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

Monday, June 8, 2009

Black Mike - Haven't You Heard?

Black Mike - Haven't You Heard?
Black Mike is a rapper and producer from Houston, TX. He is also affiliated with the South Park Coalition. Mike has been in the business since the age of 16. He honed his skills and became a pure lyricist as well as a talented producer. This is debut album and it was released in 2004 on Johnny Palmer Entertainment. The production is done by Black Mike along with some help from Dope-E of The Terrorists. They provide a solid foundation using multiple instruments. The beats are dark to some extent but are mostly up tempo. Mike displays his raw vocals on just about every track. His attack on the mic is something vicious and it is one that should definitely be heard. Guest appearances are made by Z-Ro, B-1, III, Lil' Will and Scotty P. Overall the record was a valiant effort and it contains a lengthy collection of choice tracks. It is also a strict representation of the underground and it does not dissatisfy. Black Mike is currently working on his sophomore album called, "The Hand That Feeds You."

Thursday, May 28, 2009

C-Lo - 817 Most Wanted

C-Lo is a rapper from Fort Worth, TX. He is also affiliated with the legendary P.K.O. and the Youngsta Mafia Family. 817 Most Wanted was released in 1993 on Youngsta Records. Production is handled by Magic Mark of P.K.O., Mike E.D., DJ AK, K-Mac and A.J. The beats can simply be described as that old school southern funk. They contain nothing but hard drums fused with whinny synths that are tranquilly laced over some steady samples. The lyrics also carry the same vibe. C-Lo has that aggressive ability to catch a beat. He delivers the rough rhymes at a solid rate and definitely keeps them roguish. Features are made by P.K.O. and Candi. The album falls in at a mere eleven tracks but they are all sovereign. Although the record contains genuine content, it was generally neglected and dismissed due to its heavy nature.

Deadly Verses
Straight Up

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Slim Chance - Round Here

Slim Chance - Round Here
Slim Chance is a rapper from Lafayette, LA. Round Here was released in 2003 on Global Entertainment. Production is handled by DJ Dolby D and Terrance Evan. It is certainly of exceptional quality. The beats are built with thick layers of southern groove and they easily carry sophisticated rhythms. Slim dominates the mic through a wide range of skills. His flow is laid back but he can definitely speed the pace up at any given moment. Tracks are also filled with soothing hooks and choruses. The most intriguing thing about his lyrics, is his attitude of an optimist. Guest appearances are made by the Water World Boyz. The musical flair presented in this album is leisurely diverse. In today's music, that is not amply common and sometimes its even nonexistent. All in all the record contains a broad variety of topics and its very well crafted. It combines various styles so the end result is a work of art that has the power to appeal to all.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

DMG - Chek

DMG - Chek
DMG is a very prolific rapper originally from St. Paul, MN but he has also resided in Houston, TX. He began rapping locally in 1984 around the St. Paul and Minneapolis area. In 1988 he formed a group with DJ Tek and Young Grimmy known as The Deep. The trio did not quite work out and DMG ended up signing a solo deal with Rap-A-Lot Records. He was also a member in the group Facemob and the world renowned, Geto Boys. DMG debuted in 1993 with the cold blooded record called "Rigormortiz." After a ten year solo haitus, he returned in 2003 with another solid effort known as "Black Roulette." Chek, is basically the album before the album. Its a mix tape that serves as a prequel to his highly anticipated upcoming album which is appropriately named, "Checkmate." Chek was released in 2007 on his own label entitled, Rogizh Muzik. Production is provided by Mr. Walton and it seems to be mildly generic. Although several cuts are banging and some even stand out. A few of the beats are original, while the rest of them are borrowed from other artists. DMG returns with a vengeance on the mic. He jarringly rips through the tracks with his rough tone and roguish persona. His delivery hasn't changed much, it is still as raw and profound as it was back then. Guest appearances on the mix tape are made by C-Bo, Yukmouth, Lil' Flip, T-Rex, Young Grimmy and Cold Heart. The album also contains the next installment to the original "You Don't Hear Me Doe." Overall the record holds a lengthy collection of prime tracks. Also the letters DMG stand for Detrimental Ganxta.

Deadly Verses