It’s been an incredible year for Open Mike Eagle. First, he signed a multi-album deal with Mello Music Group, he then released the critically acclaimed album “Dark Comedy,” and, after months of touring North America, he is off for his first ever European Tour. Also- he has a new podcast called “Secret Skin” that is on the Infinite Guests network of American Public Media.
Here’s an end of the year reminder of why he should be on your radar: ‘Late Show’, produced by Exile, and starring Open Mike Eagle (side note, this will appear on the annual Mello Music Group compilation out in early 2015). Artwork by Paul Grelet.
Let us introduce you to Peaky, a UK rapper with a worldwide sound that is already getting a massive thumbs up from some of Hip-Hops leading bloggers and deejays. ‘Crazy Pupil Syndrome’ is a free download concept album that you need in your life. This is something refreshingly creative, original and very unique; an album that you can’t afford to sleep on.
The story within the album takes the listener on a reflective journey into a few days of Peaky’s life, set a year ago; addicted to weed, reclusive, and disorganized. Now in a very different place, with so many things popping off for Peaky, this is a project that any discerning fan of real music will respect and love.
Musically, this album lends itself to some awesomely soulful, jazzy and funky vibrations with a 90’s golden era Boom Bap style. There are also more experimental and chilled tracks, which balance the more aggressive trap style tracks well. It’s diverse in its approach but has a very defining sound throughout, with an array of music videos already out virally.
Born and raised in Ladbroke Grove, West London, England, Peaky started writing and producing at the age of fifteen, just after winning a Bursary Scholarship to Charterhouse Boarding School at age the age of thirteen. Being educated there gave Peaky a broad perspective on either end of the economic spectrum which can be seen in the way he delivers and writes songs.
Peaky is also part of the collective known as FRWRDthnkrs which he runs with experimental, electronic Hip-Hop producer HAWF who produced the ‘Advent’ project where together they released one track a day for the 25 days of December up to Christmas, at the end of 2013. Earlier this year Peaky did an independent tour of South California and performing alongside Bizzy Bone, Reverie & Devin the Dude. He was also made a member of the West Coast collective theFreshState, proving once more that he is more than just your average UK emcee.
Peaky – Crazy Pupil Syndrome (Track-listing):
01. Painting the City (feat. Clare Bishop)
02. LAtely
03. Holding My Dreams
04. Skit – “Awake”
05. Dead Presidents
06. Dilations and Credentials
07. Belly of the Sphinx
08. Skit – “Results + My Ego”
09. Patrick Stewart / Grind
10. Lonely and Cold
11. Skit – “Invitation”
12. Luxury
13. Drunk Off the Funk
14. Too Late
15. Televised Daemons
16. Fr£ak$ (feat. Eyesis Star)
17. Lucifer’s Wrist (feat. Hlkz & Kahlee)[Bonus]
Devine Carama is an indie artist from Lexington, KY. He has recently worked with Thee Tom Hardy, Nemo Achida, Nappy Roots, Canibus, & CunningLynguists. Here we have the title track from his ‘Believing In forever’ album also available to stream and download below.
“Believing In Forever” is produced by German production team S&G Beatz who also produced the album’s lead single “Satan Radio (66.6 FM)”. Stream and cop the album here….
If you’ve been listening to Hip-Hop for a while now, you’ll come across some common tropes. Beyond the fashion trends and throwback rhymes, it seems like some of the best acts in the genre rely on the dynamic between deejay and emcee. From DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Gang Starr and of course, Rahzel & DJ JS-1, these duos have forged a bond that makes the music that much better, but yet they also understand the roles that they each provide.
While we often hear of the rapper’s exploits, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear some rhymes that give the man behind the wheels some credit. For the neck snapping collision of horns and drum work found on “Sample Abuser,” you can expect some fire from DJ JS-1, a man who’s got the gusto to open up the beat to a hilarious sample from Season 6, of Curb Your Enthusiasm. With a trio of verbal assassins — AG, Sadat X and Neek the Exotic, who all take us on a trip down memory lane on their experiences with some of their favourite producers, the track comes across as a genuine anthem for those cats who are scheming for that big break.
If you’re in desperate need of some good ol’ fashioned Boom bap to get you though the week, look no further than the Queens Hip-Hop fanatic, DJ JS-1 and his recently released producer LP, ‘It Is What It Isn’t’, which is available on CD through Fat Beats or UGHH, and can be purchased for download through all major digital retailers.
‘Radio’ is the latest visual offering from Fdot’s dope NEW album “I’m a Rebel”, featuring Alex Bruce, Trezay and Dre Dollars.
Shout out to Jada Silk for the ‘cameo’.
Nightfall is the solo production album by Gadget which consists of thirteen fine crafted instrumentals produced as a result of often being inspired by the cosy feeling of the night and the “bright lights in the big city” of London. Each track was made during a time period when Gadget felt most motivated and focused on his craft around this particular time of the day.
This project features one or two fan favourites and a couple of tracks which were leaked as previews, all of which have been revisited, fine tuned and topped off with brand new head nodding Hip Hop straight out of the ‘Audio Dojo’ where Gadget aka Dirty Thumbs gets busy.
Expect to be taken on a ride through realms and moods that are dark, funky, hard hitting, uplifting, spiritual, melancholic, jazzy and even a little bashy, but always very Hip Hop.
“This album is dedicated to Bridgette Yvette Stuart who was my proud Mother, friend and teacher that passed away early this year. ‘Lone Stroller’ was made with her in mind and the sound carries the feeling. It was also the last thing I was able to make during that time, which told me the album was now complete as I was no longer motivated during the evenings. A few months later I began to dig in bags of 45’s I found in her loft : bit.ly/BabsysCrate : and I made ‘Bashmental’. This has begun a new chapter as I intend to eventually make an album using nothing but those records. She would have loved that and boasted about the idea when among her closest people!!” – Gadget