Frank Math – SOG 2 (Still Cooking) (Datpiff)
Frank Math is an artist in RVA who is making a name for himself appearing at local shows or alongside battle emcee Moon, not to mention with social media. His movement, known as SOG (Surviving Off Grams), is what he’s based the second installment of his mixtape series, Still Cooking, on.
Frank Math – SOG 2 (Still Cooking) (Datpiff)
Frank Math is an artist in RVA who is making a name for himself appearing at local shows or alongside battle emcee Moon, not to mention with social media. His movement, known as SOG (Surviving Off Grams), is what he’s based the second installment of his mixtape series, Still Cooking, on. I’m not going ot get into too much detail about that, but if you listen to the mixtape you will get the idea. He starts off the mixtape with an introduction entitled “It’s Time To Eat.” He talks about how he’s striving to get money and make moves, stating that “It’s time to eat…and I’m hungry.” On another song, “Meagan Good Fine,” you would think from the title that he’s talking about the famous actress Meagan Good, but actually it’s about how good he’s doing, and comparing his good fortune to the actress’s looks (which, I agree–she is fine). One of my favorite tracks on this mixtape, “Controversy,” features RVA artist Bravo (of The Big League), and I agree that this song can spark a lot of it just off the line about Nickelus F ghostwriting for Drake. I really enjoyed riding around RVA bumping this mixtape and seeing what Frank was cooking (no WWE pun intended).
Must Listen: Still Cooking, MLB, South London
Handles – Done Thinking (Datpiff)
From time to time, I like to step out of the RVA boundaries and stumble across talent from our surrounding counties. I found an inspiring artist from the Eastern Shore of VA named Handles who I admire for keeping the 90’s flow of hip hop alive. He dropped a tape called Done Thinking which is hosted by DJ Suss One of Power 105 in NYC. You can tell by Handles’ flow, style, and persona that he is in tune with his hip hop roots and takes after the image as well. His metaphors and similes will remind you of early Nas and Jay-Z, or more recent underground emcee Skyzoo. I always admire listening to real music that I can either relate to and makes me think about the verse that was said. I did a video review last year for his song “Tape Rock,” which features fellow VA emcee Mass, and Mass is on this tape as well. I really liked how he rhymed on “Take Ya Time,” on which he states that you need to take your time making your music so the people will understand what you stand for. “90’s Love” is a track that demonstrates what I was stating about how Handles sticks to his roots. His delivery and message are powerful, and he shouts out a lot of the artists from that era. This mixtape is a certified classic in my eyes.
Must Listen: FRESH, Lifestyle, M.ind O.ver M.atter
