so high ft na$ty

https://mikedigi.bandcamp.com/album/kindred-binge


Charlotte, North Carolina is full of amazing Hip-Hop talent right about now. This year already I’ve covered the music of Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon and Jaypluss, both of whom are extraordinarily talented MC’s with the back catalogue to prove it. In comes Mike Digi, a producer who for years now has been elevating his craft to stand alongside other Charlotte greats. On his new album, Mike steps up his game another level. 

Things kick off with ‘Continuation’, an apt title for a song that kicks off a new era in the producer’s music while sticking stoically to the things that make his beats so enthralling to begin with. It’s a short, moody set piece that segues successfully into the darker ‘Slavic City’, a vocal sample screaming into the void before being abruptly cut. Mike’s use of samples on these songs is nothing short of spellbinding, the spliced vocal excerpts conveying an incredible amount of emotional weight despite their brief utilisation. 

It’s here that we get to the rap portion of this album. Jah-Monte makes two appearances here, one on familiar territory (‘We Made It Right, It’s Up Now’) and one more ambitious cut (‘Oh Nah I’m On Noisey She Love Me’). The quasi-drumless loops of the former are as enjoyable as any of the Digi-produced cuts from Jah-Monte’s...  more
credits
releases November 5, 2021 

Produced/Mixed: Mike Digi 
All Vocals Mastered by: Timepiece Tracks 
Raps: Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, Phiik, JayPluss, Norm Regular 
Artwork/Design: Ulises Valadez Contreras 
Track 3 Recorded by: Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon 
Track 7 Recorded by: Lungs 
Track 9,11 Recorded by: Mike Digi 
Track 12 Recorded by: Norm Regular

Mike Digi - We Made It Right, It's Up Now Ft. Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon levels up again on new album Beautifully Black, entirely produced by fellow underground legend Navy Blue. Navy would be a premier choice for collaboration for anyone who knows their rap music, but with someone as talented as Jah-Monte on the mic the results outclass any expectations with ease. Elsesser’s production is smooth and luxurious, a perfect fit for someone of Jah-Monte’s rapping calibre. The two part ‘The Missing Link / The Sneaky link’ is exemplary of this style, the MC’ing on top form but also giving plenty of breathing space for the classically-influenced beat. Not only does Navy match his energy on each of these 11 tracks, he also creates a kind of cohesion often missing on full albums from single rapper/producer combos. It’s been a while since the last time Jah-Monte tapped in with a single artist like this, so to position himself alongside Navy like this is a move that feels as calculated as it does organic. 

‘Tried Your Best’ and ‘Pray For Fame’ feature the very talented Kelly Moonstone, a rapper well worth mentioning for her contributions here because her chemistry with both Jah-Monte and Navy results in two of the best tracks on the record. There’s other features here too (including a standout contribution from Navy himself), but it’s on these tracks that the album’s strongest suite of songs emerges. The beats here really are beautiful, reminding us once again that when it comes to artists with incredible and consistent work rates Navy is right there alongside Jah-Monte himself. In many senses then, this is the perfect album for the two to release at this point in time. 2021 has well and truly belonged to the scene that the two inhabit, and as two of its most proficient members they deserve all of the acclaim that they receive. The fact the last song is titled ‘Complex & Pitchfork Opinions’ should tell listeners everything that they need to know about Jah-Monte’s place in the game, and the further greatness that is undoubtedly to follow. 

https://kingcallis.bandcamp.com/album/beautifully-black-produced-by-navy-blue
credits
releases November 24, 2021

The Missing Link - The Sneaky Link

I’m Signed to Lex Now I’m Up

I’m Signed to Lex Now I’m Up (Edit)

im in the water with it

Don't bite the hand pt2

I LOST OR I WAS LATE.. BUT FUCK IT THIS SHIT IS FIRE.. BAR WORK IS INSANE ...5 MIN DRUM

Singles

Foot On Your Neck (Style Wars)Contest Entry Prod. TERMANOLOGY

SOLD OUT

AL.DIVINO - Benel Vinci Barrel (Produced by GRAYMATTER)

Following up the rich, soulful Jewelry Rap and the gritty, mafioso Alkaline Water, Jah-Monte’s third record of the year God Body & Soul (I Mastered Self II) is a piece composed by a litany of producers (including recent collaborators like Killer Kane and Krow) and of course Jah-Monte’s dense, storytelling raps. This diverse sound remains unified by general themes: echoing piano chords, tough yet playful drums and sombre jazzy moments. Jah-Monte’s verses are like pure gold dust, sweeping over each beat and leaving nothing but lyrical magic in his wake. With a concise track list, elite performances on each and every song, and most vitally an incredible ear for atmosphere, this is yet another stunning addition to the best rapper in Charlotte’s catalogue. Paying homage to the greats while also demanding his respect, the MC once again refused to take his foot off the game’s neck with this one.




http://kingcallis.bandcamp.com/album/god-body-soul-i-mastered-self-ii-side-a

im in the water with it

z.