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DOWNLOAD: “Get Off My Tip” (B-side “Awkward”) – That One Show

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I imagine the formation of That One Show is kind of like what happened in the feudal days when four court jesters from neighboring kingdoms realized they were not only much smarter than the royalty they were forced to perform for, but also much more powerful as a united group. Or something. In any case, this crew is four talented (but relatively unknown) dudes from the area who make party rap and sh-t talk fun for the people. Get more familiar with Shast, Ripynt, Notion and Know Choice.

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DOWNLOAD: The Sandlot: Collective LP – Farid Xan & DJ Phinisey

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This LP popped up in the Inbox a couple days ago and turned out to be a pleasant surprise. MC Farid Xan, a 253 representative by way of the Bay Area collaborated with South Sound producer/singer DJ Phinisey to produce The Sandlot: Collective LP, a 12-track album inspired loosely by the movie of the same name (which, for any kid who spent the greater part of his or her adolescence attempting to hit small spherical objects with sticks, continues to resonate into adulthood). It features Tacoma and Bay Area MC’s of the likes named above. The highlight is the come-up joint, “Dirt to Diamonds,” which features a star-making turn by Justis of Quarter After. Get the album for FREE below and above.

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DOWNLOAD: The Sound of TraQ – TraQ Addicc

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Shout-out to Serg for bringing this recent free drop to my attention. Producer/MC TraQ released this 7-song EP a couple days ago which is one of the best collections from The Town I’ve heard this year. The production is a dynamic mix of lush electronic soundscapes paired with hardcore boom-bap. It features area talent like Spaceman, Meez, Luke Rain, and JusMoni. The MVP, however, is that dude Khingz, who has the best bars by far on the battle-rap joint “I Go In.” Also of note is Tendai Maraire’s verse on “Glory,” where the Shabazz Palaces affiliate shows he’s more than just nice on the mbira. Stream and download for free below.

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VIDEO: “One Chance” – Rockwell Powers & Ill Pill (feat. DJ Phinisey)

Here’s the fourth video from Rockwell Powers & Ill Pill’s latest album, Kids In The Back 2 (available for FREE here). “Once Chance” was shot at Urban Grace, the MC’s church in the TAC.

This clip might resonate for anyone who grew up going to church, or found church to be a sort of second home later in life. Even though I don’t find myself affiliated with a church (or any sort of organized religion) these days, I still feel that connection when I visit my home town and drive past the spot I grew up attending.

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DOWNLOAD: Vintage Flow – Logics

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Logics’ latest project, the 9-track EP Vintage Flow, is also his best collection of tracks to date. On previous excursions this blogger found his flow clunky and forced, on Vintage however, the artist also known as Young Ghangas finds a comfortable cadence amidst seriously head-nodding production that ranges from slap-happy throwback Cali sh-t (think 808 heavy old school beats like Pac Div favors) and vintage soul samples with easily-distorted low-end. It’s a ride-worthy summer soundtrack.

Stream or purchase below.

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DOWNLOAD: On Second Thought Vol. 2 – Ripynt

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Ripynt takes a breather from the entertaining antics of his crew That 1 Show to go for dolo on this seven track EP, available for FREE here. The local cat sounds hungry spitting over beats by production luminaries like Know Choice, Mr. Hill and BeanOne. Stream the EP’s best track, “Puttin’ In Work” below.

“Puttin’ In Work” – Ripynt (feat. Mateo Mblem)

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DOWNLOAD: Sliding Scale – Julie C

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Is there a more deeply-entrenched hip-hop artist in Seattle than Julie C? Her affiliations include (but are not limited to): Alpha P, Knox Family, B-Girl Media, 206 Zulu, and Hip-Hop Congress — AND she writes her own hip-hop and social justice blog Sheep Skin Camo. Whew, no wonder she’s just now getting to her first solo musical endeavor, the six-track Sliding Scale EP (available for free above and below).

On Sliding Scale, Julie displays a diverse set of MC skills, from the fast rap show(wo)manship of “Hellfire” to the head-slicing battle rap of “Gimme More.” The album features production by Phreewil, M.Famous, Boombox Massacre, Neebor, and Nitro Fresh. Get hip, dunny.

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DOWNLOAD: “Can’t See ‘Em” – Logics (feat. Element)

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“Can’t See ‘Em” is a recent drop from Logics‘ forthcoming project, Vintage Flow (hitting pavement June 6th). Classic Cali sound right here. I didn’t know Logics had beef with The Pack, so that’s noteworthy. Element on the hook, Tryfe on the beat. Bump this in the summertime.

(Shout-out to Mitch at Northwest State Of Mind, where I caught this.)

“Can’t See ‘Em” – Logics (feat. Element)

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VIDEO: “Brain Champagne” – Helluvastate

Digging the B&W, the reverse raindrops, the glass/jar/head/vase/thingy. Director Stephan Gray does justice to “Brain Champagne,” my favorite joint off Adventures in a Helluvastate.

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LISTEN (& BUY): Cinemetropolis – Blue Scholars

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Breaking news from the Blue Scholars camp (via the good folks — and fellow colleagues — at SSG Music): the crew’s eagerly anticipated third full-length, Cinemetropolis, is now available for streaming and purchase at their Bandcamp page, a full two weeks before its official release date of June 14. Look for a full album review coming soon from 206UP.COM.

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