Kleo – “Stomp His Ass Out”

By: Shamus Hill

Stepping in with his first release of the year is Kleo, who unchains the official music video for his thunderous single, “Stomp His Ass Out”.

According to Kleo’s Artist Bio on Spotify, “his music provides a backdrop to an anime fight scene”, and that is probably the most effective way to characterize this track. “Stomp His Ass Out” was one of ten songs that were featured on the Roxbury native’s 2019 album, Battle Damaged, and had been a personal standout ever since my first listen through the project. Furnished with a ridiculously high-paced energy, “Stomp His Ass Out” will have you feeling like you can rip a mountain from the ground and toss it into the depths of space.

The iLL Addicts were tasked with shooting and editing this visual, and much like their own music videos, they successfully created something both unique and fitting. A song of this caliber is deserving of a powerful video, and that’s exactly what the iLL Addicts achieved here.

Watch the official music video for “Stomp His Ass Out” below:

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Dun Dealy – “God’s Call” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Dorchester native Dun Dealy taps in Gil Videos to help bring the official music video for his new single “God’s Call” into existence.

Arguably the biggest standout within his musical catalog to date, “God’s Call” is a three minute offering during which Dun Dealy details some of what he’s endured in life. No matter the set of circumstances, he continues to persevere through any and all obstacles that lay in his path. This perseverance is something that’s continuously been a theme within Dun Dealy’s releases, as the Dorchester rapper manages to paint powerful anecdotes of Boston’s street life in each and every verse.

Watch the official music video for “God’s Call” below:

Kadeem – ‘Passing Exchange’

By: Shamus Hill

It’s been nearly a week since Kadeem unveiled Passing Exchange — a 5-track visual project that features some of the most remarkable raps to come out of the city of Boston in recent memory. From start to finish, Kadeem exudes thought-provoking lyricism that manages to connect with the listener at their core. Each individual bar leaves a lasting impression, as the Mattapan native provides yet another example of the high caliber of art that’s being pieced together in our own backyard.

According to Kadeem’s Bandcamp page, Passing Exchange is only the tip of the iceberg with respect to what’s to come:

This project is meant to be my steppingstone. I’ve always used music as an outlet, but for mostly thoughts rather than emotions. This project is my first attempt at beginning to break through. A quick-lived glimpse into what my journey will offer. During your listen, I hope it sparks anything. I hope you continue to create as your spirit intends.

Via Kadeem (Bandcamp)

Helping to catch the pure essence of each of these songs are filmmakers JR Alexander and Colin Pagnoni, who’ve successfully displayed why they’re some of the most capable within their craft that Massachusetts has to offer. Kadeem has always been applauded for his distinctive discography, however each passing moment of Passing Exchange brings the viewer a step closer towards knowing who Kadeem really is. Whether it be shots of him cooking some breakfast at home, or sipping Hennessy on Morton St., both JR and Colin manage to capture the essence of these raps — and Kadeem — in a wholistic fashion.

Typically, I like to point out standout tracks on every body of work that I discuss, however doing so here would be foolish as Passing Exchange is more of an experience than simply just an EP or mixtape. I strongly urge every one of you to play each of these tracks in their entirety, in the order that they’re presented so that the true experience may be retained.

Watch the Passing Exchange visuals below:

Direction by JR Alexander + Colin Pagnoni

Production by bza, no.pulp, Jeff Alan Gore, useeit, and Skunkz

Cover Art by Idalina Gomes

Nick Gray – “Slow Motion” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

More than four years since the initial debut of the song, Nick Gray has finally unleashed the official music video for his timeless single “Slow Motion”.

This track in particular comes attached with an extreme level of nostalgia for me, being that it was one I played a countless amount of times when I first started working at UMass Amherst’s 91.1 WMUA. Despite the song’s age — and the amount of times that I’ve played it — I found myself watching the video for “Slow Motion” and falling in love with the record all over again.

Ryan Schaefer, who shot, edited, and assisted with direction on this visual, really knocked this project out of the park. A listen through “Slow Motion” is highly comparable to day dreaming — in a sense that the listener feels transported to an entirely different time and place. This hypnotic, yet powerful feeling is wonderfully represented in this video, making it one of the more prominent music video releases that I’ve seen in some time.

Watch the official music video for “Slow Motion” below:

Photo Above by Ryan Schaefer

Directed by Ryan Schaefer + Nick Gray

Shot + Edited by Ryan Schaefer

BoriRock ft. Swipey – “MOSHPIT” (Prod. Maka) [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

When speaking of raw authenticity within the circuit of Massachusetts music, it’d be difficult not to include Boston rapper BoriRock in the conversation. Since coming on to my radar last year with the music video for “La Vida”, BoriRock has developed a truly dominant artistic presence. His ability to portray Boston street life through his raps is second to none, and as time has progressed he’s successfully pieced together a formidable catalog of music like no other.

“MOSHPIT” is the latest component of this musical catalog, which features a verse from Coke Boyz-affiliate Swipey. Cambridge’s Maka was responsible for the production on this single, and while he’s typically known for his more tropical/soothing sound, “MOSHPIT” serves as proof that he’s capable of making hard-hitting drill beats as well.

While the song itself is already well-done, Henry McGowan truly outdid himself here with respect to the direction of this music video. Each word that BoriRock utters comes attached with a sense of regality, and this sentiment is represented perfectly as he raps with Massachusetts casino Encore as his backdrop. If this is the first time you’re hearing of BoriRock, I strongly urge you to dive deeper into his discography, as “MOSHPIT” is merely the tip of the iceberg with respect to the amount of solid music he has within his discography.

Watch the official music video for “MOSHPIT” below:

Jiles – “Freestyle 001” + “Big Homie” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Van Buren Records continues to amaze the masses, as the collective of Brockton artists elevates with each and every new release. Today, Jiles makes his way onto the Graduation Music site with a two-for-one special that includes the official music video for both “Freestyle 001” and “Big Homie”.

What impresses me the most about Jiles’ discography is how he manages to exemplify realism. Rather than shying away from his life experiences and rapping about the many superficial topics that plague modern music, Jiles takes pride in what he’s endured — whether positive or negative. Daymian Mejia does a phenomenal job at incorporating these sentiments into this visual.

“Freestyle 001” takes on a gritty approach, as Jiles takes some time to remind his listeners of the struggles that he’s faced throughout his life. He’s been molded to be an extremely formidable individual no matter what life throws his way, and it’s this attitude that will continue to steer the Brockton native towards a successful future. “Big Homie” takes on a bit more of braggadocios approach than “Freestyle 001”, allowing for Jiles to talk his shit. Equipped with scenes full of his Brockton counterparts, “Big Homie” rests as one of my favorite visuals to-date in 2020. It’s most certainly evident that Jiles has been steadily improving his craft, and it’s a blessing to be able to see his progression in real time. Be on the lookout for more Van Buren Records releases each and every Tuesday, as #VBTuesdays are only just beginning.

Watch the official video for both “Freestyle 001” and “Big Homie” below:

Tony Bodega – “Roll$ Out” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Roxbury’s Tony Bodega is making his presence known in 2020, as he recently dropped the official music video for his hypnotic single, “Roll$ Out”.

Off of his 2019 project, Drgz & Wifi, “Roll$ Out” is most definitely a standout within Tony Bodega’s musical catalog. Equipped with a smooth, almost whispery delivery that helps put an emphasis on his clever lyricism, this track is extremely well-executed from every angle. Jakob Bauwens did a tremendous job with his visual work here, as this music video rests as one of the best thus far this year.

Watch the official music video for “Roll$ Out” at the link below:

Produced by YngDadHat

Video by Jakob Soto-Bauwens

Lance Jackson – “Museum” (Prod. Ricky Felix) [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Randolph’s Lance Jackson has been on fire as of late — with his string of stellar releases only being furthered as he slides on some Ricky Felix production for his latest track, “Museum”.

The feeling that’s derived from this song is comparable to suddenly having a 70 degree day in the midst of January. Just when you need that warmth and positivity more than ever, Lance swoops in to deliver some heat. From both a sonic and lyrical standpoint, Lance Jackson manages to fill his listeners’ ears with a heartwarming reminder that we all have purpose and should be striving toward greatness:

“Life’s hard of course, I can’t argue that,

I find peace knowing this a process, I thank God for that”

Lance Jackson – “Museum”

Helping to take this release to an even further height is videographer, Colin Pagnoni, who’s proven to be one of the most capable in his craft throughout Massachusetts. His work continuously showcases the talent prevalent within the Bay State, and this theme remains relevant on “Museum”.

Watch the official music video for “Museum” at the link below:

CLICK HERE TO STREAM “MUSEUM”

Righteous Justen – “Who Got Next?” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Making his debut onto the Graduation Music site today is Springfield native, Righteous Justen, who last month dropped off the official music video for his elegantly crafted single, “Who Got Next?”.

Featuring an exceptional freestyle to start things off, this nearly two minute long visual does not waste a second in terms of providing listeners with some captivating raps. Righteous Justen possesses this natural ability to flow with exceptional ease — and this is what “Who Got Next?” is essentially at its core. He’s fully equipped to go toe-to-toe with any rapper who dares to question his capabilities, and isn’t prepared to shy away from sharing his craft with the world. With the sheer amount of talent put on display through this release, I’m certain that Righteous Justen is only going to continue to turn some heads as 2020 marches forward.

Watch the official music video for “Who Got Next?” at the link below:

$ean Wire – “Pull Up” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Fresh off of a groundbreaking 2019 that ultimately resulted in an R&B Artist of the Year Award (Boston Music Awards), the ever-so-talented $ean Wire is prepared to unveil his most notable body of work yet, Internal Dialect, tonight at midnight.

“Pull Up” served as the second single to debut from the album, and was accompanied by an extremely well thought out visual — the first that $ean Wire has released up through this point in his career. Both the song and the Creek-directed video do a superb job at capturing the pure essence of who $ean Wire is as an individual, and it appears as if he’s only growing more comfortable with respect to opening up to his listeners about his personal life experience. Living proof of the fact that authenticity and originality will always prevail, $ean Wire is assuredly the next talented artist to blow out of Massachusetts.

Simply put, it’s ridiculously difficult to find an artist of $ean Wire’s caliber, and tonight he’s going to prove exactly why this sentiment rings true.

If you haven’t yet, watch the official music video for $ean Wire’s “Pull Up” below:

CLICK HERE TO STREAM “PULL UP” VIA SPOTIFY

Garrett Merk – “AWOL” (Prod. by Shag) [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

While we may presently find ourselves within the dark, gloomy depths of a freezing cold December, Garrett Merk is here today to deliver us some uplifting energy as he recently dropped the official music video for his new single, “AWOL”.

Directed by Frace Media, this visual features scenes throughout Brockton as Garrett reminisces on both the city and people that have assisted in molding him into the individual that he currently is. Anyone who’s followed Graduation Music over the course of the last few years will undoubtedly recognize Garrett’s name, as he’s consistently released music of a ridiculously high caliber. He manages to infuse each component of his discography with an infectious aurora that is distinctly unique to him, and it’s because of this that Garrett’s fanbase has grown at the rate it has. He’s gearing up for the release of his debut album in approximately a month, and if “AWOL” is any sign of what this project is going to be sounding like, then it may ultimately be one of the best to come out of the state of Massachusetts in several years. If you’ve yet to explore Garrett’s discography up through this point, then there’s no better time to do so than right now.

Watch the official music video for “AWOL” below:

CLICK HERE TO STREAM “AWOL”

Saint Lyor – “Gossip” [Official Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Van Buren Records continues their groundbreaking 2019 as Saint Lyor unleashes the official music video for his anthemic single, “Gossip”.

Setting the scene at Brockton High School and various other spots throughout the City of Champions, Saint Lyor’s debut music video wonderfully portrays the communal bond prevalent within this well-accomplished group of artists. Brockton is truly a special place with amazing people, and while the city’s reputation is often misconstrued by outsiders — Saint Lyor and company are here to provide these outsiders with a glimpse of the resilient nature that is instilled within the people from this city.

“No I’m not from Boston! ET I’m from Brockton!!” echoes Saint Lyor as he stands in front of Brockton High School, and it’s at this moment where all of the sentiments I mentioned above come full circle. While this proud, boisterous release may be considered to be centered around Saint Lyor himself, it largely speaks for Van Buren Records and the city of Brockton as a whole — making this video one of the most well-executed that I’ve seen in quite some time.

Helping bring this music video to life was Daymian Mejia and Anthony Picanzi who respectively shot and edited the visual.

Watch the official music video for “Gossip” at the link below:

CLICK HERE TO STREAM “GOSSIP”