I’m writing-in a Smiley/West ticket on my 2012 Presidential Ballot. And I’m recommending Jay Smooth for a new cabinet position: Secretary of Common Sense. Jay drops knowledge at his first ever TED talk.
VIDEO: “4EverGreen” – KeyBoard Kid
Someday I’ll get off my lazy blog ass and develop a fully-formed opinion on this Based sh-t. Until then, thanks to KeyBoard Kid for linking me to his first music video, “4EverGreen.” Casual cool and sh-t talk over slow-roll synth. I’ve liked stuff like this before. Someone tell me why I should stop ignoring the Based World.
VIDEO: “The Funk” – The BreakLites
Tacoma’s The BreakLites on some grimier sh-t than found on this past summer’s Robots and Daytons, an album that I vibed out to once or twice and need to revisit. The crew tells me this is the advance single from their next EP, Rapface. Also, buy the trio a beer when you see them on tour this December.
VIDEO: “Go Farther” – J. Pinder (dir. by Jon Augustavo)
SEA. ATL. NYC. Rainier Valley representative J. Pinder jet sets across the country and it’s all captured beautifully on film by Town videographer Jon Augustavo. Justin P. looks like a star, sounds like a star, moves like a star. It’s crazy these days how close stardom might seem given the internet’s means (of portraying you like one). Caught this extended clip on some other blogs yesterday, one of which tells me the MC has found his label home on Ballard’s Fin Records. J. Pinder’s musical fire has been a slow burn, which means it will be all the more rewarding for him when sh-t ignites for real.
VIDEO: “Opium Of Love” – Metal Chocolates (dir. by Stephan Gray)
Are you high right now?… / And I say / Hell yeah, hell yeah, hell yeah / Fuckin’ right, fuckin’ right, alright.
DOWNLOAD: The Durden Papers Vol. 1 – Xperience
Click album cover to D/L.
I’m about halfway through this new free release from Olympia’s Xperience, but already I can say I digs it. Perhaps not as much as the MC/singer’s previous for-profit offering, William The VIII, which, upon re-listening, has shown itself to be 2010’s most slept-on regional release. The Durden Papers Vol. 1 is (so far) more hyped and party-oriented, mostly due to producer BeanOne’s stripped-down slap. Catch XP on tour with long-time homies Macklemore and Ryan Lewis.
VIDEO: “No Turnin’ Back” – Know Choice (feat. Notion)
Guest MC Notion is rocking a particularly low-slung v-neck in this clip. For more on the dangers of that fashion endeavor see here.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in that glass elevator,” was another thought I had while watching this clip.
VIDEO: “Catch Me Around” – PROPS (feat. International Mo B.)
Thanks to PROPS’ team for linking me to his new video, “Catch Me Around” (featuring International Mo B.). I’m feelin’ the Impala crawl along Alki and all that other strong Town representation in the clip. Not feeling the rapper’s need to put a different Asian girl in every scene, however. Stop fetishizing our women. How many times do we have to say it?
Deep breath…Anyway, watch for PROPS’ new single with Wale “Grindin’ to Eat” dropping soon (actually, it already did on Street Sounds — catch that, here). With Vitamin D on the beat, it appears PROPS is walking the, uh, proper path to local notoriety. Stay tuned, Seattle.
VIDEO: Yuk The World Album Promo – Dyme Def
Sex Tape was out the lane. Brainstorm’s The Celestine Prophecy held it down and was good but not great. Yuk The World will (hopefully) set sh-t straight in the world of Dyme Def. This blogger is fickle when it comes to the Three Bad Brothas from Renton. F-ck it, Space Music was so good I have reason to be. Looking forward to December 6th when the album is set to drop. That’s just in time to be considered for 206UP.COM’s Best Of 2011 list. Oh boy.
DOWNLOAD: “The Recipe” – The Physics (feat. Craig G)
Click image to D/L.
How’s this for a career-making collabo? The Physics dropped this single yesterday, “The Recipe,” which features a guest sixteen from legendary Juice Crew member Craig G. Last night The P-H-Y-S-I-C-S rocked and charmed a sold-out crowd at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom (in support of Town headliners Blue Scholars, of course). Their set included this track and a cameo by Craig G himself. I think at first the significance of his presence was lost on the predominantly young crowd, but his awesome skills on the mic pulled everyone into orbit quickly.
As for the beat, it’s quintessential New York hardrock with a classic loping bassline that sounds best echoed off sidewalks and brick walls. The “2-0-6 to the death of me” declaration in the hook unites our region with NYC’s in a way only hip-hop culture is capable. I have an aversion to saying things like this for fear of retribution from the hyperbole gods, but “The Recipe” will go down as one of the most important tracks in Seattle rap history and probably be the song that officially introduces The Physics to the rest of the country. Just a guess, anyway.
More about the show later, including an interview with Thig and Justo and my thoughts about what felt like a monumental night for SEA rap in the NYC.
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