[Mixtape] Nomad - The Royal House of Thebes

Maryland wordsmith Nomad had been crafting The Royal House of Thebes for almost two years, dropping off the radar to begin work on it after releasing his Nocebo project in late 2012. Coming back to the scene this year with his Unsung Collectiv, what once was an idea now fully realized, the crew dropping its first official project Bucket Boys back in May. In the biggest example of irony The Nomadic One finally found a crew of similar minded individuals to run with and he has become all the better for it. The polish of taking his time with TRHoT is very apparent this is the best you'll hear from him lyrics, production, technical-wise as well the mixing/mastering is better then past projects.

No' has found a nice balance in duration TRHoT isn't too short (Think Again) and isn't overwhelmingly long (Nocebo) with 14 tracks and around 45 minutes in length. It seems as if he has tried to appeal to a wider audience with this project and that isn't to say he has "sold out" or changed his style he just has took past critiques from others into consideration and applied changes where they were needed. Even the production is more versatile then his past works, tracks such as "Theban Alphabet" featuring EZ Gustow and the Ciscero assisted "Royal House" (which is produced by Grammy Family's rMell) deviate from his traditional sound but don't come across as attempts to leave what has made him behind.

These small and simple tweaks give the project great replayability something that has been a weak point in the past. Even with the various styles in production that make up the project the cohesiveness is still there and the interludes (a Nomad signature). I could go on and on about how great this project is but I told myself I would no longer do reviews so before this turns into one (too late?) I'll just recommended you listen for yourself as this is definitely the strongest outing from a great and very under appreciated artist. I'd even go as far to say that it is his magnum opus. With that being said welcome to The Royal House of Thebes...

Download

Nomad - Passing Through

Nomad prepares for the July 7th release of his long awaited The Royal House of Thebes by dropping the first single "Passing Through" from the upcoming project. Lyrically the track is what we've come to expect from the Nomadic One but the flows are a bit different this time around more up tempo than usual, it's nice to see him switch it up. S/O to EZ Gustow who assists No' on the track's chorus. Be sure to mark July 7th on your calendars, as it will be almost a full year since he dropped the Mythos EP which served as a teaser for TRHoT, I'm excited to hear what the homie has come up with in almost a years time.

In the meantime, while you wait check out Nomad's latest project with his Unsung Collectiv Bucket Boys.

[Mixtape] Unsung Collectiv - Bucket Boys

Bucket Boys is the first project from the Unsung Colletctiv (and if you see the E, drop em') comprised of emcees Nomad and EZ Gustow, producers Eric Barry and DJ 69 among others such as T.Brown. Even with its short duration the tape serves its purpose as a nice introduction to the group and their particular sound. No' and EZ flow well together and have great track chemistry throughout the tape, both have similar rhyming styles but their distinctively different voices set them apart from each other, everyone else and draw you in as a listener. Hopefully a follow up tape is in the works I would love to hear more.  

Double Feature: rMell - Action Meezi | Silent Library ft Nomad

Late last night the homie rMell took to Twitter to drop something that he recently recorded "Action Meezi", returning a few moments later and feeling generous he released a throwback joint "Silent Library" featuring Nomad. Both of the tracks are pretty short and will definitely leave you wanting more, although it seems as if rMell has plans to release another project in the Summertime so the wait won't be that long. I've really enjoyed the past few weeks of these random drops from rMell, who has plenty of unfinished demos and hidden gems stashed away in the vault, it's been fun hearing what he's working/worked on.

Sidenote: I want more rMell x Nomad joints. Dammit. 

[EP] Nomad - Mythos

The Nomadic One is creating something special with his next full length project The Royal House of Thebes, so in the meantime he dropped an EP called Mythos a rough draft of a concept that will be fully explored and fleshed out on RYoT. Below is just a small taste of what to expect from it. #GodRap

Nomad - Living Myths

After originally scrapping his EP Mythos, lyrical wordsmith Nomad is back with a new single "Living Myths" from the newly revived project. As per the norm with him everything from the production to the engineering was all handled by No' himself. With all the Greek mythology references in this track it's almost as Nomad is giving you a history lesson. Better study up, because Mythos drops July 30th. #Unsung.

Digital Drop Presents: The Rap Up With Nomad

A week after the release of his sophomore project Nocebo, Digital Drop chats it up with DMV artist Nomad. We talk Nocebo, his previous projects, his group Unsung, his career and more. Check it out.

[Review] Nomad - Nocebo

If you're a regular of D:D you should know how highly I view Nomad's skills as an emcee. Over the last few months Nomad has been steadily dropping music in preparation for Nocebo. First it was For.Not, a short two track EP that served to hold fans over and to show progression in Nomad's skills as an artist. After that every Thursday a new track from Nocebo was dropped and week after week the tracks got better.

With that being said my excitement for Nocebo grew with each released track. I felt like For.Not was a true example of what Nocebo would be but I was mistaken. It's definitely not and just as Nomad told me himself " For.Not. can't touch Nocebo in any way shape or form...these are throw aways" I thought he was hyping it up at the time but the man didn't lie.

From the very moment I began to listen to Nocebo I could already tell I was going to go on a musical journey. Beginning with "NoPreFace" as the beat builds Nomad calmly spits "Relax ya self. Let yo conscious free. You're now rocking to the sounds of the N.O.M.A.D." and what follows is a short verse featuring Nomad's sharp flow and clever wordplay. Two things that make up the rest of the tracks featured on the tape.

Besides from Nocebo showcasing Nomad's skills as an emcee it also shows off his skills as a producer. As with all Nomad releases, the production is on point. With Nomad producing much of Nocebo himself aside from three tracks. This however has never been a weak point in Nomad's repertoire with the production featured on Think Again and For.Not, being the highlight more so the former than the latter. Nocebo is a very cohesive listen and for the most part each beat compliments each other rather than out shine.

Another major improvement from Nomad's previous effort Think Again is the subject matter. Think Again was filled with aspiration rap and while Nocebo does feature some aspiration raps here and there, it's very minimum compared to its predecessor. Also, the project being 20 tracks deep helps disperse this problem. Over the course of Nocebo we learn of Nomad not only as an artist but as a person too. Personal stories and verses shared over the project helps you connect to Nomad on a deeper level and even interludes such as "The Invention of Lying" help to expose Nomad's more personal and wittier side.

I want to touch on the features briefly, as with Nomad's other projects features are more of an added bonus than a main commodity. Features include Grammy Family's cool guy rMell who not only spits a guest verse but handles the production on "Try-Angles" and fellow Unsung member Ezel Skylark who appears on standout track "The Drive". If I had to compare the chemistry of Nomad and Ezel it would be that of Kendrick Lamar and Ab-Soul, who more so are equals in terms of rap skills and tend to compliment each others skill set. Lastly "Won-Up" featuring The Rezon and 431, with each emcee absolutely killing it. The only thing I can say disappointed me was the fact that there was no track featuring Unsung as an whole, the team appears on the interlude "Vignette" but other than that no bars from Eskay, whose featured track "Run-On Thoughts [of Sex]" was an highlight on Think Again.

To wrap this up I want to state that, I already knew Nomad was a mad talented artist. From the very moment I heard his previous project Think Again, he became one of my favorite emcees and I even created a 'Feature of the Month' section on D:D to spread his project. However, as I read reviews from fellow bloggers it seemed as if they could see the potential in Nomad but weren't ready to proclaim him one of the best just yet. With Nocebo I think Nomad proves himself as an artist and whether or not he intended it, I have no idea but he accomplishes just that. So as I stated in the beginning it gives me great pleasure in hosting and presenting Nocebo, a project which I truly believe is one of the best this year but more importantly a example of Nomad's true artistry and dedication to his craft. Enjoy.

Standout Tracks: Try-Angles, Get Familiar, Devil's Pie, The Drive, NoJar, Liquid Lover Lova', Shinola!, Won-Up & Blue Like Jazz.

Overall: 9.5/10

Download and stream below.

Nomad - The Drive ft Ezel Skylark

Nomad and fellow Unsung member Ezel Skylark speak on how people can change all simply because you got a ride. True shit indeed. Nocebo drops September 20th. Check out the tracklist and cover here.

Nomad - Nocebo (Cover Art & Tracklist)

Nomad decided to tweet the tracklist for his upcoming project Nocebo, which Digital Drop will be proudly hosting. Look for the latest track "The Drive" from Nocebo to drop later on today and be sure to support the project when it drops September 20th. Props to Dave on the artwork. 

Nomad - Liquid Lover Lova'

Another Thursday, another new Nomad track in preparation for upcoming project Nocebo. This time around the Vagabond spitter gets a little trippy and experimental with the production, featuring a groovy sample from Kevin Michael's "Liquid Lava Love" stepping outside his norm but making it work none the less. No word on where this will end up yet. Expect to see and hear a lot more from Nomad on Digital Drop, with Nocebo dropping on September 20th and my interview with him shortly after. S/O Dave for the artwork. #TWASBWHH

Nomad - Field Of Vision

Another ill tune from Nomad that won't make Nocebo, over Plue Starfox a.k.a. Luve Proper's "JetCruiserHD" from his LuveDisc project. So far Nomad continues his streak of dope tracks every Thursday. Be sure to peep his sophomore project Nocebo when it drops September 20th, which will be presented by Digital Drop. 

Nomad - Shinola!

One of the DMV's finest emcees, Nomad releases the second single "Shinola!" from his upcoming project Nocebo, I've been sitting on this record for awhile waiting to drop it. My personal favorite track that I've heard off of Nocebo so far. Anyway be sure to support the homie and look out for Nocebo to drop September 20th.

Nomad - Try-Angles (Prod. rMell)

After dropping the For.Not. EP last week, Nomad is back with the first official single from his upcoming project titled Nocebo. "Try-Angles" is a story of a love triangle and the awkwardness that comes with it. rMell on the beat and chorus.

[Review] Nomad - For.Not. EP

As DMV artist Nomad prepares his next project Nocebo, he decided to drop this gem late last night. For.Not. is a rather short listen, being only comprised of two tracks, all intended by it's creator. The first track ULIGO produced by DaVe is a rather somber tune about the struggle of trying to pursue a relationship with a friend and ultimately being placed in the 'Friend Zone'. The second ABON is self-produced and more of the "typical" Nomad sound, just straight bars and chillin' on the track.

Even with it's short duration For.Not is still one of the best projects I've heard this year and should serve as a taste of what Nocebo will be when it drops later this year. Although according to Nomad these tracks have nothing on what he has on Nocebo. Nice.

Nomad - Sxt Msg

Download: Sxt Msg



The homie Nomad is back to putting out music after a brief hiatus, spitting over a C&S version of Flashing Lights. Nomad tells a story about him and a young women who didn't quite work out. Expect more from him in the coming weeks, truly one of the more talented up and coming artist in the game right now.

Nomad - Faithkeeper

Download: Faithkeeper
 

Nomad released Faithkeeper late last night, with a laid back instrumental self produced by him and some dope rhymes, as to come expected from Nomad. Personally one of my favorites songs from him. No word on when his next project will be out, put in the meantime grab his first tape Think Again.

rMell - Crewneck Season ft Nomad

Download: Crewneck Season
 

For the first single from his upcoming project NEOGEO, rMell flips Drake's Crew Love and adds the homie Nomad for a guest verse. Look out for NEOGEO later this year.

Nomad - Think Again (Mixtape)

Download: Think Again

I was gonna do a review of Nomad's solo debut project Think Again, but I thought about it and figured that telling you Think Again is in my Top 10 projects of the year and to simply listen would be better.

Standout Tracks: Blackhole, NoReprise, Run-On Thoughts, Epiphany

Nomad - NoReprise

The DMV native Nomad, sent me a dope track called NoReprise, and from the production (awesome sample) to the lyrics everything works. Be sure to look out for his debut project Think Again due out November 19th. A lot of good music coming from the DMV lately...

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