Villa - 'Pack Light, Travel Far' Repack

'Pack Light, Travel Far' is back. Yes, back... as in second time around. Repackaged and re-imagined. Almost double the amount of music and new art direction.

The sound is still a complete idea, which is expected since production is handled exclusively by Brandon Rossi, but much more detailed this time around. I'm loving the new bonus track called "Roses." It has the same ambiance as my favorite track from the first release, "Polos With No Logos." Not much has changed sonically since I first reviewed this project. Listeners are just afforded more opportunity to examine Villa as a lyricist.

This is the sound of New Atlanta. A futuristic blend of trap and trend. A dope effort and unique sound. Get the full stream below...

 

Villa - "Per Request"

What you know about that ATL slick talk?

Whatever it is you think you know, Villa wants to redefine it with his unique brand of vocabulary. After a brief hiatus, by his usual release schedule's standards, he's back with "Per Request" featuring producer/rapper Brandon Rossi. You know this pairing well if you're up on the 'Pack Light, Travel Far' album. If not, get familiar!

With "Per Request" the ladies are encouraged to dare a little and do something they wouldn't normally do. You know ... "just for me." I'm sure both Venus and Mars understand this well.

Villa will be performing at the A3C Hip-Hop Festival, so if you're in the Atlanta area you should definitely go check it out. Check the link below the stream for an opportunity to win a FREE ticket to the festival!



Click here for a chance to win a FREE ticket to A3C in Atlanta, GA.

Villa - 'Pack Light, Travel Far'

'Pack Light, Travel Far' is a brilliant mantra. I've always aimed to live my life this way even though I didn't know what to call it. It's so easy for people to get lost in the shuffle of living in America. We often plant our feet firm and cross our arms and refuse to open ourselves up to greater possibilities due to fear of the unknown. Villa's newest album explores those possibilities but how does it stack up to the previous 'Inertia' LP?

If I had to describe it in a word, it would just be ... different. Villa obviously found a comfortable creative space with producer Brandon Rossi. 'Pack Light, Travel Far' is entirely produced by the long time collaborator and the pairing works perfectly. They've both found their "it" thing and sharpened that skill into a complete theme. The project is dope! No two ways about that. I love Villa's work and this project is no exception.

For all that is right with this album though, there was still something missing for me: variety. Where 'Inertia' gave me different landscapes this project fell short of that. Villa and Rossi's "it" thing is so sharp and precise that it's almost sterile and that's not a good thing. The content is there. The craftsmanship is there. It's just too much of the same. I'd equate it to visiting Giza, Egypt. After the first couple of pyramids, you'll be kind of over it. That doesn't take away from their beauty or the effort given to craft them but there isn't much else to see after the first couple. They were all built the same. Most of 'Pack Light, Travel Far' is pyramids. Great structures on their own but less impressive standing next to each other.

The Sphinx among them is "Polos With No Logos." This was the track that gave me the most excited energy. Brandon Rossi leaves the boards to drop his own brand of delivery on it and it is the most standout moment for me.

Check the free download below, complete with album art and a 12 page booklet in .pdf format. Enjoy!

Click Here to Download

Villa - "Journey" Music Video

I was sitting on the couch eating my dinner. BBQ chicken breasts, baked beans and salad for anyone that cares. Simultaneously, I was flipping through facebook on my cell phone. I clicked on a video that I've been hearing buzz about all day and I damn near spit my food out on the floor.

What Villa is doing as an artist at this stage of his career scares me a little bit. If he's going to get significantly better than this, that's going to be insane to witness. On the flip side of the same coin, could he be peaking too early? Only time will tell, but I think there is more and I can't wait to hear it!

"Journey" is Villa's first visual release preceding the much awaited 'Pack Light; Travel Far' album. The album is a continuation of the brilliant 'Inertia' release from late last year. I love the way Villa ties in (e)motion in many of his projects. Now beyond the heartbreak of 'Inertia', he takes us to the next stage of his development as an artist. This transformed Villa is more extrovert than before. He's taken that signature ATL attitude and paired that with his own airy sound to create some ish that makes me feel like I'm the flyest dude in the room when I'm listening.

Look for 'Pack Light; Travel Far' on July 16th. You already know where to come and get it! Dig into this video until then...

Villa - "Opening Ceremony"

Villa is just a smooth ass dude. I never quite know what to expect from him as far as content and concepts, but I know that the sound will be right "in the pocket." "Opening Ceremony" is no different and has the Atlanta MC's signature all over it.

This dropped several days ago but I hadn't posted it due to my 9-5 trying to drown me. It works out to be a fitting revival of my regular (but not regular) posting schedule. Villa is always saying something slick and my favorite line out of this new track is, "We're never comin' from the house but from the barracks only."

Damn right, Villa. Soldiers up!

Jasen Effe feat. Niko Villamor - "Electronic Dream"

Sooooo, I had this gem camping out in my inbox for a few days. Reason being, my posting schedule was completely obliterated by the 9-5 the last 2 weeks. That's neither here nor there for right now though.

Niko Villamor slid his newest feature with Jasen Effe produced by Araab Muzik to me and, as usual, it's an ill cut. Instead of your standard ballistic Araab production, we have a much more settled and predictable track. I tried to find out what the sample is from but couldn't pin it down. I'm guessing it's an Oceanlab sample. Don't quote me on that though.

Jasen is new to me and it's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Villa. They both brought the goods on "Electronic Dream." The two talk sweet to their respective female interests as the track gives us visions of a UFO ride through a distant galaxy. Check it out below....

Niko Villamor - "Status" feat. Brandon Rossi

Villa has set his swagray to stun. Back with another freebie featuring his ATLien compadre Brandon Rossi, Niko Villamor is talking that talk. "Status" is an ode to groupies ... male and female. As anyone who has worked or is working from the bottom up knows, people don't care what you're doing until it looks like they can get something from you. Attitudes change around you and then everyone swears that it was you that changed. Oh, status....you instigating harlot!

Check the stream and free download, ya dig?

Niko Villamor - "Status" feat. B. Rossi by RoxFontaine

Niko Villamor - "Gratitude for Gratuity" feat. B. Rossi

I like what Niko Villamor is up to. I really enjoyed 'Inertia.' Well, it's still in my car actually. I was listening to it last night on my way back from Brooklyn. Anyway, this is the first new track to drop since the album's release. In it, Villa cautions those who would otherwise confuse "Gratitude for Gratuity."

This is a very different look from what listeners experienced on 'Inertia.' Where 'Inertia' was, "Here's my story. It's kinda sad. I'm not sad though." this song is more, "F you! Pay me." Featured on the track is B. Rossi, from Atlanta, who produced the track and supplied the extra verse. I gotta say, I love the unexpected melodic progression on this. You got that one off, Homie! All in all a dope track. Check the audio and free download below.

Niko Villamor - "Gratitude For Gratuity" feat. B. Rossi by RoxFontaine