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
Vic Mensa (once again) sets fire to LA Leakers Microphones
The whole making mixtapes from radio freestyles is a dead trend, but if Vic Mensa were to bring it back, I would line up post haste at whatever cornerstore, streetwear shop, or internet site was slanging the mixtapes. Vic must really feel at home with the LA Leakers, as he never fails to deliver the heat when sitting with DJs Sour Milk and Justin Credible. From the Southside to South of France, Vic shines once again. Jeez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdSxc5hVR0g
Sterling Hayes Delivers a Haunting New LP in SideFX
People want authenticity. I often ask my students, 'what don't you like about music?' One of the biggest responses is the lack of honesty they perceive from artists of all genres who pretend everything is always going well. It's a common theme, and a common criticism. In recent years though - and many younger people credit Kid Cudi in this regard - subjects such as depression, drug abuse, and just feeling shitty have taken a more prominent role in Hip Hop music. If you are searching for something raw, emotional, and honest (almost to a fault), then I highly suggest SideFX, the new album from SaveMoney's Sterling Hayes.
From the start, SideFX removes all barriers and at times is downright scary and hard to listen to. Hayes' delivery is gruff and even chill-invoking as he howls "Chicago is killing me" on the album's third track, "Suicide". A few themes run throughout SideFX, maybe none more prominent than Hayes' ownership of his own problems and his resolve to conquer them. He is worried about being a bad son, being a bad friend, doing too many drugs, not being able to stop doing too many drugs, being hurt by his girlfriend, the violence in Chicago, allowing blogs to dictate his self-worth and generally wasting away. His parents also play a prominent role on this record as he tackles their marriage, their divorce, and the realization that many young adults come to abruptly that one day they will die, and you can find yourself alone. In that regard, SideFX plays out somewhat like a manifesto for Hayes who commits to counting on himself, and at the end of the day making himself proud as a conduit to doing right by others.
This is a haunting and honest LP from a Chicago artist often overlooked alongside his "friends with Grammys". And while his friends such as Smoko Ono, Malcolm London, Via Rosa, and Chance The Rapper all make cameos, it is Hayes who maintains centerstage on this LP. With SideFX, Sterling Hayes clearly establishes how he is different from his peers and at the same time, like so many of his listeners going through similar situations. There is a light at the end of the tunnel for Hayes, and hopefully this album makes it a shine a little brighter.
https://soundcloud.com/sterlinghayes-1/sets/sidefx
SHIRT Shares His Thoughts On Ye With "It Be Your Own Drums"
"I don't care if you made the album in the Everglades, Or in partnership with Tesla, K, your shit wrestling now Smarten up."
Last week, Kanye lit up the twitter by sharing a fly on the wall style video of him in beat-making mode. The video drew attention for multiple reasons, beyond the music, the video showed a white board listing all the upcoming G.O.O.D. Music releases and helped make Kanye's promises of new music a bit more tangible.
SHIRT - in classic SHIRT fashion - ripped the audio from Kanye's video and made a song expressing his feelings on Kanye and the upcoming releases. The track isn't a diss or any kind of Kanye takedown, but comes off a heartfelt open letter or a conversation set to drums.
Check it below. SHIRT latest album, Pure Beauty, is out now on Third Man Records.
https://soundcloud.com/shirt/it-be-your-own-drums-produced-by-ye#t=0:00
Navarro Blends Worlds On Modern Mexican Art: Radio Sondido
"I done paid my dues and have some changed left."
Navarro, known well throughout Chicago's underground Hip Hop scene as Scheme, returned in April of 2018 with a new album centered fiercely on identity and story-telling. The LP, Modern Mexican Art: Radio Sondido, plays out like a documentary set in Chicago's Mexican neighborhood and narrated by the polished emcee.
The album is timely for many reasons. As Donald Trump and his administration continue to harm the immigrant community (and all communities of color), Navarro's perspective as a first generation American who fell in love with Hip Hop is welcomed and needed. Since his last proper LP, Navarro has changed his name, created a successful after school program and also has a growing daughter. Those kind of life changes will force anyone to really examine their life and decide what is most important. As an emcee with over a decade of experience, Navarro has had to clearly define his priorities as well as how he fits into the current climate of commercial music.
Duality is an inherent part of the immigrant experience, and Modern Mexican Art succeeds the most when that duality is at the forefront. The album's first track, "Sin Singre En Las Venas" is a perfect example of the recipe as Navarro raps in both Spanish and English over hard drums provided by long-time collaborator, Nascent. The track also welcomes listeners into Navarro's world, using old audio about Mexican immigrants and the ways in which they have used music for escape, empowerment, and action.
Action is the subject of the album's second track, "Feel The Earth Move", another track with Navarro in his bag, clearly displaying his lyrical skills. Tracks like "The Jordan Era" and "City Never Sleeps" featuring GLC bring in the Chicago perspective and add some lightness to the album. "Timeless", produced by Panik is another favorite on the LP, with Navarro recounting his experiences as an emcee and the frustrations with hitting a ceiling as far as recognition and accolades in the first verse. The second verse, he adopts the perspective of greed and motivation, showing the search for such accolades and success as a relationship and actor in the frustration.
The album ends with "Final Peace" a dedication to Hip Hop culture, something that gave him a voice when he thought he had none. I feel like this is the track in which Navarro brings everything together - his current family needs, his place in music, and a love for Hip Hop above fame. It's a sentiment that's not popular, but needed.
theWHOevers Go All In on New Track "G4B"
I've been a champion of theWHOevers sound and style since the early days of the decade. "G4B", their latest release, sums up everything I love about the duo of JE$$E and Lloyd Dotdot. From the opening snare, this one is a banger. It's got the nostalgic boom-bap that has become a foundation of theWHOevers' sound, without being stale or stuck in the past -thanks in large part to the balance of Dot's rap with JE$$E's harmonizing. They approach the record differently, but cohesively, communicating the urgency and penning a letter of sorts to the music. In a way, "G4B" feels like a renewal of vows, once again pledging their devotion to the music. This is definitely a marriage I can get behind.
https://soundcloud.com/thewhoevers/g4b
[RH Premiere] Musa Reems Shares "44 4's" Video + Interview
A RH favorite and insanely talented West Side MC, Musa Reems, is giving his fans content on the regular. After dropping his single 'Let Em' Know' the young spitter came right back with an insane Curdbside Jones produced joint titled "44'4's'". The beat is nuts and Musa's intensity matches it well.
Today "44 4's" get's the video treatment, shot in the cities underground, the symbolism is heavy for the rising MC. To go along with the video's premiere, we talked to Musa about the track, as well as his forthcoming EP, Lately I've Been Sol Searching 2. Peep it below.
rubyhonret: What is the inspiration behind the “44 4’s” – beyond the tie to Jay-Z’s “22 2’s” and his new LP, what drove this to happen?
Musa Reems: The inspiration behind “44 4’s” came from many directions. In terms of writing new music, I wanted to use more literary devices and to be clever with my wordplay. I started to think about words that could be used repeatedly and that would tie into the “soul searching” theme of my project. I began to think about why I love hip hop and what I do it “for”. I always say that I want to rap as bad as I want to breathe, so I thought the perfect way to portray this was by showcasing my lyricism in an intricate way. This whole project dives deeper into who I am as a person, so I thought that listing my passions and what’s important to me in one song was essential. I wanted each song on the project to have a theme that tied it all together. I knew I had to tell stories and write from a more introspective viewpoint to make this happen. I wanted to write Lately I’ve Been Sol Searching 2 like it was a movie. Curbside and I talked about how we see music in colors and how it’s about creating the perfect painting. I felt like “44 4’s” was a vibrant, rich color to preview my project perfectly and show a sneak peak of what the rest of the painting will look like. This is why I also wore certain colors in the video. "44 4's" sounded like a white, royal blue, and yellow color scheme to me. Jason Yaccino and I discussed how the snow would be a perfect backdrop for this to come into fruition. The production from Curbside reminded me of Chicago, so I wanted to make sure that we captured key features that make the city unique like the L, alleys, murals, and subway tunnels.
rubyhornet: The record is a lot about motives, what gives you this mind-frame? What does hip hop music mean to you?
Musa Reems: I feel like my music has a lot of motives because I grew up on concept hip hop albums from MF DOOM and Biggie. I’m also a huge fan of Sean Price and a lot of artists on Duck Down Music. I grew up on a lot of New York Hip Hop. Mm.. Food is my favorite DOOM album and throughout the project he uses food as a metaphor to relate things to everyday life. With Biggie, he released Ready to Die and Life After Death. Those titles tied the idea of living and dying together to help Biggie display his story. With Lately I’ve Been Sol Searching and Lately I’ve Been Sol Searching 2, I wanted to use those two ideas from MF DOOM and Biggie in my own way. I have a full length project titled, Where The Sun Never Rises, so using the sun (sol) as a metaphor of life, growth, understanding, and energy was something that I wanted to use throughout multiple projects that I have. Hip Hop means the world to me. It changed my mindset and my identity. It made me want to work harder and understand who I am as a young man. Lastly, it showed me that I have the ability to make changes to my life and inspire people that are around me as well as complete strangers. Music is universal and art imitates life.
rubyhornet: Do you see a difference between intention and outcome? Does an artist’s intention influence how you see them from a music fan’s perspective?
Musa Reems: Yes, I do see a difference. I think that an intention has to be clear in order to have certain outcomes. Without clear intentions, a reasonable outcome isn’t likely. I also know certain artists may want certain ideas to be left up to interpretation. Personally, I think an artist’s intention doesn’t affect the influence on my perspective. I tend to put my own meaning to songs and how it applies to my life, then I like to see what the artist may have wanted me to think or perceive. I think it makes the viewer more open-minded and allows the artists to have multiple meanings that are relatable in their music. This is what makes me a fan of certain emcees, because they may have multiple layers and a deeper intention. In my opinion, that’s a form of skilled creativity.
rubyhornet: You have a new EP on the way, what is the hope for the new music?
Musa Reems: I hope my music continues to grow and I want to continue to understand my ability as an artist. I would also like for my music to continue to spread and be as relatable to others as possible. Being outside of my comfort zone is extremely important to me when creating. When I first started rapping over production from Curbside and S.K.I.L., I didn’t know how to approach it. I want to stretch my creative limits on a daily basis and reach past the ceiling. I’m very excited about performing new music and connecting with other talented artists this year. I look forward to seeing it grow and touching as many people as it can.
Watch Evidence's New Video for "Powder Cocaine" featuring Slug
I'm still bumping Evidence's new LP, Weather Or Not. And while it released in January, I won't be surprised when it ends up on some year ends lists come December. After giving us videos for "Throw It All Away", "Jim Dean", and "10,000 Hours", Evidence now brings us a crispy clean video for "Powder Cocaine". Directed by Jason Goldwatch and shot by Stephan Vanasco, the video features Slug, a lot of bouncing medicine and an ill cameo from Ev's son, Enzo.
On the first few listens, I didn't really dig this record but it continues to grow on me. Maybe it's the same for you. Peep it below.
Peep our interview with Evidence Here.