carolina ardor | Jeremy Hagood

There’s not much information that I can provide about Jeremy Hagood, other than him being a rapper/producer out of my home state of South Carolina, but honestly, I really don’t need much more than that. While his rap persona acquired my attention, his production maintained my interest. The way he chopped and experimented with his beats had me replaying his instrumentals all week long...Yes, I’m serious. Check out three instrumental samples from Jeremy Hagood who’s also known as Buck C below…I think you’ll quickly catch onto his vibe.

   

carolina ardor | Crooked Smile: The Visual

There’s a reason why Jermaine Cole stands to be one of the few mainstream artists that I admire in this new generation of hip-hop and it’s because he doesn’t allow his new found stature to distance him from the people. His music runs parallel to the everyday struggles of everyday people and I appreciate him for doing that. His latest visual for his single, Crooked Smile, further validates my opinion of him as he decided to provide an artistic message by highlighting the heinous murder of Aiyana Stanley-Jones. If you’re not aware of who she is, then please research it because if I reveal it, it will spoil your experience in watching this amazing work of art. 

carolina ardor | Omar Bunyan - Sail Fast Live Slow

South Carolina has never been a haven for good hip-hop music, and I say that as a SC native; but OxyxMoron are definitely constructing a new lane that will introduce SC hip-hop as being good music. As I have mentioned before, each of the three members of Oxy are releasing solo projects and the first member to break into his solo lane is Omar Bunyan. His first release is titled Sail Fast Live Slow and honestly, it’s pretty damn good. My best music experiences are born from my ability to relate to an artist and that’s the type of experience I gained from listening to SFLS. Not only is the production great, but Omar’s flow is consistent and his truth invites you to become a part of his story. I love it when artists provide that type of vibe and I know you will feel the same way once you give it a listen. A personal favorite of mine is Broken Glass…Omar and I share a similar truth on that track. Check out Sail Fast Live Slow below. 

carolina ardor | Dreemz by Omar Bunyan

It's amazing that I can show my Carolina Ardor (pun intended) so frequently these days. As I've mentioned before, SC hip-hop group OXYXMORON, are temporarily embarking on their solo journeys, and Mr. Omar Bunyan becomes the second member to provide an audible orgasm for our ears. Take a listen to his first solo single titled Dreemz below.

carolina ardor | Ain't Much Goin' On by Ment Nelson

One of my favorite hip-hop groups, OXYxMORON, has decided to venture into doing solo projects as a unique way for each member to exercise and enhance their musical talents. The first single release out of the trio is from Ment Nelson and it's titled Ain't Much Goin' On. Now, some of you may think I'm reaching with my next statement but I swear Ment's voice alludes an influencing sound of Andre Three Stacks on this record; which makes the song quite intriguing. Take a listen to Ment's debut solo track below and let me know what you all think.

carolina ardor | The Woods by OXYxMORON

It’s a special feeling to have artists from my home state bring forth talents that are fitting yet distinguished within the hip-hop industry (since it is so infrequent) and a group of young guys called OXYxMORON allowed me the opportunity to express my Carolina ardor with their newest EP titled The Woods. OXYxMORON is composed of three guys from a small town called Florence, SC, who met while attending Francis Marion University, and made a unison decision to evolve their musical talents instead of studying the theory of evolution. Now speaking in terms of South Carolina, there aren't any artists that I know of who have a sound similar to OXYxMORON. In fact, the only artists I can compare them to is Nappy Roots or a triplet version of Big KRIT and when you listen to The Woods, you will understand my comparison. Read more about OXYxMORON here and give a listen to The Woods below. 

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Tony (left): This album is my struggle, it’s my hopes and desires to get my family in a better place. This is album is my faith in God 

MENT (center): This album is literally my last hope. I dropped out of school, so all my eggs are in one basket. My dad is unemployed and my mom has a home daycare. They struggle so much, and I HATE watching it, especially since they’re such good people! It had to be as perfect as possible to potentially put me and my family in a better place, so that’s where the raw emotion comes from. 

Pedro (right): For me this album is my journal. I’m not the best speaker so often times in conversation I’m not able to say exactly what I want or express myself how I want to, but with this body of work I was. I’m just starting to fully understand the whole concept of trusting in God ‘cause I’ll admit I worry ‘bout shit more than I should at times. Just as hard as God shows abundant blessings, Satan works just as hard to tear that down and the back and forth battle for your soul can tear you down in the process at times. So for me, this album is me reaffirming my faith and coordinating my inner with my outer…finding oneness.

Carolina Ardor | J. Cole x The Cure

Carolina ardor is the passion I have for artists who share a similar foundation such as mine of being born + raised in the Carolina region, just an fyi. One of those artists just happens to be J.Cole, who released some new lyrics that flow over a sampled version of The Throne's Lift Off track and it is a nice refresher to receive from him. You may label me biased, but I think J. Cole is one of the few hip hop newcomers that has longevity potential. He still has some areas where he needs to grow but I think that's a great void for artists to possess in their early careers. Yep.