Featured on Up Next “Make It,” the rapper behind the world famous “Trap Queen” drops arguably, the best track on the whole tape. The unique rhythm and futuristic-sounding beat make for a very catchy track. This song, Fetty Wap goes out to his boys who he came up with, where he turns his promise to “come up” with them into an anthem.
Notable lyrics:
I promised all my n*ggas we gon’ make it 4th and inches, we ain’t scared — we gon’ take it! Watch the look on all these n*ggas faces Comin’ thru in the foreign like we racin’
Today’s throwback is on West Coast rapper Khadafi Dub and his quite good freestyle over TNGHT’s “Higher Ground.” The original tune featured has been a big hit ever since TNGHT, the collaboration of EDM artists Hudson Mohawke and Lunice dropped it in 2012.
Khadafi Dub may not have the best lyrical skills in the game, but he has worked hard at his craft and worked even harder at finding unique, interesting beats to rap over; many EDM tracks as well as house and dubstep, and he was one of the first rappers to do it. Check out his freestyle above and support Khadafi Dub and TNGHT below:
West Coast rapper “khadafi Dub’s” freestyle over TNGHT’s “Higher Ground.”
Our second track is another throwback, this one I discovered during my high school days. Released in 2005, “When The Dawn Breaks” by Narcotic Thrust was one of the first progressive house tunes I ever got into. The original and the Cicada remix do not disappoint! Smooth vocals layered over calming house synth sounds compose this little-known trance sleeper gem.
Throwback REAL hip-hop tunes to keep ya head bobbin’. Don’t sleep!
Smoke Break – Curren$y & Alchemist
You can never go wrong with Curren$y, arguably one of the best indie/underground rappers out there. I was first introduced to the Hot $pitta, formally through Wiz Khalifa in their smash-hit, critically acclaimed mixtape How Fly. However I first heard of Curren$y in the mid 2000s when he rapped alongside Remy Ma and Young Money frontrunner Lil’ Wayne on the popular single, “Where Da Cash At.”
“Smoke Break” comes from another highly praised Curren$y mixtape, Covert Coup, which was produced by famed hip-hop producer The Alchemist.
Notable lyrics:
The style done got switched up Cause the last one got bit up, Yeah lil homie y’all can get down, but I bet y’all can’t keep up!
Life Under the Scope – Curren$y
“Life Under the Scope” was also one of Curren$y’s early hit songs back when he was very much still Unsigned Hype. Many think Young Spitta has stayed true to his roots, while fellow rapper he came up with, Wiz Khalifa, has largely abandoned them (Blacc Hollywood does capture some of Wiz’s early spirit, but not enough). I, like many others, are still holding out for a How Fly 2.
Criminal – The Roots, Truck North & Saigon [REAL HIP-HOP]
Our next throwback is another realhip-hop jam, this one a collab between The Roots, Truck North & Saigon. “Criminal” has a very interesting beat, lyrics and feeling to it that makes me reminisce to the beginning of Fall or cold, wintry days.
Notable lyrics: Monday, they predict the storm, Tuesday, they predict the bang Wednesday they cover the crash, And I can see it’s all about cash
They got the nerve to hunt down my ass, and treat me like a criminal…
LUMiNOUS Musings 