Zeta Barber a.k.a. Zachariah Tucker is a man of many talents; ranging from music production to clothing and digital design – and he can give you one of the cleanest fades around. However, Zeta stands out from the throngs of self-styled muli-entrepenuers of modern hip hop culture in some very important ways. For starters, Zach’s heart matches his artistic skill and hustle. Over the last 6+ years, he has initiated countless collaborations with artists stretching the Puget Sound - scouting diverse acts from the hood to the hills to feature on his “All-City Chop” mixtapes, all while promoting and supporting the hell out of damn near everybody in the 206 hip hop scene.

His newest project finds dj Zeta Barber & The Forces of Nature at new creative-collaborative high.  SoundBody represents a evolution grounded in the chop style - with a smooth osmosis of bounce, 90′s R&B nostalgia, and just the right amount of mystic blip-hop to keep it fresh. Tender Bounce is my jam! Laced with the airy vocals of True Brilliance (see indeed)- the result is another good musical look for Seattle, from a good dude.

Here is the full length official video/short film for the Weeknd’s “The Knowing”, directed by Mikael Colombu, the mind behind dark and twisty videos like Cee-Lo’s “Bodies” and Bilal’s “Robots“. The journey to and cataclysm of planet “Ethio X” in the year 16311 is a cascade of imagery evoking Stargate, Ethiopian Poli sci/Cultural studies and the grotesquely beautiful art of H.R. Geiger, all in all giving me a rare case of the slightly aroused willies.  With so much provocative content to analyze – I leave further interpretation to the viewer.

As a bonus, here is a track Mr. Abel Tesfaye released last month called “Initiation”, featuring his signature R&B-for-vampires vocal stylings screwed, auto-tuned and everything in between. Peacepeace.

Shoutouts to DJ Smutlee for putting out a dancehall mixtape that’s actually worthy of blogging. It’s a been a minute.

The London club DJ, mixtape maker, & blend specialist does what he does best on this 61-minute mix, which features a bunch of new jams, a couple tried a true classics and smattering of original mashups.  Smutlee has made quite a name for himself in the moombahton scene lately, but it’s good to see that he’s still as keen on the dancehall as ever. Hope y’all enjoy this one as much as I do. It’s on steady bump.  Hit the jump for the massive tracklist.

Cham – Ghetto Story (Smutlee Blend)
Aidonia – On One Remix
Demarco – Hustle Hard
Elephant Man – Sell Out
Elephant Man – Haters
YC Ft. Chino & Busy Signal – Racks (Big Ship Remix)
Chris Brown Ft. Mr Vegas – Deuces
Stylo G – Otis Was a Yardie (Smutlee Blend)
Vybz Kartel – Tun Up (Smutlee Blend)
Toddla T Ft. Wayne Marshall – Streets So Warm
Estelle Ft. Rick Ross – Break My Heart (Smutlee Blend)
Mr Vegas – Certain Law (Murlo Refix)
Natalie Storm – Smutlee Dub
Daniel Beddingfield – Sometimes You Just Know
Mavado – Settle Down
Beenie Man – Let’s Go
Laza Morgan Ft. Mavado – One By One
Wayne Marshall – 911
Mr Lexx Ft. Esco – Let It Pop
Terro 3000 – Haters
Mr Lexx – Clean
Vybz Kartel Ft. Sneakbo – Touch A Button
Ricky Blaze – Wine Pon Di Floor
Konshens – Gal Dem Ah Talk
El General – El Pare
Cutty Ranks – A Who Seh Dun
Cutty Ranks – Retreat
Reggie Stepper – Little Miss
Nardo ranks – Cemetery
El General – Son Bow
Shabba Ranks – Dem Bow
Spragga Benz – Dem Flap
Super Cat – Nuff Man a Dead
Terror Fabulous – Delighted How She Look
Beenie Man – Hey
Vybz Kartel – Yuh Love (Jacky Murda Remix)
Zed Bias – Dancing (Smutlee Edit)
Donae’o – Move to da Gal (Heartbreak Remix)
Toadally Krossed Out – Toadstyle (Kid Quest Remix)
To-Isis – Come Here Girl (Dj Theory Remix)
Ill Blu/Ce’cile – Chelt Riddim (Smutlee Blend)
Crazy Cousinz/Laza Morgan & Mavado – Inflation Riddim (Smutlee Blend)

Hip Hop has no shortage of references of an intimacy with street life, but rarely do artists bring the musicality of the streets into the beat as Mr. Green, a.k.a. Aaron Green of Highland Park, NJ does in his Live from the Streets series. Based around showcasing street musicians and turning their performances into hip hop beats, new episodes will be released every two weeks. Mr. Green’s cinematic headnodic sounds have notched collabos with C Rayz Walz, Matisyahu, Slaine of Coka Nostra fame, and pre-eminent Irish emcee Rob Kelly.

In the first episode of Live From The Streets, you find yourself in Rittenhouse Square with Brenda, a super cool lady who was singing along to her radio in the park. “Man with a Broken Heart” is available on itunes and at greenhiphop.com. A full Live from the Streets hip hop album is in the works.

Mr. Green is also accepting artistic input, so if you know of a street musician or sound that you would like to see in a future episode, contact: livefromstreet@gmail.com.

Uh son. Shabazz Palaces doing what they do, live in the studio of Seattle’s beloved independent radio station KEXP. Coming through with style, substance, and unfuckwittable creative veracity – these 206 luminaries demonstrate they have been around the block and see into its future. In this intimate, in-studio session, they perform a few cuts from Black Up, the first album since their recent signing to the world-renowned, Seattle-based independent label Sub Pop. Do yourself a favor and cop Black Up here.

This Friday the 13th (auspicious, no?), we’re turning Moe Bar into a family affair. And by “family affair” I – naturally – mean “LNM massive,” with Tang and Toast on the decks, Praxis and Wordlush hosting and toasting, and Krieg kissing babies (elect the man already, eh?).

We’re looking forward to having a regular showcase of the very best of the music you get here on Last Night’s Mixtape, (along with a healthy dose of the stuff we love too much to let out into the wilds of the internet), as well as a platform to put on some of the homies from around the country and the world whose music and skills are giving today’s music its tick.

And because we love ya, the night is free – you just show up looking proper, ready to move yourself right, and we’ll provide the bass and inspiration. Not a bad deal.

Details below – as always feel free to hit us up with questions, comments, free music via Twitter (@lstnghtsmxtp) or via “electronic mail” – lastnightsmixtape(at)gmail(dot)com. WORD.

Last Night’s Mixtape presents: Soundsystem
Friday May 13th – 9 pm
Moe Bar – 1425 10th Ave, Seattle, USA
No cover

When I saw this new video on UGSMAG, purveyors of new hiphop media for those seeking refuge from the swag and trap stylings of the day, I rushed to the record shop and copped the album Dialogue. After listening through and blabbing to the homies about how dope the whole album is, I was surprised to find out that the album actually came out in 2009. I’m more than a little embarrassed for managing to sleep on Thavius Beck, cause the album is more creative and cutting edge than most of the hip hop I’ve heard for a minute.

“Go” and the rest of Dialogue speak to my love for lyricism. Beck’s rapid fire delivery kinda reminds of me of Living Legends Eligh, however unlike many dense rhymers he shares space with his epic, degenerate beats in a sonic dialogue that shatters the standard verse/bar formula. If I had to go into battle against an army of soulless terminators – this is what I would bump before facing my fate. A Mush records signee and certified Ableton guru, Beck boasts collaborations ranging from Cedric Bixler-Zavala of The Mars Volta, Saul Williams’, and 2MEX.  I will be  watching/hoping for some new face-mashing music from dude soon.

Throughout the decidedly future-funk, electro orchestra of Transmissions – Jahon Mikal’s other artistic confluences can be heard – from the fundamental hip hop mastery of his big bro/hip hop vet Vitamin D to his current work with the up-and-coming Seattle based Hip-Doo-Woppers The Heartfelts. The album also features vocal support from emcee/dance artist Maxie Jamal.

The complex beats and lyrical harmonies are so polished but maintain an organic vibe that is autonomic like the functions of the medulla, kinda like the art behind the simple act of breathing. Fresh.

Please show love and offer what you can, for this this pay- what-you can download album.

Here is some interesting new sound courtesy of one Ben Bronfman, enviro-creative renaissiance man and beau to M.I.A.  Beyond having a hand in the the production of Kanye’s “Monster”, dude is doing big thangs like co-founding Global Thermostat, a revolutionary carbon capture firm that separates CO2 directly from the air, or more recently becoming a principal in Algae Systems LLC, a third-generation bio-fuel company that takes waste water from cities and (using CO2 captured by GT) generates Jet-Fuel and Diesel fuel. That’s what I call going hard in the paint kids.

Founder of Green Owl, an environmentally conscious record label & apparel brand – Bronfman recently released this single “Gold” from his new group Teachers.  Also check out his eerie stripped down & rocked out remix of “Monster”.

Shouts to Checktheweather.net, a national online community and web platform to support and amplify the voice of young people of color in the US fighting for environmental justice,  for the good look and the good work!

TEACHERS — GOLD by Teachers
Monster (Teachers remix) by Teachers

I came across this joint almost a month ago, and it definitely left an impression. The synth heavy, haunting effects and palpitating bass- come courtesy of producers Musiq Korner. The triumph in Nipsey’s grown-man prose is supported well by June Summers‘ soulful hooks, and I feel something in the music that makes the difference between a good rapper and a great emcee – heart.

The song adds a new dimension to the hood-hop hydraulic sound and rhymes that dominate most of Nipseys mixtapes, convincing me that this South Central LA ambassador is an artist that might be marathon material, as opposed to the sprint characterized by most mixtape phenoms.

Download Nipsey’s recently released (Dec.21st) and quite crackin mixtape Marathon here.

“What more could I say? I wouldn’t be here today if the old school didn’t pave the way” – [Grand Puba].

One Love.

Some of you may be up on this mix already, but for the rest of you I feel obligated to put you on to this here hot ish.

By the tasteful selection and mature vibe of the mix, its hard to believe that Greene is just 21 yrs old. The mix has all of the nostalgic warmth and soulful sonic foundation of the house and garage you fell in love with- but weaves in the creative blippage and vocal experimentation of the new school.

Overall it feels like a smooth but high energy contrast to the epic and raunchy booty tech sound that seems to be carrying the banner for house at the moment. Look out for Greene’s upcoming album “The Look” in just a few days on Jan 5th, released on NYC label LuckyMe also home to  LxNxM faves Lunice & Hudson Mohawke. Download the mix, check out the teaser for “The Look” the below, tracklist for mix after the jump.

LM007 – JACQUES GREENE – THE LOOK by Jacques Greene

Tracklist:

1. Jacques Greene – The Look (Koreless remix)
2. Ango – Love Me
3. Jacques Greene – Tell Me
4. Mood II Swing – Move Me
5. Machinedrum – DDD
6. Jacques Greene – Good Morning
7. Nu-Birth – Anytime
8. 24 Hour Experience – All Nighter
9. Ramadanman & Midland – Your Words Matter
10. James Fox – New Jack Swing
11. Sasse & James Flavour – The Right Way (Tony Lionni Rremix)
12. Jacques Greene – (Baby I Don’t Know) What You Want
13. Dubbel Dutch – Throwback
14. Aril Brikha – Groove La Chord
15. xxxy – Ordinary Things
16. Colours – Hold On (SE22 Mix)
17. Jacques Greene – Another Girl
18. Rick Ross ft. Drake & Chrisette Michele – Aston Martin Music