Undercaste Studios – The Mixtape (Leaks)

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If you’re a viable artist from the region chances are you have graced the booth of Undercaste studios at one time or another. Hits among hits have been made in the studio and while you don’t want to discredit the work the engineers have done for artists a project from the studio is long overdue. 2012 is the year and the first project seems likes it is already going to have a star studded feel with the early leaks already becoming feature fests. While some of the artists have collaborated in the past Undercaste is doing that much more pairing un-collaborated talent with each other for their soon to be released Undercaste Studios mixtape. You can check the first four leaks below and look for the mixtape to be released later this year.
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George Zelaya – My Business

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Rap is no longer a maintainer it once was but no matter how serious we take any given artist’s music it’s a personal affair not taken lightly. Its been a fast forgettable five plus years since we last heard from George Zelaya when he released his “All Business” mixtape but the long talked about solo finally arrives. One time running with the title “The Grunge Rap King” the long promised “My Business” finally sees release with a expanse amount of features including a few bigger names like Tech N9ne, Petey Pablo, and Kola Of Doggy’s Angels. To easily describe George on his debut solo album in one word would be intense due to the fact that he can double tap rap his ass off on top of his already commanding voice. A fusion ball of all the types of music that make your adrenaline rush George does not let down when the occasion allows for him to show off. While the gruff tempered style is legit you also get attempts at harmonizing and the serious songs show his enmity of writing about his life’s inner struggles. Anyone should be able to come away with liking a song on this release and with the wait between projects George has allowed the project to be available for free but you can also show support by purchasing the digital version on I-Tunes, Amazon, or your preferred digital retailer.
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MGD – The Hated EP

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Getting the northwest to prominence is something every artist says they want to do and being first makes the competition even that much more fierce. Musically the northwest is on right now and though it might not be bubbling past the region just yet those vying are ready. While most artists play the game like the lotto binging on the one in a million chance of mocking other hit songs in hopes of stardom you wont get any of that from the new group MGD. Like the taste of the hood favorited beverage MGD is a pairing of MAR, Mike G, and Born To Win’s Dirtay. Years ago a group like this would be the story of exemplar you know three hungry non-chalant rappers, against the grain beat structure, and just hard work making your underground sound nationwide. Too bad we have to fast forward to the present and now a group like MGD is no longer the norm instead replaced by what TV exemplifies is how every rapper should be or sound. Good thing MGD does not care and the title of their debut EP “The Hated” gives off that you with us or against us mentality. Those who oppose get the tall finger and while the EP exemplifies that it also has its share of serious songs as well as the groups own flavor of club songs and lady pleasers. You can get your copies around town and on the groups bandcamp for a affordable $5.
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DJ Phinisey Ft Rockwell Powers, Jay Barz, & Xperience – No Bull

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While Seattle has always had its go to spots for recording when traveling south things have been limited but as of late DJ Phinsey and his Remedy Studios have the home to a lot of new projects coming out. While you can pay anyone to press a button to record your music getting a trusted engineer and producer is the feeling you want to have when spending your money. Having that ear for music or wanting to accomplish the best for anything with his name on it DJ Phinsey has garnered a solid reputation as of late and is putting it to good use with his debut project a compilation of artists from the region. The first single “No Bull” is a south sound what is really hip hop anthem that already yells who’s going to be on the remix but for the original you get contrary but desired pairing of Rockwell Powers, Jay Barz, and Xperience.
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The Good Sin – The Story Of Love x Hate

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While local hip hop is getting better its also finally at a point where artists are staying relevant instead of playing catch-up. Your handle as an artist is like your appearance and “The Good Sin” is one of the most adept titles you could come up with. Sin’s latest project “The Story Of Love X Hate” will be the project that really starts getting him substantial acclaim but its really his third project to date. The compliments come early as everything is well put together from the great production and a added feature set of some of the best local artists including appearances from Felicia Loud, Alisha Roney, Blakk Soul, Sean Carson, Mario Sweet, Luck-One, Fatal Lucciauno, Dizz, as well as Dice. As a listener we easily have to ability to feel where an artist is coming from but Good Sin makes music more on a personal relatable level. He does not hide the fact that he is knowledgeable with that spokesperson type flow where he could rally the streets with a message and people would follow in support. Like the title reiterates this project really is a story of The Good and The Bad. It weathers in between several topics from love, relationships, some political form factor, betterment in life as a person, to simple-ness of Seattle living. Good Sin doesn’t do what most artists intently try to do which is force themselves into a lane instead taking the planned route, why not just to be yourself and make truly good music. You can get the album for free but for the ones who want to support its available on I-Tunes & Amazon as well.
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Emperor P – Gangsta Life

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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”.
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Parker & Lace Cadence – Imagination EP

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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!
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JC Flow Ft Jennifer Newberry – Day Dreaming

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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.
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Avatar Young Blaze – The Humble Villain

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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.
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A-Rawlo – A.C.G.L (A Cool G Life)

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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.
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