Free MP3: Orbitron -- "They Don't Move" (Jeep Mix)

Posted Oct. 1 at 1:05 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

​Seattle rapper/b-boy celeb Orbitron recently dropped a new single that reminds me of why I wish this guy would play more shows. Aside from being a part of the Circle of Fire b-boy crew, which is sort of in the shadow of Massive Monkees b-boy crew at the moment locally since the latter was just on America's Best Dance Crew, Orbitron is a solid lyricist and always represents the essence of hip-hop whenever he performs. Hopefully, the fact that he's releasing music is a sign that he'll be booking shows soon. In the mean, time, check out his latest cut, "They Don't Move." It's got a beat that seems ready made for a breakdancing jam and has a nice feel to it.

They Don't Move (Jeep Mix) by Jonathan C

Topics: Bangers

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DV One's New Workout Mixtape

Posted Sep. 30 at 3:08 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

​It's the time of the year again where people are probably thinking of joining a gym again. You've got the next eight months to sculpt a beach body — and for a lot of us, it's going to take that long at least — so now is the time to get a workout routine in effect if you don't already have one. Local mix master DJ DV One sees you coming and just recorded the perfect workout mixtape that's ready made for your iPods and portable MP3 players.

It's all uptempo classic R&B from the '90s (think Ce Ce Peniston), '80s dance music (Stevie Wonder/Michael Jackson), Latin hip-hop (Pitbull), classic rock (Eddie Money), house music (Frankie Knuckles), and anything else that will help you get through those last three lunges you're ready to give up on. DV One is always making podcasts and mixtapes but this one has a real community feel to it. Try it out. Even if it's just for that bike ride home. It's one of the better workout related mixes I've ever heard.

Topics: Bangers

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Free MP3: D. Black -- "Double Black Stax With No Cheese"

Posted Sep. 16 at 6:11 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

​It's been well hyped that D. Black is having a record release party tonight. And if you read this article, you'll know that D. Black says he may be leaving hip-hop behind and focusing on ministry instead. If that's the case, tonight's show at the Crocodile may be one of his last. That's reason enough to come out and support him. His new album, Ali'yah, is an impressive piece of work and one of the most spiritually uplifting recordings I've heard in years. It's not a gospel rap album by any means but rather, a challenge to all of us to push harder and grow from within in.

I just came across an internet single of his that isn't on Ali'yah produced by Jake One. It's called "Double Black Stax With No Cheese" and I don't know if its a shout out to the Central District hip-hop group Black Stax, a diss, or just a coincidence. It's definitely a peculiar song-title. That's like calling a new song a "Whopper Jr. Hold The Mad Rad." Anyway, you can check out the track at this site. If you like it, go check out D. Black tonight. Tickets are $10 and doors are at 8 p.m.

Topics: Bangers and MP3s

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Sabzi's Favorite New Sushi Dish: The 69 Roll

Posted Sep. 16 at 2:23 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

​The Blue Scholars just won't go away. Well, technically, they are going to Hawaii this week for a vacation mini-tour and are probably aboard a flight right now. But the group's eclectic producer, Sabzi, left Seattle with a parting gift while they're on tour.

Here's a free mixtape called 69 Rolls&Oof! full of Jawaiian jams and mashups that's Sabzi released yesterday. If you're not hip to Jawaiian music, it's essentially the merger of Hawaiian tunes and reggae. Since there's already a sizable Hawaiian population in Seattle, I'm curious to hear what people think of this. You can check out the entire project at this link. The mixtape contains 26 tracks plus artwork so don't flip out if it takes awhile to download.

Topics: Bangers and Free Stuff

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Free MP3 -- Grynch Barks at Haters on "Bar Time"

Posted Aug. 18 at 3:51 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

​Anybody that has seen Ballard-raised rapper Grynch in person knows he's one of the nicest MCs you'd ever want to meet. He's always polite at other people's shows and hangs around until the last artist gets off of stage to show his support for others. But every now and again (especially within hip-hop), a dog has to bark.

Grynch was catching some flack a few weeks back from a cornball rapper named Krue, who apparently used to be a fan of Grynch, but now he's not. As far as rap beefs go, it's miniscule and I won't get into the details any further. But Grynch just released a song this week that has the feel of a man snatching down a rebound, flailing his elbows as widely as possible, and demanding some space. He swears it's not directed at anyone in particular and that's it's not a "diss track." Not sure if I believe him totally, but I'm glad that the "King of Ballard" has a nice lyrical uppercut for the haters out there. Check it out below. If you recognize the beat, he's rapping over an instrumental leak of the song "Topless" by Dr. Dre.

Grynch - Bar Time by Jonathan C

Topics: Bangers and Talking Shit

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Free MP3: Felix Da Housecat -- "We All Want to be Prince"

Posted July 16 at 12:09 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

Tired of reading about Michael Jackson everyday? Within the realm of R&B music, one of the mostly hotly contested debates of all time comes down to one simple question — who was better: Prince or Michael Jackson? I can remember people practically drawing lines in the sand on who was a better dancer, who was a better singer, who had the best outfits, I mean, the debates went on and on.

If you were in the Prince camp, all of this MJ coverage over the past few weeks must be killing you right now. I know the feeling. Chicago house legend Felix Da Housecat does too. So he couldn't have picked a better time to release his new single, "We All Want to be Prince." Lovers of dance music should dig it. The tune really does invoke the spirit of Prince and should add a little necessary gasoline to keep the fire burning on who was really better? Right now, it appears that MJ is in the lead (dying was pretty smart), but it's not too soon to let the debate rage on again. To listen to the cut, check this out.

Topics: Bangers

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New Heat: Seattle's Evo Releases "My Business"

Posted July 13 at 4:39 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

I just got a new mp3 from an artist named Evo sent to me and I'm starting to like it more and more. At first, it sort of has a middle of the road hood-rap feel to it, but the track grows on you after a few listens.

The first thing that leaps out, for better or for worse, is the production. It's real Southern and the intro sounds like a recycled and flipped Lil Jon beat. But you don't hear a lot of hip-hop with this type of down South feel to it around these parts — you'll even hear some Young Jeezy "Ayyys" thrown in for good measure — and the bass knocks despite the overly computerized sound. Beyond that, the lyrics are full of hunger and determination and you can't hate it based on grind ethics alone. I'm not sure where Evo performs in the area or what other artists he aligns himself with but he's on my radar with this one. It looks like he's in the process of releasing a four song EP called Tip of The Iceberg later this year.

Topics: Bangers

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Bill Withers Uses Up All His Body's Sweat On This Version of "Use Me"

Posted June 25 at 12:17 pm by Mike Seely

Bill Withers, an artist with Seattle ties, sweats harder than any soft-rock artist I know. He's also funkier than any soft-rock artist I know. And the video I just spied on Cherry Canoe's blog proves it. Withers' insistence on wearing a turtleneck sweater despite the aforementioned predilection to perspiration is both confounding and admirable, and we've got a pretty good guess as to why his band is wearing shades.

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Topics: Bangers and Music Video

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Free MP3 -- Grynch and One Be Lo "Chemistry"

Posted June 15 at 12:33 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

Janae Jones

For those that don't already know, one of Seattle's niftiest wordsmiths, Grynch, has a new EP entitled Chemistry that's dropping on July 7th. It's a really solid project that showcases how talented Grynch is as an MC. In an even niftier move, he decided to leak the title track to the EP online today and it's already creating a mini buzz on various sites.

I've actually been listening to the song, which features guest vocals from One Be Lo and production by Scenik, on repeat for the past 15 minutes and it's a hell of a banger. So go ahead and stream/download the track here and be sure to check out Grynch's EP release party on July 12 at Nectar.

Topics: Bangers and MP3s

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Listen to this Balkan Beat Box Song, Then Go See Them Tonight at the Showbox!

Posted June 8 at 2:21 pm by Sara Brickner

In case I wasn't persuasive enough in my earlier show roundup post, I'm going to let this song from Nu Made, Balkan Beat Box's latest, most excellent re-mix record, speak for itself. It's DJ Nicodemus' remix of "Adir Adirim," (the original is on BBB's self-titled album) and it is a banger. As are pretty much all the songs on Nu Made. Doors are at 8 p.m. at Showbox at the Market. DO IT.

Topics: Bangers and MP3s

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Download the Swine Flu 09 Pandemic Mix

Posted May 1 at 11:41 am by Jonathan Cunningham

We all know that swine flu is way too overused of a term right now. So much so that the WHO is trying to get the world to stop using the term completely. Good luck with that. Anyway, "swine flu" is the term of the moment, so it only makes sense that some DJs and artists would start having fun with it. My guy Braden Ruddy, who sometimes writes for this blog, and otherwise works at the United Nations in New York (go figure) just put together a really good world mix of songs that touch on the crisis and I highly recommend it. It's called the Swine Flu 09 Pandemic Mix and you can go here to snag it and give it a listen. A full track list follows after the jump.

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Topics: Bangers and Talking Shit

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Jake One and J. Moore Tonight at Sole Repair

Posted April 24 at 2:20 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

Last Sunday night during the Yo Son! reunion, I chatted with local hip-hop producer Jake One about his upcoming gig this evening at Sole Repair. The event is partially being put on by Triple Crown and there should be some choice urban apparel on hand for folks in need of quality sneakers and beyond.

But even more importantly, Jake Uno is playing out once again, which doesn't happen that frequently. Most folks know Jake would rather be at his house making beats rather than playing records in public, but it sounds like he's got some heat coming for Seattle tonight. He's also got his partner in grime, Seattle hip-hop renaissance man J. Moore of KUBE 93 fame (amongst other things), djing with him as well. It's especially rare to see these two playing together so head to Sole Repair if you want to experience it. And since Freeway is in town, there's a good chance he might swing through as well. After the jump, check out a Freeway/Jake One/Brother Ali collabo that's been blowing my mind for a minute.

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Topics: Bangers and Concert News

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It's 4/20, and Here Are Some Songs You Should Listen To

Posted April 20 at 7:05 pm by Sara Brickner

I sincerely hope every single person reading this is blazing a fatty right now (and if not, that you'll have the opportunity soon). Actually, I meant to post this way sooner...but in true stoner fashion, I forgot. Here is a handful of songs about weed that I love. Of course, there are more. Many more. Feel free to add your favorites in the comments.

Neil Young - Roll Another Number (For The Road)
Neil Young is to weed as chocolate is to peanut butter.

Holly Golightly - Getting High For Jesus

This song comes from Holly Golightly & the Brokeoffs' Dirty Don't Hurt, an album that is worth having for many reasons, not least among them this song.

Pavement - In The Mouth A Desert

I am not too sure, but I think this song is probably about cottonmouth.

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Topics: Bangers, Guilty Pleasures, and Love

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New Music Video -- GMK "Music Swinger"

Posted April 6 at 1:57 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

Hip-hop and Japanese anime are becoming increasingly more connected in recent years. There are a variety of projects like Afro-Samurai or the Samurai Champloo series that pit the two mediums together in a colorful way. Still, it caught me off guard to see local rapper GMK release an all anime music video recently. After the jump, check out his latest single, "Music Swinger" off of his upcoming EP, Songs For Bloggers. That album is due out in May and features a variety of songs like these that come with their own visual stimulants. This one is definitely worth checking out.

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Topics: Bangers and Music Video

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Free MP3: Dyme Def "Not Even Jets Can Fly"

Posted April 2 at 2:18 pm by Jonathan Cunningham

I've been following the trajectory of Dyme Def over the past few months and I'm a fan of the stuff they've sent my way. Here's their latest song, "Not Even Jets Can Fly," which is ironically, not on their upcoming EP scheduled to be released April 25. In fact, a number of the stuff I've posted from this group isn't scheduled for that album, which makes me think the material on the EP is going to be all-star quality. Because most of Dyme Def's throwaway material is better than what people want to charge for.

The group is having their EP release party at The Crocodile on April 25, with The Saturday Knights, Spaceman, Fatal Lucciano, and One Be Lo. That already sounds like it's going to be a raucous night of hip-hop. Check out the new track below.

Topics: Bangers and MP3s

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