| Molotovs and the Cynicism of YC | July 10, 2013 |
Max Bell is throwing roman candles. The Bronx’s YC the Cynic was featured in HipHopDX’s “DX Next” column back in February of 2011, just before the release of his mixtape Fall FWD, a solid batch of looped NY-infused boom-bap from an MC in his early-20s that featured appearances by C-Rayz Walz and Homeboy Sandman. The next year YC released his […]
| Beck is Back (Maybe) | July 9, 2013 |
Max Bell is a güero for life. If I never become a rapper and learn how to play an instrument, I’ll attempt to make music like Beck’s. That’s probably because some of his work has a definite hip-hop influence (see also, the boom-bap drums on “E-Pro“). But I think what attracted me most to Beck’s music, […]
| Ty Dolla $ign: Back at the Beach House | July 3, 2013 |
Max Bell wants to drink sake. Ty Dolla $ign (Ty$) buys his women the same red bottoms and the same perfume. It’s the smart move: if anyone asks, you only have to remember one set of gifts. He also only considers taking a woman to the movies if the head is right. That’s just being […]
| The Accurate Coordinates of Bells Atlas | June 28, 2013 |
Max Bell something something something. I wrote about Oakland’s Bells Atlas and their self-titled EP back in April. The EP’s been in constant rotation for me ever since. That was until I listened to their also self-titled LP, released June 18 via the group’s Bandcamp. At eleven tracks, it might be the best, and most […]
| The Forever Un-Middling Open Mike Eagle | June 25, 2013 |
Ask Max Bell about Cella Dwellas. Let’s talk about Battle Raps — the ones that stick with you long after the record is over. I’m thinking of songs that manage to move me sonically and offer something new, lines you marvel at, and lines you laugh about with your friends. The songs with one liners […]
| Prince Reloaded | June 24, 2013 |
Max Bell wrote this in a purple velour jumpsuit. If there was no Prince, there would be no The Time, no Dam-Funk. There would be no infamous Dave Chappelle sketch. And the story of Prince skating with “multicolored spark trails” coming out of his rollerblades would not be in Quest Love’s memoir. Basically, the world would […]
| Where Have ADd+ Been? | June 19, 2013 |
Max Bell is pictured inside the gas station. For their next proper release, Slim Gravy and Paris Pershun have decided to go with another apt title, one describes both their approach to making music and their position in the rap game: DiveHiFlyLo. In other words, they know they make “hi” quality music that may “fly lo,” below […]
| Brainfeeder’s Azizi Gibson | June 5, 2013 |
Max Bell is headed overseas. Germany, Thailand, Singapore, Maryland, Los Angeles—Azizi Gibson has never not been on the move. Raised as perpetually mobile military brat, he has no real hometown. As a result, it seems he’s not bound by any particular regional sound or set of aesthetic criteria. There’s no scholarly (read: sometimes cringingly derivative) adherence […]
| The Midnight Marauding of The Outfit, TX | June 3, 2013 |
Max Bell has a pocket full of stones. There’s no shortage of posts about The Outfit, TX here on this site (see here, here, and here). Each is essentially for the same reason: the Houston, Texas trio is responsible for one of the best albums of 2012. And so, this post is really no different. It’s rare […]
| The Hindsight of Has-Lo | May 29, 2013 |
Max Bell’s destiny is reaching the keys. Has-Lo’s debut LP In Case I Don’t Make It (below the jump) was one of the best albums of 2011. It’s a throwback that doesn’t feel derivative, overly nostalgic, or overly reverential. It’s something for modern hip-hop listeners and Philadelphians who’ve studied It Was Written and have entered the 36 […]
