Dealer's Choice: Pirate Radio

For today’s Five Spot, some personal picks. The 802 has been busier than ever before, so there’s no shortage of new material to cover any given day.

First up, Rivan C is a promising young rapper prepping to release a new project, Teenage Apollo Vol. 2, which he describes as “a 90’s contemporary project with a theme of Greek mythology.” That’s definitely not an average rap album, and “Stupid Qpid” ain’t an average single, either. This is a funky, sexy hybrid of house and boom bap that sounds … well, very Es-K, because that’s exactly what it is. Eva Rawlings is doing top notch work on the hook, and Rivan C’s delivery and writing are both sharper than ever. This is a gem.

Freddie Losambe is just plain dope. Our interior lives are an eternal mystery, but from where I’m sitting, this young man excels at everything he does, and he does a great deal. A smart, thoughtful songwriter; a restless multi-instrumental musician; and a talented rapper who’s constantly evolving on the mic. “coldchill” is yet another creative, monumental banger, and motherfuckers need to stop sleeping on Freddie Losambe.

With the debut LP from Omega Jade just around the corner (October 25th on Equal Eyes Records) we’re getting the first taste: “Tricks of the Trade (Petty With a Purpose)” is scathing, honest and often hilarious. It’s also a slickly produced single and one of Omega Jade’s finest songs so far — which indicates her upcoming album, Wounded Healer, is going to be full of surprises. Stay tuned.

Camden Murphy is an artist out of Rhode Island who was introduced to me by Mertz, a rapper / producer / engineer who works at The Bridge Sound & Stage outside Boston. (He’s also a former / future Vermonter who’s been a huge help to me and quite a number of you, too.) As for Camden Murphy, he’s got a hit on his hands here — great message, great hook, great beat and his delivery is tailor suited. If you’re digging this, check out his recent project Island Boy.

Juicebox are a live hip hop band who made the transition from house parties and art openings to actual paying club gigs pretty damn fast. That’s probably because they’re a genuinely interesting outfit full of weirdos, something that Burlington audiences have appreciated ever since crackers first stole Lake Champlain from the natives. Their sound is heavy on jazz, their rhythm section can hold it down and keep it moving — that only sounds easy until you try it — and emcee Zesty Boi is either gonna make it or break it for you. Catch ‘em at Nectars next Wednesday (Oct. 23) and at Higher Ground on Oct. 31st, opening for The Commonheart.

This Five Spot is a half-dozen today, because Tha Truth dropped an oustanding single this past week, “Berst,” with a guest feature from Learic. It’s an absolutely perfect throwback vibe, courtesy of producer JCOE of Windor wrecking crew Maiden Voyage. We’ll have more news about his upcoming solo ventures soon. For now, though? Just turn this up and let it bang. Happy Monday.