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New Releases
Album Release: ‘Destin et Beyond’ – Monk.E & KenLo
Word! Interdisciplinary Artist Monk E is at it again. This is not the first appearance he’s made in my blogs and it definitely won’t be the last cause I’m is loving his work. 2012 has a been a particularly good year for Monk.E as freestyle poet, MC and visual artist. I mean if you were in Montreal this summer you must’ve at least caught one of his performances during the Francofolies with the K6A and Alaclair Ensemble Fam or maybe you caught a glimpse of his live painting exhibition during the Jazz Festival or maybe you made your way to one of the knowledge-hop event series he’s organized or better yet maybe you experienced his exceptionally eloquent improv poetry at one of the epic Kalmunity nights during the Jazz Fest. Needless to say that Monk.E has really been making his mark in the city.
Now if you jog your memory a little, you’ll remember that back in February that Monk.E dropped an absolutely insane single and video called ‘Voir ton Soul‘ ft. Sola and produced by KenLo. (This baby was on our rotation every week for like 2 months!) Now the single was supposed to be a teaser for the New album Monk.E and KenLo were working on called ‘Destin et Beyond’ due to release ____???____ . Yup till about last week no one knew when this Masterpiece was gonna release but Ladies and Gentleman i have a date for you!!! Pull out your calendars and make a big bright star on October 18th 2012. Its going down at Les Bobards as 9pm. Our fav fellas CeasRock and Markings will warming up the floor for him and he will also be unveiling 17 of his new art pieces. It’s gonna be a guaranteed epic night.
Need more convincing? Well MonkE and KenLo taught they’d hook you up with a little teaser. Enjoy!
Track of the week: “Five” – RT Beat
Word!! The homie RT Beat has done it again!
Monday Morning my Tweet Feed was blessed with the news that Montreal’s own Beat Engineer, RT Beat, has dropped a New Tape. This is fresh new joint is 7track gem called Lost Hdd. His last tape ‘It Aint Ready Yet‘ was one of my favs so it’s about time that he put out a new one.
Now I highly suggest getting the entire tape (its donation based so you got no excuse homie) but the track the literally had me jumping out my bed, trying to do back flips and shh was definitely ‘Five’. All my fellow dancers will agree that this track is the kind of piece that your heart and toes live for.
Get yourself some fresh new beats fam!
p.s: I’m sure you’ll all be glad to know that the lovely Jenn Mierau has returned as a special guest on this one too. I’ve become such a fan of hers since their first collabo on ‘In a little while‘
Nomadic Massive SUPAFAM Mixtape Launch
Nomadic Massive is such an essential part of the Hip Hop community in Montreal that it almost feels ridiculous to give them an introduction but just in case you didn’t know let’s go a head and back track.
So back in 2004, a couple of great like-minded artists from the city linked up for what was supposed to be a one-time collaboration for the 10th International Hip Hop Festival of Cuba. Many a tales have come from that trip but all we know for sure is that it solidified one of the most important collectives this city has ever seen. Coming from such a beautiful medley of cultures and backgrounds they created a sound that has yet to be imitated and could never be duplicated.
In 2006, we got a real feel for their high skill in lyricism when they dropped their EP Nomad’s Land. Spitting in over 6 languages and laying down head bumping beats already had us hooked but when you started breaking down the verses you realized that these cats weren’t just here to play. Tracks like OWD (Oil, Weapons, and Drugs) were packed with some serious knowledge dropping. When my 17-year-old hands got a hold of this gem, my mind’s horizon widened by at least two fields. Had I known at the time that this was only one of Nomadic’s mission statements I would probably be even further in life now. Behind their music making the Nomads were all highly involved in community building whether it be as teachers, youth workers, and health professionals or with projects such a No Bad Sound Studio and the Concordia Hip Hop Symposium. Amazingly enough, their influence did not stop there. With the international connections they gained over the years they became what I like to call Hip Hop ambassadors creating strong bonds with communities all over the globe, which benefited all parties and has opened doors for many other local artists who have followed in their footsteps.
In 2009, they dropped their second album Nomadic Massive, which was a moment capture of what you could expect at Nomad show; HIGH ENERGY. If you’ve ever seen them perform Reveye live you know exactly what I mean.This album and the series of amazing performances that came after its release had them clocked as Best Hip Hop Group (Montreal Mirror) for 3 years in a row and a reoccurring feature at the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Now, it’s been 3 years since their last drop and though they’ve kept us quite satisfied with live shows, solo performances and side projects such as Hip Hop Revival, it’s about time that we got something that we can take home! This Saturday our thirst will finally be quenched with the launch of their new mixtape SUPAFAM. We were teased with the release of the title single and amazing video so I can only imagine how unbelievable this is gonna be. Plus what a great name for their mixtape because if there’s one thing you’ll notice when you see Nomadic, is that they always roll with a supafam (and yes, you’re part of it).
Nomadic Massive’s SUPAFAM release show ft. Kaytradamus + Dr. Mad (Alaiz)
The Belmont (4483 Blvd. St-Laurent)
10$ (Incl. download code for mixtape)
First 100 guests get an exclusive Tape (yup I said tape)
Big Shouts to Nik Brovkin for the artwork.
Oh and did I mention that Nomadic has completely stepped the video clip game up in Montreal. I mean seriously all the videos they’ve put out even down to just their promo videos have been absolutely priceless.
-Gold
Free Mixtape: Skratch Bastid & The Gaff present SOUL SISTERS STAND UP!
Is it just me or does Skratch Bastid really knows his way around a girl’s heart?
Yesterday morning I woke up to find this wonderful gem in my mailbox and I just wanna say THANK YOU!!!
Skratch Bastid and The Gaff teamed up to make this two part outrageous soul stirring, shoe shaking, pull-out-your-hair-brush-and-sing mix that had me busting moves in front of my mirror for the full hour and 20mins.
More than that, let’s talk about this amazing concept. Every single recording, sample, loop and break used on this Mixtape is by a female from the mid 60s to the mid 70s. When you take the time to listen to the mix you’ll realize how much of an enormous impact these females have had on music history. As a female myself I am so glad that two of my favorite DJs took the time to honor my soul mamas who I try to channel every time I’m strutting down the street or take my space in this world like every soul sister should.
Skratch Bastid and The Gaff are well known for having deep crates and always hitting you with a curve ball on their picks and this mixtape makes no exception. Though there are a few recognizable riffs I’m ready to bet money that you never knew where the original sample came from.
This mix is clearly another one Skratch Bastid’s master pieces and it’s due time that we got a The Gaff & Skratch Bastid collabo.
Just thinking about how much time and dedication they must’ve put in to make this project swells my heart so much that I’m truly considering making my way out to Toronto July 27th for the launch party of this Mixtape at the Revival Bar. Can you just imagine the boogie down party that will be?!
Again from a die-hard soul sister THANK YOU fellas!
This is a tape I’ll be sharing with my mama and passing down to my babies
-Gold
P.S: Shout out to Rhek for the great Album Art!
Artist Of the Week: Dead Obies
Yup as of today Say Word will be bringing you an artist of the week every week so we can try to showcase all of the amazing artists we feature on our radio show.
To get the ball rolling I thought it was only appropriate that we start with all stars Dead Obies cause as I mentioned in my MIMS piece, I am absolutely obsessed with their new Album ‘Collation vol.1′
Amazingly were we able to contact some of the Obies to come in for an Interview with us at Say Word this week so be sure to tune in Thursday from 11am-1pm for some sick tracks and an exclusive look into the Obies world.
To be sure that you feel well versed in their beats and language be sure to cop yourself the free download of ‘collation vol.1′ as well as the other digi-albums on their bandcamp.
Future Classic: Loe Pesci ”DMT with Joe Rogan”
They don’t call him the King for nothing.
Loe Pesci is an acclaimed King of the Dot Battle MC, one half of the Hip-Hop duo OG Hindu Kush, a Montreal Swag promoter, and of course a sick solo artist! Just over two weeks ago he dropped his new solo album GOODX2 on bandcamp, which within 48 hours managed to hit #1 of their top sellers list. A week later he blessed us with the release of his new video “DMT with Joe Rogan”. Can I just say.. Not only is this clearly a future classic but this ish, is a current classic!
“DMT with Joe Rogan” is the opening track off Pesci’s new album and totally sets the tone for the greatness to come. Being a battle MC, Pesci clearly has a talent for words and wordplay but it’s an extra treat to be able to hear his ideologies and influences laid down on a track. If you’re imagining a “yo mama” type rapper, you are deeply mistaken cause Pesci is richly versed in life experiences and complex referencing. Moon Boots also deserves a major shout out for the production of this banging and soulful track.
The video itself falls perfectly in line with the concept and emotion while highlighting Montreal’s best features. Sherwin Long’s artwork [the image above his work too] is great addition to the project and beautifully pays respect to Mtl Greats that are not longer here with us [R.I.P BNB & Dutch].
If you haven’t already, be sure to buy the download to GOODX2 off of bandcamp and if your into physicals like myself you can go pick one up at the Loe Pesci’s show Friday March 9th where he’ll be opening for Masta Ace at the Belmont.
[This article is also featured on musicismysanctuary.com]
