Roxbury, Massachusetts continues to brew some of the hottest hip-hop talents in New England: often referred to as the "heart of Black culture in Boston” and the “Bronx of greater Boston,” the neighborhood is home to Young Sham. The hip-hop artist known as Young Sham released a sonic three-headed dragon of an EP titled Out the Mud that is equally sharp no matter which of the three tracks you listen to. “BlokBoy” creeps in with a piano lead that provides an ominous mood for Sham’s relaxed-confident flow. “R.I.P” is more atmospheric and sees the artist opening up, discussing his determination and mission of success. “Drug Talk Freestyle” has an infectious rhythm to it, driven by a heart-beat bass drum that outlines Sham’s sharp-shooting rhymes of honesty. Like contemporary Roxbury artists such as Oompa, Sham lifts the neighborhood to a light well-deserved indeed. Stream “Drug Talk Freestyle” below for a taste of raw hip-hop that lingers. – Rene Cobar
