Dirty Ray

“Long Way to Go” is the powerful new single from Boston’s own Blak Madeen, who are gearing up to release their new album, 'Supreme Aftermath.'

Since debuting in 2008, the duo of Al-J and Yusuf Abdul-Mateen have used their positivity and passion to craft some of the more poignant Hip-Hop to come out of the New England area. And that’s especially apparent on “Long Way to Go,” a cutting song that features a sharp guest verse from living rap legend, Gift of Gab (of Blackalicious). He and Blak Madeen recognize that with each step we take forward as a society to get better, we’re still not there just yet.

Their message is anchored by a contemplative, piano-laden instrumental supplied by The Arcitype, who captures the emotion heard within the verses and chorus. The latter is supplied by rising singer-songwriter Cyrus DeShield, a gifted vocalist who we’ll surely be hearing more from in 2016.

'Supreme Aftermath' is due out January 15th, via Rhyme Dawah, and includes guest features from Blacastan, G. Dot & Born, Shabazz the Disciple, Krumbsnatcha, DJ Slipwax and more, and boasts production by Sicknature (of Snowgoons), Divine Styler, Teddy Roxpin, and Skin Ced. 

'Supreme Aftermath' (Press Release): http://bit.ly/1MrvNyj

Tracklist:
01. Supreme Aftermath (prod. by Skin Ced)
02. Mic Divine (feat. Blacastan) [prod. by Teddy Roxpin]
03. Main Attraction (prod. by Sicknature)
04. Long Way To Go (feat. Gift of Gab and Cyrus Deshield) [prod. by The Arcitype]
05. Devil's Shadow (feat. Divine Styler and Rite Hook) [prod. by Skin Ced]
06. Guerrilla Soldiers (feat. Planet Asia) [prod. by The Arcitype]
07. Energetic Darts (prod. by Skin Ced)
08. The Procedure (feat. G. Dot & Born) [prod. by Divine Styler]
09. Blood Of Our Brothers (prod. by Skin Ced)
10. Words In Red (feat. Shabazz the Disciple) [prod. by Skin Ced]
11. The Worst Part (feat. Red Baren) [prod. by Skin Ced]
12. No Surrender (prod. by Skin Ced)
13. Experience the Struggle (prod. by Skin Ced)
14. Where's Justice? (feat. Krumbsnatcha) [prod. by Skin Ced]
*All Cuts by DJ Slipwax

Blak Madeen Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakmadeen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakmadeen

Twitter:
• Blak Madeen: https://twitter.com/blak_madeen
• Gift of Gab: https://twitter.com/realgiftofgab
• Cyrus Deshield: https://twitter.com/Mr_Deshield
• The Arcitype: https://twitter.com/TheArcitype


Long Way To Go (feat. Gift of Gab & Cyrus Deshield) [prod. by The Arcitype]

HipHopDX Premiere: http://bit.ly/1R9pBmx

Boston duo Blak Madeen proudly put their fists in the air with “Guerilla Soldiers,” a gritty new single off their upcoming album, 'Supreme Aftermath,' that features West Coast bully-rap icon Planet Asia.

As soon as the Arcitype’s bruising beat hits your speakers, it’s clear that the track couldn’t have had a better guest than the Cali Agent, Nautical Pirate. His tough-guy raps like “Dump you on your face like a cigarette” provide a snarling dose of bravado that serves as a balancing act. Whereas PA sucker-punches the competition, Blak Madeen’s Al-J and Yusuf Abdul-Mateen stick to dizzying rhymes and slick wordplay (“off the wall like asbestos”).

'Supreme Aftermath' drops January 15th via Rhyme Dawah. Until then, you can stream both “Guerrilla Soldiers,” along with the project’s inaugural leak, “Long Way to Go,” featuring Gift of Gab of Blackalicious fame.

‘Supreme Aftermath’ (Press Release): http://bit.ly/1MrvNyj

Tracklist:
01. Supreme Aftermath (prod. by Skin Ced)
02. Mic Divine (feat. Blacastan) [prod. by Teddy Roxpin]
03. Main Attraction (prod. by Sicknature)
04. Long Way To Go (feat. Gift of Gab and Cyrus Deshield) [prod. by The Arcitype]
05. Devil's Shadow (feat. Divine Styler and Rite Hook) [prod. by Skin Ced]
06. Guerrilla Soldiers (feat. Planet Asia) [prod. by The Arcitype]
07. Energetic Darts (prod. by Skin Ced)
08. The Procedure (feat. G. Dot & Born) [prod. by Divine Styler]
09. Blood Of Our Brothers (prod. by Skin Ced)
10. Words In Red (feat. Shabazz the Disciple) [prod. by Skin Ced]
11. The Worst Part (feat. Red Baren) [prod. by Skin Ced]
12. No Surrender (prod. by Skin Ced)
13. Experience the Struggle (prod. by Skin Ced)
14. Where's Justice? (feat. Krumbsnatcha) [prod. by Skin Ced]
*All Cuts by DJ Slipwax

Blak Madeen Online:
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakmadeen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakmadeen

Twitter:
• Blak Madeen: https://twitter.com/blak_madeen
• Planet Asia: https://twitter.com/planetasia
• The Arcitype: https://twitter.com/TheArcitype

Guerrilla Soldiers (feat. Planet Asia)[prod. by The Arcitype]

 Boston’s own Blak Madeen deliver an incredibly potent and relevant new album, 'Supreme Aftermath,' that deftly tackles Islamophobia, media-fueled hatred, and other issues facing our society.

Group member’s Yusuf Abdul-Mateen and Al-J Both drive that point home in making it clear that their message on this album is simple: “Think for yourself; don’t let the media or the politicians tell you how to view the world,” says Yusuf. While Al-J, agrees: “We are not preaching or trying to tell you what to do. You have to gravitate to our message—it’s magnetic.”

That sentiment is felt immediately on the opening title track, an already-powerful message made that much more poignant through the use of Malcolm X quotes. His voice serves as a guiding light for the duo, two proud Muslim men who use the remaining 13 songs to spread love, dish out sharp criticisms of the media, and spit straight verbal darts.

The album boasts features from the likes of Gift of Gab, Planet Asia, and Blacastan, who provide copmelling guest appearances on “Long Way to Go,” “Guerrilla Soldiers,” and “Mic Divine,” respectively. And it’s not just the fact that these guests leave a mark on the album with their skills; they’re clearly well-thought out choices who complement their like-minded rap brethren. Al-J and Yusuf prove their just as capable on their own, though, especially on cuts like the aptly titled “Energetic Darts,” as well as the thoughtful album-closer, “Where’s Justice?.”

With 'Supreme Aftermath,' Blak Madeen add another impressive project to their already-solid catalogue, while cementing Boston’s placement on the Hip-Hop map. “I think Supreme Aftermath is our best work yet, production-wise. It’s soulful music with a good message,” Al-J says, while Yusuf notes that they knew exactly what they wanted to do both lyrically and musically. The latter received a boost from a top-notch production lineup, comprised of The Arcitype, Sicknature (of Snowgoons), and Teddy Roxpin, among others.

Beyond all that, the two just want people to enjoy this album for what it is: “This is Hip-Hop, first and foremost,” Yusuf says. “One doesn’t need to be a Muslim or a Five Percenter or whatever to feel it. Music is universal.”

'Supreme Aftermath' is out now via Rhyme Dawah, and if you’re in the Boston area on Jan. 15, be sure to head to the Middle East in Cambridge for the release party. It’ll feature performances by Masta Ace, G.Dot & Born, and Blacastan.

Tracklist: 
01. Supreme Aftermath (prod. by Skin Ced)
02. Mic Divine (feat. Blacastan) [prod. by Teddy Roxpin]
03. Main Attraction (prod. by Sicknature)
04. Long Way To Go (feat. Gift of Gab and Cyrus Deshield) [prod. by The Arcitpe]
05. Devil's Shadow (feat. Divine Styler and Rite Hook) [prod. by Skin Ced]
06. Guerrilla Soldiers (feat. Planet Asia) [prod. by The Arcitype]
07. Energetic Darts (prod. by Skin Ced)
08. The Procedure (feat. G. Dot & Born) [prod. by Divine Styler]
09. Blood Of Our Brothers (prod. by Skin Ced)
10. Words In Red (feat. Shabazz the Disciple) [prod. by Skin Ced]
11. The Worst Part (feat. Red Baren) [prod. by Skin Ced]
12. No Surrender (prod. by Skin Ced)
13. Experience the Struggle (prod. by Skin Ced)
14. Where's Justice? (feat. Krumbsnatcha) [prod. by Skin Ced]
*All Cuts by DJ Slipwax

Stream/Buy-Links:
• iTunes: http://apple.co/1UtOVBJ
• Google Play: http://bit.ly/1WedC6u
• Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Pfyhl7
• Spotify: http://spoti.fi/1RT5Uy6
• Tidal: http://tidal.com/album/55437758

Blak Madeen Online:
• Twitter:  https://twitter.com/blak_madeen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blakmadeen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blakmadeen

Devil's Shadow (feat. Divine Styler & Rite Hook)[prod. by Skin Ced]

As Rite Hook continues to prep his next full-length project (‘Modify'), the Boston emcee delivers another standout track with, “The Motions.” It’s an anthem for anyone tired of the bullsh*t and verbal garbage that can too often weigh us down.

The track is fueled by a piano-laced slapper courtesy of The Arcitype, who also resides in Boston and has worked with the likes of Termanology, Slaine, Reks and more. But it’s not an all-Beantown-everything affair on here, because Hook is joined on “The Motions” by New York spitter, Chris Rivers (aka Big Pun’s son). The Big Apple rapper does his namesake proud with a verse littered with slick, blistering rhymes that match the track’s theme of rising above the snakes and staying true to both yourself and your artistry.

You can listen to “The Motions” now via Soundcloud, and be sure to peep previous leak, “The Road,” (right here: https://soundcloud.com/rite-hook/the-road-prod-sicknature-of-snowgoons). Hook’s ‘Modify' is due out in early 2016 via Leedz Edutainment…stay tuned!

Buy-Link (iTunes): http://apple.co/1Po6dMo

Twitter:
• Rite Hook: https://twitter.com/RiteHookFTW
• Chris Rivers: https://twitter.com/OnlyChrisRivers
• The Arcitype: https://twitter.com/TheArcitype
• Leedz Edutainment: https://twitter.com/LeedzEdu

Rite Hook Online:
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rite-hook
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ritehookftw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiteHookFTW

The Motions (feat. Chris Rivers) [prod. by The Arcitype]

I've always been the biggest STP fan there is. Check out my cover of STP's Creep. RIP Scott Weiland. 
Prod. The Arcitype 

Creep [Prod. The Arcitype]

Video: https://youtu.be/sD4o8_WF9uY
Beantown’s Rite Hook offers a glimpse into his creative process with the aptly titled “On the Spot.” The Rose Glen Ent., directed video documents a studio session with Hook’s frequent collaborator, and fellow Bostonian, The Arcitype. 

The black-and-white visuals kick off with Arc layering his musing backdrop of melodic keys, raw drums, and skittering hi-hats. It makes for the perfect accompaniment to Hook’s diverse delivery, which seamlessly hops from dizzying double-time raps to gruff sing-song, to full-on crooner. 

What’s most impressive here—beyond his chops as a songwriter—is the fact that he sounds like two different people. It’s one thing to try your hand at rapping and singing, though it’s inevitable that one talent will overshadow the other. The thing is, that’s not the case with Hook, as he displays his ability to rhyme and sing with the best of ‘em.

The audio version of “On The Spot” is now available for free download exclusively through the dopehouse, by entering your email address in the provided widget. As a sign of your support, Hook will be pull one email submissions per day at random, through this Friday (2/26) to receive a free “From the Wrong” T-Shirt. Each winner will be announced daily, and will be contacted via email for size and shipping details. Shipping expense is free of charge. Although a release date has yet to be confirmed, be on the lookout for more updates from Rite Hooks forthcoming LP, Modify, which is set to drop via Leedz Edutainment. 

Rite Hook Online:
• Website: http://www.ritehookftw.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ritehookftw
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiteHookFTW
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/rite-hook 

Twitter:
• Rite Hook: https://twitter.com/RiteHookFTW
• The Arcitype: https://twitter.com/TheArcitype
• Rose Glen Ent.: https://twitter.com/RoseGlenEnt

Free Download (2DBZ)

On the Spot (prod. by The Arcitype)

The Madness [Prod. Rob Whitaker]

Rite Hook is a Massachusetts based alternative artist who blends dense, lyrical raps with bluesy, sung rock choruses to capture the struggles of those on society’s fringes.

Rite Hook, who roamed Massachusetts nomad-style before settling in Boston at 18, is currently set to release his fourth album, Modify.
Rite Hook spent a decade bouncing from band to band and genre to genre, sharpening his writing, singing, and rapping. He soon landed work crafting hooks for Boston rap legend Slaine, who also took him on tour. Rite Hook’s biggest hit, “It Ain’t Easy”, from his third album From the Wrong, saw the rocker go bar for bar with Slaine and Vinnie Paz (Jedi Mind Tricks).
Rite Hook is more focused than ever. After an overdose almost claimed his life in 2012, he returned to music with a newfound drive, producing 2013’s polished From the Wrong. Never an easy act to pin down, his music is set to evolve, driven by dense lyrics, hard flows, a rock attitude and a bluesman’s soul.
With more artistic changes to come, Modify is a fitting title for his fourth album, one which sees the artist inviting others to share his struggles, triumphs, and realizations.

"Dangerous Artform" is available on all platforms via Chuck D's SpitSlam Records.

https://blakmadeen.bandcamp.com/

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