Debuted by Passion of the Weiss, the Atlanta Rapper Follows Fetty Wap-Assisted Single with New Visuals From Upcoming I Am Juugman Album
11.10.2015
Critical Praise:
“Ralph and Wapâs contrasting styles blend well together as the Juugmanâs grumbling flow blends into Fettyâs sentimental melodies…” – XXL
The Video:
Today, rapper Yung Ralph drops visuals for “Everyday” premiered by Passion of the Weiss. With Yung Ralph’s forthcoming I Am Juugman project, for which he released the Fetty Wap-assisted first single “Act A Fool” last month via The FADER, the underground king’s regional prominence demands national recognition. For many, including Kevin Gates, itâs Yung Ralphâs rhymes that stick. Yung Ralphâs lyrics are genuine, honest, and impactful, filled with gems share a story of someone thatâs dealt with a significant amount struggles and successes, maintaining his humility and loyalty throughout – as is evident in âEveryday.” “Where Juuginâ Round the City was notable for its low end-heavy maximalism, ‘Everyday’ siphons all the shine toward Ralph himself,” stated Passion of the Weiss. “In fact, the song is anchored by an acapella chorus that leaves plenty of room for his distinctive growl.”
An architect of the Atlanta sound thatâs been popularized over the past 5+ years, Yung Ralph aka Juugman is no stranger to the game, having first gained traction with his regional hit âLook Like Money“ in 2007 via Universal Republic. A frequent collaborator of Gucci Mane and Zaytoven at the time, a short list of highlights to follow includes having teamed up with Nicki Minaj in 2010 for “I Bought That,” releasing his Juugin’ Round the City mixtape in 2013, and most recently being featured on Rich Gangâs âRidinâ as well as Young Thug‘s Slime Season stand-out âRarriâ – Thugger actually shouts him out on âStonerâ with the lyric âIâm back at it, Juugman voice,â in reference to Yung Ralphâs âBack At Itâ single.
Roots Reggae/Dub Band Preps for Set In Stone Album with Nature-Enveloped Visuals, Premiered via Billboard
11.10.2015
Critical Praise for Stick Figure:
“Say hello again to one of the most exciting bands in the reggae world…” – This Song Is Sick
“Reggae is always there for us. Like a giant, warm, tie-dye hemp blanket waiting to smother us in positive energy and lift our spirits. Stick Figure’s latest track, titled ‘Smokin’ Love,’ does exactly that.”– Indie Shuffle
“American roots-reggae/dub band Stick Figure is rocking Billboard’s Digital Reggae Singles chart.” – Jamaica Observer
“The music of Stick Figure is taking Roots Reggae Dub to new heights.” – Branch Out Music
The Video:
Amidst the never-ending terrain of mighty redwoods and the ocean-sprayed oasis of a sunset-painted West Coast beach, the four-man roots reggae/dub band Stick Figure takes us through their personal haven in their latest music video for “Fire on the Horizon” premiered by Billboard. Hailing from Duxbury, Massachusetts, the reggae favorites, who are one of the fastest growing bands in the US scene, use the visuals to highlight their new hometown of Santa Cruz, California. Garnished with fresh, delay-blanketed guitars and vapory pads, the track seamlessly unites with the natural-lit, lush NorCal forests.
“Fire on the Horizon” is from their upcoming album Set In Stone, which took three years to create in a self-constructed recording studio in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  âProduction-wise, this is the biggest and best album we have made so far,” explained frontman Scott Woodruff in an interview with The Pier. “I spent a lot of time refining the production and picking new sounds to sample.â Set In Stone, which will be released on November 13th, features Collie Buddz, Slightly Stoopid, and Eric Rachmany (Rebelution) and their previously released single âSmokinâ Loveâ has garnered over 2.5 million listens on Soundcloud and over 3 million on Pandora.
Stick Figure is led by multi-instrumentalist/producer Scott Woodruff, whose previous album Burial Ground peaked at #1 on Billboardâs and iTunesâ Reggae Charts. Known for their incredibly hard-won tour schedule, Scott and his band have toured with Slightly Stoopid, Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Collie Buddz, Tribal Seeds, The Green, and many others. As with all previous Stick Figure releases, Set in Stone was written, produced and recorded by Woodruff, a self-taught musician.  An avid music fan who in high school traded bootleg CDs of his favorite artistâs unreleased demos, Scottâs handcrafted music connected with a community of avid listeners who discovered him exclusively by word of mouth and social media. Selling tens of thousands of copies of each of his self-produced releases allowed him travel the world in pursuit of meaning and experience. Scott moved to San Diego, CA where his recording career continued to blossom with its DIY ethic intact. As recently as 2012, he was putting up his own posters for Burial Ground at the California Roots Festival. Two years later, Stick Figure was commanding center stage at the massive event.
Stick Figure will be hitting the road again for their Set In Stone Tour. Set In Stone will be released this Friday, November 13th.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Stick Figure.
Stick Figure Background:
Southern California Roots Reggae favorites Stick Figure are one of the few acts that are able to consistently reinvent themselves in the Reggae world. Stylistically unique, the band is able to build on their Reggae and Dub influences while creating a style completely their own. Multi-instrumentalist, producer and frontman Scott Woodruff fathered the group and is noted for his innovative style of recording; individually playing each instrument and multi-tracking them in unison. As with his previous releases, the upcoming Set in Stone was entirely written, produced and recorded by Woodruff, a self-taught musician. His touring band features Kevin Bong (Keyboards), Kevin Offitzer (Drums), and Tommy Suliman (Bass), having played alongside the likes of SOJA, Collie Buddz, Alpha Blondy and The Expendables. Having 5 full-length albums and selling over 50,000 albums worldwide on top of charting #1 on both the Reggae iTunes and Billboard charts, the band shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Last year, Stick Figure kicked off the summer with the June 3rd release of “Smokin’ Love,” a feel-good anthem featuring Collie Buddz that had over 25 million plays on Soundcloud, while hitting the road with Rebelution for their Count Me InTour alongside Reggae favorites Iration and The Green. They will release their sixth album, Set in Stone, on November 13th, 2015.
“Heâs a great rapper who you can imagine killing it at open mics, cyphers and old-school styled club nights.” –Â Â PotholesInMyBlog
“You’ll find WAVES incorporates several different genres within it’s overall hip-hop vibe– electronic, rock, and blues are some of the other elements tapped…” – HotNewHipHop
“The rising rapper […] has continued to dominate his own lane… Prob will have you locked in.” – XXL
“…just one conversation with ProbCause is enough to make you realize that he’s deeper than even his most serious lyrics suggest.” – Chicagoist.com
âThe lanky MC’s vocal gymnastics have an elastic flow⊠he raps like a fan in the crowd hollering at the DJ to pump up the volume.â –Â Chicago Reader
“Itâs diverse, veering from slower flows erring in the sub-genre of jazz-rap to hard-hitting, hard-spitting electro-rap. Itâs a perfect summer project…” – HillyDilly
“In Chicago and beyond, ProbCause is one to watch. His skills, creativity and persona are refreshing and unlike much else. There is a spin on everything that sounds and feels distinctly his. In both the rap game and the art world he is changing the rules.” – FakeShoreDrive.com
The Video:
Chicago rapper ProbCause teamed up with a group of DePaul University students for his nostalgic “Pale Moonlight” video that channels a setting inspired by legendary jazz club The Green Mill circa the 1920âs. âChicago has a very dark and unique history that I think can be felt in the song,â ProbCause told Yahoo! Music in their premiere of the Mac Kozi and Danny Farber-directed visual. The seemingly innocent jazz club scene quickly turns into a violent backroom scene inspired by the history of organized crime in Chicago, a city that prominent mob figure Al Capone famously called home. A single from 2014’s WAVES EP, the lanky emcee enlisted The Social Experiment‘s Donnie Trumpet to give the song the âOld Chicagoâ feel.
This year ProbCause released Drifters, a versatile album with subject matter that ranges from enchanting explorations of romantic companionship on âPortraitâ to a dream state of skepticism on âWake Up,â and later the slacker-friendly serenading of âThe Woods.â Debuted by Red Bull Music, Drifters reveals the highly collaborative and vibrant musical community within the city of Chicago. âI work with a lot of really talented musicians in Chicago so it was a very organic thing to involve them in the production process,” ProbCause explained. “[This album] is much more musical than anything Iâve made in the past.â
The album followed an 18-city tour with Lil Dicky that spanned the East Coast and South in June, and came prior to a performance at the North Coast Festival and ProbCause’s own headlining Drifters Tour. The Chicago rapper announced the project via Consequence of Sound in July with âI Feel U,â the first single thatâs since eclipsed 180K plays on SoundCloud. Released via Gramatikâs Lowtemp Music, the final teaser came when Complex shared the juke/footwork-inspired âM.I.A.” With influences from a diverse range of genres including punk, jazz, hip-hop, and more, ProbCause is one of Chicago’s most versatile emcees bending genres to create his own sound. Drifters is now available for stream and purchase.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with ProbCause.
ProbCause Background:
ProbCause is a prolific rapper and a painter too. Between performing at SXSW, North Coast, Costa Rica, and tour dates nation-wide, ProbCause is keeping busy and inspiring fellow students at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His sound, which jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, helped get him signed to high-profile booking agency Paradigm. With stories that make you reminisce and a percussive delivery that highlights his versatile production skills, ProbCause is at the head of the pack of promising new Chicago artists.
Video: ProbCause ft. Donnie Trumpet & KSRA – “Pale Moonlight”
Premiered by Yahoo! Music, the Chicago Rapper Channels His Inner Al Capone For a Visual Following His Drifters EP
11.10.2015
Critical Praise for ProbCause:
“ProbCause nimbly rides fusion-friendly hip-hop tracks; there’s the DJ Screwed-up dubstep buzzer ‘Ego Trip’ and the ecstatic rap-rock track ‘Neon Dreams.'” – SPIN
“Heâs a great rapper who you can imagine killing it at open mics, cyphers and old-school styled club nights.” –Â Â PotholesInMyBlog
“You’ll find WAVES incorporates several different genres within it’s overall hip-hop vibe– electronic, rock, and blues are some of the other elements tapped…” – HotNewHipHop
“The rising rapper […] has continued to dominate his own lane… Prob will have you locked in.” – XXL
“…just one conversation with ProbCause is enough to make you realize that he’s deeper than even his most serious lyrics suggest.” – Chicagoist.com
âThe lanky MC’s vocal gymnastics have an elastic flow⊠he raps like a fan in the crowd hollering at the DJ to pump up the volume.â –Â Chicago Reader
“Itâs diverse, veering from slower flows erring in the sub-genre of jazz-rap to hard-hitting, hard-spitting electro-rap. Itâs a perfect summer project…” – HillyDilly
“In Chicago and beyond, ProbCause is one to watch. His skills, creativity and persona are refreshing and unlike much else. There is a spin on everything that sounds and feels distinctly his. In both the rap game and the art world he is changing the rules.” – FakeShoreDrive.com
The Video:
Chicago rapper ProbCause teamed up with a group of DePaul University students for his nostalgic “Pale Moonlight” video that channels a setting inspired by legendary jazz club The Green Mill circa the 1920âs. âChicago has a very dark and unique history that I think can be felt in the song,â ProbCause told Yahoo! Music in their premiere of the Mac Kozi and Danny Farber-directed visual. The seemingly innocent jazz club scene quickly turns into a violent backroom scene inspired by the history of organized crime in Chicago, a city that prominent mob figure Al Capone famously called home. A single from 2014’s WAVES EP, the lanky emcee enlisted The Social Experiment‘s Donnie Trumpet to give the song the âOld Chicagoâ feel.
This year ProbCause released Drifters, a versatile album with subject matter that ranges from enchanting explorations of romantic companionship on âPortraitâ to a dream state of skepticism on âWake Up,â and later the slacker-friendly serenading of âThe Woods.â Debuted by Red Bull Music, Drifters reveals the highly collaborative and vibrant musical community within the city of Chicago. âI work with a lot of really talented musicians in Chicago so it was a very organic thing to involve them in the production process,” ProbCause explained. “[This album] is much more musical than anything Iâve made in the past.â
The album followed an 18-city tour with Lil Dicky that spanned the East Coast and South in June, and came prior to a performance at the North Coast Festival and ProbCause’s own headlining Drifters Tour. The Chicago rapper announced the project via Consequence of Sound in July with âI Feel U,â the first single thatâs since eclipsed 180K plays on SoundCloud. Released via Gramatikâs Lowtemp Music, the final teaser came when Complex shared the juke/footwork-inspired âM.I.A.” With influences from a diverse range of genres including punk, jazz, hip-hop, and more, ProbCause is one of Chicago’s most versatile emcees bending genres to create his own sound. Drifters is now available for stream and purchase.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with ProbCause.
ProbCause Background:
ProbCause is a prolific rapper and a painter too. Between performing at SXSW, North Coast, Costa Rica, and tour dates nation-wide, ProbCause is keeping busy and inspiring fellow students at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His sound, which jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, helped get him signed to high-profile booking agency Paradigm. With stories that make you reminisce and a percussive delivery that highlights his versatile production skills, ProbCause is at the head of the pack of promising new Chicago artists.
Video:Â J.R. Donato – “Make It Count” (Prod. by Sledgren & RMB Justize)
Debuted by Mass Appeal, the 21-Year-Old Chicago Emcee Follows His Fast Money & Freedom Project With A New Visual
11.10.2015
Critical Praise:
“…he uses his voice and flow in unique ways that only someone who’s been writing for close to a decade could pull off” – HotNewHipHop
“The future is looking type bright for J.R.” – Fake Shore Drive
“At 21-years old, the Chi town native J.R. Donato has already accomplished a lot” – GoodMusicAllDay
“Make it count and get in tune with Young Donato” – onSMASH
The Video:Â
Leaving home can be hard, but for those of us that are adventurous and daring enough to leave the nest the journey can be rewarding. For 21-year-old Taylor Gang rapper J.R. Donato, his North Chicago roots will remain his foundation, regardless of where music leads him. âYou can catch me in the hood, even if I make it out,â boasts the chorus of the Fast Money & Freedom single, âMake It Count.â Producers Sledgren and RMB Justize provide the production as hollow chimes pan from side-to-side and hi-hats rattle around knocking bass drums. âJ.R. Donato succeeds on sheer menacing energy,â noted Mass Appeal in their premiere post, adding âitâs a flexer song to dance to without thinking.â The âMake It Countâ video follows the 2DopeBoyz-debuted remix of Wiz Khalifa‘s âOutsiders.â
At the end of September, J.R. Donato released his Fast Money & Freedom project, which carried a hazy, hypnotic soundscape produced in-full by Sledgren. He followed the release with a series of singles, including âI Suppose,â which found J.R. Donato couch-surfing through the Chi, and âLife So Sweet,â which debuted via HipHopDX. Additionally, the GoodMusicAllDay-premiered âMad At Meâ showcased J.R. Donato embracing the opportunities that heâs encountered in his nearly ten year rap career, which included a regional high school tour as a teen with local legend Twista before signing with Taylor Gang Ent. “I sound like myself. These days thatâs not easy,” J.R. Donato explained in an interview with AllHipHop. “The line for originality is thin, but I think I can walk that line fine. Also all my music has a message in it so itâs always relatable, and thatâs what the game needs.”
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in speaking with J.R. Donato.
JR Donato Background:
J.R. Donatoâs music can be summed up into three words; conceptual, vivid and thorough. His image, outlook on life and positivity that he brings to the hiphop community is a breathe of fresh air. His passion manifested itself early in the form of songwriting. âI always wrote about things I had been through or seen,â J.R. says. âI still do. Every song is another piece of my life and story.â Before J.R. reached his teenage years, he was already penning lyrics for himself and others. By the time he was 13, Young J.R. had a regional hit single â500 Degrees,â with a live performance presence that was unheard of for a kid who just left his teens. That led to other tracks like âMoney On My Mindâ and âWe Be Rydin,â creating a sizeable buzz for young entertainer. He was popping up on mixtapes and performing at clubs he was too young to even attend.
20 Year-Old Compton-based Newcomer and RnB Singer Releases First Body of Work –Â Curious EP
11.06.2015
Critical Praise:
“R&B singer Gemaine arrives straight out of Compton with a fresh sound thatâs bound to make you stop in your tracks.” – VIBE
“We have a feeling this is only the beginning of a long-term career of stardom for Mr. Edwards.” – WatchLOUD
“At 19-years-old he shows not only a remarkable talent, but an exceptional passion and drive with a set of unlimited skills.” – GoodFellaMedia
The EP:
Compton singer Gemaine may only be 20 years old, but his debut EP Curious explores relationships, heartbreak, and healing with soulfulness beyond his years. With a soaring voice that combines technical chops with passion and versatility, Gemaine takes listeners through his journey with his first body of work, his Curious EP, as he falls in love, experiences the downfall of a relationship, and picks himself back up.
“I’m so excited for fans to finally hear my entire project and to get more clarity about who I am,” Gemaine explained. “Thousands of songs are released everyday. Just knowing that you’re competing with that kind of noise is intimidating, but I believe in God and I believe that I was chosen to do this… I never understood why it could take a year to make an album until I started recording. There is so much that goes into it beyond just writing a good song – when you want everything to be the best it takes time.”
Although Curious is his first body of work, for the past year and a half, Gemaine has been building a steady buzz, starting with the song that began his career, “Freaky.” Originally recorded as a 6-second Vine video, the snippet spawned thousands of re-Vines, spurring him to create a full-length version, which has amassed almost 3 million Soundcloud and over 4,000 new plays daily on Spotify. Last week he released his sultry “Let Me In” single via VIBE, who raved “R&B singer Gemaine arrives straight out of Compton with a fresh sound thatâs bound to make you stop in your tracks.” The 20 year-old newcomer has been immersed in music for as long as he could remember, spending most of his free time singing and making music at his church. A self-taught pianist, Gemaine is looking to do more with his talents than just sing. His goal is to create music that “makes people feel good and becomes an escape from their problems.” Gemaine’s debut EP, Curious, is out today.
Curious EP Tracklist:
1. Let Me In
2. Gotta Have You
3. Curious
4. Freaky
5. 2:33
6. Love For You
7. It Ain’t Like That
8. Break Up
9. Numb
10. No More
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Gemaine.
Gemaine Background:
Gemaine is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter/actor from Compton, LA whose music is infused with the iridescent sounds of soul, jazz and pop that blends together in a smooth sensual way. Influenced by the musical sounds of R. Kelly and Michael Jackson, this young star wears his desires and passions on his sleeve.
After releasing a snippet of what would later be his viral single, “Freaky” on Vine, Gemaine managed to turn six seconds into over 2 million plays and 200,000 followers on his social networks.
Debuted by Complex, the 20 Year-Old Bay Area MC Dubbed One of “20 New Rappers To Watch For in 2015” Releases Self-Titled EPÂ
11.06.2015
Critical Praise:
20 New Rappers To Watch Out For in 2015 – Complex
“…the best rapper from Vallejo since the last great rapper from Vallejo” – Jeff Weiss
“…as a rapper, [Nef the Pharaoh] lets the energy lead and the bars follow, boasting and flexing with the kinds of memorable banalities that make up some of hip-hop’s best yet least-celebrated moments.” – Pitchfork
“Nef The Pharaoh is the Bay Areaâs next up.” – HotNewHipHop
The EP:
Praised by Jeff Weiss as âthe best rapper from Vallejo since the last great rapper from Vallejo,â the legend Mac Dre being his predecessor, 20-year-old Nef The Pharaoh is presenting himself to the world with his self-titled EP, which premiered on Complex via E-40âs Sick Wid It record label. “If you know anything you know this is a must slap,” stated Thizzler, while HotNewHipHop added that “Nef The Pharaoh is the Bay Area’s next up.” Complex already named Nef The Pharaoh one of 20 New Rappers To Watch Out For in 2015, and after performing as an opener for HBK Gangâs Kool John and P-Lo on The Moovie Tour this fall, Nef the Pharaoh is ready to capture your full attention.
The youthful Bay Area rapper landed on audiencesâ radar earlier this year with his single âBig Tyminâ,â an ode to the Big Tymers that Complex named a song that was Bout to Blow in May. The track has continued to gain traction and was hi-jacked by YG and Ty Dolla $ign for a remix over summer. âBuilt on the slumping Bay Area rhythmic template popularized by DJ Mustard, Nef dodges the derivative,â stated Pitchfork, adding, “As a rapper, he lets the energy lead and the bars follow, boasting and flexing with the kinds of memorable banalities that make up some of hip-hopâs best yet least-celebrated moments.â Nef the Pharaoh, his debut retail release, is now available.
MP3: Psalm One – “Taming the Goddess” (Prod. by Drew Mantia)
Premiered by EARMILK, the Chicago Emcee Delivers a Heavy Loose Single Following P.O.L.Y. (Psalm One Loves You) Album
11.05.2015
Critical Praise:
âA seasoned writer with a soulful and vulnerable style, her songwriting is multi-faceted and ultra-cultural.â â ASCAP
A witty, talented lyricist whoâs not afraid to reveal personal information as well as brag about her own skills, which are certainly numerable.â â All Music
âLiving proof that a female rapper can be just as badass as a male one, that âfemaleâ can be dropped altogether as a qualifier so that she can just be a rapper.â â Pop Matter
“How many more intellectual rap nerds and gangster rap poseurs does she have to leave doubled over in pain before people take notice of her dopeness?ââ RapReviews.com
The Song:
“‘Taming the Goddess‘ is as threatening to society’s notions as it is a killer party track,” said EARMILK in their premiere of Psalm One‘s new loose single. The Chicago rapper and first lady of Rhymesayers Ent. isnât afraid to tackle multitude of topics and issues that might make the average person squeamish. Produced by Drew Mantia, âTaming the Goddessâ finds Psalm One threatening to steal a manâs girl as she embraces her own polyamorous lifestyle. Having immersed herself into polyamory over the past year or so, an added element of lushness has arrived in Psalm Oneâs music. Itâs a thread that runs through Psalm Oneâs P.O.L.Y. (Psalm One Loves You) album, which debuted via Complex on Sept. 24th
Psalm One has has been making noise in the underground rap scene for nearly a decade. Says the Examiner about the seasoned emcee, “At every corner, Psalm One performs good quality rhyme-work over productions that match her dynamic personality.” The new loose single, “Taming the Goddess,” follows the release of her âPlenty of Winsâ video, her Rookie Mag-debuted track âMaybe Never,” and the Okayplayer-premiered “Impatient (Just U & Us).” Psalm One recently concluded her DIY Tour, but fans in Chicago can still catch her on upcoming dates at Schuba’s and the Hideout Inn.
Hologram Kizzie (aka Psalm One) is the first woman artist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, a powerhouse of a label known for breeding legends. Sheâs savvy, self-assured and with almost a decade of rapping and touring under her belt she easily captivates her audience with thoughtful, provocative lyrics and exudes confidence. She has toured North America and Europe; watching her perform is both invigorating and inspiring. Having a degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Psalm knows the importance of education, so between tours and music production, she partners with Intonation Music Workshop to offer Rhymeschool, a hip-hop based after school program with an emphasis on literacy and team building. Rhymeschool is offered in cities across the United States, Haiti, and France and was a featured story on PBS.
Psalm One reintroduced herself to the world under a pseudonym: Hologram Kizzie with a new sound in her album Hug Life. She recently performed at Chicago Bullsâ Joakim Noahâs birthday party via special request, and played an impressive four showcases at SXSW 2015. Sheâs shared stages with Vic Mensa, Kendrick Lamar & Travi$ Scott and her resume only continues to grow. Kizzie proves that artistry, growth and longevity are possible, even in this volatile rap landscape. Her most recent musical effort is ZRO FOX, released Winter 2015. ZRO FOX is a collaborative album with ProbCause, her label partner at Bonafyde Media, an artist-run Chicago-based record label. As a member of the all-female supergroup The Rapper Chicks, Psalm One is pushing boundaries and opening the door for new talent. Psalm One’s third studio album, P.O.L.Y. (Psalm One Loves You), is now available.
Taylor Gang Mobs Around Miami With Rico Love For The 48 Hunnid Project Video Single, Debuted via WorldStarHipHop
11.05.2015
Critical Praise for Chevy Woods:
“Pittsburghâs own Chevy Woods doesnât carry the nickname ‘Cheffy’ for nothing. The self-proclaimed foodie can not only throw down in the kitchen but knows what good food tastes like.” – VIBE
âChevy flies high and gives the world an in depth look into his life as a Taylor Gang aviator.â â XXL Mag
“Heâs proven that you can make money without selling out to a label, gaining more than 300,000 followers on Twitter and 67,000 downloads of his mixtape, Gangland 3.” – Pittsburgh City Paper
The Video: Taylor Gang Ent. rapper Chevy Woods and his team hit Miami with Rico Love for âWit Me.â Pushing a topless red 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS, palm trees and pretty women are in abundance as the crew hit a waterfront hotel, the beach, and an abandoned stadium thatâs splattered with graffiti. âWit Meâ is a quick followup to the Post Malone and PJ-assisted âGetcha Some,â which dropped earlier this week and found Chevy Woodsâ henchwomen collecting debts in a dystopian Los Angeles scene.
âWit Meâ and âGetcha Someâ are stand-out tracks from Chevy Woodsâ first retail album, The 48 Hunnid Project, which released in August. The back-to-back visuals follow previous video releases from the project for “Now That I’m Up,” the i-D-premiered “All Said and Done” featuring Dej Loaf, and “48 Hunnid,” which debuted via Yahoo! Music. The videos for “Getcha Some” and “Wit Me” release as Woods returns from a 16-date Europe tour alongside Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky. Chevy Woods will be performing in his hometown Pittsburgh on November 27th.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Chevy Woods.
Chevy Woods Background:
Chevy Woods has been building up momentum with his mixtapes Red Cup Music, The Cook Out, and the Gangland series, progressing his sound with each release. After years of writing and recording in his home studio, Chevy traded in his keyboard for cash to pay for studio time. In 2004, while recording at Pittsburghâs I.D. Labs Studios, Chevy encountered Wiz Khalifa and the two instantly formed a bond. “Me and Wiz, we always had each otherâs backs. Since we were both recording at I.D. Labs at the same time, we would hold each other down,” Chevy has explained. “Even if it was just picking up Wendyâs for the other one on our way to the studio.”
Video: J.Lately ft. Shark Sinatra– “Breathe” (Prod. by Oops)
Premiered by Sunset in the Rearview, the Bay Area Rapper Finds Peace in Solitude in Visual from Latest Album, Let’s Just Be Friends
11.03.2015
The Video:
If a spliff and a drink is his therapy, then rap is the antidote that keeps J.Lately grounded even at the edge of lifeâs precipice. Following last week’s release of his Letâs Just Be Friends album, the California rapper is sharing his âBreatheâ visual, which finds J.Lately exhaling the tension and skepticism of a relationship gone sour in exchange for his own serenity and self-satisfying solitude. “Breathe,” which features fellow Bay Area native Shark Sinatra, was debuted by Sunset in the Rearview, who said “J.Lately vents about the frustrations in his life, showcasing his skillful flow and sharp lyricism.”
J.Latelyâs Let’s Just Be Friends album, which in addition to Shark Sinatra includes collaborations with Tanya Morganâs Von Pea, Bambu, Champluther Vandross, and Della, is the rapper’s most personal release to date. “I went into this album trying to write songs that were less about being a rapper or a dreamer and more about just being a human,” J.Lately explained. “I noticed that a lot of times we get ourselves into these negative co-dependent relationships where we allow ourselves to hurt each other, whereas if we could just learn to love ourselves a little more and treat each other better we could all just be friends.”
A relentless drive has kept J.Lately on tour across the country with artists such as Zion I, Locksmith, Los Rakas, Chuuwee, and Rey Res to name a few. Having recently concluded his 13-date headlining Bourne Madd Tour, the Bay Area MC is stepping into the forefront with Letâs Just Be Friends. On November 8th, J.Lately will be having the Letâs Just Be Friends release party at Stork Club in Oakland, and in December he kicks off an 18-date Winter Fresh Out West tour.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with J.Lately.
J.Lately Background:
With no pretend marketing scheme or gimmick, J.Lately distinguishes himself with his classic style and laid back flow. A true appreciation for music, along with the unique ability to put everyday life into a relatable perspective has allowed him to flourish in the local Bay Area scene. âIt’s not about rushing itâ explains Lately, âit’s about quality music and progress.”
Video:Â Chevy Woods ft. Post Malone & PJ – “Getcha Some”
A Stand-Out Single From the Taylor Gang Rapper’s The 48 Hunnid Project Gets a Wild Visual, Debuted by All Def Digital
11.03.2015
Critical Praise for Chevy Woods:
“Pittsburghâs own Chevy Woods doesnât carry the nickname ‘Cheffy’ for nothing. The self-proclaimed foodie can not only throw down in the kitchen but knows what good food tastes like.” – Vibe
âChevy flies high and gives the world an in depth look into his life as a Taylor Gang aviator.â â XXL Mag
“Heâs proven that you can make money without selling out to a label, gaining more than 300,000 followers on Twitter and 67,000 downloads of his mixtape, Gangland 3.” – Pittsburgh City Paper
The Video:
Taylor Gang rapper Chevy Woods employs his henchwomen to collect debts in a dystopian Los Angeles scene in the All Def Digital-debuted video for âGetcha Some.â The song, which features Post Malone and rising singer/songwriter PJ, is from Chevy Woodsâ recently released The 48 Hunnid Project and was produced by Ricky P, who samples Hudson Mohawkeâs âFuse.â
âIt tells the story of wanting to get some money in any possible way,â Woods told Complex in their premiere of the audio. âLike, fuck what people think or say, your job is your job and if you want some cash you gotta go getcha some by any means. I met Post through a mutual friend from Dallas and he happened to be in L.A. at the same time as I was in the studio working with PJ on the record. He came to the studio, we met, we talked. I was already familiar with a few of his records. The song âGetcha Someâ just made sense. He laid a dope verse and here we are today with a cool record.â
Chevy Woods made waves earlier this year leading up to The 48 Hunnid Project with visuals for tracks like “All Said and Done” featuring Dej Loaf, which premiered viai-D. Throughout the EP, Woods is joined by a talent-packed cast that includes Wiz Khalifa, OG Maco, Rico Love, and Post Malone. The âGetcha Someâ video releases as Woods returns from a 16-date Europe tour alongside Wiz Khalifa and A$AP Rocky. Woods will be performing in his hometown Pittsburgh on November 27th>.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Chevy Woods.
Chevy Woods Background:
Chevy Woods has been building up momentum with his mixtapes Red Cup Music, The Cook Out, and the Gangland series, progressing his sound with each release. After years of writing and recording in his home studio, Chevy traded in his keyboard for cash to pay for studio time. In 2004, while recording at Pittsburghâs I.D. Labs Studios, Chevy encountered Wiz Khalifa and the two instantly formed a bond. “Me and Wiz, we always had each otherâs backs. Since we were both recording at I.D. Labs at the same time, we would hold each other down,” Chevy has explained. “Even if it was just picking up Wendyâs for the other one on our way to the studio.”
New Audible Treats Hip-Hop Podcast 180Â Features T.I.P, Paul Wall, Sir Michael Rocks, J.R. Donato, and Opio x Free the Robots
10.23.2015
The Podcast:
Leading this week’s Audible Treats Hip-Hop Podcast 180 are Souls of Mischief/Hieroglyphics rapper/producer Opio and L.A. beat scene vet Free the Robots with their song “Psych Ward,” a booming track that journeys through Opio’s mind as psychedelics take him on a stream of consciousness that runs from social and political issues to paranoia. The track is off of their latest album, Sempervirens, which was premiered by Okayplayer. Next up we have Taylor Gang rapper J.R. Donato with his Sledgren-produced track “Life So Sweet.” The video single, which was premiered by HipHopDX, is a hazy toast to the good life, as the North Chicago rapper boasts about his fashionable and flashy living. Stepping up after J.R. Donato is Texas rap legend Paul Wall with a fresh release off his latest record, slab god. “Crumble the Satellite,” featuring fellow Southern rap heavyweights Devin the Dude and Curren$y, makes you feel like you’re in one of Wall’s whips with a head-bobbing beat and smooth organ vibrato. Following Paul Wall is young emcee Sir Michael Rocks and his Mass Appeal-debuted track “Come Outside.” The track, which includes an eerie sample from the Resident Evil Save Room theme, is from his recently released Populair EP. The EP, which is a follow up to last year’s Banco, was called “multi-directional, unpredictable, zany, chaotic, serious and dark” by the Examiner. Wrapping up the Podcast for this week we have T.I.P and his powerful track “Check, Run It.” The Grammy-Award winning artist released stunning visuals for the track, which is from his Da’ NicEP. “T.I. is the fucking best,” says Noisey. “He’s been going for almost 20 years at this point, and hasn’t shown any rust or wear in his music.
Album – J. Stalin – Tears of Joy + “Selling Crack” Video
Bay Area Legend Releases His 14th Solo Album + Heartfelt Video on the Realities of His Former Hustling Days
10.30.2015
Critical Praise:
“As the owner of Livewire Records, West Oakland rapper J Stalin provides a place for the growth of incredibly creative, meat-and-potatoes Bay Area hip-hop. The label hosts gritty rubbery street music that navigates crack dealing devastation and grounded partying tracks with equal aplomb, with artists that range from Stalin himself to MCs like Shady Nate and Philthy Rich among others.” – SPIN
“J Stalin pushes the envelope by vividly reiterating his Mob Bay Area persona and turmoil of his harsh upbringing.” – XXL
The Album:
Bay Area mainstay J. Stalin is back – today he’s releasing his 14th solo album, Tears Of Joy, which is his first official solo album since 2014’s S.I.D. With features from Iamsu!, Riff Raff, Snow Tha Product, Mistah F.A.B., The Jacka, Rayven Justice, D-Lo, B-Legit, and Jonn Hart, as well as production from The Mekanix, DJ Fresh, Junonnabeat, and more, Tears of Joy is bringing a reinvigorated J. Stalin back to the scene. The MC has built his name on reality-driven street raps, offering his unique perspective on the world he grew up in and beyond.
“I consider this to be my best body of work since Prenuptial Agreement because I just went in and did the best songs,” J. Stalin explained. “Usually my street music be my best music and this one has a lot of that.” With the album, he’s sharing his “Selling Crack” video and “Real Niggaz Only” single, which features Iamsu! and Riff Raff. “Selling Crack” shows Stalin delivering rhymes about his former hustling days, while “Real Niggaz Only” has the three MCs spitting fiery bars about only messing with the realest.
Earlier this month, J. Stalin announced Tears Of Joy while sharing his Damon Jamal-directed visual for “Bye Felicia,” which has him ducking his old flame Lil Debbie while laid up in bed with his new girl. Hailing from West Oakland, J. Stalin has long been one of the Bay Area’s most respected artists. “I like the Bay Area and the California rap scene overall because itâs getting back to gangsta music… I judge whatâs hot by taking notice of what people are playing in their cars. The industry donât really know shit. If you go to Oakland and listen to what everyone is riding around to in their car, itâs not shit that people are going crazy on the Internet or the radio. It’s some hood shit.”
Tears Of Joy tracklist:
1. What’s My Name
2. Selling Crack
3. We All In
4. Think U Ready ft. The Jacka
5. Jacka’s Prayer
6. Bye Felicia ft. L’Jay
7. Face Shots
8. Running ft. Iamsu & Rayven Justice
9. Thang Rang
10. Boppin’
11. Thang On Me
12. Going Steady
13. Now A Days
14. Can’t Tell Me Nothing ft. Garret The Singer
15. Instagram Gangstaz ft. L’Jay
16. Bad P*ssy Song ft. D-Lo
17. Never Change ft. B-Legit & 4Rax
18. Can’t F*ck Wit U ft. Lil June & Jonn Hart
19. Mama’s Bou ft. Mistah F.A.B.
20. F*ck Rite
21. I’m Sorry
The Taylor Gang General Enlists the 21-Year-Old Chicago Rapper for a Remix of  His Buzzing Single, Debuted by 2DopeBoyz
11.02.2015
Critical Praise:
“…he uses his voice and flow in unique ways that only someone who’s been writing for close to a decade could pull off” – HotNewHipHop
“The future is looking type bright for J.R.” – Fake Shore Drive
“At 21-years old, the Chi town native J.R. Donato has already accomplished a lot” – GoodMusicAllDay
“Make it count and get in tune with Young Donato” – onSMASH
The Remix:Â
While on tour in Europe with A$AP Rocky last month, Wiz Khalifa shared a pair of singles, with âOutsidersâ quickly becoming a fan favorite having surpassed a million SoundCloud plays over the weekend. The Taylor Gang General has enlisted one of Taylor Gang Ent.âs youngest, 21-year-old Chicago rapper J.R. Donato, for the songâs remix. âIt almost put me in the mindset of Kush & OJ,â J.R. Donato told 2DopeBoyz in their premiere of the remix, recalling when he first heard the track. âThe hook inspired me the most cause he sounded like he had a lot on his mind when he came up with it, which then made me think about a lot, so it inspired me to get some things off my chest too.â
At the end of September, J.R. Donato released his Fast Money & Freedom project, which carried a hazy, hypnotic soundscape as it was produced in-full by Sledgren. In the lead up, the North Chicago rapper shared a series of singles. âI Supposeâ found J.R. Donato couch-surfing through the Chi, while he partied with some friends in the carefree video for âLife So Sweet,â which debuted via HipHopDX. Additionally, audio singles âMake It Countâ and the GoodMusicAllDay-premiered âMad At Meâ showcased J.R. Donato embracing the opportunities that heâs encountered in his nearly ten year rap career, which included a regional high school tour as a teen with local legend Twista before signing with Taylor Gang Ent.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in speaking with J.R. Donato.
JR Donato Background:
J.R. Donatoâs music can be summed up into three words; conceptual, vivid and thorough. His image, outlook on life and positivity that he brings to the hiphop community is a breathe of fresh air. His passion manifested itself early in the form of songwriting. âI always wrote about things I had been through or seen,â J.R. says. âI still do. Every song is another piece of my life and story.â Before J.R. reached his teenage years, he was already penning lyrics for himself and others. By the time he was 13, Young J.R. had a regional hit single â500 Degrees,â with a live performance presence that was unheard of for a kid who just left his teens. That led to other tracks like âMoney On My Mindâ and âWe Be Rydin,â creating a sizeable buzz for young entertainer. He was popping up on mixtapes and performing at clubs he was too young to even attend.
Montreal Rap Trio Deemed “Best New Rap Group” by Jeff Weiss, Releases Sophomore Project
11.02.2015
Critical Praise for The Posterz:
“Best New Rap Group: Montreal’s The Posterz” – Jeff Weiss
“Itâs only a matter of time before Drake comes to cosign these Canadian brethren” – Mass AppealÂ
“‘Starships & Dark Tints,’ The Posterzâ debut EP, consists of five songs packed tight with weird beats and promising lyrical flow.” –Â Red Bull
“The trio from Montreal rap quickly over bouncy synths and whines that are punctuated by quivering horns, but more important is the fact that they look cool while doing so. “-Â Â Noisey
“It felt like if the Canadians won the Stanley Cup â except Husser, Kris The Spirit, and Sir-Share-It are holding the Cup.” –Â The Hundreds
“Montreal is slowly but surely becoming a hotbed for hip-hop. With the help of producers like Kaytranada, and artists like The Posterz, the city’s finally on the map for budding talent.” – Complex
The Album:Â
“Itâs only a matter of time before Drake comes to cosign these Canadian brethren,” claimed Mass Appeal in their premiere post of The Posterz‘ chopped-and-screwed “Want It All” single. “Iâm high on Posterz because they can rap unlike the rest of the clones,” declared Jeff Weiss. The trio is delivering their sophomore project Junga via Passion of the Weiss, showing off their musical diversity which ranges from modern-day boom-bap (âWant It Allâ) to a rock-infused love/hate anthem (âBen Upâ), and even a flip of synth-pop duo Secret Sun (âCold Coast Remix.â)
“The gutter rhymes are just as gritty and witty as on any other track theyâve released,” Mass Appeal raved for “Want It All,” adding “The eerily slow halftime pace leaves plenty of room for deep, dark, dirty low-end bass that would make Earl Sweatshirt and Flying Lotus proud.” The track follows The Posterz’ acclaimed “Bulalay“ visual, which premiered via The FADER. The trio, consisting of rappers Husser and Kris the $pirit, along with producer Joey Sherrett, have also been dubbed by Complex as the “pillars of the new wave of Montreal rap.” Their debut EP,Starships and Dark Tints, landed them on the radars of the Huffington Post, who named them a âTop 10 Artists to Followâ in 2014. Junga, their sophomore release, is available today.
Junga EP Tracklisting:
1) Bulalay
2) Want It All
3) Rumble
4) Ben Up
5) Cold Coast Remix
6) Want It All *Chopped & Screwed version*
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with The Posterz.
The Posterz Background:
In five short years and not much more than one EP worth of music, Montreal-based rap trio The Posterz have staked their claim in hip-hop both locally and globally with their refreshing, raw and innovative sound. They seemingly emerged fully formed, making their first splash with October 2013âs âThe Bass Song,â a defiant anthem that came with an equally vibrant, self-directed video. The Starshipsand Dark Tints EP followed, as did love from the press: the trio were named in Huffington Postâs âTop 10 Artists to Followâ in 2014, and featured in numerous publications such as Noisey US/UK/France/Canada, Complex, Red Bull Music, Les InRocks, the Montreal Gazette, and more.
The group linked up in 2010, in a community center studio in Little Burgundy, a downtown Montreal neighborhood which birthed the cityâs internationally renowned jazz scene a couple of generations earlier. Rappers Husser and Kris the $pirit stumbled on what Husser called âthe best beat we ever heard in our livesâ on the studio computer. They tracked down its creator; in producer Joey Sherrett, they found the third member of the group. The Posterz cite Kanye West, Andre 3000, Future and The Beatles among other influences, but are adamant about creating a sound that is all their own. Even in Montreal, they say their biggest inspirations are less musical and more aspirational; Montreal-born acts like Arcade Fire and Kaytranada made them realize they could blow up too. Huss and Kris temper their deft lyricism with a sense of humor. Sherrettâs beats mix adventurous, hard-knocking drums with masterful of low-end leads and expert synth work. They will release the JUNGA EP on October 30th, 2015.
Tyga Joins the 22 Year Old Rapper/Entrepreneur From Fresno CA on the Remix of his Hit Single, Premiered by The FADER
10.30.2015
Critical Praise for Baeza:
“Artist on the way to the top.” – Fresno Bee
“Basically, heâs saying heâs the shit, and based on his following, it seems there are plenty of folks whoâd agree.â â Mass Appeal
The Remix:
22 year-old Fresno, California-based rapper and producer Baeza’s hit single, “Livin It Up” got the remix treatment from Tyga. Mixing things up, Baeza added a funky synth line to the song that charted at #15 on iTunes and has close to a million listens on Spotify. Baeza recently got a co-sign from Kylie Jenner when she Snapchatted herself dancing to the track a few times. Earlier this year, Baeza released his first full-length album, The Man, via EMPIRE Recordings. Baeza produced the entire 18 track album himself which features E-40, Philthy Rich, Rayven Justice, Kap G, and Lyrica Anderson.
Baeza released his first single and video, “Far From Ready,” when he was 18 years old, gaining him millions of views on YouTube and cementing him as the next rapper from California’s Central Valley. He continued to drop mixtapes and collaborate with artists such as the platinum-certified Baby Bash and Clyde Carson. Considered a quadruple threat because he can sing, rap, and produce, and runs his own clothing line, Striktly Business, the young rapper is also proving to be social media kingpin with a following of over 190K on Instagram, 160K on Facebook, and 60K on Twitter.
22 year-old producer and rapper Baeza is no stranger to the grind. After getting his first beat making software when he was 13, Baeza has continued to grow as both a producer and a rapper. After taking his career more seriously in high school, the Fresno native began selling beats, which ended up providing for his equipment to launch his hip-hop career and has since become one of the rising stars on the West Coast. His first full-length mixtape, Dough and Dro, was released in 2013 and, with the help of Baby Bash, who collaborated with the rapper on the Dough and Droâs âRacks,â Baeza garnered a social media presence of what now stands at over six figures on several outlets. Baeza has additionally accumulated millions of views on YouTube with fans and critiques alike waiting for his next move. While additionally managing his own clothing line, Striktly Business, Baeza is signed to EMPIRE Distribution, who distributed the  full-length commercial album version of his 2014 mixtape The Man EP, via EMPIRE Recordings.
Premiered by VIBE, the 20 Year-Old Compton Singer Releases Sultry Track From Forthcoming EP
10.30.2015
Critical Praise:
“R&B singer Gemaine arrives straight out of Compton with a fresh sound thatâs bound to make you stop in your tracks.” – VIBE
The Song:
Following his song “Freaky“ that amassed almost 3 million Soundcloud listens and thousands of re-Vines, 20 year-old R&B newcomer Gemaine is now releasing his sultry single “Let Me In.” The track, which premiered on VIBE, has the Compton artist telling the story of his first real relationship experience, struggling to earn trust from his girl. “Let Me In” is from Gemaine’s forthcoming EP, coming out next week.
“This song is targeted toward the ladies of course but it’s really for everyone,” Gemaine explained. “I want to bring back the good vibes, fun, and love that R&B used to have and that everyone adored. This is about my first experience having a real relationship with a girl and genuinely having feelings for her. The struggle was getting her to open up and trust me. It was an adventure and exciting knowing she wanted to trust me but simply couldn’t because I didn’t earn it. I liked that I didn’t have it easy.”
Gemaine has emerged as a newcomer to the music industry, but music has been a big part of his life since he could remember. At the behest of his parents who wanted him and his seven siblings to avoid the trappings of the street life outside their door, Gemaine spent most of his free time singing and making music at his church, known for its high caliber of musical performances. A self-taught pianist, the 20-year-old Compton artist is looking to do more with his talents than just sing. His goal is to create music that, “makes people feel good and becomes an escape from their problems.” He is currently working towards the release of his debut EP.
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Gemaine.
Gemaine Background:
Gemaine is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter/actor from Compton, LA whose music is infused with the iridescent sounds of soul, jazz and pop that blends together in a smooth sensual way. Influenced by the musical sounds of R. Kelly and Michael Jackson, this young star wears his desires and passions on his sleeve.
After releasing a snippet of what would later be his viral single, “Freaky” on Vine, Gemaine managed to turn six seconds into over 2 million plays and 200,000 followers on his social networks.
MP3: Brooklyn Band Foe Destroyer Releases Dreamy, Beachy Video for “Unconditional Love,” Premiered by Complex
Featuring Musicians from Snarky Puppy, David Bowie’s Musical, Ro James, and More, the 3-Man Band Goes Minimalistic and Dream-Folk For Their Single
11.02.2015
The Video:Â
Different, weird, and good. With its unconventional arrangement of ukelele, cello, foot stomps, and hand claps, Foe Destoyer’s single “Unconditional Love” strips down to the bare necessities. Initially recorded in one take with one mic (with strings and vocal harmonies added later,) the minimalistic garage rock band took a break from their usual sound to create a quirky, artsy tune that captures the concept of beautiful imperfection. Today, they’re releasing the video, which captures two lovers in various dream states, making the most of a carefree, flirt-like-no-one’s-watching kind of day at the beach.
Featuring renowned photographer/videographer Dondre Green and videographer Cinda Danh acting as the lovers, this sweet, playful video has all the feels of a thrilling new romance or as Complex, who premiered the video, described it,  “untroubled, beach-ridden carefree love.”
Channeling a Nirvana meets The Beach Boys vibe, lead vocalist Daniel Garcia aimed for fluidity, explaining, “I wanted a grungier version of the Beach Boys, where it was still a love song with harmonies and movement but with a raw nature. I wanted it to reflect the imperfection of love, where you just accept it for what it is, and don’t try to make it fit into a box or in this instance, any specific genre.”
Foe Destroyer is led by Snarky Puppy guitarist and a band member of David Bowieâs new musical, Chris McQueen, whoâs flanked by veteran musicians Daniel Garcia and Cade Sadler. McQueen was recently praised by David Crosby after performing together, while Garcia and Sadler have contributed to the musical direction of Ro James and Viktor Taiwo. The band recently released their self-titled album, complete with limited editon hand-printed cover art. The song is the latest single from BKLYN1834âs forthcoming Comp_01 project, which is set to release Nov. 13th.
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Foe Destroyer
Foe Destroyer Background:
Originally from Denton, Texas, Foe Destroyerâs members are collectively a pool of talent the size of the Lone Star State itself. While the band itself is coming off a tour with Camera Obscura, they are active in their own pursuits. Grammy-winner Chris McQueen (Snarky Puppy) has been touted by David Crosby as one of the best modern day guitarists. McQueen is flanked by Danny Garcia and Cade Sadler, who, as bklyn1834 artists in residence play to sell-out crowds all over NYC with artists they musically direct (Ro James, Vicktor Taiwo) as well as holding down the music pit for OffBroadway musicals like Micheal Mitnickâs Fly By Night.
BKLYN1834 Background:Â
BKLYN1834 is a talent incubator for young artists who live together in a co-op style Victorian Home in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn and create music, art, videos, comedy, and other creative content. Modeled after the salon-like atmosphere of Hitsville U.S.A. and Gertrude Steinâs home, founding resident and creative director of BKLYN134, Andrew Thomas Reid, traveled to Nicaragua and Spain to convince friends to move into the house in the summer of 2009.
BKLYN1834 supports young artists by providing them with a place to live, write, record and produce content in a creative and collaborative environment. Previous and current BKLYN1834 residents have worked with Prince, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Snarky Puppy, Theophilus London, Freddie Gibbs, Pharaohe Monch, Denitia and Sene, among others. Fittingly nicknamed âThe Clubhouse,â the community has housed over 50 residents since its inception.
BKLYN1834âs long-term goal is to create a network of similar clubhouses across the country and around the world. By continuing to produce digital content in-house, we want to create a global community where artists, fans, and brands can all engage.
With more and more brands recognizing the value of authentic grassroots ideas that appeal to 18-34 yr olds, BKLYN1834 has already been tapped for collaborations by Pepsi, Converse, Apple and Blackstone Realty. Forbes called BKLYN1834 âa tool every marketer should have in its back pocket.â
MP3: Yung Ralph ft. Fetty Wap – “Act A Fool” (Prod. by Yung Lan)
“He Rolled Up His Backwoods, I Rolled Up My Swishers, and There It Was – History Was Made” – Yung Ralph, Single Debuted via The FADER
10.29.2015
The Song:
Preparing for the drop of his most anticipated project to date, I Am Juugman, before yearâs end, Atlanta mainstay Yung Ralph has kicked things off with the Fetty Wap-assisted lead single âAct A Fool.” “Fetty holds down the hook with an achy warble… while Ralph swags all over the track in his baritone,” said The FADER in their premiere of the track. The two artists met through close mutual friends and connected immediately. “Me and Fetty met up at Patchwerk Studios in Atlanta to record the song. When we linked we clicked ASAP, just being two humble dudes from the hood,” Yung Ralph explained. “I already had the Yung Lan beat, and he also has a relationship with Yung Lan, so when I pulled up the track we instantly vibe out. He rolled up his Backwoods, I rolled up my Swishers, and there it was – history was made.”
An early architect of the gurgling, codeine-spiked Atlanta sound, Yung Ralph aka Juugman is no stranger to the game, having first gained traction with his regional hit âLook Like Money” in 2007. A frequent collaborator of Gucci Mane and Zaytoven at the time, a short list of highlights to follow includes having teamed up with Nicki Minaj in 2010 for “I Bought That,” releasing his Juugin’ Round the City mixtape in 2013, and most recently being featured on Rich Gangâs âRidinâ and Young Thug‘s Slime Season stand-out “Rarri.” With the forthcoming I Am Juugman project, the underground king’s regional prominence demands national recognition.
From poet to exploratory rapper, Saba could be the new voice of Chicago’s West Side. – Noisey
“One of Chicago rapper Sabaâs greatest strengths in a still developing arsenal is a graceful capacity for capturing the weight of growing up in the scarred city with an insight and mournfulness typically reserved for older observers.” –Pigeons and Planes
“Sabaâs been deconstructing the space-time continuum for years.” – Passion of the Weiss
The Song:
Chance the Rapper performed the new single “Angels” featuring fellow Chicago rapper Saba during a performance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Named in Complex‘s “20 Rappers To Watch Out for in 2015,” the 21-year-old rapper and producer from Chicagoâs West Side, joined the cityâs new wave of bubbling talent with an aggressive delivery and unmistakable production. “Angels” is available for FREE download on iTunes now.
Says Saba, “I’ve known Chance for a few years now. We met at an open mic in Chicago called YOUMedia. The first time we worked together was on Acid Rap‘s ‘Everybody’s Something.’ He just reached out to me, very organic, nothing crazy. We were both just fans of each other. Since then, we’ve just continued to work and build a relationship and I think the latest release, ‘Angels,’ will really showcase that.” Saba also worked with Chance on The Social ExperimentSurf project. Explains Saba, “I think it’s still early in all of our careers so I’m pretty positive there will be more collaborations between all of us.”
Born to a family of musical talent, Saba grew up to the sounds of soul, R&B, and jazz thanks to his father. He began to play piano at the age of seven, and soon after he started to experiment with his sound on beat making software. At age 16, Saba joined the open mikes at YOUMedia Center and Young Chicago Authors, which he credits with giving him the confidence and charisma to perform onstage. With all these tools in his arsenal Saba has developed a career sound with appeal that spans from the staunchest old-school hip hop heads to a new generation of rap fans.
In 2013, Saba joined fellow Windy City buzz-maker Chance the Rapper with a standout guest verse on âEverybodyâs Something,” from Acid Rap. Saba followed up with an acclaimed release of his own, ComfortZone, in 2014. The 14-track collection is both autobiographical and reflective, a bittersweet window into the young emceeâs upbringing in a culturally rich yet troubled city. Saba tries to make sense of his surroundings while maintaining a positive outlook and mindset. ComfortZone not only captured Sabaâs undeniable growth as an emcee, but also as a producer, and young adult.
Saba has been staying busy doing shows and working on new music, his SpareChange! instrumental EP having debuted via The FADER at the end of September. He will release a video next month that will be the last follow up to ComfortZone and then fans can expect some new music early in 2016.
Catch Saba tonight at the Red Bull Sound Select show in Austin with Twista and Lil Herb. Also, on November 21st in Chicago at The Abbey Pub with Noname Gypsy, Ravyn Lenae, Monte Booker + Smino.
Premiered by Thizzler, Bay Area Rapper Shares Visuals for Title Track off Latest Album, Let’s Just Be Friends
10.26.2015
The Video:
Ineffable Music rapper J.Lately shares his latest music video via Thizzler for the title track off his YouHeardThatNew-debuted Let’s Just Be Friends album. The video is co-directed by Andrew Elsayid and J.Lately himself, with the Oakland-bred emcee spitting a smooth flow underneath a tender, faint snowfall. “Let’s Just Be Friends,” produced by Drew Banga and 1-OAK, echoes a catchy piano lick that sits over a steady beat. J.Lately exhibits multiple styles, as is evident on the single, “I Miss You,â where the rapper give a more laid back flow and soulful style over horn jabs, creating a nostalgic hip-hop track with a jazzy twist.
“I went into this album trying to write songs that were less about being a rapper or a dreamer and more about just being a human,” J.Lately explains. “I noticed that a lot of times we get ourselves into these negative co-dependent relationships where we allow ourselves to hurt each other, whereas if we could just learn to love ourselves a little more and treat each other better we could all just be friends.” Having split time between Oakland and Southern California, J.Lately’s influences are eclectic and mesh together effortlessly to form his own individual style. A relentless drive has kept Lately on tour across the country with artists such as Zion I, Locksmith, Los Rakas, Chuuwee, and Rey Res to name a few. He has released multiple solo and collaborative projects, with his most recent solo release being 2014âs Make.Believe.
Having recently concluded his 13-date headlining Bourne Madd Tour, J.Lately is stepping into the forefront with Letâs Just Be Friends. On Nov. 8th, J.Lately will be having the Letâs Just Be Friends release party at Stork Club in Oakland, and in December he kicks off an 18-date Winter Fresh Out West Tour with I.L.A.M. – tickets and info for all is available here.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with J.Lately.
J.Lately Background:
With no pretend marketing scheme or gimmick, J.Lately distinguishes himself with his classic style and laid back flow. A true appreciation for music, along with the unique ability to put everyday life into a relatable perspective has allowed him to flourish in the local Bay Area scene. âIt’s not about rushing itâ explains Lately, âit’s about quality music and progress.”
Filmed in Tokyo, the Internet Rap Architect Strides Through the Crowded Streets in Latest Video, Premiered by Complex
10.23.2015
Critical Praise for Sir Michael Rocks:
âSir Michael Rocks is a pretty damn adventurous dude.â – Noisey
âNeedless to say, dudeâs a visionary.â – XXL
âSir Michael Rocks is ready to take over.â – Complex
âRocks is a solo artist looking to make good on a promise of stardom.â – The FADER
âHeâs Mikey, he, he, he rocks. Yes he does.â – Pigeons and Planes
The Video:
Filmed during a month-long trip to Tokyo, Sir Michael Rocks is dipped in the Pokemon-inspired Gyrados hockey jersey of his own Exotic Gourmet clothing line as he skips through the congested streets that are splashed with trippy, colorful lighting as buildings coated with brand names tower around the former Cool Kids rapper. From his recently released Populair album, âQuality Time Lapseâ debuted via Complex and is a brooding self-produced cut that finds Rocks reflecting on his past: âI swear to God Iâm on the phone with the old me/ From â06, the me that didnât know shit,â he raps in the songâs first verse. He elaborates with bars about his art school experience selling drugs to cinema kids, buying bootleg diamonds and turning a profit selling them to kids who didnât know better, before concluding that âthe things we do just to fit in and keep up with n*ggas, I had to give that up/ Wanted to be my own man before the internet told me who I was.â
Sir Michael Rocks’ Populair is a project that features no guests, and self-production on “In My Mode” and “Quality Time Lapse.” While digging in the crates for samples has remained a common thread in hip-hop, Internet rap architect Sir Michael Rocks again proved himself to be an enigma living in his own virtual reality, trading the common soul or jazz breaks for video game loops. You’ll quickly recognize a popular Street Fighter soundbite that’s repeated throughout “Perfect” as Sir Michael Rocks is found matched against himself in the pixelated visual that debuted via The A.V. Club. Continuing this theme, an obscure Resident Evil clip lurks beneath Chicago footwork-inspired production on “Come Outside.”  “The menacing music goes well with the video, which features sparklers being lit up in a dark area while Michael gets his juke on,” said Mass Appeal.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with Sir Michael Rocks.
Sir Michael Rocks Background:
Sir Michael Rocks has always been a little ahead of his time, a little more original than his peers, a little bit more creative. As a teenager, he started making music under the name Mikey Rocks as one half of groundbreaking duo The Cool Kids. Formed over the Internet and powered by a strong grassroots fanbase online, the group helped redefine the image of rap for the Internet era with an effortlessly cool throwback style and an iconic, laid-back fashion sense. Rechristening himself as Sir Michael Rocks in 2011, the restlessly creative artist, now based in Miami after time spent in Chicago and LA, has been pushing the boundaries of rap originality even further in recent years with a string of popular, critically acclaimed mixtapes. He released debut solo album, Banco, in 2014 and released his PopulairEP on September 11th, 2015.
The Bay Area Emcee Shares Soulful Project, Debuted by YouHeardThatNew
10.23.2015
The Album:
Oakland-bred Ineffable Music rapper J.Lately is sharing his Let’s Just Be Friends album today via YouHeardThatNew. He’s distinguished himself as an emcee with soulful style and a laid back flow, as is evident on the latest single, “I Miss You,â where horn jabs give the nostalgic hip-hop track a jazzy twist. “I went into this album trying to write songs that were less about being a rapper or a dreamer and more about just being a human,” J.Lately explains. “I noticed that a lot of times we get ourselves into these negative co-dependent relationships where we allow ourselves to hurt each other, whereas if we could just learn to love ourselves a little more and treat each other better we could all just be friends.”
Having split time between Oakland and Southern California, J.Lately’s influences are eclectic and mesh together effortlessly to form his own individual style. A relentless drive has kept Lately on tour across the country with artists such as Zion I, Locksmith, Los Rakas, Chuuwee, and Rey Res to name a few. He has released multiple solo and collaborative projects, with his most recent solo release being 2014âs Make.Believe. Having recently concluded his 13-date headlining Bourne Madd Tour, J.Lately is stepping into the forefront with Letâs Just Be Friends.
On Nov. 8th, J.Lately will be having the Letâs Just Be Friends release party at Stork Club in Oakland, and in December he kicks off an 18-date Winter Fresh Out West Tour with I.L.A.M. – tickets and info for all is available here.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with J.Lately.
J.Lately Background:
With no pretend marketing scheme or gimmick, J.Lately distinguishes himself with his classic style and laid back flow. A true appreciation for music, along with the unique ability to put everyday life into a relatable perspective has allowed him to flourish in the local Bay Area scene. âIt’s not about rushing itâ explains Lately, âit’s about quality music and progress.”
Premiered by The FADER, the Montreal Rappers Release Haunting “Lord of the Flies-esque” Â video for Tribal Chant-based “Bulalay”
10.22.2015
Critical Praise for The Posterz:
“‘Starships & Dark Tints,’ The Posterzâ debut EP, consists of five songs packed tight with weird beats and promising lyrical flow.” –Â Red Bull
“The trio from Montreal rap quickly over bouncy synths and whines that are punctuated by quivering horns, but more important is the fact that they look cool while doing so. “-Â Â Noisey
“It felt like if the Canadians won the Stanley Cup â except Husser, Kris The Spirit, and Sir-Share-It are holding the Cup.” –Â The Hundreds
“Montreal is slowly but surely becoming a hotbed for hip-hop. With the help of producers like Kaytranada, and artists like The Posterz, the city’s finally on the map for budding talent.” – Complex
The Video:Â
With their sophomore project JUNGA dropping October 30th, Montreal rappers and producers The Posterz get tribal for their “Bulalay” visual, which premiered via The FADER. Clutching a brilliantly decorated onyx-colored rooster and flanked by a Rottweiler, sits rapper Husser in a wild, apocalyptic backdrop. The Posterz, consisting of rappers Husser and Kris the $pirit, along with producer Joey Sherrett, have been dubbed by Complexas the “pillars of the new wave of Montreal rap.”
“To us that’s what it is, the world is the just a jungle, everywhere is the same If we look at it logically and realistically, the real world is the spirit world,â The Posterz explained to The FADER. Joey says, “‘Bulalay’Â is like a ghetto ‘Hakuna Matata.’ Itâs a good day in the junga – problem free, just friends, girls and party. The vid starts with Huss getting up jumping in the pickup, we go link up with Chris, and party in the forest.”
The Posterz are no strangers to success – their debut EP,Starships and Dark Tints, landed them on the radars of the Huffington Post, who named them a âTop 10 Artists to Followâ in 2014, and in Noisey US/UK/France/Canada, Complex, Red Bull Music, Les InRocks, and the Montreal Gazette. Two years after their debut release, JUNGA shows off their musical diversity, ranging from modern-day boom-bap (âWant It Allâ) to a rock-infused love/hate anthem (âBen Upâ), and even a flip of synth-pop duo Secret Sun (âCold Coast Remix.”) Stay tuned for JUNGA, slated to release on October 30th.
JUNGA EP Tracklisting:
1) Bulalay
2) Want It All
3) Rumble
4) Ben Up
5) Cold Coast Remix
6) Want It All *Chopped & Screwed version*
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with The Posterz.
The Posterz Background:
In five short years and not much more than one EP worth of music, Montreal-based rap trio The Posterz have staked their claim in hip-hop both locally and globally with their refreshing, raw and innovative sound. They seemingly emerged fully formed, making their first splash with October 2013âs âThe Bass Song,â a defiant anthem that came with an equally vibrant, self-directed video. The Starshipsand Dark Tints EP followed, as did love from the press: the trio were named in Huffington Postâs âTop 10 Artists to Followâ in 2014, and featured in numerous publications such as Noisey US/UK/France/Canada, Complex, Red Bull Music, Les InRocks, the Montreal Gazette, and more.
The group linked up in 2010, in a community center studio in Little Burgundy, a downtown Montreal neighborhood which birthed the cityâs internationally renowned jazz scene a couple of generations earlier. Rappers Husser and Kris the $pirit stumbled on what Husser called âthe best beat we ever heard in our livesâ on the studio computer. They tracked down its creator; in producer Joey Sherrett, they found the third member of the group. The Posterz cite Kanye West, Andre 3000, Future and The Beatles among other influences, but are adamant about creating a sound that is all their own. Even in Montreal, they say their biggest inspirations are less musical and more aspirational; Montreal-born acts like Arcade Fire and Kaytranada made them realize they could blow up too. Huss and Kris temper their deft lyricism with a sense of humor. Sherrettâs beats mix adventurous, hard-knocking drums with masterful of low-end leads and expert synth work. They will release the JUNGA EP on October 30th, 2015.
Debuted by East Bay Express, Bay Area Legend J. Stalin Releases Hard-Hitting “Face Shots” Visual From Tears of Joy Project Set to Release on October 30th
Press Release
Debuted by East Bay Express, Bay Area Legend J. Stalin Releases Hard-Hitting “Face Shots” Visual From Tears of Joy Project Set to Release on October 30th
Debuted by East Bay Express, the Bay Area Legend Releases Hard-Hitting Visual From Tears of Joy Project Set to Release on October 30th
10.21.2015
Critical Praise:
“As the owner of Livewire Records, West Oakland rapper J Stalin provides a place for the growth of incredibly creative, meat-and-potatoes Bay Area hip-hop. The label hosts gritty rubbery street music that navigates crack dealing devastation and grounded partying tracks with equal aplomb, with artists that range from Stalin himself to MCs like Shady Nate and Philthy Rich among others.” – SPIN
“J Stalin pushes the envelope by vividly reiterating his Mob Bay Area persona and turmoil of his harsh upbringing.” – XXL
The Video:
J. Stalin isn’t backing down- today he’s releasing a hard-hitting visual for “Face Shots,” which is off his forthcoming album, Tears Of Joy, slated to release on October 30th. In “Face Shots,” which premiered via East Bay Express, the MC cements his status as a Bay Area legend with his prolific rhymes and crew by his side. With features from Iamsu!, Riff Raff, Snow Tha Product, Mistah F.A.B., The Jacka, Rayven Justice, D-Lo, B-Legit, and Jonn Hart, Tears of Joy is bringing a reinvigorated J. Stalin back to the scene.
Stalin explained to East Bay Express that he wrote the lyrics after his friend survived a gunshot to the face. “I havenât done a song like this in a long time, but where weâre at in Oakland, we need it,” he explained. “The rest of the world needs to know thereâs a lot of shit going on in Oakland. How are we gonna go overseas and fight wars if we canât fix our cities?â
Earlier this month, J. Stalin announced the album while sharing his Damon Jamal-directed visual for “Bye Felicia,” which has him ducking his old flame Lil Debbie while laid up in bed with his new girl. Tears of Joy will follow SID: Shining in Darkness, adding to his collection of over a dozen mixtapes heâs released over the past 8 years. In a review of the album, XXL said “J. Stalin pushes the envelope by vividly reiterating his Mob Bay Area persona and turmoil of his harsh upbringing,” adding, “Shining In Darkness is easily considered one of J. Stalinâs most cultivating yet.â Hailing from West Oakland, J. Stalin has long been one of the Bay Area’s most respected artists. In 2007, he signed to Zoo Entertainment Production Company run by artist Mekanix. He is also the Owner of Livewire Records and the President of Town Thizzness ENT, which is a sub-division of the late Mac Dre‘s Thizz ENT. Stay tuned for Tears Of Joy, which releases October 30th, 2015.
Tears Of Joy tracklist:
1. What’s My Name
2. Selling Crack
3. We All In
4. Think U Ready ft. The Jacka
5. Jacka’s Prayer
6. Bye Felicia ft. L’Jay
7. Face Shots
8. Running ft. Iamsu & Rayven Justice
9. Thang Rang
10. Boppin’
11. Thang On Me
12. Going Steady
13. Now A Days
14. Can’t Tell Me Nothing ft. Garret The Singer
15. Instagram Gangstaz ft. L’Jay
16. Bad P*ssy Song ft. D-Lo
17. Never Change ft. B-Legit & 4Rax
18. Can’t F*ck Wit U ft. Lil June & Jonn Hart
19. Mama’s Bou ft. Mistah F.A.B.
20. F*ck Rite
21. I’m Sorry
“Heâs a great rapper who you can imagine killing it at open mics, cyphers and old-school styled club nights.” –Â Â PotholesInMyBlog
“You’ll find WAVES incorporates several different genres within it’s overall hip-hop vibe– electronic, rock, and blues are some of the other elements tapped…” – HotNewHipHop
“The rising rapper […] has continued to dominate his own lane… Prob will have you locked in.” – XXL
“…just one conversation with ProbCause is enough to make you realize that he’s deeper than even his most serious lyrics suggest.” – Chicagoist.com
âThe lanky MC’s vocal gymnastics have an elastic flow⊠he raps like a fan in the crowd hollering at the DJ to pump up the volume.â â Chicago Reader
“Itâs diverse, veering from slower flows erring in the sub-genre of jazz-rap to hard-hitting, hard-spitting electro-rap. Itâs a perfect summer project…” – HillyDilly
“In Chicago and beyond, ProbCause is one to watch. His skills, creativity and persona are refreshing and unlike much else. There is a spin on everything that sounds and feels distinctly his. In both the rap game and the art world he is changing the rules.” – FakeShoreDrive.com
The Song:
ProbCause has teamed up with recent tourmate Lil Dicky for a remix of the Chicago rapper’s slouchy track “The Woods,” premiered by HipHopDX. Dicky’s eccentric rhymes and delivery spice up the smooth cut from ProbCause’s Drifters album, which released in August via Gramatik‘s Lowtemp label. ProbCause and Lil Dicky linked up earlier this year on their Prelude to Summer tour, which spanned much of the Midwest and East Coast. Continuing a rigorous road schedule, ProbCause followed with his own Drifters tour and several festival dates, including the North Coast Music Festival. Co-produced by ProbCause and D.R.O., “The Woods” features live horns from Will Miller atop co-production by ProbCause and D.R.O.
Premiered by Red Bull Music, ProbCause’s Drifters merges storytelling lyricism with often up-beat production, including a plethora of live instrumentation, creating a variety of soundscapes and timbres for a cohesive yet unpredictable collection of work. The local vet relied on an organic creative process with his peers as Drifters puts Chicago’s thriving music scene on display. Featuring a plethora of instruments and sounds, creating different soundscapes and timbres for each track on the record, HotNewHipHop praised ProbCause’s Drifters album for its versatility, and The Smoking Section called him “…the best rapper you may have overlooked thus far.” The Chicago emcee took storytelling and blended it with the varying sounds, creating a really well rounded project. “[Drifters] is much more musical than anything I’ve made in the past,” ProbCause told Red Bull, adding, “I work with a lot of really talented musicians in Chicago so it was a very organic thing to involve them in the production process.”
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with ProbCause.
ProbCause Background:
ProbCause is a prolific rapper and a painter too. Between performing at SXSW, North Coast, Costa Rica, and tour dates nation-wide, ProbCause is keeping busy and inspiring fellow students at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His sound, which jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, helped get him signed to high-profile booking agency Paradigm. With stories that make you reminisce and a percussive delivery that highlights his versatile production skills, ProbCause is at the head of the pack of promising new Chicago artists.
MP3: ProbCause ft. Lil Dicky – “The Woods” (Remix)
The Former Tourmates Team Up To Put a Fresh Spin On Single From the Chicago Rapper’s Drifters Album, Debuted by HipHopDX
10.20.2015
Critical Praise for ProbCause:
“ProbCause nimbly rides fusion-friendly hip-hop tracks; there’s the DJ Screwed-up dubstep buzzer ‘Ego Trip’ and the ecstatic rap-rock track ‘Neon Dreams.'” – SPIN
“Heâs a great rapper who you can imagine killing it at open mics, cyphers and old-school styled club nights.” –Â Â PotholesInMyBlog
“You’ll find WAVES incorporates several different genres within it’s overall hip-hop vibe– electronic, rock, and blues are some of the other elements tapped…” – HotNewHipHop
“The rising rapper […] has continued to dominate his own lane… Prob will have you locked in.” – XXL
“…just one conversation with ProbCause is enough to make you realize that he’s deeper than even his most serious lyrics suggest.” – Chicagoist.com
âThe lanky MC’s vocal gymnastics have an elastic flow⊠he raps like a fan in the crowd hollering at the DJ to pump up the volume.â â Chicago Reader
“Itâs diverse, veering from slower flows erring in the sub-genre of jazz-rap to hard-hitting, hard-spitting electro-rap. Itâs a perfect summer project…” – HillyDilly
“In Chicago and beyond, ProbCause is one to watch. His skills, creativity and persona are refreshing and unlike much else. There is a spin on everything that sounds and feels distinctly his. In both the rap game and the art world he is changing the rules.” – FakeShoreDrive.com
The Song:
ProbCause has teamed up with recent tourmate Lil Dicky for a remix of the Chicago rapper’s slouchy track “The Woods,” premiered by HipHopDX. Dicky’s eccentric rhymes and delivery spice up the smooth cut from ProbCause’s Drifters album, which released in August via Gramatik‘s Lowtemp label. ProbCause and Lil Dicky linked up earlier this year on their Prelude to Summer tour, which spanned much of the Midwest and East Coast. Continuing a rigorous road schedule, ProbCause followed with his own Drifters tour and several festival dates, including the North Coast Music Festival. Co-produced by ProbCause and D.R.O., “The Woods” features live horns from Will Miller atop co-production by ProbCause and D.R.O.
Premiered by Red Bull Music, ProbCause’s Drifters merges storytelling lyricism with often up-beat production, including a plethora of live instrumentation, creating a variety of soundscapes and timbres for a cohesive yet unpredictable collection of work. The local vet relied on an organic creative process with his peers as Drifters puts Chicago’s thriving music scene on display. Featuring a plethora of instruments and sounds, creating different soundscapes and timbres for each track on the record, HotNewHipHop praised ProbCause’s Drifters album for its versatility, and The Smoking Section called him “…the best rapper you may have overlooked thus far.” The Chicago emcee took storytelling and blended it with the varying sounds, creating a really well rounded project. “[Drifters] is much more musical than anything I’ve made in the past,” ProbCause told Red Bull, adding, “I work with a lot of really talented musicians in Chicago so it was a very organic thing to involve them in the production process.”
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with ProbCause.
ProbCause Background:
ProbCause is a prolific rapper and a painter too. Between performing at SXSW, North Coast, Costa Rica, and tour dates nation-wide, ProbCause is keeping busy and inspiring fellow students at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. His sound, which jumps from hip-hop, to electronic, to RnB, and then back to a classic boom-bap gritty rap, helped get him signed to high-profile booking agency Paradigm. With stories that make you reminisce and a percussive delivery that highlights his versatile production skills, ProbCause is at the head of the pack of promising new Chicago artists.
Debuted by Egotripland, the First Lady of Rhymesayers Ent. Delivers the Latest Video From Her P.O.L.Y. Album
10.20.2015
Critical Praise:
âA seasoned writer with a soulful and vulnerable style, her songwriting is multi-faceted and ultra-cultural.â â ASCAP
A witty, talented lyricist whoâs not afraid to reveal personal information as well as brag about her own skills, which are certainly numerable.â â All Music
âLiving proof that a female rapper can be just as badass as a male one, that âfemaleâ can be dropped altogether as a qualifier so that she can just be a rapper.â â Pop Matter
“How many more intellectual rap nerds and gangster rap poseurs does she have to leave doubled over in pain before people take notice of her dopeness?ââ RapReviews.com
The Video:
With her P.O.L.Y. (Psalm One Loves You) album having released in September, Psalm One has delivered a visual for the project’s lead single, “Plenty of Wins.” Filmed during her performance at a Mud Queens event in Chicago, it debuted via Egotripland, who noted that the first lady of Rhymesayers Ent. “puts in the (dirty) work in this mud-splashing video.” A showcase that merged music performance with mud wrestling, Psalm One engaged the audience with her raps before stepping off stage and into the mud wrestling ring. The song, âPlenty of Wins,â is a haunting, edgy number encapsulating Psalm Oneâs shrewd, unbothered, and self-confident approach. Sheâs joined on the track and in the video by fellow RAPPERCHICKS artist Angelenah, who adds delicate vocals to the songâs chorus.
P.O.L.Y., alludes to the philosophy of polyamory, with Psalm One delivering playful, seductive wordplay complemented by developed production and live instrumentation. “I’m growing as a woman, as a person, and as an artist,” Psalm One told Complex when asked about her inspiration and the album’s subject matter. “As of the past year or so, I’ve been exploring polyamory. That is the practice of maintaining multiple loving relationships. It is a super challenging lifestyle, to say the least. Ups and downs, tears and joy. I have always been a serial monogamist, so my life has been turned upside down. As a result, my music has gotten more lush, and I’ve been able to open up my platform and peer group to more incredible musicians. I’m very community oriented now. Not so much into ‘scenes.’ I’m into sharing my crazy life with amazing people who deserve it.”
Psalm Oneâs âPlenty of Winsâ follows the release of the Rookie Mag-debuted track âMaybe Never” and the Okayplayer-premiered “Impatient (Just U & Us).” Prior to releasing âImpatient (Just U & Us)â and âMaybe Never,â Psalm One teamed up with fellow Chi-Town rapper ProbCause for their collaborative ZRO FOX EP, which received praise from Complex and Consequence of Sound. Psalm One is currently headlining her DIY Tour with support from Angelenah, Fluffy, and the Palmer Squares throughout October, hitting various festivals and venues in the Midwest and Northeast.
Please contact Michelle or Rory for more info on Psalm One.
Background:
Hologram Kizzie (aka Psalm One) is the first woman artist signed to Rhymesayers Entertainment, a powerhouse of a label known for breeding legends. Sheâs savvy, self-assured and with almost a decade of rapping and touring under her belt she easily captivates her audience with thoughtful, provocative lyrics and exudes confidence. She has toured North America and Europe; watching her perform is both invigorating and inspiring. Having a degree in Chemistry from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Psalm knows the importance of education, so between tours and music production, she partners with Intonation Music Workshop to offer Rhymeschool, a hip-hop based after school program with an emphasis on literacy and team building. Rhymeschool is offered in cities across the United States, Haiti, and France and was a featured story on PBS.
Psalm One reintroduced herself to the world under a pseudonym: Hologram Kizzie with a new sound in her album Hug Life. She recently performed at Chicago Bullsâ Joakim Noahâs birthday party via special request, and played an impressive four showcases at SXSW 2015. Sheâs shared stages with Vic Mensa, Kendrick Lamar & Travi$ Scott and her resume only continues to grow. Kizzie proves that artistry, growth and longevity are possible, even in this volatile rap landscape. Her most recent musical effort is ZRO FOX, released Winter 2015. ZRO FOX is a collaborative album with ProbCause, her label partner at Bonafyde Media, an artist-run Chicago-based record label. As a member of the all-female supergroup The Rapper Chicks, Psalm One is pushing boundaries and opening the door for new talent. Psalm One’s third studio album, P.O.L.Y. (Psalm One Loves You), is now available.
MP3: 20 y/o R&B Singer Gemaine Releases “Freaky” Single on iTunes
With Over 2.7 Million Soundcloud Listens and Thousands of Re-Vines, His Hit Single Finally Gets a Retail Release
10.20.2015
Critical Praise for Gemaine:
“We have a feeling this is only the beginning of a long-term career of stardom for Mr. Edwards.” – WatchLOUD
“At 19-years-old he shows not only a remarkable talent, but an exceptional passion and drive with a set of unlimited skills.”-Â Â GoodFellaMedia
The Song:
After amassing almost 3 million Soundcloud listens and dozens of Re-Vines, 20 year-old R&B newcomer Gemaine released his viral hit “Freaky” on iTunes. What originally began as a 6-second freestyle he recorded at a local Guitar Center has turned him into a rising star in the world of R&B.
Although the 20 year-old from Compton, California has emerged as a newcomer to the music industry, music has been a big part of his life since he could remember. At the behest of his parents who wanted him and his seven siblings to avoid the trappings of the street life outside their door, Gemaine spent most of his free time singing and making music at his church, known for its high caliber of musical performances. A trained pianist, Gemaine is looking to do more with his talents than just sing. His goal is to create music that, “makes people feel good and becomes an escape from their problems.” He is currently working on releasing his debut EP, entitled Curious.
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Gemaine.
Gemaine Background:
Gemaine is a 20-year-old singer/songwriter/actor from Compton, LA whose music is infused with the iridescent sounds of soul, jazz and pop that blends together in a smooth sensual way. Influenced by the musical sounds of R. Kelly and Michael Jackson, this young star wears his desires and passions on his sleeve.
After releasing a snippet of what would later be his viral single, “Freaky” on Vine, Gemaine managed to turn six seconds into over 2 million plays and 200,000 followers on his social networks.
Gemaine is currently working on his debut EP (untitled) while making sporadic appearances in television shows including Black-ish and Criminal Minds.
Brooklyn-based producer ATR777 (aka Andrew Thomas Reid) has worked with everyone from Theophilus London to Freddie Gibbs to denitia and sene to Blu, to Coco O from Quadron but this time, he’s turning attention to himself. As part of BKLYN1834‘s upcoming compilation album release, ATR777 is releasing the song and video for the tripped-out song “Down To be Your Man.” Based on an attempt to maintain a failing relationship, ATR777’s vocal sample for the phrase “Down to be your man” became the loop on which the entire song is based. The video, which he filmed on a trip to Shanghai, reflects the aesthetics heard in the song with its spacious, down-tempo grooves, and ghostly textures of chopped and screwed vocals.
As the founder of BKLYN1834, a group of seven artists who live together in a Victorian mansion in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, it was ATR777’s idea to start a house where creatives could live together and work with each other. Despite a successful launch of the clubhouse living arrangement, Andrew’s world soon turned upside down. Following weeks of fighting, his housemates asked his then live-in girlfriend to move out. Faced with losing his girlfriend, ATR777 pleaded with her, “I’m down to be your man, just tell me what you want,” forming the foundation of the song.
As the originator of the BKLYN1834 artist community, ATR is used to working with dozens of different styles and genres. Beginning his production arc working with mostly rappers, his love for hip-hop eventually morphed into more melancholy, spacious thumps with ethereal layers of synth, giving way to his own vocal style. The influence of his Texas roots shines through with slow tempos and chopped and screwed vocal samples.
Redefining how artists create, distribute, and market their work, BKLYN1834 exists for brands to easily tap them for collaborations. Some of those brands include Pepsi, Converse, Apple, and Blackstone Realty. The collective has housed over 50 artists  and gave birth to media darlings denetia and sene, who met as roommates. and previous and current residents have worked with Prince, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Snarky Puppy, Theophilus London, Freddie Gibbs, Pharaohe Monch, among others.
BKLYN1834’s debut compilation, Comp_01, is set to release on November 13th and will include seven songs, with each having their own accompanying video. Comp_01 will  span from indie rock to indie pop to electronic songs and contain songs from NÎTIONS’, Saint Ballantine, Sanctuary Sound, ATR777, Bobby Only, and Foe Destroyer.
BKLYN1834 Comp_01Â Tracklisting:
âOne Clear Thoughtâ – Sanctuary Sound âEnoughâ – St. Ballentine (Sene and ATR)
âPlanned Out Worldâ –Â NÎTIONS âDown To Be Your Manâ – ATR777
âDropping Hintsâ – Bobby Only
âMy Waysâ –Â NÎTIONS
“Unconditional Loveâ -Foe Destroyer
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in talking with BKLYN1834 artists.
BKLYN1834 Background:
BKLYN1834 is a talent incubator for young artists who live together in a co-op style Victorian Home in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn and create music, art, videos, comedy, and other creative content. Modeled after the salon-like atmosphere of Hitsville U.S.A. and Gertrude Steinâs home, founding resident and creative director of BKLYN134, Andrew Thomas Reid, traveled to Nicaragua and Spain to convince friends to move into the house in the summer of 2009.
BKLYN1834 supports young artists by providing them with a place to live, write, record and produce content in a creative and collaborative environment. Previous and current BKLYN1834 residents have worked with Prince, Taylor Swift, Toby Keith, Snarky Puppy, Theophilus London, Freddie Gibbs, Pharaohe Monch, Denitia and Sene, among others. Fittingly nicknamed âThe Clubhouse,â the community has housed over 50 residents since its inception.
BKLYN1834âs long-term goal is to create a network of similar clubhouses across the country and around the world. By continuing to produce digital content in-house, we want to create a global community where artists, fans, and brands can all engage.
With more and more brands recognizing the value of authentic grassroots ideas that appeal to 18-34 yr olds, BKLYN1834 has already been tapped for collaborations by Pepsi, Converse, Apple, and Blackstone Realty. Forbes called BKLYN1834 âa tool every marketer should have in its back pocket.â
Video: J.R. Donato – Prosperity, No Hesitation (Vlog)
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Making of the 21-Year-OId Taylor Gang Rapper’s Fast Money & Freedom EP
10.19.2015
Critical Praise:
“…he uses his voice and flow in unique ways that only someone who’s been writing for close to a decade could pull off” – HotNewHipHop
“The future is looking type bright for J.R.” – Fake Shore Drive
“At 21-years old, the Chi town native J.R. Donato has already accomplished a lot” – GoodMusicAllDay
“Make it count and get in tune with Young Donato” – onSMASH
The Video:Â
North Chicago rapper J.R. Donato shows us a glimpse of what life’s like as one of Taylor Gang’s youngest artists. Taking us through his neighborhood and showing us his favorite spots in the city, J.R. Donato and his homies have plenty of love for their hometown while also teaming up with fellow Taylor Gang rapper Berner in the studio and hitting the stage on tour. J.R. Donato is coming off the release of his Fast Money & Freedom EP, which is available for free download via DatPiff and streaming on Spotify. “What I really want to do with this Fast Money & Freedom project is to make a better connection with my fans,” J.R. Donato says in the vlog. “Every time a person becomes a fan it’s usually because some type of connection because they can feel what you’re saying. And that’s what I want – I want people to feel what I’m saying.”
“[J.R. Donato] uses his voice and flow in unique ways that only someone who’s been writing for close to a decade could pull off,” said HotNewHipHop, acknowledging J.R. Donato’s history. In high school, J.R. Donato toured regionally with local legend Twista, before later teaming up with Wiz Khalifa on the second Under the Influence tour. In the lead up to Fast Money & Freedom, âI Supposeâ found J.R. Donato couch-surfing through the Chi, while he partied with some friends in the carefree video for âLife So Sweet,â which debuted via HipHopDX. Additionally, audio singles âMake It Countâ and the GoodMusicAllDay-premiered âMad At Meâ showcased Donato embracing the opportunities that heâs encountered in his nearly ten year rap career while paying no mind to the people thatâve hated along the way. Produced in-full by Sledgren, Fast Money & Freedom has a consistently hazy, laid back vibe that matches Donatoâs breezy, charismatic presence on the mic.
Please contact Michelle or Rory if interested in speaking with J.R. Donato.
JR Donato Background:
J.R. Donatoâs music can be summed up into three words; conceptual, vivid and thorough. His image, outlook on life and positivity that he brings to the hiphop community is a breathe of fresh air. His passion manifested itself early in the form of songwriting. âI always wrote about things I had been through or seen,â J.R. says. âI still do. Every song is another piece of my life and story.â Before J.R. reached his teenage years, he was already penning lyrics for himself and others. By the time he was 13, Young J.R. had a regional hit single â500 Degrees,â with a live performance presence that was unheard of for a kid who just left his teens. That led to other tracks like âMoney On My Mindâ and âWe Be Rydin,â creating a sizeable buzz for young entertainer. He was popping up on mixtapes and performing at clubs he was too young to even attend.
Lyric Video: Marc E. Bassy – “That’s Love” ft. Ty Dolla $ign
His East Hollywood EP Will Be Available at All Digital Retailers October 30th
10.15.2015
Critical Praise for Marc E. Bassy:
“His story is one about the amazing results that come from artistic exploration without expectation.” – KQED
“Itâs time we all get better acquainted with the one they call Marc E. Bassy.” – Okayplayer
“Marc E. Bassy is a fresh voice and one of LAâs own. He fits comfortably in the space between Frank Ocean and Mac Miller.” – LA Music Blog
“His bouncy flow channels the manic energy of Chance The Rapper; the animated style and tempered synths of “Cigarettes” could comfortably fit as a b-side to Acid Rap” – SPIN
âIf youâre looking for a soulful vibe to act as the soundtrack for your summer kickbacks, get familiar with Marc E. Bassy.â â XXL
The Video:
California singer/songwriter Marc E. Bassy is releasing a soulful visual for “That’s Love,” giving a glimpse into his life on tour. The track, which features Ty Dolla $ign, is from Marc E. Bassy’s East Hollywood EP, which will be re-released at all digital retailers on October 30th. “The song isnât just about a romantic relationship even though itâs inspired by one,” the Republic Records-signee explained to Galore Mag in their premiere post. “Itâs about love of all kinds, love for your friends, for your family, for your roommates, itâs all love. To me itâs an anthem and a motto: thatâs love.”
Last week, Marc E. Bassy released his self-directed video for the standout track “Some Things Never Change,” which The FADER called “a sludgy R&B-soul hybrid and an anthem for dream chasers” in their premiere post. As a songwriter, Marc E. Bassy has penned cuts for popstress PIA MIA, 2 Chainz, Chris Brown, Usher, Akon, Sean Kingston, Prince Royce, Allen Stone, HBK Gang, and more. Described as âsmoothâ by The FADER and a âfresh voiceâ by LA Music Blog, his unique blend of boozy, bass-heavy, sexy storytelling on the East Hollywood EP takes listeners through a recent period in which he went through a series of major transitions. âThis is my best work to date. I love getting my heart broken,” Marc E. Bassy explains. “Itâs the best â it makes you pick yourself off the floor and do better.â
East Hollywood EP Tracklisting:
1. Some Things Never Change
2. Faded ft. Pia Mia & Wynter Gordon
3. Free Love ft. HBK P-LO
4. Drunk and I’m Drunk ft. Bobby Brackins
Bonus Tracks (different depending on which digital retailer is accessed)
1. XX
2. On Top
3. Good Money
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with Marc E. Bassy.
Marc E. Bassy Background:
San Francisco-born singer songwriter Marc E. Bassy is an artist who refuses to be pigeonholed. Inspired by the Bay Area rap he grew up with as well as traditional Soul/RnB music, Marc has always found himself balancing between the two. Not only has Marc written songs for 2 Chainz, Sean Kingston, Allen Stone, Rince Royce, Chris Brown and Wiz Khalifa but he has also found success with his former Rap/Rock group 2AM Club, whose 2010 debut album What Did You Think Was Going To Happen? reached #3 on the Billboard Heatseekers charts. His debut solo EP Only The Poets, was released the summer of 2014, marking the beginning of the next phase in his career. Shortly after he released his sophomore EP, The East Hollywood EP, Marc signed with Universal Republic and will re-release the EP commercially on October 30th, 2015.
