Raz Simone’s music is all about quiet moments amidst madness; distilling turbulent thoughts into the things that matter most. “So Many Things,” as it turns out, is actually about a slight handful. From the forthcoming Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2 (due January 28).
Sam Lachow lets loose for another “80 Bars.” This time it’s “Part 5.” This time he means it.
Episode 5 of Raz Simone’s slooooow build-up to the January release of his Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2 is called “Out Here Gettin’ Money,” and it’s about much more than just, well, being out there gettin’ money. Stay for the spoken word part at the end for the between-the-lines.
Raz Simone as you’ve never heard him. “Why Aren’t You Mine” is a R&B-infused love jam as informed by the street life. From the rapper’s forthcoming Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2.
Raz Simone is releasing every track from his upcoming album Cognitive Dissonance Part II in weekly “episodes.” This week is Episode 3: “Street Lights,” a hustler’s love song and lament that works well as a companion piece to 2Pac’s like-minded “Run Tha Streetz.” Cognitive Dissonance Part II will be available for download on January 28, 2015.
In which Raz Simone unexpectedly re-imagines the Idina Menzel hit of the same name. Not. This gripping sequence of visuals directed by Xavier Ruffin could also be described as Frozen because, well, you get it, right? Raz is still about that life. From his upcoming Cognitive Dissonance: Part 2.
In which do-it-all Town artist Sam Lachow takes a break from the boards and simply raps over beats you will instantly recognize. Enjoy your weekend, freestylers.
Sam Lachow sounds like a kid in a candy store when he raps. His new album, Huckleberry, dropped today and it’s a delight, probably the feel-good album of the Seattle summer — maybe the year. Upon first glance, Sam slides comfortably into the dreaded “frat rap” category, but to qualify him as such would be a major disservice. Undoubtedly, general amusement derived from social and chemical excess is on his mind, but the indulgences are tempered with a wary sense of contrition; the ghosts of hangovers past seem to haunt every new outing.
The other thing that sets Sam apart from his peers are his musical chops. “The Idea” and “Action Figures” are blowout party jams, for sure, but there’s rare musicianship and craft behind those tracks. Sam writes, produces, directs videos, and does the graphic design on all of his shit, so it’s no wonder dude needs to blow off a little steam.
Huckleberry also does much to shine light on the rapper’s musical squad. Frequent collaborator, and fellow Black Umbrella mastermind, Raz Simone shows up twice, as do familiar names like Ariana DeBoo, B Skeez and Sky Blaow. The third entry in Sam’s “Young Seattle” series continues to show how deep the hip-hop talent pool runs in this modestly-sized Town.
Huckleberry grabs for wide appeal with the same type of precocious energy as its namesake. When things slow down, however, like on the innocence-lost tearjerker “Stolen Bikes,” the man behind the curtain is exposed and Sam Lachow’s raps and boisterousness are reduced to something far darker. It’s a solemn but vital reminder that in order for there to be celebration, we must first understand despair.
Check out Sam’s new video for “ThisThat” (featuring Ryan Rotoro) below:
Sam Lachow is preparing to release Huckleberry (August 1), the follow-up to his Brand New Bike, an unassuming but accomplished album that put the rapper/producer/videographer on the map in 2011. Since that LP’s release, Sam has made deft moves positioning himself as one of Seattle’s most promising hip hop artists, a common fixture on those dubious “next to blow” lists that fans of Seattle rap so love to ruminate on. “Dreams of Gold” is the first official drop from Huckleberry and it features longtime collaborators Raz Simone and Ariana DeBoo.
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