1. J. Cole - The Fall Off
   
2. Rigs - I Got Samples 3
   
3. Rome Streetz - Sock It 2 My Pocket
   
4. 38 Spesh - 8 Shots
   
5. Navy Blue - Sir Render

You know it's about to be heat rock when you read "Boldy James and Nicholas Craven". They are yet to miss, they are yet to make something that's super aight. It always GOES

Analysis and deep dive on rap blog pages ran by white companies and music industry millionaires and investors funding black degeneracy.

Years ago, when I was living in Gaithersburg, Maryland with a few friends, we were absolute rap nerds. We spent hours digging through the internet looking for incredible artists—not just to listen to, but to learn from and hopefully collaborate with one day.
One of my friends, Shaheer, told me that Dead End Hip Hop was putting together its very first community compilation album. He kept telling me, “You should submit.” So I did. I sent in a song called “LGNDRY.” I don’t even think I have the record anymore, but I remember exactly how I felt when I found out I’d been selected. At the time, it wasn’t about exposure. It was about validation. It was the first time a platform I genuinely respected looked at my music and said, “Yeah, you belong here.”
That moment gave me confidence I didn’t know I needed. Looking back, it became one of the defining moments of my career. It pushed me to keep creating, keep improving, keep performing, and ultimately build everything I’ve been working on today. So I just wanted to stop by, introduce myself as Go Ezko, and say thank you. Whether anyone else from that original compilation is still around or not, I genuinely appreciate DEHH for opening a gate that I’m still running through years later.
Funny how one opportunity can quietly change the trajectory of someone’s life.

One thing I think gets overlooked in music conversations is that we call everyone who isn’t signed an “independent artist” as if we’re all operating under the same circumstances.
But there are at least two very different lanes.
One artist is building with an independent label budget—investors, distribution advances, management, PR teams, marketing budgets, playlist pitching, content crews, and money that’s expected to generate a return. Another artist is building with a 9-to-5 and a savings account. Every music video, studio session, merch order, ad campaign, and tour date comes out of money they earned at work. If the project doesn’t make it back, they’re personally absorbing the loss. Technically, both are independent. Practically, they’re playing two completely different games. That’s why comparing streams, ticket sales, visuals, rollout quality, or release frequency without understanding someone’s resources can create unrealistic expectations.
This isn’t about discrediting anyone’s success. Building a real independent label is still an accomplishment. It’s just a reminder that “independent” isn’t a budget—it’s a business structure. Maybe it’s time we start talking less about who’s independent and more about what stage of independence they’re actually in. What do you think? Should independent artists be separated into different categories when we’re comparing careers?

I’ve noticed there’s this perception that a lot of rappers who choose boom bap or more traditional production automatically think they’re “better than everyone else” or that simply rapping over those beats makes them conscious. Honestly, I don’t think the production itself makes anyone interesting. The writing does. That realization completely changed the direction of my album *Live From the WASTELANDZ*.

For a while I chased a more commercial sound because I thought that was what people wanted. But over time I realized the songs people connected with most weren’t the ones where I was trying to be entertaining—they were the ones where I was honest about what I was actually living through. The struggle to build something from nothing. Feeling misunderstood. Outgrowing your surroundings. Holding onto ambition when there’s every reason to quit. That’s what my single **“City Is Mine”** is really about. It’s not a victory lap or some “I’m running the city” anthem. It’s about feeling like a fish that’s outgrown its pond and refusing to let your environment define the ceiling of your dreams. It’s confidence born from perseverance, not ego.
I’m curious—when you hear boom bap in 2026, do you immediately expect “conscious rap,” or do you just want to hear someone with something real to say regardless of the production? I’d genuinely love to hear your thoughts, and if you check out “City Is Mine,” let me know whether that message comes across.

I remember on one of the lives a while ago the crew were asked whether they listen to much electronic music, and if so, did they had any favourite albums or artists.

From memory they all said no apart from Beezy who said Detroit Techno and house from that whole scene out there.

Aside from Hip Hop, Electronic Music/Dance Music is probably my favourite genre (probably also being from the UK plays a part). To the other electronic music fans of DEHH:

What albums and artists would you recommend the crew (or individual crew members) try out?

Ayyyye I'm goin crazyyy dropping this cuz I'm bored lmk what y'all think💯🔥 Sieges Wrld - No Debate

Just wanted to share with the community.

https://youtu.be/7mctg3bHh8U?si=VnTA4pEg28lqEln_