnez later became members of the group called, "Aggravated."

Deadly Verses
Aztec Eyez

Friday, August 28, 2009

Don Chino’s - Infamous Thug Syndicate

Don Chino’s - Infamous Thug Syndicate
Don Chino and the Infamous Thug Syndicate are an underground clique from the southside of Houston, TX. Don Chino is the leader of the group and his family consists of over fifteen members but the main ones are Marrow, Lil' Crucial, Big Baby, Tas, Lil Mac and the female emcee known as Queen Thug. This is their debut album and it was released in 2000 on Explicit Records. All the production is done in house by Don Chino himself. The beats are a true blend of synthesizers and drum machines. Regardless of the fact that they are simply made and void quality due to lack of proper equipment, they are still surprisingly good. Along with that they also manage to fit the group's persona perfectly. All members have the ability to spit on the mic. Each of them holds a distinct manner as well as vicious personalities. Most members tend to deliver tongue twisting rhymes at a high rate of speed while others like to use word play and justify their flows poetically. The group's identity is their raw and uncut characteristics that sets them apart from others. All in all the album is a lengthy collective of eighteen tracks that cover a vast variety of subjects. Despite the record being out of print and clearly hard to find, it still is a strict representation of the underground that manages to out shine most albums released today.

Deadly Verses
In These Streets


Thursday, August 27, 2009

Dirty Red - Gift Of Gab

Dirty Red - Gift Of Gab
Dirty Red is a rapper who hails from the notorious neighborhood of Oak Cliff in Dallas, TX. He also holds membership in the Starvin' Artists family. Gift Of Gab is his debut solo album and it was released in 2005 on Mob Muzic Records. Production is provided by Ivan Benson, Pimp C of UGK and Rashard Hall. The beats are a blend of the new wave of southern funk and they certainly compliment Red's style of delivery. Although the classic southern sound might be a little absent, the artist more than makes up for it with a healthy dosage of steady rhymes. He possesses a decent amount of lyrical dexterity and his flow is mostly well rounded. The album contains a total collection of eighteen tracks, many of which are quite notable while some happen to be mundane fillers. Guest appearances are made by UGK, Six Two, Shogun, Young Muhammad, Sky, Deion, Zac, Hump and Lil' Flip. Overall the record is a solid offering from a fresh and upcoming artist. Even though some may discard the album and deem it as passable, it still deserves to a honorable mention.

Deadly Verses
Get The Greenboy ft. Pimp C & Six Two


Saturday, June 20, 2009

Klondike Kat - The Lyrical Lion

Klondike Kat - The Lyrical Lion
Klondike Kat is a pioneer of underground rap from Houston, TX. He possesses a tremendous amount of lyrical talent and charisma. He is also an avid singer as well as a renowned producer. Over the years he has been lending his skills to the likes of the South Park Coalition and the legendary Killa Klan. The Lyrical Lion is his debut album and it was released in 1993 on Beatbox Records. Production is provided by Dope-E of The Terrorists, Keenan Lyles, J Reble and Klondike Kat. The beats are a synthetic blend of early 90's gangsta rap. They rely heavily on the 808 with minor keyboards. Although the rhythms might sound dated, the fact that they are magnificently composed and mixed cannot be denied. The lyrics are made up of the same caliber. Kat crushes the mic with an onslaught of vile rhymes. He brilliantly displays his lyrical flair, track after track. Not to mention his dope story telling ability and the deeply rooted choruses. Featuring on the album are members of the infamous S.P.C. That roster includes K-Rino, Point Blank, PSK-13, A.C. Chill, Dope-E, Aftamath, Kyu-Boi, Bullet, K.O., Triple X, Reload, Black Capone and Bubba Trouble. The album also contains the near ten minute clique anthem known as the "Murder Script." Overall the record is a bit shy with only seven tracks but all of them are equally superior. The South Park Coalition is responsible for being mentors to many present and up coming artists from Texas. Even though, one wont find them or Klondike Kat on the front page cover of a well established magazine, their devotion and love for the underground still remains persistent.

Deadly Verses
Murder Script