dopeness is what i like the most

While we're currently here on Earth, inhabiting these physical vessels, it is each individual's responsibility to be the architect for the life they desire. As such, one has the power to actively choose to manifest and live the life they want - whether an individual chooses to thrive and live in their light or succumb to the comfortable complacency of their darkness is solely that person's decision to make. But, based on the thoughts, words and actions you consciously or subconsciously decide to put out into the Universe, the Universe will return to you exactly what you send out.  So take your power back.  Far too often, people surrender their personal power to exterior forces - be it money, relationships, jobs, environment, dis-ease, etc. Despite all the "darkness" that seems to be taking up space around the world today, we are living in extremely auspicious times. And now, perhaps more so than ever, is the time for each and every being on this plane...

Ya'll...it's 2018. Probably time to stop referring to women who rap as "female rappers" or "femcees". OK? If you go to a restaurant and the head chef is a female, do you say your meal was cooked up by a "female chef" or that you're eating "female food"? Let's move past gender, race, religion and all those other illusions put in place to keep us divided.  Bars are bars. Does not matter if they are coming from a female or a male - dope is dope, whack is whack. Let's focus on the music and not the private parts of the human fucking being supplying the content. Besides, your physical is just a vessel for your spirit, homie. Get yo' chakras right! We all gotta acknowledge and balance our masculine and feminine energies anyway...that's right, fellas - you got a little divine feminine in you, too.  So respect it.  This is a topic of conversation I feel rather passionate about. Not because I'm woke but bec...

If the last couple weeks are any indication, it would appear safe to presume the Black Umbrella family is ready to unleash an onslaught of content upon the masses this year. It became evidently more clear when, after dropping the cinematic " Clout ", Raz Simone returned with two new videos in just about as many days.  The first release came in the form of the Paul Judge-produced "Jose", a plug-feuled anthem accompanied by another Jacob Hill-shot visual experience. Filmed on location in Guadalajara, Mexico, "Jose" showcases Simone and Anthony Danza laying their fiery verses in all the places most tourists would be unable to visit. Apparently, someone in Black Umbrella knows the plug... "To by my friend, I should make you have a wavier signed, 'Cause anytime I'm out, it could be danger, danger time" In the heart and soul of cartel country, Simone uses the video to once again reveal and put on display just how "rea...

If you've been following artists like Raz Simone or Sam Lachow - or a number of other Seattle-based artists - then you're most likely familiar with Brain "Warm Gun" Chinn. The multifaceted artist has become well respected for his ability to shine across the board in regards to the creation of music, whether he's producing, engineering, laying vocals or writing songs. Those familiar with Seattle's scene have no doubt seen Warm Gun's moniker attached to a track, record or video on numerous occasions. Last year, Warm Gun let loose what is arguably his best collection of music to date, the 10-track Rare Candy . The project not only showcased the beautiful and original musical stylings of Chinn, it also put on full display his ability to craft a cohesive album that revealed intricate storytelling and well-thought out concepts. The fact it heavily featured Gun's Black Umbrella brethren certainly did not hurt Rare Candy  either. After giving the proj...

After years of putting in work and honing his craft, it's been beautiful to witness Jake Crocker receive some well deserved recognition as of late, especially following the release of his official remix to Aluna George's " Turn Up The Love ". Rather than sit around and bask in the limelight, it appears the Seattle-based artist has been hard at work making sure the momentum continues on strong this year.  Crocker's latest release showcases his re-interpration of DJ Snake's Lauv-featured " A Different Way ". The vibes are real on this hard-hitting, synched-up remix.  As a listener who only got into electronic music over the last couple of years, I find myself often times being overly critical and a little less open minded than I'd like to be. But, credit where credit is due, Crocker smashed this joint. When a record allows me to lift from my physical body and feel the music moving me around the dance floor, it unquestionably gets my pe...

Following the release of " Strawbridge " last month, Zhero once again links with producer Matthew Cyr for his latest drop, the captivatingly titled "Losing Our Mind is Fine (If You're Okay With It)".  I'm absolutely loving the vibe of Zhero's work as of late, and I think it's safe to presume he's surrounding himself with the right people to keep the music progressing in the proper direction. It's different, but not in a " hey, look at me, I'm trying hard to be different " type of way. Rather, there's a fine balance of unapologetic realness and emotion that flaunt Zhero's authenticity - he has feelings and, thanks to the music, we get to experience, connect to, and relate to the young artist's feelings.   The production and instrumentation throughout the record really sets the stage for the entire experience. As I play the track, I find myself getting lost in the vibes of the sonic backdrop, just sort of ...

Fresh off the heels of another trip around the sun, Raz Simone comes through with his first visuals of 2018. In typical Raz fashion, the Black Umbrella founder holds nothing back on "Clout", addressing a myriad of subject matter with a confidently calm yet simultaneously aggressive delivery. Simone has always been one of my favorite artists to cover, thanks in large part to the layered presentation of his content. With "Clout", an essay could be composed on both the track itself and the accompanying video - while both seem almost overly simple upon first glance/listen, the song and video cover a lot of ground over the course of five and a half minutes. The visuals are split between two backdrops - Raz being "studied" in a research facility and Raz rapping in the street. The vibe of the production on "Clout" syncs up perfectly with the dreary, simple visual of Simone in the rainy streets...appropriately carrying a black umbrella. It's...