Poebama sent this over last night. While I’m rarely thrilled by these types of ciphers, the lyricism and charisma warranted sharing it with the masses.

“So every year in St.L we have a local music awards show called the Traffic Music Awards. This year they put together a BET-styled cipher with myself, Vandalyzm and a St. Louis kid that’s down with Canibus named Prince Ea in the first segment.”

Yeah, I’ll be watching part two when it drops.

[VaultTV]

More treats from Vandalyzm as he (and we) prepares to invade Texas. “Mirror Mirror,” finds Van doing some serious introspection and what I find appealing is how easily he lets listeners in to the struggles he’s going through. While he covers a wealth of material in the six minute track, the best part’s near the end as he ruminates on leaving home in order to move himself and his career forward. Expressing sentiments many of us can relate to, Van’s frank assessment of the pressures and doubt he goes through hit home. You can tell this track is as much for others as it for himself.

Yet his infectious confidence shines through and there’s no doubt that he’s making the right move, that success is there for the taking. When the mirror retorts the famous “conceited bastard” line to Van’s queries as to who’s the best, you can’t help thinking it may be right.

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Download — Vandalyzm – “Mirror Mirror (RIP Dilla)”

Check out Van and the rest of the STLiens Friday night at the SXSTL.

Emerging StLien Vandalyzm releases his mixtape denying paternity (but he’ll probably end up fathering a few styles after this). Featuring appearances by The Force’s Tef Poe & Wafeek as well as Sean Falyon and production from 9th Wonder. Don’t even think twice. Read the rest of this entry »

“I’m a giant to defeat/my name rings bells overseas/while your on your knees, giving dome for BDS spins and a chance to rise/I get respect from same niggas you idolize… So indirectly I’m your idol, guys”

Vandalyzm may not be the father but that doesn’t stop him chastising any beat that crosses his path. This here is no exception as he navigates the matrix that is the music business.  Flanked by fellow STLien Tef Poe, the duo follow Wayne’s template while exercising their inner demons. Read the rest of this entry »

Filmed by Greg The Dude, this was supposed to be my man Van’s official joint for Vimby…but it’s not so we’re unofficially debuting it because we believe in the lil ninja. In fact, he’s one of the most lyrically capable cats to ever rep a Cards cap, displaying wizardry that would make Ozzie Smith gush. In the clip, he talks influences, the power of online politicking and making it from Lou. Read the rest of this entry »

As my main man Van gets ready to re-release Megatron Majorz (you snoozed!) in January, he sent over an appetizer before the meal is served. Play it once, listen close & then rewind. You slept the first time; don’t make the same mistake twice in life. Read the rest of this entry »

To any of you out there looking for some quality Hip-Hop radio programming, and you’ve got yourself a subscription to Sirius XM, make sure to tune into The Afromentals Mixshow on Sirius 40/XM 67: Hip Hop Nation frrom 8pm-10pm EST this Sunday night. For the first half of the show you’ll hear the incomparable DJ Jamad at work, while the second half will include an extended hour long version of RMF radio that is sure to keep you entertained with hosts Trackstar the DJ, Finsta, Vandalyzm and Black Spade. Read the rest of this entry »

A3C Street Cypher @ Vinnie Styles from The Smoking Section on Vimeo.

Courtesy of Vinnie’s Styles & SMKA Productions

When we finally arrived at the J.Cole in-store at Vinnie’s Styles, the establishment was shoulder to shoulder with nothing but rappers, DJ’s and their managers. After briefly shaking hands and talking to the Roc Nation artist and his reps, Mike from SMKA walked up and said “Do you wanna set up a cypher outside?” Read the rest of this entry »

St. Louis and Detroit connect over Just & Jay Elec’s beat, detailing the tares and snares of life and the industry. Read the rest of this entry »

Sit and think about the insurmountable odds you have to face to get attention as a rookie in the rap industry, let alone on the Internet. First you have to prove you can actually spit (or at least do a damn good job faking it .) Then it’s either make a hit of your own that sweeps across the board or hijack the latest, greatest song of the moment to get your buzz circulating. But considering that there’s already a thousand or so treading the same boulevard, sometimes you have to wish upon your lucky star for that extra boost.

In Gotta Be Karim’s case, there isn’t an instrument in his arsenal that resembles the sounds of “routine”…or run-of-the-mill. Free of frills, fake, gimmicks and goofiness, his…LP 10,000 Apples (dare not call it a mixtape) is the exemplification of the Hip-Hop movement down to its core. His deliberate yet detailed delivery, flow across the music with the power of reason as well as the rhyme and with the majority of the production helmed by Black Spade of jack-my-beat-and-lie-about-it fame, you know the total package is equally soulful as it is stimulating.

Enough of this intro shit. Proceed for your fruit for thought. Read the rest of this entry »

Music from DJ Jamad’s Afromentals Mixshow, which aired last night on Sirius XM. The Almighty Jamad with the first hour then Trackstar with the second half, complete with music & Vandalyzm’s Rhymebuster’s segment, where he hilariously dissects O.J. Da Juiceman’s “I Got Money.”

Links below the break. Read the rest of this entry »

Trackstar has found his way into some radio hosting. Respect My Fresh during the second hour of DJ Jamad’s Afromentals Mixshow. Subsequent shows will be airing on the last Sunday of every month on Sirius Satellite’s Hip-Hop Nation (40) on Sirius Satellite.

Afromental Mixshow #204 has Track providing the music while Finsta & Vandalyzm play hosts. Check for the hilarious “RhymeBusters” segment where Vandalyzm goes in on a terrible 16 every month. Hit the break for the goods & Respect Trackstar’s Fresh. Read the rest of this entry »

Understandably, DJ Trackstar’s a busy guy, but he’s been holding out on us y’all. We’ve been properly introduced to Wafeek, Vandalyzm, Black Spade, Karim, & Rockwell Knuckles but Nato Caliph has been kept in the shadows. I had to go all the way to Austin to find out about him and I won’t make you guys suffer from not going. Read the rest of this entry »

One of STL’s best rappers gets a little aggie every now and then and in the midst of this nationwide recession that’s putting several masters of cermonies out of work, could you blame him? Well one thing’s for certain, Vandalyzm isn’t going to let a rumbling stomach quell his hunger for eating tracks in full. Read the rest of this entry »

Words By Patrick M.

This I’ve been telling you for some time. Peep the latest track from one of the city’s brightest lights, Vandalyzm. Building on the success of Megatron Majorz, the track features a more soulful backdrop than previous songs and a focused Van firing vocal cannons. We’ll see if he can keep the shots firing on his forthcoming Bitch Cause I Felt Like It mixtape.

Vandalyzm – I Am Majorz

Previously Posted — “Charity Case”- Vandalyzm’s Megatron Majorz