DMV Music Update

OG Lullabies, Chris Allen, The Khan, Dreamcast, Nappy Nappa & Pat Cain, and Winzday Love

New Def Jam Records signee, Beau Young Prince photographed by @iamjakewashere.

The last several weeks have been loaded with major releases and announcements within the DMV music community.  Odd Mojo's remix collaboration with MILK$ featured on the Sounds of D.C. vol. II playlist and the surprise drop of Tony Kill and Sir E.U's joint project African American Psycho feel like timely additions to the sonic landscapes.  Moreover, budding stars Rico Nasty and Beau Young Prince celebrated record label signings with Atlantic and Def Jam, respectively.  Let's recap some of the other music that's been released by DMV artists recently.

OG Lullabies - Raw Channels Vol. I

A virtuoso--adept in violin, guitar, piano, and other instruments I am no doubt missing--OG Lullabies has given listeners a streamlined version of her sound with a short EP, Raw Channels Vol. I.  It's a soothing contrast from her cosmic sounding project Cruescontrol, which she debuted earlier this year.  Focusing on her unique vocals and acoustics, the entire EP runs under six minutes.  Be sure to give her rendition of "Dream a Little Dream of Me" a listen, available on all streaming platforms.

Chris Allen - "60 Seconds"

Maybe you've heard songwriter Chris Allen perform his Ashes EP in Pittsburgh, but his roots are in Washington, D.C.  His latest track, "60 Seconds" leverages a Jay Rock sample as his theme of spirituality delivers an uplifting message, "You will not fall to the wayside."  InTheRough will have more from Allen soon.

The Khan - Free Jesse: The Mixtape

Still embarked on the Resurrection Tour with Sick Boy Rari (AKA Black Kray) and Wifigawd, The Khan has released his follow up mixtape to Khanner.  Both tour mates are on the project converting their hectic shows into a pocket-sized rage mosh-able anywhere. Should you need proof, check out Khan's wild night at Uptown Art House.

Dreamcast - "Throat"

Dreamcast teased the visuals to his latest song, "Throat" way back in January.  Shot in a cabin deep in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Dreamcast is seen bedridden, emotionally paralyzed following the collapse of a relationship.  Read more about the Kevin Chamber directed video in the soulful singer's second media hit by The Fader.  Stay tuned for Dreamcast's long awaited EP, which is set to be completed by end of summer.

Nappy Nappa & Pat Cain - Model Home

Pat Cain at Uptown Art House photographed by Maxwell Young.

Nappy Nappa follows up his latest individual project, +HEARTMATH+ REQUIEM UV UNIVERSAL REQUEST--a 35-minute mix on SoundCloud that nods to the modern wave of hip hop--with experimental textures in Model Home.  The eleven-track tape is a joint effort with experimentalist/audio engineer/saxophonist/tinkerer, Pat Cain. This pairing becomes even deadlier and less predictable when they become Delta 7, a quartet including Sir E.U and Tony Kill. A project looms at large according to fellow member of Lads, Auto Dickerson.

Winzday Love - "DRAGONS"

Winzday Love is full of cosmic energy, and according to her latest single, "DRAGONS" she's walked this earth before.  Love sings, "Yes, yes. We are 1000 years old," as she dances in front of meditating band members Kwesi Lee, Alireza, and Airospvce.  We'll wait and see if a full project is on the horizon since this is her first official video/single release.

Art House Rage Featuring The Khan, Wifigawd, Nappy Nappa, and More

Last Saturday, the D.C. hip hop community converged at Uptown Art House for the 21st birthday celebration of The Khan, a free-flowing, curly-haired flexer of the new age rap scene.  Alignment with Virginia Beach native, Lil' Tracy (listen to their collaborative effort, "Vices" on Sounds of D.C. vol. II) and a fast friendship with the late Lil' Peep has increased Khan's exposure over the last year.  He was joined by fellow DMV natives exploring modern trap drums, ad-libs, and vocal modifications including Wifigawd, SickBoyRari, Trip Dixon, and Nappy Nappa.

Part studio, part skatepark, part scene--the Art House turned into a full-blown concert hall with the youth showing up in droves.  While many were in attendance to see Lil' Tracy--a couple fans even traveled from Philadelphia--it was heartening to see the rage-ful embrace of local music.  Every set was complete with shoving and shouting, demonstrating the true following these artists have on SoundCloud.  The moshing was so heavy during Wifigawd's performance that the scuffle unplugged the audio circuitry causing abrupt "oohs" and "aaws" from the crowd.

There's no denying that the current sound dominating hip hop encourages a certain aesthetic.  A$AP Mob and the AWGE clique are an appropriate microcosm of this lifestyle wearing cross-body fanny packs with carefully packed Backwoods, untied Vans and washed, vintage rock-n-roll t-shirts that amplify this grungy streetwear-chic aspect of rap.  Khan himself drenched his Heron Preston long sleeve in sweat.  Those who weren't in the mosh pits emanated this cool demeanor as they stood on top of the half-pipe amongst their crew wearing personalized graphic hoodies or dangling their legs over the bright yellow scaffold throwing up squad affiliations.  And perhaps the Art House completes this hedonistic vibe.  Much like when Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan and Andy's Superstar personalities like Edie Sedgwick and Ultra Violet popped into the Warhol Factory to be photographed or simply experience the commotion surrounding the famed space, the youth of today want to be seen, want to be in-the-know, and want to be free to experiment.

Enjoy the video above.  Don't want to miss the next rage.