GAIKA – “3D” (Singles Gping Steady)

Chris Ingalls: Judging from the deadened delivery, GAIKA is seemingly numbed by what’s happening to his city. The brutality and violence is palpable in the track, with music stabs and samples that seem to bring to life the unrest. Musically, it’s diverse yet danceable (although the starts and stops create the requisite drama). Yet another reason why, when looking for new voices in hip-hop, you need to cross the pond. [7/10]

Chad Miller: The whole song sounds like it’s begging for someone to freestyle on it after essentially any section. There are a lot of really cool lyrics, but that vocal effect really starts to wear out its welcome, and as a result, the lyrics lose a lot of power. [6/10]

Steve Horowitz: Being knee deep in New York City is no more important than slogging through life anywhere, the provincialism of the urban dweller raises its ugly headed but doesn’t know how to roar. The punchiness of the beats suggests one has to fight one’s way out; black people up off your knees indeed, but jewels and glocks, OGs and concrete? Deeper insights and

more vibrant instrumentals are needed to make this fresh. [4/10]

SCORE: 5.66