First Listen: SonReal "Where's Waldo" (Download)

The first time I heard SonReal was back in December. Kind of late in the game perhaps considering the Canadian emcee had been putting out music for a while at that point. But I've been steady playing catch up since hearing that Tona featured track, "Dr Dumb It Down." I thought something was dope about SonReal during that first listen. I haven't been disappointed since. Leading up to the release of his latest project, Where's Waldo, SonReal was steady pushing visuals and singles for both this project and his previous one, The Lightyear Mixtape. I became a fast fan of his work.

Last month I linked up with SonReal for my column Return of The Real over at RefinedHype.com and we talked about his sound and this project. He's on a mission to bring his music to the world.

During that interview I asked him about the concept behind Where's Waldo. He responded, "It has nothing to do with that lil’ red striped dude. I just called it that for familiarity and what not. It's all about me being an artist right now that is hard to find in the grand scheme of things, but once you find me.... it's over. You’re like "damn... I found him this guy is dope"

At seventeen tracks, Where's Waldo is definitely a winner. SonReal prides himself on dope hooks and you definitely get that over some solid production coupled with some incredible word play. If you weren't paying attention to SonReal before this, Where's Waldo is a fine introduction. You can preview below and if you dig it, download it. Enjoy. Chea!



twitter.com/therealsonreal

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Ritchcraft's 30 in 30 (Day 16: @Plaeboi Presents - Real Life of DJs)

I'm starting to really enjoy these videos more and more each day. I caught the latest offering a little late from Ritchcraft but here it is nonetheless. Check out my day 15 interview with Ritchcraft here. Also get the back story on Ritchcraft's 30 in 30 here. Enjoy day 16. Chea!

www.ritchslapped.com
twitter.com/Ritchcraft

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Check It ... Lyriciss Feat. L.A. "Superbad" (Extended Mix)

Honestly, I already thought that this Lyriciss track off his upcoming project was dope. Sometimes you hear a track and you're like, "yeah, this doesn't need anything else because it's fresh." That's how I felt about "Superbad." But then I heard my homegirl L.A. was gonna jump on an extended mix of the track and I was excited to hear that. This Superbad extended mix is insane. L.A. matches the intensity of Lyriciss' well laid verses, with a super aggressive flow. Lyriciss is dope and there's no secret I'm an L.A. fan (#NoLakers). Hit play and enjoy this joint. Chea!



twitter.com/Lyriciss
twitter.com/UCanCallmeLA

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Check It ... Chuuwee x Jonathan Lowell "My Place" Feat. J. Good

Chuuwee and J.Good are two dope emcees out of the Cali Hip-Hop scene. Check out the Jonathan Lowell produced track off of Chuuwee and Lowell's upcoming Be Cool. Hit play and enjoy the smooth soul-sampled "My Place." Be Cool, coming soon. Chea!



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What I'm Watching ... Element-Tree Presents: Jinesis

Element-Tree Presents: Jinesis from Jinesis on Vimeo.

I caught this video featuring Jinesis a few nights back. Serringe (artist and graf head) has been sitting down with up-coming musicians and spotlighting them for his website. Check out the latest video featuring the Bronx producer Jinesis. The beats are fresh. One of my favorites drops around the 3:55 mark. The other drops around 5:38. Let that boy cook! Ha! Jinesis is dope. Enjoy.

iamjinesis.com
serringe.blogspot.com

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Check It ... @YCTheCynic "Unconscious"

"Calling audibles while I'm rhyming ..." 

YC The Cynic clearly has a dope rhyme book. On the eve of the release of his latest offering, Fall Fwd, YC drops off the Steel Tipped Dove produced "Unconscious" track. Dope. Dope like the rest of the project. You may have to run this one back a few times to really appreciate the word play. I can't wait for ya'll to hear Fall Fwd when it drops tomorrow. It's impressive. With so much music dropping daily, a project is all about repeatability. Fall Fwd is on it's 10th play with me. Fall Fwd March 1st. Enjoy "Unconscious" in the meantime. Chea!



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What I'm Watching ... Pharoahe Monch "The Warning" ft. Idris Elba

I can NOT wait for Pharoahe Monch's next album to drop. Every solo effort on his part has been unequivocally dope. Never disappoints me. Check out this quick warning.

Pharoahe Monch W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) album officially out March 22nd.

"The Warning," directed by Todd Angkasuwan, also contains a portion of Pharoahe Monch's title track, W.A.R. featuring Immortal Technique.

Pharoahe Monch W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) is a 13-track album with an eclectic mix of feature artists such as Jill Scott, Styles P, Immortal Technique, Vernon Reid, Citizen Cope, Phonte, Jean Grae, Mr. Porter, Idris Elba, Royce Da 5'9" & more. The album has production from Marco Polo, M-Phazes, Diamond D, Exile, Pharoahe Monch himself & more.

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Check It ... e.d.g.e. "Citylife"

Check out the newest cut from the homie e.d.g.e. I'm definitely digging the sample. Dope track!

"If you know about Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, then this descriptive freeverse will paint a picture you're already familiar with."

twitter.com/​edge1981
edge.bandcamp.com

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Interview: Ritchcraft talks 30 in 30 x Day 15: Baby I Don't Wanna Dance

About a month or so ago Halifax, Canada producer Ritchcraft told me about his ambitious project to put out 30 beats in 30 days (30 in 30) as a lead up to his visit to South By Southwest (SXSW) this year. Simply put, he wanted to introduce more folks to his production style to lay down a bit of a foundation for his trip to Texas to network and connect when music makers from around the world descend on Austin.

I thought the concept was dope.

So, The Mad Bloggers being longtime supporters of Ritchcraft's work were committed to a post per day to share his beats. I haven't been disappointed yet. The kid is talented.

15 days in with 15 days to go, I sat down with Ritchcraft to talk about the project a little bit. Check out our Q&A and day 15's video after the jump.

Ritchcraft's 30 in 30 (Day 14: London)

Another day, another fresh beat. Get the back story on Ritchcraft's 30 in 30 here and peep day 14. Enjoy. Chea!

www.ritchslapped.com
twitter.com/Ritchcraft

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The Mad Video Selection

Lunchmoney - "Blackberry Bars"

Welcome to another week of dope videos including a special pick from TMB's OC Supreme. Again hit me at readbeanpie@gmail.com to have your video considered. Enjoy!

Check It ... J.Good "Change My Ways" Feat. Von Pea and L.E.G.A.C.Y.

Another dope cut from J. Good's upcoming Look on the Brightside project. The new project features TiRon, Ayomari, El Prez and more. In the latest preview from the project, "Change My Ways", the Sacramento emcee is joined by Von Pea (Tanya Morgan) and L.E.G.A.C.Y. (Justus League). The track was produced by T.U.S. (The Usual Suspects) brethren Tellapath. With cuts from DJ Jun, this track is definitely a winner. Enjoy. Chea!



jgoodmusic.com
twitter.com/jgoodtus

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