Bonafide Magazine @ MSN: Mic Check Vol. V

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Mic Check Vol. V Posted: 24 Jul 2016 01:41 PM PDT The rap world revolves at such a sickening pace, the rate at which new records are dropped is sure to turn even the most tough livered of listeners' stomachs. Simply staying abreast of your favourite artists' latest releases can be migraine-inducing, thanks in no small part to the internet – it being the weird, wild and heady place that it is; a loud, mad boom-box constantly blaring shiny new songs. We over here at Bonafide are all too happy to don our scrubs and white coats to fulfil our doctorly duties, abiding to the hip-hop take on the Hippocratic oath to prescribe a little something something for the pain. Mic Check, our monthly round-up of the most notable and noteworthy mixtapes and free releases racking up the clicks, views and best reviews, is our antidote to all your suffering. Lay back, relax and cool out as we hook up a time- (if not life-) saving drip to your music-loving veins, ensuring you're fighting fit and intip-top shape as far as the latest cuts are concerned. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Mic Check. 1, 2. 1, 2.

Chance The Rapper – Colouring Book

Critically acclaimed and beloved by many, Chance The Rapper is a bonafide star. Having won the hearts of music lovers all over the world with the brilliant mixtapes 10 Day and Acid Rap, his work with The Social Experiment also garnering considerable attention and praise – Lil Chano from 79th is now one of rap's most recognisable acts. Colouring Book finds the 23-year-old Chicago emcee making his play for the rap crown; and, enlivened by several bangers and glorious anthems, the quality of the mixtape suggests the prodigious emcee might just deserve to wear it.
Certainly the most life-affirming release of the year (so far), Colouring Book could very well be the best rap record of 2016. A strikingly optimistic piece of work, it’s lively and fun, marked by a buoyant, cheerful spirit that even the most downcast of listeners should find uplifting – emphatically happy jams like No Problem and All We Got inspiring more than a groove or two and encouraging a new outlook on life.

This is especially true given the gospel influence on the record and its religious content. With a little help from Kirk Franklin and the Chicago Children's Choir, Chance touches on the divine, praying and praising the Most High on Angels, Blessings and How Great, which makes for yet another heavenly listen from the reigning golden boy of rap.

Listen to Colouring Book here



Post Malone – August 26

Widely regarded as the next up – a fresh-faced, relatively new artist set to take the world – or at least, the charts – by storm, Post Malone has been tipped for crossover success in many circles. With hits like Go Flex and White Iverson already to his name, it’s easy to see why.
A gifted song-writer with an ear for a hook, the 20-year-old Texan knows how to work a melody. And work them he does, riding the waviest of beats to turn out precisely the sort of catchy, infectious songs that lands you on the cover of magazines and transforms you into something of an internet sensation.

With his full-length debut slated to hit shelves later this year, the multi-talented rapper/singer is gearing up for a busy end to 2016; his new mixtape, August 26, setting an exciting precedent and hinting at all the fun goodness in store for Post fans everywhere.
Slurring over Ty Dolla $ign type beats with his R&B flow, Malone hooks us up with August 26, a dope little tape for the summer; radio friendly smashes like God Damn, Money Made Me Do It and Monta distinguishing the up and comer as a hit-maker to be reckoned with.
Listen to August 26 here


Casey Veggies – Customized Greatly 4: The Return of The Boy

Young Casey Veggies has been rapping for nearly a decade, releasing several mixtapes and a full-length studio album. The likeable Californian was one of the founding members of Odd Future before branching out on his lonesome and putting on for the west.

In 2008, at the tender age of 14, the diminutive Inglewood native released his first mixtape, Customized Greatly Vol. 1. Eight years later, the rapper returns with the fourth instalment of his popular series; justifying his status as one of hip-hop's best young gunners.

With producers like Drumma Boy, Jake One and Scoop Deville on the boards, The Return Of The Boy showcases Veggies' dexterity on the mic; highlighting his ability to craft a hit, tell a story and switch it up for smoother, sexier R&B-tinged numbers.

Listen to Customized Greatly 4 here

Meyhem Lauren – Piatto D'Oro
Despite dishing out his own fair share lyrical treats over the years, Meyhem Lauren is still seen by many as a sous-chef to Queens' chief cook of rhymes, Action Bronson. A skilled emcee in his own right, the self-described slang contortionist has been busy putting in work, setting himself apart from friends – including Bronson – and foe alike with his charismatic brand of alpha male raps.
The deliciously named Piatto D'Oro finds the confident rapper at his assured best, serving up more fine boom-bap-influenced cuisine to the delight of hip hop heads starved of the traditional New York staples of fiery lyrics, fire beats and hardboiled hooks that sound like street parables.
Rapping, "all Queens everything" on the brolic Aggressive Metal, the street-smart lyricist stays true to his word, regaling us with the grimy, intelligent brand of hip hop we've come to expect of NY's largest borough – home to legendary rap albums like LL, Nas, Kool G and Tragedy Khadafi, the Intelligent Hoodlum.
With tracks like the thrilling, cinematic opener, Sauce, and the Large Professor-produced Not Guilty, Piatto D'Oro proves Meyhem Lauren deserves to be seen as more than just a side-kick; this being a truly heroic effort for hardcore hip-hop fans waiting for someone to swoop and save the day with some hard-hitting beats and bars to bop to.
Listen to Piatto D’Oro here


k-os – Views from the Stix

Thanks to the likes of Jazz Cartier, dvsn and Tory Lanez, not to mention the 6 God himself, Canada's bubbling music scene is arguably the most vibrant in the world right now.

Much of the Canucks' nascent success – or recent resurgence – is down to the hard work, influence and legacy of Great White North legends like Maestro, Shad, K'Naan and Kardinal Offishall. As with the aforementioned artists, k-os, the eminent T-dot stalwart, paved the way for today's chart-topping globetrotters, mapping out their road to success.

Offering us his Views from the Stix – a wisecracking play on Drake's latest LP – the 44-year-old rhyme-smith takes to his bucolic family farm to recharge his batteries and unload; recording this, a refreshing, free-spirited mixtape of fun freestyles and eclectic beats.

Providing a timely reminder of his unique musicianship, k-os lets his hair down over sprawling Kaytranada productions, linking up with King Reign, Shad and more to entertaining effect. A playful, engaging freestyler, k-os is truly dazzling at times on Views from the Stix, the project's standouts – including Ying Yang Money, featuring Saukrates; Smells Like Cream Spirit and On My Kanye – making this tape a worthy addition to the collection for fans of alternative hip-hop.

Listen to Views from the Stix here