Pro Era – The Shift
It seems like Pro Era have lost the momentum they built up follow the release of Joey Bada$$’ 1999 tape. P.E.E.P: The aPROcalypse and Summer Knights were solid but inconsistent and most importantly they lacked the inspired creativity and potential that was oozing out of 1999. The Shift is a group project that feels like a step in the right direction. The beats here are more varied and modern than the boom-bap tributes that the group usually favors and it’s refreshing to hear these talented MC’s over something new. (DOWNLOAD)
Emilio Rojas – Zero Fucks Given
The track that really sold me on the mixtape was “167”, I’ve never heard bells used like that in a beat before and when they mix with the thudding drums and Rojas’ double-time flow the track really hits you. There are some clichéd tracks on here about girls and relationships, but when Rojas goes in about his community and the corruption and sadness that surrounds him, this tape really shines (I highly recommend “Dead Presidents”). (DOWNLOAD)
Chris Crack & Tree – #TREESWAG
One of my favorite projects released in 2014 is The MCTreeG EP which was released in January by Chicago rapper/producer Tree. That seven-track tape explores a sound that Tree has labeled “soul trap”, which mixes low-fi loops and tinny hi-hats with heartfelt lyrics and passionate half-sung hooks. On #TREESWAG, Tree supplies his soul trap beats to fellow Chicago artist Chris Crack. Crack’s lyrics aren’t as heartfelt as Tree’s and sometimes lapse into cliché, but this project is definitely worth checking out, at least to hear Tree’s uniquely dope production. (DOWNLOAD)
Slaughterhouse – House Rules
The rappity-rap kings are back at it with House Rules, a tape meant to drum up hype before the release of their third LP. Personally, I think these guys are massively overrated, I know they all have bars for days and can pack more double-entendre’s and internal rhymes into a verse than your top-five favorite rappers combined. But at some point, I just want to hear a hot song and I don’t care about multi-syllabic rhymes. I would still recommend giving this tape a listen. Overall the production is solid (!llmind, Nottz, and Harry Fraud all contribute) and these guys really can rap, but there aren’t many anthems on here, just bars on bars on bars. (DOWNLOAD)