A very merry evening full of laughter and giving, just in time for the holiday season!
Check out this week’s roundup for a diverse range of sounds spanning from Satori’s deep, organic sounds, to Eli Brown and Joyhauser‘s electric techno, to Gusted‘s riveting new Dead or Alive remix, and many more.
Check out sonic roundup, where we peel back the curtain of the music world to reveal the freshest tracks you didn’t know you needed. This week’s edition includes tunes from Close To Monday, WhoMadeWho, NITTI, SHERM x Bluprint, Tara Brooks, and more.
In a groundbreaking move, RZA, the visionary force behind the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, is poised to captivate audiences with his latest venture—Wu-Wednesdays, a dynamic radio show set to debut on LL COOL J’s esteemed Rock The Bells Radio on SiriusXM, broadcasting on Channel 43. This innovative platform promises a sonic journey through the rich tapestry of Wu-Tang Clan’s storied legacy, showcasing classic tracks that have left an indelible mark on the genre.
However, Wu-Wednesdays goes beyond the realm of nostalgia, offering an immersive experience with exclusive DJ mixes, unreleased musical gems, and engaging interviews with special guests. RZA, known for his groundbreaking contributions to the hip-hop landscape, invites listeners to join him on a weekly exploration of the past, present, and future of the Wu-Tang legacy, making Wednesday nights a must-listen for hip-hop enthusiasts and music connoisseurs alike.
We recently caught up with RZA. Embarking on a project he has long harbored a desire for, RZA expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming launch of “Wu-Wednesdays” on LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio. Reflecting on the journey, he revealed, “Well, it’s just something I’ve been wanting to do for years. It’s funny because maybe five years ago I was going to do it with the BBC, and then I was going to do it right in New York with Hot 97,” he said. In essence, RZA sees Rock The Bells Radio as the ideal platform to bring “Wu-Wednesdays” to life, aligning seamlessly with the station’s significance in the hip-hop landscape.
RZA acknowledged, “It’s something that I probably had in my creative wheelhouse and never really got a chance to fully explore. And now I do have the chance, and I’m looking forward to exploring it.” RZA has always wanted to do radio, so this radio venture represents the fulfillment of a creative aspiration he had for years.
RZA also highlighted the importance of staying authentic to different demographics as Wu Tang Clan’s music is geared towards Gen X, older and younger Millennials while also Gen Z, who is discovering it for the first time. The optimal approach is to retain your talent and music within your creative arsenal. Wu-Tang Clan, in particular, has carved out a distinctive subgenre within hip-hop, evident in their expansive catalog that could arguably require the collaboration of a substantial portion of the hip-hop community to match. It’s extensive catalog serves as a perpetual source of discovery, marking a rite of passage for generations—from Wu-Tang’s inception to the present day. Countless enthusiasts have attested that their initiation into the realm of hip-hop stemmed from the transformative experience of engaging with Wu-Tang’s seminal works like “36 Chambers” or other projects within the Wu-Tang Clan.
“I think that Wu-Tang, especially in our first 5 to 7 albums, are capturing the youth energy of the world, especially of America, of our community, but of the world because you get nine points of view of young energy. And I think when somebody hears it, that is something that relates to them. A kid could be 14 years old and he’s ready to bring the ruckus. A kid could be 19 about to go to college and think about his parents and growing up saying why life can be all so simple. Or a kid could be exploring life and getting into the job market and realize cash can rule around him,” he said.
Also during our discussion about the intricacies of musical production, RZA delves into the episode of sampling on “Wu-Tang: American Saga,” shedding light on the artistry and innovation that defined the group’s distinctive sound. With a narrative that intertwines personal anecdotes and creative processes, RZA offers a unique glimpse into the transformative role of sampling in shaping the Wu-Tang Clan’s iconic tracks.
“That was the intention of that when we sat down and we decided how we wanted to explain it,” said RZA. “We thought about other movies that did great music documentaries, whether it was Rocketman or whether it was, you know, James Brown or all these biopics. Everybody has a way of going into showing the creation of music. But for hip hop, it’s a different formula, a different process. And we said the only way to do it is to actually see if we could go into the mind of the producer and explain what he’s doing. And as I explained it in the writers room, we were able to put it in writing and we had Mario Van Peebles, a very intelligent director. He was able to then take that and translate it into the episode that we saw, which I think is good enough to be shown in classes. I think it’s like an educational tool. You could take that now and use it as a reference to understand the process of hip hop creativity and production.”
A fusion of rock, electronic, and hip-hop elevates the band’s legacy and diverse soundscape.
In its recently concluded second season, Power Book IV: Force, guided by showrunner Gary Lennon’s creative direction, has successfully embraced a distinctive and authentic approach, immersing viewers in the vibrant and dynamic inner workings of Chicago rather than having it as a backdrop. Diverging from conventional narratives, Lennon steered the series towards an exploration of the city’s unique character, infusing authenticity into the storyline.
This deliberate shift provided a spotlight on Chicago’s diverse landscapes, cultural nuances, and societal intricacies, offering viewers a richer and more genuine viewing experience. Lennon’s creative vision not only captivated audiences with a compelling storyline but also ensured an immersive journey into the authentic essence of Chicago throughout the season.
“I needed to constrict and expand what didn’t work in season one. I think collectively we all, even myself as a fan of power and a writer of the original show Power as well, didn’t love Season one. I thought there were a lot of missteps. I thought there were a lot of opportunities that weren’t taken advantage of. And so what I did was I just sat with my writers in a room and I said, ‘I don’t think this works, I think we could lose this. I think we could lose that,’” he said.
Driven by a passion for street life, grit, and crime narratives in writing, Lennon expressed a desire to reintroduce these elements into the narrative landscape. Dissatisfied with the initial season’s portrayal, the creative vision sought to capture a more authentic essence reflective of Chicago. This quest led to extensive exploration, riding around in vans to observe locations tied to real-life incidents, aiming to infuse the series with the city’s distinct atmosphere. Intriguingly, Lennon emphasized a keen interest in juxtaposing high-end and low-end dynamics, adding further layers to the storytelling approach.
“Our job as writers was to tell the stories that we were interested in telling and to get rid of the ones like, for example, dahlia. None of us in the writers room felt like that was an interesting story line, and so we jetted it right away and moved on. I knew that I wanted to bring the feds into the story since Tommy had faked his death in New York in the end of the other show so I wanted the feds to become aware of that,” he said.
Lennon is not alone. Joseph Sikora, who plays Tommy Egan and is also a Chicago native, emphasized the significance of highlighting specific moments in the narrative, such as when the character is at the bus stop or during scenes set in a Serbian restaurant. He expressed that these instances capture the life and essence of the city, serving as its lifeblood. Sikora noted the tendency to overlook the intricacies when focusing too narrowly on individual elements, likening it to not seeing the forest for the trees. In commending Gary Lennon, Sikora praised the showrunner’s exceptional ability to portray the distinctive facets of Chicago, steering away from broad strokes and opting for a nuanced approach instead of relying on overarching, generalized images.
“I think that Gary did a really wonderful job of balancing what the reality of Chicago is and that is obviously a very diverse community and population, but also very sectionalized and a very heavy Latin influence. And instead of just using Chicago as a backdrop, I think that we’ve all seen downtown, we’ve all seen the beautiful skyline of Chicago and on the river. But sometimes you haven’t just seen the super marcato, you know, and you haven’t just seen the places in Little Village and actually filming in these neighborhoods where this is supposed to take place,” said Sikora.
Joseph Sikora acknowledging the exceptional contributions to the show’s visual storytelling, credit is extended to the remarkable Director of Photography, Joe Jody Williams. Sikora said his consistent and outstanding work throughout the season was integral to its success. Williams played a crucial role in orchestrating a beautiful and cohesive visual narrative, ensuring a seamless and consistent look that carried through from the beginning to the end of the season. The resulting visual continuity added depth and coherence to the overall storytelling experience.
Rhymefest is a prominent musician, songwriter, and advocate who is currently serving as one of the Pritzker Fellows at The University of Chicago this semester.
In the latest edition of our NMR series, we have selects from What So Not & Daktyl, Modapit, Starya, Example & Moss, and many more.
B.I is no stranger to releasing new music, but he returns on November 9th with his latest offering to fans. In this release, he gives fans a glimpse into heartbreak with his album, “Love or Loved Pt 2.” The album includes five tracks that take on the pain of a love in trouble or lost. The album begins with the title track, “Loved,” before venturing into “4 Letters” which features, Filipino-Australian singer and songwriter, James Reid. Then the album journeys into the track, “Alone” which also features singer, TYTAN. Rounding out the album are the last two songs, “S.O.S” and “All shook up” which features Indonesian singer and songwriter, Agnez Mo.
We had the wonderful opportunity of chatting with B.I ahead of this release. During our chat we discussed everything from inspirations to collaborations. He also shared his favorite track off the new album.
Question: What was the genesis or the inspiration for the new album?
B.I: While I’ve consistently delved deeply into the concept of love, this time, I wanted to venture into new genres and experiment with different lyrical tones. Love is an emotion that feels incredibly familiar to all of us, yet I aimed to convey these stories with fresh and unique music and storytelling.
It is my sincere hope that listeners can deeply connect with this portrayal of heartbreak. And by that, I don’t only mean that they relate to the lyrics, but also that they find solace in the melodies.
Question: How would you say this album helped you evolve as an artist? as a music producer? as a musician and creator?
B.I: I can sense personal growth with every studio or single album I produce. So far, I believe my exploration of various musical genres and diverse instrumental arrangements has enriched my work, and I’m very satisfied with the results.
Question: Can you break down each track on the album? Can you explain to me what its vibe is or what people should expect?
B.I: [Loved] has an alluring combination of bass and drum sounds, and its overall mood is cold. The mellow and calm vocals also add to its charm. [4 Letters], on the other hand, resembles an uplifting and bright movie soundtrack, but its lyrics in contrast, evokes a sense of nostalgia. I think that would transport the listeners into a state of reminiscence about a past love. On top of that, having James as a featured artist on the track further heightens great anticipation, I’m sure. [Alone] is a laid-back track with a peaceful rhythm, while it bursts with energy in the rap section. Titan, who featured in the song, delivered the tone I had envisioned. With [S.O.S], I spent a significant amount of time on creating the lyrics. If you pay attention to it, it could really get you thinking deep. [All shook up] is an unfamiliar genre not only for me, but also for listeners in Korea. I’m pleased with my collaboration with Agnez Mo; it’s a fresh combination that elevates the level of completion. The melody is very beautiful, so I wish the listeners a relaxing and easy listening experience.
With the entire album, I put in the effort to explore something new and uncharted. Moreover, I wanted to highlight the charming and surprising collaborations with artists in Asia. The results aligned perfectly with my vision, so I’m eagerly looking forward to sharing them with our fans.
Question: Is there a song off the new album that you feel closest to or love the most?
B.I: I adore each and every song, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the title track [Loved]. It has a wonderfully dreamy and sentimental quality. It’s the kind of mood I’ve always wanted to explore, and I’m particularly pleased with how well it came together… It beautifully showcases the essence of the album, I have a deep affection for it, and knowing that it was co-created in collaboration with such an exceptional team of songwriters, makes it even more precious to me.
“Love or Loved Pt 2” is out now and can be found on all streaming platforms.
Afrojack brought his notorious tunes and infectious beats to smartwater’s smart after dark event in NYC!