Listen: Hometown Hero - @mostdopemusic_ feat. @lowcollege

MostDope kicked off the year with a brand new album, No Pressure.

Since P.O.M.E through Hood Gospel, MostDope has played with his melodics and tonality creating the signature sound we now know on No Pressure. It's only right that the heavy hitters from Asbury Park and Neptune link up on a track called Hometown Hero, with Most and Joe College respectfully. Along with Rugged But Smooth spitter College, their contrasting styles make for a pretty dope party record. It's chilly now but once the weather breaks this is sure to shake the city live for the summer. Check it out for yourself after the break.

Listen: Run the World - @mostdopemusic_ & @8DAYZSTR8

MostDope dropped Some Singin' N***a - EP dropped a couple months back and one of the highlights on the project is Run the World.

MostDope @ NJLive3 shot by Jeff Crespi Rocks

The song features 8dayzstr8 (formerly known as Mike Sav). 8dayzstr8 just dropped a new EP this week, more on that later. The duo are both adept as spitters and singers alike which explains the title of the project. A lot of people have qualms with autotune and pitch correction if overdone. I wouldn't say that for these two. You have to actually have the pipes to put riffs, runs, and falsettos in the microphone to still sound good. I'll let you be the judge. This song is for the ladies. Listen to it pre-gaming or while you get ready in the mirror. Listen to Run the World after the break.

Album Review: Hood Gospel - @mostdopemusic_ (written by @RamseySaidWHAT)

Artwork by @HuesHQ

It's been a little while since I've penned something about Asbury Park native and A1's MostDope. I once watched a IG story where A1's creative director, Trust, told the editor-in-chief of The Source Magazine that MostDope is in his top five dead or alive. Think about how hard it must be to back that kind of talk up.

Okay, so last we heard from Most was his lead single, True, to this new project, Hood Gospel. Unless you've been to any of his shows at The Saint or House of Independents we haven't heard new material since Perfect Timing, his collab tape with Mula O. Hood Gospel is the true follow up to Pressure and Product of My Environment respectively. Let's dive in.


In my last interview with the Asbury upstart, he addressed some critics about their perspectives of him stepping away from his traditional style of MC'ing and moving into a more melodic feel over his 16s and verses.

"I've evolved, but not to everyone's liking because people didn't understand the route I went with Pressure and some of my newer songs." MostDope on A-Side B-Side Podcast Episode 12

This new project further solidifies that he isn't the artist we knew him to be when he first began. Musicians and people are allowed to be multifaceted and grow. We can say that this here is confirmation that he's not the same wide-eyed spitter down in West Virginia. Upon listening, Hood Gospel is the perfect name for this project. A hip-hop professor I took once taught me that in the early days the rappers were the journalists for the places news trucks and police won't go. More than just a journalist for his world, MostDope serves as the pastor to this church he's preaching to through song. I mean aside from chicken spots and liquor stores, you'll always find a church on the block, right? If you ask Most, he'd say that it's always a bigger picture. He's not glorifying what he's seen or done in the streets but simply embracing it because it made him who he is. When he speaks on it, it feels like gospel.

The A1 rapper takes on more ballad writing on this project. Maybe this is more of the Casanova we know him to be or maybe a particular woman inspired this but songs like TNL (Thugs Need Love) and The Real Her soften up a particularly ice cold project. If you've been to the shows you've heard Check and the lead single, True.

I think MostDope has figured out who he is and his signature sound. He just has to be careful of falling into the trap of making repetitive melodies and cadences. That's no diss. I think as far as songwriting goes, MostDope is one of the best in Jersey and has a sick upside. Where he's adopted a style that's trending today, MostDope has a better voice and is more talented manipulating it. He sings better than most and doesn't need as much pitch correction. The only qualm I may have with the project is some of the levels. Sometimes the harmonies and back tracks get a little cluttered. It's great layering but sometimes it means we need to re-mix and master the tracks for volume or put a lo-pass filter on the track to filter the volume. In some of the places it's done it works. In other places I'm worried the harmony overshadows the melody and it's too much going on in between our ears.

Hood Gospel is to MostDope as Get Rich or Die Tryin' is to 50 Cent. He even took a page out of G-Unit book with his outro, P.I.M.P and the remix. The beat breakdown on the last hook accompanied with the Friday clip of Katt Williams was a nice touch. I can tell this is an album that is meant to be heard live. I think a performance experience of this album can put him over the top. A couple times listening I asked who's the feature on the track just to realize the whole thing is MostDope. To be high energy and sound like Most featuring Most says a lot. Hood Gospel is out everywhere you stream music and Apple Music below. Check it out, it speaks to just about everyone.

A-Side B-Side Podcast: Episode 012 - @MostDopeMusic_ Interview

It's been a little while since we dropped an episode, thanks for still rocking with us. Episode 12 features an exclusive interview with A1's own, MostDope.

The Asbury Park native sat with Ramsey to talk about his new single and a project we can expect in the fall. They also talked about the rest of his discography to this point, the A1 sound collective, some acts from the 732 we all should check out and our opinions on our recently released Op-Ed: Rap Don't Pay the Bills. We touched a lot in under an hour so press play during your lunch break. I need you to feel this.

The Music in this Episode is True by MostDope.

Listen: True - @MostdopeMusic_

Better than most rappers near and far, MostDope is an excellent spitter when he's creating melody with his voice.

What I mean by that is he's almost singing. Sure there's pitch correction but you still have to have control to make the autotune work for you. That's the case for his new single, True. The track started with this loop of an acoustic and then...the beat drops, hard. What began as what I thought was going to be an R&B track turns into a speaker slapper. Most is a masterful hook writer. On True, the Asbury Park Native sounds like what would happen if you fused Jeezy's Thug Motivation and Future's Evol, just with better voice and flow. There's a reason we included him in Nine Jersey Musicians You Need to Know this year. No word yet but I think this is probably the lead single to the follow up to the A1 spitter's latest offering, Pressure EP from last year. Play this song on your way to work and see how hype you'll be. Press play below.

Watch: Anti-Social - @MostDopeMusic_

MostDope blesses Anti-Social with a video treatment.

Anti-Social is off the Dark City emcee's last project, Pressure. This is one of my favorite songs on his last offering so I'm happy to see a video with the music. I think what sets MostDope out from a lot of rappers these days is his singing voice. He's no Usher or Tyrese but he gets the job done. I don't want to box him with another artist but think Goldlink and how he's able to float on melodies as an emcee spitting and a singer crooning. That's what MostDope is capable of doing. Don't believe me, just press play below. The by King Ramses and Twizz directed video takes us on a trip through Asbury Park and what looks like an interrogation room. I need y'all to feel this.

Nine Jersey Musicians You Need to Know in 2018

We're a little more than a month into the year. I know how you guys get with lists. If you feel you or an artist you know should have made the list, prove me wrong this year. Or just @ me on twitter I can take the heat. Some of the acts on this list are really well kept secrets. The others, you already know about. Either way these guys and gals are due for a huge 2018.

Ty Jackson - The New Jeru Native has been quiet as of late. In fact Ty hasn't dropped a project since 2016 with his collab with SoULFULL on Boulevard Blues. I know first hand he's been working. When I covered Motion a month back I mentioned another unreleased track that should stir some pots. Coffee in the Morning is the name and I'm sure it'll be coupled with some more heat. Just wait for it.

Joe College - You're not living under a rock right? CivXSav Forever dropped and the reception has been bananas. The whole crew is clicking on all cylinders right now! In fact he sold out House of Independents in Asbury last week. You read correctly, SOLD OUT! No easy task to fill up a 500+ venue for an independent Jersey act of any genre. We got to talk to Rodney from Garden State Hip Hop in tomorrow's podcast episode about the event. I even chopped it up with College the day of the album release. Check that out here.

David Michael Jonze - Dave Made Time. No really, that's even the name of his forthcoming project. Let's just say a birdie gives me the inside scoop. Dude is probably one of the most hardworking cats out here and hasn't ever rapped over a song he didn't personally produce. Take a second to grasp that. I just caught his performance at The Showcase Tour and he has a new single, Shea Butter on the way. You'll have to wait til later on this season of the podcast for that rest. Just know, the wait will definitely be worth it.

Shaqeyah- Unfortunately I've only gotten to cover the South Jersey songstress just once. What I do know about her is she's a hell of a talent. Solar System produced by Kenif Muse dropped in November. Enough of a gap that you could probably expect more material soon. If you're a fan of these new eerie subgenres of R&B I think you'll like her. I intend of covering her stuff more and maybe even getting her down to the lab soon. She just dropped a new track, Classic Love last week. Check it out below.


Macc McCray - Thanks for Nothing is out! I'm really intrigued by Macc's music. There's some buzz surrounding the West Orange artist. He's probably produced some stuff for artists you like too. Dude has a plethora of vibes and sounds he can catch you with from hip hop to R&B. Between this album and whatever else he cooks up, Macc McCray will have a breakout year.

MostDope - Simply put, I think he's next up out of the 732. Thus far in his discography, MostDope hasn't missed. P.O.M.E., Feb 14th, and Pressure have all be easy on the ears. I'd be silly not to include him on this list. He's one or two moves away from going next level, and the same goes for the rest of the A1 crew. Quote me if you like.

Khalil Jibran - Remember what I said a few months back: "Khalil Jibran is by far in my opinion the
best live performing emcee in Jersey right now." Time went on and I still stand by it. His energy is crazy. If you go to a show and see him on the bill there is no way you fools can keep your arms folded. Some talent just can't be denied. F*ck 12 has won awards, and he's started his own record label. Keep a lookout on A-Side B-Side for our interview with the Newark upstart.

Party Michael - Badside off NVR WRY is one of the best kept secrets of 2017. I even put it in the Sub-R&B playlist. I had the luxury of interviewing him on Non Fiction Radio and doing a live review on FB and Twitter live with him at The Lab at WTM. Let me say this. Party is brilliant. As a producer he is above average. As a vocalist I'll let you make your own opinion especially considering he knows mine. Oh did I mention he did features on Macc McCray & Joe College's projects. He also opened up the Joe College and Friends Sold Out show. How do you get so much done without dropping any music of his own this year? I feel it coming, 2018 is going to be special for Party, just watch.

Samad Savage - Things have been fairly quiet for the Montclair emcee recently. Enough to make me ask, Where's Samad Savage? Quiet as it's kept I imagine he's in the studio working or already done with a project. Last time I caught him was opening last summer at Starland for PNB Rock and being interviewed on the show right after Pass the Aux this summer at Nonfiction Radio. His soundcloud boasts a couple remixes and covers as well as OMG a few months back. Must mean a project is on the way. It is only February right?

Watch: The Anth1m" (Plug Remix) - @SoA1Sounds

Last Night the A1 collective got together on their first posse cut and provided visuals as well.

The Anth1m features of the entire crew Eli, Apollo, CinSay, and MostDope. The track shows all of their talents rapping and singing on the track. In the time I've listened to these guys they are beginning to find their signature sound. A little too much pitch correction but still dope verses by all involved. I really like the beat transitions from trap to a West Indian Riddim beat and back to the percussion as scheduled. Dope stuff. Check out the video after the break.

Editorial Review: Just Till I Make It - @ARealCin

"I know you don't know me, but I'm apart of A1; from the Neptune area." That was my first conversation with Cinsay. She invited me to her mixtape release party where she and her collective first unveiled Just Till I Make It. Being a Neptune Native and music fan I try not to let much get past my ear in Jersey, let alone my own backyard. Of course I've heard of her. Especially when I heard her verse on Hollywood Terrance that I first heard on her labelmate MostDope's POME tape (more on that later).

Let's get to it. Cin really impresses us with her skills as an emcee as well as her vocals. As a project it's pretty dope. If I had to make comparisons to anyone in the game it'd have to be Nicki Minaj. Not because they are both lady emcees but how well she manipulates her voice and flows from rapping to singing and tone throughout any particular track. She wasn't a stranger to sharing spotlight as she made way for many features including Mike Sav, K Prez, Annalee, Esco, and A1 labelmates Apollo, Eli, and MostDope. It's a great variety of moods and vibes of the music. There's music for the pregame, the gym, and even a few love songs on here too. She truly is versatile and has a crazy skillset. 


If I had to choose songs that stood out two of them are the singles, Hollywood Terrance and Straight Outta Jersey. We already expressed how awesome we think Hollywood Terrance is a few times but Straight Outta Jersey really serves as a great anthem for the state. If I had my way it'd be on every radio station and club dj in the tri-state just in time for the summer. This is the best anthem to the Garden State I've ever heard no argument. Another song I really loved was TT Story. It's definitely my favorite as Niles could tell you how much I raved over this one. Cinsay really shows she's more than adept as a storyteller. The song was so raw. Either she's been through a lot of stuff or she needs to pick up acting. Either way, TT story hit home. She illiterates and paints a crazy picture the listener could create in their head. Speaking of visuals, word on the street this video is dropping tonight so look out for that tomorrow on WTM. If there's any Meek Mill fans left this reminds me of how Meek did Tony Story on Dreamchasers (one) and part two on Dreams & Nightmares. This was well done.



If I had to be critical of her debut project I wouldn't have too much to say. As Niles puts it, she made rookie mistakes, that's fine this is her first go round. I would vary her beat selection just a little more. I love bangers just as much as the next guy but her talent and versatility is clear. I'm sure she'd do well on a different variety of beats. I'd lay off the autotune a little bit too. It's fine in some situations but she has a great raw voice let's hear it. For awhile I was confused on who's song was Hollywood Terrance. Until Trust gave me the deal I thought it was MostDope's especially because we first heard it on his debut project. Although the replay value is still there I'm not the greatest fan of reusing songs but to be honest, the whole industry does it. Usually on debut projects you shouldn't see a bunch of features. First time around we wanna hear you and see what you can do. The features only helped and didn't hinder the project at all though so not completely negative. The only distraction is the random sound bites, intros, and yelling from randoms in some of the songs. At times you can lose your place in the project. It didn't have a complete structure and at times it sounds like a collection of songs rather than a story being told. Maybe that wasn't the goal this go round. Lastly, I wish there was album art. Maybe I'm a stickler (or I just missed it) but album art is always a great expression to get new fans to press play.

Anyways she approached me humbly about how hard she worked on this project. To deny that and I'd be lying. I also love that this is a physical project and something you have to go out and get. If you don't reach out and get a signed copy personally you could cop the second single on iTunes. This one was seriously worth the purchase. I really look forward to sitting down with her and the rest of the A1 crew soon. There's something brewing in Jersey and especially the shore. I think we all better pay heed. As for Cin I think she has the potential to be the next big thing. Talents like her don't come around often. With a little time and promotion I seriously doubt WTM will be the only ones talking about her. Just Till I Make It gets 4 of 5 Stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale. I really suggest you guys reach out and grab a copy.

Watch: Forever and a Day - @A1_Mostdope feat. @ApolloGamble; A Niles P.Joint

MostDope had a great 2015 and honestly I wouldn’t have blamed him if he took off the first half of this year to recharge and relax.  Instead, he hit the ground running and started work on his sophomore mixtape, which at press time is still 0untitled. You’ve gotta love this kid’s ambition and drive, if nothing else. He released a video for the (possible) first single Forever and a Day recently, which features fellow A1 member Apollo Gamble. 

He goes extra thematic in this one, making the song and video all about heartbreak & relationship strife.  They talk about an often ignored period between puppy love and serious relationships where you want to get serious but your natural instincts at that age pull you different ways.  In an age where rappers make up fairy tales on wax re: street life that they don’t live, it’s refreshing to see two young ass men make themselves vulnerable musically.  There’s more authenticity here than you’ll see from most budding emcees.  Be on the lookout for Gamble too, as he has Frank Ocean-like talent in singing and songwriting.  Check out the video for Forever and a Day after the break and check back with WTM for future coverage on A1’s upcoming releases.

2015 Best of the Rest; A Niles P. Joint

 

As What’s The Movement gets closer and closer to our Album of the Year extravaganza, I have the arduous yet fun task of looking back at all of the dope ass music that came out in 2015.  Since my own personal criteria for AOTY dictates that only hip hop LPs can be included, that leaves a few EPs, official mixtapes, and other projects on the outside looking in.  So I decided to make a list before the AOTY list.  I wanna be clear and say that THIS IS NOT AN HONORABLE MENTIONS LIST.  While there was a ton of quality hip hip to be heard, not everyone can realistically get a trophy.  But instead, I can write about the stuff that didn’t fit my top 10 criteria but was still a great listen.  Projects are listed in no particular order.

iSweatergawd by Jean Grae - I’m not sure if she’s in the twilight of her rap career or nah, but either way Jean’s musical stylings age like a fine wine.  Produced by Quelle Chris, the EP is only six tracks long but tackles everything from love to loss.  Of course Jeannie has her trademark humor and even has a posse cut feat. Tanya Morgan

The Nehruvian EP by Bishop Nehru - Fresh off of a joint album with DOOM, Bishy Bish drops an EP which functions as a starter set for anyone who was curious about his music.  Dude can’t even legally drink but raps/produces excellently.  No wonder Nas signed him for his Mass Appeal label.

GEMS from the Cubicle by Lyric Jones - Jones comes through with her second EP in as many years, only with a little more of an edge.  Dirty Diggs laces her with sample-laden beats on a project that has an Office Space theme, dialogue clips and all.

More Than A Game by SoulFULL - This is a project that I was lowkey mad I couldn't review since Rams beat me to it.  Franklin, NJ’s finest waxes nostalgic and spits over some dope beats from yesteryear.  This was a quickie joint of sorts but was still wildly entertaining.

CMPLX by Chelsea Reject - This falls into official mixtape territory as we get what some have labeled “holistic raps” from one of the new young Brooklyn elite.  Earthy yet accessible, Reject gets a Duck Down co-sign and proves she’s ready to move from AAA ball to the big leagues.

Solace by Earl Sweatshirt - Technically this is one 10 minute long track but it’s like multiple tracks rolled into one, alternating between instrumental and three separate verses.  The Odd Future alum basically makes an avant garde project on wax that perfectly captures the haze of depression.

Griselda Ghost by Westside Gunn & Conway - Elegant NYC grime is back on this project that has been produced by internet persona Big Ghost.  This shit is the musical epitome of taking the razorblade out from under your tongue so you can eat a filet mignon.  Championship combination.

Eight Million Stories by Maffew Ragazino - Speaking of the Big Apple, the Brownsville native crafts a retro-sounding EP that reads like a love letter to the greatest city on earth.  I feel like this one was way too slept on when it came out, so I recommend rectifying that by giving it a listen now.

Surf by Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment - OK so technically this is a full album by Chance The Rapper & friends (and by friends I mean a ton of guests in addition to his group.)  I put it here because it’s not strictly rap but it’s just so fun, whether giving 80’s pop vibes or instrumentals.  Replay value is crazy on this one.

Words Paint Pictures by Rapper Big Pooh - The former Little Brother emcee does the impossible and captures the Black American experience in seven tracks and two remixes.  Apollo Brown provides soulful instrumentals that are incredibly fitting for such a timely project.

P.O.M.E. by MostDope - On the local scene, Asbury Park native son MostDope put out a great debut mixtape and managed to become the best emcee in his city immediately.  Whether it’s original beats or already established ones, dude can rhyme over anything.  He’s just scratching the surface of his potential.

Sailing Gear Series by Benny Francs - This dude put out a loosie every other week as a part of a series inspired by 90s sportswear (think Tommy/Nautica.)  Collected in one place, they form like Voltron and make a smooth debut project.  Francs will go the traditional route next and release one cohesive mixtape at once but this was a novel idea for an intro to the game.

Songs in the Key of Price by Sean Price - We lost a titan in the game when Sean Price passed away on August 8th.  At the time he was preparing for the release of his official mixtape.  The 8 track version is dope but the 30 track version plays like an old school mixtape.  PF Cuttin does an excellent job blending all of the tracks together into one seamless medley.  This would be excellent as a career outro but P was always working and has some things in the vault.  Thanks to a good relationship between Duck Down and his widow Bernadette (rap unfortunately has been littered with stories of posthumous power struggles and thankfully this isn’t the case here) we’ll get more Sean Price material in the future.  R.I.P. Ruck.

  Now this list is incredible as far as music goes.  Think of it as one of those appetizer platters at a restaurant where you get a little of everything before the main course.  It also should be noted that Cin and Keys Era had projects that are scheduled to drop after this article is published that could possibly be worthy of spots on this list.  While not in time for that, expect articles on both of those projects individually.  I hope you check out everything on this list if you haven’t already.  Be on the lookout for my AOTY list soon.

Watch: Straight Outta Jersey - @ARealCin

Cin, a name we've heard before on MostDope's debut project, POME.


She was featured there for a guest verse on Hollywood Terrace from her A1 labelmate. This time she took the spotlight in her first visual for Straight Outta Jersey. It's no doubt her voice and flow are unf*ckwittable. Perhaps not my favorite kind production but I can't lie. This trap ode to Jersey is indeed a banger. She's strolling and chilling on rooftops in the seven trey deuce and you can even see cameos from MostDope and Apollo too. This is the first track off her debut mixtape, Just Till I Make It which is slated to drop in a few weeks on December 27th. Until then enjoy the video for Straight Outta Jersey below.

Watch: They Way I feel - @A1_MostDope

“I ain’t tryna leave ‘til I see how its suppose to be” MostDope just came out with another single from his recent mixtape P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment) and it gives us a glimpse his life and his vision. The Way I Feel has only one verse and a chorus but packs a lot of substance. The rapper from Asbury Park talks about living in a world where “babies are having babies” and “a little bit of money from the hustle makes us greedy.” But even though he says that the world around him (and even his own family) tries to limit his own success, he doesn’t feel stuck. He uses this negativity as fuel to propel him forward. And he’s not the type to put up the deuces once he makes it big, he says he is going to stay and make the city into what is was suppose to become. I respect that.  Check out The Way I Feel after the break

Listen: New Chapter - @namileilani & @ApolloGamble

Here's a few new names on the WTM Radar. Annalee by way of Asbury Park, NJ goes across town to Neptune to enlist the voice of Apollo for their brand new song New Chapter.

Didn't know much about Annalee but we remember Apollo from his features on MostDope's P.O.M.E tape a few months back. Almost missed out on this track until Niles passed it to me. Together these two bless this song. It's always nice to see new singing acts instead of a million rappers from the area. Regardless the harmonies and melodies mesh together well in this breakup song. Watch out for these two they are a talented bunch and I'm interested to see how they grow as solo acts. Listen to New Chapter after the break.

Watch: Still the Same - @A1_Mostdope

It's been a month since Niles visited MostDope's debut project P.O.M.E (Product of My Environment).

Time has passed but what's fresh is a new visual to Still the Same of the before mentioned tape. MostDope sports a Dark City basketball jersey and takes a stroll down the boardwalk. I even peep he's on that overpass that connects Sunshine Park to the Gables (anyone who skipped school and went up the hill been there once or twice). The video is perfectly directed by King Ramses and Life's A Movie. Check out Still the Same below

Review: P.O.M.E. - MostDope (@A1_MostDope); A Niles P. Joint

Seemingly everyone and their mom raps nowadays, especially around my hometown of Neptune and neighboring Asbury Park.

Everybody has a SoundCloud of trap/drill soundalike rhymes with low production value and little ambition outside of that. So when I initially heard my little brother’s best friend was trying to emcee under the name MostDope, it didn't move me at all. Then I saw his first video and was quite impressed. Despite being around 19 he seemed like an old soul and wasn't trying to keep up with the joneses like the other young aspiring rappers in his age range. I kept an eye on his career and pounced on the opportunity to review his first mixtape P.O.M.E. (Product of my Environment).  My intuition was correct as the youngblood showed and proved on his first tape, which had big implications for the state of local hip hop. Everyone is now being put on notice as MostDope has made his presence known loud and clear.

Anytime you can open with a saxophone you generally have my attention. So The Way I Feel was a good way to start. Title is self explanatory as MostDope speaks about current events around the way and how he feels about them. The track sounds like something out of a Spike Lee movie. It segues into Still The Same which has a more modern sound but mad a small misstep in the use of autotune. He could’ve carried the chorus himself without it. Lyrical content is still dope through the verses. Life’s A Bitch naturally features a slowed down sample of AZ from the classic track of the same name, but has what may be the best beat on the album with Dilla-like organ work and subtle bells and chimes to make this a slow head nodding type track. MostDope is assisted by Maniac O and while he doesn’t outshine the host, he doesn't hurt the track either. Letter To Star brings an early 2000’s feel to a song about MostDope’s fallen friend and fellow artist Star aka Prize Johnson. It’s a beautiful tribute and while the suburban set may view the inclusion of an RIP track as cliché, it’s a somber look at the possible perils of life around the way. Thematically this provides a good transition into Think About It which is a song I wrote about in April. It still holds up as the crown jewel of the project. Conversely, Goin’ Back switches to a J. Cole type vibe and is more bouncy than anything else thus far. Not a bad song but pales in comparison to the last two, although it’s still in tune with the mixtape’s motif. Radio Ready featuring Joe College is a renamed track that is otherwise the same from when I spoke on it previously. It’s still a powerhouse collaboration between the best emcees from neighboring towns.

Better Days shows that MostDope is capable of crooning his own hooks without needing autotune or the like. Whoever put the keys on this track deserves accolades as they're the centerpiece of the track which also features a verse from Trust. I wasn’t sold on Hollywood Terrance when I first heard it as it sounds more trap-ish than anything, which doesn’t fit with the style of the album or even my personal tastes. However as a standalone track it grew on me. Guest spitter Cin really steals the show here with a versatile flow. Speaking of talented guests, singing ass wunderkind Apollo comes through on Make It Change which gives MostDope a nice change of pace R&B laced track. This one is ripe for a music video and could really blow up. My editor Ramz said that if you're going to freestyle over the Dead Presidents instrumental you have to come correct. MostDope does exactly that and rides the beat like it was his own. Possibly the best use of this beat (other than the original of course) I’ve ever heard.  We switch to a slow jam in Sweet Escape that sees the return of Apollo who shows shades of Frank Ocean on the track. MostDope shows he can slow down his flow for this type of song.   Whatever sample is used on the title track P.O.M.E. is the best on the entire mixtape. It makes for a sleepy vibe that still has potent lyrics. Now this would serve as the perfect closing track to a stellar debut.  Instead, it’s the penultimate song. Outro is the final installment, but he loses me here as every rap stereotype of modern rap I try to avoid listening to makes a showing here (autotune, no differentiation from chorus to verse, that snare roll, cliche lyrics). It doesn’t fit in with anything else on the mixtape and can’t hang with an excellent song right before this.

Even though it’s his first project, P.O.M.E. gives MostDope the title belt for Asbury Park’s best emcee. He stays within a believable lane and doesn’t attempt to do any tough guy posturing or too much bragging which can be common for newer rappers. While there are a few rookie mistakes, they’re forgivable since it’s his debut project and none of them are egregious to the point where he can’t grow out of them. Once he lets go of safety blankets such as autotune-like vocal effects and trendy yet disposable trap production he’ll rise above the masses of dirt weed trap rappers that are his peers (at least age-wise). He’s way too good for those things and doesn’t need them to shine. Other than that, MostDope put together a really good mixtape as far as production and guests. He’s best over classic samples but also has the ability to come off smooth on R&B flavors. Despite being only a college sophomore, MostDope is wise beyond his years and more soulful than most. The more he embraces that on future projects, the better off he’ll be. But for now P.O.M.E. is the best debut mixtape you could ask for from a new independent emcee. Being that it’s his first and he’s already this good, it’s almost scary to imagine how well this kid will grow into his role as King of the Park in coming years.

Rating: 4.1 out of 5

Watch: 100 / Marvin - @JoeCollege010

Joe College has had a busy couple weeks. Opened up for Retchy P and Smoke Dza at the Life Lab in Newark. A feature with MostDope, and a new dual-sided visual.

The first half of the video is for 100 off the Rugged but Smooth EP. The later portion is from a recent series of random releases before the summer started. This track is titled Marvin sampling from the great one Marvin Gaye himself. Anyways you can watch how gritty College put it in his video below.

Listen: Radio Ready - @A1_MostDope feat. @JoeCollege10 ; A Niles P. Joint

It was once said by my homegirl Nadia that “North Jersey is a fake ass NYC, South Jersey is a fake ass Philly. The Shore is the real New Jersey.”

While I had a laugh at the regional pride, I have to admit that the bulk of Jersey’s best rappers have been from up north. Fortunately the Jersey Shore has a couple of terrific emcees that are heating up, one an upstart and one more established. MostDope and Joe College have been putting in work separately and now have finally collaborated on the former’s track They Don’t Want This On The Radio. The beat is tranquil and stripped down; the piano serves as a perfect complement to MostDope’s reflective lyrics. The Asbury Park rookie reaches across the city line and calls on Neptune’s finest for a guest spot. Joe College comes through and blesses the track with a perfect lyrical accompaniment. Their chemistry evokes memories of Nas and AZ. This is a profound composition that is scarce on the hip hop scene, both local and national. Even if the title rings true, we all need more songs like this. These two dudes could conceivably open the floodgates and inspire more emcees from the shore to step their bars up. Until then, they have the area on lock. Check out They Don’t Want This On The Radio below and be on the look out for MostDope and Joe College to drop more material and play more shows in their respective careers. Something tells me that this collaboration will bear more fruit in the future. Listen to the track below after the break.

Watch: Think About it - MostDope (@_daGifted)

It’s funny where you can find quality hip hop nowadays. In this case, I didn’t have to comb through SoundCloud, rap blogs, or DatPiff mixtapes to discover this up and coming emcee. Hell, dude just happens to be my kid brother’s best friend and roommate. Hailing from Asbury Park, MostDope recently put out visuals for his song Think About It.  The song itself reminds me of something that would come from mid 2000s Roc-A-Fella or maybe present day Jamla. The beat is sample heavy with a distinct guitar riff and light piano melody over snapping drums. It’s refreshing to hear a young rapper from around my way that isn’t obsessed with the Southern trap or Chicago drill sound when it comes to beats. I can also appreciate with MostDope’s craftsmanship inasmuch as he created a song with two verses, a melodic bridge and a good chorus. He goes the introspective route on this one and speaks about life around the way and how he aspires to do better than his surroundings. It’s honest but hopeful.

The video complements the message in the song. When I first heard the song I was like “This is some real bodega/corner store rap. We need more of this. I’m feeling it.” So naturally the video was shot in and around the notorious Sheffield Market in Asbury Park and the surrounding area. The video looks professional but still has a gritty feel to it. New artists naturally film their first video in their neighborhood and in this case MostDope and director King Ramses made a good choice in keeping it local. If this is what MostDope has to offer as a debut I can’t see what he has going on next.  Keep an eye out for him because he seems to be wise beyond his years.