Cal Rips - Auto Pilot ft MoneyFourDrugs & SIR E.U

Goddamn. So much great music has been coming from the Klan lately and this just might be the best yet. "Auto Pilot" serves as the single for Cal Rips' upcoming project Phor You alongside Ripkens are fellow Klansmen MoneyFourDrugs and SIR E.U. This just might be my favorite Cal single of all time, it is definitely up there. All three emcees lyrically pick up right where they left off at on "The Real Jim Jones" spitting top notch verses over some incredible soulful production from the highly underrated Suede Moccasins. I am incredibly hyped to hear the rest of the project, man...September 24th couldn't come any quicker. 

Also check out MoneyFourDrug's "CONFETTI" low quality sound but high quality raps.

Kool Klux Klan - The Real Jim Jones

I've been busy with other shit lately but it was no way I could let this track go unposted, it's been three weeks since its release but Kool Klux Klan's "The Real Jim Jones" has been in constant rotation. With all the current members at seemingly the same level of skill now their work comes off as more polished and focused. Another thing to note is how much fun it has been to hear these guys back together, we've had scattered tracks from some of the Klan on the group's individual projects but it has been a long since we've heard them put out material under the Kool Klux Klan moniker. If their previous effort "Hitmonlee" was the beginning of a new era for the Klan, their latest is the first example in which they truly as the infamous saying goes "ain't nothin' fuck with"...

One thing that I love about the "new" Klan if you will, is that it no longer is easy to guess who had the best verse on the track. If this was say 2011, I would have definitely expected E.U to have bodied this and everyone else follow suit with decent verses as well but nowhere near Hippo's. However, with three years of hard work and improvement under their belts (and a couple of name changes) that scenario is no longer the case. Every member can hold their own now and that wasn't something that you could say in the past, credit goes out to every single one of them for that. That helps the track's (& the inevitable Klan tape) cohesiveness, every verse flows well from one to another and every artist featured has a unique approach to the Obii Say production along with their own flow. 

Even with all this talk about the "new" Klan some of the old staples of the crew remain or in some instances return. Cal Rips leads off the track with his undeniable energy and punchlines, to Hymn's flawless hook who in turn flips seamlessly into his own verse and spits one of if not the best damn verse I've heard from hymn him filled full of his witty wordplay. MoneyFourDrugs' comes through and makes his presence felt with his brooding voice all while flexing his lyrical skill and wrapping it up is the Hippo Gawd himself who surprisingly comes threw with a almost lackadaisical flow and a verse that ironically is not to be slept on. Harking back to the 1032 days, the track ends with a signature Kool Klux Klan humorous tirade on Chad Hugo and bears interacting with bartenders. 

To wrap this up, I often used to wonder how come the Klan didn't put out a collective tape back in the "golden" days but hearing their last efforts I'm kinda glad they didn't. Of course it is bittersweet because of the unfortunate passing of the homie Avion (who would've spazzed on this) but I say I'm glad due to the facts that I brought up earlier. I think when/if we get a Kool Klux Klan project it'll be exactly that, a cohesive collection of tracks that make up the group's various members identities and at the same time represents them as a whole. I look forward to future tracks/projects and hopefully one day hearing a part two to this here. Pleaaaaase?

Ciscero - Oh Aight ft Cal Rips

30Whop's Ciscero keeps it cool and flexes on his latest track "Oh Aight" featuring Kool Klux Klan's Cal Rips who delivers a solid guest verse with his signature sing-song rap flow. Keep watch for Cis' next single "I.A.P." and his in the works project Kids Wear Crowns.

Cal Rips - One Take

Kool Klux Klan's Cal Rips took time out from working hard on his upcoming project to release a brand new track "One Take" which finds him swanking and swaggering his way through a ill verse over some nice brass production from DJ Such-N-Such. Expect Cal's Phor You to drop later this year. After F.

[Video] Cal Rips - Flashing ft rMell (directed by Helena Bank$)

Cal Rips and Helena Bank$ finally released the long awaited visuals for "Flashing" which just might be the best of her career, featuring production and a verse from Grammy Family's rMell, this track is one of the standout cuts from Cal's last project BELIEVE. Which I highly recommend you check out if you haven't already. I expect Cal to make big strides in 2014, he seems more focused and hungry than ever. As always and forever R.I.P. AV 1032.

[Album Review] Cal Rips - BELIEVE

Every now and then I forget to add a link, word or stream when making a post. When it's really bad I become Loaf God and forget to post entire projects whether due to a busy schedule or just pure laziness. Unfortunately this is one of those times. I found myself listening to BELIEVE today by the great Cal Rips and thought "Damn I forgot how good this was, let me go tweet the link to the post" and much to my dismay there was no post to link. I really don't know how I forgot but I figured better late than never (although some might disagree). 

Production wise this is definitely Cal's strongest project yet, everything transitions well. This is one of those rare tapes that you can run front to back without skipping a track or two. Cal never lets the album get stale, as soon as you're thinking the project is getting too somber, he picks it back up. Thanks to producers such as Matt McGhee, Day X and rMell who are behind two of my personal favorites "Winning" and "Flashing" and Clayt Da Great who is behind most of the tape's highlight tracks.

I always talk about progression when it comes to Cal but this time around it's different. Cloud X to #Thumbs Up was a slight improvement, Chemical X was a major one. With each tape Cal got better, either with beat selection, lyrically or content wise, on BELIEVE it's more of a matter of being consistent. He's come into his own as a artist he knows what works and what doesn't. This tape is more of a refinement of already shown skills and that isn't a bad thing at all. Cal is a great rapper and if his last project showed promise, this one proves it.

All in all BELIEVE will make you exactly do that, not only in Cal as a rapper but as a true artist.

Standout Tracks: Winning, Flashing, Match 1, AV & Deuce Bigalow

FINAL VERDICT

+ Great production and raps

+ Very cohesive (front to back no skips)

+ Strong content

+ Good guest features

- Sound quality on some tracks

- Not rapping on that jazzy ass intro (lol)

8.5/10  [Recommend Listen & Download]

GodFlow - Resurrection

The duo of KoolKluxKlan members Cal Rips and Loui J come together to make GodFlow and that's exactly what they do on their track "Resurrection", with some ill production from SNB's Rashad Stark the two absolutely go in definitely one of my favorite tracks so far this year.

Tia Nomore - MONDAY ft SIR E.U & Cal Rips

Oakland's Tia Nomore has been on my radar for sometime now, after hearing her impressive project 13TH GRADE earlier this year, it only cemented the good things I've heard about her. "Monday" her latest track featuring the Klan's SIR E.U and Cal Rips, sees the trio going in over Danny Brown's "Outer Space" the three do well in matching the original track's energy while creating something unique of their own. 

Also be sure to check out Tia's 13TH GRADE I never got around to posting it but I definitely recommend it.

Chick Gaynor - Sophistirachet ft Cal Rips (prod. by Clayt Da Great)

Moving on from his last project Chick Gaynor is back with the first single "Sophistirachet" from his upcoming The Beloved EP. Backed by groovy production from Clayt Da Great, Chick and Cal spit that new gospel about these hoes. Good vibes from this track. Good shit Slug Gawd. 

SIR E.U - THE FIFTH ONE (RIPPO 2) ft Cal Rips

As he gears up for the release of FXCK 2 SIR E.U lets loose the first single "THE FIFTH ONE" from the project. Featuring fellow Klansmen Cal Rips and some ill production from Kisai The Spooniest Bard (greatest name ever), the duo rips the track in the usual fashion that we've come to expect from the Rippo tandem. FXCK 2 arrives March 3rd, until then be sure to check out the original classic FXCK. All hail King Hippo...

[Video] Cal Rips - Yows & Arizonas ft Obii Say

Directed by Helena Bank$ of Kreative Khaos 

Earlier this week Cal Rips released some dope visuals for the track "Yows & Arizonas", from his latest effort Chemical X featuring fellow Klansmen Obii Say, watch as the two emcees spit some rhymes downtown about their two favorite vices. Shot by the talented Helena Bank$, who has built a quite impressive catalog in the last couple of months. Be sure to check out Cal's Chemical X and Helena's other videos.

Cal Rips & DeMarco Taylor - Pleasantville

FYM's Cal Rips & DeMarco Taylor link up for this peaceful joint, love the minimalistic approach to the production of the track. Taylor not only impresses with his verse but also with his vocals on the hook, which help to enhance the serene vibe and Rips' wraps up his impressive 2012 with one of his most heartfelt and personal verses yet. Both artist bring their respective talents to truly create a new world "Pleasantville" and a all-around excellent track. 

[Mixtape] Cal Rips - Chemical X

Cal Rips dropped a new tape Chemical X out of nowhere I didn't even know about the project until yesterday, that being said it definitely was a pleasant surprise. Over the past few weeks Cal has been making noise mostly by dropping tracks and his guest appearances on SIR E.U's "The Claw" and Mike of Doom's "Great Success". Cal not only impresses but manages to steal the spotlight on a few of the tracks. All that transitioned into Chemical X, which is his best effort yet in my opinion. 

One thing that is noticeable about Chemical X is that it is a more happy record and what I mean by that is compared to Cal's previous project #ThumbsUp which featured a very somber sound, Chemical X will have you nodding your head to the beat and even laughing at some points. It makes for a more enjoyable listen and holds you attention for the duration of the project. In fact "Devil's Cake" is the only track that you could say is more of a traditional Cal track, with its slow and steady beat, it stands apart from the rest of the tape and becomes a highlight track. Overall Chemical X is a great tape from Cal Rips who himself seems to improve his sound with each project and continues to impress me. Props to Cal for that.

Download or stream below.

RIPPODRAMINATI - The Formula

Cal Rips and SIR E.U known collectively as RIPPODRAMINATI come together again to give you "The Formula" just like their past classics "Goodfellas II " and "The Claw" the two rip the track something vicious. It would be dope to see a project from the two in the future til than be sure to cop Cal's Chemical X dropping today at 10:32.

SIR E.U THE GREAT x Cal Rips - The Claw

When SIR E.U and Cal Rips come together it's always dope and "The Claw" is no different. E.U does the damn thing and Cal seems to be getting better each time I hear him, especially with these last couple drops. SIR E.U's 3000% Black Excellence drops tomorrow at 10:32.

Cal Rips - Fuck These Rap Niggas

Cal Rips spits some of his best and airs out these rap niggas. The Kool Klux Klan tape drops on none other than 10/32. You have been warned. 

Kool Klux Klan - Chiffwan Linen

Kool Klux Klan members Cal Rips, SIR E.U and DeMarco Taylor link up for "Chiffawn Linen" a smooth posse cut, featuring some classical production from The SNB's Rashad Stark. 

[Video] Cal Rips - White Boy

Cal Rips released the visuals for his heartfelt tribute tune to his late brother and emcee Christopher "Avionadramida" Scott. Long Live The Dramidan. AV10324VR. 

Download

Cal Rips - Thumbs Up (Mixtape)

Download: Thumbs Up

Thumbs Up, the second mixtape from the Kool Klux Klan's own Cal Rips is finally here. With features from Chick Gaynor, SiR E.U, and DeMarco Taylor. Great production from rMell, Suede Moccasins, Louseph, and Avion. Thirteen tracks full of great music, from a great artist.

Cal Rips - Goodfellas II ft SiR E.U

Download: Goodfellas II


Another Thursday, another ill joint from Cal Rips. Some real smooth shit from the Klansmen. Cal's project Thumbs Up drops on February 20th.