King Fantastic Appreciation (Ft. Truth In Fiction)

I've been immersed in this album for some time now, but if you haven't been graced by the King's presence thus far, it's time. Venice, California native King Fantastic's debut album, Finger Snaps and Gun Claps, is "a concise study in Westcoastsynthesizerbeachbumgangstermusic, as interpreted by Killer Reese One and Troublemaker." Head over to the website to stream or pick it up (for free!), along with other  remixes featuring Bassnectar, The Glitch Mob, and Knight Riderz to name a few. While you're there, check out his videos too - dude's hilarious!

In a period where hip-hop has progressively feathered itself in with electronic, this producer/lyricist duo successfully sucker-punches the other doldrums just sittin' around stale. Maybe it's his old-school finesse, maybe it's the gangster swagger, or perhaps his aggressive and gagged-up lyricism. Either way, Finger Snaps and Gun Claps brings something new to the table, a spark in both genres.

I actually got the chance to have a few drinks (or ten) in the Venice area with Killer Reese One, and he is a true character. Check out his tweets if you don't believe me, but beware: this roughneck packs a mean punch, as he does in his music. "Hollyrock Jam Session" could turn a dead party into a blowout just as much as "Why? Where? What?" can intimidate the toughest kid on the block.

Imagine if The Cool Kids, the audacity of Kanye West, and the anger of Eminem all faced a battle royal. The outcome? Finger Snaps and Gun Claps. Combining electronic, rock, hip-h0p, and a bed of synths, King Fantastic brutally delivers every track in style. If this debut album is only the beginning, then I think these two are well on their way to an earned spot in Coolio's Gangsta's Paradise.