Chicago-based rapper and producer Vela Seff released a mixtape on Christmas day known as Up in Smoke, Vol. 2. It’s a high powered sequel to his five song EP, Up in Smoke, Vol. 1, which dropped early last year. With his own production on two tracks, the new project also features Sick Sad World affiliates Nancy and Tombo, as well as plenty more.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
Released via Blackhouse Records on Jan. 4, the record is now streaming on all major services and available as a limited edition CD.
‘Thank You / Pay Me’ is an album two years in the making. This is about how long Jordan tells me he has been taking rapping more seriously. I don’t know if maybe he spent that time training in a hyperbolic time chamber, but his confidence lyrically and within the delivery itself, suggests he’s not applying only the last two years but he’s putting it all out there; past, present and future. To be fair, he did say he recorded his first track at 13!
The title is a play on the commonly used ‘Fuck You, Pay Me’, but he isn’t here to make enemies or manifest haters out of thin air. This phrase resonates throughout the record with obvious appreciation and admiration for his friends, family, real fans, and collaborators.
“Why do you make music?”…
Repeated by some of his closest people on the intro track ‘Litlord’, this question is answered throughout the project with dedications and heartfelt words for those he’s lost (What A Year Can Do) , loved (Priscilla) and smoked (Jane). ( *all three of these tracks are solid productions from Dub-A.*) He also makes it clear with his first words on the album that music is a form of therapy for him and at the end of the day he hopes that whoever listens will forget about their problems and just turn up and enjoy life.
Nothing about this project is static. He matches the energy of each style of production with a fitting, unique delivery, including organic ad-libs peppered in over choice vocal effects. There are a lot of intimate moments. From talking to the audience, even shoutouts to fans dragging on long after the beat stops (Nemo Interlude) – the unabashed deliveries, rapped, sung and spoken – and the pro quality engineering and production all really make this project a perfect first album. Jordan is definitely in his element in all of the styles presented throughout the record and he’s really ready to take it any direction stylistically from here!
Standout tracks for me are ‘Hold Up’ – a minimal party bass driven 50’s rock piano melody from producer Over9000, Jordan’s childhood friend and collaborator over the last few years. It’s definitely the most light hearted song on the album, but it’s sure to turn your head and make you want to stunt surf on your problems. Also a big fan of the intro ‘Litlord’ it’s got such an intense and original sound, I really wanna see Jordan do this live in a packed club, fuck it – STADIUM ! I can really see songs like this and “Been Gone” getting the whole place jumping!
Been gone, a song that covers the struggles of addiction is a hazy slapper produced by Doughboi Phlex. “Fuck it right?”, the chorus repeated – a crass cry for help from the point of view of someone on the verge of giving up, Jordan tells the story of personal struggles and those he’s witnessed too close to home and ends the track offering himself to anyone out there that feels alone and like nobody cares.
Recorded at Jupiter studios, in his hometown of St Louis, MO and engineered by Keith Page (Chingy, Lil Boosie, G herbo, tee grizzly) it’s no wonder this record sounds radio-ready from the jump! With all of the versatility displayed on ‘Thank You / Pay Me’, expect nothing but heaters all around. For the next chapter in the saga of Jordan Isaiah, follow him on his social media for his new single releases as he plans to release a new drop every thursday ; peep the first one that dropped last week; another one from Doughboi Phlex ‘Late Nights.’
DIG A LITTLE DEEPER:
Watson Sound did an video interview and podcast with Jordan you can check out below!
And hear the Watson Sound podcast episodes with Jordan Isaiah below
FOLLOW JORDAN :
Twitter – @jordanXisaiah
SC – soundcloud.com/jordanxisaiah
IG – @jordanXisaiah
Chicago’s Cdot Honcho first caught my ear on Joey Purp’s project, Quarterthing, and upon discovering his SoundCloud, I saw that he had just released a project. H4 is the ten song album from the Windy City artist with features from Chief Keef and Lil Durk. It’s driving over the speed limit, punching you in the face, and absolutely annihilating your ear drums. What a ride.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
“If you’re gone, why the fuck am I here?” … John Daniel aka sameflannel gives us ‘Survivor Guilt’ a tale about the pain of life after the death of a close friend or family member … Hit the track below, and keep an eye out for more from this Minnesotan youngin’ real soon!
Twitter: @sameflannel
“SURVIVOR GUILT” + prod. RevnedBeats & Crow Sign + mixed by Doza / IG: @dozadoesit_
After hearing Shedrick was putting out a new book we got inspired to start covering more artistic projects besides video and music releases. For our first non-music feature we are focusing on Shedrick Pelt and ‘2009 and Beyond’ a photography book that compiles some of his finest and most intriguing shots from over the last ten years.
Some of you may know Shedrick has a little history with the label. First introduced through the longtime homie Supa of Sortahuman; we met the fellow Huntsvillian (Shedrick) and his brother Dizzy D when they came up to Nashville in 2012 to support and document a rare occasion. Sortahuman and Dizzy D opened with a set at a show with headliner Riff Raff in a now-defunct boutique shop in downtown Nashville. Footage from this night can be seen in the Sortahuman X Dizzy D collab video for “BOUT THAT.” (Also Shot and edited by Shedrick) We’ll save the finer details of that wild night out for another time. You can get a good idea of the amount of debauchery from the intro alone…
We worked with him for a good portion of our early releases and he helped develop the standard we set and try to break with every release. He was with us from the first release “Supasonic’ (Supa Sortahuman X Shawn Kemp) and we eventually put out ‘Pine Grove’ by his bro Dizzy D and we have worked with him as recently as our release for Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire ‘Live Forever.’ Shedrick was working with him as a photographer at the time and approached us about a rare release opportunity and he secured that addition to the Candy Drips catalog.
Before and after his time helping Candy Drips Shedrick was busy grinding and building his brand and resume as not only a go-to graphic artist but also as a sharpshooting photographer as well. SdotPdotmedia has done a lot over the last decade. From small business features to shooting live sporting events and concerts he is always taking the initiative to approach his subjects from all angles. He keeps his focus on unique marketing materials while maintaining his roots and always aims to grow within art communities on both underground and main-stream levels. His talents also extend to product promotion and video production. He really is capable of handling a whole marketing campaign from concept to execution and every physical element along the way.
“The book, 2009 and Beyond, is a visual journey through my history as a music photographer and with emerging and world-class artists. Documenting the culture has always been about “boots on the ground”. Whether in DC, New York, Austin, or Berlin, street level is where I want to be – not watching from afar or sitting behind a Mac screen. Right in the mosh pit or on top of a garbage can to get the perfect angle. Images found in this book will give you a glimpse into what it looks like through my lens. I’ve been blessed to revel in many precious seconds and document a culture that is highly exposed, heavily attended, but rarely experienced.” – s.pelt
Check this video out of Shedrick’s visit to SXSW in 2013.
With over 120 photos of some of our favorite artists, artists we’ve seen go from underground heroes to super star status like Kendrick Lamar or Vince Staples to underground underrated taste makers like SpaceGhostPurrp and Main Attrakionz; ‘2009 and Beyond’ is one to cop for the culture! This release is inspiring for us and we all know that’s the reason we do any of this; rap, draw, create and build; to express and inspire! Follow Shedrick and his adventures over the last few years from more intimate concerts to major events like SXSW.
If you move fast you may be able to score a free long sleeve shirt with your purchase of the physical book! Shirts feature some mono-print versions of pictures from the book. The shirts were made in collaboration with and include original designs on the sleeves from Trill City. Sizes and colorways are limited. ALSO For a limited time let’s say through the end of September, we will honor a 50% discount off your order on our web store. Email us proof of purchase for ‘2009 and Beyond’ at ([email protected]) and use the code “SDOT2009” before making your payment!
We want to do the most for independent artists who are helping to build a scene and document the experiences of these efforts to share with those who support us and our vision and we want to do the most for those supporting them and us! Look forward to seeing similar discounts in the future. Check out some more photos of the book below and fresh pics of the pre-order shirts as well!
Print: sdotpdotshop.bigcartel.com | Digital: Amazon & iTunes
Instagram: @sdotpdotmedia | Twitter: @sdotpelt | Website: sdotpdotmedia.com
-FROZE
@candydrips
The Seattle spawned collective UNITY DIVERSITY FREEDOM are not for play but do yourself a favor and play all their releases. Consistently pushing the line of creativity in for lack of a more Based opinion, stagnant times. Underworld Dust Funk is a fitting acronym indeed. It is very fitting that UDF hails from Seattle. The northwest city has been the hunting grounds for like 50% of the world’s serial killers. Excellent dining choices due to it being a harbor city with an influx of (shoutout my filipinos!) immigrants. Class A drug epidemics out the frame. An of course, an amazing music scene empowered by its remoteness to bigger hubs. It is a beautiful and dark place that shines through in their music like looking through a monocular at a blood diamond, with blood on it.
And that duality can be felt on this aptly named EP, Paranormal Macktivity. A nice and nasty eight track posse comp curated and produced almost entirely by Khrist Koopa*with a co-production from Trowa Barton on just one track. I want my dark rap to have depth, texture, occult flourishes mixed with hood vernacular. This is it right here.
Starting off wit a bang, on Checklist, the currently incarcerated (free the guy) Dizzi Slick delivers jail phone recorded lyrics a la Godfather Buried Alive era Shyne that Khrist built an ominous beat around after that personally reminds me of the Tales From the Darkside intro so I’m locked in. On Sneak & Geek BB Sun spills west coast playerlistics next to the recently recruited but always underground elite, AJ Suede who matches his energy and also mastered the whole album.
Martis Unruly runs up next on Soothsayer with the Suede God dripping real screwface summoning incantations. Then BB Sun charges up back to back on Like a Baby and Going Shopping that both have Bay Area/Detroit slick talk notes but that is a universal street mackin’ ass style and it still sounds original and very UDF. Martis Unruly continues the kinetic energy of Paranormal Macktivity with Black Chad and No thy Self. Dizzi closes out the tape with Illegal, a track that could open a Seattle crime series similar to The Wire. Set in South Park? Pigeon Hill? Rainier Valley? I don’t know but I’d watch that show off the rip. Sheeeeit, I’d write/direct and produce it my damned self.
-CECIL BLAM DEMENTED
Twitter: @BLAMLORD
On ‘Revenge’ this Virginian rapper’s latest, Lil Percy sounds like he just woke up, sparked up and couldn’t help but go off about the bullshit permeating his atmosphere and his M.O. is flexing. He rises above, dismissing all the obstacles in his way with exhales of legato flows, and Percy isn’t just blowing smoke. Take a ride on this very airy and dynamically punchy roller coaster of intoxicated confidence v.s. introspection, and don’t let the clouds get in your eye, Percy isn’t some old weed rapper, he’s got an energy that’s uniquely chill but far from a mumble.
It’s been said that the best form of Revenge is Success, and while nothing is guaranteed in this life, Percy is gonna get to the top at some point. Paralleled with the progression that the album takes as a whole is his idea of success in self expression and the ability he sees within himself to make his own way and not waste anymore time with fake love and friends or foes. He has his eyes on the prize and he’s locked in.
If “Revenge” were a hot sauce, and it definitely is some flames, it would be a “creeper” … starts off with plenty of flavor and insight into the tracks ahead but it definitely builds as it goes along, keeping you intrigued and feeling like you can’t get enough. With only 12 tracks averaging less than two and half minutes each, you reach the albums last song and aptly titled “Ending” before you know it. This is a great pre-game or after party soundtrack, not anything to sleep to but would suit you well if stuck in stand still traffic with a little time and angst on your hands and visions of achieving your wildest dreams or having the best possible time trying.
This single was featured three weeks ago by LOST APPEAL on their exclusive sound cloud page – you should definitely give them a follow.
They did a nice interview with Percy last year as well.
Go and get a copy of the limited CD release over at Blackhouse Records webstore or stream the album via any major streaming service now!
people to follow on twitter and otherwise;
Lil Percy : @vacantmayne
Holligan Records : @hooligan_world
Lost Appeal : @lost_appeal
Blackhouse Records : @blackhouse_recs
-Froze
Twitter; @candydrips
Vocalist Zubin is a new name for me, but he quickly grabbed my attention by being in great company. Last month, he released the six song EP, Misery. Fully produced by Nedarb (who we interviewed back in October), the project is sorrowful, atmospheric, and full of falsetto. It’s something to play on the late night when you can’t get a text back.
Showing no signs of letting up, Zubin followed up his EP with Nedarb by releasing the split single Potion. Featuring Horse Head, Fantasy Camp, Cold Hart, Foxwedding, and Jon Simmons, the collaborative singles come and go too quickly. So damn good.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
Marcy Mane – ‘Need to Count It Up’ OFFICIAL VIDEO from the 27 track LP ‘LEON’ (2017)
Goth Money Vet and Underground OG Marcy Mane brings us a new video of the Lo Fi banger produced by Posh Prada “Need to Count It up.” With edits and direction by BLANCOPAGES, this smoke-filled and cloudy video is chopped to fast and slow perfection.The chops and lo-fi tape filters are a signature essence of the Goth Money Aesthetic– always having a truly new-school take on old school techniques of visuals and musical timbres. Something we’re obviously a fan of. Check out the man in his natural element, smoked out, grinding and keeping it low key to the ground but always fresh, even in the dirt. ‘Need to Count It Up’ is already raking in the views, it’s another one in the bank!
Click the link below to listen to Marcy Mane’s 2017 release ‘Leon’ on Spotify
Video Directed by BLANCOPAGES
Beat by Posh Prada
San Antonio legend P2THEGOLDMA$K has released his first R&b/dance album in the form of Beyond Cloudt. The seven song project is an oozing journey of thick bass and fireside vocals. Invite P2 to your next dinner party, your next wine gathering, your next soiree. He just leveled up.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
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