JD Riggz
Rochester, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2001 | INDIE
Music
Press
The HCM Gang drops the long awaited mixtape, HCM IS THE GANG, featuring High Caliber Music artists and Rochester, NY natives JD Riggz, INF!, Q. Easy, Hundoe Luck & Shee Gutta. The CD is a compilation featuring all originial production from the likes of Jimmy Dukes, Andrew Lloyd, Karbon, Lone$tarr, INF!, JD Riggz,Sledgren, Rahk & RMB Justize. This 17 track mixtape is available now on audiomack.com and will be available on limited edition CD Oct. 1st. Be on the lookout for videos off the project as well as High Caliber Music solo projects coming very soon. - Act Live Music
"I got a story to tell," says local MC JD Riggz on the intro to his new mixtape, HIStory.For the most part, it's a story that's been told before � about the poverty, drugs and violence that make up the life of a young street hustler � but rarely, at least on a local scale, has it been laid out with the kind of wit and charisma Riggz brings to the table.
It's not just his metaphors � though they're quite good ("The flow's sick like an AIDs patient.") � it's the precise punch lines. "You a ridah? I'll turn ya'll into crash-test dummies," he warns on the intro.
And who cares if the gun talk's just for show? Built in the mold of quick-witted MCs like Cam'ron and Juelz Santana, Riggz rides the beat with a slow-paced drawl so that listeners will hang on his every word.
And Riggz certainly chooses the right beats to perfectly match his style. Producers INFO & Nova's triumphant horns on "Road To Riches" match Riggz's uncompromising bravado, boast for boast, while the low-key Isley Brothers sample on "Weight of the World" (produced by Majik and Riggz) takes the ideal backseat to Riggz's words like "I'm the rap world's David Ruffin/But the label's say a n**ga's not buzzin."
With 19 tracks, HIStory is a bit overloaded, and it does drag slightly when Riggz freestyles over other rappers' beats such as Jay-Z's "Dead Presidents" or Kanye West's "All Falls Down."
Still, even the few weak points can't take away from standouts such as the soulful "Rebel Without A Cause" or the fantastic "Yellow Tape Rap," on which Riggz spits gems like "Why I beef with n**gas when I know they shook? I have 'em talking through a box like a T-Pain hook."
Troy's rating: 3.5 stars - Troy L. Smith/ Roc Insider Magazine
The HCM Gang drops the long awaited mixtape, HCM IS THE GANG, featuring High Caliber Music artists and Rochester, NY natives JD Riggz, INF!, Q. Easy, Hundoe Luck & Shee Gutta. Listen to all original production from the likes of Jimmy Dukes, Andrew Lloyd, Karbon, Lone$tarr, INF!, JD Riggz, Sledgren, Rahk & RMB Justize. Listen/Download this joint. - Mixtapekings.com
Here is another record from JD Riggz that didn’t make his upcoming project, Replay Value coming soon. This leak is produced by Majik and is called “Rick James (Bobby Brown)”, a song dedicated to a hustler’s favorite drug of choice. Official leaks from the project coming soon. - freeonsmash.com
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
"Bringing Hip-Hop back to it's core is my main goal" says JD Riggz, born Jerome D. Hawthorne about his music. "It's the essence that makes Hip-Hop so powerful, so by all the power within me, that's what I bring to the table."
JD Riggz has been rapping since the tender age of 8 years old when he first caught wind of Hip-Hop through his older brother listening to Wu-Tang Clan albums. Roughly 20 years, Riggz is still at it, producing/songwriting and rapping. Throughout his career, JD has collaborated with Skyzoo, Chaundon, Postaboy, Mack Maine(YMCMB) and many more and has worked with producers such as The Heatmakerz, Fatin/10, Young Los, Phoenix & V. Don, just to name a few. Also, has been touring the country performing alongside artists such as Terror Squad, Chris Brown & Jean Grae. His discography is vast and versatile but he gained momentum and regional success from his mixtape, HIStory released in 2008 featuring the hit singles "Like Me" & "The Paper"(Feat. Rashad). Since then, JD Riggz has started his own production company, High Caliber Music, and has released many projects, including his debut independent album, Replay Value with critical acclaim from blogs and journalists and praise from the general public.
JD Riggz continues to deliver quality music, but not like most rappers, believing in the phrase "Quality over Quantity". With one listen you will too agree with JD in this statement, and see that JD Riggz has a promising future in front of him.
Band Members
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