Thoughts
Sorry going to have a bit of an abbreviated newsletter this week. Just a really long day at work, I am spent and I ran out of the time I would have required to write all the things I wanted to. I thought better to get something out, then to not put out anything at all. So, basically what I am saying is there won’t be a classic material piece this week.
Well a surprise release from R.A.P. Ferreira yesterday morning. You might be thinking am I reading the newest TFTRN? I can assure you that you are. Thanks again to the homie Rove for posting it in the IG rap chat or I would have missed out on it. I really hope this is not a new weekly trend because I don’t think I can afford it if it is. I almost passed on this weeks. I am not even really clear what the project is but it is old and at the time of Purple Moonlight Pages and may even be a an alternate version of that. I always find his writing cryptic and not the best to decipher early in the morning. Anyways I will have more on it I am sure in 9-12 months when it arrives.
So, I celebrated my 45th birthday yesterday. It was for the most part like any other Wednesday and was caped off nicely at the radio station doing Third Verse. I don’t have a lot of profound things to say about turning 45. I have never been a big birthday person as it doesn't really feel like any sort of accomplishment. I have been pretty off lately and I am not sure if turning 45 has anything to do with that. I think as a DJ I am required to celebrate turning 45 with some sort of social media post about 45rpm records. I am pretty indifferent to 45’s for the most part. I come from a hip hop era where we called them 7” and for the most part they get purchase and shelved and rarely played. Maybe I should have done an all 7” rap show last night on Third Verse to celebrate the occasion? I do hope I have another 45 years in me but I don’t think genetics, family history or the state of the world are on my side for that. So, I will do my best to enjoy the days I do have left and keep on keepin on. Thank you to everyone that reached out and sent well wishes. I appreciate it! Also shouts to Karlie for the incredible gift that has all types of meaning for me. I don’t have it yet but we went and ordered it together yesterday after work. They said it would be a couple of days. I will share next week if I have it back. I also want to send a birthday shoutout to buy youngest puppy Stevie who turned 3 on Tuesday! Best cuddler in the rap game.
I had a great Monday as I spent most of the day recording some cuts for a handful of tracks for a new The Gumshoe Strut album and a new Chadio album produced by The Gumshoe Strut. I really enjoy working on any project with the homie Gumshoe. It always takes me back to the days of working with Factor and the whole Sidreoad crew. All the tracks I layed cuts down on were fire and I am really excited for these albums to drop. I think we have a a lot of trust in each other and I really love the way Gumshoe mixes and engineers my cuts. They always sound way better after he puts the golden touch on them. I don’t know when either of the projects are dropping but I do know that he said he wanted to have his album ready for Summer Fling in Saskatoon.
Noyz dropped a sneak peak at the cover of UGSMAG issue four this week! I am so excited yet again to have two contributing features. My usual TFTRN column that that recounts the various DJ mixers I have had over the year and a feature interview with Mississauga MC, Es. It is always an honor to have something published. I can’t wait for it to drop!
Missed Third Verse last night? Ugsmag has you covered once again to stream or download NOW! Catch Third Verse on CFCR 90.5 fm in Saskatoon, SK every Wednesday 9-10:30pm CST. Stream online via CFCR.ca or Radio Garden.
As always the last 10 episodes of my other weekly radio show You Know Know the Rules on UMFM in Winnipeg airing every Sunday night 10:00pm -11pm CST. Episodes available NOW!
Record One
The Underground Vault Volume 1, Issue 4 , April 2023. - Alex Kuchma
Well I just received my print copy of Issue 4 today and thought I would share. This Magazine has really grown a lot over the first four issues. The content has been unwavering and on point since the first issue but the design, layout and art and all the extra little things have taken it to another level. I am really happy for Alex because he is a greta person and someone I am happy to have got to know a little bit over the years! I know he is passionate about all things hip hop and he has some lanes of rap I am not familiar with so I learn a lot from each issue. I am still blown away that he handles all the content for each issue. I can’t believe the amount of work that he must put in to each issue. It is mind-blowing to me. If you have been sleeping on this or it has not come across you radar, I would suggest picking up a copy right now. I am really excited to dive into the L*Roneous, Orko and Bigg Jus and the Fatboi Sharif Interviews this weekend. It also came with a personalized letter which was a super nice touch! It really made my day! Buy it HERE!
Record Two
Chadio - Cousin of Lucy
It is nice to revisit this one on vinyl after rocking the cassette for the past couple of months. I have always been fan of Chadio and to hear his over Aalo Guha production is a really nice treat for long time fans. It features some really dope vinyl exclusive remixes by Ozziechan and Kaboom Atomic which is a really dope treat for a multiple format release. The tape is great but this albums made for vinyl. I am really happy that the good folks at Hand’Solo records made that a reality. If you have not picked up a copy, now would be the time to do that!
Classic Material
Will be back next week, sorry.
Closing Ramblings
As always, thank you for reading and for the feedback!
**legal disclaimer all records and songs were run through the RAP NEST 5000 SUPER ANALYTIC COMPTROLLER MACHINE that is certified by the I.A.A.R.R.A (International Association of Analytical Rap Recordings Analysis) in layman’s terms, it means the machine is never wrong.
Catch you next week with more thoughts from the rap nest.
Peace
-chaps
Happy belated, big homie! Much love to ya.
I did the illustration for the Es interview, so I can't wait to see how that turned out.
Thank you homie, appreciate it! That is sick can’t wait to see your illustration!