I haven't been let down by a project that Man Mantis has been involved with. This K.Raydio project is no different. I stumbled upon this project today and it seems as though K.Raydio came out of no where (to me at least). In between working on other posts, I kept finding myself coming back to her Significant (Other) project, which just dropped. This project is soooooo soulful and refreshing. Listen, download and enjoy! CHEA!
Just look at their cover artwork and you know this project is gonna be something different. Sex And Pencil Shavings is just that. Different, eclectic and at the end of the day, enjoyable. When I hit play on their new project, I had only having heard one previous track from The Cranberry Show (Arcane and Young Focus). I knew I liked their sound and was curious as to what a full album would bring from the Milwaukee based duo.
Things kicked off with "Electric Girl." The production is crazy on the intro track and carries throughout the project. Tracks like "I'm Horny," and "Perks" continue to build on the have fun and live life attitude of S.A.P.S.. After several plays of the album, I can tell you that The Cranberry Show definitely didn't go the safe route. This album is who they are.
The rhymes won't blow you away but you will laugh and enjoy their word play, sometimes making you rewind to catch a punch line again.
The album will definitely appeal to a younger audience but not all old heads will write it off. It's a fusion of fun tracks and high energy, with a comical approach. It's worth a listen.
I reached out to the duo for a Q&A. Buckle your seat belts because just like their album, they don't hold back with the interview. Enjoy!
Pic courtesy of David Szymanski
TMB: How long have ya'll been collectively been doing music? Both from Milwaukee?
Arcane: Yeah, we we're both born and raised in Milwaukee Wisconsin. We have been doing music together now for a good 2 years. It's been a wild ride.
Young Focus: Actually I'm not from this Mil-wau-kee you ask about. I'm from a small land inside of a woman called a Vaginero. See, many many moons ago there was a great war in the land of Testicalonia. It ended in a monumental race between the males and the females, though back then we were only pods with little tails attached. We bursted in and broke down the the walls of Vaginero. Then we raced to the safe egg in the realm of Ovareesha. Long story short I WAS THE WINNER.
TMB: How'd you explain your sound in five words or less?
A: SOUNDS UNICORNS MAKE WHILE MASTURBATING!
YF: Rock, Rap and Pop orgy
TMB: What's the concept behind Sex and Pencil Shavings? I mean, the name is random, to me at least. How did you guys develop it?
A: Sex & Pencil Shavings is metaphor for the beginning and the end. See, the "SEX" brings life so that's the beginning. And the "PENCIL SHAVINGS" are the end because its what you leave behind as you get sharper from life grinding on you. What we truly believe is our music covers all basses, from the beginning, middle to the end. So the name was really fitting.
YF: Actually it came from a wild one night stand I had with a pencil sharpener. I know what your thinking... and the answer is yes, yes it was worth the hospital visit. Next question.
Pic courtesy of David Szymanski
TMB: Who are some of the people you worked with on your project?
YF: We actually only have two songs on our album with features. The first song on the album features the vocal stylings of a beautiful young lady by the name of Shylea Marie. She gets backed up on that same song by the very talented Jonathon Frost. And there is another song called "Rock The World" which contains vocals from a true music renaissance man by the name of Nov. But we worked really close with a producer by the name of 40-Mil, so he produced most tracks on the album.
TMB: What's the one track on S.A.P.S. that speaks to who you guys are as a group?
A: I think the one track that really speaks to us as a group is the last track on the album entitled "THAT MUZIK". It's a rebel, fuck the world, rowdy track that will give people an idea of our stage show because of the high energy.
YF: The song I would choose is "Im Horny." I dont think i really have to explain more than that
TMB: What's the one track on S.A.P.S. that speaks to who you guys are as individuals?
A: I feel like the track "PERKS" is the track that defines me the most. It's a super steezy and cocky track, but also just laid back.
YF: I'd have to say the song "Electric Girl." It's very eclectic and percise while paying great attention to detail.
TMB: What's your overall favorite track on S.A.P.S.?
A: MY FAVORITE TRACK IS HANDS DOWN IS "THAT MUZIK"
YF: I would have to go with "Electric Girl"
TMB: Which track off of S.A.P.S. would be on the soundtrack of your life and why?
A: MOON SONG WOULD BE MY ANSWER. BECAUSE THE WAY I GREW UP I ALWAYS GOT MADE FUN OF BECAUSE OF HOW I DRESS AND LOOK. BUT THE OG'S RESPECTED IT BECAUSE I WAS DOING ME. AND NOW PEOPLE RESPECT IT. THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT OF THE SONG!
YF: Most definitely "Rock the World." I picked this one because it's all about taking charge of your own destiny and making the world pay attention to you.
Pic courtesy of David Szymanski
TMB: Where do you guys wanna see your music go?
A: OVER SEAS!!! It's already creating a buzz in places like the UK and Japan but that's not good enough. I want it to be like, we go over there and they have a hotel with Madonna half naked, crapes and those pretzel filled M&M's (but only the blue kind). We wanna be the best thing since slice bread internationally so we have A LOT of work to do.
YF: I just wanna see it in every porno featuring big girls with midget men.
TMB: What's next?
YF: The World Pinky (brain voice) No, really we have a tour in the works as well as a mixtape dropping on Thanksgiving day.
TMB: What's one thing you'd like people to take away from listening to S.A.P.S.?
A: THAT IT WAS WELL WORTH THE WAIT
YF: It's the herpes of the music world. Once you have it, it's a part of your life FOREVER!
The Cranberry Show Sex And Pencil Shavings is available on iTunes
RAtheMC is a fiery emcee on the mic! She definitely brings it with her new project too, which oh by the way is NOT a mixtape. Dig it to Heart of a Champion and enjoy.
"You couldn't be a blogger 'cause you bloggers ain't MAD..."
If you follow The Mad Bloggers Show, this track should sound familiar as our intro music. For those not up on the show or playing catch up, we wanted to share this track with you from theOTHERSIDE (Keno on vocals and Sauce on the boards). Those dudes are dope (collectively and as individual artists) This track is our super hero theme music shit! Enjoy and check out more great music from theOTHERSIDE (links below).
Pretty chill video from Slakah the Beatchild and music to go along with it. B-Boy Beef. We need to bring it back to that level. It's just much more fun. Check the video out and see for yourself.
Kellz is back with a song reminiscent of the golden years of soul music. Here, he sings about the amazing strength and heart a woman has for the one she loves. The depths she goes through, the patience she exhibits. This dude got some serious chops. I'm definitely digging this and can't wait for "Arra's (R's)" next album to drop. Check it.
Yeah, so voting ends tonight (midnight) for the Black Weblog Awards! If you dig what we do, then it's time to support the movement AND vote for The Mad Bloggers in the Best Hip-Hop Blog category!
Interesting concept. Check it out and share your thoughts down in the comment section.
New month = new beat tape. Do you remember New Edition's 1984 self titled album? You know....the one with Mr. Telephone Man, Cool It Now, and I'm Leaving You Again. Wait 'till you hear what I did to those plus every other song on that album. No sample is safe, hide your vinyl.
Check out another cool track from Halifax emcee Quake, featuring Reks (Boston) and Kayo (Halifax). "Do My Thing" is featured on his LP, The Myth. Check it.
A lot of these joints are just cool to chill to and a gang of them I'd love to hear someone flow over. Check out the new old project from the homie HP Tha Hybrid. I challenge someone to rhyme over "Deetwa Bound" or "Kewl Depression." Those two are among my favorites. But do your thing over any track and be sure you hit up the homie HP when you're done.
The premise behind "The Purge" is progression. In order to move on in my growth as a musician I felt it made sense for me to cleanse my hard drive. "The Purge" is a collection of beats made between the period of 2007-2009 that were unused, unfinished, and unappreciated. I figured instead of hoarding these beats for myself another 3 years why not let people hear it. This is my gift to all the artists that are looking for quality production but don't have the money to purchase the production. If you are an artist and you decide to use any of the tracks I would love to hear what you did. You can contact me via twitter @hpthahybrid or via email hpthahybrid@gmail.com. Feedback is welcome. Peace and Enjoy. HP
Remember that time they said there weren't any dope female emcees in Hip-Hop? Guess those folks weren't looking hard enough because these three DMV emcees, who happen to be women, are dope. They all have individual projects out and together on this track they kill it. Part of The Real Jay Mills' Summer Madness project, this is easily one of my favorite tracks released this year. With a new edit, check the updated version of "Trouble." Enjoy.
Lola Maxwell is dope. I first caught the twenty something year old DC born and raised emcee when she was pushing her Basik Edukation project. The first track I recall hearing from her "Assembly." The track was (is) so fresh. A few weeks later when Basik Edukation dropped and it was filled with so many dope cuts. It still gets rotation from me. Now Lola is back pushing new music with her single "Black Madonna (Y.O.U.)." Fresh. Enjoy.
