DJ SuchNSuch: "Negro League"
DJ SuchNSuch hit us up less than a month ago with his Numbers For November EP, but the producer is still working and today he releases a new instrumental entitled "Negro League". It would be very interesting to see someone try to jump on it and rap a couple of bars over it.
Frank Leone: Death From Above (Prod. Gudina)
Frank Leone is back with a new track and a dope anouncement as he unleashes "Death From Above", the first single from his collaborative 'tape with L.A. producer Gudina. Frank's laid-back vocals and the incorporation of live instrumentation by Gudina make is a very smooth joint to vibe to. Basement Therapy is set to drop around the first quarter of 2013 and will feature guest-appearances by the likes of Malcolm London, Martin $ky, The GTW, and more. If you haven't yet, listen to Frank's debut Deep Ocean
Apollo Brown x Guilty Simpson: "Parkour"
In Detroit there is Big Sean... and there is Guilty Simpson. For many reasons both emcees do a good job each representing the sentiments of Detroit, but let's just say Guilty & Apollo Brown have found the holy grail. Whenever these two link, they emit nothing but the blue collar attitude that swerve's in and out of D-town. Hit the jump for today's offering "Parkour" a bonus track from their recent collab effort Dice Game.
[Interview] DJ Shadow: Roots Music
For many artists, the thoughts of a greatest hits or best of compilation signifies a level of achievement and comfort. And rightfully so. When you compare the number of artists that release music and the ones that even get close to being able to drop a comprehensive collection, the ratio is slim. DJ Shadow just joined those ranks. Five albums deep, plus collaborative albums with Cut Chemist and James Lavelle, Shadow has a catalog worthy of definition. And that's exactly how Shadow views his recently released Reconstructed, which dropped in September of 2012. "Well, it's hard for me to call this 'greatest hits' cause I don't make hits," Shadow joked during our interview on my Closed Sessions Radio show. "Best of is probably a better phrase," he said.
The new release serves many purposes for Shadow, who still see himself as an artist balancing a loyal fan base with the desire to continually pick up new fans and casual listeners who may be discovering his groundbreaking debut, Entroducing, for the very first time.
"For me it serves two purposes," he told me. "One is to hopefully expose people to more of my music, but secondarily to kind of put a marker in the ground to define this 20 year period of what I was up to. I don't want to necessarily be exploring the same themes or trying to hold a lot of cohesion from record to record going forward. I'm proud of the body of work that the 'best of' represents, and I felt like it was a good time to do it."
Hit the next page to hear and read my full interview with DJ Shadow in which he explains why Reconstructed has allowed him to return to his roots, how digging for records has drastically changed, and why he fights to avoid being comfortable.
[Video] Nardwuar Interviews Flying Lotus
I'm not sure how I feel about Nardwuar at this point in time. After Sean Price transformed into Seanwuar to interview Pharoahe Monch, I think I may be "wuared" out. Nonetheless, the Vancouver, BC native is still at it, this time linking with Cali producer Flying Lotus. Having recently put out another amazing LP, met with the the human serviette to discuss a range of things including his Grandmothers relationship with Motown, and a bevy of musical connections Lotus holds with artists across the industry. Hit the jump to watch it.
King L Announces Next Single "Drugs" Featuring Pusha T and Juicy J
King Louie has announced the second single from his upcoming Dope & Shrimp LP is titled "Drugs," will feature Pusha T & Juicy J and is produced by Yung Berg. I think that lineup and track title go together like white on rice, and I have a craving for rice. On Saturday Louie performed at the Rockie Fresh concert at the Metro, and definitely had one of the most hype moments of the whole night, when he performed the LP's first single, Val Venis. Looking like the labels have decided Louie's on deck. Hit the jump to peep his recent performance at the Fader Fort in NYC.
[Album] Closed Sessions Vol. 2
Closed Sessions Vol. 2 was recorded from May, 2010 through January, 2012 and features a collection of artists that help to shape Hip Hop music and culture during that time period. Closed Sessions Vol. 2 presents Hip Hop fans with new music, as well as a candid look into the creative process of many talented artists. We're happy to release this full album today as a free download. Download the album below. Enjoy it. Share it. Tell a friend to tell a friend. And look for more releases from Closed Sessions coming soon. If you're in Chicago, come to our release party tonight at Reggie's Rock Club on their rooftop deck. We'll have free wings, DJs Manny Muscles and YungGroupon, plus some physical copies.
Thank you to everyone that participated in this album and documentary series, and everyone that has supported it. Special thank you to Tony Shane.
[DIRECT DOWNLOAD] Closed Sessions Vol. 2| Alt download via sharebeast
Watch All The Documentaries HERE
Live From Fader Fort By FIAT
The Fader Fort By FIAT was a highlight of SXSW yet again in 2011. The Fort was curated with art, fashion, and music, all taking the pages of The Fader offline and off print and into physical spaces and sounds. Rather than posting each video separately, here is a compiled and comprehensive collection of performance videos from Fader Fort performers including Lil' B, The Cool Kids, Yealwolf, Tor Y Moi, and many more.