Listen: Cleavage - @darrylj_ & @darksidevie

Cleavage is out everywhere you can listen to music. This is the union of Vie (formerly known as Alvie the Skywalker) Darryl J, and Mello Mark.

The EP takes us on a quick 15 minute trip with frequent collaborators in Shehdaat and Karma. We also get some features from Linton, Greg Rivers and Savvy the Savior. The first track, The Moment, is one of the highlights of this project. While minimalist in production and lyrics it does just enough. That's how I've always felt about romantic love which is a major theme of this EP. Vie and Darryl describe this project as "the full display of their growth as artists and as men." I'd concur after listening. You should too. Press play after the break.

DARKSIDE INDUSTRIES · CLEAVAGE

#ASideBSidePodcast 218 LBI Vol. 2 Album Commentary

Instead of a written review RamseySaidWHAT invites 2/3 of LBI, Dru & Kile over to talk about their latest offering, Volume 2, Everybody's Favorite Cousins. 

They break down the production and placement process in addition to some skits including one from the other member of LBI, Nyles. If you keep up with WTM music discovery or even this podcast you'll hear some familiar names and voices. Press play.

Disclaimer: You won't hear entire tracks from the album. If you want a complete listening experience, listen to it in full by clicking this link.

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Listen: Higher - @darrylj_

Darryl J teams up with Shehdaat & Alex on this latest bedroom banger, Higher.

This track closes out, Litty Boyz INTL latest offering, Vol. 2 Everybody's Favorite Cousins. I talked about this track in more detail on the latest episode of A Side B Side Podcast. When I asked Dru, he described it as a song he would have heard on Quiet Storm. I concur and anyone with ears would too. Runs, riffs, and an alto sax are such a nice touch. Don't leave Darryl around your girl for too long. Listen to Higher after the break.

Listen: Let Me - @darrylj_tr (prod. by @Alvie_Skywalker)

 (Semi) New to the WTM Radar is Darryl J. 

To this point, I think I've only seen him doing features and singing background for artists like Kärma, Soulfull, Alvie The Skywalker, and Malc. So to hear this new single, Let Me, is a breath of fresh air. For those of you that don't know, press play. Darryl floats on this Alvie produced beat and really flexes his range with a dope falsetto. Last I spoke to him, he told me he's got a lot in the vault we should look out for. Listen to his latest track, Let Me below.

Album Review: Soon Enough - @____Malc (words by @RamseySaidWHAT)

2020 has been an insane year for all of us. Let's be frank, we're dodging utter death at the hands of an incurable illness that has us at a global standstill. Malc is coming off a huge 2019 and an even bigger first quarter of 2020. It's amazing how the 94 Til camp is keeping the momentum up with this project, Soon Enough. After the 94 Til Showcase and Feels Like R&B Too, I had it in my mind that there was no way Malc wouldn't touch a WTM stage this year. The Bayonne emcee's star power is undeniable and everyone is noticing. To this point, I've only taken deep dives into his shorter extended plays. How will he fare on a full-on album? Let's get to it.

The project begins with an unlikely voice. Not the voice of Malc or anyone featured but an even more familiar voice in Dave East who provides a drop for the Hudson county upstart. Track two, So Much, of serves as the real introduction to Soon Enough. The production was magnificent. A few chord progressions start of the track with the addition of bars from Malc then a delayed kick-snare percussion. As every instrument comes into play it widens the pallet that is the space between your ears.

"F*ck a hook just gonna let this sh*t loop."

I love rap songs where it's no hook. It gives artists space to vent or speak to us. Time and time again I rave about Malc's taste in music when it comes to his production and sample choices. We'll dive into that more later. Kärma background vocals finish the sonic layering. She's the last voice we heard on the last track and is the first voice we hear on track three, Mercedes Ambitions. Since I got the early scoop I listened to this album before the tracklist was announced. Verse two really surprised me. I had to double-take because I thought in addition to the drop, he got a verse from Dave East. I was pleasantly surprised to see it was with Malc's frequent collaborator in Twice. Twice has a real husky voice perfect for rap. After catching him at the 94 Til showcase pre quarantine I left the venue impressed with his performance and intrigued to see what he has next.

Y.O.S. is definitely Malc's best track to date. I think public perception would agree. Even after its appearance on his last EP, No Hesitation II, it's only right it serves as a lead single to Soon Enough. This might be a perfect record. I like to follow the family trees of music and this one is quite the journey. Y.O.S. flips Dear Summer by Memphis Bleek and HOV which samples, Morning Sunrise by Weldon Irvine. Production aside, Malc really feeds this song with BARS! "Ambition, I'm just tryna live and do more than survive."

A Song For You provides more dope samples. This beat flips Dej Loaf's claim to fame, Try Me. Malc really shows off his storytelling abilities with a tale of a friend who gets caught up with a gun charge post-graduation. I'll let you listen for yourself without spoiling the track. The next track, In the Moment, is one of those records you wish was a whole song. I have a playlist of interludes and intros we wish were whole songs. This one is easily going to join The Girl with the Tattoo by Miguel and Feelin Me, Feelin U by Alicia Keys. After another Dave East cosign, Malc laces this Snoh flip.

I want to fast forward to Let Up. This record is an interpolation of Tupac's keep your head up. This version of Pac would be an obvious influence. He said he'd spark the brain that'd change the world after all right? Darryl J really puts his thing down trading harmonies with Kärma throughout. Their vocal chemistry is superb. If you're a sports fan you'll catch some subtle mentions in Malc's music from time to time. There was a bar in track nine, Views, I enjoyed. He compares his team to 92's UNLV basketball squad. Larry Johnson, Stacey Agumon, Greg Anthony? It took Grant Hill, Christian Laettner, and Bobby Hurley's Duke squad to take them down. If you don't recognize the names do your homework after listening to this project.

We finally get to the end with More to It. I always pay close attention to the outros of rap albums. It's the last opportunity to get your point across. The grind and chasing success is an ongoing theme in a lot of Malc's music. You can say the same with this project. The last three tracks are a testament to that. Some gems in bars about how his 9 to 5 feeds his passion. LLC twitter would appreciate that. All jokes aside, as the record fades out he talks about something he learned from his late father.

This album sounds like Malc talking to a younger version of himself. It's inspiring in a way I think 14-year-old Jonathan hoopin' at the Boys and Girls Club would be driven by. If Malc wasn't as good as an entertainer as he is, one would complain he's preachy. To be in the healthy medium of both without compromising yourself on a production end is amazing. In my opinion, that's the true measure of an artist. It's one thing to be versatile, it's another to be out of character. Malc is the former.

I wouldn't change a thing about this album. Malc's greatest strength is the same as his sole weakness, his superior Breath Control. He's such a good linguist that he staccatos his syllables so you can really hear what he's saying. It's the sign of a great speaker. Unlike rappers, vocalists would sometimes scoop or slur two words together for sake of music. Nothing to complain about because that's what you bring singing features like Kärma and Darryl J for. Malc is an artist whose music is good enough I'd really enjoy a performance of B Side records with a live band. The highs are really high and there aren't any lows. I think this is his best culmination of music to date. You make the decision by listening below. I need you to feel this.

#TGMInvadesNY Recap - @ThaGreyMatter: An experience by @RamseySaidWHAT

"When I talk it's through my art and that's to my peers. Because that Kärma can turn into a Crysis like a scene outta Shakespeare, damn this black art boutta take over the whole damn atmosphere!"

Until going to one of Tha Grey Matter's shows, I'd never seen actors, poets, rappers, and singers all in the same venue. The aforementioned line was courtesy of Lionel Macauley via his spoken word piece delivered right after he performed a few monologues. 

So I was ordered to review TGMInvadesNYC and give a recap of that incredible experience, because that's exactly what it was, incredible. I realized that frankly you had to be in the building or you missed out. Forgive me now if I struggle to put such an awesome event into words. Such an eclectic group of people were gathered to see such a diverse group of artists showcasing their work. We were all gathered into one of the biggest poetry venues in the city, the legendary Nuyorican Poets Cafe. I was wowed when the news of this venue hit the public. If you don't know, Nuyoricans is a big deal. Some of the greatest acts around the way have performed there.

The show kicked off with poetry from Vancito and Tevin Reese. Dyce followed up with some vocals of her own as she dazzled the crowd singing smooth R&B. I always tell myself "when throwing a party eliminate chairs from the equation." That way when people are already standing they are more likely to be dancing. Before I could formulate that thought Alvie Skywalker solicits the crowd to stand up and move closer to the stage. His upbeat and outgoing spirit really kicked things off for the event. Backed by Darryl J and Karma (whom you'll hear more about) he performed a few of his tracks and put on a great set. Uncle Trey, & Kvaun followed up with a dope rapping set of their own.

"Finally we have it! A conscious rapper that can entertain a crowd on a trap beat." That's what Issah said about Shawn Cyrsis when we first saw him at TGM relaunch event. He completely tore down the stage as did Karma for her set. She performed Don't Forget Me & some new music with her frequent collaborator in SOULFULL. They previewed a track off their new project, I-95 & Wifi which we can expect soon. This set the stage for Soulfull. We know how crazy SayYes came to be on MTAG. As Soulfull says "she's a great talent and the chemistry between us is electric." Everyone noticed even the Host who asked "Is that bae?" Let's just say she isn't the only one questioning that. You can expect that answer when we release our interview with the Franklin emcee soon. Franklin and family always come out and put on an incredible set whenever Soulfull performs. The 732 is prevalent, young and old. Even the grown folks know all the words to his songs and I think that's incredible. Keyvauna Leshea finishes up the show performing Luv Groove and the vibes throughout filled the Lower East Side atmosphere.

At the end of the show New Jersey really took over our northern neighbors and their city. This was great for the culture and our art scene even across the bridges and tunnels. The vibes and atmosphere was electric and I'm still floating off a high of the dope weekend. I say it year in and out, New Jersey is something to be reckoned with and platforms like Tha Grey Matter ensures there will always be a place for us to shine.