Hip-Hop is alive and well in The D.

Need proof? — Check out Detroit rap-duo Progress Report’s new release, “Spill Out Series Vol. 4″. The four song EP features D. Allie and Eddie Logix’s lead single (and accompanying video) “Wake Up”. The beat, a pretty straight-forward rock inspired jolt of guitar, tambourine, and bass drum — is brilliantly executed. The song is both a mature, playful, and energetic tribute to many underground success stories, as well as an ode to a suddenly drowsy underground hip-hop scene. Perhaps the song’s most enjoyable take away is its lyrical wit and complexity. Both D. Allie and Eddie Logix are stellar — effortlessly moving from verse to verse and maintaining the “come-up” theme Detroit craves. If you’re heading out for the night, this is just the track to get you amped for your first stop. The two MCs play well off each other, though I sometimes fear their rapping styles are a little too alike. Nonetheless, my appreciation for this shorter, more focused project helps mitigate the latter. Serious thought went into each of the four tracks, a kind of grooming that is often lost in full-length hip-hop productions. Each of the songs is crisp, well manicured, and seasoned — a step up the ladder in relation to both artists’ past releases.

Meanwhile, “Wake Up (The British Knights RMX)” has serious star potential. Its funky dance-synths and rolling bassline make it the perfect club banger to get heads on the dance floor. The EP’s last track, a sappy tribute to some abstract woman (I guess the rap game is still searching for the next Bonita Applebaum), does little to advance the idea that most young male hip-hoppers lust for women they can’t have and then feel the need to make songs about it. Ironically though, the beat’s beautiful blend of guitars and keys is so tasty that it had me craving for a third verse. Mayaeni, the New York based soul singer (and subsequently D. Allie’s baby sister), also contributes to the hook, adding a refreshing dose of femininity not easily accomplished with this genre of rap. All in all, “Spill Out Series Vol. 4” is a pleasing listen, and something Detroit should proudly call its own.

For more check out: www.ProgressReportMusic.com

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