ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: The DownBeat Keys

REVIEW: IV The Polymath

.:ALBUM REVIEW: IV The Polymath - New Vs. Old

In the past few years, instrumental hip-hop albums have started to garner widespread attention. Previously, MCs used to seek out beat tapes to practice their rhymes or find producers for their albums. Nowadays, producers can release entire projects that don’t sound out of place without a rapper spitting over the tracks. This tradition of showcasing beats without rappers started back in the mid 90s with the help of artists such as DJ Shadow and his album “Endtroducing.” The latest release to come across my desk in this genre is IV the Polymath’s “New Vs Old.”

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INTERVIEW: Moka&Chief

.:INTERVIEW: Moka Only & Chief -- Word Is Bond Exclusive Interview

We told you about Moka Only and Chief's show at East Village in London for Doctor's Order previously with our review and we posted some great pictures courtesy of Ruben Cruz of Kraken photography, but it is now time to present our exclusive interview with the duo, recorded a few hours before the show, where they tell us about London, Crickets and more.

Big shout out to Spin Doctor for providing a place for us to conduct the interview and of course to Moka Only and Chief, who took some time to chill with us and answer our questions despite jet lag and tiredness.

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MIX: DJ FYO – Beats To The Vibes 2

.:MIX: DJ FYO - Beats To The Vibes 2 -another side- (WIB EXCLUSIVE)

Japanese DJ and Word Is Bond affiliate DJ FYO has once again blessed us with an exclusive mix. You should know the deal by now from his previous mixes; 40 tracks blended with some additional gems showcasing the sounds of WIB and DJ FYO's own musical palette.

Previous Beats To The Vibes mixtapes have now become available for download, you can find them via the link...

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EVENT: Idle Warship

.:EVENT REVIEW: Idle Warship at the Key Club (Los Angeles)

In the City Of Angels, no matter what day of the week it is.. if you're a fan of any particular artist, chances are you'll be coming out to see them. In this case, this past Wednesday night was no different, as the Key Club became a fully packed house, waiting for Idle Warship artists Talib Kweli & Res (w/their band) to come out and jam for their fans. You can even see the anticipation on the audience's faces that once they got started, it was definitely going to be a good night, brought to you by Move Forward Music & Fusicology.

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7Jun/100

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: The DownBeat Keys

DownBeat Keys - Addiction (WIB)

The homie Andrew from The DownBeat Keys hit us up, with this goodness yesterday...and I loved it so much I had to do a spotlight on them.

Inspired by The Roots... Downbeats Keys are believers of Hip-Hop through live instrumentation. There aren't many acts that follow on The Roots footsteps, mainly because it requires plenty of music knowledge and hard work to put together a live act that sounds as good as they do..... And I applaud the The DownBeat Keys for achieving that.

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skitched 20100606 232024 ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: The DownBeat Keys The DownBeat Keys

About The DownBeat Keys:

"The DownBeat Keys are a fresh new hip-hop group out of Brooklyn, NY. Rejecting the status quo of electronic beats, DBK records and performs all of their songs with live instruments, imparting their sound with an explosive energy unparalleled in contemporary music. Spitfire MCs Similie and Ill Will ride the band’s crashing sonic wave with incendiary flow, deft word play, and intricate story lines. Combined, these musical forces create everything from raging party anthems to poignant portraits of life and love.

The group met in the fall of 2008 at Hamilton College near Utica, NY. With parties three nights a week, DBK had almost unlimited opportunities to perform in front of audiences of hundreds of people. Often playing three and four hour sets, the band zeroed in on their ferocious combination of hip-hop and funk based on what kept people dancing. That spring, they released their first EP entitled, "Invisible Ink" (available for free on their website downbeatkeys.com). Their single, "I Don't Remember" was an immediate hit and spread like wildfire. Before long, the DownBeat Keys had a full nine month tour scheduled at colleges and venues all over the Northeast. Based on their ability to turn any party into an absolute rager, they even scored gigs opening for the likes of Talib Kweli, Matt and Kim, and Soulive. While on the road, the band continued to write and record, releasing their second (and way better) EP, "Instant Gratification," (available on iTunes) in April. Currently residing at their home studio in Canarsie, Brooklyn, the band is working on a new album and scheduling an extensive east coast tour for 2010-11."

Preview the Album "Instant Gratification" over at downbeatkeys.com

Buy the album on