My main man SniperShot dropped an extremely wonderful video about love and being yourself, and just in time for Valentine’s Day to boot. 8-Bit not only tells, it shows, and both expressions will stay with you for a long time, guaranteed. This is 100% DO NOT SLEEP ON material.
-chief
Wow. Existence is Existential, the debut offering from …&more…, was already way ahead of its time when it dropped. I knew that when they hit us with a follow-up, it would be good. I had no way of fathoming that it could potentially be as good as the lead single, Faces Places, is setting the bar. Point blank, period, this is the jam. I am stretching the depths of my mind to find something grounding to say about this song, because it literally woke me right up from the first second. Good god, I can’t wait for Existence is Futile to drop.
-chief
Evan Moran is a man of many talents. After solidly establishing himself as a truly unique creative in the realm of independent southern hip hop, both lyrically and sonicly, Evan Moran is now taking time to explore different areas of production. Via the pseudonym Kal, we have been treated to a short collection of lo fi beats titled tomorrow is the same as yesterday, and the mission statement that accompanies the album sets a wonderful tone for the project. Yet another one of my friends making film score quality music… I hope this trend continues.
-chief
Like many of the other creatives in Austin, Anastasia is using 2017 as a clear signal that she is evolving into an even more diverse artist than the one we’ve come to know. Born To Love You, with its impeccable timing just days before Valentine’s day, is set to be a nice soundtrack for the day we love love. The song features gues bars from Lil Milez, and the video is a perfect telling of the story of passion and anticipation. Beautiful work from beautiful people.
-chief
Anytime babelfishh releases something, I’m interested. This time around, he’s connected with james p. honey for a collaborative project known as SHOTGUN HOWLING. First impressions, this falls somewhere between Themselves and Panda Bear, with a wonderful sparse and organic approach to the production, like Tom Waits on an MPC. The first video, vicious proposals, is super dope, so check it all out, share it all, and support if you can!
-chief
It seems like there is a vibe in the air that 2017 is going to be someone’s year in my peer group. Everyone is taking shots at making bigger steps and gaining more exposure. Case in point, yet another set of my wonderful and talented musician friends are in the mix for the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest. This time, it’s the San Antonio-based trip hop duo Voodoo Boogaloo bringing their spacey, loving vibes to the contest. My blog may just mess around and end up being a ton of my friends going for the NPR-gold in 2017!
-chief
NPR announced that there were record breaking numbers of entrants into their annual Tiny Desk Concert Contest for 2017. After seeing the homeboy Da’Shade Moonbeam throw his hat in the ring, and knowing that this year will be the first of a major transition into the visual realm, I knew it would be foolish to miss this opportunity. Therefore, Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice is now officially entered into the contest as well! Check out my submission video for Choke from Permanent Record (beat by Lo Phi), and please give it a like, leave it a comment, and encourage others to do the same! And if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel for what should be an exciting 2017 filled with visual content…
-chief
This is some straight up solid work from the man known as Kydd Jones. Not that his other work hasn’t been on point, but this song, in my humble opinion, is the kind of track that could make the charts right now. Dripped Up finds Kydd dropping some sparse but strongly delivered bars over his own production, and this beat is moody as hell while still being moving. Keep on growing, Kydd, and I won’t be surprised if the world is talking about you sooner than later.
-chief
Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now
Tagged chief, dripped up, kydd jones, the doomsday device
I remember when willing was just showing up at the Austin Mic Exchange and other local hip-hop events, hungry like all of us are, and trying to find his place in the scene. At first, he had a rapid fire style that was wonderful rich with poetic and referential textures, but over time, willing has honed his style into a very direct approach… well thought word choices and placement, and exploration with lots of depth. Closed Set, a recent collaboration with producer AO, is a two song streaming set with 6 additional tracks available when downloaded. Give willing and AO a listen, a share, and some support.
-chief
If you had to put me on the spot with an Austin hip-hop top five, DDotElles will constantly make that list. My man is consistently dropping some of the most thought-provoking hip-hop coming out of the south, let alone Austin. His newest single, Sepia, is certainly not new ground for the last year or so, as ageism and the generational divide has been a hot button topic for hip-hop. What makes Sepia different, however, is its clever approach to stressing the need for understanding of what came before you and how it allows you to move ahead, among many other points that it stresses. Props to DDotElles, Arthur Castro and the ill beat by 3Zone$. Share this, but not until you give it a few deep listens for yourself.
-chief
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice 