Latest Posts

EdWang and Mad Dukez Link Up for MadWang

March 18, 2015

Buffalo producer EdWang has a knack for remixing songs, giving them vibrant, weird beats. Mad Dukez is one of Buffalo’s premier MCs, and has a CMJ chart topping album to his name. 2013’s Gettin’ Gatsby was a critically acclaimed collaboration between Dukez and Toronto beatsmith Fresh Kils. EdWang has taken to reinventing some of the album’s songs, along with a couple of the duos tracks from The Open Affair EP in a new EP with Mad Dukez, with the DOOM-esque blended name MadWang. One of the two Open Affair tracks on the project, “World Wide” features a delicious beat of trap sounds and video game blips and bloops. “Rearview Reminders,” an inspiring track appreciating the path you’ve taken, features Rhymesayers artist Blueprint. On Gatsby, the beat was a mellower one, built around some humanized drums. EdWang takes his version in the opposite direction, making his beat heavy on robotic synths. The newly imagined track has a[...]

Chauncey Tails Releases New Beat Collection

February 25, 2015

Gowanda producer Chauncey Tails has become known for his typically brief tracks that feature pitch-shifted vocals and hip hop samples alongside whimsical, lush sounds that create a smooth feel that often ranges from melancholy and introspective to soulful, club-inspired beats. The artist’s latest release, Collection IV, compiles nine tracks made over the last year and provides a comprehensive look at the sound he’s been able to cultivate in that time, with engaging vocal chops, recognizable samples, and visceral percussion and bass. Leading off with, “Only You,” a bouncing, bass-heavy cut, the collection opens with high-energy, ethereal beats before leading into the more melancholy progression on the aptly titled “I Feel Like Nothing But You Are Everything.” “Squirt” features uplifting piano stabs and various warm sounds reminiscent of Canadian producer Ryan Hemsworth’s tracks.Perhaps the most impressive drums and bass sounds are found on “Young Drop Top Lexus” that places a fiery hip hop[...]

Edwang and Duce return with some Gold

October 10, 2014

Buffalo producer Edwang is back with another dope collaborative effort with rapper Duce. A few months back, we covered The Duce Bootlegs, a wonderfully enjoyable project of happy hip hop. Their latest release together, Fifty Shades of Gold, switches things up a bit on the way to being another great tape.  Edwang kicks off the tracks with the title track, and a distinctly grimier beat than anything we heard last time ’round. Ed continuously keeps us guessing with his styles behind the beats. “Rumble Pack III” uses some traditional video game bleeps and bloops to create a base for which Duce to cram countless gaming references over a span of three and a half references. The name itself is a shout-out to the device that allowed your N64 controller to vibrate whenever you crashed in Tony Hawk Pro Skater, thereby making the game 20% better than it already was. Duce is particularly on[...]

Vince Staples – Hell Can Wait

October 8, 2014

One thing that can be said about Los Angeles rapper, Vince Staples, for certain is that he does not have a bad verse to his name. Although he is a friend to the Odd Future crew, musically he couldn’t be more different. The 21-year-old has the soul of one of his West Coast gangsta-rap forefathers, notably rapping last year on Earl Sweatshirt’s “Hive” “If this was ’88 I would’ve signed to Ruthless, ‘9-4 woulda had me walking down Death Row,” a nod to some of the most famous, dark labels in hip hop history. Whether it was on either of his Shyne Coldchain mixtapes or last year’s Stolen Youth, a collaboration with Mac Miller’s production pseudonym Larry Fisherman, Staples has consistently brought introspective gangsta rap to his bars. Hell Can Wait continues this style, and this EP is a strong prelude to the debut album that Staples says is coming next year. Buzz for[...]

Local Rapper ChaunSAY Mackin’ Drops Second Project with Chisom Uzosike

September 17, 2014

On the Buffalo Brave LP, ChaunSAY Mackin’ and Chisom Ozosike’s second take on a hip hop duo, the Buffalo rapper and Maryland producer (who previously released The Buffalo Bill EP together) are a fantastic combination of modern bar-rap and smooth soul sample beats. Opening track, “The Encore,” kicks off with a blast of horns that sound like they came right off a Village People record. The beat flips around for a while before it settles on a guitar strum and a funky bassline, working off of the same sample as this BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher. Throw little “Numbers on the Board-esque” celebratory “Yeah” vocal and a high pitched female note, and you got yourself a hell of a beat over which Mackin’ dances entertaining lines all over. Second track “Reputation” plays off of the same sample as Kanye’s “Bound 2,”  a seemingly daunting task considering the recognition of the latter. Chisom[...]

Maurice – “Wxcked Girls”

August 27, 2014

RnB’s newest face comes from Ottawa, Canada. Emerging onto the music scene with a popular YouTube channel of covers, Maurice has the talent to be considered contemporaries with the likes of Frank Ocean, James Fauntleroy, and the rest of the biggest names in the genre. “Wxcked Girls” is one of three new tracks released by the 17 year old in conjunction with a feature on Noisey. On the track, Maurice alternates between pure singing and a hybrid rap with veteran skill, evidence of the artist’s original dream of becoming a rapper. It’s also revealed in the article that Maurice is a high school football player that fits his basement-studio recordings in between practice, school, and homework.  Without the music even being Maurices’s sole venture, the product is already there. Take this as an introduction to a young artist already ahead of the curve.

The Importance of Young Thug’s TV Debut

August 8, 2014

Last night on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, we saw perhaps the most meaningful performance in recent rap history, as it was the coming out party for a certain Thug. Young Thug has been making waves with some of the best party songs of the last two years, as well as being the new go-to hook man in the scene. So what makes this artist’s appearance particularly interesting? Well, we might end up looking at him as a trailblazer. Kanye was weird when he was wearing pink polos and backpacks in the early to mid 2000s. He was stylistically a standout, the first mainstream rapper in forever with the preppy, intentionally not-gangster image. It would mark a shift in what was popular in rap, a move towards non-violence, humor, fashion, and so much more. He first appeared on the Dave Chapelle Show alongside Common, and has never left publicity since then.[...]

Tonight: RADARADA

July 29, 2014

Combining jazzy live instrumentation with dexterous, melodic lyricism, Buffalo hip hop outfit RADARADA have quickly caught on as one of the most intriguing new groups to emerge locally as of late. Their excellent debut, First Edition, received album of the week honors here at buffaBLOG and was a soulful, welcome addition to the already eclectic local hip hop scene that boasts a healthy mix of veteran talent and hungry newcomers.  Tonight, the band brings their impressive live chops to McGarret’s on Elmwood for a show following the Bidwell Concert Series beginning at 9pm. Admission is $3 at the door. 21+.

Tonight: Teamwork 2014 The BBQ

July 20, 2014

Dinner and a show for $10? And some of the proceeds go to a local youth organization? Sign me up. For the third year, Team Radio hosts this event, aimed at bringing the community together one artist and innovator at a time. Chae Hawk is one of Buffalo’s best backpack rappers, and his music with a message mission is clear in everything the multi-talented artist does. There are many facets to the music industry, and Chae and his team are educating local students on what it truly means to be an artist in varying capacities. From web design to press to designing and printing posters, there are a myriad of ways to express yourself without a mic in your hand, and this event brings them all together. This 16+ event, hosted by Billy Drease is being held at Buffalo Iron Works, and tickets are still available. BBQ begins at 7/music[...]

Lone – Reality Testing

June 25, 2014

British producer Matt Cutler began recording as Lone in 2007 and has since been responsible for the some of the most inventive, dynamic tracks in dance music in recent years, layering hip hop drums with 90’s rave-inspired synths  to create a maximalist sound that feels equally suited for a solitary headphone trip as it does for the club. Reality Testing, Cutler’s fifth full length and second LP for the esteemed, rehashed dance label R&S Records, delivers much of the same kaleidoscopic bliss as 2012’s Galaxy Garden, but with more concision and emphasis on texture and reflective atmospherics than its’ predecessor. As a result, the album presents itself as synthesis of 90’s hip hop grooves and jazzy, melodic house, two genre’s that share both a common past and formative purpose. When last year’s J-Dilla referencing single “Airglow Fires” was released along with the ethereal b-side “Begin To Begin,” it was apparent Lone’s return would be marked[...]

Yung Lean – “Yoshi City”

June 18, 2014

Yung Lean videos come in two categories: Entertainingly low-quality (see my favorite vid ever, “Hurt“) or surprisingly high-quality (“Kyoto“). “Yoshi City” falls in the latter category, and that means we get to see the awesome things Lean got to waste his budget on. For “Kyoto,” it seemed all the money went to some outrageous alien special effects. On “Yoshi City,” the money goes into a pimped-out SmartCar, complete with the scissor doors that have become a staple of the elite. The video also features some melancholy scenes of Lean-Doer walking wretchedly through caves and parking garages and what looks like it could be an Egyptian Tomb. Over some fluttering synths from consistently dope SadBoys producer Yung Gud, Lean boasts some of his most emotional lines to date. Watch it here:

Tonight: Cross Faded Tour f/ World’s Fair & Two-9

June 14, 2014

Get all the way turnt up tonight at Waiting Room with a fresh lineup of hip hop, brought to you by the good people at After Dark Entertainment. World’s Fair & Two-9 touch down in the Queen City for their Cross Faded tour, bringing their blend of alternative hip hop to the stage, along with Network, Bill $aber, Blair Copeland, and Devon Charles. This all ages show (if you’re under 16, bring a grown-up…this would be an excellent early Father’s Day present for the cool dad in your life) is $15 at the door, and doors open at 7. Pro tip: regardless of your age, don’t be a yung thug. There is a little to zero tolerance policy for fuckery at WR, and you will be asked to leave.    

Tonight: Chuckie Campbell

June 13, 2014

Looking for a place to get spooky this Friday the 13th?  Weather permitting, the patio at Ohm Ultralounge is the place to be. The cash-only bar and lounge opens its’ doors at 8pm for a night of local hip hop under the stars (and full moon). For just $5, you get a full bill of music, featuring Kentucky transplant and Buffalover Chuckie Campbell, Dead Trash Mob, and G.S. + Indie Visuals. The Indie Visuals (say that three times fast) crew is a hip hop collective based out of Buffalo, and promotes all forms of hip hop artistry, from graffiti and breaking to beat-making. Record label Dead Trash Mob also reps the 716, and will have artists from the label performing tonight. This 21+ show promises to be full of good vibes, great music, and beautiful people (as long as you’re there).

Edwang Shines On Collaborative Effort With Duce

June 11, 2014

Buffalo born producer Edwang has honed his craft remixing and mashing up other rap songs, but he’s stepped in a new direction with this collaborative effort with rapper Duce. The Duce Bootlegs is a project full of poppy hip hop goodness that reasserts Edwang’s staying power. He’s crafted complex beats that still allow the freedom of an emcee to flow over. The bouncy keyboard on “True Hollywood Story” sets the tone for the rest of an album that never takes itself too seriously.  The beat in “Pirate Booty” is based around a upbeat west-coast guitar riff, and the rapping is basically Duce rattling off pirate references in each line. His best rapping probably comes in “Old Joe,” where Duce narrates the unfortunate experience of catching an STD. Edwang continuously impresses on the beats, and flashes his experiences in productions by including some pop culture bites for skits between songs. Aziz Ansari’s[...]

Tonight: Radarada

June 7, 2014

Get on that ra ra shit tonight with the release of Radarada’s debut EP, the aptly titled First Edition. Featuring fellow Buffalo artists Jack Topht and Dr. Ooo, the album is a compilation of what happens when people stop being polite and start getting weird. The all ages show opens it’s doors at 9pm, and is being hosted at one of Buffalo’s best new(ish) music venues, Buffalo Iron Works. Tix are five duckets, but being surrounded by so many yung thugs at an all ages show is kind of priceless, so this is easily the best $5 you’ll spend all weekend. Everyone in attendance will also get a ticket to the show’s afterparty, being held at a semi-undisclosed location (a house on the west side, and the address is on the ticket) and promises to have “free drinks, music bumpin, and good times.” In the words of Robert Sylvester Kelly:[...]