The Musik Lounge

With his latest video Avatar Young Blaze takes some time away from the streets and relaxes off that fine Cali Kush before taking some aggression out on the bloggers who just don't seem to buy dude's stories. You should. I first started hearing about him sometime last year, maybe once prior to that but he has been out here in Seattle making a name for himself in two circles. The streets will never let Avatar's name be smeared. In rap circles he is starting to capture more attention and with just cause. I hit up his manager about doing an interview, discovered that he no longer calls Seattle home, but was invited to converse via email. If you thought this was just your average 21 year old knuckle head you are only kidding yourself. TML: Who is Avatar? Where were you born, when? Avatar Young Blaze: Avatar is the embodiment of a concept, being music, destined since birth. I was born in 1989 in Tallin, Estonia although my mother is full Russian & father is full Ukrainian. TM...

These Heatrock compilations never seem to make it up to the blog in a timely manner? The two jobs are over and summer is about here. I took a brief hiatus this weekend from the antics of Seattle life to come home and visit with my mom. Always feels good to return to the place of my beginings but I'm ready to get back and keep things moving. Shouts out to all my Jet Set fam, rock tonight for me! Download the May Heatrocks here . May saw the release of the Jeezy tape Trap or Die 2, picking up from the last tape and as is usual with mixtapes things stay just a little harder than you would hear on a full length issued by a label. The Clipse and Jeezy are three of the only emcees who own the coke raps today. This song doesn't really pull on their mutual trade but they deliver a high energy banger for you to rock out with none the less! Detroit is a cold hard place. People say the grey skies round Seattle keep our youth depressed more than anywhere else. Maybe so, but depression has...

I had some false impressions of Burn After Rolling that had me hating on a tape that is actually quite good, certainly a worthy follow up to the excellent Flight School he had dropped several months prior to this. In '09 he also released his record with Currensy and his full length dropped a few weeks after B.A.R. - it serves as a great representation of Wiz and certainly was a great marketing tool for Deal or No Deal . All this work and he doesn't even begin to sound tired. Here he rocks over a lot of jacked beats. "Say U Will" brought it out of people last year and Wiz was one of many who dropped some deeply introspective lines over Kanye's masterpiece. He rocks over "Mafia Music" and "Best I Ever Had" as well - I certainly could be missing some others, I'm not sure of the origin of many of these tunes. Regardless of where they came from, Wiz owns them all. He is simultaneously at his funniest and most serious throughout the tape. Wh...

Mick Boogie is a pioneer of the current internet mixtape game. Having dropped routinly fresh and consistently filled with new material projects, along with teaming with more artsits then I could list for promo mixtapes to create hype for their respective offical full lengths. Quiet as kept, more times than not, these "street" releases could pass as their album and be far more respected. For his latest tape he has decided to round up the best of those he has worked with over the years, along with a few suprises to keep you ahead of the curve. Expect a number of usual suspects such as U-N-I, Talib, Outasight, Joe Scudda and Big Pooh. He also calls up the "blog" rap generation in the form of Shawn Chrystopher, Fly Union, Curtain$ and more. Bottom line, heat is here from a number of generations of talent. Boogie puts Oncue on for the intro and outro cuts, having never heard this dude he exemplifies why this tape is titled The Changemakers and why Mick Boogie can claim...

I'm making it a priority to get the heatrocks posted in the first week of the new month from here on out. This month was a slow one on the new music front, at one point I was convinced this was gonna be a short collection. Shuffle knew better though, hitting me with a number of gems that I just had to add to the mix. In the end I had enough to make this the first "double disc" heatrocks edition. Keep reading for what Vol. 1 holds and tune in tomorrow for Vol. 2! Download March 2010: Vol. 1 Here I have a folder of Jazz releases from '08 that a particular blog dubbed "best of" and of the handful that I've listened to they live up to the title. Quiet Village was among that collection and while the album has never gotten a full length play from me cuts come into my mind frame from time to time. "Too High To Move" is a great example of a smooth and melodic track letting you ride along with it. Don't be afraid by it's long nature, a trumpet ...

If you didn't tune into The Musik Lounge this weekend on KSUB you didn't miss me. I was out of town for the celebration of the release of "Magnetic Blackness" on 7 inch vinyl. It was a great show in Bellingham, my first trip to the town and the furthest north I'd ever been. BA Baracus held down the show but we are having some technical problems preventing us from presenting you with Volume 9 of TML Radio. Not to fear though, earlier in the month DJ Swervewon and I went into to the station to cover someone else's show and we had a blast just playing random tracks. A lot of vinyl was pulled off the shelves and we just took chances on stuff we'd never seen before. Dig it! DOWNLOAD TML Radio Special Edition Tracklist Bumblebee Unlimited "Lady Bug (Remix)" Radiohead "Reckoner (Flying Lotus Remix)" Space Dimension Controller "Love Quadrant" A Bridge Far Away "Killer Bees (Remix)" Nicolay ft. Wiz Khalifa "What It Use...

If you weren't at the Admirals Club last night for Members Only shame on you! Kicking it hard with the fam last night. Great! But before that all went down me and B.A. Baracus got busy over at SU holding down KSUB with the funkiest and freshest cuts. As always we get caught up on things and drop some knowledge as well. Check the track list and download the podcast! DOWNLOAD TML Radio Vol. 8 HERE Vol. 8 Track List: Neil Landstrumm "Schlump Funk" Hudson Mohawke "Gluetooth" The Heavy "How You Like Me Now? (Joker Remix)" Cymande "Dove" Ike Turner "Ghetto Funk" Miles Davis "Minnie" Black Monk & Ras G "Hummin' In The Sun" Black Monk & Ras G "Cool Out Factor" Black Monk & Ras G "Watch It!" Black Monk & Ras G "Dwights Joint" Black Monk & Ras G "Juju" Black Monk & Ras G "Yeah..." Black Monk & Ras G "Outro..." Sly & The Family S...

Curren$y has been consitently dropping free albums on the web for anyone who cares to download and join his movement. From being someone who looked like he would be the next one from Young Money to blow, to abandoning the man that has since become the biggest rap star on the planet so he could shine on his own, Curren$y has done nothing but with an offical album dropping late last year catching people up, The Jet Files plays just how you expect something from the man to play - smooth and funky. Early this morning Curren$y and Don Cannon let loose the latest free project from the young spitta. While most of his free projects from the past were DJ free, teaming up with a name like Don Cannon will help increase his presence and those beats are never bad. Luckily Cannon was talked to, or maybe he had the presence of mind to not fuck up a good thing, and he lays back on the Smokee Robinson tape. Very little in the way of rewinds (which isn't the case for the first track, making one w...

Reginonal Hip Hop exists across the country. Some regions gain some media attention, some gain record label attention. Detroit has gained both over the years, with just cause. Since the passing of J Dilla in 2006 the town has seen an increased presence in the national Hip Hop scene. With aritsts like Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Mayer Hawthorne all representing for the 313, and legends in the scene like Royce Da 5'9" linking up with the Slaughterhouse crew and touring relentlessly to spread there brand, which by extension is spreading the Detroit sound to further unknown locals. Given the history of the city, be it the music, the politics, the industry - or down fall of, it's no suprise that this city has been and continues to be a hot bed for influential music. Going through some new music that's been gathering digital dust on the hard drives around TML brought me aross a handful of releases that slipped through the radar and shouldn't have. Dilla ambassador and...

So after much delay it is my pleasure to reintroduce you to TML Radio. As you may remember this was a tradition begun towards the end of last year. Gone are the "hot" new tracks from 2db, instead it is myself and partner in crime B.A. Baracus coming together again like we used to do in college. We are dropping whatever we feel like and talking that shit. If you like what you hear drop us a line and let us know what you think! TML Radio Vol. 2 Issue 1

If you haven't been up on Stones Throw's latest phenom then get familiar! Toeachizown is killing the game right now and you need it in your life. Honestly i'm still learning about this style they call boogie but it's freaking great! So full of life and unlike much of my musical preferences it's happy. He is the founder of a night called Funkmosphere in LA, if I ever get back I'm going in an instant. Check out this "commercial" he has released for the night! And if you aren't one of his followers on twitter than you missed out on his free goodies (and you should probably fix that following problem) in preparation for tonight's event. I'm so pleased with these jams. They show both where he has been, where he is and where he is going to take his music in the future. Dig IT !

Seattle Hip Hop is staying decked in banging free music and the latest batch of jams you can get your dirty hands on comes courtesy of the SOTA boys . The State of the Artist crew (Parker, Thad & Nate) are on their grind hard these days getting in the lab with a who's who of the town, just stay tuned! Right now I'm here to talk about this quick little EP they have delivered. Fresh off a trip to sunny CA, specifically LA, SOTA has The 'Hank Moody' EP available now ! At only three tracks and less than 10 minutes worth of music I guarantee you that this will be time well spent. Filled with a laid back Cali kinda vibe but still just slightly tinted towards the Northwest's overcast demeanor these tracks will have you nodding your head to 'em and pressing repeat. The 'Hank Moody' EP works as a perfect bookend to their Shapeshifters mixtape from the summer and shows the growth that has been a continual trend for the SOTA crew. If you are unfamiliar take s...

Two of Hip Hop’s best kept secrets found each other, seemingly through a thick haze of weed smoke – stoners do tend to unite. While Curren$y did enjoy a brief moment of semi fame rolling with Lil' Wayne, he left for potentially greener pastures (addressed splendidly on “S.D.L”) and has been steadily on his grind with the Fly Society behind him. Wiz Khalifa on the other hand has been making a name for himself on both the blog scene and the tour circuit, although he hasn’t made it out to the North West yet. His hustle never did seem appreciated by Warner Brothers who saw a star years ago when they signed him, but sit on the shelf he did until finally gaining his freedom just over 2 weeks ago. Independent is the way to roll and these two obviously share more in common than a fetish for the greenery, fresh kicks, and designer labels. The album gives you much of what you would expect and some of what you might not have. The beats are rocking almost all the way through, some however le...

While I can't say that I was a part of the masses who thoroughly enjoyed Future Talk , the debut Physics release was definitely a good introduction to a group that has a lot to offer to the scene. With that being said, I do believe the release of their latest EP High Society shows tremendous growth and great potential for what the trio of Thig Natual, Justo and Monk Wordsmith has to offer to the ever growing Seattle Hip Hop scene. From the quick intro where they let us know that “you can't rush good music” you know that you are in for a treat. Featuring smooth beats courtesy of Justo along with Phee Dill and Dyalect you can't help but nod your head along to all of the seven full length songs featured here. Filled with knocking drums, greats samples and fresh horns the music is super dope, but the rhymes and flows are on point as well. From the jump off you can enjoy the message they have to deliver with their every man type raps and personable style. “Back Track” will cat...

Welcome back to another week of heat! I hope y'all enjoy this weeks edition of TML Radio, I had a lot of songs to choose from (over seven hours of tracks) and it took a little extra time to finalize the selections - I hope you'll find the wait worth it. Tune in for some new music from old and young emcees alike, from Bus-A-Bus to that Sonic kid. Some 6th sense beats and spitters from that Mick Boogie supported collective. The dude Oddisee (who is responsible for this blog and podcasts name)is here to make "Hip Hop Cool Again." Joell Ortiz and Raekwon treat us to a tribute and a letter, respectively, to the great one - B.I.G. From here you know what else to expect from TML Radio, only the new shit and those hot tracks. Grab this and enjoy !

So... I said I would give ya'll a Sundays of Soul on Sunday regardless. Then I talked with Rob on Sunday and he was down to come through on Monday. He did. I got lazy (and sick) and didn't want to post it that night, and Tuesday came around and I just never did it. So here it is, Sundays of Soul done on a Monday and delivered to you on a Wednesday. Better late than never right? Get your groove on! See Gran Tornio .

Emcees Lansky, Remy Banks and Versa hail from Queens NY and make up Children of the Night (COTN, pronounced Cotton – as in the fabric of life). Having spent years in the NY underground they have united under the COTN flag to deliver their debut mixtape 100 % and are looking to break out of their backyard and make an impact on the national Hip Hop scene. In these days and times within the music industry making a name for yourself is as hard as ever and putting in the work is only half the battle. As blogs continue to gain momentum and followers, fans are slowly gaining control of the music once again deciding what it is they want and if you aren’t on point the people won’t be fucking with you. Luckily Lansky, Remy and Versa all have skills plus a natural chemistry that brings to mind the essence of any number of classic Hip Hop groups. 100 % sees these three trading bars over fourteen smooth and soulful tracks reflecting on their lives in the city and the music they love. On “Cartun...

Yes I was up listening to beat tapes late last night, and the night before. I’ve always enjoyed instrumental Hip Hop – the Strictly Beats blog was my introduction to the music blog scene – and as such I figured why not give some new beat tapes a listen. As it is every year, the first quarter generally starts out fairly slow on the release of new music. Luckily the industry is changing and while our favorite rappers won’t be coming out readily with new music a number of up and comers have been blessing us with great music non stop since before the 2009, and it seems that it’s only going to continue. Dert is a talented producer. As I mentioned in the Jansport J post below , sometimes beat tapes are inspired by one source, as is the case with Talk Strange , an instrumental project inspired by the tunes of Icelandic songstress Bjork. My familiarity with the music of hers is fairly minimal. I heard the Timbo produced tracks and may have ran through the last album once? A couple of her olde...

Took a break last week, but I'm right back at it with ten soulful jams for your Sunday evening. Mixing it up this week, you'll find a bit of everything in here including some Jazz and a couple modern cuts that have been impressing me as of late. Sundays of Soul, Vol. 6 Eddie Kendricks "My People... Hold On" Rick James "Mary Jane" Barrington Levy "Under Mi Sensei" Joy Denalane "Stranger In This Land" Mandre "Money (Thats What I Want)" Sahib Shihab "S.M.T.W.T.F.S.S. Blues" James Brown "Sometimes" Amnesty "Free Your Mind" Eugene McDaniels "Outlaw" Keyshia Cole ft. Nas "Oh Oh Yeah Yea"

Coming with it a day early this week, it's The Musik Lounge podcast! While it opens with a quick verse from Jada, mellowness ensues with some great piano work across a number of tracks (thus this weeks pic) before ramping the energy up with some new street bangers. Like Defari says "burn one before the wake up call" and let his play. The Musik Lounge, Vol. 5