Hey y’all! I know it’s been a few months since my last YO! HIP HOP RVA write-up, but the hiatus was necessary because wedding planning was consuming my life. As of a few weeks ago, I’m off the market! Now, without further ado… this week’s edition of YO! HIP HOP RVA features King Kaiju, Lockedinkee, and Nickelus F. If you’re looking for good storytelling, this slate of records is for you.
Are you an artist with new tracks, a listener with suggestions or the inside scoop, or just want to say hi? Send an email to sterling@rvamag.com.
KING KAIJU – “Flossin” (single)
This video, which premiered on March 25, is the first off King Kaiju’s EP The Heat Check, which was released in December of last year. The stripped down visuals and production allows King Kaiju’s dexterous flows to shine. Give King Kaiju a follow.
LOCKEDINKEE – “Soul Ties” (single)
This melancholy record by Lockedinkee showcases his catchy, melodic raps. His clever use of metaphors in how soul ties show up in his casual relationships with women, the passing of his friend, and via gunplay is impressive. Follow Lockedinkee on Instagram here.
NICKELUS F – MMCHT (album)
*Mmcht* “Yo, it’s just F man.” These were the words seasoned MC Nickelus F frustratingly told an interviewer toward the end of the title track of his latest album, MMCHT. Straight, no chaser. This is what he wanted to achieve on this album, according to his Instagram post a few days before the album release. And he did just that. The 13-track output clocking in at just under 37 minutes is a masterclass in riveting, vulnerable storytelling. Despite his stoic demeanor, Nickelus F has always been one to bear his soul on wax. Tracks like “What Lies Beneath” and “The Shining Light” are perfect examples of this—raw, honest stanzas over moody, multi-layered production. But with the ying comes the yang. Examples of this are “Spin Round” and “Fire Bath” which are testosterone-fueled, trunk-rattling bangers. This LP is the first released under F’s new imprint, Trick Dice Records. If this output is indicative of what’s to come from the label, his latest venture is going to be very successful. Give Nickelus F a follow on Instagram.
My favorite tracks:
- “What Lies Beneath”
- “Fire Bath”
Top photo by Russell Pompa
