BBU's UNKL EPIC Launches New Project with "Fight Back" (prod by Alo)
"mind on vegan, pockets on White Castle, embrace my contradictions cause my truth is who I battle."
For those of you under 25, the name BBU might not ring any bells, but for those that have been following rubyhornet and/or the Chicago Hip Hop scene since 2010, BBU holds a special place. The trio made revolutionary music that you could dance to, combining elements of Hip Hop, Chicago House Music, and social justice to create a couple underground anthems - most famously "Chi Don't Dance".
The band officially announced their break up in 2012 (read Leor Galil's chillingly-prophetic post on election day 2012). While they have hinted at a return here and there, nothing has come to fruition. The summer of 2018 might not feature a full-swing BBU reunion, but we will get some of their flavor as one third of the group, UNKL EPIC has announced a new album, Pot Liquor with veteran producer/DJ, Alo.
The first cut from the LP takes elements from BBU's legacy and usher them fully into the now. EPIC brings a social justice chant on top of a neck-breaking beat from Alo. Listen below. Can't wait to hear this full project.
https://youtu.be/zUTch34DEbs
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
Vic Mensa Shares Revealing "10K" Problems
#10kProblems just how I’m feelinghttps://t.co/R89kVeWcms RT
— vino valentino (@VicMensa) June 29, 2018
Just days after his LA Leakers freestyle, Vic Mensa has released a new song, "10K Problems". The track, which appeared shortly ago on soundcloud, is a bare-your-soul style record, and ends very dark with Vic imagining sitting in first class with a plane going down. Vic has worn his heart on his sleeve throughout his music career, and also carries the weight of deep concern for social issues and social justice on his soul.
On "10K Problems", Vic shares his struggle with staying sober, pressures from the music industry, friends double-crossing him, relationships, and his father's health. This one gets deep. I hope that putting it all out in the music has served as some kind of comfort for Vic.
https://soundcloud.com/vicsavemoney/10k-problems-vic-mensa
Jamila Woods, Tasha & Kevin Coval Team Up With Vinyl For A Cause
Jamila Woods has teamed up with Louder Than A Bomb cofounder Kevin Coval and singer/songwriter Tasha to release a 7" record to benefit Young Chicago Authors via Vinyl For A Cause. When she's not making music Jamila Woods is the associate artistic director for YCA. Young Chicago Authors is arguably the organization that has influenced Chicago's music scene the most. For the past 28 years YCA has mentored and cultivated an impressive number of kids, including Chance The Rapper, Saba, No Name, Mick Jenkins, Jamila Woods and on and on. Nearly every one of todays most successful artists that have been instrumental in the cultural renaissance that has taken place in Chicago has a tie to YCA in some capacity.
Side A of the record is a new track from Jamila Woods called "Muddy" in reference to a Kevin Coval poem entitled "Muddy Waters Goes Electric". The beat is dominated by a sizzling guitar, with Jamila's cool voice creating a sense of harmony. The contrast is heightened by Jamila's lyrics repeating "We can shake the fire off". The B side features Kevin Coval and upcoming R&B singer Tasha in a duet between poem and song.
80% of the proceeds from the record will go directly to YCA. You can buy it here. Check out Jamila's track below.
https://youtu.be/xEzMPwAPVJ4
Watch Chance The Rapper Drop Some Gems in New Interview with Peter Rosenberg
"If you care about humans, if you care about people, you just got to be on some real shit."
Last night, Chance The Rapper joined Peter Rosenberg for the season finale of Complex's Open Late. Speaking from CRC, wearing a Chicago Native hoodie, and fresh from a trip to the water park with is KOK campers, Chance spoke about a wide range of topics from new music to his social activism. Among the gems that Chance dropped, we have the knowledge that he's going to work on a 7-song album with Kanye West next month, his long-awaited collab with Childish Gambino will be a proper full-length LP, and he's most fascinated with how to release music in 2018.
Chance also spoke about police brutality, and the way in which institutionalized racism treats people unequally using an easy to understand analogy to the popular game Uno. "It's easy to say 'I love America,' if you think of it like Uno. I could say, 'I love Uno,' but it depends on how I'm playing. If it's easier for me, I don't have to play by all the rules, then of course, I love Uno. But then when you start getting smacked with, 'oh, you can only put down one card. You can't stack a draw four, or you can't skip me... When you actually have to play by all the rules and every tax and tariff applies to you, then... You don't have any choice to play the game, but you feel differently about it."
It's a nice interview from Chance. Watch the full clip below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zbhlv9XbbIQ&index=1&list=PLNE967m3_UeTvZgxvxj7a2gMA_i4iVYUP
Martin $ky Drops 5 Song Project Lessism
Martin $ky has been a well known name in Chicago for some time now. He started getting major attention as a rapper after putting out several hits such as, "Pearl Gawd" and "Reach". More recently Martin has taken his passion in music to another level. Setting down the microphone and producing full time. His attention to detail on tracks like, "Checkpoint" speak for itself.
I have spent hours in his production studio watching him work. The dedication Martin has for his craft is the reason he is where he is. Regardless of rapping or producing, if you put yourself in a room five days a week for hours and create, it's going to sound dope. When artists ask me about what it takes to put out a good record, I often find myself telling them about Martin's work ethic.
Stream his project, Lessism below.
WebsterX Starts His Restless Summer With "Feels"
WebsterX just dropped the first song of his Restless Summer titled "Feels". This summer the Milwaukee MC will release a new single every other week along with a slew of performances.
"Feels" is a three part criticism of the state of the world, the first verse is a general approach starting with the line, "everything feels so basic, everything feels so racist, everything feels so vacant, everything feels so makeshift, everything feels complacent". He continues to talk about the surface level, coming after social media and article culture. On the second verse WebsterX wonders why people can't form their own opinions before an abrupt stop in the song leading to the bridge/third verse. On the third verse he offers a different perspective, a more positive or hopeful view that he juxtaposes to the first two verses, making the "all my dogs move in stealth" line in the chorus mean even more, the stealth comes from a different world view that they are able to keep, even in a tumultuous world.
Stream "Feels" below and stay on the look out for more releases through out the summer.
https://soundcloud.com/websterx/feels
[Review] Best of Mamby 2018
Mamby on the Beach felt like three different festivals going on at once this weekend. The rap/R&B beach stage, EDM tent, and jam band park side stage had three distinct types of festival goers at each. Below we listed our favorites from Chicago and memorable artists we heard for the first time.
The best from the hometown:
Joseph Chilliams performing his new project, The Plastics, and bringing out all of Pivot.
Towkio bringing out fellow Save Money artist Joey Purp.
The entire Common performance was the story of his life. He went from playing "Retrospect for Life" to telling the crowd if he wants to change the world, he will do it through his daughter, who was also present.
Jamila Woods sharing the stage with her sisters for her whole performance.
The silent tent with Stitch Gawd on Saturday, and Evan Brown on Sunday.
Best set from an artist I haven't heard of:
Jack Harlow killed it.
I only caught the end of Bugus, but he was defiantly going in.
Mamby on the Beach has the potential to be the best summer music festival in Chicago. It has everything going for it: A good location that is easy to get to on the train or even by bike, three stages that aren't too far apart, picturesque views every direction, good vendors, and oh yeah the beach.