New Music: Factor - Time Invested II

 

20 years ago, the GOAT producer Factor Chandelier, comin' straight outta Saskatoon, dropped his first official solo album, "Time Invested." Now, 20 years later, we finally get the sequel!

"Time Invested II" not only celebrates Factor's longevity in the game, as well as his birthday (the date on which the original and sequel dropped,) but also very successfully re-taps into the atmospheric folky prairie-hop that ran through the original (which a healthy dose of synths to update things.) 

On vocals, Factor calls upon some MCs who appeared on the original - Kirby Dominant, Sunspot Jonz, Kay The Aquanaut, Eligh, and Moka Only - as well as voices that have come to become Factor staples - Awol One, Ceschi, Def3, Myka 9. 

Everything about "Time Invested II" flows together so smoothly and both takes you back to the good ol days of 2000s underground rap while also continually proving how forward-thinking Factor is as an artist. Pay what you want for it below!

Time Invested II

Dumbfoundead - Dumburger With No Cheese EP (2008)

 

Today's post is an overlooked West Coast underground classic, Dumbfoundead's "Dumburger With No Cheese" EP from 2008!

The last true school of the Project Blowed is one of my favorite movements/time periods in Hip Hop - everyone was really pushing every aspect of rap music, and Dumbfoundead was really at the forefront of things. Before he became a K-Pop superstar, the man was making weirdo nerdy quirky comedic rap tunes and "Dumburger With No Cheese" is his best collection of tracks from that era imo. The song concepts, the multis, the beat selection, the content - everything is really grade-A here. DJ Zo handles the scratches which are really well done. Production is mainly in-house from the likes of Tokimonsta, Maestroe, and Hines Buchanan. And features include Surilla, Lyricks (from Year of the Ox,) and Thirsty Fish (Open Mike Eagle and Psychosiz.) 

Funny story, last covid summer I won a 5 CD pack from Dumb during one of his livestreams by giving the name of this project. Came in handy! 

This is the original free download from his site back in the day. Enjoy!

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New Music: Video Dave - Week 1560

Fans likely know Video Dave most for being Open Mike Eagle's current right hand man, but hopefully that'll change a bit after Video Dave's latest album, "Week 1560," sinks in.

"Week 1560" is the first album to drop on Mike Eagle's Auto Reverse Records. The album does contain the now infamous number of 7 tracks, but this is far from a bite sized release. Each track is named after a day of the week, and follows the life and times of Video Dave on that particular day. Like Mike Eagle, Video Dave has a gift for reaching larger themes and topics via a look at the mundane daily moments. Dave does have a more ethereal approach in general to making music, however, when compared to Mike, which sets him apart. The production on this also has a very summer vibe to it, which makes it ideal for the times (even if we're stuck inside with masks on.)

Stream "Week 1560" HERE and cop it digitally (only digital for now I believe) via all the major platforms!

Open Mike Eagle - The Finger Booger EP (2003)

While he certainly has yet to reach his peak fame-wise, Open Mike Eagle is already a Top 10 Rapper of All Time in my opinion. The man has a large catalog full of styles, content, and quality, and shows no signs of slowing down. Today's post is the project that introduced Open Mike Eagle to the world (or maybe just a few random people in L.A.) - "The Finger Booger EP." 

"The Finger Booger EP" is a collection of 7 tracks + 2 bonus tracks that Mike burned on cdr (less than 100 copies) back in the day to hand out to various people around Los Angeles. The EP is notable for being a major influence on milo's decision to pursue rap.

When you consider some Project Blowedian cdrs, this one has pretty good sound quality. Technically, Mike shows a lot of early promise with his cadences, multis, and flows. You can, however, definitely tell via his voice that this is a younger Mike Eagle. The biggest thing to note is the content. The EP has a lot of straightforward braggadocio and battle raps - unsurprising considering that the Swim Team was essentially a battle crew back then. While Mike is known today for more social and political commentary, I think he still sounds good on here just talking about how dope he is! There is an awkward slut-shaming track, "Bust Down," that doesn't come across too well and is one that I'm guessing Mike wishes he could erase (the song does attack male sluts as well as female sluts...but that doesn't really help things.) The production on here isn't anything special (save for the "Dear Wack" beat) but that doesn't stop Mike from shining on the lyrical side of things. 

I'm not fully sure when exactly this dropped. I've seen 2003 and 2005. It's possible that there were several versions of the project released during this time period. Anyhow, if you haven't already, peep the EP. The files were uploaded by Mike Eagle himself a while back (the original link is now dead.) Also be sure to check out Mike Eagle's new tv show with Baron Vaughn, "The New Negroes," on Comedy Central every Friday at 11:00 PM. [And as a bonus, peep my Open Mike Eagle CD + Cassette collection after the DL!]

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