Check out this awesome Creative’s latest Zine and pick up a copy for your collection.
Cuz you never know, DaCosta could be the next Basquiat! 😉
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Her imagery speaks a trillion words, ya heard!
A Taste of Kavi’s “Mango” Tree: Where is He Now?
Kavi’s January release is something like a HipHop story of the Archipelago. The feel of this sonic delicacy is an AkanAsiatic kiss on the lips of Island music.
Upon listening, one could imagine a medley of African Kora string styles, Jamaican steel drums, Al Moroccan Blues guitar, and Chinese Guzheng fused with several other classical HipHop elements of black thought.
Travel through music with Kavindu Fernando on his Soundcloud for more ear candy.
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Jah-Ma-Akan Mangoes.
If one could pick a fruit so sweet, it would be from a Jamaican Mango tree!! – CharliZero
Jhene Aiko: A Cali Geisha’s Omnipresent Journey Through Love, Life, Death and Transcendence
Slauson songstress Jhene Aiko embodies a perfect blend of her Afro-Asiatic roots and the chill vibe that West L.A. is known for, creating her special sound that was quite different when introduced at the time.
Many are unaware of the key role that Jhene’s style played in the most recent wave of R&B coming out of L.A. and the impact beyond its borders. That style has heavily influenced the Rhythm and Blues you hear across radio airwaves today. How can you be sure of this? one might ask, However if we gather the essence of Japanese culture woven into her Afro-Native nuance, Jhene’s sultry delivery is distinguished by that heritage and the emergence of her rise amongst peers like THC, The Fisticuffs, Dom Kennedy, HitBoy, Overdoz, Kenderick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle and other West L.A. artists who’d crossed creative paths at the rise of L.A.’s dominance of today’s music scene.
Jhene’s decision to share her travels on this latest project Trip invites listeners into a vulnerable space, where she bravely expresses her struggle with depression, drugs, and transcendence toward her higher being. She performed the last leg of her national show in L.A. this past week, accompanied by a Harpist in a jungle-themed oasis against a vibrant backdrop of psychedelic visuals.
Positive vibes filled the air and the surprise opening act was Willow Smith, who nailed her performance even with a scratchy talking voice after a grueling tour. The show was truly impressive and the new album Trip is well worth the listen, if nothing else to get away in one’s mind and explore a perspective that might heighten a sense of awareness.
“Ghetto Gospel”, Magna Carda’s Latest Release Review
Burn the sage and light the incense for your next bonfire, letting Magna Carda’s “Ghetto Gospel” be the soundtrack to your midnight smoke session.
As clouds fill the air, imagine your puff-puff-pass riding the sound wave of Megs Kelli and Dougie Do, whose blend of rap, jazz and electronica have caught the ears of kinfolk from their hometown of Austin Texas to cities beyond.
They’ve joined stages with The Pharcyde, Joey Bada$$, Oddisee and have featured on NPR radio. They are paralleled with groups like The Roots and certainly suite a Tidal station with artists like Erykah Badu or Oshun in rotation. Magna Carda is lyrical, smooth as fine wine, and in tune with frequencies that blend with Zen at any time of day.
Don’t be afraid to break out in a five-minute meditation to feed your soul some of this Magna Carda goodness morning, noon or night. It suits any occasion and can set the mood of one moment to the next- in a good way!
Sources: NoGossipLa.Com
image courtesy of: YouTube
This content was originally on loan at http://www.NoGossipLA.com. Please visit their website to check out lots more on upcoming artists and culture!
Lets Talk About G-Perico’s “Amerikkka” Single
Although we’re daily indoctrinated with media rhetoric scrambling to clean up the Police Department’s dirty laundry, still waters run deep and it’s been like that from the beginning.
Amerikkka documents the black experience under the thumb of American colonialism, where policy enforcement are branded as public servants whose tasks are “to protect & serve”.
The question is; protect and serve whom, what, and why?
It is today’s common knowledge that certain communities are given favorable protection over others, particularly pale-skin Europeans and those assimilated into their worlds. Wealthy citizens and areas are also prioritized, yet there happens to be a much more sinister side to law enforcement deeply rooted in oppression, thievery, indentured servitude, chattel slavery (aka “Slave Patrol”), and white supremacy.
What does it feel like to be “black in Amerikkka”? G Perico let’s you know; “Clearly it’s the law breaking the law”, he says. The South Central, L.A. rapper has established himself as one of the most promising voices in West Coast Hip Hop, bravely addressing this place we call the United States.
As Tupac’s classic words insinuate, life “Ain’t Nothin’ But a Gangsta Party”. Outside of one’s typical idea of a “gangsta”, it’s important to zero in on those rarely highlighted corporate gangsters and their gangsta cronies partying at the expense of the common folk. Consider that what may seem an entity designed to “protect & serve” (alongside other aspects of the “Justice” system) are mostly operated via persecution of the poor and from profiteering off of prisoners exploited in the Prison Industrial Complex- some of which are not truly guilty of any crime.
Such exploitation amongst officials in powerful positions and their corrupt friends ruin any “just” intention, begging the question of who the actual “gangsta” is and where the true threat lies. Who is really bullying whom and what are the benefits?
As one of three members in the rap group G-Worthy, the project features the Amerikkka single produced by League Of Starz producer Dupri. G- Perico’s reflection on existing within the confines of U.S. oppression offers insight on the feeling of life under colonial Martial Law and its rippling effects on Al Moroccans bka “Americans”.
Songs like these beg us to ask questions about how Al Morocco became Amerikkka and why it’s nearly impossible to trust a Cop no matter how much one might wish to let their guard down.
Check out Amerikkka and stay tuned for a major announcement in the near future.
images courtesy of: Images.Genius.Com
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DeCyphered -x- Rap Sessions: Hassan N’ Prodi-G
Atlanta’s lyrical duo Hassan N’ Prodi-G bring its generation a type of eternal classic by way of Al Morocco’s youngest musical ancestor; Hip Hop.
With their upcoming project Melanated dropping soon, thought-provoking brain food from their latest single “Wipe Ya Feet” are bejeweled with infinite knowledge and power, sincerely delivered with the finesse of classic Hip Hop.
Prodi-G’s provocatively infused verses texturize each Melody’s Jazzy character, with a cadence that gives its polished sound a raw grit in the truth of “Wipe Ya Feet”. The weight of Prodi-G’s fearless delivery is worth a finger snap or two simply for the bravery of its honesty.
Not only do they deliver pristine quality of substance, Hassan N’ Prodi-G manage to utilize their Lion-like sway without gang violence promotion or misogynous content. However, Hassan is quick to honor the lessons such instances present, like views on the way life works in “The Game”. His clever anecdote will have you thinking twice about what you hear versus what you’ve actually heard. The intricacies are well endowed in offering a fresh perspective to be taken away each time, like a classic BlackStar record.
Their upcoming project emblazons predecessors like Mobb Deep and Outkast, reflecting upon great wisdom while addressing the imbalance of Human society today – particularly for the Melanated.Subconsciously or not, Hassan N’ Prodi-G aide in keeping the culture, helping the group to stand out amongst others by forever residing in the soil which keeps HipHop fruitful.
The World Welcomes Kamaiyah
In an era where everyone is racing to the money bag, Oakland artist Kamaiyah comes from the center of Bay Area chaos, where she highlights the ups and downs of her journey and takes her time on the rise to proving her own success.
She took to the Oakland streets, where the love is extremely real for HipHop culture. People out there will actually purchase music from you off the street to where folks can sell 100K from their trunk easily. But for Kamaiyah, sky is the limit. She continues to push herself past her block, testing her endurance and breaking through street culture norms in ways that most female rap artists require a team for. Some of the most influential people on her art are Missy Elliot, TLC & Aaliyah, whose influences one sees in Kamaiyah’s brand and style of dress.
Her charismatic personality and to-the-point demeanor are refreshing in an industry that is often drowning in fluff. She’s worked with the likes of YG, Drake, and other street disciples that are leading various avenues of rap culture into a new age. Both a producer and songwriter, she is humble enough to admit that there are songs she has done that she doesn’t care for and others that she was shocked to see were so well received. All she knows is the vision she has for herself and the faith that she rides on, which is altogether inspiring. As part of XXL’s 2017 Freshman Class, she mention’s BowWow as a rapper whose lyricism drove her to focus on her pen game. Her first mix tape was gobbled up, with folks loving everything about it. She wanted to make sure that she represented the Bay Area for exactly what it is without any outside influence and really just hopes that listeners will grasp the journey behind her music and what it took to serve people with her final product. You can catch Kamaiyah on YG’s “Why You Always Hatin’” as the song most people know best, but her singles “How Does It Feel”, “Build You Up”, and “I’m On” are cult classics that can be heard amongst her biggest fans.
image is courtesy of: notey.com
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Overdoz Finally Releases “2008” Album!
Overdoz finally drops its album 2008, with fans eagerly awaiting its release since…well, 2008! If you’ve never heard of them, say hello to these West Coast rock stars, whose name rings bells across the land from Dena to South Los Angeles and beyond.
The brothers have been together since day one, chillin’ on avenues and cruising highways most Cali Natives would only pass through. Documenting their journeys in LA, Overdoz takes us back as far as 2008, When Everybody Loved Everybody.
One thing most people don’t know much about is 4711 Expo, the studio where several paths crossed, including the likes of Miguel, ASAP Rocky, Jhene Aiko, Dom Kennedy, the Fistacuffs, THC, and several other aspiring local artists who would collaborate. Folks from every hood would come together in the name of creation where this studio once stood, including Overdoz. It was the block no one would want to walk through at night, with burnt out light posts unworthy of fixing and street-life exchange on every corner.
Today, these old warehouses are barely recognizable, developed into the types of contemporary décor that typically follow gentrification shortly thereafter. Coffee shops and industrial conversions are tucked away on streets where underserved communities of color were once left destitute long after the LA riots had given way to an influx of black wealth amongst the Baldwin Hills, Ladera, Leimert Park, & Crenshaw areas. Although Ujima and Ujamaa principles were reserved amongst several families in the area, others would choose to take their earnings and resources outside of the community, creating an interesting dynamic between rich and poor black families from the hills down to the flat lands. These areas would later face troubles self-sustaining, but the Youth of these local towns would go on to create great art.
2008 is an important project for several reasons. Film director Calmatic has been working with Overdoz for several years, catching controversial footage like Overdoz’s “Rich White Friends” and landmarks that may someday be archived as a blast from the past alongside other monumental black eras, like the times of Black Hollywood in West Adams. These places are important to Los Angeles culture, as they are what make Southern Cali one of the dopest spots across the globe. Of course, such locations would simply be architecture if not for the people who create its diverse artistry, of which Overdoz is a part of.
Their charismatic and quirky humor blends a conscious lyrical wordplay with notes of funk, acid jazz, neo – soul and West Coast HipHop. Someday I imagine them sharing memories as old men in one of these new cafes around here, maybe even some coffee shop that sprouts up near 4711 Expo just for the irony of it.
images courtesy of hotnewhiphop.com
Nsatsia’s “Trap or Die” Single
“Laugh now, cry later”, says the Oaxacan Brotha.
“We were born to die”, says the White Brotha.
“You Only Live Once”, says the African Native Sista.
When you’re forced to live life on the edge, you know what it is; Trap or Die
Imprisoned by a system designed to oppress, eliminate, buy, sell or trade the Melanated and the poor, survival depends on creativity and innovation. It’s that rich n*gga/poor n*gga/house n*gga/field n*gga/still n*gga situation, where one’s excellence still faces stereotypes and all-around hatred no matter how hard the black womb/man works to achieve success. If anybody knows the ups and downs of what it’s like to teeter the tightrope between life and death with the men who are stuck in the rat race, it’s women like Nstasia. Her music is an aspect of the black womban’s story in America. It’s symbolic of the diehard love and confident support that a real woman provides regardless of circumstance.
Trap or Die is about the love, loyalty, risks, and heartbreak that a faithful woman endures while standing in the gaps for her man. Societal norms founded upon white American standards often lock most Brothas out of work opportunities that White Privilege reserves for those willing to conform to it. In the trap, the Brotha faces gang violence perpetuated by systematic oppression and the daily fear of a run-in with dirty cops that are out to round as many slaves into the Prison Industrial Complex as they can. Once the brother has a record, it’s nearly impossible to get employed. Next are one’s environmental factors, which affect productivity. One is lucky if a job offers benefits and is close to home, where most businesses would rather not operate if they weren’t liquor stores, churches, or fried food shops. The negative surroundings of addiction, physical health hazards, and scarce resources leave people desperate with limited options. Therefore, those who have never dealt with institutionalized racism, systemic oppression, or the glass ceiling of Corporate America will never fully grasp the struggle of the struggling unless it is the black womban because she is the child, the child bearer, the lover and wife of the black man and can see their battle from every angle.
Nstasia is that classic Womban; still a lady – but probably with a pistol in her garter belt and a No. 2 pencil for all a’those who be testin’ ! She’s the one who says “if you got me, I got you // Top down we screamin’ trap or die”. She has an alternative style of fashion exhibiting a varietal that exists in black America outside of the stereotypes that parallel the way a woman looks with the way a woman is. The song is dreamy and the vibe is like fishtailing a canyon highway on a sunny day in a getaway cruiser headed for the beach.
imagery courtesy of: superselected.com
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