Recent posts: Breaking Bits

Returning for its 5th year, the Art of Cool Fest brought the perfect combo of hip-hop heat and smooth soul back to NC’s beloved Bull City. Fans were treated to monumental moments like DJ sets by 9th Wonder and Spinderella, a live set by Q-Boro’s own Nas and a surprise last minute reunion of Little Brother as music coming from The Armory and The Bulls Athletic Park speakers blasted sentimental favs. Also in search of R&B band bops, we made sure to race around town to catch Dwele, Erykah Badu, Young Bull, Maxwell and Anthony Hamilton throughout the worthwhile action-packed weekend.

Now that 2017 is a wrap, it’s time to give props to the artists and bands that caught my attention and never let go. The projects that stood out among the rest. The projects that kept me coming back.

As many 90’s classic albums continue to hit the critical 25th Anniversary mark, genre purists cannot forget to commemorate 1992’s ‘The Chronic’. Released December 15, 1992, the monstrous solo album from future legend Dr. Dre bore its enduring mark into a crowded landmark year and introduced a new wave of East Coast impressionable hip-hop listeners, perhaps too young to know N.W.A., to the trademark West Coast P-Funk homage-paying Death Row Records sound for the first time. If an album perfectly encapsulated a time and place with its vivid corresponding videos, this would be at the top of the list. ‘The Chronic’, combined with the searing ‘Deep Cover’ soundtrack title-track released earlier in ‘92, introduced the world to Snoop Dogg, another future legend in his own right, provided a remarkable 1-2 punch, leaving their stamps on hip-hop history for all eternity.

As I bid farewell to the first half of 2017 and seek music to replenish our soul summer song playlists, one album automatically getting the add is Cody’s ChesnuTT’s latest effort ‘My Love Divine Degree’. Continuing in his introspective and social commentary combination trademark style, Cody’s new full-length focuses on conscious culture and the Black family structure. Collaborating with Raphael Saadiq on a few tracks, broad influences meld like a spiritual union at the intersection of soul and folk, while occasionally dabbling in electronica and reggae.

On a day guaranteed to include the gamut of emotions, Prince fans all over the world will stop to pay tribute to the one and only. When considering crucial musicians contributing to Prince’s legacy, one cannot help but mention NPG and 3rdEyeGirl member Ida Nielsen. As we all know, Prince didn’t just pick anyone to share stages or record music; it required a combo of on-point skill of your instrument(s), adaptability to creative genius change and possession of personal fly style to be down. A formal student at The Royal Danish Academy of Music and an informal student of the funk ultimately led her down the Purple path.

As we begin to wrap up a quarter chapter of 2017, it’s time to look ahead to potential dope releases to come. On my wishlist of groups I hope blesses the world soon with their latest effort is LA-based R&b/jazz trio Moonchild. Sonically introduced to this threesome at Stevie Wonder’s House Full of Toys benefit a few years ago, our paths crossed again at Durham’s Art of Cool Festival again. Purchasing their DJ Jazzy Jeff and James Poyser remixed single of “The Truth” recently, of which the proceeds supported the ACLU, made me more hyped for new MC music.

As the clock continues to tick down on a strange but musically productive year, the producers who placed a lasting impression on critical projects in 2016 def deserve year-end props. Terrace Martin, one such artist/producer, garners such recognition, with undeniably dope contributions, releasing his 2017 “Best R&B Album” Grammy-nominated solo project ‘Velvet Portraits’ as well as producing for several artists like Rapsody, Schoolboy Q, YG, Herbie Hancock and Kamasi Washington to name a few. Already a two-time Grammy winner for his work on Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, it’s probably safe to assume 2017 will be just as hectic. Starting his career, working for Diddy in high school, set Terrace on his accolade-filled musical path.

Continuing to highlight the artists that left their mark as we wind down a very busy and strange 2016, Mello Music Group (MMG) artist Mr. Lif def comes to mind. A well respected Boston repping MC, his trademark flow and memorable collabos with other legendary statesmen within the indie hip-hop scene precede him. Dropping a dope pensive solo album ‘Don’t Look Down’ as well as ‘The Life and Death of Scenery’ project with MMG mate L’Orange, Mr. Lif’s toured internationally for a loyal fanbase worldwide during a fruitful, productive year.