Tools
The hits just keep on coming. Blogland's favorite 206 MC, the (man who hates being called the) King of Ballard, Grynch, has blessed us all with his latest and greatest, the Chemistry EP. Just like that awesome Physics EP from last week, it's up for free download; hit www.getgrynch.com to get yours. Eight tracks deep, this record finds Young G nailing his formula, as laid out on the title track: "Good beats, good rhymes, good chemistry."
Okay, so it's a little deeper than that. For one, Grynch really put together a great palette of beats in which to find inspiration, with contributions from longtime collaborator Scenik, bicoastal Myx Music artists/producers Keelay & Zaire (cop that Ridin High), Red Bull Big Tune Philly contestant CsD (whose beat on the opener "Right Now" is an attention getter), as well as up-and-coming locals like DJ Nphared and Ill Pill. The biggest smash on here comes courtesy of the biggest name, New Jersey's celebrated slap-champ Illmind; the song in question, "A Dream Undeferred," captures the heart of go-forth perseverance rap, its verses detailing the MC's rise through the ranks. Chemistry also boasts a sweet supporting cast, with RA Scion, Geologic, Inverse's Tunji, and One Be Lo all riding shotgun in the Ballardian's bucket. Which brings us to "My Volvo," the humorous ode to that namesake whip that rings downright endearing to anybody who's ever loved a piece-of-shit car; never shy of making fun of himself, Grynch knows how to clown himself without himself becoming a clown. Which is a testament to his rare self-assurance—flexing a comfortably precise, make-it-sound-easy delivery (that's improving with each release), the ever-humble Grynch is at his most confident on Chemistry, with a few flashes of a cocky new strut to his flow that's more than welcome (and hints at even rawer material yet to come). The Chemistry EP release party goes down at Nectar on July 12, with Sol (as seen at Capitol Hill Block Party on July 25), Tunji, Rockwell Powers, DJ Marc Sense, and Geologic on the host front.
Stranger Personals
Lemme take this time for a couple birfday wishes: First, my man Kevin, liquor rep and good dude extraordinaire is throwing himself a b-day bash at Chapel on July 11 with Mad Rad, Sportn' Life's Sex Symbol, and DJ's Tigerbeat and Marty Mar. Also, Mr. Songs for Bloggers (download that!) GMK is celebrating his own born day at Nectar on July 15, where he'll be rocking with a three-piece band. Also appearing are the State of the Artist crew and the Gem City Committee, the combo of MCs Peoples, Philly Alto, and R.O.B., who've teamed up to construct a free three-act mixtape, The Sound, which you can get on Peoples' MySpace page (/gotpaid). I'm sure in both cases that your presence is presents enough.
Lastly, I, like many of y'all, was not prepared for the emotional
response I had to last week's loss. I say we take this time to really
comprehend the vastness of the impact his art made on popular music and
culture around the globe—and let the man rest. That is to
say: RIP, MJ. 
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