Gangsta Grillz, you bastards. If you’re a fan of DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz albums, then you’ve heard this line many of times. DJ Drama has created a classic mixtape series called Gangsta Grillz that some of the biggest artists in the industry have used to either launch their careers (such as Young Jeezy) or helped reinvent themselves (such as the mixtape Weezy aka Lil Wayne). But what about an artist from Oklahoma? Wait. That can’t happen. But one thing the Pandemic has taught me is that Hennything is possible (you read that right). And it did. With one of the most talented artists in Oklahoma Ayilla. And it was on December 16th that the world was introduced to Ayilla and her Gangsta Grillz “Kill Us Both”. Before we get into the album's juicy details, let’s get into some facts. Because like Bernard M. Baruch once said, “Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts,” Fact 1 is that this is a legit Gangsta Grillz album with Ayilla and DJ Drama. Fact 2, the album has 10 tracks that come out to 22 mins and 4 seconds of playback time, with most tracks averaging a little over 2 mins. The song “Breathe For Me” is the longest track, coming in at 2 mins and 53 seconds, and the shortest track is “Whiskey”, coming in at 1 min and 37 seconds. There are no features on the album, and rightly so, this is Ayilla’s introduction to the world so it’s only right that she’s center stage. So, let’s get into the album “Kill Us Both”. The album starts out with "Drama Spell". As soon as the track starts that’s when you realize that it’s really real, Ayilla has a Gangsta Grillz with the legendary DJ Drama, and he doesn’t waste any time going into his Drama talk. This excitement for hearing DJ Drama is immediately paused as soon as Ayilla’s powerful voice comes rushing in thru the speakers and at the same time it rocks the listener into a trance. This is Ayilla’s spell. “I put a spell on you… cause you put a spell o n me too”
Track 2 is the album's title track “Kill Us Both”. And from the start of the track Ayilla's voice shines, you can hear her vocal range as she is able to float from note to note combined with the tracks infectious uptempo beat, it gives it this uplifting and inspirational feel. Even the way she sings the first bar gives you chills. “Head up… can’t keep me down,” But at the same time there as soon as the beat breaks down, comes this dark side to the track, because not too much later she also spits a bar “Save us all before I kill us both,”, that’s a hell of a statement. It definitely seems like the boiling point of a toxic relationship. This feels like the track Chrisean wanted to make but didn’t have the talent to. This could literally be the intro song to the Blueface and Chrisean Rock’s show “Crazy in Love”. But this is "Kill Us Both" and DJ Drama and Ayilla must've both been in some crazy relationships because they both talk about it being selfish for wanting to kill us both. “Maybe I’m selfish”, Ayilla sings. The song then fades into more instrumentation of electric guitar riffs and piano key melodies.
Track 3 “You Lie II”, at first glance seems like it would be a follow-up to “You Lie” which was track 2 on her project “The Witch Tape”. But it's when you take a listen to both you say "Hey!! What's going on here? Because both tracks are essentially one and the same. “I’m tryna be a better me, I met Adam tryna be a better me” Ayilla spits. These are only the first 2 bars and they're exactly the same in both songs. Really the only difference between these two songs is DJ Drama speaking and probably the mixing and mastering, the production for "You Lie II" feels fuller and more explosive. But that's why this is on a Gangsta Grillz. When diving into the lyrics of the song you see how it further perpetuates the toxicity theme of the album. It mentions lust over love, also it mentions going tic-for-tat, and the final ingredient, lying. That’s one hell of a mixture for a drug or some might say, love.
Track 4 "Come Inside" is like this sexy innuendo about the pain Ayilla feels and the only cure lust. You can hear in lines like; "My heart been broken, I’m hurting, can you come inside." This song is filled with lines like this. But also, the song is very short at only 2 minutes and 8 seconds, it feels like more like an interlude than a finished song. This is further supported by the fact that throughout the track there are these fragmented bars that seem like unfinished thoughts. These unfinished thoughts leave so many questions, but maybe that’s the reason for her repeatedly saying Come Inside. She literally wants to finish the conversation instead of running away from it. Either way it’s still a dope song.
When we get to the middle of the album track, we get a different feel with “Ain’t Easy”. This track feels like an old-school west coast vibe with remnants of this 90s R&B sound, hell they even throw in the old-school “dramatics” sound that people come to recognize in a DJ Drama Gangsta Grillz record. Ayilla gets back to having fun with this record. You can hear it in her vocal runs as well as in her ad-libs that make her words scat across the beat like a Jazz singer. I would say this track sounds heavily Jazz influenced even up to the strumming guitar and the way her words elongate and carry from bar to bar like a graceful aerial silk performer transitioning from one silk fabric to the next. You also get a glimpse of her ability to rap, though just 4 bars, you feel again this improv scat and Jazz influence. It ain't easy to not rewind this track back.
The next track is "Disbelief", and you’ll be in disbelief of some of the bars she sings on this track like, ”Pray got in the way. Pray came in first place.” Damn, if that ain’t a disbelief bar. I think the song is about all the crazy shit couples can say to each other and still look at one another like it wasn’t supposed to hurt the other person’s feelings. This is some real toxic shit. The song is like seeing the fine woman in a scary film. You just want to yell at her. Get Out The Fuck Out of there!
“He don’t believe in love but what the fuck is this.”
Track 7 is "Whiskey", it's a nice vibe and the shortest songs on the album. It’s like getting a pint of liquor when you wanted the liter. You can’t afford it, but at the same time you also can’t afford not to. Ayilla's voice is intoxicating, just like being drunk, you get lost in Ayilla’s voice. The chorus is like a repeating thought that you can’t get rid of. You know youd trippin’. But the liquor makes it numbs it all. Even the beat is so hypnotic and goes in and out. But black out on this track. It's something to really appreciate.
When we get to Track 8 "Breathe for me" you realize, damn, it’s almost over. But with that comes a really great track. It’s probably one of the most upbeat tracks of the album. Who taught Ayilla how to get on this track like this? If it was Yeezy, Yeezy taught you well. I like the fact that she raps a little on here. Maybe not a full fledge rap, but just enough to let you know she can do it at any time. This is one of the stand-out tracks on the album in my opinion
Track 9 "Worship the Sky" is one the tracks that also appeared on Ayilla’s project The Witch Tape, but there are some slight nuances in the track's production such as more sounds added, the beat is slightly different, but the lyrics are pretty much spot on with the original except for of course DJ Drama. I agree with this move though. I think it was a standout track from The Witch Tape and was a good marketing move, especially when performing the album. The listers will know the words. I also like the way she takes her time with this track. It seems to represent her realizing she don’t need to take this shit no more. It also has one of my favorite vocal performances when at the end she repeats “Magnify do you mind is, lift me on high, do or die, can we worship the sky tonight?” Even though this is not a new song, it still jams.
The last track on the album is "Stand Still". But I think when you listen to this song, you’re gonna want to do everything but stand still. The track has this Afro-Caribbean sound which is a great move for Ayilla and her career. It shows artistry in her ability to try new sounds and also, it’s one the most popular genres with artist like Wiz Kid and Burna breaking thru to a more mainstream audience. This song is more about getting lost in a person as the listener also gets lost in the track. And again, DJ Drama brings us back to reality, as he shouts a few people out. By the time the track is finished you realize time did stand still.
There you have it Kill Us Both the album by Ayilla and DJ Drama. Now back to the facts. Or as said Sherlock Holmes said, “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact.” And the fact is that this is a concept album about a toxic relationship and the head space you get into when you’re in one. The from the alum cover to the tracks, there's no doubt this is Ayilla's most revealing albums. If I had to pick the standout tracks on this album my vote would be for “Breathe for me” and “Ain’t Easy”. But the album did leave you wondering. Will Ayilla stay in this toxic relationship? Who knows. Maybe there will be a “Kill Us Both 2”. But until then listen to this dope piece of art from the artist Ayilla and the legendary DJ Drama called "Kill Us Both".
Gangsta Grillz you bastards! Let us know what you think of the album. To find out more about Ayilla and her latest music follow her social media below: Instagram: @eye.am.ayilla Twitter: @Ayilla11 TIDAL: Ayilla Spotify: Ayilla Apple Music: Ayilla YouTube: AyillaOfficial
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 I follow a few influencers on Instagram in hopes to be inspired, entertained, or also for useful information. This time it was for useful information. That’s when Gary Vee’s video about ChatGPT came across my timeline. ChatGPT is an AI (Artificial intelligence) bot that you can use natural conversational language to ask it specific questions and do specific tasks. Gary V in his post mentions how AI can do a lot for blogs and writers. So I thought it would be interesting to see what ChatGPT knew about Oklahoma Hip Hop. The first question I asked ChatGPT was. What do you know about Tulsa hip hop? Tulsa, Oklahoma is not typically known as a hotbed for hip hop and rap music. However, the city has produced a number of talented rappers who have made their mark on the genre. First off, if you know Jabee, then you know he’s from Oklahoma City. He even has his own Wikipedia page. So, there’s no real way that ChatGPT should’ve gotten this wrong. Also how did the bot not mention that he’s won an Emmy!!! How could you not mention that? The other mention is G.L.O.S.S. from Warr Acres. If you Oklahoma Geography, then you know that Warr Acres is not in or near Tulsa. It’s close to Oklahoma City which seems to be the place the chat pot pulled its information from. No mention of Playya 1000 or Nitro. No mentions of Gang51E June or even the whole list of artists that were on the F.I.L.A. project (Fire In Little Africa). But I then began to think. What if my question was too vague? What if I narrowed it down to artists it just mentioned and see how deep it would go? Jabee. Who is Oklahoma rapper jabee? Jabee Williams, known simply as Jabee, is a rapper from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He began his career in the local underground hip hop scene, and in 2015 he released his breakthrough album "Black Future" on the label Fresh Chopped Beats. Still, the information seemed very surface-level and seemed kind of outdated information. Something that a publication from New York would find in a Google search and stick inside of an article just to say they did their research. So next I decided to have a little fun and ask ChatGPT what did they know about who??? Mike Jones. Who is Mike Jones? Mike Jones is a rapper from Houston, Texas. He first gained popularity in the mid-2000s with his hit single "Still Tippin'" from his debut album "Who Is Mike Jones?" The album was a success, reaching the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart and earning Jones a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. Not too bad. But still outdated information. But it was still fun to see that it had an answer. Though AI and Chatbots have a long way to go. (Just ask some of the customer service chatbots and see what I mean.) There are some useful things they do provide. Like helping to get over writer’s block or helping to get started with an article. Maybe it could help artists come up with different ways to market their music. Maybe it can help write a rap. Not like ghostwrite, but a few bars. You might wanna prove read those lyrics. You don't want to end up like FN Meeka. But, one useful thing I found was to ask was: What are some ideas for Oklahoma Hip Hop Blog articles? Here are a few ideas for Oklahoma hip hop blog articles: So is AI ready for Tulsa Hip hop? Like Kanye West said, “you don’t have the answers sway.” Well at least not yet. But best believe in the next few years you may not even be able to tell who’s been writing these articles. But we are not there yet. The technology is not there yet. There are some useful things you can use this tool for in the meantime.
Let us know if you intend on using AI in the future or some of the things you've used ChatGPT to do.  Men lie. Women lie. But numbers don’t. Everyone remembers this bar from Jay-Z’s song “Reminder”. And that’s because it’s true. But to lie to someone’s face that’s a whole nuther thing. Again, both men and women lie. But the numbers don’t. And two artists that have the numbers on their side are the SAIKKO Twins, made up of SAIKKOMIKE and SAIKKO 10. Who have dropped their new single “Lie 2 My Face”. The first notable thing about the track is the acoustic guitar. It kind of catches you off guard and makes you wonder, How can this be a rap song?”. This is giving John Mayer vibes. But as the beat drops you immediately go “Ohhh!!!,” that’s how. The 808 beat brings the track back to more of a rap infused vibe. Then we get into the bars. First up is SAIKKOMIKE. Who comes in with the chorus. It’s a real vibe that sets the tone for the whole track. It talks about staying down for someone, but they still lie to your face. One bar from SAIKOMIKE really sticks out is when he says,” And I was just writing my story, but how me and you ain’t on the same page.” Part of being a brother is knowing how to share. In this case, it means that SAIKOMIKE and SAIKKO 10 both share the spotlight, in which both are able to shine on the track. SAIKKO 10 comes in on the track like a relay racer who takes the baton and runs around the beat. He pours so much sauce into the track that his voice creates its own beat at times while still being able to ride the track’s beat. It’s dope to see his brother and friends join in on his verse and use the same mannerisms that he uses when he's spittin' his verse. From the very first bar, he catches your attention with a clever metaphor. “All that shit was science fiction. I can even tell a better story. And now that you have my back like Jesse and Woody, a real-life Toy Story.”. Lie 2 My Face shows how two brothers have each other’s back even when your girl is tripping. The song showcases both artists’ songwriting abilities as they seem to effortlessly weave through the track while making complex structured bars seem easy, so easy that the listener might miss it if they aren’t listening close enough. What’s most important about this track is that it makes you feel. Whether that’s a feeling of happiness a feeling of sadness, or just vibes. But that’s art. It makes you feel either way. So go listen to Lie 2 My Face by SAIKKOMIKE & SAIKKO 10 and let us know what you think about the two twins looking to take over the industry. Make sure you follow SAIKKOMIKE and SAIKKO 10 on all their social media: SAIKKOMIKE Instagram: @saikkomike Twitter: @saikkomike SAIKKO 10 Instagram: @iamsaikko10 Twitter: @iamsaikko10  This past weekend was so dope. The rebranded World Culture Music Festival (now called Dream Land Festival) was filled with everything from a jog, to panel discussions, to live music, to vendors, to a film screening. It was really an amazing sight to see. And all this going on right here in Tulsa. With all that being said I think it’s interesting to see who were the WINNERS and who were the LOSERS of this past weekend's 1st Annual Dream Land Festival. WINNERS: Tulsa. Tulsa won in the fact that so many amazing people came to Tulsa to spread their knowledge and to be involved in the culture. But what was really win was the people that are movers and shakers in Tulsa getting their recognition and being in the spotlight. That goes for both people in tech as well as the artists in the music industry. There was so much networking going on at the event, it was a beautiful thing to see. Losers: The Artists. I think this past weekend was an opportunity for artists to truly get out and network and take advantage of the weekend. There were literally A&Rs, artist managers, social media managers, etc, etc. There was literally a breakout session to teach artists how to get money called “How To Make Real Money As An Independent Artist” hosted by the co-owners from Build Your Own Dreams. The sad part was that the room was not even half-way full. How don’t you show up to a free.99 event about how to get to the bag? Also when it comes to knowing what time an artist went on not even half the artists had a flier. Not even a post about what time they were performing. How are your fans going to show support if they don’t know what time you’re going on? Also where was the merch??? With this many people here in Tulsa and I only saw a few artists with merch.  WINNERS: Jah The Jedii. There is no bigger winner than her. The artist from Atlanta who has busted onto the scene and made waves with the Ground Waves showcase with rapper Murs where she impressed and got a co-sign from the town GOAT Steph Simon. But wait.. It gets better. She was then given a chance to perform on the main stage on Saturday night. But wait. It gets even betterer! She was then brought on stage by Grammy nominated artist Rapsody who also co-signed her and gave her the mic on her set. The only thing that didn’t go right for Jah The Jedii is that she didn’t have any music out to direct all the fans that approached her after the weekend. But this will change Friday! She’s releasing her first project that will be on all digital streaming platforms! Best believe I’m looking out to see what’s next for Jah The Jedii. LOSERS: Father. I think he was a wildcard pick. He went on a Friday which in Oklahoma if it’s a workday it’s hard to get us out the house. Also, staying for a concert where the main act doesn’t go on to well after 1am. That’s just not Oklahoma. We in the bed. Which showed during his performance. The crowd had thinned out. But being a true artist Father still rocked that bitch like it was 1,000 people in the crowd. He got to see and meet his true fans and turn up with them. so I can’t say this was. that major a loss. Plus he still got the bag.  WINNERS: K.O. She has to be one of the hardest working artists in Oklahoma. Just look around downtown and you were sure to spot her poster up that had a QR code that let you know everything about K.O. She supported and networked at all the shows. Her performance was crazy. Or should I say performances. The Saturday performance at the main Holberton stage was bananas. She owned that stage. She owned the crowd. She showed why she was so great of an artist. She had fliers telling what time she was going on. She had merch so that you could support. There was literally nothing I can say bad about anything she did this weekend. She won! LOSERS: Tulsa. The festival brought so much value that it was surprising to see that it wasn’t packed at all the events. This was the time to be apart of the culture and see all it had to offer. I only wish that the highshoolers would’ve came out and seen the black tech crowd. Just to know that it existed in Tulsa. Also to see the artists and producers and the behind the scenes people. There are so many aspiring artists. Instead of moving to Atlanta or California or New York. First find out what resources you have here that you can take advantage of. You’ll be surprised. Especially now with all the money that is coming into Tulsa. This is the time to get educated, to know your land.
WINNERS: The Headliners. LaRussell and Rapsody. Both are amazing artists that got to display their talents to Tulsa. Not only did they show up to Tulsa but they supported Tulsa. They broke bread in Tulsa by supporting local businesses. Rapsody spoke about how she went to Silhouette Sneakers & Art and copped some gear. LaRussell poured into Tulsa on his discussion panel where he talked about navigating the game as an independent artist and how he stays true to himself and doesn’t get caught up in the trends. Both artists gained new fans and probably were exposed to a market that they never thought about. Who knows if Tulsa might become a reoccurring tour stop for them. The biggest winner was the festival. It keeps growing. It keeps getting bigger. And 1 day Steph Simon will have that Ferris Wheel he's been wanting. It all started with a VISION! Thanks for reading! Let us know if you have any losers or winners that didn’t make the list!! 
Facts! Can be defined as; A thing that is known or proved to be true. So that means there’s no confusion when it comes to what is, and what isn’t. No matter if it comes from the source or it comes from a third-party. The facts are the facts. T3REZZY is out to show the world that everything he says, he stands on. And it’s with the release of his new single “All Facfs Freestyle Pt. 2” that T3REZZY is setting the record straight. T3REZZY (also known as T3) is an artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He’s also invested in his craft and has went all in by dropping music and music videos, though he’s yet to put out a full length project. He’s using this to his advantage by putting out hit singles in order to create a buzz in the streets and gain new followers to his already rapidly growing fanbase. T3REZZY is an artist look out for. For there to be an All Facts Pt 2. There obviously had to be a part 1 which you can find the video here (Click here to see All Facts)!. The difference between these tracks starts with the production. Part. 1 has more of a West Coast vibe. Also the verse is a little more aggressive and in your face. But on Part 2 has a totally different feel. The track is produced by 2Peece, a highly respected producer from Tulsa who has placements with some of the biggest artists in the game as well as placements with major brands. 2Peece delivers a beat that is similar to the Detroit Drill music that has helped create a new sound. This sound is what T3REZZY excels on. T3REZZY has flow on the track that is laid back, showing his confidence in himself as an artist but not arrogant. There is still a hunger in each bar that culminates into some really dope quotable lines. “In these Off-White sneaks but the checks Nike” & “I remember missing meals, now we gettin seconds” are just two examples of the numerous quotable lines that are sprinkled throughout the track. There’s no question that T3REZZY is spittin’ All Facts. The song takes you deep into the mind of a hustler. Just steady on the grind. No breaks. That’s why this track not a freestyle in the sense that it’s unwritten flow, it’s more of a continuous stream of thought, that hustlers mentality, and also that’s why T3REZZY says at the beginning of the track, “2Peece I don’t need no hook for this one.” Because this one is for the hustlers. Also on the track is featured artist Kari2Dope. He goes in immediately after T3REZZY finishes his verse like a relay race. Both artists racing on the same team to get to the money. His delivery is upbeat and catchy, making him the anchor to the track just like in a relay. It’s a nice switchup from T3REZZY’s verse. It also showcases his skill and musical ability as you hear his voice ride the melody of the beat. “Two chains on me now, man this is some light shit, you can turn the lights off, and see this lit hit.” What’s undeniable about this track is that it’s a go. It’s a dope beat. It’s dope bars. It has that right bounce. But most importantly it’s ALL FACTS! This track shows T3REZZY progression as an artist and is just a small taste of what we can expect from him and the new music coming soon. So until that full project drops we’ll be banging All Facts Pt.2. Listen to the track and let us know what you think!
Make sure to follow T3REZZY on all his social media:
Facebook: T3REEZY Instagram: @T3REZZY Twitter: @BIGT3REZZY Spotify: T3REEZY YouTube:T3REEZY Tha Don  Shyheim. But many may know him as “ShyGuy” or “ShyGuy From The Northside”. He appeared out of nowhere! But when he hits the stage he raps as if he’s been there the whole time. His ability to create cohesive projects with depth and originality have become a breath of fresh air. And the air is no clearer than on the northside. A place that we so happened to be at on Saturday August 20th led by the North Winds. The destination was Hawthorne Park where Shyheim brought everyone into his world or as he calls it “The Northwind Masquerade”. Here's Shyheim explaining the origins of ShyGuy: ”ShyGuy was created from my trama I grew up not really feeling loved. So I created characters in order to cope. I also hid behind anime characters and cartoon characters. And ShyGuy came out of that. Now I’m bringing him to the public, so that I can rid of this trama. Gotta work with everything in order to make something whole.” The nostalgia of Hawthorne park set the stage for an event that was the epitome of “do it yourself”. Shyheim didn’t wait for a huge stage to get constructed. He didn’t wait for a massive pyrotechnics setup. What he did do was call on his friends and family to help him construct an intimate setting where the spotlight shined bright on Shyheim. He had his stage. He had his people. And most importantly he had the North Wind. When it came to his people. What was supposed to also feature Lawrence Leon and his music. Didn’t. Unfortunately Lawrence Leon had caught Covid a few days before the performance. Our prayers and wishes go out to him for a speedy recovery. Another artist Zzaj who is featured on Shyheim’s track “Kaiser” was also unable to make the performance. But was fortunate was the artists Zorro, and another being 7urreal, who is apart of the collective Tribe Luminescent, of which Shyheim is apart of. It was dope watching Shyheim put some of the spotlight on 7urreal. Cause I learned that day that he got bars. Shyheim. Most know him as ShyGuy and if you've been to any of his performances than you know that they have been mostly done under the ShyGuy moniker. But this performance was different. Throughout ShyGuy’s performance his mask fit firmly to his face while at times rapping in a still reserved matter. That was until we heard the chant. “Tryna leave this box I’m in, break loose (I’m tryna loose)”. With each repetition the chant got louder and louder, until finally Shyheim removed his mask and threw it to the ground. THIS WAS THE DEATH OF SHYGUY. And with that also came the birth of Shyheim Nwadiei. The thing that stood out most about Shyheim Nwadiei as compared to ShyGuy was that from the first bar, there was no question that he had the juice. The way he rapped “Talk to Me” was as if he was stepping into his greatness and finally realizing his gift was for the world and should no longer be dimmed. You are the Light! From then on Shyheim Nwadiei took over and ran through an impressive list of tracks that ranged from familiar to unheard. Some of the noticeable ones being tracks from his latest album Calls of the North Wind. (Read our Album Review: Shyheim Nwadiei - Calls of the North Wind (tulsalines.com). But the question still remains. Is ShyGuy really dead? Here’s what Shyheim Nwadiei had to say: “From this day forward. No more being called ShyGuy. It’s Shyheim Nwadiei! Only time you gonna see ShyGuy is at the North Wind Masquerade. SHYHEIM NWADIEI HAS TAKEN OVER!" Thanks to Shyheim Nwadiei for inviting us out to a dope event. I look forward to the next North Wind Masquade.
Make sure to follow him on all social media: Make Instagram: Instagram: @northsidenwadiei Twitter: @northsideshyguy SoundCloud: I Am Shyheim Spotify: Shyheim Nwadiei 
Guerrilla Warfare. If your familiar with the term, then you know that it is all about non-military civilians who take up arms to fight against larger traditional military. OTS J Huncho named his first album Guerrilla Warfare, and it was all too fitting. The way he seemed to come out of nowhere and drop a tape that spread like wildfire. It was very much like a militia that he was creating, as his fanbase and supporters grew, so did his legend. The one who is determined to put The Hills on the map. And he’s looking to again use his Guerrilla Warfare tactics with the second installment called “Guerrilla Warfare 2”.
The lead single "Lions Den (Intro)" is the epitome of OTS J Huncho. When you hear an OTS J Huncho song what your gonna notice immediately is him. That’s because as soon as the beat drops OTS J Huncho starts rapping. He doesn’t play around with the beat. It’s go time as soon as that bass hits but often times even before the beat drops, he’s going in. Also, an OTS J Huncho song is gonna have bars, metaphors, and similes, all coming at you fast and direct. At times I found myself going back and relistening to a track and catching a metaphor that I might have missed. “I done called more plays than Tom Brady and Tyler Perry combined.” This track is OTS J Huncho. He gonna talk his shit and say it with his chest out. He even put out a video that you can checkout below. I'm a Gorilla I'm a Dog,
One thing to note about the second track “Elihah Landrum” is that the title is the name of an actual person who is a basketball standout from Central high school that has committed to playing at SMU. The track starts out with a snippet from Floyd Mayweather’s HBO All Access for his fight against Pacquiao. And it’s easy to draw the comparison between the two. Both have a crazy work ethic. OTS J Huncho himself has put out track after track along side with an EP and now Guerilla Warefare 2. Both are also talking shit and backing it up. “One of these lame niggas wifein my head hunter, can’t lie I was mad as the fuck, she cut me off and shit for probably like a month, but she doubled bad cause ain’t shit like the Hunch”. That’s a hell of a statement to make. There’s also has a video that was filmed at the Skyline Mansion which used to be a leader of the KKK’s residence. If Tate Brady wasn’t rolling over in his grave before. He sure is now. Cause OTS J Huncho is posted with his crew all on the front porch. Take a look for yourself.
The next track is “85 South Show”. Which is also the name of a popular show that features comedians from Atlanta. OTS J Huncho even mentions the cast in the song. “Ima a young fly nigga like DC, playing with bitches like Los, and these niggas round here wanna be me, and my brother roll off a chico, that’s a bean if your ass didn’t know.” Not only is the flow crazy. The familiar sample of Drake’s Controlla can he heard playing in the background. This is a song you can cruise to, but at the same time you still get bars. OTS J Huncho is still rapping his ass off on the track. It’s like he never takes a track off. If you're from Tulsa or just watch a lot of TV then you know that unfortunately Tulsa has a high murder rate. This is one of the reasons the TV show The First 48 chose Tulsa as a filming destination. And looking at the title of track 4 “Home of First 48” OTS J Huncho knows all too well the problems going on in the town. “If from the home of the first 48 where they play with extensions way more than beauticians.” It’s lines like these that tell of just how much gun violence is a part of Tulsa. Even with all the violence surrounding OTS J Huncho his talent is helping him grow into an artist that can help change the Tulsa narrative. “The only time a bitch played me was on the Aux”. The track ends with 4 bars from Big Tike’s culturally impactful single “Drank Up in My Cup”. “They had them jokes and shit about The Hills,
You probably didn’t know OTS J Huncho was into classical music. Just listening to the beat the familiar samples Beethoven’s “Für Elise” hits your ear. OTS J Huncho must be a classical music historian. OK we’re joking. We’re not sure if OTS J Huncho is a classical music lover, but what isn’t a joke is how OTS J Huncho has repps for The Hills especially on the track "Shhh (G Hills Legend)". “They had them jokes and shit about The Hills but ain’t said shit since the Huncho done popped out. Niggas is bitches”. And it’s true. There hasn’t been a rapper that has represented from The Hills like him. Of course, there have been artists that have mentioned it and dappled with being from both The Hills and north Tulsa. But there hasn’t been an artist who took The Hills and put it on their back like OTS J Huncho is. The track shows his unapologetic bars and a flow that shows that he can back up every line. It’s like going up against a top athlete and they’re up. And to add insult to injury they talk shit too. Checkout out the video and see what I’m talking about.
The second half of the album starts with the track “Return of The Apes (Interlude)”, it feels like that intro part to a TV show where they recap the whole season in under a minute, but in this case it’s OTS J Huncho’s life that he is recapping from a first-person perspective. The song is noticeably shorter at only 1 minute and 37 seconds. But within this short one verse track, OTS J Huncho says a lot, and the track shares some similarities with the previous track which is that OTS J Huncho reps The Hills hard. “Make sure them niggas respect The Hills like they respect the north.” The song is truly a snapshot that dives into different situations he’s went through to get to this point, from talking about someone snitching on his father, to low times when he slept on artist/producer SolRay’s couch, to now being the man in the town. This track you get your bang for your buck he spits all these bars before the beat even drops. While the sample is looping your kept anticipating the drop which makes you listen to what he had to say that much more. This was genius. "Calvins Story Pt. 2" is one of my favorite tracks on the album. It showcases OTS J Huncho’s pen and storytelling ability. The track is a sequel and continues where Calvins Story Pt. 1 left off. Like forreal the track picks up perfectly, I found myself going back and listen to both tracks back-to-back and seeing how the storyline is so well written, almost like an episodic TV show. He paints such a vivid picture that makes you actually feel like you’re apart of the story. Like you can see the robbery. You can see the cop getting shot. You’re fully invested in the story. I’m personally hoping and looking forward to hearing part 3 to the Calvins Story saga. Track 8 is "Scoring Moore The Maya". From its title it seems to be a basketball reference to famous WNBA player Maya Moore. This may also be why he puts so many bars referencing sports athletes in the track, he midest well be scoring more than Maya Moore. ”I heard that you got up in front of that court, and turned into Paul Pierce and was telling the truth.” BARRRSSS!!! He could’ve stopped the track after that. Also, something to note about this track is that it’s the first track where another featured artist appears. Sabree Carter, is a rapper who also appears on Guerrilla Warfare 1 on track “Boosie in 09”. She is in pocket and her rhythmic voice chop up the beat nicely. "Really stepped on some niggas in Vans, couple niggas that treat me like Stan, put on that shit call me Miss Dapper Dan." “Everytime I kick this coke shit,
The first thing you notice about “Ricky Tan” is one, the title being from the villain in Rush Hour 2. The second thing you notice is the Ne-Yo “So Sick” sample. Which seems out of place for a hip-hop track. But that’s until the beat drops and you go. “Good one. I see what you did there”. Here’s just one of the lines that caught my attention “Brodie Bro got 2k’s he ain’t even got no console.” The third thing you notice on here is that Phil Sosa is featured on the track. The West and The Hills they go hand and hand so this collab makes sense. Phil Sosa spits some dope bars, but if you know his music then you know that already. “Ima blow this bitch until I hurt my shoulder blade, Glock on me, catch a nigga slippin like a rollerblade”. This track was great move for both artists. Both artists get introduced to each other’s fanbase and in the end everyone wins. Who knows. There may even be a video for this one too.
What a ride. We are finally down to the last track on the album, which is called “Crenshaw and Slausen Freestyle (Outro).” From the title alone, you can’t half step on Nipsey Hussle’s turf. Also, it’s the last track! Usually, the last track wraps up the theme to an album and can be seen as the end of the story. I feel like this track goes a different direction. In that it makes sure there are doubts left. OTS J Huncho can rap. Simple and plain. But the track is far from simple. The track starts with another familiar sample being Childish Gambino’s song "Redbone". But it’s OTS J Huncho’s complex bars makes so that he even tells you what he means so that it doesn’t go over your head. “Smoke exotic, That shit boxed, they ain’t boxin, They gonna box him, That mean drop him”. The song tells the world who OTS J Huncho is so that they can’t tell the story. It Was Written… Guerrilla Warfare 2! It’s one of the best albums to come out of Tulsa this year. It’s the sequel that is just as strong as the 1st installment. I did want him to put "SharkLotto Freestyle" on here, but I can’t complain because there are so many great songs on this album. The album uses familiar samples to draw in the audience. But at the same time, I think the thing about an OTS J Huncho song is that you look forward to hearing him rapping more than you look forward to hearing the beat. Which is a trait that breakout artists and mainstream artists have. Guerrilla Warfare 2 gives the fans what they want. Bars, delivery, bravado, and of course one reppin for The Hills. So give Guerrilla Warfare 2 a listen and let us know what you think. Make sure to follow OTS J Huncho on his social media: Twitter: @OtsJHuncho Instagram: @ots_jhuncho YouTube: OTS J Huncho Spotify: OTS J Huncho  101 years ago one of the worst attacks in the U.S. took place. And for so long it was written out of history. Especially the place where it occurred. Tulsa, Oklahoma. If you’ve ever picked up an Oklahoma History book then you know that the pages are filled with stories about the Trail Of Tears, The Land Run, and other stories of how Oklahoma came to be. But not one story was told about one of the richest black communities in the world. The Wakanda before it was even thought of. The major difference being that this place was real. Black Wall Street. Written out of history books and labeled as critical race theory. The powers that be are again trying to white out the history of Black Wall Street. But history isn’t just learned in a book. For centuries people have used music to teach and remember the past. So just when the powers that be want to white out Black Wall Street an artist by the name of Dangerous Rob is using his pen to write it back in with his new single “For Black Wall Street” that features Playya 100 and Malachi. Dangerous Rob is a veteran in the game that has performed with some of the biggest artists such as Melle Mel, LLC Cool J, Doug E. Fresh, Ice T, NWA, Too Short. And the list goes on and on. In 2006, Dangerous Rob was added as part of the Dogg Pound Next Generation. He has also delved into the business side of music and manages his own label F.R.E.E.D.A.M. Records and still produces different acts in the city of Tulsa. That Tulsa sound comes out as soon as the track starts. It's an energetic bounce to the track that grabs your ears. The beat has so much complex instrumentation that then simplifies during the verses to leave room for the ear to experience the complex wordplay of the MCs. You might get this sound confused with that West Coast bounce popularized by Dr. Dre. But those who know. I mean really know. Are well informed that this is that Tulsa sound that the GAP Band made famous. A group from Greenwood, Archer, and Pine. Black Wall Street. It ain't a mystery, Dangerous Rob is one of the most well-respected M.C’s in Tulsa. Check his resume. It’s impeccable. He’s rocked some of the biggest stages and has gained the respect of some of the most legendary artists in hip-hop. But one thing that has never changed was his love for Tulsa. For Black Wall Street is another example of how hard he reps for the city. It's important to give him his flowers. First, out of respect. Second, because this track shows just how top-tier of an artist he is. His delivery on the track comes with a presence that is immediately felt. “A closed moth homie don’t get fed, A lazy hustler homie don’t get bread.”. This is that Black Wall Street mentality that the descendants have carried on. Trust me Black Wall Street still has businesses and it still has hustlers. One of them being Dangerous Rob. And just like he says in the track, he’s applying pressure. We would be remiss if we did not mention the featured artists on this track. The first featured artist is the legend Playya 1000. Just like this verse he’s shown that he’s still very much a force on the mic. “Never knew the history of Greenwood, just knew I had to grind and get my green good.” This is Playya 1000 at his best. He raps about not being taught the history of Black Wall Street but knowing that he always knew the spirit was in him no matter if he didn’t know its origin. Something that so many Tulsans can relate to. Also featured on the track is Malachi. His soulful voice fills the track with that Black Wall Street vibe. There’s a strength and there’s so much flavor in it. That’s Black Wall Street. Dangerous Rob is truly a king still holding his crown. As proven with this track. For Black Wall Street shows us everything we need to know about what was. But most importantly what still is. That the grind from Black Wall Street is in us. And even when we didn’t know why. It was something in us that made it so that we still couldn’t be stopped. And like Malachi sang on the bridge. This is for T-U-L-S-A. Aka Black Wall Street. Checkout the video "For Black Wall Street" by Dangerous Rob ft. Playya 1000 and Malachi below: Make sure to follow Dangerous Rob on his social media: Instagram: @dangerousrob918 Twitter: @fattwoo Spotify: Dangerous Rob YouTube: dangerousrob74 
Throughout the years rappers have wanted to be basketball players. And just like rappers, basketball players have wanted to be rappers. Both rapping and basketball are very competitive, so it's no wonder why both would be appealing to one another. 24K Astall is one baller turned rapper who is here to run up the score with his new hit single "Run It Back" that features the talented Alexis Renee. 24K Astall is an artist from Tulsa, Oklahoma by the way of Oklmugee, Oklahoma. He is respected by his peers as a major player in the game that has a wide repertoire of rapping skill, business acumen, and stage presence that has helped him get on some of the biggest stages in Oklahoma. His last album 24K Everything is available for streaming on all digital platforms. Alexis Renee leads off the track by rapping the chorus. “Run it Back up like this bitches ain’t cut like that. They even cut like this.” This is her 2nd collaboration with 24k Astall, the first being 150. With this track they prove again that they have bring a certain energy and feed off each other each time they collab. One can only hope for another in the future. Just like the single’s artwork shows, 24k Astall is the home team and the star player on the track. He paces his way from bar to bar as to make sure that he doesn't let up any of the 2 mins and 50 seconds. Staying with the basketball theme 24K Astall has some dope basketball references tucked in the verse. “Postman. I deliver.” If you remember Karl Malone then you know his nickname was postman and that he is the 7th player on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. And just like Karl Malone 24K Astall delivers on the track. Another line “We ain’t talkin’ Nike when I’m talkin’ bout a check." it's clear that the metaphors are on par for this track. It's also important to note his presence on the track. It's a reflection of his experience in the game. It's a result of the 10,000 hours of the practice he put in. This is another reason why the bars seem easy no matter how intricate they are. He flat out shines on this track. When it comes to 24K Astall's track "Run It Back", there’s some easy layup bars and there are also some highly skilled bars, which both are needed in the game. The track is a good win for 24K Astall and it will be interesting to see if he adds this track to an album or EP. So make sure you go run up track and see why 24K Astall is the star player. Go listen to "Run It Back" by 24K Astall below: Follow 24K Astall on all his social media: Twitter: @24k_astall Instagram: @24kastall Spotify: 24K Astall YouTube: 24K Astall  The lights dim as a sold out crowd sit quietly facing the jazz quintet and a microphone that was center stage awaiting the main act. The one and only 1st Verse. The room had such a jazzy feel, The bar just to the back of the room filled with patrons, the waitresses navigating their way through the packed room from the tables and back to the bar. The seating was very personal. Very intimate. As you would expect everyone was dressed for the occasion. The only thing missing was the momentary light from a match and the resulting clouds of smoke, but in these times the No Smoking signs make this no longer apart of the experience. It's now replaced with by illuminating cellphone screens and smart watches. But outside the artists circled near a row of parked cars, pass around the ceremonial jazz cabbage. Smiles, handshakes, and introductions ensue as the smoke dances against the midnight sky. The venue is called LowDown, and is very important to the Fire In Little Africa project because it was where the first video "Shining" was shot. This was another installment of the series of shows titled Jazz In Little Africa. This time headlined by the legendary 1st Verse. PSA: if want a music journalist to come to your show. Put them on the guest list. There are a lot of great publications that always are good go to to help get your the word about your show out there. That includes IndyPot, 20onDaTown, Woklahoma, ASLUT, and Oaka, Root Tulsa, Black Wallstreet Times. ok.1, Etc. As 1st Verse walked into the venue the band jammed, friends and fans embraced. Accompanying 1st Verse was a line of featured artists all featured not only on the guest lists but most importantly as artists that were there to support him on stage. The artists settled along the back wall of the venue as 1st Verse went backstage. If there’s nothing else he's gonna give you a show. His years of performing on virtually every stage in Tulsa has helped him to develop a familiarity and a comfort level with the stage. His performance was like an old friend as he talked to the crowd between songs. He's a true Master of Ceremonies. His words cut like a well sharpened knife, and again his confidence in his mastery allows him to smile after he delivers a lethal verbal assaults. The syllabalistic assault of Verse is so crazy that he could say, "sufferin succotash". And the crowd would snap their fingers in amazement of how he even fit it into the verse. That cat was in his pocket. This night wasn't only about 1st Verse though. This was a night to celebrate and the relationships that he has built along the way. Some of these artists came all the way from Oklahoma City to be apart of the show. Do you know how hard that is to do? But that's a testament to how much weight that 1st Verse's name carries. He started the show off and like the star player, setting the tone with his song "Greatest Feeling" off his collaboration project with dj noname.called 1st Name. And like the star he tagged in artists to accompany him on stage as if it was a WWE tag team match. Guests artists included; Tra3Qwan, K.O, Mr. Burns, Young DV, KeezyKuts, Pade, and Bettyman. Everybody that was on stage seemed to be at optimal bars. It goes to show that anytime that you're on a track with 1st Verse that you tend to step your bars up. Sometimes though you even step outside of what is expected. Mr. burns a lyrical assailant in his own right, surprisingly on this night lent his vocals as he performed the track “Pixel Fade” which is off 1st Verse's EP Throwed Lenses. A project that was produced by Oklahoma legend John Moreland. This night highlighted just how expansive 1st Verse's catalog is. It was important to highlight the band. As they brought so so much to the atmosphere and the overall sound of the performance. 1st Verse is no stranger to performing with a live band. His Verse And The Vapors shows is just one example of his love for performances with live bands and the added musicality it offers to the performance. And it was important to highlight their talents. 1st Verse left some room for the band on the second verse of VSXOasis. He let the band get some. Led by Chris Combsy on the guitar, Bobby Moffett Jr. on the piano, bass player (unknown) , Josh Raymer on drums, saxophone (unknown). The was band was out of sight. I asked 1st Verse. What do you feel like you brought to the Jazz in Little Africa show? Man we brought the jazz. We brought the Little Africa. I think specifically I brought myself. Because it was a jazz setup and because of where I felt like I was at, and what I needed to do for the show. I picked different songs. It was a lot of different songs that we hadn't performed before. A lot of features. I feel like it kind of organically bought the Everything is Us with Fire In Little Africa artists. DV [Young DV], Beety [Bettyman], Because Beety is FILA too. K.O. Keezy [Keezy Kuts], & Pade. Just like having a lot of guests. But the songs in particular giving some fresh flavor and some more personal joints that you need an intimate setting to really perform like that. And I think they worked there forsure. What will you get from a 1st Verse performance? 1st and four-most is a front row to master and a professional at his craft. Next you'll see the precision in his voice hit every syllable so effortlessly. We also can't forget the fans. One fan in particular, a long time listener of 1st Verse drove over 2 hours to see 1st Verse. Just before the the concert he kicked it with 1st Verse and played song after song off his phone, reciting his favorite bars from each song. Last but not least. You'll get some good ass music. So next time you get the chance to see 1st Verse. Go! You won't be made that you did. Thanks again to 1st Verse for inviting us to the show. Make sure you follow him on all his social media: Instagram: @1stthingsverse Twitter: @1stThingsVerse Spotify: 1st Verse |
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