HIPHOP UPDATE

By: Trees
(From Press Release) A Chicago hiphop mainstay since the early 90s, Pugs Atomz has been an influential artist on the ever-evolving Windy City scene. Conversations With a Chamelion is a soulful blend through the various sides to life, marking his third and most solid solo album to-date. he release includes production courtesy of Hi-Tek, Colin Response, Vtraxxx, WEXL, with a guest appearances by Capital D of All Natural, Dave Ghetto, and Duce Eclipse. On his latest release, Pugs encompasses the soulful side of Chicago hiphop and has created an album that is a sure hit for the fans of the Chicago sound: Common, Lupe Fiasco & Rhymefest. Conversations With a Chamelion will be available August 28th on Gravel Records. Also, catch Pugs on tour with DJ Vadim as part of the Sound Catcher Tour this Fall.
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After years of anticipation, Chicago's Matlock will be releasing Moonshine this Fall. The full length features RA the Rugged Man, battle legend J.U.I.C.E., Pacewon, and Rusty Chains, as well as production by DJ Babu (Beat Junkies/Dilated Peoples), Kaz1, Overflo, and White Shadow. Also known as Morty Goldstein, (a moniker given to him by his uncle, also a blues guitarist), Matlock made a name for himself performing at showcases, open mics, ciphers, and battles all over Chicago before releasing Crazy Artist Type in 1999. Matlock continued recording, releasing and self-promoting his home-grown brand of basement hip-hop with Paradise Lost in 2001, touching on a wide aray of subjects from battle-rap to bootleggers, getting stoned to the self-realization of one's own mortality. In 2003 he signed with Gravel Records, home of fellow Family Jewels members Rusty Chains and producer Kaz1. Raised on classic rock and citing such diverse artists as Johnny Cash, KRS One, Lord Finesse, Redman, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nas, and The Rolling Stones as inspirations for his music, its no wonder that his music encompasses a wide range of style and emotion. There's no reason hip-hop can't be melodic. I want to get my listeners hype enough to punch their best friend in the mouth on the hard tracks, and reflective enough to burst into tears on the sad songs, explains Matlock, I feel I represent the common man's state of mind, which can be happy, sad, goofy, political, spiritual, and filled with rage all at once. I try not to force my writing. I write because I have something to say, not because I have to say something". Moonshine hits the stores on September 11, 2007 on Gravel Records.