The Audacity of Dope

When we last spoke, I was headed down the Bay for an experience of a lifetime: attending Game 7 of the NBA Finals, where Steph and the 73 win record breaking Warriors would face off with LeBron and all his immeasurable greatness.  While I was pulling for the west coast and for the smaller guy (hey, point guards always stick together), and really wanted to feel the excitement of a celebration in person, it was not to be.  Congrats to LeBron, the Cavs, and all the tortured Cleveland sports fans.  It was a game for the ages and I’m still buzzing from being in the building.  Thanks to the homies that made it happen!

Now that I’m back in Seattle, it’s business as usual with Sound Session.  On this week’s episode, we ran tracks from Kanye, Sampha, K.A.A.N., A-F-R-O, Jay IDK, Clams Casino, Loyle Carner, Palmistry, Mila J, Miguel, Khalid (not the DJ), Disclosure, Kraak & Smaak, and more.  The first hour felt like one of the best #bars hours we’ve had in a long time, while the 2nd half should satisfy your #vibes quota.  Even threw in a little Brexit chat for my UK mates, who managed to leave Europe twice this week, in maddeningly spectacular fashion both times.  Yikes, good luck lads.

Show #557 (6/26/16)

1. ScienZe ft. Chuuwee – “Bon Appetit”
2. K.A.A.N. – “Music”
3. A-F-R-O & Marco Polo – “Long Time Coming”
4. Blu & Nottz – “Atlantis”
5. DJ Skizz ft. Your Old Droog – “Listen To Jazz”
6. Vursatyl ft. Dion – “In The Know” (Local Music)
7. Jay IDK – “Somebody”
8. Rob Stone ft. J. Davis & Spooks – “Chill Bill”
9. Clams Casino ft. Vince Staples – “All Nite”
10. Kanye West ft. Sampha – “Saint Pablo”
11. Vic Mensa – “Dynasty”
12. Jay-Z – “Dead Presidents (Single Version)” (Throwback of the Week)
13. Loyle Carner ft. Kwes – “Florence”
14. Sol ft. Otieno Terry – “See The End” (Local Music)
15. antbzy ft. Cole (of Brothers From Another) – “No Better Feeling” (Local Music)
16. Roy Woods – “How I Feel”
17. Palmistry – “Sip”
18. Kaytranada ft. Craig David – “Got It Good”
19. SG Lewis ft. Gallant – “Holding Back”
20. GoldLink – “Palm Trees (Motez Remix)”
21. Disclosure – “Feel Like I Do”
22. Mila J – “Kickin’ Back”
23. Miguel – “Come Through and Chill”
24. Khalid – “Location”
25. John Crown ft. Phinisey – “The Longest Goodbye” (Local Music)
26. Russ – “Losin Control”
27. Kraak & Smaak ft. Alxndr London – “Hands Of Time”

Link to download - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B72U-rgJjvmWVVltSDFDMTVGY0E

If you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and stream/download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

I really like the wavelength that Cole is on right now. Real, honest, genuine. Artists should take note: focus on telling your story and let your music come naturally. Don’t force it. Don’t chase radio singles. Do what fits. And use your voice to speak on the real:

Preach, Cole!

Speaking of amazing writers, if it’s not Shad, then Lupe gets my vote for the best writer in the game. So many messages in his bars, it’s almost a must to follow along on RapGenius. Peep this video for visuals set to a few of his songs: “Lamborghini Angels,” “ITAL (Roses),” and “Audubon Ballroom.”

“ITAL (Roses)” is still the one.

I think Shad is my favorite discovery of this past year.  I know he’s been doing his thing for years, but apparently I was sleeping cause I just caught on to him at the end of 2007.  Better late than never though and in fact, this video is from back in July, but the new homey G just shot it over and I was floored.  This dude is crazy.

Be on the lookout for big things from Shad in ’09.  He’ll be at SXSW in March and on the Warped Tour all year, including a Seattle stop in August.  Prior to that, it looks like he’ll be out here in the Pacific NW rocking shows, so I’ll keep y’all posted when things get announced.  In the meantime, be sure to cop The Old Prince asap.

The homey Emilio got a nice feature on Loud Favorites the other day.  He talks a little about his background, the Phaze One project, DJ K.O.’s upcoming album, and his own EP due out soon.  If you missed his video for “That Time,” check it out here.  Bonus footage of Emilio spitting some bars (killed ’em!) after the jump.

Spotted at the Dopehouse.

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Ha, ironic that I mention I don’t really like a capella verses like this and I end up posting 2 back to back.  Had to do it though.  The homies Skyzoo and Donny Goines spit a little something for y’all in Manhattan for part 9 of Donny’s “Bars” series.  I can’t wait to peep those projects Sky’s working on…