Category Archives: Chief News

News involving Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice, including music, shows, tours, and more.

Workingman’s Rap :: #WeirdRapDiscussionGang Focuses In On Midwest Hip-Hop

Everyone in the #WeirdRapDiscussionGang has been a bit on the busy side with personal projects and travelling, but recently we found the time to get back together and start what will hopefully be a smaller series within our bigger picture… brief deep dives into regional flavors of rap.  Our first stop found us examining the Midwest, though admittedly, we may have bitten off more than we can chew in a single visit.  Check us out as we talk Midwest rap (including quite a bit of Detroit rap, though not purposefully), and if you dig what we’re putting down, then leave us a like and a comment before spreading the gospel of the #WeirdRapDiscussionGang around to those you love!

-chief

Analyze This :: Recent Video Drops From The World Of DOOMonFILM

Slowly but surely, I’ve been picking up momentum over at the DOOMonFILM YouTube channel.  Out of my last four videos, three in particular feel like I’m finding my voice… while my quick thought-share and starting five lineup video for Space Jam : A New Legacy was a bit of a throwaway vid, the other three hold important places in terms of my creative drive and ability.

My deep dive into Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is a chance to explain why that film stands as my all-time favorite film, not to mention one that unveils new treasures with each viewing experience.  My analysis of Ratcatcher 2 from The Suicide Squad through the lens of the anti-villain not only stood as one of the pieces of analysis I am happiest with, but one of the quickest turnarounds in terms of film release to idea inception to production to release.  My most recent drop, a setup of The 400 Blows as direct (albeit subtle) inspiration for the films Capernaum and Juice, will probably not make my channel blow up, but it is an idea that I have been sitting on for a while, with the discovery of Capernaum helping me to flesh out the idea fully.

If you’ve not done so already, head over to the DOOMtubeATX YouTube channel and subscribe, like all the videos, and comment that you can from the blog page.  

-chief

Youth Explosion :: Weird Rap Discussion Gang Studies The Timeline Of Kid Rappers

Be it the gimmicky New Jack Swing mimicry of the early 1990s, the edgier rebellious juvenile rap of the late 1990s, the party-pop sound of the new millennium, or the modern day mini-versions of adults, hip-hop has a long history of child acts with varying degrees of success.  In true Weird Rap Discussion Gang fashion, the crew of Th’MoleBeverly Fre$h and myself took a trip down memory lane and discussed how we feel about the growth of kid rap.  This one was a little different than usual, but like always, it was a ton of fun and relatively insightful, so definitely set aside some time to check it out!  If you like what you see, leave a like and a comment, and if you find yourself thirsting for more Weird Rap content, subscribe to the channel and check out the official website, weirdrap.com.

-chief

Shadetree Deconstruction :: James Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’ Inspires New #DOOMonFILM Video

After several years of running the DOOMonFILM blog over at Tumblr, where I spent my time reviewing and analyzing a wide spectrum of films from over the years, I found myself mostly fulfilled, but yearning to include video essays in my creative fold.  With the time afforded to many of us during 2020, I decided to pull the trigger on DOOMtubeATX, my YouTube channel that I hope will eventually showcase a number of different series I plan to create.  DOOMtubeATX afforded me the opportunity to add the visual element to my film analysis (as previously mentioned), and its times like this past weekend that I appreciate having committed myself to DOOMtubeATX.  I watched James Gunn‘s latest release, a refresh on The Suicide Squad, the Thursday night that it premiered early.  Then I watched it again Saturday.  And again on Sunday.  By the end of my third watch, the gears were turning, and the result is what you see above : a dissection of the Antivillian concept, with Ratcatcher 2 (depicted by actress Daniela Melchior) as the case study.  If you’re in to overanalyzing the movie viewing experience, or you’re simply open to a fresh take that could shift your perspective, then check out the video!  Leave a like and a comment if you feel moved to do so, and subscribe to the channel if you’d be interested in checking out future content.

-chief

Spin Control :: Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice Drops A New Mix For Summer 2021

I often find myself so busy these days with my numerous musical, film and blogging ventures (not to mention consistent gig schedule) that I often neglect the practice that got me where I am today : the mixtape.  Luckily for me (and hopefully for the masses), I found some time this weekend to get in a mix I’ve playfully titled a collection of songs artisanally blended in an aesthetically pleasing manner.  Hip-hop will always be my bread and butter, and it is certainly represented on here by the likes of Pop SmokeMIKETyler the Creator and Lil’ WaynePharrellKenny MasonIsaiah Rashad and Lil’ Uzi Vert, but I wanted to make sure that a wider spectrum of music got some shine, hence the inclusion of songs from Olivia RodrigoBillie EilishLeon BridgesThundercatAriana GrandeCautious ClayKAYTRANADA and many more.  If you find yourself trying to cool down on one of these warm summer evenings and think you’re in need of a soundtrack, reach for this mix!  Donate if you choose, download if you like, stream when you can and share as often as possible!

-chief

Return Visit :: BigBlackGuyReviews And DOOMonFILM Meet Again For ‘Bustin’ Loose’ Review Part 2

Shout out to BigBlackGuyReviews for once again letting me take part in a collaborative review!  This one is just as hilarious as part one, so jump on it immediately, drop a like and a comment, and share it around!

-chief

Funky Concepts :: Protextor Joins The Weird Rap Discussion Gang To Deep Dive Hip-Hop Concept Albums

By now, you should know the drill when it comes to the Weird Rap Discussion Gang… the conversation topics span the gamut, and the discussions go deep.  Recently, I had the pleasure of inviting the homie Protextor to join Th’MoleBeverly Fre$h and myself for an episode of the Weird Rap Discussion Gang where we focused on concept albums, which are basically albums with some sort of connectivity throughout that attempt to present an idea in a long-form manner.  With Dr. OctagonecologystSplendor & MiseryFunhouse and Because The Internet on the table, you know that we had a good time, so check out the episode, leave a like and comment your thoughts or favorite concept album, and help spread the word by sharing this episode around!

-chief

Plug Tunin’ :: Weird Rap Discussion Gang Does A Deep Dive On De La Soul

Even before news broke that De La Soul may finally see the Tommy Boy portion of their catalog available on streaming sites and digital storefronts as early as this winter, the members of the Weird Rap Discussion Gang had De La on the brain.  After mentioning them at several intervals in the weeks prior, the collective decided to do a special two part deep dive into the Posdnous (aka Plug Won) and Dave (aka Plug Two), the main lyrical components of the groundbreaking hip-hop trio.  For the respective episodes, each member of the Weird Rap Discussion Gang chose their favorite verse from each MC, a monumental undertaking in its own right, and shared their thoughts on what makes each verse so special.  If you’re one of those people who believes that De La Soul‘s place in hip-hop is underrated, if you’re a fan of innovative and forward-thinking lyricism, or if you just love hearing hip-hop heads talk about hip-hop, then check out both of these episodes, leave likes and comments, and subscribe to the Weird Rap YouTube channel for more great content.

-chief

The Rollout :: Ryan Darbonne And Company Present ‘I AM TX’

I can’t lie, I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, and have been very excited to share it with the world.  For those who know, they know the wheels of entertainment turn a bit slower on the film side, so after a successful production, an impressive run at the film festival circuit, and a bit of unplanned time on the shelf due to COVID-19, it brought me great pleasure when Ryan Darbonne let all of the I AM TX cast and crew know that the film was finally ready to share to the world.  It stars the multi-talented Jonathan K. Horstmann from BLXPLTNUrban Heat and much more, Pleasure Venom lead singer Audrey Campbell and myself, and featured the talents of many Austin-based members of the film scene.  We’re very proud of what we made, and even prouder to share it with everyone, so please take a moment to check it out, and if you feel inclined to do so, let us know what you thought and share it with others.

-chief

Tagging In :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Feels In Last Minute With DJ Set For The Weird Rap Radio Show

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… the opportunities I’ve gotten as a part of the Weird Rap collective have been extremely fun and fulfilling.  With the creation of The Weird Rap Radio Show, many of the artists and creatives connected to the Weird Rap crew have gotten a chance to share music they dig, and I was scheduled for a July set.  Me being the DJ that I’ve been for decades, I knocked out my set weeks ago in anticipation of making sure I was putting my best foot forward.  As the people say, “the best ability is availability”, and my availability came into play when a scheduled set suddenly fell through this weekend.  The call came through to me, and I was able to fill in with little to no notice.  The set is now on Mixcloud, so check it out above, and tune in to SPAZradio every Sunday evening for the live airing of The Weird Rap Radio Show.

-chief