music

Who is SYBYR? TBD...Watch his music video for "Talisman" /  by Maxwell Young

Songbyrd Music House hosted a slew of DMV’s underground emcees in support of WIFIGAWD and The Khan last Thursday evening in Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of SYBYR’s Instagram

Courtesy of SYBYR’s Instagram

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the show was DMV native, New York transplant SYBYR’s track, “Talisman.” Donning black lipstick and mis-matched camouflage, he slowed down the pace, ushering moshers into a subdued bop. Formerly known as Syringe, SYBYR channeled enigmatic energies, rapping “Like the talisman, had to make my own magic—balance in the hand.” By the end of the song, the vibe was caught, heads nodding along in support.

SYBYR has added context to this track, releasing the music video to “Talisman” early this morning. The glitchy visuals directed and produced by Bic Flame and Landfill, respectively, feature the rapper in what appears to be an abandoned house—the perfect canvas for graffiti alluding to anarchy and disorder. SYBYR looks comfortable in this realm as we see him rapping through broken window panes and on-top of tables that haven’t been used in years.

“Anti-World” is the name of the collective SYBYR reps along with 18 other artists. Its logo, a hand-drawn, exed-out globe, looks like a spider or a gauged eye off first glance. That and the demon illustration that quickly overlays SYBYR’s face in his latest music video are reminiscent of D.C. legend Sir E.U, particularly his M a D a G a S C a R album cover, although we’re unsure of any influences. What is certain, though, is how much of a rage that show would be—a bill featuring the “Hippodramidan” and SYBYR—two of the most eccentric artists we’ve encountered here in the District of Columbia to date.

Stay tuned for more on a new favorite and follow SYBYR on Instagram and Twitter.

Rap Corral /  by Alex Young

12 Songs from Pittsburgh hip-hop artists featuring NVSV, FTR Drama, ALLHAILKELLZ, Jaii Locc and more

Art to NVSV’s “Amethyst” album by Cliff Fields

Art to NVSV’s “Amethyst” album by Cliff Fields

The ‘Burgh’s hip-hop sound changes depending on which artist you listen to. Drill music hitting with quick bars about trap life occupy a dark part of the scene. Introspective lyrics tackle conscious subjects, or digital contemporaries have fun with their bop-style music.  ITR corrals the good rap songs out right now in the city.

NVSV - Shine

“No one makes content the way I do. At least no one in the city of Pittsburgh who calls themself a rapper. People expect substance from my music. They definitely look for the bars, but also the production quality,” NVSV spoke on his new album “Amethyst” in a video interview by The Pi Company. “Shine” is a favorite. Play “Fallen” too while you’re at it.

FTR Drama - City Ain’t Safe (feat. Jimmy Wopo)

Taking time to collect himself and his music after going through struggles like the law and loss, FTR Drama releases his “Cold Sweats” album. “It’s like stress… Pain is ‘Cold Sweats’ too. I was going through a lot of that as I was a youngn’ coming up and still to this day,” FTR Drama said about his new album in the mini-documentary filmed by Jake Martin, Art Like Us and Jordan Beckham. Check out “City Ain’t Safe” off the project.

London Yellow - Im crashing In a car

At face value, it’s hard to take London Yellow seriously because a lot of the time he’s screaming in the mic and on his Instagram live videos, he twerks nude on social media too, and he makes a lot of pee-pee jokes. His song titles puzzle people, like “Let The White Kids Say Nigger” or “I’m Not A Rapper I’m A Gynecologist.” However, if you can get passed the foolery there are takeaways in London’s music, such as safe driving habits. Listen to “Im crashing In a car.”

John$ - dumbfounded

Lo-fi rapper John$ (Johndollarsign) celebrated his 25th birthday on March 7 with this song “dumbfounded.” He raps, “Imagine if this world wasn’t real. Imagine if you couldn’t have a beer.”

Phalo Pantoja & Moemaw Naedon - Transferred Connection (feat. Fadewell)

Hip-hop lyricist Moemaw Naedon presents his new album “Hard Head Mush Brain” in collaboration with French producer Phalo Pantoja. Naedon’s bars are complex and intricate, so take time to digest what he says. Appreciate his wordsmith and the quality to Pantoja’s beats. If you’re unfamiliar with Moemaw Naedon, introduce yourself with his episode on the I’ll Call You Right Back podcast.

Jimmy Wopo - Ghetto Stories

Long Live

Jaii Locc - No Talkin

Save all the jibber-jabber. Around Homewood emcee Jaii Locc, bring your bars or shut up. “I don’t cap rap. You seen what I said… I only chase the fish I’m catchin’… You tryna go bar for bar with Jaii Locc fuck around and get chewed up.”

Pompeii - Lost N Found

Forever The Original entertainment pushes the debut mixtape from Pompeii called “Trapbag.” Spin “Lost N Found,” a track local DJs could easily spin in clubs on the South Side.

Pet Zebra - Whippin Up (Once Again) (Prod. D_Vnte)

“This nigga talking shit, I’ll give his address to my cousin.”

Kremmy Six Saucin’ and Slicky Williams’ Two Separate Songs on Six Hunnid Beats

Hop on Triller and do your dance to either of these tracks produced by Lithuanian producer Six Hunnid: “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR” by Kremmy Six Saucin’ and “Run Run” by Slicky Williams.

ALLHAILKELLZ - NASSY (feat. Shady Higg, Fat Ma, Indo Rae, Fedd & Semaj Regah) *NSFW*

Kellz, formerly of the Knuccleheadz rap group, is now a solo artist. He kicks off his career as ALLHAILKELLZ debuting a raunchy song for ladies to bounce booty to, “NASSY.” The track also highlights female rap emcees like Fat Ma and Indo Rae. Shady Higg and Fedd add flavor to “NASSY,” which is made by “phenomenal” producer Semaj Regah.

After Livefromthecity Said He's Lit, Pk Delay Said He’ll Extinguish Him /  by Alex Young

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PITTSBURGH— Rapper Livefromthecity Tweeted he was the best rap emcee in the city on March 2.

On March 3, Livefromthecity followed his statement with a track called “Offseason (Balling For No Reason).” The hook has a line, “Lit like Bic, they charge me with arson.” Live hits the basketball reference with, “23, way too many rings. MVP, that’s in every league.” His confidence booms.

After the Tweet and “Offseason” release, the following days provided many responses from the hip-hop community. Some supported Livefromthecity’s claim as the best rapper. The Pittsburgh City Paper even hopped on the bandwagon advertising the conversation. Others disputed Live’s claim. “You should wait to hear some raps, that talking shit dead,” NVSV said. Javed, the co-owner of the Senseless streetwear boutique chimed in saying, “Being the best rapper in Pittsburgh is thinking too small.” Self-confidence is great, but it will be tested in hip-hop, especially if you say you’re the best. “People are being challenged to grow or fall with the leaves. (I love a good competition when it’s about skill and content. Ain’t gon' lie lol). Hopefully, this will make for some dope music and art,” songstress Clara Kent said.

Of all the talking done on Twitter from Pittsburgh’s hip-hop scene, Pk Delay has been the only rapper so far to respond to Live with music. “Prove it WITH BARS,” producer C.Scott said. Once Livefromthecity took advantage of the conversation and publicity announcing his next project called “Lightwork” dropping April 1, Pk dropped his response to the discussion called “LIGHTWORK.”

Here are some of Pk’s bars in “LIGHTWORK” to pay attention to:

  • “I’m Live In My City. I’m the nigga that get it crackin’.”

  • “These niggas don’t really rap they just like singing to these bitches.”

  • “Don’t pull up to they spots ain’t being seen with these lil niggas. Nephs it got me hot I’m even on the scene with these lil niggas.”

Peoples’ opinions on who is the best rapper are only entertainment. What’s important is the challenges that come from pushing yourself, which Clara Kent alluded to. Also, Zeke Nicholson, who boomed out of the city managing national rappers J.I.D and EarthGang, offered sage advice. “Being the best in the Burgh doesn’t matter AT ALL. If it doesn’t find a way to spread out it will only Live there,” he said. DJ Spillz tagged in, “That title means nothing if your music cannot resonate outside of this city!” The positivity Don, Mars Jackson told people to focus on love and put their egos aside. This particular thread earned lots of responses, which you should read here.

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Overall, we’re excited to see the music that comes from this situation, and you should be to if you’re a fan of the local scene and hip-hop in general because we all know we want Pittsburgh to shine to the world.

Charlie Scott - Mardi Gras (W/Buscrates 16 Bit Ensemble) /  by Alex Young

“Get a neck brace for this one.”

Quality control here. Two Pittsburgh producers who’ve been at it for some time link to flip a classic tune. Charlie Scott (C.Scott) and Buscrates, both known as DJs and skilled musicians, re-work Bob James’ “Take Me to the Mardi Gras” (you’ll know the jingle when you hear it).

C.Scott and Buscrates’ collaboration, while festive for the holiday, also speaks to a groove more rappers should utilize when looking for beats. Both men are technicians with their music combing through vintage vinyl record crates to sample disco, funk, hip-hop and soul songs with synthesizers, pianos and a handy sequencer or drum machines like the Akai MPC200 or the OP1. With the right partnership, magic could happen with these two guys producing your music. After you listen to the “Mardi Gras” flip, explore C.Scott’s “Cheap Thrills” disco mix. Then scroll Buscrates’ Instagram to hear him work a G-funk sound or check his own mixes on his SoundCloud too.

Photo of C.Scott by Matt’s Music Mine & photo of Buscrates via his Instagram

In other news, The Burgh’s hip-hop community could benefit from competition. A slew of Tweets from various rappers hit the ‘net saying “I’m the best rapper in Pittsburgh,” to which C.Scott replied, “I'm here for all this ‘best rapper in the city’ talk cause I've been waiting for cats to prove it WITH BARS.” Get your bars off or shut up. Let the music speak not your Twitter. Rapper Javed, a part owner of the Senseless streetwear boutique, replied, “Being the best rapper in Pittsburgh is thinking too small.”

DJ TOPGUN Drops House Mix /  by Alex Young

DJ Topgun

DJ Topgun

The last time I checked in with DJ Topgun was at his release party for his album called “RAGER.” The compilation record features artists he’s built friendly relationships within his native Ohio, like Freshie or 55 Bagz, or nationally with rappers like Lil Xan who he went on the “Xanarchy” tour with as the DJ. At One Up Skate Shop in Pittsburgh’s South Side, the party was as advertised, a lit rage with pizza, beer and mosh pits, mosh pits are becoming Topgun’s signature. He knows how to ignite the crowd with proper hip-hop, but also at the party, Topgun flexed the range in his musical catalog. He played a 1987 true house tune called “Move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson. I said, “What! Okay Topgun!” He took a risk that must’ve been the skater in him. DJ Topgun should trust his instincts all the time because they pay off, especially here as he releases a 45-minute house mix, which he credits DJ RB (of Make Sure You Have Fun events) for hyping him up to take this leap. As a supporter, be proud of Topgun’s talent and where he’s pushed his craft. Run his “Fried House Mix” below.