Posted on 11/04/2009
Sincerity always wins. This should be the mantra for the music that succeeds, and the lesson for that which fails. Granted, talent is also necessary, but if artists could hold fast to their truths, there is no doubt that they would garner an audience, and even sell a record or two. More importantly, they might even have a career that lasts longer than a high school love affair. This is what I’m hoping for fusion band, Ndelible, and so far, they have laid quite the groundwork with their first full length album, Time & Chance.

Posted on 11/04/2009
“We trying to create a masterpiece, to show all aspects of Chicago, not just one thing.” These are the respectable words spoken by Chicago emcee, Naledge, best known for being one half of hip-hop duo Kidz In The Hall. His new mixtape, Chicago Picasso, is, as he stated, his attempt to shine light on the versatility that’s often overlooked when it comes to hip-hop in Chicago. The inference here, is that though a superstar like Kanye West has given Chicago a VIP seat at the hip-hop show, his style has unfairly become what people expect from the Chi. And even though Common, Twister, and a host of others that repped Chicago before Mr. West, have been consistent, West’s influence on pop culture has paled these veteran emcees (as well as the less known ones). So the point of Chicago Picasso, is to introduce and/or reintroduce Chicago, who’s roots in hip-hop run as deep as its pizza.

Posted on 11/04/2009
Ladies are definitely in the house when it comes to R&B, and anytime someone reaches a level of success, we see a lot of carbon copies, or since we are in the computer age, perhaps digital clones would be a more apt description. Joy Jones, known for her work with Bugz In The Attic, falls into the path of those duplicate singers only to interrupt the cookie cutter approach, she has a little something that makes her to be a bit more sophisticated than the others, which is a good thing.

Posted on 11/04/2009
Inspired in part by the classic Kevin Smith film Clerks, Chicago-bred and Washington Metropolitan area based artists, The Paxtons, aim to paint a picture of a fictional summer involving their exploits on their self-produced latest mixtape, Work. The loose concept unravels early on but it’s hardly a detriment, as what’s left in its wake is mostly enjoyable. Choosing to rhyme over extremely obvious loops and breaks, it all presents itself as familiar in sound. Yet, the inoffensive and amicably paired rhymes from MCs Chris and Dave do just enough to keep pace.