New Music Watch: Thoth
So I’ve been working with my man Thoth for a few years now, but in the last year or so he’s really started to pick up steam.
The only known picture of Thoth...
He’s been featured on producer Illmind’s Blaps, Rhymes, and Life 2 and BRL 3, two dope free compilations you can get at Illmind’s website.
Thoth’s debut mixtape and album are on the way, featuring guest appearances from Copywrite, Termanology, Guilty Simpson, and Opio, with production by Illmind, Blue Sky Black Death, and more. Very dope shit on the horizon.
Thoth’s tracks are both bangers, listen to them and download after the break.
Inspiration
Quite possibly the most you’ll take away from sitting on youtube for ten minutes.
Spotted at LiveAboveMediocrity courtesy of the good fellows at Street Etiquette
HERMÈS PARIS x WALLY present THE WHY 58 YACHT
One of the most amazing examples of design/architecture(if you want to call it that) that i’ve ever seen…real talk
Source: Selectism
More Info: http://www.why-yachts.com/
The Nas Syndrome: Relapse by Eminem
The Nas Syndrome examines a phenomenon in rap whereby superior rappers choose beats of dubious quality compared to their rapping ability. Some, like the column’s namesake, speak of the challenge of writing to “difficult” or “interesting” beats. Some don’t offer listeners the solace of an explanation. All create disappointing albums and annoy me. I’ll break down the album, pick out the worthwhile tracks, state my beef with the beats, and give a prescription to cure the album of its affliction. Welcome to The Nas Syndrome, try not to catch the bug…
It’s been a little over a month, so I figured we’re due for another case study on the Nas Syndrome.
When I heard Dr. Dre was producing the entirety of Eminem’s Relapse, I got excited. Then I remembered: Dr. Dre hasn’t made a beat (unassisted) at least since 2001. On top of that, his more recent production–whether due to his proclivity for sonic perfection that leads to soulless beats or his lack of hands on involvement–has been consistently underwhelming.
But I hoped against hope and was still excited when Relapse dropped.
And it sucked. Eminem gets his fair share of blame for that. Marshall was, for a time, one of the best rappers alive. There are certainly flashes of that on this album but, as I’ve detailed before, his accent kills many songs with potential. The production doesn’t do him any favors either.
Diagnosis after the break…
Preach!
Shuffle is a wonderful thing. I hadn’t heard “On Earth As It Is” by Ras Kass in a while, so when it came on today I was forced to turn the volume way way up.
Despite an arguable classic album (his debut Soul on Ice) and numerous dope verses, Kass is consistently underrated and omitted from the discussion of “Best Rappers”. Any fan of track murdering lyrics will surely pull his name out of their hat eventually, and with good reason. Soul on Ice was one of the most simultaneously vicious and literate albums in the history of rap. ”On Earth As It Is” exemplifies this fascinating balance. It’s synthesis of religious imagery, philosophy, pop culture, and Hip Hop culture is almost unparalleled in its depth. Catching everything in the lyrics is pretty difficult on one listen, so give it a few plays.
Chromatose Closing Photos and Review
Nudashank Gallery’s most recent group show aptly entitled Chromotose, was a juried exhibition from a selection of 96 submissions by juror Erik Parker. The result was a diverse collection of works that were unified by their vivid approach to color. Alternatively, the space was curated in such a fashion that the presentation was very far from overwhelming, and allowed each of the pieces plenty of space for their own, unperturbed viewing.
Rap Rock, Done Right Pt. II
This post should probably be accompanied by a giant question mark. I don’t know why this appears to be the year of rappers deciding to become rockstars. Maybe it’s Wayne’s fault.
I will never get tired of pictures of Lil Wayne holding a guitar. Ever.
But you know what, I doubt Onyx really gives a fuck about Lil Wayne.
Tarantino’s First
Although the film was feature length, the final reel was destroyed in a lab fire… Here is what survived.
Johnathan Horowitz Tour, Exhibition and New Video at PS1
Last Sunday, I was over at PS1 in the afternoon during a window of recovery in my ailment that serendipitously coincided with a guided tour by the artist Johnathan Horowitz of his own work. The intensity and tough wit of the pieces within the show account for his extemely quiet demeanor and hushed voice. There were even moments in the tour when his personal words were drowned out by his own intensely loud artwork.
Besides the constant struggle to hear the artist, it was of course insightful to gain entry into the works through personal anecdotes and direct explanation from Horowitz. I believe his work is most impactful when supported by exterior sources that can guide a visitor through the exhibition. Especially, given his extensive references to popular culture, to which, I assure you, without the help of an aid would have been blind to. On first visit I had a brochure as a supplement to keep me up to speed with Horowitz’s pieces, and on the second I had none other than the artist himself, without either of which I would have been very lost. I stress this point simply to point out the intensely referential and complex nature of Horowitz’s satirical “communication.”
Nicolas Heller
gregston
Jonathan Tanners
Gaia
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