Culture Sounds :: EVOLVE X Mic Melt X Banga K Talk About ‘Basics’

There is no doubting that the monolithic culture we know as Hip-Hop was birthed in New York, but as the culture has grown, so has its reach and influence in not only the United States, but the world.  As a native Texan, I find myself spiritually connected to other Texas-based MCs that understand and respect New York and it’s firm place in the culture, and perhaps this is why it brings me great joy to hear Basics.  The prolific Texas duo that is EVOLVE and Mic Melt have always brought a grittiness and complexity to their artistry that is clearly influenced by the legions of classic New York artists, so to see them connect with New York-based MC Banga K, producer Deep of 2HB and dj Ez Dave during a recent trip to Brooklyn in this latest single feels like providence.  The track is a banger, of course, with the perspectives of those from outside and inside the “city that never sleeps” echoing one another beautifully.  If you dig your Hip-Hop with plenty of head nod energy, then cop this track immediately and spread it around.

-chief

Poetic Mystic :: Faylita Hicks Steps Forward With ‘A New Name For My Love’

I’ve been a friend and fan of Faylita Hicks for quite a while, and watching Faylita‘s journey as an artist, performer and creative has been a pleasure and a joy.  Faylita marched into the darkness of 2020 with the release of HOODWITCH, a stirring collection of poems and images that reflected Faylita‘s past, both bad and good.  Out of this book release came notoriety, opportunities and accreditation, so it makes sense that with such accomplishment bolstering Faylita at the present, the next step would be a new project in the form of A NEW NAME FOR MY LOVE.  The roster, aside from the poetry of Faylita, includes production by Hanz Nobe and Chris Varvaro and guest vocals from SymmaTree, making the album as much of a family affair as it is a personal statement.  Let’s get the numbers run up on A NEW NAME FOR MY LOVE so that the next time we’re talking about Faylita Hicks, we’ll be talking about Grammy consideration and nomination.

-chief

Joyful Noise :: Calvin Valentine And The Cream Dream Team Drop ‘Mayobenz’ Single

The homies Bird Peterson and BoomBaptist, the creative minds behind Cream Dream Records, hit the ground running in 2021 with a handful of releases built around their creative solo outputs and collaborations with Texas homies, but their latest release finds the label expanding their reach via Calvin Valentine, a Los Angeles-based beatsmith whose sound falls right in line with the rest of the roster.  Mayobenz, the lead single off of the forthcoming Weed Is Awesome, is quite the powerful introduction with its solid mixture of boom-bap drums and spiritually uplifting melodies.  If Mayobenz is any indication of what Weed Is Awesome holds in store, then best believe I’ll be right there on release day ready to check it out… if you’re smart, you’ll be doing the same.

-chief

Chop Suey :: Butcher Bear Shows Out For ‘SCM FLIP SESSIONS 7’

Recently, the homie Butcher Bear took a second to give props to his friend and (iN)Sect Records supporter DJ House Shoes for the 8th birthday of StreetCornerSCM, the label that House Shoes runs.  As part of the birthday festivities, the label issued elements for SCM FLIP 7, allowing a long who’s who list of producers to that the chops and flip the elements as they please.  Those who know Butcher Bear know he has a knack for going all in, so it’s no surprise that he turned in quite the headbanger.  Check out the track, because it’s a heater, and be sure to spread the word around about the track specifically and StreetCornerSCM specifically.

-chief

Workingman’s Rap :: #WeirdRapDiscussionGang Focuses In On Midwest Hip-Hop

Everyone in the #WeirdRapDiscussionGang has been a bit on the busy side with personal projects and travelling, but recently we found the time to get back together and start what will hopefully be a smaller series within our bigger picture… brief deep dives into regional flavors of rap.  Our first stop found us examining the Midwest, though admittedly, we may have bitten off more than we can chew in a single visit.  Check us out as we talk Midwest rap (including quite a bit of Detroit rap, though not purposefully), and if you dig what we’re putting down, then leave us a like and a comment before spreading the gospel of the #WeirdRapDiscussionGang around to those you love!

-chief

Heat Waves :: Chris Conde And El Dusty Drop Party Packed Video For ‘Summertime Heat’

Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay, the Fake Four Inc. debut of Texas-based hip-hop trailblazer Chris Conde, has been a gamechanger in the way that it has not only manifested staying power, but opened up many doors of opportunity.  One of the cooler collaborations on the project was Summertime Heat, a song about Texas summers backed by the production prowess of the Grammy-nominated electro-cumbia mastermind El Dusty.  Earlier this month (and in spite of summer technically and theoretically winding down), Conde tapped creatives Mandy Heitzelman SmithAdrienne LakeGreer SkiesSunday BallewMarty RobbinsRichard Whymark and a handful of good friends to bring Summertime Heat to life via an old fashioned pool party.  If you want to take part in the summertime magic vicariously, definitely take a few minutes to check out the video, and if you dig it, be sure to leave a like and a comment before sharing it around!

-chief

Green Power :: Meet The Greens (Blazy Green X MAD1NE) Combine Forces For ‘By Any Greens Necessary’

From the digital desk of Meet The Greens :

“Hip Hop veteran Mc’s Blazy Green X Mad1ne return with a new Meet The Greens EP By Any Greens Necessary, a well rounded effort delivering the essential classical rap elements you should expect of this duo,  [be it] beats, bars, or cuts from the legendary Dj Tecneek on the assist.  By Any Greens Necessary is a must have for boom-bap enthusiast, greenheads and those who simply enjoy dope music… this will definitely be something you can enjoy for years to come.”

-chief

Major Moves :: Kydd Jones And Company Visualize ‘Elon Musk’

You’ve already heard me give Kydd JonesTank WashingtonBryson Brown and the homie Butcher Bear props for Kydd‘s recent single Elon Musk, so it’s definitely good to see a video dropped that matches the quality of the track.  Under a beautiful Austin sky under what appears to be one of the handful of properties that Musk has acquired in the city (don’t quote me on that though), Jones and crew perform the track while equally dope artist Cory Kendrix does his thing on the video production side as the director, cinematographer and editor.  Much love all around to everyone involved, and props for running up the numbers so quick… if you want to help get the video’s stats pumped up even higher, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for everyone to do the same.

-chief

Right Now :: Heir MAX And Fake Four Inc. Share ‘The Moment-20’

I think it’s important to let Fake Four Inc. and heir MAX speak on this project : 

“This album is dedicated to Scotty Sixo whose birthday is September 10th.

In heir MAX‘s words:  ‘This project is very dear to me.  I talk about a lot of personal things I had a lot of time to reflect on during the Pandemic…. I hit on my childhood, how I grew up in Dallas Texas dealing with addiction, corrupt cops, the Pandemic, depression, and the pursuit for happiness.

I want to dedicate this album to our Dear friend Scotty Sixo Trimble.  A lot of us owe you so much and I am truly thankful to have had you as a friend. We miss you so much.’

Fake Four Inc. is proud to share this EP by Texas‘s heir MAX as a free digital download on Bandcamp day today.  With production by Moodie Black, Factor Chandelier, Progeny and more, heir MAX offers a unique blend of sonic influences backing up poignant, biting rhymes.

Joseph Johnson, aka heir MAX, is a hip hop artist based in Fort Worth, TX, and half of the duo Alligator Food with ScottySixoTrimble.

Alligator Food was hard at work on the follow up to their debut album, Even Petals, when Sixo suffered a fatal heat stroke during a motocross race.  The devastating loss of not only his friend but also all of their recorded material was a career setback not many could recover from.  Wanting to continue the pursuit of his childhood dream, heir MAX began to pick up the pieces and embark on his new journey as a solo artist.

heir MAX’s music has been described as “light-hearted with a dark twist.”  Drawing from unexpected influences like Dave Gahan, Muddy Waters, Trent Reznor, and the Dead Kennedys, heir MAX delivers catchy choruses over moody yet upbeat soundscapes, creating a sound uniquely his own.  MAX is as comfortable on a skateboard as he is on the mic, weaving his life experiences together without a lot of tricky metaphors.  The lack of overcomplicated and obscure references make heir MAX instantly relatable.  His tales, inspired by the likes of Slick Rick and Ghostface Killah, range from childhood skatepark antics and cartoons to serious topics, like corrupt cops- the subject of his song Ralph.

Though it was through Sixo that heir MAX met Ceschi and became part of his Fake Four, Inc. label, heir MAX quickly made a name for himself.  MAX has played alongside greats like 2mex, producer Factor Chandelier, Ceschi, MC Homeless, Onry Ozzborn, Height Keech, and the legendary Myka 9.  He has performed on several dates on the Vans Warped tour and is the go-to opening act at any major hip hop show in Texas due to his dedicated hometown fanbase.”

-chief

New Formations :: Chris Conde And Fake Four Inc. Release ‘Everyday’ Remix Contest Winner Compilation

Good friend and Fake Four Inc. labelmate Chris Conde has been making major inroads as a member of the collective roster.  With the successful release of Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay handled, Conde and Fake Four Inc. decided to have a bit of community-based fun via a remix contest.  The elements to Everyday were released to the public, and after a rousing response and volumes of submissions, four were selected to be released as a maxi-single along with the original track.  AlibiBadbelly and BIGBY all shined via their submissions, with grand prize winner IBGeeZee landing the opening spot on the record.  If you’re a fan of CondeFake Four Inc. or the practice that is the remix, then don’t sleep on this name your price digital release.

-chief