Category Archives: Underground Me Now

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Spectrum Analysis :: Cunabear Shows Wonderful Range With ‘Yawning Towards Heaven!!!!’

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For most artists and creatives, the last thing that you want to do is limit yourself in terms of expression.  As therapeutic as creating art and music can be, it is infinitely more rewarding when you allow yourself to expand beyond the limits imposed on you by others (or yourself).  Enter SavannahGeorgia-based cunabear, an artist who clearly understands and adheres to the practice of not limiting himself in terms of creative expression.  Yawning Towards Heaven!!!!, his latest release (produced by sp00ks), wonderfully shifts between abstract instrumentals, experimental boom-bap hip-hop, spoken word over sparse instrumentation, and a handful of solid posse cuts featuring labelmates such as SB the MoorBigStupidIdiotGomec, the homie Virgil WolfeCreative Space CadetMugWampers and four_circles.  Most everything I’ve heard from BearTooth Collective has been good, but Yawning Towards Heaven!!!! plays very much like a deeply felt personal statement.  Props to cunabear for putting out a true gem for heads to take in.

-chief

Beautiful Wasteland :: Pleasure Venom Drops Pair Of Videos For ‘These Days’

Being cast for the upcoming indie short film I AM TX has been the gift that keeps on giving.  Not only did it enrich existing friendships, I’ve gotten lucky enough to make new ones that have been mutually beneficial.  Getting to know Audrey Campbell of Pleasure Venom has been one of the most inspirational results of that bit of luck.  Pleasure Venom was in the midst of a transition during the film’s production, with a goal of hitting a newly renewed stride in the months following.  Fast forward to now, and Campbell has a handful of music video director credits under her belt, including the recent These Days, which was premiered by AFROPUNK.  The video is a straight forward affair for the most part… dark field, beat down surroundings, immaculately dressed band giving you the musical business, and Campbell overseeing the entirety of events like a boss, plus cameos from Dawn Okoro, Asha Lanae, and Gerilyn Hayes.  Drummer Thomas Valles pulled double duty as well, both performing in and editing the video.  Things really get interesting in the alternate, VR version, however, an achievement in its own right :

Being literally surrounded by Pleasure Venom is definitely a memorable experience.  I look forward to supporting them further, sharing more of their work, and watching them rise to new heights.

-chief

Root Down :: Deano Coate Turns Travels in Guinea, West Africa To ‘Conakry’

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Deano Cote, integral member to Fort NeverNGHT HCKLRS and Blastfamous USA, is quite the accomplished musician and interesting individual in his own right.  During a recent trip to GuineaWest AfricaCote took the opportunity to gather field recordings that sparked his interest during the journey.  Upon his return to the states, he took these elements, and combined with his own original production, Conakry was born.  The project is an embrace of rhythm, the drums, naturally soulful expression and innovative methods of bridging sonic gaps.  This one is currently on Spotify and other streaming services, so I’d definitely suggest doing yourself a favor and checking it out if you’re looking for something new and eye-opening.

-chief

Looking Back :: Unusuals Reflects On Two Year Old Self-Titled Debut

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From the digital desk of Unusuals :

‘This album celebrates its 2-years since its release date this upcoming August.

I wrote a majority of this album while going through some crazy times, & went back to rewrite it after my appendix surgery.

I feel y’all should check it out, I may be on a current hiatus from seriously listening to music & making music, but this album is something I hope one day people will understand its concept.

It was inspired by dark times & the study of the lust for human interaction.’

I wasn’t hip to this when he first dropped it, but Unusuals is definitely a completely different animal from If You’re Waiting Till We’re Dead, Don’t Bother Listening.  This project plays more like a Trent Reznor album than a hip-hop album, with deep sonic textures to match the deep emotional tones hit.  This album is definitely worth taking some time with.

-chief

Quick Fix :: Virgil Wolfe Collaborates With Big Lo For ‘Lovely To Look At’

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Virgil Wolfe recently dropped a new track, a collaboration with producer Big Lo titled Lovely To Look At.   The beat is wonderfully off-kilter and lo-fi, with an eerie vocal sample and purposeful recording/aging distortion integrated into the track.  It’s a suitable soundscape for some of Wolfe‘s more cryptic lyrical fare.  His verse and delivery put me in the mindset of a Labyrinth-like situation, where I must solve the riddles Virgil Wolfe presents me before I am able to progress further.  My only real frustration with the song is that it is simply a single verse… an extended break and a second verse would have made this one pure gold.  Maybe a remix featuring Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice on a guest verse could solve that?  Regardless, here’s to Virgil Wolfe for continuing to put out both quantity and quality when it comes to tunage.

-chief

Award Tour :: Austin Hip Hop Awards Cyphers 2018

The Austin Hip Hop Awards 2018 took place recently, and with that comes the traditional set of cypher videos.  Each video is meant to highlight notables from the awards while giving these artists a chance to showcase their talents and introduce new viewers to what they’re all about.  The 2018 editions, curated by Austin mainstay George VonDoom, definitely stand up to the test when it comes to giving a solid cross section of Austin talent.  There are definitely artists I personally would have loved to see involved, but I give much props and respect to all of those involved, as these cyphers proved that these spots were earned.

Part one took place at the Metropolitan apartment complex, home to many hip-hop shows and events over the years.  This cypher took on a more hardcore edge, featuring Tone BriganteSpefyLoose Cannon, and strong closeout verses from Geezy Goin Ham and 245 Nixout.

Part two was the more ominous, 1990’s-esque aesthetic edition.  Raps in the kitchen, no frills, just straight talk and straight lyrical prowess.  Mista D and George VonDoom set things off proper, with Foolish Karlito closing things out in immaculate style.

Part three, set in front of an impressive mural, was more straight talk from a diverse group of MCs.  Sixxx kicked the door down, Kannkasso and D.R.O.I.D. lit things up with wordplay and high energy flows, and GA Daniel cleaned up with a heartfelt flow.

Here’s to those showcased in the Austin Hip Hop Awards 2018 cyphers, and props to the Austin Hip Hop Awards for taking the time each year to put this level of recognition together.  Not everyone makes music for validation on this level, but you can best believe that receiving this kind of validation encourages artists to keep moving forward and to better themselves.

-chief

Diversified Elements :: Clemits Drops ‘A Cult Classic’, Continues To Grow Creatively

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Clemits is setting himself up to reap the rewards from loads of hard work he’s been putting in the last few years.  His latest project, the hypnotic beat tape A Cult Classic, not only entertains, but has been rolled out by the likes of Hip Hop DX, among other tastemaker blogs currently helping to define the hip-hop culture.  The tape covers a variety of feelings and moods within a tight 14 tracks, with clear influences to jazz, film scores and even hints of electronic music all emerging from the boom bap foundation Clemits provides.

On top of what will surely be a successful album release, Clemits is also nearly a full season deep into The Clemits Show, a podcast designed to showcase fellow creatives, discuss creative methods and inspiration, and hopefully help those looking for creative motivation to move forward with their ideas.  Click the pic below for access to the podcast via Apple :

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Hopefully, Clemits continues his current trajectory, as he seems to be headed for good things in the near future.  Make sure to support him and other local creatives, simply because it’s the right thing to do.

-chief

Paradise City :: Poolboi Blu Drops Another Banger With ‘Sandy’

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In all seriousness, who out there is putting in the work this summer at a level comparable to poolboi blu?  My man has been putting has not only been putting out steady material, but quality material as well, with a range of sound that scans a wide spectrum.  His latest gem is sandy, a quick little banger that manages to be both high energy and a mellow banger in equal measure.  This one is a true earworm if there ever was one in the poolboi blu catalog.  You know the drill… likes, shares, comments, and props for our local superstars.

-chief

Invasion Force :: Sunni Soper Talks ‘Castle Walls’ On Write About Now

While at the 2017 Texas Grand Slam Cypher in Bryan, Texas, poet Sunni Soper took a moment to perform one of her pieces, the extremely moving and revealing Castle Walls, for Write About Now‘s YouTube channel.  In all honesty, however, it feels more like a confession via the digital realm… a sit-down between us viewers and Sunni Soper as she reveals, retracts, respects, retracts, and all in a beautifully rhythmic poetic cycle.  Her forceful voice, her commanding presence, her honest nature… all of it is conveyed in a powerful three minutes.  Much respect.  You know the drill.. like it, share it, leave a comment to verify the all around badassery.

-chief

Truth Bombs :: Cha’keeta B Drops Another Gem With ‘Flex’ Video

There seems to be no denying the fact that Cha’keeta B is a forced to be reckoned with, be it the Austin hip-hop scene or otherwise.  Her confidence in herself is nearly unmatched, and her lyrical skill level continues to be consistent and impressive, with her bars managing to be self-affirming and motivating in equal measure on Flex.  The main message of the track is up-front and simple : there’s nothing wrong with celebrating winning, especially if that victory is due to your motivation, efforts and hard work.  The value of earning your status on your own terms cannot be undermined, and Cha’keeta B manages to put some shine on the concept with a sleek looking and impressive video.  This one is racking up impressive numbers already, but go ahead and help keep that momentum going by giving it a like, comment and/or share (if not all three), and remember to keep supporting artists like Cha’keeta B in their efforts.

chief