Ronnie Dylan and Jake Crocker (rapper and producer, respectively) issued the first video from their recent American Dreams EP. Grab that for free here. “Purified Kings” was shot in Queens, New York by Jordan Tan and features a well-constructed cautionary tale as its prime narrative.
Insert coffee to begin.
28HUNDRED PRESENTS: Luck-One
206UP and Jae Change have collaborated to form 28Hundred, a new media company dedicated to producing original video content and in-depth, personality-driven interviews with your favorite artists. We’re happy to introduce our latest effort today featuring Portland’s Luck-One. Please enjoy and share around if you’re diggin’ it.
NEW MUSIC: Barkada – The Bar
The closest thing Filipino rap has to conjoined twins, Prometheus Brown and Bambu present their latest work as The Bar. Barkada is the duo’s sophomore release on Beatrock Music. Full confession: I haven’t listened to it yet but I can tell by osmosis that it’s at least as good as their entertaining run of promo videos on Instagram. More words about Barkada to come.
NEW MUSIC: Moor Than Less 02 – Thaddeus David
Moor Gang’s Thaddeus David dropped his latest mixtape, Moor Than Less 02. Here, Young TH spits hard over recognizable beats and remixes by artists that include Lloyd Banks, Kid Ink and Waka Flocka.
VIDEO: “The Making of the Beat for Drake’s ‘Furthest Thing'” – Jake One
Beat heads and production nerds should make note of Jake One’s Snare Jordan project. The venerable Seattle producer has packaged drum kits and various sound effects for sale, so you too can bring all of your bedroom production dreams to fruition. The website also features a great series of videos where Jake walks you through his methods. This week: Drake’s “Furthest Thing”.
VIDEO: “Coming (To America)” – The Bar (prod. by Justo; dir. by DJ Nphared)
The Bar’s new record, auspiciously titled Barkada, is set to drop tomorrow on Beatrock Music. Here’s a little preview then: the video for the duo’s “Coming (To America)”, directed by the always reliable DJ Nphared; the track was produced by The Physics’ in-house beatmaker Justo.
Also, the reference point:
REVIEW: Cognitive Dissonance: Part One – Raz Simone
Raz Simone
Cognitive Dissonance: Part One
Black Umbrella; 2014
Score (Potholes In My Blog scale): 4 / 5
Raz Simone’s first album since inking a deal with 300 Entertainment is an instant Northwest classic that also stands as tall as many of the best national releases of 2014. Read what else I had to say about it over at Potholes In My Blog.
VIDEO: “Kleptomaniac” – Graves 33
On the low, Graves33 has put in more work than most rappers you’ve already heard of and probably done enough shows with heroes of the rap subterrane to warrant his own star on the Seattle Underground walk of fame (if there were such a thing). Go here to get learned. It will require a shut-in, three-day weekend to get hip to it all, so close your blinds and turn off your phone.
And while we’re at it, this video and remixed version of the MC’s “Kleptomaniac” was conceptualized and formed by the producer Phreewil during an extended bout of influenza. It’s worth reading about his suffering on the Bandcamp liner notes for Banner For A Quilted Deathbed, a love letter of sorts from Phree to Graves in the form of a remix album. That’s below to stream and download at your leisure.
NEW MUSIC: “Walk On By” – Akrish (feat. Malice & Mario Sweet; prod. by Ill Pill)
It’s been a minute since we’ve heard from the rapper Akrish. His new track, “Walk On By,” is a stirring ballad about heartbreak blessed by the vocals of Malice and Mario Sweet. Tacoma’s Ill Pill produced the mid-tempo cut.
VIDEO: “They’ll Speak” – Raz (dir. by Stephan Gray)
Raz Simone has commandeered this blog’s RSS feed over the course of the last week or so. On the heels of the release of his Cognitive Dissonance: Part One, the team at Black Umbrella let loose with the video for “They’ll Speak,” directed by Stephan Gray. Seattle looks like the set of I Am Legend as Raz roams the streets, alone except for his thoughts.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 