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Special Announcement

I’m pleased to announce that I’ve further committed to filling up even more of my down time with yet another pro-bono writing endeavor.

I’ve started contributing New Music write-ups to everyone’s favorite source for independent music in Seattle: the lovely Seattle Show Gal. Which, in case you don’t already know, is a collection of music bloggers comprised of more than just one “Gal.” There are many of us “Gals,” some of whom are not even “Gals” at all, but guys. Like me.

Anyway, I’ll be cross-posting my write-ups on 206UP.COM in a futile attempt to not compete with myself (futile because SSG collects literally hundreds of thousands of hits a month, compared to my pithy few hundred). Or you can catch everything I write on SSG here.

And just a reminder, I contribute full album Reviews to the faithful hip-hop heads over at Above Ground Magazine (shout to Tyler, Dominick, et al). It’s cold in Iowa (where AGM is based), so I figured adding a little 206 fire to their midwest freezer is the least I can do. Ha.

EXPOSURE. EXPOSURE. EXPOSURE.

Now act like you know and tell a friend!

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DOWNLOAD: “Extrahelladope” (State Of The Artist f/Helladope & Jarv Dee)

(Click here or above to download.)

Any group that’s interested in properly representing Left Coast hip-hop should first take a trip down I-5 to the Golden State, the place where the West Coast sound was originally developed, nurtured, and fully realized. Something about the combination of fresh Pacific Ocean air, perpetually sunny weather, and other (ahem) “natural” remedies, fuse to get the creative juices flowing something proper.

(click here to keep reading at Seattle Show Gal…)

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D. Black Is For The Children (For Real, Though)

D. Black’s sophomore album, Ali’Yah, is set to drop on 9.15.09. News of the release has gained a huge amount of traction around Seattle these days, and not just because folks are excited to see what this immensely talented emcee will bring forth on his second solo LP.

All indications from people who have heard the album say that it represents a true artistic advancement, not just in the music, but in Damien Black the person. The loyal folks at Seattle Show Gal caught up with Black outside the invite-only listening party last month where he spoke briefly on his life and music.

Sounds to me like D. Black has consciously made a decision to make music that you might actually play for your kids, something with which to big-up young people and their community. That’s real talk — I can’t wait to hear it.

As always, your faithful 206-UP! reviewer will be back with his thoughts.

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