The Audacity of Dope

Ever since I was a kid, one of the first things I’ve done in every city I visit is find the nearest basketball court. Even if I don’t end up getting out on that court, just seeing it instantly gives you a little connection with your new surroundings. For those of us who have played ball our entire lives, I know y’all can relate.

In his new video, Omar Aura shows us a little glimpse of that life in his hometown of Fresno, CA. This track will be available on his upcoming project, Auradon Sessions, dropping March 6th.  Seattle people: Omar told me he just did a record with Grynch for the project, so be on the lookout for that.  Everything he’s released has been dope so far and with tracks like this one, I’m sure that will continue…

Omar Aura – “Balla”

This video gets a post for a few notable reasons:

• One of the better opening shots I’ve seen recently.
• Quoting the iconic “Jean Claude van Damme I’m fine!” FPoBA line.
• Fashawn is dooooope and I like what I’ve heard from Omar so far.
• Summer’s already almost over and I’ll miss videos like this when the rain hits here in Seattle.
• I miss my Cali homies.
• The homey Aren got his cameo on at the BBQ.

Dope stuff!

So west coast.  How come every video these days makes me remember college?  I guess college is just the rap life…plus essays (no pun).

I remember making the yearly drive from Seattle to L.A. and back for college and every time I went through Fresno, I had the same thought: one side of I-5 looked like any strip mall friendly college neighborhood while the other…looked like the F that Fash describes in “The Ecology.”  Great records, and you get the 2 for 1 visual treatment courtesy of Punit Dhesi too.

Dope visuals by Punit Dhesi for Fashawn & Blu’s “Samsonite Man” off the instant classic album, Boy Meets World.  Speaking of being a traveling man, Fash will be in Seattle today for 2 shows with Wiz Khalifa.  He’ll also be stopping by the Sound Session studio, so if you have any questions you want me to ask, email me.

New visuals from Fresno’s Fashawn, produced by Exile.  This is the lead joint from Fash’s upcoming Boy Meets World album, which is setting up to be an incredible release.  Could it be another Below The Heavens?

I recently mentioned that Shad was one of my favorite discoveries of the past year (watch this video to see why) and I should also add Fashawn to that list as well.  The MC from Fresno (what up Blake?) killed every appearance I heard from him this year and he’s dropped a new mixtape to help close out the year in style.  In conjunction with the homies at NahRight and OnSmash, check out Higher Learning:

1. Intro
2. Fortified Live (Remix)
3. Freedom
4. Let Me See Your ID (Skit)
5. Day ‘N’ Nite (Remix) (feat. KiD CuDi)
6. Sunday Morning (Remix) (feat. K-OS)
7. The Far Left (feat. Alchemist & Evidence)
8. Turf Rap (Remix)
9. Seize Power (Skit)
10. Politics (feat. Krondon)
11. Jimmy (Ratatat Remix)
12. Fake ID
13. Life Is Too Short
14. Buyers Guide
15. Cold Shoulder (Remix) (feat. Adele)
16. You Lookin At Me (Skit)
17. Something Special
18. Do You (Skit)
19. Still Gettin Mine “5-5-9″ (Remix) (feat. Rickochet)
20. Beautiful Day (Remix) (feat. Evidence, Big Pooh, Aloe Blacc, Mickey Factz, Theo & Kes Kaos)
21. Over When Its Done (Outro)

Download here.

Damn, I like everything about this video:

• Dope rhymes from Fashawn and Ev.
• NorCal connecting with SoCal.
• Exile killing the beat.
• The homies U-N-I getting some cameo love.
• The message.
• The visuals.

Be on the lookout for Fashawn’s debut album, Boy Meets World, in spring of next year.  “Our Way” is the first peek off the project and judging by the quality here and on Fashawn’s One Shot, One Kill mixtape, you already know it’s gonna be fresh.

Cali’s on fire right now, but they also completely dropped the ball on the Prop. 8 ballot initiative banning gay marriage this past week.  With statistics showing that nearly 70% of black and hispanic voters supported the ban, it’s incredibly disheartening to see people vote for equality and discrimination in one fell swoop.  Hip-hop helped Obama win California (as if he needed any assistance), and then helped propagate homophobia and hatred.  Fail.