Some Friday class for that ass courtesy Kub-“I’m Huge In Japan”-lakai. The Seattle market is currently saturated with music video directors and Mike Folden is not one of the sh-tty ones. He flips the B&W switch here for some casual cool. Get Kublakai’s The Basics 2, here.
DOWNLOAD: “That’s Nice” – Wizdom & Epidemmik (feat. Sol, Grynch & Luck-One)
Latin-inspired dance party moves from Wizdom and Epidemmik with help from reliable wingmen Sol, Luck-One and Grynch. A posse cut that swings toward the dance floor and looks forward to even more productive post-party activity. From Wiz’s upcoming Unearthed.
VIDEO: “Moor Gang” – Nacho Picasso (feat. Jarv Dee)
I rarely toot my own blog horn over here, but a few relevant posts ago I called Nacho Picasso “[Possibly] Seattle rap’s Next Big Thing.” That was here. This is now. After a big look today on Pitchfork, not to mention the previous not-quite-as-huge “Mixtape of the Week” selection over at Stereogum, it’s become quite clear that the Cloud Nice affiliate may soon turn my humble presage into a cold hard reality.
No matter. Dude (like this blogger) seems content to just do his thing, replying to my congratulatory Tweet today with this blushing response: “bro I’m in awe my damn self I aint even smoke yet I’m just high right now?lol” That reaction seems at odds with his often hostile demeanor on the album in question, For The Glory (which you can still grab for free here — I’d hurry if I were you). On FTG, Nacho moves predominantly in shadows, showing glimpses of revealing humor and pathos, but generally perpetuating an air of sociopathic deviancy (peep his latest clip above, “Moor Gang,” for a visual sample). Judging from today’s developments, however, the rapper must learn rather quickly that even the most expert night predators can’t exist solely in the darkness forever.
DOWNLOAD: “Yesterday” – Chev (feat. Hollis of Canary Sing)
“Yesterday” indeed. This new joint by Chev is giving me Mossimo dreams and Silver Tab reveries. Hollis does her best T-Boz impression and Sabzi channels Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis behind the boards. I fell into first love on this type of sh-t right here.
Oh yeah, this is from Chev’s upcoming album, Charles. Prepare to wonder where this dude has been all your rap life.
NEW MUSIC: Sophisticated Slap – MTK
Click album cover to purchase at Bandcamp.
One thing producer MTK isn’t, is subtle. Everything in his production warehouse — from the beats, to the synth, to the samples — are big, powerhouse workouts of hip-hop composition. Sophisticated Slap is a sampler collection of the nationally-sought local producer otherwise known as Matthew Crabtree. The collection, which at its best sounds like the sonic love-child of Just Blaze and Dr. Dre, features a few joints recognizable (previous tracks blessed by RA Scion, Bambu and Prometheus Brown) and others ready for brand new poetical adornment. MCs would be wise to drink their 5-Hour Energys before hopping on, however, as these beats are not conducive to lyrical cut-laying.
THE TRACKMEET: 11.4.11
CLICK :: LISTEN :: VOTE
Today’s edition of The TrackMeet marks the feature’s 15th week of competition. So, at the conclusion of the voting (which lasts for one week exactly), 206UP.COM will drop THE MOST HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED MIXTAPE OF 2011 (!!!): 206UP.COM Presents: Beats&Bars Mixtape Vol. III: The TrackMeet. (That was a lot of colons for one sentence.) The digital album will be available for free download and feature all 15 past winners, dating all the way back to January 14th of this year when the (then weekly) feature was just a glimmer in this blogger’s eye.
That’s it for now. Three new tracks await your listening pleasure below. Get to it:
LANE 1: “Winner’s Circle” – E & Dae (prod. by PLAN)
LANE 2: “Walk on ‘Em” – DaiN
LANE 3: “Shake ’em Up” – Southside Liquors
VIDEO: “Dawgs in the House” – Sol, Geo & Preach (prod. by Jake One)
Former Huskies offensive lineman Gregory “Preach” Christine (of SEA/Cali crew Bent Twig) just posted this clip on Facebook. The penultimate University of Washington Stan track? Probably. Like the four area artists on the song, I live in 1991. #GoDawgs
VIDEO: “Rap Rap” – TH3RDZ (dir. by Mike Folden)
Here’s a party I wish I could have been at. TH3RDZ host a “Rap Rap” basement soiree to end all similar soirees. Director Mike Folden gets his hi-def on again. Grab the mp3 here.
DOWNLOAD: Beat Tape – Viper Creek Club
Click album cover to D/L.
Viper Creek Club’s new Beat Tape made my morning commute much livelier. Thanks, Mat Wisner! All you local MCs: there’s some good sh-t here, I recommend you hop on a few joints. I especially enjoyed “Like This” with its big beat and warm textures. I would give it the ol’ college try, but y’all don’t wanna hear that. Trust me.
DOWNLOAD: “The Flame (Def Dee Remix)” – DTMD
Click image to D/L.
Local producer Def Dee recently signed a deal with Mello Music Group, a great look for the young composer who 206UP.COM counts as one of the best in Town. Here then is a drop from DTMD, a Maryland duo also affiliated with MMG. The song is “The Flame” and Def Dee gives it the remix treatment. Astute listeners can expect more from Def on the Mello Music Group compilation album, coming soon.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 