B. Knight /  by Alex Young

The Superstar You Don't See Coming.

B. Knight | Photos by Alex Young

Brian Michael Knight Jr. fired on his friends. He was funny cracking jokes against Kevin Galloway,  Nairobi Jones, Tykee Jones, and Terrell Robinson as they all clowned around eating McDonald's before they headed out into the night, Downtown, Pittsburgh winter weather to film a music video. Knight turned his attention to women who walked by in the lobby of Point Park University's apartment complex. Legs in tight jeans and complementary boots caught us staring. Once, Robinson cracked an unassuming smile and Knight said, "When you smile, it looks like you dookied on yourself." We all howled.

The '90s baby, Knight was "always attracted to entertainers," he said. He was a four-year-old standing on his bed performing for a large imaginary audience.

Now, he goes by B. Knight, and his then imagination for stardom manifests itself in B. Knight's performance and his upcoming mixtape called "Unapologetic."

Dancing came first, and his brother showed him how to moonwalk, but Knight said "both sides of my family sing" so doing both came naturally young. "Brian McKnight, I thought that nigga was my dad. I was all over his shit," he said. He remembers studying R&B legend Usher with his 2001 "8701" album, citing "U Remind Me" and "U Dont Have to Call" as good influences. "When Chris Brown came, it ruined my whole shit." The comparable artists describe an "edge" that features in B. Knight's music.

When it comes to the music, the 21-year-old McKeesport raised Knight finds that "it's so easy to make something organic."

"Unapologetic," a project executive produced by the sound of the streets Stevie B, is about "knowing you're the best," Knight said. And, "when you want to be humble, but you know who you are. When you're the best you, that's when it's over."

B. Knight's team allows him to be "unapologetically myself," he said. Stevie B's been an asset to the singer-songwriter. "We both got that same love for Usher. We listened to the same stuff coming up," Knight said of the super producer who gets credit for the music behind trap-stars like Hardo and Jimmy Wopo. However, "friendship" makes Knight's music work with Stevie B. Also, being around the producer influences B. Knight's writing process and his cadence. "I write my songs like raps," he said keying on his song "My Place."

Additionally, director Kevin Galloway, photographer Nairobi Jones, comrade Tykee Jones, and director Terrell Robinson, also known as Maur The Sun, support B. Knight with the professional aspects of his musical act.

Galloway and Robinson were the cinematographer and director respectively for Knight's music video shoot for the interlude song on the "Unapologetic" tape called "SKEEE Back Interlude (3x in a Row)." It's a two-part story about Knight's life riding the bus to clock-in work at Target, and then the music video paints the picture of B. Knight the "superstar."

B. Knight, Kevin Galloway, Terrell Robinson and Nairobi Jones | Photos by Alex Young

For the set, the crew wanted comparisons to, "alleyways from 'Batman' or alleyways behind the club from hood movies," Robinson said. We travelled in a three-car convoy while Galloway and Robinson scouted alleys until they stopped at one between Commerce Street and Centre Avenue. Galloway called the video shots "sleek" that matched B. Knight's swagger "so people can see this and be like ‘he’s the star he says he is,'" Robinson continued. Cameraman Nairobi helped the visuals and composition. Knight trusts him because he moves "rapid with his profession."

The friendly vibe around the group makes standing in the cold covering the subjects enjoyable. Between Tykee, better known by his rap name Keys412, and B. Knight, "we know the common ground that we like music and weed and we pay attention to girls," Knight said.

"I like relationships. I'm really good at it," B. Knight said. "No, you like the idea of them," Keys finished. "Nowadays, [girls] want the whole shebang," Knight added. They always have, and they deserve the shebang, but now he says these elaborate prom proposals on Instagram are becoming too much. Being let down in love "helped my writing," he said focusing on the interview.

Overall, B. Knight knows he must "accept you're on a journey." When "Unapologetic" drops this spring, he feels like "it's 'gonna be a good moment."

Update: 3/31/18

Tanglewood storytellers ante up for B. Knight's music video. 

What You Should Know About Foreverkool: Before The Dirt Vol. 1 /  by Alex Young

Foreverkool Records' "Before The Dirt Vol. 1" | Album art by Travis Carter

Foreverkool Records' "Before The Dirt Vol. 1" | Album art by Travis Carter

Foreverkool friends and music talents released their compilation mixtape called "Before The Dirt Vol. 1." Fk captain Choo Jackson said in an interview with swidlife publication, "It was fun finding a pocket in what I think 2018 should sound like and what my homies sound like now, too." Altogether, Foreverkool turned up here.

The digital bop lights the way in "Before The Dirt Vol. 1."

Aw yeah, aw yeah, aw yeah floss everywhere

Transform, 'wanna be a millionaire

[Phil800k in "Transform" with production by Staxx and a feature by Choo Jackson]

Along with the artists mentioned above, rappers SGE Bubba, SLIM, and Shaady feature on the project. Including Staxx, Christo, Jay Card, Quentin "Q" Cuff are also responsible for production on "BTD." Album art is courtesy of Travis Carter. Credit the Foreverkool mates for setting the tone and contributing to the mixtape. Local Pittsburgh photographer and tastemaker Meez of The Cultivators helped "choose the songs," Choo said on his Twitter account. Twitter has been the go-to place for cool tidbits on the project regarding who helped make the magic. Pittsburgh influence is heavy, and so are Choo's Florida roots. Talent carries "Before The Dirt Vol. 1."

Another tidbit:

"Slim always been the best rapper, he like a rare Pokémon or something you gotta catch him, sit him in the studio and he will drop crazy shit, then will be out haha." - Choo Jackson

Listen to "Before The Dirt Vol. 1" below and look out for Choo's next project called "Lynn," a dedication to his mother, on June 19, 2018.

Good Music Roundup /  by Alex Young

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New music hits the Pittsburgh music scene consistently. Keep up with some of the good music that's out in the 'Burgh now.

My Favorite Color - "GO!" 

Lyricist My Favorite Color shows his skill on his debut album, "GO!" At times, his raps are confident, strong, and freaky. "Young with no kids, but she talking like we got some," he raps in "Dollars." Yet, "GO!" is vulnerable in places too. In "Slanted" he says, "All these voices in my head should bother someone else." Then in the album's final song, he opens up saying, "Bitch left in eighth grade took my heart wit' her. Dad cheated on my mom, but she still wit' him." My Favorite Color's authenticity comes with his transparency, which listeners find they can relate to. Artists Benji and Pet Zebra support the project along with Cody Maimone, Dom Pomposelli, and Jeremy Rosinger of one800 music productions.

Choo Jackson - Drive Thru

ForeverKool's Choo Jackson is back with some bop. The rapper, who calls his style "grunge rap" on his SoundCloud page, drops off his latest single "Drive Thru" with the push of DJ Topgun's exclusive release and production by Clibbo.

LiveFromTheCity - Do You Love Me?

Musician LiveFromTheCity goes hopeless romantic in his new single, "Do You Love Me?" The song carries a cinematic and engaging musicality while Live ponders his relationship with his queen. "I just wanna give lil' mama all respect or nada," he says in the song.

Ahsé ft. Judah & Bossy - Starter | Ahsé - WHEN THEY TALK

Last we heard from rapper Ahsé he was moving to Los Angeles to chase his major label music dreams. So far, his time on the West coast has been valuable as it's "helped my music a lot with new experiences and new people. Honestly, a lot of opportunities out there, it all matters on who you know yah know," he said. We asked him about the great In-N-Out vs. Whataburger debate, and he said he prefers In-N-Out, but "I rather cook my own burgers." Check in with Ahsé by listening to his two newest songs, "Starter" and "WHEN THEY TALK," both of which dropped on the rapper's 20th birthday.

James Perry - SHE I

James Perry, a member of the Lokal Foreners rap crew, delivers his "SHE I" album. The project documents the "feelings of the encounters with other women," he said. Lokal Forener mate Hippy Swizzy adds production on the album. Perry also gets credit for self-producing his project. Listen to "DND" or "Blue Flame."

Kris Hollis - Invite Me Over

Taylor Gang's Kris Hollis returns with his smooth talk R&B in the form of a new extended play. With its sultry lyrics, "Invite Me Over" tempts the female listener and hits grooves to improve pillow talk. To start, hear the track "Lately."

$toney - $toney's World 1.5

One of the best music technicians in the 'Burgh is $toney. Give him credit for engineering trap-star Jimmy Wopo's songs and also give him credit for working with known hip-hop acts like Maxo Kream, Sonny Digital, and more so says his Twitter page. "$toney's World 1.5" is the follow-up to the 2017 "$toney World" the album. 1.5 jumps with fun, glitzy tones. The favorite track is "2On."

Pet Zebra - 5 Clips

Self-defense is everything no matter the arena and a Glock is Pet Zebra's tool of choice to keep himself safe. Listen to his chill single and understand his perspective on his second amendment right.

Nappy Nappa Joins The Bop Wave /  by Maxwell Young

NAPPYNAPPA's music has a spacial vibe to it.  Whether that be the reverb and synths paired with his trademark echo, making you feel like you're adrift in the galaxy, or his crashing 808s and "T'd up" rage taking you through reentry—his sonics are not of this earth. 

However, yesterday’s release was an exception, a return to orbit.  Drawn in by the Millennium generation's gravitational pull, his latest song, "\+YENE FRIKIN+/," joins the bop music wave.  Produced by BASEDCHINK, the two-minute track has hints of those 8-bit video game sounds that have proliferated hip hop music over the last two years.  What's more is that Nappa's voice is auto-tuned, rapping about Rick Owens, Nike checks, and his "OFF WHITE soul."  This is both surprising and welcomed to hear, as the Southeast, D.C. rapper often waxes poetic on more abstract and dense topics.  It shows he's listening to his surroundings at the very least--never conforming and equipped to hit the mainstream should it come calling.  Listen to the track above.

Forehead Kiss III Is For The Lovers /  by Maxwell Young

For all lovers of love and lovers of music.

Mix cover designed by The Kufi Smacker.

Mix cover designed by The Kufi Smacker.

Thomas, better known behind the ones and twos as "The Kufi Smacker," is likely to out aux chord you if you're about afro beats and grime music.

"I've been listening to grime since 2003," he said at Uptown Art House, running through b-sides from the pre-Skepta grime scene.  This is when the United Kingdom's garage genre by groups like The Streets still presided over radio waves.  "The first artist I heard was Kano or Dizzee Rascal."

Thomas is really just trying to dance.  FHKIII is representative of that fact, and it's just in time for you to catch the groove with your significant other on Valentine's Day.

"[Forehead Kiss] is the one kiss you give a girl that means she's the one.  You don't give them jawns out to anyone," he said about the inspiration behind his latest mix.

At 41 minutes, Thomas interlays a whole host of futuristic bounces to some familiar songs, new and old.  He covers the afro beat base with a remix of Juls' "Skin Tight," while later transitioning to a version of Masego's 2017 hit, "Navajo" that potentially sounds better than the original.  Around 22 minutes though, TKS hits this irresistible pocket remixing "Do For Love" into a perfect club joint.

Listen for yourself here, and if you're in D.C. don't miss him at 9:30 Club's Backbar on February 23.