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.

Rainy Thursday Update

Bad news first: Fear Fest is postponed, which is to say, not happening this weekend. Location problems at the last minute forced their hand and the team at Yours Truly Inc is trying to line up a new venue and date.

Much better news: BTV rapper NOtation is back with a fresh single and a slick new black and white video to match: "Get Up" features a slamming David Chief beat and some hella decent luxury sedans. Dig it.



In other news: I missed the opportunity to mark the one year anniversary of Judge Da Beast's LP, "Arraignment." It's a raw, solid debut. Links: CD Baby / Apple Music / Amazon

Judge Da Beast has a lot more on the way, including a project coming out next month with Raw Deff and Yung Breeze, Hitmen For Hire -- another opening salvo from the Street Religion movement.

In comeback news: there's another fresh video out this week, and it's Walshie Steeze teaming up with some of the Lynguistic fam for a feel-good summer single. Given how 2017 has been, that actually makes sense at the end of October...hell, I mowed the lawn in shorts two days ago. "It's All Good" features LC and Mike "Philly" Fulton, and it's a slice off his upcoming solo LP, The Walsh Street Journal.



Remember, this will be a packed weekend of shows: two hot tickets tomorrow night with Boomslang's Album Release Party in Montpelier and Manus + Friends popping in Winooski, and a very impressive lineup for Mics and Strikes on Saturday at Champlain Lanes. From here, it's Halloween parties and the Food For Thought Tour kickoff. Enjoy the moment.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mics & Strikes @ Champlain Lanes

As a concert series, Mics and Strikes may sound crazy on paper: hip hop and bowling is not a combination we see too often. It really works, though. Especially with a lineup this strong.

"Wool See" is a new project by IAME -- a rapper / producer who was part of the Oldominion and Sandpeople collectives out in Portland, OR.

$15 gets you two hours of bowling with a killer soundtrack. Dig it.

Little Pain x Dommy Divine, September 13th @ Higher Ground

This one snuck up on me, so it didn't make the September roundup, but this show is loaded with local talent.

As an old rap head in his late fifties, I have no business trying to figure out what is going here. Little Pain is, at least according Vice, "the leader of the Sad Rap Revolution" -- hopefully nobody is getting killed over that, sounds pretty serious. Dommy Divine appears to be either a promoter or a DJ, based on his soundcloud. Dude has taste, either which way.

I do know the cats on the undercard here, and it's quite a lineup. Yung $eth has been building his name off live performances, singles, and his recent EP, FUELED BY HATE. Beat wizard Loupo is currently working on about three dozen projects in the aftermath of his latest album, Good Company. Notation is a local menace hard at work on some new projects, David Chief is an impressive new producer with a big online audience, and Chyse is one of the best rappers in the state. $10 adv / $15 door. 8 pm.

Masta Ace & Akrobatik @ ArtsRiot 10/8

This Saturday at ArtsRiot in Burlington, VT two legends of Hip Hop will be live on stage featuring a bunch of local heavy hitters. Brooklyn, NY's Masta Ace and Boston, MA's Akrobatik will be taking the stage for two unforgettable sets! Masta Ace got his start as part of the iconic Juice Crew being featured on their classic hit "The Symphony" in 1988 and has since released critically acclaimed albums as well as collaboration projects with the likes of Ed OG, EMC (Wordsworth & Stricklin) and MF Doom. 2016 finds him with his new album "The Falling Season" portraying his life in High School. Akrobatik is member of the classic crew The Perceptionists with Mr. Lif and DJ Fakts One. AK has been hard at work this year traveling around the globe doing shows as well as working on new music with Mr. Lif and an album with overseas producer LX Beats. Along with this two legendary artists you get local support from Mister Burns (of The Lynguistic Civilians), JARV (of Maiden Voyage), Self Portrait, Notation, Almattic, Cworner Stwore and Mighty Ceej (MA). Tickets are $12 today and $17 day of show. All Ages. Doors 8:30PM Event Page HERE!

VIDEO "Blood in my Vein" - NOtation

Debut video from young BTV rap artist NOtation flowing over some refined production courtesy of Burlington producer Old Gold. Equally classy are these visuals -- props to Ben Kennedy and Jack Wiley for some professional-grade work across the board. This is apparently the lead single off an upcoming album; this is a very damn promising start.

(Also, big ups to everyone who appreciates Speeder & Earl's. Best coffee spot downtown.)

Cabin Fever Hip Hop Benefit for Salvation Farms

Collective Rhymes and Salvation Farms presents an annual Hip Hop benefit concert for Salvation Farms. It will take place on Thursday, April 2nd at Club Metronome at 188 Main St, Burlington, VT. Doors open at 8 PM and show starts at 9PM. It's a 21+ show and $5 at the door! It is a fundraiser, so we are accepting more than $5 for the cover charge! We have an amazing line up of local hip hop acts! Learic of the Aztexts, Wombaticus Rex, Self Portrait, Mic Plante, Bless The Child, Loupo, Notation, Owen Kinlund aka Rubix, DJCrunchee (Productions), cworner stwore, beat boxer extraordinaire Simmy B, Caveman, Rhythm Riderz Crew, Mycelium MC, and special guests! There will be an All-Star freestyle set that the DJ's, beatmakers, emcee's will improvise the soundtrack and dialogue to a silent movie! This is a hip hop show that can't be missed! See you there! Peace