“Cherry on Top” lands as an impressively lean pop track. Glistening percussion accents bits of Ziearre’s divine wisdom with a flow as smooth as his dance moves.
Shadows of Tomorrow V: Zev Love X-ile & MF, The Supervillain
Every supervillain deserves a good origin story. After his fallout with Elektra Records, Daniel Dumile would disappear for a time to process his brother’s death and his slight at the hands of an industry he had given heart and soul. Years later he returned with a plan. If any villain has managed to mold the world in his image, it’s MF DOOM, the metal-faced adversary who broke out of NYC’s underground and achieved a kind of subterranean domination.
Shadows of Tomorrow IV: Ice-T, KMD & Hip-Hop Cops
Every supervillain deserves a good origin story. After the death of his brother, Daniel Dumile had a mission to complete KMD’s sophmore album, ‘Black Bastards,’ but following a wave of label-led censorship sparked by Ice-T’s “Cop Killer,” the album was shelved and Dumile dropped from Elektra Records. It was the last time Zev Love X would grace a mic.
Shadows of Tomorrow III: Long Live Kingilizwe
Every supervillain deserves a good origin story. Before he was DOOM he was Zev Love X. Hot off the KMD debut, ‘Mr. Hood,’ Zev and his brother Subroc were coming into their own. But, with their sophmore album in the cut, tragedy tragedy struck in 1993. This part three of our five part series.
Shadows of Tomorrow II: Positive Kauses and Constipated Monkeys
Every supervillain deserves a good origin story. Before he wore the mask, MF DOOM was Zev Love X. In part two of our series in memoriam to the metal-faced rhymer, the collectives that grew Zev’s artistry begin to break up and Zev and his brother Subroc go through changes.
Shadows of Tomorrow I: MF DOOM and the KMD Origin Story
Every supervillain deserves a good origin story and MF DOOM is no exception. In this five-part series in memoriam to the masked villain, we explore through first hand accounts the KMD days, the death of DJ Subroc and label controversy. This is what lead Daniel Dumile to don the mask.
Why We Like It: KIRBY’s “Superpower” Ft. D Smoke
On the affirming “Superpower,” KIRBY and D Smoke make for a dynamic duo. KIRBY’s dreamy melodies and D Smoke’s concise bars give the song an empowering sense of leadership.
Why We Like It: Dylan Owen’s “A Time To Move On”
Dylan Owen is moving on, and this full-bodied dedication to the home in which he grew is sure to hit you where you live. The keys and drums of “A Time To Move On” are steeped in hometown nostalgia and Owen’s reflections on growth are tied to the memories of growing.
Why We Like It: Hailes’ “Come Thru” Ft. Jonathan Singletary
On her debut single “Come Thru,” Hailes fuses her deft pen, sharp guitar and gorgeous vocal into an intricate arrival. While she sings her way through the floating instrumental, Jonathan Singletary’s bars texturize the flight with a melodic rap verse.
Why We Like It: Charlotte Lansman’s “Blind”
“Blind” is sensuous song steeped in a spacious guitar line and Charlotte Lansman’s own powerhouse vocals, the slow build from barebones to brassy is easy to miss, so gradual is the transition.