Cover photo by Mohammed Alkhadher. In mid May, I pressed play on Rasheed Jamal’s video for “Urban Decay Pt. II,” featuring DookDaGenius. The song is lucky number 7 on Jamal’s album, 22 Grams | iAMTHATiAM. Quite a lot happens within the first minute of the visual.
August 26, 2020 in Music, Video by Akunna Amaefule
Feel It: Urban Decay Pt. II – Rasheed Jamal ft. DookDaGenius
July 13, 2020 in Album Reviews, Music, Producers, Video by Akunna Amaefule
To Be Honest, No One Cares – Take it From Marcus McCauley
Cover Photo by Robert Schmeltzer. The first time I cried in a coffee shop, Marcus McCauley made me do it. I was listening to his latest album, No One Cares, intrigued by the fact that he wrote and produced the entire thing.
May 25, 2020 in Album Reviews, Music by Akunna Amaefule
Making a Bold and Blonde Self Declaration, Archie Presents EP, ‘613’
Cover photo by Kalina Cimone. After taking some time for self-reflection, an artist previously known as PSA has reemerged as Archie, presenting a 4-track EP entitled 613. The numerically named-project presents as a fine, 4-act Broadway play. With engaging elegance, Archie walks us through each scene, using her voice as her primary prop. Let’s get
May 14, 2020 in Interviews, Music by Akunna Amaefule
Mic Capes Aims to Keep the Music Moving With #MicCapesMondays
Cover photo by Samuel Gehrke. #MicCapesMondays Weeks 1-5: 4.13.20 | 4.20.20 | 4.27.20 | 5.4.20 | 5.11.20 “If you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.” It’s an old phrase, but it rings true, and it’s quite relevant right now. As the quarantined days drag on, our sleep cycles remain in shambles, and most of us
May 13, 2020 in Music by Mac Smiff
Jus Family Records Reissues “Western Conference All-Starz” Portland Hip-Hop Compilation
Let’s take it back to the old school for a minute. Jus Family Records was the only local label I knew of growing up, and that was really cool to me because they only made street music. A testament to their staying power, the label continues to operate to this day with Cool Nutz, Bosko
May 8, 2020 in Music by Mac Smiff
Bocha – FREAK (Prod. by Sxlxmxn)
Photo by @lilyerrr Rockwood representative Bocha dropped off a fun new single today. FREAK, produced by local super-producer Sxlxmxn, is a lyrical smoker’s anthem that’ll rattle your rear-view mirrors. The two-verse track boasts an extended hook and the timely beat progressions Sxlxmxn has long been known for. Meanwhile, Bocha floats with his sporadic cadence and
May 7, 2020 in Interviews, Music by Mac Smiff
Tony Ozier & King Thayo – Light My Fire + Tone Tuesdays
Image of King Thayo by Tim Tidball I was goofing around on IG last night and came across a clip of a very catchy song on the big homie Tony Ozier’s feed called Light My Fire, which features King Thayo, a Trini-born reggae singer who I’ve been keeping an eye on for a few months
May 7, 2020 in Album Reviews, Music by Akunna Amaefule
From Mixtapes to Grayscale, From Grayscale to COLORS: The Rise of Donte Thomas
Cover Photo by Reclusive. I recall seeing the name prior to that moment, but I never actually tapped in… Donte Thomas. His recently released visual for a track entitled “OFF WHITE,” was making rounds on my timeline, so I decided to give it a view. I clicked play and sat back in my chair. It was
May 4, 2020 in Music by Mac Smiff
Sole Provider & DJ Wēls- Wu Tape
This pandemic is giving people all sorts of free time, so shout out to Sole Pro and Wēls for putting it to good use. The WuTape – which features Sole Provider ripping flawlessly over Wu Tang beats remixed by DJ Wēls – almost never saw the light of day, but Vancouver, Washington’s coldest lyricist and
May 1, 2020 in Music, Video by Mac Smiff
Raquel Divar – Cherry [Music Video]
“Married to the game. Me? I’m cherry to the flame.”Raquel Divar comes out the gates with the pedal to the metal in her highly anticipated new video for Cherry, which premiered yesterday on Daily Beat. The color-coordinated video is short but sweet – not to mention sexy – with an array of quickly unfolding scenes,