Kamasile – 5/day/3 smrs_Que nega é essa
Malawi-born, Baltimore-based producer Kamasile gifts music lovers with his latest release, “5/day/3 smrs_Que nega é essa.” This instrumental project includes samples from Brazil and Portuguese-speaking African countries Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, São Tomé and Príncipe. Perfectly merged with familiar hip-hop rhythms and tones, it’s the type of production we love to hear. Heavy bass drums and warm melodies flood the 23-track album, with most tracks being under 2 minutes long.
“My newest work is less a beat tape than a curated dialogue—a diasporic collage that meditates on Black sonic identity, resistance, and joy. Every chop, loop, and texture is in conversation with the ancestral and the contemporary, the forgotten and the futuristic,” he told Baltimore Beat via email. He achieves his goal as every track feels carefully crafted, nostalgic, and refreshing. No skips are necessary on this project. For me, some standout tracks are “rollin’,” “MPB,” “contra,” and “valentines day.”
“Nampula” feels perfect for that fresh out of the shower and putting on a brand new outfit vibe. It’s the kind of track Rick Ross would rap his best over, making you feel like you should be in a Bentley on your way to a yacht on its way to an island destination free of Diddy Parties and cocaine, though.
Following “Nampula,” the project goes into a dance vibe, so get ready to sweat a little in that new outfit as the feels of “Praia” and “Bahia,” the album’s longest track, are sure to get you moving.
This project is a satisfying journey through the sounds of the diaspora. Very well rounded in contemporary jazz, island cinema scoring, and boom bap slaps. I found myself taking steps in and out of the 80s, 90s, and beyond as the sample on “liberdade” sneaks in the all too familiar YoungBloodZ hook from “Damn” chanting “If you don’t give a damn gon’ throw it up.” It’s a must-listen all the way through.
Check out “5/day/3 smrs_Que nega é essa” on Bandcamp.
Jay Royale – “Jacked For The City”
East Baltimore representative Jay Royale has not received enough props for his work ethic in the past few years. He has released music with hip hop legends like Kool G Rap and Griselda Records’ emcees Benny the Butcher and Conway the Machine.
Royale doesn’t let a single toe up off necks on “Jacked For The City.” His latest nine-track project follows a “New Jack City” theme with snippets from the movie. The project is loaded with Royale’s signature streetwise wordplay and more legendary features from Mobb Deep’s emcee/producer Havoc on “Requirements of the Soul” as well as Tek from Smif-N-Wessun and DJ Grazzhoppa on “The Pookie Belt Buckle” and Mobb Deep’s ever consistent collaborator Big Noyd on track 2, “Peretti & Appleton.”
However, the most notable moments of shine here are when Jay Royale holds his own, rolling solo on tracks like “Skemes” and “The Jay & DeHaven.” It’s very clear he’s not fucking around.
On “Smitty’s Luliby”, for example, he delivers “I got my re-spect rhyming throughout the P-jects/ Way before the nickel and dimin’ lining and detects/Fascinated with Semi’s and Remy V.S. Nautica down/I’m ashamed of what these artists do now.”
For a connoisseur of true-to-the-culture, head-nod hip hop, “Jacked For The City” is hip hop’s equivalent of what Baltimoreans like Brandon Woody are doing for the preservation and forward movement of jazz.
“I be tryin’ so hard to duck off and stay out the way and let my music speak for itself. The reaction I get is the gift in and of itself”, Royale told Baltimore Beat over the phone.
You’re highly encouraged to put this in rotation. The album is available on Bandcamp where you can also order hard copies. It’s also streaming on all major platforms.
Shon Ski – “Miss Don’t Play”
If you’re still sleeping on the upgrade women have been giving hip hop lately, you must catch up. Particularly, the contributions Baltimore’s female emcees have offered. “Miss Don’t Play,” Shon Ski’s newest project since the 2022 release of “Somewhere Out There,” shows lyrical growth with grown and sexy subject matter addressing relationships, work ethic, and the pursuit of dreams.
The opening track, “FINALLY,” features Baltimore musician/producer Bari Lutalo with a fiery 16-bar rap verse. Lutalo’s production on “High” is a sexy 420-friendly ride with your little fine shit. Windows down, immaculately vacuumed clean carpet is a must.
Features on rap albums can often be hit or miss, but Shon Ski chooses wisely with verses from Karlito FREEZE on “PHONY,” Cincear 64 on “WHO MONEY,” and GemHoe on the infectious dance track “DAT DERE.”
The 8-song, 25-minute EP closes with “SUPERCOOL,” a very nostalgic ’90s golden era bop reminiscent of early Jay-Z with production from Fresco Stevens.
“Miss Don’t Play” is quintessential Baltimore Hip-Hop. Throw this in your rotation. It’s streaming on all platforms.
Erricka Bridgeford – “I Did It”
Are you wondering if you can or should do all those things you have floating around in your head? Are you looking for inspiration, motivation, or just an example? Look no further than Erricka Bridgeford’s new track, “I Did It.”
Coming fresh off an Emmy Nomination for the documentary “The Body Politic” and appearing in BET’s “American Gangster: Trap Queens,” the mother of the Baltimore Peace Movement has surprised everyone with this anthem of achievement.
“I Did It” boasts the feeling of accomplishing everything one sets out to do. Instead of simply ignoring haters and naysayers, Bridgeford boldly challenges them when she repeats, “I wish a bitch would tell me what I can’t achieve.”
The track is by producer Fantom. Erricka’s son, Paul Bridgeford who raps and produces himself, wrote the lyrics. “I Did It” was released on July 10 through Empire Records, and is streaming on all platforms.
If you would like your music to be considered for Baltimore Beat’s Best Beats, send us your project, along with a short bio (no more than 100 words) and a photo of yourself (with the photographer’s name) to music@baltimorebeat.com.