Hip-Hop | Mike Champoux — One
Posted by jeffwbaird on March 10, 2013
It’s a rare moment these days when I come across a new emcee whose sound truly transfixes me. Rapping has become such a major fad in our college culture, and as more nontraditional hip-hop acts gain prestige in this community, it continues to saturate this work and turn a genre that once exclusively documented the struggles of urban life into one accessible to all. I’m very proud of the progression of hip-hop and I believe that it’s an adaptive genre by nature, but simultaneously—as an advocate of hip-hop’s finesse and literary qualities—it has made me loathe checking my inbox and staying on top of the trends. There’s a definite lack of awareness and a presence of ignorance in those who self-identify as artists of hip-hop that I can tell upon first listen. These are artists who’ve been drawn to hip-hop because of the perceived ease of constructing a strong where no message or originality is necessary. Tracks have become defined by punchlines and producer’s remakes of industry singles, rarely detailed and rarely bearing any sign of lyrical prowess. I digress, but this morning a Seattle artist named Mike Champoux was brought to my attention, and has provided me with a temporary sense of trust. He’s a multitalented producer and rapper, and is a few weeks away from releasing his first full-length, L.I.F.E., which highlights the introspective qualities of his work. “One” is a beautiful homage and response to a friend of Champoux’s who took his own life, with a melodic and gripping instrumental that has that characteristic Seattle sound that Ryan Lewis has brought to global attention. Enjoy.
Hip-Hop, Videos | Kyle Lucas & Captain Midnite — I’m Only A Little Crazy, Baby (Haunting Me) [Music Video]
Posted by jeffwbaird on March 4, 2013
Here is the latest video from one of my favorite emcee/producer duos, Kyle Lucas and Captain Midnite. Just off the heels of the Seattle producer’s most recent EP, All This Will Fade, Midnite connects with the Marietta rapper over this fiery track, complete with some visuals that definitely live up to the track’s name (hint: there’s murder, straight jackets, and an insane asylum, among other things). Check the video out below, and if you haven’t gotten their most recent collaborations, you’re going to want to get on that now.
Playlists | Weekly Playlist #1
Posted by CHAZZZ on February 18, 2013
**Guest Post by Evora**
My love for FreshNewTracks and electronic music in general started before I came out to California for college. It was summer 2010, and I was looking at music blogs to find some fresh sounds to blast in my dorm room before nights out or headphones while cranking out homework in the library. FreshNewTracks was one that many of my friends back East suggested. I visited the site, downloaded a few remixes by Kaskade and my music life was changed.
Since that time three years ago, I have been a frequent (3 times a day) visitor of FreshNewtTracks, but have also branched out to a variety of other sites to find the newest electro, dubstep, trance and everything in between. My musical taste is quite broad, my favorites are Seven Lions, Adventure Club, Porter, Morgan Page, Stumbleine, and everything that drops harder than Joe Frazier after being socked by Ali. After getting numerous messages, emails, and texts from friends in the last year asking for newest music in my library, I decided it was time to share. I’ve teamed up with Chazzz to start a weekly playlist, and I will be posting my top tracks of the week every monday evening on FNT. I have a music bank full of stuff I cant wait to show all you. I promise I will find the best sounds to make your ears wetter than the streets of Seattle.
Since this is the first weekly playlist, I will start with my all time top 5 songs and 5 new songs. I wanted to share my go-to songs with you guys to give you a feel for my sound and also introduce you to 5 new jams. Enjoy!
Weekly Mix #1:
Hip-Hop, Review, Videos | Reflecting on Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “The Heist” [Review & Documentary]
Posted by Grubeats on October 25, 2012
[do action=”youtube” videoid=”JErUzr8GSvU”/]
First off, thank you to Jabari Presents for this fantastic production.
By now, many of you have hopefully scraped the wax out of your ears and christened your drums to the incredible art featured on Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ debut LP, The Heist. Yes it reached the #2 spot on Billboard, yes it sold 78,000+ units in week one, and yes the duo accomplished this all independently, but that is not why this project is so special to me and so many others. Mack and Ryan are still the kids you used to play neighborhood ball with. They’re still the guys who will shake your hand or take a picture with any fan on the street. They’re still representing authenticity for the people.
“The Heist” will be in consideration for the album of the year come December, that’s without question. What may fly under the radar is the amount of blood, sweat, tears, and man hours that went into this project by both Mack and Ryan. Lacking anything but determination and perseverance, this documentary shines light on what it means to be an independent artist working at such an eminent level. There are no handouts, no pampering, no CEO black cards. Loyalty, love, determination, resilience and passion for the art is the driver. If you are unable to see the transparency in their music, this album may not hold the same weight, but there is enough versatility on the project that you should still be able to connect with one or two records. On a final note, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will forever hold my respect. Although I’ve never met them personally, their music is honest, open and genuine enough to lead me to believe otherwise.
Below I’ve listed some of my personal highlights if you haven’t listened to the album and need a starting point. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the album, positive or negative, so please sound off in the comments section.
Most Creative Beat: “Thrift Shop”
Albums, Hip-Hop | Captain Midnite — All This Will Fade [EP]
Posted by jeffwbaird on October 14, 2012
In an era where producers are rewarded for providing formulaic, derivative instrumentals, creativity can really catch my ear. Thus was the case with Seattle producer/singer Captain Midnite, whose singles featuring Kyle Lucas and OnCue dropped last week (see here). Midnite is a producer adamantly focused on providing dense textures, with stirring synths that empower his own sung choruses, and the rhymes of his featured emcees. Throughout his new EP, All This Will Fade, Midnite highlights his idiosyncrasies and versatility as a producer, clearly influenced by a wide variety of sounds and yet committed to robust drums and staples of hip-hop production that keep his beats grounded. This six-track EP is heavy on originality, and features strong vocal performances by Midnite himself, OnCue, Kyle Lucas, and Slow Dance. Check him out on Facebook and Twitter.
DOWNLOAD: All This Will Fade (EP)
Hip-Hop | Sol – Be Good or Be Careful
Posted by J_Salzer on May 22, 2012
“And music never dies, it just evolves, grows into something bigger than us, bigger than life, a gift from the gods.”
Sol dropped this new track off yesterday, and although I’m a day late posting because of finals, it’s something you all need to hear. We’re used to a more laid back, chill style of rapping from the Seattle native, but he changes pace on this, taking on a simple, repetitive beat, and destroying it with smooth, SOLful, well thought out verses. Sol is going on an Earlesque(#OFWGKTA) epic international journey, check it out here. Hopefully Sol comes back better than ever, and after hearing his last release, I have no doubts he will.
Albums, Hip-Hop | Sol – Yours Truly [Album Review]
Posted by Grubeats 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—