Albums, Hip-Hop, Mixtapes | QuESt – Searching Sylvan

Posted by 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]

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Hip-Hop, Pop, Videos | Jon Bellion – Luxury ft. Audra Mae

Posted by on September 2, 2014

Jon Bellion Luxury freshnewtracks Coming off his last abstract visual production, “Simple and Sweet”, Jon Bellion returns with a track which counters his first single, “Munny Right”.  It brings me back to my middle school days when I would thrash on my trumpet.  The sweet sound of brass…that hardly ever came out of my instrument, but that’s besides the point.  Stringing together an anthem-esque production over slightly deeper, slightly raspy verses & the signature JB hook sound.  The OKC folk singer (previously recognizable from Avicii’s “Addicted to You”), Audra Mae, lends her powerful vocal chords for four very heavy lines to complement Jon’s effort.

You can hear Jon battling Miss Luxury in his head.  He continues to grow, but it’s a constant battle to keep his feet grounded and retain his roots.  This marks the third single off The Definition due out 9/23 and will also be followed with a short animated film later this week (likely Thursday) entitled “Jon Bellion’s Luxury”.

“We’re not sad at all We know you have to leave and we’re not mad at all You’ll be back in town and we’ll play basketball And if you fall off track we’ll be your adderall We won’t let your soul drown in luxury”

Hip-Hop, Pop, Videos | It’s a #VMGSummer and There’s Nothing You Can Do About It.

Posted by 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.

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