For those who don't know Bad News Brown was one of Canada's most talented emcees, who unfortunately was killed this past February. Not only was he a lyricist, but he demonstrates his harmonica skills in many of his songs.... RIP Bad News Brown, peep the video
Sometimes you just gotta get away, clear your mind, and jet set…and that’s exactly what I did. After setting up playlists, stocking up on munchies, and closing the storefront gate, TCS360 was off on the Amtrak headed north. The destination: MONTREAL.
Best known for its hockey team, strip clubs, and poutine dishes, the cultural epicenter has been on the threshold of finally making its presence felt on the international hip hop radar. In this city north of the border, a number of up and coming artists are jockeying for position to be the one who finally puts M-City on the map. After losing their most prominent emcee, Bad News Brown, this past winter in a devastating act of violence, the burden lies heavier than ever for someone to come along and give the city a much needed revival through the power of music. Who better than The Distinguished Gentleman, to make the world (w)rap familiah.
The Distinguished Gentleman is the second installment to the (W)Rap Series. Driven by real life experiences, an unwavering work ethic, and the support of a close-knit team known as the Unknown Battalion (U-BATT), H-Man successfully delivers a glimpse into the streets of Bucktown Montreal. While portraying the harsh realities coming up on the corners, H maintains a distinct melodic flow that is as cold as a Canadian winter. It is this ability to captivate listeners in this way, that distinguishes him as an artist with immense potential.
In this mixtape, H-Man enlists the help of his alter ego, Richie Pooh, to bring forth a listening experience that is quite versatile, flexing his muscle on a wide range of tracks from popular radio singles to Ratatat’s “Wildcat”. From the intro “Can’t Forget About POOH” H wastes very little time introducing his smoother side, appealing to the ladies while remaining relatable to the fellas, a feat that is often attempted these days, but seldom executed.
After the first few tracks, the distinguished gentleman will have you “Lured In”, before changing the pace by flowing on alternative instrumentals such as “It Could Be You,” where he lets the girl of his dreams know the business, over the accompanying sounds of house drum-bass kits and soft piano chords. “Smooth Sailing” follows a similar vibe, as the track blends an old-school soulful sound with a French Canadian feel-good swag. These two tracks are stand out the most as they best display H-Man’s real potential for a broad appeal across cultural demographics. Other notable bangers include “West Coastin” and “Got to Lose.”
In this day in age, when fans are oversaturated by swag, internet gimmicks, and mainstream schemes, it’s refreshing to hear an artist come along and display a genuine integrity for their craft. Through his passionate lyrics, intricate wordplay, and easy-going delivery, H-Man has a certain je ne sais quoi, that distinguishes him as a stand out artist, and a strong front runner for leading the Montreal hip hop buzz across many borders.
"This aint the place where hate was invented, but I'd be damned if The States wasn't the best that did it!" Justice for Oscar Grant, we'll never forget. MOVE
With Guru being one of our favorite MC's the new DJ Premier collab artist has a lot to live up to, to say the least. Reks is surely a beast tho... RIP Guru
While we're on the subject of 25th hour, this monologue by Ed Norton is fuegooo (Spike Lee probably wrote this)
Labels:
dj premier,
real hip hop,
reks,
Spike Lee
For all our people who treck to the slopes every winter, here's some dub bass for your face. As the world melts, it seems like snowboarding season is getting shorter and shorter each year smh. No worries, Mass Pollution is fact of life!
Last month I wrote a blog entry critiquing Lupe’s marketing scheme in promotion for his 3rd studio album, Lasers (NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES). In the article I was particularly critical of the fact that, despite his ability to organize a diverse group of young supporters to come together in Union Square, he failed to do something impactful to coincide with the great momentum that he had generated from his recent song “Words I Never Said.” At the time, many had suspected that since a rally for Egypt was also taking place at the same time and location, the politically conscious MC would attempt to mobilize young hip hop fans in a display of solidarity. Needless to say, many were left disappointed when seeing that the special event was in fact, the revealing of a digital Lasers QR ad, promoting the new album.
Here lies the dilemma that many artists face in today’s society. At the end of the day… He is a rapper who is using his craft to make money, and there is nothing wrong with this, it’s what we all do essentially. He has continued to stay true to his commitment of educating his listeners through his thought provoking lyrics, and is becoming increasingly outspoken in a maintstream that does not endorse radical consciousness. So with that being said, I copped my ticket and headed to Webster Hall...
Mic Check:
Black Milk is on the Webster Hall Stage performing in front of a sold out crowd in the heart of the city. Known for his heavy drum kits, raw lyricism, and authentic gritty yet soulful sound, the MC epitomized the aura of Detroit hip hop, in front of a crowd of head nodding tilted brims. The minds beneath the snap-back caps were not quite focused on Milk however, it was Lasers’ Eve and Lu was headlining the Webster Hall Ticket. As Cypha Sounds spun OFWGKTA’s new banger, Yonkers, the packed venue lingered in anticipation like the rising smoke hovering above. The place went dark: flashing lights, cameras, action.
You’re in a rave….light projections stretching across the room, a blend of fog machine and sour diesel permeates the altitude, and hands raise in unison to the sounds of bass bravado and electric synthesizers. Its no secret that Lasers made many fans feel skimped after first listening, but the loyalists understood the politics that were involved in putting out this album...
Lasers had sparked loads of controversy as Lupe’s public struggle with Atlantic records ultimately resulted in the release of a product that Lupe himself cannot fully endorse:
“The climate of this record was very weird, in some instances surreal. I became very abstract. I had to create this commercial art that appeases the corporate side. I had to acquiesce to certain forces. Hopefully within that I snuck in some things I actually wanted to say any way I can.”
It seemed as if before I could even fully put together my thoughts surrounding Lasers, Lupe himself was able to articulate my impression as a fan. Instead of reviewing, rating, or critiquing the album, I will delve into the question:
Can real art exist within a corporate structure?
I will attempt to tackle this question in a future post, but my abridged two word answer would be an emphatic: Hell Nah!!!
So what should he do? Being legally bound and unable to completely Break The Chain, that Atlantic has on his artistic integrity, he should seek to connect to his long-time fan base through the releasing of constant FIRE via the internet. Lupe, put your shit out for there for free (Enemy of the State)! Phonte of Little Brother did it, and if anything he helped his buzz grow even more and connect with people outside of his immediate following. Until the day that you are able to establish a better situation that is more conducive to your creative freedom, it is important that you remain relevant amongst the hip hop elite. This can only happen if you stay true to yourself. While I feel your recent statements in interviews regarding the album's short comings, disclaimers will only take you so far. You're only as real as people perceive you to be.
Nigel Hall, Robert Randolph, and the Soulive crew staged one of the most impressive performances we've seen this far in 2011. Taking place in one of the cities best venues, Brooklyn Bowl, the funk/jazz/hip hop band thoroughly electrified the sold out crowd. For anyone that is in the NY metro region on Wednesday, March 9th, Soulive will be performing with The London Keys at Brooklyn Bowl, doors open at 7....tickets are expected to sell out again....come through, sip on a Brooklyn Blast Brew, and vibe to Soulive!
Better known for his work with OFWGKTA (ODD FUTURE), the cali-based Producer/MC is set to put out his 2nd studio album entitled "Goblin." Dig the originality....
