Tag Archives: hip-hop

Way Out :: Poolboi Blu Taps … For ‘The Burbs’

Staying Fly :: Kydd Jones & Quin NFN Contemplate Elevating On ‘Jet Seats’

Nod Factor :: EVOLVE X Mic Melt X DJ EZ Dave’s ‘The NNY EP (The Brooklyn Sessions)’ Hits The Internet

EVOLVE is well known for keeping his raps and track selections ultra raw, and while I don’t want to speak on behalf of the man, I imagine that much of this ethos comes from a deep appreciation of New York‘s creation and eternal influence on the hip-hop culture.  The main reason I feel comfortable in making this assumption and asserting it publicly is due to EVOLVE X MIC MELT X DJ EZ DAVE PRESENT: THE NNY EP​(​THE BROOKLYN SESSIONS), the latest release from the always working EVOLVE.  With verbal assistance from Mic MeltBanga KJunclassic, CHGPitch Black and Aimss, production provided by Stellar BornDeep of 2HBThe Strangers and DJ EZ Dave (who also provides the cuts), this is an all-star effort that goes seven for seven in terms of bangers.  Peep this one asap, share it around, and if you can, thrown EVOLVE and company a few bucks to cop this one.

-chief 

Making Waves :: Poolboi Blu Keeps It Going With ‘West Egg-EP’

Most people would be happy with the drop of a single or two, but not poolboi blu.  Literally days after dropping two bangers (if not the next day), poolboi blu was right back at it with west egg-ep, a 3-song collection that dwells in the realm somewhere between the signature poolboi blu sound we’ve all come to know and love, and something that sounds influenced a bit by Vaporwave.  You know the drill… go run up the listening numbers, leave likes and comments, and share the sounds around so all can get down!

-chief

Dynamic Words :: Writing On The Wall Drops ‘Filtered Water’

One benefit of having a creative peer group is the way that the circle of awareness expands in terms of just how many people are truly out there chipping away at their own creative journey.  Point in case : I’ve been watching the homie Ben Buck make major strides, and yet, he still has time to point other artists in the right direction, with this specific example being him putting me on the Writing on the Wall radar.  With their recent release Filtered Water on the way to release, they hit me up, and I’ve gotta say, this project is a journey.  Like many of us, the duo is clearly multi-faceted and hard to pigeonhole, but the difference between them and most folks is the way that they embrace this dynamic nature rather than narrow it or restrain it.  From song to song, you can hear a wide range of off-kilter production that covers and array of lyrics that goes from deeply personal and self-reflective to very observational and constructively critical of not only the hip-hop culture, but quite often, society at large.  If you’re a fan of heady hip-hop that resonates in your mind as much as your ears, give yourself some time to check out Filtered Water on your favorite streaming service.

-chief

Double Jump :: Poolboi Blu Continues The Growth With ‘Vaxxbaby’ And ‘Pilates’ Single Drops

It’s no secret I’m a poolboi blu supporter, so whenever he has a new drop he instantly has my attention.  His latest pair of singles, however, have me very excited, as this is the biggest jump I’ve seen him take to date in terms of being a songwriter and a recording artist.  On the songwriting tip, we got vaxxbaby, a two-way analogy paralleling finding yourself in a relationship with finding confidence in our brave new post-COVID world with the vaccination process, and how both, while good for you, can also be a safety net for a false sense of security.  In terms of his prowess as a recording artist, pilates shows poolboi blu pushing the limits of his vocal inflections and emotional subtext in ways I haven’t seen him due since the brilliant cloudy w/ a chance suite.  Go listen, go comment, go like, and most important, go share these around and share the good word of poolboi blu, because this time next year, it may be too late to say you were there before he blew up.

-chief

Old Soul :: Tall Kyle Digs Deep For ‘Mt. Vernon’

Austin-based MC Tall Kyle has never been afraid to be himself or speak his mind, but with Mt. Vernon, his latest solo effort, it’s clear that Tall Kyle has reached a level of self-awareness that comes with big wins and big losses.  The same vices, passions and inspirations that have always been present in the lyrics of Tall Kyle are definitely there and accounted for, but there is a wisdom and understanding that comes with perspective and humility within the bars now, making each song as revelatory as they are entertaining.  Go find this one on your favorite streaming service and run the numbers up, or even better, find it on a digital storefront and buy it.  Either way, spread the word, because Tall Kyle blessed us with one of the better offerings of the year, front to back, and it deserves both your time and attention.

-chief

Collision Courses :: Ben Buck X BoomBaptist Go Wonder Twins For ‘The Marquee EP’

What happens when one of the most consistent and proficient Austin producers combines forces with another one of Austin‘s most prolific MC/producers?  The most recent example of this phenomenon would be The Marquee EP, a seven song collection featuring BoomBaptist on beats and Ben Buck on bars.  Buck has always had a knack for the roughneck approach to hip-hop with gritty, grimy production heavily influenced by the 1990s “True School” approach to hip-hop, so it’s a nice change of pace to hear him over Boom‘s production, which matches intensity in terms of drum sounds but has a flourish and glamour that sits on the opposite end of the spectrum.  This project definitely plays like a victory lap of sorts, and with the latest batch of output the duo has put out on their own, there’s nothing wrong with Boom and Buck pairing up for some good times.  Check this one out wherever you stream music or buy it digitally, and make sure your people do the same.

-chief

Living Thing :: Mexstep And Friends Bring ‘Vivir’ To Life

Full disclosure, I am sharing Mexstep‘s latest project Vivir sight unseen (or unheard, rather), but that is only because sometimes quality can be discerned strictly by the names associated with a project.  More than anything, I am sharing this project to make sure I return to it later this week, as I already know about Mexstep‘s lyrical pedigree (largely in thanks to his dual status as a lover of hip-hop and a college-level educator), and names like Bavu BlakesApasoVocabKree23Mad1ne and the legion of other guests mean that we’re getting gold stacked on gold.  Perhaps the most convincing aspect of all, however, is the fact that the album is produced by the über-talented Adrian Quesada, meaning it’s going to hit you straight in the soul as well as appeal to your emotions and intellect.  You know how we do it around here… cop the project if you can, seek it out on your favorite streaming service or Bandcamp to list regardless, and pay it forward by sharing it around for all to experience.

-chief

Dark Arts :: BLAZY GREEN X MAD1NE Get Intense With ‘Pressure’

I love how sonic diversity is slowly making its way back into hip-hop.  Many people like to undermine the 1990s and dismiss it as an old, antiquated and forgotten era, but the most important part of that era was the fact that hardrocks, pop rappers, esoteric lyricists and self-identified crazy MCs (along with the vast array of other hip-hop artists) could all find room in the mainstream at some level, meaning that the fullness of the hip-hop spectrum found representation.  I say that to say this… knowing that collaborators like Blazy Green and Mad1ne are able to embrace the dark, moody, dingy textures that hip-hop was once synonymous with and find an audience is a testament that hip-hop is still diverse as ever.  For Pressure, Mad1ne brings the hard rhymes over a banging Blazy Green track that sounds like it’s been dubbed a few times from cassette to cassette, and I’m totally here for it.  Check out the track, leave a like and a comment if you feel it, and share it around for everyone to enjoy.

-chief