If I had a magic genie with the ability to grant three wishes, I would first wish for all my debts and bills to be paid off for the rest of my life. Second, I’d wish for an infinite amount of money on a gift card to shopadidas.com. Lastly, but not least-ly, I’d wish to be a rap star. Don’t worry, I’ve thought very long and hard about this last wish. My rapper name would be “Bite Size” and I’d throw down some sick beats with my fellow rap stars such as Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B. and, of course, Bone Thugs. Most likely, my first music video would take place at night, dancing in the rain, with an army of back-up dancers swinging glow sticks around in an artistic pattern. Where am I going with this you ask? Cleverly transitioning into my pick for today’s featured artist: Kasper From the K.
Kasper From the K, born Timothy Lee Hoggard, is an up and coming rap/hip-hop artist from Henderson, KY. So, somewhere in a cornfield in Kentucky, little Timothy found this genie who granted him his wish to join the ranks in hip-hop stardom. Of course his genie’s name was Joel Hopper, a producer who has previously worked with Nappy Roots, Static Major and The Villiebillies; and this genie helped to bring a new level of musical wizardry to the hip-hop world by presenting to us Kasper from the K.
Kasper has developed a fanatical following throughout the Midwest, which naturally includes this Chicago native and FreshScouts writer. His songs have “peek-a-boo’d” on the airwaves and his list of singles include “Whatchagonnado” and “Kwad Up.” If my words aren’t luring enough to create a demand for Kasper, then just take a listen to the single “Shake It Down.” Aw yeah.
Check out Kasper from the K on:
I’ve been waiting for some good hip-hop. I’ve recently held my breath for this hip-hop (but only for 20 seconds, then I can’t really breathe and I have to give up), but it never came. I mean, sure my latest dirty secret is the newest Kanye West album, but I wouldn’t say it’s “good” hip-hop; just well-produced catchy hip-hop from a cocky producer that craps gold. I thought all hope was lost, then I was introduced to Atmosphere.
Atmosphere is sort of a mixture between The Flobots and The Gorillaz in the sense that their beats are highly developed and unique, and their lyrical flow is incredibly robust. You’ll get lost in their tracks with a veritable mixture of grungy electric guitars, simple piano riffs and reverbed chordal progressions. Of course, you’ll get a heavy mix of hot drum beats that will encourage you to make attempts at rapping (realizing very quickly that this is not something you are good at.)
Who would have thought that such a successful hip-hop group would come from Minneapolis, MN? I mean, don’t get me wrong I’ve got nothing against Minneapolis. It is a fine city full of culture and malls that are entirely too big. But you don’t exactly think of Minneapolis when you think of “the next best thing in hip-hop music.” Just goes to show that you can never judge a book by its cover. Unless that book is “Justin Bieber: The Unauthorized Biography”, then yeah I think you can pretty much judge it by its cover.
If you want some super solid hip-hop that’s new and different and refreshing and not touched at all by Kanye West, then check out Atmosphere. They’re the bomb (as referenced by the 90′s.)
Check out To All My Friends, Blood Makes The Blade Holy on:
If you’ve ever heard one of Ke$ha’s albums, you’ve also thrown up. There really is no avoiding it. It’s like watching a Saw movie while trying to eat lasagna. You just can’t do it. Her fake talking/”rapping” is the reason that radio is dying. You may argue, but I know this to be true. I read it on the Internet. But this isn’t entirely bad news. I mean it is, but there is a silver lining. It makes you appreciate actual female rappers even more. That’ s why when I recently heard Kanye West’s new single “Monster” that featured a number of different artists, I was immediately drawn in by Nicki Minaj.
Her style is 100% unique and 100% in your face. She is a very aggressive rapper and her flow makes you feel like you’re getting yelled at (in a good way.) Her debut release Pink Friday is full of hot beats and cameos from other rap icons including Eminem, Kanye West and will.i.am. With so much support, the album builds a strong repertoire of singles that are sure to get some radio play. Although I don’t completely agree with adding pop icons such as Rihanna and Drake to the mix, the added exposure for Nicki Minaj will help her gain exposure in this day and age of lost talent.
Hopefully in the future we’ll see some independent releases from Nicki Minaj as I think she would do better to showcase her unique style under her own terms. I imagine we’d end up with an album that shows the raw lyrical talent of Nicki Minaj without all of the production. Check out her video for Massive Attack featuring Sean Garrett. The music video is a little bit “Jay-Z”, but I suppose that’s what makes it so gangster.
Buy the album:
Honestly, I grew up with 2%. I tried skim on numerous occasions, but it seemed too chalky and gross to me. There wasn’t enough flavor and it didn’t seem worth the trade-off for a fat-free milk experience. But then I discovered Black Milk. It was the perfect combination of everything. It had hip-hop and hot beats and tasted so good it made you want to slap yo’ mama’. It was pretty intense.
So I couldn’t stop. I was addicted to Black Milk. I still am. Except it’s not actually a drink. In fact it’s not even an “it”. It’s a he; and he is a hip-hop producer and MC from Detroit, MI. He’s worked with the likes of Royce Da 5’9″ and Pharoahe Monch, and has been rockin’ (or hip-hoppin’) the rap scene since 2004. But what makes Black Milk so appealing is his lyrical flow and unique style only slightly similar to that of Wale or K’naan.
His music has been classified as “Midwest hip-hop”. And if you’re thinking, “Well that’s not really hardcore” just remember that Chicago is located in the Midwest. Oh, and Lupe Fiasco and Common both got their start in the Midwest. So really, the Midwest is like the new East Coast. So there.
If you’re interested in super-solid Midwest hip-hop, make sure you check out Black Milk. And if you’re interested in the weak stuff, buy skim milk. Wuss.
Check out the video for “Losing Out” featuring Royce da 5’9″:
Buy Album of the Year:
“Happy Halloween” – The Blanks
We love The Blanks. We have known the guys for several years and we know them as straight up mad musical geniuses. If you need proof of their musicality and comedicality , you can check out our exclusive video interview with this band of merry men.
Their original homage to Halloween, through the aptly titled “Happy Halloween”, is hil-ari-ous. Pumpkins rule!
Buy “Happy Halloween”
“Monster” – Kanye West
Let’s keep the Halloween theme going with this track about monsters. Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, And Bon Iver join Kanye West on this ghoulish hard hitting track. I must admit, something about Nicki Minaj captivates me. She makes me laugh and freaks me out all at the same time. “Monster Mash” of 2010?
Buy “Monster”
“Dead Man’s Party” – Oingo Boingo
We go back to the 80′s to unearth this little gem. With Halloween this week it is only fitting we break out some New Wave music, right? Plus, the track was recently featured on NBC’s Chuck, so that totally reminded me of how awesome the song is. If you can’t get out to the Buy Mart, you can click below for the digital shopping equivalent.
Buy “Dead Man’s Party”
