Download Black Dave’s ‘Black Bart’ Mixtape

Despite laying claim as the birthplace of hip-hop, the Bronx has been short on a rap star since the days of Big Pun. With "New New York" products like A$AP Rocky, Joey Bada$$ and Action Bronson putting on for their respective boroughs, does Black Dave have the shoulders to carry the BX from out of its rut?

The slightly-framed rapper/skateboarder makes his case with his brand new mixtape, 'Black Bart.' The 15-track project packs features from a wide range of guests like Smoke DZA, Boldy James and the ever colorful RiFF RaFF, but even more diverse are the tracks themselves.

Much like the catalogs of other young New York rhymers, there's a fair amount of Golden Age influence as heard on lyrical boom bap efforts like 'Recognize' and 'Take It Back.' Not wanting to be put in a box, though, Dave also spews memorable hooks and simplified flows over trap beats, like on standout 'Million Man March.'

It's a bit of an unfavorable juxtaposition when you consider such Southern imitation has been moaned about for more than a decade in the Big Apple, but it's a testament to Dave's versatility if nothing else. Hopefully his identity will be a little more conclusive on the next project, though.

You can stream and download 'Black Bart' below, and catch Black Dave performing at Scion's Open Mic series alongside Pro Era at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory tomorrow night (Sept. 18).

DOWNLOAD: Black Dave - 'Black Bart'

[Via Complex]