Tag Archives: the doomsday device

Master Class :: Da’Shade Moonbeam Takes Part In NPR ‘Tiny Desk’ Contest

Posted on January 27, 2017 | Leave a comment

Right around the beginning of each year, NPR kicks its Tiny Desk Contest Concert Series into gear.  The rules are simple… record yourself performing a song, and you must include a desk of some sort in this performance.  This year, I plan to take part, but I also plan to showcase all of my musical friends and peers who are choosing to take part as well, in hopes that our scene can make some much needed noise.  The first cat out the gate for 2017 I have seen is the incomparable Da’Shade Moonbeam, sharing a piece of work he has labelled as Untitled at this time.  Don’t let that lack of title fool you, though… nothing that Da’Shade puts in the world lacks depth or substance, ever.

-chief

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Direct Action :: BLXPLTN Releases ‘Blood On The Sand’ Music Video

Posted on January 26, 2017 | Leave a comment

I love pretty much everything about BLXPLTN.  Their 2016 release New York Fascist Week was a sonic breath of fresh air and much needed dose of immediacy… a call to attention for the craziness that is unfolding daily all around us.  Blood on the Sand finds the duo broadcasting from their creative space about the ills of a military minded society, where blood is business and death equals dollars.  Tracks like these are a main part of the reason why their album was on many ‘Best of 2016’ lists, and having a solid video to back it up will only help spread the word.  Mad props.

-chief

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Posted in Audio-Visuals, General Information, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

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Mind Reader :: Kydd Jones Gets ‘Dripped Up’ Dropped

Posted on January 25, 2017 | Leave a comment

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This is some straight up solid work from the man known as Kydd Jones.  Not that his other work hasn’t been on point, but this song, in my humble opinion, is the kind of track that could make the charts right now.  Dripped Up finds Kydd dropping some sparse but strongly delivered bars over his own production, and this beat is moody as hell while still being moving.  Keep on growing, Kydd, and I won’t be surprised if the world is talking about you sooner than later.

-chief

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Truthful Musings :: Willing + AO Drop ‘Closed Set’

Posted on January 24, 2017 | Leave a comment

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I remember when willing was just showing up at the Austin Mic Exchange and other local hip-hop events, hungry like all of us are, and trying to find his place in the scene.  At first, he had a rapid fire style that was wonderful rich with poetic and referential textures, but over time, willing has honed his style into a very direct approach… well thought word choices and placement, and exploration with lots of depth.  Closed Set, a recent collaboration with producer AO, is a two song streaming set with 6 additional tracks available when downloaded.  Give willing and AO a listen, a share, and some support.

-chief

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Posted in General Information, ShuffleCast, Spotlight, The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, Underground Me Now

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Throwback Approach :: DDotElles Tints The Track ‘Sepia’

Posted on January 23, 2017 | Leave a comment

If you had to put me on the spot with an Austin hip-hop top five, DDotElles will constantly make that list.  My man is consistently dropping some of the most thought-provoking hip-hop coming out of the south, let alone Austin.  His newest single, Sepia, is certainly not new ground for the last year or so, as ageism and the generational divide has been a hot button topic for hip-hop.  What makes Sepia different, however, is its clever approach to stressing the need for understanding of what came before you and how it allows you to move ahead, among many other points that it stresses.  Props to DDotElles, Arthur Castro and the ill beat by 3Zone$.  Share this, but not until you give it a few deep listens for yourself.

-chief

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Unique Usuals :: The Minority Project Hits Us With ‘Suspect’ Video

Posted on January 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

There is almost nothing in hip-hop like a good strong crew.  Austin, luckily, seems to have its fair share of solid crews, which is a blessing to the scene.  The Minority Project, comprised of IIIXCTY, Isa Da Creature and T-Y da Fly, all catch wreck on the track and video for Suspect, a single from IIIXCTY‘s upcoming release entitled SINphony.  The video is simple and direct… great stuff.  I am loving the quality of hip-hop coming out of my home city these days, and The Minority Project is definitely keeping that good vibe going.

-chief

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Long Goodbye :: The Teeta And Grind Life Films Combine Forces For ‘Sayonara’

Posted on January 21, 2017 | Leave a comment

Over the past 8-12 months or so, one name that seems to consistently pop up among Austin hip-hop artists is The Teeta.  I’m not gonna lie, it took me a hot minute to getting around and actually checking out his music, but one thing that never hurts in my book is an endorsement from Grind Life Films.  Enter Sayonara, a video I stumbled across while doing my daily due diligence of combing the internet for dopeness.  Needless to say, I am impressed upon my initial listen.  The sample on this track is used cleverly, the bars are super solid and hold weight while not taking themselves over-seriously, and The Teeta definitely stands out in terms of style.  My attention has been gotten… I am curious to find out more.

-chief

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Wordplay Display :: NORMAN BA$E Drops Video For ‘LOVE The MC’

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Leave a comment

MC extraordinaire NORMAN BA$E has been putting folks on notice for ages now that he is a multi-talented force to be reckoned with.  Coming up strong off the release of his latest mixtape, Long, Live, Little Harlem is the lead single LOVE the MC.  It is a brutally honest lament on the state of the mouthpieces that represent the culture, but delivered over a wonderfully laid back and expressive beat.  If you haven’t already, get hip to NORMAN BA$E, as he is not one to disappoint with the output.

-chief

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The Way :: Click-Clack’s ‘White Gold’ Is Ice Cold

Posted on January 20, 2017 | Leave a comment

Click-Clack is one of the consistently dopest independent artists making hip hop out there right now.  His latest single, White Gold, finds him collaborating with LORDFUBU to do his take on modern stylings while remaining a standout in true Click-Clack fashion.  With dope artwork from Foreign Forest, this single should definitely bring attention to the upcoming release of same/same, which I will be ready to cop once dropped.

-chief

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Beats DuJour :: Batsauce Rocks For The ‘Clean Plate Club’

Posted on January 19, 2017 | Leave a comment

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Sometimes, you hear the music someone makes, and it’s obvious that they have a gift.  I still remember being at year two of A3C in Atlanta and hearing The Smile Rays for the first time.  I had heard/heard of Asimov, so I was familiar with Therapy, but I had not yet heard of Lady Daisey or Batsauce.  Needless to say, the entire crew left a lasting impression, and over the years I’ve been able to keep in touch with Lady Daisey and Batsauce via social media.

Not too long ago, Full Plate Records dropped volume three of their Clean Plate Club series, and lo and behold, the featured producer was Batsauce.  I jumped on the opportunity to listen, and just like I figure, it was rock solid.  Definitely give it a listen for yourself, cop it if you have a few bucks to spare, and share it with someone who may like it (because that doesn’t cost a thing).

-chief

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