Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Music. Show all posts
Sulaiman is TheNativeSoul Mixtape
10:38 PM
OK, stunting time. It feels great to know that I have enough material to put out a mixtape before the mixtape! Sulaiman is TheNativeSoul (previously The Expensive High) is a collection of tracks I recorded this year building up to the piece du resistance that will be Black Ribbon, Hard Work! These are 14 dope tracks that didn't make the final cut for BRHW, but are still bangers and deserve to be heard! I know I told people I was dropping BRHW in November but I'm a perfectionist and I want to make sure I put it out in as dope of a form as possible. So to hold you over and get you in tune with a little bit of what to expect, I'm releasing this precursor! Now some of you who are already pretty familiar with my music may have heard a bunch of these songs right here on this very blog, maybe on Myspace, maybe even IMEEM, but now you've got em in MP3 format, for the low low price of Free 99! So enjoy, let me know what you think, send it to your friends, blog it, Twitter it, whatever, but let it hold you down for now! Yep!
A Gentle Dissolve
10:56 AM
Here's a joint off the upcoming project Black Ribbon: Hard Work! that I flipped from Thievery Corporation's "A Gentle Dissolve" from their album "The Cosmic Game". Having been recently inspired from traveling and some pretty ill contributions to hip-hop music over the last two weeks, I decided to write a joint with no hooks, no bridges, and all bars! Check it out and let me know what you think. Black Ribbon: Hard Work! will be finished by the end of November so be on the lookout! Peace!
Thank You!
10:33 PM
As I walked to my bookstore today (my family owns a bookstore here in Chicago, don't know if I said that before), I was listening to a new batch of Blueprint 3 instrumentals I'd stumbled upon whilst surfing the web, and of course I gravitated towards one of my favorites off the project, the No I.D. - produced "Thank You". The horns are so elegant and polite, I could see it was the perfect platform to speak, as Jay did on his original version, about the positivity I've been able to pull out of some of the most toxic situations. I address haters, old flames, and old friends all in a lyrically tasteful manner that shows my acceptance of their roles in my life! So thank you to all my doubters! You make me great! Black Ribbon Hard Work! Partake!
On Your Mark...
2:26 AM
On Your Mark, produced by Beat Maker Beat, is a simple precursor I created late one night after a day of sessions to shoot to homies, associates, blogs, and fans to let them know what to expect from the upcoming project. It got a lot of love off top so I'm excited to see what the reaction to the project is gonna be, since this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned!Vibe's Alive
3:16 PM
"just to give it power I was lookin' for an outlet / had to make my own since I really couldn't find that / but value of true art is hidden in the process" - vibe's alive
Vibe's Alive came together through the production efforts of the homie Nickless Castle, who threw me this gem after being hipped to some of my previous work. We went in the lab and threw a couple of ideas back & forth, and this beat jumped at me with a mellow vibe that I felt like personified a canvas for me to vocalize my niche in this industry -- a lover of all the styles that have worn the "hip-hop" label can unify them all in an intelligent, straight to the point approach to the art form. Rather than tackle the whole "Hip Hop Is Dead" argument, I let my skills speak for themselves as a clear indication that hip-hop is a chameleon and cannot be categorized any longer. Castle heard what I put down over the track and went back to lay the ill scratches for the chorus. What can I say, the guy is a beast! What resulted was this track, and I hope you like it! They'll be more coming from Castle & I so stay on the lookout for new shit.
Cut It Out! (Full Version)
10:58 AM
"but it all blends perfectly.../let the liquor tell it"-- Andre 3000, "Spottieottiedopalicious"Doing joints like this is easy. Not easy in the sense that I take it for granted, but easy as in right up my alley. My homie Raphael from Endangered Peace shot me over an idea to go in over this Karriem Riggins-produced track, and seeing as Riggins is one of my favorite producers, it was a no-brainer. I simply put pen to the pad and wrote what came to mind. What resulted was a 3+ minute diatribe with all sort of stuntastic vocabulary. What else do you expect from the kid by now. Indulge.
Impatient (Slow Down)
3:23 PM
I had a period in writing where I figured that if I let up I would be letting my detesters and detractors win. Knowing that's the only way they actually COULD win, I used that motivation from then on to push myself to create, to write, to record my experience. I wrote a very descriptive verse over one of my new favorites, The Kickdrums' "Impatient" record that's featured on their Just A Game EP that recently dropped. The flavor was superb so I felt like I had to add my ingredients to it. Check out the lyrics:I'm impatient?
Well I aint got time to waste, bitch
Carpe diem, seize the day bitch
I'm gettin wealthy not fake rich
Monkey niggas go ape shit
When they see the whip I make flick
Wit 8 divas on a great trip
Spending Euros word to Great Brit
I'll take it back to the ba-sics,
Show em how a nigga make hits,
While I homer you-K, get,
It?, UK Brit?
Swine flu times two make the base-sick
I do what I do and you tape-it,
And study how to touch great-ness
Kickdrums make great shit,
I just come to bust once
Flyer than a stork skyin rollin dutch blunts
Grind like its X-Games sportin much cuts
From the time I have spent climbin up so fuck luck
This is my destiny, notice my pedigree
Nigga movin' chains like an NFL referee
Promise you, one with more drive you'll never-see
Plus I play chess that checkers don't better me
I don't work with wack niggas that's dead to me...
Even if they well-known got effigies
No clocks I work incessantly
So is you with me or not? Though so, better be.
Download Impatient (Slow Down)(zShare)
Elevation
2:41 PM
Elevation is defined as the act of raising from a lower place, condition, or quality to a higher; -- said of material things, persons, the mind, the voice, etc.; as, the elevation of grain; elevation to a throne; elevation of mind, thoughts, or character. Simply put, Elevation is progress as an effect of persistence. Often times there's so much standing between a goal and yourself, that it almost seems impossible to reach, but with the understanding that every step forward is also a boost of energy, you can never lose! I wrote this song with that very though in mind - to diagnose the rise of new energy and the fall of the old. It's a beautiful thing when they're screaming your name but can you remain the same when the sceneries change?
The Most Interesting Man In The World
11:54 AM
I'm back again, kicking off Q2 with a new installment of heat and crack and dope and piff and illness. This one is appropriately title "The Most Interesting Man In The World", and the lyrics don't disappoint. Straight bravado on this one! The beat is made by Madlib and I fucks with it so you should too! Partake!
Undergradetox (Lark On My Go Kart Freestyle)
10:37 AM
Love Love LOVE this beat. Decided to have some more fun and flip Asher Roth's Lark On My Go Kart to my own twisted liking. Sorry it's been so long since I dropped one on you guys, but this should more than make up for it. Plus a nigga got Mickey Mouse to come through and do his best Dame Dash impersonation. SMH. Not much else I can say in this explanation, so, Enjoy!
Download Undergradetox (Lark On My Go Kart Freestyle) (zShare)
If Ya Know The Ave...(Snippet)
1:01 AM
Here's another one from the vaults, produced by an ill up-and-coming producer out of North Carolina by the name of Constrobuz. This joint is called If Ya Know The Ave, and it's basically addressing my originality when it comes to everything, from my stance as a born & bred Chicagoan with a different approach to the scene, to my style and flair when it comes to music. If ya know the ave then you prolly know the half, so get up off your ass live everyday like your last! Partake!
Heatcheck (Snippet)
10:15 PM
Every now & then you gotta go in just to make sure you've still got all the tenacity that you can bring. This track was just that, hence why I entitled it Heatcheck. I love the grimey beats, and although I love to diversify the types of joints I do, these definitely have a larger subliminal appeal to my mind. I think every hip-hop/rap artist, regardless of the music that they become known for, should always maintain an edge in the pure gritty shit, while also bringing an eclectic flavor to their product overall. Fuck all the talking though, enjoy the snippet! More heat coming soon...I'm in the lab as we speak working on some next-level shit! Till then....
Wu Sh*t!
4:23 PM
Another one from the archives. I grew up on Wu Tang - literally. My older brothers were such Wu heads, I had no choice! Good thing that happened though, cause Wu was definitely one of the most lyrically astute, prolific, stylish groups to ever come out in music. I had to pay homage as I continued my studies of the greatest MC's ever, and I aptly titled the joint Wu Shit. Yep!
Understand Me.
11:26 AM
Ok. I'm saying it now. This is my true essence; a song with a story and a purpose. I decided to write something about insecurity, pain, and the real shit that alot of people unfortunately have to deal with in life. I recognize I've lived a pretty scott-free existence up until now, with a few nicks and scratches along the way, but I'm always reminded in tough times about how much more difficult it could be. You never truly know what lies behind the eyes of a stranger, or even a close friend for that matter, so assumption should never be a part of your vocabulary or your lifestyle. It's also very hazardous to think you understand anyone or anything fully, because there's always something new to learn from a situation or a person. I put Kenna on the hook since it was my inspiration behind writing this song, and I hope people like it. I've included the lyrics below and also made the track available for download. Partake!
TNS:
I met baby on the train,
Vibin' to her own beat, put her purse right where the floor and her toes meet
Asked what's ya name?,
Acted like she know me, took her earphones out and turned rather slowly
Said I'm Charmane, sit for a second for you try and get a number lil' homie get to know me
How could I complain?, took a minute sittin' as I contemplated kissin' while her lips began a story
She told me she was raised out the city in the plains,
Father was in jail caught serving up cane,
Mom was a junkie shootin' shit up in her veins,
And she had left home she was searching for a change
Told her I was searching for the same, for instance,
Had an audition cause I'm a musician
Told her I was sensing all her pain as I listened
She turned back laughin' like "Homie we different" and said...
Kenna:
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Or go...
TNS:
So I said "Yo try me,
Less you got a talent I don't know about, throw me out just offa eyein' me..."
So I sat quietly, told her to continue though its not the greatest venue just consider me her diary
Saw she was smiling, then it turned to tears as she thought about years past she was did grimey
Its was re-minding, shorty had baggage like a airport truck so she backed up blindly
Said I don't mean to be rude, dude
Cause you smooth and you too, cool
I don't wanna in-clude, you in these problems I got (got)
Just cause you all stable and I'm not (not)
Hold it right there lil mama stop (stop)
I don't got a whole book but I got a plot (plot)
Saw pain as a chapter to better my health
The more I read the better I felt,
But YOU tellin' ya'self...
Kenna:
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Or go...
TNS:
She looked up and said "True. Now I got a plot, NOW what I'm 'posed to do?"
Only thing you can baby girl, be YOU. Live ya own life,
I was there once, I chose to hold mics.
God was there once he chose to hold light,
The sun got noon the moon it got night...
Let them bafoons just do what they like
Cause you aint a-like they moves just ain't right
Try as they might they could never reach you tho,
Like a light wave couldn't barely reach Pluto
One card left better yell out Uno
Cause what you been through yo I think deserve kudos
You had a round trip through hell and back
And made it here to tell ya story over rails and tracks
Settle down please baby girl relax
Cause you need to see the world perhaps ya eyes tellin me that ya...
Kenna:
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Don't know if I want you to understand me...
Or go...
Download Understand Me (Feat. Kenna) (zShare)
Strange Universe
3:45 PM
This one was FUN. Super cocky, clever beyond belief. I love the beat, a joint from one of my old favorite underground hip-hop groups, Non-Phixion. When their album, The Future Is Now, was finally released I remember wildin on how Ill Bill and Sabac killed this Necro beat. So I had to channel a bit of that Non-Phixion flavor with some of the new shit that I feel like I could bring to it, and then with a sprinkle of message in there to any doubters, it comes full circle into my interpretation of Strange Universe. Deep hip-hop listeners will f*ck with this for sure. Partake!
Download Strange Universe (zShare)
Redemption
3:11 AM
This may be the fastest verse/song I've ever written or done in my life. And it's so fire it's crazy. I said this in a post before, but you get to a creative level where you can make art in almost any circumstance. This one was definitely inspired by the beat, provided by the homie *Pbbt for Boy Genius. When I got this in the email I spazzed and literally couldn't stop jotting bars in the Blackberry 8900 (stunt). What resulted was Redemption, a dope track with miniscule pause and a whoooole lot of flow. Partake!!
Download Redemption (zShare)
Batter On Deck!
1:47 PM
I love this joint. A few months ago my homie Ray Protege got at me to contribute a piece for his latest mixtape project, "Hipster Hop". On first pass I was like naaah son...I don't think I fit that demographic, but Ray's idea behind the mixtape was to show that just because cats are fresh, dress a certain way, are eclectic, or unbiased, it doesn't mean that they're not real or ill for that matter. Once he let me know the deal I was all in, and the track, produced by NEZ&RIO, came out dope. Partake!
Download Batter On Deck (Produced by NEZ&RIO) (zShare)
From Here...
6:07 PM
Muhsinah is dope. No. Wait. Muhsinah is SUPER DOPE. HU Alum, super-talented musician, etc., etc., etc. Her latest joint, "From Here", is an ill joint with an even iller vibe to it. I got it in an email and upon first listen I HAD to put a verse to it. I love artists like her, who give others inspiration to produce new creativity. Honestly, I haven't experienced any sort of sense of writer's block in such a long time, and it's because I'm such an avid music listener, of all genres mind you, that there's always a new style to explore. Hence why I tell everyone who listens to me that I'm a man of a million styles, all ill, super versatile. I hope you like this joint; I made it available for download as well. Like it!
Download Muhsinah x TheNativeSoul - From Here (Remix) (zShare)
Download Muhsinah x TheNativeSoul - From Here (Remix) (zShare)
Neon Strings
10:00 AM
Download Neon Strings (zShare)
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