[First Look] Kitty Cash
Photography By Julian Schratter
Over the past year and a half or so there has been a hip-hop resurgence in New York City that has had many, including Hot97's Peter Rosenberg, calling it a "Renaissance of Hip-hop". Then sentiment isn't just because of the music, which has spilled from the city's streets for generation, but rather the re-incarnation of hip-hop culture in society on a real level. Perhaps no one else in the scene embodies that realness as much as Brooklyn native, Kitty Cash, who firmly established herself with an eclectic, thought-out 19-track mixtape, Love The Free, which dropped just before the new year. The project featured a smattering of original tracks from an assortment of artists from across the country, including the like of Vic Mensa, Kilo Kish, Phony PPL, Jesse Boykins, The GTW, Jean Deaux, Justin Rose and more. It's a fun project that calls to mind different aspects of growing up through the 90s and early 2000s, as the newly-minted 25-year-old can attest to. The official DJ for Kilo Kish, who provides the introduction to Love The Free, Kitty Cash has been able to observe things from behind the scenes a bit, and used those experiences to put together the debut release. I had the chance to catch up with Kitty Cash just after the new year as she was preparing for her birthday and thinking about what's next, read it all here.
[Album] Kitty Cash: "Love The Free"
Kitty Cash built a name for herself among the New York scene as DJ for Kilo Kish. With a steady buzz secured, Kitty dropped her debut project, Love The Free, a fitting title for a mixtape that boasts a rising class of young, talented producers and artists alike. Love The Free features unreleased work from the likes of Vic Mensa, Childish Major, Phony Ppl, Michael Uzowuru, Jesse Boykins III, The GTW, The Internet, MeLo-X and Justin Rose for a collection of tracks that is at once experimental and rooted in the past, a truly eclectic blend of artists pushing contemporary music. According to her, the project is an "ode to friendship, freedom, rebellion, and finding oneself". With this as her debut, expect plenty more to come from NYC's Kitty Cash soon. Check out the full project, streaming below.
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[Event] Closed Sessions Live: A Tribute to Independence
This weekend, our homies at Closed Sessions have teamed up with 1833 Presents for a 2-day event, collectively known as "Closed Sessions Live: A Tribute to Independence." Day 1 on this upcoming Saturday, "Closed Sessions Live - On Our Radar," features Saba, Joey Purp, Lili K, Chandler London, The Palmer Squares, and some unannounced special guests. Day 2 on Sunday features Phony Ppl, Vic Mensa, Alex Wiley, and The O'Mys. Both shows will be taking place at Schuba's at 3159 N. Southport Ave. Discounted 2-day passes are still on sale, so be sure to visit the 1833 Presents page to cop some. I can guarantee that you won't find a better way to celebrate America this weekend.
1833 & Closed Sessions Present
A Tribute to Independence
**A Weekend Event**
DAY 1
Closed Sessions Live - On Our Radar ft.
SABA
JOEY PURP
LILI K.
CHANDLER LONDON
THE PALMER SQUARES
& Special Guests
Hosted by Kevin Coval
Saturday July 6th
Doors at 10:00PM | 18+
DAY 2
Closed Sessions Live ft.
PHONY PPL
With Special Performance by
VIC MENSA
Along with
THE O'MYS
ALEX WILEY
Sunday July 7
Doors at 6:30PM | All Ages
**LIMITED DISCOUNTED 2 DAY PASSES AVAILABLE**
Supported By
Villa
JUGRNAUT
SOUNDSCAPE STUDIOS
[Video] Phony Ppl: "Statues"
Fresh off a holiday collaboration with Kid These Days, Brooklyn's own Phony Ppl have released a video for the song "Statues" too much fanfare and big co-signs. The band has been making major moves ever since the release of the nothinG special EP and in this visual --which was directed by Sandlot.tv's Sperry--we get an inside look into their day-to-day as they chill around for a bit, rehearse and finally hit up a show to perform. Make sure to watch the video below and see if you're able to catch a cameo appearance by Chance The Rapper. Do you still not have nothinG special.?
[youtube id="sBMk9BppEUI"]
Kids These Days x Phony Ppl: "Mary Christmas"
These are likely to two most talented rising young bands the U.S.A has to offer, and what a better time than the holidays to link up & create with friends. The track was recorded last week while Nico & Vic where in NYC, and wrapped with a verse from Elbee Thrie X-mas morning. We need more of this & I assume they agree. "Merry Christmas." Spark.