Eighty4 Fly – Colors

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The supernova known as Eighty4 Fly is ready to explode on us as “Colors” finds its way to listeners after a long summer campaign of steady singles. At this rate its going to be incumbent that Eighty4 Fly and summer coincide as its starting to become a yearly ritual. Indeed “Colors” is another mixtape that features a bunch of new but at the same time Fly has grabbed a few of his best older songs. A wise decision as “Colors” will be his biggest release to date so those who have not been privy don’t miss out on some classics. Every song is labeled as a different color which leaves the thought of mystery to why the project is titled as is? Raised eyebrow aside vintage Eighty4 Fly the artist continues to bulldoze locally with an impressive all around combination that will have his out of region stock climbing. Musically structured in knowing how to formulate a project you can see why his aura seems to be the envy of fans and artists alike. While rap alone often boasts a lifestyle that praises an unattainable image for the common fan you never feel like Eighty4 Fly is trying to be above his fans. While a lot of artists try to be emulate someone else’s life through music Eighty4 Fly has always brought you into his. While there is certain references to lifestyle its from a realistic standpoint and fans instead get to live side by side in what he has branded as Fly World. Musically for those who have heard or have yet to hear Eight4 Fly it’s a sound that brings you into a continuum. It may not be Eighty4’s meaning but as you listen to the music on this project it’s a visual experience. It boasts certain imagery and color as if you the fan is culminating your own music video from song to song. Love or hate Eighty4 Fly continues to have success and the simple saying “There’s A Reason” should answer any questions. Production is supplied by SuperNova, Yorel, Tom Davis, A Dot, Chemist, Trixx, Ray Wonder, Versatyle, WHP, and Florida G.
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Christina Pallis – My Love

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A lot of people sing just like a lot of people rap but for singers it does not always result into songs or albums. The pitfalls might be just a bit steeper being a singer which is probably why we get small doses here locally. Usually nothing more than just a share of hook floozies that add flare to a pre-determined track. Christina Pallis sounded familiar initially but then it equated as she had done some background vocals for a few of the Mike Mack and Harlemreleases. Background no more Christina is working on her debut project called “Sweet Nothings” releasing the first single “My Love” produced by Brainstorm which features one of the more promising local artists in Peta Tosh. Added bonus track is “Over It” featuring Sev Of Dyme Def produced by D-Sane.
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InfinitRakz – Only You

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Getting used to hearing that Infinit on the beat lately when it comes to production from the Oregonbased producer InfinitRakz. That is where it started but that is never where it ends as Infinit is taking his foray into artist with his distilled promotional approach for “Music Laundering” Months and months of singles thus far with the latest in time for the short lived northwest summers with fellow collaborator R&B singer Aaron O Bryan Smith. The two pair up on a Carl-So-Lowe produced “Only You” who was once a producer on the So So Def imprint and produced the memorable hit “Money Aint a Thang” by Jay-Z & Jermaine Dupri.
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Clemm Rishad – Rap Star

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Clemm Rishad is finally realizing the actualization of what it is to life like a rap star. A steady worker  over the years a big break easily shows how the tables can turn. While the industry credits he has accrued being a part of “Writers Block” are a blessing the permagrin he can display to those who doubted has to be equally as satisfying. A region that was oft behind the times Clemm was the subject of being labeled but rather so he was just with the times. From his work as part of Young Dynasty to being a solo artist the next chapter is soon to begin with the release of his EP “ The Beginning”. The latest song surprises with a feature from Maybach music’s new signee Rockie Fresh on the collab called “Rap Star”.
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Eighty4 Fly – Kush High

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Buzz sometimes supersedes the actuality of an artist being good but Eighty4 Fly is the real deal. It was not without hard work and some strategic planning that has made things prosper for the flyest guy. Local artists want his fanbase, fans want to be him, and your girl is probably side eyeing him saying that’s Eighty 4 Fly. Early indicators of star power and definitely the momentum needed in the Northwest to help propel us with more acts outside the region. Only mid summer and a month or so away from “Colors” but Eighty4 Fly kindly releases a third track from his upcoming project titled “Kush High”. What seems like a dead giveaway is literally a uplifting track from production to the message, sounds like life in FlyWorld is where dreams come true.
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Eighty4 Fly – Hammer

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How do you know its summer time? Easy you get new Eighty4 Fly music and he is playing coy by leaking songs slowly in anticipation for what is going to be his biggest release yet. Surely soon enough we will all know the reasoning behind the project titled “Colors” but the second single drop “Hammer” gets fellow town affiliates Royce The Choice and AyeLogics. A for sure club banger it’s a beat that instantly will get the crowd enticed while the trio hit you hard with a hook, line, and sinker approach of signature rap machismo.
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Starr Spazzin – Kingdom Of Kush

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Artists used to rep for the Central pretty hard back in the days and some of the best street classics to memory come from there. Could be a change of the times or artists are just more self absorbent on just claiming Seattle itself. While some of the vets are still at it seems like a slow flux for newer talent coming from the Central. Starr Spazzin has not gone un-noticed for lack of trying as he has several releases as a solo artist, produces beats, hosts lines of mixtapes as DJ Gunplay, and last but not least does videos. All that acknowledged he tends to get undermined but continues with his latest EP “Kingdom Of Kush”. What concedes as smoker rap plays off easily on the fact Starr really be spitting on some street knowledge. Reincarnated in a sense of the veterans Starr is able to bring forth the same stories but modernize it for today’s street fan. You want the best for all artists and everything Starr has dropped has been good solid music. Just seems as though street based music does not have the pull or word of mouth it once did locally. Project is short like love and hate with all production done by Starr and Ski Mask Spec.
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Cassow – Future Classic

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Even in the northwest the general assumption by many is if you can actually rap no way you can be from anywhere besides the east. Culled as it is you can blame artists no longer respecting the craft opting instead for path of least resistance to quick success. The whimsical changes in the industry are not without fault but it’s easy to see those who deviate from the norm have longevity with accompanied success. No diss to the Northwest as it has a talented field awaiting its chance but Cassow is already at a unrivaled stage when in comparison to the region. It is a myriad of music coming out these days so its hard to stay completely original unless you get completely outlandish but even so Cassow is no doubt something special. Only on his third project and barely out the cusp of his twenties he releases his latest “Future Classic” which abides easily to his boding confidence as a artist. While being assured, bold, determined, or fearless describe being confident its sometimes hard to believe artists as it feels more like a portrayal instead of the real deal. Not Cassow as in a short time his content whether it’s first hand or second hand he is able to intensify you into a song no matter the topic. He bodies anything put forth and does not let trends define how he should make his music. Instead of trying to make someone else’s song over he takes what is happening around him and does things his way. Such hyped words for an artist that many probably see as relatively unknown and while touted the future is still a void that will require hard work. It’s a project like this that will gain some current listeners due to Cassows raw talent but his growth is something to be seen. At least those riding now and in the future will be able to recall this as the title states with the added factor of saying they were listening to him when he was just that talented kid from Portland. Lot of dope producers helped make the sound for this project including ReignState, Trifeckta, Hippie Sabotage, DaveNotti, Jake One, Trox, Stewart Villain, and TruMaine.
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Rose Bent – Crimson Skies

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When you hear a new artists classifying usually comes to mind but Rose Bent is Portland’s version of what? Made you think for a second, as female rap groups are pretty rare when you really put your mind to it. While the cliché female of the click or solo female rappers is more active these days makes you wonder why there are not more female groups. Could be a catty-ness of various issues but no matter as the trio made up of Jacque formerly J-Kronic, Kheoshi (Lady Trinity), and Rose City Miss Chief make things work. Backwards in a sense these three have already released a debut album back in 2010 with the latest offering a mixtape called “Crimson Skies”. Eye candy aside being a female rapper as with just being a female in general comes with a lot of double standards. As if hip hop is not already a up hill battle imagine having to show and prove your every move in a industry that just happens to be dominated by males. Your songs have to be that much better and rhymes that much doper, well for those who try to do more than sell their sexuality at least. Rose Bent is not innocent in this realm either but as forgivable and supportive as women can be for men doing the same its only right for the ladies to have a voice. Minus the lovey dovey-ness, sexisms, and mild freakiness the ladies have voices of formulated hip hop with a show out ability of creative zaniness which shows togetherness when they make music. Hosting duties are provided by DJ Sneakers and Infinit Rakz with a few features from Ariano, Zita, Teddy Lokc, Juma Blaq, plus Mighty.
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Nerdy Boy Jr – Nerd Star

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Association is a underutilized term in music today but ideally it really is what drives a fan to a particular artist. Not to discredit the music as it plays a integral part but gaining a fanbase past a song or two takes some allurement into believing what that artist is all about. If it was all about talent music would be stacked like the NFL in wealth of millionaires but instead it’s becoming a business of timing. A new start or a re-invention is sometimes the best answer especially if something is not working, ask 2Chainz! Gimmicky as anything can be if you believe and get others to believe as well it can work. The artist that no longer wants to be Tap Tap now becomes redefined as Nerdy Boy Junior. Light spots of success under the old moniker and nowhere near a bad artist just more stringent on striving to pop off a hit song instead of building properly. So with no further delay the legacy of Nerdy starts with the release of his first mixtape “Nerd Star” which is in association with the musical acumen DJ Phinisey. Nerdy has been rapping for awhile so he’s composed and polished enough as a rapper where he just has to focus on making quality music. Was not so long ago that being a Nerd per say was seen as no way of being cool but with a certain steez attached to it can be flipped into a complete 180 these days. That stigma plays well with the Nerd movement Nerdy is trying to get across and the music is a stepped up formula of before but better. It’s a fine blend of pop rap that could find success in various formats other than just being straight forward. The majority is feel good even when Nerdy gets personal the songs stay positive and more uplifting if anything. It’s a better time for music in the Northwest where music like this could find more fans regionally and outside the region we are always a step behind so those partial should have some good summer music. Nerdy just needs to find a way to push his movement and give his fans a name.
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