Tacoma is inundated with street-hop. Lots of MC's put out music, from the Hill to the Eastside to the Southside to the Sway - and everywhere in between. There's so much reality-rap in this city that it can be hard for the consumer or fan to pick out the whack from the dope. Who has time to muddle through all the crappy 253-gangsta hip-hop to find the legitimately good street-music?

In this overcrowded street-music scene, one name has risen to the top. One name consistently gets acclaim from the streets and from hardcore hip-hip purists. One name gets love no matter what venue, neighborhood or set they enter.

That name is Second Family.

For the last couple years Second Family has been putting out high-quality lyrical gangsta shit. The group's music is steeped in Oakland/Madrona/Tac-City street vibes. And they always choose bangers, so they def' don't lack weight in the beat department.

Second Family consists of two MCs, Element and NoQuezt. When the duo dropped Caskets and Funeral Homes in 2009 the whole city was proud. The streets lifted Second Family and the album high on their shoulders. It was clear this group had what it takes.

Back then most listeners believed Element carried the lyrical weight of the group. Well, after Second Family's new mixtape release, Sleep Deprivation, it's clear NoQuezt has stepped up his game! After listening to this mixtape I truly feel both MCs hold their own equally now. NoQuezt's flow has sharpened, and it makes for an even more impressive Second Family. I would have to say this group is unstoppable at this moment in time.

Second Family's new mixtape is just that. A true mixtape, with both MCs destroying industry beats. It's fitting that there's only one guest MC on the album, Leezy Soprano; not too many other MCs could hold their own next to Second Family. Sleep Deprivation does have a few new tracks with notable production from MoBuck$. You can download Sleep Deprivation for free at secondfamilyfirst.com.

Now ya'll can skip all the weak stuff and go listen to the best street music our city has to offer.