 At first glance most would think a skinny, blue-eyed hipster looking dude in a flannel with obnoxious Nike’s to match, would be in a post-electro indie-band. But this is the 90’s for the third time and one of rap’s most exciting new voices, ECID, is not your average newsstand heartthrob. Minneapolis native Jason Mckenzie, an only child raised by a single-mom, had a lot of time to himself growing up. But he was never bored. Ever. He started writing songs at age 13, released his first “album” before his 18th birthday and hasn’t stopped since. Released earlier this year, Post Euphoria volume 1 brought Ecid’s true charm to the surface with sexier beats and punchlines on steroids (and kush).

 Amidst the chaos of artistic evolution, Post Euphoria 2 exploits the best parts of Volume 1 while preparing us for the upcoming full-length Pheromone Heavy. After spending the first half of the year training to be a yoga instructor Ecid bought a MOOG, stopped quantizing and found a way to make songs with a more human approach. Minimalistic drums and urgent melodies give his percussive vocals and no-fuck’s-given personality room to breathe. “Communication Abuse”, a snarky response to society’s infatuation with their phones and themselves, continues ECID’s agenda to challenge the “pack” mentality. ECID lives and dies by the dream and Post Euphoria 2 is what happens when you finally catch that elusive carrot.

Described as "East Tennessee's Justice League" the Hip Hop trio Plunderphonics is set to release their debut EP entitled "Faceless" on November 4th.  The Knoxville based supergroup consists of two emcees and a deejay who craft a sound rooted in the Boom Bap tradition of Hip Hop's golden era with a dense sonic undercurrent and head nodding lyrical prowess. Emcees Lane Shuler, J-Bush, and turntablist/beat maker DJ Wigs all hail from the recently formed Good Guy Collective and operate under a very simple mantra: the music will always be good.  Having each previously worked as solo artists with 35+ years combined experience performing in venues from Boston to Honolulu and all over the Southeast the trio bonded over a mutual love of innovative Hip-Hop and sought to provide what they felt was missing from the current musical soundscape. Honing their individual talents in cyphers, slams, clubs, and radio airwaves each member is rather accomplished in their own respect.  However, seeking to gain a clean slate with their established fans and separate themselves from their previous work the group dons masks at the beginning of their live shows so that they can begin anew or as their EP title and artwork suggests, become "Faceless".  Their introductory offering features the production of DJ Tengu, South Carolina native Eli Colburn, and from Plunderphonics member DJ Wigs.  The production on Faceless leans heavy on soul sample chopping and crunchy drums while wordsmiths J-Bush and Lane Shuler paint a lyrical picture with riddle like metaphors and playful puns.  Equipped with the classic ideal of two turntables and a microphone Plunderphonics debut project  will resonate with traditional purists and new school freshmen alike serving up a strong initial offering by the self-described "super sonic soldiers".

@RONINISDEAD
@PRODBYKIDS
@TAYXDMND
@KASHNEXTLEVEL

altuskings@gmail.com

A collective of rap ninjas from Denver. Shae Money, Robb Peezy, Villain, Ty, Above,

soundcloud.com/earthworm2 is following