At first mention, one would think Tanya Morgan is a female, but in fact, the name belongs to a trio of male MCs: Donwill, Ilyas, and Von Pea. After garnering major kudos for the group’s debut album, “Moonlighting,” the guys are back with “The Bridge” EP. 

B-Boys at heart, the threesome share a penchant for lyricism, soul samples and a classic boom-bap sound. Starting off the album is the MC Shan inspired title track, “The Bridge,” which is a lyrical testimonial of the members’ Brooklyn-Cincinnati connection. The feel good vibe of “Be You” and “Get Me Inside” conjure up thoughts of family and friends barbecuing, sipping drinks and sharing laughs during the summer months. On “Hip Hop Is Dead II,” Tanya Morgan monitors the condition of hip-hop and assesses its state, as Ilyas offers his prognosis, rapping: “Speaking truth is suicide nowadays, if you’re trying to make a wage more than minimum,” and later adding, “I bring you food for thought and you decide to diet, this sh—t is getting tired, I should force you to try it.” 

With knapsack in tow, “The Bridge” is Tanya Morgan’s pilgrimage back to the essence of rap before they proceed to their next destination—“Brooklynati.” 

Label: Interdependent Media

Genre: Rap/Hip-Hop