The Audacity of Dope

I too, am kinda like a big deal.  And now I’m off to this Karriem Riggins concert at the Triple Door…holler @ a hyphey.

Dan has been one of my favorite MC’s for a minute but I think faaaaar too many folks are still unaware of the talent this dude has.  If you’re a fan of cats who spit hard like Royce, Elzhi, Reks, Fashawn, etc., you’re gonna love Dan’s music.  Peep his newest project, Hype Machine, ASAP.

Download here.

In case you’ve been sleeping, Braille & S1 recorded an album together called CloudNineteen and they just dropped the video for “Skepticold” today.  Not only is the album one of the best of the year, but it’s also serving a much greater purpose than mere entertainment.

As I mentioned a while back, they plan on giving away 30K CD’s at their shows, many to at-risk youth who desperately need some positive hip-hop in their lives.  Along with dropping off the video, Braille gave us an update on the project:

So far they have manufactured 15,000 copies and given away over 8,000.  With many events already booked for the summer, they anticipate reaching the half way mark within the next two months.  For more info check out www.itsnineteen.com and www.braillehiphop.com.

I can’t speak highly enough of Braille’s dedication and work ethic to use his gifts in a positive way.  It’s truly inspiring and everytime I get annoyed by the foolishness in this industry (*cough* Jeezy vs. Gucci *cough*), I think of folks like Braille and remember what I love about this culture.

Plus…the dude can flat out rap his ass off:

This is too funny.  Shout to all my folks in the video…but damn, why did Sean have to do Blaze like that ahahahaha.  Here’s the track too, courtesy of 2DopeBoyz:

Sean Price – “Ruck Down”

Sean PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

New duo 5 O’Clock Shadowboxers drop their first video from their upcoming free LP, The Slow Twilight, due out June 23rd.  Zilla Rocca on the mic, Blurry Drones on production, and visuals by Henry Choi.  I think it turned out pretty dope…what do you think?

Tunji and Toby linked up with Yours Truly and GregTheDude for a Los Angeles edition of the Keys 2 The City series:

Inverse gives you an insider’s tour of the finer restaurants that populate the City of Angels such as Tito’s Tacos and IN-N-OUT Burger, all while shedding some light on their backstory. As Los Angeles brims with the talented new voices it’s inspired, Inverse takes the lead and treats us to a set of fresh acapellas. If you like what you hear, cop the So True EP on iTunes or Amazon and support independent artists.

Amen.  Sidenote, I think I was with them after a late night studio session when we hit that Taco joint back in our college days.  Might not have been the same one, but either way, ahhh…the good ol’ days.

Awww yeah, the homegirl Chok just dropped the video for 2 joints off her new album, To Whom It May Concern.  Trust when I tell you that not only is she one of the most talented singers in our lovely city, but she’s right there at the top of the pack nationally.  People are starting to catch on, so hop on the bandwagon before you’re too late!

Also, you may remember the Vitamin D “Suns Out” beat from our Cornerstone Mixtape where Thig Natural of the Physics ripped a little freestyle intro.  Have you downloaded the tape yet?

And just in case you needed more proof that Seattle is jam packed full of talent, peep this video of KDCutz remixing “Suns Out.”

Wow.

The last time I posted a video from Buff, it sparked a mini-rant, so I’ll try to keep this one shorter.  Not only is this a great song (flawless beat from 14KT, dope hook from AB, ill lyrics from Mr. 1der) and a great video (ladies x 3…shouts to Jackson on the directorial debut), but it’s a great example of how most “underground” hip-hop these days actually dispels the stereotypes that the term implies.

In other words, this ain’t even “underground.”  This is real life.  I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t really dig music I can’t relate to personally.  Instead, I bump this kind of “everyman” hip-hop that folks like Buff, Now On, and the rest of the A-Side Worldwide family represent.  People need joints like this to prove that your ‘girl’ track doesn’t need to be fake, corny, or misogynistic.  Like Buff mentioned in the song, just be little ol’ you and it’s all good*.

Cop There’s Only One in stores now for that goodness…

*Now if being you really does mean making it rain thousands of dollars in a strip club, then by all means, pimp on pimpin’…just throw those dollars [Jay] thaaaaaattaway [/Hov]

Peep the new video from one of the best albums of the year, Marco Polo & Torae’s Double Barrel, out now on Duck Down.  I’ve mentioned it before on the site, but if you’re looking for some of that good ol’ fashioned boom bap ish that will break your neck, this album is for you.

That said, there’s range on the project too…it’s not all the same hyped up vibe as this video would suggest.  We played “Crashing Down” on last week’s SNSS and it’s more sentimental and reflective.  Tor kills that joint, detailing the effects the record industry’s demise has on artists who put their hearts and souls into this music, only to see fans bootleg their hard work for free.

Support these dudes.  Cop Double Barrel now.

Sidenote, the last scene shows the kind of party I’d crash.  Run that cake son.

Little known, and completely unimportant, fact, this is the first The Real skit that actually made me laugh.  I think the “rewind those 8 bars” part did it for me…pause.