New York Hip-Hop Roundup for March 2017

Peace and love. Manny Faces here. So, I’m working on a big “New York hip-hop at SXSW preview” piece that should post later today… But over the past few days and weeks, I’ve been watching a ton of interwebs chatter about New York’s “resurgence” thanks to the hype around Remy Ma vs. Nicki Minaj, and other recent notable artists like Dave East and Young M.A.

That’s cool and all. All of these are examples of New York’s artistic and cultural hip-hop superiority. The thing is, it’s not something thats “back.” It’s not “new.” It’s BEEN here. As I said in a breakdown I penned at the end of 2016, the only thing coming back to New York hip-hop, is people’s attention.

Yet, some of our radio DJs — those Kings of Hip-Hop Opportunism — are now starting to shove out-of-towners to the side to show love to some New York-area artists with more traditional New York sounds.

I’ll admit, even though these radio hoes ain’t loyal, they still can provide a valuable platform for exposure that these artists, who are often long-time journeymen (and women, though never enough), who deserved this kind of support for years (shouts to Mysonne). Too bad showcasing dope local artists under their noses wasn’t as in fashion (or as profitable) at the time.

Let’s keep it 100. They really wasn’t with us when we were shooting in the gym.

Anyway, regardless how much these radio personalities suddenly decide to support New York rap again we don’t know how long it will last, and because we know they aren’t going to veer too far from their corporate comfort zone, there are still a ton of artists, organizations, events and elements of New York hip-hop that will still never see the light of day.

So, to help the cause like we’ve been doing for years, here’s what we’re paying special attention to at Birthplace Magazine this month:

Joey Bada$$ is widely credited for launching a new era of progressive hip-hop coming from the Mecca. This young Brooklynite jumped on the scene matching retro-flavored styles with forward-thinking lyrics and concepts. He hasn’t stopped. “Land of the Free” is his latest example, off of his highly anticipated All-Amerikkkan Bada$$ album, which now has a release date scheduled, April 7.

The earlier mentioned Don Q dropped his latest project, Corner Stories. He’s on the Highbridge label, along with bubbling A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, but recent collaborations with Dave East and Meek Mill might prove to have been the gateway drug to his own success. Corner Stories is getting great buzz from those who dig that gritty New York vibe. A Boogie, Jadakiss, Styles P and Fabolous are among the notable guests on the album. Grab the Corner Stories mixtape over at DatPiff.

Bronx-bred GQ Nothing Pretty enlists on of NYC’s most revered true school spitters, Tragedy Khadafi. The Queens veteran blacks out on this screwface-inducing, boom-bap track produced by DJ Tray out of Switzerland. Off of GQ’s Animation.

It’s laughable when folks talk that “New York rap is back” just because they happen across a couple of new artists who spit with a gritty, lyrical vibe or catch wind of a veteran battle rapper taking on a crossover hip-hop star. The list of hard-hitting NY rap cats who have been dropping phenomenal music while being ignored by the rest of the industry — which was busy chasing easy mumble-rap-slash-strip-club money — is long, but often begins with the name Roc Marciano. Few have as much quality insightful, evocative music in the New York rap landscape as this veteran Long Islander, and his long-awaited release, Rosebudd’s Revenge continues in this consistent tradition. We haven’t had a full release from Roc Marci since 2013’s highly acclaimed Marci Beaucoup, this is yet another example of how New York’s greats have simply never lost their touch. The voice, the vibe, the words… No one Rocs the mic quite like Marciano. Grab Rosebudd’ Revenge direct here.

For more than 15 years, Freestyle Mondays has been a beacon of hip-hop light in New York City. The once-weekly-then-monthly MC breeding ground and home of the world-famous (literally) Gameshow Battle, the event is simply one of the best examples of authentic hip-hop anywhere. The great majority of its success has to be because of man at the helm, a world-renowned recording artist, host, DJ and all-around cool cat, Illspokinn. His latest musical effort is a joint effort with Zajazza, an highly-regarded DJ/producer out of France. The combination — including featured guests from all corners of the planet — is a demonstration of modern hip-hop at its collaborative best. Don’t take my word for it. Start here, then go vibe to the full Vagabond Road LP.

Quickies:

DJing meets activism with Freedom Sound DJs. Check out 100+ DJs (including myself) joining together to help use their reach to push progressive ideas and stand together against oppressive and authoritarian enemies.

We know you saw some of that Swizz Beatz vs Just Blaze battle. Flatbush Zombies kicked it with Desus & Mero (you know… these guys). RRose RRome linked with Jadakiss for some grimy drug rap on “Ziploc.” Smoke DZA and Harry Fraud’s “Badabing’s Theme” got the video treatment with a nod to Tony Soprano. Shouts to local indie crew Cross Culture with the casual-but-head-nod-inducing video for “Clockwork.” Also, a really great new release by TruthCity, While You Were Sleeping, is definitely worth your eartime — start with the video for “The Family” and you’ll see why.

Just heard that  the Ruff Ryders Reunion Tour is coming to Barclays on April 21st and the 2017 DMC NYC DJ Battle will be at Highline Ballroom on March 19.

Hmm. What else? OH! If you missed Momma’s Hip-Hop Kitchen, The Line Up, End of the Weak’s MC Challenge, Supreme BARs beatmaker and MC tournament, beatboxing at le poisson rouge, great weekly events like Soul in the Horn or The Lesson, you really don’t know New York hip-hop, now do you? No. No you don’t.

Lucklily, there’s a solution — and it’s ain’t “listen to the radio”! No, the answer is to stay tuned to the best New York-area hip-hop calendar in all the land at www.birthplacemag.com/events.

Lastly, there’s a new radio show you should be checking out religiously on Bondfire Radio. Airing Thursdays at 7 p.m., we’re proud to announce Gotham Flow: The Best of New NY Hip-Hop Music, curated by yours truly. Listen and find out where hip-hop really lives.

<exhale> OK. Now THAT’s a New York hip-hop rundown! Now go get to listening and supporting and sharing this information so the REAL breadth of great New York hip-hop gets its due!

You’re wellllcome (Maui voice).

— Manny Faces