The reason I do John’s Music Blog is simple. I love songs. All sorts of songs. And I take ‘em where I can get ‘em. Which leads me to “Still Trappin.” Forget Zach Bryan. With this track, Georgia rapper Enphamus might be the artist to bring America together. It’s the 2023 version of "Atlantic City” by Springsteen: A tale of dreams and despair across I-20.
Little Howlin’ Wolf “Stoney Island”
While we are in the Americana zone, let me give a big RIP to an outsider legend, the man who claimed that the Steely Dan song “Deacon Blues” was written about him, the Chi-Town sax god: Little Howlin’ Wolf. Pay your respects and bask in the damaged magic.
Maz G (Feat. Spaidez & Marie Valentine) “5 zips”
It’s not easy for me to keep up with the neverending flow of contemporary Milwaukee rap. Thankfully, local noise legend Mike Mildew posted “5 zips” on his feed, with a comment: “Milwaukee rap keeps getting weirder and I love it.” No doubt, the vocal chop and headphone bleed give the track a slicing quality.
Soup Activists got that ill atemporal chiming style—the kind that, when done right, always hits. “Chaos Girls” sounds like a grip of snotty Midwest punk lifers doing a bit of a Flying Nun thing. Love the focused freakout ending. Seven-piece band!
Xanman rides a Trick Daddy/Ozzy flip to headbanger glory. Two minutes of nonstop aggro rapping. There’s even an Adam Sandler reference. An instant addition to the alternative reality rap rock cannon.
MIX OF THE WEEK: Unknown Mixer “White Castle House Mix”
I came across a mystery while doing some Mixcloud digging. According to the uploader, this mix from 1995 was released on a blue cassette with no information except for a cryptic title. I would like to imagine that these tapes got passed out at a White Castle promotional event, or maybe they were made to be played in-store on a Friday night. Can you imagine? Getting “in the mix” at a White Castle? That’s a dream situation for me. The mix itself is classic, banging mid-’90s South Side Chi-Town business. I’m going to need a slider soon.