HSTRY Lesson is an interview series where we learn the background of an artist’s story: the journey and where it’s heading. It’s presented by HSTRY and Mass Appeal. Our inaugural episode features Dave East of Mass Appeal Records.
Part one of the Marvel’s Luke Cage Street Level Hero social video series explores the music that moves the show. These digital videos look to blend fiction with history by taking audiences behind the curtain on the themes that give the show it’s street-level authenticity and cultural relevance. Executive producer Cheo Hodari Coker, Mike Colter, Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, A$AP Ferg and Method Man lend their commentary on how each episode is shaped by its score and musical influence.
Newcomer Ezzy did his thing on the acting side in the movie “The Land” (executive produced by Nas). But now he’s here to show off his skills as an emcee on the song “Goodbye” off of the film’s official soundtrack.
“Goodbye is a love letter to the neighborhood and the struggle. It has the classic hip hop vibe with fresh lyrics. Ezzy wrote the perfect song for the film, we wanted that feel-good energy that lifts people’s spirits. So to be able to direct the video and collaborate with Ezzy and Rafi, who produced the track in a closet of a hotel, was special. As we share it with the world it becomes an open love letter.” — Director Steven Caple Jr.
Bodega Bamz connects with Emilio Sparks and John Sparkz (The Sparks Foundation) for the WWE influenced “The Bad Guy” produced by Audible Doctor. With a nod and wink to Razor Ramon’s theme song, Bamz goes nuts. Shout out to Wrasslerap.
With their first studio album since 2004’s The Grind Date released in the form of And the Anonymous Nobody, a 30-minute documentary chronicling the journey to the release of De La Soul’s 9th album has hit the internets. This is a must watch for any De La fan.
Styles P drops the video for “Weight Up” featuring Whispers off of last year’s A Wise Guy And A Wise Guy project. The video explains why you just can’t trust a big butt and a smile.
Papoose drops this video that features his wife Remy Ma as he praises the concept of “Black Love” with a little Ronnie Foster sample that gives you a little Electric Relaxation.
N.O.R.E. drops a set of dual videos for “Moguls” and “Petty” to keep the streets fed.
Action Bronson and Big Body Bes get really, really, really high and freestyle with Melissa Etheridge while watching Ancient Aliens on their Vice show.
Philly Freezer drops off the video for “Primates” with the following message…
When Freeway proclaims “The beast has awoken!” at the outset of his new “Primates” video, you know that it’s about to get live in these visuals. And sure enough, the Philly Freezer takes viewers on a rowdy tour of Amsterdam, and that includes a wild live show and plenty of mobbing in the streets and subways.
Capturing it all is director Ed Jansen (Ruste Juxx, Rockness Monsta), who follows the rapper and his crew to visually represent their trip overseas. As mentioned, this included a clearly bonkers performance for an equally energetic audience along with some time in the studio with Big Ape. And it’s really the best representation of “Primates,” because the track itself is overflowing with vigor, from Freeway’s bravado-centric bars to Big Ape’s brassy instrumental.