YC the Cynic - "Hallelujah"

Since the release of 'Fall FWD', almost 2 years ago, fans of Bronx native YC the Cynic have been hearing a lot about his upcoming project called 'GNK.' He finally took to Kickstarter last year to get the project fully off the ground and was successful so now we have a window of "this summer."

To get listeners acclimated to his new sound and artistic direction he hit us with "Hallelujah" this morning through MTV Hive. The track showcases a more aggressive but no less witty and poetic YC the Cynic. This feels much more commercially viable for me and I'm glad to see and hear him evolve as an artist. The DJ Illanoiz produced track is simple and eerie so it's a great compliment to YC's complex rhyme structure and content. He doesn't need an overproduced track to carry him.

I'm very much looking forward to 'GNK' anyway but this joint definitely ups the anticipation. Check out the free stream and download below...

Madison - "As the World Turns" Music Video

Fresh out of the frying pan we have the first music video from RoxFontaine.com's Indie Album of the Year, Vanilla Sky. While pretty much any of the tracks from the project could make a great video, "As the World Turns" get the first crack at a visual treatment.

The video does a great job of complimenting the dark and brooding mood of the song. The song itself is one of my favorite tracks from the album. I really enjoy the direct nature of the lyricism and the honesty in the expression. Madison has a sound and delivery all his own that is backed up by genuine artistic vision. To be able to write is one thing, but to write, see and hear with such distinction is special.

Check out the video below. Be sure to click that HD button...


Madison - As The World Turns from King Klaviar on Vimeo.

YC the Cynic - "Rude Boy Jamaican" Audio

FINALLY! Some new music from one of my favorite indie artists. The Bronx spitter has been working on a new project titled 'Good Morning, Midnight.' This highly anticipated release follows up the crowd pleaser 'Fall FWD.'

YC the Cynic's signature syncopated flow over "loungy" beats is still as soupy as ever and who doesn't love comfort food? This guy is dope as all hell and his delivery and story telling on this are superb. "Rude Boy Jamaican" lets me know that the album will be a nice evolution from previous works without losing his core.

YC the Cynic will be performing tomorrow night, in Betsy Head Park, Brooklyn with Sean Price, Smoke DZA, Masta Ace, Smif N Wessun and others. If you're in the Brooklyn area between 6pm and 9pm definitely go check YC the Cynic out. Stream and download of "Rude Boy Jamaican" below. Enjoy!

MaG - "Freedom"

It was a clear and concise introduction. Something to the tune of, "Good day. My name is MaG. Here's my song. I hope you dig it." Of course, I paraphrase. I appreciate that simplicity. It allowed me to get to the music quickly. The music...

Though MaG's home base is right here in NY, I had not heard of him or seen him out and about. Not abnormal at all given that this city is almost literally spilling into the surrounding waters with people. Yet still, I should have heard of MaG. As a matter of fact, if I find out any one of the many industry heads I know knew of this MC and didn't tell me I'm going to hold them personally responsible!

I hit the link and pressed play. The Ta-Ku produced track immediately grabbed my attention. That classic Hip-Hop lo-fi blaring sample thing gets me every time. I immediately got a visual. Big stage, bright flashing lights and thousands of hands in the air. Then a graffiti writer bobbing her head to "Freedom" as she threw up a crazy wild style piece. Then break dancers throwing some freakish power moves in Union Square while bystanders clap in time.

See, this song is so Hip-Hop. The way I knew it growing up. Loud. See all definitions of loud. The Bronx MC has plenty to say through his masterful handle of cadence. I don't need to break it down for you as you're all intelligent people. (That's why you read me, right?) Just listen to the track and hear living breathing Hip-Hop. The next time you hear someone say, "Hip-Hop is dead!" I implore you to play this track for them and then hit 'em with that old DX....

Madison - 'Vanilla Sky'

Madison is probably the most dangerous artist you've never heard of. Dangerous because he's lyrically gifted enough to outshine your favorite rapper ... whoever that may be. Dangerous because his musical direction is Euro infused melodic fancy without the auto-tuned rap ballad styling of Drake. Dangerous because he has the ability to be an overnight success.

Everything that Madison is starts with his voice. He has a tonal quality that commands attention at his first utterance. It's a special kind of power and control that's almost preacher like. A captivating sound like that of Tupac. This is not to say that Madison is all style and no substance. Once the voice draws you in, you are exposed to the pristine delivery Madison posseses. His lyrics are incredibly witty, personal and truthful. "Me and my Pops wasn't speakin', and every day that we didn't my soul got weakened." and "Lost here in my thoughts. All this privacy that I've gained thanks to all this s**t that I've lost. And if these 4 walls could talk, they'd probably drown me in my own f*****g sorrow." are just two great examples.

I know what you're thinking: "Not another emo rapper!" Not at all. There is a big difference between self loathing and self exploration. This record is a collection of songs that are, seemingly, pieces of an incredible dream.

There is no stumbling here or question of who Madison is as an artist. This is not the "feeler" that 'The Pro Log' was. This is the definition of. Mark my words ... Madison is long gone. Click the download link below and turn your eyes and ears toward the Vanilla Sky.

Click Here to Download

Madison on twitter

Random Pics pt. 18 - "The New York Yankees"

E(dot)Milz - "The Green Tape"

New music from Bronx MC E(dot)Milz! The young MC just released his second project for 4/20. The music is the first of several projects set to release this summer. One of the most anticipated of the bunch is Hero x Sidekick, a joint effort between E(dot) and Madison.

I was supposed to post this on the 20th but a message with a forgotten download link threw a monkey wrench into that plan. Better late than never however! Click below to download and check out one of the most intriguing young MCs coming up.

Click Here to Download

Raine - "iPad Flow"

Bronx native Red Pen Raine just blessed the web with this short freestyle today. I have to say, I haven't been so refreshed in a long time. The creativity and ability to hear music in anything is truly remarkable and 1 minute of Raine leaves you wanting for a downpour.

 Click below to listen to this female MC to put on your watch list deliver over the Apple iPad commercial. BRILLIANT!

Kaori in the City 2 - New York Yankees

Finally!  I no longer feel like the last person in NYC to visit the new Yankee stadium.  We realized yesterday that the Yankees had 2 home games left before hitting the road.  If we didn't catch one of the two remaining home games they wouldn't be back in NY before Kaori returns to Japan.  So at 11 am, we jumped up to go see the Bronx Bombers beat up on the Texas Rangers.

We drove down to 138th street and then took the 4 train up to the stadium.  We had to get tickets off of a scalper so we ran around for 10 minutes trying to finagle the best deal possible since we were already 15 minutes late.  We managed to get a deal we were comfortable with and headed for  the stadium.

Coming off of the train, I was first greeted by the remaining rubble of the old stadium.  I couldn't really believe my eyes seeing it up close.  It gave me that eerie Ground Zero feeling.  I've been on the fence about whether destroying the old stadium was really justified or not.  Once I entered the new one though, I was too blinded by the "bling" to even care anymore.  There is so much history in the old Yankee stadium but the new one is sure to build it's own legacy.

The new stadium is REALLY nice.  The views are incredible, the food is a lot better and that giant screen is just awe inspiring.  Prices are still sky high, but there's nothing like taking in a baseball game with friends and family.  If you haven't been yet, I hope this blog post inspires you to do so in the very near future.

We sat up on the terrace level and although it was too cold up there for my tastes, I'm glad we did sit there.  The view up there is just amazing.  You really get the full gist of how grand this stadium is. 

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'll let Kaori sum the day and this post up:

G Bar with Karina

Last night I dropped by G Bar in the Bronx to have dinner with Grind Season Radio co-host Air Karina.  While I thought the penne a la vodka with shrimp I had was sub-par, I had a great time kickin' it with my friend for her birthday.  There's never a dull moment when Karina is in the room....unless there's a Yankees or Bulls game on TV.