Versatile Rapper, Lyricist, and Producer Butch Yung takes us through a day-in-the-life of turning Lemons to Lemonade with his latest release “No Sleep in the Trap”. This Audio Portrait is like that of an Ernie Barnes collectible, with production like a synesthetic pallet of sound painting a picture of daily life in the trap working cold, hungry nights for brighter days. The Trap’s glamourized popularity is not its reality- and most certainly not for everyone.
Such a world is an Alto Sax, whispering melancholic brushstrokes of its sorrowed actuality. Signature snare patterns of its war-torn ambiance are accentuated by the intricately laced machine gun dumping that litters late nights in every hood. Sounds of a Trench Town can be heard in the magnetic drive of this murky, eerily romantic piece where the Soul of the streets collide with pressures from the trap like rapids crashing against huge boulders, forcing Coal to create Diamonds by its very own nature.
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!
Amerikkka documents the experience of being Black under the rule of American Colonialism, where police officers are branded as public servants whose task is “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 Caucasians, Anglo-Saxons, and the assimilated. Wealthy citizens and areas are also prioritized for reasons of profit, yet there happens to be a much more sinister side to law enforcement that is deeply rooted in oppression, thievery, indentured servitude, chattel slavery (aka “Slave Patrol”), and the Ku Klux Klan.
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 cronies as gangstas at their own gangsta party. 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 on 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 American oppression offers insight on the feeling of life under Colonial Law and its rippling effects on Al Moroccans. Songs like these introduce us to asking 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.
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.
Welc0me 2 The Z3r0 P0int 
