OK, so I'm not one to rap, produce, or play an instrument (well, besides a few chords and drumbeats). But I wanted to do something for the hip-hop artists in my state (Rhode Island) on a blog I write for that specializes in underground hip-hop -- Potholes In My Blog. Thus, I put together something I'm calling the Ocean State Sampler to showcase 10 or so acts I feel deserve the attention. And yesterday, I leaked a double-single from the project. I was thinking anyone interested in hip-hop might dig this, on some level, so here's the link:

Double Single from the Ocean State Sampler

Let's get into some spam quid pro quo:

I won't click on yours until you click on mine.

I already did.

I'm just lazy and didn't comment hahaha.

Haha, it is pretty awesome for that reason, but shitty because ... well, nothing really happens here.

Hahaha, true indeed, sir.

Anyway, I'm just glad I got people from Rhody to participate in this. Too many times local scenes are filled with big egos who aren't willing to work together.

That John Hope dude has some good production; some micro-soul Kanye-level shit.

The Chachi one has pretty good production too. Though, around here, we call the spot between your balls and b-hole your chach, so that part made me giggle, a bit.

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah, Jon's working with some talented guys and his current stuff sounds even better. I think that track was one left on the cutting room floor from a year ago or so because he doesn't swear that much now...but maybe not.

And yeah, then there's the whole Joni Loves Chachi joke, too. But he's got some skill. I just wish Falside (the producer) didn't use a sample that was just used on Skyzoo's album.

Skyzoo's allure is just what you said: A throwback to the mid-90s NYC shit. His voice isn't particularly engaging. And his flow remains static across almost every track. But he's a pretty damn good lyricist and storyteller. Also, he picks some good-to-great beats, especially on his long-awaited debut. The thing is, if you can't get past the initial boredom, he's not worth it. I almost gave up on him after playing his debut twice and being moved by only one or two songs. I kept listening, though, and his words finally began to stick.

That being said, he's definitely overrated by a lot of hip-hop heads, like those who compare him to Nas -- Spin actually did this in a brief on Skyzoo.

Yeah, I read that, and the Nas thing is a gimme, since dude comes out to New York State of Mind when he performs. He also did most of the song, and "The World is Yours" too.

I don't necessarily dislike the guy, I just don't understand why like, for instance, NahRight, is ready to blow the dude. I tried listening to some of the debut, but it mostly just made me want to listen to Ready to Die and Illmatic instead.

Ah, OK, I didn't know he did that with the Nas songs. But still, the comparison is one hell of a stretch. Spin...hmph.

Anyway, I'm kind of in the same boat as you. I still listen to a few tracks from his debut, but I'd rather listen to other, more-intriguing acts.

Yeah, I can appreciate that.

Have you seen Nas in concert?