In retrospect, 2012 was a particularly stellar year for music. Frank Ocean (channel ORANGE) and Kendrick Lamar (g.o.o.d kid m.A.A.d city) each dropped their respective masterpieces that permanently cemented them as modern classicists amongst critics and fans. Meanwhile, Death Grips’ The Money Store showed the group mastering their demented take on abstract hip-hop, Flying Lotus provided his most nuanced and hypnagogic release to date with Until The Quiet Comes, and Tame Impala proved that there was strange beauty in loneliness with Lonerism. However, one album stood out like a black sheep because while it was inaccessible to most mainstream music listeners, it was ambitious as it was gravely terrifying and ugly. This album is The Seer; New York experimental group Swans’ near masterpiece and and a classic that was considered by many to be the biggest comeback of the year. This album is indeed one of the finest works in the groups catalog as well as a roughly 2 hour post rock hell trip and endurance test through sheer brutality, meditative repetition, and catharsis.
Two big name rappers with Chicago roots, Chance the Rapper and Ludacris (Oak Park, IL), surprised Chicago Public Schools students this week with a surprise appearance at Alcott College Prep, for the “Get Schooled, Get Connected” program. So far the program has been very successful, which helps connect youth across the country with online educational resources to help with their high school to college transition. It is always great to see Chance give back to the community, as this is just one of many events that Chance the Rapper has hosted or attended to give back to the Chicago youth. Check out some photos below, as friend of the site Jesus Montero was there to capture some of the best moments from the event.
Although it was believed that the Rich Gang rappers (Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan) were still on good terms, despite the news that Rich Homie Quan was stepping away from Rich Gang, there may be trouble in paradise. During a recent stop on Thugger and Travis Scott’s Rodeo Tour, Young Thug stopped to talk to his fans about Rich Homie Quan “Bitch Homie Quan”, as Thug called him. Check out the video below for yourself, but things may really be falling apart for Birdman (stay tuned for more details).
Last month Chicago rapper Towkio released his collaboration with his SAVEMONEY affiliate Vic Mensa on his song ‘Involved’ and his Social Experiment collaboration ‘Free Your Mind’, in anticipation of his forthcoming .wav Theory project. Today we have the official video for ‘Free Your Mind’. Check out the new music video below, which was directed by Peter Collins Campbell and co-directed by Towkio himself.
For those who have yet to hear, producer Nigel Holt (HOLT) is Kanye West’s newest artist on G.O.O.D. Music. And while the The Treated Crew artist (formerly “Hollywood Holt”) has been making music for a number of years before getting his big break with Kanye, we now have a first taste of his new music. Check out HOLT’s self directed music video below for ‘Nightcall’ (with Emily Morse), a cover of Kavinsky’s ‘Nightcall‘ from the 2011 film Drive. This track is definitely a good indication of his album to come, where there will be no rapping, only singing and some GOOD beats.
Despite earlier reports that Kendrick Lamar’s previously untitled sophomore LP would actually be called [Untitled], hours ago, King Kendrick revealed the title and cover art for his forthcoming and highly anticipated LP. The album, which is named, To Pimp a Butterfly, is set to release on March 23rd through Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). We aren’t quite sure how one “pimps a butterfly”, but we are anxious to find out.
It was reported that last night Kanye West’s laptop was stolen in Paris, although sources from Def Jam have since dispelled such rumors. Stolen or not, amidst the reports, a new Kanye West song dedicated to his wife, Kim Kardashian West, has surfaced. This one is titled ‘Awesome’, and stream it below while you still can.
Last night Skizzy Mars brought his 2015 headlining tour to The Rave in Milwaukee. Performing a number of tracks off his new EP,The Red Balloon Project, Skizzy rocked the sold-out Milwaukee crowd, with opening performances by Skizzymack and Prelow. Check out our photos below, as The Early Registration was there to catch the best moments of the night. If Skizzy is coming to a city near you do not miss out!
Act fast, as The Early Registration and React Presents are giving away a pair of tickets to see English DJ and BBC Radio 1′sPete Tong and German producer Claptone in Chicago this Friday (March 13th)! The show will take place at The Mid in Chicago (306 N. Halsted St.) and this one is a 21 and over event. Check out the contest details and a small taste of what Friday will be like below, and if you don’t want to leave it to chance, buy tickets now at The Mid’s website.
