Grynch, Macklemore and Gatsby (of They Live!) remix a joint originally found on Fresh Espresso’s debut album, Glamour. Shot by Stephan Gray.

DOWNLOAD: Grynch, Macklemore & Gatsby – Something New (rmx) | Mediafire

Some footage of U-N-I & De La Soul performing at the Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival in Seattle, WA on September 5th. Above is U-N-I and the rest is after the jump…

Duck Down has been putting in work this past few months (and no, I’m not saying they haven’t for the past decade plus). Their latest move is picking up Seattle’s own Blue Scholars for a unique partnership with Caffe Vita Coffee Co. On August 25th, Blue Scholars will release OOF!, their newest collaborative multi-media project. On September 1st they will re-issue their 2007 album, Bayani, which will include one new song and two joints that were previously only available via digital retail outlets. Then after they they have a brand new full-length on the horizon. Hit the jump for the full press release.

SEATTLE – Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co.

On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. Bayani Redux will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon.

The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away.

Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses.

Dru Ha, CEO of Duck Down Records states, “I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in hip hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business.”

Duck Down’s current distribution partner, E1 Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the United States, will handle distribution of Blue Scholars’ physical product. Digital sales and distribution will go through Tunecore. Direct-to-fan marketing and sales will be developed by the members of Blue Scholars themselves, using Topspin web marketing tools.

Says Geo, of Blue Scholars, “After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music. ”

To finance all the upcoming projects, Blue Scholars have formed a strategic brand relationship with Seattle independent coffee company, Caffe Vita. The coffee company will also play a role in the sales and distribution plan by selling upcoming albums in all of their retail outlets and marketing the releases via their online presence.

Blue Scholars DJ/ Producer Sabzi says in regard to their partnership with Caffe Vita – “their innovative marketing, their justice and equity in business practices, and their premiere quality of product and presentation, make Caffe Vita an ideal brand to partner with. I intend to do with our music what Vita does with their coffee.”

“Coffee is both International and local, it effects the lives of millions, and it has tremendous ability to generate culture. We believe strongly in the work of the Blue Scholars and their power to look beyond the basic commodity that music has become. We are honored that Sabzi and Geo see that Vita is striving for the same goals.”Mike McConnell, founder Caffe Vita

Blue Scholars have sold over 60,000 albums and played over 400 live shows. They have developed a dedicated following in the Northwest (selling over 4,000 tickets for each of their last few Seattle performances) and have shared the stage with an impressive list of nationally acclaimed artists such as Kanye West, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Matisyahu, Zion-I, Flobots and the Coup.

In between recording sessions, the Seattle trio will be running with a series called No Beat is Safe. Pretty self explanitory if you ask me. Taking requests via Twitter on which beats they should use. Up first Brainstorm bangs it out over the Neighborhood Nip anthem while Fearce Vill is kinda like a big deal…

DOWNLOAD: Brainstorm – Bang It Out Freestyle | Mediafire
DOWNLOAD: Fearce Villain – Kinda Like a Big Deal Freestyle | Mediafire

I’ve been told these guys are making noise in the 206 area. Currently touring the nation w/ the Sneaker Pimps events the past few months. What ya’ll think? Love/hate… blame it on Grynch haha.

DOWNLOAD: They Live – Whitney | Mediafire

First off, I wanted to congratulate the homie Grynch for making it on the front page of the Seattle Times. Good stuff dude! Now onto the video… Andrew Matson drives around with Grynch (in his Volvo) to talk about his latest project. Mainly the experiences and ideas behind My Volvo & Time. If you haven’t already, be sure to download The Chemistry EP. You won’t regret it.

PREVIOUS: A (2)Dope Illa J/J Dilla Contest (Winners) | Kyle Lucas -The New Light f. Sol & Grynch (prod. Captain Midnite)

I’ve been leaking joints off this for a little while now. And it’s finally time to unleash the entire EP for ya’ll to vibe with! Don’t sleep and be sure to check out one of the dopest up and coming acts from the North West. Featuring Tunji, One Be Lo, RA Scion and Geologic; with production by Keelay & Zaire, Illmind and more.

Tracklist + Download link after the jump…

DOWNLOAD: Grynch – The Chemistry EP [via GetGrynch]
PREVIOUS: Kyle Lucas -The New Light f. Sol & Grynch (prod. Captain Midnite)

Thig sent this to me last week, but I wasn’t sure it was allowed to be posted. *slaps forehead…

Two years after the release of their critically lauded full length debut, Future Talk, Seattle-based hip hop group The Physics are back with June 2009’s release of High Society, an eight track EP of new material representing a natural progression both musically and personally. Steeped heavily in references to jazz and soul, Just D’Amato’s production (alongside Phee Dill & Dyalect) provides the smoothed-out backdrop against which lyricists Thig Natural and Monk Wordsmith (absent from Future Talk but a notable presence here) do their thing and do it with skill. Featuring guest appearances by beastly Seattle MCs Language Arts (Back Track) and Macklemore (Good) as well as one of the year’s most buzzed about local duos, the fresh-as-all-hell females of Thee Satisfaction (Radio Head), High Society dims the lights on the laidback aesthetic established in Future Talk and invites the listener to get real grown—and enjoy it. While this EP may feel like a main course, don’t get it twisted: it’s merely just a taste of what’s to come, a prelude to an additional as-yet-untitled release slated for later in the summer.

Tracklist + Download link after the jump…

01 Hustle Man Intro
02 High Society
03 Callin
04 Back Track
05 I Just Wanna Beat
06 The Session
07 Good
08 Radio Head

Artwork by: Black Marmalade.

DOWNLOAD: The Physics – High Society EP

It’s not every day you get submissions from two different artists (that come from opposite coasts) and the only thing different in their name is a punctuation! Considering the coincidence I’m just gonna leave them in the same post. This, by no means, is me putting them against each other. But I do advise they work something out. So check it… D (dash) Black = Bronx, NY; D (period) Black = Seattle, WA.

Up first is a joint from Bronx native D-Black; off his upcoming project with Illmind. The track will also be featured on Illmind’s Blaps, Rhymes & Life 3 (dropping later today). And following that is a joint off D.Black’s upcoming album, Ali Yah (dropping in September), which will be entirely produced by Jake One & Vitamin D. Those recognizing the beat should know that 50 Cent grabbed the beat from an older Vitamin D beat CD for London Girl off his War Angel LP.

DOWNLOAD: D-Black – Superbad (prod. Illmind)
DOWNLOAD: D.Black – Keep On Going (prod. Vitamin D)

Here goes the last leak from Grynch’s upcoming Chemistry EP, which drops July 7th on GetGrynch.com. I’ve also included the artwork x tracklist after the jump…

DOWNLOAD: Grynch – My Volvo | Mediafire

PREVIOUS: Grynch – Chemistry f. One Be Lo | Grynch – Smoke & Mirrors f. Tunji & Geologic | Alexipharmic – Stardust f. P.O.S, Grynch, Cas One & Sarah Smalley