Whattup Yall? This week you gonna have to chill. I mean we all know how superhypermegacool our next featured artist is. If not you better peep the link to his mixtape! Or just peep the video below:
But more importantly, our artist JUST dropped The Senior Class Mixtape!. They definitely deserves the status no matter how many credits they have.
Artist: JDante of Senior Class
Song: Closer (from the Senior Class Mixtape)
Review:
Lyrics: “First of all shout out to first wave” word up, homie. What I love about JDante’s lyrical choices is not only his ability to blend multiple rhyme schemes but also his commitment to his choices and the beautiful blending of multisyllabic rhymes. I’d say there aren’t too many emcees that can do a solid mix of imagery and real talk. Listening to this song is like riding the magic school bus with Ms. Frizzle; JDante’s either gonna drop some real knowledge or some sort of psychedelic bus ride into the painting of his mind.
Beat Choice: Definitely the right choice for this song. It feels a lot slower than the rest of the mixtape but it definitely is the right BPM to show off JDante’s lyrical ability. The beat’s bassline drives the song almost as much as the calming melody. If yall want to be depressed and inspired at the same time, bump this shit!
Music: I’m a little disappointed that JDante didn’t decide to feature a singer on this track. With a small hook that goes “da da da da da da” we all wouldn't be able to resist to sing this in the shower. I mean, who doesn't love that? Shout out to Witte 2B! I hear yall! At first I wasn’t into the way the dubs come in at “Cause this is just a hobby that I enjoy doing but with cash no stopping” but considering it seems that’s the point of the song, let’s just say that engineering choice was pretty genius.
Point: I mean everyone has to do one of these songs right? One of those, “Look, ima be real honest witchu about my artistry and capitalist exploitation.” But, don’t get it twisted yo. JDante sounds more than honest.
And don't forget the single he mentions that Half produced at the age of 15!
SUPERIOR WEBBS
"Finally Moving"
We go by Superior Webbs, and the story behind that will be saved for another day. We hail from uw milwaukee dorms, a place were fresh hip hop is being created on the daily, that new sound we all need. Our first Emcee is Too Shade, aka Cody Banks. Madison Memorial alum, dropped his first mixtape back in 09', smooth and fresh sound, very original. Emcee TO, aka Tyler Olson rounds off Superior Webbs. Middleton alum, Blue Jeans n Nikes' will be his first released mixtape, fresh deep vocals, new sound. "Blue Jeans n Nikes" will be the first released mixtape from Superior Webbs, coming very soon. All there is to know is Too Shade and TO are 2 fresh MCs.. check their website for more music http://www.purevolume.com/SuperiorWebbs.. and make sure to check out "Finally Moving" by Superior Webbs.. and peak at the Blue Jeans n Nikes mixtape coming soon...
STEREOTYPE
"Breaking Em Down"
StereoType (Matty Neikrug) is a Los Angeles based rapper currently studying at UW Madison. He transformed his act from a two-man group (rapper/producer) into a hip-hop band. Charlie (from Charlie & the Tree) now sings lead vocals and plays guitar. This band features a variety of elements that combine to make a completely new sound. Their style mixes lyrical hip-hop with a feel of that DOPE jazz flava! StereoType features some incredible musicians including: David Bayer (keys), Brian Zimmerman (base), Vaughn Freitag (drums), Eric Ballecer (drums/samples), and Sam Eldred (percussions). All of these sounds are made even more impressive by the production of Oliver Hunt (DJ Oh). Give these guys a chance and I promise you won’t be disappointed!!!
StereoType (the rapper) is currently working on his first mixtape, Drunk on STate, which is expected to release sometime between late January and early February. Here are two singles off of the upcoming mixtape (both are available to download for free on the StereoType webpage listed below)
To Contact:
http://www.facebook.com/That.StereoType
SEAN SMART - "Peep Game"
Sean Smart, born and raised in Milwaukee, WI has been listening to hip-hop music since elementary school but has only been writing rhymes for a couple of years. What started as a hobbie, recording songs in his basement, has now grown into an everyday thing for Sean. Inspired by artists such as Eminem, Nas, and Jay-Z, Sean's hopes are to bring out his own individual styles and bring real hip-hop back into his music.
CINCO - UW Waukesha
"Muggin"
Joe Albert (stage name Cinco) was born and raised in Wisconsin. 18 years old, Cinco has been recording music for just about a year now. He has always written songs but never has had the chance to put them on a track and show people what he can do until now. Cinco likes to push the limits of creativity in all of the songs he makes; and now that he's put together a decent home studio, he feels so fortunate to be able to share his music with the world!
QUINCY AND BEEF
"The Coastie Song"
Cliff Grefe aka Beef, singer/rapper/poet/producer/hype man originally from Madison, started his career writing and competing in poetry contests in middle school. After entering high school he started to flow over anything that had rhythm. His freestyles at work, school, and with friends eventually shaped him into the quick-witted lyricist he is today. Already having dozens of notebooks full of lyrics at age 17, he began self-producing and recording music in the basement of his parents’ house. Eventually he released his first mix tape, “Purple and Gold” in summer of 2007 and competed in the annual Kiss fm contest the following year with the song “I Love it.”
Producer, audio engineer, rapper, singer and songwriter Quincy Harrison began his musical journey at a young age. When he was 12, he began layering improvisational lyrics over melodic jazz tunes provided by his close friend Julian Bransby. By the time he entered high school, Quincy had already sold his first beat. Throughout high school, Quincy released various songs that would eventually get played at school dances, and then on the local radio station.
Quincy and Beef now junior and sophomore, respectively, both attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The two students teamed up in the fall of 2009 and combined their talents to create the hit single “Coastie Song (What’s a Coastie),” made in an in-house studio made from scratch. The song has received international popularity spanning from Asia into Europe to South America and all over the United States. Quincy and Beef have been featured in online periodicals such as the Capital Times, Insider Magazine, and Badger Herald. The song has been played at every bar and club in Madison, on the largest hip hop station in the city, and virtually every laptop on college campuses. They have also been contacted by dozens of local artists including R. Kelly for a remix to the song. On October 30, 2009 the two performed for the first time at “Nightmare on State Street” at the Orpheum Theatre. The Dirty Disco Kidz, who also put together two remixes to the song, hosted the show.
Now working on a music video, an album, and other projects, this group’s fresh new sound is sure to capture a diverse crowd of fans worldwide. Their vision is to entertain at every level, blending all genres and styles they come across into one unique sound. Keep your ears open for more music coming from Quincy and Beef in the near future.
Whattup Yall? This week you better GETBACK. Rafael Casal’s Monster LP belongs in your iTunes Library. And I think you’ll see why after you peep this week’s track. Feeling it? Well lucky for you, Mr. Getback is not only talented but he’s generous. Download the whole album now.
Artist: Rafael Casal – Mr. GetBack
Song: Guillotine (from the Monster LP)
REVIEW
Lyrics: When this song goes Top 40 we’ll hear the hood AND the suburbs (and probably everywhere between) screaming “YOU’RE GIVING ME THE GUILLOTINE!” Rafael captured the meaning of catchy hook with this one. The first line you hear will make you wanna sing a long. This song will please both our music majors and our hip hop heads. The double time delivery is perfect for this beat. But what I am most impressed with is Casal’s ability to connect his story of heartbreak to his LP’s concept of monstrosity. Did I already mention you can download his album for FREE?
Beat Choice: Definitely the right one for this song. The drums drive the feeling of the song and the synth sounds amplify the pop-ish sound of the track. But don't get it twisted. It may sound Top 40 but can’t be mistaken for anything but Hip Hop. Peep the hi-hats.
Music: A lot to talk about here. Casal’s suprising yet astonishing voice seals the deal for me. I mean, yeah he can rap his ass off, but his voice is SO original. I’d say there’s no other voice like his in hip hop right now. Originality and talent tend to produce great results. His harmonies could make a tone deaf person sing in key. But the most impressive part is in fact his range. We’re talking an emcee who hits high notes like Mariah Carey. Okay, not quite but when was the last time she spit a hot 16?
Point: Let’s be real yall, everyone knows what it’s like to lose a romantic partner. Seems when Mr. Getback got cut off last time he had some time to reflect and write.
