Mars Jackson - Jack$ino 2

"When Mars speaks niggas listen."

The lyrics end a song called "Jack$ino," released by Mars Jackson last year, in which the Pittsburgh artist motivates with confident bars. He declares himself "the new prince of the city," a title that foreshadowed the rappers' current ascension.

Mars' puts in hard work for "family reasons," and it is paying off, as he capitalizes off a Misra Records deal, shows relatable qualities in his latest project, "I'm Just Being Nice," and, at the moment, relishes in a Pittsburgh only tour.

Continuing to progress, Mars makes headlines for a new effort, "Jack$ino 2." The rapper upgrades his crown in light of his recent success, and says in the song, "I remain humble on some king shit." Flaunting nothing other than his musical prowess, Mars is having fun, along with being nice.

His friendly qualities attract listeners and concert goers alike. Enjoy "Jack$ino 2" below and see Mars Jackson June 4 at Spirit Lodge for Layer Cake Festival, a music festival with 170 plus bands, and June 5 at Club Cafe, as he opens for JMSN, who tours nationally for his new R&B album, "It Is." Check more of Mars Jackson's tour dates here.

Spirit Lodge

242 51st Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

Club Cafe

56 S 12th Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Hear the 'Trillful' Sounds of SNE

SNE

The geographic focal point of hip-hop is ever changing thanks to fast moving internet culture and diversification of sound and taste. Areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, and now, London are in the spotlight.

Labeled as Hackney's "Golden Child," northeast London's SNE fully embraces his self-coined 'Trillful' genre of music. Blending rap, trap, and R&B soul, SNE gives listeners a real sonic dose of the London streets.

Formerly a member of Grime collective S.O.S (Sound Of The Streets), SNE, an acronym for Sound Never Ends, continues his four-year solo career releasing a string of terrific tracks. The artist's latest song, "Sorry For The Wait," displays vocal variety and rap finesse.

SNE looks to rise in the world's hip-hop ranks, and past released songs like lively "Goku," with Nadia Rose, and "Rico Rodrigo" certainly help.

Follow SNE on Soundcloud for a hot 2016 campaign filled with new music.

Kanye West 1997 Beat Tape

Today we are blessed with unreleased music from Kanye West.  No, this isn't the new album he teased was coming this summer, but rather a nineteen-year old tape of the beat variety--one of Kanye's first ever.  Posted by Trilly Madison on SoundCloud, the eight tracks are said to be made circa September 1997.  This is Kanye before the contemporary influencers, like Jay Z, Roc-A-Fella, Common, etc. helped catapult West into bonafide rockstar territory.  This sounds like a Kayne West rooted in the 90's Chicago rap scene perfecting and experimenting with the classic boom-bap sound.  Stream the early 'Ye sounds below and catch a few bars. 

Ain't Easy Being "Lit"

Shawn K and JKJ

Personal mood, while influenced by one's life experiences and interactions, is largely controlled by the self. Emotion is mental and particular styles in which to react to situations.

There is often somebody who always seems to be the highest of highs or the lowest of lows. They are always having fun, happy, and laughing, or frowning, complaining, and dejected. Either way, a person's mood is a mindset, a choice, and a lifestyle.

At a release party for Pittsburgh, Pa. rapper Palermo Stone's new Hendawg Millionaire mixtape, I watched the night's celebratory performers consciously go from casual supporters to bouncy, uplifting, and entertaining, also known as "lit."

The atmosphere in Boom Concepts, the creative incubation hub that hosted Stone's event, was vitalized by the flow of Hennessy, and a jamboree when acts were on stage.

An out-of-towner named Shawn K, an artist from Cleveland, Ohio, was brave enough to show his face in the Steel City wearing a Cleveland Indians jersey. Ignoring his loyalty, the crowd at Boom paid attention to Shawn K as his raspy voice moaned, "Heeeey, I'm a dead man movin'," atop the stage. When the crowd was not as active as he wanted, the rapper called his squad to the front to turn up with him, and they instantly jumped up and down together. Taylor Gang DJ, Motor Mane took notice and later invited Shawn K to ID Labs, the studio where Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller crafted many hit records.

Deem Trill, DJ Spillz, Joel Kellem, PK Delay, Slicky Williams, Flack412

Shawn K's approach was infectious, and unmatched only until native Pittsburgh collective The Company Only performed. The group of six, led by Chill God and dad, officially Joel Kellem and PK Delay, put on a set that featured all of its members. Dressed in pastel colors, reflective public works stripes, and gold jewels plus gold grills, the aforementioned, Deem Trill, Fat Corey, Seas, and Slicky Williams, at one point, rapped the lyrics a cappella to Kellem's "Language" song when a DJ's computer malfunctioned. People rallied around them saying, "Fuck it up, fuck it up, fuck it up." I found myself most engaged when Williams performed "My Wrist" for the first time ever. His energy suggested everybody knew the words, and despite the opposite, people felt the authentic vibes.

Seas

Before I left the party, Thomas Agnew, an owner of Boom Concepts and founder of Jenesis Magazine, a youth lifestyle publication, gifted me a T-shirt that dramatically reads, "Party or Die." 

To that end, how do you choose to live your life?

About Last Night: Hip-Hop at Mr. Smalls

Choo Jackson

Energy was good inside a concert theatre, formerly an 18th century Catholic church, known to people in Pittsburgh, Pa. and the national music community as Mr. Smalls Funhouse.

Local artistry, as well as legend, on display at the venue moved Pittsburgh community members to support and attend a May 13 rap show.

The atmosphere became particularly festive when Taylor Gang's own, DJ Motor Mane, one of the hosts of the concert along with DJ Afterthought, played a knocking song by Carnage, "WDYW," featuring studs A$AP Ferg, Lil Uzi Vert, and Rich The Kid. Attendees started to dance in the middle section of the crowd and wallflowers and standstills throughout began to loosen up.

Soon after, Jimmy Wopo, a rapper native to the 'burgh streets, hit the stage energetically. Notably, he rattled off a catchy chant, "woponese, woponese, woponese," he said in his last song before leaving the stage.

Via rbfaresh Snapchat

A surprise party came from Chevy Woods, another Taylor Gang member. He stepped on stage, stunna shades in tact, and slid over top a beat, "I just made a play on ya bitch she in love with my watch, yeah, yeah, ooh."  The lyrics open Chevy's newest song, "Forever," which was released and performed Friday the 13th to celebrate the rapper's birthday.

Fans met thorough enthusiasm when local rock star, Foreverkool Records honcho, and signee to Mac Miller's Remember® music label, Choo Jackson began his set. Gold Miller High Life can in his right hand and microphone in his left hand, Choo split one of his jean pant legs down the seam, and his inner thigh showed on stage. Playing through his catalogue, he encouraged the crowd, "before this next song drops, I need everybody to say 'Hell Fucking Yeah, Nigga!'" Many complied and amidst the yelling, the rapper's new anthem, "Back From Texas," a song about getting head while driving and other important things, rained down. In between songs, Choo engaged with the crowd, "I just want to say happy birthday to RB (owner of Pittsburgh lifestyle clothier farESH Brand)." An audience member chimed in, "put titties in RB's face!" "Titties in RB's face," Choo shouted to everyone.

However, despite the merry-making, female attendees started roaring for the next performer in the lineup, "Hardo, Hardo, Hardo, Hardo," they screamed as Choo finished his last two songs. The girls essentially encored the biggest trap star in Pittsburgh onto the stage, and their hearts skipped a beat when he entered. Hardo and his DJ, Christo, also known as Bounceman, had heads nodding as the rapper narrated his Wilkinsburg, Pa. neighborhood experiences to his hometown comrades.

Hardo's new school, gangster sound appropriately warmed the crowd for the night's headliner, Cam'ron, leader of Dipset, proud representative of Harlem, N.Y., and Rico from the movie Paid In Full. The hip-hop legend performed popular jams like "Down and Out," "Hey Ma," and "Oh Boy." Killa Cam thanked the Pittsburgh crowd on numerous occasions for their era long support. He even let an excited, burly man "rock out" with him on stage.

From the fanfare, to the festivities, it was a pleasure to see youth and old heads intermingle and show appreciation for various styles and genuine forms of hip-hop. It is nice to experience and know the purest forms of popular culture can thrive in Pittsburgh.