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Jordan Caesar: “Death To Reputation” [Album Stream]

April 17, 2018 by Michael Stover Leave a Comment

Chicago hip-hop artist Jordan Caesar has arrived with his debut full-length album “Death To Reputation”. 12 tracks deep this is an album that I needed, the full-length album is sort of falling out of trend. More and more artists are making shorter projects, so to see Caesar go against the grain with this LP was a joy at first glance.

“Death To Reputation” is a balanced & cohesive project, which I feel isn’t said about a lot of albums these days. Caesar mixes the underground and mainstream sound together perfectly to give you something that bangs hard in the whip, but breaks your neck with lyrics and hard drums as well. Caesar also shows versatility on this album, from slower jams, to battle raps, to just pulling up his sleeves and showing you the scars he’s attained on this journey.

“Death to Reputation” was a much-needed breath of fresh air, you can listen to the LP in full below. Keep your ears perked as we’ll be reviewing the project and interviewing Jordan Caesar soon.

Filed Under: Blog, Music Tagged With: Chicago, jordan caesar

Ravyn Lenae Announces ‘Crush’ Tour (Links for all tickets below)

February 23, 2018 by I.S. Jones Leave a Comment

On February 9, 2o18, Ravyn Lenae‘s latest EP ‘Crush’ sent the world spinning in a groovy, funky, electric vibe leagues ahead of summer. The EP is executive produced by Steven Lacy of The Internet, who also shares vocals on two of the five tracks. Now, Ravyn Lenae is set to embark on her first solo tour. She previous toured with the likes of NoName for her first album “Telefone”.  The tour begins on March 21st  in Sonia Cambridge, MA, with her doing a show in Brooklyn on April 4th at Rough Trade. Tickets for her April 4th show opened up for pre-sale on February 22 at 10AM. The remaining tour date tickets when on sale today, Friday, February 22  at 10 AM.

All dates, with their respective links, are listed below:

Ravyn Lenae — 2018 Tour Dates
3/21 Sonia Cambridge, MA
3/23 Trocadero Balcony Philadelphia, PA
3/27 The New Parish Oakland, CA
3/28 The Roxy Theatre West Hollywood, MCA
3/30 Constellation Room Santa Ana, CA
4/4 Rough Trade Brooklyn, NY
4/5 Songbyrd Washington, DC
4/9 El Club Detroit, MI
4/10 Lincoln Hall Chicago, IL
4/11 The Firebird Saint Louis, MO
9/14 Venue Vancouver, BC

If haven’t already, please enjoy her latest EP

***

I.S. Jones is a writer living in New York by way of California. Please send her pizza not nudes. She sees a brighter future for herself and you. If you like her work, you can tweet at her here

Filed Under: Articles, News Tagged With: Chicago, Crush EP, Ravyn Lenae

Terry Tertiary: “Soundtrack To Revolution By” [Music Video]

January 12, 2018 by Michael Stover Leave a Comment

”Terry Tertiary is a musical artist from Chicago, IL who fuses the HipHop, R&B, Electronic, Acoustic and Indie Pop genres to make an original sound.”

With over ten years of performance experience, including teaming up with an eight-piece band named Wojettt and being half of the duo UDrop, Tertiary has been honing his skills in singing, songwriting, producing, audio engineering, booking and managing. His work has earned him spots opening for Pusha T of G.O.O.D. Music, MGK, of Bad Boy Records, and Ace Hood of We The Best Music Group/YMCMB.

I’ve had the chance to perform and know Terry for a minute and it’s good to see him back on the grind with his new single and music video for “Soundtrack To Revolution By“. Terry takes the apocalyptic themes of last year and chooses to fight against, chooses to start his own revolution. Terry’s energy and passion is unmatched in his newest video which you can peep above.

Filed Under: Blog, Music Tagged With: Chicago, Terry Tertiary

Concert Review: Tink at the Metro Chicago

February 23, 2015 by Dead End Hip Hop Leave a Comment

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To the doubters and naysayers out there of the world, Tink is here. That was proven on a cold winter’s night at Chicago’s Metro on Feb. 21, 2015 for the young boisterous artist. It was one of those rare nights for artist that the people of Chicago or anywhere don’t see everyday. With epic records label execs floating in wonderment of what Tink have to offer live had all of us in wonder. My first viewing of the young artist and it was expected to be a right of passage type of show instead I was in for a little bit of a Sunday ritual.

Once Tink and friends set upon the stage the ladies in the crowd faces were lit up like the moon. Tink comes out giving us a hip hop vibe with the attire and free flowing hair as if she was there to let it all go once the lights were on. By the second half of the set, there was a different aura with the attire changes. Tink’s vocal performance was the thing that itch the backs of a lot of peoples’ minds. With that being said it doesn’t disappoint neither. Not too familiar with her singing background but, from the vibe of it – feels like the first Sunday of the month in church. Everything wasn’t as holy as it seems though as Tink lets it be known to the women that us “men” have a problem. It felt like to me coming from someone of a younger age that it came from more of a confusing place where she still learns from everyday. Which is fine and fresh perspective in a way.

Churning out bangers like “Treat Me Like Somebody” and “Kilo” had us all rocking along. From the smooth r&b and vocalized songs from her winter’s diary to bossin up with hard bars they all were a specific choice for the stage and the live band. Super producer Timbaland even graced the stage and spoke about Tink’s talent. Ending the 45 minute set with a new unheard track from her album made the night complete for the fresh artist. I even got approached by a random guy fan that was amazed and quoting Timbaland’s Aaliyah reference to what to expect from her album. Only time will tell for the artist but, as what was seen that night its just the beginning so put them “fingers up.”

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Chicago, Metro, thinkTink, timbaland, Tink

Mick Jenkins: The Water[s] (Mixtape)

August 13, 2014 by Dead End Hip Hop 2 Comments

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Born in Huntsville, Alabama but raised in Chicago Mick Jenkins brings us his highly anticipated mixtape The Water[s]. Check it out below because its definitely a breath of fresh air. You can download it here: Mick Jenkins The Water[s] download.

Listen/Purchase: Mick Jenkins-The Water[s]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Chicago, jazz, MickJenkins, TheWaters

Music Video: Mick Jenkins – Jazz

August 6, 2014 by Dead End Hip Hop 3 Comments

Straight out of Chicago, Mick Jenkins drops his latest video for the anticipated album The Water[s]. The beat is infectious and Mick’s lyrical delivery on this track is one of the best I’ve heard this year.

Go listen to Mick name drop some jazz artists and check out The Water[s] when it drops August 12th.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Chicago, jazz, mick jenkins, the waters

DEHH Interview: Thelonious Martin (w/ audio)

July 10, 2014 by Chill Leave a Comment

thelonious martin

Thelonious Martin is a pivotal  producer who seems to be growing quickly year by year. Hailing from Chicago, Thelonious already has multiple records under his belt and started from a young age, working with artists like Vic Mensa and Action Bronson. I sat on the phone with Thelonious and got the scoop of his genius. He talks on Wunderkind album, Chicago segregation, Jersey roots, and much more. Below is a summarized version of the interview but you can listen to the audio at the bottom of the page.

IH: How you feeling today?

TM: A little on reverse jet lag, I’m still on L.A. time.

IH: Tell me about your musical background and the influence living in New Jersey because you moved from Chicago when you was 5?

TM: The musical scene for me in Jersey was staying with my mom. Being able to go back and forth between New Jersey and New York taking in culture like that. Like in high school I was able to go to fat beats every Saturday and check for new records coming in. Got a chance to do a program at NYU where producer Illmind was my teacher.

IH: I noticed that, what can you say you learned from Illmind as a teacher?

TM: It’s endless, but you sitting with a guy like that for 12 weeks you start picking up little details. Its a experience to be around people you respect in terms of your craft and you get to learn the smallest details.

IH: Your doing live instrumentation with the Wunderkind album. Let us know whats coming out of that?

TM: For Wunderkind we been bringing in live musicians; bass guitar, piano, and bringing in vocalist as well making everything bigger. I wanted to go back to actually making records and putting people together for one recording.

IH: What were you expecting or not expecting when you dropped Polo Sporting Goods with Retch?

TM: At the time I dropped Polo Sporting Goods that was my third month in a row of dropping collaborative projects. Before that I dropped a project with Evan Holt in October and in November with JB of OKC. My expectations for the project was for it to be received well. I never was thinking “Oh, we’re gonna get signed off this”. I feel like everything is supposed to set you up for your next move and that’s the expectations I have on everything I do.

IH: What does Chicago mean to you because it’s so different right now?

TM: Chicago is home; it’s where I rest my head at, it’s where I go to school, and its where I make my art my craft. To me, Chicago is everything. If you don’t live here you definitely wouldn’t know what the music scene is like.

IH: Let us know the influence that Thelonious Martin music will play in the future?

TM: It’s most definitely going get back to the music, with Wunderkind coming out, with who’s on it and what we’re doing with this album. People is gonna see that its really about the music and nothing else. I want the music to speak for itself and I feel the influence that we’re gonna have is going to be a major one.

IH: What artist can we expect to be on this album?

TM: Hmmm, I’m trying to think what details I can give off top right now. If anybody peeped me and Mac Miller just had a session so expect for him to be on there. I also talked to the big homie Freddie Gibbs so he bringing some special guest through.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Chicago, interview, producer, TheloniousMartin, Wunderkid

21 Questions Staring Add-2

June 19, 2013 by Dead End Hip Hop 1 Comment

add-2-the_almighty_add2

Andre “Add-2” Daniels is not someone who wants to be viewed as your stereotypical rapper. He is a family man first. Also, he works to be a responsible human being. Those values are emulated through the music he constructs. Not one to take any responsibility lightly, I catch up with him to ask him a classic “21 Questions” to see where his head is at.

I bring you into the mind of Add-2!

 

1.)    How does it feel to have so many fans amongst rap peers that you are either coming up with (ANTHM) or people you actually look up to (9th Wonder, Common, etc.)?

It’s humbling because, as emcees, we take a lot of pride in our craft. So to give someone else acknowledgement on theirs shows a lot of character. I have so much respect for other emcees who study the craft like ANTHM, Kendrick and, of course, the legends like Common, Nas and 9th Wonder. So to get the respect back is something I don’t take for granted.

2.)    Between the release of Save.Our.Souls and More Missed Calls, can you tell me anything that has changed about your life, your career, and your mind set?

Between that time I was dealing with the loss of one of my closest uncles , was just stepping into this role of primary caretaker for my grandmother and one of my best friends was still in prison. During that time I felt like I was slowly going into a depression because I wasn’t where I wanted to be. It brought out this sense of urgency which is why you may hear more of an aggressive tone or I may go harder on a verse because this is my way of venting. I felt like I cried as much as I could so now I have to get THROUGH it. Not over it but get through it. That’s why I want to get the respect I feel I deserve.

3.)    Since Chicago is gaining more steam due to the growth of certain movements and artists (from Chief Keef and 3-Hunna all the way to more abstract emcees like Change The Rapper), tell me your honest feelings on it all. Likes, dislikes, and lack of concern for it can be addressed. Just tell me: how do you feel about it all?

I love it. I love that Chicago is growing and showing how much of a gumbo pot of talent we truly are. A lot of people want me to speak out against Keef or would want me to be jealous of another person’s success, but I’m not at all. I want the younger artists to be successful because that’s creating more outlets for more people and showing kids that you can do anything. That’s important to me because I know what some of these kids could be doing. Instead of rapping or in the studio they could be on the block smoking weed all day, posted, robbing people or in jail. Would I want more artists to speak out on whats going on for real? YES. But I’m not going to wait for it to happen. I just got to do what I do best to make it better and speak on what I know. 

Add-2_Aint_hit_Change

4.)    Since I’m also a transplant of the Midwest (Gary, Indiana), I wanted to know what is it about the Midwest that makes you take such views on life? Is it the harsh climate? Is it the hood life? Or is it the search for something more?

It’s a combination of all of those things. I think the Midwest is a very blue collar area. We work hard and we respect you if you do the same. We are very direct and simple people. We don’t like fake shit no matter what level it is. Chicago, in particular, has taught me to be appreciative for every day I have and everything my eyes see. I’ve lost people, both young and old, who I wish I could see again. I appreciate the good weather while I can…the sights and the moments because I know it’s not promised to be the same tomorrow.

5.)    You ripped the set that you did for the Jamla stage at the A3C (I was in the front). Do you plan on coming back? And how was your experience at the A3C and in Atlanta (as a whole)?

 Thank you. I hope to come back this year. I enjoyed myself so much. That was the first time I ran into my first screaming fan. I was outside and a girl came up to me and asked, “Are you Add-2?” I said, “Yes” and she lost it and was screaming like I wasn’t real. That was a moment I would never forget because I felt like “so this is what it must be like to be one of those r&b dudes.” Haha.

Add-2 Modern Day Coons

6.)    Lending my ear to “Modern Day Coons”, do you think the plight of African Americans (and we all know it is still a plight) has improved or are many of us still “steppin’ and fetchin’ it?”

 I think we are still playing into it. People don’t see how powerful we could be if we would wake up. Unfortunately, there is more profit in keeping people ignorant, drunk and high than there is being educated to the ways of the world. Sometimes I visualize how it would be if WE stopped feeding our brothers and sisters poison, if WE stopped shooting each other, if WE trusted each other, if WE transformed OUR neighborhoods to be beautiful places of thriving businesses, if WE educated our children. Can you imagine how beautiful that would be? I may not live to see that day, but I want us to get there. I want us to see we are kings and queens and not niggas.

7.)    Why the name Add-2? What is the meaning? And how do people take to it?

 The name comes from my initials ADD and I was the second child of three. My father always said whatever we have in life we have to “add to” it, so I used it as a mantra for progress. Never destroy; just help make it better. Some people have messed up the name, calling me “And 1” or would think I’m good at math, but, other than that, I usually don’t hear too much. It’s good though because when people hear the name and see me they immediately can put the face to it. So it fits.

8.)    I notice that you tend to chat with people on Facebook (unlike a lot of rappers, artists, etc.). Is that what you do to stay grounded or you actually do it because it is “what you do?”

 I like to feel like there’s a connection between me and my fans. They are the reason I am living my dream so if it means I have to take a few minutes to answer a question then I will or joke around in some way. I spend a lot of time after shows shaking hands and talking about whatever they want to talk about because I know it means a lot. I want them to feel like they aren’t just supporting another artist because they aren’t.

9.)    What is your belief about God? Are you religious? Spiritual?

 I believe in God. I’m not a fan of the church because I feel like there is an element of exploitation, corruption and showmanship that shouldn’t be present. I’ve learned the most important thing is to have my own personal relationship with God that’s completely independent of what happens on Sunday or holidays and to connect with him daily and not just when I’m in a time of need or want. I’ve learned to trust him even when it’s in dark days that seem to last and to trust his plan for me even if I don’t understand how it will come together, because it always will.

10.) Any big plans with your next project? Any “one producer projects” in the works?

 Not yet. Ideas being tossed around but, until I start really creating it, it’s just ideas.

11.) What artists do you plan on working with in the future?

 I have some people in mind but I want it to be a surprise when or if it happens.

12.) Is it me or have you noticed that the quality of major label CDs has been dry before the hype of June 18 came around? A lot of these major label cats dropped weed plates for retail (outside of A$AP Rocky and maybe a couple of other people).

 The major labels are pretty much dead. They dropped the ball so many times and they have no clue what fans want. They aren’t able to force feed fans the way they use to or try to dictate what the fans should like. If they want to sustain they will work with artists as partners otherwise at the rate its going technology will leave them all bankrupt and it won’t be long.

13.) Do you think D.Rose is going to come back stronger than ever or apprehensive about his injuries?

 Next season he will be back stronger than ever. I always knew he wasn’t coming back but I felt like he was under contract with Adidas to keep the whole Return campaign alive. Coming back in the playoffs isn’t the best place to start testing the waters nor would it be smart to mess up the team chemistry when you haven’t played all year.

14.) So, how much do you miss DJ Pink House?

Much respect to DJ Pink House. A pioneer in Chicago music from house to hip hop. I used to hear stories of him and Twilite Tone who were paving the way for Chicago hip hop. Unfortunately, I’m still catching up on my history because I was still a youngin when he was laying the foundation down.

add-2 more missed calls

15.) Which spot had the best chicken: Harold’s or JJ’s?

 Harolds. The one off 87th and the Dan Ryan specifically is always on point for me.

16.) Seeing plenty of artists make it happen independently (from Tech N9ne to Macklemore), can you shed some light on the pros and cons of being an independent artist?

 Of course the best part is your piece of the pie is much larger and you get more control of how things will go from art, the music itself, the visuals and you get to run the job as you see fit. Unfortunately, you have to do everything that you aren’t outsourcing someone else to do and it’s hard wearing all those hats from artist to manager to booking agent to publicist to assistant to street team. It can be draining, but if this is what you want to do you have to accept whichever position you choose for all its good and all its bad.

17.) Do you think that, due to the success of artists like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, that being focused on “making good music” is starting to come back?

 Yeah it is. They, along with blogs and fans who celebrate these types of artists, are bringing it back. I think when we look back at this time it’s going to be one of the best times in music.

18.) Financially, have you been able to make things happen off of rapping? Or are you still dependent upon a main job to provide for yourself?

 All I do is music. I get enough from features and performances to cover my bills so with that said DEFINITELY keep hitting me up for shows and features! Haha!

19.) Are there any words of wisdom that you want to impart on those that want to become emcees in the game?

 Make sure your heart is in the right place. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be rich or famous or wanting the finer things, but don’t let any of those things overshadow your love for the music. You should be an artist before anything else and should be willing to be that even if the other perks leave.

20.) In 5-10 years, where do you plan on being? With music? With life?

 All I want is to be respected. That’s all. I don’t care if I have a Grammy or if I’m still making mixtapes. I just want my fans and other people to respect me for what I do.

21.) When are you coming back to the ATL to rip up a few more stages?

 Whenever they bring me out I will be RIGHT back to ATL. I need to go back to Waffle House to see my homey, Sunshine, and get some good food.

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: add-2, add-2 interview, add-2 modern day coons, add-2 more missed calls, Chicago, dead end hip hop interview, Midwest, Who Cares?

Kids These Days – ‘Traphouse Rock’ Album Review

November 18, 2012 by Nazeeh Leave a Comment

Kids These Days truly is a rare band. With the assembly of eight separate personalities producing music that spans many genres with live instrumentation, the gap for error is apparent. Yet these eight Chicago teens do not only harmonize blues, pop, rock, soul, jazz and hip-hop effortlessly, but they do so with the execution of musicians two decades deep into their career. They dropped the very dope Hard Times EP last year and are back with their debut full length LP, Traphouse Rock, that showcases a progression leaps and bounds ahead of their previous work, both sonically and collectively.

If someone picked any song on this album, they’d be greeted with a myriad of sounds and instruments, all consistently balanced; this is crucial for a group with so many different pieces all blending into one. This shows when male vocalist/guitarist Liam Cunningham soulfully serenades about how a man’s world means nothing without a woman by his side on “A Man’s Medley,” using the cadence of a voice well beyond his years, or MC Vic Mensa’s ridiculously effortless flow on “Don’t Harsh My Mellow” accompanied by ominously haunting piano keys by female vocalist Marcie Stewart with a spiraling chorus that sounds like it’s falling apart.

The horn section alone in this band would be enough to grab hold my attention for all fifty-eight minutes of the album with trumpeter Nico Segal and trombonist J.P. Floyd. On the song “GHETTO,” Segal hits high staccato notes alongside Floyd, who provides a distorted, whiny drone throughout the song. The beat switches midway to a faster tempo where they play musical ping pong back and forth, until drummer Greg Landfair closes out the song with a sweet solo. This lush instrumentation literally permeates every song.

The subject matter Kids These Days delve into on Traphouse Rock address a plethora of different aspects of teen youth, but doesn’t get redundant or dramatic in that bullshit teen angst kind of way. The pretentious, cynical perception musicians their age typically have in this generation is cleansed by a very genuine place of youth with relatable topics.

Adolescent nostalgia breathes over subdued trumpets that open up the track “Talk 2 You” as Mensa speaks to an old friend/ex over the phone about all the old memories they shared. Pain and regret drunkenly dance with each other in the hook Cunningham sings so honestly: “Bottoms up baby I’ve been drinking/ Let me tell you about what I’ve been thinking/You’re the reason why I wrote this song/ I hope it hasn’t been too long.”

Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, who also hails from Chicago, handled a large majority of the production on this project and did a phenomenal job. The layered instrumentation and improved musicality of Kids These Days is most likely a result of Tweedy’s mentorship.

Take the cohesive instrumentation of The Roots and the free spirited style of Gym Class Heroes pre-2008, and that’s close to how this band operates. Traphouse Rock is music in its rawest,  purest form, from a group of musicians celebrating their adolescence through music played at a much higher caliber.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: blues, Chicago, hip-hop, horns, jazz, kids these days, pop, rock, soul, the roots, wilco

‘Food & Liquor 2 is done,’ says Lupe Fiasco

April 9, 2012 by Dead End Hip Hop Leave a Comment

Lupe Fiasco, the Chicago rapper known for his seminal works “Food & Liquor” and “The Cool,”  announced today on Twitter that his followup to “Food & Liquor,” titled “Food & Liquor 2: Great American Rap Album Pt. 1,” has been mastered.

Along with stating a tentative listening session for fans and music executives, Lupe hinted at a “July” release. The only factor that would impede release is if the new album includes two CD’s worth of content or not.

Fiasco dropped his latest project, “Lasers,” in 2011 to mixed critism, and also questioned the trust of fellow fans. Here’s hoping that his next effort shows a return to boom-bap form.

Props to HipHopDX for the scoop.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Chicago, food & liquor, jaco, lasers, lupe fiasco, mixed critism, muhammad, the cool, wasalu

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