Akonixx - Broken [Directed by Abiola Are]
It seems like more and more these days rappers are opening up about their mental health. What was once a taboo subject has become a go to topic for the newest generation of MCs. In the video for "Broken", the lead single from South Side rapper Akonixx's latest project Torn, Akonixx brings us into his head to examine what's going on.
The opening is set in a therapist's office and in the very begining he offhandedly admits to suicidal thoughts. His casual approach to his mental health is a signature thoughout Torn. The video has some serious Get Out vibes with Akonixx running away from a masked figure but theres a twist...
https://youtu.be/plq-9F0EIgs
[RH Premiere] Vince Verza - The Cove
"The Cove", by Long Island MC & Columbia College student Vince Verza, is a smooth laid back track that showcases the 19 year old lyricist's buttery delivery. The track is an ode to his town's beachside spot where his friends would gather to pass the time, bump music, and make memories. Inspired by past MCs such as A Tribe Called Quest, as well as contemporaries such as Joey Badass and Pro Era, Verza brings his east coast influences to the windy city.
"The spot the cove was where me and all the homie’s would meet up, post up, smoke and contemplate, it was always peaceful and inspiring being in that nature preserve, the spot is known by everyone in my town as the outdoor party spot, for me it was that but it was also more than that... a place that I think of when I get nostalgic and miss home."
Words by Alexy
[RH Premiere] Lifeafteryouth - Emptied Out
Lifeafteryouth connects with Lil Ill on his new single "Emptied Out". The New England natives, who actually met via SoundCloud, have been working on some jams.
When asking Lifeafteryouth about his new single he stated, "It's just a casual summertime punk rock joint about how hard it is to try to put your life together while you've got all these issues on your plate."
Fans should be expecting a new single from Lifeafteryouth each month until he finishes an EP.
Na$im Williams + SiSi Dior -Highway (Feat. ShowYouSuck & K'Valentine)
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Back and rejuvenated for 2018, RH is proud to premiere the energetic single "Highway", Produced by Na$im Williams & Frtyz and performed by SiSi Dior, ShowYouSuck, & K'Valentine. Stream the song above and check out what Na$im and Sisi have in store for 2018 with our exclusive interview below:
Alexy: “Have you ever awoken from a nightmare to realize you are not awake” is a very gripping start to a song, what was the purpose behind that phrase?
SiSi: It’s a couple meanings behind that phrase. I’ve always been plagued by night terrors and sleep paralysis when i wake up from my nightmare I’m still frozen in fear though I’m in my room i can’t move I’m still not fully awake. The other meaning behind the phrase is it’s a part of my project Twighlight Zone I came up with Twighlight Zone because i feel like I’m living in another dimension it’s like my worlds been flipped upside down and I’m just living through it.
SiSi: I’m always listening to a variety of music I love this Band “Tycho” I ran into this one track and was like i need Na$im to sample this i hit him up and he & my other Producer Frytz worked together to make a masterpiece. Then i hit up a couple of my friends ShowYouSuck & K’valentine they completed the record and the rest is history.
Alexy: What are your plans following the single? Is there a project in the works?
Na$im: This is my first release since January 2017. I put out a track featuring my artists from Harlem and Cam'ron. During this past year, I have had the chance to work on so many more records and better understand what I am good at as a composer; my team and I did a lot of studying. SiSi and I are releasing a project in February called "Twlight Zone". We are also releasing the B side later this year. We landed some pretty cool features on these EPs. SiSi is really going to leave her mark this year. I'm better than ever too!
SiSi: I’m planning on dropping my Ep Twighlight Zone late February. I also have another project in the works with Showyousuck set to drop soon.
Alexy: What are you trying to get across with this new project?
Na$im: We just really want our supporters and the music world to know we are here to stay. SiSi and I have only advanced ever since we teamed up. We are confident in our abilities as musicians and our new marketing plans. We've been working with a small yet dedicated team. The work will definitely show.
SiSi: I just want people to understand who I am I want the audience to live in my shoes. Everything is not always as glamorous as I️t may seem. I want to be respected for my Craft and showcase my talent in another light. New sounds New wave.
[Premiere] Joz - Parties
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Raised in Minnesota, Joz (pronounced Josie), is a singer/songwriter now based in Chicago. Her music is airy and emotional. Candid and vulnerable. She is gearing up to release her debut EP "Blue Line" and has begun the process with her first single "Parties". "Parties" is a soft touching piece that touches on how different folks go about approaching social events. Some get energy from being around people, others are drained by the experience. The song is honest and refreshing, flipping the paradigm of the celebration record and making it a vehicle for introspection. Read our short Q&A below and get to know the up and coming songstress.
Q: Where are you from, how did you end up in Chicago?
I’m from Minnesota, Midway area in the twin cities and I moved here last year for my freshman year of college to go to art school. I plan on living in Chicago for another year or so whether I’m in school or not. I feel like a fresh version of myself in Chicago, it just feels right to be living here at this time in my life. There are always bigger and newer cities I may live in at some point but I don’t think they need me yet. I’ve made so many important and loving relationships here already that I’m certain it’s a place I can progress and expand in, especially in music.
Q: What was the message behind your record "Parties" ?
“Parties” is a song about not liking parties essentially. Just being someone who doesn't get their energy from being surrounded by others but at the same time still likes to show up, and show face. I like to go out and have fun for sure, but if I end up around a bogus crowd, I immediately think, “I should’ve stayed home”. “Parties” is also about having someone to pop out with who is your comfort because neither of you really like to be too social or around that many people. Someone who's going to listen and you know your time isn't being wasted when you're with them.
Q: Tell us about your upcoming EP. What is the purpose behind it?
Blue Line is my first ever EP, my first project really. It’s something I've been just building and creating since last spring in my dorm room. Everything on this EP was made within my room, I wrote all of the songs, produced, recorded and mixed them as well. A lot of the producing took place in Chicago and then the recording took place over a month in Minnesota, writing happened all throughout. That’s kind of the reason it’s called Blue Line because I used to take the blue line train in Minneapolis and now I live off of the blue line here in Chicago in my first apartment. A couple friends of mine classified this EP as “bedroom/lo-fi/pop”. Really chill stuff that makes you think. I’m really excited, proud and just curious to see how people react to something that was purely made out of my feelings about relationships and being aware of yourself as well as the environments that we put ourselves in.
[RH Premiere] Auggie the 9th: "#GAWS"
Auggie the 9th has been working on #GAWS for quite some time. Before last year's People's Court Complete was a glimmer in young Augustus' eye, the seeds were already planted for the LOD rapper to flip swag around. After an extended wait in which Auggie took his time to ensure the project was exactly the way he wanted, the day has come to enter the world of #GAWS. Take everything you might know about Auggie the 9th and throw it out the window - #GAWS is but a flash into his crowded mind full of anime, twerking asses, and homies on homies.
Every second, every rhyme, every beat was pored and obsessed over by a high top fade-sized fine toothed comb. Will you get lost amidst the Naruto, Tekken, Doug, Abe's Oddysee, and countless other references? Probably, but that's not to say you won't be entertained and dive right into #GAWS. For the rest of you that will catch on to all of these references, a hidden truth behind #GAWS is revealed: Underneath the hair, behind the jean jackets and the tattoos, is a geek exactly like you. In saying that, #GAWS is Auggie the 9th's most personal release to date.
As I previously said, #GAWS is unlike any hip hop album you've heard this year. The beats aren't of typical hip hop fare, mixing in experimental loops, keys, and drums. The album's influences are more in line with alternative hip hop and post-hardcore than traditional hip hop. Animuse's Savier's production serves as #GAWS' backbone with assistance from Na$im Williams, E.N.O.N., Clark Parker, Zip, and LOD cohort Nick Astro. The songs have an aggressive edge to them, whether due to a song's beats or Auggie's post-hardcore-esque yelps and snarls that's carried across the album's entirety. Auggie's not an aggressive rapper, per se, but the choice to scream certain lines just fits the proper tonal attitude he wants to convey. This may turn some people off, especially considering his previous twerk-heavy releases. However, that's not to say that there aren't a few booty bumpers on #GAWS, the best of which is hidden on the album's outro. Joining Auggie on the mic are LOD brothers Elee Eck$, Blakkass Westley, ShowYouSuck, and Cadillac Duke, Loona Dae, Franky4Fingaz, and our own angelic-voiced Brynn Bixby.
#GAWS as a whole isn't just a musical reflection of Auggie the 9th's current interests, but also a deeper introduction to his other artistic talents, demonstrated by the #GAWS cover collaborations with MattBoyWhite (JAWS-inspired cover), Stefan Klapko (Madvillainy-inspired cover), and The Kao (Akira-inspired cover). Auggie wants listeners to feel a closer connection to the things that interest him, and the "Choose Your Cover" element is a part of this.
I hope you enjoy #GAWS as much as we have. It's been in the works for a long, long time, and the wait has been completely worth it. Enough of the words and exposition - Ruby Hornet would like to formally present to you Auggie The 9th's #GAWS:
[RH Video Premiere] Netherfriends 8/20 Bust
Photo by Geoff Henao
Earlier this month, Netherfriends set out to make Kind of Buzzed, vol. 6 as special as it could be, and what's more special than recording in front of a live audience on top of a rooftop in Chicago at sunset? Unfortunately, like all fun things in Chicago, the cops came and busted the party. Netherfriends, however, was able to record a few beats where he chopped up Coltrane's "A Love Supreme" before we were forced to leave. My good friend FragD Films was also able to shoot some footage of the shortened set, resulting in the "Netherfriends 8/20 Bust" video that you can watch below.
Recording for Kind of Buzzed, vol. 6 Round 2 has been rescheduled to take place at Cafe Mustache on September 6th. Details for the night can be found on Facebook. The recording will follow a listening party of Kind of Buzzed, vol. 3, as well.
http://youtu.be/JL2o45vIF-s
[RH Premiere] whysowhite: "Live At The Firehouse"
Live at The Fire House, is the latest release from the highly eclectic seven piece band, whysowhite. The group spans four states, multiple genres and a smattering of haircuts and fashion styles that keeps fans guessing. In a congested market like Chicago it can be very hard for a band to differentiate themselves but whysowhite is easily one of the most fun acts coming out of the city right now. Live At The Fire House was recorded exclusively at the group's home, a converted Fire House (Engine co. 86). The firehouse was built in 1898 and is the last free-standing wooden firehouse in Chicago's North Center where whysowhite writes, rehearses, records, and lives. The album was recorded there on April 6th, 2013 and features many of the songs on their self-titled debut, self-titled album, two new songs, and a cover of Common's "The Light" for which there is a video below. They perform tonight at Township to celebrate the release with Pinegrove and Treehaus, tickets available here.
http://youtu.be/pY-qvMTcu-M