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...

Dark Nimbus - Represent ft Steezy Grizzlies, Mike of Doom & Jack CityZ

It's a 93rdiiiWhop affair as various members from the groups come together to "Represent" on this banger of a track. Starting off the track with his trademark energy is 93' Bandits own Steezy Grizzlies who absolutely kills his verse, followed by 3rdiiiUth's Jack CityZ and Dark Nimbus who both spit dope verses but it's the latter who stole the show for me and has my favorite verse on the track. Only thing I was disappointed in was the fact that Mike of Doom's only contribution was the chorus, this joint sounds right up his lane I can only imagine how much harder this track would've been with a Mayor verse. 

93' Bandits - B A E

Who would've thought a group named the 93' Bandits would put out a song called "B A E" but then again I'm pretty sure no one ever saw this coming either, especially from the same rapper who made this. So I'll let Rashad and Steezy live as I'm obviously not the demographic for this track none-the-less it works and the girls seem to like it.

93' Bandits - Hunnid Fold ft Mike of Doom

The 93' Bandits make their return with "Hunnid Fold" the third single from the duo and tab the "Mayor of 30Whop" himself Mike of Doom. The inclusion of Mike was a great choice as he changes the format for the Bandits' recent singles which have just been them and he of course brings his signature energy to the track. Steezy Grizzlies and Rashad Stark both drop great verses respectively but it's the latter who turns in what just might be his best verse yet. The 93' Bandits have quickly made a name for themselves and with all eyes on them it'll be interesting to see if they'll live up to the expectations when their upcoming project Bandit Shit drops later this year.

Re-Drop: 93' Bandits - "Got Dammit" & "One Time"

93' Bandits - Got Dammit

Got Dammit! Got Dammit! It's the 93' Bandits, the newly formed sub group of SNB members Steezy Grizzlies and Rashad Stark. The duo makes their presence known with the debut single "Got Dammit" which features production from ATF's Quazar Makeinu. Both Steezy and Rashad flow well and their great track chemistry is noticeable but the star of the show has to be the infectious hook, this is definitely a joint that would make a crowd rock at a show. Expect the duo's first project Bandit Shit sometime later this year.

[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

[Mixtape Review] Steezy Grizzlies - Green

Right from the very start of Green, the latest project from Steezy Grizzlies, it's apparent that Steezy is on a different plane than that of his previous works. Beginning with "Yawns" Steezy drops some real lines "In this rap circle, everyone wants to be rMell or Trill. That's why it's kinda hard to tell, who is original still" something which is quite true. Rap has become a carbon copy genre, with every rapper wanting to be someone else or sound like something else. This introspectiveness is what sets Steezy apart, not only is he aware of his own faults, he is willing to point them out. That is one of the reasons why the intro to Green is so great, it's Steezy finally being himself and not caring about pleasing fans or the opinion of others. 

Next is the high energy "SNB Anthem II" featuring Rashad Stark with excellent production from Plue Starfox. It's simply Steezy and Rashad having fun and rapping well, the former is something that I noticed over the course of my listen. I get the sense that Steezy had fun during the recording process of Green, something that I didn't get from past projects. 

Green does well to show off Steezy's versatility from his softer side, "Paradise Falls" and "My B.R.I.A. (Simp Song II)" which are definite highlights of the project with the former featuring not only a dope verse from Grammy Family's rMell but also production, which samples Yuji Ohno's "Love Theme" from Lupin III. To his more "street" side with "Gangsta Minded Gohan"  and the Johny Locus assisted "dmGOTHAM" both featuring some braggadocious rhymes. Lastly, "Neega The 2nd." with the lyrical monster Surp God who drops a show stealing verse but Steezy holds his own against Surp and avoids being outclassed. Steezy closes out the tape with the last two tracks featuring his SNB family, although I wish he would've ended it with a solo track, the whole SNB does well and shows off their individual talents which I suppose was the purpose. 

All together Green is the best project from Steezy Grizzlies by far, it is more polished and feels more organic than his previous drops. The only thing I can say negative about it was that it was too short but that doesn't take away from the project itself, plus I believe it was intended to be short in duration. Steezy has shown that he can hold his own against some of the best in his area with his last three projects, hopefully an album is in the works. I think that is the last step in his evolution as an artist, I'd like to see what he could do over a full length 45-55 minute project. However, until that time, just enjoy Green.

Standout Tracks: Yawns, Paradise Falls, My B.R.I.A. (Simp Song II), dmGOTHAM, & Neega The 2nd. 

FINAL VERDICT

+ Steezy's best work yet

+ Great production

+ Good features

+ Versatile sound

- Unnecessary interludes

- Short track length 

8.5/10

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. 

Steezy Grizzlies - Kogome

Steezy Grizzlies returns to the blogosphere with "Kogome" it's been a while since his last drop GUNDAM but this makes up for the time. It's good to hear some new material from Steezy, it's definitely the first time I've heard Inuyasha referenced in Rap and to make a full track based around it is pretty dope. Props to the young coon for that even if he does hate the show.

Album Review: Mike of Doom - Of Doom...

Download: Of Doom...

So I said I would review this about two days ago, as did the homie Dave. However, today I decided to overcome my loafage and get to work on this review. Now on to the project itself. Of Doom... is a collection of work by DMV producer/rapper Mike of Doom and showcases his talents as an artist. Mike handles all the production on the tape, and even spits on some of the tracks. The project is 24 tracks deep and I normally don't like when artist have more than 15 tracks on their projects, but the variety of the tape prevents you from losing interest.

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.

Steezy Grizzlies - Lavi$h

Download: Lavi$h

Lavi$h is the first single from Steezy Grizzlies' upcoming project GUNDAM, be sure to check out his first mixtape Punchout and The Rap Up interview he did with us.

Steezy Grizzlies - 500

Download: 500


While we await for G.U.N.D.A.M.'s release, Steezy Grizzlies drops a Punchout "throwaway". First off, great track from the homie Steezy, definitely a different sound from him. rMell did a awesome job with the production, and Steezy does his thing also. I actually prefer this kind of track from the Grizzly God, it fits him well.

Digital Drop Presents: The Rap Up With Steezy Grizzlies

Digital Drop: First off, thanks for doing the interview.

   

Steezy Grizzlies: Thank you for having my coon ass, it kinda cool to be in a interview.

DD: Alright, who is Steezy Grizzlies for those who don't know?

   

SG: Steezy Grizzlies is a 18 year old, black kid from Washington D.C. Who loves to skate, make music and ball on these hoes *laughs*. He also, is a young coon who don't take no shit, who takes the roof off the whip know it don't make no sense. *laughs again* I don't know if I can curse so sorry.

DD: *laughs* It's cool. Explain your name and how you created it.

SG: Ummmmm well I like bears,  I never knew why. Every since I was like five and shit. I been called Steezy since I started skating, which means style with easy. I always wanted to have the best looking tricks. So when I started rapping I called myself, Steezy Snapback which was kinda lame. So later I  just called myself Steezy Grizzly, but I wanted to have muti styles of rapping so hints the grizzlies part.

DD: What is the SNB and who is in it?

SG: The SNB is a collective of rappers, producers and skaters I started. It is made up of me, Rashed Stark, Rapper Juduh, Ace Ventures, Kevo Bass, Day2Day, John Locus and Sketch. The homies I can't leave out is A.M and Leon Wolf. They do a lot of behind the scene stuff. We really are new, but you should be hearing about them soon enough. *laughs* Cuz we some icey ass nigga's.

DD: How do you feel Punchout represented you as an artist, and anything you wish you could have improved?

SG: I love punchout, it was my first project and it was good. It was just to show that I can put together a body of work for people to enjoy. I just wish it was more songs but whatever,  it was still good and people liked it.

DD: You have a "alter ego" named Ursaring who appears on some of your tracks, how did "he" come about?

SG: *laughs* Well Ursaring is the complete and other "coon" inside of me. The loud mouth, I don't give a fuck kid who loves grape juice *chuckles*. Although when you hear Ursaring,  I'm  trying to display my lyricism usually, just to balance in my music.  

DD: I see, that's pretty clever. I always like to ask artist this question. If you could be signed to any label right now, who and why, or would you rather remain indie if you had success?

SG: XL Records or Fools Gold, just because they really just give their artist control of their music. All they do is push it to the masses.   

DD: That's a unique answer, I didn't expect either one of those most artist tend to pick G.O.O.D. Anyway what is your overall goal for your music career?

SG: Mainly to make music for people all over the world to enjoy and to travel the world performing. 

DD: Explain the title of your next project G.U.N.D.A.M. stands for and what it means.

SG: G.U.N.D.A.M. stands for Grizzly Under New Dictatorship After Mosiyah. Mosiyah is my real name and I love the anime GUNDAM so it all fits *laughs*.  

DD: What can people expect from G.U.N.D.A.M.?

SG: Just better beats, better rapping, better features and to see who I'm as a artist. Hopefully after this I can ball on these niggas a little bit more. 

DD: As always any shout outs, or last words?

SG: Ummm, staying icey isn't a job it's a life style. Bling Blowa Burr Shorty I'm a Eskimo. Plus I want to give a shout to EU, Chick, Mell and The Klan. Chess Team, Osp, PlueStarFox, Lou and S.M for lacing me with that heem (beats). Aliyah for having my back. Rashad,  John, Day and the whole SNB. Lil Bre, Jai, Alexis, and Sarah for having my back too. Syce Game. I can't forget C.J., Matt Mcghee, and Maple Syrup hoe ass. You, and the other blogs for giving my ugly ass blog love.

Rashad Stark - SNB Anthem ft Steezy Grizzlies

Download: SNB Anthem


Making his debut on the blog is DMV rapper and SNB member Rashad Stark. Rashad reps his team with this joint and is joined by fellow SNB member/co-founder and the homie Steezy Grizzlies. His upcoming project Finally A Hero will be out sometime in March. The track is pretty dope, be sure to check the rest of his music over at his SoundCloud and hit him up on Twitter @RashadStark.

Steezy Grizzlies - Punchout

Steezy always comes through with the dope cover art.

    Download: Punchout

        Steezy Grizzlies dropped Punchout yesterday and it comes in the form of a six dope tracks. While Punchout is short, you definitely can grasp who Steezy is as an artist, from the humor to just raw spitting. In the future I would love to hear a ten to twelve track project from him. Besides all that Punchout is definitely worth the download, and be sure to look out for future projects from the homie.

1. The Antro (By A.M Snooze) 

2. G H T O FT. KING HIPPO (prod. Plue Starfox) 

3. Sappy ASS Fist Ft. Maple Syrup

4. Ursaring (prod. Suede Moccasins) 

5. Grizzly Adams (in & out) (prod. Louseph Bruise) 

6. S T F U G (prod. mattVISTA) 

Steezy Grizzilies - Urasing

Download: Urasing
  Ursaring by Steezy Grizzlies

Steezy gives us a taste of his dark side with the second single Urasing, definitely my favorite track from him. The lyrics and the production work so well. Punchout is due out January 2nd, make sure you cop it.

Steezy Grizzlies - G.H.T.O. ft SiR E.U

                                                             
Download: G.H.T.O.
  G.H.T.O Ft. King Hippo (Prod Plue Starfox) by Steezy Grizzlies

G.H.T.O. is the first single from DMV native Steezy Grizzlies, featuring the homie E.U be sure to peep the former's upcoming project Punchout due out January 2nd.

Hit em up on Twitter @iHateSteezy, if you wanna check out more of his music SoundCloud is the place and for more info on Steezy hit his website.