THE FIVE SPOT: Flip Physics
Photo courtesy of Josh Kerman
Let’s be real: THE FIVE SPOT was getting….stale as fuck. Asking 802 artists to recommend other 802 artists is, despite our growing scene, simply too small of a pond. Everyone winds up recommending the same stuff, over and over. So from now on, we’re going to open this wide up.
Obviously, I turned to Flip Physics. He’s a dope, prolific producer. He is a human hub for the BTV scene, too, a tireless worker and a huge supporter. Most importantly, he’s also plugged into an international grid of talent you’ve probably never heard of — and his selections here are all face-melters. Enjoy.
Shadow The Great - Fall Down
Shadow is one of my favorite emcees, no doubt about it. Es-K put me on to Shadow and the rest of the Loaf Muzik crew a few years back and it was like a breath of fresh air. They’re just dope - no other way to put it. It’s the type of shit I selfishly wish everyone was making. Golden age at its core, but not confined to that box.
“Fall Down” is a recent single Shadow dropped with some super dope visuals, and soulful production courtesy of Kidz In Brooklyn (peep the Loaf Muzik - Knowledge Born album, produced entirely by Kidz in Brooklyn - really dope).
Shadow, per usual, brings dope bars with a slick cadence and a message. I highly suggest diving head first into everything in Loaf Muzik’s catalogue, including all solo projects. Shadow, Kidaf, and Shine all have ill albums as well. These cats are the Real Deal Holyfield. Don’t sleep.
They’re also just dope humans. Love those dudes. Peace to Oso and Doe too.
Jayy Grams - Grime & Basslinez
I’m pretty sure this cat was fuckin’ 16 or 17 when he made this shit…. SHEEESH.
This album is really, really, REALLY dope. Jayy Grams has crazy dope bars and the beat selection is on point. Love all the production. Drum breaks and ill samples. No bullshit. Straight and to the point. Wide open for bars, which Grams brings in spades. The type of shit I find myself rewinding to catch a line again. Every joint on here is a banger. Peep “Pigs Theory” and “Oh Shit”.
Trog’low - Love Forever [side A]
Four-ish years ago when the homie Loupo and I lived together, Trog’low, born in the Philippines but at the time living in British Columbia, came to visit for a few days to kick it and catch a set Loupo was playing at Metronome. I had only recently heard his beats at that point but I was a fan from the jump.
The vibes on this album are crazy. Love Forever [side A] is a groovy, cohesive instrumental album that just has this bounce that flows throughout the whole ride. I love his drums. The samples are fire. He sprinkles some dope synth-work in there too. Peep the homies entire catalogue.
Bonus Fun Fact: After this album dropped last month I reached out to Trog’low to tell him how much I was diggin’ it. Turns out he made it right after returning home from his Vermont trip years ago and just had it chillin on the backburner. He told me his trip to VT was a big inspiration for the project. So big ups to the VT vibes.
The Kount - Contact
The Kount is one FUUUUNKY motherfucker.. He puts on a synth clinic with this project. Basslines are disgusting, instrumentation is alien, funk level is at a solid bajillion, drums are bonkers. It’s ever evolving, never repetitive, and is constantly shapeshifting with layers, time changes, and seamless transitions. His fx game is nasty too. His mixes sound criiiiispy.
It’s also just fun music. I’ll be listening to it in my car and look down to see that I’m doing 76 in a 25. Upbeat, dope vibes. Sounds like something the Backstreet Boys should’ve been fuckin’ with.
Figub Brazlevic x Christmaz - Ego & Soul
I stumbled across Figub Brazlevic on Spotify via some random playlist or radio station, or something. The first few albums I peeped were his instrumental albums. (They were also instrumental in turning me on to more of my now favorite producers via that nifty little ‘Similar Artists’ section on Spotify. Check out 12vince and Devaloop. Turns out those dudes are dope as fuck too #AlgorithmsGoneRight)
I didn’t get around to “Ego & Soul” until after a solid two or three weeks of his instrumental albums on repeat while at work but when I did, I bugged out on it immediately. Figub resides in Germany, and Christmaz is from Stockholm, Sweden. These European cats know how the fuck to hip hop. Smooth flows, rugged at times. The beats are nothing but head-nodders - It’s my shit. So much style and flavor on this record. (Speaking of records.. Scoop this one on wax for the full experience).