[Free Album] Rockboy K9: #EPICJanuary
Rockboy K9 brings us his new album, #EPICJanuary. The new album was recorded heavily in LA and includes features from BJ The Chicago Kid, MPulse, and Rockboy Bam. There are a lot of solid joints on this project. Hit play and dig in below.
[Interview] Julian Malone: Embrace The Different
Somebody asked me at the studio yesterday, 'what sets Julian Malone and the 2008ighties apart from other artists and crews in the city?" After a long day of meetings and decisions my brain hurt and I think I said something about Malone's sound, the way he's able to merge the past and the present, as well as the crew's approach to being themselves. With a little bit more time to think, and the peace and quiet of my apartment, I realized the that what really sets Julian Malone apart is found in the opening lines of "Goodbye To Dreaming". The dark and bare record is the first track found on Malone's 2012 release, Enemy: The Time & Loves of Malone. "I put my heart and my soul, and everything in between into this shit," Malone says, welcoming listeners into his album and his world.
While many artists, and any artist worth their salt, share Malone's amount of effort, they don't all show it in the same way. Malone lets you know how hard he works, and how bad he wants it on every track. Opening up on records has always been part of Malone's style, since he began making music as a way to cope with life happening around him. "My music was the diary to my life," he says, reflecting on Enemy's most personal records. A little older and a little more stable, Malone has a slightly different take on wearing his heart so heavy on his sleeve.
"Now I'm kind of calming down on it because my life isn't really that bad anymore," he told me shortly before announcing a deal with Stones Throw Records. "Things changed a lot. And then also, just getting a little older, I know there's some stuff better left unsaid or just said privately. I'm still keeping the realness. When there's something I want to say, I'm still going to say it."
While we've known about Julian since 2011, it's now that many others are starting to catch on. Aside from the Stones Throw affiliation, Malone was also recognized by the Chicago Tribune as one of 13 artists to watch in 2013. On February 23rd, Malone will perform at Digital Freshness, opening up for Roc Marciano. In lieu of his performance, we talked to Malone about his new project Diff.Rnt, his personal growth, and much more. Read the full interview on the next page.
Phero: "IV"
"Lovers become strangers, wipe the dust off."
Today we part "IV" of Phero's 5 single project, Five Columns. The new installment sees Phero detail a rocky relationship from both male and female perspectives. The production comes courtesy of The Boomjacks. Listen and download below. This one is dope and Phero is a solid emcee I look forward to hearing more from.
eGo: "Lil' Heaux"
Here's a new record from eGo as we wait for his new mixtape, Vicodin: The Prescription. eGo uses this space to address criticisms that he sounds like some other Chicago emcees, and prove that he needs no hooks. This is not going to be on the mixtape, but is still very solid.
Esohel: "Fxck King Problem"
Esohel follows up On Purpose With A Purpose by dropping this fun and quick remake of A$AP Rocky's "Fucking Problem". Just for the fuck of it and just in time for Valentine's Day. Peep it below.
[RH Premiere] Naledge: "Life In A Corona" feat Mikkey Halsted
"Had a couple tribulations, this my new beginning."
About a month ago, I got an email from Naledge with a subject line, "Listen to this immediately. Want Thoughts." I've known Naledge longer than I can remember, and more than long enough to know that his best music usually comes to me via emails with subject titles just like that one. After listening to "Life In A Corona", which features smooth production from Thelonious Martin and a dope-as-usual verse from Mikkey Halsted, my only thoughts were that Naledge had found his zone. The record is introspective and thought-provoking, with Naledge sharing details about grad school, being a parent, and making meaningful music. Set over Thelonious Martin's soulful and sunny production, "Life In A Corona" is a record that everyday people can relate to. Those are the records where Naledge shines the most, and this one is no exception.
After sending Naledge my feedback, he told me that "Life In A Corona" is the first single off his new mixtape, Brain Power, and that his comfort level is at a great spot. The mixtape will come out on March 20th with Mick Boogie and if all the songs are as solid as this one, this tape could be something special.
PIVOT Gang: "SuperPIVOT"
"Head starts nodding, naughty by nature, beats get bodied, pardon my nature."
Chicago's PIVOT Gang is back with another solid posse cut. "SuperPIVOT" lives up to its name through clever punchlines and melodies, and the fact that each member sounds unique. Peep the new track below.
[Video] Murs and Fashawn: "64 Impala"
Murs and Fashawn on a mission for dollars in the new video for "64 Impala". This is off their 2012 collaborative release, This Generation. Watch the new video below, and look for Fashawn and Murs to hit Abbey Pub 3/1. Peep the video below.