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
Epic: "Do Dat At"
It's been a long while since I've personally heard from music from Epic, which by my count is about two years now since the City of Win mixtape dropped back in 2012. Since then, the landscape of Chicago hip hop has changed as the scales have tipped over as a new generation of young rappers have arguably carried the torch for the local scene. However, that's not to say that some of the older guys in the mix aren't doing their part to ensure Chicago hip hop isn't just for the young new cats. Enter Epic.
The former BBU member is making his solo entry into the music world with the debut of his new single “Do Dat At” from his upcoming album #OPRAH. The party banger, produced by Stefan Clark of City of Win, proves that Epic hasn't missed one beat as he reps the Windy City throughout the song. #OPRAH has been in the works for awhile now, dating back to when BBU was on tour with Das Racist and Danny Brown in 2012. #OPRAH's primary producer is the aforementioned Clark with Mark Yoshizumi helping out on the album, as well. As Epic sees it, #OPRAH is a fully collaborative passion project, stating, "It's one thing for you to believe in your art, but when you have people in your corner that believe in it, great things happen. Without Stefan Clark and Mark Yoshizumi this project would still be in my head."
With a late summer release scheduled for #OPRAH, including more singles and video drops, the next couple of months just may prove to be Epic.
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[Video] KOOL A.D. "Jaleel White"
Can’t say that I’m a smoker that can actually jam to this song for the lyrical content while I “light one up in the ay-yair,” but the beat is so dope, though. Das Racist's old crew member and San Francisco native KOOL A.D. brings us this smooth track where he smokes a blunt for the whole duration of the video while the song plays in the background. The track comes from his recent mixtape, 19, which was named after a bus line in the Bay Area where he grew up. Full of smoke and dope rhymes, smoker or not, check out KOOL A.D.’s visuals for “Jaleel White” below and follow him for the latest.
Produced by: Young L
Directed by: Weird Days
http://youtu.be/KTZ6prs3aSg
[RH Mixtape] BBU: Fear of A Clear Channel Planet
BBU's debut mixtape, Fear of A Clear Channel Planet is now available for worldwide consumption. A sleek 13 tracks, the mixtape contains juke-standards such as "Chi Don't Dance", and "BBU Who" as well as more Hip Hop leaning "Jukin' On Landmines" and "This Is Chi". Hosted by Million $ Mano, and mixed by DJ RTC, it's a very dope effort from one of Chicago's rising groups.
Download free right here.
The Best of Chicago '09
Lupe Fiasco once said, "Really love my city, and I hope that G-D bless it." And bless he did, uh, musically at least. While Chicago got dissed from the Olympic Committee, saw their parking meters jacked, and all around sports failures, at least the arts and culture scene put forth something to be proud of. To celebrate the year that was in music, fashion, and culture, we put together a survey to highlight the best of Chicago 2009. We invited a wide variety of our friends, colleagues, and associates to tell us their favorite artists, release, DJs, clubs, clothing brands etc from '09. A Sample of our respondents include Naledge, Willy Joy, Million $ Mano, Suli, Anna Hovet, Krabby of Saint Alfred's, Brian Nevado, Matt Boy White, Scheme, Michael Kolar, and many many more, so, if you don't like the list send them the hate mail hahaha.. Enjoy!
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RH First Look: BBU
Is revolution music supposed to be this live? The answer is an emphatic yes for Chicago's BBU. The three-man trio who's three letter moniker stands for Bin Laden Blowin' Up use the vehicle of Hip Hop mixed with Chicago house to "make music with the hope in mind that it will inspire people to want to change the world," at least that's the mission according to BBU's Jasson Perez, who like his fellow bandmates, took time to speak with us for a fresh First Look. Finding time isn't something that comes too easy for the Jasson or fellow members Epic and Illekt. All three members devot themselves to music, as well as a variety of day jobs and community work.
"We have full time jobs and still put our blood sweat and tears into it because we feel making music, and making good art period, is just as important as going to a rally to stop the war or knocking on doors for people to come and vote, or setting up a free HIV clinic," Perez continued. The group has been making headway using their name to grab people's attention and their unique flavor of music to keep listeners intrigued. After building their name through performances and word of mouth, BBU is readying their first official release for a winter release. Before the BBU blitz is in full gear, take some time to get to know BBU and their music in this week's First Look.
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