It’s truly been an embarrassment of riches in 2017 when it comes to quality music releases. For true lovers of Hip-Hop, we have already seen dope albums from Kendrick, Jay-Z, Willie the Kid, Roc Marciano, Anik Khan, Loyle Carner, Alchemist & Budgie, Styles P, Chazz French, MC Eiht, with a lot more to come (Vic Mensa, Conway to name a few). With all this activity, it’s important that we not forget some of the solid EPs and mixtapes that have dropped without all the superstar fanfare.
One album we want to shed a light on is the almost flawless project, Peddlers Theme, dropped by Brooklynite Hip-Hop journeyman, Skyzoo. In my opinion, the most important distinguishing factor about Skyzoo is how proudly he wears his 90’s era love on his Varsity jacket sleeves. Hov is obviously his main inspiration, and he constantly spits rhymes that namedrop rap gods like Biggie and Nas.
On Peddlers Theme, the BK emcee drops a tightly crafted EP from a thinking man’s point of view. Yes he’s in love with the fashion, fame, and glam of current-day Hip-Hop, but just as important to him are preserving the culture and stacking some wealth for the years ahead. On the potent intro, “Short Money” produced by Arte Mitchell, Sky proudly boasts his rapping heritage with the following lines,”I’m a Jay-Z / Kweli accident, Hybrid of the Park Bench and Park Slope/ When the thought of living in Park Slope was all jokes.” The ante is upped even higher halfway though the album with two scorchers “Let It Fly” and “Finesse Everything” produced by the always sharp, !llmind.
Another can’t-miss joint is “95 Bad Boy Logo” – it’s a slick, percussion-heavy homage to the heyday of Puff’s label, and you can almost imagine Frank White, Mase, and The Lox trading verses over it. Skyzoo recognizes that, and more than handles his own with his deft verses.
So enough with the fuckin’ accolades, listen to it below, and cop this album wherever you get your music, and don’t forget that SNC told you.
Words by: Geo Hagan
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