[Video] Caleb James: #TheJones in LA
SaveMoney's Caleb James recently headed out west and released some footage from his trip to Los Angeles, CA where he's shown working on his forthcoming mixtape, The Jones, dropping July 15th. In this vlog you catch Caleb enjoying the California staples like skating and partying in the sunshine and eating In-N-Out but also working in the studio with Chicago's own Vic Mensa, recording with Blended Babies, and collaborating with a few other characters.
http://youtu.be/Shk32BtGc2I
Make sure to support and download The Jones when it drops this upcoming Monday, July 15th and head out to see Caleb perform at Reggie's on Friday, July 19th - 6:30PM | ALL AGES | $5 Door.
theWHOevers: "Timeout"
theWHOevers have been running a monthly series for awhile now and the record "Timeout" is their latest release from the WHOwednesdays. A great track to play during the holidays, theWHOevers come correct once again with another solid effort before they start pushing their forthcoming project.
[Video] Nick Astro: "ANIMALs"
Super16 is coming out soon... really, really soon. However, is that enough for the young Chicago rapper, Nicholas Astronomical (my nickname, not his)? Of course not. Not one to just sit and relax, even as his next huge project is entering the final stages before release, Nick Astro recently recorded a song over Outkast's "Elevator." Titled, "ANIMALs," the song is a freestyle in response to how people react to different circumstances. Are we animals? Nick takes a socially-conscious look at the question.
The video, shot by myself and directed/edited by Nick Astro, is a lightly-edited and warm-filtered focus on Nick Astro go in on topics like drugs and alcohol, hypocrisies in ideologies, unprovoked violence, and more. "ANIMALs" is a loosie that probably won't be on Super16, yet it's exactly the spur of the moment track that shows that Nick Astro is preparing some extra stuff outside of Super16, too.
http://youtu.be/_6PWeiGvb6g
[RH Premiere] Cadillac Duke: "Know" (prod. by Khalfani)
"All I want to is to know know know know know know what it is you want to know know know know" raps the LOD rapper, Cadillac Duke. What I want to know (know know know) is when we can get some more from the Chicago implant originally from the mean streets of Flint, Michigan. Four months after his debut EP, FVCK$KVLLS, Caddy answers back with "Know," produced by Impolite Society's Khalfani.
While FVCK$KVLLS hinted at some of Caddy's past, "Know" delves a bit deeper into some of the demons that he faced a lifetime ago. Privately, Caddy and I have spoken a bit about his past, and the stories he has to share, if he ever decides to go down that path, would craft an interesting narrative that shapes and shares exactly who Cadillac Duke is. This lyrical appetizer is paired very well with a haunting beat by Khalfani that a perfectly complements Caddy's bars.
"Know" should serve as a sample of what to expect out of Cadillac Duke in the months ahead.
[Video] S.B.E.: "AM" (feat. YP)
Newcomers to RubyHornet, S.B.E. --a trio repping Chicago's westside--, link up with YP for an early-grinder's anthem entitled "AM" and also unleash the official video for the street single, directed by Raphah Anderson.
http://youtu.be/OWvTTnVYM-g
Na$im Williams: "61 Lilies" (feat. Sulaiman, Scheme & Doc)
I've had several discussions with Scheme concerning his current position in the local scene, we've both agreed that --although he's one of the most respected and talented emcees in the city--there's still a lot of people that overlook him and his skill-set. Thankfully, real recognize real and Na$im Williams got Scheme plus Sulaiman & Doc (who are also two dope cats from the city) for a banger entitled "61 Lilies". This hip-hop at its finest with two incredible verses over a bouncy instrumental provided by Na$im.
[Mixtape] Stadium Status: "Monster's Ink"
A few weeks ago, Stadium Status dropped "Special," which was not only catchy in its poppy production sensibilities, but also in its Chris LeSage-sung hook. This week, the group dropped their full mixtape, Monster's Ink. Featuring production and vocal features by ElSchmitty, Caleb James, North Kai, Chris LeSage, Chinza/Fly, Krisha, and my LOD brothers MikeJaxx and ShowYouSuck, Monster's Ink has its poppy moments that will appeal to mostly anybody, but also has some harder-hitting stuff. Chances are, if you're a fan of hip hop, you'll definitely dig and enjoy everything off of Monster's Ink.
You can stream Monster's Ink below or download the mixtape directly here.
[RH Premiere] Chandler London: "TheDrug3.3"
While Chandler London made an appearance on Netherfriends' New CHI-t recently, it's been awhile since we've had a solo drop from the Science of Sleep rapper. Chandler's simply kept his head down in order to get everything straightened away for his next mixtape, Requiem for a Dream. However, he hit us up with some new new to remind everybody what he's capable of.
"TheDrug3.3" features Chandler rapping on Theophilus London's "The Drug," remixed and reproduced by OH!Quinn. Don't be fooled by the song's optimistic-sounding beat; Chandler is still just as self-reflective in "TheDrug3.3" as he was in the majority of the songs off of The Science of Sleep. Most rappers like to flex on others or build their bravado up; Chandler, on the other hand, would rather be open and honest in his music, even if that honesty might not portray him in the best light.
Considering the themes and content in Darren Aronofsky's Requiem for a Dream, which analyzed various forms of addiction, Chandler's Requiem for a Dream should be just as dark in tone. In saying that, "TheDrug3.3" serves as an upbeat song to bring you up before the onslaught of Requiem songs drop to take you to your dark place. Get ready, because 2013 will be Chandler London's year.