Accordion isn’t an instrument one would expect to find on a hip-hop mixtape. And in all likelihood, it’s a sampled version of the squeezebox. But whatever its source, that musical texture adds a left-field quality to what’s essentially a rapid-fire AutoTuned rap piece with more conventional singing on the chorus.
The minute-long videos, which post on Instagram and YouTube weekly, now number in the 60s. But even though the one-year mark is well past, Reitzel promises to continue the project for the foreseeable future.
The Japanese-American MC and Durham native has found his niche in Los Angeles.
While ‘Baggage’ has relatively little connection to classic hard bop jazz of the previous century, its cover design shows that Sk has a sense of history and an interest in finding his own place within it.
“We wanted a video that bubbles darkly and tells the story of someone who is striving for a different life. A better life,” says Cliff B. Worsham of Spaceman Jones and The Motherships.
The duo’s approach to live performance is adapting to this less-is-more philosophy. “We’ve learned that features don’t really work — it’s enough with just [Davaion Bristol] and me,” Cliff Worsham says.
“Let’s name it. Discrimination based on race, based on social class, based on capitalism. That’s what’s going on with hip-hop in this ‘socially progressive’ town.”
In his latest project, Asheville-based rapper Larry “Po’Folk” Williams blends hip-hop and gospel to talk about the belief in himself and a higher power that helped him through his hardest times.
Larry “Po’folk” Williams discusses his musical journey and the significance of going head-to-head with an MC he greatly respects.
It’s been a busy summer for Boone-based hip-hop collective Free the Optimus. The group recently released two tracks, back-to-back.
In rapid-fire verses, Mook attacks fair-weather friendships and inauthenticity in all of its forms.
“Our goal for our kids’ show is the same as the adult shows,” Kev Marcus says. “It’s to entertain, educate and inspire, simultaneously. You’re teaching them something, but they don’t even know that they’re learning.”
R&B artist Ty Young, aka The Gift, recently dropped a video for his song “Doin the Most.” Featuring KJ Carter, is was shot on Wall Street in downtown Asheville.
The soul-searching and beat-savvy four-song collection came out of four- or five-day writing and recording session. Spaceman Jones and Chachillie perform a show at The Odditorium on Saturday, Jan. 21.
The band recently released two videos that showcase energy and funk, and a creative mashing of styles into something that feels fresh.
The band got together in downtown Swannanoa on a smoky day to give an exclusive three-song performance for Xpress.
Bryan Divisions will host the event alongside hip-hop performers The MadScientist, Siyah, Edmond Ivory and MNMK and electronic musicians Guilty Pleasure and WiZo at Timo’s House on Friday, Nov. 11
Local hip-hop artist C. Shreve the Professor is prolific. He’s constantly turning out new work as well as performing onstage and contributing to efforts like Cypher Univercity. His latest release, Twenty Sixteens is almost a double album, weighing in at 18 tracks.
For all of the obvious sonic reverence and Southern hip-hop lineage, Big K.R.I.T. is first and foremost one ferocious rapper. The Meridian, Miss.-based MC performs at The Orange Peel Wednesday, Dec. 9.
DJ Rekha makes her Western North Carolina debut with a performance Thursday, Nov. 12, in UNC Asheville’s Justice Gym — complete with a dance instructor to demonstrate some moves — and a master class Friday at Lipinsky Auditorium.
Gospel-rapper Chance the Artist, an Asheville native currently based in Atlanta, headlines the Goombay on Sunday, Sept. 13. After turning his life around an devoting himself to positive rhymes, Chance finds himself on the cusp of some potentially major turning points, including the forthcoming debut of an official website, a DJ to enhance his live shows and a team to assist him on the business side.