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 Blakes, Apaso, Vocab, Kree23, Mad1ne 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.
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.
Good friend and Fake Four Inc. labelmate Chris Conde has been making major inroads as a member of the collective roster. With the successful release of Engulfed in the Marvelous Decay handled, Conde and Fake Four Inc. decided to have a bit of community-based fun via a remix contest. The elements to Everyday were released to the public, and after a rousing response and volumes of submissions, four were selected to be released as a maxi-single along with the original track. Alibi, Badbelly and BIGBY all shined via their submissions, with grand prize winner IBGeeZee landing the opening spot on the record. If you’re a fan of Conde, Fake Four Inc. or the practice that is the remix, then don’t sleep on this name your price digital release.
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice 