The classics never go out of style. When three emcees from Toronto get together to collaborate on a track for the love of hip hop, only goodness can come out of it. In 2010, when Dan-e-o was visiting Kish in L.A., the two were talking about future collaboration projects. While reminiscing about their favourite old school tracks, and memories of Concert Hall shows, Kish suggested to Dan-e-o that they do a cover of Biz Markie's The Vapors. After reconnecting with Maestro while he was in LA, Kish had found the perfect third emcee to round out the track. The only missing piece was a DJ. Maestro suggested his sister, DJ MelBoogie, and the rest was hip hop history.
This project was done out of love for the music. After threading a logistical needle for quite some time, the group managed to align schedules and studio time to complete the project. Beyond doing it for the love of hip hop, the track marked some firsts for this team: Vapors 2012 is the first collaboration between Maestro and Dan-e-o, along with being the first collaboration between Wes and his sister MelBoogie. For Kish, this was only the second song he'd recorded after a 15 year hiatus.
To compliment the song, Kish asked phenomenal artist, Sean "Cheeks" Galloway, who did character design for the animated Spiderman series, to create some artwork to accompany the release.
5.10.2011Moka Only teams up with Swiss beatmaker Chief for album called "Crickets".
Canadian rapper/producer Moka Only teams up with Swiss beatmaker Chief for the finest indie hip-hop album you might hear this year, "Crickets". The album showcases the talent of two very gifted artists, pushing the boundaries of hip-hop while preserving its backbone. The album showcases Moka Only's unique raps fused with Chief's sound signature of merging straight hip-hop elements with forward-thinking production.
Moka Only and Chief first collaborated in 2008 on the tracks "Do Work" and "Felt before", and soon after Moka Only released his album "Lowdown Suite 2 - The Box" on Chief's label Feelin' music.
A good connection and the fact that each artist seemed to get the best out of the other convinced Moka Only and Chief to deepen the collaboration and have this natural flow of united work result in a full-length album, so in 2010 they started getting busy with this.
The result is "Crickets", a smashing collision between two creative minds with strong backgrounds in hip-hop which coupled with borderless imagination bring you more than "just another hip-hop album".
The album confirms the genuinely productive union of Moka Only and Chief's abilities, it is the finely crafted and accomplished result of two artists naturally complementing each other's ideas.
From moody ambiences, bewitching loops and hybrid beats to sophisticated soulful beats or mesmerizing urban soundscapes, "Crickets" exhibits a rich pallet of atmospheres and attitudes with a smart and creative approach.
Blending deft production with unique raps, "Crickets" truly is a refreshing hip-hop exploit from two driving forces in the hip-hop scene.
26.1.2012D-SISIVE launches his radio show called "Derek Christoff|The Unknown"
A message from D-Sisive:
Hopefully you don’t hate it.
It’s my new radio show! Well, it’s my only radio show. In fact, it’s not on the radio, so, it’s not really a radio show at all. A podcast? I like saying Radio Show more. Tarzan Dan never had a podcast. So...It’s a radio show. My Radio Show!
The Unknown.
I called my radio show The Unknown because I plan to tell you shit that's unknown to you. Originally, it was going to be an hour of my favourite songs. But after a conversation with Orin Isaacs, who’s producing the show, we came up with something a bit better. I realized there’s already one Ryan Seacrest. And he’s gorgeous. Why try to step on his toes? I’d rather step on my own toes.
Each episode will feature two songs. Two songs by two artists that inspire me. Along with those songs, I tell the story of said inspiration. That, and lots of laser sounds! Radio is full of laser sounds!
I’m nervous about it. Excited. Nervous excitement! You have no idea how hard it is to read out loud. Not an easy task. I can rap for long periods of time. With ease. But reciting from a notebook page? Hard as fu*k! I hope you don't think it sucks!
Direct Soundcloud Link:
http://soundcloud.com/derekchristoff/derek-christoff-the-unknown
10.1.2012URBNET Launches New Compilation Series: URBNET Certified Vol. 1
URBNET kicks off 2012 by launching a new series of "Certified"compilations. The latest addition to the label’s compilation line focuseson new singles from emerging artists. The series will also offer a sampling of songs from URBNET's expanding roster, and this will be an opportunity to hear new music before it appears on full length releases. Certified selections are pulled from URBNET's top 10 best new music list. The monthly list highlights the best new music submissions received by URBNET for release. Volume 1 is set to be released digitally on Tuesday, January 10, and features new music from Ian Kamau, Motëm, royceBIRTH and Besque to name a few
01. Ian Kamau - The Village
02. Besque - Not Enough Love
03. Motëm - All of the Above
04. Def3 - Real Talk
05. D-Sisive - Jolly Good Fellow
06. Dirtybird Beats - A Little Of Somethin
07. Cityreal - Passing Me By (ft Wes Mackey)
08. Factor - Club Soda OG
09. Fatty Down - Sippin' A Beer Remix (Feat. Evil Ebenezer & Kyprios)
10. royceBIRTH - When The Music Stops
11. The Happy Unfortunate - 89 Vibin'
12. The Lytics - I'm Here
1.1.2012Sweatshop Union Announce Winter 2012 US/Canada Tour Dates
Thur Jan 19 - Moscow, ID - University of Idaho
Fri Jan 20 - Missoula, MT - Top Hat (*MAY CHANGE*)
Sat Jan 21 - Victor, ID - Knotty Pine
Sun Jan 22 - Park City, UT - Star Bar
Tues Jan 24 - Crested Butte, CO - Lobar
Wed Jan 25 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
Thur Jan 26 - Denver, CO - Summit Music Hall (main support for P.U.T.S.)
Fri Jan 27 - Salt Lake City, UT - Urban Lounge (main support for P.U.T.S.)
Sat Jan 28 - Truckee, CA - Pastime Club
Sun Jan 29 - South Lake Tahoe, CA - Moe's Place
Sat Feb 18 - Revelstoke, BC - River City Pub
Sun Feb 19 - Canmore, AB - The Drake
Sat March 3 - Golden, BC - Rockwater
22.12.2011JACKHOUSE RESURRECTED URBNET's electro magazine is back focusing on house, electronica, alternative reviews, interviews, and upto date news. Visit http://urbnet.com/jackhouse and be sure to follow our new jackhouse twitter account @urbnetjackhouse
22.12.2011Moka Only's Martian Xmas 2011 Available for FREE
22.12.2011Sweatshop Union's The Bill Murray EP wins Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at Western Canadian Music Awards Whitehorse, YK - Congratulations to Sweatshop Union for taking home Best Rap/Hip-Hop Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards. The Vancouver-based group was recognized for their Bill Murray EP which first hit iTunes on March 1st. The EP was highly embraced by Sweatshop fans who have waited patiently for a group record to pick-up where Water Street left off. One fan on the iTunes feedback described Sweatshop as "constantly innovating and creating new sounds, but still the same rappers and message I LOVE." Another boasted, "Beats and lyrics on point, best hip-hop of '11." Support the Sweatshop movement and purchase The Bill Murray EP on iTunes now.
22.12.2011CHERINA & DAVINA release new single 'I Was Scared'
Music and creativity have been a constant theme in the lives of these identical twins. They have been playing their instruments for six years, but started writing songs long before. When it came time to form a band there were no questions asked, they simply grabbed their instruments and started writing. It was a natural evolution of their musical abilities.
urbnet.com/CherinaDavina
