Listen To Phoelix's new jam "Drip"
I was on a massive cruise ship with Phoelix one time, out in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, watching Gallant and drinking alcohol. It was fucking amazing. But that's irrelevant right now.
What is relevant is Phoelix's new joint, "Drip", which is equal parts crunchy and raunchy. The vocals are dirty both in delivery and subject matter, and both work out well for one of the Chicago music scene's most versatile contributors. Peep the new one below.
Nipsey Hussle drops gems on "Dedication" featuring Kendrick Lamar
"Know he a genius, he just can't claim it, cause they left him no platforms to explain it."
Nipsey Hussle's new LP, Victory Lap, drops on February 16th. Ahead of the LP drop, he gives us "Dedication" featuring Kendrick Lamar. To fully hear everything presented takes multiple listens, as Nipsey and Kendrick both touch on their personal dedication to success, while under micro and macro structures of stress from institutionalized racism, gang and turf wars, music business practices, and even getting new shoes in exchange for good grades.
I use Nipsey Hussle's Proud 2 Pay campaign in all of my music business classes, and it's great to see him rebound and shine like this after being written off as a bust in some circles. This song is heavy, peep it below. Purchase it here.
Hear An Uncovered Malcolm London + Kweku Collins Track on the LTAB 2018 Mixtape
"Always bout my bills, no Bill Cosby."
The only things certain are death and taxes. Just below that are other things we can begin to count on every year, the LTAB mixtape has become one of those things. For the last few years, Young Chicago Authors, has put together a free mixtape to coincide with their annual youth poetry slam, Louder Than A Bomb. This year's mixtape includes an almost overwhelming 26 tracks from familiar as well as unfamiliar names ranging from Femdot and Matt Muse to Aeon Moore and Loona Dae. Also included is an uncovered collaboration from Malcolm London and Kweku Collins.
I do remember Malcolm and Kweku recording this in the Closed Sessions C-Room, I believe it was very close to the time Kweku started coming around. I don't really remember much outside of that, and honestly totally forgot about this song. This is actually the first time I've heard it, and I fucking dig it.
Outside of the song's quality, it's just dope to see this record come to life via the LTAB mixtape. Good mixtapes include rarities and b-sides, and YCA is keeping that spirit alive. Peep the full mixtape below, you might just find a new favorite.
Kembe X Returns with Fierce "Goofass"
"It's plain to see there's a void under your fitted caps."
Kembe X's talent has never been a question. Since his debut Self-Rule in 2012, Kembe X has turned in great on-record performances, as well as thought provoking lyrics and story-telling. I think what puzzles fans the most, is the lack of consistent new material. I was looking on social media after Kembe X dropped his latest record, "Goofass" and many of the tweeters remarked something to the extent of "Kembe's back" or "Kembe returns".... While some artists "return", others never leave by releasing new content with regularity (music, videos, other forms of content). I'm not saying one is better than the other, but I do think that Kembe is much better than his status would indicate. His skills are on full display here, both in the bars he delivers as well as the way in which he delivers them.
This is a strong fucking record right here. Enjoy it. I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one.
Ruby Hornet Weekly Playlist Volume 1
We want to highlight the best songs of the week since good music deserves a spotlight, so we compiled our favorite Soundcloud gems into one place, get in tune.
1. Ravyn Lenae - Computer Luv Feat. Steve Lacy
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Arguably the most talented vocalist in Chicago, this EP is purer than uncut Bolivian coke, this track especially stood out.
2. Qari - Since I was 17
Qari is back at it with his trademark casual delivery and hard hitting bars.
3. jdnhnt - Passing Time
A fantastic song for a hangover on a Sunday. Trust me on this.
4. Aso - Dreamer
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Mellow old school drum vibes intertwined with a fantastic melody.
5. LUNXCH - Breathe
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An introspective relaxed flow paired perfectly with a even keeled beat.
6. Tobi Lou - Solange
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Energetic sing-song rapping with fantastic mixing and vibrant production.
7. Ciscero - Function Feat. Goldlink, April George, Cheakity
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A lyrical mid-tempo track that keeps the head nodding is always going to have a home here on RH.
8. Pluto Nash - Wanna Know
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A fucking banger. Plain and simple.
9. Thelonious Martin - Diamond
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off his mellow new beat tape in honor of J. Dilla this was a cut that stood out.
10. Musa Reems - Let Em' Know
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A manic flow + bars on bars + a haywire beat = Let Em' Know.
Bars! Listen to Seven1's "The Only One"
"Told my momma, 'fuck school, I got a plan bigger'/ she said, 'you're ass grown, you make your own dinner.'
Come get these bars... Seven1 was someone who caught my attention my first time around on rubyhornet with his poignant and menacing take on the violence impacting Chicago. In my time away, Seven has continued making music and he's releasing a new album on March 9th, From EastSide With Love. Today he sent over the album's intro, the fierce and haunting, "The Holy One". This is a great intro track, which is an art in itself. This pure rhymes, no hook, just bar after bar, painting a picture of who Seven is, where he comes from and what we may expect on the project.
C-Sick produced the beat, and C-Sick is always on point. He's one of my favorite producers and just a good dude. Listen to Seven's track below, and get the rewind button ready.
RH In The Studio With: Ajani Jones
When I started rubyhornet damn near 10 years ago, one of the biggest things for me and Virgil was being the studio with artists. Just the idea of “the studio” was a magic place, something like behind the curtain of the Wizard of Oz. I remember those early days fondly of being in the studio with artists like Naledge, GLC, Mikkey Halsted, Rhymefest and many others. The studio is where Closed Sessions launched, where I first met a 15 year-old Vic Mensa, and got to watch a hero like Raekwon breakdown his approach to music. I think back on that time, my early and mid-twenties, running around like a kid in the candy store. I had a flip cam, and would just hit record. One of my favorite articles on RH were the in-studio pieces where artists would share their creative process and their new work. Since I’m back at rubyhornet, we want to get back to some of our strengths, and the In The Studio articles are at the top of the list.
For this edition, Cooper Fox hung out with Ajani Jones at SoundScape Studio. He talked to Ajani about his new music, life since he released Eternal Bliss last year, and got a glimpse of new music to come. Check out the piece below, and look for more of these on the regular.
RubyHornet: What are you working on today?
Ajani Jones: Today I’m working on "Bloom", a song I did with my Manager (Alexy), and (Netherlands-based producer) Pim. And it’s going on a project called Cocoons.
When going into these sessions are you looking to build towards a project or just recording songs and figuring it afterwards?
Ajani Jones: I usually come up with a concept before I start a project. I like to have a genuine message behind what I’m doing, so when I get into it it’s not just music. There’s something behind it. Cocoons is an EP, and I have an LP I’m also doing after. They tie together, this one’s called Cocoons and the other one’s called Dragonfly. I have a third one, which I’m still working on. It’s basically all symbolizing growth, growth as an artist, growth as a human being. And having fun and being happy in life.
RubyHornet: What would you consider your ideal situation going into a session?
Ajani Jones: I don’t produce. I like to be with a producer. Usually it’s Banks The Genius or Boathouse. Both of them I can make a song with in 20 minutes. The vibe is, they start working and I let them do them. If there’s something I don’t like, I’ll say it, but for the most part I let them inspire me and I’ll go from there. I put down my ideas and it’s usually just we’re working together to complete the record.
RubyHornet: Do you usually come into them with a game plan?
Ajani Jones: It’s definitely off the cuff, they’ll play some shit and I’ll be like 'fire, lets run it.' And that’s what I do, it’s just good vibes everywhere.
RubyHornet: What’s been going on since putting out your last project Eternal Bliss?
Ajani Jones: The game plan after that was to push it, work on making a better sound than we made before and bettering our situation. And we did that. We now have the resources to work as much as we want, and be more creative and have the quality there as well. That was the plan and now it’s about delivering and letting everything come together.
[RH Photos] January, 2018 by Cooper Fox
A freezing cold January meant either bundling up outside or staying warm in the studio. Here are Cooper Fox's favorite pics from the month of just that.
