Latest Posts

Chauncey Tails Links with Ultra Doux for “Otra”

June 10, 2015

Buffalo beatmaker Chauncey Tails has been noted in the past for his strong remix game and his lush, multifaceted production on original tracks. For “Otra,” Tails unites with NYC songstress Ultra Doux for some melancholy electronic R&B. The instrumental features an array of whistles, blips and Chaunce’s signature pitch-shifted vocal samples. The longing of the beat’s sample provides the perfect undertone as Ultra Doux sings hauntingly of regret, drugs, and contemplation. Give it a listen below.

mdnt and YLXR Team Up for “Baptize”

June 5, 2015

The pairing of Rochester electronic R&B artist mdnt and Buffalo bass artist YLXR is almost too perfect. The two have a knack for creating music that evokes or comes from a place of darkness, and YLXR”s past production hints that he’d be a great compliment to someone with the vocal characteristics of mdnt. Both artists also use abbreviated names, so that’s pretty perfect too. On “Baptize,” the creative forces unite for a song that deserves any and all acclaim. The mystique of mdnt”s drowning falsetto is paired beautifully with the dips and drones of YLXR’s futurebass production. The imagery in mdnt’s songwriting also deserves specific recognition, as the “reborn” theme of the track puts the picture of something like a water phoenix in the brain.  “Baptize” is the lead single from mdnt’s forthcoming debut EP VII Labors, due out in August. Give it a listen below.

Sammus’ “Three Fifths” to be Featured in Independent Film Rodney

June 3, 2015

Music that comes from a place of social action is often some of the best. Amid a couple of years of perceived police brutality and persecution of African Americans, Ithaca rapper/producer Sammus releases “Three Fifths” for use in the forthcoming independent film Rodney. Sammus made the track to remind us “that black people are whole even though they are often treated like three-fifths of a human by law enforcement.” The “three fifths” element is in reference to the 18th century legislation that equated the lives of slaves to three fifths of a free man when determining representatives in Congress. Her message is represented in the lyrics of the chorus, where she raps “I wonder how much y’all judge is the worth of my soul? I seem to round up three fifths to a whole.” Sammus’ already-impassioned flow resembles that of fellow rapper-activist Kendrick Lamar when she approaches screams on lines[...]

Dr. Ooo Drops “City Man” Clip

May 29, 2015

Each release from EKL’s Dr. Ooo is an immediate must-watch/listen. One of the city’s finest emcees, Ooo is a favorite of the blog and last appeared when he dropped the visuals for “Fuq Dr. Ooo.” Today Ooo comes back with a creative vid accompanying his track “City Man.” The D. Thomas Magee-directed affair doesn’t actually star Ooo, but rather a female substitute because “the rapper has been changed to protect his identity.” The video features some visually fantastic cultural fashion, as well as some really cool animated effects that remind me of Iamsu!’s video for “Only That Real.” The song itself features a nice sing-songy chorus, and as with any Ooo track, the bars are top-notch and prevalent. Dr. Ooo is also set to perform at the Deep Thinka Records Herd Fest Showcase on Friday, June 19th at Duke’s. Watch that vid below. Dr. Ooo ‘City Man’ from d. thomas magee[...]

Short Moscato and Truey V Team Up for “Aaliyah”

May 22, 2015

Buffalo emcees Short Moscato and Truey V are two of the city’s most talented, and one month before their appearances in Herd Fest’s 2015 Hip-Hop Showcase presented by Deep Thinka Records, they’ve teamed up for a great collab. Taking the name from the late turn-of-the century RnB goddess, “Aaliyah” begins with a mystical beat of which Moscato remarks “Sometimes I wonder why all my songs sound like intros.” His verse goes on to be bar-rific with shoutouts to a young Batman (who he cleverly calls “Lil’ Wayne”) and “girls that do power squats” before he hands the chorus and second verse off to Truey V.  V’s verse starts off with the line “Sometimes I rhyme slow, sometimes I rhyme quick,” an allusion to the oft-referenced 1991 hip-hop classic “Sometimes I Rhyme Slow” from Nice & Smooth. It ends up being something of a guideline for his verse, as V’s flow becomes[...]

Snoop Dogg ft. Pharrell & Stevie Wonder – “California Roll”

May 20, 2015

Snoop Dogg has been on a futuristic funk wave his entire career. He began as a G-Funk pioneer alongside Dr. Dre and the like on the West Coast in the 90s, sampling George Clinton often on his tracks while offering a hypnotically smooth flow to groove to. Though he’s been relatively experimental in his career, Snoop has maintained the funk influence from his Doggystyle days through his latest album Bush, from which we get “California Roll.” The track features music legend Stevie Wonder on the harmonica and background vocals and Pharrell (who produced the entire album) on hook duty. The video is a Jetson-esque look into the future from 1946, with curious appearances of Egyptian symbols and landmarks. Stevie, Snoop and Skateboard P are decked out in black and gold, and Snoop’s slow-motion c-walk might be the coolest thing captured on video. Check it out below.

Frigid Giant Releases “God Loves, Man Kills” Video

May 15, 2015

Hip-hop has been a platform for social commentary for the entirety of it’s existence. From Kurtis Blow through Ab-Soul, uncovering society’s hidden truths has remained a theme in rap everywhere. On “God Loves, Man Kills,” Buffalo’s Frigid Giant takes on the calculated glorification of drug trafficking, and that which relates to it. “They promote rappers to glorify the crack rock,” he says as the video depicts deaths and paraphernalia associated with drug use. It’s heavy, eye-opening stuff from the Polar Nation Originals emcee, and it needs to be discussed more. The track features some great cuts and chops from DJ Blacklisted and a menacing beat from the hands of Fresh Kils. “God Loves, Man Kills” comes off of Giant’s full-length project From My Cold Dead Hands. Give it a watch and listen below.

My Rap Name is Alex Unites with Cove, Hooizzy for New Track

May 8, 2015

Buffalo rappers My Rap Name is Alex and Hooizzy have dropped an anthem about making it through the inevitable struggle of being broke, young and independent. Titled “Broke as F&%K!,” the song conveys a sentiment that I think we’ve all felt one time or another. Alex’s imagery is great, if not too real when he drops lines like “I been saving the boxes from the cereal I eat, and usin’ em to build a wall to hold in the heat.” Hooizzy and Alex’s chemistry really makes the track as the two energetically exchange short verses and couplets. The music for the track is provided by the infallible Cove of EVC, who’s crafted a masterful beat that evolves and devolves throughout. “Broke as F&%K!” appears on Alex’s new mixtape Collage Radio alongside 19 more quality tracks. Alex is also appearing at PorchFest at 5:00 tonight on 147 Bryant St. Peep the track below.

BROTH3RKING and the Loot Boys Release “1000”

May 6, 2015

Buffalo’s Loot Boys are a collective of rappers consisting of King, KT, BROTH3R, and $kanks that have been teaming up with each other to produce some quality, catchy street anthems over the last couple of months. Among the crew’s recent standout tracks is “What You Need” from KT, “$cumbag” from $kanks, and “1000,” the featured track from the unified BROTH3R and King. Built off of a jovial flute sample from producer Code One, “1000” is something like a melodic banger. King and BROTH3R exchange verses featuring sparse words, effectively building towards the boom of the chorus each time. King’s ad-lib game also needs shouting out, particularly after the line “On the game I take two shits (What?).” Check out the Loot Boy’s impressively expansive collection of tracks on their Soundcloud, and peep “1000” below.

Tonight: Atmosphere

April 29, 2015

Though its often thrown under subgenres like conscious, emo, or backpack rap, Minneapolis’ Atmosphere is a pair of luminaries of hip hop as a whole, and the group will be at Town Ballroom tonight. The duo of rapper Slug and producer Ant have made waves with their allegorical, thematic music for 20+ years. Atmosphere is also two of the founders of the powerhouse independent hip hop label Rhymesayers, which they started in 1995. A live band supports the group on tour, bringing a jazzy, improvisational feel to one of the more composed hip hop artists out there. Expect songs from 2014’s Southsiders as well as some classic stuff from albums like God Loves Ugly and Seven’s Travels. Supporting the group is noted slam poetry artist, rapper and political activist B. Dolan, as well as fellow Rhymesayers MC deM atlaS.Tickets for the show at the Town Ballroom are available for $25 at the door, which open up at[...]

Mic Excel and L-Biz Team Up for “Clouds”

April 24, 2015

The smoothness on Mic Excel‘s latest release hits you from the moment you click the play button. After a four count, the EVC rapper jumps immediately into a melodic chorus of “da la das” that meld perfectly in with a creamy beat from the hands of TheProgrammer. Truth and awareness is the subject of the verses in the track, as Mic and  I.S.B. Music’s L-Biz talk up the importance of keeping your head out of the “Clouds.” Amid more thoughtful lyrics from Mic are some real great one-liners, particularly “I handle bars like a playground, you handle bars like a unicycle.” L-Biz’s standout featured verse draws off of experiences with women that try to break his invulnerable fidelity. “Clouds” is intelligent, catchy music from two talented Buffalo emcees. Peep it right down here.

Waka For President? Maybe

April 22, 2015

Over the past couple of days, “news” broke that Queens-born, ATL-based rapper Waka Flocka Flame is running for president in 2016. In a Rolling Stone video released on 4/20, Waka indulges in an L and runs through the driving points of his campaign. This includes the obvious mention of marijuana legalization and some more obscure topics like banning dogs from restaurants and people with feet over size 13 from sidewalks. The campaign continued again today with this video in which Waka collects signatures for a petition that will get him on the ballot However sincere this campaign actually is comes second to the idea that as far as rappers running for president go, Waka Flocka is actually a pretty solid choice. It’s easy to look at the lyrics of a Waka Flocka song and call it trash, but lyrics have never been his thing. He himself has admitted that he’s[...]

Dean Chatham Drops “Walk On, Bye”

April 15, 2015

Buffalo hip hop artist and Black Sol member Dean Chatham seemed polished from the get-go. A few months back, he dropped the Dean’s List EP, an impressive debut project about decision-making and behavior as a dude in a coming-of-age situation at college, featuring contemplative, explorative tracks like “Year II” and “Do the Right Thing,” Chatham brought the smooth jazz-influence to his latest single “Walk On, Bye,” but switched over to another mature theme for his lyrics: a somewhat toxic relationship. Chatham poetically describes the ups and downs of a relationship in which the passion is adherent to the instability of it all. Lurking underneath all the give and take, fights and reconciles, and heated arguments is the understanding that the end-game will work out, something Chatham conveys distinctly on lines like”Write me off nine times? There’ll always be a sequel.” “Walk On, Bye” is an impressive new direction for the burgeoning Buffalo rapper. Chatham[...]

jacebeats Runs Through Creative Process in “Inspiration” Video

April 8, 2015

Buffalo beatmaker jacebeats is an artist with a pension for jazzy beats delicately sampled from the wax. In his new video for “Inspiration,” Jace chronicles the steps he takes when concocting a beat, and it all starts with drawing off of the culture of his city and his community. For the sounds themselves, Jace browses the Record Theatre‘s collection of jazz, soul, and funk vinyls where “it’s a guessing game, but covers are the clues to solving the mystery.” While jacebeats lets us into his mind, beautifully soulful chopped and looped backing instrumentals serve as the proof that Jace’s process pays off. Check it out below. Photo courtesy of the video’s director, Noah Whipple.

Dr. Ooo Releases Music Video For “Fuq Dr. Ooo”

April 3, 2015

Equality Knowledge and Light has been on a tear of late. The culture firm’s artists have released two great music videos in the last couple of weeks, and before that dropped an important love song to a couple of their favorite foods. The latest vid comes from EKL wordsmith Dr. Ooo, for the the ferociously flowy “Fuq Dr. Ooo.” A barrage of bars, the track  displays the Good Doctor’s smoothness on the mic, asserting that he really is “stupid for this one.” Paling around with Ooo is fellow EKL rapper Wza (who dropped a dope video himself just last week for his single “I Need That”) and Dr. Ooo’s Kinda Like Dreamin partner Sammy Doons. The video follows Ooo around snowy Buffalo as his sippin’ from his flask, dropping his heat, and pouring out 40s along the way. Treat yourself below.