ROUNDUP: Locally Grown Singles

Some quality produce on deck today...
First up, we've got two strong spitters combining forces for a single: "Crash Landed" is a collab feauturing Windsor emcee XP and Lebanon, NH animal Raw Deff, who dropped a blistering album with Yung Breeze and Judge da Beast late last year, "Hitmen for Hire." As always, shots fired and no fucks given.


Chel Strong and Es-K are continuing their weekly single series with "Two Sides of a Coin," an impressive story-telling cut over some gorgeous production work. Es-K beats are always very musical & melodic compared to prevailing trends, but when he's in the lab with Chel Strong, it seems to bring out a whole other level. This track is no exception -- best with good headphones at high volume.


Wes the Best is a fairly new artist, affiliated with the StiltzGang crew. His intricate rhyme schemes and 90's East Coast vibe are a big departure from the Stiltz aesthetic, but his outspoken love of marijuana is not. "4 Life" is a low-key introduction to a high-density lyricist who has a lot more material on the way.


SkySplitterInk dropped a new cut this Wednesday featuring Humble, Question and Rajnii flexing introspective over a dense, shifting and catchy beat. The musician / producer / engineer / emcee / singer / father figure is going to be clearing out more singles off his hard drive as we march into spring, so stay tuned.



Finally, an instrumental from the Milkhaus crew. "Alarm Clock" was composed by LoKi to be his actual morning wakeup -- a slowly unfolding mix of soothing synths and live percussion elements. Dig it.

ROUNDUP: Locally Grown Singles

Four dishes on the menu today:

NOtation and David Chief have released another slice of the new flavors they've been working on. "Taken" is a short breezy slice of aspirational flows -- it's also got over sixty thousand plays on Soundcloud. Clearly, these gentlemen are doing something right. No word on future releases just yet, but rest assured, something is coming.


Chel Strong and Es-K have been putting in work together for years now. If the name is new to you, definitely check out this "Chel x Es-K" mix. It's a strong catalog with a huge range. Es-K was also all over his 2015 LP Forever Starts Tomorrow, an excellent concept album. "Your Moment" marks the beginning of a regular Wednesday series, Clearing Out The Hard Drive, which will consist of this duo unloading heat every week until the snow is gone. Good news for headphones everywhere.


Barre rap squad Bar None The Best had a damn strong 2017 and they're already peppering us with new singles. "Danger" is great throwback cut with a slapping beat that lets these hooligans shine. We can definitely expect more singles, more videos, and more shows in the months to come.


Kingbread is a longtime BTV legend and core member of Heartless Ent, who ended 2017 with a steady run of Soundcloud singles, mostly from founder BL Spitz and Eden rapper Khaosity. "Shelburne rd. Freestyle" is tightly written short movie that showcases Kingbread's true school style. Heartless Ent will be hosting the upcoming All Black Party on Saturday, January 27th at Social Club & Lounge.

VIDEO: K. Sparks ft. Nation - "Make America Fake Again"

Es-K is an all-time great already. In terms of Vermont producers, the man is without equal. His catalog, his reach, and his consistency all prove it. The past two years have seen him evolve from expert producer -- cranking out quality beats at an unholy pace -- to Executive Producer, putting in the work to transform a collection of songs into a cohesive final product.

You can hear this evolution over his past few collaborative LPs with Loupo, but the real payoff was "Building Bridges," his recent album on Bucktown with General Steele. That album was an exceptional piece of work, and it looks like Es-K has done it again.

"Make America Fake Again" is a single off the upcoming (Oct. 15th) K. Sparks album Urban Couture, and it's a powerful video. K. Sparks is an NYC rapper / entrepreneur -- like Es-K himself, a busy, high-functioning artist at the top of his game. It's a combination that really works, and the album promises to be another exceptional release.

Es-K & Loupo - Symbiosis

Just in time for summer's closing act, we've got a fresh new soundtrack from Es-K & Loupo.

These two beat sculptors & sample composers have been honing a psychic bond for years now. Loupo helped co-produce some installments of the Spontaneous Grooves series and showed up again on Es-K's last two solo albums, Mantras in Motion and Passages.

Last year, the duo dropped the "Sanctuary" tape on Chicago-based BLVNT Records. That was a damn fine project, yet since then, each of them have released Lifetime Achievement™ level albums. Loupo's glittering dreamscape Good Company has been getting him rave reviews and worldwide plays, and of course, Es-K dropped his monumental Building Bridges project with Boot Camp Klik legend General Steele.



With Symbiosis, Es-K & Loupo reconvene at the peak of their powers. They're masters of the balance between building hypnotic space and giving the listener an interesting, evolving ride. It's well worth the trip.

You can also cop this on limited edition 10" vinyl while supplies last. See Cold Busted for details.

Es-K - 05.15.17

Brand new beat tape from Burlington's Finest, Es-K. The man simply never stops moving. This is a continuous 22 minute set of head-nodding perfection.

Es-K is currently working on a million projects at once - expect more releases in 2017, including a few big surprises. (Large.)

Meanwhile, tune in on soundcloud.

Es-K Makes a Beat On The Spot

Dope: watch Es-K's creative process in-studio, thanks to On The Spot Sessions. Captured during the long preparation for his recent album Building Bridges, Es-K is posted up at Pro Era Studios and happy to talk shop, as ever.

Es-K has a deep catalog and it's all dope - get started here.

General Steele & Es-K - "Persistence"

Last year, Vermont producer Es-K released a world-class album called Building Bridges in collaboration with NYC rap legend General Steele of the Boot Camp Klik. Since then, their project has been racking up spins around the planet - actual radio spins of actual 180g vinyl, too.

Like any independent artist with quality product should, they've been pushing it hard ever since. This Cisco directed video for "Persistence" features VVS Verbal & Louie Skaggs and a whole lot of Green Mountain panoramic beauty.

The team at Bucktown USA have just released a followup bonus, the Building Bridges Cypha, which features 17 emcees going in on a theme. Maiden Voyage madman Jarv is included in the roster, fresh off tour with RA the Rugged man and joining the Royal Rumble here at lucky number eleven.



Rounding out the 802's contribution is Crusty Cuts on the scratches. All power to the DJs; the world needs more scratch breaks.

"Sanctuary" - Es-K & Loupo

A fresh dose of instrumental expertise from two of Vermont's very finest beatsmiths, Es-K and Loupo. This latest project is a collaboration with Ann Arbor, MI label/collective Blvnt Records. 10 tracks of lush headphone food available as a "pay what you want" download.

We can expect major -- huge -- individual projects from these two in 2016. In the meantime, you can tune in on Soundcloud: Es-K x Loupo or catch up on their recent album work. Es-K delivered a strong, soulful release for LA label Cold Busted last summer called "Mantras in Motion." Loupo's latest, "Enigma," is ambitious and cohesive, establishing him as a solo artist in his own right.

Loupo featured on Cold Busted compilation

Montpelier native Loupo has gotten a track placed on the latest instrumental compilation from the distinguished hip hop label Cold Busted. It's only the beginning, too: he's got a solo project coming out on that imprint before the summer is through. Props to Loupo and Es-K for making major moves this year.

Speaking of whom...check out this collaboration off the latest episode of Spontaneous Grooves:

"Serenity" - Es-K feat. AG of DITC & General Steele

This album is definitely going to be a landmark for Es-K. He's linked up with the Duck Down Records fam for this lead single, the title track from his forthcoming Cold Busted release "Serenity." Several things I never knew about Es-K, but just found out from Dunn Deal PR:

1. Es-K was born in Holland. (The actual Holland, not the small town in Vermont.)

2. Es-K is an abbreviation for "Essential Knowledge."

3. "Serenity" will also feature C-Rayz Walz, Charmingly Ghetto, DJ Grazzhoppa, Central Parks, M-Dot, Chel Strong, and the 802's own MC Dialect.

Update: Es-K just got this posted on 2DopeBoyz -- congrats, captain. WHALAM.

Es-K - Spontaneous Grooves Episode 18

Tireless purveyor of dope beats & distinguished gentleman Es-K has just dropped the latest installment of his Spontaneous Grooves series, and it is wall-to-wall flames. Montpelier prodigy Loupo shows up as co-producer on three tracks here, too. I had a blast watching Es-K at work in the studio last Friday with Tennessee beatsmith Central Parks -- those collaborations will get released in a future episode. They sound like some shit you'd hear on Mount Olympus.

Es-K just keeps getting better, and that's kinda terrifying.

Es-K x Wombaticus Rex - "Math"

Just something fresh we cooked up. There will be more of these sneak attacks in 2014.

Check out Spontaneous Grooves for more of Es-K's work.

Es-K - Spontaneous Grooves Ep. 16

Burlington beatsmith and one-man army Es-K keeps it moving with the sixteenth "Episode" of his epic series for Cold Busted, Spontaneous Grooves. One of my favorite cuts on this album, "Peaz," is a collaboration with Montpelier-based producer Loupo, who is spooky talented and working on some big projects of his own for 2014.

Get Familiar: SkySplitterInk Playlist

A set from Zach Crawford of SkySplitter Ink showcasing the work that he's been involved with. #ProTip - Zach is your best bet in the state for quality rap recording. Book him.

Es-K - "Souloops Vol. 2"

Flames. Burlington producer Es-K is clearly the hardest-working, best-networked producer in the state -- feel free to email me if you think I'm wrong. (If your name is Nastee or E-Train, I will probably agree with you.) This latest release further cements Es-K's track record: dusty, dirty, funky and relentlessly creative. If you're smart enough to be into cassettes, you can actually order this collection on tape. Or you can just hit play and enjoy the most productive 30 minutes you'll have all day...

Es-K is on Fire This Week

First up, check this out: Es-K collaborating with Dope Dee and SkySplitter on a pretty f'ing ridiculously great instrumental...



Es-K is definitely the most consistent, prolific, and diverse producer I've heard come out of Vermont. I can only write about my opinions, and feel free to let me know if I'm missing out on other cats.

2013 Updates from MC Dialect

For folks who need an introduction, start here:

Thirtyseven: What's been keeping you busy in 2013?

MC Dialect: For me personally, over the last year I've been focusing on music more than ever. I've been doing it for close to ten years, but my productivity tends to fluctuate quite a bit. The last twelve months have been by far my most productive over the last decade. I am currently working on a few different projects. Mainly Somewhere in the Solution. Zach (Anthem) and I have been making music together as Somewhere in the Solution since 2004, but we haven't released a record since Six Years of Secrets in June of 2009, so we have a LOT of new material we've been working on. Zach is a madman when it comes to beats, and you'll see exactly what I mean when the record comes out. We've also been doing a lot of work for the album with one of my best friends, Es-K, who is also BONKERS when it comes to beats. We recently did a track produced by an awesome young beat maker from Montpelier who goes by the name LOUPO... Keep on the look out for him... He's dope as fuck.. On top of that, we're finishing up a track with, and produced by Face One.

I myself, am working on a solo record produced by Es-K, a track with Learic of The Aztext which is also produced by Es-K, as well as a song with a producer from the San Francisco Bay area, Dope Dee. I also have a track with Es-K that will be released on vinyl for his record Serenity, which I am SUPER pumped about. The record will also feature AG (Of D.I.T.C.), General Steele (Of Smif-N-Wessun), M-Dot, and Fish Grease, along with others.

So to say the least, 2013 is keeping me VERY busy.

Thirtyseven: What has your experience been taking the Somewhere in the Solution show on the road through VT and New England?

MC Dialect: When we're doing a show, that's when we're in our element. Recording songs and putting out material is great, but the live show is where we really show people what exactly Somewhere in the Solution is. Regardless of how many people are there, how big the stage is, where it's located...we go all out. It's hard not to when you've put so much love into the music. It's almost like it's out of our control. Once the first beat drops...it's on...hang on for the ride.

We've played pretty much every area in Vermont and it's really interesting to me to see how much hip hop there really is in this little state. There's dudes coming out of the woodworks. There is some real deal shit all over the state. We just have to help each other out to give everyone some exposure. We're all in this together. Let's support each other and grow with one another. I feel like for the most part, everyone does a pretty good job of that.

Thirtyseven: What are your favorite Burlington venues?

MC Dialect: Favorite Burlington venues... Hmm... Well to be honest, Manhattan Pizza & Pub is our home turf. It's our clubhouse. It's our home away from home. For us it's the place where, no matter what night of the week, there's homies in there. On both sides of the bar. (Cue the Cheers theme song). When we first moved to Burlington, we started out doing the open mic nights there, hosted by Andy Lugo. From there it just kind of developed into our spot. We've been doing shows there for years now and we ALWAYS have a blast. We've also had some really fun shows at Metronome, The Monkey House in Winooski, and as of recently, the Jenke Arts studio on Church Street.

Thirtyseven: What local releases & projects are you personally looking forward to?

MC Dialect: I mean, I want to hear everyones music. The scene in Burlington is moving in a really positive direction and I'm glad to be a part of that movement. There's a lot of great stuff that's out, and that's coming out. There's a lot of great new music in general, not just hip hop, coming out of the Jenke Arts Collective that I'm excited about. Can't wait to hear more stuff from Set Up City. REALLY can't wait to hear the new Bless the Child record. Love those dudes. Also hoping there will be some new Brutally Honest coming out in the near future. And of course.. the new Somewhere in the Solution record..

If I had to choose, what I'm looking forward to most is Es-k's Serenity record. It's a dedication to one of his best friends who left the world way too soon. It's going to be a beautiful masterpiece.