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Author: Ontoneyo

Ontoneyo is a veteran writer with over a decade of experience writing for both regional and national magazines. Ontoneyo is also a seasoned DJ with a strong background in stage management and event production. His passion for music lead to radio as he can be heard on several stations weekly, and has hosted some of the biggest stages in Colorado.

Five Questions with Digiwaxx – Benny The Butcher

Posted on by Ontoneyo

Benny the Butcher has risen from the ranks of underground rapper from Buffalo, New York to a prominent mainstream recently. Aside from the acclaim of his part of the group Griselda, his work ethic and consistency have done the job of establishing himself as a force of his own. Many credit him as one of the MCs keeping lyricism alive; making him a go to artist for authentic street and surreal rap. As a testament to his prowess, his latest album Everybody Can’t Go is produced by HIT-BOY and the Alchemist, pretty much exclusively. Benny cements why he is held in such high regard, proving he can run with the “Big Dog” when Lil Wayne drops in and spits bars with Jadakiss on the track “Pillow Talk & Slander.” We recently caught up with him on his Everybody Can’t Go Tour as it stopped through Denver, Colorado. We just asked him 5 questions and then enjoyed the show… check out the interview below.   Fans can still catch him on few Westcoast dates this month.      

Battle Rap Weekend: Chrome 23 ‘Cancel Christmas’

Posted on by Ontoneyo

If you are new to battle rap or wanting an introduction, this weekend is the right time to dive in as Remy Ma’s Chrome 23 hosts “Cancel Christmas” on Friday Dec 8th. So why should you watch? Battle rap isn’t a cliché event on 106th and Park anymore, or held in a clothing shop in Harlem. Battle Rap has jumped into a higher echelon as companies have put serious money into the culture. Like Caffeine the streaming platform that help catapult battle rap to a bigger payday, and Remy Ma from Terror Squad putting on her own league. The art has also elevated, battlers are now delivering verses with college level dictation and technique. Schemes, double and triple entrendres, ingenious word play, personals and disrespect have culminated in some of the best displays of execution battle rap has ever seen. Chrome 23 grew quickly after launching, initially starting off as an all female league, to hosting Eazy DBC vs Hitman Holla, then the now viral Geechi Gotti vs Eazy EDC. And now the card… Chrome 23 presents Cancel Christmas –  Remy and her team are back quickly with strong card just in time for the end of the year. With only 4 battles on the card, I feel like it will spotlight each of the battles more, and allow people to stay tuned throughout. Here are the matchups and the trailer. Shiest Raw vs Taz –  This all female battle showcases two artists, who have made it through the underbelly of the battle rap community, and they are both from Philly. Shiest Raw had a lot of momentum coming into 2023, off a battle with Jaz, but ran into some medical problem that set her back momentarily.  So this will be the comeback for Shiest. While Taz has been cutting her teeth in the Gutta City – Trenches cards, performing with an aggressive hunger that is evident. This is a great opening battle with two artists ready to prove they can take the next step. QB vs E Hart – Another all female battle, which is sure to be a hard battle. QB just battled Charlie Clips on the roof top and many say she won 3-0. QB is has a balanced approach using clever wordplay, while being methodical and consistent. E Hart has a pen that can cut very sharp and delves into personal schemes. QB has not choked or stumbled in any of her recent events, and has been sharp with her delivery. Charlie Clips vs C3 – So the story of this battle is what Charlie Clips will show up? Will it be the unprepared freestyling Clips or one with three rounds. Charlie is one of the greatest battle rappers, but his year has been on a;most a dozen cards and perhaps it is taking a toll on him. However this is a Harlem vs Queens battle, with C3 fresh off her battle with First Lady Flamez on the last Chrome Card. If C3 comes with 3 solid rounds and Charlie plays with her, it will be another Loss for Clips. Jaz vs Bigg K –  Jaz has had a big year, with debatable battles with Rum Nitty and New Jersey Twork. She has also battled many of the people on this card, and doesn’t have a clear L in recent memory. Jaz takes you by surprise as she has a strong yet smooth delivery and can really shake the room too. She is very well rounded and has shown she is comfortable in her own skin, which makes it hard for opponents to land those big lines or expose her. Bigg K rose slowly through the Rare Breed Entertainment ranks and along the way picked up debatable wins against Award, Yung Ill, Murda Mook, T-Rex, Reed Dollaz and the legendary annihilation of Adi Boom. Bigg K, has a very direct style but manages to weave in entendres and schemes that are multi-layered. Jaz has homefield advantage in New York, but Bigg K cannot be under-estimated as he has only gotten better over the last couple years. The battle is PPV and can be viewed here… read back for a recap next week.    

Album Review: Blockbusta – Is Busta Rhyme’s Latest Effort a Classic?

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When Busta Rhymes dropped Extinction Level Event 2 in 2020, he hadn’t dropped an album in 11 years. He doesn’t make fans wait long as he drops Blockbusta just three years later. The Long Island legend really mastered the ceremony with this release, as he delivers a thoughtfully laid out project with all the best aspects of his style. This project really embodies that title, as Busta brings us perhaps his most cohesive project if not the most refined version of him.  One of the most debated topics in hip-hop, particularly about rappers is, do they have a classic album? Busta is one of those golden-age artists this is debated about. Now his last project E.L.E.2 certainly satisfied the hip-hop enthusiasts with boom-bap heavy tracks and vintage feel but, it left some area to be gained with mainstream stay. This latest release feels like it could be the answer to all those questions and possibly his most solid project ever.  The show starts fast, no long skit or drawn out intro Busta gets straight to it 15 seconds into “The Statement,” and it feels like he hears the chatter too. Rapping double-time like he’s late to a meeting, Busta reminds those hating who he is. The track is a great intro and sets the bar for the project. “Remind ‘Em” featuring Quavo keeps the pace high, and fits well as a second track. Of course Busta switches cadences and has some signature ad-lib breakdowns, while the track feels big and regal, definitely a bop for the ride.  You know Busta always is going to hold down New York, as BIA stops through on “Beach Ball,” but the project really turns up with Young Thug’s appearance on “OK.” Cool and Dre heavy synth-trappy production slides hard with the two MCs on the forth track.  The vibes continue on with the unique voice of  LA’s Blxst over a western feeling guitar-riff on “Could It Be You.” The stripped production of the track highlights the best of the calculated rhymes of Busta as he spits, “Give you the semi, question if you gonna keep it tucked?/When I’m in my struggle/ I question if you gonna keep me up.” The track feels like a Tarintino flick with Young Bleu playing the twist, adding a smooth flavor to the second verse.  Still no skits. No skips. “Luxury Life” is a playful song and memorable hook as Busta Does his best Four Tops delivery of an interpolation of “Ain’t No Woman.” It serves two useful purposes, reaching a younger audience with the assistance of Coi Leray, and satisfies the Hip-hop purest monster with the production at this point of the album, a win-win. T-pain and DaBaby assist on “Big Everything” relying on a resampled version of UGK’s “So Throwed.” If you can get past the first 30 seconds of DaBaby or enjoy him, this song really slaps, especially in the low bass category.  This is where the project really turns up, Burna Boy really brings the vibes up with “Roboshotta” as Busta embodies one of the best versions of himself in his rudeboy flow. “Tings” really gives DJs a afro-beat infused club joint that works so well. “The Return of Mansa Musa” showcases Busta on a golden throne of percussion, Swizz Beats cooks up with MJ interpolation that falls into a rhythmic genre blending treat. Still No Skips. JNR CHOI stops by to assist “Stand Up” with the unique use of Coolio’s “Gangsta’s Paradise” chopped into a Soca-esch dance blend, which is pleasantly received. The most experimental song so far. Busta is like a gracious host showing us his house, as he welcomes Shenseea and Chris Brown next for a smooth ride on “Open Wide.” Then goes into braggadocios classic Busta with “Hold Up.” The beat is playful and memorable. “Hive”‘s melodic piano hypnotizes as Busta drops back into rudeboy mode with Giggs, switching the energy and “Homage” featuring Kodak Black brings us back to the streets amping up the energy. Still no skips! Morray soothes and croones with the auto-tune assisted “Legend,” while Slide goes into a Mystikal sample before a piano driven instrumental send off. A strange but cool juxtaposition of tracks.  “Legacy” delivers so well as a segway into a smoother vibe and the guest deliver memorable spots, as Busta drops into his cool low baritone voice.  The final track features Big Tigger, bringing everyone back to “The Basement,” as he interviews Busta Bus about the state of the game, but does at time come off as campy during his parts. The choir backed track, is a nostalgic flashback at the legacy of the MC and his answer to all the questions about his place in hip-hop. It’s hard to place the classic label on things as they drop, but purely on first listen, there are no skips on this project. Hip-hop purists might have a more critical view of this project, as the project sounds very commercially strong, but again, you want boom bap Busta, go listen to E.L.E.2. Rating 9/10 Favorite Song: Roboshotta – This thing just go. Least Liked Song – Big Everything – DaBaby just kind of sounds like he does … on everything.   

Georgia v. YSL Day 3: Was the Jury Pool Tainted?

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On Wednesday, in the YSL RICO case, the jury were accidently shown by a broadcast camera. That stream was shared by multiple sources and the screengrabs and video quickly made it to social media. Judge Glanville ordered all the attorneys into his chambers after being informed of the error, later then instructing the camera men to only continue recording the audio of witness gang detective Mark Belkap. At one point the live channel of the case just sat focused on a single water bottle as witnesses were examined. Some of the net’s biggest blogs shared the video on their social media accounts, which is call for alarm of tainting the jury in some cases. Judge Glanville just confirmed that jurors were accidentally filmed. — Jewel Wicker (@jewelwickershow) November 29, 2023 Detective Belkap went through an extensive explanation of gang life and culture. Showing the jury the often used “gang triangle” to the jury. The Judge was once again angry with the prosecution as the slide show he used was not turned over to the defense days prior. His testimony consisted of trying to explain how he referred to YSL as “Young Slime Life” and not “Young Stoner Life” the clothing line. Belkap also tried to explain that this was a non-traditional gang and show the difference. He was the sole witness for the day. As far as the jury goes, the worry of revealing the jury to the public are many. One of the worries is that a jury member can be trained or targeted with information, or disinformation, that taints their view of the case one way or the other. Another major worry is that the said juror could be doxxed, and personal information and whereabouts could become targeted, therefore tainting them. As one court reporter pointed out, it could lead to alternate jurors being called to replace someone. We will know more in the coming days. Watch the full stream of today’s case below.  

Glasses Malone Dares Cancel Culture with Cancel Deeez Nutz

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There was a time and era where West coast ruled the airwaves, where you would hear Dr.Dre, Ice Cube or Snoop oozing out of speakers everywhere and wonky synth leads over G-Funk hooks were the standard. Glasses Malone latest project Cancel Deeez Nutz provides that feeling again and also transports listeners to L.A. with a cohesive backdrop of well produced music.  The name of the project perfectly personifies the content, as Glasses forces us in the old school through LA hoods in 2023. Kicking the door with the title track “Cancel Deeez Nutz,” which sets the bar for what some will deem offensive material in the era of cancel culture. Glasses dares them with memorable assistance by the L.A. Giantz who raps “I believe Kathleen is still a man/ RKelly Music turned up I’m still a fan,” over staccato string stabs. The rapper delivers with an authentic proud middle finger to the cancel culture on certain topics with songs like “Kanye Should Have Married (That Bitch),” and “Sum VI Bitchez.” Malone gives listeners a little bit of everything with lyrical hip-hop driven joints like “21’ Stimy Flow” and “Tha Loc,” while taking listeners on a California journey with songs like“ My Nyk Cortez,” and “Palm Trees and Roses.” The most notable of these, the ode to one of his favorite hood food spots with “Jim Dandy’s.” The song opens with a pimpish interpolation of Cameo’s “Candy,” as Glasses flips a classic Snoop line while telling us about the treacherous route just to get there. The second verse delivers a play by play scenario of the game of life or death for some chicken, but the song delivers shiny and glistening like a delicious chicken wing; undeniable. The real treats of this project are “Us” and “Tale of Whitney’s Plug.” The foremost song is introduced with a clip from Cedric the Entertainer from the movie Be Cool, before diving into a classic Westcoast beat, featuring Joey Westside. This track is a flag of Black pride and celebration of the Black influence. Delivering with deep striking passion, over fly production that maintains the Westcoast cool vibe at the same time.  The latter is an interesting journey, not only sonically but the bars as well. The cranky voice of Samuel L. Jackson’s character Stephen from DJango Unchained quickly enters, before cutting into a surprisingly cut sample. Glasses paints the scene purposefully and methodically, while laying out the dope game in story form over another banger by producer E.P. Who noticeably does an impeccable job of creating a cohesive and consistent high-level of production throughout the project.  The project delivers well for the seasoned MC, even the outro track “Walk Off” slaps, with assistance from Kokane. Glasses gives proper salutes and tributes to Battlecat, Dsmoke, and other collaborators over a thumping jawn.  Although the project is thorough and consistent, it is also polarizing. This is not something you play for everyone, but Glasses draws his line in the sand with no apologies. Those who rock with it are provided with endless C-Walking material and funky slaps.  Favorite Song: “Tale of Whitney’s Plug” Least Favorite Song – Undecided, there’s not really an un-listenable song.  Rating 8.0/10

Georgia v. Young Slime Life: Did Thug’s Lawyer Reveal the Darker Side of the Music Industry?

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It’s been over a year since Fulton County, Georgia District Attorney indicted the rapper, Jeffery Williams and his YSL crew for RICO charges in May of 2022 and Monday set the stage for opening statements delivered by the State vs “YSL.” But on Tuesday, Thug’s Lawyer Brian Steel’s opening included strong statements about the music business. Namely how they music industry creates and maintains beefs and personas for marketing purposes.  “You will learn that this is part of being involved in hip hop and rap. There’s all these battles going across social media. It generates interest, much like the NFL has rivalries with the Saints and Falcons,” said Steel. The trial has started off to much controversy Monday as well with Chief Deputy District Attorney Adriane Love. Ironically, Love went the poetic route. She was quoting “The Jungle Book” and attempting to show a parallels of sorts using the “Wolfpack” mentality as fodder. Which ended up being a long soliloquy boasting confidence of the evidence. And there we’re objections. Aside from being accused of showing jurors evidence that was excluded by Judge Ural Glanville, the defense was given more ammo to contest. Love was objected by Steel mid-sentence, for attempting to ‘shift the burden of proof.’ Some have said this will be grounds for appeal should the State still convict the rapper in the long run, as the objection was sustained and further explained by Judge Glanville. Watch the clip below to see the full exchange. The defense also brought up the common distrust of the police and specifically to how “Jeffery” as Steel refers to him, witnessed multiple accounts of police misconduct. Specifically how his family had been mistreated by the police on several occasions. Stating his father was harassed by the police routinely, detailing how his older brother “Beanie” was shot in the chest and his mother handcuffed as they watched him lose his life. Watch more below. Prosecutors were able to get a motion for mistrial dismissed and we’re granted the right to use his lyrics as evidence in the trial. Attorney’s for the other three defendants also gave opening arguments in the hours long court spectacle. Here’s how FOX News Coverage from Atlanta covered the second day’s activities. This case holds an important place in hip-hop, as not only are his lyrics being used but the very culture is on full display, leaving the greater discussion at a crossroads. Do label’s and the industry as a whole generate rap beefs to sell records? Are there street consequences for the marketing approach of the music? This case should keep these topics on fans minds as we watch closely. Watch Meghann Cuniff aka Meghann the Reporter discuss the case live as a guest below.

Jeezy Maintains Consistency with New Album

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  Jeezy may have dropped the Young from his moniker a few years ago, but has maintained the signature sound and adlibs that broke him into the industry with his latest effort I Might Forgive… but I Don’t Forget. In addition to the familiar adlibs of “haha”‘s and the occasional “let’s get it,” The Snowman has shown a bit of growth in his content. Songs like “Don’t Cheat” which claims real men don’t cheat and “Delusional” in which he raps about surviving the street life to leave it.  Keeping it true to his classic sound on tracks like “I Might Forgive”, “My Name” and “Shine On.”  The beginning of the album is dominated by producer Ricky Polo who does his best Trap or Die impersonations, with trappy leads and deep sub bass, certain to please the slab riders with bass for the system.  The second half is dominated by J.U.S.T.I.C.E League who diversifies the sound a bit with tracks like “If I’m Being Honest,” “Titanic” and “Expectations.” Their use of timely samples, raucous intros and interesting percussion is what changes the tone of the project just enough. The project is 29 tracks deep, which seems a bit lengthy for this era and tends to drag on a little too long. Jeezy raps about his typical content of drug tales and thug type references, while showing maturity talking about real estate, relationships and the responsibilities of a legal businessman.  For the loyal Jeezy fan, this project will more than fill their appetites, however it will do very little to draw in new younger fans. Jeezy has found a formula that works and doesn’t stray very far from it.  Favorite Track – “Shine On” Least favorite track – “Nothing to Prove” Album rating 6/10

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