The Cataracs - "Synthesizer" and Their Evolution of Sound

The production and song writing duo (Cyrano and Campa) known as The Cataracs released a new banger via YouTube home video, and I must say (even though I've been saying this since 2005), The Cataracs are going to be huge this year! Not that they haven't already gone like 5 times platinum on the production and song writing front, but I think it's time they got the shine.

The Cataracs - "Synthesizer" (12)

If you've been in my car during the last 7 years then you probably already know I've been lightweight obsessed with The Cataracs since I first heard their songs "Hang Crooked" and "Blueberry Afghani" featuring The Pack ("Vans"). They might have started out as a rap group in Berkeley High, but their sound has evolved and you can no longer categorize their creations. Even with a heavy foundation in rap, the pair have been able to incorporate music from all over the world into their records.

I've assembled some essential listening (and viewing) that covers their whole discography (except mash-up-mixtapes and solo work). Instead of presenting it chronologically, I decided to mix it up into 4 groups. So if one song isn't your style, don't be afraid to try another. The songs featured are from Technohop Vol. 1 (2006), Technohop Vol. 2 (2007), The 13th Grade (2008), the Lingerie EP (2008), and their most recent full length - Songs We Sung in Showers (2009). (All of which are available to purchase on iTunes).

"Is It Him?" (Technohop Vol. 1)


"Daddy" (Technohop Vol. 2)


"Soap & Water" (The 13th Grade)


"The Sun" (Songs We Sung In Showers)

 "Out In The Street" (Technohop Vol. 1)


"Rich Girl (ft. HD & Lil Rue)" (Technohop Vol. 2)

The Cataracs - "Julia" (Lingerie EP)

"Such A Girl" (Songs We Sung In Showers)

"The Toast (ft. Fariebo)" (Technohop Vol. 1)


"Blow" (Technohop Vol. 2)

The Cataracs - "Murder She Wrote" (The 13th Grade)

"In The Night" (Songs We Sung In Showers)

"Spaceboy" (Technohop Vol. 1)


"Polka Dots" (Lingerie EP)


"All That Matters" (The 13th Grade)


"Shooting Stars" (Songs We Sung In Showers)


Enjoy and keep a look out for their major label debut, 12, along with Dev's The Night The Sun Came Up, which they co-wrote and produced.

- mikhel

K'Naan - More Beautiful Than Silence EP

K'Naan is an artist who knows the importance of words. If you're new to him, you probably have a lot of catching up to do, but start with his newly released EP - More Beautiful Than Silence. The following quote from an interview with K'Naan explains why he may be overlooked by the masses, but with his current attitude, that won't be the case much longer.

I got a lot of friends, rappers that we all respect, and they know what I do, they know what I can do, and they always [telling] me like, “K’Naan, you need to go at them. You really need to explain this shit to them.” And so, part of my response on the new record is really just to be that, just to show people like, “Look, I can be explicitly direct about this shit.” I took a place for such a long time of humble grace, in which I would rather you figure this shit out before I gotta explain it. But I think it’s time to explain it. [HHDX]

 Check out the new single "Nothing to Lose" featuring Nas!

Bonus:
Wale & K'Naan - Um Ricka (Back To The Feature)


 - mikhel

Rafael Casal - Whoville (Music Video)

This is basically an update to the earlier post regarding The Getback. Rafael Casal just released a new video to the title track from his upcoming album Whoville. Check it out below and get ready because the project will be released a week from today!

Bonus:
Rafael Casal - The Cook Up (Getback Mixtape)


- mikhel

Daveed Diggs - Small Things To A Giant and The Getback Crew

Few things make me happier than an album I can play without skipping a track. You know? Those albums that play like a film or read like a really good book? They keep you entranced all the way through, listening to every word or instrument, sometimes forcing you to repeat a track just to catch a slick line. Well...that happened again, thanks to Daveed Diggs and The Getback crew. Also, it's pretty awesome to see an album named after an E-40 line.

Daveed Diggs ft. Rafael Casal - (Small Things)To A Giant


I've listened to Daveed Diggs' newest offering Small Things To A Giant over 10 times and I'm still picking up gems like it's the first time through. Diggs utilizes a combination of rapid-fire flows, soulful harmonies and unique production to craft an album that touches on a variety of topics. We learn about the ups and downs of growing up in a disadvantaged city neighboring prosperity, and how Diggs brushes off the negativity and remembers - it's Small Things To A Giant!

We can all relate to that feeling when the end of the work week rolls around, and the undeniable urge to let loose is in the air. Daveed sums it up perfectly with this ode to the night.

Daveed Diggs - Night Time


The Getback crew is comprised of rappers, poets, actors, singers, musicians, writers, graphic designers, video directors...pretty much the most complete set of talented artists you'll find. This allows them to forge projects the way they want to, in-house, and with complete creative control. The result of this is outstanding pieces of work time and time again.

Download the The Getback Mixtape and checkout Rafael Casal's individual song write-up.

Rafael Casal and Daveed Diggs - Babysittin' from The Bay Boy Mixtape.

My favorite thing about The Getback collective is that they don't follow any conventions, they do what they want, how they want. Listening to the their older mixtape you can hear some concepts and melodies they were playing around with manifest itself into a more mature sound on their current projects. The use of live instrumentation and professional arrangement elevate their sound to another level. Take a listen to a mix of music (old and new) and you'll see they keep to a high standard of quality.

Here Rafael and Daveed go hook for hook, coming up with some pure gold along the way. Rafael Casal & Daveed Diggs - Diggs Challenges AD (Getback Mixtape)


One of my favorite tracks from the album - Daveed Diggs ft. Moe Green & Lauren Nagel - Don't Let Me Fall (Small Things To A Giant)


Rafael Casal ft. Daveed Diggs - It's A Love Thing (Bay Boy Mixtape)


Daveed Diggs ft. Rafael Casal - Go Boi (Small Things To A Giant)


Rafael Casal ft. Daveed Diggs - Ghostin' (Bay Boy Mixtape)


Daveed Diggs - F With Me (Getback Mixtape)


So there you have it, Daveed Diggs' debut album (for the free) and a brief intro to The Getback. For more music, videos, and information about upcoming performances follow the squad here: Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Chinaka Hodge. And lookout for Rafael Casal's next album The Whoville LP dropping February 2nd, 2012!

- mikhel

The Team Is Back! - Hell of a Night EP

The Team is back with their new Hell of a Night EP! So you know it's time to party like 2005 never left. For those who missed out on the greatness that Bay Area rap provided just prior to the Hyphy Movement taking off, let me (re)introduce you to The Team. Comprised of Clyde Carson, Kaz Kyzah and Mayne Mannish, this trio cranks out infectious music for the club but with that Bay Area gangsta rap twist. The Team is at their best when working with producer ShoNuff, who crafted their big album The Negro League. Luckily they have reunited for this extended player and haven't missed a step.

Just to bring you up to speed, let's revisit a couple of their hits from 6 years ago. "It's Getting Hot" and "I'm On One" had the radio and clubs going crazy, it seems they could still be smash hits, but The Team was just way ahead of the times.

(Disclaimer: I would suggest using high quality speakers/headphones as latop/computer speakers will not do these songs justice).

The Team - "It's Getting Hot"


The Team - "I'm On One"

Next up are a couple of new joints from Hell of a Night.

The Team - "Slow Down"


The Team - "Better Player"


There you have it, the return of one of the best party music groups the Bay Area will ever hear. Get The Team's Hell of a Night EP for FREE, and have a great soundtrack for the long weekend!

And if you can find it, snag a case of some Hyphy Juice to go along with your drink of choice.

Idle Warship (Talib Kweli & Res) Live at Yoshi's SF

First I'd like to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

Otherwise, I won't waste any time in letting you know that Talib Kweli and Res' phenomenal Hip-Hop/Soul/Funk/Alternative fusion band Idle Warship is performing tonight and tomorrow night (1/6 and 1/7) at Yoshi's in San Francisco. Not only will they be blessing us two days in a row, but they will be performing twice each night (8pm and 10pm).

Even though the pair have been performing under the Idle Warship moniker for the past 4 years, November 1st, 2011 marked the day their incredible debut album Habits of the Heart hit the shelves. Check out the latest video for their uptempo track "Laser Beams".

Idle Warship creates a unique soundscape by combining several genres. The result is a fun project consisting of potent lyricism from Kweli interlaced between Res' amazing voice. While the album stays upbeat for the most part, they do experiment with some slower ballads. All of which sound completely natural and further justify why collaborations of this caliber must continue! Below are a few of my favorite records from the album.

Idle Warship - "The Floor"


Idle Warship - "System Addict (feat. Jay Knocka and Jean Grae)"


Idle Warship - "Beautifully Bad"


If you have the chance to check out this duo live tonight or tomorrow at Yoshi's don't miss out! Also, don't forget to purchase their album on iTunes (Google Music or Amazon) and keep rocking!