[Songs of the Day] 2/5/14 (Feat. St. Vincent, Zedd, Kelela & More)
Maybe it was the heavy snow across the Midwest, but there was a big surge of quality jams hitting the 'net today, and we have them all wrapped up together as part of today's "Songs of the Day". We got the preview of a couple albums, as Chicago band Empires teased their upcoming LP, Orphan, with "How Good Does It Feel", evoking a sort of post-alternative/punk feel while Detroit's Black Milk dropped "Cold Day", itself a preview of his upcoming project, Glitches In The Break EP. The ever-talented Kelela proved she will continue to be someone to pay attention to in 2014 with her single drop of the song "The High" while remnants of both Ratatat and White Flight got together in Peru for the ever-entrancing track "Two Colors" by the duo, performing under the moniker Abuela. IAMSU! continued to keep listeners at bay for his upcoming project with his latest single, "Yesterday" and St. Vincent followed up her creepy, still video for "Digital Witness" with her latest single, "Prince Johnny". Grammy-nominated DJ Zedd got a remix of his track "Clarity" from ASPDR+ while DJ OHSO xo put together a mix of Schoolboy Q to act as a sort of unofficial prelude to his upcoming Oxymoron release.
We also saw a healthy dose of music come out of the center of the map in Chicago today, with one of my favorite young rhymesayers in Muddagoose, who showed her handle of the spoken word "Little Darling" with John Walt while Closed Sessions dropped a collaboration from Alex Wiley and Mick Jenkins in their track, "Forever".
Track of the Day: Abuela: "True Colors"
Empires: “How Good Does It Feel?”
Black Milk: “Cold Day”
Kelela: “The High”
Abuela: “True Colors”
IAMSU!: “Yesterday”
Muddagoose: “Little Darling” (Feat. John Walt)
Alex Wiley & Mick Jenkins: “Forever”
Zedd: “Clarity” (ASPDR+ Remix)
DJ OHSO xo: “Schoolboy Q ‘Oxymoron’ Prelude”
St. Vincent: “Prince Johnny”
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Alex Wiley & Kembe X: "Know Normal"
It's been a minute since we've heard from one of my favorite duo's coming up in Chicago right now, but today we got a long-awaited update from the pair of Chicago artists, Alex Wiley & Kembe X who last got together on, "Midnight to Morning" off of Club Wiley since recording 2012s Can I Borrow A Dollar? together. The Closed Sessions release is several songs in one and was recorded this week at Soundscape Studios on Chicago's west side. Stopping in last night, engineer and studio owner Mike Kolar showed me the many levels to the track, produced by The Innovatorz, that is able to succinctly play to both of the artist's strengths.
Expect plenty more from Wiley, who recently dropped a four-song surprise project, and Kembe who has reportedly been spending time in California with the likes of SZA and Isaiah Rashad.
"Know Normal" is a precursor to Wiley's headlining show this Saturday at Reggie's Rock House in the South Loop of the city and tickets are available here.
Alex Wiley Releases Four New Tracks
One of the more impressive debut projects from last year was Alex Wiley's banger-heavy Club Wiley, distributed by Chicago independent label, Closed Sessions. Released at the beginning of the summer, a steady stream of videos and support shows both in and out of his hometown have brought Wiley to the forefront of the next wave of artists to leap from the bubbling scene in the Midwest. With little new music hitting the Internet since the release of the project, Closed Sessions celebrated a new year by pulling a Beyonce, unexpectedly dropping four songs via ClosedSessions.com. The short project sees Wiley demonstrate all sides of his rhyming capabilities, spitting verses over Master P's "Make Em Say Uggh", as well as an eclectic gathering of beats courtesy of The Odd Couple that show Wiley is an artist to be reckoned with in the Second City. The recently released songs, which you can stream and download below, are also a bit of promotional fodder for Wiley's show on January 18 at Reggie's Rock House in Chicago's South Loop neighborhood, tickets available here.
[Video] Alex Wiley: "Own Lane"
One of Chicago's most buzzing artists invites us into a psychedelic world through the visual for "Own Lane," the trippy-like cinematic clip from Alex Wiley. The Village member partnered up with the homies over at Visual Mecca and conceptualized a 3-part music video series that'll feature the one below, "The Woods," and "Suck It Revolution." "Own Lane" was first shown to a select audience as part of a #SpeakEasy event series that will also premiere the other two visuals on November 21st and December 5th. Make sure you stay on the look-out for more information on how to RSVP for these events in the coming weeks.
All songs are from the popular ClubWiley mixtape, which is arguably one of the best 'tapes to come out in 2013. Go download it if you haven't done so already!
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Alex Wiley: "Jerseys & Loafers" (feat. Vic Mensa) (Force One Seven Remix)
Photo by Geoff HenaoAlex Wiley's ClubWiley has stayed in constant rotation ever since it dropped back in June. The 'tape has also managed to gain huge praise from critics and fans alike, giving Wiley the proper push to start doing shows all around the country. The Village representative now has one of his most prominent performances slated to happen in just a couple of weeks, as he will headline Santos House Party in NYC on September 25th. Today, a rambunctious remix of the Vic Mensa-assisted "Jerseys & Loafers" by Force One Seven has been unleashed in support of the upcoming show and you can stream it below. Enjoy.
[Event] Closed Sessions Live: A Tribute to Independence
This weekend, our homies at Closed Sessions have teamed up with 1833 Presents for a 2-day event, collectively known as "Closed Sessions Live: A Tribute to Independence." Day 1 on this upcoming Saturday, "Closed Sessions Live - On Our Radar," features Saba, Joey Purp, Lili K, Chandler London, The Palmer Squares, and some unannounced special guests. Day 2 on Sunday features Phony Ppl, Vic Mensa, Alex Wiley, and The O'Mys. Both shows will be taking place at Schuba's at 3159 N. Southport Ave. Discounted 2-day passes are still on sale, so be sure to visit the 1833 Presents page to cop some. I can guarantee that you won't find a better way to celebrate America this weekend.
1833 & Closed Sessions Present
A Tribute to Independence
**A Weekend Event**
DAY 1
Closed Sessions Live - On Our Radar ft.
SABA
JOEY PURP
LILI K.
CHANDLER LONDON
THE PALMER SQUARES
& Special Guests
Hosted by Kevin Coval
Saturday July 6th
Doors at 10:00PM | 18+
DAY 2
Closed Sessions Live ft.
PHONY PPL
With Special Performance by
VIC MENSA
Along with
THE O'MYS
ALEX WILEY
Sunday July 7
Doors at 6:30PM | All Ages
**LIMITED DISCOUNTED 2 DAY PASSES AVAILABLE**
Supported By
Villa
JUGRNAUT
SOUNDSCAPE STUDIOS
[Event] ClubWiley Release Party @ Lincoln Hall
Today Alex Wiley will celebrate his birthday and the release of his Club Wiley 'tape alongside ShowYouSuck, Supreme Regime, Kembe X, Caleb James, Jean Deaux, Taylor Bennett, St. Millie and more at Lincoln Hall. Check out the full flyer below.
[via American Swag Co.]
[Mixtape] Alex Wiley: "Club Wiley"
After months of waiting, dropped songs and music videos, Chicago's next up and coming rapper, Alex Wiley, has finally blessed us with his debut, Club Wiley. Serving as Closed Sessions' first official release. With features from Vic Mensa, Chance the Rapper, Freddie Gibbs, GLC, Monster Mike, Jean Deaux, Action Bronson, and Kembe X, Club Wiley is full of bangers set to help elevate Wiley up amongst the crowded Chicago hip hop scene.
You can download Club Wiley directly from here. Remember, tickets are still available for the all-ages Club Wiley release party at Lincoln Hall this Thursday with ShowYouSuck and others. Our homies at Jugrnaut (427 S. Dearborn) have a few physical tickets in-store if you're not about that online purchasing life.
