This week’s Yo! Hip Hop RVA is for lovers of Richmond hip-hop. Featured this week is a duo of entertaining music videos from Monday Night and TROY, as well as a unique album release from Young Flexico. Monday’s “Cobra Flex” is “less is more” personified. TROY’s “NOISEY” seamlessly marries pristine visuals and lyricism. And last but not least, Young Flexico’s FOOLISH is a delicious gumbo of music genres.
Monday Night
“Cobra Flex” (single)
The pairing of Monday Night and soul samples closely rivals peanut butter and jelly. “Cobra Flex” is another testament to that. The song’s music video debuted in early September and is the second (“Bonjour” was released in June) from his EP Long Story Short, solely produced by DVNTBEATS . The simple, yet lush sample loop matches the simplicity of the video. The hazy cinematography showcases Monday—with a cameo from frequent collaborator Nitty Blanco—almost nonchalantly flowing as the pitched-up sample pierces through. This EP was Monday’s second of the summer—he and Nitty collaborated on Any Given Scheme Day which dropped in mid-July.
Shot by Vic Rose, Edited by Rob Glemser
TROY
“NOISEY” feat. FishSkale Rabble (single)
You can always depend on TROY to deliver with strong visuals. “NOISEY,” the second single off TROY’s forthcoming album 96 Degrees, is another addition to the canon. The masterfully shot video harkens back to 2016’s Mannequin Challenge craze as the camera dizzyingly weaves through the scene as TROY, FishSkale Rabble and motionless extras—several of which are Richmond hip-hop mainstays—look on. The juxtaposition of TROY’s loose, nasally rhymes and FishSkale’s staccato flow, the ominous sample loop and moody visuals provides for an entertaining sensory experience. We can’t wait for what TROY and Arcani cook up next.
Shot, edited and directed by Arcani
Young Flexico
FOOLISH (album)
The amount of genre influences Young Flexico weaves into FOOLISH is…foolish (in a good way of course). Trap, R&B, soul, as well as New Orleans and Memphis bounce are a few of the sounds you’ll hear. As he’s shown on his other projects, Flexico refuses to be boxed in. He’ll give you an introspective, lyric-laden track with a soul loop underbed on one song. The next—a raunchy, expletive-filled record with trunk-rattling 808s. Album standouts “foolish shaw” and “wet puppies shaw” featuring Richmond legend Nickelus F, show this duality the best. Also of note, Flexico’s son gave Drake’s son, Adonis, a run for his money on “baby g’s interlude shaw.” We’re sure you’ll have aye fun listening experience with this project.
My favorite tracks:
- “balling shaw”
- “foolish shaw”
Top photo courtesy of Monday Night
