Showtime Ramon & ProjectPorter link on new album

Over the years, Showtime Ramon has earned a reputation as one of Sacramento’s most versatile and self-sufficient hip hop artists. A Mexican American rapper with an appreciation for sports, professional wrestling and video games, his music fuses clever wordplay with sharp cultural references. As a fully hands-on artist, he writes, records and engineers all his own material, ensuring that every track reflects his personal vision, captured on his records like Abominable Snowman, Speed and Goat Skin, which have confirmed his status as an artist who values lyricism and originality.

With over 20 projects to his name and collaborations with notable artists like Chuuwee, Trizz, Sir Michael Rocks, Mark Battles and Lil B, Showtime Ramon is an artist who continues going from strength to strength with each move. Among his many collaborations, Showtime Ramon’s work with Brooklyn-based producer ProjectPorter stands out as a defining creative partnership.

ProjectPorter, known for his gritty, 90s inspired beats, draws influence from gangster and Blaxploitation films, crafting instrumentals that are impactful and unique. His production style blends modern techniques with a deep respect for East New York’s hardcore hip hop roots, incorporating themes of struggle, ambition and survival into each track. The pair’s Pressure EP was praised for its cohesion, blending ProjectPorter’s atmospheric beat work with Showtime’s intricate lyricism.

Now, the duo reunites for their latest release, Gemspit Exquisite, an experimental yet authentic take on hip hop. This brand new eight-track record showcases the interplay between Showtime’s competitive bars and ProjectPorter’s genre-spanning production, from lo-fi to boom bap, trap to minimalist beats, Gemspit Exquisite stays true to hip hop’s foundational elements while carrying the style forward in the artists’ shared vision. Showtime’s trademark delivery, a balance of swagger and reflection, meets ProjectPorter’s textured beats, creating a release that respects tradition while embracing evolution.

Kicked off by “Splatterbrain,” the record starts with the twang of gritty guitar as Showtime Ramon bold vocalisations ring out before the beat drops to usher in a laid back groove capped by slick rapped flows. Crafting a dark and moody soundscape, Showtime Ramon’s razor-sharp delivery is backed by the zap of electricity, resulting in a hard hitting hip hop jam.

With “Tiger Woods,” the familiar sample of Denzel Washington’s character in American Gangster is met by the shimmer of pulsing synth tones as Showtime’s commanding vocal presence glides in. Spinning picture painting lyricism via impactful delivery, the smooth and mesmeric sound of the instrumental contrast the biting vocals to forge an engaging sond.

“Finish Line” follows with a vintage sound of female vocals as the shuffle of drums, buzz of sweeping synth textures and punch of bouncy vocals combine to create an immersive soundscape. Other highlights on the record include tracks like “Blue Magic Mcgrady” with its hazy blend of jazz-inflected instrumentation, softly rustling percussion and pop of bass lines forming a hypnotic backdrop for Showtime’s compelling vocal work.

On “Benji Wilson,” Showtime took inspiration from the tragic story of prodigious basketball star Ben Wilson who was shot and killed much like the rapper’s close friend Staxx. Paying tribute to his friend, who actually taught Showtime how to rap, he delivers an emotive track of downtempo rhythm and a stripped back arrangement, allowing his profound lyrics to shine all the more brightly.

Closing the release with “Angle Lock,” the pair serve up one final dose of intense, beat-driven energy with the patter of drums and engrossing layers of gritty synths forming an enveloping hip hop scene as Showtime lays down powerful bars above. With Gemspit Exquisite, Showtime Ramon & ProjectPorter deliver another spectacular collaboration that sees their prolific musical partnership continue to flourish.

Listen to Gemspit Exquisite below