‘Round Here’ is the first single taken from the upcoming LP “Moment of silence II” the road to perdition, ‘Round Here’ addresses the pit falls of growing up in the ends and trying to make it out.
General Steele of Smif-N-Wessun/Boot Camp Clik fame and Burlington, Vermont-based producer Es-K present the music video for “Persistence”, the first single from their brand new collaboration album ‘Building Bridges’. “Persistence” features guest verses from VVS Verbal and Louie Skaggs, and the video was shot by Sisco.
Produced mostly by Es-K, ‘Building Bridges’ features guest appearances from Buckshot of Black Moon, Smoothe Da Hustler, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Rockness Monsta of Heltah Skeltah, and a posthumous cameo from his late great partner, Sean Price. As one half of Smif-N-Wessun, General Steele crashed the hip-hop scene in the 1990s with their debut album Dah Shinin’ (named a Top 100 Album Of All Time by The Source and a Top 50 Debut Album Of All Time by Complex). Their last release – 2011’s Monumental- was produced by Pete Rock, and Steele has also collaborated with Tupac Shakur, Mary J Blige, 50 Cent, Raekwon and Bounty Killer.
Es-K may be best known for his 2014 album Serenity (listen) as well as his ‘Spontaneous Grooves’ beat tape series, where every beat on each tape was made in one sitting each. A low-key display of introspective verses, classic cuts and jazz-inflected beats, ‘Building Bridges’ stays true to its name by bridging the gap between established artists and rising ones alike such as VVS Verbal, Shadow The Great of Loaf Muzik, Napoleon Da Legend, Mar’rz Atomz, Stage One, Louie Skaggs, Boone Bixby, Supreme The Eloheem (from the Representativz) and Coke as well as production from Hellfire Beats and Central Parks. DMC champion DJ Grazzhoppa contributes cuts alongside Hashfinger and Hellfire.
The cover art comes courtesy of Joe Buck, the artist behind the ‘De La Soul Is Dead’ cover art. ‘Building Bridges’ appears via Bucktown USA, the multi-media company General Steele created in 2004 alongside partner Cynical Smith, with digital distribution through Duck Down, including a limited-edition pressing of 500 records which will be available 02/12/16
Got two joints here from our ATL homie Rod McCoy that showcase his versatility, above we have the track ‘La$t Day’ featuring Frank P. Rod and Frank subjectively explore What if today was your last day? Would you go out and get it like it was the last opportunity to make a better future for your kids? Would you get it like it was your last chance fulfill a legacy?
Hell Yeah, Hustle and grind people!
The second track from Rod is ‘Pushin Dope’ where he links up with Australian based producer BryZone_YBP to deliver an elevatious record with wavy trap-like production and his tactical wordplay on display, imagine audio dope rather than illegal drug dealing!
Check out this sick new project from London rapper FlowTecs, ‘The Concrete Doctrine’ dropped at the end of October on the Boom Bap Professionals Label.
21 tracks deep the album displays FlowTecs distinctive sound and lyricism and has some killer features from Iron Braydz, Tesla’s Ghost, Ray Vendeta, Joey Menza, Solar Black and more. Accompanied by neck snapping production from the likes of Micall Parknsun, Bad Company, Ringz Ov Saturn, Huzzman to name a few. Add to that cuts from Evil Ed and DJ Trickalome and we have ourselves an Underground banger!
To celebrate the release of ‘More Politics’ yesterday, Term unveils a new visual for the album’s closing track, “It’s Quiet,” which is produced by Dame Grease and also shares a full stream of ‘More Politics’ as well.
In 2008, Termanology began making a name for himself, he had several highly-acclaimed singles in rotation and when DJ Premier laced him with one of his signature, scratch-laden beats on “Watch How It Go Down” the hood conscious anthem became an underground classic; and with it Termanology thrust himself onto hip-hop’s international radar.
Soon after, Term released his solo-debut, ‘Politics As Usual’, a project that included a Mount Rushmore like array of producers; DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Havoc, Alchemist, Hi-Tek, Buckwild, Easy Mo Bee & Nottz. Politics As Usual was one of those rare projects which managed to merge the best of both worlds for Hip-Hop fans; meshing classic boom-bap production from a virtual who’s who list of production royalty with Term’s lyricism, swagger and bravado.
Just as in life, in hip-hop everything comes full-circle and while a lot has changed since Termanology released his debut; he’s back with ‘More Politics’. Similar to his debut, ‘More Politics’ again brings together the elite of the elite beatsmiths, as Just Blaze, Q-Tip, Buckwild, Hi-Tek, Nottz, Dame Grease, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and his brother from another mother Statik Selektah all contribute production. Further, Term has also recruited all-star cast of luminaries to round out what promises to be one of 2016’s most diverse projects; Joey Bada$$, Bun B, Styles P, Sheek Louch, Saigon, KXNG Crooked, Bodega Bamz, Westside Gunn, Conway, Your Old Droog & Chris Rivers.
September 2016 marked the 30 year anniversary of people painting graffiti art at West London’s most loved hall of fame, Trellick Towers. Chrome & Black thought it was only right to hold a paint jam in celebration of this!
‘INSIDE’ is inspired by Delta Lima’s upcoming short film ‘Hall of Mirrors’, which explores Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Sales of the track will be donated to the BDD Foundation who do great work in raising awareness and supporting people with BDD and those who treat people with the disorder.
Creatures of Habit – ‘Self Portrait’, is taken from the dope debut album ‘Test Subjects’ which dropped back in October on RLD Records. Creatures of Habit are a new group which comprises of Eric the Red, Sean Peng and producer Illinformed, the album features Leaf Dog, Smellington Piff, BVA, Verb T, Jack Jetson, Gee Bag, OAB & Dj Merk.
We all have those moments where we spazz out, go on a tirade, and speak our facts. Ras uses a trap beat to vent about the current issues in Rap while parodying some (in)famous Kanye West incidents. Track produced by C-Dash, hook by Atlanta’s Chiccen.
Video Directed by Affion Crocket, Videography by @BZfilmz
(Numskull of the Luniz starring as Kanye, and more…)
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