Video: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib “Shame”
Gary native Freddie Gibbs has been perhaps the most talented and the most visible Indiana rapper for a while now. Gibbs has released numerous mixtapes and appeared on tracks with everyone from Young Jeezy to Domo Genesis, but he hasn’t had a project yet that has seen him fully realize his potential. His new video for “Shame” from the EP of the same name with the ‘Beat Konducta’ Madlib finds Gibbs acting out his player/drug dealer verses and trying to give the listeners a visual that truly represents his perspective, just like his video for “Thuggin” (a prequel to “Shame”). Gibb’s brand of unapologetic gangsta rap is always technically solid, but his recent work over Madlib’s soulful production has me thinking that the duo’s upcoming album has classic potential. Pick up the Shame EP and the Thuggin EP over at Stones Throw Records.
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Written by John Bugbee
Fresh Track + Video: Oreo Jones ft. Freddie Bunz “Needy”
The stars appear to be aligning for Indianapolis rapper Oreo Jones. Fresh off his selection as Indy’s best rapper in NUVO’s Best of Indy poll, today Jones released the debut single from his forthcoming LP Betty, due to drop via local label Rad Summer on September 4. Always a skillful MC, Jones’ rhymes often underscore his acerbic wit and wry sense of humor. “Needy” takes care of business first and jokes second, hitting listeners with a more serious, no nonsense approach. This makes sense given Jones’ confession via Twitter that the track was inked following the theft of his lap top, an earth shattering blow to any DIY artist.
The video, shot at DOPE Couture, features Jones performing alongside Freddie Bunz and DJ Action Jackson for an intimate crowd that includes fellow Rad Summer labelmate Andy D. The track’s producer J. Brookinz looks content, head-bobbing and half-smiling, as he watches the song unfold in live time. If “Needy” is any indication of Betty‘s strength as a whole, consider my breath officially bated.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Video: TEEN “Electric”
Timing is a strange beast. As I was finishing up today’s post on TEEN’S Rumblette Mix Tape, somewhere in another part of the internet, Stereogum was releasing a video for the band’s new single “Electric.” The track is an early glimpse at their debut album In Limbo, due to drop on Carpark Records on August 28. The video, directed by Sam Fleischner, features the band in an homage to 60s-era psychedelic gogo-girls, popularly spoofed by Austin Powers’ “fembots.” Fleischner is the filmmaker behind Wah Do Dem, the award-winning, feature-length “slacker’s odyssey” starring Norah Jones. The video pairs well with TEEN’s hypnotic, hook-driven vocals on “Electric.” Even the video’s lighting mimics the prism-like design of In Limbo‘s cover art. Enjoy today’s TEEN two-fer, and grab a free download of the track below.
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Written by Rob Peoni
Thought on Tracks 