Hock Tu Down: Hock Tu 3 (Stream)

In a great end to a shit week, today sees the release of the new album from Hock Tu Down – aka Lee Scott and Reklews. The Blah OGs originally formed the duo back in 2009, when they released their Prozium Peddlin album, followed the year after by Something Strange. Both those projects proved popular and with good reason, as the duo’s brand of self-proclaimed paranoid druggy rap came with a chemistry that just made the music enjoyable – as with pretty much everything Blah puts out.

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Jean Grae & Quelle Chris: My Contribution To This Scam

A suitably dope video has emerged for one of the gems to be found on the recent album from Jean Grae and Quelle Chris. My Contribution To This Scam has been bolstered in its brilliance with a great animated video from Crankbunny. If you’re not familiar with Crankbunny’s work, go Google the name and find yourself in awe of their paper engineering skills. The track is lifted from Everything’s Fine, which is out now on Mello Music Group.

Lando Chill ft. Quelle Chris & REY: Peso

Mello Music Group recently announced the upcoming release of a new album from Lando Chill. Black Ego will follow on from last year’s acclaimed, The Boy Who Spoke To The Wind and will be solely produced by multi-instrumentalist/producer, The Lasso. Peso is the lead single from the album and features fellow MMG artist, Quelle Chris, as well as REY from ojalá.systems. You can stream the track below and pre-orders for the album are available over on Bandcamp.

Cavalier: Private Stock (Album Stream)

Cavalier adds to the recent run of strong releases, with his latest project, Private Stock. The New Orleans MC has brought in the likes of Iman Omari, Quelle Chris and Mogillah to handle the production, with Iman and Quelle also on hand to for a couple of the features.
They are joined by Moruf, Blvck Spvde, Billzegypt and the always sublime sound of Georgia Anne Muldrow. You may remember me posting the first video from the album, back in February, which gives you a good taste of what the rest holds in store. You can stream Private Stock below and downloads are available on Bandcamp.

Jean Grae & Quelle Chris: Zero

Second trip of the day to Mello Music Group, this time for the next excerpt from the upcoming Jean Grae & Quelle Chris album. Zero is an 8-bit extravaganza, complete with an animated video which Quelle also made. It clocks in at over 7 minutes long, which in itself is quite an audacious move in a world where a lot of art is consumed and spat out at an alarming rate, but then again neither of these two have ever really been artists who follow suit. And what’s more, it works. Everything’s Fine is due for release on 30 March.

Jean Grae & Quelle Chris: Gold Purple Orange

If the new video from Jean Grae & Quelle Chris is a sign of their album’s calibre, then it’s safe to say Mello Music Group have another hit on their hands. Gold Purple Orange sees the duo breaking down a number of things, including everyday stereotypes from alt-right members to deadbeat dads. The video is drenched in a glorious 80’s aesthetic, complete with soft focus and a saxophone solo.
Everything’s Fine is due out on Mello on 27 April and is set to feature Dane Orr, Eric Andre, Anna Wise, Hannibal Buress, Denmark Vessey, Duncecap, Jonathan Hoard and Littles The Cat. Pre-orders are available here.

Dabrye ft. Roc Marciano, Quelle Chris & Danny Brown: The Appetite

Dirty 8-Bit sounds on the new track from Michigan producer, Dabrye. He enlists a triumvirate of distinct MCs for The Appetite, with Roc Marciano, Quelle Chris and Danny Brown, all sounding as on point as ever. The track is taken from Dabrye’s upcoming album, Three/Three, which is due for release mid-February. The rest of the album features a load more heavy hitters, including Guilty Simpson, Ghostface and DOOM, so definitely one to watch out for. More news on that soon.

Duncecap ft. ELUCID & Quelle Chris: Definitely

Brooklyn MC, producer and all round rap aficionado, Duncecap, is releasing his new album next week and it looks set to be another success for independent artists. Yesterday this video emerged, for a track that also features two other hip hop dons, namely Quelle Chris and ELUCID.
Duncecap did the production and also made the video, so looking forward to hearing what’s he created for the rest of the album. Rapping is For Idiots is due for release on 10 November and pre-orders are available here.

Cohenbeats ft. Quelle Chris: Daily Affirmations

Cohenbeats and Quelle Chris partner up on this new track, Daily Affirmations, which is the title track from Cohen’s album. Great video too, which was also animated and directed by Quelle. More info on the album is available over at the Stones Throw store.

Buy Muy Drugs: Buy Muy Drugs

Crazy sounds on the new release from Buy Muy Drugs. The foundation for the project is a collaboration between rapper, Denmark Vessey and producer, Azarias. Between the two of them they craft a dystopian vision, which is also inhabited by a few other visitors, including Quelle Chris, Yasiin Bey and Open Mike Eagle. The sound is a rough blend of Afro-Brazilian flavours and dirty beats.
I’ve always been a fan of tales from a disturbed future, but as humanity continues down this destructive path we seem to be fastened to, releases like this are starting to sound more like guidebooks rather than imaginary events. So listen intently and take notes. You can stream the project below and you can download it via Bandcamp.