NIKO IS brings us his first project of the year, GOOD BLOOD, a precursor to his long awaited BRUTUS LP. The title is the literal English translation of the Brazilian term, 'Sangue Bom'. Good Blood is mostly produced by Thanks Joey of The Prescription apart from a cut by Krikos and a self-produced NIKO IS record. Thanks Joey invokes the continuously evolving Brazilian sample-heavy style of hip hop production, for which he has become known for. The project will feature the rapgenius released 'Ballon d'Or', along with many other stand outs. The up and coming wordsmith is fresh off forging an alliance with industry veteran Talib Kweli and his Javotti Media imprint, alongside DJ Smallz and his Southern Smoke brand. With this sort of backing and a relentless ethic to get better with every release, 2014 will be nothing short of spectacular for the big haired Brazilian. 

Ballon d'Or (Prod. Thanks Joey)

La malinconia di questi tempi, la malinconia generata dalla crescente attrazione verso ciò che è corrotto;
la malinconia del capitalismo, della globalizzazione sfrenata, ormai omologazione;
La malinconia di due ragazzi che in questo contesto sono come sono e trovano contrasto con la realtà in cui vivono.
Fare musica è l'unico sfogo ma emergere per come si è sembra un utopia,
la musica riflette il periodo storico in cui viene composta.

La malinconia di una rivoluzione per cui si vuole combattere ma che è sempre più lontana.

I Dubliners

Non conviene

Alienated (feat. Smitty)

Fígaro w/ Roosevelt The Titan (Prod. BanksTheGenius)

NEW RELIGION

Hold Your Horses (prod. Donato)

[prod. student 1]

i feel fake sometimes

---
[verse]
they aint ready for us
why they acting like they are
overthinking everything and acting like a star
i dont wanna hear em talk
i know they dono too much
i dont wana hear em talk
i know they dono too much
quick to
call me crazy
call me odd (feel like ye, feel like ye)
call me goofy call me off it 
call me fraud
when i leave u shake ur head but when im there u nod
i cant wait for you to call me and my manners a facade
oh my god

down on my luck
im losing my patience 
and alec is mad as fuck
we dont fuck witchu none
because u not owed mine
needa perm the audio
i hIt letmode line (AYEEEE)
it's mr. my bad
mr. trouble on the low
if nothing comes from this just dont forget i let you know.
treatment acting like foe
wacky stay
fake the fly
i'll crack ur safe 
and break ur stable
make that ego say goodbye
ha 
ha

u scared? no duh like oof (OOF DA)
naysay then u kiss my hoof
u a dog u bite u woof
u stay on yo i need
never do what u could
unpredictable
NOT
WHOA
u go du wut u wud :)
misunderstood
my misunderstanding on tuck
mommas wondering what i been on
but thats not "how's ur day" it's "what drug"
damn.
play dumb like
upper hand
upper crass
i bet i got a prediction
of who's in the upper class
aye

[bridge of feeling like ye]
im a MONSTER
im a MAVEN
I KNOW THIS WORLD IS CHANGING
never GAVE IN
never GAVE UP
IM THE ONLY THING IM AFRAID OF
im a SCHOLAR
feeling CAVED IN
I KNOW THIS WORLD IS CHANGING
i been CAVIN'
none to SAVE UP
IM THE ONLY THING IM AFRAID OF

[switch up]

[2X]
jaded and im guarded
everywhere this lad walks
i dont trust nobody
my heart got two padlocks
dont expect me on time
got too many bad clocks
tick i hold me back tock, tick i hold me back tock

[2X]
KEEP ME IN MT THOUGHTS AND ON MY OWN 
MADE OFF A LOT AND I MADE ME ALONE
DONT YOU FEEL LIKE THIS AND PLEASE PICK UP UR PHONE
NOT SPOKEN BY NOBODY PLEASE DONT LET IT GO UNKNOWN

[4X]
jaded and im guarded
everywhere this lad walks
i dont trust nobody
my heart got two padlocks
dont expect me on time
got too many bad clocks
tick i hold me back tock, tick i hold me back tock

upprclssmn

Facade

>> buy / stream <<

FACADE

Thoughts & Prayers

The Rollout Mixtape

Watch Ya Mouth

Hexagonal Raybees (Bonus Track)

Captain America

According to the Zodiac, the Ox is attributed with traits of strength and familial loyalty. Nevertheless, they can be stubborn with their ideals and quick to snap on anybody who might violate tradition. Hailing from Virginia, Lyricks and JL exemplify these characteristics as artists who regularly speak on the struggles of the Everyman, yet quick to welcome any challengers, only to treat them like the bonus stage in Street Fighter. It’s a breath of fresh air in an era when rappers spit freestyles off their phones and mumble from the bottom of styrofoam cups. In 2016, the tag team released “Seven Rings,” garnering 10+ million views while definitely answering the question ‘can Asians rap? YEAR OF THE OX is set to debut their “YOX EP” and will be joining Dumbfoundead on a national tour.