Barkada is the answer to the question: “Can Prometheus Brown and Bambu just make an album of slick-ass fuckin’ raps over slappin’ beats?” The title track makes it so. Produced by 206 fixture Bean One and directed by Harry Clean of Detooz Films.
Category: Video
VIDEO: “Mad Park Beach Bums” – Brothers From Another (feat. Thaddeus David; dir. by Paul Erlandson)
In an effort to not get sued by an unnamed grocery store chain, Brothers From Another picked a couple of harmless locales to serve as the backdrop for their new video for “Mad Park Beach Bums” — a track which comes free with their Tacos On Broadway EP — neither of which is actually the eponymous beach park of the song title. No matter: it’s a party wherever Tiglo and Cole happen to crack brews, even if it’s in front of one of those concrete highway barriers in that shitty stretch of I-5 between Lynnwood and Everett.
VIDEO: “Ill Hill” – Donte Peace (prod. by MaxTrax; dir. by Brian Tolliver)
Donte Peace traversed the back alleys, rooftops and even basement laundry rooms for the sharp black and white contrast for this clip, “Ill Hill”. Frequent collaborator MaxTrax on the beat and Brian Tolliver with the HD eye.
VIDEO: “Purified Kings” – Ronnie Dylan & Jake Crocker (dir. by Jordan Tan)
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.
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:
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.
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.
VIDEO: “Fixed” – RA Scion & Vox Mod (feat. Daniel Blue)
Keep digging through the rough and you might find diamonds. That particular adage is applicable to the outcome of the drama RA Scion recently faced with former production partner turned fink Rodney Hazard. Go here to read the saga concerning their late 2013 album, The Sickle & The Sword.
Things are looking brighter now, though, with a new producer on board — electronic maestro and Shabazz Palaces collaborator Vox Mod — to conduct a re-worked version of the original album (new title: Sharper Tool Bigger Weapon) set for release on March 18. Above you’ll see an edited version of the video for “Constant” (originally featuring Hazard’s production), this time called “Fixed” and with Vox Mod’s instrumental.
VIDEO: “Tomorrow” – Sol (feat. Shayhan; dir. by Jon Jon Augustavo)
Today has been a good day for Town music videos with emotive, well-developed narratives. Check below or here for the latest from Grieves (“Shreds”); and up at the moment is Sol’s “Tomorrow” (directed by Grammy nominee Jon Jon Augustavo) which follows a day in the lives of Sol and his crew of childhood friends. It’s something a little warm and fuzzy for this cold February afternoon.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 