Video: Dana Coppafeel X SPEAK Easy X SNYD - "Da City"

Uni-Fi Records crew members Dana Coppafeel and SPEAK Easy recently dropped the video for "Da City" from their upcoming collaborative album. The track features an appearance from fellow emcee SYND and production from noted beat Midwest beat battle champ Da Ricanstrukta who created a more chilled out soundtrack for the emcee team. Rolling through the streets of Milwaukee, the duo shows that you can have fun and still be taken serious about your craft. Check out the single below and stay tuned for the album coming soon.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/dana-coppafeel-speak-easy/id624921290

Video: Jamal Science - "Simply Amazin"

Jamal Science and Panik (of the legendary Chicago production squad and record label Molemen Records), recently teamed up for the new single "Simply Amazin'" from the upcoming EP of the same name. The Molemen have quietly built one of the midwest's most respected labels and criminally slept-on talents over the last decade working with battle legend Juice, Vakill, Clew Rock and others. By signing some of the Chi-town areas more-talented young cats, who show an appreciation for the true school hip hop sound, the Molemen have increased their visibility and show that there is still plenty of limelight for the city. Check out the video above and research the Molemen catalog for some lesser known rap gems from the middle of the country.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/simply-amazin-feat.-panik/id688578938

Video: F. Stokes X Mister Modo X Ugly Mac Beer "Diggin in the Crates"

New York recently got a visit from international French beatsmith duo Mister Modo and Ugly Mac Beer, who linked up with the well-traveled standout emcee F. Stokes for the video and track honoring the true school method of "diggin in the crates" to create musical soundscapes. The video version is actually the Colonna Remix, but the mood of the track remains. The video features some famed NY digging spots and mini-tour locations that people in the know always check out.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://colonna.bandcamp.com/

Listen: Kev Brown - "Brazil Dedication"

I realize that I feature a lot of DMV artists, but truth be told, of all the places I have lived, the DC area had the most true school group of cats I have ever seen. They all support each other and continue to produce quality "grown man" music for the hip hop generation. Kev Brown recently dropped a 10" collection dedicated to his time in Brazil. He seemed to be overwhelmed with the response to his tunes down there and must have had a great experience which he pays tribute to with beats and tracks on this album. To wuote the man himself "I was making beats in hotel rooms, at different people's houses ... wherever. Goin' hard, sampling straight in from whatever source was available at the time. Most places I was at didn't have turntables." This show that he was feeling inspired and made due with whatever he could use. Check it out and see what the audio tour of Brazil is all about.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://ughh.com/kev-brown-brazil-dedication/LB010YELLOW10/

Throwback: Nas - "Life's A Bitch"

I know there was never an official video for this track, but someone out in the internets built this black and white edit of the 1995 film "La Haine" that fits the vibe just nicely. This post is mostly about how this track "Lifes a Btch" (Illmatic, 1994) has continued to stay in rotation in my ipod as a way to de-stress from a hard day. AZ and Nas both snapped on this and the muted trumpet at the end by Olu Dara makes this a timeless gem in my collection. At the end of a hard day and rough week, tracks like this always help to remind you that things could be worse.