Apollo the Great - "5AM Eastern Time"

Apollo the Great is an inspired MC. The way it should be. He's talking about real grit and true crime like nobody else. See, Apollo is from Camden, New Jersey. Consistently one of the most dangerous and poor cities in America. A city where half of it's police force were laid off late last year because they didn't have enouch presence, control or effect. They needed to bring in a non union force and double their presence. How can you not rap about that?

Taking the instrumental from Drake's "5AM in Toronto," Apollo gives more of that Camden scary tales raw that is his staple. It's dark and street but clearly based in remarkable skill and true hunger for an escape.

Check out the free stream and download below. His latest album, 'Hennessy Diaries,' is available now on iTunes.

  

Mistah F.A.B. - "This Is What's Cool?" Music Video

image via XXL

Social responsibility. A seemingly entirely lost idea in Rap music. The content is out there but online outlets, program directors and record labels don't give it any play. Instead we're constantly bombarded with sex, drugs and violence. A host of variations on the same exact theme. Every time. Without fail. Yet, for all of the repetitive garbage, people buy it. These labels spend millions promoting it and we give it all back to them plus some.

The art of Rap was replaced by the business of Rap. 

Mistah F.A.B. is a very interesting artist to me because he was a part of the problem and then made the conscious decision to become part of the solution. I couldn't tolerate the music that made him famous but I'm completely behind his new material. The Bay Area staple has pointed his lyricism to more socially responsible content in spite of knowing it won't spread the way his earlier music did. That's the mark of a real man, a God inspired soul and an exemplary father. 

In "This Is What's Cool?" he tackles the ridiculousness of the fascination with death and destruction in his hometown of Oakland (and every neighborhood like it.) It's an important message that used to have a much more prominent place in Hip-Hop. Rap music should uplift up more people than the very few who profit from selling sex, drugs and death. But "that's the type of shit niggas really think is cool..."

I'm 100% here for this effort, Mistah F.A.B. Thank you for doing what is just and exemplary for your children and others! 

Check out the video below and SUPPORT THIS MAN! The game needs it.

Leikeli47 - "$$$ Ina-Bind" Music Video

What the hell is this? Who? How? When? I don't even know where to begin with this one!

Meet Leikeli47. Yes, that is her name.... I don't know what to tell you. It's pronounced leh-kay-lee. That's all I know.

This one came through via the stylish fellows over at Stuff Fly People Like. I am completely mesmerized by everything I saw and intrigued by everything I did not see. This girl is OUTTA HERE! She is dopeness on a stick... in a mask. You haven't seen or heard anything like this since Missy Elliott was at the peak of her career and Leikeli47 is going to establish a whole new movement in Hip-Hop culture. That "it" factor that people always talk about? Yeah.

I seriously don't know what to say. I'll only end up gushing superlatives so just watch this joint IMMEDIATELY

I have a link to the mixtape but I'll post it later. I need time to get my senses back after this...

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.

Sherrod White - "One in a Million" Music Video

Monday morning inspiration is always welcome in my world. I, like many of you, absolutely dread Monday's. At least I dread all the crap that seems to surface on Monday's exclusively. In reality, any day that I'm alive is a good one!

It was nice to hear Sherrod White this morning talking about decidedly positive things. It took off my Monday edge and calmed me down. "One in a Million" has an all classic Boom Bap groove produced by Tone Jonez. The old soul feeling is rich and made more impressive by the fact there are no record samples.

Sherrod takes his time with the track and gives a solid lyrical performance. The visual perfectly compliments the sounds as it's about simplicity and truth and neither needs any "dressing up."  I definitely appreciated the content and timing on this track. Check out the music video below...