Deano Cote, integral member to Fort Never, NGHT HCKLRS and Blastfamous USA, is quite the accomplished musician and interesting individual in his own right. During a recent trip to Guinea, West Africa, Cote took the opportunity to gather field recordings that sparked his interest during the journey. Upon his return to the states, he took these elements, and combined with his own original production, Conakry was born. The project is an embrace of rhythm, the drums, naturally soulful expression and innovative methods of bridging sonic gaps. This one is currently on Spotify and other streaming services, so I’d definitely suggest doing yourself a favor and checking it out if you’re looking for something new and eye-opening.
‘This album celebrates its 2-years since its release date this upcoming August.
I wrote a majority of this album while going through some crazy times, & went back to rewrite it after my appendix surgery.
I feel y’all should check it out, I may be on a current hiatus from seriously listening to music & making music, but this album is something I hope one day people will understand its concept.
It was inspired by dark times & the study of the lust for human interaction.’
I wasn’t hip to this when he first dropped it, but Unusuals is definitely a completely different animal from If You’re Waiting Till We’re Dead, Don’t Bother Listening. This project plays more like a Trent Reznor album than a hip-hop album, with deep sonic textures to match the deep emotional tones hit. This album is definitely worth taking some time with.
Virgil Wolfe recently dropped a new track, a collaboration with producer Big Lo titled Lovely To Look At. The beat is wonderfully off-kilter and lo-fi, with an eerie vocal sample and purposeful recording/aging distortion integrated into the track. It’s a suitable soundscape for some of Wolfe‘s more cryptic lyrical fare. His verse and delivery put me in the mindset of a Labyrinth-like situation, where I must solve the riddles Virgil Wolfe presents me before I am able to progress further. My only real frustration with the song is that it is simply a single verse… an extended break and a second verse would have made this one pure gold. Maybe a remix featuring Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice on a guest verse could solve that? Regardless, here’s to Virgil Wolfe for continuing to put out both quantity and quality when it comes to tunage.
The Austin Hip Hop Awards 2018 took place recently, and with that comes the traditional set of cypher videos. Each video is meant to highlight notables from the awards while giving these artists a chance to showcase their talents and introduce new viewers to what they’re all about. The 2018 editions, curated by Austin mainstay George VonDoom, definitely stand up to the test when it comes to giving a solid cross section of Austin talent. There are definitely artists I personally would have loved to see involved, but I give much props and respect to all of those involved, as these cyphers proved that these spots were earned.
Part one took place at the Metropolitan apartment complex, home to many hip-hop shows and events over the years. This cypher took on a more hardcore edge, featuring Tone Brigante, Spefy, Loose Cannon, and strong closeout verses from Geezy Goin Ham and 245 Nixout.
Part two was the more ominous, 1990’s-esque aesthetic edition. Raps in the kitchen, no frills, just straight talk and straight lyrical prowess. Mista D and George VonDoom set things off proper, with Foolish Karlito closing things out in immaculate style.
Part three, set in front of an impressive mural, was more straight talk from a diverse group of MCs. Sixxx kicked the door down, Kannkasso and D.R.O.I.D. lit things up with wordplay and high energy flows, and GA Daniel cleaned up with a heartfelt flow.
Here’s to those showcased in the Austin Hip Hop Awards 2018 cyphers, and props to the Austin Hip Hop Awards for taking the time each year to put this level of recognition together. Not everyone makes music for validation on this level, but you can best believe that receiving this kind of validation encourages artists to keep moving forward and to better themselves.
Clemits is setting himself up to reap the rewards from loads of hard work he’s been putting in the last few years. His latest project, the hypnotic beat tape A Cult Classic, not only entertains, but has been rolled out by the likes of Hip Hop DX, among other tastemaker blogs currently helping to define the hip-hop culture. The tape covers a variety of feelings and moods within a tight 14 tracks, with clear influences to jazz, film scores and even hints of electronic music all emerging from the boom bap foundation Clemits provides.
On top of what will surely be a successful album release, Clemits is also nearly a full season deep into The Clemits Show, a podcast designed to showcase fellow creatives, discuss creative methods and inspiration, and hopefully help those looking for creative motivation to move forward with their ideas. Click the pic below for access to the podcast via Apple :
Hopefully, Clemits continues his current trajectory, as he seems to be headed for good things in the near future. Make sure to support him and other local creatives, simply because it’s the right thing to do.
The recent emergence of the Austin-based Baby Lion production company has been the catalyst for a handful of new programs and outlets for creative types looking to diversify their content output. One of the collective members, rapper/actor/filmmaker Protextor, found a way to merge a few of his loves into the show Rappers Playing Games. With the help of Game Over Videogames and Mopac Media, and a different guest from the deep pool of Austin-based hip-hop talent for each episode, Protextor sits down for a game and some casual talk. For episode one, Feral the Earthworm stopped by for a round of Earthworm Jim on the Sega Genesis. The inaugural episode serves mostly as a proof of concept, but according to Protextor and Baby Lion, big ideas and plans are on the way for the series, so definitely stay tuned.
In all seriousness, who out there is putting in the work this summer at a level comparable to poolboi blu? My man has been putting has not only been putting out steady material, but quality material as well, with a range of sound that scans a wide spectrum. His latest gem is sandy, a quick little banger that manages to be both high energy and a mellow banger in equal measure. This one is a true earworm if there ever was one in the poolboi blu catalog. You know the drill… likes, shares, comments, and props for our local superstars.
While at the 2017 Texas Grand Slam Cypher in Bryan, Texas, poet Sunni Soper took a moment to perform one of her pieces, the extremely moving and revealing Castle Walls, for Write About Now‘s YouTube channel. In all honesty, however, it feels more like a confession via the digital realm… a sit-down between us viewers and Sunni Soper as she reveals, retracts, respects, retracts, and all in a beautifully rhythmic poetic cycle. Her forceful voice, her commanding presence, her honest nature… all of it is conveyed in a powerful three minutes. Much respect. You know the drill.. like it, share it, leave a comment to verify the all around badassery.
There seems to be no denying the fact that Cha’keeta B is a forced to be reckoned with, be it the Austin hip-hop scene or otherwise. Her confidence in herself is nearly unmatched, and her lyrical skill level continues to be consistent and impressive, with her bars managing to be self-affirming and motivating in equal measure on Flex. The main message of the track is up-front and simple : there’s nothing wrong with celebrating winning, especially if that victory is due to your motivation, efforts and hard work. The value of earning your status on your own terms cannot be undermined, and Cha’keeta B manages to put some shine on the concept with a sleek looking and impressive video. This one is racking up impressive numbers already, but go ahead and help keep that momentum going by giving it a like, comment and/or share (if not all three), and remember to keep supporting artists like Cha’keeta B in their efforts.
The theme of this week seems to be positive affirmations. The latest to broadcast the importance of them is the dynamic duo ChurchCough, located in San Marcos. With the help of Token, the trio gets down to some core insight on the cyclical nature of nature via observations, allusions to positive affirmations that already exist in the sphere of pop culture, and straight-forward testimonials of personal experience in their day to day walks. Billie Jean is a strong lead single for the upcoming album, which will feature collaborations with a wide range of artists (including yours truly). Add that bit of wonderful cover art from Candid (Eddie Baty), and it really will have you wondering…
Chief and TheDoomsdayDevice 