Monday, November 21, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
Dee-1 flexes his storytelling skills on his latest visual offering, "Garden of Eden." Cautionary tales that end up in playground violence is nearly a rites of passage for emcees, and Dee-1 does not disappoint in his moment. Listen up, this joint is fire.
"Garden of Eden" is also available on his latest I Hope They Hear Me Vol. 2 mixtape. Download it here
Thursday, November 17, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
Damn. Who pissed in Common's Starbucks y'all? Well, whoever the culprit, I'd like to thank them for bringing the old Com back. The Windy City's pioneer is spitting with a rookie sized chip on his shoulder. This video was shot out in Haiti, and the grit of the island matches the sentiment of the song. There's nothing "Sweet" about this effort. Check it out.
Monday, November 14, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
World renowned master poet (amongst other creative titles) and previous H.A.S. magazine feature, Saul Williams further extends his artistry in sonic and visual areas with "Explain My Heart."
Raising the bar of even higher, Saul seemingly issues a challenge to critics and maybe even the machine at-large to explain the unseen (his heart).
The visuals, the words, the music are quite progressive in this offering from the Volcanic Sunlight album, released on 11-11-11.
Monday, November 14, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
The gritty motor city emcee, Guilty Simpson is back at it with a new one produced by veteran Eric Lau (Oddisee, Lupe Fiasco, Georgia Anne Muldrow). This feels like it could've been in Dilla's old treasure stash of beats.
Monday, November 14, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
From the camp that gave us H-Town's super-group H.I.S.D., we'd like to present the latest offering from the Peace Uv Mine collective -- Radio Galaxy -- blessing us with fresh visuals for their track, "Feel Trip."
This appears to be the lead track for their upcoming LP, We Come in Peace. With a core of songstress Khimmy J aka Spacebunny Jefferson, and production via King Midas and DJ Cozmos (collectively King Coz) Radio Galaxy seems poised to bring peace and then some when We Come in Peace drops.
Friday, November 11, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
When Erykah Badu says peep it, you'd likely be doing yourself a favor by obliging. I never heard of Brownsville Ka before @fatbellybella tweeted it this morning, but I'm certainly a fan after listening to this and his Iron Works project.
"Part of the group Natural Elements' first incarnation in the early 90's, then later one half of Nightbreed, Brownsville's Ka has more recently been affiliated with some of New-York's illest lyrical chin-checkers, appearing on projects by Wu-Tang, GZA & Roc Marciano." - (via thewordisbond.com)
Ka directed and shot the amazing visuals himself. The subliminal images per bar are an incredible concept. Respect.
Thursday, November 10, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
Check out this trance inducing instrumental from Oddisee called "The Blooming." Its set to an equally touching video clip entertaining themes of family and time. If he keeps this up, I definitely see film scores in Oddisee's immediate future. Peep it for yourself.
the video was made by zbsstudio.com...top shelf indeed.
Thursday, November 10, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
It's been nearly a month since the Respect The Mic showcase/beat battle at Abbey's Pub on Chicago's north side. Most of the heads in the spot were there either supporting local talent or waiting for the evenings feature, 9th Wonder and Freddie Gibbs to show up. I love those two cats dearly, but that night they honestly weren't my highest priority.
Not even a month had went by since I came across and downloaded the Return of the B-Girl and Thank Me Now mixtapes, so I was in Abbey's on an entirely different mission.
I had to see Rapsody show and prove. I really hate to fall into gender specifics, but hey I'm human. I honestly have not been this excited about a female emcee since Psalm One and Jean Grae.
I always try to form my opinions of an artist when they only have 15-20 disinterested/fatigued fans in front of them. That was the scenario that night at Abbey's and true to her tutelage under rap Obi-Wan Kin-obi 9th Wonder, Rapsody still gave the zombies a hell of a show.
As a hip-hop fan that's all I needed to see. I gave her a pound and copped both mixtapes that I already downloaded online from her booth. I support all that is dope and posted this new video for the same reason. Pretty sure this is only the beginning for Rapsody. Check it out.
Wednesday, November 09, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
There isn't much you can say about hip-hop legend Heavy D that hasn't been said already. He made great music that was agreeable in countless circles. I remember coming to the U.S. from Ghana and having my 30-something year old mother who swore she couldn't stand hip-hop culture one bit knocking "Now That We've Found Love." If only she knew the same Heavy D also made "A Bunch of Niggas." But I've noticed the trend of great people producing great things having a way of transcending prejudices.
In the wake of his passing, as droves of friends and family recount the deeds of his life, it becomes even more obvious that his music was an extension of his own inner joy.
If there is anything we as a culture could use right now, it is a return to our "inner Hev."
Wearing the moniker "overweight lover" with all the pride in the room, Heavy D was entirely comfortable with his size long before big men were embraced in hip-hop.
He was the tip of the spear in making a celebrated sex symbol and big man in hip-hop culture cool. I'm sure if he were alive Big would tell you the same.
But isn't it the eternal truth that happy people just garner way more positive attention anyway?
I wont disrespect his legacy by whining about hip-hop not having someone to stand in the man's shoes. His music came from a place of contentment, his own.
"His music sounded happy because he was happy."
Music aside, I do wish a similar state of peace for all us. When we are collectively stronger the art will have no choice but to follow. Just from the reaction of the people who knew him it's obvious that Hev was a strong cat.
Transitioning at 44 years of age does feel awfully young, but when all anyone can remember you for is your light and positivity there isn't a laundry list of regrets.
I extend peace and comfort to the family of Dwight Arrington Meyers aka Heavy D from the H.A.S. Magazine fam. His spirit will be sorely missed.
Friday, November 04, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
Pac Div is one of those groups we can't get enough of at H.A.S. Some people are really having fun in hip-hop, that's a great thing to see. This is a vow to the ones hating from the sidelines. You'll probably never see the Div because they're "Posted". Shout to the out to the angry girlfriend scenes, definitely a nice touch. Consider this joint...Posted.
Friday, November 04, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
DMV hero and renaissance man Tabi Bonney shows his video casting prowess in this video. The song isn't half bad either complete with a soul tugging chorus by hook veteran Nicole Wray!
M.E.D.'s album Classic will be released tomorrow on the legendary Stones Throw Records. "Blaxican" is produced by the grand wizard of beats himself, Madlib. M.E.D. goes in a positive direction with "Blaxican" by merging the similar struggles of African Americans and Mexicans, who have historically been pitted against one another in inner cities all across America. The Classic album boasts appearances from Talib Kweli and Aloe Blacc, as well as production from Alchemist, Oh No and Madlib. And if the album title is any indication, we are in for some genuine head-knocking-mind-liberating hip-hop. Who's complaining? For now, enjoy the video.
You can also order the M.E.D. album via Stonethrow Records by using the link below:
Monday, October 31, 2011The Bigger The Lie1 comment
Chicago's been creeping on the music scene something lethal for some time now, but the women in the hip-hop game, from far and near have been wrecking shop! This joint, Im Lethal from Temper featuring Mz. Ross Da Boss + Crystal La' Juene, rocks a slick track with heavily laid lyrics.
Behind the scenes: Crystal La' Juene, Temper + Mz. Ross Da Boss
Peep the video:
Crystal La' Juene is no stranger to the pages of H.A.S.MAGAZINE. Check out her feature in print issue No. 12 (Jan/Feb 2010) or in the free digital compilation issue-- an offering of some of our best features from our first 25 issues.
Saturday, October 29, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
DMV area artist 330 reps thoroughly with her official video Money coming off her mixtape Sorry I'm Late. As much a scholar as she is an emcee, 330's Money covers the balance of the post-college necessities that a lot of us can identify with her personal journey for artistic stardom. The difference here is the medium she uses is easily club ready.
Strong production and poignant lyricism make Money virtually a club song for persevering, no matter the field of endeavor...Imagine that.
330 has made an appearance on DJ Drama's 3rd Infantry mixtape and is also working out the kinks on her next project which is rumored to feature the likes of Tabi Bonney, yes that Tabi Bonney. Stay tuned to the H.A.S. it all blog for more info on this project.
In this recession of this joint here is good money. Enjoy yourselves.
Saturday, October 29, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
This might come off sounding like blasphemy. But from what's been heard thus far, it is certainly not far fetched to conspire that The Dreamer, The Believer album may rival or even best Be. Commercially, because of his relatively new level of exposure from his involvement with Hollywood and the literary world, even some backlash with his time spent at the White House -- and musically because of his full album reunion with Chicago beat-making pioneer mentor long time friend and new .
Check out the latest visual offering. In a word, triumphant. Welcome back Mr. Lonnie Lynn.
The DMV area has its own flavor of everything, from dialect to music. Emceeing is no exception. I got this video post via a tweet from 330 music, a prolific female lyricist from the DMV area and can't say that I'm mad at all after hitting the jump. I'll definitely be following Q.D.S. to see what he kicks next. For now enjoy our introduction to his music, "First Flight Out."
Tuesday, October 25, 2011The Bigger The LieNo comments
Chicago-based poet/spoken wordsmith, lyricist, playwright + actor, Harold Green has teamed up with photographer/videographer Bradley Murrayto produce, Harold Green | A Definitive EPK.
Green + Murray are no strangers to the pages of H.A.S.MAGAZINE. Be sure to read about Harold in our Oct/Nov 2010 print issue, as photographed by Bradley Murray, OR you can check it out in our free digital compilation issue-- a digital edition of some our favorite features, including Jay Electronica, David Banner, Dr. Cornel West + much more!
Keep up with Harold at www.haroldandthebeard.com + see more work from Bradley at www.be-definitive.com/
Thursday, October 20, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
On this day where headlines are overloaded with reports of a NATO backed rebel killing of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddaffi, Immortal Technique drops "A Toast to the Dead" with some eerily remarkable timing. The track gives us a chance to hear some new vibrations from the ever-missed master Jedi of production J. Dilla, while Immortal Technique forays into rhymes paying revolutionary homage to those we've lost to death like only he can. Get your fists up on this one.
Saturday, October 15, 2011Senyo_TwilightNo comments
Fresh off bodying the BET cypher on Tuesday, the new aire to the west coast throne has released this new video issuing death certificates to unworthy peers. Such remarkable timing by Mr. Lamar, and a dope visual aide to accompany a week of lyrical assault by way of the right coast. Enjoy the moving pixels my friends, Cheers.
