Skip to main content

Vee Skeeno - "Moscow Freestyle" [prod. Fravo]


Vee Skeeno has been one of my favorite CT-based artists to follow since my ears were opened to the ever-growing spectrum of talent that exists within the state's borders. Whether he was rocking with The Voyagers, collabing with Andre Jakai or doing his solo thing, Skeeno has always come through with sharp lyricism that couples flawlessly with the enigmatic aura that emanates from within and around him. 

While most emcees come through with a heavy load of braggadocious content, Vee Skeeno does so in a way that carries with it a strong sense of believability. When he laces the production with "cocky" bars, it never feels as though he's doing it because it's a common hip-hop trope - rather, Skeeno knows and believes how talented he is. As a result of his actual talent and his self-confidence, the listener is even more prone to recognizing the gifted artistry that is Vee Skeeno. 

Making the music even more captivating is Skeeno's ability to juxtapose his arrogance with sadness, despair and the depression that comes along with maneuvering through life's struggles. His music is not all "sad boy" and it's not all "pompous" - finding a fine balance, Vee Skeeno creates music that sounds and feels very real and honest. Whether listeners are actively aware of it or not, this allows his audience to more easily connect with and relate to Skeeno's art. 

On "Moscow Freestyle", Vee Skeeno cruises over Fravo's smooth, jazzy, key-heavy production with a brusquely imperious delivery. Again showcasing his ability to appeal to a wide range of listeners, Skeeno is able to deliver his music with a modern sound and style while still rapping like he was living in the so-called "golden" boom-bap era. 

With "Moscow Freestyle" out now, hopefully we get more work from Skeeno sooner rather than later. Hit play below. 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Raz Simone - "Clout" [prod. Anthony Danza] (Video)

Fresh off the heels of another trip around the sun, Raz Simone comes through with his first visuals of 2018. In typical Raz fashion, the Black Umbrella founder holds nothing back on "Clout", addressing a myriad of subject matter with a confidently calm yet simultaneously aggressive delivery. Simone has always been one of my favorite artists to cover, thanks in large part to the layered presentation of his content. With "Clout", an essay could be composed on both the track itself and the accompanying video - while both seem almost overly simple upon first glance/listen, the song and video cover a lot of ground over the course of five and a half minutes. The visuals are split between two backdrops - Raz being "studied" in a research facility and Raz rapping in the street. The vibe of the production on "Clout" syncs up perfectly with the dreary, simple visual of Simone in the rainy streets...appropriately carrying a black umbrella. It's...

Raz Simone - "Jose" (feat. Anthony Danza) [prod. Paul Judge] (Video)

If the last couple weeks are any indication, it would appear safe to presume the Black Umbrella family is ready to unleash an onslaught of content upon the masses this year. It became evidently more clear when, after dropping the cinematic " Clout ", Raz Simone returned with two new videos in just about as many days.  The first release came in the form of the Paul Judge-produced "Jose", a plug-feuled anthem accompanied by another Jacob Hill-shot visual experience. Filmed on location in Guadalajara, Mexico, "Jose" showcases Simone and Anthony Danza laying their fiery verses in all the places most tourists would be unable to visit. Apparently, someone in Black Umbrella knows the plug... "To by my friend, I should make you have a wavier signed, 'Cause anytime I'm out, it could be danger, danger time" In the heart and soul of cartel country, Simone uses the video to once again reveal and put on display just how "rea...

Abiyah - "Champion Plaque" (feat. Ceschi) [prod. Possible Address]

Some artists are adept at creating music that blends genres, the resulting product sounding unique in its own right. Others, like Abiyah and Ceschi , transcend past the mere blending of styles to offer up sonic manifestations that manage to  defy any sort of genre all together. Despite countless journalistic attempts to compartmentalize via labels, the music stands on its own foundation, blasting through the speakers free of any label or definitive denomination. This genre-less creative approach is strikingly evident with the Cincinnati-based artist's "Champion Plaque", a new single featuring Ceschi that was first imagined in 2015. The free-flowing delivery of vivid, picturesque storytelling from both artists acknowledges the saturation of inauthentic people permeating our daily lives. Abundant in subject matter that is relatable while also forcing listeners to take an uncomfortable look in the mirror, "Champion Plaque" is a call to action, tearing away at...