Emperor P – Gangsta Life

Posted on by

No Limit and Master P made everyone feel like they could be independent millionaires back in the nineties. If you were a rap fan during this time period you were dropping everything to either pick up a mic or keyboard in hopes of becoming the next big record label. Emperor P didn’t hesitate and was really one of the early artists to put a CD out in the northwest when he started his Terrace Records. His debut album would be released in 1999 titled “Gangsta Life” and featured guest spots from Lee, Drew, Sarah, DK, and Gangsta J. We were all die hard fans of some artist and its no straying from the likeness in name as Emperor P was influenced by Master P. Almost like a lost member of the No Limit camp the similarities are there with rap style and voice but Emperor P was definitely more on a west coast vibe with his song writing. The album produced entirely by Rob Jackson featured that basement made mobb sound with local favorites like “Bready & Butter” and “These B’s”.
Read more »

Parker & Lace Cadence – Imagination EP

Posted on by

Collaborating on each others albums is one thing but when talented artists get together to do whole projects it always sparks some curiosity. Lace Cadence has always been dope since his early days up to the group days with Clockwork. His association with a track or project means good things whether its rapping, vocals, or production side of things. Parker is most known for his work with the group SOTA commanding the boards in the sense of engineering and producing. As the rapper Parker wont overly impress or outshine the competition which works in his case as he is trying to make hit songs not be the lyrical miracle. Members Only who has worked with several artists to release projects over the past few years makes it happen it again with Parker & Lace Cadence’s “Imagination” EP. Short at only five tracks the EP is filled with mood setters that kind of give off that lounge-esque feel, mildly clubby with the nightlife references but in a more relaxing tone. You can grab the project for a few bucks on bandcamp!
Read more »

JC Flow Ft Jennifer Newberry – Day Dreaming

Posted on by

How much more under the radar can an artist be and what does it really take to be appreciated? Surely JC Flow knows the answer but seems to see his situation clearly as it progresses and stays humble throughout. The fact that he has amassed a huge following over the past few years is amazing with over 26,000 Facebook likes, 250K downloads, and not to mention a Reverbnation superstar. If no one hears you no one can like you and JC Flow understands that principle best as he gets his music on every outlet possible. Whether you decide to support or download you will have no shortage of JC Flow tracks in your ears. In preparation for his next solo album due out later this year JC has released his ninth single from the upcoming release titled “Day Dreaming” The inspirational song holds back no substance with lessons at its core and the beautiful vocals of Jennifer Newberry make for a classic collaboration. Songs come and go……music lasts forever.
Read more »

Avatar Young Blaze – The Humble Villain

Posted on by

The flood gates are open and they have not stopped as Russian Molotov Avatar continues to be a downpour when it comes to releasing new mixtapes. Often referred to as the rapper who doesn’t look like he sounds the frequency of releases seem to feed the fan who constantly wants more but maybe becoming repetitious to others. At this point we know he can rap, his beat selection is always consistent, and his grimy street sense is above par to the common local artist. The first drop for 2012 brings “The Humble Villain” his latest mix structured like a full album with beats by all kinds of hit makers including Sabzi, Jason Correa-Wood, Araab Muzik, Southside On The Track, V Doon, The Olympicks, Johnny Juliano, Chizzy, SkiMask Spec, THC, and S Dot. Likelihood is easy as you know you are going to get them hard street cuts where your forced to bob your head in filthy agreeance while content stays streamlined to what we have come to expect. Changes come in small amounts like the shortened name from Avatar to Av probably due to familiar reasons. Able to see growth even in something simple like willingness to flip a song that normally wouldn’t fit your common rap album but crisscross the two and Av strikes gold. A full complement of songs as always you get features from fellow central district native Fatal Lucciauno as well as Blue Foundation, David Wright, Made In Heights, as well as constant collaborator Isabella Du Graf.
Read more »

A-Rawlo – A.C.G.L (A Cool G Life)

Posted on by

The success of those on top make it look effortless beknownst to most the blood, sweat, and tears that were put in before a single accomplishment was ever made. The glamour, riches, women, cars, jewelry, and whatever other desires make it easy for young artists to embellish on what could be. A-Rawlo yes say it again A-Rawlo because this is a name that might very well be repeated amongst many in the future. This is a game built on hard work which is something A-Rawlo recognizes thoroughly in his music having dreams of the big time but a realist in the sense of his current surroundings. All about movements these days which is good because you need them and A-Rawlo is urging along his A.C.G.L. brand which stands for “A Cool G Life”. It happens to be the title to his second mixtape which showcases his imaginable style as its laid back by choice but flip-able to recourse his point when occasion calls and easily plays into his entrancing storied rhyme scheme. Early praise is in order and while not raising A-Rawlo to the high horse just yet his A.C.G.L. mixtape reaps what future potential could be unleashed with some polish plus devotion. The majority of the production was handled by Antwon Vinson along with the only feature coming from R&B vocalist Tsedey.
Read more »

City Hall – Low Blood Sugar EP

Posted on by

Being a part of a crew or being in a group is how a lot of avid artists start out due to the obvious ease reasons. Burdening as a solo act is not easy but crews and groups sometimes don’t even last past introductions. While the City Hall name will be semi-new to some it may be more familiar if you just say Todd Sykes and EvergreenOne. The two represent a different side of Tacoma musically and are their own vanguard within the city. The City Hall name comes about when you add DJ Hannibal to the equation even though he’s not new to the circle. It has only really been a couple of years since Todd Sykes and EvergreenOne really put us fans on to their music with the release of “Milk On Wax” but as a whole they have been consistent whether its leaks, solos, or beat tapes. Categorizing is what most will do and its easy for most to say these two are your typical boom bap hip hop rappers. While those influential elements exist City Hall has enough individuality in their personas that make their music congruently attentive for new ears. Todd Sykes serves as primary producer and that is his strong point though his slacken laid back style compliments the chemistry well when in cahoots with EvergreenOne’s more boastful slap you in the face nature flow. The latest kick from City Hall comes in EP form with “Low Blood Sugar” a five track holdover while new projects come slated this year including the first solo release from EvergreenOne.
Read more »

No Clue Ft Sir Mix A Lot & E-Dawg – Move Around

Posted on by

Fastest rapper…go ahead and check that off the list it’s a modest early accomplishment for the artist more and more people are becoming familiar with. No Clue doesn’t strut around the fact that he can double tap his flow at any given time but mastery with his style has become the focus. Last years “4 Warning” project was Clue’s second release and really showed his ability to be a extension past conventional when it came to making more applicable music. Working on his soon to be third release “Long Live” an EP due out later this year he releases the first single “Move Around”. The up-tempo track aimed for the clubs features the Rhyme Cartel family in two legends with Sir Mix A Lot & E-Dawg featuring in a past meets present northwest super collaboration. You can grab the track on I-Tunes, Amazon, and all the other major digital outlets.
Read more »

AD Ft Big K.R.I.T. & Che Blaq – Patience

Posted on by

Good things come to those who wait and hard work on top of that is the baseline to every behind the music story ever told. AD has the humble beginnings like any other artist with a history that spans groups and solo efforts that came and went. Determination never faltering and his development as an artist musically now come full circle things are lining up with the Proof Avenue brand. Its only fitting AD gets a artist of similar fortune on his latest single “Patience” as he hooks up with Mississippi’s Big Krit and fellow R&B local favorite Che Blaq. The song produced by Jake One thrives on the message of “It Gets Greater Later” as the two interchange rhymes about the struggles, misfortunes, and hurdles that come in the way of success. The song is available on all digital retailers like I-Tunes, CDBaby, Amazon.
Read more »

Nottus Tre Ft Glasses Malone – Da Scrilla

Posted on by

This Is What That Scrilla Sound Like!! Yeah Nottus Tre giving them street heads something to recite with his latest paper cuts anthem “Da Scrilla” featuring none other than Comptons own Glasses Malone. After dropping FNS 2 recently Nottus is prepping for the third release in the series and we can all be suckers for a good street anthem. All bullshit aside we all coincide with the fact that our favorite color is money green and the two easily bully the track with a by any means necessary nature. FNS 3 should be out this summer with a  prelude of freestyles every couple days leading up to the actual release date.
Read more »

Sol – Yours Truly

Posted on by

When it comes to Seattlehip hop it is often a familiar tune and in SOL’s case typical would have been the best word to describe his debut album “The Ride”. Classifications are easy and you seem to either fall into hipster, backpack, or gangster rap no matter your talent level those seem to be the safe houses for local artists. The greatest thing that could have happened to SOL happened and that was finding himself as an artist which developed heavily through his Dear Friends EP series. Almost genius in a sense the trilogy had hip hop at its core but allowed SOL to find his character of expression and make his music cross-over to a much wider fan base. So 2012 brings together what SOL calls his masterpiece album “Yours Truly” which has been a long time in the making. Modest as any artist can be before the album has really had a chance to pick up steam it already has the accolade of getting over $7,000 via Kickstarter and a notion by Billboard for a top selling album! Musically the production on the album feels live as if your there with the music and SOL’s strong ability in rocking beats with diligence makes it for a relatively easy listening experience. His style of carefree intensity makes you believe in a dreamer and SOL has easily developed from a face in the crowd to one of the leaders for the future of Northwest music. While maybe not in the ranks of a five star classic album you can tell this was a personal reflection for SOL and by putting his all on the table its a complimentary close for this chapter of his musical legacy.
Read more »