“Is it only when you know the pot is empty, that it’s gnawing at the corners of your mind?” croons a high-pitched, soulful sample in the beginning of Slick Mick’s lovely October release, “I Gotta Rose For These Hoes”. Once the steady shiver of a tambourine, engulfed by slick, bluesy guitars, has had its fill; a goliath, East Coast drum loop stomps into the mix, completing his puristic instrumental. As gravitating as this beat is, it gives our Sydney spitter room to further captivate us with his calm delivery and lyrical narration. This record, above all else, is aimed at the casual listener; who will press play whenever they yearn for a tranquil hip-hop song to pacify them. Slick Mick, sliding through bars regarding his current state of life and attitude, is not seeking to overwhelm you. No, instead he maneuvers his smooth, Australian accent and endless river of rhymes, to deliver the ideal Saturday night ballad. On the brink of kicking back on the couch to relax? Throw on “I Gotta Rose For These Hoes” and let this excellent offering from Slick Mick massage those corners of your mind. 

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Taiyamo Denku Ft L Majestic - Prove Your Worth @TaiyamoDenku @majestic_l

In an era where lyricism and substance are becoming an endangered species, Milwaukee native Taiyamo Denku and Australian beatsmith Dcypha take a blunt stance on the matter. Alongside east coast emcee L Majestic, the trio call out unfit artists on "Prove Your Worth", forcing them to validate their position on the mic.

Denku, who is extremely proactive when it comes to voicing his views on the genre, kicks the song off by explaining the outcome of fraudulent rappers in the streets of Milwaukee. On the hook he spits, "prove this / prove that / prove that you're worth something, no money attached". This is a play on the notion that emceeing should be based on skills and credibility, not plays and finances.

L Majestic takes this notion one step further and beyond by taking us into the matrix of the music business. He keeps it all the way one hundred with lines like, "I stay doing this music because I'm dedicated / I refuse to be a washed up rapper who never made it / cause deep in my heart, I know I truly flow / but it's not about how nice you are, it's who you know".

All egos aside, Denku, Majestic and Dcypha simple want to see the art form they hold so near and dear to their hearts alive and well for many generations to come. With that said, it's your turn to step up to the Hip Hop counsel and "Prove Your Worth".