Melodica introduced the world to the immense talents of the aptly named flame spitter Gift of Gab and his partner, the soulful producer Chief Xcel. They are originally from the small Southern California town of Pacoima and rose to prominence upon connecting with the Solesides crew in the small Northern California town of Davis. Simply put, it is hard to find rapping better than this. Gab shows a mastery of storytelling on “40oz For Breakfast,” flashes melodic cadences on the introspective “Swan Lake,” and absolutely goes in at a blistering pace on the battle-style track “Rhymes For The Deaf Dumb and Blind.”