With all this Livewire drama going on right now what better time than now to be reminded why we should care about the group in the first place. Led by J. Stalin, Livewire Records first started putting out material in 2006, but really began getting recognition in the Bay in 2009 due to a slew of group and solo mixtapes/albums released that year of relatively high quality. Since then they have remained an important part of the Bay Area rap scene and these last couple years have seen further development of the Livewire members as solo artists. As with any good rap group, what makes Livewire special is the individual rappers’ unique personas that are able to shine alone as well as play off each other for collaborations. Here are some cuts that exemplify their talent:
Philthy Rich, J. Stalin & Mayback “On One”
Super catchy track with a great hook and a post-hyphy beat with deep, buzzsaw horns that come in for the chorus. Every rapper flows real well on this song, but Mayback (or is it Maybach?) absolutely kills the track, “I’m untamed just like that tiger up in Frisco/get yo ass killed tryna stunt for a punk ho.” Props to you if you remember that tiger attack in the SF Zoo a few years back. Is Mayback in jail right now? Haven’t heard anything from him in a long time. Philthy raps about riding in a Ford Pinto on this track, which is basically the best car ever.
Philthy’s dope whip
Philthy Rich, Stevie Joe & Jay Jonah “Dope Game Gravy”
Just some mixtape shit with a OJ Da Juiceman sample for the hook, but goddamn this song goes. The music is incredible, going from a sparse beat with moody synths to a complete shift in the feel of the song for the chorus. All three of the Livewire dudes rap real well here too…
