Officially out May 7 on Donkey Pitch, The Transition EP is being called KeyBoard Kid’s “first official solo release” — a descriptive that essentially no longer has any meaning. But whatevs. Preview the album below.
(Shout-out to Hugh doin’ his damn thing, and where I found this.)
Click image to purchase at Bandcamp.
The always generous and gregarious Sabzi unleashed this massive collection of new/old instrumentals from his vault on the first day of Spring 2012. From his Townfolk website:
NAW RUZ MOBARAK!
it’s the first day of Spring and i have new old instros direct from the TOWNFOLK studio to the holes above your earlobes.
in the spirit of cleaning house, i’ve dug even deeper in the crates (ok, computer folders) and compiled another tape of unreleased beats—some of which date back almost 9 years. this one is massive: a collection of beaterinos, slappers, nuggets, sketches, and concepts (finished and unfinished) never before heard until now and available for a limited time at a special New Year price of 5 bucker bills.
wishing you a happy and prosperous year, full of fresh starts and new beginnings, son!
(Borrowed from Blogs is Watching.)
Shout to Blogs is Watching for posting this up. I lifted it from ‘im:
Read the article in City Arts magazine here. I’m probably too old to learn this sh*t now. These children are the future and it’s a beautiful thing, no?
Just viewed this video on Blogs is Watching (courtesy The Long Pilgrimage on Vimeo).
Blue Scholars is my favorite hip-hop group out of the 206. I make no secret about it. Of all the local acts, I relate the most to Geo and Sabzi’s brand of political-minded, progressive rap. My affinity and loyalties within hip-hop music are inextricably linked to my constantly-evolving view of what’s going on in the world around me. I’ve found that the music I favor on my iPod is a function of where my consciousness is in the world. I’m incredibly thankful that groups like Blue Scholars exist. They serve to further confirm certain value systems and principles that I’m steadily learning about and striving to adopt or, in some cases even, reject.
I just pulled this clip off another blog (shout to Blogs is Watching). It’s RA Scion being interviewed by some floppy-haired dude from Seattle’s Sound Magazine. Take a gander (and peep the antique-style throwback lamp in the background, probably purchased for $19.99 at the Fred Meyer Mothership in Ballard):
(Note to Sound Magazine: YOUR EMBED CODES NEVER WORK, YO! Check the video HERE.)
It’s fitting that RA’s on some cable access-type sh*t here, being that he’s perpetually “about the people.” A couple thoughts:
1. Are RA’s opening words a foreshadowing of an official “Due to irreconcilable differences, RA Scion and DJ Sabzi have decided to end their creative relationship” statement? Here’s hoping that doesn’t come to pass any time soon. Still, it was interesting to hear him say he thinks the group has gone as far as it can creatively. Makes me wonder what RA has in mind for his future musical endeavors. (Please don’t say “dance record,” please don’t say “dance record…”) There’s a huge amount of artistic integrity there when he says he doesn’t want to “milk” the group for more than it’s worth; lord knows CM’s musical endeavors haven’t been hugely rewarding from a financial standpoint so that can’t be what he’s referring to.
2. At about the 5:50 mark, RA starts speaking his mind on the supposed “progressive” mind-state of Seattle’s residents. He calls Fremont “the biggest fucking sham of progressive politics that I’ve ever seen in my whole life…a bastion of bullshit.” I like that this statement caused a few uncomfortable chuckles around the room — I really hope some of those folks live in Fremont. I definitely feel RA on this one. A few hippie artists and their naked bike-riding friends a “progressive neighborhood” do not make. All I know is that going out on a Saturday night in Fremont is only fun if you’re a white male between the ages of 23 and 30, six feet or over in height, and wearing a severely creased Abercrombie and Fitch hat (save for those nights at Nectar when Sportn’ Life wrecked sh*t on the regular).
I’ve never met RA, but he seems to possess a very intense personality, which is probably why his lyrics are so often inspired. Say what you will about him, but you certainly can’t question his love for hip-hop, nor his commitment to being honest and true to the art form.
A SEATTLE HIP-HOP BLOG 