Tag Archives: the doomsday device

Collective Efforts :: StereoFiend Releases ‘Concerns & Doubts’ EP

Posted on March 12, 2020 | Leave a comment

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The work ethic of Grid Squid Entertainment is extremely admirable, as the group has continued over the years to grow as a team, as solo artists, and even in small collective pockets between themselves or with the involvement of those outside the core.  The latter designation is where StereoFiend lands, which features Grid Squid members SymmaTree and Joy, with the live backing of bassist Mike Deosdade, guitarist Tristan Bulgrin, drummer Mike Lenoir and keyboardist Joshua D. McGoldrick.  The group has been making noise in the central Texas area for the past half a decade or so, and after the 2016 release of Urge & Grit and the subsequent years of live shows, the growth in all aspects resonates perfectly with Concerns & Doubts.  SymmaTree‘s signature flow and voice sit deeply in the pocket, Joy‘s confidence as a vocalist continues to grow, and the musicians are given room to express their talent.  Take a dive into this project and get to know the group better, donate if you can, and share this one around with your friends.

-chief

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Sacred Texts :: Mad1ne Releases ‘Dusty’ Visuals

Posted on March 11, 2020 | Leave a comment

After releasing the aptly named Impressive Hate Poems, Mad1ne has enlisted the help of Sol Cinematics to drop the first music video for the project, Dusty.  This one is reminiscent of the 1990s hip-hop music videos that made me love the culture, where a black and white filter and grounded, gritty locations allow those with flow to address viewers directly and do what they do best.  A couple of cameo appearances can be found in the run of the video as well.  Mad1ne has always held it down for that era, and over the years, his work just keeps getting stronger and stronger, and this video continues the trajectory in the right direction.  Check this one out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around so those numbers can rise!

-chief

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Upward Movement :: Moodie Black Preps ‘Fuzz’ Release With ‘Jesus Bound’ Video Premier on Dead End Hip Hop

Posted on March 10, 2020 | Leave a comment

Moodie Black is about to knock the dust off of 2020, and if Jesus Bound (the first single from their upcoming Fake Four release Fuzz) is any indication, their going to do it with a sense of urgency and immediacy that the era has not only created, but demands.  K is no stranger to confrontation, and with hip-hop already being a firestorm of a breeding ground for transforming turmoil into art, it comes as no surprise to me that Jesus Bound plays as her unapologetic clapback to all the real-life and social media misgendering and misidentification of her art.  Add to that her penchant for stark and striking visuals, and it makes sense that Dead End Hip Hop would jump at the opportunity to premier the video, hopefully allowing avenues of discussion to open up as a result.  I’ll be ready for when Fuzz drops at the end of March, and if you’re smart, you’ll keep your eyes and ears open as well.

-chief

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Raw Raps :: Secret Levels Drops ‘Oh Well Whatever’ EP

Posted on March 9, 2020 | Leave a comment

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In the wake of the members of Space Camp Death Squad putting the group on hiatus, each individual member has made a noticeable transition.  Protextor dropped a genre-blending album and is helping to run a successful YouTube channel, Doc Brown has found success on stage and behind the camera, and thankfully for us hip-hop heads, Secret Levels has continued to drop hip-hop projects while embracing vinyl DJng.  Recently, Secret Levels has continued their musical momentum with Oh Well Whatever, a blistering six song EP that is a clinic in style exploration and spitting with confidence.  The ideas are well thought out, polished and well executed, and the beats are all standout selections, flowing well from track to track.  This is their first project to hit the broader streaming world, so don’t sleep on Secret Levels… seek them out on your favorite streaming service or digital storefront, and encourage others to do the same!

-chief

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Foot Down :: Kydd Jones And Y2 Stand Tall On ‘Steel Toe’

Posted on March 6, 2020 | Leave a comment

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Over the years, it seems as if Kydd Jones has found ways to continually reinvent himself and his sound without sacrificing a core sense of who he is as both an artist and an individual.  Be it about bars, a vibe, or a combination of the two, I find myself surprised time and time again by his range and dynamic ability as an artist.  This time around, with the help of fellow Austin fixture Y2, has unleashed a beast of a single with Steel Toe.  Over a track that is deceptively strong despite its bare bones, drum and piano-heavy nature, Kydd and Y2 drop two very different but equally strong verses full of low-key self-props and statements of personal facts, as well as observations on the state of hip-hop and the culture in general.  Like many of his latest tracks, this one will definitely find itself in heavy rotation.  Check it out, share it around, and cop it if you’ve got a buck to spare.

-chief

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Summertime Rolls :: Chucky Blk Drops Single And Video For ‘Late Summer’

Posted on March 5, 2020 | Leave a comment

Austin-based MC Chucky Blk has never been one to shy away from introspection and self-reflection, especially with his background as a poet.  His latest release, Late Summer, is a mellow celebration of realizing your potential and living in that moment for as long as possible.  Be it academically, creatively, socially, or any other -ly that you can manifest, Chucky Blk has it covered lyrically.  With the help of a handful of friends and director WeSeeWaves, Chucky Blk has partnered the song with a video that manages to celebrate the moment and nostalgia at the same time.  The switches between color and black and white are a nice touch, and more than anything, the very real moments captured resonate wholly in combination with the song.  Definitely put this one on your watch list, leave a comment and a like, and spread the love by sharing it around.

-chief

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Zoning Out :: SOTU Release ‘In A Zone’ Music Video

Posted on March 4, 2020 | Leave a comment

The College of Hip-Hop Knowledge (CHHK) has a monster roster that stays high quality and high quantity with the output.  The most recent example of these tenants, as well as the diversity of the crew, is found via SOTU (Sound of the Underground), the collective form of solo MCs The Culprit and Mic Trey.  The single, In A Zone, not only has an incredibly catchy track that the two lyricists do all kinds of verbal gymnastics for, but a video with some serious visual effects of space-age tech that makes the duo look like science-fiction film characters in a strange world.  Definitely check this one out, leave a like and a comment, and share it around for everyone to enjoy!

-chief

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Digital Playground :: Brainwavve Releases ‘FUTURESOON’

Posted on March 3, 2020 | Leave a comment

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As 2020 continues to truck along, (iN)Sect Records moves right along with it in terms of releasing top quality music.  Recently, San Antonio-based glitch synthpop mastermind Brainwavve rolled out his latest release, FUTURESOON, a collection of colorful sounds and textures with a driving force behind it.  The mostly instrumental collection gives plenty of emotional shades, and the three unique features from Bragglights, Black Davinciii and Honey Son only add to the range of experience.  As far as the electronic soundscape of Texas, it looks like Brainwavve is firmly set as a key member of the scene, and FUTURESOON is a strong statement of that fact.  Check it out, share it around for others, and if you’ve got the funds, jump over to his Bandcamp and donate a few bucks.

-chief

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Real Talk :: Miss Manners Interviews Ben Buck On Hip Hop Hooray (91.7 KOOP)

Posted on March 2, 2020 | Leave a comment

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From the digital desk of Miss Manners : 

‘Ben Buck came to the KOOP Radio studios on February 9, 2020 to talk to Miss Manners about his new album, Kilroy.  Hear from Ben about why he named his album Kilroy and what the iconic WWII American graffiti means to him, as well as why he likes discordant noise, and his feelings on respecting his predecessors in hip-hop.  Ben also beatboxes live on the air.’

Be sure to tune in to Hip Hop Hooray every Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 3:30 PM (CST) on 91.7 KOOP Radio.

-chief

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Spacing Vaders :: Bjorn Vader’s February Single Releases

Posted on February 28, 2020 | Leave a comment

Keeping up with the release schedule of Bjorn Vader could fuel a blog of its own.  Granted, to make this statement in February, where he’s only released a couple of songs, sounds like a contradictory statement, but even when quantity is not a factor he’s focused on, the quality is always there.

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Fences West is a somber, organ driven tune with a seeming focus on meditation and reflection.  The track is spacious, with a muted but driven drum track playing the background supporting role, and the organ run carries us emotionally through the track.

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By comparison, the lightness is San Javier Strut is more comparable to the lightness of a crisp morning, with hope, aspirations and high spirits being the key factors.  The playful way that the organ and horns take turns on center stage works well, with this interplay providing shades and textures over the combination of drums and percussion that plays the foundation role.

Bjorn Vader has truly taken major steps in the transition from music fan to music producer.  He, very similar to myself, is a testament that the line between those who enjoy and those who contribute is imaginary, if not non-existent, and is completely crossable if you’re willing to put in time that equals the love and respect for the art form.  Stay connected to Bjorn Vader‘s Bandcamp page, as he stays uploading new tracks, and make sure your friends are hip to it as well.

-chief

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