Listen: Qwel and Maker - "Beautiful Raw"

Chicago duo Qwel and Maker recently dropped their latest effort "Beautiful Raw" to show that everyone in the Chi is not on the Chief Keef style of childish gun talk and thug personas. Qwel and Maker always bring a mix of boom bap, sample-based and lyrical hip hop that showcase a dedication to the craft.

The album is a concept record that tells the tale of "the humble plant, once sewn deep beneath the concrete of the inner city slums, that against all odds has grown up through the concrete toward the light." With features from The Grouch (Living Legends), Qwel’s fellow Typical Cat Qwazaar, Swamburger (Soliloquists Of Sound), Wes Restless, Scud One, D-Styles and more, the guest appearances help balance the sound of Qwel’s spitfire delivery. Check it out and support real hip hop coming out of the Midwest!

DOWNLOAD LINK
Galapagos4 website

Qwel and Maker - "Longwalkers"

Listen: Donwill - "Miserable"

Tonya Morgan's Donwill recently dropped a track dedicated to the "miserable" way of life that many residents of NYC deal with on the daily. It seems fitting to post this track on a Monday, after a long weekend out of town where I got to see lots of green space and trees, only to come back to traffic jams and non-stop police sirens in my neighborhood. Donwill says that this is not a diss track but an "epiphany" about living in the over-priced, soul-crushing mecca of creative arts. Lots of honest verses about the struggle of making a life in NYC a reality over a SeventyMHz beat. Listen, digest and absorb the words here and see why you think everyone here wants to push you under the train when you get in people's way.

Throwback: Brand Nubian - "Time Is Running Out"

I remember the first time I saw the movie SLAM back in 1997 and was so floored by the performance by Saul Williams and the entire mood of the movie that I made my brother and nearest friend go back and watch it with me a second and third time. Many quotes and scenes still stick with me all of these years later and the film and its message stand up over time. The character Ray was released from prison until his court date in the movie and while walking towards the proverbial light, this track by Brand Nubian came on as the character reflected about all of the things that put him in his current situation (drugs, poverty, friends, etc.) It stands out as one of the best and articulate verses and tracks by Brand Nubian for me. Each MC takes his time to address things that cause stress in life and the paranoia of finding your place in the world constantly watching you. Enough waxing poetic by me, just check the track and absorb the message.

Fine Art Friday: Keith Haring - "The Message"

Daily Motion and Arte Creative combined their efforts and recently posted a 6 part series about the work of Keith Haring that makes for a fun, time-traveling overview of the 80's and the origins of the early hip-hop impact on the world of fine art and the general lawlessness of the NYC art and youth movements of the time. Check Part 1 below and the last 5 videos (of the 6 part series) after the jump. Zone out and get your learn on!


KEITH HARING, THE MESSAGE 1/6 - Downtown NYC by ARTECreative

Listen: DertBeats - "The Gift"

For those who patrol the internets looking for instrumentals, you may remember coming across the work of Dert when he dropped his flip of Pink Floyd rhythms a few years back. Recently, to help promote the work of underground beatmakers who catch his attention, DJ House Shoes has been dropping compilations of lesser known producers via collections known as "House Shoes Presents: The Gift [enter artists name]". With volume one, he showcased Nameless and with Volume 2, he has gathered up some dusty favorites of DertBeats for the masses to digest. Below are links to his site and his Soundcloud page for previews, but support this cat if you can and watch him shine a bit brighter.

DISCOGRAPHY
www.dertbeats.com

Listen: Ohbliv - "Ritual Swing"

SP404 maestro and beatsmith,Virginia's own Ohbliv, recently dropped a new album entitled "Ritual Swing" full of lo-fi, soulful beats that continue to showcase his mastery of grimy, tape-hiss sounds for the zone-out enthusiast in us all. Dropping his third release in the past five months, you can tell that Ohbliv is ready to for more shine. Check it out below and support an and coming beatsmith from a lesser known corner of hip hops map.



DOWNLOAD LINK
http://ohbliv.bandcamp.com/album/ritual-swing-2