Anchorage's Skatey P and Seattle's Marshall Hugh have combined their energies for a track that sounds like the purist's hip-hop. "State to State" is a playful exploration that bridges two cities and two distinct hip-hop cultures, while remaining true to the genre's foundational principles. It is clear that this is old-school hip-hop, but done with a modern flair. The production incorporates numerous theatre samples, lending the track a cinematic sound that immediately casts a visual backdrop for the unfolding story.
The result is the type of sound that reminds you why the art of sampling remains so crucial to hip-hop DNA. On this multi-layered canvas, Skatey P and Marshall Hugh serve up clever and witty lyrics that are a delightful mixture of the humorous and insightful, demonstrating that conscious hip-hop doesn't have to be a bore at the expense of its relevance. Skatey P lends the hard-hitting punch of underground scene, and Marshall Hugh contributes a mellow, introspective flow that channels the still-young subarctic city's burgeoning hip-hop sound.
And the contrast is a great one, providing "State to State" with that dynamic push-and-pull that keeps it engaged from beginning to end. It's a partnership that celebrates coast-to-coast unity, rather than feeling like an unnatural carbon copy of each other. Each artist's voice can breathe while complementing the other perfectly. The song revels in lighthearted notions of making "real hip-hop," a motif that runs through the song's veins.
There is a joy in simply making music that matters, in paying homage to the genre's roots while also finding one's own voice. This is a record that bows to the past but addresses the present, an affirmation of hip-hop as the art of connection as much as it is about skill. "State to State" is a song that fans of all ages and hip-hop can appreciate. It's considered fun, resolute proof that this is what happens when two kids with passion from the two farthest coasts come together and realize they love the same thing. Skatey P and Marshall Hugh showcase that real Hip-Hop can move across borders, put smiles on faces, as well as get brains in action.
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