Vern Senior (left) and Spon Marcos (right) of VIP Boys. Credit: Photo by Ivana Cajina

Spon Marcos has always collaborated with the very best of what Tampa Bay’s music scene has to offer (RIP Kenosobi), and the Tampa producer is doing it again with the new project alongside rapper Vern Senior.

Senior, one of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 22 Rappers to Watch in 2022, told CL that the effort is a hip-hop outing through and through, that some might interpret at upscape boom bap.

“It’s traditional yet modern and classy. The lyrical content is that of weight and texture meaning it has meaning and it’s tastefully executed,” he added. “I specifically intended to flex more of my lyrical prowess without the cost losing cool.”

And lest he be too cool, Sponatola’s rugged production adds a heft to the record mixed and mastered in part by Best of the Bay-winner Maxx Forman and distributed by none other than the godfather of Tampa hip-hop, DJ Sandman.

Tickets to see the VIP Boys album release on Friday, May 19 at The Attic at Rock Brothers Brewing in Ybor City are available at the door for $10. DJ Wally Rios is on the ones and twos.