Category Archives: Spotlight

Artists of all varieties that I know and work with.

Blazing Trails :: Feral The Earthworm Debuts ‘Crust Rapper’ Music Video

Posted on October 11, 2019 | Leave a comment

As stated in the video’s description, Feral the Earthworm has made loads of content for social media, but he has never done a true and proper music video.  With the help of directing duo Buddy Lewis and Car Molstad, his trusty van, and a little costuming magic, Crust Rapper was blessed with a memorable and entertaining video reminiscent of a time in hip-hop where creativity thrived and resonated on uncharted levels, which really allowed individual skills and characteristics to shine.  Feral is certainly a forward thinking individual, and it’s nice to see him expand his creative realms into both the familiar and unfamiliar, as he continues to be an inspiration to all of us.  Check out the video, leave a like and a comment, and share it around so others can get in on the action!

-chief

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

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Staying Afloat :: Anthony Maintain Shows Out On ‘Plugging Holes In The Same Leaky Boat’

Posted on October 10, 2019 | Leave a comment

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This is one of those moments where the anticipation pays off.. where the wait was well worth it.. Anthony Maintain has been teasing the release of Plugging Holes In The Same Leaky Boat for quite a while now, debuting bits and pieces in live sets prior to moving from the Austin area back to the East Coast.  Everyone who’d heard the tastes provided, however, knew that when the project dropped, it was going to drop like a ton of bricks, and Anthony Maintain has proven me correct.  This album is a sonic journey through moody soundscapes and thought-provoking wordplay, plus there are a handful of special contributors on the project (one of which you may recognize).  Check this one out at the link above, or on your favorite streaming service, and encourage others to do the same!

-chief

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

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Raw Deluxe :: Big Jaw Drop Video For ‘Mess Around’

Posted on October 8, 2019 | Leave a comment

When it comes to music, live or otherwise, nothing hits home quite like a solid and heartfelt rock band.  It appears that the Austin-base rock band Big Jaw is well aware of this fact, as their latest single and video, Mess Around, is a no-nonsense, direct attack on the senses courtesy of lead singer/guitarist Clint Roth, bassist Ishaq Clayton, and drummer Marty Mack.  The video flips between psychedelic pinwheels of the band members and a performance space session, but the pure energy and joy the band members exude radiates off the screen in waves.  This one is a banger for sure, so check it out, leave a like and a comment on the video, and share it around so others can enjoy!

-chief

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

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Love Games :: Tone Royal And DEVMO Collaborate With Dynasty Wells-Union On Unforgettable Video For ‘Daily’

Posted on October 7, 2019 | Leave a comment

While not the first video I’ve seen made entirely of Lego‘s, I have to say that Tone Royal and DEVMO‘s video for Daily, created after a month of painstaking work by director Dynasty Wells-Union, is an achievement nonetheless.  The narrative presented mirrors that of the song, and the perspective switch (and style switch) used to convey point of view (and time of events, respectively) is extremely simple but effective.  Tone gives an extremely heartfelt performance, but manages to avoid the trappings of a one-sided story by providing DEVMO the opportunity to give the other side, allowing both to come to a loving middle ground after seeing the greater picture of good and bad.  This one will definitely get some year-end recognition, but don’t wait until then to check it out, as it deserves to go viral right now.

-chief

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

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World Premiere :: ‘Gang Signs’ Hits The Airwaves

Posted on October 6, 2019 | Leave a comment

I’ve been a fan of what the League of Extraordinary G’z and all those connected have done for a long time now, and one of the main reasons I love what they do is because of the energy they bring to their music.  You can tell that these cats speak from deep experience, and that they stand behind every word spoken.  All of these aspects are on 10 for the latest release, Gang Sings, a banger courtesy of $.Dot, DoWrong and Dominican Jay.  As a longtime fan of groups like Compton’s Most Wanted, South Central Cartel, and rappers like DJ Quik, this track checks all the proper boxes for me.  The video is dynamic, with excellent camerawork and direction guided by Super Thing, and the Eric Dingus track matches the energy level of all three MCs, who straight snap on each verse.  This one is an instant classic, so get in on the ground floor with the likes, comments and shares, because folks are gonna get hip quick to this one.

-chief

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

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Switching Gears :: Heroes Die Young Throw A Curveball With ‘Hey There Honey’

Posted on October 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

Songwriting can sometimes become a delicate balance between dangerous adventuring outside of your comfort zone and falling into a predictive rut.  It seems like recently, Heroes Die Young found themselves somewhere in the middle of this realm, as the self-admitted punk and alternative band dipped their toes into the waters of swing via their latest single, Hey There Honey.  The group has always had an appreciation for musical diversity, which keeps their songs from sounding repetitive, but the playful energy at the beginning of Hey There Honey gives it a unique life and bounce… this song definitely would lend itself to a music video, if the group ever chose to create one.  Check out the track, share it around for others to enjoy, and support your local creatives!

-chief

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

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Mental Blessings :: StormShadow And Dr. Bobby Banner, MPC Visualize ‘The Pathway’

Posted on October 3, 2019 | Leave a comment

The Indelibe Inc. camp stays in creative mode, and their latest output is a solid slice of inspiration messaging courtesy of StormShadow, one of Austin‘s more forward thinking and esoteric MCs.  With the help of Dr. Bobby Banner, MPC on both production and creation of the accompanying video, Storm presents the masses with guidance in terms of bars that focus on recognizing the power within you, harnessing your understanding through education, and learning how to focus your energies into positive outcomes for yourself and your circle.  I’ve always been a fan of where Storm‘s head is at, and The Pathway is just further proof that he’s on the right track creatively.  Check out the video, like it and leave a comment to help boost its YouTube presence, and share it around so others can do the same.

-chief

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

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Buzz Words :: Chief And TheDoomsdayDevice Drops ‘Bee Drowns In The Honey’ In Anticipation Of ‘Day For Night’ Release

Posted on October 2, 2019 | Leave a comment

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I’m getting extremely hype about releasing Day For Night, my latest EP in a long line of solo releases.  The original idea was to be dialing down the musical output at this time to make room for other creative outlets, but inspiration cannot be denied once it makes its presence known.  Bee Drowns In The Honey is the perfect example of this principle, as it was the cadence and verse-styling of Playboi Carti that inspired me to approach this beat with a different attitude and execution.  I’m very happy with this particular song, and the project as a whole, so definitely make sure to share this one around, and keep your eyes and ears open for more information in regards to the release of the full project.

-chief

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

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Unlocking Chambers :: Axiom Brings ‘Wu-Tang : Shaloin Masters’ To ‘Rappers Playing Games (RPG)’

Posted on October 1, 2019 | Leave a comment

Like many hip-hop lovers my age, minds were blown when Wu-Tang Clan popped up in a fighting game on the PS1 in the form of Wu-Tang : Shaolin Masters, so it was only a matter of time before it found its way to Protextor‘s Baby Lion series, the infamous Rappers Playing Games (RPG).  The San Antonio-based MC known as Axiom was responsible for bringing the game through, which is appropriate, because he drops tons of knowledge on his perspectives and experience in hip-hop very much in the vein of how many of the Wu-Tang artists look at the world.  Most every game and conversation had on Rappers Playing Games (RPG) is enjoyable, but there’s something about this particular combination of game and conversation that resonates on a supreme level.  Dig this one and dig it good, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for others to do the same.

-chief

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

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Illuminating Minds :: The Vapor Caves Keep The Groove Going With ‘Be The Light’

Posted on September 30, 2019 | Leave a comment

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When 2019 is all said and done, it would be negligent (and nearly impossible) to not sit back and admire the year that The Vapor Caves have had.  Time and again, they’ve executed memorable rollouts for stellar music, and their latest attempt continues to stick the landing.  Their ability to create a standout groove is undeniable, and nowhere has that been more present than their latest single, Be the Light, Yadira and BoomBaptist channel some Brand New Heavies-type vibes for an inspirational tune about not letting your inspiration fade, regardless of circumstances.  At the rate these two are going, I’d not be surprised if a full-length was ready and waiting for a release near the end of 2019 or the beginning of 2020.  I know I’ll be paying attention, ready and waiting for it, and I can imagine that many of you will be too.

-chief

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

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