Producer and recording artist, Theory Hazit, known for his work with Braille, Kokane, and Redman, has released an instrumental project every month of the year in 2017! To end the year with a bang, Theory has teamed with indie label Kiasu Records to bring fans "The Soul Chops" - a brand new 20-track instrumental project with some of Hazit's finest work this year.
For fans of J Dilla or Madlib, Theory also adds his own vocals and taps Portland's Libretto as well as a guest appearance. Located in Portland, Oregon Kiasu Records is a small but efficient team, purely focused on limited edition vinyl releases, making "The Soul Chops" their third official release of 2017. Available now on a limited edition double 12" LP printed on white vinyl, Theory Hazit's "The Soul Chops" comes via free shipping at KiasuRecords.com.
Stream below and be sure to hit up Theory and Kiasu for a limited edition copy of "The Soul Chops"
Los Angeles rapper Down3r teams up with Zyme and Jay Tablet for a brand new introspective single "Stuck In My Ways." Down3r has been releasing a steady stream of music since viral in 2014 with 15 Million+ plays on Mr. Suga Boom Boom. Check out "Stuck In My Ways" ft Jay Tablet and Zyme below and be on the lookout for the official music video coming soon!
Watch the lyric video for "Stuck In My Ways" + add it to your playlist!
Old and new fans alike will be in for a treat, when the Queen of Alabama lets them into her personal space, with her highly-anticipated documentary, "Queen of tha South." Bianca recently released a mixtape by the same name, which is currently for streaming on her website. Head over there and sign up for her newsletter to receive updates on the release of the documentary.
As the music industry looks to fill avoid where party music is complemented by lyrical content and smooth delivery, Cheeks Bossman emerges as Tampa Bay’s answer in an industry full of questions. The 25-year-old Nigerian born, Raphael Oladapo, known to fans as Cheeks Bossman was not always interested in pursuing a career in music. “I didn’t even have it in the back of my mind, I always wanted to be a professional athlete” remarks Cheeks. It wasn’t until he got to college that he began to take his music seriously.
Cheeks began recording songs and working with local producers to generate his own sound. By August of 2012 Cheeks Bossman put out his first mix-tape titled “Pre-Snap." The mixtape which contained 11-original tracks and 4 industry beats, got the attention of his peers and his older brothers which led them to form a label, Green Eyed Music Group (G.E.M.G). With family support and a strong drive, Cheeks began performing in cities around the state of Florida and even landing a feature from Zoey Dollaz for his single “Whoadies.”
“Any record I get on, whether it’s mine or someone else’s, I’m trying to kill it”, exclaims Cheeks. “If I write a verse and I don’t feel like it was the best I could do, I’ll scrap it a got at it again until I feel like I’m giving the track my best.” - Cheeks
Check out the new video from Bay Area artist, Pure Powers, titled "Don't Wanna Go" produced by Zakee! Be on the look out for new video from Pure Powers featuring Del of Hieroglyphics coming soon in 2018.
Tim Maiden returns bringing a brilliant visual to "So Far Gone." The track itself has been gaining a buzz on Spotify, with over 50K plays and featured on playlists like Earmilk's "Throughout" and "Fresh Finds."
The Brooklyn/LA singer reminds many of his fans of James Blake, with a mild soulful R&B, yet indie alternative vibe. When asked about the reasoning behind doing this song, Time replied, "
I want honesty. Nothing means more to me. In this song, I found the power of being present no matter where that place is. So Far Gone’ means exactly what it means. Slowing down can be the hardest thing in today’s world- the world moves so damn fast. I guess in this track I realized sometimes
I can be more of the problem than the solution and I want to change that more every day. The ocean teaches me to be still. Being submerged in something more powerful than myself shows me I am just one of the billions of humans looking to belong.
Watch the video below and let us know how you feel about Tim Maiden.
Portland hip-hop artist Mic Capes returns with the cinematic visuals for his new single "Well Known," produced by Drae Slapz from their recent collab EP SHEESH. Shot by Puurple World, Mic takes us on a journey to North Portland's St. Johns neighborhood for a story about decision making, influence, and power.
Capes has been making waves in the NW and he makes his presence felt on his latest release with Drae Slapz at the boards. Taking the time to flex a little bit, while stepping on the neck of some MCs, Cape's shows he's more than a conscious rapper on his latest project SHEESH now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Ending the year strong with another movie-like music video, be on the lookout for even more moves from PDX's Mic Capes in 2018! Watch "Well Known" below and be sure to stream/purchase SHEESH as well.
The art of storytelling is resurrected with Q.Z.Tha Leader’s latest single Balloons In Tha Wind. The gritty drum work quantifies the sonics from hip-hop’s golden age.
This record is a nod to those crate digging, analog days. When music was meant to be felt, rather than heard. This is a record about letting go of something you love, in order to move forward.
Detroit native Coach Joey remakes the Tupac classic "Run Tha Streets" with his new single "Waiting on You". After helping assist with the careers of Detroit talent like Icewear Vezzo, Kash Doll, and Tee Grizzley, he's now focused on dropping his own music.
Today, we're officially releasing the visual that was directed by Dontell Antonio in Atlanta, GA. The single itself was produced by Helluva, who's known for his joints with Tee Greezly.
The video is creative and is sure to grab music fans' attention. The song is a is produced by Helluva (producer of Tee Grizzley's 1st Day Out hit). In the video, the artist leaves his girlfriend at home and a ton of events lead up to fans asking if he's faithful or not. Coach Joey had a good time playing with the plot of the video.
About Joey
Joseph McFashion created 4 Sho Magazine after his friend Charlie Jabaley gave him the inspiration needed for the idea. Jabaley created mock-up magazine covers to promote Atlanta artists. This pushed McFashion to create the magazine, originally focused primarily on MySpace. He originally didn’t have the funds to purchase the website or release print editions. After saving money that his mother sent him for lunch, he went and opened up a bank account and purchased the 4shomagazine.com domain for $19.99. By utilizing his Atlanta connections to get exclusive interviews, videos, and music releases, the website grew in popularity tremendously in 2008. In mid-2009, he purchased the 4shomag.com domain because his old one had been taken. Eager to begin building the website back up, he quickly realized that many of the artists that were relevant in 2008 were losing popularity. On top of that, his connections in Atlanta had moved on because he’d been gone for a year.
He turned his attention to Detroit and collaborated with M City Jr., Chavis Chandler, and a bunch of other notable names. It would take a couple of years before the website gained traction. After McFashion shot a video for DoughBoyz CashOut in 2012, the website took off because there weren’t many similar Detroit focused outlets that captured the audience in the way that McFashion could. From there, McFashion scoured the city for rising talent, culminating in bringing a number of today’s notable artists to mainstream attention: Team Eastside Peezy, DoughBoyz CashOut, Payroll Giovanni, Icewear Vezzo, Kash Doll, GT, Molly Brazy, Tee Grizzley, FMB DZ, AllStar JR and more.
In addition to 4 Sho Magazine, McFashion started his own film company called Mula Films in 2013. The following year, the company released its first film named 2eleven which would go on to become one of the biggest independent films in Detroit. In 2015, Mula films released Buffed Up which topped 2eleven in sales and overall popularity. Five-O followed in 2016 and Plug Love became an audience favorite upon its 2017 release.
This year, McFashion also expanded more into the music space. He created the record label 4746 Global and signed Molly Brazy, FMB DZ, 9000 Rondae, Cash Kidd, Honey OSO, AllStar Lee, B. Ryan, Miliyah Jewel, AllStar JR., and EJ Beats. In addition to managing all of these acts, he also began executive producing projects and recording his own music
Two of Jackson, Mississippi's strongest lyricists in Ray Kincaid and Dolla Black, link up for a sparring session on "Ultra Instinct". The anime-influenced single is one that is true to the essence of hip-hop.
Both Kincaid and Dolla hold nothing back, giving their unabashed opinions on why they own a spot near the top of the indie rap ladder. Look for more from both artists as 2018 kicks off but for now be sure to put this one in your rotation.
It's all gas, no breaks for rising Portland artist Eso.Xo.Supreme. After dropping his SUPREMESUMMEREP, and most recently the stunning visuals for Low Tides, Eso returns with another brand new 4-track EP entitled, Lonely Ghost. Starring the lead single "Martina," Eso delivers another amazing project laced with bangers from beginning to end. Mastering his own style of R&B, with a touch of autotune and perfected melodies, Eso.Xo.Supreme somehow finds a way to deliver anthem after anthem with no falling off in sight. Continuing to flood his fans with content month after month, Eso has had a huge 2017 with over 2 Million streams between his Youtube and Spotify following, plus successful appearances at New York's famous Webster Hall and Austin, TX's SXSW Festival.
Roll up something, pour up a drink, call over a baddy, and press play on the latest release Lonely Ghostfrom one of Portland rising stars Eso.Xo.Supreme. Also, be on the lookout for the official music video for Martina coming soon!
Recently featured on Revolt TV's "Spotlight on Revolt" and on The Source, Realname McCoy releases his brand new single "FWM" featuring Jesediah. Realname McCoy is an up and coming artist whose distinct vocals and playful lyrics have established him as one of the ones to watch. As a former member of D.C.’s popular rap duo, Beyond Modern, he gained notoriety as one of the best underground emcees from several outlets including: Refinery 29, Brightest Young Things, and Respect Mag. This new single "FWM" was produced by Reuben James
"I had so much fun doing "Limbo" with @iamtheofficial, so when he sent this beat over for "FWM" it was a no-brainer. I recruited Jesediah after we did a show together during Fashion Week, because I knew he would have as much fun with this track as I did. I just wanted to bring some light-hearted, warm weather vibes to NYC one more time before this Winter has us all depressed." - Realname McCoy
Rell Jerv, the newcomer stemming out of Delaware, just dropped "Cheated on Yourself." The single is the first of three audio buzz tracks, being released, over the next month. Catching the attention of music fans lyrically, Jerv is taking a backseat to visuals, focusing on the strong audio only. "Cheated on Yourself" was produced by the Mak3rs, his usual production team he stays loyal to for an original sound.
When we made "Cheated on Yourself" we had just got done distancing ourselves from a lot of people. I think that definitely played a big part in how the record came out, at first listen most would think the song is just about a female.. but in reality, it is directed at everyone. Fake supporters, people that doubt you and mainly the people that walk out of your life while you are in the middle of chasing a goal. So the line "you tied the rope you gotta hang now" is really saying hey you made the decision to walk out of my life, live with that decision.
H-ROC is attempting to break the world record (Guinness book of world records) for most songs ever released on a digital album. The album has 151 songs. The current record holder has 111 songs. Over ten years of unreleased music all combined on one album. H-ROC calls this 151 album his life’s work.
H-ROC’s “I Remember” music video was shot in Bangkok, Thailand and produced by A.Jax Lau.Ryn. “I remember” catches H-ROC reflecting on his life growing up in Tucson, AZ including the up and downs of making it as an artist.
Orange County rapper C-Sharp has been on fire all 2017. Not only dropping the K-Lien collab EP Keep It Lit, with multiple visuals to match, C-Sharp ends the year strong with the new project Driving Habits 2 and a brand new music video for his lead single "Yowder." Around this time last year, C-Sharp dropped his fan-favorite Driving Habits hosted by Adrian Swish.
Now C-Sharp is back again with the release of #DH2 and the highly anticipated video to his single “Yowder” featuring K-Lien and Kevin Parx. Keeping the energy high, C taps in K-Lien and Kevin Park for the banger "Yowder" directed by Voice 2 Hard. With ever improving visuals and consistent output, C-Sharp and team should definitely be at the top of your list for artists to check for in 2018.
Be sure to stream Driving Habits 2 below and check out C-Sharp latest cook up, Yowder as well.
Gulf Coast music pioneer, Dollah Dae, returns with a soulful, yet rugged single dedicated, to Shawn Corey Carter, known to the world as Jay-Z. Appropriately delivered on December 4th, Jay-Z's birthday, this track is certainly a breath of fresh air for real hip hop lovers, especially coming from Mississippi.
Word is that Dollah Dae is back in the studio recording the follow up to his 2007 mixtape, Pay Dae Volume two.
There is no official date yet for Pay Dae Volume III but the gulf coast buzz surrounding the project is catching fire.
Portland's Sir Cool Nutz returns with a vintage yet current vibe on his latest visual for "Yaper" which celebrates the classic Too Short slap "Freaky Tales". "Yaper" is a hard hitting West Coast joint that features Bosko on his latest invention The Electrospit and track duties are handled by Chillest Illest aka DJ Chill. "Yaper" is taken from Cool Nutz's latest album "Terrance" which features stellar appearances from E-40, Nipsey Hussle, Slum Village, Mistah Fab, Mitchy Slick, and More. Stream "Terrance" here: http://goo.gl/H6A11a
