Imperial Records presents... - Operation: Shutdown (hosted by DJ Spontaneous)

There have probably been a dozen different companies called Imperial Records over the years, including the one that's releasing Fat Joe's new album, but this one in particular is an independent label from Baltimore. IMP sent me this mixtape hosted by DJ Spontaneous a while back, which features Bless, Young Dip, LS, Robb, Reason, and PA Shell. I first heard Bless and Young Dip on Mullyman's Believe In H.I.M. mixtape last year, and Bless also appeared on Mullymania, and this mixtape also features a couple appearances by Mully. Bless's "Stand Up" also appeared on Bosslady's On Da Grind Vol. 3 earlier this year.

Bless - "Keep Riding" (mp3)
Bless (not to be confused with The Boy Blesst) is probably my favorite MC out of the crew, but mostly what I love about this track is the weird woozy production by Sownd Beats, all these little flickers of harmonica and guitar strums floating in and out.

Young Dip - "All Out" (mp3)
Young Dip sounds so much like Joe Budden that that's about all I can think about when I hear him rap. But this song is some nice epic-sounding shit and he carries it well.

Labels: mixtape/album review, mp3, Mullyman, Young Dip