Johny Locus - Room 209

It's been a minute since we've heard from SNB's Johny Locus who has been in the cut since dropping his last project Point Blank but today marks his return. On "Room 209" Locus paints a picture of a live function and may have inadvertently created the unofficial anthem for Delaware State. I've stated it before but I think it's necessary to again, Johny is almost untouchable when it comes to his flow, few rappers I know can do what homie does.  

[Mixtape Review] Johny Locus - Point Blank

If it's one thing I like in music it is honesty, I'm always impressed when artists are able to be real with themselves in their music. Just about 40 seconds into Point Blank Johny Locus did just that "Me style on that second tape, my third tape a mistake". Since we're being honest I feel just like that. I was introduced to Johny through his second tape Something To Listen To at that point he had only been rapping a few months but he showed real promise. After sometime he dropped the follow up Music Speaks Louder Than Lyrics and if you read the write up for STLT I was excited to see how Johny would progress. To my disappointment it was as if he abandoned everything that worked on his first tape and regressed in skill. I didn't even bother posting it, don't get me wrong Johny is the homie but I couldn't support that. I'm just glad that Johny himself realized that long before it was too late.

Getting to Point Blank itself I'll start off by simply stating it is one of my personal favorite indie tapes this year. Johny likes to call himself "SNB's Finest" but he is more like SNB's Best Kept Secret. Steezy and Rashad tend to receive the most shine but Johny is definitely the most talented rapper out of the entire SNB. No disrespect intended. Throughout the entire tape he continually impressed me with his improved lyricism,  delivery and subject matter. Which is a bit more mature than his SNB counterparts as well and a welcomed addition to his repertoire. For the most part all the tracks worked for me aside from lacking guest verses/poor sound quality but that is mostly due to the guest and not Johny. The only track I didn't care for is "Comparisons" which felt unneeded and overly aggressive compared to the rest of the tape's mellow sound.

Another strong point was the production featured on the tape. Johny did well in picking beats that fit him and his style well. The sound clips spread throughout the tape also did well in breaking up the monogamy that a lot of projects suffer from just going from song to song without a pause or interlude. 

All together Point Blank is a good start at getting back on the right track for Johny. I feel like if he can prove to be consistent and delivers with his next project, he'll start to get some of the shine he deserves. After showing that initial promise and then the unfortunate decline, it seems Johny is back and on the way up. 

FINAL VERDICT

+ Sharp lyricism & wordplay

+ Good production

+ Subject matter 

+ Improvement over last projects

- Hit or miss features

- "Comparisons" 

- Sound quality lacking on certain tracks 

 8/10

Johny Locus - Geronimo (Prod. Rashad Stark)

Johny Locus is back with a new track "Geronimo" after a small hiatus, besides a few singles here and there, since dropping his last project Music Speaks Louder Than Lyrics in July. Johny seems more focused and intent on making excellent music and this track is a perfect example. 

Steezy Grizzlies - Pow ft Johny Locus

Digital Drop's favorite coon Steezy Grizzlies dropped a new track for his birthday earlier this week. Listen as he and fellow SNB member Johny Locus flow over Busta's classic "Woo Hah!! (Got You All In Check)". Be sure to look for Steezy's upcoming project Nineteen when it drops and belated birthday wishes to the God of Grizzlies. 

Rashad Stark - Bxtch I'm Yeezy ft Matt McGhee, Johny Locus & Miles Meraki

In preparation for his upcoming project SOAR 2, Rashad Stark drops the first single "Bxtch I'm Yeezy" featuring Grammy Family members Matt McGhee (JD) and Miles Meraki and SNB member Johny Locus. All artist do well and live up to the title, with each spitting bars full of braggadocio raps. Look for SOAR 2 to drop October 20th and Rashad's next single "Kings of Wylin'" to drop next week.

Steezy Grizzlies - G U N D A M (Mixtape)

Download: G U N D A M

When Steezy Grizzlies dropped Punchout earlier this year I said while it shows promise, I would want to hear a ten to twelve track project for him. With G U N D A M he heard me out and delivered. The progression is what stuck out to me on G U N D A M. From lyrics, to delivery Steezy has improved. Also featured are fellow SNB members Rashad Stark, Sketch Ghouler, Johny Locus, and C.H.E.S.S. Team members Miles Meraki and Knight. With production from rMell, Jaylen!, PrXnce Hall, Miles Meraki and more. G U N D A M features growth from Steezy as an artist and I can only see him getting better with time.

Johny Locus - Something To Listen To (Mixtape + Mini Review)

Download:  Something To Listen To

Let's start with a small introduction. Johny Locus is a rapper from D.C. and apart of the SNB, he has only been rapping for seven months and this is his second mixtape. I just want to say that's pretty impressive, now to the tape itself. Something To Listen To is just that, something to listen to while the production and the rhymes don't disappoint they also don't necessarily impress. Let me be clear Johny Locus is a great rapper to have only been rapping for a couple of months, and I do believe he has a bright future. I feel that if he takes sometime to hone his skill, and find his sound his next tape will be great. That being said, STLT is still a awesome listen and one of the best submissions I've ever got. I would definitely recommend you check it out, and I look forward to seeing how Johny progresses with his next project.

Production: 7.5/10
Lyrics: 7.5/10
Replayability: 7/10