Tag Archives: hip hop

Live Vibes :: Stereofiend Visits Untapped SMTX For A Live Performance

Over the last 6 months or so (it seems), there have been a handful of bands promoting live performances at the Fire Station Studios in San Marcos, all of which I’ve unfortunately missed due to my own gigs.  Recently, Stereofiend took part in one of these performances, and Untapped SMTX documented the event for their YouTube channel.  The band is on point for this one, with every member getting plenty of opportunity to shine.  Check it out, leave a like or comment, and share it around so others can enjoy as well!

-chief

Manifesto Music :: T$O Releases Video For ‘Only The Trill’

Reality rap is the closest thing to a documentary in the world of music, in my opinion, and Austin is a city that thrives on that aesthetic.  Recently, Austin-based MC $.dot and producer Eric Dingus joined forces for the T$O (Trill $hit Only) project, and their whole vibe is all about the realness.  In their video for lead single Only The Trill$.dot talks about the pedigree of people he has in his corner and has aligned himself with, all over a Mobb Deep-esque beat by Eric Dingus.  The video looks like a million bucks thanks to the expertise of Super Thing Productions, with smooth tracking shots and artistically framed setups meant to further the written messages.  This one is definitely worth your time, so definitely check it out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around.

-chief

Whispering Winds :: Discovering Freeze Frame And ‘Who’s The Man?

When the universe speaks, we’ve gotta learn to listen, as you never know what you might end up missing.  While searching Bandcamp for something new to post about, I came across Austin-based artist Freeze Frame, and I set his album aside to listen to later.  Later that day, OVRLD put out a call for albums and videos released in 2018 so that they can make sure they’re covering all of their bases, and first in the comments section was a music video by Freeze Frame for Who’s the Man?, released less than a week prior.  That was all I needed to take the dive, and I was certainly impressed.  Freeze Frame manages to capture his aesthetic (his two listed influences are Phillip K. Dick and Slick Rick) perfectly in the video, in my opinion.  Definitely check this one out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around.

-chief

New Moves :: Tank Washington Releases ‘183’

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It’s no secret that LNS Crew is a forced to be reckoned with.  From day one, every member was bringing skill to the table, but over the last four years or so, every member’s maturation and journey through life has resulted in significant personal and musical growth.  As the member that has kept his roots firm in AustinTank Washington seems to personally attempting to put the city on his back and further the steps towards putting Austin on the map as a hotbed of consistent creativity.  183 has the production and performance chops to stand up to anything making noise in the pop realm right now, with Tank proving he can rock most any style beat with confidence and captivating storytelling.  The only thing keeping Care Free from being my summer jam is the fact that this album is coming out on Thanksgiving eve.  You can find this one on all of the streaming services and download sites, so if you aren’t listening to and supporting this one, that’s on you.

-chief

Traveling Man :: Curbside Jones Reveals ‘Another Sip’ Project

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Curbside Jones on the details of his latest project, Another Sip

‘(This is) an audio representation of my trip to Japan during August 2018.  Another Sip is accompanied by a 100 page photo book (physical and digital).  Each track and picture embody the feelings I felt while traveling through Japan.  I packaged it this way to give those who want to purchase this project a full experience. I shot and edited each picture and designed the book.’

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-chief

Innocence Lost :: Click-Clack Reemerges With ‘Blue Eyed Black Boy’

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Click-Clack, as anyone who follows this blog knows, is an artist that I respect on both a creative and a personal level.  His drive and skill level are inspirational, and his natural talent and charisma are undeniable.  Like all artists (myself included), however, we deal with the soul-crushing valleys just as wholeheartedly as we do with the soul-lifting peaks that come with being an artist.  For a while, it seemed like Click-Clack was considering a hiatus, if not a full retirement, from the creative side of things, with the occasional single drop or livestream snippet of work serving as both a bittersweet teaser and a signal for hope of new material to come.  Most of us in the peer group knew he was working on new music, and whatever it was would more than likely be dope, but honestly, I was not prepared for the jump in skill level that is Blue Eyed Black Boy.  Produced almost entirely by Ballteam, with a beat by Drae Da Skimask being the outlier, the project serves as the perfect canvas for Click-Clack to not only go off on a plethora of styles, but get extremely personal and reflective with the bars as well.  Add in to the mixture a pitch-perfect cover illustration, in terms of tone, by @ultrashook, and we’ve got a strong contender for an Album of the Year situation here.  Songs like LyorTalmboutPush To Start and Wager are certified bangers, but there really isn’t a dull or slow moment on this album in all honesty.  Usually, I give a suggestion to support, but in this case, I’d say you’d be dumb not to support work of this quality and caliber, so get on it!

-chief

Chosen Ones :: Apek Bends Minds With ‘The Village’

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My man APEK recently hit me up with a track he collaborated on with producer Ruler Why that he thought I might feel.  Hitting play on The Village and the subsequent listen definitely had an impact on me… APEK hits the nail on the head about more than a few aspects of commitment to the hip-hop culture on a creator level that I directly relate to.  The way that it immediately puts you in outcast status in both musical and everyday social circles… the therapeutic aspect to writing that most do not see when they pass of your work as simply ‘a song’… the personal drive that keeps you pushing your own limits and boundaries, even when success has been achieved… the absurd, but very real, desire for tangible objects to validate your hard work, such as chains and clothes… the way that some people are just waiting for a chance to crucify you and make you irrelevant.  APEK has always been an MC that puts deep thought into his output, and The Village not only continues that trend, but shows positive growth in terms of writing songs that can be felt on a deeper level.  I anticipate this one (hopefully) getting some 2018 props when people start mentioning highlights of the year.

-chief

Fallen Stars :: Rest In Peace To Austin Legend MC Overlord

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Last night, my timeline was filled with sad news.  Dominican JaySmackola and Tee Double all posted right around the same time about the passing of MC Overlord, who’d been in and out of the hospital for the better part of 2018.  In this loss, Austin is losing a legend, a diplomat and a true enthusiast for its hip-hop scene.  As a member of .::liquidstereoproject in the early 2000’s, Overlord was one of the acts that embraced us and gave us opportunities to open for his projects, which certainly helped us build a crowd.  His impact and influence are unmatched in this town.  In memory of this influence and his kind spirit, I’m sharing two videos courtesy of the Austin History Center to give you an idea of what MC Overlord was all about when he was at a creative and career peak.  He will be remembered and honored for years to come, I am sure.

-chief

Brutal Honesty :: JSoulja Stops By Lit Up AV For ‘Talk About It’

Lit Up AV recently welcomed Austin MC and move-maker JSoulja to their studio for a live impromptu performance of his latest single, Talk About It.  The clip is short but powerful, as JSoulja raps and sings about the hurdles one most overcome when hyperfocused on being real with yourself and dedicate to your rise.  His confidence beams through his calm and calculated performance, and his words have impact, as evidenced by the head nods in the adjacent room that are caught on camera.  I’ve heard the name JSoulja on the scene recently, and this little snippet of the talent definitely has me interested in digging deeper… perhaps you should do the same.  Don’t forget to drop a like and a comment on the video, share it if you know others who might dig it too, and always support your local creatives.

-chief

Street Wise :: T$O, Eric Dingus And Grind Life Films Connect For ‘Nevermind’

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.

-chief