Category Archives: Spotlight

Artists of all varieties that I know and work with.

Honesty Policy :: Alesia Lani And G-Jet Explore ‘Intentions’

Posted on July 12, 2017 | Leave a comment

Alesia Lani has been a fixture on the Austin R&B scene for quite a few years, and it seems as if she has always had a goal to bring legitimacy to both her own career and the scene she represents.  With the release of her latest single, Intentions, it seems that she has found a new focus on growing herself and her presentation as an R&B singer.  Intentions has an air of maturity to it without seeming like it places her above anyone listening.  It has a very direct message (say what you mean, do what you say), and it fits perfectly over standout production from Kal V and Jon Keyz.  Add a wonderful guest verse from G-Jet, and you’ve got a radio-ready song that will hopefully make some positive noise for Alesia Lani.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Standing Strong :: Lady Shacklin Visualizes Growth In A ‘Lonely World’

Posted on July 10, 2017 | Leave a comment

Even when folks have your back, it can sometimes be extremely easy to fall into a ‘me against the world’ mentality.  Luckily, Lady Shacklin appears to not only disregard the feelings to shy away from that mentality, but she embraces it fully as she explores the feeling and tries to find a way through it to the other side of things.  With a musical assist from DJ Gonz, and a visual assist from Jay Mackall of Grind District Entertainment, the video for Lonely World is a great reminder that we can make it if we try.  Props to Lady Shacklin for hitting us with the Mary J. Blige vibes in this one as well.. Austin r&b is plentiful, but having someone with an edge on the scene gives the proper range and variety needed to keep the scene from getting stagnant.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

Inner Vision :: StormShadow Drops Jewels For ‘Recognize Your Enemy’

Posted on July 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

You’d think that after the completion of a project like The Mic Fiends, an MC would be content to ride the wave and rest on their laurels.  StormShadow, however, is not that type of MC.  In preparation of his upcoming solo release Rebel with ah Cause, Storm has blessed us with a video for his latest single, Recognize Your Enemy.  Storm spits bars about his modus operandi of crafting dope rhymes and knowing who does or doesn’t have your best interest in mind, and he does it on top of a banger by Frank Moses (bka as N.I.P. Productions).  If this is an indication of what the full length will be about, best believe I’m ready to check it out.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , , ,

High Alert :: Blastfamous USA Drops Debut EP

Posted on July 6, 2017 | Leave a comment

a2007425667_10

Blastfamous USA is far from the first supergroup out of the Austin music scene, but they’re by far one of the illest and most promising musical connections the scene has seen in quite a while.  NGHT HCKLRS and Zeale Rapz certainly did not need one another, as each of these particular musical projects has seen varied levels of success on their own.  This go-round, however, is proving to be fruitful for all parties involved, especially Zeale Rapz, who was always clever with the wordplay, but is showing a completely genuine edge on these tracks that (in my opinion) has only been hinted at in the past.  As with most banger EPs, I am certainly ready for what the full length project has in store… props to everyone involved in this project.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , , , ,

Audible Dimensions :: Apek Drops ‘CvltStatus’ Single

Posted on July 5, 2017 | Leave a comment

a2415376307_10

Austin-based MC Apek is hoping to make an impact in 2017.  As he prepares to release his upcoming project ShapeShift, a warning shot in the form of CvltStatus has been issued.  There seems to be a theme of duality running throughout the track.. the carnal and the spiritual, the secular and the unseen, and so on.  Very cool concept for a song, and I am interested to see where the full project goes.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , , ,

Rap Tactician :: Syllable Waxes Poetic On ‘Tomorrow Starts Today’

Posted on July 3, 2017 | Leave a comment

Sometimes, you’ve gotta be super direct with it.  Enter the homie Syllable with his latest visual offering, Tomorrow Starts Today.  Rather than dress up the presentation with lots of visual flair and magic tricks, Syllable takes the broadcaster/Youtuber approach and speaks directly to the listener.  With mic in hand, thoughts in head and tons of heart, what we receive is a very frank and direct assessment of where Syllable is at and where he plans to be.  Good stuff for sure.. give it a like, a share, and show your local love.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, Spotlight

Tagged , , ,

Straight Talk :: Ben Al Drops Visuals For ‘In A Min’

Posted on June 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

Sometimes, being all business can be the best format for getting your point across.  Enter In a Min, the latest video from Austin hip hop mainstay Ben Al.  The video takes a lo-fi approach, catching Ben Al in many familiar places, addressing the camera directly, and giving what equates to a state of the union for him and his stances on life and hip hop.  You know how I do it… I love doing the grounded thing just as much as I do the fantastic approach, and this video/song combo stays so grounded it’s underground by association… that being said, give it a share, a like and a comment, and keep supporting that local hip hop.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , ,

Another One :: Abuzayed The Free’s Session With ‘The Hot Conversation’

Posted on June 29, 2017 | Leave a comment

Once again, Ovrld comes through with another dynamite edition of The Hot Conversation.  This go-round, Austin MC turned new New Yorker Abuzayed the Free stopped in to talk about her music, her philosophy, and her general outlook on life, among other things.  Lots to digest here, and definitely worth your listens.

-chief

Leave a comment

Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Tagged , , , ,

Mixed Symbols :: Fort Never’s ‘Paradigm’ Is Visually Stunning

Posted on June 23, 2017 | Leave a comment

Sadly, I am not very familiar with Fort Never, but it is apparent that I need to get familiar as soon as possible.  Paradigm, solely as a song, is strong and captivating.  This music video, however, takes a solid foundation and builds a castle on top of it.  2017 continues to be an amazing, stellar year for Austin music videos, and this not only continues that trend, but I’d argue it raises the bar.  This is the closest thing I’ve seen to Losing My Religion from our endless supply of local talent.  This video demands multiple watches.  Give it a few, like it, share it, and encourage others to do the same.

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , ,

Wonder Years :: Notes Floats Gets It On ‘Same Page’

Posted on June 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

Quality and consistency.  That’s what we’ve come to expect from Notes Floats.  Dude has been in the beats and rhymes game for ages, and in this time, he has developed a culture.. a presentation.. an aura that speaks his brand.  His latest music video, Same Page, seems to capture his aesthetic perfectly, and it fits into his video canon very nicely.  Give it a watch, give it a like, and give it a share or comment (or both)!

-chief

Leave a comment

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

Tagged , , ,