Track-for-Track // Maryland rising artist, Skeeterlaflare unleashes his spacey debut effort, "SignedbyTheStreets"

Written by Greg Harris

When it comes to the DMV scene, it has been bubbling with artists who have been giving diversity with their sound. You hear it with the gritty vibes that range from Q Da Fool, Lil Dude, and Goonew , and you also have the likes of Brent Faiyaz and GoldLink who are paving a new road for artists from the region to follow. When it comes to some of the artists who are emerging on the scene now, Skeeterlaflare is one of the few in the area that is providing a different sound that caters to more of the mellow listener but still carries a raw edge to his music that fans can enjoy as well.  

Below we'll be going track by track to review his debut effort, "Signedbythestreets", which is a melodic ride into what the rising Maryland artist is cooking up at the moment. 

Daily Chiefers Premiere! Follow the homies: @skeeterlaflare

1. CONTINENTAL CASUALTIES 

   - One of my favorites from the project for sure. The intro for the project was one of the leading songs that Skeeter promoted prior to the album and it officially made it's debut with Daily Chiefers in the spring. It's the perfect single that sets the tone for the tape and lets the listener climb into the audio spaceship for the galaxy ride they'll be riding out to for the rest of the project. 

2. DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION

   - Following as the second single presented on the project, Skeeter keeps the vibes much the same on this record but it goes deeper when it comes to the sonics of the song. As Skeeter pens his lyrics about his wheeling and dealing, the instrumental allows him to flourish in a spaced-out manner but also gives him room to create an offset hit that listeners can enjoy. While it may be early on the album, its a contender for fans to label this as one of their favorites.

3. Passport Sports

   - As the mellowness continues to ride out in the project with the third single, it's cool to hear but it keeps a constant that remains in the mixtape. It's a cool song but it's certainly not one that's a game-changing effort to really secure any diversity in Skeeter's sound. It's something that's good to listen to in passing. 

4. Rockstar Life

   - Compared to the previous track, Skeeter's picks up the pace with this single and delivers a mesmerizing instrumental he's glossing over effortlessly. He delivers strong Maryland slang as he speaks about jumping over fences, riding in Audis, and hitting licks. It can wake the listener up for more enticing sounds that may follow throughout the tape. 

5. Secure The Bag 

   - If the previous is a precursor to the enhanced sound that Skeeter was going for to turn things up, then Secure The Bag solidifies the vibe even more. The instrumentation boosts the overall sound of the tape but sticks to it's origins by delivering melodic undertones that remain very prevalent for Skeeter. It's in this area where you see Skeeter as an artist stretches out his sound.

6. Faceoff OG

   - For the smokers, you can find this single being one of the favorites for this demographic. As Skeeter spits about his distribution, he flexes effortlessly on the strains he's smoking on as well. It's just another smooth hit delivered by Skeeter.

7. Facts

   - Straying away from the cooler records that have been playing a pivotal role, Skeeter drops an echo-ridden record that comes with hard bass and mystic mixing that allows his voice + unique vocabulary prosper properly. In the fact-checking song, he shows off a side that delivers more of his testimony into what he is producing and ultimately what makes him stand out as an artist from Maryland

8. Lit

   - As this may be the closing credits for the project, it develops the sharp sense of anticipation for listeners but it's a dreamy record that gives fans the perfect ending to this space ride. 

While this may be the first complete body of work coming Skeeter, it's certainly one that gives a platform to establish his voice in the DMV scene. This may be the start for something new that may come up more in the area, and it'll be great to see Skeeter as one of the innovators of the sound. 

Listen to the project here. 

Signed by the Streets, an album by Skeeterlaflare on Spotify