The Austin hip-hop scene, since day one, has been a diverse one. For every backpack lyricists or abstract thinker’s rapper, you’ll find a street-wise, school of hard knocks rapper counterpart. Recently, the homie Dominican Jay posted a video for Nevermind from Austin-based T$0, and it definitely caught my attention in terms of that street vibe. The prolific Eric Dingus provides the production assist for the onslaught of bars, and the always on point team at Grind Life Films dropped a heavy dose of dope aesthetic touches on straightforward performance and candid footage. There’s no need for extra flare or thrills on this one… this is hard hitting product for heads that can deal with the real. You know the drill… likes, comments, shares and support are always welcome to our local creatives.
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 Brigante, Spefy, Loose 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.
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 :
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.
The recent emergence of the Austin-based Baby Lion production company has been the catalyst for a handful of new programs and outlets for creative types looking to diversify their content output. One of the collective members, rapper/actor/filmmaker Protextor, found a way to merge a few of his loves into the show Rappers Playing Games. With the help of Game Over Videogames and Mopac Media, and a different guest from the deep pool of Austin-based hip-hop talent for each episode, Protextor sits down for a game and some casual talk. For episode one, Feral the Earthworm stopped by for a round of Earthworm Jim on the Sega Genesis. The inaugural episode serves mostly as a proof of concept, but according to Protextor and Baby Lion, big ideas and plans are on the way for the series, so definitely stay tuned.
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.
Abuzayed the Free, recent transplant to New York via the Austin route, is continuously demonstrating how a women can portray her inner and outer beauty in balance without having to lower your standards or accept misbehavior from the opposite sex. The So Much Swag music video (and song) almost serve as a personal mantra, or a reminder for when moments seem bleak. Over the Chris Rockaway beat, Abuzayed gives herself well-deserved props and affirmations, both showing how easy it is to do so and validating the practice as anything but selfish. The video is strengthened by the strong visual guidance shown by director Aaron Fine, who provides a cinematic quality and tone to the events. Abuzayed makes sure to show both sides of the male spectrum as well, with the number of men she spends time around as an equal far outnumbering those representing men who take women for granted. It’s nice to see Abuzayed continue to grow as an artist and woman, and I hope her trajectory continues it’s current path, if not a better one.
‘When you meet someone new and fly but they got way too much baggage with them’ truly sums up the vibe being laid down by dynamic duo Spy Coastal in the insanely catchy i Gotcha. The Austin-based duo, consisting of Dat Boy Craig and Dama Nilz (who respectively originate from opposite coasts), come together perfectly to explore the concept of asking someone you connect with to fill the shoes of someone from your past. The wonderful thing about that kinetic spark between you and someone new is the potential for discovery and exploration, and asking them to carry a burden you’ve become fixated on is not a fair action. The Dama Nilz produced beat… the way each members’ singing abilities and bars dance around one another… this track definitely deserves all of the shine. Like it, share it, comment on the work Kamaryn did for the video, and talk this one up!
Austin-based hip-hop artist/producer Clemits has really been putting in ground work in anticipation of his upcoming instrumental release, Cult Classic. After dropping a pair of singles via multiple streaming services, Clemits has released a third single, Selfish Summer, via music video. The song is a mellow affair, with a hypnotic finger-picking sample surrounded by traditional boom-bap drums. The video, however, is a celebration of solitude and doing the things that make you happy regardless of (and as long as they don’t harm) those around you. Josiah Panella captures Clemits as he ignites fireworks, takes a pedicab and bikes around Austin, and eventually ends up back in the lab working on more beats. Overall, the entire presentation is memorable, definitely something that Austinites can be proud of, and another notch in the belt for Clemits as he continues to rise.
Austin-based artist Anastasia has been on a creative and personal climb over the past couple of years. After hitting the ground running on the Austin live music scene, she decided that the cure for complacency was to challenge herself. After some traveling, soul searching and intensive writing, Anastasia is back in the mix with new music that shows waves of the maturation she has gone undergone. Ceiling is a reflection on love and allowing yourself to be taken in by the feeling, with an affirmation in the form of a rap to help close out the Ty On Da Track 2018 instrumental. For the video, Fresco Filmz captures Anastasia as sheessentially sits us down and talks straight to us, making the performance aspect extremely intimate, personal and full of honesty. It’s definitely nice when an artist doesn’t put on airs, instead opting to let you in to their process and their state of mind. I am happy for all of Anastasia‘s growth, and excited to see both what the future holds in store for her and what she has on deck for us.
On a national scale, the music scene may be anticipating Pusha T‘s Surgical Summer, but Ballteam and Click-Clack are looking to turn the Austin hip-hop scene into Ballteam Season for the summer. The collective keeps dropping banger after banger at a breakneck pace, the latest being Skranger Things. The song is infectious as hell, with it’s synthesizer loop-based and 808 heavy track (the synthesizer I’m sure was an influence on the track name). Click-Clack part raps, part sings his way through a persistent statement of letting the girl at the focus of the song know that he can make whatever she wants happen more so than other guys can, but she has to make it known. Props on the Lucas artwork for the cover. You know the drill… share this around so that the numbers on the track can reflect the dopeness.
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice 