Youngs & Grandpa J - "On The Road" Feat. Red Fox

Meet this great rapper/producer duo. Rapper Youngs comes from the Midwest of the US while producer Grandpa J hails from California. Currently working on their disc "The Jenerational Gap EP", which releases Oct. 20th, the two have dropped a single to prepare ourselves for the final release. I'm really feeling this!

DOWNLOAD HERE

Empire - "Boom 'n' Pound (Return of The Boom Bap)" Video

Meet 'Empire', a group out of Toronto. They've been working hard on their debut album "Get It" and it comes out THIS Tuesday digitally on all mp3 buying platforms. You can get a sneak peek at the album here, and definitely check it out! It's some dope stuff! So don't forget to cop that this week. Here's the official single & video - a back-track to classic hip-hop! Boom-Bap is in the house!

So..yeahh.. [Updates, Changes, & More]

UPDATES
First and foremost, my apologies for the sudden disappearance. I got numerous emails and tweets asking me where I ran off to. Truth is, I ran off nowhere. I've been here - not around - HERE. ON my laptop. Doing homework and work-related business. Blogging, and even music, was so packed behind all the other work that got piled up that I had to disappear from both WFSL and Twitter, and even two forums I'm on (one of which that died; coincidence - I think not! lol, nah).

Also, about my albums. "Classical State of Mind" is still in the making. I'm a couple tracks into that; I expect to be done that sometime mid-next year. Those blendstapes will drop in by surprise - you know I had to finish up the Blank Tapes. I didn't forget, don't worry! As for other projects, I'll let you know. Things are moving quick, so I can't promise anything.

CHANGES
But on a bright note, I've figured out a way to turn things around and make this blog more active during my busy days. NO, I have not hired extra staff, but rather there will be a change in the "weekly" business that won't keep me tied down on focusing on one artist. In the last little while I've gotten so many emails from artists that definitely deserve the promotion.

Instead of racking them behind numerous others for dozens of weeks, there will now only be "Featured Artists". No more weekly artists; whenever I receive something really nice in the mail, you'll not only hear what I got but a whole set of music and all of that.

Another change you'll see is that I will only be doing INDIE & CANADIAN music from now on. No more mainstream drops. Fresh-cut, underground, unknown music that I know everyone will love. This is the new direction of the blog and the way the site looks will reflect that soon as well.

MORE
Now I'd like to apologize to the sites that held me down and I had to leave'em for a little while. Shouts to aboveGround Mag and The Find Mag. You already knew I work with AGM with my opinionated blogs, and may or may not have noticed my disappearance on that set. I'll be posting something for this week, so look out for it! TFG is a newer site that spanned off of my boy Heaps's website MusicalSchizophrenia. That site began an e-mag called The Find which is now an online-website-mag. It's really dope and I urge you to check it out. It's REALLY dope and brings out REALLY nice music. In fact, a lot of artists I listen to came from the man Heaps himself; he's a great guy and has an amazing ear for music. Don't miss out! I'll be doing work with them in the near future as well, so watch out!

What's more? Some surprise interviews, guests, and a whole lot of indie promotion. I'm back and I'm ready to take this to the next level. I'll be giving you more details of that many changes coming to you on WFSL. Excited? Probably not..I am though..so yeahhhhhh...

Peacepeace & much love for sticking around,

- Beatwize

Professa (Young Maestro) - "Simple" (Instrumental)

I'd like to introduce to you the Professa, a producer coming out of NC. I got a couple beats from him a few days back and I felt'em so I decided to share my favorite of the set with you guys. His style reminds me a bit of Dre's, doesn't it? It's got that same flow to it. Well, anyways, check it out and let us know what you think!

DOWNLOAD/STREAM

Artist of the Week: 810

Meet 810, a 19-year-old, up-and-coming artist out of Baltimore. He describes himself as a "community college student who often neglects other things to do music". At first when I read this I had a bad feeling, but then I checked out his tracks. Song after song of his melodic flow, interesting delivery, and great beat choices - I knew he belonged in the feature. But then it struck me - I've heard this guy before!

A while back I was just checking on other blogs downloading anything that came out with a new name. I'd heard 810's "Supply & Demand" and had loved it. But unfortunately, in the wake of many new projects - all of which were great - I had forgotten about my dude 810. But now I listen to his tape very often, making sure not to miss a line. This kid is going to make himself something substantial in the industry very soon.

This week you'll see new tracks of his coming out from his upcoming mixtape "Glass Half Full" which is slated for late October. Can't wait for WFSL to give you 810 music? Hit up these sites to stay in tune with his upcoming releases:
Blog: http://810muzik.blogspot.com/
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/810musik
Twitter: http://twitter.com/810musik
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/810/17752821162

Would you like to be featured as Artist of the Week? Get at me! -- beatwize@gmail.com

Nefarious!: Time to Shine [WFSL Interview]

So now you've heard of Nefarious!, heard his songs, and gotten to know him a little better. But there's still so much you don't know about the kid. He's talented, intelligent, and definitely has a bright future. Hell, he's been featured on more than 4 sites this week! Keep an eye on the name, you'll definitely hear a lot of it soon. Here's my chance to let you learn more about my boy Nef. Check it out!

Beatwize: What's good Nefarious! Let's start with a quick bio of you..
Nefarious!: My name is Nefarious! from Hayward, California. I'm 18 years old and one of many Bay Area beat makers representing the new generation of producers. I enjoy long walks on the beach and...

Beatwize: Lmao, yea good place to stop. Tell us about you're newest album "More Than Music" and what went behind it? (inspirations, people etc.)
Nefarious!: I was inspired to make More Than Music by people that dont understand that music is very serious to some of us. Especially beats to me. Someone who isn't a producer might see a beat as just a beat and wonder where the rapping is, and others appreciate it for what it is. So this album was for those people.

Beatwize: It seems that it has given you some great exposure, you've been getting features left and right. How does it feel to get this sudden rise in recognition?
Nefarious!: It feels good, like people are finally getting onto my shit. If no one hears your music it doesn't matter if it sounds good or not because you are just another tree falling in the forrest. Before I knew how much blogs make a difference I used to drop everything just on MySpace, but making connections with blogs and shit increased the download numbers drastically.

Beatwize: You run with a crew by the name of "Cosmic Souls Collective". How did you guys meet and how did this group come together?
Nefarious!: We basically met on the internet, know:juander sent me songs to post on my site The Soul Dojo and I liked it. Me and Juno Complex go way back to when I was still making beats on FL Studio, and Time Travel is just dope... Actually it probably didn't even go down like that. But somehow we just all decided to make a production collective.

Beatwize: Are you guys in constant competition or do you guys just appreciate each others music and success as a group?
Nefarious!: We all help promote each others music and respect what we make. I guess we all are in competition because no one wants to have the weakest beat on the beat tape or myspace or whatever. We all keep each other in check because with everyone trying to outdo each other, we will all improve.

Beatwize: Who do you like to work with at the moment? Who would you like to work with in the future?
Nefarious!: I like working with Amor Jones because our styles go great together. That dude be beggin me for beats callin me crying and shit *laughs*. In the future I'd like to work with more producers and maybe some already-established emcees.

Beatwize: You seem to have a very long catalogue. What beat that you've made is you're favorite?
Nefarious!: Man, I have a new favorite beat of mine every day. Right now it would probably be Take My Love which was also the single for More Than Music.

Beatwize: What new projects are you helping out with? It seems a lot of people are looking for that Nefarious! seal nowadays.
Nefarious!: Right now I will be dropping a project with Kris Kasanova hosted by MTRoots thanks to KNOWxONE from ManifestTheRhyme.com Hallway Jay at illRoots.com. I also am going to have production on Amor Jones's next 2 projects, and my album The Soul Dojo that seems like it will never be finished.

Beatwize: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Nefarious!: Hopefully making a living with music. I'd be happier just getting by with a job I love than be rich and bored and shit. Taking a big chance with music right now. Ain't no Plan-B on some Tanya Morgan shit.
Beatwize: You've mentioned in the past that you used to rap? What made you stop? Will you be coming back to it anytime soon?
Nefarious!: I stopped because I wasn't really good (laughs). I took up producing full time and got better at producing than I was rapping. I do plan on making a come back, but don't expect to hear anything too soon.

Beatwize: Who's you're favorite producer? Why?
Nefarious!: J Dilla would be my favorite producer because he has made beats that are just IMPOSSIBLE to remake. I could remake a Pete Rock or 9th Wonder beat with ease, not saying they aren't dope. But listen to the sample to A Tribe Called Quest's "Find A Way" or Black Star's "Little Brother" and see what I'm talking about. Madlib is my favorite producer alive because he also composes if you are familiar with Yesterday's New Quintet. Shit's dope.

Beatwize: Thanks for your time and looking forward to more work from you!
Nefarious!: No problem man. New music soon! Be on the look out!

Drex Inkredible - "Pilot Project" Mixtape + "Rise to the Top" Video

If you are interested in aiding a charitable foundation, please read the blurb below the download link. Thanks! Also, there is a video at the end of the blurb for an album preview.

DOWNLOAD HERE

Meet Drex Inkredible, an artist from Canada. He began creating quite the local star but recently has begun boasting some international exposure; and why not? Drex has an original, undeniable style that makes you want more. But if you think that's where it ends, you're very wrong.

"Pilot Project" is just a pre-cursor to the real album. This real album will not only be undoubtedly great, but will also be a charitable action by Drex. All proceeds will go to a Media Arts Center in Rio which will help kids get careers in areas concerning video, photography, music, radio, and the list goes on. The album, entitled "City to City", will be coming out in the late Fall of this year and is definitely something you should go and get. If the name "Drex" sounds familiar, it's because he is also the founder of TheRemixProject, a charitable foundation. Keep following WFSL if you want more Drex as there is a lot more coming in the near future!

"Rise to the Top" Video..

"Hip-Hop Ain't Dead. It Lives In The North." Mixtape

DOWNLOAD HERE

The brand that has sold numerous shirts creates a mixtape filled with Canadian artists. Unfortunately this misses some vitals like k-os, K'naan, Shad, Fundament, and numerous others but it's still really dope. Some really great artists on this list that I haven't even heard of, so this was a big eye-opener. If you're from Canada, get to meet some diamonds in the rough and check it out. Some really ill stuff in this.

Brought to you by:
HipHopCanada | ItLivesInTheNorth

A.R.M. - "Heaven Only Knows" (Feat. Brother Ali) Video

New drop from A.R.M. with that dude Bro Ali. First time I've heard of A.R.M. but I'm going to look more into him for sure - this track goes hard. Really good work by both of them, check it out and give it a few listens!

Fresh Daily - "Untucked Nunchucks" Video

New video from Fresh Daily off of his mixtape "The Gorgeous Killer in Crimes of Passion". Pretty dope, check it out!