Avatar Darko looks right at home on Coney Island in his new clip for “IDK” (from the rapper’s forthcoming Soviet Goonion 3). Av has converted himself into Seattle’s most unlikely rap renaissance man, from his earlier relentlessly thugged-out mixtapes, to a post-college SoCal-based grimy glamour life, to the nihilistic emo trap stylings of his recent albums, it’s always done with a hearty nod to his Russian roots. Unbiased and unfiltered, Av is always refreshing in a mouth swilled-with-Vodka sort of way. “IDK” was directed by Seattle native and now NYC resident, Ralph Madison.
Insert coffee to begin.
VIDEO: “Carry On” – Grynch (dir. by Griff J)
Grynch, through no fault of his own, elicits fussy criticism from Town music writers and rap heads alike. But, as he states in his new track “Carry On”, “Been in the game for ten years” is an unfuckwitable statistic, especially considering how so many other buzzing MCs fall by the wayside after far lesser time making music.
Street Lights is the new album from Grynch dropping tomorrow (Tue, April 29). Catch the Ballard native rocking an album release show in his honor on May 2 at the Crocodile, along with a team of sparkling acts: The Bar, Dave B and Jake One.
NEW MUSIC: “He Got Game” – Dave B (prod. by Justo)
Expect breezy, pristine beats and rhymes from School Daze, the upcoming project by rapper Dave B and The Physics’ in-house producer Justo. “He Got Game” is the first drop, a wistful look back at Dave’s high school basketball days. This sounds like a Seattle summer to us.
NEW MUSIC: “You Got It All” – Choklate (prod. by Stas Thee Boss)
Choklate and Stas (of THEESatisfaction) emancipate the groove on this brief exhale of a track. Here we are, shuffling toward the weekend. Be well, readers.
VIDEO: “A Day Like This” – Ronnie Dylan (dir. by Jordan Tan)
There are rap video stars in Manhattan who don’t even know they’re stars yet. Seattle rapper Ronnie Dylan found a few in Times Square for his new clip “A Day Like This”, a track from a forthcoming summer project with producer Jake Crocker.
VIDEO: “Bombs Away” – Reklez (dir. by Produktive)
Plenty of 4/20 press was flying through the 206UP inbox last week, including this too-hype-for-getting-stoned video look from Reklez. My experience with the green has been limited but not once did I ever feel like a bomb was going off around me. Maybe I was smoking the wrong shit? Johnny Juliano on the beat and Produktive behind the lens.
NEW MUSIC: The Next Step – Wizdom
Wizdom, the long standing nice guy of Seattle rap, recently dropped The Next Step, his self-proclaimed final album project. (Don’t go Wiz, we’ll miss you!) It’s an engaging eight-tracker that trends boom-bap with tasteful pop sensibilities. The best thing about Wiz has always been his straight-forward, old school flow, and amiable self-conscious swagger. Rappers generally have difficulty admitting their faults, but Wiz embraces his and wears them like a badge of honor.
NEW MUSIC: Nightmares & Fantasies – D-Sea
D-Sea is a “hibernating Seattle hip-hop artist” according to the rapper’s Facebook page. You saw him though — if you were paying attention, that is — on the blog about a month ago when he dropped the video for “Hold Up”, the first song from his new EP Nightmares & Fantasies. D pals around with L.A.C.O.S.A. clique members Mack E and Produktive — good company if your focus is lyric-based hip hop fundamentalism (one of the few times that that word is associated with something good). In any case, check out D-Sea’s latest single, “Stayin’ Up”, below.
NEW MUSIC: “David Blowie” – Nacho Picasso (prod. by Raised Byy Wolves)
Play Nacho Picasso’s For The Glory at three-quarter speed while watching Labyrinth backwards, standing on your head. Shit’s trippy, dun.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 