Raekwon – Ferry Boat Killaz from LRG on Vimeo.
Here’s the Chef’s latest music video off of the Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang album. I have yet to hear this whole album (because I’m brokeee), but every track I’ve heard has been fire. This one is produced by Alchemist.
Atmosphere’s long awaited 7th LP is finally released today. My review of the record will come later in the week, via Okayplayer. But it is the group’s most mature sounding effort to date, and exactly what hip hop should sound like when it’s made by people almost in their 40s (Jay-Z take note, bro).
The Video up top is a presentation of the album’s awesome artwork (I’ll be picking up my copy on Sunday once I get paid). And the video down below is the great music video to “She’s Enough” the album’s second single.
The months Jan-March are traditionally the least interesting months in terms of music releases, but in 2011 we’ve seen quite a few of interesting releases:
Here is a list (in tentative order from best to worst with a tentative rating):
1. CunninLynguists – Oneirology (9.5 out of 10)
Easily the year’s best release comes from the ‘Lynguists. Their current 9.5 rating could easily turn into a perfect 10 by the year’s end, as I’m picking up something new with each listen.
2. Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4eva (9 out of 10)
Admittedly, I slept on K.R.I.T.’s 2010 release, K.R.I.T. was Here and that was a BIG mistake. R4 is a phenomenal release. The release displays is excellent emcee skills and songwriting ability as well as his classic southern production which gives me flashbacks of 94-96 era of Dungeon Family.
3. Saigon – The Greatest Story Never Told (9 out of 10)
The long awaited Saigon debut was finally released this year, and it was well worth the wait. Top notch production from Just Blaze, and socially and politically conscious lyricism from the former Entourage star, will make this record one the year’s best.
4. Reks – R.E.K.S. (8.5 out of 10)
This Boston emcee paired with top tier boom bap production from the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, The Alchemist, Sean C & LV, Nottz, Hi-Tek, and show stealer, Statik Selektah make up a record that sounds like it come out in 1996.
5. Stalley – Lincoln Way Nights (Intellectual Trunk Music) (8 out of 10)
This Ohio emcee has released one of the year’s most interesting mixtapes. With hard hitting production from Rashad, Stalley raps mostly about his sound system and his cars, which may sound boring and cliche, but he does it damn well.
6. Apollo Brown – Clouds (8 out of 10)
This Detroit beatsmith released an excellent instrumental album, with amazing samples and hard hitting drums. This atmospheric record is a great listen even without rymes, but I’d still really like to hear some dope emcees rip these tracks apart.
7. Chip Tha Ripper – Gift Raps (7.5 out of 10)
His latest release, Gift Raps, with producer, Chuck Inglish, is the Cleveland rapper’s best release of his young career. This focused effort will probably land Chip a record deal, and the emcee is starting to fulfill his potential.
8. Scavie Scoobs (of Custom Made) – Trap Star Vol. 1 (7 out of 10)
The Custom Made emcee branches off to release his first solo project, Trap Star. Noticeably more aggressive and focuses more on gangsta rap themes than the group’s 2010 release Hi-Def, Scoobs finds his own voice on his solo debut, while staying true to his Custom Made family.
Here is a list of releases that I’ve listened to a few times, but need to listen to more before I can give them even a tentative listen:
#. Pharoahe Monch – W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
This politically charged record has some bangers on it for sure, but I need to give it a few more spins before I can decide how I feel about it.
#. Pac Div – Mania!
The West Coast group’s third mixtape in as many years, has the potential to be their best. While they’re prepping their major label debut, their independent work has made them one of my favorite groups of the past few years.
#. Money Making Jam Boys – The Prestige: Jam Boy Magic
This Philly-based super group that features Black Thought, Porn, Dice Raw, STS, and Truck North released their debut mixtape this year. I’ve given it one or two quick listens, but still need to give it a close listen to decide how I feel about it.
#. Grynch – Timeless EP
I’ve only give the Seattle emcee’s new EP only one quick listen but the title track and the Sabzi (of Blue Scholars) produced remix to his excellent 2010 single, “My Volvo” are two excellent tracks.
Here are two albums that I am highly anticipating but due to lack of funds I have yet to listen to:
#. Talib Kweli – Gutter Rainbows
#. Raekwon – Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang
Click to stream or for FREE download
I know, technically K.R.I.T. is no longer an independent artist since he recently inked a deal with Def Jam, but his 2nd self-released project, Return of 4evais independent project, so I’m going to post about it.
After his highly acclaimed 2010 album, K.R.I.T. Was Here he started to make a lot of noise on-line getting rave reviews from outlets including Okayplayer, Pitchfork, and many others. Admittedly I slept on the album, and I did try downloading the album a couple of times, but the link wasn’t working and I wasn’t compelled to keep trying.
When his second release came out, I decided to finally check in on what the hype was about. And almost instantly I became a believer of the Mississippi producer/emcee.
His style is a hybrid of all of my favorite southern artists. His production sounds a lot like Organized Noize, and his vocal delivery gives me flashbacks of the late/great Pimp C.
With obvious influences from Outkast, UGK, 8Ball & MJG, and Three Six Mafia, K.R.I.T. has brought a sound back to the south, that has for the most part, been absent for years.
Hopefully Def Jam gives him artistic freedom to do what he wants. They did do a good job with Big Boi’s album last year, even though they didn’t promote it well, it’s still better than what Atlantic has been doing with young promising talent (see: the corpses of B.o.B and Wiz Khalifa).
Tracks to check out: “Rise and Shine” “Dreamin'” “American Rapstar” “Lions and Lambs” “Another Naive Individual Glorifying Greed and Encouraging Racism” “Free My Soul” and “The Vent”
BONUS: R4 Theme Song Music Video:
In Studio Sessions: Big K.R.I.T. “R4 Theme Song” from 3 Little Digs on Vimeo.
Pharoahe Monch’s long awaited third album, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades finally saw its release this week. The much anticipated project, and first on indie label Duck Down Music, features a stellar cast including production by: Exile, Marco Polo, and Diamond D and guest spots from: Phonte, Styles P, Immortal Technique, Citizen Cope, Royce Da 5’9″, Jean Grae, and more.
I’ve only listened to the album once so far (on the stream up above), but it sounds like it’s going to be one of the year’s bests. It is a politically charged album reminiscent of Dead Prez and Immortal Technique (who is featured on the album’s title track).
EDIT: After a few more listens, this album has started to grow on me, much like his previous album, Desire did. While Monch’s flow and lyricism is superb throughout, there is some less-than-stellar production on the record.
Monch does an excellent job of balancing politically charged tracks about racism and war with less-serious battle tracks like “Assassins” which features indie-mic slayers, Jean Grae and Royce Da 5’9″. Monch is ultimately at his best taking a Chuck D, Dead Prez-type role on tracks like the Styles P-assisted “Black Hand Side” and “Let My People Go.”
BONUS:
Here is the “extended music video” for the lead-single, “Clap (One Day).” The stunning visual plays more like a short film than a music video.
2009 was a huge year for the Minnesota-based indie rap label with many releases finishing in my personal top records of that year. Last year the label had a handful of interesting releases, but 2011 is definitely gearing up to be the year of the Rhymesayer.
The first RSE release will be the Columbus emcee, Blueprint. “So Alive” is the third video/single released from the up-coming album, Adventures in Counter Culture. “So Alive” along with his other singles “Keep Bouncing” and “Radio-Inactive” are increasingly building hype around his album which will examine American Popular Culture.
The second RSE release of 2011 is also probably the most anticipated one – Atmosphere’s first longplay in almost exactly 3 years, The Family Sign. The album is expected to continue the live instrumentation from guitarist Nate Collis and Key-man Erick Anderson, which were very prominent on last year’s double EP release as well as the group’s 2008 LP. On this track Slug tells a story about taking a loved one for granted. Another great concept for the music video features a dog being neglected by its family until it runs away, then the video concludes with a “Missing Dog” poster.
Grieves had a pretty big 2010: signing with RSE, Re-released his excellent 2008 album 88 Keys & Counting, and releasing a great EP on the RSE. 2011 is to be an even bigger year for the Seattle-based rapper, as he plans on releasing his first LP on Rhymesayers, Together/Apart. His rockstar looks and complex lyricism filled with vivid imagery reminiscent of a young Slug, will once again be complimented by Budo’s guitar licks, piano loops and horns. Together/Apart is expected to see a June release.
Other Rhymesayers who are expecting to see a 2011 release include: Evidence’s long awaited RSE debut Cats & Dogs
Freeway is also expected to see another release following his collaboration LP with Jake-One
The Seattle beatsmith, Jake-One is expected to release his follow up to his 2008 double-disc, White Van Music .
Grieves and Budo are currently putting the final touches on their debut on indie powerhouse, Rhymesayers Ent. This is the first single off of that project, which is titled Together/Apart. While there has been no official release date for their album, it is expected to see a Summer release.
“Pack it Up” features live instrumentation including a smooth guitar and horns, which has been Budo’s forte with his recent productions. Grieves’ lyrics revolve around trying to get a girl to like him. It’s a pretty simple love song, but Grieves carries the track with his charming lyricism: “I got a pretty good feeling that we could make a perfect couple / ‘Cause I’m a pretty decent listener and love to cuddle.”
Grieves & Budo are about to hit the road starting in April to tour with Atmosphere, Blueprint, Sab the Artist, and DJ Abilities for The Family Tour.
This single along with his Confessions of Mr. Modest EP released last year, makes Grieves’ up-coming album one of the most anticipated Indie Rap albums of 2011.
Ohio emcee, Stalley released his latest mixtape project last week titled, Lincoln Way Nights (Intelligent Trunk Music). The bearded emcee made a lot of buzz in 2010 appearing on tracks with Curren$y and Ski Beatz. With his aggressive flow and distinctive voice over Columbus beatsmith Rashad’s production, makes Intelligent Trunk Music one of the best mixtapes released in the last few years.
Stand out tracks include an ode to the late/great Pimp C on “Monkey Ish,” “Tell Montez I Love Her,” “Hard,” and several others. This mixtape is full of bass heavy, hard-hitting beats and Stalley’s sharp word play. A lot of the mixtape’s lyrical content revolves around bass and autmobiles, which are popular in mainstream hip hop, but Stalley is able to rap about these things with the type of lyricism and creativity that is rarely heard on the radio.
Stalley has a bright future ahead of him. He is Ohio’s BEST up-and-coming emcee (sorry Cudi, Chip, MGK, and others) because he has mainstream tendencies mixed with a unique voice and style that gives me flashbacks of early 2000s Freeway (or maybe it’s because of the beard).
Below s the music video for his first single off the mixtape, “Slapp.”
Click Here To Download or Stream Mixtape