New Beginnings: Made in Paris

Aïcha

No matter what your passion or hobby, the moment you choose to start sharing it with other people is the day your craft becomes a part of public opinion.  This isn't a bad thing and it shouldn't necessarily change how you approach your work, but it is a new beginning.

Everyone starts from square one; Warhol's first solo exhibition was in 1952 at the Hugo Gallery and sources place Kanye West's first beat tape circa 1997.  For Aïcha, she let us peak into her musical and poetic life for the first time just three months ago.  Quite methodically, she teased her skill-set on Instagram with a piano rendition of Beyonce's "Halo" and an acapella version of Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" before she dropped her first three songs on SoundCloud, exactly as advertised: voices and verses.  

just having a little fun! all my respect to the QUEEN @beyonce Full video link in my soundcloud bio! #Ego #Beyoncé #aïchamusic

A video posted by Aïcha (@aichamusic) on May 22, 2016 at 9:24am PDT

Aïcha's spoken-word poem "Dear Mr. Duckworth," the first track she published, is a stark documentation of the marginalization of black people, but also demonstrative of her prowess as a lyricist.  She blends her words with her melodic singing in "Watch Me Leave," while firmly placing herself in the trap sound on a short-lived banger, "STNDRDS."  Rapping "Cooper City raised/ New York City made" in "Somebody," Aïcha is unabashed in telling you what has influenced her writing and flow.  Sometimes you can't understand what she's saying as she moves in and out of several different languages, boasting polyglot verses.  Aïcha is still new to the game, but it is obvious music has been her passion for some time.  Her internet releases have now taken her abroad to Paris, France, putting college on pause to work with one of the country's most formidable street rappers/producers, Niro.   I took some time to pick her brain, talk about the timing of her release, and what she has in store for the future. 

MY: What made you want to start sharing your music with the world? 

Aï: I have been singing and playing piano since I was 8. After spending the past three years working in different parts of the music business, I decided it was never going to make me happy. I started writing poetry one day in March and literally couldn’t stop. After that I pieced it together that I have no choice but to share my work, and grow and find myself as an artist.

MY: How do you feel about Desiigner? 

Aï: I respect him. I think innovation is one of the most important parts of this field. Whether you think his music bumps or not, he brought a new sound to hip-hop and I think it’s something that should be respected. He’s young, his flow is fresh, I’ve been listening to Timmy Turner trying to decipher the lyrics. I’ve failed but, it’s still my jam.

MY: Who's music influences you?

Aï: Oh wow. This is the worst because I’m inspired by so many different albums and artists… Lauryn Hill, Musiq Soulchild, Amy Winehouse, Ashanti, Beyonce….. but I think the thing that actually influences me the most is the fusion of rap and r&b. For me, Drake and 40 were the first to do it best. Then Bryson mastered it. So I’d say Drake and Bryson Tiller.

MY: Where do you accomplish most of your writing?

Aï: It depends, sometimes in the studio. This past spring at NYU sometimes it would catch me during class and I’d just be scribbling mad shit during lectures and walk out with a whole song or poem. But since I’ve been in Paris it’s like all throughout the day things come to me, so the notes on my phone are nearing 1000.  

MY: What do you think you need to work on as an artist?

Aï: I’ve never taken singing lessons, I think as an artist that’s something I have to do to develop technic and control over my voice because I’ll be singing much more than rapping on my album.

MY: What kind of opportunities has SoundCloud created for you?

Aï: Even though I have few plays and followers, it allowed me to just put myself out there and it led to everything I’m working on today. I emailed my SoundCloud link to Niro and now I find myself working all night, in the dopest studio in Paris, bringing my first album to life. Shit is crazy.

Stay connected with Aïcha as she shares moments of her journey on Tumblr and Twitter.

Mix by Cautious Clay for InTheRough

Cautious Clay's biggest influences are soul and jazz because growing up that's what his parents were playing--I'm talking The Delfonics and crooners, like Jill Scott.  As he continues to hone his musicality on the flute and saxophone as well as the control of music production and beat making, his ear has always been pointed toward the future.  

“I’m really about this future beats thing, just the concept and the perspective on music, like making music that’s oriented towards the future...making your own sound in a way that’s more respectively you, not just beats.”

— Josh Karpeh AKA Cautious Clay

In Clay's exclusive mix for InTheRough, the past, present and future are beautifully amalgamated into a 19-minute groove.   We can hear the nostalgia of his upbringing as "Golden" by Jill Scott makes its way to the foreground, yet we also get a grasp of his ability to mesh contemporary sounds as he transitions to "Her" by Majid Jordan.  The futurism of Cautious Clay's track doesn't necessarily transport you to the year 2080, but the house synths, funky rhythms and piano melodies that move us in and out of each song within the mix are authentically his.  The array of sounds makes you move.  Listen to Clay's mix below and be sure to download it for future listening pleasures.

Knuccleheadz - Downfall

Knuccleheadz with Snoop Dogg

The geographic benefit to rap is it tells different versions of a similar story city to city and country to country. Gangster rap especially tells the narrative of the underworld that disadvantaged communities create. The sub-genre speaks to the "by any means" hunger and hustle that is a characteristic of people raised in these neighborhoods.

Pittsburgh, Pa. has a story to tell from its hoods and Good Kelly, Heem, and Jiggy of the Knuccleheadz are proud to tell it.

"Never leave the crib without the heater on me... represent the weak and you gon' die in the flames," they say in their newest song called "Downfall."

Even though the Knuccleheadz got out of their Homewood neighborhood for some time this summer while traveling nationally with Wiz Khalifa and Snoop Dogg on the "High Road Tour," they have not lost touch with the environment of where they come from.

Their new song communicates that they will not stop in "the game" until they get what they want. However, they must remain vigilant because people, like the opposition, pray on their downfall.

The reality is harsh when people are "living for today because tomorrow might not even hit." 

"Wild nigga from the 'Wood but I'm smooth as leather. Keep a beretta when I'm chasin' chedda," part of the Knuccleheadz raps.

For some people in suburbia perhaps unfamiliar with urban life, the Knuccleheadz supply a depiction of a work ethic that never stops despite their circumstances. Everyone has to get it how they live.

Learn from the Knuccleheadz below.

SNE - Essence (extended play)

Via SNE's Instagram

Sound Never Ends. This is the truth because a sound is everywhere, and all people have to do is listen. However, in this instance, Sound Never Ends is a hip-hop artist from Hackney, a borough in London, England. "East end boy you can hear it in my tone," he says.

Abbreviated as SNE, the artist calls his sound "trillful," which is a blend of trap music stemming from gritty London neighborhoods and R&B soul music. In his new 14-track extended play called "Essence," SNE demonstrates the spirit of his environment, today's contemporary hip-hop, and his work. "My partner in the trap, me I'm trying to tell him it's a trap... he's just trying to get it where it's at I'm on the same thing."

"Every verse cocaine I told you already," he raps. The grind of running drugs and a trap house influences his sounds as much as the legal grind of trying to make it in the music industry. In the song "Titanic/Turbulence," SNE says, "I do this for my people I'm Corleone," a reference to Italian gangster and The Godfather Michael Corleone who lived and worked for his family. The UK rapper pulls from recognizable cultural icons to state his "Essence" project is just as iconic.

Great parts of "Essence" are hard and utilize alerting chimes, cool bass hits, synths, and cutting lyrics about hood life. Although, the smooth R&B styles are heavily present. The song "House of Love" has a groovy guitar and "442" features a classic '90s R&B tone. SNE's vocal ability shines in "Coolie Skit" and "Outro."

Listen to "Rödrigo" to hear SNE's smart mix of hard rap and passionate soul.

Overall, "Essence" by SNE shows the untapped talent coming from London's hip-hop scene. The project is intriguing because SNE shares his relatable experiences and lifestyle across the pond and puts them to a current and progressive sound.

Mac Miller To Return Home

Album cover for Mac Miller's "The Divine Feminine"

When Pittsburgh native Mac Miller released his last studio album "GO:OD AM," he had a homecoming in The Steel City. He hosted special events, like a softball game, to promote the album and share it with his family, fans, and friends located in The 'Burgh.

For his second album in a row, Mac Miller will return to Pittsburgh to celebrate his musical project and kick-off a global tour. On September 16 his "The Divine Feminine" record will release. Then, on September 18 at Stage AE on the North Shore Miller will hold a concert just after the Steelers play the Bengals at neighboring Heinz Field.

Those anticipating "The Divine Feminine" know Miller released a fun single called "Dang!" with California local Anderson .Paak. Now, another cut surfaces, "We" featuring CeeLo Green. The track is serene, have a listen below.

Also, get tickets for Miller's hometown show here as he keeps excitement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. "It's a blessing, an honor, and a privilege to be from the city," he says.