Tag Archives: austin

Infinity Pool :: Poolboi Blu Drops ‘Judas’ Single

Posted on March 16, 2020 | Leave a comment

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I’m starting to think that poolboi blu has an endless supply of tracks in the chamber, and he is basically just sitting on projects while the rest of us are drumming up ideas.  In the midst of dropping multiple projects in the past 18 or so months, working with artists like SiCk tHots, dropping s i n c e r e RADIO mixes and selling beats, poolboi is also adding to his own catalog continuously.  The latest track, Judas, plays like a spell he is casting on the listener, with his chant-like verse echoing personal reflection and dropping metaphors on separating from the pack.  The track is currently up on streaming site, so check it out, throw it on some playlists and share it with your friends!

-chief

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Live Run :: BoomBaptist Returns With ‘Razzle Dazzle’ Single

Posted on March 13, 2020 | Leave a comment

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Austin-based producer BoomBaptist carved a name for himself during the first decade of the 2000s via events like Exploded Drawing and Applied Pressure, as well as a slew of solo singles, a few projects and a large retrospective of early beatworks.  As the 2010s rolled into view, however, BoomBaptist transitioned into other avenues of expression, including producing for others, running his own business and starting the recently successful funk outfit The Vapor Caves.  It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that as the 2020s present themselves, BoomBaptist would make another transition, and this go-round, he’s back on the solo tip and preparing to release a new album via (iN)Sect Records titled Boom Shakalaka, an ode to his love for basketball.  To test the waters, he’s dropped an initial single, Razzle Dazzle, which due to the unfortunate timing of the Coronavirus and the suspension of the NBA season, landed him immediate recognition from the likes of CNN.  Check out the track, donate a buck if you can, share it around for everyone you know, and stay tuned for more singles and the album release!

-chief

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Raw Raps :: Secret Levels Drops ‘Oh Well Whatever’ EP

Posted on March 9, 2020 | Leave a comment

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In the wake of the members of Space Camp Death Squad putting the group on hiatus, each individual member has made a noticeable transition.  Protextor dropped a genre-blending album and is helping to run a successful YouTube channel, Doc Brown has found success on stage and behind the camera, and thankfully for us hip-hop heads, Secret Levels has continued to drop hip-hop projects while embracing vinyl DJng.  Recently, Secret Levels has continued their musical momentum with Oh Well Whatever, a blistering six song EP that is a clinic in style exploration and spitting with confidence.  The ideas are well thought out, polished and well executed, and the beats are all standout selections, flowing well from track to track.  This is their first project to hit the broader streaming world, so don’t sleep on Secret Levels… seek them out on your favorite streaming service or digital storefront, and encourage others to do the same!

-chief

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Foot Down :: Kydd Jones And Y2 Stand Tall On ‘Steel Toe’

Posted on March 6, 2020 | Leave a comment

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Over the years, it seems as if Kydd Jones has found ways to continually reinvent himself and his sound without sacrificing a core sense of who he is as both an artist and an individual.  Be it about bars, a vibe, or a combination of the two, I find myself surprised time and time again by his range and dynamic ability as an artist.  This time around, with the help of fellow Austin fixture Y2, has unleashed a beast of a single with Steel Toe.  Over a track that is deceptively strong despite its bare bones, drum and piano-heavy nature, Kydd and Y2 drop two very different but equally strong verses full of low-key self-props and statements of personal facts, as well as observations on the state of hip-hop and the culture in general.  Like many of his latest tracks, this one will definitely find itself in heavy rotation.  Check it out, share it around, and cop it if you’ve got a buck to spare.

-chief

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Summertime Rolls :: Chucky Blk Drops Single And Video For ‘Late Summer’

Posted on March 5, 2020 | Leave a comment

Austin-based MC Chucky Blk has never been one to shy away from introspection and self-reflection, especially with his background as a poet.  His latest release, Late Summer, is a mellow celebration of realizing your potential and living in that moment for as long as possible.  Be it academically, creatively, socially, or any other -ly that you can manifest, Chucky Blk has it covered lyrically.  With the help of a handful of friends and director WeSeeWaves, Chucky Blk has partnered the song with a video that manages to celebrate the moment and nostalgia at the same time.  The switches between color and black and white are a nice touch, and more than anything, the very real moments captured resonate wholly in combination with the song.  Definitely put this one on your watch list, leave a comment and a like, and spread the love by sharing it around.

-chief

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Zoning Out :: SOTU Release ‘In A Zone’ Music Video

Posted on March 4, 2020 | Leave a comment

The College of Hip-Hop Knowledge (CHHK) has a monster roster that stays high quality and high quantity with the output.  The most recent example of these tenants, as well as the diversity of the crew, is found via SOTU (Sound of the Underground), the collective form of solo MCs The Culprit and Mic Trey.  The single, In A Zone, not only has an incredibly catchy track that the two lyricists do all kinds of verbal gymnastics for, but a video with some serious visual effects of space-age tech that makes the duo look like science-fiction film characters in a strange world.  Definitely check this one out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for everyone to enjoy!

-chief

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Real Talk :: Miss Manners Interviews Ben Buck On Hip Hop Hooray (91.7 KOOP)

Posted on March 2, 2020 | Leave a comment

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From the digital desk of Miss Manners : 

‘Ben Buck came to the KOOP Radio studios on February 9, 2020 to talk to Miss Manners about his new album, Kilroy.  Hear from Ben about why he named his album Kilroy and what the iconic WWII American graffiti means to him, as well as why he likes discordant noise, and his feelings on respecting his predecessors in hip-hop.  Ben also beatboxes live on the air.’

Be sure to tune in to Hip Hop Hooray every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30 PM (CST) on 91.7 KOOP Radio.

-chief

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Next Episode :: MoneyNetwork Drops ‘Apple Butter’ Music Video

Posted on February 26, 2020 | Leave a comment

I became familiar with MoneyNetwork through an episode of Baby Lion‘s wonderful Rappers Playing Games (RPG) series, and I’ve been keeping an eye out for his drops ever since.  About a month ago, he dropped a video for Apple Butter that hit a handful of nostalgic checkboxes perfect.  The look and editing of the video are made to mirror late 1980’s or early 1990’s TV sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel Air or Saved By The Bell without sacrificing the economy and format of a traditional music video, with many of the aesthetic choices executed perfectly.  On a personal note, I remember spending tons of time with my crew at the bowling alley this video was shot at, and though it has changed names and looks over the years, it is largely the same spot in spirit.  The tune is catchy, the video is memorable, so I heavily recommend checking it out and doing all the like/comment/share moves.

-chief

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Rising Stars :: Blackillalc And Quin NFN Drop ‘Phantom’ Video

Posted on February 25, 2020 | Leave a comment

With the trajectory of Blackillac over the past year or so, it seemed inevitable that they’d eventually cross paths with fellow Austin trendsetter Quin NFN.  This connection comes in the form of Phantom, a serious banger showcasing the individual styles of Quin NFN, Zeale and Phranchyze over a dark, piano-driven NA the Producer track.  Dan2TheL comes in once again with the hero-level assist on the video, which is simple in format but powerful in imagery, wholly amplifying the song experience for the listener/viewer.  This one is definitely about to find its way into the rotation heavy, and the video is already piling up numbers, but that shouldn’t stop you from checking it out, leaving a like and a share, and spreading it around for your people to dig.

-chief

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Idle Hands :: Black Mercy Goes Fingerboarding For ‘PTSD’ Video

Posted on February 24, 2020 | Leave a comment

(iN)Sect Records has always been known for their top tier collection of producers, beatmakers and electronic composers, but that shouldn’t overshadow the fact that many talented musicians can be found in the label’s ranks.  Black Mercy, an Austin-based supergroup of sorts, are one of the bands on the roster, and they’re setting off 2020 with a bang in the form of For The Man Who Has Everything, a recent 45 they’ve dropped, and the DIY-charm and aesthetic of the crew is captured in PTSD, the first single and video.  Rather than go for a traditional showcase or glamour video, Black Mercy opted to do a twist on the old school punk video by switching out skate footage for fingerboard footage, to a great impact.  Check out the video, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for others to do the same!

-chief

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