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

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

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.

Richie Cunning - Night Train

Richie Cunning is San Francisco. This rapper/producer made the perfect soundtrack to The City - Night Train paints a vivid picture of the everyday life of a native. Plain and simple, he knows how to rap, and rap well. Not only that, he produces his own beats and they'll make you feel like you're back in Hip-Hop's "Golden Era" (the 90's obviously). Just like the city of San Francisco, Richie takes you through the ups and downs that life has to offer, and again like The City, you enjoy it all. I've had the pleasure to see Richie perform a good five or so times now since 2005 and his live show is exceptional. He gets the crowd rocking, has great humor, and best of all: it sounds like the actual CD. The worst shows are when performers are inaudible, rap over their own vocals, or just plain yell into the microphone. Richie Cunning is non of these things, and what you hear now is what you will hear at the show - awesomeness.

This first song is the title track, "Night Train", and is a great place to begin (even though it is one of the albums' closers).

• play
• pause

volume

11_Richie_Cunning_-_Night_Train.mp3

Next, take a listen to Richie Cunning's "The City".


On this ode to his town, Richie gives you a taste of San Francisco, and you can't be mad at lines like this:

I be the black hat, jacket and glove cement trooper / call me the zen Buddha of the N-Judah / I saw the dynasty of Steve, Jerry and Joe / I saw the Giants try to see how deep Barry could go / the SCO heavy but I carry the load / Til everybody in America memorize my area code (FRISCO!)

(Full disclosure: I used to ride the N-Judah all the time and have now run into Richie 4 times in the streets of SF...real life rap!)

OK, how can you not like music that samples great childhood movies? Below you will find the video for "Richie Cunning's Day Off" (word to Ferris).

And this next track samples Willy Wonka, which I've always wanted to hear in a beat, so my ears have been blessed. It's one of those amazing records that you can relate to and motivates you to keep working towards your goals. I believe a music video is coming soon, but for now, enjoy the audio to "Pure Imagination".

If you get the chance to see Richie Cunning live (next show is Dec. 8th @ 330 Ritch) don't miss out! He has three projects out that you can preview, download and purchase on his bandcamp. Also his twitter is hilarious if you're into that sort of thing.

Enjoy the music, see the shows, support the artist!

Left Coast Leaning and Rafael Casal

Tonight is the second performance of Left Coast Leaning 2011 held at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, featuring one of my favorite artists of all time, Rafael Casal, and his new play "The Limp".

YBCA and Youth Speaks' Living Word Project are proud to present the third edition of Left Coast Leaning. Artists chosen to participate in Left Coast Leaning reflect the unique pulse of the West Coast arts scene and the festival format enables audiences and artists to engage in a shared dialogue that crosses performance disciplines. By celebrating the diversity of cultures that lie at the heart of West Coast society, Left Coast Leaning presents an alternative to the negative image of hip hop arts that is projected by contemporary media and challenges artists and audiences to viscerally engage with each other. Our hope is to shift marginalized art forms such as spoken word, media arts, performance installation, puppetry, deejaying and contemporary folklore from the periphery to the center of contemporary performance. Left Coast Leaning integrates disparate ideas both outside and within the city of San Francisco to establish the Bay Area as a place for artists, scholars, and arts lovers to encounter this dynamic and flourishing New Majority American art form. (via)

 I've been fortunate enough to attend several Youth Speaks and Brave New Voices spoken word competitions, and I must say, they are life changing experiences. If you have the opportunity to check this out, or any other Youth Speaks/Brave New Voices events, don't miss out!

 Now, if you have missed out on the phenomenon that is Rafael Casal...it's time to catch up! Rafael is a poet/rapper/singer/video director/all around talent powerhouse who currently has 4 released projects attached to his name (some are easier to find than others). His full length The Monster LP, The Bay Boy Mixtape, The Getback Mixtape (I couldn't find a link..I guess only the diehards like myself have it. If I get enough requests I'll upload it for the masses), and one of my favorites As Good As Your Word.

Rafael Casal is one of those artists who knows the importance of words; he doesn't waste a single one throughout his rhymes. Below are a few videos so you can see what I'm talking about!
  

The lead single "Monster" off Rafael's The Monster LP

 

Rafael's first appearance on HBO's Def Poetry Jam performing "Barbie & Ken 101"

This is a great example of The Getback's live show. Rafael, Daveed and the rest of the band performing "B.A.Y."

Rafael schools us on some of the top Bay Area slang that has been adopted by the rest of the country.

Enjoy the music, see the shows, support the artist!