10 New York Hip Hop Albums, Mixtapes, EPs Worth Hearing [June 2011]

By
Manny Faces
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Sleepwalkas - Cookie Cutter Cornballs Can't Cut It - AlbumSleepwalkas
Cookie Cutter Cornballs Can’t Cut It! [ALBUM]

The Sleepwalkas (Ciph Diggy, K Gaines, DJ M-Tri) are a one, two, three combination of lyrical prowess, a sense of humor, and a great ear for beats, making CCCCC a great feel-good album, perfectly suited for summertime blasting. We’ve seen these guys rock on several occasions, most notably at their album release party, which mirrored their energetic, almost happy-go-lucky love for hip hop. Diggy and Gaines deftly bounce over party-friendly joints, and just as easily, hammer home gritty lines over boom-bap tracks. Watching them live on one occasion, one lyric stood out enough for me to write it down and hold it for the appropriate time, as I think it nicely encompasses the overall aesthetic that these brothers strive for: “Sleepwalkas is the true definition of ‘get biz’.” Standouts include “Do What You Gotta Do,” “Take That,” “Wild Nightlife,” “War Chant,” featuring Homeboy Sandman and Final Outlaw (both members of our “5 Reasons Why New York Hip Hop Doesn’t Suck” club), and “Rhyme Flow,” featuring Brand Nubian’s Sadat X. (Extra points for the recent addition of DJ M-TRI whose turntable style perfectly complements the group’s vibe.)

Sleepwalkas ft. Sadat X – Rhyme Flow
[audio:rhymeflow.mp3]