Choo Jackson

Songs for a Mosh Pit at Creatives Drink 10 (Playlist) /  by Alex Young

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Pittsburgh could have a rage on its hands. The city’s hottest rappers have a chance to rock a notable venue with mosh pits and good energy from a packed audience. Music will motivate people to attend the show on July 25, 2019, thanks to Creatives Drink 10— a free-of-charge culture consumption fair.

Cody Baker and Chancelor Humphrey, the founders of Creatives Drink, repeatedly create environments conducive to positive interactions with cool people and businesses to consumers.

With music at the forefront this time, they partnered with music sharing database Songlink for a local artist showcase where Pittsburgh hip-hop has a place to celebrate. Other local aspects of C.D. 10 are compelling, like the event’s sponsorship by streetwear stalwart Shop412, or the funny hosts Drinking Partners. The potential energy already emanating from this event just off the musical star power highlights here though.

Flyer by Hounds

Flyer by Hounds

Rappers like Pk Delay, My Favorite Color and Slicky Williams should navigate their catalogs to present themselves and excite the crowd. Fans should hear Choo Jackson’s upcoming hit, “Chevy.” LiveFromTheCity has an opportunity to back up his statement as the best rapper in the ‘Burgh. Benji., Clara Kent and Mars Jackson should create a winning streak tying together sold-out hometown shows at acclaimed venues such as Stage AE for C.D. 10. The co-founder of Soulection Andre Power will headline a DJ set too.

Listen to this playlist to anticipate the event. The selection is charged with a party in mind where mosh pits open up and we all smash together in a ring of fun when the bass drops. Every C.D. 10 artist in the showcase features on the playlist, so let the party ensue.



Choo Jackson Focuses on His Legacy in "Anime 2" /  by Alex Young

Choo Jackson | Photo by Staxx

Choo Jackson | Photo by Staxx

Sequels should hit differently than the original edition.

Choo Jackson’s “Anime 2” is maturation, “understanding who I am right now and understanding who I will be in the future,” the rapper explained to ITR. “I was tired of making the swag rap, too easy,” Choo said in a HipHopDX exclusive describing the growth from his 2016 “Anime” project to the present offering.

Creating during a different life period, “A1” was a party to break Choo from a rut. Now, “A2” focuses on his legacy. “If it’s not meaningful, it’s not coming out of my mouth.”

Choo and his team, including producer Christo, along with the executive production group Nice Rec, Sean Shores and Omar Meez Lateef, paid close attention to delivering “real content” to the quality music. The producers “tell me if it’s fire. No yes men. These are my real friends too,” Choo said.

“Anime 2” cover art by Travis Carter

Lyric from “Gold Medal”: For a second, we shared the crib with a bunch of roaches. Now, I’m thinkin’ zucchini dishes with designer loafers. Oh Lord, could you let me run into me a Oprah?

In addition to the content, “Anime 2” is sonically versatile. “Too many styles I’m a group,” the rapper boasted on his Instagram story. Choo brings bars like an Outkast flow in “Gold Medal” he told Respect Magazine. Then, “The Letter B” sounds like a Pharrell beat or N.E.R.D with the influx of guitar. “I wanted to bring that sound from my childhood to my work,” Choo said.

Importantly, as a legacy artist on Mac Miller’s REMember Music record label, Choo honors the late rapper who he calls his “long lost brother.” The song “Loner” dedicates to Mac. At the 2:20 mark, it breaks down, and listeners can hear Choo grieve for his friend. Mac’s voice also features on “Gold Medal.”

“I could try and evolve as a artist all I want, but if I’m not evolving as a human being first, it’s gonna be a disconnect...”
— Mac Miller in "Gold Medal"

“Anime 2” is Choo Jackson being true to himself, making an authentic 13-track project. Listen to “Black Clover” with ForeverKool member Phil Wushu when you stream the music. It bangs.

Get Ready for "TRAPPNLYNNON" /  by Alex Young

After watching the AWGE DVD volumes by vaunted A$AP MOB rap crew, let’s hype more cool hip-hop.

"Count Up" recorded by Choo Jackson, Christo, Hardo and FTR Drama is every bit of stardom and the music scene as you would expect from the next heavy hitting rappers. You can see how the rappers' styles have changed while noticing they're trajectory remains on point. The Choo, Christo and Hardo camp has a nice cache of music. Remember all three on "Chance It" from Choo's "Anime" project. More so, Christo production gives Choo's music that bounce. The last five songs that Choo has released Christo has production credits on three of them. Just slight work as the native Pittsburgh DJ and producer jaunts around the world part of Dreamville rapper J.I.D.'s tour act and music production. Hardo is going on tour himself featured in the Dazed & Blazed Summer 2018 Tour from Wiz Khalifa. Choo Jackson got concert dates through LiveNation too, and he was just in New York City recording music with ClockworkDJ. Career rapper FTR Drama elevates this song thanks to big-time features with rappers like Chief Keef. Drama mixes well with this group as a Pittsburgh flavor drips through the song. Each rapper, native or not, used city resources to push their music. Stay tuned to new music by all the parties here, like the Choo Jackson and Hardo "TRAPPNLYNNON" EP.

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.