On monday evenings I work with a bunch of inner city kids and we inspire them to want to come to college and do something positive with their lives. A lot of these kids have had trouble with the law, or in school. So we try to be positive influences to them. some of the kids were having a conversation, and one of the girls started asking me if I listened to various artists. Then she asked if I listened to Lauryn Hill, but of course I do. She's one of the greatest femcees that ever picked up a mic, if you ask me. However, this particular girl said something that made my soul cringe. She said. "I think if Nicki Minaj were to battle Lauryn Hill, Nicki would win." I'm sorry for the little Harajuku barbies out there, the Nicki stans, but lyrically? Nicki has NOTHING on Lauryn. NOTHING. I had to step away for a moment and regain myself before I had responded to her ludicrous statement. I thought about it, then I understood. The people that the majority of young people, at least the ones in this program, want to listen to are what, for lack of a better term, I am going to term "non-socially aware rappers." I think that in order to appreciate the lyricism of Lauryn Hill, you have to be a thinker. That's what her music makes you do, think. If you don't want to be mentally stimulated then you'd appreciate something that you'd "turn up" to more. Previous to Nicki Minaj signing with Young Money, there was some substance in some of her songs, she wasn't just a sex toy. The more money she got, in my opinion, the more herself she lost and the more she was changed by her record label. But, I guess that's how the game works, huh? I think that Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest femcees that ever opened her mouth to spit and she should be respected for it. Thinkers, hip-hop heads alike all know this.

bless.

Ps.

Ars-Nova ⎢Charlie Parker (Another Interlude)

Formally known as Yankee Gold, Ars-Nova blesses us yet again with another visual. The New York native on his grind to the top resembles a rhythmic soul.

After his somewhat recent (June 2013) drop of his latest mixtape, the New York native never sleeps, much like his city. He remains hard at work, set on making his mark in the underground hip hop game and is making a come up.

With already a couple hundred plays on his soundcloud, and a couple thousand views on this video alone, Ars-Nova is only moving one way in his music career; forward. 

Enjoy the visuals of his song off his latest mixtape, Yard Bird, Charlie Parker (Another Interlude) shot and directed by Matt Walsh of Desio Media 

To listen to more of his sounds, you can find his Soundcloud here And his latest mixtape dropped earlier this year, can be found on Audio Mack, here. 

Mike Of Doom - Coolington

Take a look at some new visuals for DMV Hip-Hop artist Mike of Doom's new song “Coolington" directed by MishMoshFilms  The song can be found on his newest project "Rookie of The Year”, now available on mediafire. Check out his soundcloud for more of his latest releases and content. 

Meet Jourdyn Alli, also known as AllitheAbstract (no spaces) Let me tell you what he told us about himself and his music: 

My name is AllitheAbstract (no spaces). I am a 20 year old college student at the University of Maryland, College Park. In my spare time, I write music (I don't rap). I don't really expect to go anywhere with my music, hence me being a full time student and working an internship, I just enjoy writing and directing videos with my bro Roxatherwindow. Recently, I have gained the attention of the Washington Paper in Washington, D.C., Durkl, a local clothing store, and A Tribe Called Quest's Ali Shaheed Muhammad. If I were ever to get lucky enough to make a dime off of music, it would all go to my student loans and tuition. I rep G3RMAN (German 3), a duo of Roxatherwindow and myself, I handle the music and video editing aspect and he brings the shooting capability and humor to the group. I am very attracted to older women, my music is inspired by MILFS, and I hope someday that a kid plays my music for his or her mother and she immediately hits me on craigslist. I know this has been a weird submission, but thanks for the opportunity lol, I'm a weird guy.

Regards,

AllitheAbstract

For such a "weird guy" he shows immaculate talent, lyrically he spits about the things that he knows, the stuff that pertains to him. His music is something that people can listen to, think about and even relate to. Who doesn't love relatable music? He's definitely a rhythmic soul in my eyes.

  He recently put out a mixtape, entitled, The Middle Class Album, that could be found here

Also from his mixtape is a single entitled, The Cookout Song, that can be found here

We're always hype to find rhythmic souls and when rhythmic souls find us.

Enjoy this music video shot by Roxatherwindow of one of his songs "Hypocritic Christian", also from his newest mixtape.

Shot by: roxatherwindow Edited by: allitheabstract

Just a snippet of a sound derived from Baltimore's own, DYLIJENS.

A bit of the immense work that he can do, amazing production. This piece that he sampled is from a twenty year old movie enititled, Short Cuts. This piece closely resembles Blu's, Morning/Melo. ( In case you don't know what that sounds like, listen to it here.

There's a plethora more of DYLIJENS very tasteful production selection. From the different styles of his instrumentals to the different samples and pieces that he puts together. 

Here's another one of my favorites from him here

Not only is he an amazing producer, but he also spits shit too. Lyrically he is a mastermind. His lyricism mixed with his amazing production makes him just another rhythmic soul 

If you'd like to follow his producing and music, you can listen to his soundcloud here

You can also follow him on twitter here