 Can you truly do what you want? That’s the question that many people have to answer each day when clocking in, whether that be to a job, a business, or a side hustle. Doing what you want comes with a freedom that you can live life on your terms and have fun while doing it. No boss, doesn’t mean not having responsibilities, but that your responsibilities are things you really care about. Rappers Booz and Lil Polo Da Don are answering this question in their new video “I Do What I Want”. Booz is an artist from Sanford, Florida, who has seen success early in his career with the release of his hit viral hit “Lil N*a**”, landing him collabs with artist Pooh Shiesty, BIG30, and Julio Foolie to name a few. The other featured artist, Lil Polo Da Don, (not to be confused with the producer) is a rapper from Fort Pierce, Florida, who himself has seen success with shoutouts from big names such as Gillie the Kid as well as viral hits. He has also landed big names features such as YNW Melly, JackBoy, and Young Taz, just to name a few. It’s right only that these two Florida standouts collab on their new track. “I might pull up in that AMG like homie what you sayin’.” First up is artist Booz, who makes sure there’s no confusion with his first bar as he spits the line, “I might pull up in that AMG like homie what you sayin’.” The fact that he spits it a cappella makes the listener feel every word. Booz has a high energy bounce that can be seen in the video and heard in his verse, his aggressive tone brings his street life bars to life that become supporting statements that further give credibility to his music. “28 just for a bird, push up just like the chicken man.” He’s about that life. Booz mentions loyalty to his friends as an important code he lives by while balancing relationships. It’s also his backing ad-libs that reinforce his aggressive tones lending weight to Booz’s verse. “Pocket full of Greenland, Iceland on my wrist, The next rapper up is Lil Polo Da Don. What is most impressive about his verse talent is the multiple times he switches his flow, starting out first with a slower vibe that grabs elements of Lil Baby’s flow being relaxed, conversational, and of course swag, it’s no coincidence that he names Lil Baby in his verse. Next, he switches flows to a more unorthodox flow that skips a bar instead of rapping on every single one, he pauses for as to be an exclamation mark in the track. “Play, I bounce out, jumpin’ like a pogo.”. His final flow is a faster paced more aggressive tone, he ends it with a clever bar inserting different geographies known for their cold weather and of course Italy for being a hub for designer fashion. “Pocket full of Greenland, Iceland on my wrist, Alaska on my pinky rang, Italy on d***k designer”. Can you do what you want? Booz and Lil Polo Da Don show you, that it is possible. Booz’s high energy and grind has helped him get to this place. Lil Polo Da Don has used his versatile flow to achieve this level of freedom. These two artists are playing the game by their own rules. Their song “I Do What I Want” is just one example of how they are doing just that. Make sure you follow Booz and Lil Polo Da Don on social media:
Booz Instagram: @thereal_booz Booz YouTube: Booz Lil Polo Da Don Instagram: @lilpolodadon129 Lil Polo Da Don YouTube: Lil Polo Da Don
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 T.I. just came off a crazy side mission. He was a comedian. You read that right. Not just one show, he did numerous shows all around the country, not as a rapper, but as a comedian. But ultimately, for the moment this side mission had its final stage with the release of his own comedy special called “Cheaper Than Therapy”. It was shocking because he dropped this special with less than a year of comedy experience. Impressive? Or premature? You can read our review here (TIP Really Aint Funny). So now that he’s done with this side mission, what’s next? Well, The King, returns to the trap with the release of his latest single, “Let Em Know”. Let’s see what T.I. has to say. T.I. never really stopped releasing music. When you look at his YouTube channel you realize that he’s been dropping music videos as recently as last year. But that’s what happens when you’re no longer the priority of the machine. Albums get shelved and the machine no longer puts you on the front page of all the media outlets. I think what's interesting of the page is that he has also put his kid's music videos on the page as well, it's truly a Family Hu$tle. But what's interesting about this comedy side mission when you really dissect it is that it did get him back in front of all the media outlets. He got eyes back on the brand through the side mission making whatever he did next have even more eyes on it. Genius! Like I said T.I. is back. Back to the bald fade. Back to the cap tilted to the side. Back to the Trap. First, we gotta recognize that Pharell does what he does on this beat. It’s crazy. It’s nostalgic and feels like a reintroduction, setting the stage for T.I. to do just that. Another element to the song that stands out is that the ad-libs are like this reassurance that that’s T.I. and he’s back to rapping. The bass hits hard like and grounds the synth horns giving a futuristic mashup with a familiar footing. Pharell is still giving a masterclass in how to create “the” sound of a generation. What a way to announce the king. Big shit poppin', ain't no lil' shit T.I. is back. The first bar is that bravado and swagger that T.I. fans are so accustomed to, it just reminds you of "24's" or "Top Back". Many fans know of the multi-ego artist and can hear the T.I.P., the persona that got him here, which is more brash and street savvy then blends with T.I., the more demure version refined persona better depicted in Family Hu$tle and songs like "Let's Get Away" or "Live Your Life". Whichever one you choose, it’s apparent that both are needed to make the artist, and T.I. continues both story lines in his origin story. If we're doing a bar breakdown, I think this song was more swagger than pure bars, but one line that did catch my attention was, “From Center Hill to hittin' hoes in centerfold, better know”. This line further continues that dichotomy of his life T.I.P. mixed with a little T.I.. I also like how he gives us three verses, all though they are 8 bar verses, I still appreciate the song's structure and call back to the old way of song structure, adapted to the new way that consumers listen, because let's face it, at this time we've been conditioned to listen to shorter songs. In the end I’m proud to say that the King is back! Is T.I. done with comedy? I’m not sure, but I would like to think that we helped nudge him in the direction of going back to what he does best. Music. And maybe comedy was a hobby, just a side mission for that moment in time. One thing I know for sure is that when T.I. wants to talk to the people, they're mostly receptive to his raps. My honest review of "Let Em Know" is that, it is a reintroduction track that isn't supposed to impress you with double entendre's or crazy metaphors. It's a track that is supposed to ground you in familiarity with an artist that knows who he is, The King! Go listen to the track and let us know what you think! 
Steph Simon "Diamond" continues to be a staple in the Oklahoma music scene. He's had an illustrious career with more highs than lows while being able to pull off some pretty impressive feats as an independent artist. The Steph Simon of today is wiser and just as driven as Stephon R'Kel. If you know you. For so long, Simon has been the glue that's kept the Tulsa hip-hop scene together, at times putting himself on the back burner while others got their shine. That's changed, Steph Simon seems to have a new energy where he's more career focused even if that means less involvement in his peers' careers. I see this as a good thing because if GUnit hadn't have concentrated on getting 50 Cent's career off the ground, there may have never been a Lloyd Banks or The Game, and especially not a Tony Yayo. Steph Simon is back, and the timing couldn't have been more perfect with the release of his new single "Built Different". The beat starts with these long sustained piano notes that create a depth that is carried throughout the track. The song has such an energy to it, especially the kick drums that creating this building effect that feels like that drive that tells you to go harder. The snare stays on course in a very military synced cadence, it guides the lister through the verse like an NPC player in a videogame. The beat lays the groundwork for Steph to do what he does best. "Got it out the mud,
At this point Steph has a superpower to make bars that are relatable and at the same time technical in both delivery and lyrical composition. Even the beginning tell just how talented of a rapper he is as they are both relatable and build to the perfect metaphor, "I built a lane like this, it was brick by brick, every day I was perfect attendance." And this is the opening bars. "Got it out the mud, had to water that dirt, Just a seed they couldn't see, now I'm in season." Steph then goes on to rap, "Lended my hands, I can't waste no more limbs. Standing on business, and Ima be still". As you can see, it's hard to pinpoint just one bar in Steph's writing because it's that good, it's technically sound, and unpacking it fully would feel like a Genius lyrical breakdown video. Don't worry, that we may be onto something. Lastly, Steph has stepped into the knowing, and that's how his music has come across. He knows he's the best and sometimes that means throwing the oop to yourself, you can hear it in his delivery that has a confidence to it. This confidence allows him to have fun on the track and experiment with different vocal effects such as in the ending where he uses a telephone vocal effect, this very creative element also reinforces the replayability of the chorus. The song plays like and anthem and has been used in various User Generated Content such as, workout videos, work videos, and overall motivational moments. You'll get it if you're Built Different!
This single might be an indication that Steph Simon is back in album mode. 4th Quarter Release? Who knows? But what I do know is that Built Different is a hit. Checkout Steph Simon's new single "Built Different". Leave a comment and let us know what you think!
Make sure you follow Steph Simon on social media:
Instagram: @stephxsimon YouTube: Steph Simon Spotify: Steph Simon  Phil Sosa pays homage to the late rapper Drakeo The Ruler in his new video "RIP Drakeo". For those who don't know was Drakeo The Ruler, was a rapper artist from Los Angelos California that has a huge following and a simple internet search returns tons of interviews, videos, and millions of monthly Spotify listeners. LA Times called him "The most original West Coast stylist in decades". Unfortunately, he was killed during a while backstage during the Once Upon a Time in LA festival in December of 2021. Phil Sosa is making sure to give Drakeo his flowers. The beat immediately goes into full production; the soft playing violin competes with the 4-part kick bass that has stamped West Coast production. The final kick bass and clap are the last added elements that make the make the beat complete and are also the distinction between the verse and the intro. The rest of the song is a running loop of this which is expected given that the track is only one minute and 36 seconds long. "RIP my nigga Drakeo, this a ruler, nigga that part" Phil Sosa is truly an artist that has found his style that is undeniably his and is representative of the time he's put into his craft. The West Tulsa artist continues to be a go-to feature for artists wanting to get their music in front of solid fanbase, which Sosa continues to grow while adding to his discography of hits. On this track in particular Sosa takes such a sorrowful subject and uses it to fuel gun his numerous gun metaphors, this one in particular pays homage to the late rapper while also showing off Sosa's rap skill, "RIP my nigga Drakeo, this a ruler, nigga that part.". What I also like about the track is that Sosa is able to switch up his flow even as the beat stays on this continuous loop, to keep the listener engaged he chops up his flow mimicking the drum pattern. Sosa gave us so much in so small of a time frame, and that's what makes him one of the best. Many have seen the impact that Drakeo The Ruler had on the rap game, there's no doubt that Phil Sosa is having his own impact on the game as he continues to drop hit after hit. Check out his new single "RIP Drakeo" and let us know what you think! 
The Dream Team was formed after the embarrassing performance of the USA men's basketball team struggling against international teams in the 1988 Olympics where they finished with a bronze medal. The 1992 Summer Olympics proved that with Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Patrick Ewing as your starting 5, there's no competition and not only did team USA take the gold medal, but they also left no doubt that the USA started this ballin' shit. Much like The Dream Team, Klovis Khepri and his fellow featured artists are looking to put Oklahoma hip-hop in its rightful place with the release of their new single "You Crazy". The beat starts off with this slow playing violin that reminds me of OTS J Huncho's song "Lion's Den", but also there are parts in the song where the violin plays quickly (or Détaché) creating almost an ad-lib with the verse. The track smoothly transitions into this 4-part bass kick that feels very West Coast inspired, and with Klovis Khepri having roots in Compton, it feels very natural when he sings the chorus. Phil Sosa, MikeDaDon, Sayso Da P. and OTS J. Huncho are the other featured artists on this star-studded track, which only makes me wonder, with all these artists is this a clue to possibly a larger project in the works for Klovis Khepri? What's also surprising is that again with this many featured artists that the track is only 2 minutes and 44 seconds, but I choose quality over quantity anytime. Let's see how the starting 5 did. Just like The Dream Team, each artist attacks this track differently. Phil Sosa kicks it off and delivers in 8-bars nothing short of magic, his metaphors are crazy, and his delivery is confident. He knows he can hold his own on any track. One of his lines that caught my ear, no pun intended. was when he said, "canary yellow hugging on my lob, bitch I can't hear." slight work for the hip-hop all-star. Immediately after Phil, OTS J. Huncho asserts his presence on the track by wasting no time showing off his rap skills, "I'm like T.I." I don't skate with niggas", His bars are so masterful that have to break them down like sports announcer, bar after bar, I also like that he showed love to a Tulsa legend when he said, "I'm like Josh Jacobs, because I put the G on top." Bar! Josh Jacobs, played for McClain, now plays for Green Bay Packers. slam dunk! What more do you want! Khlovis Khepri plays the point guard slash floor general on the track, not only does he make sure everyone gets shine, but he also makes sure that everything stays on track. But let's not forget that he's also a scorer, so it's no surprise when he comes in with a verse of his own, "hottie in the East who say Klovis you a 1 of 1", his delivery is so much in a pocket that your drawn in by his melodic rapping. Next up is MikeDaDon he's been one of those songwriters that knows how to make a hit and his own lane as an artist that can do it all, "I been a P ever since Phat Pharm", it's lines like these that showcase why putting him on the track just makes sense. The last artist on the track is Sayso Da P, who is the wild card. He delivers on the track with swagger as well as a few bars, "Mister swing my dough, like a nigga playing Top Golf". If you don't think this is a hit. YOU CRAZY! It's crazy to think you can see this many stars on the same track, it had to be what fans felt when they saw Jordan and Magic on the same team. Take a listen and let us know what you think!
Make sure you follow all these amazing artists on social media:
Klovis Khepri Instagram: @klovis_khepri Klovis Khepri Spotify: Klovis Khepri Phil Sosa Instagram: @philsosa23 Phil Sosa Spotify: Phil Sosa MikeDaDon Instagram: @itsmikedadon MikeDaDon Spotify: MikeDaDon Sayso Da P Instagram: @saysodap Sayso Da P Spotify: Sayso Da P OTS J Huncho Instagram: @ots_jhuncho OTS J Huncho Spotify: OTS J Huncho Also checkout the video below:  Hip-Hop is an ever-evolving genre especially when you compare it to more traditional music like country. From its beginning it’s splinted into different sub genres from the boom-bap that started it all to crunk, drill-music, and the most recent, pain music. Pain music at its core is still very much hip-hop because they both are able rooted in the people. Artist like Rod Wave and NBA YoungBoy's have been able to tour the world with this new form of music because of the way the music connects to their fans. EBE TD is an artist whose pain music is helping him gain recognition from fans and peers alike. Now he’s back with his latest single “Lost & N Luv”. Let’s hear him out. As soon as the first few seconds of the song go by, I could do nothing but think that this beat touches on familiar notes of songs past, it feels very drill music like. as if it came from a song that I've heard many times, and even if not directly sampled then maybe a commonly used beat pattern, with quick snapping drums and hard percussive endings. But it's not only that this beat feels and sounds familiar, it's also that it feels safe. Like I would expect him to rap on this beat. I would’ve liked to see EBE TD try something a little more outside his comfort zone. The beat treads down such a beaten path that it makes the track more of a passive listen then something new for the listener to be immediately drawn to. Not every song has to make you feel really happy or really sad, but the great songs do. “This 50 making drummer sounds” “Lost & N Luv" Lost & N Luv stays true to the essence of pain music in that EBE TD tells the story of a lady that betrayed him, but ignoring the signs because of love. EBE TD’s pain comes through as his melodic flow is followed by bursts of lyrical emotion that comes through in lines like this one, "Can't believe I had a cobra, laying right beside me." Contrary to the beat mentioned earlier, it's his delivery that saves the track, at times his voice becomes more prominent than the beat and truly more enjoyable. He also dropped a video to accompany the song, which is as graphic as the bars and follow the songs story of betrayal. One scene plays out like a horror movie where EBE TD's henchmen can be seen holding a power tool as a terrified former love interest awaits her fate. Check it out for yourself. I think the content and lyrics of a great song are there. Let us know what you think of EBE TD’s new song “Lost & N Luv". 
It's a great time to make great music. That's what people may be failing to understand. When times get hard and people begin to lose hope, music has always been a vessel to carry people through those times. Music has the power of giving light in a time of darkness or creating a call-to-action to the restless. History is passed down through music, and great music continues to make history, it continues to make people feel. Nia Moné is an artist looking to bring that feeling back to music with the release of her new single "Veins". Let's get into just how deep these feelings go. Sonically, this track has inviting instrumentation that feels like very much straight out of a high school prom where the anti-cool students form a band and the lead singer gets the popular girl. The lead guitar immediately asserts its authority on the track while the drums play as right hand man and enforcer of structure. Keeping true to that rock band spirit there are times when the vocalist Moné breaks from singing allowing the instruments to take centerstage as the drum becomes the lifeline of the track. I can literally see the crowd dance as the lead singer runs to kiss the girl and make her cry. Moné paints love as this addictive drug that courses through her veins, her lyrics stating headaches and withdrawals as side effects of this drug, as well as being unable to break this addiction even through the use of other drugs. Her vocal tone has this euphoric feeling that she expresses through numerous runs and repeating lines. As the drug takes it course you hear Moné in waves of emotionally driven highs and lows, in one line stands out is when she says, "you just got here and you're already leaving", this expression withdrawal is amplified as she sings the chorus, which then sends to lead into Moné going on a drug induced trip as the drums mimic a pounding heart that is feeling the effects of the drug. So powerful is this drug that Moné again wakes to sing a powerful wave of chorus driven emotion, which ends in fragmented cooing. By the time we get to the second drum break the drums feel like rhythmic chest compressions fighting to keep Mone alive. Love is a powerful drug! You can't deny great music. That's what Nia Moné's new song "Veins" is. Give it a listen and let us know if you get the same feelings! 
There are a lotta steps on your way to greatness. For some that means the path is straight forward, while for others that might mean a few twists and turns. No matter how fast you get there, the journey will be just as enjoyable as the destination. Theologic proves this on his recently released track called "Stepping Stone", an audible journey on his way to greatness. Let's take a listen.
The beat starts off with this slow playing guitar that literally leads the listener like a steppingstone to the next bar. But by the 2nd bar it's full hip-hop, the beatboxing, then the record scratching, and of course you've gotta have a kick drum and snare, these are all the elements of a hip-hop track. Who would've thunk that Theologic was also the mastermind behind this crazy beat that is emphatically inspired by the early boom-bap hip-hop production. Theologic is a student, and this is just one of the many lessons he shares with his listeners. This medicines taking it's time,
Theologic keeps true to the very hip-hop style by being very technical in his delivery and chopping words very much like hip-hop's early pioneers while also being very crafty with his wordplay by stringing together tongue-twisting bars. Ironically Eminem also has a song called "Stepping Stone" off his Kamikaze album by which Theologic pays homage to the legend by including a line from his hit single Lose Yourself. One thing that could've been executed a little better was the ending chorus/bridge. I realize with this song he's showcasing his lyrical skill, but a chorus can also be the difference between someone being good at rapping and someone who makes great songs. When he starts serenading the listener it gives the track more of a folk-lore type of feel. This is where sometimes doing everything isn't the answer, I would've liked to see him outsource this to possibly a female vocalist to counterbalance his hard-hitting bars and delivery.
The song is good. There's a lot of elements of hip-hop and technical rap skill in this track. It has a very creative execution that keeps you engaged, and I can truly say that it's very unique. Go listen to Theologic's new track "Stepping Stone" for yourself and let us know what you think!
Follow the Theologic on social media:
Instagram: @akatheologic Spotify: Robert Roland tha Theologian / Theologic YouTube: Robert Roland tha Theologian / Theologic 
In all my years listening to rap music I have never heard anyone flip the song "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", the hit single from Cyndi Lauper. It seems like the furthest sound from any hip-hop producer's record collection, and they would never even consider sampling it, but that's just what happened with Jay The Icon's new single "123" featuring 130 DollaSign. And I have to say, that I'm not mad at it. The sample itself exudes a fun bright upbeat feeling, which is further amplified by the synth chords and supporting clap. I would've liked to see the beat a little more stripped down, there are times when listening to the production where it becomes too busy, one example of this is when the chorus where the words get lost in the instruments added to the production. Not terrible, but room for improvement. Jay The Icon starts off the track with the chorus using the age old adage, "1 for the money, 2 for the show", but after that Icon puts his own twist on the saying using 5,6 to talk about his height while also continuing the sequence of counting. Icon has a great pen and is able to go from bar to bar with ease, I think in that though, I would like to see him leave room for the track to breathe, so that not only the listeners aren't overstimulated but also help put more emphasis on the bars. Jay-Z learned this lesson early in his career when his flow switched to from a fast-passed technical to a now more strategic and substance driven. As an artist there can be a tricky balance between showing skill and entertaining, Icon can do both, and he still does entertain in the verse with some really clever lines. One line in particular I liked was, "thinking you're that nigga, you're an extra off GTA". That's a hard dose of reality. I had to laugh at that one. The other featured artist on the track is 130 DollaSign. His flow immediately reminds me of a Lil B where his words aren't exactly on beat, but surprisingly it actually sounds good, and because of that he really shines on this track and is able to deliver on not only flow but also his bars. An example of this is in the line, "I've been making plays like I'm Popovich", not too many rappers can put Popovich in a rap. As he continues to rap he switches gears to a faster flow and begins to speed thru the rest of his verse fitting in multiple metaphors in a short amount of time. I worry they may get lost on a listener who isn't actively listening, but maybe that's what the second listen is. 130 DollaSign is definitely now on my radar. All-in-all, this is a fun song that has some really good raps in it. Give this a listen and let us know what you think about Jay The Icon featuring 130 DollaSign in their new single "123".
Follow both artist on social media:
Jay The Icon Instagram: @officialjaytheicon Jay The Icon Spotify: Jay The Icon 130 DollaSign Instagram: iam130DollaSign 130 DollaSign Spotify: 130 DollaSign 
When everything isn't what it seems. That's what I truly like about music. The metaphors, the double entendres, the stories behind the bars. That's what makes hip-hop music so great. Meaux Pesci is an artist that has used some of these tactics, to first create an amazing song, and second to drop bars in a way that hip-hop word technicians truly appreciate. As an artist he has created a sound that has set him apart and nullifies any "Every artist from Oklahoma sounds the same" propaganda. Hailing from Lawton, artist Pesci is back with his new single MIRAGE Or LIE. Let's get into it!
The beat's foundation was created from the soulful sample of Tony! Tony Tone!'s smash single "Whatever You Want". this gives it that 90s feel good vibe, that is further built upon when the chorus comes in, even Pesci can't help but to sing. The thing that brings this beat into the future is the laser percussion synth that creates this layer of complexity, it sounds like a triple-beam pointed HALO weapon, it's distinct sound counteracts the samples slow pace. One thing that really caught my ear about the production is how the kick drum blends in with the piano in this 4-beat tango that is first present and then fades as the beat continues. Enough with the production. let's get into some bars! Meaux Pesci is an artist that's batting 1000% at this point. He doesn't miss, and this track is no different. His player-like delivery from the very beginning read like luxury raps with his mention of secondhand Za smoke and the luxury cologne Baccarat that costs $500 a bottle. The Za, plus the cologne, luxury shit. He also fits in a clever couplet with his use of the word "dodge", with first bar speaking to a person getting out of town or dodge, and then the second line stating that his car being in a 2SS Camaro which is the luxury-tier version of the car, which the V6 Dodge that some rappers lie like it's a lot, can't compare to. A common thing throughout his verse is the way he repeats certain bars at times reiterating and as well as slightly adjusting the wording giving the bar a different meaning, similar to a mirage, you think you've heard it before. This track is short but has lots of depth, hopefully it's the beginning to more music and a full-length project. Like I said. Meaux Pesci doesn't miss. Give his new single "MIRAGE Or LIE" a listen and let us know what you think. |
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