The Audacity of Dope

Elzhi’s back with the next set of visuals off Elmatic, this time linking up with Michael Castelaz to highlight “It Ain’t Hard To Tell.”  Has anyone asked Nas if he’s heard the project yet?  Most artists would probably be a little salty, but I gotta think Nas would be appreciative.

Ahhh…still in that LA state of mind. It helps that Nipsey’s rooftop shots here were filmed right next to the LA Convention Center and the LA Live complex, where I spent most of my trip. This beat is kinda epic too…

Aside from the realization that Drama Beats from Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory can actually make some slaps, the most surprising thing about this song/video is that Lamborghini’s actually require a key.  I thought we were all on team #pushtostart these days, no?

While I was down in Los Angeles this past week for E3, it made me remember my college days down there and I can’t front, I miss that SoCal vibe from time to time.  Thankfully, there are videos like this one from Dom’s upcoming West$ide II project to help me reminisce.

Not much time to chat this week as I’m packing my bags for E3 (huge video game trade show, get familiar!) so I have to make this quick.  Shout to Miss Casey Carter for sitting in with us and be sure to “Like” our new SNSS Facebook page right here.  If you’re in Los Angeles for the next few days, attending E3 or not, holler @ a Hyphen!

Show #314 (6-5-11)
**Co-Hosted by Miss Casey Carter**

1. The Hood Internet ft. Freddie Gibbs, Telli, & Elizabeth Harper – “VCR”
2. L.A.U.S.D. ft. U-N-I & Vida Jafari – “Ignite”
3. Fresh Daily ft. Cocoa Sarai – “Good Dude (Jinesis Remix)”
4. Helluvastate – “Brain Champagne” (Local Music)
5. Pill & Wale ft. CyHi Da Prynce, Curren$y, & Teedra Moses – “Rise”
6. J. Rawls ft. Casual – “Find A New”
7. Killer Mike – “That’s Life 2”
8. Big K.R.I.T. – “My Sub”
9. Shane Eli – “When We Were Kings”
10. XV ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Textbook Stuff”
11. Pete Rock & Smif-N-Wessun ft. Styles P & Sean Price – “That’s Hard”
12. MED – “Superman”
13. Co$$ – “Spaceman”
14. DJ Quik – “Dollaz + Sense” (Throwback of the Week)
15. Bad Meets Evil – “Fast Lane”
16. J. Cole – “Return Of Simba”
17. Damian Marley – “Just Ain’t The Same”
18. Miss Casey Carter ft. Avatar – “Losers” (Local Music)
19. Black Stax – “I Love My Life” (Local Music)
20. Mayer Hawthorne – “A Long Time”
21. Sleepy Brown – “You’re My Lady”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://hulkshare.com/loruqzru91ae
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/91068579ba1f3999/)
(2nd back up / streaming link – http://www.usershare.net/qo4kk9sjkg4g/DJ Hyphen and J. Moore – Sunday Night Sound Session, Show 314, 6-5-11.mp3)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

Wow. We need more music from Casual (and Pep Love, for that matter) stat!

A few posts ago, I mentioned that Taysean is possibly the most underrated artist in the Seattle scene. Looking at the game from a national perspective, I might have to give that distinction to Laws. I’m continually surprised that more people aren’t up on one of the nicest and most versatile MC’s around. Hopefully that will change with the release of his Paul McCartney inspired Yesterday’s Future project this summer.

The homies Emilio and Court Dunn link up for the “FTW” video off Life Without Shame.  I’d love to play this one on Sound Session, but something tells me it wouldn’t go over that well with the FCC.  Haters.

Seattle’s hip-hop scene is starting to catch on outside the PacNW and while we’re on our way, I’m also wondering how long it’ll take for other talented cats to get recognized. Helluvastate, a group formed by Taysean (of Helladope) and Thaddeus (of State Of The Artist), is a prime example. I’m not sure if Taysean and Thaddeus view their collaboration as a side project of sorts, but it’s clear that it’s a great match and worthy of far more publicity/buzz than I’m seeing for the duo.

On the low, Taysean’s production and rhyme skills might make him the most underrated cat in the town right now. Guys like him, P-Smoov, Ryan Lewis, and Budo are so ridiculously talented musically that it’s almost not fair. When they link up with dope MC’s, it’s a wrap.

Download the entire Helluvastate project, Adventures In A Helluvastate, right here.

Pretty fresh and I’m a sucker for anything shot in Paris.  It’s also a great record as the weather finally starts to turn here in Seattle.  There’s not a city in the world that’s nicer than the 206 when the sun’s out…