Big K.R.I.T. - 4eva N a Day

The time has come and passed since Big K.R.I.T. put out 4eva N a Day, but it's not too late to mention this wonderful piece of art released a few months ago.

The Meridian, Mississippi emcee has the ability to paint a vivid picture of what a typical day back home entails. K.R.I.T. crafts each and every beat himself and has no features (save for the guitar and saxophone accompaniment). The result is a cohesive story, so detailed that you feel you were beside him all day. He has a knack for creating a backdrop that allows him to blend potent lyricism and melodic hooks while staying true to the message of the song.

The record is extremely personal with interludes featuring his father, tracks about his grandmother, and verses detailing the conflict between staying true to his art and meeting record label demands. Take a listen to the first track to see how Krizzle's day begins, followed by a few other of my favorites from the album.

Big K.R.I.T. - "Wake Up" (Saxophone by Willie B) (4eva N a Day)

Big K.R.I.T. - "4eva N a Day (Theme)" (4eva N a Day)

Big K.R.I.T. - "Country Rap Tunes" (4eva N a Day)

This last track really breaks down how tough it is to maintain your integrity as an artist when signed to a major record label. With hard work, perseverance, and a deep dedication to his craft, Big K.R.I.T. has been able to consistently put out honest and timeless music reminiscent of Outkast, UGK and Devin The Dude.

Big K.R.I.T. - "Handwriting" (4eva N a Day)

Big K.R.I.T.'s 4eva N a Day is available for free download through his website.

If you're feeling K.R.I.T.'s music, be sure to go out and support his Def Jam debut, Live from the Underground, dropping next Tuesday (June 5th)!

- mikhel

The Bake Off - 4/20 Show

Show alert! Wiz Khalifa along with some of my favorites are performing this Friday, April 2oth, at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. It is sold out through the box office, but tickets are still available through other online retailers (i.e. stub hub or craigslist).

 ScHoolboy Q ft. A$AP Rocky - "Hands on the Wheel"

I've been listening to ScHoolboy Q's Habits & Contradictions nonstop and can't wait to see the performance live. Another act to look for is A$AP Rocky, who has quite a buzz and should put on a good show as well.

A$AP Rocky - "Peso"

I'll be updating The Vent with more posts and music shortly, have a safe and happy 4/20!

- mikhel

"Blessed" - Kendrick Lamar Live in San Francisco

 

 Hey friends, sorry it's been so long since my last post. I just returned home after spending the last couple weeks in Israel (new job with Waze!), and I'm just now getting around to writing about all the great music I've been enjoying.

Before I get into all of the amazing full length albums recently released (I'm looking at you Cris Cab, Big K.R.I.T. & Rafael Casal), I thought I would share a song that really made an impact on me during my trip overseas.

If you know me, you wouldn't be surprised that I brought my own mix CD to play in the car as I commuted to work everyday in Tel Aviv. While the same CD played twice a day for two weeks can get tiring, there were a few stand out tracks that never got old - "Blessed" being one of them.

Schoolboy Q is a friend and label mate of Kendrick Lamar (along with Ab-Soul and Jay Rock of the Top Dawg Entertainment camp). Q often credits his friends in TDE as the catalyst that made him change his life from street gangster to rap artist, and the song "Blessed" really gives you an inside look at how deep (and lifesaving) their friendship has become.

In the first two verses, Q paints a picture of what he was going through and how sometimes it could be a necessity to stick to the street code. What starts as a calm and quiet musical backdrop, builds in intensity to match Q's tone; this effect really makes the emotion behind his words hit home.

"Story of a gun-clapper really trying to make a change"

But, it's the third verse from Kendrick Lamar that really seals the deal. This is a verse dedicated to his friend, meant to be inspiration and a constant reminder of their story and how everything they're doing now is for the better. The way Kendrick is able to mimic the beat with his delivery is remarkable and just adds to the laundry list of why he will have a long career.

Schoolboy Q feat. Kendrick Lamar - "Blessed" (Habits & Contradictions)

I say all of this to convince you to come see Kendrick Lamar live this Tuesday (March 27th, 2012) at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco, show starts at 8pm.

Check out Schoolboy Q's latest album Habits & Contradictions, and if you need to catch up on Kendrick Lamar, start with Section.80. 

- mikhel

Ashkon Breaks Through

During my senior year of high school ('04-'05), two of my best friends accompanied me to an underground warehouse show in Oakland, California. I was there to check out Collectiv Records artists Bleez (Matt Jocelyn) and Bumbalo, but was lucky enough to witness the whole Rec League crew with Ashkon and Richie Cunning. Another awesome group that rocked the house was The Instant Messengers (including Alexander Spit). This night really made me fall in love with discovering new and often overlooked artists, and gave me a whole new perspective of what musical offerings were still out there to be found and appreciated.

It's amazing to see how the careers of these artists have changed over the years, but none more so than Ashkon. Up until 2010, he had been known on a smaller level in the Bay for his music, stage acting, and a couple funny Youtube videos.

Then this happened:

And this...

and more recently this:

Those of us Giants fans got to see him as the "Ultimate" fan before, during and after games. But I want to take this opportunity to showcase his music!

With his elementary school students singing the hook, Ashkon reminisces about home and all that it means to him.

Ashkon - "Hey Keezy"


Next, Ashkon teams up with Bumbalo for this Bay Area party track, hyphy back!

Ashkon ft. Bumbalo - "Beep Beep"


How about one more?

Ashkon - "Freedom"

Don't let the Youtube celebrity of Ashkon overshadow his other artistic output, check out the albums The Final Breakthrough and Speaks Louder Than Words for some inspirational, energetic and fun music!

- mikhel

Big K.R.I.T. - "Boobie Miles"

Big K.R.I.T. leaked the first record, "Boobie Miles" from his new album (I refuse to call it a mixtape) 4eva N a Day, and it is so smooth! With a sincere message to spread throughout the song, I'll let K.R.I.T. tell it himself:

"the 1st song i wanted 2 release from #4evaNaDay is called Boobie Miles. Its about over coming all the obstacles that block your dreams, the sacrifices that come with how hard you have to go to obtain your goal, giving your all no matter what the situation, the only difference between a winner N a loser is a winner plays until he wins - K.R.I.T."

 Big K.R.I.T. - "Boobie Miles" (4eva N a Day)


K.R.I.T. first brings up Boobie Miles on the Adele sampled, "Hometown Hero," from K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (2010).  

Big K.R.I.T. - Hometown Hero (K.R.I.T. Wuz Here)


This track brings you into his state of mind at the time: a young artist with all of the talent necessary to reach the top but wary of the obstacles along the way. On the new single, we hear from an artist literally on the brink of a life changing year; K.R.I.T. goes back and guides that 'Hometown Hero' by providing poignant advice to succeed on the big stage.

Be sure to keep an ear out for the whole project dropping February 20th, 2012. This is only the start, as Big K.R.I.T. will be following up 4eva N a Day with his major label debut, Live From The Underground later this year! If you need to catch up and check out 2011's classic, Return of 4eva, just start at The Beginning.

- mikhel

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.