Still(A)Live

I've been waiting to do this and rep the giant "SAVEMONEY" sticker on my computer.

This is a group of my good friends from Chicago who mostly rap and make beats. Then there are the outliers, like the artists and the promoters, which is technically me - but I surely am across the country.

A couple of the members, two of my good friends Kene and Joey, are really coming up in the "rap world" with their Chicago-pride/intellectual raps/Savemoney reppin' raps.

Lets start with one:

"Who You" by Kene...or, I mean, Kami De Chukwu.

Beat by my homie Diego and the art by my other brother, Nikko.

This is one of my favorites, as he starts off with the "Imma be real famous" quote. He comes in giving the right amount of pauses with the right amount of bars to draw you in...then BOOM! Shit gets fast. The slows back down to get you in the mood. 

The wordplay is amazing as well. It "could be too much to handle on a Dark Night [when] he's robbing   (Robin) like a black mask vandal (Batman)." 

He's definitely shedding light on yall. Then he speeds up, then closes out. I'm happy to see you paid attention to the climax pyramid in English class my brother.

Speaking of "light," that is the name of his tape that did damage to the blogs. Click here NOW. Get it.

While you wait...look down.

#Purple

No ASAP Mob, just listen ASAP. Your boy Leeks is a corny one. Still #Savemoney though. 

This is my boy Joey Purple, and this is his track: "BLVD" that I enjoy so much

The smooth smooth smooth beat from my brother Katrae (III Beats) and Joey coming straight out demanding respect for our brotherhood. Two times. 

This track is super purple though, the chopped and screwed effect is there, but the bars are fast. I love how we as a group can take this trippy-element to a new playing ground.

Let's talk about this album cover for a minute. First off in the bottom right corner is sort of our "crest" as an organization. This is what i looks like blown up: (right) and the font he uses with the famous Danish "ø" What does that make you think of?

Something else to think about: he brings up a great point within the song about how "we growin up in a city (Chicago) with the criminal fame where the most trill n*ggas never been in no gang." WHAT?! But his music is so good!

Oh, click this and listen.

Barriers broken here. #Savemoney really revolutionizing. And you really don't hear any violence within either of the songs. But you can't stop listening. Times are changing and Savemoney [is] Still(A)live. 

Proof:

 The duo, killin shit. Peep.

Again, here are the links to both of their respective tapes. I hope you enjoyed. Hit stains, no gangs, and #Savemoney.

Chukwu: https://soundcloud.com/kami-de-chukwu/sets/light

Purple: http://www.chicagonow.com/chi-towns-finest/2012/08/mixtape-joey-purple-the-purple-tape/

Happy Hip-Hop Holidays!

Given our nearing holiday break, I thought it would be interesting to see Hip-Hop’s take on both Christmas and Hanukkah.  I found Run DMC’s “Christmas Time in Hollis Queens” (1987) for a Christmas Hip-Hop song.  For Hanukkah, it was a bit more difficult to find a song, however I found Matisyahu’s “Miracle”.

Run DMC: Christmas Time In Hollis Queens

Matisyahu: Miracle

Let me know if you find any other songs!  I would be interested to listen to them as well!

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!!

"Azulito the Great"

So, as I stated in my first post; "Blu" AKA "Johnson Barnes" AKA "B"AKA "Azulito the Great" is probably currently my favorite rapper. The way this dude throws out his lyrics from his mind that I figure is similar to mine with:

• Constant thoughts about women and how they hurt us
• Overthinking about almost everything (next steps in life, what women want, how we're still kids)

One of my recent favorite lines of his comes from his song: "NeverDream.", where he states three things that catch me and give me the chills (meaning is under):

• "I spit cold, but I promise I'm a nice kid"
• He is saying that he will keep things real - no matter how harsh, but still be humble and do what is right.

• "I told my mama last week - shit was soooo funny. I showed up to my show; with no money. Clothes bummy too, nose runny too. I had a cold mind, but I still I flow my - no one behold how my flow shocked the globe and ya gave birth to me so I will be sendin' mo money."
• He is saying that he went into a very important place to perform - technically unprepared and still killed it. He had to tell his mother, probably because he felt he didn't do to well, or live up to the standards to where she had raised him - but he still rocked the show. To show his appreciation, he will make sure to give the full package and be prepared to make her proud.
• This relates to me, because I have been in situations where I went unprepared, but still did well. I would've told my mother the same thing - to let her know that I am doing almost what I am supposed to; but that I am close and I will make her proud. I also just love this because that sounds like something that I would do (unintentionally).
• "I fought for my respect first, then my checks next"
• He makes sure that he and his style is respected by those who claim that they want him, before he caves in for the cash. 
• I'm not mad at him for that at all. Establish yourself, become comfortable, then go for it. 

Below is the song: "NeverDream" that I love so much.

I also uploaded the songs: "4U" & "So Perfect." This is the singing side that he has that I love so much. I love singing - anything. I could go a day singing everything that I say. He's talking about women in both of the songs as well. I would do that. Lol. Growing up watching BET (Black Entertainment Television), R&B videos, and having mostly girl cousins will do it to ya. 

he also just dropped a collab-joint with Exile titled: "Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them"

.....so spend some money por favor. Here's the DL link: (http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/give-me-my-flowers-while-i/id554385081)