Skyzoo - "Jansport Strings"

Who would ever have thought that Chi-Ali inspired Skyzoo to start writing raps? Do you even know who Chi-Ali is? (If not, I'll leave  a little reference material for you at the bottom of this post.) If you know Skyzoo's work at all, you know he greatly respects Jay-Z and one would assume that his greatest influence is him. "Jansport Strings" (One Time for Chi-Ali) tells us how the phenom got the itch to start writing using one of the most iconic brands of the 80's/90's.

Sky says, "As a kid in NY, the strings on your Jansport bag were a sign of power and presence." He ain't never lied! The more strings you pilfered, the more status. Jansport strings were like beads at Mardi Gras. You just had to have them ... lots of them. 

With 9th Wonder on the boards, this legendary duo does it again with a crazy Boom Bap offering from Skyzoo's upcoming 'A Dream Deferred' album releasing through The Faculty/Duck Down Music. It promises to be epic as Sky has NEVER been sub-par with a pen. 

Generally, when you talk about Rap music, you talk about beats and rhymes. When the topic turns to Skyzoo and 9th Wonder, you discuss compositions and literature. They are not the same thing.

Check out the free stream below and learn yourself on some Chi-Ali!



Who's Chi-Ali?

Kiah Victoria - "Rooftop" Music Video

This talent moves me ... to tears even. I'm just in awe at how "free of..." Kiah Victoria is. She's the proof that the world is far more beautiful when you open yourself up to receive it and it's truly amazing and inspiring what she can do. Less than 24 hours away from the release of her debut EP 'Look Up,' Kiah Victoria releases this stunning audio/visual experience titled "Rooftop." It's unlike anything I've heard in a long time. When I tell you this girl is GONE, I mean she is moving at the speed of light.

The songwriting and composition on this song are borderline Classical. For me, it's very rare in popular music to hear work this complex on a technical level but so easily accessible on an emotional level. "Rooftop" whispers sweet nothings to the soul.

This is the lover's song of summer. Hearing is believing so click the play button and let Kiah Victoria take you away.

Bueller Da Don - "Testi-Fly"

Listen ... the simplest way for me to put this is this track is TOUGH! I raise my right hand, put my left hand on Hip-Hop and bear witness to the testimony.

Bueller Da Don is gettin' out of hand. Every time I hear him it sounds like he's aged 5 years in experience. The confidence. The delivery. The ear. Out of control.

"Testi-fly" is another in a series of stellar releases since "Cruise 2 Fame." (A project that's still in my car, by the way. Disc 1.) On top of the highly enjoyable work that Buell is doing himself, there's Traxx Trigga. This dude is a m-o-n-s-t-e-r with the production. Many producers don't learn to create epic structures on a pro level until they get to the pro level. Think about what Kanye, Swizz, Just Blaze and others like them sounded like in the beginning. They were clearly very good but they grew to be epic. Traxx is epic already. He's dropping stadium beats and Bueller Da Don is hitting everything out of the park.

A lot of these major label artists need to step it up. These indie artists are on your asses!

Check the free stream below. Support independents and cop the single on iTunes TOMORROW!

Bueller Da Don on Twitter

Stixx - "For My Town" Music Video

image via artist's website

It's been a while since I last heard from Stixx. I like that he's taking time with his work to craft top notch material though. A lot of artists don't understand that. Quality over quantity is much easier said than done.

In the same vein as January's "New York Love" video, Stixx continues to put on for The Big Apple with "For My Town." I don't have to explain to you the premise of the track. The visual is filled with New York staples though. Including a visit from NYPD. They were probably trying to shut down the shoot which was surely done without a license.

Stixx is as sharp as ever and I like his all around energy. "For My Town" is apparently on the upcoming 'Dom P and Cubans' album. No release date yet but I imagine that it will release before the close of summer. Get into it below...

Stixx on Twitter

www.iamstixx.com

Mag - "The Truman Show" Live

When I first heard MaG back in January, I was truly impressed with his sound. So when I got the opportunity to check him out live this week I jumped at the chance.

I caught the Bronx MC's 45 minute set at The Delancey with a six piece band and definitely glad a made the long drive south to see it. He took the crowd through previous material as well as some new joints from the upcoming project. I grabbed some video of the "The Truman Show" from 2009's 'I Ain't Goin' Back to Retail.'

I had a great time at the show and the band was on point. I've have seen many Hip-Hop artists working with live bands but I have NEVER seen one with a Ukulele. That was wild to see. Sidebar: I had a damn good hard cider to sip on while I vibed to the music too. Second one I've had in about 4 days time that was on point.

Anyway....

After grabbing some quick photos and video I got to really soak in the music and I'm really digging MaG's craft. He delivers "everyman" topics with great style. I'm looking forward to hearing what he gives us on the new project.

Watch MaG get busy and download 'I Ain't Goin' Back to Retail' and other works at the link below.

Click Here to Download