Pittsburgh Hip-Hop -- All of the artists and music on this blog are strongly supported by Stilltown. Links may be hidden in pictures or comments. Please contact me if you want a link removed.
Here's a new tape I did paying homage to some of the 90's classics that I grew up on. Not only that but recognizing that most of these artist have fathered my style. ~ Ensilence
01-Elevators 02-Warning 03-Shut Em Down 04-Ready Or Not 05-It Ain't Hard To Tell 06-Wisdom Body 07-Luchini 08-Electric Relaxation 09-Verbal Gemz 10-Know The Ledge 11-Street Struck 12-Murder Was The Case
======================================= Check out this incredibly dope new album from singer Iman Williams, produced entirely by Pittsburgh's own BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble.
If you're in Pittsburgh, Stilltown suggests that you get out to the Shadow Lounge this Saturday, July 24 at 9 p.m. for the first show of a soon-to-be classic performance series.
Gene Stovall Music Group has brought together some of the city's best hip-hop artists to rock the house all night long! Jon Quest, Kid A & BusCrates, Jack Wilson, and Divine Seven are sure to move the crowd with new music that has had the city buzzing.
Headlining the show is Gene Stovall's newest band, Fullfillingness. Aside Stovall are some of the Still City's most promising aspiring artists, including singer K. Renee and multi-talented musician Carlos Pena. With Stovall leading the band, the audience is sure to hear an incredibly unique mix of their favorite pop songs, theme songs, and hits from obscurity.
The Gene Stovall Music Group welcomes you to the first volume of the IMPACT Music Series this Saturday night at Shadow Lounge in the heart of East Liberty.
The evening's line up includes new band FULFILLINGNESS' (Comedic Popular Fusion Hop) whose members include K Renee (vocals), Carlos Pena (guitar), Ralph Crewe (bass) and Miguel "Cha" Sagne (stage chillin').
IMPACT also stars Pittsburgh Hip Hop show stompers Kid A, Jon Quest, Divine Seven, and Jack Wilson.
DJ Noetik FiveThousand will be spinning our favorite songs after and during the set breaks.
Enjoy the comedic stylings of Tj Amick.
Adults only. $7 door charge. Doors open at 9pm. Tip your bartenders.
FULFILLINGNESS':
Gene Stovall - Vocals, Drums, Talk Show Jokes Carlos Pena - Guitar Ralph Crewe - Bass, Talk Show Jokes K Renee - Vocals, Talk Show Jokes Miguel "Cha" Sagne - Stage Chillin', Vocals, Percussions, Talk Show Jokes
FUFILLINGNESS' was named in honor of Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale available at 720 Records (5943 Penn Avenue. Pittsburgh, PA 15206). Created in Braincase Sound Laboratory, FULFILLINGNESS' focuses on playing multiple styles of music by creating a soundscape of melodramatic popular songs and textbook television rhetoric in a comedic manner.
The band is lead by vocalist extraordinarie and satirists, Gene Stovall, who is actually not the drummer of this band, but only acts as the drummer when the actual drummer (James Johnson III) can not make the hit. Returning to the band for this Saturday's event is guitarist and spiritual mentor, Carlos Pena, who is probably known best for his vibraphone solo performed live at the New Amsterdam Pub during the very first taping of Smoke Ritual. Pena will be soloing on stage this Saturday during songs like the "Diff'rent Strokes Theme song", Stovallian classic "Heaven in the Meantime", and Stevie Wonder's "Creepin'" from the album Fulfillingness' First Finale.
FULFILLINGNESS' will be joined by CreweStovall and Hood Gang bassist Ralph Crewe, Glory Box lead vocalist K Renee, and Guaracha leader Miguel "Cha" Sagne in the absense of Justin Bechak, Brother Renz, and DJ Vex.
Jon Quest:
Jon Quest is a new emcee emerging from Pittsburgh who is gearing up for his debut release "The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest". With numerous collaborations under his belt, Jon Quest is ready for the world to truly understand his love and passion for Hip Hop. With a 5th Rhyme Calisthenics appearance, Quest finally made it to the finals in Rhyme Calisthenics 9 against BlackSun who left the battle as the Rhyme Cal 9 Champion in a very close game. Jon's music is heavily influenced by that true Boom Bap sound and 90's era of Hip Hop. Jon Quest is an upcoming artist that will help to further putting Pittsburgh, PA on the map.
Kid A:
Kid A is a 24 year old rapper/songwriter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Born in 1986 on Pittsburgh's North Side, Kid A(or Aarie Williams) was involved in music well before his birth. As son of an accomplished drummer, he was blessed with the innate love and appreciation for music. It started in the late 80's curiously pushing buttons on his father's drum machine; which later turned into secretely creating rhymes while taking notes in school as a teenager. By 2005, Kid A had already performed in front of sold out crowds and shared stages with major regional and national acts.
Now heading into the 2nd decade of the 2000's, Kid A, or EMS, is sprinting at a fast pace and about ready to go full steam into fragile arms of the music industry. With 2 upcoming solo projects in 2009 in "Backstock" and his official debut "Blunt Guts & Glory". On top of the 2 coming solo projects is the long-awaited collaboration with Dj/Producer Buscrates, which is high on a lot of people's wish lists and it should be one of the prized releases of 2011. The ethereal soundscapes that Buscrates provides create an innovative new sound really bringing to life the name-change from EMS(Everything Makes Sense) to Kid A.
Jack Wilson:
Jack Wilson is a Pittsburgh MC whose new EP "FAME" with DJ SPAED you can download at: http://jackwilsonmc.bandcamp.com/album/fame-ep ALSO download the free mixtape "Take the Fire from my Hand" at http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.takethefire.com%2F&h=49155
Divine Seven:
Delving Inside Very Introspective Notes Eternally...
Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA... DIVINE SEVEN embodies the essence that permeates Pittsburgh... Struggle, sound and soul... Raised in various areas around the city, Sev has seen his fair share of what city life has to offer. Along his journey, he found his solace in music. As evidenced by his various influences, including Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Jimmy Hendrix, Nas and 2Pac; Sev has an intricate ear and this is displayed in the versatility of his music.
Releasing his first two projects, 'THE NATIVE SON' and 'SEVEN WONDERS...THE EP', both in 2008, he quickly became a staple for the city’s underground Hip Hop scene. He has enjoyed success with both projects, as his music has reached the radio waves in markets as far as the British Broadcasting Channel. Widely known for his smooth delivery and electric live performances, Sev has garnered the Hip Hop Buffet's 2008 Best Male and 2009 Best Group Performance awards. He was also nominated for the 2009 and 2010 Pittsburgh Hip Hop Awards Underground Artist of The Year and has placed in the top three of the ‘This Is Who I Am…’ talent show.
Amassing over 200 local and out of town shows, Sev is clearly on his way to greater horizons... He can be found collaborating with various artists and producers from Pittsburgh including, Tabu Mahogany, A.P.E.X., BusCrates, Shade Cobain and many more… Sev has released the joint project, 'BLACK CONNECTION' with Ayatollah Jaxx to critical acclaim in Fall of 2009 and hasn't slowed down yet… In fact, he released an EP entitled, ‘INTROSPECT’ earlier in the year plus released the full-length project, 'LISTEN!!!' in June of 2010. Forever the visionary, he is prepping his next full-length project entitled 'THE LIFE AND TIMES OF DAT TURNER', and mixtape ‘DE TALK ABOUT: VOL. 1’ both slated for a late 2010/early 2011 release. He can also be found on several mixtapes reaching fans and supporters via the Internet and other media.
When asked about his passion for the art, he elected to keep it simple by quoting the talented Patti Labelle, “If only you knew..."
Noetik FiveThousand:
Noetik 5000 is a jack of all trades he is a ARTIST MANAGER/PROMOTER/EVENT PLANNER/HYPEMAN/DJ/BOOKING AGENT/VIDEO SHOW CO-HOST/PROMOTIONS DIRECTOR/RECORD LABEL REP/ and just an all out music enthusiast. Born in Passaic, NJ and raised in Pittsburgh, PA. He started out as an hungry competitive mcee in the streets of Pittsburgh beginning in 1989 as a youth entering various rap battles & forming hiphop groups around his neighborhood then in 2000 decided to become more behind the scenes focusing on the business aspect of music doing promotion work for various artists from Pittsburgh, PA and also djing as well to put their music out to the masses.
The grassroots company he ran & still push to this day is called N.U.C. (Never Under Competition) Promotions stemming from his competitiveness in his short-lived Hiphop career as an mcee previously. He began putting on showcases around his area for starving artists such as he was to gain somewhat of a name for themselves and build their stage prescence. From then on he has been focused just on his djing skills & being more involved in the promotion,branding & marketing for various artists.He has been djing & promoting for some of the coolest spots & special events in Pittsburgh,Pa. Nowadays he is more involved in other music selections in his sets outside of just the genre of your everyday Hiphop music but more into the electro,international hiphop scene and various dance remixes & mashups. He just likes to rock parties/events by all means necessary with no boundaries.
Ensilence has been all over this blog lately. That's because her quality music has become a constant. The professional recording sound, and Ensilence's uncanny ability to package an album full of treats, is ecstasy to the listener's ears.
01 - The Reconstruction (Intro) 02 - Whose World
03 - MY State of Mind 04 - Heaven's Harp 05 - Enemy of the State 06 - Pass It On 07 - Artificial Intelligence
08 - Without Reward 09 - Beyond the Rope
10 - Miss U Much 11 - In Scope 12 - Down 13 - First Thing First (Outro)
Production Credits: C-Sekshun - 1, 2, 5, 6, 12, 13 Macado - 8, 10 Wilde - 7, 9 BusCrates - 11 DJ King Flow - 3
You've seen the name right here on Stilltown a lot in the past few months. Well, the time has come, and the Ayatollah's debut album Hello Hip-Hop is now available.
GodSendant has two versions of the album. There is a free download version for the curious listener, and also a special edition priced at $5.99 for the supportive listener. The special edition features five additional songs, which are well worth the low selling price.
1. Mister Randy Watson (performed by Terry Jones) 2. Hello, Hip Hop (prod/feat Fundamental Of Good Company) 3. Aint It True (feat UnLearn) (prod TPM)
4. Shoe Horn (prod Chim Beatz) 5. I Will Not Lose (prod/feat Roscoe Wiki) 6. Nothing Like You Ever Heard (prod Chim Beatz) 7. Coming of Age (prod TPM)
8. Sound Boy (performed by Terry Jones) 9. Wha Gwan?! (Sound Boy Burrial) (prod Chim Beatz)
10. Probably Wack (prod BusCrates) 11. Bitter Sweet (feat R.A.H) (prod Chim Beatz) 12. Deen Tight (prod Chim Beatz) 13. This Is For The Radio (feat Jasiri X) (prod B-FreeDaMisfit) 14. Street Hop Remix (feat Living Proofe) (prod Chim Beatz) 15. Reflection (prod TPM) 16. Job Fair (prod Chim Beatz) 17. Pain (feat R.A.H) (prod Chim Beatz) 18. Ms. 416 (prod Fundamental)
Bonus Tracks Children Of The Ghetto (prod TPM) Where You From (feat APEX) (prod Chim Beatz)
As the Black Connection, Ayatollah Jaxx and Divine Seven take a different route than most. Only 35 minutes in length, the album strays from the unnecessary filler and proves that quality defeats quantity.
Jaxx and Sev are veterans, and leaders of the new school in Pittsburgh hip-hop. Getting your attention from the first word he spits, Jaxx is a lyrical hurricane that will surely have you rewinding the track. Sev brings a uniquely smooth, laid back delivery, along with catchy head-nodding hooks. Their complimentary styles create an ideal combination that is responsible for the refreshing sound heard on this album.
While the album explores the deepest essence of hip-hop in Pittsburgh, it can be appreciated by fans of the music worldwide. Unlike many albums released today, Black Connection maintains replay value. In addition to Jaxx and Sev, a collection of producers have invested their art to the project.
The album has soulful production from local favorite BusCrates, as well as contributions from Shade Cobain, J-Pad, TPM, Tone Beatz, and PMC/CJams. Normally, an album may struggle to vibe so perfectly with numerous producers, but that struggle is not heard here.
On "Happiness," a precisely chopped James Brown sample asks, "you know what happiness is?" Divine Seven replies, "It's a movement, man." This sums up Black Connection well. The album is uplifting and geared toward the progressive mindstate. It's up to the consumers to decide if this is a movement they will be part of.
01. Love <3 (Intro)(Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble) 02. Black Gold (Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble) 03. Regality (Prod. by BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble) 04. Wordplay (Prod. by J-Pad the Juggernaut) 05. Al Silla Al Sawdaa... 06. Happiness (Prod. by Shade Cobain/BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble)
07. Live Together (Prod. by TPM) 08. City Lights (Prod. by Tone Beatz) 09. Laureate Sketch (Prod. by PMC/CJams)
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