10 Cool Songs From Pittsburgh

Music videos and tracks featuring Hardo, Josephine, Nizzy and more.

Josephine | Photo by Alex Young

1. Jordan Montgomery - Black Folk 4 Life (Bad Boy For Life Remix)

It was Jay tracks only. Slim Tha DJ proved up to the task combing through Jay Z’s music catalog to entertain a crowd at the Boom Concepts gallery venue in Pittsburgh. Rapper Jordan Montgomery was there as Hov’s super fan spitting every lyric bar for bar with acute cadence. Montgomery’s music could play at intermission during a Jay Z concert. He rhymes around the beat like Hov. His wisdom speaks to other young, black Americans and that deserves more attention. The classic flavor on Montgomery’s “Black Folk 4 Life” tastes fresh from the cut’s cool music video directed by Jordan Armstrong. Artists’ cameos by Jaybee Jackson and Livefromthecity are hype.

2. Slicky Williams - Remain Humble

A sensitive trap tale from Homewood, Pittsburgh rapper and singer-songwriter Slicky Williams. Buy his new EP on iTunes.

3. Josephine - I Need Teeth

Super chill song from an Irish-Jamaican songstress from the ‘Burgh. Any DJ worth any finesse could play Josephine’s track at the function. She has more music on the way so, don’t sleep.

4. The Keymakers - Tell Me Something

When we observed The Keymakers at the Always Money studio in Toronto, it was clear, Rome and Rederic had a plan to roll out their music. The assist from the Always Money collective, engineer B.C., writer Jesse Christophr and Cash Money Records representative Anshuman Sharma, boosts The Keymakers’ quality. From prep school life in the ‘Burgh to radio ready, introduce yourself to The Keymakers. If not, you may come across the group in a Spotify playlist.

5. Rome Fortune & Toro Y Moi - Hoodrich Disco (Music Video Directed by Glasshead)

Media production company and music group, Glasshead adds to their clientele with this music video direction for well-known musicians Rome Fortune and Toro Y Moi. Glasshead rises out of The Steel City to meet opportunities across the country because they entertain with whacky, flattering content kind of like a meme. Whether its hip-hop mimicking Doja Cat’s “Mooo!” song with The N word or general comedy about the culture, Glasshead shoots straight. Feature article on that squad soon.

6. Camp Yola x D Clak - Home Invasion Part 1

50 Cent got people wanting to turn their lives into TV like “Power.” It goes to show the inner-city underbelly really tries people. What’s perceived as entertainment is survival mode.

7. Hardo - Fame or Feds

Hardo follows up his 2011 “Fame or Feds” mixtape with OG Pittsburgh rapper Deezlee. This time, “The Fame or Feds Story” album illustrates Hardo’s trap origins, while paying respect to the relationships that affected him most. Hardo’s latest project culminates his development as a rapper to those who’ve watched his rise.

8. BIG BEE - WON By WON

“But I got this little dream team called B.C. What the fuck we gonna do?” The B.C. rap group is prowling. BIG BEE pouncin’.

9. FlatLine Nizzy - Watch

Next out of the trap. Watch his video for “Dey Don’t” too.

10. Stoneith - The Thought of Mine

“You keep switching up your ways moving lane from lane.”

DMV Music Check-In

Perhaps you were at Trillectro this past weekend or maybe the after party hosted by Jungle Fever. April + Vista sold out Union Stage for their first headlining show last Friday, and Tech Yes has found a new home at Saint Ex on 14th Street. There’s a lot happening in the DMV music scene, we’re checking in.

April + Vista were joined by percussionist Foots of FootsxColes during their sold out show at Union Stage last Friday. Photograph by @africanist

“Playin With Me” by Hipster Woods and Sir E.U

In a now deleted Instagram post, DJ/producer/founder of art collective TrashPass, Hipster Woods, proclaimed his punk-ness for all of the D.C. music community, and the world, to receive. A message so transparent should only be quoted, but his blunt feelings of wanting to convey his own punk experience was received loudly. The message made good promo for a track equally as loud. “Playin With Me” is produced by Woods featuring the turbulent vocals of Sir E.U. Clocking in at around seven and a half minutes, the song is more of a mix, as it was Woods’ intention to manipulate E.U’s voice like an instrument for a beat rather than have him flow in traditional song format.

This Wednesday: What a Night Presented by Jay Cousteau and Filet Mignon

Flyer via Jay Cousteau’s Instagram

If you’re not going to Converge at U Street Music Hall on Wednesday, you should make sure to stop by Velvet Lounge for Jay Cousteau and photographer Filet Mignon’s ‘What a Night.’ The youth will be well represented as Northwest rapper Lul Big Brother, producer Supa Statiq, and fellow member of the Cousteau clan, El Cousteau, are slated to perform.

915 U St NW

8-12am

$15 online; $20 at the door

OG Lullabies’ Red Bull Music Academy Residency

As part of her work with the Red Bull Music Academy, multi-instrumentalist OG Lullabies gives music heads an insight to her music compositions as well as a live tutorial demonstrating the Granular Convolver. Unless you’ve seen OG Lullabies live, it’s hard to discern every instrument she includes in her music because of how well she blends them together. You’ll see how she builds a texture of sounds and ambiance in this Facebook video.

Thursday: Urban Outfitters Live

Flyer via Odd Mojo’s Instagram

The Urban Outfitters in Chinatown is continuing their installment of live performances, and Thursday’s lineup looks to be one for the books. Odd Mojo, who we mentioned is working with Chris Allen, is also collaborating with Jenna Camille—admitting that their music is reminiscent of Janet Jackson. Maybe Mojo debuts new sounds. She is joined by host ArykahB, Babeo Baggins, FootsxColes, along with accompanying DJ sets by Tomiyeyo and Exaktly.

737 7th St. NW

4 - 7pm

“Water Walk” by Tedy Brewski

In his music video for “Water Walk,” Tedy Brewski continues to integrate movie, video game, anime, and internet subcultures into catchy blends of contemporary hip hop that are twinged with glitches and special effects. Did you know Tedy is a painter now, too?

Listen to Trae the Drummer’s New Instrumental Album Off the 6 With Band UnRehearsed

There might not ever be a time when Warren G. Crudup III aka Trae, is not at least 20 feet away from a drum kit. Trae is constantly working whether it be playing regularly with Jenna Camille and The Free Radicals, or at his residency at Bin 1301 on U St, or my favorite, with his partner, bassist Luke Stewart of Blacks’ Myths, a neo-punk-funk-rock band. Thanks to a chance encounter on U Street, ITR learned of Trae’s newest endeavor, an instrumental album with four-piece band UnRehearsed. Off the 6, available on all streaming platforms, is something you turn on to feel good, groovy. If you want to start your day on an uplifting note, Off the 6 will get you there with Trae’s frenetically varied drum rhythms and the band’s funky guitar riffs.

Paid/Job by Chris Allen Premieres Friday

New music from Chris Allen drops Friday. Image courtesy of Allen’s Instagram page.

Washington, D.C. native and Pittsburgh frequenter, Chris Allen, is spreading his wings in both local communities. Those in Pittsburgh will welcome him back to his home away from home at Hounds’ installation/showcase event at Ace Hotel Pittsburgh on Friday. Meanwhile, flicks of the rapper have surfaced on Odd Mojo’s Instagram page, confirming the two have been working on music with fellow DMV rapper, Kassim. We’ll wait patiently to hear what such a collaboration sounds like, but new music is coming from Allen this Friday with the release of “Paid/Job.”

Thraxx King’s Project 79 Merchandise Featuring Words by InTheRough

Thraxx King put an ITR article on a t-shirt.

Offering t-shirts and hoodies, Thraxx King surmises the consumption of his latest album Project 72 through literal moments of engagement. Neon green hoodies are time-stamped at nine seconds with the Apple Music layout of Thraxx’s song “7+2.” We’re honored he chose to print our article, amplifying his album on a short sleeve, mint green t-shirt. Stay tuned to his Instagram for the drop.

Hear Thraxx King's Psychedelia on Project 72

Open your third eye through the journey of Thraxx King's latest album, Project 72.

Streaming on all platforms.  Cover art designed by Maps Glover.

Psychedelic drugs such as LSD, mushrooms, MDMA, Peyote, and more have long been associated with music.  A$AP Rocky and Skepta--tweaking out in a London studio--concocted their hit single "Praise the Lord" while Flacko's psychedelic professor friend was on-hand to monitor the pair's progression through the trip.  And then there was Ken Kessey's famed Acid Tests in the 1960s, basically full-blown parties bumping music and strobe lights, challenging people not to freak out.  Pushing your mind to such depths or heights becomes all the more impactful when its done to an equally as skewed soundtrack. 

One night last November, Thraxx King experienced a "very powerful trip" that he says manifested important realizations.  The cover art of Project 72, designed by frequent collaborator Maps Glover, alludes to the magnitude of Thraxx's psychedelic awakening.  Pictured in the foreground with a drooping dreadlock, the Maryland-based rapper is being pulled through, in, and out of these different portals and dimensions.  The time travel and reality warping seem to have driven him mad as he stares at the listener googly-eyed.  There's no telling what this figure is hallucinating.

Cover art for singles "Anarchy" and "Talking About Nuclear War" by Glover.

If Glover drew Thraxx mid-trip, then the songs of Project 72 are grounded in the consciousness he attained post-trip.  "I learned a lot from it and had to create something," he said over DM. 

While tracks two and three ("Distortion" and "Moon") were already composed before the Maryland rapper's mind-altering trip, much of the project was conceived during the aftermath.  He places himself in this contagious pocket of songs such as "Motion," "Won't Lose," and "Lesson Learned," where bass-heavy 808s drive the listener into a head-banging trance as he raps, "Timing is of the essence.  Follow that frequency.  Boost up that energy.  It starts with self, nobody else," in the latter track. 

Thraxx King is far from the kid who's introduction to music was drumming in church, as he recalled on Late Bloom Radio several months ago.  Although his music still maintains crisp, percussive elements like rudiments on a snare.  Thraxx hopes to soon produce accompanying visuals to continue the strong engagement with his album.  Available on Tidal, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and any other streaming platform, Project 72 is firm ground on which Thraxx King can elevate his music career. 

"Pixburgh" Mixed by RB

"Pixburgh" tracklist via farESHBrand.com

Ryan Brown, RB for short, plays his role in the "Pixburgh" sound. His music festival, The City, presented by Brown's streetwear company called farESH Brand, gave over 40 local artists a personal audience. His brand keys on blending the scenes in Pittsburgh focused on culture, music and nightlife. Now, he uses his DJ talent to produce his first mix "Pixburgh" that champions the hip-hop artists in the city even more. 

RB hits a note when his mix starts as female MC Nay Hundo throws a pretty alley hoop to rapper Pk Delay as their respective songs "The Plan" and "Big Finessa" slam. The entire "Pixburgh" project is worth listening to below. Research the tracklist above, especially that Bill Waves "Firefly" song that RB placed in the project. 

I see that Antwon Rose growing through gardens. Flowers in the pavement. Tears that give them showers with the power and the Satan. Media lies and headlines that they routed in the pages, kill ‘em by the thousands if they doubted what we're saying. And Jimmy Wopo's got a viewing soon. The cops wanted him dead too. - Bill Waves in "Firefly"

Listen to Deluxe Songs from Travis Scott's 'Astroworld'

via Travis Scott's Instagram account

How'd you like the-long awaited Astroworld album from Travis Scott La Flame? If you want more of a ride from Astroworld, check out the rapper's radio show on Apple Music, .wav radio with DJ Chase B here. The latest episode that celebrates Astroworld features songs from the album's deluxe edition. 

Travis Scott - Part Time

Travis Scott ft. Gunna - Zoom

Travis Scott ft. Playboi Carti - Houdini