I've told this story a few times. I was listening to Scienze's The Phone Tap(e) project and this track came on called "From L.A." And that's the first time I heard L.A. rhyme.
From the beginning I thought she was dope. I was amazed that she had just started rhyming and was prepping her debut, The Presentation. This was back in July. There has been some time between my initial discovery of L.A.'s sound and the release of this project. And in the in between there have been a few additional tracks released, a few videos and my first time seeing her perform live. I knew this project was going to be dope.
Back in early September we talked about me doing her artwork. As you can tell, this project has a theme. A Kanye theme if you didn't notice. And everything connected with this project was very intentional. So, from the artwork, to the beat selection (most of Ye's old, new and rarely heard) to the mini movie video to go along with the release, it's all intertwined.
I definitely dig the vision.
I personally enjoyed The Presentation. But I'll warn you, that if you don't listen to LA's lyrics you'll be lost in the sauce. Listen. The girl has bars. I hope you enjoy. Chea!
It's Saturday, so you know what that means.....The Mad Video Selection! Of course we have another batch of must see hip-hop videos for your viewing pleasure. This week we have the likes of Dana Coppafeel, Lola Maxwell, Reks, Miles Jones, Stalley and Rashad. Each one has put in work and they do not disappoint. Remember, if you would like to have your video considered for the selection email readbeanpie@gmail.com. Sit back and enjoy!
I've always liked JC Poppe. And have long respected his honestly through his music. I was first introduced to Poppe when he released Sleep Therapy, an album that comes literally from a sleeping disorder. Music was his outlet to keep mind or body occupied. It was “Mixtape Epidemic” off of that project which immediately caught my attention.
We've been cool ever since.
Back when I first interviewed Poppe he described his sound as a bit alternative Hip-Hop with major influences from Public Enemy and Rage Against The Machine. To boil it down, his sound is aggressive.
And with his two new projects, he continues to build using that aggressive sound.
Tea Party and Shadowland provide two parts of the talented Wisconsin native. Tea Party, in a sense is your traditional Hip-Hop project. And Shadowlands is a deeper look into the personal side of Poppe, which includes some highs and lows from the last few years of his life. Of the two, Shadwolands is the more heartfelt project because of it's deep connection to Poppe personally.
That's not to say that the content on Tea Party isn't heartfelt. It's just a different personal connection.
I don't think Shadowlands could survive without the other. They compliment each other too well. You get this hard-hitting Hip-Hop side of Poppe in Tea Party and through Shadowlands you get some raw material that comes from a deeper place. Once you hit play, you'll get the picture.
Recently, I reached out to Poppe for an interview. Check out the Q&A after the jump.
Many of you know the story behind this DJ Premier beat. A few days ago it hit the net as a track that Kanye turned down because it was intended for the original concept of his last album. As soon as I heard it, I knew the Canadian emcee e.d.g.e. was going to attack it. DJ Premier is e.d.g.e.'s favorite producer. So, he took a timeout from working on his upcoming mixtape turned album, All Flow Everything, to drop this joint. It was less than a 24 hour turnaround. Check it out and as e.d.g.e. said, "your loss Mr. West." Ha! Enjoy.
Redman drops his latest visuals with a track off his album "Reggie". This joint features Kool Moe Dee and is filled with the feel of the 80's. Hip-Hop, baby. Check it out.
I'm not sure who put me on to Theo Martins but the dude is dope. Yesterday he released this fresh track about his recent trip to South Africa. The $port produced jawn is so soulful. Check it and enjoy.
Ya'll already know I'm a Shad fan. I caught this recent interview with JUICE Magazin. Shad is definitely one of my favorite emcees. Enjoy the interview. Chea!
I know I keep saying this about Chuuwee but I'm pretty sure the Sacramento emcee doesn't sleep. Project after project, track after track. Chuuwee keeps delivering dope music over and over again. His latest cut comes from his upcoming Look At Me Now project dropping Sunday night/Monday morning, compiled of a bunch of unreleased and older tracks. That should be cool. In the meantime, enjoy "Unfresh Prince." Chea!
It's been a while since I've given you some music from the Milwaukee homie Dana Coppafeel. This new joint presented by The COVERT Empire, is dope. Shouts to the folks over at Uni-Fi Records for the link. Enjoy.
Yes, Friday's Five Random Questions is back. I know you missed it. Ha!
And next up is The Real Jay Mills.
The first time I heard her was on the track "Trouble," featuring two other dynamite female emcees out of the DMV, Emperess and RAtheMC. I started checking for more music from her and found some of her older spoken word stuff and some of her raw and edgy Hip-Hop stuff. A few months back she responded to a request for a female emcee to rhyme over the "Devil In A New Dress" instrumental and delivered the fresh "feMC DIARY (Devil In A New Dress).”
Just recently she released a pretty fresh project, "Winter Sadness: PoetReMixtape Volume IV".
The Real Jay Mills is dope.
Anyway, this week she decided to take the challenge. Check out how she answered five random questions after the jump.