Zilla (Rap)

King L - "To Live And Die In Chicago"
King L's "My Hoes They Do Drugs" should have propelled the elder statesman of Drill to stardom last year. The track effectively split the difference between Chicago and "Bandz A Make Her Dance," and featured Juicy J and Pusha T. And yet, it did not, and so the grind continues. "Live and Die" is a minimal, existential track and a standout from Tony, a new tape out this week.

Bandman Kevo f/ Chief Keef - "Baller In Me (remix)"
The big, weird "Baller In Me" gets a remix with Sosa. Every time I picture Bandman Kevo I picture him leading a marching band. Also he sounds like a cross between Keef and Jeff Spicoli.

Zilla f/ 2 Lettaz - "Let Em Breathe"
Alabama indie heroes eviscerating opponents on this shit. Good to hear G-Side back in effect.

Left Brain + Hodgy Beats - "DLX"
I don't really check for Odd Future that heavy but sometimes the stars align. Hodgy smokes his mom away.

Young Chop - "All I Got"
Chop is rapping now and it's kind of great. The beat could be a Pixar cartoon theme until the drums come in. Check the video to see our gigantic young hero flex while smoking a hookah, as the kids do these days.

Metro Thuggin - "Cash Talk"
Given the debacle surrounding Young Thug's career, it's really scary to see how hard Atlantic wanted to push "Stoner." Like dude was a bad decision away from ending up on the VMA's in teashades doing the "Stoner" dance in front of a giant tie-dye canvas. It sucks that he doesn't have sure footing in the game right now, but at least he has the freedom to make weird, incredible tracks like "Cash Talk."

Le$ + Cookin Soul f/ Young Roddy - "Bout It"
Le$ is a totally capable rapper who seemed to have hit a way riding the Texas/country rap tunes wave. So it's great to see him end up with Curren$y's Jet Life team, home of a lot of chill bros who like to get high and talk about cars. On ACE, Le$ teams up with the appropriately vibey production duo Cookin Soul.

Young Scooter f/ OG Boo Dirty + Lil Lody - "Real Street Nigga"
Scooter has the high floor and low ceiling of pizza. He's never incredible but he's always well above-average and you rarely regret listening to him. Also the cover of 80's Baby is hilarious.

Bankroll Fresh - "Street Blessing"
I'm a sucker for short hook-free southern rap songs with beats that switch up in cool ways.

Young Thug + Freddie Gibbs + A$AP Ferg - "Olde English"
Produced by Salva and Nick Hook and released on Mass Appeal's new Nas-affiliated label, this is the platonic ideal of a rap song in 2014. Thugger murders everyone because he says "my jewelry gold like the tokens at Chuckie Cheese.”

Bobby Shmurda - "Hot Nigga"
Couldn't really leave this one off. I swear to God all I do is cash out.



Shkinny Friedman is a writer and DJ shmliving in New York. He's on Shmwitter - @skinny412

Written by: Skinny Friedman
Jul 8 2014
Tags: grilled cheeze, King L, Young Chop, birdman kevo, Chief Keef, ODD FUTURE, zilla, Young Thug, Metro Boomin - Noisey Vice

Since gaining national spotlight the last few years, Huntsville, AL rappers have been well known for their middle class sensibility. It is a common thread that’s appeared throughout the work of duo G-Side and a number of rappers that have collaborated with the well respected MCs. Zilla, is joined here by G-Side’s ST 2 Lettaz–the pair retain that sense of humanity as while remaining aspirational: young boys went from G’s to Gods, so don’t pay me taxes nigga pay me tides, ST spits deftly. Zilla’s slick quotation of Rick Ross’ aggravated “War Ready,” land sharp: not quite a threat against foes, but a plain statement against those holding him back from progressing in life. - The Fader

From his latest mixtape ZS3, Huntsville native Zilla links up with ST 2 Lettazs for a menacing cut titled "Let Em Breathe." ZS3 drops on July 15. - pigeons and planes

Alabama rapper Zilla of O’Third Entertainment, links up with Memphis’ own Young Dolph for the release of “Yeen Said Nothin,” his bass heavy new anthem produced by Bobby Johnson. “Yeen Said Nothin” appears on Zilla’s ZS3 (Zilla Sh*t 3) project coming soon. - All Hip Hop

Diamonds and wood grain steering wheels: There are few topics that channel classic Southern hip-hop more than those. But while the spirit is old school, the mindset of the latest song from Huntsville rappers Zilla and Jackie Chain is very much focused on right now—specifically on continuing to stake out the Alabama city as a bit of a hip-hop hub in its own right. "We makin' 'Bama look good," Zilla raps here, in case that goal isn't clear enough.

After releasing the Book of Trill EP and Bruce Lean Chronicles 2, respectively, Zilla and Jackie are each gearing up to share new projects in 2014, with the third installment of Zilla's Zilla Shit series coming this spring.

"Woodgrain," off of that project, pairs the rappers up over a stunning beat from Heartbeatz full of chiming synths, operatic swoops of reverb and squelching drums that sounds like theme music for a luxury spaceship. The pitched down hook feels classic, but Jackie keeps things modern, talking about his lady friends and adding that he's "pimpin' off my iPad and I'm trappin' off my cellular." Zilla's rich accent luxuriates in each word choice, particularly on lines like "Ain't no way that they stopping me/Man I do it so properly."

Stream "Woodgrain" below and head here for a free download. - Complex Magazine

If you ask Booth newcomer Zilla (Rap), there’s no better feeling than that of wrapping your diamond-encrusted hands around a Wood Grain steering wheel. On the latest single off his forthcoming street album, the Huntsville, Alabama native waxes poetic about the best feature of his old-school Caddy, as well as his love for lean. Heartbeatz crafts a whip-ready beat to back his bars, drawing the cut’s central sample from Slim Thug‘s Diamonds (Remix). Fellow Yellowhammer State spitter Jackie Chain guests, boasting about his long list of sexual conquests in a high-energy opening 16. Are Zilla and his collaborator, as the former claims, “making ‘Bama look good?” If you think so, keep your browsers locked for more fresh cuts leading up to ZS3 (Zilla Sh*t 3). Executive Produced by Block Beattaz and DJ Cunta of the Block Beattaz production crew, the mixtape is scheduled for release this spring. - Dj Booth

The up and coming wordsmith, Zilla, makes his returns to the scene today, dropping off something new and quite impressive. The track is called “Wood Grain”, a purely southern number that was cooked up by the talented Heartbeatz.
The southern track is driven by some menacing organ chords that gets paired with some smooth synth accents and crashing drums, making a nice home for Zilla and Jackie Chain to show out upon. The fellas hit the track running and let loose of their uncanny delivery, showing off their talents and style flawlessly. Don’t sleep on this shit, check out the southern street heater after the jump. - Stupid Dope

There was a time when emcees wanted to be heard, in the most literal sense of the word. They were loud. The Chuck Ds, Melle Mels and Runs of the world didn’t let rhymes tumble carelessly from their mouths, as commonly heard in this current swag-based musical environment. Paired with the fact that style has beaten substance within an inch of its life in the Hip-Hop game, the result is a generation of rappers that lack real presence.

Slow Motion Soundz (see: G-Side and co.) representative Zilla is a throwback to rappers who spoke with conviction. His voice is one part trapstar, one part annoyed dad, and his content is straight forward and reality-based. On the Block Beattaz-produced “Consistency,” Zilla speaks to what motivates him daily and provides advice to the next generation of hustlers without sugarcoating or sounding preachy.


- The Smoking Section - Uproxx

“Gin N Juice,” is off of Yellaman’s upcoming, “Short Days, Long Nites.”
- Real Talk Ny - Uproxx

Alabama has been the home of some really talented artists as of late. With quality releases from G-Side, Jackie Chan, KD and now you can add Zilla to that list. He goes in over this Block Beattaz track showing once again that their’s lyricists in the South.
- Takin' Mines is a Division of Diamond Media 360, Inc.

Huntsville emcee Zilla teams up with Baton Rouge producer Q-Red for the Rumble In The Bayou EP, presented by SteadyBloggin.com & DirtyGloveBastard.net. This Alabama-Louisiana connection delivers six collaborative tracks with guest appearances made by KD, Big P.O.P.E. & J.I.G. Tracklist & link/stream are below. - Kevin Nottingham

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Zilla's upcoming EP "Book of Trill" is credited to "Zilla and Block Beattaz," the latter name referring to the Huntsville production team known for their work with artists including G-Side and ST 2 Lettaz.

"It's just how it came out," Zilla says of the credit. "My main producer is Bossman, and he is a Block Beatta. I got beats from a lot of people, but it just didn't have the same feeling, so Boss was like, 'I'll do all the beats.' Because, you know, it's got to have that dirty feel."

On a recent afternoon, Zilla broke down each of the six tracks on "Book of Trill," which will be released July 4.

"Book of Trill" feat. Big Pope

"I got the beat, which is the only outside produced beat on there, from Lil Ced, he's an up-and-coming producer from Huntsville. Went and hollered at Big Pope and got him to do the hook."

"From That Souf" feat. Mic Strange, Chris Lee

"The beat just sounded so down-country, down-South-ish. I was like, 'It's time to take them back to how we really live down here.' That country style. Dirt roads and stuff, you know."

"Erry Witcha Way"

"I talked to my producer, Bossman of the Block Beattaz, and I was like, 'Give me a simple beat, a simple hook. Let me try that.' I don't usually do songs like that."

"Changes"

"Bossman came up with the concept. And the concept was, just put it to things I was going through at the time: going through financial problems, my mom getting sick, coming out of my car wreck and getting back on track in life. A lot of stuff. It just came out easy."

"Day By Day" feat. Joi Tiffany

"When I heard that beat, it sounded pimp-ish to me. Things started going through my head, like the movie 'The Mack.'"

"One My Own" feat. Grilly

"That one, I just wrote my verse like I normally do. I always touch on talking to the youth. They're on the wrong path right now, and if I can change just one, that's cool."

More: northsidezilla.com - Al.com/ Huntsville Times

We here at KN are proud to premiere the new music video for Huntsville emcee Zilla’s standout single “Changes” directed by Tyler Barksdale of Strange Bird Media. The track appears on Zilla’s Book Of Trill EP – a superb display of country rap tunes and what I consider to be his best work to date. The EP, which is produced entirely by the Block Beattaz, is available now for less than $6 on Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon and other digital outlets. Zilla is also featured heavily on the new O’Third Ent. compilation mixtape On Our Own, which was released earlier this month in conjunction with Dirty Glove Bastard. - Kevin Nottingham

Huntsville, Ala.
Notable Artists: Jackie Chain, G-Side (ST 2 Lettaz and Yung Clova), Block Beattaz, Zilla, Jay Dot Rain, 6 Tre G, Bentley
Most Underrated Artist: Jackie Chain
Most Underrated Contribution: Block Beattaz defining the sound of a generation of rap blog favorites

Huntsville's momentum has slowed down a bit in recent years, with breakout star Jackie Chain stuck in label purgatory and critical favorites G-Side parting ways, but the city is still responsible for some of the most compelling Southern rap to come from outside of a main industry hub in the last decade.

That's largely because of production team Block Beattaz, a.k.a. Leigthon "Mali Boi" Hicks and Cory "CP" Parham, who more or less single handedly built Huntsville into a miniature hub of its own through their Slow Motion Soundz production company. Block Beattaz have produced for a range of artists that includes T.I., Mike Posner, and Freddie Gibbs, but, outside of their work with G-Side, they're best known for their extensive collaboration with Maybach Music Group rapper Stalley.

With a firm infrastructure in place, veterans like Jackie Chain and ST 2 Lettaz getting high-profile looks from other artists, and some promising young talent in the pipeline, Huntsville has everything it needs to stay on the map for the long haul. - Complex Magazine

Jones is headed in the right direction. His new joint "Up" features Zilla and BXHXLD. - Vibe Magazine

Block Beattaz
Standout Songs: Zilla – “Day by Day,” ST 2 Lettaz – “Crown,” Stalley – “Swangin”
Truth be told, Block Beattaz have been some of the dopest producers in the game for years now. They started getting recognition back in ’08 with G-Side, the Huntsville rap group who disbanded and then got back together again this past year. Their biggest look so far has been handling almost half of Stalley’s latest project, “Honest Cowboy,” lending a more appropriate country sound that still slaps for the MMG rapper. CPZ and Mali Boi may have done their best work, however, on this year’s slept-on Book Of Trill EP by Zilla. They produced the entire six-track project, but songs like “Changes” and “Day by Day” showcase just how special their music can make you feel. Anything they produce is usually worth a rewind or two. - Vibe Magazine

If you’re a fan of Block Beattaz production, then you’ve been loving the last 24 hours. The stand out mixtape to me is Zilla’s Zilla Shit 2. With trap sensibilities and futuristic stylings, I can confidently say that this will appear on many best of the year lists. - Spin Magazine - April 6 2012, 3:13 PM ET by Brandon Soderberg

From the upcoming mixtape 'Zilla Shit 2'

"I'm just thinkin' out loud," Huntsville, Alabama rapper Zilla admits on "My Thoughts," a roving, confessional song from his upcoming mixtape Zilla Shit 2. Over an ornate, wide-open take on trap-rap from the Block Beattaz, Zilla — who you recently may have heard on Jackie Chain's Scatman John-sampling "Ladies In The House" — captures the feeling of riding out, being inside of your own head, alone, though not isolated. The voice of "Swagzilla" follows the beat's spry acrobatics, bouncing between the rote, though always vital, topics of Southern hip-hop (purple stuff, diamonds and wood, why Drake is a pussy), while detailing the particulars of his life. He cleverly dismisses the flashy style of his contemporaries ("No big chain, no big watch, just Levi's and a big knot"), vents about personal problems ("Got a son that I barely see / A deadbeat is what they label me / Shit, I love him to death, though / But his momma want me stranded on Death Row"), and finds some peace in the fact that with rapping, he's proven his skeptical father wrong. And for right now, that's enough of a victory. Zilla Shit 2, the sequel to last year's Zilla Shit, one of SPIN's "50 Mixtapes You Need Now," and one of my favorite pissed-off, diary-like rap releases from last year, is out this Friday, March 30th and will be available on Traps N' Trunks. - Spin Magazine - March 26 2012, 3:17 PM ET by Brandon Soderberg