Today has been one I’d be fine with forgetting altogether. Thankfully, Apollo Brown just drowned out my desperate thoughts with “Time Passed Autumn,” the MI man’s burgundy blend of guitar howls and front-heavy-drums that could easily double as transition music for an updated remake of The Fugitive. Read the rest of this entry »

Isn’t it funny how signs of growth and progression change from milestones such as turning 18 or 21 into more subtle shifts in the way we think and react? That frame of reference usually settles in at some point and unfortunately that day isn’t circled in red on the calender. But when that day hits, you’ll more than likely notice it.

Sometime during his world travels that revelation hit Oddisee & in turn he hit the studio. Using The Manhattan’s “Am I Losing You,” as a starting point he concocted a smooth array of synths & hi-hats to convey his feelings. Joined by Toine of DTMD, the duo further drive the point home with their verses. “Different Now,” serves as the final single from Mello Music Group’s Helpless Dreamer compilation & one of Oddisee’s four contributions to the project which released last year. It also serves as a offering to help tide fans over until he drops People Hear What They See later on this year.

Mello Music Group’s Helpless Dreamer is available now.

The immensely talented Georgia Anne drops “fOnkRocker,” a heavy number that will be featured on the songstress/producer’s upcoming instrumental release, VWETO – which means “gravity” in Swahili – courtesy of Mello Music Group. Read the rest of this entry »

I’ve seen Apollo Brown win a few battles with beats at DetroitRap.com’s Monthly Mixers, so when word came through that this Grand Rapids resident remixed Diamond District’s “Streets Won’t Let Me Chill,” my mouse got to clicking. Upon examination, my tastebuds were ironically enlightened by Brown’s overcast shadow of dreary instrumentation samples, James Brown drums and a completely different take on DD’s downtrodden street dreams.

The result could be theme music for a 2011 remake of Taxi Driver. Read the rest of this entry »

First and foremost, thanks to all that entered the yU “Before Taxes” Giveaway. While we couldn’t bless everyone with goodies, three lucky cats will be receiving free goods. The second prize winner is Thaddeus Y. of Freemont, CA. Thaddeus will be receiving receive a signed CD copy of yU’s Before Taxes and a vinyl version of the album. The third prize winner is Andrew K. of Philly and Andrew gets a whole bunch of stuff out of the TSS goodie bag.

But for the big shebang, the grand prize winner is Pythian W. of Chicago. He’ll be receiving a signed copy of yU’s Before Taxes CD as well as a vinyl copy of the album plus the NikeID “Before Taxes” Dunks.

Respect to yU, Diamond District & the Mello Music Group for putting the giveaway together and our good friends Dan & Michelle @ Audible Treats for helping to make it all happen. Make sure to check out yU’s solo album Before Taxes and show your support by purchasing a copy.

RMF!

Reminder: Make sure your name is in the hat. Enter to win yU’s “Before Taxes” Nike Dunks.

RMF!

yU, one-third of the celebrated group Diamond District, recently released a new solo album, Before Taxes, released April 13th via Mello Music Group. To celebrate and promote the release, yU and Mello Music Group are putting together a giveaway to award one lucky fan & TSS reader the opportunity to win a special, yU “Before Taxes” customized pair of Nike Dunks. Once the winner has been awarded, the Dunks will be customized using Nike ID and sent along according to the winner’s shoe size. Yep, free shoes! All you have to do is sign up below using legit info so that we can contact you once you win and then process your order. And if you’re really game, send us a photo of you rocking the kicks. Read the rest of this entry »