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Let’s be more Sporadic! + Subway Dancers in L.A.
I recently lived a day of random fun with friends I have not seen together since the year started. One of them mentioned, several times, how it seemed that he had not been out in the world for weeks, or more. He works the nightshift. It was funny, because it was like he was experiencing a re-awakening. I also found it amusing how he chose to express this realization as we were walking along the most busiest street in the area, but this is also someone who is always humorous and imaginative. He could easily be a comedian. The same friend had also not been on a train to Hollywood…
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Clayt – Third Eye Visual
Clayt is a Virginia native who was inclined to sports growing up, then fell in love with the art of words and rhyme. As he discovered his ability to write his own lyrics telling his perspective, he realized and made his mission to spread positive messages through his lyrical gift. He hopes to “inspire others to believe in themselves, and focus on the highs rather than the lows.” Making it clear that he’s more than a rapper, he want to help establish art culture in Virginia that he felt was missing in his youth. You can feel the strength of his passion with one listen to his single Third Eye,…
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Mila-J – The Waiting Game Mixtape
Mila J just unveiled a new mixtape after dropping some surprise covers that offer a female’s perspective of some of the most felt songs in R&B, right now. Although the cover of The Weeknd’s Friends, Bryson Tyler’s Don’t, and Drake’s Hotline Bling Bling produced by BCKINGDOM are making waves, there are plenty of other gems glistening across The Waiting Game. My other favorite listens are Kickin’ Back, which is so representative of an L.A. native, F.Y.M., where Mila shows us her rapping skills, and Freaknic with Future. This singer’s style always appeals to me as one who authentically evolved since the 90’s, but brings that same old-school energy to current…
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Fresh Produce – We Are Fresh Produce
Fresh Produce are an exciting new hip-hop duo who awed me through their debut We Are Fresh Produce. They say they came together around Christmas 2014, deciding to collaborate officially after a few ciphers. Listening to the full-length debut which resulted, it is evident that whatever occurred was destined. Their wonderful collaboration expresses perspectives which are commonly shared between many of those in black communities especially, but not only, and women. The song More Like You, for example, tells the story of a girl who grew up wishing she had features like her best friend, who was fairer skinned and the supposed preferred hour-glass body type. Some of my other…
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Cub-J – The Trip Tape
Chicago rapper Cub-J and producer Rub N’ Alc are back with a new project, The Trip Tape. This one is the next multi-song release since last year’s featured Love Abuse. While this mixtape is equally great and lyrical compared to the last, there are some differences as The Trip Tape has a lighter, smooth feel to it. It is full bouncy jams that make me feel good and want to get out with my people, as well as reminisce and reflect. Some of my favorite are Midas, Bop-It Extreme, Spliff Or A Chong, and This Whole Time. Check it out for yourself and enjoy!
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Rae’Soleil Sun Goddess & Dj Causaltee – The Movement EP
Rae’Soleil Sun Goddess and DJ Casualtee collaborated to present this EP earlier this year. With every listen, I am more grateful to have come across this unique project which acts as a personal reminder to those like myself, that there are others out here which the same intuitions and intent. You may or may not catch the powerful messages which happen to reflect the current energies on the earth and changes we as people (humans) are experiencing individually. It is refreshing to find more artists who are authentically breaking the mold when it comes to the lyrical content of their art. Check out this stunning porject for yourself and support…
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Eyedress – Shapeshifter LP
After sharing and removing several new songs from soundcloud through-out the year, Eyedress dropped one of my personal favorite albums to be released, Shapeshifter. This album strings together some prodigious features like Edgar The Breathtaker a.k.a. King Krule, Pyramid Vritra, Jasmine, Ankhten Brown, and more who associate with Babe Slayer. I feel Eyedress continues to make whatever he wants, without much concern for the genre and how people are going to take it. Throughout Shapeshifter, he pulls us through a few different soundscapes, making him one of few who do not catering to only one per album. My favorite songs to bump loud are Return Of The Wicca Man, Witch…
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Capital Öde & Drum Fu – Perfect Hair Forever
Capital Öde is an emcee and vocalist who recently released his first mixtape with producer Drum Fu. Perfect Hair Forever caught my attention easily. Like his affiliate and recent Frolic feature Mouse Sucks, he is based in Brooklyn, New York while having originated from Toronto, Canada. He has also picked up influence while living in South Florida, Alabama, and New Jersey. This mixtape feels like an artful shout-out to the natural hair, melanin movement who unapologetically embraces their hair and contributions to culture where others have previously traded their natural features to fit with the mold. This project showcases a strong presence in the new school of emerging hip-hop artists.…
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Yasiin Bey: “F*ck off ISIS” on Paris attacks, imperialism and colonialism
“The problem is people’s lack of compassion and care for themselves, for their fellow human beings…And that’s what gets all of this nonsense going. We don’t treat each other well and we need to treat each other better than what we are doing.“ “By the way, we are already in outer space. We’re already HERE on this space ship earth, propelling, spinning all the time. Everything we need is here. Earth is efficient, but if we don’t do right by each other we will eliminate ourselves.” “They’re trying to drive people into a state of high stress, so people don’t have the space to really slow it down, love themselves,…
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Saint Tiimbre – Body Moves EP & Visual
As soon as I hit play to take in the sounds of Saint Tiimbre’s latest project Body Moves, the lights dim as some atmospheric dance scene grips my imaginative brain, every single time. The emerging San Franscisco group consists of vocalist/producer Natasha Adore and producers Amp Live and Julia Lewis. This is another collaboration made in heaven, as every other song takes me to similar places. It is a soulfully melodic dance record released through Little Friend Records. Each track has a retro vibe. Keep up with this group through the links and also check out the official visual for the lead song, Body Moves, below. Enjoy! soundcloud.com/saint-tiimbre facebook.com/sainttiimbre sainttiimbre.com…
