The Mr. Glass Experience

It is no secret that I love Hip-Hop music. I am what you would call a “Hip-Hop Head” and as a Hip-Hop Head, I pride myself on listening to the real Hip-Hop music, not just commercial ish. To me there is no truer incarnation of what the Hip-Hop culture is all about then independent rappers. There is something about a little known, or independent-label signed emcee that just attracts me to their music. I think it has something to do with the real and unique sounds these types of artists always produce. It is almost as if I am an addict and a good indie rap album is my fix. Recently I got my fix from an awesome indie west-coast artist with his roots in the battle rap scene. Nocando (pronounced No-Can-Do) is an underground, indie rapper known for his fame with, and a member of the group Customer Service. Earlier this month Nocando released his highly anticipated solo debut on alpha Pup Records entitled Jimmy the Lock.

Immediately when you press play on the album, the first thing that catches your attention is Nocando takes his art serious. He jumps right into the music, skipping all the boring drawn out  intros that too many other artists fall victim to. On tracks like Head Static and 21, Nocando does a brilliant job of integrating his hard-hitting one-liners, into witty lyrics and gritty hooks. The album’s first single Hurry up and Wait provides you with a glimpse into Nocando’s self-confident style and work ethic, “we work like a fixed-gear bike, no brakes,” and “if I’m not the future of the West, than the West has no future!” His flow is spring loaded, mostly slow and smooth, with occasional emphatic pronunciations and rapid-fire rhymes.

The whole album is only twelve tracks deep, but I dare you to find a bad one. Jimmy the Lock shows you why he has had such success in the underground L.A. scene. Complete with features from fellow battle rap famed emcees like Busdriver, it only adds to the albums feel. A mixed bag of serious tracks with some hilarious little songs (like DSD2 Featuring Iron Mike Eagle), the entire album is like a well-written resume, highlighting his vast array of rhyming talents. The album is a perfect mix of drama, relationships, groupies, parties, alcohol, and serious rhyming ability. Jimmy the Lock is a warning to the world that this guy is not just some YouTube sensation, he’s got talent; or as he says, “I’m a bayonet, that’s a gun and a knife, your should run for your life!”

While the recent trend in rap is to shy away of the gangsta feel of hardcore rap to a more hipster feel, Nocando does an excellent job of showing that you can make hardcore, raw, real rap music that does not have to be about shooting off guns or selling crack. “Fuck a punch line, my bloodlines got PHD’s,” Nocando has a certain tone to his lines that can make you feel like you are listening to a street genius on the microphone. He is a prime example of why indie rap stands out above all other facets of the genre, for its pure originality, creativity, and range of sounds. Like a soundtrack to a kick ass day, Jimmy the Lock is an album that any true Hip-Hop head needs to add to their collection. Personally, I can’t wait to see what other projects this guy comes out with over his career. Nocando has certainly proved that unlike his name suggests he sure can make some damn good music! Its certain to make your head nod, and even have do a couple “did he really just say that shit!?”

While your at it check out the visually stunning video for the single Two Track Mind featuring Busdriver

To mark my first album review in over a year I decided to do it on something special that you probably haven’t heard yet. Recently while checking out one of my favorite record labels site (Rhymesayers Entertainment) I stumbled across their new signee, a New York based rapper (by way of Chicago, Colorado and Seattle) named Grieves. Being that I usually love every artist on the label (Brother Ali, Felt, Jake One & Freeway, etc.) I decided to Google the dood and check him out. What I found was an artist who grabbed my attention immediately.

As his bio says, you won’t find any of Hip-Hops stereotypes in this artist, either mainstream or underground. His musical style is truly unique and once I started playing his new track “Smile For the Blade” I knew I had found something truly great. His 2008 album 88 Keys & Counting, which was originally released by Black Clover Records is being re-issued by Rhymesayers, think of it as a chance to become acquainted.

88 Keys & Counting is a miraculous mix of piano, horns, drums, heartfelt lyrics and a unique style that can only be described as truly original soulful Hip-Hop. Grieves ultra real, soul hitting lyrical flow lace the beautifully produced tracks (by Seattle based producer Budo) perfectly. Reminiscent of the old days of Hip-Hop, when a producer and rapper were a true duo, not just a random pairing, Grieves and Budos’ ability to match the perfect beat and lyrics is nothing short of wonderful. The soft but funky beats draw you in as Grieves proceeds to paint a vivid picture through his lyrics. Walking you through a mix of topics from religion, to success, individuality, to romance, heartbreak, to death, the state of hip-hop and life in general, the album takes you on a clever and mind-grasping trip through what is the human experience. From the opening track of the album, the feel of Grieves smooth flowing voice hooks you as he welcomes you to the LP.

Budos’ sample less, silky beats set the tone, and Grieves dives right in. His rhymes dancing across the tracks like a beautiful marionette. The album creates an intensely intimate feel. However, it’s accomplished without putting you into a depressed state. The duo has found a way to express their art in an appropriate tone devoid of the depressed emotionality that usually accompanies such  works, a rare talent I must say. Tracks like Catapult, Kings and the remarkable Genevieve open you up, brining you on a ride of true musical genius. An incredible mix of metaphors and storytelling, that rivals the best of them, touches on deep subjects without coming right out and slapping you in the face. The album plays like a beautiful crafted stage play, flowing marvelously from one song to the next. Moreover, while the majority of the album is on a truly personal level, it’s not all serious. On tracks like the appropriately named Identity Cards (Featuring Luckyiam) and Greedy Bitch (a breakup song for the ages), he touches on two popular topics in music (Individualism and Heartbreak) in a slightly more upbeat tone. Toss in some perfectly placed instrumental tracks, and the album truly reveals itself as a piece of fine art. To get the true feel for the majesty that is 88 Keys and Counting you have to go on the entire 47-minute journey. From Intro, to Exiting the Hive, it will awaken you to the talent these two have, which is simply creating beautiful music.

Not since Blu & Exiles’ Below the Heavens and Brother Ali’s The Undisputed Truth have I experienced an album that has grabbed me the way 88 Keys & Counting has. There is something powerful about a CD that gives you goose bumps from while you’re listening to it. In my humble opinion I think Grieves and Budo album is probably one of the most original and unique masterpieces of modern Hip-Hop music. It is the splendor of listening to music like this, which makes me fall in love with Hip-Hop all over again! If you love true Hip-Hop, which is really all about originality and an ability to paint a picture through music, then you have to get this album. I am proud to say I have already pre-ordered my copy from Fifth Element (Rhymesayers Official Store). So here’s to you Grieves, can’t wait to hear what you come up with next!

Grieves on Facebook

Get Grieves first album Irreversible on iTunes now

Now this is some dope stuff! The Roots in my opinion are the BEST Hip-Hop band EVER! Black Thought is probably the most under rated MC in the game, and the entire Roots crew is phenomenal. This is a little tape put together of some of the amazing live performances they have done since signing on to be the house band for Jimmy Fallon. Collaborations with artists like Q-Tip, Clipse, Raekwon, 50 Cent and so many more! This is what real hip-hop is!

Props to Shake over at 2DopeBoyz for the awesome cover art!

With 2009 winding down I figured I would do a run down of my five favorite mixtapes from the year. These tapes are not only the best of the year, they are a model of what real hip-hop music is! 2009 featured some big names making comebacks along with newer guys shining through. It truly was a year for Hip-Hop. Without any more delay lets get started with my Mixtape Gems of 2009!

1: Mick Boogie Presents: U-N-I – Before There Was Love!

In my humble opinion this was by far the best mixtape of the entire year! It was 27 tracks of pure fire, featuring everyone from Talib Kweli to Evidence to Big Pooh. Before There Was Love is full of bass bumping west coast beats and a sweet mix of samples, with that smooth Cali flow these guys have come to be known for! Y-O & Thurzday put out one of the realest, illest, dopest tapes ever when they released this! They not only continue to surpass all others in the game with each release, they do it all without a major label backing. They have redefined the true essence of what Hip-Hop really is, these doods are no fad, they’re real ass MC’s!

2: Big Sean – UKNOWBIGSEAN

The past few years have been huge for the entire G.O.O.D. Music label. Common, Kid CuDi, Mr. Hudson, Kanye West the list goes on and on. Kanye’s label is quickly becoming one of the best rosters in Hip-Hop. However of all the artists on G.O.O.D. Music I think Detroit native  Big Sean’s second mixtape UKNOWBIGSEAN was the best project released by anyone on the label (and that’s saying a lot considering how good Man on The Moon was). Every song goes hard from start to finish. His smooth flow and lyricism shows how much the kids learned while sitting in the Shadows! The tape is a showcase of the most underrated, unknown and unheard member of the G.O.O.D. Music family! In 2010 you will KNOWBIGSEAN!

3: Mike Posner – A Matter of Time

The debut mixtape by Mike Posner was nothing more then amazing! Hosted by Don Cannon and mixed DJ Benzi, A Matter of Time is a blend of Posner’s soulful jazz-like voice, and his dope production. Posner who is a senior at Duke University is quickly becoming one of the hottest names in Hip-Hop today.  His single Drug Dealer Girl is nothing less than one of the best tracks of the year. The tape features Big Sean (see #2) as well as Eric Holljes. He released his second tape One Foot Out The Door in October, and while I don’t think it was as good as A Matter of Time, it is clear the Mike Posner is a rising star!

4: Drake – So Far Gone

Now I know a lot of people would argue that this was by far the best mixtape of 2009. However this is my list! It was one of the best, I mean the numbers don’t lie. Hell the success he has received from the tape might very well be incomparable. However I feel this was only the 4th best tape of the year. How many other artists do you know that can re-release a free mixtape as an EP and actually have it sell? Enough said!

5: B.o.B. – B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray

No. 5 was the hardest one to decide upon, however considering how continuously dope B.o.B. has been I feel he deserved this spot over the other ones. The ATLien has blown up over the past few years. Appearing on multiple video game soundtracks, features on multiple albums and tearing up the internet, B.o.B. is  one of the true leaders of the new school! While B.o.B. might be one strange cat, rapping about aliens and singing about stars, you cant deny his talent! The heart and soul he puts into each track is apparent. He is quickly becoming one of the best storytellers in Hip-Hop!

Honorable Mentions:

The Cool Kids – Gone Fishing

Could have knocked Drake off, however the fact that Don Cannon is screaming all over every track ruined it for me!

PacDiv – Church League Champions

PacDiv continues to release dope ass music! They are definitely one of the groups to be looked out for in 2010!

This is the first installment of a series I plan on doing. Taste Test will be all about songs I think people need to hear, artists I think you should know, and just plain old good music! So download it, sit back relax and press play!

1. TillWeDie – Blu
2. Life Change – Clipse
3. The Professional – Black Thought
4. Flickin’ – Kidz In The Hall
5. Hometown Glory – Drekidd
6. Better Dayz – Game
7. Pimp Dilemmas – GLC
8. Fuck Dat Hipster Shit – Grip Plyaz
9. Momma May I Feat Blaqstarr – Idle Warship
10. Angles (Remix) – Lupe Fiasco
11. Mirrors Edge Ft Bun B, GLC & XV – Mike Posner
12. Supernova Feat Kanye West – Mr. Hudson
13. Gangsta Life Feat Snoop Dogg – Nipsey Hu$$le
14. Baby Phat 09′ Feat Colin Munroe – Skillz
15. Chasing Windmills – Heavy D
16. Fly Away – Wale
17. This Plane – Wiz Khalifa
18. MrBlu2U – Blu (as GODLeeBarnes)

Mr. Glass Presents: Taste Test Vol. 1

Nothing more, enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Back in early 2008 I started a small blog called Hip-HopAlive! It was me trying to write about hip-hop music and my love for it. HHA! garnered a nice little following for the few months that I kept at it. I was receiving e-mails from lots of unknown up and coming artists who wanted me to review them. One of which was Colin Munroe, who has gone on to some pretty decent success. A review I did on Afrofreque, a hip-hop soul group from Houston, was actually my first piece to ever be published in any form. Sadly for some reason I decided to stop my little project. I was going through a rough time, and was still trying to figure out who I was. Later I tried starting up some other blogs, trying to emulate the things I saw on sites like 2Dopeboyz.com, all of which failed to ever be as good as the realness of Hip-HopAlive!. I ultimately quit them too, finally realizing that copying someone else ’s style wasn’t working for me. Hip-HopAlive! was my first real attempt at writing anything in a long time. I love that project for the simple fact that it re-lit the fire in me. It sparked my passion for writing once again. Since then I have changed, grown as a person and a writer. I have learned much more about the art, and have grown to love my little pathetic attempt at changing the hip-hop world. Looking back on some of the things I wrote, it makes me laugh. This was one of the first things I ever posted on the blog (many of the original posts have since been removed with only a dozen or so still remaining on the site). It’s my first attempt at ever doing a real album review, but not my last. With the new year coming up I plan on finishing what I started so long ago. I want to tap back into the magic that was Hip-HopAlive! I chose this album because it really touched me, and still remains one of my favorite of all time. It’s an album by an artist known simply as Blu. Here is my review from long ago of Blu & Exile’s Below The Heavens. Enjoy!

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Lupe Fiasco is hands down one of my favorite rappers of all time! Lu is the best out their today, sorry but its not even an argument! So I was pumped when he released his newest mixtape at midnight! Lupe is dog, no questions about it! Now unfortunately this mixtape is done cassette style. So that means its all one .mp3 track, instead of individual tracks. However any new Lupe is well worth it! I mean the guy is a lyrical genius, way above the rest. Luckily he has made it his mission to show the rest of the world just how much better he is than all the other rappers! He has ditched the idea of being retiring after three albums, and has indefinitely postponed LupEND. Thank god! Instead Lupe will be dropping his third studio album, entitled Lasers, in the near future. So without further adieu here is the latest mixtape by the great Lupe Fiasco!

Enemy of the State: A Love Story (Mixtape)

btw people, Lupe aint done yet, hes got another mixtape in store for us come Christmas!

While I am on my Lupe kick, let me give you some more!

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