Leezy Soprano – K.N.O.E

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It’s a movement when it comes to Y Lyfe and in an unselfish fashion Leezy pays tribute to another movement in K.N.O.E. Known as a clothing line it’s really more than that with its own message and back story that is continually gaining support. Easily shown Leezy titles his latest effort K.N.O.E. meaning “Knot Now Or Ever?”. It’s a saying that brought the founder of K.N.O.E. Clothing to a crossroads of life and death. Ultimately a decision in choosing to fight and not let Cancer be the winning factor when it came to his life progressing. A Camaraderie that is often talked about but not really seen in the Northwest but with Y Lyfe affiliations it seems like a family thing. Musically Leezy already has the fans believing and K.N.O.E. the album is progressive with its share of bangers. At a point literally where his hunger is teetering capacity with other things needing to start falling into place for future success. Grind, hustle, consistency, are staples of growth in which Leezy has done better each go around. While the production has never been bad things like having a signature sound or production of an echelon quality could be the headway. Features come from local stars like Lil Ripp and Lace Cadence along with west coast legends Kurupt plus Kokane appearing on a track a piece.
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Jasper T – The Sweet Dark

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In music collaborations is almost like the instant reference whether its producers, singers, or rappers. A collaboration can change a career or simply be a nod to get you a new fan you didn’t have before. Usually talent sticks together so seeing John Crown appear on a project makes you take a keen interest. What’s different about this particular collaboration is Jasper T is a singer/guitarist making his own kind of music. Playing guitar is so versatile and you get nods of rock, country, blues, and even some reggae when hearing the soundtrack Jasper provides on his debut project “ The Sweet Dark”. Featuring a real subtle ear soothing voice Jasper showcases both talents throughout the nine track project. A mix of actual songs and others just being acoustic guitar inspirations. As noted earlier guest spots come from John Crown, Christy McWilson, with some additional production from Captain Midnite. A good enjoyable project and something different. You can grab the digital or a hard copy over at his bandcamp http://jaspert.bandcamp.com/album/the-sweet-dark-pt-i
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Skuntdunanna – The Back Pack Theory

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Oftentimes artists find a successful niche and it works so they never challenge themselves to do anything outside of the comfort zone. This often leads to falling off or wearing off on fans who actually invested time into your music. As a artist grows the fans grow with them and as a OG of northwest rap Skuntdunanna is probably seeing déjà vu effects from being such a workaholic. With some albums that span back in the northwest history books to more recent releases you have really garnered to see various doppelgangers of the type of artist he can be. While the small minded play first look judgment Skunt has themed all his releases very well to show his uncanny ability to do it all. Why stop now as Skunt releases his latest project the “Back Pack Theory” which is a album he notes as being B-Boy experience. What does that exactly mean? Well to sum it up “real music” and for those still be fumbled in thought don’t expect any cursing either. A daily challenge for most Skunt does it for a whole album and also cuts out the typical rap clichés. No talk of bitches, clubs, guns, or the all out gangsta affair people probably associate him for. With none of that, all that’s left is the man and while we have heard Skunt on his real spit before this is for a whole album. Kind of has that old school approach of just rapping without any end-arounds, that route artists used to take and you believed every word that was coming out of their mouth. It’s the rigors of life and unknowingly so Skunt does not have to put you in his shoes as it is something we all experience. Overall this is a project that even Skunt fans will probably be a little surprised about but he also keeps the features light and it’s a free download.
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AyeLogics – Odd Man Out

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Sneaker Head, urban fashionista turned Recording artist AyeLogics, releases his 2nd full-length album, accurately titled Odd Man Out. This is the artist’s 6th release, following a series of EPs (Problematic, Vintage Flow, Live From The Sin, and Almost Varsity), his only other album in 2007 was titled When All Else Fails. Born in Oklahoma and having lived in Virginia Beach, VA, as well as close to 10 other cities as a military brat, AyeLogics began to hone his rap skills while in high school in Las Vegas as a battle rapper. After joining the Air Force and relocating to Seattle, he took rap more seriously when he found himself surrounded by other rising hip-hop artists like Macklemore, the now platinum Seattle artist. Being an Asian rapper, has always caused AyeLogics to stand out. Whether it’s on a basketball court, in a cypher, while shopping for vintage Sonics gear, gold jewelry, or rare sneakers, He’s always been a rarity. This inspired the title of the album, Odd Man Out. Since May of 2012, AyeLogics has been working to put together this project, which he calls “an eccentric collection of rhymes and beats” which are very much a representation if himself, his style, and his art. The album features production from Nick Bangerz (credits: Jabawockees, Rihanna), Mike Weed, Chinky P (credits: T.I., G-Unit, Bun B), D. Landski, Black Key Cartel, and J Purganans. Featured artist are Sir Michael Rocks (also known as Mikey Rocks of The Cool Kids), Bay-area favorite Mistah Fab, as well as fellow Seattle up-and-comers Nacho Picasso and Eighty4 Fly.
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Nottus Tre – FNS3 (The Scrillagy)

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So many new artists and so much new music to listen to it only reckons the daily fact that rapping is becoming a improbability. It’s a bloodthirsty game of love/hate between competition but being a fan is still the fun part. Hearing the potential of an artist and watching them grow is a thrill similar to seeing your favorite sports team thrive to a championship. Nottus Tre is an artist who is taking those proper baby steps in getting his name more known in the northwest and also building his online buzz. His most recent project comes in a third part as he continues with the “FNS” mixtape series which follows the trend of original music mixed in with bulldozing freestyles. The mixtape features a couple previous leaks including the local favorite “Da Scrilla” which featured Glasses Malone. Also included is guest spots from fellow Hang Gang member Joey Kash, Ike James, Youngcam The Mac, Nuchi, and Mistah Fab. Mixtapes are kind of getting to a played out stage these days but artists still release them with a bit more original material included. Like with the previous installment in this series Nottus gives you enough good songs, some that sound like throwaways, and then teases you with how dope he can be with some straight forward freestyles. Think its time for Nottus to pop off the training wheels and focus on bringing out some real projects whether it’s full length EP’s or albums. Listeners know he’s good but taking that next step we will know if he can be great. Check it out its free nothing but two clicks one to download and one press play.
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Starr Spazzin – The 7 Way Theory

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Starr Spazzin has been busy after releasing two free projects. Allowing the fans free music also is in the hopes they will support you when you drop a real album and Spazz is doing that now with “The 7 Way Theory”. The album art alone is a standout as it depicts a classic album reincarnated with his own new meaning. Shallow listeners will probably never get a full meaning of Starr as a artist as his music sounds similar respectively to that of others. Caught in a bad in-between zone in a region where the musical diversity has shifted and in the same mention new listeners will already have their assumptions. Sometimes old sayings stay true for a reason and not judging a book by its cover can be Starr’s ally. While the beats mesh with today’s standard fare it’s the political hood approach of speaking about what’s going on versus straight ignorance that separates him. Others would beg to differ but its all dependent on which side of the tracks your coming from. This is once again another solid effort from Starr, his consistency stays on par of keeping things short without overload of music. Starr is just like a lot of artists who are stuck between a rock and hard place in this drop in the bucket kind of business. Support the artists you are fans of, its not that hard of a task.
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K-Truth – Tunnel Vision

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It has been awhile since we last heard anything new from K-Truth in fact its been about two or three years since he released his debut album “The Search For Greatness”. Like a few others K-Truth is kind of a transplant taking his influences of other regions where he has resided and kind of adding a little Northwest to it. The gaps between each of his projects has kind of left face of growth but also sort of a change in sound. K-Truth’s last album seemed to be more laid back with more a shot at a contemporary radio R&B/Pop type of vibe. That could have been due to who he was working with at the time but with “Tunnel Vision” he seems to be a bit more contentious in sound. While aggressive might not quite be the right word K-Truth seems to be more laid in the fact of finding his sound as a artist with this project. His style reminisces more of a Midwest tact and this has been seen in the past but with the sharper flow it parlays a bit more prevalent over the eight songs. Beats with a higher BPM seem to suit K-Truth better no matter the content and writing wise the music seems to be a bit more personal than before. While not to overly scoff his listeners with straight content K-Truth seems to find a bit more enjoyable creativeness when doing tracks that have more generality in sound. Not to say this is rough around the edges at this point but it seems the trial runs are doing the job. While trying to find totality as an artist K-Truth does at least one thing right which is continue to step it up each time. Believing in the fact a artist should get paid for their work this one is on I-Tunes as well as his website www.K-Truth.com
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Ariana DeBoo – The Valentine’s Day EP

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Like the holiday Valentines can be a day of expected and unexpected things to happen. Musically it seems to become more and more of a day for artists to find occasion to drop a song, album, video, or just about anything else to coincide with a day dedicated for lovers. Ariana DeBoo all around was just that surprise to hear when she appeared on Sam Lachow’s “Brand New Bike” album. A standout beautiful jazzy soulful voice that makes you enjoy the moment and want more when its over. Probably known as the girl who could sing in her own circle all her life it was good to see her finally release her own project “The Valentine’s Day EP”. It is only three songs and has her doing covers but she definitely puts a new twist on them making them all her own. Its not enough but it will have to do for the time being. Lets look forward to the thought that Ariana decides to extend past guest spots and teasers to a full length album in the near future.
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Avatar Darko – Soviet Goonion 2

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Probably said Avatar’s name more than almost any other artist in the northwest over the past few years as this man continues to release projects like his life depends on it. Never straying from his Russian heritage Avatar is Molotoving every time he releases a new project. Almost like the iPhone by the time you get the latest release Avatar has the next one dropping. If you missed it he is now running with the name Avatar Darko and the latest release is “Soviet Goonian 2”. While always known for throwing a few well known producers per release Avatar is always good for breaking some new ones as well. If you have been a fan of Northwest music and not heard Avatar not sure what to tell you. For those who have been fans at one point or another expect the usual. Avatar always brings his share of dark and hard tracks while being experimental for a track or two. What he may not get recognized for because it may shadow in is his deeper tracks. He can go pretty deep in a story or theme that takes some concise listening to grasp. Features come from Moor Gang’s Nacho Picasso, Jarv Dee as well as Seattle street favorite Fatal Lucciauno. Production by Sledgren, Cardo, Vybe, Saradis Midas, V Don, and Dirtbag Dexter.
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Esseno – Funked Up: BBQ Music Volume 1

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Northwest summers best believe its one of the better things you can experience when you visit the upper left. All that is needed is that soundtrack to accommodate all the activities and functions you will be attending. Esseno looks new but its just a revised spelling for the artist who used to go by S-n-O. Little easier in pronouncing the title properly but with the name change comes the first project which is “Funked Up: BBQ Musiv Volume 1”. This is kind of like Esseno’s third project after his first solo Jus A Sip and being all over priceless productions debut compilation. Esseno worked with a lot of the same producers as previous keeping it lit with west coast sounds in getting RC The Trackaholiq, Roc Phella, plus Ell from priceless productions. As a change up you can expect spot production from Brainstorm, Kamaine, and Big Jibbah as well as features from Fatal Lucciauno. Grynch, Neema, and Lil Gene aka Sandman. As a new un-biased listener Esseno’s last project kind of fumbled but not in the sense that it was flat out terrible. It was more so Esseno knew the sound and artist he wanted to be but hurdles as a new artist made it so not everything quite lined up. Funked Up is a 100 times better literally. Esseno’s flow sounds smooth and crisp more maligned with the thought that he has been doing this for awhile versus it only being his second album. Brings you back to a better time musically when all the videos looked like a legit fun time versus all coordinated fun. This is a start to finish summertime ready album and its just good music you can relax and have a good time to. Like seeing everyone have a good time you just leave it as is and enjoy the ride. This is one is on I-Tunes so its easier for all the digital heads to grab!
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