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 and Maniac Lok at the helm.
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 clever bars that let you know he’s up no good.
Check it out on all streaming services. I recommend Tidal.
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 since he started popping up in Portland.
The song meshes Tony’s smooth, funky production with Thayo’s raspy crooning, resulting in a relaxing reggae chune that’s perfect for these sunny Spring days.
Cover Photo by Reclusive.
I recall seeing the name prior to that moment, but I never actually tapped in…
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 November of 2019.
Instantly, brilliant bright coral stretched over my screen. Comforting chords and subdued bongo beating sailed out of my speakers. My eyes widened and my ears perked up.
“Please don’t act like everything of mine ain’t crackpipe…”
The first line of the song took me aback, but in a good way. I respected the energy and confidence, charging straight out of the gate.
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 the Slum Village DJ decided to let the fire out the vault, releasing a track a day until the 12 track mixtape is complete.
Today’s drop – For Heavens Sake – caught my attention, and a deeper dive on the other 8 available tracks succeeded in keeping it.
Check it out and stay tuned for more!
“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, and it’s chock-full of notable PDX cameos including emerging vocal talent Veana Baby and TheTHESIS DJ, Verbz.
About a week ago, I announced that I am bringing WOHM back. Well I kind of lied.
Akunna Amaefule is bringing WOHM back. It’s her time.
An established writer/blogger/vlogger already, Akunna did the thing that all great WOHMers do, she reached out to me and asked how she could help. She was familiar with what we’d done, and was interested in creating a new chapter in which she takes the creative helm.
2019 is almost over and I’ve achieved most of my goals. It has been an experimental year for me, trying new things, building new bridges, fixing old bridges, investing in my loved ones, actually addressing my own physical and mental health, revisiting polychronic sleep, purging toxic patterns, finding balance, and publicly establishing my values.
What I’ve found is that when I take better care of myself, I have much more to give. And that when I operate within a predefined framework of my own sculpting, I can be both more efficient and less stressed. (In the past, it’s always been one or the other, which led to crippling anxiety and lapses in my ability to creatively execute.)
Mighty Nation back in the building (or better yet the dugout) with this fun new video for Bat Boy. Mighty provides the quick lyrics and clever delivery we’ve come to consistently expect, and a simple but effective video shoot brings the bouncy track to life.
Local comedian Shrista Tyree blesses the break with comedic relief while Angelia Victoria & Co. provide the eye candy. Check it out; quite the little production.
