Summer is just around the corner and the weather is warming up just in time for everyone to hit the pool, or hang out on the beach. I know for me it’s time to take a drive, kick back with my favorite playlist, and enjoy the scenic views while cruising the streets of St. Louis. It’s also the season for firing up the grill, whether it’s St. Louis style ribs, salmon, or roasting veggies, summer is the time to have fun with the fam.

Tef Poe-Nine

I remember a time when St. Louis rappers did not get the respect of being a dope emcee. In my humble opinion there was always spitters in St. Louis that I believed could go toe to toe with your favorite rapper outside St. Louis. When I heard Tef Poe was hitting the stage of Bet’s 106 and Park stage; I knew this was the moment St. Louis needed. Tef would not disappoint, he annihilated his opponents forcing 106 and Park to retire him from the show.

Tef Poe has had much success since his 106 and Park stint. Dropping solid project after project, Poe is not just a champion for St. Louis rap but a champion for social change. From standing on the front lines of the Ferguson Uprising, to attending Harvard, Poe equivocally is as great a leader on the social front as his music.

Tef’s latest album “Nine” is named after a movie that will be dropping today. The project is 9 tracks of Poe displaying his superb lyrical abilities while awakening us to the vulnerabilities of his inner thoughts. This is Tef Poe’s most critical work to date, and I suggest you listen to this in its entirety.

Migos-Culture 3

The Migos have become leaders in the Atlanta Trap genre and they are here to stay. The single “Straightenin” is getting airplay and for good reason. Culture III is the forth studio album for the Lawrenceville, GA trio. The album features guest appearances from some guy named Drake, Cardi B, Polo G, Future, Justin Bieber, posthumously Juice Wrld and Pop Smoke, and YoungBoy Never Broke Again. 

The recipe remains the same stutter style rap over trap beats, but much like their last project Culture II and Quavos’s solo project the mumble is long gone and for most hip hop lovers it is a welcome addition to the actual culture.

Look, you already know what is with Migos! It is almost summertimeand you can overthink things if you want to but you’re only going to miss out on the turn up and enjoying a good record from your favorite Trap rap family.

Bobby Sessions – Manifest

Since I heard the Pharrell Williams composed ‘Cog in The Machine’ that dropped in April I have been waiting on the Dallas-born rapper’s debut LP. Manifest features Rick Ross, Lecrae, Benny the Butcher, Freddie Gibbs, and Hollywood Bay Bay.

Bobby Sessions is just a different type of artist/emcee than what you are accustomed to hearing from the South. There is a lot of science and knowledge in Bobby’s verses. Traces of Kendrick and Joey Badass exist in the bars imploring listeners to wake up and if you listen it is practically guaranteed you will love it.

If you really want to know who Bobby Sessions is, he’s a legend from Texas and you need to know that.

Miss Ceasar – Hard Heart

St. Louis continues to show that it is filled with incredible singer-songwriters. Lydia Ceasar aka Miss Ceasar has released the self-directed visual for her latest single, Hard Heart. Take a good listen and get ready for what is next for our talented Sister!

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Elvin Chambers