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VIDEO: “Sky Music” – Parker

Production collective, Tha Bizness recently unveiled their newest artist: an emcee by the name of Parker. His debut video for the single “Sky Music” is a nice soliloquy on making it in the industry. Born in the East and raised in the West, Parker has deep ties to the SEA but currently makes moves in the ATL — sound familiar, don’t it?

Dude has a nice rugged flow that’s reminiscent of other East Coast hardrocks, but on “Sky Music” he’s on a chilled-out vibe that registers classic West Coast nonchalance. Parker reminds me a bit of Fatal Lucciauno but without the prophetic thug doctrine. Definitely a promising artist to watch.

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VIDEO: “Take Drugs” – Gangrene

Gangrene is The Alchemist and Oh No, a collaborative endeavor worthy of all the hype and excitement it has received thus far. Their debut album, Gutter Water, drops on 11/23 and the first video for “Take Drugs” is one hell of a way to announce its arrival.

Take from the clip what you will. I say it’s a provocative new spin on the famous “This is your brain on drugs” PSA.

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VIDEO: “Decoded: Jay-Z in Conversation with Cornel West” (NYC Public Library)

Reason #1,265 why living in New York City is so f-cking dope: nights like the one last at The New York City Public Library when the incomparable Shawn Carter shared a stage for nearly two hours with the inimitable Dr. Cornel West. They discussed artistic process, the cultural significance of hip-hop, and just humanity in general. Jay’s long-awaited memoir/lyrical compendium, Decoded, provided the catalyst for their meditations which went far beyond a cheap marketing opportunity which it was never in danger of becoming with the Good Doctor West in the house.

These gentlemen are probably my two favorite living celebrities today and I was dying to attend this event. Alas, it was sold out, but the whole thing was streamed live and still available to watch in its entirety. Click the photo below for the link.

Photo courtesy MTV

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VIDEO: “Windows” – U-N-I

Cali sh-t.

The fresh visuals for my favorite joint, “Windows,” off U-N-I’s excellent A Love Supreme. The chorus (“Catch me with my windows halfway down and we cruisin’ by/Music on the highest high/A goddess on my passenger side…”) and that killer synth makes me miss the Pacific Coast somethin’ terrible.

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VIDEO: “My Open Wounds” – Graves

With three full-length albums and a free EP deep, Graves is the most prolific local hip-hop artist you’ve never heard of. His music is dark, gloomy, angst-ridden hip-hop tinged with rock. Perfect for whiling away the cloudy days that are about to set in over the Pacific Northwest. Unless you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, in which case you probably shouldn’t be listening. Go read the latest issue of People under one of your fluorescent lamps instead.

For those of you who like your hip-hop laced with minor bouts of depression and doomsday chatter (and who in their right mind doesn’t?), check for Graves’ discography here. Below is a dope preview of his forthcoming Systems Revolution 2.

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VIDEO: “Never Doubt Me” – Wizdom

Visuals for Wizdom’s “Never Doubt Me,” the banging-est cut from his recent free drop, The Washington Wizard Mixtape (get it for peanuts, here). More thoughts on Wizdom later.

(Directed by Craig Nisperos)

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VIDEO: “The Social Club” (Tone f/Blue Scholars)

Following Blue Scholars’ triumphant New York City performance last month, multimedia impresario Tone sat down with SEA’s chosen hip-hop sons, Geo and Sabzi, to discuss matters of creativity, what it means to stay true to your art, and what we can expect from the duo’s forthcoming Spring 2011 release, Cinematropolis. Click the image below for the video link at www.photobytone.com.

Click image for video link. Photo jacked from Tone's website. Get hip, now.

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VIDEO: “Intro 40 (Freestyle)” (Spaceman)

Raw, real and always hyperactive, Spaceman stays on this Just Blaze track like a nine-to-five grind. Director Wes Goodlife catches the (still) up-and-comer on the HD. How’s that proper LP coming, Space?

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