Fine Art Friday: Adam Magyar

I recently came across the video work of Adam Magyar and was struck with the simple but effective slow-motion captures of people waiting on subway platforms around the world, particularly the version from New York. Though it may sound hella boring, the clarity of the videos and subtle noise make the video appear more like a billboard length photograph of every possible emotion on the faces of strangers waiting for the doors to open and move on to the next location. I find these type of melancholy videos fascinating, and actually take many of my own of the distant and anxious looks of strangers in the subway because it reminds me of the George Tooker painting "The Subway" from 1950 (also posted below). Get your stare on!

ARTIST WEBSITE
www.magyaradam.com

Listen: Maurice Daniel - "Here I Go"

Maurice Daniel is an emcee you knowingly goes against the popular trends that exist in much of hip hop. He stays true to himself and the soul vibe of the past but updates it with quality lyrics and laid back soundbeds. He brings his consistent mix of music to the masses via his "My Shoes" mixtape series (and the video above) of free downloads to spread the word on what he brings to the table. Check it out and support the indie artists who put out quality work in the face of overwhelming radio rap about life's misguided excesses.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://www.datpiff.com/Maurice-Daniel-My-Shoes-Vol-3-Sole-Power-mixtape.545521.html

Listen: Mello Music Group - "Mandala" Series (Polysonic Flows + Today’s Mathematics)

Mello Music Group is one of the more consistently dope labels in the underground hip hop world and continues dropping solid releases as we begin 2014. They reently dropped the double collection of tracks featuring their diverse roster and like-minded guest artists entitled "Mandala (Volumes 1 and 2). Both collections help showcase the quality lyricists and producers that populate the (non-Rick Ross) MMG label by offering a mix of educated tough talk, fun brag rap, soul music, boom bappish soundscapes, laid back story-telling and plenty of tunes to chill with. Check it out and support some quality artists coming from all across the US and inspired by the DMV roots of its founder Oddisee.

DOWNLOAD LINK (VOLUME 1)
http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/mandala-vol-1-polysonic-flows

DOWNLOAD LINK (VOLUME 2)
http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/mandala-vol-1-polysonic-flows

Video: J-Live - "Money Matters"

Always down to support the true school music of J-Live and that of producer and sometimes emcee Oddisee, especially when they link together for a solid, laid back track like "Money Matters". Particularly, I wanted to support it because I like how Oddisee flipped the sample, the same sample I flipped on the track "Do Or Don't" on my most recent LuvJonez album MISH MASH (posted below). Always glad to know great minds think alike and that I am on a similar wavelength with artists whose work I enjoy. Check them both out and support indie hip hop!

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/money-matters-single/id794162768

Ebro Darden X Combat Jack - Major VS Minor Leagues

Though this is not a new series of videos, I find myself revisiting this meeting of the minds often. For all the hate that people throw at Ebro Darden, he defends his position very well and with clear and valid points about the state of radio. You may not like the answers, but he articulates his points, his biases, his defense of modern radio and the tough position he is put in based on numbers and corporate dealings behind the scene. Many people complain about the state of rap radio, but rarely do they put themselves in a position to do anything about it. We live in the age of trash celebrity culture and if you cater to that audience, known as LCD rap (lowest common denominator), you often have a better shot at garnering attention, if if only out of pure spectacle, than the purist "backpacker" who makes good music but won't clown themselves for the world to see on Youtube and beyond. Check the videos out and get your learn on!

PART 1


PART 2


PART 3