Tag Archives: austin

Bustin’ Loose :: Jsun The Prophesor And Levi Deadman Combine Forces For ‘Hektek’

Posted on August 11, 2021 | Leave a comment

We are definitely living in tense times nowadays, especially here in Texas on the eve of Constitutional Carry implementation.  Jsun the Prophesor, one of the driving forces behind the Austin hip-hop supercollective CHHK (College of Hip-Hop Knowledge), seems to clearly understand how normal and performative this collective madness is, and lucky for us, so does Levi Deadman.  With the help of South Side Hippie on production, the result of these ruminations is Hektek, the second single and video off of Jsun‘s upcoming album 9th Symphony.  Definitely check out the single and video, leave a like and a comment if you’re feeling it, and share it around so everyone can get hip!

-chief

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Kingly Things :: MIRAGE THE GR8 Captures Austin Attitude During Atlanta Visit For ‘Regal’ Video

Posted on August 9, 2021 | Leave a comment

Longtime friend and collaborator MIRAGE THE GR8 recently took a trip to Atlanta, and with it having been close to a decade (if not a bit longer) since I’ve been there, I was definitely locked in to his shares and living vicariously through his vacation time.  It came as no surprise to me that MIRAGE returned home and quickly dropped Regal, a single and music video featuring moments from his visit, as MIRAGE is always working (even when he’s relaxing).  The video captures MIRAGE representing Austin to the fullest via his 78723 Worldwide and Oficionado clothing lines, all the while rapping about possessing an elevated mindstate over a track by The Infamous O’Dawg of the Flying Iron Soul Collective.  It’s always a pleasure to see the homie MIRAGE put in work and produce content, so being able to share this particular piece of art is a joy.  Be sure to like and share the video, leave a comment if you’re feeling it, and always support your local creatives!

-chief

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Catching Up :: A Wave Of Content From Kydd Jones

Posted on August 6, 2021 | Leave a comment

Cats are making it hard to keep up this summer!  Above is the music video for TV On, a recent Kydd Jones drop that I posted about near the end of June.  Since this time, Kydd has not only dropped that video, but he has released five singles that I have yet to cover on the blog.  I believe that he’s dropping music on a weekly basis every Friday, so when this post goes live there will likely be a new song out, but if you click any of the five embed links below I’m sure you’ll find it : 

-chief

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Super Soul :: Magna Carda Push The Sonic Boundaries Of Austin Hip-Hop With ‘To The Good People’

Posted on August 5, 2021 | Leave a comment

Addressing or thinking of Austin hip-hop outfit Magna Carda within the very narrow scope that most ingest hip-hop in is a disservice to not only Magna Carda, but to individuals with such limited and reductive thinking.  While the music of Magna Carda has always been forward-thinking and full of emotional depth and sonic texture, To The Good People finds the duo taking an evolutionary step in terms of how sharply and precisely they are able to communicate and execute their ideas from song to song.  While Megz Kelli firmly plants her feet in the sand with her signature laid-back but forceful flow, everything that surrounds her musically has the ambition and sonic quality of a mixture between Sade‘s Sweetback backing band and more youthful experimental outfits like the Steve Lacy-driven The Internet.  While Austin is no stranger to popular musicians, hip-hop is a genre in which fame outside of Texas has been elusive, but if given the right opportunity, a band like Magna Carda could use an album like To The Good People to make some noise for themselves outside of the standard boundaries of success artists from this neck of the woods are accustomed to.  Definitely take the time to check out Magna Carda‘s latest offering, and if it speaks to you, donate and download if you can, but share regardless.

-chief

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Sensory Assault :: (iN)Sect Records Readies The Release Of ‘Grosero’ By VÄMPS

Posted on August 4, 2021 | Leave a comment

Butcher Bear and the rest of the homies over at (iN)Sect Records can break down what Grosero, the upcoming project by VÄMPS, is all about much better than I can.  If you’re curious, then hop on over to the Bandcamp page in the links above and give the bio and breakdown a quick rundown.  Funny thing is, by the time you’re done reading, you would have likely already listened to the three brief but powerful singles currently available, perhaps a couple of times over.  For the impatient or those lacking enough focus to read a few paragraphs, Grosero is VÄMPS giving you bite-sized doses of rawness over his own production, blending an East Coast-rooted sound with a Southern approach and aesthetic.  Don’t sleep on the singles available now, and definitely don’t sleep when the whole thing drops.

-chief

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Story Shards :: Kenny Casanova Steps His Game Up With ‘Mercury In Water’

Posted on July 30, 2021 | Leave a comment

From the digital desk of Kenny Cassanova :

“Texas artist Kenny Casanova aka Ken Casio is on his way to carving a definitive lane for himself as he continues his musical journey with his upcoming album, Mercury In Water.  This 12-song experience has enlisted features and production from WiFiGawd, Tony Seltzer, Popstar Benny, Clayco & more.

The album Mercury in Water is Kenny’s declaration of his existence.  It belies a story telling format, walking the listener through vignettes, in no chronological order, that communicate the laws that rule over Kenny’s being.  Mercury is a planet associated with communication and is the planet closest to the sun; water is a multidimensional element known for its fluidity and it’s physics-defying properties; Mercury in Water is Kenny’s interpretation of the intercepted culminations of his subconscious brainwaves.  In layman’s term, this album is Kenny playing connect the dots with the thoughts that enter, inhabit and frequent his mind.”

Kenny Cassanova stays putting out dope music, so check this one out and spread the word for others to do the same!

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High Drama :: Drake Howard Releases ‘Amphibians’ Short Film

Posted on July 26, 2021 | Leave a comment

It’s hard to go a day in Austin without running across some creative output that one of my many talented friends put together or were involved in.  Recently, my old friend, past college peer and fellow thespian/musician Tricky Jones posted a link to Amphibians, a short film she starred in with Devin Finn, who also shared a directing credit with Drake Howard.  For a single location film, the journey is quite the captivating and vivid one, with Jones and Finn turning in performances full of dramatic and emotional range, not to mention some stunning lighting and a visual trick or two that elevates the gravitas of the material outside of the singular location.  Writer (and fellow former college peer) Casey Wimpee turns in a wonderfully poetic and ever-evolving script that gives our performers plenty to chew on, and with the dedication credit to Jeremy Torres punctuating the end of the journey, the weight of the entire affair was not lost on me.  Don’t sleep on this one… give it a watch, give it a like and a comment, and share it around for all to see!

-chief

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Humble Abode :: Donja Drops ‘Phone Home’ Single

Posted on July 23, 2021 | Leave a comment

During a recent DJ set at The Porch, someone stepped up to the booth.  This is nothing new, and normally, it’s the signal that someone is about to ask for (or, more often than not, obnoxiously try to force) a request.  Luckily though, he just said what’s up and told me he was enjoying the mix.  I thanked him and went back to focusing on my mix, as DJ’ng requires much more concentration than the average observer realizes, but he kept going with the conversation attempt.  Normally I would feign interest or cut things off so I don’t run into a bad conversation situation, but I let it ride that time, and this is how I met Donja and learned about his music.  The catalog was prolific, and much like MAIKÉRU, who I also recently met, Donja sounded seasoned, and he was doing genre-blending music that purposefully stood out from the norm in terms of both quality and approach.  His latest single, the super catchy Phone Home, serves as a continuation of the vibe that I was picking up when checking out Donja‘s back catalog, and if you’re unfamiliar with him like I once was, then the single serves as a perfect introductory point.  Check out the track on your favorite streaming service, and find Donja on your favorite social media site to stay in the release loop!

-chief

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Boom Bapping :: AUX CUTTER Drops Megablast Of A Debut

Posted on July 21, 2021 | Leave a comment

While I am happy to see so many hip-hop acts in Austin receive props in the press nowadays, it is frustrating to see one or two specific styles dominate the scene.  As someone whose age runs essentially directly parallel with hip-hop, I have held on to my so-called ‘backpack’ ways for decades now, and while I have learned to adjust to a mind-state where I can be more open-minded and accepting in regards to new sounds and styles, I can’t allow my love for boom-bap hip-hop to fade.  Maybe that’s why I’ve been super hype for AUX CUTTER, the debut self-titled album from the trio of Ben Buck, Nate thee Great and producer Shadowboxin.  AUX CUTTER is clearly not hear to play games… the album hits hard and is relentless from front to back, with the lyrical energy easily matching the pounding and intense production.  Come year’s end, don’t be surprised if you see this near the top of many lists.  Do yourself a favor and get hip early, and if you’re feeling it in any capacity, tell your people to follow suit.

-chief

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Summer Serenade :: SYN SESSIONS Presents Maikéru + Eric G (of Kid Brothers)

Posted on July 19, 2021 | Leave a comment

Getting to know the new homie Maikéru has been one of the true highlights of 2021.  I’ve met a lot of creative people in the central Texas area, but there’s something about Maikéru‘s poise and polish that makes it feel like he’s doing what he was truly born to do.  Recently, SYN SESSIONS showcased Maikéru singing YIPPEEKIYAY with acoustic accompaniment by Eric G of Kid Brothers, and while seeing Maikéru with full production is on some other ish, seeing this performance in such an intimate and stripped down presentation is equally powerful.  Take a few minutes to dig it, and if it moves you, hit the like button, leave a comment, and share it with someone you care about.

-chief

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