News

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial ‘MLK (Dream Big)’ ft. SEE KING – Prod. by The Other Guys

SUBSTANTIAL “MLK (DREAM BIG)” featuring SEE KING
PRODUCED BY THE OTHER GUYS

NEW SINGLE OFF UPCOMING EP, ‘THE PAST…’
PRE-ORDER NOW

The Past… is the first of three EPs leading up to the fourth studio album from prolific, Indie MC, Substantial. This time around the veteran wordsmith has partnered with HiPNOTT Records producer duo and fellow Maryland natives, The Other Guys for his latest release. Substantial’s musical past, pre-Hyde Out Productions, included many collaborations with Isaiah of TOG, which makes their project’s title quite fitting. The Past… features Von Pea of Tanya Morgan, Substantial’s protegé, See King, cuts from DJ Jav and plenty of that soulful boom bap The Other Guys have been known to provide. Lyrically, Substantial is as sharp as ever and covers subjects such as the dying art of MCing, dreams limited by stereotypes, and the exploitation of his former producer, Nujabes.

Substantial’s full length album The Past Is Always Present In The Future drops fourth quarter 2015. Until then, enjoy this appetizer and look forward to more flavorful Hip Hop music to feed your soul.

The first single from The Past… is “MLK (Dream Big)” featuring See King. Stream it below and pre-order the EP today. Pre-orders on Bandcamp will get an immediate download of the new single.

STREAM

PRE-ORDER

CONNECT WITH  SUBSTANTIAL :

TWITTER HANDLES: @substizzle | @OtherGuysMusic | @HiPNOTT

[NEW RELEASE] Happy Holidays… From HiPNOTT Records

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM
HiPNOTT RECORDS

DOWNLOAD OUR NEW COMPILATION
OF PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED TRACKS

This winter, HiPNOTT Records has gathered our team of artists to give our fans a compilation of previously unreleased music for this holiday season.  The compilation is available now for free download as our holiday gift to you. Check out the tunes and view the accompanying video holiday cards from our artists.

STREAM / DOWNLOAD

TRACKLIST:

  1. Substantial - 360 Degrees (feat. Gods'Illa) [prod by The Other Guys]
  2. The Other Guys - Must Be Crazy
  3. Don Speaks - Ape Shit (Von Pea Remix)
  4. Confidence - Paradise (feat. Kimba)
  5. Amiri - I Got This
  6. SciFi Stu - On My Level (feat. Mavelous Mag, IV, Smoovth, and Chinch 33)
  7. Carolina Dirty - All I See (feat. Audessey) [prod by Billy Beats]
  8. Gods'Illa - Navigate (feat. Joe D)
  9. MidaZ The BEAST - The Man The Myth (feat. DJ SPS) [prod by Oh No]
  10. MarQ Spekt - Guidance [prod by Lex Boogie]
  11. Von Pea - Monday [prod by The Other Guys]
  12. The Regiment - Blow My Mind (The Other Guys Remix)

ABOUT HiPNOTT Records:

HiPNOTT Records  was founded in 2009 by hip hop blogger  Kevin Nottingham  (of KevinNottingham.com ) in an effort to release good music by artists that deserve to be heard. This is the first instance of a hip hop blogger branching out to form an independent label.

HiPNOTT Records’ goal is to continuously build their artists’ resumes and consistently develop an image that hip hop will have no choice but to admire. With Kevin Nottingham at the helm, a man who certainly respects the past, present, and future of the genre, it is hard to deny the capability of reaching these goals amongst others.

CONNECT WITH HiPNOTT:

TWITTER HANDLES: @Substizzle | @TanyaMorgan | @TheRegiment | @OtherGuysMusic | @BeatsBaby | @ConfidenceBeats | @SciFiStu | @Godsilla | @MarqSpekt | @Midaz | @Carolina_Dirty | @HiPNOTT

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial - 360 Degrees f. Gods'Illa (Prod by The Other Guys) + Holiday Vid Card

SUBSTANTIAL
"360 DEGREES"
FEATURING GODS'ILLA
PRODUCED BY THE OTHER GUYS

NEW SINGLE OFF UPCOMING
HiPNOTT RECORDS COMPILATION

This winter, HiPNOTT Records has gathered our team of artists to give our fans a compilation of previously unreleased music for this holiday season.  The compilation will be available for free download December 24th as our holiday gift to you. Until then, we will leak a few new tracks from the set along with accompanying video holiday cards from our artists.

First up is a new joint from Substantial, featuring new HiPNOTT signees Gods'Illa and produced by The Other Guys. Stream/download it below and view Substantial's personal holiday video message to you.

STREAM / DOWNLOAD

ALSO AVAILABLE: Bop Alloy 'Winter Breaks' on Bandcamp & Spotify

[NEW RELEASE] Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) 'Winter Breaks' (EP)

Bop Alloy Releases Holiday Project - Winter Breaks

Independent Hip Hop duo Bop Alloy will release their first holiday project on December 9, 2014. In February 2014, Bop Alloy was able to fund their 2nd LP, ‘Another Day in the Life of...’ using Kickstarter. The initial goal of the project was $7000. They more than doubled that amount in under one month and issued stretch goals, one of which included a holiday EP which would become ‘Winter Breaks’.

‘Winter Breaks’ compiles 6 sonically vintage Hip Hop tracks. Producer, Marcus D handles the live instrumentation mixes masterfully while infusing jazz, soul and a pinch of Afro beat samples. Lyrically, Substantial touches on the personal, social, and economical effects of the Holiday season, using thoughtful lyricism, wit, and a variety of flows to paint a different portrait of Christmas, Kwanzaa and New Year’s.

“I wanted to do something that wasn’t a traditional Christmas/Holiday album. I celebrate Kwanzaa as well and I set out to make songs that give you a peek into this underexposed, wonderful world”, says Substantial.

“Regardless of how you celebrate, what you celebrate, and/or who you celebrate it with, this is the best time of year, and I think ‘Winter Breaks’ embodies that sentiment without the cliche "holiday raps factor”, says Marcus D. The ‘Winter Breaks’ EP is sure to be the only holiday music you’ll be playing from now through February.

Track Listing*

  1. Let The Flakes Fall Where They May

  2. Hottest Christmas On Record

  3. Resolutions Per Minute

  4. Spent

  5. Longing for Nia

  6. A Celebration

*All songs written, produced by Substantial & Marcus D 

Available at 
bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/winter-breaks

About Bop Alloy 
Bop Alloy, comprised of Maryland emcee, Substantial and Seattle, WA producer, Marcus D, have become a staple in today’s international Jazz Hop scene. Baritone vocals, fluid flows, and honest lyrics over hypnotic melodies and pounding drums define the Bop Alloy sound. Together and individually, they have collaborated with the likes of Nujabes, Royce Da 5’9”, Kool Herc, Oddisee, Emancipator, CunninLynguists, Shing02, Choklate, and Kenichiro Nishihara. Bop Alloy’s ‘Another day in the life of...’ was released in April 2014 and features GRAMMY nominated Singer/Songwriter, Carolyn Malachi, Cise Star (of CYNE), and Pismo.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
BOP ALLOY LINKS & CONTACTS
Twitter: @BopAlloy
Facebook: Facebook.com/BopAlloy

[MUSIC] Von Pea 'To: You' Prod. The Other Guys ft. Substantial, The Lessondary & Kooley High

Von Pea of Tanya Morgan and The Lessondary, in conjunction with The Other Guys, proudly present To: You.  The new album from Von Pea, fully produced by DMV bred producers The Other Guys, featuring the hit singles “So East Coast” and “Chasing Amy aka In Your Heart” has been highly anticipated and is now ready for your ears before we close out 2014.

To: You is now available online for digital download on iTunesBandcamp, and all other retailers. Compact Discs are available at UGHHFat Beats and anywhere else you can cop CDs. Stream the album in full below and check out a video of Von Pea breaking down some of the album’s tracks.

[MUSIC] Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D) - Autumn Leaves f. Pismo

From Another Day in the Life of... AVAILABLE NOW: https://bopalloy.bandcamp.com/album/another-day-in-the-life-of With Fall in full swing, it's only fitting that Substantial & Marcus D officially release their latest single, Autumn Leaves. Guest vocals from the always soulful Pismo, add the perfect touch to this Autumn anthem while Marcus D's stellar production sonically captures the coolness and brilliant colors of the season. Substantial's lyrics, inspired by Gordon Park's book To Smile In Autumn, talk about setting new goals after reaching those from his youth as his life approaches the Autumn years. It’s like I reached that point where many folk lives get froze Instead I’m busy living most of my childhood goals Never stagnant, forever I’ll strive for more This elevator’s barely above the bottom floor Autumn Leaves is from Bop Alloy's critically acclaimed 2nd album, Another Day in the Life of... if you're a vinyl record enthusiast, you'll be happy to know that the duo recently released a Limited Edition EP version on 12" vinyl. Pick up your copy today and don't forget, there's more Bop Alloy right around the corner. The Winter Breaks Digital-Only EP drops this December 2014.

Bop Alloy (Substantial & Marcus D)

Autumn Leaves

featuring Pismo
Produced by Marcus D

DOWNLOAD/STREAM: Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Spotify

From Another Day in the Life of...
AVAILABLE NOW
CD | DIGITAL | STREAM | VINYL

With Fall in full swing, it's only fitting that Substantial & Marcus D officially release their latest single, Autumn Leaves. Guest vocals from the always soulful Pismo, add the perfect touch to this Autumn anthem while Marcus D's stellar production sonically captures the coolness and brilliant colors of the season. Substantial's lyrics, inspired by Gordon Park's book To Smile In Autumn, talk about setting new goals after reaching those from his youth as his life approaches the Autumn years.

It’s like I reached that point where many folk lives get froze
Instead I’m busy living most of my childhood goals
Never stagnant, forever I’ll strive for more
This elevator’s barely above the bottom floor

Autumn Leaves is from Bop Alloy's critically acclaimed 2nd album, Another Day in the Life of... if you're a vinyl record enthusiast, you'll be happy to know that the duo recently released Limited Edition EP version on 12" vinyl. Pick up your copy today and don't forget, there's more Bop Alloy right around the corner. The Winter Breaks  Digital-Only EP drops this December 2014.

[MUSIC] Substantial 'Ain't No Happy Endings' (Nujabes Remix) - #TBT

Produced by Nujabes | Written by Substantial Lyrics HOOK Ain’t no happy endings, ‘cause nothing really ends When this life is over, another begins And that’s the way it works in the circle of life Balancing these good days in these times of strife. Ain’t no happy endings, ‘cause nothing really ends When this life is over, another begins And that’s the way it works in the circle of life Balancing these good days in these times of strife. VERSE 1 I’m just trying to make it Life’s precious for granted I’ll never take it Every breath I breathe to me is sacred Back when I was young, my only love was football and my mama Learn to use curse words before I ever used a comma Little bad ass All I liked in school was gym and art class Life’s changin’, I was age ten when my pop past His love for cancer sticks and alcohol prove to be tragic My fam’s seen it all we became immune to havoc My lyrics is satisfaction to those who use to be addicts Soothin’ the beast in all those who use to be savage I advocate the acronym F.U.B.U. speak to As if my tongue was tatooed with the word uhuru Using my freestyle to emancipate mind states Fuck 21, I’d like to live see 9 – 8 But this world’s got me going bananas like a primate People you thought you knew full of surprises like a blind date And I hate, Cash flashing niggas with a passion More to life than dollars and rockin’ the latest fashion Seems like we either wanna play ball or be assassins While children go to bed to lullabies of guns blastin’ No matter the weather I’m striving to make it better But my motto is a contradiction “Never say never!” I will not I remain poetic like Gil Scott So stand up, get up My people keep your head up! BRIDGE And live everyday like it’s your last ‘Cause life only get harder as time goes past And yo, the sun might not come out tomorrow Don’t let your life end in sorrow. That’s why you live everyday like it’s your last ‘Cause life only get harder as time goes past And yo, the sun might not come out tomorrow Don’t let your life end in sorrow. HOOK VERSE 2 I try to live day by day without a fear or a worry It’s no time to I make moves in a hurry Use to be so clear now my vision’s getting blurry Streets is hotter than Tabasco sauce on chicken curry Bullets fly from guns with no target in particular Fatally hiitin’ ya Leavin’ bodies perpendicular To those still existin’ Silencers hissin’ Piercin’ the darkness Bringin’ forth another carcus Total bedlam, swear these streets is infested Filled with the many horrors that the devil manifested Children molested Nuclear weapons being tested Somehow I avoided being shot and arrested Brothers tried to bring it to me Sends slugs through me Almost was bodied thrice back when I was just a juvy Hard to deal thought about putting one in my own temple Permanent scars on my physical and my mental Sometimes I’m glad my niece is no longer around to see this Not a trace of unity society’s in peices Liquor splattered on concrete to mourn those that we miss Watch day and night, controlled by unseen leashes Watch day and night, controlled by unseen leashes Watch day and night, controlled by unseen leashes Yo, but no matter what… You know something? This is what you gotta do…

Some Throwback Thursday awesomeness for you. I'm sure a lot of you guys remember the original version of this track which is, in case you didn't know, my favorite track on my 1st album, To This Union A Sun Was Born. When Nujabes first sent me the original, I fell in love with the beat instantly. FUN FACT: The idea for the title and hook were inspired by a scene in the movie The Last Unicorn

Anyway, months after the album dropped, this month, 13 years ago, Jun sent me this remix. Still love it (nearly as much as the original). 

Listen. Enjoy. Share. 

Peace.
Sub/Stan

There are no happy endings because nothing ends.
— Schmendrick

[MUSIC] Tonedeff 'Lucky' ft. Extended Famm (Substantial & PackFM) from his new EP 'Hunter'

Peace World. The homie Tonedeff just dropped another amazing EP in his amazing Polymer series. Definitely worth checking out: Tonedeff.Bandcamp.com  My favorites are 'And They Watched Him'Narcissus' . The track at the top, 'Lucky', produced by Tone himself, is first Extended Famm (PackFM, Substantial & Tonedeff) track in several years. A glimpse at what's to come.

Listen. Enjoy. Share.

For more info on this release, visit QN5.com