Category Archives: Spotlight

Artists of all varieties that I know and work with.

Heavy Souls :: Jonathan Brown Expresses Loss With ‘For Tavis’

Posted on November 9, 2017 | Leave a comment

Jonathan Brown has become a good friend over the years.  I’ve always appreciated his ability to leave it all on the tape… on the stage… his brutal honesty and ability to be completely open are unparalleled.  As someone who has recently lost a great number of people close to me to that other side of living, I can completely understand what he is going through in For Tavis, a tribute to his recently deceased friend and comrade Tavis Brunson.  This is for all of those… all of us… who have lost someone close to them, and lost a piece of themselves.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight

Tagged , , , ,

Smart Money :: OMS Sunglasses Hit The Streets

Posted on November 8, 2017 | Leave a comment

Old Man Skateboards is back at it again with the merch, and this time it’s in the form of sunshades.  You know how OMS does it with the DIY, and this commercial is proof of both the creativity and hilarity found within the OMS YouTube channel.  You can cop a pair for 10 bones by reaching out to oldmanskateboards@yahoo.com, or you can cop them via the Bandcamp page.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, Spotlight

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Keep Rising :: Exploded Drawing Celebrates 7 Years In Style

Posted on November 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

a1098030544_10

After 7 years of hard work and endless dedication, the Exploded Drawing family is reaping the recognition they rightfully deserve.  2017 has found the crew expanding into the festival circuit, playing the legendary Low End Theory in Los Angeles, bringing the very same Low End Theory to Austin, receiving recognition in the Austin Chronicle and Texas Monthly within weeks of one another, and releasing vinyl and cassettes via the legendary Fat Beats distribution to commemorate 7 years.  Exploded Drawing: “7 Years” Compilation features all of the producers you’ve come to know and love from the crew, an introduction featuring KUTX‘s Art Levy, and it’s all come together on a beautiful full-color gatefold (designed by Michael Scheel) with color vinyl pressings in 2 options.  I am so happy for the crew, and forever honored to be among its ranks.  Here’s to countless more years of continued fun and hopeful success.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, Chief News, General Information, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Insane Creations :: Astrokeyy Drops Gripping Visual For ‘The Hated Freestyle’

Posted on November 6, 2017 | Leave a comment

As usual, I found myself combing through the I Support ATX Hip Hop. Do You? group on Facebook, because I can always rely on finding something new and interesting to share, and today, as usual, it did not let me down.  I came across a YouTube video for Austin-based Astrokeyy with an ill thumbnail of his eyes whited out.  I’ve always been a sucker for a stark and arresting visual, so I clicked the link, and what I got was straightforward bars from the heart over a no-nonsense lowkey performance video that is enhanced by some subtle but wonderful AfterEffects work.  These definitely are not new or unique tricks used in the video, but they are definitely used well by Newhighfilmz for The Hated Freestyle.  Throw the video a like and a share, maybe even a comment, and keep your eyes open for more dopeness from all camps involved.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

Real Talk :: Crew54 Drops ‘Wyld Gents Podcast’

Posted on November 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Sophisticated tomfoolery… that’s what Crew54 calls it.  After successful forays into music, visual and YouTube, the crew is now breaking new ground in the podcast realm with The Wyld Gents Podcast.  M.O.S. and GChrist have always had personality and charisma, as well as undeniable chemistry, and the podcast is a chance to gain a deeper insight into that chemistry.  The two bring their natural rapport to the podcast, and the topics (which range widely in variety) are all addressed earnestly and honestly.  I’m looking forward to seeing what the two talk about in the future, and who knows… maybe ya boy will show up in the mix if they start inviting guests…

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Darkest Sunshine :: More Eaze And Rat Tail Tapes Release ‘unnatural_light.’

Posted on November 2, 2017 | Leave a comment

a0849566519_10

In the words of more eaze, this is ‘good rainy/gray day music. lo-fi folk songs and a side long dreamy electronic track’.  That description pretty much hits the nail on the head for this one… it’s a beautiful trip through a low-key landscape that drops you off in the middle of an electronic playground.  unnatural_light. is distributed by San Antonio-based Rat Tail Tapes, a distribution house that specializes in releases that push the boundaries of sound exploration.  The limited edition cassette tape is available for order, and the tunes are available to listen to online as well, so do yourself a favor and do so.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , , ,

Refresher Course :: Mega Ran Drops ‘STRANGERS’ To Celebrate Release Of ‘Stranger Things 2’

Posted on November 1, 2017 | Leave a comment

a2734730116_10

Philly-based MC Mega Ran had his finger on the pulse of all things interesting last year.  Among his many flags dropped along the pop culture landscape was a dope track dedicated to season one of the runaway Netflix hit Stranger Things.  Anyone who knows Mega Ran knows that he will maximize a good thing for you, and so it came as no surprise when he dropped Strangers the day before Stranger Things 2 hit the digital airwaves.  Featuring production by Isidor, DEADLIFE and Lynx Kinetic done in the vein of the original show soundtrack, this go-round finds Mega Ran focusing in on each main character and providing them with a standalone track.  Get this one while the getting is good, and share it with the other fans of Stranger Things you know, because there are many of us…

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Truths Revealed :: BLXPLTN Releases ‘Education Destruction’ Music Video

Posted on October 27, 2017 | Leave a comment

As referential as music can already be, both in terms of lyrical content and musical interpolation, a listener like me can find endless enjoyment in a song.  When a band can take that referential element to the next level by incorporating that aesthetic into their music videos in a nearly perfect context, that’s when things move to the next level.  BLXPLTN‘s latest video offering, Education Destruction, hits this on every level… the song draws the direct line between education, knowledge of self, personal empowerment and influencing the world around you… the video takes the They Live! approach by using the sunglasses metaphor as a reveal of what lies underneath what you’ve been spoonfed.  Another homerun for the hometown heroes, for sure.  Give this one a like, a comment and a share, and keep your eyes and ears open for a new BLXPLTN album on the horizon.

-chief

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , ,

Fresh Starts :: Flotation Drops ‘Brand New’ Single

Posted on October 26, 2017 | Leave a comment

a1300547580_10

Boom bap is not dead yet.  Insight and knowledge is not dead yet.  The latest example comes from Flotation, based out of Dallas, in the form of the single Brand New.  Featuring production by Ritchy Flo and a pitch perfect guest verse from Molekular, Brand New is an example of making something fresh out of a familiar approach.  As Flotation states, ‘we bring the funk back daily’, and if this is a taste of what may come in the form of a full-length project, I am definitely ready to scope it out.  Props on the design and presentation of this project.. it’s cool to see someone drop the single / instrumental / acapella format again.  Dig it and download it.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , , , , ,

Manic Expression :: PHRAYNKH P Waxes Poetic On ‘MARILYN MONROE’

Posted on October 25, 2017 | Leave a comment

a1463406770_10

Something about certain women can make a rational man go into a series of thoughts that test the bounds of rationality and sanity.  PHRAYNKH P, on his latest track MARILYN MONROE, takes the concept to some wonderfully playful extremes.  The verses hit all aspects of that obsession quality that infatuation creates, and the hurt is captured beautifully in the chorus line ‘she got a hole in my brain like a Kennedy’.  I’m definitely looking forward to seeing how this song will fit into the context of a full project, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoy it on its own.  Worth your time on the download and sharing front.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

Tagged , , ,