JOOSEBOXX.COM
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Review of Curtiss King's "Atychiphobia" Album
JooseBoxx.com brings to you our review of Black Cloud Music’s latest project. The I.E. icon known for his on stage performances and long list of production credits, drops his first album on the heels of his “Kings & Queens” short film which documents the weeks leading up to the Paid Dues Independent Hip Hop Festival. The much anticipated album "Atychiphobia" by Curtiss King is finally here…
Atychiphobia (Intro) (feat Bee Tarver) (Prod. by Villain)
The Sweeping synths that open up this song really give the joint a panoramic feel. A bigger picture swagg, if you will. Bee Tarver really holds it down on the vocals. The combination of her voice and Villain’s beat really compliment each other. The mysterious voice at the end further solidifies what I’m sure will become a debate for many years to come…. Is it A-Tik-UH-Fobia or A-TiCH-Uh-Fobia?! Curtiss definitely says it with the tick… MV (Mystery Voice) says tich. I don’t know. I’ll tell you this though, if you skipped this song, you wouldn’t be missing much and I’ll explain more about that in a second.
The Fear of Failure (feat Art Barz) (Prod. By JBizness)
To digress for a second, the songs Atychiphobia and The Fear of Failure seem redundant to me. There will be some who disagree but I think its like buying Coke and Pepsi…. Some people need one over the other while others (like me) only see cola. I prefer The Fear of Failure. The catchy hook had me the first time I heard it. Fellow Black Could Music artist Art Barz lends himself to the joint and to keep it simple… it works.
Hella Close (Prod. Villain)
This will definitely speak to anybody who dreams of being a successful musician. This reminds me a lot of how the movie 8 Mile made me feel the first time I saw it. The concept of “being close to your dreams and watching how those around you change” certainly isn’t new but its rare when that concept is tailored to a specific relatable craft like being an emcee AND is done so well. It’s hilariously ironic that the sample on the tail end of the song sums up what I’m trying to say…
“Back then hoes didn’t want me, now I’m hot, hoes all on me”
Ratchets Still Jockin’ (Prod. By Tae Beast)
Do you really have to fake it ‘til you make it? Can you pull a ratchet or two if you feeling bummy? I have always invested in the theory that you most certainly can! If you agree this song is for you. I think Curtiss King aims to make “keeping it REALLY real“ cool. Bullseye.
OhMyGod (Prod. By Jansport J)
First and foremost this beat is ILL. Mad love to Jansport J for doing the damn thing! it’s a beautiful thing when the beat and lyrics of a song come together so nicely. I could not imagine this song any other way…. In my opinion, those are the makings of a CLASSIC! I mean that in every sense of the word. This song is definitely one of my favorites! The highlight of this song comes late in the second verse, in which Curt explains how his “lady gave him balance”. This song is a MUST listen!
No Negativity Around Me (feat Jynxx) (Prod. Ayiro)
The part I enjoy most about this song is the insight into how “Life after Paid Dues” has affected Curtiss. Black Cloud Music’s Jynxx (often behind the scenes) lends his voice to this track, giving us a nice little change up from what one might expect of him. I’ve been around Jynxx more than a few times and probably have only heard him saw 5 or 6 words but you definitely get the full effect of his identity as an emcee on this track. In closing, nice song, ill solos at the end, and cool production.
The Freshest (feat Alori Joh) (Prod. By A3)
Alori Joh is vicious with the vocals… She definitely has a powerful and beautiful voice. I think the standout second verse which explains how Curtiss feels about his friend Alori who passed away in early 2012. This is a very deep and powerful verse and I probably could have done without the first verse entirely. I know putting your inner most feelings in your music for others to judge, and comment, and talk about is no easy task and I commend Curtiss King for opening up as he did with this song. The words he speaks on this joint could very well lift someone from a dark place in a time of need. May Alori Joh rest in peace.
Acrophobia (feat Mickey Taelor & David May) (Prod. By Osym)
Upon first listen I instantly felt Osym was channeling Timbaland with this track. It sounds a lot like My Love by Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.. Mickey Taelor holds her own. David May is definitely staking his claim as one of Black Cloud’s young up-and-comers. Although it is a cool song…this track is skippable. I couldn’t find anything “special” about this track.
Post It Note (Interlude) (Prod. By Jansport J)
Another standout joint by a duo I’m beginning to really become fans of; Curtiss King and Jansport J. I always find it a privilege to hear these intimate glimpses into an artist’s personal life. Especially when they feel as real as the ones on this project feel.
Loyal Mrs. (feat Noa James) (Prod. By OhGoshLeotus)
Again, Curtiss hit’s the nail on the head with a reboot of a common theme. This is the “I need a ride or die chick” mixed with reality and a dash of “smoothed out beat” provided by OhGoshLeotus and a pinch of the raw stylings of Noa James. I love the concept but I could have passed on the singing ant the end. It’s just not for me.
In My Zone (feat Phantom Thrett) (Prod. By Osym)
Osym strikes again with the type of abstract beats I live for. Listeners are treated to another cameo by a Black Cloud Music artist in Phantom Thrett. I like Phantom’s interesting dynamic as an emcee/singer and how different he sounds when he leans towards any given talent. All in all this is another standout track on the album.
The Bottom (feat Brooke Taylor) (Prod. By Hutch)
I’m not one for sad songs. This song is like getting kicked while you’re down. I’m not really feeling Brooke Taylor on this joint either. Definitely a “skip” for me.
Fvck Cancer (Prod. By Villain)
One of my favorite songs on this album. A triumphant song indeed. Whether you hear the song with the disease in mind or how people can be cancerous. The title says it all. Villain truly outdid himself with the production on this song, it captures all the emotions and feelings associated with winning. This song and it’s various messages are ULTRA-relatable. Bang Bang.
Sade.Badu.Jill (The Remedy) (Prod. By Villain)
One of the best parts of this song is during the verse when us listeners get yet another glimpse into the soul of Curtiss King. Anecdotes of being the odd kid take you to those very playgrounds. The storytelling in verse one is great.
Doorknobs (feat Faimkills) (Prod. By BK Beats)
This beat is amazing! The story, the message, the feelings this song conjures in my heart… truly a beautiful piece. Black Cloud emcee Faimkills’ lyrics gracefully meander up and through the melodies of this track. Even Mr. Mystery Voice at the end adds a certain sense of completeness to this song. I could hear this in movies or on TV shows or something. Awesome shit.
OTG (Prod. By Curtiss King)
I know I can’t be the only one surprised that we went 15 tracks deep into this album before we heard some Curtiss King production on this thang. Curtiss gets all sultry voiced with his rendition of Mokenstef’s He’s Mine. Grizzly-ass flip! On The Grind! I really enjoyed it and I think you will too!
Ratchets Still Jockin’ (Remix) (feat Glasses Malone & Hit-Boy) (Prod. By Tae Beast)
I find it gratifying that mainstream artists recognize the skill and hard work coming from this man. I love Curt’s verse on the remix, it has a lot more personality in it. I also think it was a good move to lighten up what otherwise would have been a very serious end to the album. Glasses Malone and Hit-Boy add very different and distinct dimensions to the song. I know, Glasses Malone and Hit-Boy are a strange combination but hey, it works for me.
In Closing….
The album is dope. You can’t walk into this looking for many hype songs like Sinbad, but what you will get is a peek into what makes a man like Curtiss King tick. You will hear the gears and cogs that make him who he is, though song. There is a mystery voice that makes an appearance every song or two, that’s… different. I think this is history in the making.
Grade: A-
You can purchase Atychiphobia HERE or HERE
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Young B The Future FT YG PAC -YOUNG NIGGAS (Official Video)
Young B @YoungBTheFuture
YG Pac @LiveLifeSAVAGEE
produced by @kennyBEATZ
filmed by @producedbyzwatch in HD
YG Pac @LiveLifeSAVAGEE
produced by @kennyBEATZ
filmed by @producedbyzwatch in HD
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Monday, November 19, 2012
iLL CAMILLE "LET YOU KNOW" (Music Video)
Produced by DJ WES & Terrace Martin & additional vocals by Brittany Barber
"Millie Mondays, presented by Forty Ounce Gold & iLL CAMILLE
...from the iLLUSTRATED project | 12.12.12.
[Download] http://losangelesleakers.com/2012/04/audio-ill-camille-illcamille-let-you-know/
"Millie Mondays, presented by Forty Ounce Gold & iLL CAMILLE
...from the iLLUSTRATED project | 12.12.12.
[Download] http://losangelesleakers.com/2012/04/audio-ill-camille-illcamille-let-you-know/
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Acrylick Clothing Company - Support Your Local Artist Ep. 5 - Waju
(@eyywaju)
Video Shot and Edited by erokthedj.com
Connect with Waju
http://soundcloud.com/waju/
http://waju.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/WajuMusic
https://twitter.com/EyyWaju
http://www.acrylick.net
Video Shot and Edited by erokthedj.com
Connect with Waju
http://soundcloud.com/waju/
http://waju.bandcamp.com/
http://www.facebook.com/WajuMusic
https://twitter.com/EyyWaju
http://www.acrylick.net
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Review of David May's "The Lifestyles of a Dream Chaser" album (Part 1)
I
swear I saw David May on GrindTime now , years ago, rap battlin’ …..but he
insist that it isn’t true…So I have had the pleasure of listening to some of
Mr. May’s music & finding out who he REALLY is!!.... David May is a member
of the infamous Inland Empire label Black Cloud Music, along other talented
emcees such as Noa James, Curtiss King, Art Barz, etc etc etc.. ( the list of
artists associated is quite impressive). With the drop of his single “Strawberry
Lemonade” back in June 2012, David May began to get his followers excited about
his future project “The Lifestyles of a Dream Chaser”… Well.. Its been 5 months
and the album is finally here! So without further adieu I am ready to dissect
this album track by track and decide whether I think David May is close to
achieving his dreams or living in a nightmare… LETS GET IT!!!
Intro
(These Dreams I Hold) (Prod by Mr. Kooman)
Starts track…
Ah! Clip from that Will Smith movie “Pursuit of
Happyness”… Always motivational… heard it used before tho but fitting for the
album’s theme.
Ah again! Mr. Kooman on the beat? I remember him
from my soundclick days when there was always a battle for the top spots on the
instrumental charts.. Kooman was the guy to beat!! Smooth beat… bass, live
drum, and guitar heavy…hear some piano in there too…
David May spittin’ chill bars to match Kooman’s
production….The lyrics aren’t really standing out to me in any parts tho… Wish
his vocals were a little louder.. the hook is nice… I mean it’s Tony Bennett
singing but hey..I can vibe to it… I’m ready to hear more tho.. what’s next?
Climbin’
ft Waju & Phantom Thrett (prod by J. Bizness)
This sounds familiar… Think I saw him perform this
joint live… J. Bizness on the beat! Bizness always provides the perfect
instrumentals to vibe to. May rode the beat well… I enjoyed his verse….
Phantom Thrett on the hook… I like the vocal
arrangement.. wish the mixing on the layers blended a little better… less low
notes in my left speaker and highs in my right…. You feel me.. dope hook tho…
love Thrett’s vocal talents…
Waju on the feature verse… Killin it as always..
Recently I have been highly impressed with everything Waju does.. the
combination of his flow and lyrics is unfuckwitable at the moment. Dope!
May tackles the final verse on this joint touching
on the subject of success …
“Let
passion be your God”
I can relate to this verse.. Grinding in your city…
Working hard so people can hear what you’re passionate about.. I feel that!
Great song! J
Strawberry
Lemonade (prod by Black Light Music LLC)
Ayyyy!! This my shxt! Props to the producer on this
joint.. makes me wanna hit the blunt and hop in a pool… I remember the video
for this joint.. shxt was clean but I wish May was on a beach with a bitch
& a blunt.. but ::shrug:: to each his own ideas lol…
Some might consider this just another “weed song”
but bet they vibe to it tho!
If you can’t
stand the box get out and stop bitchin’
I FEEL THAT!!
Never
Satisfied (Prod by Tyrannosaurus Flex)
Oh lalaaaa!! Loving this jazz sample… ugh I love
jazz so much… blame my mom.. the drums drop and honestly the sample carries the
production.. drums could be better… but regardless D May meets the challenge
speaking again on success but more so on reaching his own expectations…
Second verse and the remainder of the song kind of
lost my attention tho.. imma go head and press next…
Faith
(prod by Curtiss King)
This
track starts off with a real soulful sample courtesy of Curtiss King… when the
beat drops.. I expected more from the drums but this is really chill… Can’t
complain…I’d smoke one to it! ::shrug::….
Imagine
your wildest dreams coming true
David
May begins spitting bout his dreams and whatnot… this a pretty cool track
speaking on the topic of the album title…. His flow is kinda slow on this joint…
& ive
been running full circle
But ive
never cut no corners running through a track with a lot of fuckin hurdles
the
mix on this joint is clean as hell… & the production makes it really sound
like David May might ACTUALLY be in a dream…..I like the hook on this joint.. should’ve
had some extra singing behind his vocals and the singing on the sample..woulda
been nice….
The
fx vocal interlude is a nice touch….the screwed part that follows is aight
tho.. wish the vocals were a bit deeper to get the full effect..could do
without it….cool track tho.. J
The
Lifestyle of a Dream Chaser (prod by Brook Beats)
& here it is.. the title track of the album!
D May gets off on this joint lyrically!
When I see the
black and whites then I toss my roach
He speeds his flow up a lil bit but then changes it
up shortly after towards the middle of the verse….
The hook is cool… not really one you can sing
along.. I’d need a script!
Verse two sick tho! Bridge Part A & B are pretty
dope too J
Intergalactic
Hangover ft Noa James (Prod by Curtiss King)
Uh-oh! 3 of the Black Cloud Music members coming
together to collab on this joint?! Should be dope! Love Curtiss’ sample choices….
Some of the intro cuts seem a lil off timewise but when the beat drop it made
me forget that I even noticed it! ;) Didn’t really pay attention to the first
part of May’s verse but he killed it toward the end of it… may be start head
nodding.. Noa James on the hook!
We say
peace to our enemies
or
We keep a
piece for our enemies
The color
of our energy is Hennessy
The color
of our energy is Hennessy
Oh shxt! Noa killin his verse…
Fire like the thighs on Mya?! Sheeeshh lol… got damn
Noa… you didn’t have to kill it like this tho!! From start to finish… major
props! I gotta run that shxt back a third time…end of this joint dope as hell
too… props to Curtiss!
She
Fucks With Me ft Damar & Ceenario
(prod by Mr. Kooman)
Production is nice… I’m nodding along waiting for
the vocals to start…
May’s flow on this joint kinda reminds me of Curtiss
King’s… :-X ..just here and there tho…
I’m
drinking & drowning all the memories
Its crazy
how we went from best friends to enemies
The hook is cool… vocalist seems to be struggling on
the notes a lil but they got the right concept… arrangement is dope
regardless..
If this Andre Damar on the second he killin… I feel the
emotion in his flow.. Props for that!
Outro interlude is interesting lol.. I like it! J
In A Nutshell
Alright… I
listened to about half of the CD and told you my opinion on the tracks….Imma
check out the rest a lil later & tell you what I think as well as rate the
project as a whole…but don’t wait for me… CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!!
Thursday, November 15, 2012
David May "Miracles" (Prod by Yung Miss)
Black Cloud's David May drops his album "The Lifestyles of a DreamChaser" TODAY right? I believe so! Here is a joint for that didnt make the cut but is available for FREE download ...... Add this #RARE track to the rest of the David May classics in your iTunes collection and SMOKE SOMETHING TO IT!! Enjoy
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Curtiss King - Kings & Queens (Documentary)
"Kings + Queens" documents Curtiss King's 2012 journey to Paid Dues, his growing subculture of "Kings" and "Queens" as well as some of his many philosophies, views, and experiences about life and music.
Black Cloud Music presents Curtiss King's full length documentary "Kings + Queens" directed, edited, and shot by Squeeze Williams and Audio Engineering by David May.
The documentary will be available upon purchasing Curtiss King's debut album "Atychiphobia" (The Fear Of Failure)
Black Cloud Music presents Curtiss King's full length documentary "Kings + Queens" directed, edited, and shot by Squeeze Williams and Audio Engineering by David May.
The documentary will be available upon purchasing Curtiss King's debut album "Atychiphobia" (The Fear Of Failure)
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Underground Nation Radio Vol 3 (DOWNLOAD)
David May - The Lifestyle Of A Dream Chaser (Music Video)
David May - The Lifestyle Of A Dream Chaser (Prod. by Brook Beats)
Album: The Lifestyle Of A Dream Chaser
The second single off of David May's first Black Cloud Music Release.
Directed & Edit by: Adam Martinez (DJAddemUP)
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
iLL CAMILLE - "Same Lights" feat Rapsody & Sir (prod by Ciscoe)
iLL CAMILLE and the FORTY OUNCE GOLD folks bring you the 3rd official "Millie Mondays" leak in preparation for the release of her second project iLLUSTRATED. In a very B-Girl-meets-B Girl exchange, iLL CAMILLE calls on 9th Wonder's (& Jamla Records) frontswoman, Rapsody, to deliver a hip-hop homage to both of the two ladies' hometowns. With singer/songwriter Darryl "Sir" Farris smooth vocals and production by Ciscoe (Dj Ciscoe, respectively), "Same Lights'' serves as a good theme song for everyone puttin' on for their cities...LA to North Carolina...and abroad.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Rich I.E- 9 to 5 (MUSIC VIDEO)
Riverside Native Artist, Rich I.E. drops his 1st visual off his latest tape "9to5:10to6" to his single "9-5" where he talks about the grind of having a 9-5 temporarily until he sees his dreams & everyone sees his shine.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
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