Jarv Dee – Dopamine

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No if, ands, or buts Cloud Nice is that camp right now! The collective which calls themselves family first is full of talent and has to be one of the hardest working efforts with the amount of material released so far. From groups to solo efforts everyone is getting their chance to shine rolling out that good music solidifying that sound and movement which is becoming very pride-worthy for the town. Steezie Nasa and Nacho Picasso really came on with their solo projects but third BAYB member Jarv Dee finally releases his solo debut “Dopamine”. While Jarv is calling this his solo debut in fair regards he was actually one of the first artists to release a project with Cloud Nice back when he dropped his “Talking Shit” EP. Not a bad project by any means but in comparison to the latest effort Jarv is his own kind of beast. Though the Cloud Nice click’s flows can be allied at times Jarv definitely brings a more energetic aggressive voice that is a good change-up. Dopamine stays clever at times with a simple track thoughtfulness approach and expectance is also granted with the usual compliment of smokers anthems. That aside you can always expect a trademark steez of a harder compliment which is coming to be like some new age spaced out gangsta tunes! Spreading like a disease its only due time before everyone is yelling MoorGang. Features stay in house for the most part with production from IBE, Eric G, Raised By Wolves, Rob Skeetz, WD4D, and 10.4.Rog.
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Roderic – More Is Code

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We want to be different and recognized as a region for the quality of music we make but it seems that Northwest artists have a hard enough time getting outside their own cities. Issuing blame as to why is a never-ending poll of people who think they have the answer but truth be told there is no exact blueprint for success no matter where your from. Music can be similar but no one artist is the same which is why artists like Roderic rely on just making good quality music. Even as a younger artist going by Hot Rod adversity followed but even then he excelled and just got better. Lack there of is not something we can recount as he has a lot of firsts next to his name. One of the first artists from Tacoma to be on Apollo plus 106and Park, got DJ Ill Will to host his mixtape before it became a trend, making videos before they became the thing to do, as well as countless shows. Accomplishments and praise aside its been awhile since Roderic’s last mixtape. Steady leaks and videos have been leading up to the release of “More Is Code” which finally comes via his Famous Young Rulers imprint. Roderic does not have much competition in the sense that most artists locally shun mainstream sounds but the mix easily is comparable to what is hot right now. What was heard before was raw but this release shows the most complete side of Roderic as a song maker plus writer. No slouch on choosing production as near every song has someone different providing the soundtrack with spots from Superstar O, T-Mic, TMak, Zone Beats, Amadeus, Mellow Boy, Selasse, Team Green, Novastar, Ripley, Cashous Clay, Expired Silence, Trifekta, The Cratez, and iDBeatz.
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Luck-One & Dekk – Beautiful Music Part II

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Going backwards is never the chosen path but in music your best work sometimes resides in your beginnings. Luck-Ones early buzz and success goes in part to fellow Portlandproducer Dekk in which the two collaborated back in 08-09 for the original release of “Beautiful Music”. Dekk is one of those producers who really kind of falls in the cracks as far as being center stage recognized but he is musically a gift to the boards. Other work from Dekk can be spotty but Luck-One seems to bring him out and some might even remember Dekk as part of “Moxie Black” with iLLA. The two find time to re-unite in 2012 with the follow-up “Beautiful Music II” which features hookster Dizz, Alaska’s Josh Boots, as well spots from Nafisaria and Brain Vincent. With Dekk on the production Beautiful Music II is very well produced with vintage Luck-One realism across the twelve songs. It is probably over the head of a lot of rap fans taste of simple-ness especially the above average vocabulary and lyricism. Even said with content in mind it’s a easy listening experience with well laid rhymes and high caliber hooks. Over time running out of good words to compliment Luck may happen especially when he continues dropping music. Even though his brand of music may not be your taste saying its wack would be blatant hate. Improvement, gripes, flaws, people will say what they say but as with anything else in life you will know if its for you or not.
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Undercaste Studios – The Undercaste Mixtape

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Appreciation is full circle and easily enough a lot of Northwest talent would not have their music sounding as crisp as it does without the help of Undercaste Studios. A studio who works with the who’s who of the Northwest has finally brought together a star studded local artists extravaganza of talent for their debut mixtape. Front to back if you have not heard of any Northwest artists this may easily be your overloaded introduction of what the Washingtonregion has to offer. Compiled of expected collaborations its also filled with some unexpected surprises as artists that function outside of normal circles are paired together. Debut mixtape has to be taken into consideration and you get some borrowed production as well as what sounds like a few originals mixed in. It’s a start for now but we need for Undercaste to utilize the talent one more time for the Undercaste album?
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Speaker Minds – 9 to 5: Self-Employed EP

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Speaker Minds high energy and charismatic performances make for a memorable time for both themselves and spectators. With an emcee who enthusiastically expresses his love for the Hip Hop community, an experienced and soulful singer, and a Band that has blended their diverse backgrounds to form a unique sound, there is never a dull moment! Although newly formed, they have already made appearances at such festivals as Umoja (Seattle), Fire in the Canyon, Headlined POH-HOP 12, and EcoPalooza, they opened for such credible artists as KRS-One, Dead Prez, The Pharcyde,Delthe Funky Homosapien, Freeway & Jake One, Josh Martinez of The Chicharones, and have performed for multiple Benefit Concerts.
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Swindle From Certified – Have Heart Stay Sharp

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Certified the duo consisting of artists Church and Swindle really are the exemplar of what street rap is today. New artists and even some of the greats find it hard not to constantly follow the current trends but instead Certified finds a way to make their music appeal even in today’s market. In a sense the group is dealt a bad hand being that if they were to have come out in the nineties they would be in line with other legendary groups we hold in high accord today. No matter at this point as their track record for this era speaks for itself with consistent albums and high standard of quality music. The split of favor towards any which member probably sways as they both come hard and bring the best out in each other. Last years “Tha Skillet Gang” was a long time coming due to un-wanted vacations in which Church is still away but Swindle is keeping things going during his departure with his first solo album “Have Heart Stay Sharp”. Being solo lays a bigger burden as instead of two heads with ideas, concepts, and rhymes it instead falls all on you. Doubt aside fans have no worries as Swindle does not disappoint and instead really gives you a true full length effort with minimal features and twenty four tracks. Stature stands strong throughout the debut as the hunger stays as strong as day one with pulse pounding high energy street music to the highly descriptive street tales we have come to respect. A genre of rap that is almost a mockery in this day and age its artists like Certified who continue to make legitimate genuine street music we appreciate. Swindle’s debut album is summer ready and something he did not shy away from was good production enlisting a ton of producers including Super Nova, Ice Starr, Vans Beats, Pro Kid Ryan, Louis G, Johnny Juliano, Industry Rejectz, Silent Noize, Bravestarr, Maserati Beats, Pumpkinhead Productions, Vyybe Beats, Superstar O, C-Ray, Trackanometry, Zo Town Music, Lexi Banks Music, and Jeff Slahps.
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Serge Severe – Service Without A Smile

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Good rappers who often care more about their rhymes and writtens are seldomly appreciated these days. Like technology the music industry is ever evolving leaving those non-conforming artists looked at as stuck in their ways. Your era, our era, the future, one thing really is for certain no matter the current trend there will be those artists who continue to just make real raw hip hop. Serge Severe has kept lyricism and the type of music he does to a standard and to those fans who appreciate the golden era of the art he has delivered. Solo and group projects Serge has been steadfast with his sound but artistically at some point you have to challenge yourself. As ironclad as artists can be about the type of music they make a good producer sometimes sees the best in them. Hence the pairing of one of Portland’s hardest working producers in Terminill and Serge for their experimental EP “Service Without A Smile”. Everything you have come to know from Serge is there but at a heightened experience. It is hip hop at its core with a much broader appeal and shows good chemistry between two who we need to hear more from in the future. Of course all production handled by Terminill with features from DJ Wells, Jon Belz, and Luck-One.
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Frankie Hustle – Chasin Paper 2

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Playing a role behind the scenes is the start many get before they ever become a household name. Frankie Hustle in fact has eleven plus years playing his part in the northwest entertainment business and like others before him he steps to the forefront as an artist with his Block Mogul Entertainment. His reasoning is due to success paralleled with disappointment but the ability become an artist and  jump behind a mic to make music is priceless. The Tacoma CEO and now artist debuted himself with his first mixtape “Chasing Paper” with the second installment of the series following pace with a “Rise & Grind” theme. Frankie’s visual stature is almost coincidental as he dons a Rick Ross esque look but favors a Freeway type delivery. Intent on just making good music street ambitions and motivations are the key points for the latest installment which gets collaborations from Slo Poke, Neo, Krusal, Willy Green, General Wojack, plus X.P.
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Reva Devito – The Catnip Collective

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Reva Devito is a Portlandbased songstress whose smoky, timeless voice moves comfortably through R&B, Jazz, Disco, and Hip Hop. Her self-released debut “The Catnip Collective” has both garnered national and international attention. This release comes on the heels of her features on the latest album from Seattlehip-hop group Dark Time Sunshine. “The Catnip Collective” reflects the playful, sexy side of this young artists music, while her dynamic live shows can range from lounge-style jazz standards to up-tempo dance stomps. Be sure to look for this sultry singers full-length LP due for release in the very near future. She has shared the stage with various like minded acts such as The Foreign Exchange, Friz And The Tantrums, Macklemore, Dessa (Doomtree), Thundercat, and countless others. Collaborations on the debut EP come from other talented Portlandbased musicians Tony Ozier, Steveland Swatkins, & Farnell Newton. You can purchase “The Catnip Collective” for $5 on bandcamp as well as catch a few free downloads.
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Young Fame – Welcome To The Social Club

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Forget the baby steps suppose if you going to change one thing you might as well change everything and the artist formerly running as Taj Mahal now presents his future alter ego  “Young Fame”. While west coast is still the heart of his music Young Fame has his eyes set on expansion and being your typical west coast independent artist is no more. The debut album was a start but Fame has pretty much made a “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” statement by stepping his game up from all angles. For starters signing with DJ Skee, next a hot single with the games hottest artist “2Chainz” with other features from Mitchy Slick plus Nipsey Hussle, and to top it off top notch production from Tryfe/2Fifty3. No qualms about repping for his home city of Tacoma you can expect Fame’s “Welcome To The Social Club” mixtape to be an almost 360 in appeal with songs that bleed west coast but can stretch to any market. Other features include spots from Writers Block Clemm Rishad, Nonada, Skeme, and Strong Arm Steady.
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