Video: GRYNCH - "Carry On"

Seattle true school emcee and First Wave college alumni, Grynch, recently dropped the visuals for the track "Carry on" from his upcoming album "Street Lights". Constantly battling the "image" problem of the hip hop industry, Grynch continues to release honest music with a positive spin in the face of the trap music and EDM fest dominating the radio airwaves. He reminds me of a West Coast version of Brother Ali at times, never shy about his struggles and willing to put in the work to collaborate with some of the underground greats like pre-fame Macklemore and production master Jake One. Check out the video above for a good introduction to his style, if you're not familiar, and support a hip hop underdog who still rocks his famed, clunky Volvo.

DOWNLOAD LINK
http://grynch.bandcamp.com

Fine Art Friday: Maja Ruznic - "Among The Missing" Series

I recently came across the work of Maja Ruznic and her collaborative work with Joshua Hagler entitled "Among The Missing" and was really drawn to both the backstory and execution of the work. If you are a frequent reader (all 6 of you), you will know that I am drawn to dark subject matter in my artwork and this series from Ruznic details her experience creating art with Syrian refugees, in tandem with Joshua Hagler, and combines them with her own life as a child refugee. Wanting to "evoke feelings of discomfort, displacement, and abandonment in this new body of work", Ruznic confronts these stories through distortions and melted/melting imagery, which honors the lost stories of refugees and the horrific elements that accompany the migration to new and unfamiliar lands.

Check out some of her recent work here and the work of collaborator Joshua Hagler here.

ARTIST WEBSITE
http://www.ontheedgeofreason.com/among-the-missing-2014.html

Listen: Ayatollah - "Be Real Black For Me" Album

Famed producer of the classic "Ms. Fat Booty" from Mos Def's Rawkus days, beatmaker Ayatollah continues to release instrumental projects and albums that compile selective features, from what I assume are some of his favorite musicians, over his soulful production including singer Anthony Hamilton and underground cats like Inspectah Deck, Silent Knight, and Jered Sanders. If you are into beats and want to keep up with one of hip hops secret weapons, check out the project and support the independant grind of producers and emcee's alike.

DOWNLOAD LINK
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/be-real-black-for-me/id821342542