Backwoodz Studioz: High Bias (Stream)

A surprise release here to coincide with Bandcamp Friday, as Backwoodz Studioz flex their collective muscle with a new compilation. Billed as lying “somewhere between a label sampler and woods’ curated mixtape”, High Bias features mostly new and unheard tracks from familiar label dwellers like Armand Hammer, AKAI SOLO and ShrapKnel, as well appearances from extended family members – and possible new additions to the roster? – including Fatboi Sharif, Breeze Brewin and Cavalier. The production is up to its usual standards as well, with August Fanon, Messiah Musik, Sebb Bash and DJ Haram among the contributors. High Bias is available to stream below, with downloads and cassettes over on Bandcamp.

Quelle Chris & Cavalier: Purple Robes

A superb team up here from long-term friends and collaborators, Quelle Chris and Cavalier, as they gift us with their new EP. Black Cottonwood is produced in its entirety by Quelle Chris, with raps from both him and Cavalier. The EP features back-to-back gems, including Purple Robes, which has recently been given the visual treatment. If you want to hear the rest of the project – which you do – it is available exclusively through Cavalier’s website and will NOT be making any appearances on digital streaming sites, so spend the money and support the artists.

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys ft. Merrill Garbus, Cavalier & Homeboy Sandman: Sacred Safe

A good start to the week as I bring you the latest video from Quelle Chris and Chris Keys. Not only was Innocent Country 2 one of the best releases from this year, but Sacred Safe was also one of my most played tracks of the last 12 months. The track features superb contributions from Cavalier, Homeboy Sandman and Merrill Garbus, as well as a new layer of dope, thanks to the video from Santa West & Quelle. Innocent Country 2 is out now on Mello Music.

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys ft. Merrill Garbus, Cavalier & Homeboy Sandman: Sacred Safe

More new music from Quelle Chris and Chris Keys as they continue the promo run for their forthcoming Innocent Country 2 album. On the almost prescient Sacred Safe, Quelle is joined by Cavalier, Homeboy Sandman and Tune-Yards instigator, Merrill Garbus, for an exploration on the theme of finding peace while your mind is waging war. The track premiered over on Hypebeast yesterday, along with a Q&A with Quelle.

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys ft. Joseph Chilliams & Cavalier: Living Happy (Video)

Quelle Chris and Chris Keys stay providing the upbeat soundtrack we need right now, with the next single from Innocent Country 2. You might have already heard Living Happy when I posted some details about the album not long ago, but now there is an equally cheerful little animated clip to accompany it. Also accompanying are fellow MCs, Cavalier and Joseph Chilliams, with the latter deserving some sort of prize for rhyming ‘Maury Show’ with ‘glory holes’. Innocent Country 2 is out on 24 April on Mello Music Group.

Quelle Chris & Chris Keys: Living Happy + LP News

Some good news to break up the seemingly endless stream of fear pouring out of every media outlet right now, as Quelle Chris and Chris Keys announce the forthcoming release of a new album. Acting as a successor to their previous collaboration back in 2015, Innocent Country 2, has all the tell-tale signs of yet another win for Quelle and his label home, Mello Music Group. The lead single from the album was released a few weeks back and came as a welcome surprise, as Quelle swapped rapping for singing resulting in a joyous 3.5 minutes of escapism. The latest single, Living Happy, is available to listen to below, with the two Chrisses(?) being joined by Cavalier and Joseph Hilliums. The rest of the album boasts features from billy woods, Homeboy Sandman, Pink Siifu, Earl Sweatshirt and lots more. It’s scheduled for release on 24 April and pre-orders are available now.

Elaquent: Forever Is A Pretty Long Time (Stream)

It always seemed like a safe bet to say that the forthcoming album from Elaquent was going to be a winner, and now that it is out in the open, I am happy to confirm the Ontario producer has done it again. In a step away from the instrumental projects he’s blessed us with over the last couple of years, on Forever Is A Pretty Long Time we find Elaquent bringing in a number of artists to accompany him. Kicking off with the lead single, Guidelines, featuring fellow Mello resident, Oddisee, the album also features some great contributions from Chester Watson, Guilty Simpson, Cavalier and Blu. The vocal tracks are mixed in with a few instrumental joys, including one of the album’s highlights, Joloff, along with the stone cold flyness of the Blu assisted, Reminisce, and the G-Funk echoes of Lottery Check, which features Brainorchestra. The album can be heard in full below and you can find downloads over on Bandcamp.

Quelle Chris: Guns (Stream)

One of a number of undoubtedly strong projects released today is the latest solo effort from Quelle Chris. Having already been treated to a few tasters from Guns, including the title track and Straight Shot which features a surprising appearance from UK comedian, James Acaster, it was already pretty clear that this album was going to be another success for Quelle. Armed with his usual brand of wry humour and social commentary, the NY-based artist allows us to laugh at some of the current situations, where otherwise we might have no choice but to cry. The album is produced by Quelle, alongside Dane and Chris Keys. There are a stack of great features too including Jean Grae, Mach-Hommy, Cavalier and Denmark Vessey. Guns is ready to stream in full below, with downloads available via Bandcamp.

Quelle Chris ft. Cavalier, Bilal Salaam, Eldar Djangirov & James Acaster: Straight Shot

Another great cut from the upcoming Quelle Chris album, as the Detroit MC and producer treats us to the next bullet in the chamber – Straight Shot, produced by frequent collaborator, Chris Keys. Featuring a host of great names including Cavalier, Bilal Salaam, Eldar Djangirov and a surprising but welcome poetry appearance by UK comedian, James Acaster, the track is an altogether more mellow affair than its predecessor, which only makes me more intrigued for how the album is going to sound as a whole. Straight Shot is available to stream below, with pre-orders for the album now live via Bandcamp. The release date is scheduled for 29 March.

Cavalier: Holla Kid

More striking visuals for another gem excavated from the recent Private Stock album by Cavalier. The New Orleans MC lays down his usual brand of lyricism, which always demands further study once the track finishes – “It’s foreign ground, I’m E.T. tryna phone homies/I’m breaking free, the ceiling’s made of bone only”, while the video brings us themes of life, death and mourning. The track is produced by Iman Omari. Private Stock is out now.