I told you about Jon Quest and his latest mixtape very recently and I already have some new music made in Pittsburgh for your ears. I actually find this quite appropriate as I am about to visit the place for the first time next week, something I am of course very excited about.
East Liberty Quarters (ELQ) is the coming together of three talented producers from the City of Bridges, Grand Ear, BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble and Nice Rec. While I told you about the first two numerous times, I have to admit I was not familiar with Nice Rec and his music before hearing his collaboration with them. The trio already delighted our ears with their debut release, the East Liberty Quarters EP several months ago and they are now back with some funky niceness to make you move your body and forget about the cold. This winter treat is soberly entitled East Liberty Quarters 7″ and is a two-track project that has had my head nod seriously for the past ten minutes or so. Trust me, it is almost impossible not to be hypnotised by the rhythm and get in some kind of trance while following the beat. The three producers added a great dose of synthesisers that give both tracks a futuristic and spacey edge. Holiday and Streetlight are the perfect Friday night/weekend tracks and they should get you in the mood before you head out for the night or help you release the little energy you have left when you come back home. Right now, it is a great way for me to release the stress and tension from this long working day and it sure puts me in the mood to enjoy a nice, productive and music-filled weekend. I have a slight preference for Streetlights, which takes me even further in this exploration of future funk/boogie and puts a huge smile on my face while I let my head and body be possessed by the music.
You can discover East Liberty Quarters 7″ on ELQ’s Bandcamp page or simply by clicking on the link below. The EP is available as a digital download from the site, but also in vinyl, which I highly recommend. I know I’m getting mine when I’m in town! Enjoy and spread the word.
I introduced Tahir Jahi to you not too long ago, with the excellent Da sunshine and its remix (refresh your memory here), both courtesy of Pittsburgh-based producer BusCrates, whom you should be familiar with if you have been following the blog. The two of them seem to be on a roll lately as their levels of creativity and productivity are very high! They have been working on several tracks together already and it becomes clear that theirs is a winning combination. I was mentioning before that I was looking forward to hearing more from them and I am glad to see my wishes come true. I now have a feeling it is only the beginning of their adventures, which is something I am very happy about.
Tahir Jahi and BusCrates’ latest offering is entitled Frustration and seems to be hesitating between seriousness and comedy, in the same way as the direction taken for the official video can make you feel uncomfortable, wanting to laugh hard but feeling kind of bad for Tahir. The track is about relationships and how men and women have to make compromises, even if it’s from the guy’s point of view, who seems to be putting himself in the shoes of a victim. As I said it can be quite funny at times but what’s important is the great quality of the production, courtesy of BusCrates, and Tahir Jahi’s lyrical talent and versatility. There are two special guests on the video, Flex Alexander and Donyelle Denise Jones (I can admit I have never heard of them because I’m a French girl in the UK who never watches TV or goes to the cinema, but you should know them ).
After this short introduction, it is now my pleasure to present Frustration to you. You can download it on Tahir Jahi’s Bandcamp or by clicking on the link below.
And you can now watch the official video, full of special guests and comedy. Enjoy!
This is a quick post to tell you about some goodness coming from Pittsburgh… I already told you about BusCrates many times before, and I am really happy to see that he is back on tracks and as gifted as ever on the production. He has been working with fellow Pittsburgh resident Tahir Jahi on several tracks already, always complementing the MC’s delivery and great lyrcis perfectly, with his beautiful beats.
Their latest offering, Da Sunshine, is a gem and I have been listening to it on repeat today. Both the original and the remix are produced by BusCrates and I can say the quality level is quite high! Of course the production is not the only amazing thing on this track, as Tahir Jahi is a great writer and his lyrics are very positive and inspiring, which is something I am always pleased to hear, something that needs to be promoted.
The original and the remix take very different directions, which is the point of having two different versions obviously, but I think that the fact that the same person came out with those two ‘interpretations’ of a track is quite amazing. Props to BusCrates for this, and this definitely makes me want to hear more from him, as well as from Tahir Jahi. Because I know you will like this as much as I do, I will now introduce to you Da Sunshine, first with the official video of the original, and then with the wonderful remix, which dropped today.
You can dowload the remix on Tahir Jahi’s Bandcamp and it is definitely something you need in your MP3 player! Enjoy the journey and spread the word…
As promised, here’s part 2 of the Pittsburgh newness, presenting The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, the brand-new mixtape by Jon Quest, mixed by DJ Vex. This is the perfect introduction to the young MC’s talent, for those (like me) who were not familiar with his music at all. I discovered hip-hop back in 1995 and at the time I felt attracted to it and could relate in a way, even if it was a completely different world from mine. After a short period, I kind of moved on and started listening to other genres. But I guess my love for hip-hop never disappeared and mixtapes like this one make me realise that it’s actually definitely alive!
As the title suggests, Jon Quest is sharing some of his experiences and thoughts on varied subjects and what strikes me is his honesty and openness, something that can sometimes be difficult to find in today’s hip-hop. This mixtape sounds like a diary, where the MC expresses his feelings and reflects on what he’s been through, whether it’s in the music industry or in life and love. Before anything else, I need to underline Jon Quest’s amazing flow and versatility, as well as his great lyrics, full of images and clever rhymes. Being a writer, I always appreciate hearing some well-written and clever lyrics, especially when the artist has such a great imagination. Tracks like 1-900 Lyrical or Emcee University show the MC’s talent with creating stories and playing with words and ideas. What is also great with the lyrics is that they are very inspiring and thought-provoking, which you can find more specifically with Dilla Don, Be free and Drive away. Finally, Jon Quest is also dealing with ladies and his experiences with love (She tried to tell me and This ain’t captain save A).
Another great thing about this mixtape is, once again the productions. I already told you about BusCrates and Shade Cobain many times and the tracks they produce on here are simply a confirmation of their amazing talent. They are not the only producers on here, as Jon Quest was also helped by Armstead Brown, Chemist and Big Jerm, whose music I was not familiar with and which is quite nice. It can be hard for me not to repeat myself, as I really want to say something I said a dozen (or is it a hundred?) times before, which is that I appreciate beats more and more. RAOFJQ is the occasion for me to indulge once again and discover producers’ creative universes. I have many favourites so I’ll spare you the details, but I’m sure you’ll be as enchanted by the musical patterns as I am.
I have only one thing left to say: you can get The Real Adventures Of Jonny Quest as a free download on Jon Quest’s Bandcamp. As is the case with Divine Seven and Shade Cobain’s LISTEN!!!, this one will be in heavy rotation for sure!
If you have any doubts or worries about the state of hip-hop, I have some good news for you: it is alive and very much so! The city of Pittsburgh may have been slept on by many, but I have proof that it is home to a lot of talented people. I already told you about Shade Cobain, BusCrates and Grand Ear, three producers I’ve discovered this year. What’s cool is that there are not only dope producers there, but also great MCs. Two of them have just dropped their projects and they definitely deserved to be heard by many.
First of all, Divine Seven has teamed up with Shade Cobain to offer us LISTEN!!! When I think hip-hop, three things come to my mind: prods, flow and lyrics. LISTEN!!! is a perfect combination of these and is a proof that there are still passionate artists out there, spreading their love for music and positive values.
What first caught my attention when I listened to the project was the amazing quality of the production, courtesy of Shade Cobain. Every track is an invitation to a journey into the producer’s creative world and had my head nod all the way. I said it a dozen times already but I do appreciate beats and the more technical aspect of music (even though I still feel like I don’t get most of it) and I think this is made even easier when I listen to such talented music-makers, who allow me to feel the emotions they put into them. Big up to Shade! And don’t worry if you want more, because it’s definitely coming (and that’s very very soon!).
Then, Divine Seven uses his ‘dexterous’ flow to deliver interesting and inspiring messages. He tells you about life, family, music and the need to enjoy life to the fullest, as nothing is guaranteed down here. Even if you haven’t been through the same kind of experiences, it is still possible to relate to the thoughts and feelings he shares, as they are most of the time universal. He is also very talented when it comes to writing and his texts are full of images and references which is something I greatly appreciate. Divine Seven is not alone on this project though, as he is joined by Pittsburgh’s best MCs: A.P.E.X., Jon Quest (I’ll have more to tell you about this young man in the next post), Beedie, Living Proofe to name a few. One track actually sounds like Pittsburgh’s hip-hop anthem to me, the amazing Shadow Loungin (reference to the famous venue). He also encourages you to keep Reachin‘ (on an amazing prod by Shade Cobain), to strive and work hard to achieve your dreams, while Havin fun and enjoying what life has to offer. These tracks, as well as the beautiful, more emotional and personal Smile and In Ur eyez are my favourites on LISTEN!!!
Also, the album has been on repeat in my iPod and iTunes in the past days and I know it will be in heavy rotation, as there always seems to be more to be heard and understood from the prods and lyrics. All this sounds great, but what’s even better is that you can get the project for free! Download it here and on Divine Seven’s Bandcamp. Enjoy!
If you want more, here is the official video for one of my favourite tracks, Shadow Loungin’. Awesomeness!
Now, this is just a very quick update to let you know that he has just released a two-track project on Bandcamp, and that it is available for download now! Of course it’s great and of course I highly recommend you check it out.
This fourth installment in my Musical acrchitects series is an opportunity to get familiar with BusCrates, a producer from Pittsburgh who is very talented and has quite interesting things to say. It is my pleasure, as usual, to enable a connection between artists and music lovers. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I do, here is BusCrates in his own words…
Who are you ?
I am Orlando Marshall, otherwise known as BusCrates 16-Bit Ensemble, a producer/musician/DJ from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When/how did you start making music?
I started making music around 2001. My first piece of equipment was an Ensoniq EPS keyboard sampler. I had that, a turntable, and some records. My friend Geeman was using the Ensoniq ASR-10, which he still uses to this day. I got my start in production from watching him do his thing, going to record stores with him. He saw that I had a good ear for music, and it was only a matter of time before I bought that EPS on eBay. Three years later I upgraded to the Akai MPC2000XL, which I still use to this day.
Do you use samples, play instruments, or both?
Both. At first I was all MPC and sampling records. Today I’m really big on analog synthesizers and vintage keyboards. It adds dimension and color to beats when I sample stuff. I learned a few things about piano during my short stint in New-York City, in 2008. A guy named Eugene Lemon, who I met at a Guitar Center on Union Square, would give me piano lessons on weekends. I credit him for a lot of what I know today. I did my own little studying here and there, but he gave me the foundation. I currently use Moog Little Phatty and Korg MS2000 synthesizers, and a Wurlitzer 200a Electric Piano, to go along with my MPC. I also use Ableton Live software for recording. I will probably get a Roland Juno-106 synthesizer in the near future.
Who are you influenced by?
I’m influenced by lots of artists, but my biggest musical influence is DJ Spinna. Criminally underrated. He’s diverse, and moves effortlessly between genres. He does hip-hop, soul, house, and is also one hell of a DJ.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration in many different places. The sun, ladies, vacations, friends, feelings and… caffeine! Those yerba maté drinks keep me going into the wee hours of the night when I’m working on something.
What do you think about the evolution of the music industry generally and beatmaking/DJing specifically?
I’m not too well-versed on what’s going on in the ‘industry’, but I can tell you that I have come across some very interesting and creative artists on the Internet, via blog sites and through word of mouth. Technology has made things a lot more accessible and artists a lot less dependent on said ‘industry’. We can create an album and post it to sell on sites like Bandcamp and iTunes.
Do you have any new releases and/or upcoming projects?
I released a 7″ vinyl 4-track instrumental EP last summer on Harmony Society, and I produced two songs on Velben‘s Creative Flowz full-length CD. I also had the privilege of producing Iman Williams’ Stupid Human Trick LP in its entirety (which is due out sometime in May), and I have a solo project entitled Alarm Clock still in the works.
Thank you, Carminelitta, for having this interview with me, and Andrew Burger of Harmony Society, TurntableLab, and Terri Whodat McQueen for all of their support on the 7″ single, and to all those who support and check for my musical endeavors. Big shoutout to all the producers in my circle for keeping me on my toes: Geeman, Nice Rec, Sam Champion, Terry Tester, Gensu Dean, and Shade Cobain.
After Mr Keyes and Applejac, I have the great pleasure to introduce Shade Cobain, who is a producer I discovered very recently thanks to my Twitter connections, and whose music I greatly appreciate. Once again, I am really glad I can connect with artists and allow them to share their thoughts with the world. Enjoy!
Who are you?
Well I’m Shade Cobain aka Groove Specialists from the Rotunda Muzic Crew. Coming to you live and direct from Pittsburgh, Pa.
When/how did you start making music?
I’ve started making music when I was 18 years old, like in 1992-93! I’ve been rhyming since I was 8. It’s felt like all of my life.
Do you use samples, play instruments, or both?
I use samples in my production. Getting motivated to use live instrumentation though. I’m in the middle of the process now, introducing myself to some good musicians.
Who are you influenced by?
I’m influenced by a plethora of people. I got to start of with Marley Marl, Pete Rock, Jay Dee, DJ Premier, James Brown, Prince, Quincy Jones. Just to name a few, I can go on for days. Because I tend to find some type of inspiration out of anything I hear.
Where do you find inspiration?
I tend to find my inspiration through emotions. I tend to translate my emotions through my music. Also, my two sons Savion and Samir. I look at them and know I have to make something with quality and substance to it.
What do you think about the evolution of the music industry generally and beatmaking/DJing specifically?
I feel like the evolution of the music industry is declining. But I’m just speaking on the mainstream industry. The new music industry is blogsites, such as yours. They give the audience a wide selection of music for them to try. No limits!! But as of the “industry”, we’re supposed to settle with the top 10 songs. As for beatmaking, the evolution is on the rise. I think it’s because of the technology. I remember I had to work myself just to get a piece of equipment. As of now, you can have a friend just give you some software (not that I condone such behavior).
Do you have any new releases and/or upcoming projects?
Yeah I got some last words. I make music for and from the soul. I dont see it no other way. If I get compensated for it, COOL!!! But it’s for the love 1st, everything else after!! God’s Peace and thank you for letting the world know who I am. Best believe this is just the beginning!!!
For your listening pleasure, here is a sneak peak of Shade Cobain’s upcoming full-length project Euphoria Theory, entitled Lady. Enjoy, this is beautiful!
I discovered GQ Tha Teacha a few months ago on DJ HasH‘s Vinyl Vybz radio show on Playvybz, where he was interviewed and performed a freestyle, and I was really interested in what he had to say. You can find a link to listen to and download the show on DJ HasH’s blog. After that, I got in touch with him on Twitter and I discovered that not only is he a very talented artist, he is also a huge source of knowledge when it comes to music, and he allowed me to discover many artists I had never heard of. It is now my pleasure to introduce him to you and present some of his music. He definitely deserves to be recognised and hopefully this interview will give him the little push he needs. I want to thank him for taking time to answer my questions and now, without further delay, here is GQ Tha Teacha!
First of all, my usual question: for those who don’t know you or your music, could you introduce yourself? How long have you been doing music? How did it start?
First for those who don’t know who I am, my stage name is Gq Tha Teacha. I am a dancehall Artist/Beatboxer, I was born in New York, Brownsville, Brooklyn and grew up in Belize. I’ve been into music for 20 years!! I started getting into music when I was back in Belize.
You’ve been in this industry long enough to see all the numerous changes happening throughout the years, one of them being the slow disappearance of independent record stores and the emergence and monopoly of digital music. What do you think about this evolution?
It’s sad for real that’s one of the reasons why Dr.Wax Records closed down. The way I look at it is there’s a lot of consumers now who listen to good music these days who are so fed up of buyin a CD for $15.99 with tax it’s 15 songs on the album and out of that 15 only 4 songs is dope so they’re like fuck that Imma go through Rapidshare and download it and Imma be for real with you I am one of those people as well that does it, LOL!!
You have a lot of very varied musical influences, from reggae and rap music among others, and admire many different artists. Could you give us a few of them? And how did their music affect your work?
Wow, I gotta lot of influences hmm… Bob Marley, KRS-1, Bobby McFerrin, Doug E. Fresh, Fela Kuti, Azymuth, D’Angelo, Buju Banton, Peter Tosh, Jimmy Cliff, Sparrow, Rakim Allah, Wise Intelligent, Steely Dan, etc, etc. When I was a kid my grandfather and grandmother put me on to these musicians and I was like this is what I wanna put my focus into when I grow up, LOL!!
The knowledge you have of music is simply impressive, almost encyclopedic. How do you manage to know so much about so many artists? What are your sources or who are your dealers of great music?
Well I being into music for 20 years so that’s how I got a photogenic memory of these artists and musicians. Also I used to work at Dr.Wax Records store and by me working around @SOUNDROTATION aka Duane, I get to learn a lot from him as well, but peep as much as I know about musicians I’m still willing to learn more and that’s why I usually listen to cats like BusCrates, Duane and AppleJac on these issues!!
You are a greatly talented beatboxer and your performances are amazing. How did you discover beatboxing? Do you think it should be put at the forefront more often and recognized as an art?
I’ve been beatboxing for 17 years now and Bobby McFerrin, Doug E.Fresh, Biz Markie and Buffy The human Beatboxs are definitely my influences. Also yes I think beatboxing should be to the forefront, when turntables wasn’t around musicians used to make sound effects with their mouths or use to scath sometimes, beatboxing is definitely a part of hip hop.
You are a big fan of Japanimation films, martial arts and video games, does that inspire you when it comes to music? Apart from that, where do you draw inspiration from?
Ha! ha! I see I am all over the place videogames, music, animes, martial arts and comics, LOL. I was always into those stuff since I was a kid, I dabble wit martial arts, I study Wing Chun and internal/external Qigong. I also speak Cantonese and write simplified Chinese been fluent in it for 9 years now. My music is more based off everyday life situations I see on the streets but also on a spiritual and educational level as well.
You are singing on CTA trains in Chicago and you’ve been on stage with a lot of big names in the hip-hop, reggae or soul scene. Is it necessary for you to express yourself in front of an audience and reach people with your music?
Ok I being singing on the CTA Trains for 18 years now. I came to Chicago in 92 I didn’t know nothing about singing on the trains but I met a bunch of guys that used to perform on the trains and make their money and they told me with a talent like yours you can make some $ out there. Plus R. Kelly and RIP Bernie Mac the comedian used to do the same thing before they made the big time and became famous. Yes I wanna reach an audience with my music only for those who are willing to listen to what I gotta talk about!!
Out of curiosity, where does your artist name come from? Is there any reference to educating people through art/music?
My name came from when I was back in NYC friends on the block used to call me GQ, lol. GQ actually stands for Gods Quality and the Teacha came from one of my influences KRS-1 and I wanna teach some of these youths who are willing to learn more about real music. A lot of these young cats know about Rihanna, Gucci, Jay-Z, R.Kelly etc, but don’t know about Shirley Horn, Arthur Prysock, Weldon Irvine, MFSB, Gangstarr, Freddie Hubbard, Sly Stone, Steel Pulse etc, so it’s my job to teach them about these artists and musicians!!
Finally, you are promoting your music by performing along with other artists, but do you have other projects you are working on? Any collaborations in the near future?
Yes I got some projects in the works I am working wit Iomosmarad and 5ifth Element on this negrow league/All Natural album for this year. Also I am tryna get 2 projects off the ground, the producers on my joint are 5ifth Element, Buscrates, Shade Cobain and Rashid Hadee. I don’t have no collaboration in the near future but there are some artists and producers I would love to work with, hmm…. I would love to work with Stephstaa again, I would love to work with Iman Williams, Phraim and AppleJac. Hopefully I should have something out for this year!!
Now that you know a bit more about GQ Tha Teacha, discover his amazing beatboxing skills with this video, extract of his performance at the African Festival of the Arts in Chicago
And here’s a video showing him doing his thing on the CTA train: awesome!
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