Every SXSW creates new stars. It’s undeniable. Everyone that attends leaves the event excited about the performance of a relative unknown, claiming that said artist is going to be the next big music star. Last year was my first SXSW and the artist I pinpointed for greatness was B.o.B. This year I pegged two acts for stardom: Yelawolf and Rockwell Knuckles. Read the rest of this entry »

Nato Calpih’s mind sharpening rhymes are the perfect tonic for a lazy Monday. The spiritual leader of The Force comes correct with the Reach EP. This brief collection of dopeness includes the mature “Her” and posse track “Anamoly,” both previously featured on your favorite Hip-Hop site. Read the rest of this entry »

It takes some major cojones to associate yourself with an alleged racist. But in Tef Poe’s case, nothing we’ve heard from him thus far has indicated fear, so we shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, the content to The War Machine EP’s first leak is so incendiary, Mel Gibson should point some fingers at the St. Louie rebel to cool off some of the heat on his character. Read the rest of this entry »

Our man Van takes his braggadocio and gives Big Sean a run for his money over the latter’s “High Rise.” And being the swell guy that he is, Van shouts out everyone’s mother @ the end of the track. That’s a true ladies man that’s out to capture fans. Read the rest of this entry »

Another week brings more dopeness from the shores of the Mississippi, as TSS proudly presents to you Gotta Be Karim’s full-length album Bullets & Books. The aptly-titled record features the expected combination of brawn and brain. Featured tracks such as “Hello St. Louis” and “Early” epitomize Kareem’s mentality, a man capable of intimidating bravado and thoughtful subtlety behind the microphone. Read the rest of this entry »

It seems like St. Louis, more specifically The Force, is always on the ready. As soon as one makes an appearance, another is in the on-deck circle and ready to step to the plate. This time around many of them are gathered around to celebrate the reign of the almighty Tech Supreme, Read the rest of this entry »

Although he’s released more than his fair share of material either as a solo artist and with Hawthorne Headhunters, Black Spade has never dropped a mixtape, unlike most artists in today’s landscape. I should know because I’ve been buggin’ him for years to be the ones to push one if he ever decided to. And that time has finally come. Along with Union LA and Trackstar, we’re proud to present Black Spade’s newest audio offering, Build & Destroy.

For his first, Stoney Rock did it right by offering completely fresh material. Featuring friends and frequent collaborators like Coultrain, Adad, Rockwell Knuckles, Corey Black, Vic Mensah and Wafeek, Build & Destroy packs enough punch to hold fans over for weeks and months to come.

Download – Union LA, Trackstar The DJ & The Smoking Section Present Black Spade – Build & Destroy Mixtape

Keep updated on Stoney Rock by following him at Twitter.com/BlackSpade

Now this is some extra cool sh#t, for it’s almost a rap-sin to mention that you have a family of your own or that you’re in a committed relationship. Nato bucks that stigma with the video for “Her,” the track dedicated to his moon and co-starring the kids as well. Even better is the idea that next time there’s a spat @ home he can always say “Yeah but, remember that time I put you in my video?” Read the rest of this entry »

Photo: Made Monarchs

One of the negative things that the internet has caused over the last couple years in Hip-Hop is the depletion of sampling. Thankfully, with the rise in popularity of original mixtapes on the national scene, we have begun to see a re-emergence of the sounds of old.

Black Spade, the St. Louis jack of all trades who makes your favorite rapper’s skill set pale in comparison, recaptures this sound in his song “I Heart,” Read the rest of this entry »

When I first saw the title to this track I worried that Vandazlym was about to jump on the Kid Cudi/Drake bandwagon of sensitive thug emo-rappers. Thankfully the track shows he’s lost none of the cocky, confident style the TSS Crew has come to love. Read the rest of this entry »

This one has been a long time coming. Not only will Build And Destroy be Black Spade’s first solo project since 2008′s critically acclaimed To Serve With Love, it’s also one I’ve been waiting to be a part of. Spade’s a remarkable talent who’s able to produce, sing and rap and do all with equal skill. I fell so far in love with To Serve…, it’s almost my chosen duty to let as many people know about this brother’s music. Read the rest of this entry »

As the ‘Lou continues to rise, Family Affair brings a video for “Sunshine.” Shot by Gr? Area Xreative Group, the clip is simple, yet effective in exposing yet another branch of the The Force’s family tree. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s tough starting the morning with this unreleased Black Spade track because it’ll have you searching for the pillow and laying back with arms crossed behind your head. “Relax Mode” comes unreleased from the 2000 era, when Stoney Rock was part of a crew called Soul Tyde (also including other Force members Nato, Tef, Karim and others). Read the rest of this entry »

If you’ve ever found yourself wondering why we support these guys from The Force so heavy, it’s mainly because they can rap. But what looms underneath the the surface with each of them is not only a dedication to the culture but also to their community. Having met the most of them, I’d be pressed to say any of them is insincere in their beliefs. And while I don’t know any of their financial situations, I assume they don’t have a bigger pot to piss in than any of the rest of us. Still, they’ll be releasing physical copies of this CD – a collection of their singles – and the proceeds of the sales with go to helping misfortunate & homeless children in St. Louis with the help of Patches Clothing, Ben & Jerry’s, & Molina Healthcare. That’s larger than love; it’s loyalty, dedication and service. Read the rest of this entry »

The Force continues to fight the stifling St. Louis summer by creating their own heat. Batter up this time is Tef Poe, stepping into to the spotlight with the video for “Show Stealers.” I particularly dig this track for the way producer Tech Supreme’s snappy big band drums blend with Poebama’s frenetic off-the-cuff style—you can tell they’ve worked together before as they bring out each other’s best. Tef’s the star of the video, backing up his pugnacious punchlines with appropriate menace, but Tech’s Dirty Lynt’s there banging the drums (and cymbals) in support. Overall it’s a professional effort that lets the music carry the load. Read the rest of this entry »