Tag Archives: hip hop

Classic Tactics :: SWAB X EVOLVE Combine Forces For ‘OUT FOR SELF’

Posted on July 16, 2019 | Leave a comment

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After the release of the initial Masta Ace featuring single FAR BEHIND, I knew that SWAB X EVOLVE had something special queued up.  OUT FOR SELF did one better, however, and exceeded expectations by leaps and bounds.  I’ve always been a fan of EVOLVE‘s approach to wordplay, lyricism and performance, but something about SWAB‘s production does nothing but showcase the best aspects of these individual focuses, meaning that the bar is set high early and met throughout the project’s run time.  There are some high level features on this album, but even if SWAB X EVOLVE were the only artists whose presence were felt on this project, that would more than serve to make this an early contender for 2019 Top Ten lists.  Remember this one when the year-end comes around, and don’t sleep on it now.

-chief

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Mad Descent :: The Psychedelic Sounds Of ~Dark ~Lit

Posted on July 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

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What happens when you’ve been affiliated with rock bands of different capacities, have a mystic vision, and decide to take an alternate parallel path into the world of lo-fi hip-hop?  In at least one case, you’d get ~Dark ~Lit and his avant-garde creations.  He recently hit me up and explained the story behind the creation of this album, but even the ultra-mysterious premise did not prepare me for the psychedelic sonic variety I was about to get… the tracks are lo-fi, but would easily qualify in the most creative of the noise realm that has always bubbled in the musical underground, ie Suicide or Black Dice.  If you’re into something new, cutting edge and creatively challenging, you should definitely carve out some time for ~Dark ~Lit.

-chief

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Kindred Spirits :: Click-Clack And Swish Fifty Drop ‘Negars’ EP

Posted on July 2, 2019 | Leave a comment

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Click-Clack and Swish Fifty have been building a strong working relationship over the past couple of years via a few Click-Clack releases and their affiliation with Ballteam, but Negars marks what (I believe) is their first consistent collaboration as a duo.  With Swish handling production duties and both members on lyrical duty, this self-titled EP comes out in attack mode and doesn’t let up for its 5 track duration.  The beats all hit hard, the braggadocios, humorous lyrical wordplay is present from both sides, and the cover art is instantly classic.  In a summer full of dopeness, this already sits near the top of the list.  Check it out and spread it around!

-chief

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Sacred Texts :: Tee Double Releases 20th Anniversary Edition Of ‘Lost Scriptures’

Posted on June 21, 2019 | Leave a comment

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Until around my junior year of high school, I had this idea in my mind that musicians and actors were a completely different level of person than the average individual.  I’d been to a few arena-level concerts and seen major motion pictures, but nothing at the club  or indie level up to that point, and definitely nothing that featured anybody local.  That all changed right around the time I discovered Alien Records, once a mainstay of the Austin music scene… the location introduced me to local shows where underground acts that I was just becoming familiar with toured and played, and the shows were rich with local support.  This is how a number of Texas hip-hop acts, chief among them being Tee Double, made it to my radar.  He was already prolific at the time, and one of the first local LPs I ever purchased was his Lost Scriptures project, distributed by the California-based GoodVibe Recordings.  It was a trip owning a record by somebody I personally knew, and it’s still a trip 20 years later, even more so now that time has entered the equation.  Take a moment and check out this classic, add it to your collection if you don’t already own it, and spread it around so others can do the same!

-chief

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World Building :: Curbside Jones Releases ‘Milk Tea Chronicles: Madsheepery’

Posted on June 20, 2019 | Leave a comment

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I’ve had my eye on Curbside Jones for a minute now, and his level of creativity seems to be hitting an unparalleled stride recently.  After releasing a book and doing quite a bit of traveling, Jones has returned to the Milk Tea Chronicles with his latest installment, Madshepperey.  The narrative is continuing from the previous two releases, with our main characters trapped in a portal between our reality and the Candy Paint Kingdom, hence the slightly psychedelic and off-kilter nature of the beats and vocal performances.  The final result, however, is brilliantly trippy, and it definitely has me ready and waiting for the next installment.  Check it out, share it around, and drop a few bucks if you can to support Curbside Jones and his artistic endeavors.

-chief

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Indelible Force :: Faylita Hicks Releases ‘Onyx’

Posted on June 19, 2019 | Leave a comment

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The things that Faylita Hicks has accomplished on the spoken word scene are numerous and valuable enough to give the average person a sense of career and artistic fulfillment.  Like many of my central Texas peers, however, I know Faylita is not satisfied with conquering the obvious, and all of the work she has put in has led her up to the point to transition into something greater.  That being said, the seeds she has planted over the years are coming to fruition in 2019, as a secured distribution deal for her book #Hoodwitch has provided her the opportunity to release a warning shot in the form of Onyx, her latest spoken word release.  A collaboration with producer poolboi blu, the project showcases a handful of poems from #Hoodwitch, which allows us to get a sense of the deeply personal and thought provoking words that Faylita plans to share in her book.  Don’t forget to check out the artwork for the individual tracks as well, especially while taking a moment to read along with the performance on the track.  Trust me, this is one experience you will not want to miss.

-chief

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Proximity Warning :: Sounds Of The Underground Drop ‘Move Back’ Video

Posted on June 18, 2019 | Leave a comment

The Culprit and Mic Trey, collectively known as Sounds of the Underground, are representing the College of Hip-Hop Knowledge and Austin hip-hop perfectly with their latest video and single, Move Back.  An old-school style track with new energy giving it life, Move Back lives and thrives off of the kinetic back and forth between the two emcees, each punctuating the reasons why other cypher dwellers should be wary about putting forth anything less than their best.  The video finds the pairing at the Hope Outdoor Gallery (I believe) and the skate park, spitting venom straight at the camera for all to feel.  This video and song are dope, period point blank.  Share it around, give it a like, leave a comment, and support what CHHK is doing.

-chief

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No Scrubs :: Cha’keeta B And Lakrea Stay ‘Fuck Boy Free’

Posted on June 7, 2019 | Leave a comment

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If it wasn’t clear from some of her previous releases, Cha’keeta B is not here for the games.  Her latest single, a collaboration with singer Lakrea titled Fuck Boy Free, plants a flag in the sand on that stance, firmly letting all possible suitors know that dedication and honesty is a must, and that nothing less than that will be tolerated.  The track is an upbeat banger, and Lakrea‘s assist on the hook makes it one that (let for the song title) would probably get some heavy radio rotation.  If you’re a Soundcloud fan though (and I know a lot of you are), then I recommend putting this one in your summer rotation, sharing it around, and leaving a comment on your favorite bar!

-chief

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Dedication Raps :: Emcee Eats, STORMSHADOW & SK The Greatest Drop Video for ‘Gayatri Shakur’

Posted on June 6, 2019 | Leave a comment

Gayatri Shakur was the jam when I first posted about it, so it brings me great joy to announce that Emcee Eats and STORMSHADOW decided to lace us with a visual element for this jam.  Not only did these guys make a great looking video (both in terms of production value and location), but the approach matches the lyrical energy perfectly… meditations on self in the midst of real world interaction.  While that may not be the message of the track (or even their intent), I picked up that vibe heavily from the track/video combination, and it makes me that much happier to share it with all of you.  Check it out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around so others can do the same!

-chief

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Sacrificial Lamb :: Michael White Professes ‘I’ll Be Your 9/11’

Posted on June 4, 2019 | Leave a comment

Though hip-hop culture is nearly half a century old, there are no true gatekeepers or active elders that I am aware of to make sure that the history of the culture is respected and learned, and that the directions the culture moves benefit the bigger picture.  Due to this situation, it makes it very easy for the uninitiated and the underappreciated to try and assassinate the character of hip-hop, despite all that is done internally to keep things alive and fruitful.  It appears that Corpus Christi-based MC Michael White has had enough of this, however, and he professes so over the blistering track that is I’ll Be Your 9/11.  Over the familiar refrains of Express Yourself, White calmly (but quickly) breaks down his reasons for taking part in the culture, his observations on the sabotage that takes place constantly, and even offers up some gameplans for getting heads back on track.  This was a nice surprise discovery, and that’s why I want to share it with you, as I believe many folks would benefit from hearing this message.  Check out the video, share it around, and leave a comment to let White know where you stand on the issues.

-chief

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