“Am I free to go, or am I being detained?” is a question with macroscopic implications even though it gets asked in singular occurrences across the country. Black Magic Noize affiliate Araless peels back the layers and finds nothing but “Rotten Fruit” on his latest track.
Black Magic Noize honor 420 at a measured pace in this their first ever music video together, “Spark The La.” From the collective’s The Stash, a compilation tape of the crew’s best 420 moments over the last five years.
Black Magic Noize and Filthy Fingers United cohort Araless dropped a beat tape, Filthy Digits, which is a compilation of his instrumentals produced in conjunction with FFU. Aspiring rappers, go in.
Seattle’s Black Magic Noize collective is full of unsung rap heroes and MadShroom MC is one such. Shout-out to the “pissed off portobello” for sending me his track, “Walk With Me” (produced by Maurice), which, according to the Soundcloud page, was released seven months ago. No matter. This bumping, spare billy club of a beat goes well in winter.
Photo courtesy of the artist.
THE SIX is a regular Q&A feature on 206UP with a simple format: One member of the local hip-hop community and six questions. For past editions click here.
Araless and his Black Magic Noize collective fly relatively under the radar in the Town. That might change however with the release of the rapper’s new album Symbiosis, a salute to hip-hop’s traditionalist value system of straight-forward beats and rhymes. That type of descriptor can often be a death knell for an MC who’s not up to the task of waving the heavy Golden Era revivalist flag, but this MC — and this crew — lean head-on into the challenge. Ara and BMN are responsible for the monthly hip-hop showcase and cypher Spitfire Saturdays at Dante’s in the U-District. BMN’s de facto team leader hopped on the latest edition of The Six to discuss his hustle and flow.
Black Magic Noize crew member Araless dropped his new album, Symbiosis, earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, it nods to the Golden Era of hip-hop with a sample heavy, boom-bap aesthetic. There are a some nice surprises in here, like the Charlie Brown Christmas hack “Brutal Murder” (featuring Hash Adams), and the previously released “Cloudcatchers” (featuring New York MC Mike Larry Draw), a meditative, philosophical stroll through the rap haze. Ara does his due diligence with a studied, diverse flow. A solid project all around from one of the Town’s lesser-known artists.
Black Magic Noize’s Araless and Bronx MC Mike Larry Draw turn down for contemplation in their new video “Cloudcatchers.” Watch for Ara’s Symbiosis dropping October 5.
We are a beleaguered nation. It’s hard to imagine attending a hip-hop show this week in any sort of celebratory fashion, but yet here we are, left to find some amount of solace in a form of music with blessedly curative properties.
Open Mike Eagle might just be the right man at the right time to help Seattle heal through the fog of the nation’s ongoing race war. The native Chicagoan — and now Hellfyre Club affiliated, Los Angeles-based rapper — brings his distinct comedic hip-hop steez to the Columbia City Theater this Saturday, August 23. Mike pushes an absurdist/satirical edge in the same vein as Das Racist, but with far more coherent lyricism. Stream his recent Mello Music offering, Dark Comedy, below, and watch the video for “Doug Stamper (Advice Raps)” featuring the oft-hilarious Hannibal Buress.
And oh yeah, 206UP will help get you and one guest to the show in style. Our ticket giveaway* features a V.I.P. package that includes a chartered ride from your house (inside the Seattle city-limits only) and backstage passes. Enter to win using the form below.
*Must be at least 21 years of age to enter. Many thanks to Araless of Black Magic Noize (who are also on the bill) for the hook-up!
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 