The Audacity of Dope

The homies Lace Cadence and Jon Augustavo have teamed up for the lead video from Lace’s recent mixtape, Launchpad.  If you’re still sleeping, be sure to download it right here.  Dope music and hosted by J. Moore and myself…what are you waiting for?

Oh, and man, it must be a tough gig filming a video with the beautiful Isabella Du Graf.  Jon Jon couldn’t have screwed this video up if he tried.  But on the real, I hear she has some dope records too…be on the lookout.

I forget which show it was at, but while out and about at the Nectar a while back, I ran in to the homey Thig Natural of the Physics and we started talking about videos.  Since I see more music videos at my day job than you’ve seen in your life, I’m always down to share some of what I’ve learned in the music video industry.  While I can’t take sole credit for sparking this idea, I remember telling Thig that they HAD to do a video for “I Just Wanna Beat,” since it’s a classic record.  Not just a classic NW record.  A classic.

Lo and behold, the crew hooked up with Jon Augustavo and dropped the visuals right in time for the end of the summer.  To bring it full circle, it was filmed in Suzzallo Library at the University of Washington, where I spent many hours of my youth raising havoc while my mom worked in her office there.

Oh, and you’re lyin’ if you can’t relate…IJWB.  Download the High Society EP here.

They homey Sol has quickly become not only of my favorite artists in Seattle, but one of my favorite people in the local scene.  He’s humble, driven, focused, and above all, talented.  He knows where he wants to go with music and he has all the tools to get there.  Aside from the obvious (rhymes, catchy hooks, good ear for beats, song structure, etc.), almost every track seems to be a very genuine look into his state of mind.  Isn’t that what artistic expression should be?

“Dear Friends” is a prime example and much like J. Pinder’s recent video, it’s brought to life nicely by Jon Augustavo’s direction.  This hook is ridiculous and when it combines with the melodic, semi-ambient beat, it should instantly recall your favorite moments of Drake’s So Far Gone.  Just like Drizzy, the strength of Sol’s music lies in his ability to evoke particular moods in the listener.  While based on his specific life experiences, they’re topics and emotions that are universal to us all.

Off Dear Friends, Vol. 2 – download here.

Back to back dope videos from the town, this one courtesy of J. Pinder.  Jon Augustavo did a great job directing this video (as always), but what I really want to know is…what condo did they shoot in?  I’ve been looking at some similar spots and I’m kinda obsessed with the house hunting.  So far, nothing’s touching this spot though.

You saw the behind the scenes, now peep the full visuals.  MTK really killed this beat…so much so that I’m willing to overlook all the silly faces and drum fingers he’s flossing throughout the video.  *WizDance*

Some hilarious footage of the video shoot for Wiz & Grynch’s upcoming video.  Shout to all the homies involved.  Someone get me a moving .gif of Wiz’ dancing from 3:14 to 3:20, stat.

Dope new visuals from the homey Wiz.  Shout to Jon Augustavo on the directorial tip too…those shots of the city are crazy.  206…suckas.