As Lord Apex prepares to release the ten song album, Smoke Sessions, Vol. 2, on January 25, he lets loose the music video for the lead single “SSV2”. It’s shot with a crisp fisheye lens guaranteed to bounce you into a new head space. Don’t sleep on this heat.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
On the last day of last year, artist Nancy released the single “Spliff”. With production from GRiMM Doza, as well as assistance from Tombo, it’s a 90 second body high, an atmospheric head trip to play when you can’t sleep.
Look out for Glitter, arriving later this month.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
Chicago MC J Bambii (aka Oprah Gucci) launched three tracks at the end of 2018 and we’re still looping them daily. Lyrically sharp over lofi production (from familiar names like Wun Two and emune), the short and sweet project is something to play as you make your coffee for the day.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
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
Jordan Isaiah – “Thank You / Pay Me” Album Rundown
Chicago rapper Kami and Chicago producer Smoko Ono teamed up for the collaborative EP known as Very Slight. Featuring plenty of familiar Windy City names like Joey Purp, Chance the Rapper, and Valee, the project is one to spin over and over as you attempt to hold on to summer.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
While we anticipate Mick Jenkins’ upcoming sophomore album, Pieces of a Man, scheduled to release this upcoming Friday, he let loose two singles. They’re linked together in the same music video while also being made available separately over on all streaming services. The kicker is that the track “Padded Locks” features the legendary Ghostface Killah. Don’t sleep.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
LA-based MC Open Mike Eagle linked up with producer Nedarb (a familiar name around these parts) for the loose track ‘Relatable’. The track arrived alongside the announcement of Eagle’s new label, Autoreverse Records, so look out for much more from that new venture.
Lastly, be sure to check out Open Mike Eagle in November as he tours through the West Coast and down in Texas and Arizona. Dates can be found here.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
Milwaukee producer Q the Sun has had a great year. He’s produced for Lorde Fredd33, Milo, and WebsterX. Now, stepping into solo territory, he enlists vocalist Kane for the loose track “Wide Awake”. Spin it back three times over and wait for Q to drop some more bumps in the form of Afterain Part 2. You can listen to the first one below.
–Ben Niespodziany
Twitter: @neonpajamas
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