Tag Archives: Ago

[Hip-Hop] Waldo – Closer Feat. Sango & SAVON

Waldo
Closer (prod. Savon & Sango)
As music enthusiasts first and foremost, one question in particular always makes the cut when we at The Music Ninja interview artists: “Which musicians are you into lately?”

In creating his widely-praised dark comedy Atlanta, Donald Glover eagerly gives us the answers by injecting tunes of his choosing throughout the first season. Case in point, the soundtrack to Atlanta is so well-regarded that multiple articles have been written praising its eclectic nature and quality, and a highly circulated Spotify playlist updates each week with new songs from the show. For one artist in particular, making the cut on Atlanta may bring about an infusion of mainstream recognition to propel his career even further.

Grand Rapids repping rapper Waldo, one of the most talented and underrated lyricists in the genre, has been releasing notable projects for years. Since making waves as early as 2013 with “Kobe’s Room” – to a pair of major declarations of his arrival with EP releases Tuebor and Until Then – we have kept close tabs on his journey. Partnered with fellow Michigan natives and longtime friends SAVON and Sango, Waldo released his latest hit this past week, titled “Closer”.

With a hauntingly bass-heavy rhythm throughout, the lyrics and instrumentals form a symbiotic bond, painting the gritty picture depicted in his up-tempo cadence. Beyond the prodigal beat-making talents of Sango and Savon, and beyond the vocal characterization of Waldo, the biggest draw to his sound lies in its pure authenticity.

Fans in California will have a few chances to see him live this month: he’ll be in San Diego at the Soda Bar with Jimmy Javier on October 25th and in Oakland at The New Parish with Sango on October 27th. Listeners can join the AGO movement by following along with the Soundcloud pages of both the collective and Waldo for all releases.

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[Album Review] Sango & Dave B – Tomorrow

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For the readers out there who regularly tune in to our podcast, Music Ninja Radio, it is common knowledge that Kai Wright (aka Sango) is one of our most played and beloved producers. Since first bursting onto the scene via his remix album More Balloons and solidifying the fanbase with his debut LP North – an album that I still refer to as the greatest collection of music since its Summer 2013 release – Sango has truly spearheaded a sonic movement. Working with the influential Soulection crew, as well as the Grand Rapids/Seattle collective Astronaut Gang (AGO), Sango has pushed the boundaries of experimental trap & instrumental hip-hop well past would-be contemporaries everywhere.

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[Hip-Hop] The Celestics – 173 (Feat. Waldo)

173(pipo version)
The Celestics ft. Waldo

You remember The Celestics right? The Canadian duo–consisting of super producer Kaytranada & rapper Louie P–burst onto the scene back in May with the release of their mixtape Supreme Laziness. Returning today with the first follow-up to their acclaimed project, the brothers from Montreal team up with Michigan native Waldo for “173.” This new cut finds the emcees spitting gruff yet emphatic rhymes over an ominous, hard-hitting instrumental. With Halloween edging closer than you think, this one makes for a good track to stash away to frighten all the other emcees out there with that with these guys are capable of. Grab the free download above and make sure to stay tuned for more from the pair in the coming months.

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[Hip-Hop] Joose – Black Sand (Rvdical Remix)

Joose
Black Sand (Rvdical Remix)

Hip-hop is currently going through a fascinating transformation as rappers continue taking risks ranging from the strange vocal inflections of Young Thug, and more recently Makonnen, to the future bass raps of Goldlink. The Soulection collective has had a special role in carving out what label-captain Joe Kay calls the “sound of tomorrow” lending their unique brand of dance music as instrumentals for a broad range of talented emcees. The strength of this movement is multiplied by the artists’ and labels’ openness to collaborate, which in the digital age has become easier than ever and allows for an unprecedented diversity in styles.

The latest remix from Flow-Fi‘s Rvdical the Kid is exemplary of this incredible progression reworking the already dope track, “Black Sand,” from frequent West Michigan AGO collaborators Joose and Sango into an addicting masterpiece. While the original has a minimal and incredibly relaxed vibe to it, Rvdical’s take adds an ethereal element rearranging the vocal sample and adding unique percussion giving Joose’s lyrics a whole new context. Zone out to this awesomely floaty track above.

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