Na$im Williams: "Bad/Heart" (feat. C. Rich)
Last month, we introduced you to a severely underrated R&B singer from Chicago, C. Rich. I'm not one for R&B, but his Certified Organic had me reaching out for the closest girl to share my soul's deepest secrets. In all seriousness, self-written songs like "Blue Dream" help the singer join the likes of Chris LeSage and Lili K. as some of my favorite natural singers in Chicago right now.
Meanwhile, Treated Crew producer Na$im Williams has been building his name up in the Chicago hip hop scene with production for the likes of Chandler London, ProbCause, Vic Spencer, fellow Treated Crew members Gzus Piece and Mic Terror, and more, collected on his summer mixtape, Na$im World Order: Black & White. Not one to simply rest on his laurels, the producer has made his first step into the R&B world.
"Bad/Heart" represents a softer side to Na$im's typical production matched perfectly with C. Rich's subdued vocals. As if the story of a broken relationship wouldn't already give you chills, the haunting echoed voices in the background will give you goosebumps, perfect for a chilly November day. You can buy C. Rich's Certified Organic on iTunes here, as well as downloading Na$im's most recent drop, The Symbiote, here. Of course, be sure to check out "Bad/Heart" below.
[Video] ProbCause: "Prelude to Summer Pt. 1"
Photo By: Alexander Richter
He may be out of town, on tour with Cherub, but the homie ProbCause dropped a new video, "Prelude to Summer Pt. 1" featuring footage from his North Coast set, as well as party scenes from The O'My's place a couple weeks ago. The track, produced by Na$im Williams and Drew Mantia gets some visual aid from Elijah Alvarado who shot and edited. If nothing else, Prob always knows how to put on for Chicago and this video is as hometown as it gets, "the city that works, but also knows how to relax." If you haven't already, pick up The Recipe Vol. 2 and check in on Prob as he crosses the country on tour.
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[Mixtape] Na$im Williams: "Na$im World Order: Black & White"
Serving as a prelude to the forthcoming EP, Welcome To The Grindhouse, Na$im Williams has put out a compilation 'tape entitled Na$im World Order: Black & White, which features some of the biggest records the Treated Crew producer has dropped in 2013. Also, watch out for another instrumental project by Na$im dropping in August.
Chandler London X Cocky: "2 Different Sides" (prod. by Na$im Williams X Doc Da Mindbenda)
Chandler London and Cocky teamed up on this beat co-produced by Na$im Williams and Doc Da Mindbenda. The Na$im and Doc beat has a haunting sound to it that perfectly complements the single artwork depicting the hanging corpse opposite of the little girl on a tree swing. Chandler's on point with his typical open and honest approach while Cocky comments on some dark stuff.
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$im.
Kid Cudi: "King Wizard" (Na$im Williams Remix)
Anything released by Na$im Williams is always welcomed around here, but this remix of Kid Cudi's "King Wizard" is definitely a standout mix by the Treated Crew producer. This is the perfect joint for your summer parties now that the weather is finally heating up!
Gzus Piece x Scoleone x Mic Terror x Kennan Coke x Gig Brown: "Thottianna" (Prod. Doc Da Mindbenda & Na$im Williams)
That Thothianna line by P. Rico has been the talk of every single High School in Chicago these past few weeks. Now, Treated Crew's Gzus Piece, Mic Terror & Na$im Williams and affiliates Scoleone, Kennan Coke, Gig Brown & Doc Da Mindbenda give all the Thothiannas out there a shoutout of sorts.
Na$im Williams: "Mysterious Colors" (feat. Vic Spencer, Tha Guyver & Cocky)
Na$im Williams put Vic Spencer, Tha Guyver & Cocky on the same track and nobody is safe. "Mysterious Colors" is a wicked joint in which I honestly don't know what stands out to me the most, the verses or the instrumental. That's definitely a good thing though.