By Rob Duguay
It’s no secret that the hip-hop scene in Providence has seen a resurgence in talent and creativity lately. Some of the best albums put out by local musicians in 2015 so far have been from within the hip-hop realm, giving the genre a throwback with old-school beats and a poetic flow that feels refreshing in the face of the increasingly wack mainstream. One of the city’s many musical jewels, who’s been one of Providence’s best rappers so far this decade, is Juan Deuce, and he’s back with a brand new music video and a brand new EP.
Juan Deuce isn’t a stranger to bringing a community to whatever he does artistically. It’s just the way he is and how he rolls. Always bringing something different to the table while bringing immense quality with each track he puts out. Directed by Moses S.G., Deuce has a music video out this month for the track “El Oh Vee E”, a romantically catchy tune that’s bound to stick in your head. The video itself features a glorious array of Providence’s different spots, most notably where longtime establishment Mr. Lemon is on Hawkins Street and right by the Providence River on South Water Street.
“El Oh Vee E” is off of the Sock Money EP, released on September 23 via the New York City-based label Soulspazm. Working with Brooklyn producer J57, each jam off of Sock Money has hard hitting beats melding with horn samples, giving a funky bebop tone. Deuce brings honesty, genuineness, and a little bit of wit to his rhymes as well. It makes for music that stays with you and you don’t want to let go of it. A testament to Providence’s hip-hop reemergence within a local scene that’s a cornucopia of rhythmic styles.
Check out the video and stream the EP after the clip to dive head-first into some real hip-hop, locally grown.