Kasey Jones - WYB ft Al Hostile

Kasey Jones is one of those rare artist in which I know nothing about but still somehow manage to capture my attention and get a post out of me. I first came across Jones on Matt McGhee's "Dark" he handled the hook on the song but I didn't think he was an rapper but just a friend of Matt or Al. Fast forward a few weeks later 3rdiiiUth's Al Hostile got me hip (which he has done a lot of recently, might have to let him be the new Drop God lol) to a collab joint he had with Kasey called "WYB (Where You Been?)".

The duo of Kasey and Al aka HostileTurtle (Kasey being the Turtle Gawd) surprised me with how well the two sounded over some ill Baze Knox production, they definitely have good track chemistry. It however was Kasey who impressed me the most seeing as I didn't even realize he rapped, to finding out he is pretty damn good at it. Al on the other hand continues his streak of excellent guest verses and slowly but surely is becoming one of my favorites from the DMV area. Mayor Whop Mike of Doom and Steezy Uglies Grizzlies make cameo appearances both drawing inspiration from Puff Daddy, with Mike providing ad-libs and Steezy talking that shit on the intro. All in all a great first impression, I'll be keeping my eye on Kasey Jones from now on and hopefully the young rapper can keep up the good work.

Sidenote: I actually just remembered in writing this that I first heard Kasey on "YAMS" from Al Hostile's The Finer Thangz. Forgive me Turtle Gawd, you'll soon realize I ain't shit...

Matt McGhee - Dark ft Al Hostile & Kasey Jones

Over brooding and ominous production from JohnnyJon who brilliantly flips Portishead's "Mourning Air" Matt McGhee attacks the track right off bat with a verse full of warning shots and bravado, sounding more confident than ever. It seems he is slowly but surely getting to a place where he feels Gram Fam and himself are untouchable and that isn't him being cocky but just the assurance that comes with knowing you put your best effort into your craft. Think 07' Wayne or even Drake right now; example. However, to get back to the track 3rdiiiUth's Al Hostile joins in providing his brash energy, spitting one of if not thee best verse I've heard from him and more then delivers for his moment on "screen". Assisting the two on the hook is Kasey Jones with a little help from Matt himself. 

If we're following the TV show theme then the appropriately titled "Dark" would be the mid-season finale with just two more episodes left. Matt has definitely upped the ante for himself with episode three, although every episode has been unique the drastic change in direction made this one stand out even more. We'll see what else the season holds for us in the coming weeks, I just hope Matt doesn't do like the Soprano's series finale and end the shit mid sce...

Al Hostile - Brazilian BBS ft rMell & Dark Nimbus

3rdiiiUth's Al Hostile links up with fellow Uthian Dark Nimbus and tabs the tracks producer rMell of GramFam fame for the remix to "Brazilian BBS" one of the standout cuts from Al's great debut project The Finer Thangz.

[Mixtape] Al Hostile - The Finer Thangz

Al Hostile from Maryland based rap group 3rdiiiUth sent me his debut mixtape The Finer Thangz sometime last month and I finally got around to listening to it today. Just when I think I've found all of the talented artists from the DMV area I always end up hearing another. I'll admit I haven't heard too much of Al or 3rdiiiUth's material aside from a few tracks on SoundCloud but I'll definitely check them out in the future. 

I said I'd stop doing reviews a couple of months ago but I do want to go into detail a bit more on why I like this project. First off I enjoyed the laid back vibe of the tape it makes for an easy listen and in my opinion increases the replay value, I feel like I could throw this on in the crib, car or even at a kickback. Secondly, the production which plays into the whole vibe I was talking about is nice, Al sounds right at home on every track. Lastly, Al himself, as far as rhymes go his is one of the most polished I've heard from the area and I don't know exactly how long he has been rapping but this is a great start for establishing an identity out of his group. 

To wrap this up I highly recommend you check out The Finer Thangz, with the duration of the tape being right under 40 minutes it isn't too long or too short. It's a cool listen the whole way through, props to Al for being to create a cohesive project that doesn't drag on unnecessarily (unlike this write up) and standing out in an area so rich with talent. 

On a related note here is another track Al sent me yesterday entitled "(In)Sight" featuring Kasey Jones and some ill production from the homie Steezy Grizzlies.