Love Lost EP

Phokuzd (pronounced focused) reintroduces himself to the Detroit music scene in the Love Lost EP. Without wasting time, he answers in the first track, Toast, “who is Phokuzd?”

The nine track EP doesn’t hesitate to show the multifaceted personality of Phokuzd, who is also known as PITA and TenEightyP. He weaves stories of his life into his lyrics with ease But it isn’t effortless for those who have seen his Facebook page. There he says “this music is just my journey through the eye and space of time.”

The instrumentals produce a dream-like quality that is only aided by Phokuzd vocals. The Love Lost EP shows a wide range of lyrics and instrumentals that make chair dancing an acceptable practice.

Phokuzd, who is part of the Last Real, doesn’t forget the group. In fact, he references it a few times. In Someone Like U he says  “Hopefully […] your next tat say ‘Last Real.’” Other Last Real group members have been busy with individual projects as well. Indian Summer was just released by Klarifeye and TyKoon is steadily working on a follow up to his last project. Together, they will release an album in the future.

This is definitely an EP to pick up while the next projects Phokuzd has in the works. In January, he will be releasing a mixtape called Imaginary Friends with Tykoon. He is also looking to produce several other projects late next year, including Eternal with Rob Doe.

You can connect with Phokuzd on Facebook or on Twitter. If you haven’t already downloaded the EP, which was released in November, it can be found on his Bandcamp Page.

Sum of All Fears Released by Da Grym Reefer

Hidden beneath carefully crafted lyrics complimented by solid instrumentals, the political and social commentary in The Sum of All Fears by Da Grym Reefer can easily be missed. Da Grym Reefer speaks on everything from Troy Davis to the state of Hip-Hop on his 20 track album.  

Just Us (For Troy) featuring Miss Joyce seems to cover many political and law enforcement issues as Da Grym Reefer says “we look for Justice, we find Just us.”

He thoughtfully composes his songs, displaying his skills as a lyricist, while delivering his message. Missing from his album is the usual party tracks and club bangers yet the instrumentals still have a body moving effect.

On his official website, Da Grym Reefer says he entitled his album The Sum of All Fears to show he is a fearless artist. His album could effortless force people to recognize the political and social commentary that Hip-Hop can have.

If  haven’t bought the album, it’s available on Bandcamp for $12 USD. Fans of Da Grym Reefer can follow him on Twitter or find him on Facebook. 

Doc ILLingsworth Releases Bread Winner EP

Doc ILLingsworth delivers a powerful EP that effortlessly blends humor and seriousness. On his Bandcamp page ILLingsworth says he’s “a dude who found he could rhyme words together […],” and found he […] could take sounds and make them into beats. Bread Winner artful exposes his skills as a writer and producer.

ILLingsworth weaves metaphors and imagery into each track painting a picture of life.

The instrumentals support and highlight his rhyming abilities without distraction. Snapshots of Bad Luck, one of the slower tracks, displays ILLingsworth’s thoughtful consideration of life. At the same time ILLingsworth allows his sense of humor to shine through on tracks like Pancakes.

ILLingsworth does not plan on a full length album with this material. But Bread Winner helps his fans remember why they enjoy his music. No doubt we all will patiently wait for ILLingsworth’s next project.

Bread Winner was released on March 1 and is available on Bandcamp. Fans of his music can find him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.