Omar Akil drops the latest installment of PREEM-EAR where he breaksdown the most slept on tracks produced by DJ Premier. This week it's Can't Tell Me by Khaleel.

PREEM-EAR: Khaleel “Cant’ Tell Me”
The Primo “Stan” strikes again!  Today I dug up a new layer of DJ Premier-laced DIRTy south.  If you pay attention to Preem like I do, then you may already know that his post-Gang Starr offering to hip-hop comes in the form of his own label, called Year Round Records.  The roster is straight underground (NYG’z, BLAQ POET, NICK JAVAS) – at least until one of these acts pops.

One of the newer signees is a brother named Khaleel.  He currently has a few joints floating around the internet.  The track that seems to have been around the longest (late 09), and that I’m feeling the most, is this joint called “Can’t Tell Me.”

Premier has a ridiculous knack for picking rap voices (to work with) that have amazing amounts of character and texture (GURU, JERU, LIL DAP), and he definitely kept the streak alive when decided to sign Khaleel.  Dude’s voice works like a great chaser to some potent ish (insert favorite libation here).

In terms of Khaleel’s flow, think Kurupt.  Plus there are hints of E-40 in his vocal tone and delivery.  His word play/vocab are also pretty fly, and he’s pretty good at riding the beat with his rhymes and hooks.  Khaleel is a great find for Premier, and is a testament to his music perception skills.  I look forward to a full length from this artist.  Check the joints below for now.

Can’t Tell Me (Prod by Preem)

If you’re feelin’ that track, then give yourself a bonus this week.  Hip-Hop statesman, Showbiz does the duty on this one..
Rappin’ Excercise feat. Panchi

Omar Akil (@omarakil3)
“Slightly better than a DJ with a broken fader and no doubles”