I wrote an album review of Neema and Keyboard Kid’s new record, The Cigar Room, for City Arts. Click through to read it: “Deep Decadence in Neema’s
Tag: keyboard kid
206UP PREMIER: “SuperSonic Keyboard” – Neema (feat. Grynch & Prometheus Brown)
“Highly anticipated” is a hyperbolic phrase that gets thrown around too often, much like “hottest rapper in the game” and “New England Patriots dynasty.”
The Cigar Room, Neema’s (ahem) highly anticipated album with producer Keyboard Kid, has simmered somewhere on a hard drive for a long enough stretch of time that the street’s anticipation for the conspicuously missing album has come in, out and back in fashion like a pair of acid washed jeans. So the phrase is still apropos, especially on the proverbial eve of the record actually hitting pavement via an appropriately provincial debut at The Jet Bar & Grill in Mill Creek tonight (which also serves as the kick-off of a regional mini-tour). The online release via iTunes is set to happen in a week.
Score one for the slow rap movement*.
We’re especially happy over here at 206UP because Mr. 10K himself has graciously allowed us to premier the latest single from The Cigar Room: “SuperSonic Keyboard” which features guest shots from fellow Seattle rap populists Grynch and Prometheus Brown. This track finds the three posted up in the backroom, preferred carnal delights being enjoyed by the respective rappers: a surprise striptease for Neema, open flask for Pro Brown, and bitch-slaps for subpar MCs trading in his style for the King of Ballard. It’s all adorned with additional vocals by Latin Rose and J Landis, and Keyboard Kid’s reclined production, which vaguely references the best R&B stylings of the mid-’90s. Smoke one, as they say.
UPDATE (11:21 AM PST): Catch Neema answering questions on the Hip-Hop Heads Northwest Reddit board #AMA today at 4 PM PST.
“SuperSonic Keyboard” – Neema (feat. Grynch & Prometheus Brown; prod. by Keyboard Kid):
*I may or may not have just coined this phrase. Shout-out to the slow food movement for the inspiration.
AUDIO: “Ten Stacks” – Neema (feat. Mr. Xquisit; prod. by Keyboard Kid)
It appears the mythical Neema/Keyboard Kid collab The Cigar Room will indeed rise from the depths of an overworked hard drive and taste crisp Northwest air. See, Neema fans — it says “March 2015” in the track artwork above. Do your vocal warm-ups now and get ready to rhyme along in the car with the region’s beloved super-rapper. In the meantime, enjoy the nocturnal, crawling lyrical workout that is “Ten Stacks” featuring Mr. Xquisit on the hook.
AUDIO: Under The Sea – Keyboard Kid
The Thraxxhouse collective finished off 2014 with a roundhouse of dank, nocturnal uppercuts. Listening to these releases feels like being gently knocked in the head by a brick wrapped in hot wet towels and fragrant lemon peels. Check the turnt somnambulance of Keyboard Kid’s Under The Sea.
VIDEO: “The Cigar Room / The Weatherman” – Neema (feat. Keyboard Kid)
Mr10K himself and based world auteur Keyboard Kid appear together in the first half of this video to promo their upcoming The Cigar Room collab. Then, everything turns purple for “The Weatherman”, an older joint by the reigning crown prince of Seattle double-time. AK Romero got behind the lens for both of these.
NEW MUSIC: Based in the Rain 3 – Keyboard Kid
Based producer Keyboard Kid released a new beat tape today: Based in the Rain 3. In a suitably based interview with Live For The Funk, the Kid says this: “The Colors And Hues Of This Album Rep What Is Like Transitioning from Fall To The Winter And Finally Spring In Washington.. Like It’s Me Re-Awakening..” So, yeah. Don’t ask questions, son, just go with it…
VIDEO: “The Wave” – Kung Foo Grip (prod. by Keyboard Kid; dir. by A.K. Romero)
206UP.COM is always excited for a new Kung Foo Grip drop. “The Wave” is off their Growing Up In The Future EP which you can download for free here.
VIDEO: “Based Exorcism” – Keyboard Kid
New video clip from Keyboard Kid, off The Transition EP. If you have some English silver lying around, pick it up at Donkey Pitch’s Bandcamp space, here.
NEW MUSIC: The Mezzanine Podcast (featuring Keyboard Kid)
Just a quick re-blog for a local podcast I’ve been digging lately (and you should too). Four Seattle journalists (among other things) who know a lot more about music than I do form like an over-caffeinated Voltron to bring you discussion, meditation and a healthy dose of witty banter over stuff they think you should listen to. This edition features local cloud-rap purveyor Keyboard Kid. Click above and here to download the ‘cast.
NEW MUSIC: The Transition EP – KeyBoard Kid
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.)