Siti Slicka - “Kidd Shit” (2012)
Here’s a new video for “Kidd Shit” from Siti Slicka’s 2012 mixtape Art of Swagg. The first verse on this one unfortunately sounds a lot like Weezy (back when Weezy was Weezy). But the second verse improves in originality and there’s a bit more edginess to the delivery. Siti Slicka seems to do a good job when intensity required which can be seen of the better videos from last year in “Overload.”
The Kolyons - “I Am Paid” (Feat. Juvenile) (2013)
This is from left field and I have no idea where the Juvenile connection comes from. Only thing I know about Kolyon is there was a cool song telling me to “Go’n Do Ur Kolyon,” which I really haven’t stopped doing.
Bari - “Guns -N- Butter” (Feat. Vandam Bodyslam & Freddy P) (2013)
(The vid is probably NSFW or even this coffee shop I’m sitting in, has a couple of strip club scenes)
Vandam Bodyslam is solidifying himself as my favorite rapper out of South Florida just because he wears Florida Gator hats (and he’s apparently cool with star UF recruit Kelvin Taylor). Also, he can rap well.
Bari expresses some heartfelt stuff about ~the struggle~ and supporting his mom, which I hope we all can appreciate. But Vandam’s brief feature on the second verse stands out. His verse just seems effortless. Vandam’s on another level compared to almost every other street rapper out of South Florida. His voice has some combination of grimey and hoarseness that is pretty gripping. And to think he’s only talking about blunts, women and freeing his friends from incarceration.
Legacy of C.o.A Babii - “Shyt Just Got Real” (2012)
Legacy of C.o.A Babii Lauderdale’s Logo (I really hope he keeps this as his entire stage name), had a fun dance song hit with “Wig’n” in 2008. This was one of the few instances of Miami-Dade County neighbor Broward County setting trends in the region.
“Shyt Just Got Real” just hits hard with the chanting and singing in the hook. But I love this because it could signal a cool movement in Miami’s jook/dance raps. While the beat sounds like a lo-fi version of music from the last stage of your favorite RPG, there is a little bit more thematic depth than than the aforementioned “Wig’n” and tracks like Ball Greezy’s “Shone” and Grind Mode’s “I’m So High.”
#PopOff
Short Kidd - “I Remember” (2012)
Not that I have the right to question anyone’s fashion sense, but Short Kidd is likely the only person to ever wear beanies and knit caps in Miami. He’s also still buttoning up a polo all the way to the top.
This is probably the most gripping video you’ll watch that was mostly shot on a Metro bus. Short Kidd’s nonchalant flow compliments the sparse sound of the beat on ”I Remember.”
Hustle all night, that’s why I never grew.
Now I’m meeting cousins that I never knew.
This song shows a lot of progress for Short Kidd. Crafting a rap ballad that chronicles your struggles is a big step from making strip club joints with YouTube madman Steven Jo. Last Year’s “I’m a Vulcha” was spastic and haunting anthem. But more than anything else it was original. It was in a completely different lane than other songs out of Miami.
Street music in Miami is normally limited to the mimicry of whatever is popular in the mainstream. But North Miami tends to be an isolated little part of Miami, mainly because of the large Haitian immigrant community in that area. The different experiences the youth face show up in their music. In addition to Short Kidd, Jimmy Dade and Vulcha Smooth both represent North Miami with original sounds.
A cool collab with Short Kidd & Desloc of Piccalo came out last month. Hopefully this is a sign that Short will continue to make songs but it probably just means he only records during the Summer breaks from school.
Dat Guy - “19 In My Nina” (2012)
The one where Atlanta swag-rap, autotuned vocals met a Big K.R.I.T.-esque beat and every hip Miami rapper discovered that the Miami Marine Stadium exists.
Davido - “OverSeas” (Feat. SinaRambo) (2012)
Last time we encountered Davido, he was spazzing intensely on “Dami Duro.” “OverSeas” uses the same sort of smooth, pop-sounding Caribbean-inspired rhythm and lots of energy. The track has a bit more romance than the swaggerificence of “Dami Duro”.
Normally when a young artist barely makes eye contact with the camera in a video it’s a sign of shyness or discomfort. But the instances of Davido’s utter disregard for the camera is probably just him in his own world jamming to the music. That passion tends to make his music even more fun.
The video was shot in Miami by directed by Miami native Antwan Smith and edited by JFrank.
Christopher Martin - “Chill Spot” (2012)
Just a feel good song with a soulful vibe. Comfort music!
