GoldLink | The Music Ninja

[Future] GoldLink – Ay Ay (Gravez VIP) (feat. Drewsthatdude & Scolla)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - January 6, 2015

Goldlink
Ay Ay (Gravez VIP) (ft. Drewsthatdude & Scolla)

Atlanta-based producer Gravez has positioned himself nicely for 2015 closing out last year with an onslaught of strong releases, both originals and remixes. His take on Drake‘s “6 God” was featured by multiple editors in our recent best of 2014 list, but it’s only one of many future hip-hop productions that has gained him a rapidly growing following on SoundCloud. For his last remix of 2014, Gravez unleashed a complete re-imagination of “Ay Ay,” the standout track from Ninja-favorite emcee GoldLink. With some production assistance from Drewsthatdude and vocal work by Scolla, the VIP keeps Link’s vocals in tact while transforming the booty-bouncing original into a soulful number with a distinct southern, future bounce.

With artists like Rome Fortune, Young Thug and iLoveMakonnen pushing the envelope as emcees in Atlanta, Gravez seems to be carving his own lane among the wave of producers creating unconventional backdrops helping ATLiens stay ahead of the curve sonically. We’re looking forward to what Gravez has in store for us this year between his original work, remixes and collaborations. In the meantime, enjoy this unique cut above, grab a free download and head to Gravez’s Soundcloud page for more gems.

[Hip-Hop] GoldLink – Fuck The Internet

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - December 26, 2014

DMV native GoldLink was feeling the Christmas spirit last night, as he dropped off 3 unreleased demos as a little holiday gift for all his loyal fans. The short little compilation, lovingly titled Fuck The Internet, is a showcase of everything we love about the talented young emcee, as he spits slick rhymes over Disclosure‘s “Grab Her” and a dope flip of Missy Elliott‘s “Get Ur Freak On,” while also touching on the subject of unnecessary violence in “What’s A Black Life Worth?” Fuck The Internet provides a neat little peek into the vaults, and gives us a small idea of what’s going on behind the scenes. After listening to this, it’s safe to say we’re definitely hyped to see what else GoldLink has in store for us in 2015.

’GoldLink
Grab Her (Disclosure remix)’

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’GoldLink
G.Y.L.O (unmixed demo)’

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’GoldLink
What’s A Black Life Worth?(1 year old anniversary demo )’

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Hip/Hop

[Hip-Hop] Chaz French – Happy Belated (EP)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - October 3, 2014

On the intro track of his debut EP, DMV native Chaz French tells the story of his temporary homelessness, struggles with alcohol and troubled youth through his experience in a nearly fatal car accident. It’s a hell of a way to introduce yourself to an audience, but it also sets the tone for Happy Belated, one of the most honest, personal hip-hop projects we’ve heard in a long time. French paints a pretty vivid picture of himself with his music employing a verbal dexterity and variety matched by few emcees over strong, diverse soundscapes. More impressive than his savvy on the mic, though, is the cohesiveness of his EP taking the listener through life’s up and downs.

Happy Belated has a distinct trajectory almost divided into three acts. “Intro” leads into the downtempo, introspective “Watcha Know” before French transitions, through the slightly more upbeat “YNN,” into a booming trap section seemingly capturing the joys and struggles of his demons. Exiting the highest energy portion of the tape, Chaz calls on fellow DMV emcee and one of our favorites, GoldLink, for the memorable “LMGLML” and the two have a chemistry that is extremely promising for future collaboration. The tone of the final few songs come out as overwhelmingly positive considering the pain expressed prior tying together with “Before I Die,” about redemption and getting himself together for his people.

Although its vastly different musically, Happy Belated has the autobiographical, coming-of-age feel that Kendrick Lamar‘s Good Kid m.A.A.d City had in portraying what its like to grow up through adversity. Through a broad range of expression, Chaz French is able to provide a candid, sincere depiction of himself in a way that is sympathetic, rough around the edges and inherently human. Listen to a few of our favorites from the mixtape and grab a free download of this evocative project below.

Download: Chaz French – Happy Belated

’Chaz French – Intro (prod. by Super Miles)’

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’Chaz French – YNN (prod. by Kal Banx)’

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’Chaz French – Erryday Stuntin’ ft. Eddie Vanz (prod. by Hovey Benjamin)’

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’Chaz French – LMGLML ft. Goldlink (prod. by Kris Minor)’

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’Chaz French – Primavera ft. Eddie Vanz (prod. by Hovey Benjamin)’

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’Chaz French – Before I Die (prod. by Super Miles)’

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Hip/Hop

GoldLink Hangs with Rick Rubin at 1015 Folsom in SF, 9/25 [Event Review]

Posted by Ash El Gamal - September 26, 2014

GoldLink
Bedtime Story [Prod. Louie Lastic]

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Upon our first listen of GoldLink’s debut project, The God Complex, we immediately knew he had the potential to change the landscape of hip-hop. From a technical perspective, the DMV-bred emcee has an impressive, quick-hitting flow with an equally adept vocal range making for a versatile, dynamic sound. What really sets him apart, though, is his openness to work with forward-thinking producers and, maybe even more importantly, the connection his unique, unabashed lyrics find with his audience. Whether it be fun tracks like “Ay Ay” or more introspective cuts like “When I Die,” GoldLink very much feels like a genuine voice that can represent his generation for years to come.

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[Chill] GoldLink – When I Die (Alex Young + Jonah Baseball Version)

Posted by Jordan Grammer - August 7, 2014

GoldLink
When I Die (Alex Young + Jonah Baseball Version)

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GoldLink is the fastest rising rapper of 2014, period. Since The God Complex dropped in April, the DMV-raised hip hop artist has been all across the country playing shows and festivals, teaming up with the Soulection collective, and more. He has already collaborated with Lakim and Sango so he is no stranger at all to futuristic garage productions, but Alex Young and Jonah Baseball decided to take it one step further and bring the vibes to the McCallaman production of “When I Die.” It’s got an infectious energy to it that even non-hip-hop heads can appreciate. Alex Young is already quite established as a producer, however I urge you to definitely take Jonah Baseball’s catalogue for a spin if you aren’t familiar. And if you want to hear more from GoldLink, you can download his massively successful debut tape The God Complex here!

[Hip-Hop] GoldLink – Ay Ay (Nanpa NOIR Remix)

Posted by Baseer Ahmad - July 22, 2014

GoldLink
Ay Ay (Nanpa NOIR Remix)

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There’s something to be said about a remix that doesn’t try to do too much. All too often it seems like remixes strive to drastically differentiate themselves from the source material, and while that strategy can help a track stand out on its own two feet, it can also distract from the elements that made the original so great in the first place. 20 year old producer Nanpa NOIR understands these subtleties, and that’s exactly what makes their remix of GoldLink‘s “Ay Ay” so perfect.

A remix’s purpose is to improve upon the sound of the prototype, while also making sure it doesn’t get in its own way. Keeping much of the original intact, Nanpa’s rendition may not sound too different at first, but a closer listen reveals certain intricacies layered in warped production elements, providing the tune with a distinctive and more pronounced sonic identity. Managing to achieve the aforementioned balance of highlighting what we already love about the song, while also improving upon those same aspects, we’d like to hold this up as a shining example of exactly how to execute a remix.

Once you’re finished listening for yourself, make sure to download the track above, and check out Nanpa NOIR’s SoundCloud page for even more incredible remixes.

[Hip-Hop] Goldlink – Sober Thoughts (prod. Kaytranada)

Posted by Ash El Gamal - May 14, 2014

GoldLink
Sober Thoughts ( Prod. by Kaytranada )

Soundcloud

Goldlink quickly became one of our favorite young emcees back in April with his debut project, The God Complex. Earlier today, the DMV-bred artist unleashed a stellar summer jam featuring production from fellow up ‘n comer, Kaytranada. “Sober Thoughts” carries Kaytra’s signature future-funk feel, a perfect backdrop for GL’s relaxed, rapid-fire delivery and soulful chorus.

The aesthetic on all of Goldlink’s music thus far has been impeccable, and his work with the talented producers of Soulection (Lakim, Sango and Kaytranada thus far) has been particularly impressive. We are excited to see how this exciting lyricist can impact the future of rap music but, for now, we’ll just keep his already dope catalog in heavy rotation.

P.S. Kaytranada dropped a zip file on his Facebook page early this morning that includes “Sober Thoughts” among about a dozen other tracks. Download that HERE.

Hip/Hop