Illa J is J Dilla’s younger brother. The 21-year old is working relentlessly to keep the Yancey flag flying, even though the mantle seem to be firmly grasped in Black Milk’s palm. And did I mention that he’s nice on the mic? Yup, good music flows in the family. His debut album, Yancey Boys, arrives on November 4, 2008.

For an album constructed around leftover Jay Dee beats from the 90s, Yancey Boys is fresh. There’s an inescapable urge to compare Illa J to Dilla Dawg, but that’s doing the latter a disservice. Dilla was more of a lighthearted rapper who treated every rhyme like a dance partner; Illa sounds more structured and occasionally choppy, by contrast. At any rate, the music is undeniably exciting and overwhelmingly nostalgic. Only time will tell how well (if at all) Illa J will be able to uphold Dilla’s legacy.
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Rukus - “Amnesia”
Rukus - “The Boom and The Bap”

If you have the nerve to call yourself Rukus, you better drag along some iron balls to back up your name. The term “rukus” or its correct usage “raucous” connotes more than its dictionary meaning (”boisterous and disorderly”). To hip-hop purists, the name calls to mind one of the best songs ever, “Bring da Ruckus.” And disciples of grassroots hip-hop can’t hear the word without thinking of the groundbreaking Rawkus Records. Yup, the same Rawkus that was kind enough to add me to its family of online tastemakers almost exactly a year ago. I’m not sure which of these hip-hop staples inspired Ruk’s stage moniker, but one thing’s undisputable: he wears it well.

The verdict on Rukus’ Can’t Forget LP after the gap.
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Rock City - “No Air” (Remix)

I like how the “sureshot” dude at Iced Media was gracious enough to append instructions to the blast for this song: “If you don’t know about them yet don’t be a sucker and wait until EVERY other blogger and site is f*ckin’ wit them!”

I understand where he’s coming from, because it’s always tough for PR folks to get people to peep relatively unknown artists while they’re still relatively unknown. But why throw everyone in the same boat? If he took the time to research the targetted tastemakers, maybe he would’ve noticed that The Rap Up, for instance, is known for showing love to under-the-radar artists moreso than the established MCs.

Oh, in case you’re wondering about R.City, they’re Akon’s weed carriers trying to jumpstart a career by touting their credentials as Akon’s backup singers. Nothing wrong with that, it’s the way of the music industry. The song is decent, by the way.

Bonus
Rock City - “Losing It”

Shaya - “Fall Back”
A gripping track from Shaya’s debut, Fallen Awake, out July 29th. Listen close and you just might hear the Method Man influence.

Grynch - “Peer Pressure” | “If Only” | “That’s Hip-Hop”

Get familiar with Seattle-based MC Grynch. He rocks one of the crispiest flows I’ve heard in years, while dropping headphone-worthy lyrics over SUV-friendly beats. The fact that these songs are from his second album, My Second Wind, betrays the fact that I’ve been sleeping on dude for a minute. He’s currently working on a 7-track EP for the summer with guest verses from Geologic (of Blue Scholars) and Tunji (of Inverse). And there must be something special about him, because he’s opening for Nas on May 16th in Seattle.

Other MCs I Care About:
Shad
Verbal Kent
8thW1
Astonish

Verbal Kent - “The Dagger” | “Game Face”

I told you 2 years ago that there’s no end in sight for Chicago’s hip-hop hegemony. Funny thing is, I made that statement because of Kanye, Lupe, and Rhymefest. Since then we’ve seen the Cool Kids, Gemstones, Yung Berg (unfortunately), and Kid Sister rise from obscurity to prominence. It’s as if Mayor Daley is churning these folks out at some build-a-dope-mc-factory in Illinois.

Verbal Kent is also straight outta the Windy City. I won’t call him Chicago’s next best thing, but Verb is ridiculously intense on the mic. He puts his heart in his rhymes and still sounds fierce as hell. If you like what you hear from VK, then go cop his latest album, Fist Shaking.

On the web
myspace.com/VerbalKent

See also:
An MC I Care About Today: Shad

Misnomer(s) - Special MSG

Misnomer(s) consists of Brooklyn rapper/TRU regular Knewdles and her violinist sister SoS. Yes, I know what you’re thinking: “Didn’t Miri Ben Ari already try this violin thing and fail?” Let’s just say it wasn’t quite like this.

Thoughts?

I believe in Santogold. Stop the hating.