Albums, Hip-Hop | Sol – Yours Truly [Album Review]

Posted by on February 2, 2012

Feast your ears on Seattle’s newest hip-hop prodigy (well, new to my ears at least).  What name comes to mind when you hear “Seattle Hip-Hop”?  For an east coast native like myself, Macklemore was the easy answer.  After opening my ears and mind to the 23 year old Sol (pronounced “Sawl”), I’ve learned Macklemore & the rest of the Seattle hip-hop scene is in very strong company.

Recently releasing a trio of EP’s titled “Dear Friends”, Sol dropped his first highly anticipated LP, Yours Truly, on January 20th.  Quickly escalating up the iTunes charts, the indie album claimed the number one spot on the hip-hop charts and number four on the worldwide leader board.  Although this was not the first time I had heard of Sol, it was the first time I really gave him a chance. His confident, yet reserved demeanor corresponds with his musical message and the music runs deeper than the recognition it may receive.

Yours Truly is an artistic representation reflecting Sol’s life, beliefs, experiences, and trials & tribulations of making it in the music industry. Listen through in full and you may find yourself painting scenes of to a movie (popcorn rap sold separately).  Authentic bars, organic stories, and versatility, track after track.  In addition, the project is presented as an album should be presented.  Each song transitions into the next retaining a level of fluidity, there is balance, and a variety of sounds.  Each song is a part of the bigger picture.  The first time I listened, I found my ears increasingly fixating the deeper into the project I traveled.  It’s one of those albums that is always better when you listen in full from beginning to end. Below is my personal reflection of each individual song (yes, I understand your thoughts and opinions may differ) along with a lyric or two that represent the song best.

—-CONTINUE AFTER THE BREAK—

READ ON >>

Alternative, Hip-Hop, Indie | WZRD (KiD CuDi & Dot Da Genius) ft. Desire – Teleport 2 Me, Jamie

Posted by on January 31, 2012

Its been a pleasure watching musical genres of all kinds go from an abstract state into one colorful art form. There’s no greater evidence of this than Kid Cudi, known for dabbling in a variety of sounds and tempos, never could he simply be just a rapper. Teleport 2 Me, Jamie leans towards being an alternative indie record, and far from ever being acknowledged solely as hip hop. Actually, this track happens to sample from one of my favorite indie records, Under Your Spell by Desire. That’s a great thing, right when the game seems to have lost its oxygen, Kid Cudi’s musical diversity enters with a breath of fresh air.
Get it on iTunes.

DOWNLOAD: WZRD (KiD CuDi & Dot Da Genius) ft. Desire – Teleport 2 Me, Jamie

Hip-Hop, Videos | Ty X Gspence – We Back (Video)

Posted by on January 4, 2012

It’s been months since we’ve hear from the rapper/producer duo Ty x Gspence. After the success of their last project, the two decided to leave the limelight for a bit to develop their sound even more. While Gspence spent the last few month producing over 100 potential beats for this project, Ty has been focusing on refining his flow. The hard work that these two have put in is evident in their new single We Back off their upcoming mixtape Ivy League Kids… Good Aftermorning… . Check out the video, and stay tuned for the track release.

Follow Ty X Gspence: Facebook | Twitter

DO SOMETHING

Hip-Hop | The Marlin Room at Webster Hall: Jacob Es

Posted by on January 2, 2012

With New Years festivities now behind us, FNT is now looking forward to our next extravaganza at Webster Hall on January 10th. In an effort to familiarize you with some of the talent at the show, we have been shining the spotlight on a few of the artists. Today, were are going to bring you up to speed on the latest from Jacob ES. This Boston based rapper plans to drop the first installment of a three-part mini mixtape on January 10, just in time to catch him live at our show that night. So take a listen to A Different Breed and Under my Brim (Remix), grab your tickets here, and stay tuned for more.

Download: Jacob Es – A Different Breed (Prod. Whole-Z)

Download: Jacob Es – Under My Brim (Remix) (prod. by Doug Bogan)

Hip-Hop | Jon Kilmer – Sheeps, Jeeps, and Beats

Posted by on December 25, 2011

After teaming up with Jon Kilmer Studios to present his beat competition earlier this month, we are proud to drop the official Sheeps, Jeeps, and Beats mixtape. Featuring 14 original productions from Jon Kilmer, this mixtape is sure to the provide fuel any rapper needs to fire off some serious verses. So from Jon Kilmer, and all of us at FNT, have yourself a beat-fill Christmas.

Hip-Hop | G-Eazy – Lost In Translation

Posted by on December 19, 2011

This picture makes me LOL. Thinking about bay area rapper, G-Eazy, as Bill Murray,who went to my high school NBD, is not something that comes to mind. Enough talking about quality movies that you should see if you haven’t. G helps produce this one along with Christoph Andersson and Swiss Chriss. Like always, G goes in on the beat and delivers. The sample is taken from a Japanese song called PONPONPON which you can watch here. Follow this man on Twitter and like his page on Facebook.

Download: G-Eazy – Lost In Translation

Hip-Hop | Kyle Bent – Its My Turn

Posted by on December 11, 2011

Let me introduce you to Kyle Bent. He is a 14 year old, yes 14 year old, rapper from Randolph, Mass, a suburb of Boston. This high school freshman supplies us with a good flow and a quick wit. Definitely check his stuff out and look back for more. Check him out on Facebook

Download: Kyle Bent- Its My Turn