*Favorite quote from sushi chef dude, Jiro – “I’ll continue to climb trying to reach the top…but no one knows where the top is!”

You’re probably wondering why I’d post a trailer to a documentary on the greatest sushi chef in the world. Well reason #1, I love sushi (fun fact) and reason #2, this dude is the GREATEST sushi chef in the world. Let me say it again, the GREATEST sushi chef in the WORLD. By the way, he’s 85 years old.

If you read this blog, you’re more than likely a creative. I think as creatives in this day and age, we lose track of our craft and pushing to be the BEST within it whether it be cooking (no Lil B), producing, singing, rapping, painting….whatever. We tend to get caught up in social media and all of the other time wasters that technology has brought us.

Can you name the greatest MC in the world right now? It’d be a never ending argument as there is no clear cut answer to that question. And that may be a problem. Maybe we’re not paying close enough attention to our crafts and too much attention to everything else around it. Maybe we’re starting to forget the very reason why we got involved in the first place. Or maybe it’s not possible for everyone to strive to be the best because then there wouldn’t be that special few that are acknowledged as the best. Everyone can’t be the best right? But if you fall short of best, at least you’d end up in the ‘awesome as f*ck’ arena.

Just thinking out loud….

Big shoutout to Ty. Ty is probably one of the smartest artists I’ve ever spoken to (I know, I know…I need to post the interview). Ty is gearing up to release a new EP along with a documentary and needs help spreading the word since he’s a true indie artist (the machine isn’t involved). So retweet this, facebook it, +1 it, bloop it or whatever else you kids are doing these days to share media.

L./\. dropped some dope visuals to I’m Alive yesterday on Easter Sunday. I can’t front, this video concept is pretty ill and if you didn’t know what the song meant before, you will now. This is the last joint from her ‘Lost Riots’ series so make sure you go back and catch up on the other gems if you slept.

I know its been awhile between posts lately. Hopefully you’ll forgive me. Been mad busy and for all good reasons. Ok, enough of the ‘I’m on my grind’ rap guy talk. This kid sent me a link. I opened it. The music was dope. Now I’m posting it.

He’s from Texas and I’d best describe his sound as Slum Village and the Native Tongues having a love child while vacationing on Pluto. Be sure to click through to his Bandcamp and peep the whole Life & Times of AC Slater mixtape because its fresh. And all of the beats he picked, fit his voice. Looking forward to hearing more…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7vvU_0fMNc

If you’re an avid die-hard reader of FreshNerd.com (I mean, who isn’t?) then you know how much of a fan I am of Alice Russell’s music and voice. The word ‘incredible’ would be an understatement when describing the vocal chops on Alice as you will see in this East London mini-documentary.

That being said, I’ll continue to spread the word until people start paying attention.

I’ve been up on Miguel for awhile….before the record deal (proof). But for some reason once he signed his deal, the music lost something and I haven’t liked much of his music since his “Mischief” mixtape.

Miguel drops off a dope miniEP titled Art Dealer Chic vol.1 and this track in particular grabbed me mainly because of the dirty ass boom-bap drums. The drums are “right” on this one. Combine that with an undeniable melody on top and Miguel is back home where he originally started off…on the right track.

Word on the nets is that this will be a 3 part EP series before his second album release. Hopefully he continues to drop neck snappers like this one.

Sidenote: That synth tho!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsKSzxgkM8o

The homie LA had the chance to rep Reebok’s new freestyle series along with some of the finest female MCs. ….and she crushed it. Everyone did a fresh job really.

Those fresh kids from Orlando link up with York beatmaker, Handbook, to drop an atypical love story over York’s dedication to Dilla. We need a full project between these two entities. #DillaMonth

If you follow this blog, you probably know I never write R.I.P. posts when it comes to artists. Reason being, I don’t know them. No disrespect to any artist I admire that has passed, but if I’ve never met you its hard for me to do a RIP tribute post. I’m a bit weird like that.

That being said, I woke up this morning to see #RIPAloriJoh all over twitter. Hoping it wasn’t true and just some sort of hoax….I searched her page and AbSoul’s page and it started to become evident.

I met Loriana (I knew her as Loriana) back in ’08/’09 through a friend I used to co-write with. My friend called me up one day telling me I HAVE to hear this girl sing. I said “bet, bring her through”. Days later she brought over Javonte (her writing partner and close friend) and Loriana to my little bedroom studio in Sherman Oaks.

From the first note she hit into that microphone, I knew she was a serious talent and force to be reckoned with. She was a bit shy and quiet, but transformed as soon as that ‘record’ button was pressed and it was time to lay down a take. We wrote and recorded about 4 or 5 songs together and those sessions were memorable as I remember her being more of a perfectionist than me! One night, she spent 45 minutes on one take because she wanted to get this one note right. She cared deeply about her craft and took nothing for granted.

This news comes as a shock to me and I don’t really deal well with death. We weren’t close, but working with her was a pleasure and its a shame that God took another talent from us especially at such a young age.

My condolences go out to Loriana’s family, the whole TDE crew, Ab-Soul especially and Javonte.

Chase your dreams……none of us know how long we have in this lifetime.

Rest in Power Loriana.

Peace, your music will live on.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bXA0nrBfUY

The homie Nobody Famous will be delivering a new mixtape of tracks he’s produced over the years featuring the likes of; Wax, Dom Kennedy, Donnis, Sene, Andy Milanokis and more.

Leading up to the 2-23-12 release, Reggie will be dropping these dope animations that all producers will be able to relate to….trust me.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JftXMevlJwY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQS2UWKjU1s

Courtesy of Hugh MacLeod of Gaping Void

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Cle-uBRESY

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vh5tV_M4cow

Fresh off the press (see what I did there?), LA dropped off some brand new visuals for A Place, taken from her latest project LA Riots: Mental Fatality. This is one of my favorite joints off the record (next to ‘I’m Alive’)

If you haven’t grabbed a copy of LA Riots yet, make sure you do so before I tell ya mama on you.

The Soulstice are a four man crew all from different states but currently residing in Orlando, FL. They released this dope mixtape at the top of the year with them rhyming over nothing but 9th Wonder and MF Doom beats. Be sure to give it a listen because its dope. You can donate at their Bandcamp page or download for free.

The homie Joose (aka Darth Vader in a snapback) dropped off a Christmas present that deserves some attention. Casket Rap is the type of joint that makes you want to punch random strangers in the face. Especially during the holidays….don’t ask why, it just does. The back and forth between Joose and Houston’s up and comer, Dapper G, is a good fit I hope to hear more of in the future.

Not sure how I missed this one but better late than never. Must watch for all beatheads and lovers of art in general.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiI7q_8FNHk

Dope artist Larry Achiampong delivered a fresh concept at the Tate Britain last year. Watch as he breaks down the project and the ideas that propelled it into fruition.

Also, be sure to check out his latest project titled Meh Mogya which aimed to “investigate, navigate; sample and re-present sound as a heritage/legacy of his origins. This project uses samples from Highlife music of the 1960’s through to the early 1980’s.”

Stop by his bandcamp and support good music. Below is my FreshPick:

Sidenote: I read a very interesting article today on Brian Eno and how he was originally an art student that ended up using music as his medium of choice back in the 60′s. He stated the school he studied at pushed the students to experiment with different forms and mediums. #Random

If you’re an artist in any way, shape, or form watching this should be at the top of your list of priorities. I know, I know….its 2 hrs. but its worth it. Trust me.

This has been out for a week now which is the equivalent of 1.3 yrs in real life. Meaning…by now most of you have heard this masterpiece already. Its been on repeat non-stop on my awesome netbook for the last week (as well, now officially available for purchase at iTunes).

The combination of Danny’s XXX rhymes and Black’s neck snappin’ beats make for a perfect marriage on this release. I also like the angle in which Black approached production on this one (yes, I’m talking about disregard of formulaic song structure). It felt like the first time I heard Slum Village’s Detroit Deli which is a classic in my eyes but I’ll save that for another blog post. Long story short….if you’re a fan of either of these artists, you need this in your life.

Spotted this joint over at Juxtapoz. Now if only I can figure out where in London this wall is….