Download: Co$$ “Can’t I” (w. Exile)

(from Tomorrow’s Yesterday on Tres)

The West Coast has seemingly always been viewed as nothing more then the birthplace of “gangsta rap” and slept on as the hotbed of underground artists that it has been—Freestyle Fellowship, Hieroglyphics and Pharcyde come to mind. With juice from one of the best new underground MCs on the scene—Blu—Co$$ has dropped his new mixtape, 22 tracks that blend some of the best elements of both underground and gangsta—dope dirty beats and raw conscious rhymes. Announcing himself at the outset as a “young outerspacien,” all 22 tracks are soaked in purple kush that sends smoke rings traveling out through the speakers. “Homage” gives shoutouts to the West Coast underground legends, while “Undivine” addresses Co$$’ disbelief in organized religion (“Everything is tainted, ain’t it?”) and firm belief in spirituality. Throughout the 22 tracks, one thing is undeniably clear—like L.A., Co$$ is more sophisticated than outsiders might think, approachable on the surface, but revealing complexities to life in a city that contains so much beauty and strife in such an attractive package. Take a bite and you’ll taste something sweet—or lose your teeth.

—Alex Roman

Co$$’ Tomorrow’s Yesterday out now on Tres.