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.
LOS & CLG, now recognized as Folkland, released Chronicles of Robin Leach in 2010. They have since signed with Play On Records, which has distribution through Def Jam. The duo combine their unique rhyming styles to form a group that is on its way to becoming a powerful force in music and hip-hop. LOS has a twang to his rhyme delivery and added an impressive singing dimension to his vocal repetoire. CLG, aka Lemar French, is a versatile MC, and on this album showcases his ability ride any beat well. He also is responsible for much of the production on the album.
My favorite joints: "Calling," "Highest Mountain," "Favorite Girl," "So Far Away," "Up So High"
Tomorrow is the much anticipated Ohio/Pittsburgh takeover show/in store. It's going to be a great show, so don't miss out on this opportunity to see some real dope hip-hop. The event is FREE. On the bill we have J. Rawls (from the legendary Lone Catalysts), Ill Poetic, Illogic, L.e for the Uncool, as well as Pittsburgh's own Varsity Squad and B-FreeDaMisfit. Also, DJing and hosting the show will be DJ Big Phill.
OHIO Takeover Tour: Pittsburgh Edition APRIL 17th 3-5 pm 720 Music, Clothing, & Cafe 4405 Butler street Pittsburgh, PA
New release from Pittsburgh's "Producer of the Year," Shade Cobain!! An great addition to Shade's beat tape series, Shade has outdone himself once again.
Cobainish Theory would be classified as head-nod music. Short but sweet, I can assure that this album will have your head nodding for a solid 30 minutes. You can download the album for only $7.
One of the most prominent artists on Pittsburgh's music scene over the past decade is Gene Stovall. Rapper, singer, producer, beatbox extraoridinaire, drummer, guitarist... I really could keep going. The frontman for tens of bands which have featured some of the local scenes best musicians.
Earlier this year Gene released his debut album, 2 + 2 = 5. The album is produced in-full by Gene, and features an various arrangements of Gene showcasing his vocal abilities.
You can listen to the album on Gene's bandcamp page. Hard to pick favorite tracks, but I'll go with these: "2 + 2 = 5," "Walking On Ice," "Alpha Jive Arithmetic," "Electro Pop Memoir," "Cassette Tape Teens," "Example," "Listen," "Permutations"
Not many artists are as consistent with releasing music as this diamond in the ruff MC, EnSilence. Did I mention that everything she puts out is of top notch quality? Yeah, she's got skills and heart that are heard in every syllable of her music.
EnSilence recently dropped this new EP, Strange Fruit. It's a free download. My favorite joints are "Promise," "Malcolm Little," and "Strange Fruit." Take a listen!!
The debut EP release from Fortified PhonetX member Connect, Arrival Tactics. It's a free download via Connect's bandcamp page. My favorite joints are "9 to Live" and "Get It." Check it out!
==================================== Originally from Arlington, hip-hop artist GEO started his music career while living in Larimer. Raised in various cities throughout Pittsburgh, including Arlington, St. Clair, and Beltzhoover, GEO earned respect as a battle MC and by performing in talent shows at the Colisseum in Homewood. In 1994, Geo presented his first single, "Here I Come." The release also included the ruff street track, "My Krew."
A few years following the release of the "Here I Come" single, GEO linked with local producer Suga Free, formerly of the Misfits in da Attic, to complete the album Introduction to the Storm, as GEO was at this time referred to as the Almighty Geostorm. GEO credits Suga Free with teaching him about the structure and processes involved with making quality music.
"Cali G-Funk is a Pittsburgh sound"
In the late '90s, GEO moved to California. It was GEO's writing skills that made way for his move, as he studied and worked with the artists of SoulLife Records. GEO describes SoulLife Records as a breeding facility, where aspiring artists learn how to produce and how the industry works. Through his involvement in SoulLife Records, GEO collaborated with artists such as Mike City, Sunshine Anderson, and Nocturnal.
During his time in Cali, GEO's focus began to change from being a write to being a producer. Pittsburgh legend Mel-Man was already in the Cali area, working with Dr. Dre, and GEO was able to study both producers, among others, and he quickly developed an appreciation for the craft. GEO explains that constantly being surrounded by such talented producers inspired him to produce, not rap.
GEO is currently working as a music producer in California. He is working closely with rising hip-hop MC Rick Official.
Highly Untouchable was released in 1991 on Out Cold Records. E. Nyce & Kool Krush teamed up with producer, and DJ, Kelly Nelson to complete two dope cuts, "Just A Lil Something" and "Street Poetry." As you can see in the photo, my copy is on cassette tape, but I'm aware that this had been released on vinyl as well.
According to some additional research, I can confirm that the MC's are from Pittsburgh. However, I'm unable to pinpoint a specific area of the city.
To my knowledge, this is the group's first and only official release. Both joints are nice. "Just A Lil Something" includes some impressive rhyme flows, while "Street Poetry" is guided by a KRS-One vocal sample, saying "Poetry is the language of imagination."
Producer Kelly Nelson has also been credited with producing the one and only additional Out Cold Records release. Def B's The Birth of Def was first released on Out Cold in 1991, and appears to have been re-issued a year later on another short-lived label, Echo Rapp. Similar to the E. Nyce & Kool Krush tape, the Def B record includes two tracks, "You Fell Off" and "Played Cheap." Unfortunately, I've yet to obtain this release. If you have the Def B record, you can share by dropping a link in the comments or by e-mailing the tracks to stilltownmgmt@gmail.com
============================= This project is in honor of Beedie's favorite producer, J. Dilla. On this new release, Beedie takes on the pressure and challenge of combining his MCing skills with Dilla's Ruff Draft EP. Beedie imprints his own style and story on the tracks, without straying from the original concepts first formed by Dilla years ago.
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
On January 22, Grind Time Now visits the Shadow Lounge in Pittsburgh for Steeltown Smackdown 2. The premier battle competition features 24 MC's and will be hosted by the city's own Real Deal. One of the competition's newcomers, Boka, has generated a buzz in the battle circuit for his creativity and clever wordplay. I had a chance to talk with the Pittsburgh native about his experience since joining the Grind Time movement.
Rory D. Webb: Describe your training process and approach going into a GrindTime battle.
Boka: Well, once I find out who my opponent is I drink 3 eggs and a shot of vodka and start writing. (Laughs) Seriously, it might take me a week to write for my opponent, depending on who it is and the length of battle. I might do a little research on him before I actually write. Once that's done I try to recite my bars as much as possible. By battle night my bars should be rolling off my tongue like A,B,C,D,E,F...G.
R. D. Webb: After only a few Grind Time battles, you’ve become recognized as one of the competitions most creative participants. Can you talk about the importance of creativity in battling?
Boka: Creativity is what it's all about. I say about 90 percent of the battle MC's that I've seen are xeroxed (copy cats). The other 10 percent are very, very creative. Hollywood should hire some of these MC's for writing gigs.
A lot of MC's study other battles MC's and build their whole style off of that MC. That shit is wack! Being creative and original is what gives you your signature mark in this game.
R. D. Webb: When one MC clearly defeats or humiliates competition in a battle, commonly used phrases include “chewing” or “biting his (or her) head off.” After annihilating a competitor in a battle, how do you feel?
Boka: To be truthful with you I expect to annihilate my opponent. (Laughs) I think I'm more shocked if I didn't do this. When the battle is done I might get a rush for a moment, but it does nothing to my ego. Now, I do enjoy watching the videos and seeing the response from the crowd and the viewers of the video. The crowd/fans appreciating my bars is what gives me a good feeling.