When Black Hippies Kill

I must sound like a homer when I say this, but if Ab-Soul drops a single that you deem garbage, ride that flying pig to GTFOH land. This random release is good for TDE fans, these drops usually come in waves.

In-Flight Movie

Somebody get more Nocando tracks on Spotify, chop chop. This emcee has been bending my ear since I first caught a show back in ’08 (Low End possibly, back then they sold spiked brownies, so I don’t truly recall). Like many indie artists with ample time and creative license, it’s been hard to keep track of all creations. They seemingly appear out of nowhere and often are accompanied by a great anecdote. I’ll let the maestro describe his motivation for this one.

I flew regularly for 3 years straight. I still fly regularly, just not as much. In these 3 years I took over 250 flights. It sounds glamorous now but it was lonely, I found it difficult to relate to people, I got sick a lot and had a tweekers sleep schedule. Ironically on an International flight to either Japan or Australia I saw the movie up in the air for the 1st time, It made me sad as FUCK! With all of that I managed to make a love song out of it.

The Afrikan Space Man

Ras G is the #1 ranked astronaut in the Afrikan Space Program. For those of you who can’t peep your favorite cosmonaut at Low End Theory on the regular, it is a must to check in with this new and free EP, download it in it’s entirety here. Also, we are lining up some time with Open Mike Eagle to discuss his movements, including his recent trip with Ras G to Uganda, sounds ridiculously intriguing.

Ab-Soul-Ute Gold

Leave it to the TDE team to drop a track that gives me a damn good reason to buck the NYC trend on ZIF. Another reference rich set of bars from TDE’s lead off hitter, Ab-Soul. For the record the fine folks at 2DBZ have got themselves a solid freestyle series going, unlike the effort DJ Booth has been trying to blast for years. Oh, and this might sound weird, but Josh The Goon is my favorite engineer, his mixes are consistently cleaner than your average, this one included. Good work Angelino’s, though for the record Ab-Soul’s not really feeling this track.

 Ab-Soul – Absolute Assassin [Soul Assassin Freestyle Sessions]

Oh, and in other Ab-Soul Twitter news, he just nabbed a feature with J. Cole. Look out for that.

If Myka Only Knew

I used to work with a young producer who was a bit of a hobo. Extremely talented young lad, but always in need of a place to sleep, quick to jump in on a cypher too. He used to house sit Myka 9′s apartment in Santa Monica here and there, and it was through him that I was exposed to the ugly truth of the rap game. Talent and hard work gets you a two bedroom apartment in need of a cleaning lady. Myka has been making music that counts since the early 90′s via Freestyle Fellowship acclaim. That’s some pedigree right there. Needless to say, popular success has always alluded the veteran emcee. I’m pretty sure this second project with Factor, “Sovereign Soul” via indie players Fake Four Inc, is a step towards the limelight. Pre-order the project here and you get a dope t-shirt out of it, that and the peace of mind that you may be upgrading Myka’s living situation.

Potassium D Anyone?

Ah, good old TopBananas, you’ve always made timely insertions into my playlist. Put simply, L.A./SoCal emcee TopBananas passes the eyeball test. He produces his own music, his tracks regardless of what randomness he’s throwing in there are always listenable, and frankly he screams nice guy. Not to mention he once mentioned our blog in one of his videos (rappers note: this buys you absurd shelf life on The Serengeti). Seriously though, this new track off his upcoming mixtape “Fire Sale” truly caught my attention, doesn’t dude sound like radio material (in a marketable kind of way, not mainstream shit kind of way)? He’s always had a great ear for what’s hot on the proverbial street, if he’s been packed away in his lab somewhere cooking, I guarantee you this mixtape is going to be fire.

Erykah Badu X Flying Lotus, Oh yes please

A highly anticipated track from an astronomically important album has finally been propagated to the masses. I speak of Flying Lotus‘s collaboration with Erykah Badu on a track called See Thru To U which will be featured on his upcoming album ’Until the Quiet Comes’. As usual, FlyLo deftly combines a bounty of exuberant instruments that would seemingly drown out an average crooner, leave it to Badu’s haunting vocals to cut through the cacophony.

The album will drop October 1st on Warp Records, pre-order here.

Another collaboration of significant note on the album is with Thom Yorke, peep the rest of the tracklist after the jump.

Remember Me is memorable

Plug Research’s artist roster is more than eclectic, it’s pragmatically diverse. They cover all sorts of apparent genres, and with this EP from Matt Tammariello aka Shortcircles, they demonstrate their ability to navigate through time. This EP is a self-proclaimed throwback to 90′s R&B. The synth heavy project is laced with excellent vocal work. Anytime you blend old school rhythms into a contemporary listenable project, it is a tremendous accomplishment. Shortcircles, we have our eye on you. Stream the album, but you can cop it as well here.

Jansport J (another reason LA killing it)

Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, Kendrick Lamar and Open Mike Eagle are all major players currently putting it on for the City of Angels. There is no denying that L.A. is back on the hip hop map, what was once a place to market and record is now a hotbed for breeding artists that are leaving an impression on the game. Though the aforementioned artists are starkly different in sound and content, there’s a serious commitment to crisp production, a fundamental element to keeping ears bent. Jansport J is another reason L.A. hip hop fans can wear a prideful smile. The West Covina beatsmith is a true underground talent, though this new project, Sport Did It Tho Vol. 1. is bound to elevate his status as a go to guy in beat shopping. Jansport J’s production is a wonderful hybrid of old school appreciation and youthful rhythm that undoubtedly can provide a soundtrack to any Cali block party. The sample heavy production is laced with hardened beats that emcees must salivate to jump on. He worked primarily with local artists, including the likes of LAUSD, El Prez, and the transplanted Freddie Gibbs. Here’s a couple of our favorite tracks:

Poetik Force- Keep Runnin feat. Sean Wyze & Blakface [Prod. by Jansport J]

Curtiss King- Scumbags ft. Ab-Soul & Stevie Crooks [Prod. by Jansport J]

Polyester the Saint- 7th Letter feat. Freddie Gibbs & Bad Lucc [Prod. by Jansport J]

Download the entire mixtape here. ZIF approved!

Teebs on Canvas

Brainfeeder sound mason Teebs plays with paint and canvas as well. If you appreciate his sonic artistry, then check out  his exhibit at HVW8 starting tonight, like most art gallery events in LA, it’s probably one of the cheapest ways to go out and be seen whilst not spending over $100. A chance to sip some 2 buck chuck with FlyLo and other Brainiacs is an enticing bonus. Here are the relevant details:

NEW EXCHANGE
Collaborative Works from Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’ & Charles Munka

Opening reception Friday, June 29, 2012 7-10pm
please RSVP : newexchange@hvw8.com

June 29th – August 1st, 2012

HVW8 Art + Design Gallery
661 N. Spaulding Ave., Los Angeles, CA

New Exchange is part of an ongoing visual dialogue between Charles Munka and Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’.

Charles Munka and Mtendere Mandowa ‘Teebs’ came in contact through the Los Angeles music scene. A mutual admiration developed leading to a show in Kanazawa, Japan, this also being the first time they met in person. After the success of the Japanese exhibition, the two regrouped again in Hong Kong, Munka’s current place of residency, for the Platform 78 exhibition. This return to Los Angeles continues the visual conversation between the two artists, creating a new series of works exclusive to the HVW8 Art + Design Gallery.

A true global artist, French raised, Hong Kong based Charles Munka’s work straddles genres. Post graffiti into collage, his multi-influenced culture clash style is complementary to his upbringing and current place of residence. Asian characters mixed with French text, references to computer games and city maps with Charles’ signature hand styles are completely new yet still familiar to his ‘urban’ roots. Following in the heritage of Matisse’s cut and paste and Basquiat’s hand, Munka respects the past and transforms it into a worldly future.

Born in New York to Malawi and Barbados origins, Mtendere (pronounced “ten-de-ra”) (Chichewa for “Peace”) Mandowa, is an electronic musician and painter who bounced around the East Coast before finally planting his feet in the Southern California suburb of Chino Hills. Already successful in music with Flying Lotus’ Brainfeeder and ‘My Hollow Drum’ Collectives, Teebs’ painting is similar to his music production; collaging and illustrating images to create meditative and minimalist soundscapes on canvas.

Jeremiah Jae is “Money”

When these rappers slash producers can’t figure out their sound it’s a complete disaster, when the rapper/producer is on point it’s Jeremiah Jae. Cosigned by Flying Lotus and ZIF alike, the Chicago based artist will drop his album via Brainfeeder on July 24th, mount your attack.

Jeremiah Jae – Money

Kendrick Lamar Emphasizes The Recipe: Women, Weed, Weather

Kendrick Lamar pairs up with Dr. Dre to state the obvious about moving to Los Angeles.

Women, weed and weather
They come for
women, weed and weather
for the women, weed and weather
From all around the world for the
women, weed and weather

Kendrick Lamar – The Recipe (Feat. Dr. Dre)

Singapore Kane- Outside The Margins [Screenshots]

So we wrapped up the video for Singa’s track “Outside The Margins” a few weeks ago. We’ve hit a few snags in getting this to the ‘right’ people, so I figured I’d feed you hungry bastards a quick morsel. Posts about screenshots from a music video are relatively repressive forms of expression. But hell, this gives you a decent idea of where the video was shot, hint: not Boston.

Additional information for you cats regarding the video. It was shot and directed by yours truly, the track was produced by TKSTR, and it was edited by Archibald Films. Teamwork son, teamwork.

Singapore Kane – Outside The Margins Video Shoot [Slideshow]

I decided to throw up a couple pictures from the Outside The Margins music video shoot. The track was produced by TKSTR and will be released on the forthcoming Wrath of Kane mixtape, video and track release will follow shortly.

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Waiting…

Let’s face it, in the current day and age, working a demeaning job with horrid pay, moronic co-workers and belittling tasks is inevitable.  However, that doesn’t mean you should take it lying down. I think what I really like about the debut video from Top Bananas is his classy spitting in the face of despair. I pretty much dig everything about this video: the art direction, the song itself, the shots of Downtown LA, etc. I also really dig the shout out Bananas gives your favorite rap blog– listen for it!