[Mixtape] Caleb James: "The Jones"
Caleb James' Ground Up still finds it way onto my rotation every other week, so you could bet that I was extremely impatient for James' follow-up project, The Jones, to drop. Today, after an unfortunate pushback earlier this week, the 'tape is finally out and Chicago now has the perfect soundtrack for the summer. The SaveMoney member picked great production by the likes of Nez & Rio, Steve "Stone" Huff, Xtreme, Blended Babies, Gift and his own to enjoy on a hot day while Joey Purps nabbed the only guest-verse on the 'tape. Caleb also brings back a nostalgic sound and some R. Kelly influences to round-up a project that will surely end up being a lot of people's favorite.
If you're in Chicago this Friday, be sure to head down over to Reggies from 6pm-10pm for a live rendition of The Jones.
DOWNLOAD [Mixtape] Caleb James: "The Jones"
[Mixtape] Nylo: "Indigo Summer"
With a co-sign from Nas (yes, that Nas) last year and Mac Miller sampling her (see "Someone Like You") on Watching Movies With The Sound Off - how are you still not up on LA - Chicago singer, Nylo? Well you need to be.
Just this past week, Nylo released her second EP, Indigo Summer, an incredible and unique seven track project, which is the prelude to her fall release, Indigo Rose. As Nylo describes it, "Indigo Summer is the reintroduction of color" and is chalked full of love entendres, "get the fuck out of my apartment and life" quips, blissful drug & sex references, and perhaps the dopest cover of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" in existence.
Nylo's sound is something reminiscent of Aaliyah in her prime but meshed with the darkness and sometimes fascination with love and sex that The Weeknd possesses. Indigo Summer delivers a production twist with beats that are unpredictable meshed strong vocals and harmonies that are as eerie as they are captivating. For the EP, Nylo enlisted a little production help from the likes of [Grammy award-winning producer] Tricky Stewart, Soundz, Gilbere Forte, and 55 Million but she [noticably] takes the reigns on majority of the project.
If you're not familiar with Nylo, you should do yourself the honor. Stream and download Nylo's EP Indigo Summer below.
[Mixtape] Nick Astro: Super16
Super16 has been a long time coming. Nick Astro made his public debut with RockHop Flavored Tea last year that gave a hint at the Chicago rapper's musical aesthetics, opting for the atypical "hip hop sound." However, the real push towards his musical growth was first seen in "Food for Tomorrow." Since then (hell, before then even), Nick Astro has been pushing hard to make Super16 the perfect project that he feels it ought to be. I've been lucky enough to be a part of the ride in my own capacity, helping him document his first trip to SXSW, a few live shows, interviews, music videos, and more.
Through the journey, I've seen first-hand just how hard Astro works and how dedicated he is to his craft. The passion translates into how complete Super16 sounds, right down to the subtleties in vocal and production features worded as "co-starring" and "scored," staying true to the Super 16 film motif. On that same note, vocal features include Raffinae, Loona Dae, TheMind, Auggie the 9th, Legit, Chandler London, RealShannonD, Britney D., and production features include Peter CottonTale X Savier, Holy Other, IBCLASSIC, Sani, NapsTheLionMan, Miles August, Saba, Mr. Int, Dee Lilly, Miles August, and Nick Astro himself.
It feels good to know that Super16 is finally here for everybody to listen to. Listen to the album straight through and let my LOD brother tell you his story. Take in all the shine, Quez; you've earned it.
[Mixtape] ProbCause: "The Recipe Vol. 2"
Trying to encapsulate the whole aura surrounding Chicago's local hip hop scene is damn near impossible, but ProbCause has gotten as close as possible with his newest mixtape The Recipe Vol 2. In it we get collaborations between Prob and a wide range of artists from the city including; Chance The Rapper, Martin $ky, Nasim Williams, Scheme, Psalm One, Auggie The 9th, ShowYouSuck and more. As a matter of fact, if you've been living under a rock for the past year this should be you definitive introduction to the most buzzing city in Hip Hop. Highlights include the latest single "LSD" featuring Chano, "High Altitude" -which video production team Elevator showed interest in shooting-and the posse cut "Chicago School 1.0".
[Mixtape] Savier: "Dead Weight Beat Tape 3"
Animuse's Savier has been a busy man the past few months. Besides producing beats for newcomer Manny P, he's also produced some beats for Auggie the 9th's upcoming GAWS and ShowYouSuck's One Man Pizza Party 4 (amongst other artists, of course) to keep himself from getting rusty. To show that the Animuse hiatus was productive, Savier released a mix tape of instrumentals this week, Dead Weight Beat Tape 3, which you can listen to below.
With the drop also comes confirmation that Animuse will be releasing a new project, #TheLucyList, this September, as well as a solo Savier EP, #LeSauveur, in late October. Welcome back, Animuse!
[Mixtape] Charmingly Ghetto x ATG: "Of the Meaning of Progress"
I'm about to board a plane that's heading to Mexico, where I'll reunite for a week with friends and family that haven't seen me in a long time. The flight will last around four hours and I'll need something that will help me be at ease while also encourage me to meditate on the life-cycle I recently ended (High-School) and the one I'm about to begin (College at UIC). I believe Charmingly Ghetto's "Of the Meaning of Progress" is the perfect project to accomplish that. I actually had the chance to preview a rough draft Of the Meaning of Progress awhile ago, but the official release is out now and the timing couldn't be better.
Aided by producer ATG, the 'tape had been in the works for almost two years with the two artists involved learning from each other while crafting a very solid body of work summarize in 11 tracks that feature REKS, Omar Aura, Chaundon, Koncept, Katrina Renee and Murph Watkins for that Boston-Chicago connect that was long overdue.
[Shouts DJ Booth]
[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.
[Mixtape] Von Vuai: "STANK"
As a 21st birthday present for the rest of us, Chicago producer released his collection of beats, STANK. Mostly known as the producer for St. Millie's debut, No Religion But Up, the Chvrch crew member has also produced for Rockie Fresh, D-Win, Phlyy B (who is featured on this drop), and has future collaborations with both ShowYouSuck and Netherfriends.
First hinted at during Sean CK's interview with Von Vuai back in February, STANK takes samples from a number of other songs and movie clips, resulting in a a spacey sound that isn't really the "typical" sound found in hip hop. Personally, this is the kind of sound I wish was more prevalent in the genre. "RADIANT" stands out exactly for this reason, but also because it's sampling a song that I've, at the time of this writing, spent the past hour trying to figure out where it's from. (It's Frank Ocean's "Pyramids," which is ironically the only song I've listened to outside of two specific bands this week. What are the odds?)
Rappers: I'm looking forward to what you can do over these STANK beats. Make me and Von proud.