Formed in 2018, SCOTT Y LOS PELMAZOS is an alternative hip-hop band hailing from Puente Alto and La Florida, Chile. They present themselves as an alternative to traditional hip-hop, drawing from modern influences, unafraid of experimentation and rejecting confinement to a particular style.
The group has released a self-titled compilation of previous records for Analog Machine Records that’s mostly composed of tracks taken from their Scotty Tape 01. It features the somber single ‘Naftalina (2022),’ a track inspired by social claustrophobia and feeling lost in life.
Scotty Tape 01 taught us that we work better when we allow for ideas from all the band members. Everyone came with their own demo, and then the rest of us would add to it, so the project never resolved around one person. We also learned more about how the music business works since we had to release the project on our own. We had no label or media outlets to help us, and had to secure our own distribution. – member Claudio Vasquez.
JERK returns to some of their core influences, embracing vulnerability, and an authentic experience of the self on the forthcoming ‘Mood Swings’ album. The second single from the record ‘I Don’t Question You’, sees them team up with close friend and MC Ryan J, for a Dilla-meets Quasimoto style beat. Ryan perfectly channels the overarching themes of the album into poetic ciphers dealing with life’s pressure to answer to and appease others, advocating for choosing to fight for your own truth.
The upcoming album is an eclectic collection of pieces spanning varying compositional and production styles, captured on analogue instrumentation. Warm saxophone tones, glistening Fender Rhodes and cyclical beats encompass the project, with weaving synths adding to Jerk’s tapestry of sounds. Lead single ‘27’ set about introducing some of the themes at the core of the album, including trans-rights and gender identity, marking both Jerk’s age at the time of creating the record, whilst also putting a critical microscope to American lawmakers’ attempts to raise the age of consent for medical transitioning.
The project channels some of Jerk’s earliest influences, taking onboard the beatmaking sensibilities of J Dilla and Madlib, the Brazilian rhythms and textures of Hermeto Pascoal, and the uplifting sonics of Patrice Rushen and Earth Wind & Fire.
Jerk shares: “Mood Swings is a collection of 12 pieces reflecting on gender and mental health. 2022 was a year of political strife for transgender people in America, and a time where I was experiencing some intense emotions–dysphoria, derealization, grief, and romantic love and loss. I wanted to write music embracing this very authentic and vulnerable experience of self.”
Jerk is the brainchild of composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Kinney. Based in Brooklyn, NY, they explore the connection between jazz and hip-hop, with compositions blurring the lines between hip-hop beats and instrumental jazz compositions. Their music has found support from the likes of Huey Morgan on BBCR6, Reprezent Radio, Soho Radio, Jazz FM and more.
‘I Don’t Question You’ was released on Thursday 11th Apil via DeepMatter Records. Why not have a listen below…
PRIMO JAB strikes back with a vengeance with his action packed new release ‘JABpocalypto’. The Midwest MC spits insidious bars to high-powered production by godBLESSbeatz, creating 11 bangers for heads who wanna hear that ruffness, pure & uncut.
Primo JAB has a slew of bangers in his catalog, including The Book Of Jab Vol’s 1 & 2, and JABgoblin with producer Hobgoblin (Birmingham, UK). JABpocalypto continues the tradition of consistently dropping heat from the Chicago native super MC. Check it out below…
Must Listens: Jabmaggedon, AnuthaDay, Neverary, Off Rip, Loose Ends
The East and West coasts connect and do so flawlessly with MeRCY and Westside Bunk artist, T.F, tag teaming up over some production from Sebb Bash, coming in the shape of new single, ‘Blood on the Canvas’.
Both hit the instrumental with some hard hitting blows of lyrical flows delivering a smackdown like it’s a Friday night for WWE fans, in turn leaving nothing but blood on the canvas and adding another win to their respective resumes. Hip-hop legend, The Alchemist, would be proud of the beat his favorite producer created for Merc’ and T.F to tangle with as he helped set the tone of the record with both artists easily finding their groove.
When asked about the track, MeRCY says “The beat is very gutter and straightforward hip-hop and lyrically it’s hardcore bragging 101, delivered with killer instinct.”
This new record tallies in another collaboration between MeRCY and Sebb and it also serves as the third single from the up and coming album ‘Michaelangelo’, which will continue the streak of “Michael” themed projects from the Broward County resident.
The release of ‘Blood On the Canvas’ also features an official music video to accompany the audio version, showcasing the animation skills provided by Philippe Lavallee. The visualizer sets each scene perfectly with Lavallee being able to create the griminess and rudeness that the song brings into a visual form, and he had free range to do so. MeRCY didn’t hold his fellow artist back but gave him the freedom to create what he envisioned saying “I gave him the creative space and he managed to capture the visual by complimenting the lyrics as it shows”.
‘Michaelangelo’ is set to release next month and the anticipation grows even more with this latest offering from the set of sounds. MeRCY has huge expectations for the project and he should clearly have them due to time and work that he’s been putting in. Thus far, each single has brought something different to the table, a different vibe and sound and that’s exactly what we can expect from the entire album come next month. MeRCY describes his next album as “a musical art gallery and each song is its own unique piece”. If there’s one thing we know about MeRCY, it’s that he doesn’t take his love of art for granted, he makes sure everything is where and how it should be, even if it leaves some blood on the canvas…Have a listen below…
Hailing from Chicago, rapper and beat maker RUDY G slips through his new EP, ‘Skywriting’, out now for your pleasure.
The project alternates between the smoothest boom bap beats and party-filling joints, with a guest feature from fellow chicago rapper GLC, who drops some fire verses with Rudy G in fourth track, ‘Rise’.
As a hip hop artist, Rudy G has released several independent projects including his debut album ‘High Society’ and his ‘Generally Speakin’ mixtape series. His music has been featured on several nationally distributed mixtapes, blogs, streaming services and radio stations. He has performed at several live venues in the Chicago-area including the historic Abbey Pub.
Rudy G was also the recipient of the ‘Art in Your Ear Award’ which recognizes local artists for their songwriting abilities. During his time, he has collaborated with several rappers (including former G.O.O.D Music artist GLC), various producers and other artists outside of the hip hop/rap genre. As a beat maker, he was featured on the new X102.3’s ‘Local Love Show’ and also on DJ Chuck T’s “Lyrical Exercise Volume 4′.
New Lease Music 