Public Knowledge Records Winter Ball at No. 9

Steppin out with Chill Ms Jackson
Public Knowledge Records Winter Ball at No. 9

Out hitting the indie music scene this past weekend I had the opportunity to check out some of Upstate New York's hottest  new underground artists. When most people think of Upstate New York they think of sub zero temps and blowing snow but there was a definite heat wave hitting Watertown, NY this past Friday. Grass roots label, Public Knowledge Records held down a showcase at Club No. 9 that exceeded expectations. The venue itself is a sweet surprise. The outside of the venue looks like it could be any local pub, but inside, it's allllll class, employs a bar staff that is warm and attentive and drinks that are reasonably priced. The venue's event coordinator and promoter, Cassie Booth

also happens to have a soft spot for local hip hop artists who often are not given the opportunity to perform live in the city. According to Cassie, the No. 9's owners never intended to hold live performances but allowing local hip hop an in has brought about a notable physical transformation and "defined a club that was previously lacking an identity."

This plays out well for PKR one of two Upstate New York local music movements that frequently showcases local talent at No. 9 and other area venues. The label which is headed by CEO Jonathan Huntsman, was responsible for booking the performers, putting on the sound and coordinating the lineup. The show featured several artists from the PKR roster: Max Hammer; Special; FABE; Ronin and Ill Theory (Jonathon Huntsman) as well as some staples from the Syracuse hip hop scene: BMG's; GNetics' and Roche performed along with Round Table Entertainment's CEO and producer Uneek Beats; Exotics; Chi-Tiz and Oswego's enigmatic duo Def One and MC IQ of Enajyram.


Each act brought a unique sound to the stage and PKR artists continually brought the fire with collaborations that monopolized on the diversity of styles each performer possesses. To get a taste of the PKR catalog and other local hip hop acts check out their next two events and their bandcamp page: Individual artist links can be found in the text above.

Public Knowledge at Paddock Club March 23rd

PKR HipHop Holidaze April 20th

Public Knowledge Records on Bandcamp

CAREER PROFILE: Syracuse NY Emcee TALL BUCKS

With the CNY summer weather or lack there of being a bit of a disappointment as of late and the two official signs of summer's end rapidly approaching - the New York State Fair and the start of the school year in September, this CHILL blogger looks to the career announcements of Syracuse's hottest artists for some fire to light up August's waning summer nights... much loved and respected Syracuse emcee, Tall Bucks is on the radar this time. Syracuse born and bred, Bucks holds no bones when it comes to acknowledging the city that made him every time he takes to the stage or the fact that he's true Hip Hop to the core, with no desire to ride the trap or pop trend wave inundating Hip Hop these days. He stands on his merits in music and in life and provides fans a true rip right off the cuff of New York Hip Hop lyricism.



His love for his city is as genuine as his performances and can be evidenced by the care and craftsmanship that went into developing his single, Shot Clock, an homage to Syracusean originator of the NBA's Syracuse Nationals, Danny Biasone's contribution to basketball. The 24 second shot clock rule spearheaded by Biasone has been credited with revolutionizing the game of basketball, another of Buck's true loves. When college basketball season gets live in Syracuse, Bucks bleeds orange from his eyes and ears right along with the rest of his city.  

No stranger to the music game, Bucks has been at this for over a decade and like a fine wine he's only getting better with time. His progression as an artist has been due not only to his profound talent but to his work ethic as well. He's come to the realization that putting out good music isn't the only key to success and has been heavily invested in building his brand at home and abroad and is signed to the management team of Howzdat Entertainment in New York. Perhaps one of the hardest working artists in his city, the performances never end for Bucks. When he's not appearing at some of Syracuse's more well known venues such as the Westcott Theater or Funk n Waffles, he can be found performing at choice venues along the East Coast including Manhattan's historic Village Underground, NYC's Toshi's Livingroom & Penthouse and New Jersey's The Blue Room Lounge.


What greater reward and testament to hard work can there be for a rising emcee than to open for acts who have had a strong impact upon his career? Citing Hip Hop's Mobb Deep as one of his favorite groups coming up as a kid during a recent interview with Big Slim and Tee of Syracuse radio's LIVE FROM THE BOX, Bucks had the opportunity to open for Mobb Deep's Prodigy at The Blue Room last year. He has also opened for Slick Rick and Akir when they made their appearances in Syracuse and next month will see Bucks reach yet another career milestone in the performance arena when he opens for the Dipset Reunion Tour in Rochester, NY on September 5th, a move negotiated by his manager, Miss Mo, of Howzdat Entertainment.  

Next up on the emcee's show card... Saturday, August 22nd Upstate Heat 2 at Funk n Waffles Downtown Syracuse, a concert series produced and hosted by Syracuse producer Shantel Reed (Uneek Beats) of RoundTable ENT and Dianna Merritt of EC Radio & Promotions. Bucks was a performer at the first Upstate Heat installment this past April. Saturday's show promises to be all that the first one was and more with some of April's artists bringing their heat back to Reed's stage along with a slew of newcomers to the series. This Chill Ms will be front and center ready to show love for the game and specifically to hear more of Buck's new material, something he's guaranteed to bring to every one of his performances.


Links to Tall Bucks' social media channels and music can be found below. His discography is available on DattPiff and a new studio album is in the works for an anticipated November 2015 release. The album, The American Lie, is a collaboration with long time co-creator and friend, Syracuse producer and fellow emcee, Timothy Rogers (TJ) of Timothy J Productions. The album claims only two features, Martino Storm and Elizabeth Canino both also of Syracuse, NY. I have had the opportunity to be present for some of the album's production and can confidently say that the duo will be delivering both social commentary and entertainment in one highly prolific and timeless package just in time to for the holidays. I am greedily rubbing my hands together in anticipation.  

Links

Instragram/buckscity315

Howzdatentertainment.com/tallbucks/
Twitter/talbucks315
Soundcloud/tallbucks315
Youtube.com/TallBucks

Interviews

LIVE FROM THE BOX Interview Part I (May 2015)
LIVE FROM THE BOX Interview Part II (May 2015)

Discography

Angels & Demons

Apollo 13 2013

Underground Hip Hop Alert: For Josh Jessmore of Enajyram the Grass Really is Greener on the Other Side

Sometimes a change in the air is just what the doc ordered. Bandmates Josh Jessmore (The Def One) & Wes Riggs (IQ) have been grinding it out here in New York State as members of Enajyram for years. The group originated in the early 2000s when the underground hip hop scene was exploding and found themselves influenced by the movements of labels such as Rhymesayers, Stones Throw and Quannum and have opened for other underground groups such as Sophistafunk, John Brown's Body, Subsoil and Badfish. After having weathered many transitions that might have brought bands of lesser mettle to a screeching halt, core members, Josh and Wes, are still standing. Even now with miles between them, approximately 1700 to be exact, the duo is continuing to collaborate and expand their fanbase.

The Def One found himself ready for greener pastures (pun intended) and decided to move operations to one of the greenest states in the West where Wake n Bake Wednesday has been given a whole new more relaxed vibe for the emcee. A beatmaker since the age of 14, Josh has transitioned himself into a proficient writer, rapper and producer. Currently he's embarked on a solo career and is working on his first solo project, The DEF-initive Mixtape Series. The first volume which was originally scheduled to drop in 2016 may be ready as soon as next month and features 9 tracks no collabs with beats from DJ Marsiv, Davobeats, and D-Stylez. A full album release is also in the works and will be announced later this year. Perhaps that fresh Colorado air and free-spirited atmosphere has done The Def One right. Not only has he been churning out new material, but he currently sits at number 2 on the Colorado Springs Reverbnation chart.

The Fool

Emcee IQ ain't too shabby his damn self with the solo career grind. He's made his first studio album, The Fool, available for free download on bandcamp and another album may be in the works. Maybe IQ will also choose to leave the more conservative Syracuse, NY area behind to immerse himself in the same artistically therapeutic indie music scene that has swallowed The Def One whole, chewed up and spit out with renewed vigor and vision. Only time will tell. One thing is for certain though, the lyrical gifts of Wes Riggs should not burn out on the brown CNY soil.

Dirty Hairy

With songs like maryjanE and their brand name alone, Enajyram obviously flies two tokes off the beaten bath and time has proven that diversity's got nothing on their franchise! In fact, like thier track One Trick Tony states, it can't touch them with a ten foot pole. Give your tastebuds a treat by following the links below to Enajyram's full discography on bandcamp and the Def One's new projects on SoundCloud. If you're feeling appreciative of thier grind and want to be the first to get the 411 on new projects and updates, give them a follow on their social media channels. While you're at it download Enajyrams last digital album Dirty Hairy. With an album cover like that you know this has to be nerdrap at its finest!

This Chill Ms is smitten and you'll find me where the very cool Enajyram wind blows. Oh and by the way happy Wake n Bake Wednesday!

enajyram

Links

Soundcloud/TheDefOne
therealenajyram.bandcamp.com
twitter.com/therealenajyram
Reverbnation.com/defone5
Facebook.com/Enajyram
Facebook.com/DefOne