Eto & Wally Clark "The Circle" (Album Stream)

Over the course of a year, Eto and Wally Clark worked hard to create something that was new and different from what you are used to, but while maintaining the raw sound that you have come to trust from Rochester's native son. What you get is that same grimy upstate flavor, mixed with some Southern Soul provided by Nashville raised Wally Clark. The Circle was crafted in Colorado, and by having Denver native Juan Fuentez contribute his stunning street photography, from his time spent in Los Angeles, this project is truly a culmination of all sides of America. Listen to The Circle below...

Eto & Flee Lord "RocAmeriKKKa" (Album Stream)

Flee Lord and Eto release their collaborative effort, “RocAmeriKKKa,” with a title alluding to the duo’s hometowns of Rochester and Far Rockaway, as well as Ice Cube’s classic “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.” These two venom spitters recruited many of their regular collaborators to provide the soundscapes on this offering, including V Don, godBLESSbeatz, Tricky Trippz, Fith, and Big French. However, to spark off the LP they got a beat from the god Green Lantern! Further, they kept the guests to a minimum, choosing to only invite 38 Spesh and singer Imanii Skyy to get down. Available on CD and Vinyl through their Bandcamp and also at record stores like Fat Beats. Listen below...

Eto & Superior "Long Story Short" (Album Stream)

From Hell’s Roof to the Rhine Valley, Rochester, NY emcee Eto (formerly known as Lil’ Eto) and German-Spanish producer Superior have joined forces! The resulting full-length collaboration is entitled “Long Story Short.” Eto’s penchant for balancing the pain of the street and the progression of the hustle is a perfect foil for Superior’s cinematic and somber beat-scapes. Speaking on the collaboration, Superior said “My previous releases were rooted in my love of boom-bap. However, when I linked up with Eto, I started producing specifically with him in mind and keeping it more atmospheric in keeping with the coldness of his environment and narratives.” With a gripping chemistry throughout the only guest spots on the project is from Skyzoo and Toronto rhyme-counterpart, Daniel Son. Dig into Eto and Superior's Long Story Short collab LP below...

Willie The Kid, Eto & V Don "Heather Grey" (EP Stream)

Willie The Kid, Eto and V Don — over the last few years these three names have been spotted together on countless bodies of work, with Grand Rapids iconic MC releasing the successful collaborations "Deutsche Marks" and "Blue Notes" with Harlem's producer over the last couple of years and the 2nd having his baptism of fire with "Omertà: The Film", a masterpiece that made one of the most interesting MC's around over the last few years. On every one of their records you could find the other's name, and finally they have teamed up for a collaboration EP that will leave its mark. The chemistry within the three is seamless and you won't be skipping a track! Dig into it...

DJ Muggs & Eto "Hell's Roof" (Album Stream)

Hell’s Roof is a 12-song album by DJ Muggs and Eto, which uses haunting samples, dense drums, and introspective rhymes to paint a dark story about life in a city that ranks among the poorest in the country. According to a census poll, 33% of Rochester’s residents currently live in poverty and a staggering 50% of children live below the poverty line, putting Rochester in the Top 10 poorest cities in the USA. With poverty reaching epidemic levels, residents turn to life on the streets as a solution, the same space where Eto has honed his skills. The collision of the legendary West Coast producer and the young roughneck spitter creates a powerful sound on HELL’S ROOF. Listen below...

Ankhlejohn & Big Ghost Ltd "At Eternity's Gate" / "Van Ghost"

"Fueled by the artistic vision of Big Ghost and the iconic paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, Van Ghost is a cinematic collaboration between the underground’s chief trash talker and the grimiest rapper south of New York. Strap yourselves in." A fine breakdown from The Crate Dig serves to introduce this project well. Below is a nice selection from the album, "At Eternity's Gate," featuring Lil Eto, Fly Anakin & a fire verse from Crimeapple, who I've been following since I heard "Turner & Hootch" some years back. When it comes to textures and the layers of art embedded in the final products Big Ghost Ltd not only co-signs but partakes in, I see big steps for our brand of hip-hop in 2019.