Baby Stone Gorillas fly high and ride lo-los in “That’s What You Supposed To Do” visual

Streaking out of South L.A. with an electric group dynamic, Baby Stone Gorillas turn heads their new spin on the city’s rap sound. Today, the four-man rap group comprised of EkillaOffDaBlocck5MuchP4K, and Top5ivee shares That’s What You Supposed To Do,” their new music video. Produced by BIP The Producer, who provides a glistening West Coast beat with a booming bassline ideal for lowriding, “That’s What You Supposed To Do” finds each of the four rappers offering pearls of street wisdom and living up to their status as heroes in their The Jungles neighborhood: “I got that bag and flipped the fin, that’s what I’m supposed to do,” says EKilla, while Top5ivee adds,  “Ain’t nothin changed but made some change, that’s what you supposed to do.” In the video, the fearsome foursome posts up in a parking lot, surrounded by vintage lowriders including a souped-up, hydraulic bouncing Buick. “That’s What You Supposed To Do” is the latest video from BABYST5XNE GORILLAS, the group’s debut mixtape.

With production from L.A. mainstays like RonRonTheProducer, among others, BABYST5XNE GORILLAS remains electric throughout its 23 tracks, benefitting from the diverse styles and energies of the crew’s four emcees. The new mixtape is home to recent single Do It Up,” an electro-funk throwback with a hook from Wallie The Sensei, as well as 22 new songs, each with the potential to become a new West Coast classic. Armed with a beat from RonRon, “Stick Squeezers” finds the BSG boys recruiting Zona Man and Slumlord Trill to tear up a sample of Too $hort & Lil Jon’s “Couldn’t Be A Better Player.” On “With That,” the four-man crew toe-tag a bass-heavy beat as they explain why they’re the coolest apes in the jungle, and on “In A Circle,” they nab BandGang Lonnie Bands to add some Detroit sauce. Though they specialize in hard-hitting street stories, BSG is equally adept at introspection, as shown in project highlights like “Keep Goin” and “Felt A Lot Of Pain.” With additional appearances from 1TakeJayBla$ta, and many more, BABYST5XNE GORILLAS is available everywhere via EMPIRE.

The four members of Baby Stone Gorillas have known each other since they were 10-years-old, and were friends far before they dreamed of music stardom. The rappers have distinct styles and roles: 5Much brings a hustler’s mentality and vents about his life, while EK packs the energy. P4K is the proud instigator known for slick-talking raps, while Top5ivee often comes up with B.S.G.’s catchy hooks. Last summer, the group’s self-titled video racked up views in the millions, precipitating a winning streak of viral singles that included the Pitchforkapproved Military,” which earned airplay on Drake’sOVOSound Radio, and Untouchable” ft. RJMrLA, catching the attention of Shaquille O’Neal.

With the new BABY ST5XNE GORILLAS mixtapethe four East L.A. spitters are excited to show the world that they’re the kings of the jungle in SoCal and beyond.

Watch “That’s What You Supposed To Do”: 

BSG: instagram | spotify | youtube
P4K: instagram
5Much: instagram
Top5ivee: instagram
EKillaOffDaBlocck: instagram

Jay Cartier reflects on the creation of new album ‘There Will Always Be Casualties’

Hailing from New Rochelle, New York, Jay Cartier shows audiences that the music space is big enough for all creatives as he creates his own lane in the rap scene.

There Will Always Be Casualties, Jay’s latest album release, reflects the combination of life experiences, both good and bad, that have shaped his artistry. The album is a work of art that showcases Cartier’s creative side, as well as follows up from his previous releases. With standouts from the project being “Sickening,” “No Pressure,” and “Vendettas,” Cartier lays it all on the line and proves that he’s coming with some heat all 2022.

“A lot of life happened in between [the time between his last release], and this project is just an accumulation of the situations, thoughts, and feelings that I went through in that timeframe,” says Jay in an interview with Remixd Magazine.

With such a raw expression of natural talent, There Will Always Be Casualties promotes an authentic, individualized listening experience that will impact each listener uniquely and powerfully. Speaking from the heart, Jay shares, “I can’t tell you exactly what I want you to get from the project because I think the listener’s perspective is just as important as the artist’s intentions.”

Takeaway

Intention is key for Jay, who takes pride in his raw authenticity. His music draws inspiration from artists such as 50 Cent, 2Pac, Biggie, Kanye, Jay Z and modern-day artists such as Benny The Butcher, Future, Drake, Travis Scott, Lil Baby, etc., but you truly can’t put him in a single box. He isn’t looking to be a cookie-cutter artist or, as he likes to call it, “a one-trick pony” but instead strives to experiment and step out of his comfort zone to create a combination of old and new school styles and sounds.

“I like to experiment and switch things up and step out of my comfort zone,” he continues. “If I had to give a definitive answer I would say that my sound is very metaphor driven, whether I’m rapping over a flipped sample going bar for bar or floating over melodies I love the challenge of creating quotables for the listener.”

Jay says a great way to describe his music is, “ sound which bridges the older school rap themes and principles with the modern sounds.”

There Will Always Be Casualties takes the audience on a poetic, immersive  listening experience, starting with a preamble monologue to set the tone for the project itself.  https://www.instagram.com/p/CW910f7jEnR/ 

After the monologue jump into the 13 tracks and be sure to keep an ear open to the metaphor-driven bars, clever quotables, and unique snippet selections throughout the project’s entirety. 

Authenticity

The grind never stops for Jay, who is currently in the beginning stages of creating his next project which is projected to drop mid to late summer. “I’m obsessed with the grind and the process and when I get into a certain zone during the writing phase of a song, it’s almost like an out-of-body experience.”

“I just pride myself on being authentic and true to myself and I understand that resonates really well because people who listen to the music believe what I’m saying and that’s important,” he says.

You can stream There Will Always be Casualties on all platforms now.

Listen below:

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