[RH Photos] Brisk Bodega Presents: Dj Mustard, Do Or Die and More at Double Door (7/12/2014)
Photos by AngieStar Photo
This summer, Brisk is partnering with Noisey, VICE’s music channel, to bring the Brisk Bodega, a live music party experience to 6 cities across the US. Just this past weekend, Brisk Bodega Chicago featured Dj Mustard, Do Or Die, Tree, and Dj Moondawg at Double Door, and the night was a hit. The venue was comfortably crowded, full with good vibes, and non-stop dancing or head bopping from start to finish. The complimentary Brisk cocktails made it even better.
In case you haven't heard of all the artists featured, you will definitely hear their names more in the near future. Headlining all Brisk Bodega shows is DJ Mustard, an LA native, who is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after producers in the music business. Some of the most recent songs he has produced include chart-topping hits like 2 Chainz ("I'm Different"), Young Jeezy ("R.I.P.") and Tyga ("Rack City"). Complex has also taken note, naming him one of their "25 New Producers To Watch Out For", sequentially, he signed with Roc Nation late last year. Mustard ended the night at Double Door, playing all his smash hits to date, and leaving everyone wanting more.
Amongst Chicago's exclusive featured artists for Brisk Bodega were Do Or Die, the west side rap trio, consisting of group members Belo Zero, N.A.R.D. and AK-47. The trio has sold more than 3 million albums worldwide, topping charts in the 1990's and the 2000's, and are set to release a new album by the end of the year. Performing tracks like "Po Pimp", "Playa Like Me and You", and "Do You", kept the crowd reminiscent and proud of their distinct home town sound.
One of the newer faces to perform that evening was Tree, a producer, rapper stemming from the city's notorious Cabrini Green projects. He brought to the stage Chris Crack and the New Deal Crew, partners in the Soul Trap movement, and kept the vibe live and energetic for the whole set. All members involved are rising to be major trendsetters for the Chicago Hip-Hop scene.
Lastly, we can't forget to mention Dj Moondawg, one of the country’s premier DJs, responsible for discovering, breaking, and supporting Chicago artists Chief Keef (Interscope), Lil Durk & Lil Reese (Def Jam), King Louie (Epic), and YP (Universal) on his radio show with WGCI. He kicked off the night's pulsing energy with non-stop bangers, and proved to be a key player to night's success.
I was able to get exclusive full media/ stage access, and got to experience each performer's great energy from beginning to end. Check out some of our favorite shots below and be sure to check out more here. Brisk Bodega is headed to hit New York City on July 18th. If you're in the area, do yourself a favor and RSVP for NYC here.
[Video] Tree: "Like Whoa"
Chicago's own MC Tree has been busy as hell lately. The creator of the sub-genre known as "Soul Trap" teamed up with Scion last month to drop the seven song @MCTREEG EP, yesterday dropped, "More Than You Know" a gem that he'd been sitting on for a minute via Closed Sessions and today, the raspy-voiced producer/rapper returns with a fresh visual for his track, "Like Whoa" off the @MCTREEG EP. The video is shot in Tree's hometown and follows him as he crisscrosses the city in the dark days of winter as he continues a smart relationship with Scion AV. Check out the full video for "Like Whoa" below.
[youtube id="Dxuu9MSGY7A"]
[Mixtape] Tree: "@MCTREE_G EP"
Chicago's own MC Tree decided to christen 2014 with some fresh Soul Trap by surprise today, releasing the seven song @MCTREE_G EP earlier today on the Internet. The 29-year-old artist continues to carve his own niche within the ever-more dense local scene with his crafty sample chops and raspy spitting that reflects Tree's everyman spirit. @MCTREE_G EP, aside from being one of the best Twitter promotions in recent memory, is the latest release from Tree since 2013's Sunday School 2. It's not everyday that someone comes along with a uniquely different sound that can be appreciated from so many angles. With a Pitchfork performance and co-signs from MTV, among others, expect plenty more to come from Tree throughout this year.
[Video] "Devotion" A Tree Documentary by Closed Sessions
Photo by Virgil Solis
Closed Sessions has always made its name by blending hip-hop with documentary-style video. No one does it better than Andrew Zeiter, responsible for most of the original CS videos over the years. The Tree documentary was shot around Pitchfork Music Festival July 21-23 in Union Park in Chicago where Tree performed for the first time earlier this summer. Closed Sessions has always teamed up with talented local artists, collaborations with the Soul Trap innovator have been well done and the latest coming out of Soundscape Studios is no different. Check out the full video below.
http://youtu.be/vw7cpLCoC1Q
[Video] MC Tree G Live @ Pitchfork Music Fest
photo by Virgil Solis
MC Tree G's path to rocking the stage at Pitchfork Fest this past weekend was paved by his life experiences, two superb Sunday School tapes and his Soul Trap production that took people off-guard by its raw and street-oriented yet soulful sound. Tree definitely seemed to grasp the moment and enjoyed the fruition of his work as he performed at Union Park with a smile on his face and a positive energy that transmitted onto those who were lucky enough to catch his set. Unfortunately, I wasn't part of that group of people and will have to settle with these two new videos Pitchfork uploaded of Tree performing "The King" & "Devotion", which are able to capture some of the aura surrounding the set, although it probably isn't anything compared to the real thing. Luckily for those who are in the same predicament as me, Tree has a show in The Shrine on August 3rd and it's free if RSVP here!