Thoughts
The homie Maki is back with another heater! CD and Cassettes of this one also available which make it extra awesome! Excited to peep this one when it arrives.
Further studies in melodic ambient, drone, noise and electroacoustic sound design. These were slowly drafted during the production of WAAIFTF, American Road Films and even as far back as If And Only If. Some rough drafts from this project ended up on If And Only If. The remainders were worked on through 2022-2023. Mostly as a distraction from producing structured music. Source files are 24bit/48khz.
This kind of music lets me explore sounds, arrangements, techniques, instruments and mixing approaches that I don't often get to use when working in genres like hip hop.
Released in collaboration with Endemik Music and my own new imprint - Claw Tone!
I created this label to differentiate the music I release outside of the production I'm typically associated with (rap shit). I considered a name change, but this just seems easier. If you see a drop on Claw Tone, there's a good chance it veers well outside of experimental rap/hip hop, although I might sneak something in there from time to time... ;)
If ambient works aren't your thing, thanks for rocking with me and check my back catalogue, and the Endemik Music library for awesome indie hip hop!
In memorandum of my friend, Carrie.
♥
released November 15, 2023
Produced, mixed and mastered by Maki. 2023.
Missed Third Verse last night? Well, are you ever in luck as UGSMAG once again has you covered!! 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
Not records, but one of my other favourite rap related things, Super 7 Reaction figures. Super 7 has been on a tear the past few years with the 3 3/4 inch action figures and especially the rap ones. I copped two more for the collection last week with the surprise Raekwon drop and the much anticipated DMX figure. Both are very well done. I like that they tease upcoming figures and also drop figures out of nowhere with no lead up. I am really looking forward the the upcoming KRS-One and Outkast figures they recently teased. No images yet but I am sure they will be awesome and I am hoping the KRS figure will be from the BDP criminal minded era. Anyways these figures are super sick and I am super stoked to add both to the collection.
Record Two
Aesop Rock - ITS
Well it is not too often that you get to buy an indie rap release from a local record store on the release date, but that is exactly what I got to do with this one. The experience of walking into a record store and seeing a record you want to buy in the new release stand on the the day it was released, is one of those magical moments that make this crazy world tolerable. I really can’t explain it. I saw the store post it and I had Friday off work as I was supposed to head to Medicine Hat for the weekend to visit Karlie’s Grandparents, but they were not feeling well so we did not go. I called an audible and asked my brother if he wanted to drive to Swift Current (approx 3 hour drive) to watch the Blades play the Broncos that night and he naturally said of course. I was scrolling instagram and I saw that one of the record stores posted they had it so I immediately made the 5 min drive downtown and ventured to the record store. The anticipation of hoping it is still there is one that I have known all too well and one that I love. It is one in the same of spotting the album on the new release rack. I saw it and grabbed it, paid and went back home. This local spot generally gets all the Rhymeayers releases so I gamble and wait for them to come in and save myself like 25 bucks in shipping which is the ultimate. The album is classic Aesop Rock and the concept is perfectly executed. My jam is the Billy Woods feature Living Curfew. Another sure shot release from Aesop Rock. Only drawback is white vinyl.
Classic Material
SJ The Wordburglar
I was trying to think how the Wordburglar came in to my rap world. I know I bought the CD from Noyz in 2003 from the Ugsmag shop that he ran out of his bedroom, in Edmonton, in the basement of his parents house. That house is a historic prairie rap spot. So many of the homies and touring rappers crashed in that basement in that era. I know I did, at least a dozen or so times for various shows etc. I also now that everyone will say they slept under the pool table, which was a highly coveted spot. However, that is simply impossible. There were a lot of good times spent there and I am pretty sure I could draw the layout of the basement if need be.
It was really fun looking at the physical copies of the online Ugsmag shop in that era. I think I was starting to cave on buying CD’s at this time. Something I really wish I would have caved on earlier in my life. It is one of my bigger regrets in life. I wish I just grabbed whatever format was available back then. I know I was excited to cop this CD and it was something I was planning on picking up on this stop through. I for the life of me can’t remember how I knew of the Wordbuglar previous to purchasing this CD. I wouldn’t have bought a CD blind at this time so I had to have heard it before getting it.
I am thinking it was Knowskills who would have introduced his music to me as this was totally in his lane of music. He was a big internet FTP type music nerd then and I benefited from his nerdiness a lot over the years. He may have had a copy even and played it on Third Verse in that era. A lot of music discovery for me was centred around the radio show. Everyone was always excited to share tracks that they were feeling. It was such a fun community to be a part of, especially in that era of the show. I real miss the camaraderie that the show facilitated. I have been thinking about that a lot over the past few months and ways to rekindle that experience.
The Wordburglar and I have become homies over the years and he has even crashed in the Rap Nest which is really dope. He is one of the nicest and fun people I have ever met through rap music. It is always such a bonus when someone whose music you really enjoy end up being one of the best people and a friend. My Cd copy of this album is pretty beat up. The Jewel case is broken and I am thinking I probably pilled a super big gulp of Dr. Pepper on the cd as it the insert and back cover are water rippled and damaged. I really like the Wordburglar throw up on the cd. It is so bad that it is actually really awesome. I am really glad I copped this CD from Noyz 20 years ago
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