Don’t let the calendar change fool you. E-V is still making it rain in his core fanbase’s eardrums with his latest effort, Cats & Dogs. In the best cinema reel to support the project yet, the Weatherman pierces through the Todd Angkasuwan created storm, giving the soundtrack to misery some much desired company. Read the rest of this entry »

Always dropping in when you least expect it, Atmosphere is putting on for their city, state and relative universe with the “Welcome to Minnesota” tour this coming February. The flagship song is an organic offering of fluid musicianship alongside a handful of the North Star State’s freshest talent. Read the rest of this entry »

You know that moment where every Hip-Hop artist feels compelled to eulogize their name in one of their songs? This is Evidence’s turn. However, he’s denying everything that’s incriminating and claiming true as he continues to rain Cats & Dogs with his nouns and proverbs this year. Read the rest of this entry »

Mr. Slow Flow a.k.a. The Weatherman b.k.a. Evidence has taken some time in the shadows, most likely smoking some lime green weed and letting his grow, only to rain on the game with his new album, Cats & Dogs. With Rhymesayers in his corner, EV is eyeing a September 27th hurricane date and to whet your appetite for the damage, he’s delivered a quick-hitter to let you know what his upcoming category will be. Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: John Henry Baliton

Substance abuse is nothing to scoff at but Grieves turns his addiction into addictive raps to dictate the subject matter on Together/Apart. When life deals you lemons, you find a way to make a drug out of them and get higher than the debt ceiling. Empty bottles and extinguished blunts are tell-tale signs of the scene of a Grieves aftermath and directors Clement & Co. and Dugan O’Neal highlight the happenings of such wayward experiences in the “Against The Bottom” and “On The Rocks” videos, respectively. Read the rest of this entry »

A quick perusal through the brief clip of Grieves’ current lifestyle alludes to the fact that the man embarks on plenty of missions. But his greatest one lies ahead to June 21st as his Rhymesayers package, Together/Apart hits stores and is destined to win him new fans, until death separates the relationship. Read the rest of this entry »

Some rappers think they’re Larry Hoover or Frank Lucas. From one glance of Grieves’ promotional visuals from his upcoming album Together/Apart, the Seattle Hip-Hopper seems to think he’s Darren Shan, the vampire’s assistant. His videos take on a decidedly morbid approach to convey his feelings with faded memories bolstered by funeral fantasies driving the cerebral montage. Read the rest of this entry »

“Wonder why Stim Pack didn’t sell a milli when/clearly everywhere they go/they starvin’ for our audio…”

Well, for starters Mr. Way, the good people who patrol the Internets © Dallas Penn are cheapskates. Even with extravagant gift-wrap, they’ll settle for the invisible set of MP3s any day of the week. But that’s an whole ‘nother convo all together. Read the rest of this entry »

So a couple a weeks ago, I’m chilling with Freeway after his show and he comes over with this iPad, excited about the new music he’s created for his upcoming album (his second of ’10), Diamond In The Rough. When asked about the status of his working relationship with Jake One, he immediately turned it over to “Beautiful Music.” Concocted by the Seattle Supersonic, a light piano riff and subtle drum loops were all that was needed for Freeway to deliver that some his rugged yet vintage Hip-Hop. Read the rest of this entry »

With budget cutbacks affecting the maneuvers of the Hip-Hop culture in several different areas, sometimes the best answer is taking it back to the bare essentials. No frills, no gimmicks, just raw, urban renaissance in the truest sense. As key numerators of the movement, Freeway and Seattle-based producer Jake One have devised a plan to eliminate fan displeasure by offering more bang for your buck. With motivation not for financial gain but for the betterment of the rap mankind, The Stimulus Package serves up a great solution for the lost art of replay value. Read the rest of this entry »

While most members of the Roc dynasty have chosen to air their grievances against Hov instead of putting in some actual work, Freeway has been one of the few to move on and carve a strong following, going the semi-indie route. Arguably, the only other individual has been Young Chris, who linked up onstage last week with his aforementioned Philly brother from another.

In this second part of our video footage from “The New York Stimulus Package,” reflect on some of the Roc’s glory days as Free & Chris revisit “Roc The Mic” and a few other recognizable records.

Footage by North Tower Media.

Previously Posted — Freeway & Jake One – “She Makes Me Feel Alright” Live @ Highline Ballroom

Last Tuesday, Freeway and Jake One took to the stage at the Highline Ballroom for the “The New York Stimulus Package,” which is coolspeak for the NYC stop on their city-to-city tour of album release parties. Gettin’ their independent grind on the right way by making each market feel special, if only for one night. After being introduced by Miss Info, the duo charges right into the album’s first single, “She Makes Me Feel Alright,” highlighted by the timeless Rick James-sample and Free’s professions of adoration and devotion in verse.

Thanks to Frank, Big Machine Media and team @ Highline for the accommodations. Respect to North Tower Media’s Matt Mitchener (director), Kristopher Rey-Talley & Dustin Nakao-Haider (cameras), Eric Swiecinski & Devin Chanda (producers) for putting in work. Watch for additional footage in the next day or two.

Much like the CD, the vinyl to Freeway & Jake One’s collaborative album The Stimulus Package features an extravagant packaging that’s surely destined to become a collector’s item down the line. There’s still time to pre-order your copy to have a chance to win one of those $100 prizes as well as get The Beat Made Me Do It and Freelapse for the five-finger discount. Read the rest of this entry »

Prime example on why I opt to support via physical copies of albums opposed to digital media stores. The tireless efforts of the design team, photographers, etc. get largely ignored when you’re just hoarding those MP3s. And who wouldn’t want to have this Hip-Hop architecture, derived from the genius of Brent Rollins, Freeway & Jake One in their collection? Read the rest of this entry »

This winter, no one can bitch ‘n moan that Hip-Hop didn’t bail them out from a drought of monotony. Joining forces for the greater good of purity, Freeway & Jake One are set to give a jolt into rap’s economy with their collaborative effort The Stimulus Package on Rhymesayers Ent. Consider yourselves beneficiaries as a result because aside from exceptional music, there’s prizes to be won. Read the rest of this entry »