Imade iN Truth

Explicit language

It is absolutely magical when a visionary director and a poet join forces.  Portland’s own Vinnie Dewayne returns with “Cave Man” off his impressive mixtape, #Castaway.  Vinnie doesn’t waste any time with the ear catching details.  His graphic “doin’ the nasty” mention alerted my anti-misogyny sensor, but Vinnie Dewayne has more sensitivity than your garden variety rapper.  He exposes the conflicting guilt when fleeting pleasure replaces divine purpose.  The dark, remorseful video has just as much power backwards as it does forwards.  Director meanphidia’s use of slowing down the rewinding visuals gives Vinnie the look of a vagabond disappearing into the night.  The haunting, raw track produced by DJ Cones has Vinnie yearning for so many things, from intimacy with God to intimacy with man.  His shielding black hoodie and pain filled lyrics has the mystique of Kendrick Lamar, but there is something completely unique about Vinnie Dewayne.  He has the courageous transparency to share who he is and who he wants to be.  Though a street psychologist like Vinnie is often misunderstood, I’m praying this “Cave Man” finds a home.  Twitter  Bandcamp              

North Portland’s Suppli The Kid is my baby brother in my head, and even now, it’s hard for me to not use his real name, Zachary Garman.  But despite my feelings, it’s obvious that Suppli is growing up.  The 18 year old emcee follows “Under These Palms” with the lovestruck visuals for “Never Too Soon”.  Suppli remixes Kendrick Lamar’s “She Needs Me” to swoon over his boo thang in romantic fashion.  Suppli and his love interest frolic on the beach and do things that lovers do.  The song isn’t a surprise musically, as “Never Too Soon” has Suppli’s trademark sound of relaxing chords and light, head nodding boom bap.  But visually, “Never Too Soon” provoked some questions.  Is Suppli really that close to his love interest that they’re bed chillin’ like that? And is Suppli really smoking a cigar at the end of the video?  I’m not sure of these answers (and yes I’m nosy), but I’m sure Suppli will reveal more of his artistic direction in his upcoming project.  Twitter  Facebook  Website           

Is this real life Christian Hip Hop?  Oh, I forgot we don’t say that anymore Just this week, Lecrae released the video for “Church Clothes” that featured drops from Hip Hop legends like DJ Premier and rising stars like Kendrick Lamar.  It was a simple, yet through-provoking video that should be on World Star Hip Hop and the commercials during Basketball Wives.  It’s just that relevant.  Now, his Reach Records label mate Andy Mineo seems to do the Kirk Franklin stomp right on Christian Hip Hop’s self-righteousness.  Not only is he citing a “secular” influence, he’s openly sampling Busta Rhymes’ “Hands Where My Eyes Can See”! And includes G. Craig Lewis music video clips! GASP!  We’re not in Kansas anymore.

What I love about Andy Mineo’s new weekly “Saturday Morning Car-Tunez!” series is that we get to see his personality.  He steps beyond the Drake comparisons (that I’m now retiring) and the Reach Records pigeonholing.  At the end of his remake with Humble Beast producer Courtland Urbano, I just get to see Andy.  Yes, it’s awkward to see an Andy manwich with a hairy, topless man, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.  Because at the end of the video, I get to listen to the spiritual integrity of “Hands High”.  It’s a song that shows the musical freedom of a man coming into his own.  Youtube  Twitter  Facebook  Website    

Originally plugged by mywillbedumb 

Janky Jesus Songs have been apart of the landscape of black culture for as long as I can remember.  It’s the obligatory, end of the album Jesus song that provides a nice respite from the rachetry.  Janky Jesus Songs seemed to be a lot less well, janky, until a shift occurred.  There’s now a lack of knowledge that distorts the beauty of Jesus.  I wanted to write this editorial not to judge artists or demean them, but to dissect this trend and offer a biblical solution.  I examine the lyrics of some of my favorite emcees (Kendrick Lamar, Stalley, Blu, Big K.R.I.T.) and show there’s much more than what meets the eye.  Go to Editorial  

Spirituality and art have been intertwined since the world’s genesis.  So it doesn’t come as a surprise that gospel music directly influenced the creation of blues, rock & roll, and rhythm & blues.  Since Sam Cooke’s transformation from a gospel quartet sensation to a bonafide pop star, artists have left the church in droves, but not without carrying a remnant of its message.  As a direct result, the obligatory, end of the album Jesus song has been a soul music pre-requisite for years.  Read More

Critics often consider musicanship and Hip Hop as antithetical elements, but producer and jazz saxophonist Terrace Martin reconciles both.  Terrace has blossomed from a child prodigy to an in-demand producer of Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, Murs, and much more.  Terrace used his production success as a springboard for a career of his own.  After his Locke High album series, Terrace released the video for “Tune Out” from his Thoughts From Detention EP.  ”Tune Out” merges the Hip Hop and jazz world with a mellow breakbeat and relaxing saxophone riffs.  The LA native sings his melodic rhymes while iLL Camille glides over the track with effortless charm.  I appreciate Terrace for making inspirational music for (ADORABLE) children to enjoy.  Could he have done without the “get high” reference or the veiled four letter word in the song? Absolutely.  But I’m glad that Terrace is making conscious music and starting where he is.  And like he said, “if it ain’t good, we tune out”.  Those are wise words to live by.  Twitter        

Courtesy of HipHopDX