The deluge of free downloadable local-rap EPs doesn’t look to be
letting up any time soon, folkers. Recently, three new ones have hit
the digital shelves for your perusal. Tacoma-Seattle crew Life
Cycle (Joshua J, Burn One, DJ Hanibal) just
put out Grounded (which you can find at www.lifecyclehiphop.wordpress.com),
the follow-up to 2008’s City of Rust. As on Rust, their
signature blunted, hypnotic synth production style (their best aspect I
think, and courtesy of Burn One) is in full effect. LC definitely have
a sound that doesn’t sound like shit else ’round here; I’m reminded of
some of the spacier tracks from Styles of Beyond‘s debut,
2000 Fold. The two MCs are solid, their voices aren’t annoying,
and the fundamentals are in place, but their material mostly borders on
a certain outdated (think the late-’90s 12-inch boom) underground
mundanity: “I love this music with all my soul,” “Hiphop’s not dead,”
“Cats doin’ anything to get a deal,” etc. This, combined with the
spacey vibes of their beats, can make the whole affair drag. Either
the beats or the MCs need to liven up (naturally, their live shows
tend to bring it harder).
Everett-onian Ripynt is back, teamed up with his dude,
MC/producer Sinic, for the new A Mid-Summers Day Drive EP
(www.ripandsin.com). The two
are a good pairing and should consider making their Marvel Team-Up a
more permanent thing. Sinic’s a capable MC, his beats stomp, and he
matches Rip’s flow without pumping up any sonic melodrama. An improved
Ripynt himself has thankfully toned down his rapid-fire Bone Thuggery
in the spirit of the EP’s day-tripper motif (except on the North End
primer “What I’m Going Through,” featuring Speedy, Neema,
and Latin Rose), but he sometimes lacks the nuance and swagger
to fill up the space afforded him. There’s some winners on here, like
the Grynch-guested “Step Your Game Up” and “Don’t Worry”
featuring the Physics‘ Thig Natural and Wizdom (O’Dea Factors!). On the latter, Rip finds his best flow on the whole
EP but can’t help but be outshined by Thig’s understatedly cocky “I got
this shit” flow.
Lastly, Kublakai of the Let Go has a new EP with his
producer Slouch called Lights for the Dark Nights. The
silly bastard hasn’t sent it my way yet (by press time it should be up
at www.kublakai.com), but the candid, hater-thanking “Appreciation”
with Sol (great hook!) is a good sign.
Another good sign: Good promotion and diverse lineups with select
new talent still work. The Corner is on Friday, August 28, down
at the Rendezvous, with Grynch, Clockwork, SK, and
Josh Rizeberg. Notice how there’s not a million terrible
acts, “rumored” big names, or headliners who were just here last week.
Terrible promoters, you fuck up the game for everyone (as if we all
don’t have enough problems just doing hiphop in starched-ass
Seattle for chissakes). Learn from your mistakes and please find a new
fucking hobby! 