Best of 2015

The year is ending in four days now. In 2015, I made a lot of good memories, and they all revolve around the local music scene. Here are my favorite releases from the past year.

Best of 2015

Full Releases

1. Wolftone - Introvert Exhibition ☯

2. On the Edge !!

3. BADBADNOTGOOD, Ghostface Killah - Sour Soul

4. Six Degrees !!

5. Future, DJ Esco - 56 Nights ☯

6. Now !!

7. Earl Sweatshirt - I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside

8. Grief !!

9. Toro Y Moi - Samantha ☯

10. Room for 1zone !!

11. AJ Suede - Automatic Wavecap ☯

12. Gotham Mountain !!

13. Raury - All We Need

14. Revolution !!

15. Astro King Phoenix - Aurum Silentium ☯

16. Omnes Videntes Nubes !!

17. DoNormaal - Jump or Die ☯

18. Chocolate Delight !!

19. Archy Marshall - A New Place 2 Drown

20. Swell !!

Tracks

1. Black Kray - YNG16 ☯
2. Jamie XX, Young Thug, Popcaan - I Know There's Gonna Be
3. Mackned - Don't Know Why ☯
4. Skylar Spence - Can't You See (Ryan Hemsworth Remix) ☯
5. Young Bruh - SouljahWitch's Faith ☯
6. Working on Dying - Labbatt Blue ☯
7. Ashtre Surfa - ETHER ☯

Click the ☯ for a free download or stream.

Shout out to Stay Happy Collective for having a show once a month with a killer line up. In 2016 I want to keep building momentum in the music scene of Seattle.

D -> DoNormaal (Jump Or Die)

This week, Seattle artist DoNormaal dropped a new tape Jump or Die. This album has been a long time in coming. DoNormaal has been touring Seattle with Raven Matthews, Wolftone and Brakebill for some time now. The collective under the moniker of 6950 or Northblend plays at houses, galleries, bars and any other venue tossed their way. Each time they make the space bounce.

DoNormaal has been a favorite local act of mine since I first saw her in the basement of the Fortress this past Summer.The first thing to catch my attention was the energy she brought to the mic. DoNormaal bares herself in her lyrics, she is completely comfortable in vulnerability. Her performances are proof of that.

With roots in New York and south California it makes sense she brings enough energy to shake Seattle out of its daily life. If you haven't had an opportunity to see her perform live yet I suggest you get out to one of many shows she plays with 6950. They happen about once a week, usually more. The next opportunity is this Saturday.

If you come out this Saturday you get to see her, and the rest of this amazing line-up for a suggested donation of $5 (no one gets turned away for funds). I'll also be hosting the event and introducing artists. Enjoy the new tape and check out local music.

A - > AJ Suede

Yo, just a few tracks and quick article about an artist I recently discovered. His Soundcloud goes as far back as a year ago.

This was the first song I heard (shoutout Wolftone!) was off of Holographic Wavecap. It's a great introduction track. AJ has a calm and collected way of delivering verses over the chill, cloudy beat. The music speaks of struggle, putting in work, and not being satisfied with the status quo for twenty somethings living in the US. It's real shit, and you can vibe to it.

"I been working for the slave money / 40 hours gotta learn the code / made me value every free minute / feeling tired but I wasn't broke / still I'm punchin in and out the clock / got me wishin i could sell dope / even though my parent's raised me better / working hard up in this hell hole"

Another Wavecap demonstrates AJ's ability as a writer. Banger tracks and able to tell a story without having to sacrifice quality of lyrics. AJ Suede sets himself apart by staying away from the hot topics that every rapper talks about: hoes, money, and material success.

If he does include hype topics, he does it classy and stays true to himself. On another mixtape, Forest Therapy, he has a couple tracks produced by Filthy, who I am a huge fan of. And it features Trap Sade. I would love to see more collaboration in the future.

I'm into this dude's style. AJ is a very unique and progressive rapper. Listen to his music for yourself. You can find his mixtapes and check out the FREEMINDS website. Hopefully he'll play a show in Seattle soon.

Soundcloud.com/AJSUEDE FREEMINDS COLLECTIVE

G -> Goth Money Records

Yo, what's up. It's been a while. I am going to school right now for web design so I have been focusing on a different side of the internet. Happy to be back here posting some shiz though. Recently, I been bumping A LOT of Goth Money Records more specifically Black Kray. I can't tell you much about these guys personal lives cause I don't focus on music like that. I can share some songs I been listening to though.

This song specifically reminds me of RL Grime's remix of Love Sosa. YNG16 has some obvious similar elements, like the lazy way Kray mumbles his bars. What I really like about this track though is how relaxed and intense it is at the same time. Lyrically, he doesn't really stand out: he's slangin the same shit that every other rapper is saying but the production and aesthetic of the track is awesome. I definitely enjoy this clique.