We Speak Hip-Hop
Gaine$ drops new video for “The Otherside Of $$$”
Buffalo wordsmith Gaine$ has reached “The Otherside Of $$$” in new single (and accompanying video shot by Austin Barker). The first leak from his forthcoming LP, Mr. Gaine$ to drop on May 1st the track marks a milestone in the emcee’s growth. As he relates “a lot of my music depicts my transformations in life, this one is about my journey from a petty hustler, on government assistance to moving legally and learning how to step back from making art to balance my priorities.”
Glacially cool with echoed vibes and a languid piano, this is late-nite reflection music for Gaine$ to immerse the listener in. The single as well as the album is produced by NOM, whom Gaine$ met in a studio session several years ago.
Watch official video for “The Otherside of $$$”: https://youtu.be/h33IgUV9Xgg?si=h9br6Pjo0o57Bs93
The album cover as well as recurring soundbytes throughout the project reference the character, Mr. Gaines from the beloved 90’s sitcom, A Different World. Fans of the show will recall Mr. Gaines as the surly owner of the Hillman College eatery, The Pit. Speaking on the connection, the emcee said “My surname is also Gaines and like that character represents wisdom to the younger students I’d like to think that I represent that somewhat amongst my friends and peers. I’m also relaying what I have learned/experienced in hopes that listeners can take something from it.”
Album guests on the project are sparse but Buffalo-centric including Griselda’s own Brother Tom SOS on the track “Ms. Merrimac” as well as Gaine$ brothers-in-rhyme Toneyboi andSkate Cobain.
More Info: https://www.instagram.com/gaines90/
Below System Records has unearthed another unreleased gem from the duo of Rashad And Confidence. “Non Stop” was recorded in 2011 as part of the sessions for highly regarded The Element Of Surprise LP sessions. On par with the best moments of that album, this unreleased gem is possessed by Confidence’s use of boomin’ drums and piano/horn stabs, fluid cuts from DJ Technic and Rashad’s smooth lyrical delivery. The result goes down as a spiritual sibling of the 90’s era Hip-Hop sound
Listen to “Non Stop via streaming services: https://bsr.ffm.to/nonstop
Vinyl grit, analog warmth, booming low end and an ethereal jazz element.
“Non Stop” as well as another unreleased track “Feel It” and 2019 single “Desires” will be part of the Below System 2xLP vinyl edition of The Element Of Surprise.
Listen to “Feel It”: https://bsr.ffm.to/feelit
Pre-orders for the vinyl is available now via the link below and will start shipping in early May.
Pre-order The Element Of Surprise: https://www.belowsystem.com/products/rashad-confidence-the-element-of-surprise-2xlp
Rashad, a Brooklyn NY emcee who sports a nimble and rapid flow excels at making anthemic choruses interspersed with highly detailed bars. Examples of album topics include a vivid picture of the hood while making a cautionary tale of its pitfalls (“The City”), his personal emcee origin story (“Days Of My Youth”), and the results of low motivation (“Pass Me By”) among others.
Boston based producer Confidence has made a career of sample chopping and analog warm heaters. He also tends to favor the one emcee/one producer line-up of the golden years. This extends to his recent collaborative LP’s on Below System Records including Library Of Sound with M-Dot and Kool Moe Dese with Big Dese.
