Briefcvse – ‘Low Quality Demo’s’ [MIXTAPE]

By: Shamus Hill

Briefcvse is here to remind us all that we can still remain productive while flattening the curve, as the Jamaica Plain artist unveils his latest body of work — Low Quality Demo’s.

Sitting at roughly 10 minutes in length, Low Quality Demo’s is a collection of experimental, lo-fi tracks that Briefcvse made over the course of a week while stuck at home. Despite what the title of this project might suggest, this mixtape is actually some of the 2020 member’s most exceptional work to date. Equipped with free-flowing storytelling and poised production, a listen through Low Quality Demo’s feels like a breath of fresh air.

“Quarantine”, which features Massachusetts’ Jerome B and Premo Dee, is the perfect encapsulation of what life has been like for many of us during this period of uncertainty. An additional standout off of Low Quality Demo’s is “Play Nice”, which does a great job at highlighting Briefcvse’s high caliber of skill with respect to both rapping and producing. In my personal opinion, this project is most impactful when listened to in its entirety, so I’m thrilled that Briefcvse uploaded the uninterrupted version of the mixtape on his SoundCloud.

Listen to Low Quality Demo’s below:

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Jerome B – “Rain//Lluvia” [Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Hailing from Somerville, Massachusetts, Jerome B returns to the Graduation Music site today, this time with the visuals for his brilliant song titled “Rain//Lluvia”. As its name suggests, the first half of the track is in English, while the second half is in Spanish. Doing a wondrous job at showcasing the two sides of Jerome that make him whole, the video for “Rain//Lluvia” is a well put-together piece of work that somehow finds a way to add depth to an already thoughtful song.

The English portion of this track features shots of Jerome B around his hometown, Somerville, and as many of his other videos suggest, Jerome takes extreme pride in where he’s from. He’s one of the more capable rappers in the entire state, and his ability to decompose deep thought in order to create highly-playable, layered music isn’t something that should go unnoticed.

As the song transitions into the Spanish portion, the video switches locations from Somerville to La Habana, Cuba. Being of Cuban heritage, the trip to his homeland was one of utmost importance to Jerome B, so having clips of it included in this video help to make it incredibly meaningful. Darren Yicong Deng and the staff over at Bridge Vision really do a well-rounded job at offering a glimpse of Cuban life, whilst injecting personal meaning into this visual. If you’re unfamiliar with Jerome B’s discography, now is the perfect opportunity to receive a thorough look at what the rapper has to offer.

Watch the official video for “Rain // Lluvia” below:

Jerome B – “Gudgud” [Prod. sesåme]

By: Shamus Hill 

Fresh off of a trip to Cuba, Somerville’s Jerome B returns to the Graduation Music pages with a song that’s perfect for your Summer playlist. His latest offering, “Gudgud”, circulates around feeling good and the struggle to achieve that feeling. Detailing something we’ve all dealt with at one point or another, Jerome B is here to help remind you that happiness doesn’t always have to be so challenging to obtain.

Produced by sesåme, “Gudgud” possesses an energetic, warm sound that truly helps put you in a better mood. We all experience periods of time where we set our expectations too high, especially in regards to our emotional state. This record nonchalantly addresses these expectations, and how they can be lowered. Towards the end of the track, Jerome B states “H20 and the sunshine, all that I need to unwind” reminding us of how simplistic our happiness can really be. It’s the little things that really count at the end of the day, and Jerome B wants us to continue to be aware of that. A beautiful message to a world that could really use it, “Gudgud” is a wonderful addition to Jerome B’s catalog.

Listen to “Gudgud” below:

Jerome B – “Condos” [Music Video]

By: Shamus Hill

Recently, Jerome B and Bridge Vision collaborated on the official video for “Condos”, which was featured on Jerome B’s 2018 release, Price of Paradise. This high-tempo, in-your-face record circulates around Jerome’s dissatisfaction towards the gentrification taking place across Boston, specifically his hometown of Somerville. The video, however, rather than shining a negative light on the subject, showcases the beauty of Jerome’s city, and all of the people who have helped make Somerville the place Jerome knows and loves so well.

Utilizing visuals featuring some Somerville locals, Market Basket, and even the pouring out of some Dunkin Donuts coffee, both Jerome B and Bridge Vision did a wondrous job at encapsulating the spirit of both the younger and older generations of Somerville. Watching this video makes you feel as if you’re going to the Ville for the day to chill with Jerome B and his crew, which ultimately ends up being the strongest argument against gentrification and the “pushing out” of generations of residents. The “Condos” video helps to showcase the beauties of Somerville, while at the same time letting everyone know that the people there won’t simply be ridden of.

The pride that Jerome B has brought to the forefront in this video is stellar, and is something that we all should display with respect to where we are from. Hats off to everyone involved here, as they did an amazing job at providing above par visuals for this addictive record.

Watch the official video for “Condos” below: