Stallion - Dual (EP)

Via Stallion's Instagram

Montreal, Québec rises today thanks to the efforts from its native rapper, Stallion. After building his fanbase through YouTube on songs like "Sun Out," the Canadian artist continues to grow and progress with the release of Dual, his debut extended play.

The project was written, recorded and produced by Cash Money Records Vice President AM, and partially recorded at Cash Money studios in Miami, Fla. Stallion is able to refine his sound thanks to the lauded label. "I'm from the streets so my music is always going to have a bit of an edge to it, but at the same time, AM and his team at AMAG Collective (a production and development team lead by AM) have really taught me about the importance of song structure, hooks and different elements of production," Stallion said. A highlight from his new work is "Money Talks."

Listen to Stallion's Dual EP below and be on the lookout for more of his music to release.

Dan Witz Paints Mosh Pits

Limbs flail, heads bob up and down, bodies squish together, chests hit chests, elbows and fists connect with faces, people stumble, people embrace, and people dance in mosh pits.

Chicago native and Brooklyn resident Dan Witz observes the chaos that occurs in a concert's mosh pits, and skillfully illustrates the experience in paintings. His particular artwork is astounding because of his self-proclaimed "academic realist" painting style.

Feel your jaw drop as you browse the images of Witz's paintings, and put yourself in the mood with ITR's "Lemme Mosh" playlist. 

Catch the painter's solo exhibition called "Mosh Pits, Raves and One Small Orgy" at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in New York from April 2 - 30, 2016.

Jonathan LeVine Gallery: 529 West 20th Street, Gallery II

Donald Trump is the Topic of a Song Once More

Duck Fonald Trump.

Donald Trump is a personality and an asshole of a person.  Tune your ears or fix your eyes to his past circuit of rallies and debates and you'll see an orange-toned man speaking and acting with little respect to the presidential seal.  Hopefully, you've heard his inflammatory remarks about building a wall to fend-off Mexican immigrants from our borders or how he would "bomb the shit" out of Iran to know that this man is not the representative we want on behalf of the American people as well as freedom and democracy.

If watching middle-aged white men have pissing contests on live national television really isn't your thing, YG and Nipsey Hussle have teamed up to weigh in on the leading Republican candidate for the presidential nominee.  Their new track begins with an audio snippet from the black students of Valdosta State University who were kicked out of a Trump rally last month.  "I think we got kicked out because we're a group of black people.  And I guess with what's going on in America, they're afraid we're gonna say something or do something.  When really we just wanted to watch the rally," as YG and Nipsey interject how we all feel, "Fuck Donald Trump!"

Tupac said he was just a reporter for the streets.  While his narrative generally revolved around the plight of African Americans, Pac reiterates what it means to use music as a vehicle for change and empowerment.  Some people do not follow presidential campaigns, and when it comes to voting for a candidate, they merely choose based on party alignment or traditional values.  "FDT" conveys the same rhetoric that has been recycled over and over again by news syndicates, yet it comes in a form that is relatable to an audience who would not necessarily flip on Fox News or MSNBC.  We need more rap music like this.  Using the West Coast bop YG and Nipsey Hussle have come to master over the years, the rappers opine on the dangers of electing Donald Trump President of the United States.  Check out the track below.

Listen to Two New Drake Songs

Via @champagnepapi

Mr. Contemporary, better known as Drake, rallies his efforts around his upcoming album, Views From The 6, which is set to release April 16. 

Until the album becomes available, fans can feast on two new songs from Drizzy, reported as "throw aways," or leaks, by The6Track.com. 

Drake partners with frequent collaborator Popcaan on "Controlla," a song that could stand in comparison to "Work" or any of the rapper's other dancehall tracks. The second of the two is "These Days," a cover of a song by Nico and written by Jackson Browne in the mid-1960s.

Be on the lookout for official releases from Drake and his OVO camp on the road to Views From The 6's April 16 launch.

Pittsburgh Influence Felt at SXSW

Photo by Brennan Peirson

SXSW Music festival wrapped as the sun went down on March 20, 2016, however, coverage continues on to shed light on the Pittsburgh, Pa. area artists who left their mark in Austin, Texas.

From March 15-20, the live music capital of the world hosted many well-known artists like Rae Sremmurd, Kehlani, Drake, Aluna George, Vince Staples, Anderson.Paak, and more at house parties, day parties, branded events, and concert venues. Crowds flocked to showcases such as 40oz Bounce mansion party, House of Vans, or The FADER FORT Presented by Converse, then enjoyed the festival's atmosphere walking the streets with the very artists who performed.

PK Delay via Jasano Brooks

Pittsburgh native photographer Jasano Brooks and Chambersburg, Pa. raised visual artist Brennan Peirson were on hand to document the eclectic experiences of South by Southwest. In their pictures, viewers see individuals whose musical and creative endeavors stem from the 412, as well as the flavors of the festival.

Truely AP, Drew, and KH of Mo'$crill Hotel, with Hardo via Jasano Brooks

Jasano said in an email to ITR, "I expected to see tumble weeds and such," on his first trip to Texas, but instead he saw his hometown comrades all at a national stage. Members from rap collective The Company Only Joel Kellem and PK Delay had performances at Pittsburgh based music blog Daily Loud's private showcase, and Team Epic's lake-house function headlined by Norman Dean. Local streetwear clothier and event promoters Daily Bread sponsored acts Choo Jackson, Hardo, DJ Afterthought, and Christo for a show as well.

SXSW via Brennan Peirson

Brennan attended House of Vans at Mohawk, a multi-purpose venue, and caught another performance by rapper Hardo and DJ-producer Christo there also. The photographer's artist pass, courtesy of Atlanta rappers J.I.D and EarthGang, gave him access to major events, backstage, free food, and power outlets to charge his phone.

Specifically, Jasano, or "sano2fly" on Instagram, attended SXSW to capture the artists of Mo'$crill Hotel, KH and Truely AP, two more Pittsburgh ambassadors.

"You don't go to SXSW to see the big acts, you go to see the up and coming," said Brennan over the phone. 

iLL Chris via Jasano Brooks

People attend SXSW to support the artists on the brink of success and popularity. The creative atmosphere breeds socializing and collaboration. "Anyone that wasn't really big, I got so many of their business cards, CDs, phone numbers, and texts asking for photos," said Brennan. He discovered a Minnesota hip-hop artist called rajítheone. Beyond the music listening and culture, SXSW proves to be valuable for its networking experience. Jasano linked with a fashionable artist from Seattle, Wash., iLL Chris, and took some photos for him.

DJ Afterthought via Jasano Brooks

Much of SXSW's foot traffic patrolled on Sixth Street, described by Jasano as a bigger and much livelier East Carson Street. With Sixth blocked off, entourages belonging to major talents flashed by and intermingled with the public. "I saw Rae Sremmurd walking down the street 20 deep at least. The more crew members artists had the more official they were," Jasano said. He noted rappers Lil Uzi Vert and Migos passing by too.

Additionally, Brennan bumped into star studded faces like DRAM, Rome Fortune, and Lil Uzi on the Austin streets and shared their portraits on both of his IG accounts, "ForgetBrennan," and his namesake.

"You just run into some crazy stuff you didn't plan on seeing," said Brennan. On his walk home one night, he came across a Downtown Boys punk rock show held on a bridge.

Now, all the artists who attended and participated in SXSW hope to build on the connections they made and create new experiences to reach their desired successes.