Albums, Featured, Hip-Hop | Logic – Under Pressure [Album Reflections]
Posted by Grubeats on October 21, 2014
Where do I begin?
Exactly 1,163 days I received an email. That email just so happened to be my first official introduction to Maryland hip-hop artist, Logic. Described as a young, talented MC known for his lyrical prowess – I couldn’t have said it better myself – and fortunately for us, that’s still the same Logic we’re looking at today. Since that introduction, Logic has been my favorite artist, period. To call out a few – he’s genuine, personable, tenacious, confident, well spoken, and last but certainly not least, one BEAST of a rapper. Preaching “peace, love & positivity” since the very start, he’s one artist who has stayed true to his message, through and through. His story has undoubtably changed hundreds if not thousands of people’s lives for the better. The craziest part is, Under Pressure is still just the beginning.
When asked what “Under Pressure” means to him, Logic responded,
“For me, it’s the duality of who I am. Being Bobby and being Logic, being under pressure personally in all the things that I go through in my life. Just as a regular dude, ’cause outside of music, there’s people who look at me like I’m not shit. I’m just little Bobby, dealing with the pressures from my family, where I come from. All that. Also, being in the rap game and just being under pressure to sell whatever you gotta sell.” [via XXL]
He’s right though – he’s the debonair “Young Sinatra” on the street, then he steps into the booth and all previous conceptions vanish. He embodies some form of legendary lyrical machine. That to me is what separates Logic from much of his competition.
It’s clearly been a long time coming to deliver the album and as you’ll hear on “Growing Pains III”, he has recorded over 1,700 songs in the past 10 years, only 150+ of which have been released to date. Under Pressure is far from a grab bag of records. Carefully crafted, Logic and team have put countless hours into this album and I hope that after listening, you’ll recognize that. The 12 tracks (15 on the Deluxe version) collectively paint a bigger picture. As expected, the album is a very raw, personal look into Logic’s life, and more specifically his upbringing. From family struggles to personal and musical accomplishments, you’ll truly understand the person behind the mic after listening to this album.
As if I haven’t already giving you enough of a reason to go buy the album, legendary producer No I.D. blessed it with his executive production. I don’t mean to jump the gun, but typically anything he touches turns gold. Then platinum.
“Conversations with No I.D
Who made hits with Ye, got hits with Jay
Now he wanna fuck around and make hits with me
If it’s meant to be, then it’s meant to be
Can’t express what that meant for me, what it mean to me
Man, I swear the shit like a dream to me, what it seemed to be” – Till The End [Track 12]
Last but not least, I want to once again give a shout out to the whole team at Visionary Music Group. Logic’s in house producer, 6ix stepped up and destroyed the production on half of the album. The rest of the team is too humble to take credit, but I thank you all for the work you’ve put in. VMG is a blueprint for organic growth, keep at it boys (& girls?).
Without further adieu I suggest you GO GRAB BOTH DIGITAL VERSIONS on iTUNES and take a trip to your local record shop (or Best Buy, Walmart, Target, etc.) and clear out the shelves (if you can beat Henry to it)!!! 100k the first week!
Albums, Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | QuESt – Searching Sylvan
Posted by Grubeats on September 2, 2014
There are mixtapes and there are albums. Although Searching Sylvan is available as a free download, I hesitate in calling it a mixtape. It’s too complete, too cohesive, too deep, too polished, & too original to be called anything but an album. This, my friends, is a comprehensive work of art. Miami native, QuESt, has supplied the magnifying glass and opened his front door. Encouraging us not to download the project, but to listen to his story, Q’s genuine appreciation for his fans and his music is a true sign of his character.
You hear it often, but this is honestly one of those records that you have to listen to from start to finish – at least the first few times through. There are tracks for every occasion, but to fully understand QuESt’s story, as a fan, I ask you press play and don’t next until the conclusion of “May 10, 2012”. Then you should press play, again.
There are countless quotable’s throughout this project, but the second half of “Automatic” exemplifies to me what this story is all about. The below is just a bite and even that doesn’t fully grasp the message he’s putting forward.
“Aspirations, responsibilities, caught between them I’m torn
Tug of war with both of my arms
Strategize the cards that I’ve drawn”
There are life lessons, struggles, successes, high highs and low lows, and most importantly an endless hunger heard through and through. It’s still too early for me to pick favorites but the few that stuck out during my first listen through; “Biscayne Blvd”, “Make It Out Alive” (…YesQuEStCanSing), “Automatic”, “Erase Me”, “Hunger”, “Struggle Rapper”, “Jon Bellions One Way To San Diego (Outro)”, & “May 10, 2012”. Shit, well that really narrows it down doesn’t it? Rather than listening to me, head over to SearchingSylvan.com for a track-by-track breakdown by Sylvan himself! There is no weak link in this 17-song masterpiece.
Production credits belong to the entire VMG roster along with Q’s in house producers, The Marvels, the homie OB, as well as other very talented beat scientists. First and foremost, 6ix, who is said to be one of QuESt’s biggest fans, is as committed to succeeding with QuESt as anyone else out there. They continue to grow and together create beautiful music. We’ve heard what Logic and 6ix can cook up together, now is our chance to hear what 6ix can do with QuESt. Feed them hot sauce with their Chipotle and hell, you’ve got bangers like “Hunger” and “Automatic” – two of my favorite songs of the year. Next is Q’s in house producers, The Marvels, who clearly know him as an artist and can craft their work to his liking. From start to finish, these guys put it on. Another one that may have caught some of you by surprise is Visionary’s own, Logic. For the avid listener, we know Logic can produce and can produce well. He’s working hard at improving this aspect of his game and his work on “Biscayne Blvd” and “No Love In The City” attribute directly to that. And don’t let me forget OB, a resident VMG contributor.
Without further adieu, I present to you QuESt’s “Searching Sylvan”. One of the best collections of music you’ll hear this year.
Extra credit reading: “5 Things to Know About Searching Sylvan” by the good people over at The Redefined.
Free Download: QuESt – Searching Sylvan [Mixtape/Free Album]
Hip-Hop, Pop, Videos | It’s a #VMGSummer and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It.
Posted by Grubeats on August 13, 2014
Follow VMG: QuESt | Jon Bellion | 6ix | Logic | Team Visionary
The artists over at Visionary Music Group have been delivering consistent heat this summer – to the point where the Grubeats of old would even have trouble keeping up with blog posts. QuESt, Jon Bellion, & producer 6ix have been carrying the load thus far while Logic puts the finishing touches on his debut album – release date and title TBD. Fortunately for Logic, Mr. QuESt and Mr. Bellion have diverted the spotlight from the young hip-hop don by dropping highlight reel material of their own.
The video above is the latest release from the VMG squad; a cinematic performance by Jon Bellion himself titled “Simple and Sweet”. You might see the parallels between the song title and the structure of the record. It’s very, well, ‘Bellion-ny’. The lyrics say it all – “You won’t need no big production, the synth and just my voice is fine”…then all of a sudden Jon channels his inner Kanye and breaks out with a tremendous production. Like that time Kanye broke out with his live rendition of “Runaway” at the 2010 VMA’s – that kind of g.o.o.d.. Anyway, prior to this single, Jon dropped “Munny Right” in which he illustrates past vs. present emotions. I highly suggest watching the behind the scenes making of video. Bellion’s junior album, The Definition, will be available for free on 9.23.14.
On to QuESt. The honest, riveting rhyme-sayer unavailing his story one track at a time. Deep into the promotion of his new free album, Searching Sylvan, we as fans stay on our toes eager to hear the next chapter in Q’s journey. It’s real, it’s dark, it’s bright, it’s raw, it’s numbing, it’s inspiring, it’s just the beginning. Four singles in and many of you are finally taking an ear to the Miami native. He’s battled adversity but he’s visibly hungry and determined which is why he will be successful. He’s passionate and we hear something new in every single. Did I mention that snake 6ix has produced or co-produced every new song thus far? Listen through the singles below and prepare for his VMG debut project being released on 9.2.14.
Hip-Hop | QuESt – May 10, 2012 (Prod. by 6ix)
Posted by Grubeats on July 22, 2014
We told you months ago that Florida hip-hop artist, QuESt, would be next in line to receive “the VMG treatment”. Joining the established roster of Logic, Jon Bellion, & 6ix, QuESt brings another lengthy resume of musical intelligence as well as a trunk full of rhymes to Visionary Music Group’s concrete foundation.
John Q hasn’t been traveling on a paved road since day one. He’s been at this rap thing for years now but it wasn’t until he crossed paths with Visionary’s President, Chris Zarou, when his hopes and dreams of making a career out of music actually became a reality. “May 10, 2012” is an introduction into his life, his struggles, the drive to continue and the adversity he faced in his personal life that led him to this place. 6ix’s vibrant production led by brass instrumentals sets the tone for Q’s storyline, which in turn sets the stage for the full story…Searching Sylvan, the mixtape dropping 9.3.14. Catch him on social below and stay tuned as QuESt continues to unveil his compelling journey.
Hip-Hop | Logic – Now (Prod. By 6ix, Arthur McArthur & Swiff D)
Posted by Grubeats on April 8, 2014
Those who have been following Logic from the start know him, his outlook on music, and his demeanor. Confidence > Cockiness. A few noteworthy lines from previous songs…
“Never cocky I’m just confident the flow is prominent” – via “Ask ‘Em”
“You gotta realize, a lot of the time when I talk
And I’m talking extremely cocky, I’m not talking
About myself, I’m talking about the work.” – via “Numbers”
Since his last mixtape, Welcome to Forever, Young Sinatra has further developed his voice into a powerful, charismatic sound. With this, some fans may argue his music has changed. Changed? No. Developed? Yes. His versatility continues to improve and his fan base continues to grow. With that comes clingers (#RAPGAMEBARNACLES). Everyone and their mother wants a piece of the pie. Once-haters are suddenly starving for a taste. Logic’s newest release, “Now” addresses those naysayers and urchins with heavy production and a balance of swift and machine gun raps. This marks the first single off his newly announced Free EP, While You Wait, which will serve as an appetizer to his full length Def Jam debut.
Gotta give it to 6ix, Arthur McArthur, & Swiff D on this one. This production KICKS.
One more thing – Logic will be touring with Krewella & Radical Something in part of the Verge Campus tour starting this week AND he will also be crossing the country with labelmate QuESt and ©. Castro this summer.
Freestyle, Hip-Hop | 24 Freestyle – Logic ft. QuESt, Castro, & Jon Bellion (Prod. By 6ix)
Posted by Grubeats on January 27, 2014
Those of you who watched the Grammy’s last night likely have an opinion, one way or the other, on the Best Rap Album of 2013 award. I have endless amounts of respect for both K.Dot and Mack & RL. Both deserved multiple Grammy’s for their performance in 2013 and the fact that Kendrick came out with a donut is disappointing for hip-hop. You may ask how this is relevant to the new track VMG dropped today- valid question. Music has evolved over the years. There are more sub-genre’s in 2014 than ever before. Artists are experimenting with different sounds, fusing different genre’s, and new sub-genre’s are being born. The artists representing Visionary are a prime example of this.
Although these artists often experiment to create new sounds, you can’t help but love a raw, bar dropping freestyle cypher. Last week Logic celebrated his 24th birthday with a few friends. Those friends just so happened to be label mates Jon Bellion, QuESt, ©. Castro, & producer 6ix. The celebrating just so happened to take place in the studio. Do you think the rest of the game is scared yet?
Free Download: 24 Freestyle – Logic ft. QuESt, Castro, & Jon Bellion (Prod. By 6ix)
While we’re talking about Team VMG, take a few minutes to enjoy the additional goods below…