Brooklyn rapper, Rowdy Rebel, has officially been released from prison, to the rejoice of fans and acquaintances alike.
Chad Marshall, known professionally as Rowdy Rebel was released this past Tuesday after spending nearly four-years incarcerated at Collins Correctional Facility in Erie County. Upon his release, the “Beam Jawn” emcee was greeted by family, friends and associates. Soon-after, he was being gifted eye-popping jewelry and made his way to a private Jet, as well as a recording studio.
Originally arrested back in 2014 alongside fellow rapper Bobby Shmurda and other GS9 hip-hop collective affiliates on murder, drug, and weapons charges. The two Brooklyn drill rappers then took a plea on conspiracy to possess weapons and were then sentenced to seven years in prison.
Even while locked up, Rebel kept up his grind, keeping his focus on music. The “Computers” rapper made a guest appearance on Pop Smoke’s Billboard charting record “Make it Rain,” recording his verse via a collect call from prison.
Videos surfaced all over social media documenting Rowdy Rebel’s first day of freedom, including a call to still incarcerated Bobby Shmurda. Who, on the other hand, hasn’t fared as well with the Board of Parole despite taking a plea deal so his compatriot would serve less time. Bobby Shumrda has allegedly racking up violations for possession of weapons and drugs while in prison and is serving the rest of his sentence, Bobby is scheduled to be released in December of 2021.
Fans should keep their ears to the ground for new music coming from Rowdy Rebel as he has already been seen cooking it up in the studio, you can see him live on Instagram reveling in his newfound freedom and triumphant return to Brooklyn’s rap game.
Brooklyn-based Ok Cowgirl shared their second track of the fall, “Don’t Go.” This is the project of the multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Leah Lavigne. It serves as an explosively dreamy testament to shedding insecurities and carving your own path in a world that craves conformity.
Photo Credit: Nina Jang
Driven to pursue a louder, equally introspective sound, Lavinge stepped away from the piano and taught herself electric guitar. In the summer of 2018, she joined long-time collaborator and percussionist Matt Birkenholz, bassist Jase Hottenroth, and lead guitarist Jake Sabinsky. They were Leah and the Lowkeys, but later changed their name to Ok Cowgirl.
The dreamy, synth-laden track was inspired by being in the moment, those days when life feels electric. “It’s a wispy optimistic take on watching time drip by through rose colored glasses,” says Lavigne. “Don’t Go” interweaves still-overdriven Fenders with dulcet vintage keyboards. It maintains the core sounds of the group’s arsenal while arguing the opposite attitude of “Get Gone.”
“Don’t Go” looks to good days to treasure the moments of emotional reprieve, seeking inspiration in the energy around us. On the other hand, “Get Gone” serves as a reaction against superficiality and the desire to abandon it.
The “Get Gone” / “Don’t Go” double single release is now out everywhere.
When talking about the significant birthdays in hip hop, few mean more to the genre than Jay-Z’s. The Brooklyn-bred mogul has turned modest beginnings into a billion-dollar empire while doubling as one of the world’s most popular and influential entertainers. A product of Brooklyn’s Marcy projects, Hov has found success by being a forward thinker and staying ahead of the curve, something he has no problem reminding peers and fans alike. After all, who else could serve as Hip Hop’s “Big Brother?” So, as we wish him a happy 51st birthday, here are the top Jay-Z songs where he lets you know that he sets the trends, we just follow.
Imaginary Players
The fourth track off of his sophomore album, In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, “Imaginary Players” has stood the test of time as one of the premier “sh** talking” records in Hip Hop history. Hov spends nearly four-minutes reminding rappers that their records don’t sell as well as his, they’re not as fly as him and their money simply doesn’t stack up. As part of his earlier discography, it’s always fun to hear Jay – Z brag about cars, money and jewelry before his ascension to mogul status. The intro alone sets the tone for the whole record.
I gotta be like the pioneer to this sh**, you know I was popping that Cristal When all y’all n***** thought it was beer and sh**, you know Wearing that platinum sh** When all y’all chicks thought it was silver and sh** I gotta really be the pioneer of this sh** Bottom line
30 Something
This is an interesting part of Jay – Z’s career. Hip Hop has always been driven by the youth, yet on this record, a 35-year-old Jay tried to convince the world that all the youthful materialism (rims, jewelry, gunplay) that had been a part of the rap culture for decades was now irrelevant.
I’m young enough to know the right car to buy Yet grown enough not to put rims on it I got that six-deuce with curtains so you can’t see me And I didn’t even have to put tints on it I don’t got the bright watch, I got the right watch I don’t buy out the bar, I bought the night spot I got the right stock I got stockbrokers that’s movin’ it like white tops
It was certainly gaudy of him to believe that he could single handedly shift hip hop’s culture to fit where he was at in his own life. But, the fact that he was able to turn this train of thought into an entire album — Kingdom Come — and not get ridiculed is impressive in itself.
On to the Next One
https://youtu.be/AQY7hivw67Q
One of the lead singles off of 2009’s The Blueprint 3 album, this record continues the trend of Jay – Z letting rappers know that they simply do not have the connections that he does, so the moves he make will always be of a higher plateau. The Swizz Beats assisted record sees Hov double down on his new way of thought, letting listeners know that he’s only moving forward and since he’s used to setting trends, this would just be another one that the masses would eventually follow.
I had Oprah chillin’ in the projects, Had her out in Bed Stuy chillin’ on the steps, Drinking quarter waters I gotta be the best, M-J at Summerjam, Obama on the text, Y’all should be afraid of what I’m gonna do next.
He also continues his hilarious vendetta against throwback jerseys, which have been and always will be a staple of Hip Hop culture.
Used to rock a throwback, balling on the corner Now I rock a teller suit, looking like a owner
U Don’t Know
One of the very best records from one of the best album’s in Jay – Z’s discography, “U Don’t Know” is the 6th track off of the original Blueprint album. The record serves as a reminder that Jay – Z’s business acumen was crafted from his time on the street. Backed by thumping drums and horns, Hov reminds everyone that if he’s nothing else, he’ll always be a hustler. From selling crack cocaine, to records, to clothing, he’ll always find a way to remain on top.
I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in hell I am a hustler baby, I’ll sell water to a well
His ambition alone should serve as motivation.
Could make 40 off a brick but one rhyme could beat that And if somebody would of told ’em that Hov’ would sell clothing Heh, not in this lifetime, wasn’t in my right mind That’s another difference that’s between me and them Heh, I’m smarten up, open the market up
Otis
I invented swag
One of the very best songs of 2011, “Otis” is titled after legendary soul singer Otis Redding because of the heavy sampling of his voice throughout. But make no mistake, this song is 2:58 of unabashed braggadocio. The opening line sets the tone and from there on Hov and ‘Ye take turns letting us know that they’re the hottest sh** out and the biggest trendsetters in the game (and who would argue?).
I made “Jesus Walks” I’m never going to Hell Couture level flow, it’s never going on sale Luxury rap, the Hermes of verses Sophisticated ignorance, write my curses in cursive I get it custom, you a customer You ain’t customed to going through customs You ain’t been nowhere, huh?
After years of turning up his nose at those who would brag about women, cars and jewelry, Jay – Z sounded rejuvenated on this record.
Poppin’ bottles, puttin’ supermodels in the cab, proof I guess I got my swagger back, truth New watch alert, Hublot’s Or the big face Rollie I got two of those Arm out the window through the city I maneuver slow Cock back, snap back See my cut through the holes
We don’t know if Jay – Z will release anymore music, but his historic longevity has allowed us to see the maturation of the most influential figure out of New York City and for that, we can be grateful. While a few of these attempts at leading the charge have been hilariously head scratching, the impact, innovation and hustler’s mentality is something to be revered. Happy Birthday Hova!
SAINt JHN, an artist from Brooklyn (real name Carlos St John Phillips), released his third album While The World Was Burning as artists continue to use the pandemic as inspiration for their music. His successful hit “Roses (Imanbek Remix)” spent 34 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 and peaked at #4 this past summer. The rest of his discography includes two other albums or “collections” with Ghetto Lenny Love Songs released in 2019 and Collection One in 2018. His commercial success took off in 2019, writing “Brown Skin Girl” for Beyoncé’s album The Lion King: TheGift. While the World Was Burning is a glimpse at SAINt JHN’s endless potential as an artist who can capitalize on using unpredictable times as momentum towards his promising career.
“Sucks To Be You” is the introductory track that successfully sets the tone of While The World Was Burning by reintroducing the world to a different side of SAINt JHN. The repeated lyrics from the chorus, “I said you know who I am, this kid from Brooklyn,” describe an adverse journey from humble beginnings to a successful artist. His honesty about his upbringing coincides with growing apart from someone who supported his initial dreams of wanting to become an artist. SAINt JHN expresses a vulnerable side as an artist who can make an upbeat hit like “Roses” and explain who he is as a person on “Sucks To Be You.”
https://youtu.be/pDsas5WHPXk
SAINt JHN made his TV debut performing “Sucks to Be You” on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon
SAINt JHN gathered a star-studded list of features on this album including 6LACK, Lil Uzi Vert, Future DaBaby, Kehlani, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Kanye, and JID. On “Ransom,” he teamed up with 6LACK and Kehlani to create a complementary vibe for each artist involved. Earlier in the year, he released a music video for “Ransom” featuring only his initial verse. By adding 6LACK And Kehlani, SAINt JHN proves his capability of knowing how to improve a song with the right features. While “Ransom” and “Sucks To Be You” are both tracks that highlight melodies, “Freedom Is Priceless” delivers an up-tempo beat that showcases his lyricism as a rapper.
“Pray 4 Me” is a cautionary tale about the possible repercussions of a rockstar lifestyle. SAINt JHN expresses his deepest fears of fame getting the best of him with lyrics like, “My life now, this highlight now/ Play my mama this if I die right now.” In comparison, Kanye’s featured verse feels superficial and so out of place the song would thrive even more without his verse. “Smack DVD” is the second collaboration between the duo and is available on the re-release version of While the World Was Burning. Kanye has a better verse on “Smack DVD” than on “Pray 4 Me,” but SAINt JHN outshines him on both tracks.
SAINt JHN mentions “Tryin to be the next Kanye” on “Quarantine Wifey,” but his originality is his biggest asset rather than emulating any other artist. Looking back on this year, While the World Was Burning will be a reminder of how music made the uncertain times a little more bearable.
On the heels of back-to-back releases in 2019 and in anticipation of his long-awaited album, The Billy Danze Project, Mash Out Posse’s (M.O.P.) own Billy Danze returns. His 13-song, 37-minute LP We Busy (The Listening Session) is a collaboration with Swiss producer, Too Busy. Known for his aggressive delivery and roughneck subject matter, Danze gained notoriety during the mid ‘90’s and early 2000’s as part of the hardcore Hip Hop duo M.O.P., along with fellow Brownsville native, Lil Fame.
The Mash Out Posse
Recognized as a hardcore Hip Hop legend, Danze looks to present fans with a different point-of-view ahead of his upcoming album. A close associate and frequent collaborator to fabled producer DJ Premier, much of M.O.P.’s sound was rooted in classic hip hop principles. Heavy drums and loud snares, plenty of scratching, as well as distinctive riffs and sound effects, as exemplified by their breakout single, “Ante Up.” While The Billy Danze Project may see the Brooklyn-bred emcee return to his musical roots, he looks to show fans a different side of himself on We Busy.
“We Busy is more of the thinking section that leads to my album. The soulful beats helped me showcase the Billy Danze my audience may not know; I’m painting familiar portraits on an unfamiliar canvas,” Danze commented.
We Busy features notable collaborations from a number of Hip Hop legends and pioneers. Along with production and narration from DJ Premier, guest appearances can be found from Method Man, legendary rapper, producer and one half of Mobb Deep, Havoc, M.O.P cohort Lil Fame, fellow Brooklyn native and Firm member Cormega and renowned West Coast rapper, producer and Dogg Pound member, Daz Dillinger.
With varying production styles, the project sees Danze remain in his own pocket on the Method Man assisted record, “Gotham.” Yet, on the song “Damn” the underground veteran tries his hand at more contemporary beats and flows, delivering his rhymes in a much lighter and playful tone. On records like “One to Grow on,” the aforementioned soulfulness rears its head, as the Havoc assisted record shows a vulnerable side of Danze. he raps about his apprehensions, fears, failures, goals and ambitions.
House of Yes, a creative and theatre-infused nightclub in Bushwick Brooklyn, recently partnered with Secret Dance Addiction to host their sober virtual dance experience Ancient Aliens on Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. The virtual event will livestream on the House of Yes Twitch platform and the Secret Dance Addiction Zoom Party to provide a dance experience that does not require alcohol to participate.
The event will include a DJ set from the Founders of Secret Dance Addiction, a disco house set from Silec, and Global Soul sounds from DJ Sabine Blaizin, a House of Yes resident. In addition to music, the Ancient Alien experience will also have a costume contest, facial reading sessions, and a virtual bar experience with alcohol-free Lyre’s cocktails. House of Yes and Secret Dance Addiction hopes to elevate the message of positive partying with a sober-curious experience with Ancient Aliens.
“We are partnering with Secret Dance Addiction because we are drawn to their mission to build a mindful dance community that doesn’t require alcohol to participate. We recognize that many members of our community are sober-curious and appreciate the opportunity to learn about alternative and healthier ways to party. We want to foster genuine connections between people, where we call on them to participate in the experiences we design with their full attention and intention, and we feel like Secret Dance Addiction vibrates on that same frequency.”
Jacqui Rabkin, Marketing and Cultural Director at House of Yes
Ambie and Mike Handby founded the Secret Dance Addiction online platform to promote prioritizing health and connection over intoxicants used when partying. Any sober DJ, artist, creator, or participant can unite in a mindful and addiction-free dance music community. The goal of House of Yes is to unite creative-minded people at their Brooklyn venue to fuel passion and inspiration while providing entertainment.
Ignition on, as we drive off into the horizon with Brooklyn based White Cliffs. The two-sided single, “Six Cylinder Run,” was bred from an impromptu cross-country trip, released Friday, Nov. 13. The single marks a kick off too future releases as we move later into the year.
Rafe Cohan, aka. White Cliffs is a virtuoso of all things music with a slew of singles and EP’s being released since 2018. A musical chef, if you will, blends his talents as a guitarist, pianist, percussionist, singer and songwriter. Moreover, his producing talents fuse these ingredients to create a numbing effect, synonymous with wide open roads and endless travel.
The title track, “Six Cylinder Run,” instigates the hype of a road trip. Suspended echoing-synth leads layer as Cohan sets off with his newfound friend. Tight drum beats prove calming as we move steadily down the highway at 75.
Artists, and travellers alike, can relate to the bottomless feeling White Cliffs emulates across both tracks. He is nor here nor there, constantly in motion. Thus, the void is created. It is a void where musical expression blooms. We stew on its endless exploration. We harness creativity, but we never interrupt the drive.
Last summer I met this new friend. I didn’t know him very well but we became very tight when he was moving to LA… He was supposed to drive across the country so I went with him and we made an EP starting with me in the passenger seat of a car with no real instruments, just on a laptop.
White Cliffs
Watch “Six Cylinder Run” music video here, released November 18.
“On My Mind” gives you a second wind with a phat dub-bass ostinato. Written to back-half the trip, your neck begins to sway with the landscape. It’s getting late, but you seemingly rejuvenate, despite hours to go. The only gripe with these releases is the short sub-three-minute track length, aiding to an industry shift in a shorter attention span.
‘On My Mind’ is 2AM and you have hours ‘til you get to the hotel, pulling this U-Haul trailer and this is like hell. We worked on the songs in the hotel, we brought a bunch of gear with us, little synths, monitors, working on it in Albuquerque and in LA.
Dubbed as a purist, and lost in the art of producing, White Cliffs opens our minds to the days on the road. Listeners relate, especially with touring or traveling experience that encompasses the music industry. Cohan has experimented and crafted, leading him to debut under the moniker White Cliffs in 2017. He has toured with Big Wild, Elderbrook, STS9, in addition to performing at New York City’s Panorama Festival.
With this cook in the kitchen, passengers are left feeling incomplete in its length. The singles don’t transcend the journey, leaving us audio-less quickly. In hopes of accumulating a larger album, White Cliffs will certainly lure his future listeners into the carpool lane for one last late night drive. For now, toss both singles onto your road-trip mixtape.
Take a deeper look into “Six Cylinder Run” and producing craftwork.
Hannah Sumner released her new track, “Only You” on Friday, November 20. The song features over 10 NYC artists and attempts to pay homage to Brooklyn and the feelings of isolation during COVID-19.
Hannah Sumner is a Brooklyn based writer, producer and performer who is a mainly alternative artist. She has released two EP’s: To The Almost, containing five songs, and Guesthousecontaining four songs. Sumner has been singing since she can remember, but came into producing after graduating from Berklee College of Music. She messed around with Logic, popular production software, and taught herself how to produce when she no longer had musicians to play with post college. This is when she found her voice.
Hannah Sumner photo provided by press release.
Every musician has a different writing process and for Sumner, she prefers to write songs by improvising over her own productions. Her single, “Only You,” came out of this process. The chorus of the song contains the original first improvised take. “I use my first take a lot, as the songs come out almost finished. They help me understand what I’m feeling, usually before I even understand myself,” she explained.
She uses her music as a way of journaling her feelings and experiences. “Only You” was written back in April of 2020 when she, like many people around the world, was missing connection. She poured these feelings into a creation that ended up featuring 10 New York City artists, that she considers to be her ‘music family.’
The song features: Steve Bone of VICE audio who mixed the track and performs guitar on it; Adam Neely, Youtube star playing bass; Ella Joy Meir of Iris Lune on vocals; Curtis J and Jackee Frome on vocals; Jacqueline Kerrod playing harp; Joey D’Alessio on vocals; and Markus Roessler on vocals.
The music video was shot on an iPhone, creating beautiful transportations, It is something Sumner aims for in her music, propelled by an underlying interest in film.
The song is somber and eerily-beautiful, which is perfectly mirrored within the music video. It starts with a simple chord progression on guitar with lyrics floating in subtly. Then the song builds up until the full lineup comes together to create a haunting melody. The different musicians featured on the song show up within the video in their own little screens chiming in on the chorus. It’s a song that’s very fitting and universal during these COVID-19 times and definitely worth listening to if you are feeling isolated or alone.
For more information on Hannah Sumner visit her Facebook.
Brooklyn based musical fusion, Shubh Saran, is Becoming a musical world map for genres. In a cell-phone driven society, you would open your GPS to navigate outward. Saran, 29, becomes a medium, channeling a multitude of genres inward and back out through his compositions. The Indian native fuses traditional music, with punk, blues, rock and his head-on studies in Jazz.
The Delhi high school student made Berklee dream come true, honed his passion amongst a “best-of-the-best” melting pot at the college. He has resided in multiple countries, grabbing musical influence at every turn, and it shows. Now calling New York home, Saran’s latest creation, Becoming, is a must explore.
The title track and lead single off the album was originally released Nov. 12, 2019.
The 5-track EP is an navigation to new color palettes that will re-texture the ears of the most seasoned listener. The goal is not a means to an end; It is an exposition of clashing sounds that provoke a journey of unforeseen turns.
Take The title track “Becoming” as example. Saran cresendos into a collapsing overture, filled with dual-drum-sets, arching strings and key pads. Everything peaks at once until Saran reels you back in with his ethereal guitar passage. It draws you into the basement of Berklee’s practice rooms and jam-sessions; the moment where you are sucked in reverse to the doorway, as an unknown musical fusion burst from its seams.
Pairs of drums, Saxophones and strings create a flam-like density. An illusion of the same track being overlapped in slight delay should sound abrasive yet this creates an ever-expanding feeling. The 5:09 track feels like one deep inhale. Its healing breath ends abruptly.
‘Becoming’ definitely wasn’t written as the single off the album, nor was the EP supposed to be named after the song, or vice versa. As I started writing it, though, I began to realize that this is the anthemic song that really sums up the whole message of the EP.”
Shubh Saran Becoming – Released February 10, 2020
Saran’s musical quests become physical as he travels across the globe with his work. Strength, musical and cultural growth bloom in the cyclical nature of Suran’s playing. Most recently he took this EP on tour to with performances and workshops across New Delhi, Goa, Gurgaon and Mumbai. “I compose in a modern jazz sort of idiom, but I decided to revisit the music I grew up with as a teenager… it was Blink-182, punk rock, Green Day, the kind of music you don”t associate with ”serious music”,” Saran told Outlook India. Saran is giving back, filling the music void he had as a high school student. He excites the musical realm and young artists alike.
“I’ve always liked artists who have long music careers, where their first album is really different from their last album, and you can see the evolution and influences over time. I’m just celebrating that by being who I am as a musician.”
Ragas Live Festival will broadcast on November 21-22, hosted by the Brooklyn nonprofit organization Wave Farm. The virtual festival will run for 24 hours straight – from 7 p.m. on Saturday until 7 p.m. Sunday. The 24-hour broadcast will feature over 60 musicians’ global performances.
The Indian classical music tradition known as “raga” was the inspiration for the festival. A “raga” is a musical mode with its own emotions, associated with a specific time of day. The music from the raga harmonizes with changes in light and the emotions associated with a sunset, high noon, or midnight. The musical tradition helped to cultivate the concept for the festival to beam out 24 hours of “raga” to reflect the innovations within the music industry. Ragas Live Festival is in its consecutive ninth year since its start back in 2012. With the music industry having to readjust around COVID-19, Ragas Live Festival was able to transition into a first-ever broadcast for this year’s celebration.
The Ragas Live Festival will feature performances from all around the world and fellow New York artists including; Andy Statman (Manhattan), Krishna Mohan Bhatt (Brooklyn), Arun Ramamurthy (Manhattan), Roopa Mahadevan (Brooklyn), Ask Hafiz (Manhattan), Samarth Nagarkar (Brooklyn), and more.
International performers include Terry Riley (Himitsu, Japan), Betsayda Machado y Parranda El Clavo (El Clavo, Venezuela), Derek Gripper (Capetown, South Africa), and more. Pioneer Works, Brooklyn Raga Massive, NYC Radio Live, and the Rubin Museum of Art are all partners in presenting the event.
Wave Farm will continue to provide support to artists with their Wave Farm Artist Residency Program coming up in February. Artists have the chance to gain valuable radio experience by applying with a specific radio art project. The deadline for the Residency applications is February 1.
Click here to register for The Ragas Live Festival event.
