[Closed Sessions] Blu: "Comfy In The Truck" (prod by DJ Babu)
Our Closed Session with Blu took place in February of 2011. Blu was at work on his major label debut, NoYork!. After building a substantial underground following, releasing an undeniable underground classic, and doing whatever he wanted musically, Blu was making his first entrance into the mainstream. That seemed to be on his mind throughout his short visit to Chicago, where he performed at Digital Freshness and hit SoundScape Studio for a Closed Session. During our time with Blu, we had many talks about how the underground and the mainstream were merging, as well as the how the music was pulling him in different directions, one that may or may not upset his core fan base.
Those topics and more are explored in the new Closed Session documentary, and the last single from Closed Sessions Vol. 2. Hit the next page to see the documentary presented by MTV2 Sucker Free, and thank you to everyone that has been supporting the album. We're just getting warm.
Blu and Exile's new album, Bring Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them is in-stores now. Check out the last leak, "The Great Escape" right here.
[Closed Sessions] Sir Michael Rocks: "So Stupid" feat Vic Mensa (prod by DJ Babu)
When DJ Babu came out to Chicago last October to DJ at our "Natural High" release party, I knew we could set up a pretty ill Closed Session with some of Chicago's rising emcees. Babu left it up to me, and I asked Sir Michael Rocks of The Cool Kids and Vic Mensa of Kids These Days to take part in a session with the Dilated Junkie. Both were fans of Babu, and also wanted to work with each other, which they had previously never done. What they created is "So Stupid", the latest drop from Closed Sessions Vol. 2, which drops in full tomorrow, August 30th.
The collaboration is multifaceted, with the various angles explored in the short documentary. On one hand, you have DJ Babu trying to re-introduce himself to a new and younger audience. You also have Sir Michael Rocks entering a new stage in his career after breaking out as part of The Cool Kids in 2008. Lastly, there is Vic Mensa, who is just starting his ascent as part of Kids These Days. They all intersect here. Watch the new video and download "So Stupid" on the next page.
[Closed Sessions] Raekwon: "Keep It Politics" (prod. by DJ Babu)
In the very early days of Closed Sessions, the early-early days, we would sit around and talk about our hopes for the label and what we wanted to do. I remember at those earliest meetings, we would throw around the names of our favorite emcees and make a hopeful list of future Closed Sessions participants. Raekwon was brought up and early and often as an artist we one day hoped to work with. On a warm day in mid October of 2010, we crossed Rae off the list as he made a visit to SoundScape for a Closed Sessions and also rocked a very special edition of Digital Freshness. We've come a very long way since then, and worked with many of our favorite artists, but the Raekwon session always sticks out as the one that let me know that we were now playing in the big leagues.
For his part, Raekwon spent two days with us, sharing knowledge, debating the top emcees in Hip Hop and opened up about his thoughts on his legacy and the legacy of the Wu-Tang Clan. It was great to learn that Raekwon still had that drive to be great. As he says in the documentary, "I'm gonna stop, when I want to stop," and he's no where near stopping. During the Closed Session, Raekwon picked production from DJ Babu, someone he'd met once or twice, but never had a chance to work with. After going through several joints from Babu, Raekwon selected what sounded like an "off-tempo beat," one he said reminded him of the something from the Rza. The rest as they say is history.
Download the newest single from Closed Sessions Vol. 2, "Keep It Politics" from Raekwon and DJ Babu and also watch the new documentary on the next page.
CS x LRG: "Turn It Up" feat. Outasight & Naledge (prod. DJ Babu)
Closed Sessions has teamed up with international clothing brand LRG for a new edition of the Closed Sessions series. The new sessions feature artists that match the aesthetics and style of both brands, while adding something original and authentic to music and culture. The first such sessions went down in Chicago with Warner Bros. recording artist, Outasight.
In between video shoots and finishing his debut album, Outasight came to the windy city for the Closed Sessions experience. Documented by RubyHornet.com, Outasight's trip included a photoshoot with Virgil Solis, a visit to WHPK's CTA Radio, a performance @SuperfunParty, and a Closed Session with Naledge of Kidz In The Hall at SoundScape Studio. Hit the jump to see the documentary, and visit the new Closed Sessions x LRG site for the behind the scenes pics and to download the song.
