[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.
[Closed Sessions] "Blackbird" Feat Action Bronson (prod by Thelonious Martin)
Shortly after we secured Action Bronson to play the November edition of Digital Freshness, I told him jokingly via Twitter that Chicago's finest meats and cheeses awaited him in the windy city upon arrival. I say that to many of our guests, but this time it took on a new meaning given Action's former career in the culinary arts and current status a true and blue foodie. Staying true to form, Action responded that he really wanted to eat at Blackbird, an award winning restaurant and a top spot to eat in a city known for top spots to eat. It's also a little exclusive and heavily booked. We were able to pull some strings and get the inside hook up on a table at Blackbird on a busy Friday night before Action's Saturday night performance. In exchange for helping us get a table, our connect had one request, that we dress appropriately for the occasion. No jeans. Nice shoes. Collared shirt. Shouldn't be a problem, I told him.
A few days later we picked up Action Bronson at Midway airport. After an introduction and talk of unseasonably warm weather for mid-November, Action said matter-of-factly, "this is the only shirt I brought, and I don't wear pants." And just like that, while we all ate in collared shirts, slacks, and dress shoes, Action Bronson became the first person to "dine at Blackbird with hoodies and some Balances." I can't prove that, but I'm pretty sure it's true.
The dinner was great. Everyone at Blackbird treated us extremely well, and I think every single chef from the kitchen came out to talk with Action about the food and experience. The next day we hit SoundScape for the Closed Session and Action immediately centered in on production from Thelonious Martin. At the time, Thelonious was only a couple months into his freshman year of college and trying to really break into Chicago's music scene. He also had Saturday classes, and so while Bronson was going nuts over Thelonious' beats, Thelonious was sitting in class. I sent him a text, he faked sick, and the rest is history.
The song is the second single and documentary from Closed Sessions Vol. 2, which will be released in August presented by MTV2 Sucker Free. You can download the new song as well as watch the short documentary on the next page. Check back July 25th for the third release.
[Closed Sessions] "Don't Happen That Often" Feat LEP Bogus Boys
"We don't just want to add to the catalog, we want to be on top of the catalog," says Moonie, one half of the Chicago Hip Hop crew, L.E.P. Bogus Boys. The catalog he is referring to is the Closed Sessions catalog of original music and documentary footage compiled over a 2 year span that features Hip Hop artists from all over the country, and most notably the windy city.
L.E.P. joined that catalog on a hot day in mid-August, just as music from their latest mixtape, Now Or Neva, was heating up the both the blogs and streets. During that session L.E.P. worked meticulously and arduously on their music, bringing in Chicago's own up and coming producer, Nascent, who tailor-crafted production to match L.E.P.'s grimey, gritty, yet still soulful style. The result of the session is "Don't Happen That Often", a song that clearly shows why L.E.P. has been a group leading the recent resurgence of Chicago Hip Hop.
"Don't Happen That Often" is the first single release from Closed Sessions Vol. 2, the new album and documentary series by Chicago-based indie label Closed Sessions presented by MTV2 Sucker Free, rubyhornet, and SoundScape Studios. Closed Sessions Vol. 2 also features Action Bronson, Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire, Raekwon, Vic Mensa, Sir Michael Rocks, CyHi The Prynce, and many others.
[Mixtape] RubyHornet x SoundScape: DJ RTC & Friends Live
On May 30, 2009 DJ RTC set up shop at Do Division Fest, an annual music and arts festival stretching roughly 9 city blocks in the heart of Division street. He asked some of Chicago's finest emcees to join him during his set. So many artists signed up that it turned into an exclusively Chicago set, which played out like a live mixtape. DJ RTC arranged and blended tracks together to make for smooth transitions, and a concert with few pauses and lots of excitement. Michael Kolar of SoundScape Studio recorded and mastered the full set, which is available for free download by clicking the link below. With ten of Chicago's most accomplished and beloved Hip Hop artists making appearances, DJ RTC & Friends Live is a one of its kind live concert mixtape, which represents everything that's dope right now about Chicago's Hip Hop community. Notorious as a city full of haters, DJ RTC & Friends serves to contradict the Chi's haterville moniker and signifies the change in the attitude taking place in the Chi. Artists such as Mike 100's, Really Doe, Phil G, Project Mayhem, Mikkey Halsted, Mick Luter, Mic Terror, Rhymefest, The Primeridian, and GLC all been lead the pack.
If you were there, you can relive the experience. If you missed it, you can get caught up to speed. Please enjoy by finding the download link and tracklist below.