Mixtape Monday: John Robinson, Butcher Brown, Vhsceral + More
Source: Artist
This Mixtape Monday boasts new music from John Robinson, Butcher Brown, Vhsceral, Like (of Pac Div) and more.
John Robinson takes on the tenuous socio-political climate of America on Rhythms, Jazz and Politics, Butcher Brown pays tribute to Fela Kuti with AfroKuti, Vhsceral drops Some Year, Like takes a look back and Napoleon Da Legend teams with Giallo Point for Coup D’État. Bzzy takes on mental health with Before I Jump and Jack Freeman defines love.
Nigerian rapper MI Abaga delivers A Study on Self Worth, Chris Crack drops Being Woke Ain’t Fun, producer Spectacular Diagnostics represents for Chicago with the instrumental project FOLDERS and Made By Crooks is on the board for Sacramento with ALLISON. Rounding things out Mark Steele teams with DJ Wade Banner on Before A Minute and Lala the DJ closes things out with a new mix.
Source: Artist
John Robinson – Rhythms, Jazz and Politics
An artist’s duty is to reflect the times. Fostering empowerment, healing and peace, John Robinson does just that on the instrumental project Rhythms, Jazz and Politics.
Not only is this a dedication but also a major salute and showing of gratitude to all the Great Minds that inspire people like you and I around the world. This music is aligned with thoughts of protecting women and helping put Black Women back in their rightful place as the Mothers of Civilization. These vibrations are channeled from the energy of both those before us and those with us presently. I give thanks for being the chosen conductor of these tones and soundscapes. Listen to the rhythms with an open heart and mind as I hope to inspire your inner being. Come catch a vibe on the journey of Rhythm, Jazz and Politics…
Source: Artist
Butcher Brown – AfroKuti
Butcher Brown pays tribute to Fela Anikulapo Kuti with the four-track project AfroKuti: A Tribute To Fela. The short release from the Richmond based outfit is a deep dive into foundational Afrobeat that features guest musicians Brevan Hampden (percussion), Reginald Chapman (bass trombone), David Hood (baritone saxophone) and Kevin Simpson (tenor saxophone).
Source: Artist
Vhsceral – Some Year
Cali producer Vhsceral lends his unique signature to thirteen tracks on the limited-edition Some Year tape out now via Radio Juicy. Some Year is a compelling musical journey that leans into future sounds but remains committed to trap, classic boom-bap, lo-fi, bounce and electronic.
Radio Juicy presents “Some Year” by Vhsceral. A tape coming from another dimension where things went another direction. This strange phenomenon occurred and created an anomaly in our own reality. Bringing things from the future to us right now and for inexplicable reasons.
Source: Artist
Like – Gabriel
Like (of Pac Div) aka Gabriel Stevenson examines his own growth and aesthetic as a producer through the people, places, moments and sounds that have influenced him on the self-titled beat tape, Gabriel.
Special thanks to my family, friends, and all those who’ve inspired me to keep making music. These compositions are a reflection of my musical journey, reminding me there’s always more room to grow
Source: Artist
Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point – Coup D’État
Napoleon Da Legend and UK producer Giallo Point join forces on the eleven track street rap opus Coup D’État. The project is a cinematic excursion that marries raw imagery and sinister production.
BZZY – Before I Jump
Miami rapper BZZY follows lead single “Briana” with the introspective fourteen-tracker Before I Jump. The album finds him utilizing airtight lyricism, biting honesty and florid imagery to explore depression and suicidal thoughts.
Jack Freeman – Define Love
Houston singer Jack Freeman returns one year after the release of Spotless Mind: B with the Define Love EP. The nine-track release is a letter to love that explores the highs, lows, misconceptions and tough lessons learned in life to date.
MI Abaga – A Study On Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl
Nigerian rapper MI Abaga’s A Study On Self Worth is the ten-track follow-up to 2014’s The Chairman and his more recent Rendezvous mixtape. OkayAfrica describes it as an exercise in introspection:
There’s a lot the rapper covers in just 10 tracks. He also explores relationships; the hurt and fear that come with two people trying to love and take care of each other. Where rhymes fall short, he uses sourced audio clips and some conversations between him and other people. So, essentially, the project is a concept album tied together by the theme of self-introspection, which is important in a world that is constantly degrading and devaluing us.
Source: Artist
Chris Crack – Being Woke Ain’t Fun
Chris Crack shines across the gutter fourteen-track project Being Woke Ain’t Fun. Paired almost exclusively with dedicated producer August Fanon, Crack packs plenty of tough chatter into the mix driven by atmospheric soul samples.
Source: Artist
Spectacular Diagnostics – FOLDERS
Chicago producer Spectacular Diagnostics drops a grimy, nine-track ode to digging in the crates entitled FOLDERS. The instrumental project is a collection of beats driven by hard-hitting percussion and dusty samples that capture the best of lo-fi and true school hip-hop.
Made By Crooks – ALLISON
Sacramento native Made By Crooks digs deep on the soulful, introspective eight-track project ALLISON.
A little over a year ago I was involved with someone. A short-lived romance, I found myself falling into a usual cycle of initial infatuation, a halfway commitment, and an eventual falling out. I had always attributed failed relationships to my pursuit of music. That my craft and career were the root causes of my issues. But a little over a year ago, I finally asked myself why. Why was I the constant factor in these situations? I spoke with family and friends at length during a trip back home to Sacramento, CA. A trip that forced me to take an honest look at myself and realize how much of a work in progress I was/still am, and it ultimately changed my outlook and approach to love. And well…I’d like to share with you what was found. An introspective and observational piece entitled ALLISON. A chance for me to share my truths, and the truths of some of the people I know.
Source: Artist
Lala the DJ – Record Gal 1 Mix
Lala the DJ spins over forty minutes of new and unreleased tunes from Dax, Jag x Casey Veggies, Kalin White, Winter Blanco x DreamDoll, Myles Lloyd and more during the appropriately titled Record Gal 1 mix.
Mark Steele – Before A Minute Mixtape
Mark Steele and host DJ Wade Banner team to present the Before A Minute mixtape ahead of Steele’s forthcoming full-length album It’s Been A Minute, due out October 2018. The follow-up to his 2016 album Almost Time, the project boasts appearances from No Malice, G. Yamazawa, Khrysis, Mike Bannon and more.
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Karas Lamb writes and digs for tunes you haven’t heard yet. She actually wants to listen to your mixtape. Follow her on Twitter @karaslamb or Instagram @blamblamkaraslamb.
