So the kid Jonathan Lowell had one hell of a year since we dropped Lightning. Production inquiries from all over the map & a healthy buzz was built by this upcoming producer in a very short amount of time. Unfortunately, Lowell will be putting the music on hold for a while, for education purposes. Before he took off, he left us yet another mixtape of various beats he made in the past year til now. Jonathan Lowell & Chuuwee’s mixtape Be Cool should be out very soon so keep a look out for that as well. And of course, expect a stronger Jonathan Lowell when he returns.
New Orleans beatmaker Plue Starfox of KC.93 Records returns with a new project, The Midnight Sun, dropping very soon. Here are a few leaks from the project featuring remixes of tracks by Jowin, Future Sound, Curbside Jones, A Casual Villain, & more.
Of course the lovely Masia One would bless us with music for the Valentine season. Here are two collections of unreleased tracks & fan favorites fitting with the themes of the bright & dark sides of Valentine’s Day. Last thing I heard from Masia is that she has been doing work out in Jamaica (!) & has 2 projects in the works for this year. Tracklists & direct download links below.
Relationship narrative specialist Tirso Cruz of the B2P Los Angeles Chapter presents a new mixtape just in time for Valentine’s Day. Only words I can use to describe this project: “Feelings Caught.“
A. Biggs of USM (United States of Mind) from Detroit sent this LP and music video directed by him and Joe Petrous. Beat gives me that chill old school feel.. “Hip Hop is stregnth, and therefore i am Hip Hop” stood out to me.
On saturday, January 29th 2011 CRASHprez celebrated his birthday, as well as the release of his first EP of all original music (8 tracks, 24 minutes). 5 of these tracks are produced by Crash himself. Additional production and artwork by rMell, as well as a feature from Sir E.U. Crash says that this EP embodies the past year of his life and serves as an introduction of his work to the masses.
“You’re A Rapper Too” has collected 250 downloads, and the EP has collected about 180 downloads within the first week. Show the Kool Klux family some love.
Japanese emcees are killing every American emcee on style alone. Tokyo Midnight Lunch is a compilation tape mixed by Japanese producer Bugseed hosted by record label Ritmo Sportivo (the 16th compilation they have hosted thus far) showcasing some of the best in Japan’s underground hip hop scene. Dudes are going straight ham to the 3rd over Jazz breaks. It’s very dope to hear all sorts of different rhyme patterns due to the language range. This is a legit listen from beginning to end for almost any occasion. Hear it for yourself.
DMV is active! The CarryOut Productions’ Avion links up with recently signed dual label (CarryOut & KC 93) producer/emcee = our boy rMell for this Tekken-inspired mixtape. These two have a recording chemistry that could rival Camp Lo. There are a lot of cool tag ins & outs (as every legit duo should have) on these tracks, so the contrast between Avion & rMell’s styles just works effortlessly. As far as production is concerned, all the beats have very dirty drums, ranging from classic 9th Wonder beats to rMell (Absolutely beastly beats, you know he keeps the best stuff for his own tracks lol), Plue Starfox & B. Corder. Sir E.U makes some great cameos either assisting in the skits or getting buck with guest verses, basically adding even more to the group chemistry. With just 7 tracks, DMV’s next gen has made a statement.
Uno Hype is a young up & coming emcee (aged 16-17 during the recording process of this tape) from Maryland. As you first listen to his music, you will find that this is a kid that understands his voice & how to use it to make an all around great song. There is something about his delivery that makes you want to listen to his tracks all the way through, and this is prominently showcased in his debut mixtape, Ready For Takeoff.
Boasting some of the most well-calculated beat selections I’ve ever heard, RFTO contains a myriad of sounds, all bound into cohesion with Uno’s lyricism. I kid you not, there is everything from europop, indie rock, funk, breakbeat, folk and electronica elements in these tracks. Of course, the golden rule of beat jacking in a mixtape is that the emcee has to completely body the track, and Uno manages to hold his own over Soul of Mischief, Curren$y, Saigon, Outkast, & Chester French instrumentals. As for the original produced songs on this mixtape, you could have put them together to make a very thorough demo. DJ Black Diamond (of Mac Miller fame) produced 3 of the 15 tracks and they are all standouts. The two make a great emcee/producer combination. Producer Qaptain Kwess manages to bring out an experimental edge to Hype’s sound as all his beats have electronic rock/retro elements.
Though the beats are all banging, this mixtape could qualify as edgey yet easy-listening. Content wise, Uno is definitively confident in his demeanor, never overbearingly aggressive, always calm & collected. You won’t find crazy concepts, but you will find stylistic appeal that you rarely see from newcomers. Ready For Takeoff completely lives up to its name & Uno manages to live up to the Hype. I guarantee that you will feel FAM (fly as a…) after listening to this joint.
In the more recent months, things have been taking off for the homies. Signing with CarryOut, Promo with TreeHouse and Shows at Everlasting Life Cafe. This is a preview of the performance (Kool Klux Klan) they always go in and own the stage. #YuckFeah has created alot of buzz and #KazuyaCronicles is on the way any minute. Follow the team on twitter @sirEUtheGR8, @Avionadramida, and @rmell_cool_j and stay updated to @backtopluto and www.thecarryout.net for the latest.
Future Sound
The Thrills
(click pic to download)
Avion x rMell
Kazuya Chronicles
(click pic to download)
Uno Hype
Ready For Takeoff
(click pic to download)
Various Artists
The Runners File Vol. 1
(click pic to download)
89 the Brainchild
Trill MF'n Cosby
(click pic to download)
Podcasts
89 the Brainchild & Fatboi
Rahway, NJ
Strangers With Hip Hop
(click pic for episodes)
What Are They Talking About