[NEW MUSIC] BLACK-TOKYO MUSIK---THE EMBODYMENT EP

Black-Tokyo Musik (@BlackTokyoMusik) is back with another dope instrumental offering, The Embodyment EP.  I definitely have an affinity for instrumental/beat albums, and this EP gives us quality beat after quality beat.  What we have are six tracks of heat.  Support this talented brother and visit his Bandcamp page:  https://black-tokyo.bandcamp.com.

[NEW MUSIC] CLEAR SOUL FORCES---CHEAT CODE (EP)

Detroit's very own Clear Soul Forces have blessed listeners with a new EP entitled Cheat Code.  This is a dope teaser, with three distinct cuts showcasing the video game-influenced sampler.  Members Ilajide, E-Fav, Noveliss, and L.A.Z. drop lyrical heat (as usual), while Scott Xylo (@ScottXylo), Astronote (@TheAstronote), and Nameless (@_nameless) provide the varied soundscapes.  My personal fav here is "Claire", with the sample nod to Motor City legend J Dilla (utilizing the "Clair" sample from obscure 60's group The Singers Unlimited).  All in all another dope offering from one of the most creative new generation artists in the hip hop realm.  Purchase and download this gem in the growing Clear Soul Forces discography.

LINK:  https://clearsoulforces.bandcamp.com/album/cheat-codes-ep

[VIDEO] CLEAR SOUL FORCES---"BPSWR"

L.A.Z.  Ilajide.  E-Fav.  Noveliss.  These four distinct entities are the lyrical titans known collectively as Clear Soul Forces (@clearsoulforces).  They have been on my radar for a few years now, and they are poised to make an impact a la Odd Future or TDE.  Inventive, creative, and extremely dope lyrically, Clear Soul Forces has another banger on their hands with "BPSWR".  The visual impact of this crew is as engaging and their vocal artistry.  Check out the visuals for "BPSWR" in order to grasp the concepts behind CSF (beats, rhymes and life).

 

 

Follow each member of the collective via Twitter:

 

@TheNoveliss

@wimp87

@Ilajide

@e_fav

 

Website:  http://forceswithyou.com

 

[VIDEO] RAPPER BIG POOH---"AUGMENTATION" [PRODUCED BY APOLLO BROWN]

Rapper Big Pooh is back with a new heater with "Augmentation".  Produced by the very accomplished beatsmith Apollo Brown, we have the visuals depicting this dope track for the masses to consume.  Using Detroit as the backdrop for the video, "Augmentation" is a fitting showcase of what is to come with the highly-anticipated Mello Music Group release Words Paint Pictures (slated for March 24th).  I am surely looking forward to hearing more great music from these two underrated, yet very talented individuals.

Check the artists via Twitter:

@Rapper Big Pooh
@ApolloBrown
@MelloMusicGroup

[VIDEO] PENSADO'S PLACE --- INTERVIEW WITH YOUNG GURU (TWO-PART VIDEO)

Young Guru is one of the dopest and most well-respected engineers and sonic architects in the game.  As the go-to-guy for the bulk of Jay-Z's (hyphen or no hyphen) discography, he has truly elevated the artistry within the science of engineering.  An accomplished producer and DJ as well (these elements all intersect paths at some junction), Young Guru (@Young_Guru) sits down with world-renowned and Grammy Award-winning engineer Dave Pensado (along with co-host Herb Trawick) for a lengthy and EXTREMELY informative two-part discussion on the art and science of engineering.  Touching on the huge collaboration of Hova and Alicia Keys for "Empire State Of Mind", we see how Young Guru contributed greatly to the sonic inner-workings of that great effort.

PART ONE

PART TWO

I admit that I am becoming that sonic nerd that I feared years ago.  I'm glad that cats that I can relate to such as Young Guru exists in today's musical climate.  You can sense the passion and love he genuinely has for engineering and Hip Hop.  This is one of those highly-respected individuals I am looking forward to meeting in 2015.

ONE LOVE!

J DILLA IN STUDIO WITH COMMON AND THE SOULQUARIANS [VIDEO]

On this anniversary of the transition for the great James Yancey, we have some Electric Circus footage (courtesy of Ahmir Thompson of course) with Common, Dilla, James Poyser, Frank Knuckles and the late Jef Lee Johnson vibing, creating, and innovating.  It is a great look into the recording process for The Soulquarians.  Jam session after jam session resulted in some monumental moments for the collective.  This particular 2002 session showcases what that in-studio magic would lead up to (the underrated and slept-on Electric Circus).

It's been nine years since Dilla left us in the physical, but he left all of us with musical blueprints that will span the decades and generations.  Let this brief footage remind us that he is never truly gone. 

Rest In Beats J Dilla!

[NEW VIDEO] "SAY GOODBYE" --- KENN STARR (PRODUCED BY BLACK MILK)

"Say Goodbye" is a Kenn Starr banger produced by Motor City titan Black Milk.  Here we have the visuals for the single off the recently released Square One.  Directed by Jay Brown (visual effects by Paul Milhailoff), we take a journey into Starr's world.  Looks like Mello Music Group is bringing the heat in 2015 with quality, independent music.  Follow Kenn Starr on Twitter:  @kennethcold.