"IAR" Interview: Ryshon Jones

There is an evident absence of profound storytellers in hip-hop.  In an industry that can be over-saturated with party anthems, repetition, and style over substance, Ryshon Jones is masterfully reviving an outdated concept that originated this art form.  It's simple, HE IS TELLING STORIES.  The Philly native's approach isn't solely to make music that appeals to the masses, it's to conceptualize a project that consists of depth and substance, and do so in a way that listeners can itemize.  His music is deep, thought-provoking, intuitive, and astute.  Ryshon is an artist who is unwaveringly constructing the formula for combing raw hip-hop and modern day folklore tradition.  His on record swag and ego are reminiscent of a street savvy dude who's life experiences have hardened his exterior, revitalized his mind, and enabled the ability to express his pain, and it flourishes through his music.  His experiences and stories are anything but a facade and allow people the attenuate occasion of bearing witness to a unique, veritable,  hip-hop artist.  It's A Rap had the opportunity of interviewing the Philly spitter and the truth is, the majority of his tale is still yet to be told. 


IAR: When did you get your start in hip hop?
RJ: "I was about 8 years old, my cousin had stole a beat tape from a car.  I found a tape recorder and we just started freestyling one day.  I did it daily, then on to a karaoke machine, then on to laptops, then in studios.  When I first started I didn't know sh*t and I'm still learning, but I didn't know sh*t back at that age.  Of course who expected me to know about "the game" then, but I'm glad I met the people I met."


IAR: Being from Philly, how does that influence your music?
RJ: "It doesn't...except for my hate towards the crime."


IAR: What was the concept behind Happily UnHappy?
RJ: "It's a follow up tape to my "Friday" EP which connects with my "She's Leaving For College" mixtape.  Basically, I'm trying to get over my college girlfriend, finding new girls and the sh*t just never works out! It's like I can't find happiness."


IAR: Artists you want to work with?
RJ: "Coldplay, Kendrick Lamar, and Kanye."


IAR: Producers you want to work with?
RJ: "Kanye and No I.D."


IAR: Describe your sound.
RJ: "My sound.  I've heard a lot of things.  If I had to say, my sound is life in reverse."


IAR: Future plans/projects?
RJ: "Po Diss Head" mixtape, "Happily UnHappy 2," "Highaches" mixtape, and more sh*t to make you  say, "wat zeeee fuck."


Follow on Twitter @RyshonJones

The SwAze Playlist V

It's Friday.  The SwAze Playlist V.  The top 10 songs that are in "It's A Rap" rotation.  Giving you another opportunity to keep it #SwAze Like us.  No particular order, just equally dope...Certified. 

1. Cities Aviv-"Jaguar"

2. Fabolous-"Black City"

3. Trademark Da Skydiver-"Brain"

4. Iggy Azalea ft. Joe Moses-"Hello"

5. Lil B-"Neva Switch"

6. FKi-"Drippin"

7. Kid Ink ft. Tyga & 2 Chainz-"Stop"

8. Tyler, the Creator-"Seven"

9. The Weeknd-"The Party & The After Party"

10. Los-"U Be Killin Em" (Freestyle)

Amsterdam & Goodwill- Earth and Sky

Often times with full length hip-hop albums the content hits a artistic plateau that is insurmountable.  The melodies get repetitive, lyrics lack intrigue, and the project leaves the listener with a sense of disappointment.  That is not the case with "Earth and Sky."  Oregon natives Amsterdam and Goodwill are the perfect MC/Producer combination.  The overall feel of the album is a throwback and homage to raw 90's hip-hop, with lyrical content and production that is forging a new generation.  The beats are simplistic, and not in a pejorative sense, but in a way that the melodic baselines and crafty instrumentals set a dynamic and uplifting feel to the album.  One of the album's  greatest achievements is its relate-ability.  It speaks to everyone.  Tracks like, "Coaster," "Footnote," and "The Beat Goes On" are introspective looks into everyday woes and life's retrospective.  "Dirty Backseat" and "Susie's Dilemma" are edgy "love" songs that touch on the questionable decision making of some modern day females.  The features on the album are strategically implemented to add variety, but not overpowering to the tandems methodical and solid formula.  "Living It Up" and "Style" feature Middle, (Amsterdam's lyrical cohort in their group Top Shelf) which gives the feel good songs depth and the opportunity to authenticate how well the two feed off of each other.  What's so impressive is the fact that "Earth and Sky" doesn't lack in any areas.  It's a complete album not only for true hip-hop heads, but casual listeners alike.  While Amsterdam and Goodwill may not be on the mainstream radar just yet, "Earth and Sky" exhibits their collective talent and potential, and establishes the reality that they both are individual entities that the rap game should get used to, because they're here to stay.


Download "Earth & Sky" at goodwill.bandcamp.com
Follow on Twitter @amsterdamallday
Follow on Twitter @Goodwill85                 

"IAR" Interview: MondreM.A.N. of Main Attrakionz

When referencing  hip-hop, The Bay Area represents a growing and continuously evolving culture.  It is constantly producing new acts and talents that sometimes, no matter what the potential, manage to fly under the radar.  MondreM.A.N. is one of those talents.  As half of Main Attrakionz, (Mondre and Squadda B) Mondre exudes an effortless approach to his writing.  While many of his lyrics consist of weed influences, labeling him a "weed rapper" would be a slight to his craft and an injustice to hip-hop.  His musical narrative not only embodies pithy word play, but he reserves the innate grandeur of assiduously captivating listeners.  He is truly a modern day poet.  He is an artist who one minute can keep you transfixed and nodding your head with veracity, contrarily, the next minute, have you focusing on every word, listening in a state of tranquillity.  He is an artist of many faces.  However, the Oakland rapper doesn't solely rely on his lyrical endowment, he also has the work ethic and project resume' to match.  With a slew of works, solo and as a duo, MondreM.A.N. is putting in the requisite work it takes to cement his name in hip-hop.  It's A Rap had the opportunity to find out more about this "Cloud Rap" affiliate and came to this conclusion.  As new artists emerge and competiton grows stronger, Mondre is not only staking his claim, but demonstrating why he and Main Attrakionz just might be hip-hop's next main attraction.


IAR: How did you and Squadda B link up to work as a duo?
MM: "We met in 7th grade and we started makin' music afta' I got the idea to put a group together.  We were fu*kin' with two of our other partnas' too, so it started as a group of four."


IAR: Describe your sound.
MM: "Relatable, Reality, Cloudbody."


IAR: Being from the Bay, how does that influence your sound?
MM: "Cuz' it stay rainin' game in Northern California."


IAR: How has staying independant been beneficial to your career, as opposed to being signed to a major?
MM: "Well I've never experienced bein' on a major yet, but movin' as an Indie artist gave me space and time to grow, and made me realize you gotta' grind like you're the CEO and the artist."


IAR: Artists you want to work with?
MM: "Hmmm..if I had a session today and had to call one feature, I'd probably hit up Sizzla."


IAR: Producers you want to work with?
MM: "I want some Mannie Fresh beats, especially some in his 90's stash."


IAR: Best project you've done so far?
MM: "Mane' I fell in love wit' that Chandelier Redux joint!" (Laughs)


IAR: What influenced the concept for "808's and Dark Grapes 1 & 2?
MM: "The concept kinda' died.  It was supposed to be somewhat the same formula as Kanye's, but we took a loss with our Pro Tools at the time!(Laughs)  So the first "808" were tracks put together, but that b*tch still came out raw!  A lot of people caught on to that.  "808's and Dark Grapes 2" was just like our first project, but recorded in a good studio."


IAR: Define "Cloud Rap."
MM: "History is still bein' defined as ya'll ride through this journey with us, but right now it's like elevated music, that 10 toes and a mood hoppin' in Delta Airlines, with the same music you recorded in a closet, probably high as f*ck that day, comin' out to a bag of chips and soda for dinner.  Those nights when you look in the sky full of stars, but you see that one shinin' hard, ya feel me?  CLOUD."


IAR: Future plans/projects for your solo career and Main Attrakionz?
MM: "Bossalinis and Fooliyones" next from Main Attrakionz.  More solos from both of us too.  Shout out and look out for my GreenOva family too!  Shady Blaze killllin' em!  Get ready for Dope G and LoLo too."


Follow on Twitter @MondreMAN                          

The SwAze Playlist IV

It's time for the SwAze Playlist IV!  "It's A Rap" is giving you another opportunity to listen to what we're rockin' and to keep it #SwAze like us.  Forget swag, get #SwAze, and keep this playlist with you through the weekend.  No particular order, just equally dope...Certified.

1. Ryshon Jones-"Desire(e)"

2. Amsterdam & Goodwill ft. Middle-"Style"

3. 2 Chainz ft. Meek Mill-"Stunt"

4. Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire-"The Departed"

5. Joe Moses-"Let Me Go"

6. Pries-"Little White Lie"

7. Main Attrakionz-"Chapter 3"

8. Plies-"Fu*kin You"

9. Young Jeezy ft. Jay-Z, Drake, Andre 3000-"I Do (Remix)"

10. Mac Miller-"She Said"

Underground Spotlight: Middle

Name: Middle a.k.a. Bank Sinatra
Age: 26
Hometown: Salem, OR
Affiliation: Top Shelf (Middle & Amsterdam)
Released Projects:
"Hot in Pursuit"
"Beginning of Tradition"
"Healthy Portions" (The Garden)
"Love Rap" (Top Shelf)
Upcoming Projects:
Top Shelf Mixtape-TBA
Top Shelf Album-TBA
Solo Album-March 2012




Hip-Hop is about paying your dues.  Adhering to a strict and rigorous work ethic, constantly refining your craft, and believing that the art you are creating can sustain legitimacy in this business.  Middle is an artist who fully understands the grind.  The 26 year old Salem MC has been following the aforementioned paradigm for years, and his talent is finally gaining the recognition it rightfully deserves.  He is an artist that relies heavily on his lyrical talent, which stands to good reason.  He's got bars.  Plenty of them.  There are no gimmicks involved in his music, just raw lyricism, which is a delicacy that the rap game often misses.  Even with catchy hooks, the Top Shelf member demonstrates that good hip-hop is built on the foundation of lyrical aptitude.  Middle is a workaholic.  With four projects released, and three on the way, he is able to properly manage a blossoming solo career as well as his tandem with fellow rapper Amsterdam.  He's a true grinder, a true MC, and a true artist.  The Northwest isn't best known for hip-hop, but artists like Middle are altering that limited market perception by letting his music and dedication speak for itself.  Middle a.k.a. Bank Sinatra's word- play and uninhibited loyalty to hip-hop are the truth, in an often falsified genre.  His music, ability, and potential are finally gaining a full head of steam that is long overdue, and for Middle, there is no sign of slowing down.


Follow on Twitter @BankSinatra           

Ryshon Jones- Happily UnHappy

Consistency is seemingly difficult to find in hip-hop.  Maintaining a theme throughout a mixtape's entirety and keeping it congruent is an atypical formula to success.  People want diversity.  Club bangers, love tracks, lyrical songs, etc.  Well Ryshon Jones is the antithesis to this theory.  His newest mixtape, "Happily UnHappy" is hip-hop's newest contradiction, demonstrating that one concept may actually be a more prudent approach.  The Philly native spills emotions of love lost and found, failed relationships, and the reality that love is often deceitful.  With many samples from OVOXO R&B croner The Weeknd, the music and hooks are ominous, setting the desired dark tone for the tape.  "Love=Revenge/Unspoken," "Wet," and "Three 10 AM" show Ryshon's vulnerability as an artist, but are also testaments to his lyrical ability.  "Da Losing You" is genius.  Ryshon raps from a fictitious woman's perspective, exploiting her insecurities and shortcomings. The track is a misguided, troubled woman's plea for acceptance in a lifestyle that is often anything but accepting.  While "Happily UnHappy" has a consistent and ever present theme, Ryshon's impressive lyricism allows for each track to stand independent from the next, giving the diversity that most hip-hop listeners desire.  "Happily UnHappy" is a true journey.  A dark and twisted battle through agony and despair, where Philadelphia's newest MC emerges victorious.  With raw lyrical talent and a keene sense of storytelling, there stands no reason for Ryshon Jones to be "UnHappy."                           

The SwAze Playlist III

Friday. The SwAze Playlist III.  Here are the top 10 songs in rotation at "It's A Rap."  Another opportunity to rock to what we do and keep it #SwAze like us.  No particular order, just equally dope...Certified.

1. Pill-"All On Me"

2. LMC ($wagatha Chri$tie)-"Blackout City"

3. FKi-"Weed And Arizonas"

4. Wiz Khalifa-"Say Yeah"

5. Nacho Picasso-"I'm a Greek God"

6. Danny Brown-"DNA"

7. J Cole-"Blow Up"

8. Wale-"Varsity Blue"

9. Sir Michael Rocks-"Neiman Marcus"

10. Rich Hil-"Dealer Man"