Artists to Check For

I'll admit, I don't follow the underground rap scene all that closely anymore for a variety of reasons, chiefly due to the fact that the quality of the music has suffered as technology has improved. Any schmuck who saves up a thousand dollars or so (or can borrow their father's credit card) can now record and distribute an album using equipment that was unattainable by common folk 10 or 15 years ago. With so many wanna be rappers and producers out there, it makes it more and more difficult to weed out the suckers. Occasionally though, a new jack will stand out a little.

Sounding more than a little like a white Ghostface (both in the voice and constant food references) Action Bronson is a rapper out of Flushing (maybe the most under represented Queens neighborhood in hip hop) that has got my attention recently. With a wicked flow and jazz sample beats that are reminiscent of '90s New York rap, he manages to sound like that golden era (as I've said before my favorite period in music) without sounding dated. His rhymes are funny without being corny, and he doesn't pander to any sub-genre (nerd, street, drug dealer or old school rap). The dude can just rap. One of the few new rap LP's (particularly from an "underground" rapper) that I can highly recommend.

Check him out here and buy the new album featuring guest appearances from fellow Lo head Meyhem Lauren and others. You'll be glad you did.