No matter how ephemeral it is, a novel is something, while despair is nothing. –Mario Vargas Llosa
I just got the new album from the Niceguys. I didn’t know they made videos but this one isn’t half bad.
I’m pretty excited about sharing this one. One of my favorite hip hop groups of all time, Zion I, is about to release a new album called Atomic Clock so I wasn’t prepared when I stumbled upon this project. The unique MC of the Zion I duo teamed up with dj/producer The Are who you may know from his recent collaboration with another great MC, John Robinson. I’m really liking this album, both the production and the vocals. To my surprise, Zumbi fits perfectly on the beats and its nice to hear his voice on beats that are different from what Zion I would put out. I’ll probably be listening to this one for a while, or at least until Atomic Clock comes out on Nov. 9.
If beats could sing they would sound like Bahwee. I had no idea who this artist is. I just downloaded the album recently and the beats are amazing. Great instrumentals from this California producer. I just read that he’s from Chino Hills… so is my cousin, next time I see him I’m going to ask “what the fuck have you done?.” Above is one beautiful beat from Bahwee’s album, Flavors.
The first time I heard about Gaslamp Killer he opened for Blu at UCR. He’s known for his eccentric performances and his connection to Flying Lotus. They’re label mates and they often tour together. This track is from his new EP, Death Gate, that I’m finding more my taste than his other projects. This EP seems more ‘hip hopy’ and less dub step so its more palpable for a hip hop head.
No bites? Change the bait and tackle.
So much music I wanted to share this week will have to wait but there’s a reason I had to show this artist, Ohbliv and his album, EZwidas. Another great instrumental album to relax or spit to. Again, I don’t know too much about this guy but I always try to at least find out where the artists are from. Ohbliv happens to come out of Richmond, Virginia.. I’m going to have to stop hating on the south since it has produced Jay Electronica, Oddisee, and this guy.
Juj is a producer out of Santa Cruz, California. His beats are a little more up beat and a different speed than what I usually listen to but I enjoyed this album, SLACK, all the way through. Quite a few ‘bangers’ on here that I know a lot of you will enjoy.
There is love of course. And then there’s life, its enemy. – Jean Anouilh
I have to admit that the posts for this week were supposed to be much different especially in tone but recent events have changed my attitude I suppose. Just be happy I already had these posts written and done before I had a chance to rant and complain.. I just had to change a few things, pictures, titles, so as not to misrepresent current self.
Chino Hills, CA native, Teebs, is quickly making a name for himself in Southern California’s super fertile beat scene. To me his style is a little more laid back than others like Onra and Dibiase but I still really enjoy his music. For people who love instrumentals and for beat heads.
Atmosphere released a new EP recently called, To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy. I’m a true Atmosphere fan and Slug is an artist that helped me get into underground hip hop so I’m always looking out for this Minnesota rapper’s next release. This free EP has some quality tracks on it and the one above is one of my favorites. A classic Atmosphere song that is a good example of the group’s style.
This track comes off of an album I just got from Todd Sykes & EvergreenOne. The song title I think explains the album’s direction pretty well. It features some upbeat raps over 90’s style beats by some boys from Washington state. I think its funny how they rep west coast on this album, not that they shouldn’t but it didn’t strike me as super west at first. Maybe after listening to it more I’ll hear the pacific influence but take a listen and judge for yourself.
I wasn’t sure who this artist was or whether or not to look into his music until I saw that he had a track produced by Damu the Fudgemunk, one of my favorite producers. Agent Mos’ new album, Natural Self is a pretty surprising project. I wasn’t expecting to much but I enjoyed the album for the most part. Its pretty laid back and very underground in its presentation.
I just started getting into this group but I’m quickly becoming a big fan. Cleveland’s Poetic Republic is another great hip hop group that has clearly been influenced by Jurassic 5, Panacea, and other collectives. I got two of their albums and I’ve been listening to them a lot this past week. The track above is a good introduciton to their music I feel.. a nice beat and decent verses. Some nice upbeat hip hop for a nice day.
Cali is Active
“I’m just trying to smoke weed and rap man… and eat kabob.” -Evidence
I don’t think I need to say much more about the two artists above. Blu and Fashawn are some of the best new hip hop artists I’m seeing make moves right now. I would still say they aren’t getting the attention they deserve but you can’t expect much more when radio dj’s keep playing that eminem and rihanna bullshit ever ten minutes. Anyway, if you don’t know already you need to get familiar with these two California natives asap.
I just started listening to Strong Arm Steady when I got their collaboration album with Madlib. When your favorite producer is involved in a whole album’s production you have to take notice of the artists. The 3-man rap group sounds to me like a throwback to groups like West Side Connection but better. Madlib on the beat is all you need to make amazing tracks.
Exile and Aloe Blacc have made a few albums together as Emanon. The most recent was alright but the older ones are pretty damn good. I miss Aloe Blacc rapping to be honest. Like Phonte, I think Aloe loses his luster as a singer. I actually don’t enjoy them singing at all but as rappers they murder tracks. Maybe that’s why I really don’t care for their singing albums, we don’t have enough dope rappers for them to be crossing over.
#11: Bad Timing
I’m just starting to get familiar with this group, Knowmads. From what I understand they are just some young guys from Seattle making music that they would want to hear. That’s a great goal for a group of real hip hop fans because it will most likely produce some very enjoyable music like this track above. I just downloaded their self-titled album and I have to say I’m enjoying it. I haven’t listened to it enough to make a value judgement yet but I’ll say its worth checking out especially since they are from California.
This track is off the 2009 album, Intermission, by the super-collective the Soul Assassins. There are too many members to list here but a few of the core members include Dilated Peoples, Cypress Hill, GZA, and Planet Asia. The track above features Evidence of Dilated Peoples and Sick Jacken of Psycho Realm. Intermission is the collective’s third album and from what I hear there is a fourth in the works titled Chapter III.
I’m still doing the research but I think elevatedSOUL is a either a collective or a budding record label made of mainly local artists. I first became acquainted with the name when I heard COFFEE HOUSE SWINGER by Boho Fau and presented by elevatedSOUL. I have to say I was impressed that it was made by local artists but I wasn’t particularly amazed. Still its worth looking into any new material that surfaces from these guys. The track above is from Knowa Lazarus’s new EP, LIFE, presented by elevatedSOUL. It might take me a little while to get used to this guy’s voice but other than that its a pretty good listen.
West Coast
Here’s a quick West Coast hip hop update. DC producer, Oddisee recently released a mixtape of West Coast inspired beats as a prelude to his forthcoming collaboration album with California rapper, Trek Life. The album provides some pretty stereotypically California sounding beats but that doesn’t make it uninteresting. For a short mixtape, it delivers what it should.. an easy listen for everyone especially those waiting for a uniquely California movement in sound to take place. This isn’t the album to make that movement happen but I don’t expect something like that from a producer not from here. Despite that, I’m sure many of you will find this mixtape enjoyable. The new project is their followup to New Money, a favorite among Oddisee fans. You can download the mixtape here Oddisee.bandcamp. Be sure to check out the album, Everything Changed Nothing out now on iTunes.
Below is one of the different forms of artwork for Madlib’s recent edition of his monthly Medicine Show series. High Jazz is yet another jazz album from the California mega-producer. I’m always ready for new Madlib music but I’m getting anxious waiting for the new Madvillian but we’re just going to have to wait. Every snippet I’ve heard has sounded pretty dope so I’m excited. Its slated for this year so we won’t have to wait very much longer. In the mean time, enjoy the copious amount of material Madlib is providing this year. He continues to make even the most prolific artist look lazy. Above is a track from the new album.. listen and enjoy.
Chosen Few – New World Symphony
I’ve been waiting to hear material from this group for a while because I follow Hiero religiously. Chosen Few is a three man group just signed to Hiero Imperium Records among artists like Souls of Mischief, Hieroglyphics, and Goapele. In anticipation of their upcoming debut album, New World Symphony, they have released a mixtape called Sounds From the Fewture, which I really dig. Its a good thing for hip hop and especially California hip hop. There’s no word on a release date for their LP yet so for now enjoy this video featuring Opio and their mixtape.
Phesto Told Me To..
At a recent Souls of Mischief show Phesto told the audience to go out and get their new album Montezuma’s Revenge and if you’re broke go and download it. “We just want y’all to have it” he said. Sharing is a true California trait and thats why I’m posting a buy link and a download link. If you got the money please support these guys and buy the album, if not download it, share it, and spread the word about real hip hop in California. I’ll be posting some more stuff related to Hieroglyphics soon. Their label Hiero Imperium is trying to expand and has recently signed Chosen Few. Also at that Souls show, Pep Love of Hieroglyphics hinted at another Hiero album in the works which I’m pretty excited about.
Waxology 