rap

AlbumBrian HillsmanReview

Album Review: Austin Hip-Hop artist Pat G released Talk To Me Nice

In July, Pat G released his latest EP, Talk To Me Nice, July 11 on his own, Be Relentless label. It was his first release since his 2019 LP, Whatever it Takes. So much happened in the time between the two album releases, the Temple-born, Austin-based emcee felt it appropriate to convey his personal and artistic growth with this, his fifth record.

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Case CockrellLive MusicReview

Live music review: Danny Brown threw down a rager at Empire Garage

Sometimes, live music crowds can be major downers. Austin, Texas’ vibrant music scene has a massive influx of live shows that draw a variety of different crowds, some good, some bad. For Detroit-turned-Austin oddball rapper Danny Brown, an unforgettable live spectacle made sure to cancel out the entitled personalities that attempted to harsh the triumphant vibes of Danny’s homecoming for yet another Austin appearance, this time at Empire Garage on Thursday, April 11.

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AlbumCase CockrellReview

Album review: Danny Brown delivered reflective Warp Records solo record Quaranta

With a blockbuster collaboration and tour with experimental Hip Hop powerhouse JPEGMAFIA under the Detroit-turned-Austin artist’s belt, the modern rap icon has ceremoniously unveiled his most personal album to date, Quaranta. For those who aren’t fluent in Italian, the record’s title means 40, showing Brown’s vulnerability as he ages into a seasoned rhyme sculptor who still feels like he has lots to prove despite his glowing resume. On Quaranta, he treats like Hip Hop has been a double-edged sword, and he is finally seeing destiny as he has painted it over his long, fabled career.

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Case CockrellReview

Live music review: Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA packed Stubbs for collaborative rager Friday  

The new album also brought out fans in droves at Stubbs which was sold out for Brown and JPEGMAFIA for a live collaborative rager on Friday. For relentless music fans that chomp at the bit for weird music and what lies beneath the surface, Danny and Peggy have brought their unending creativity to the forefront, which comes as an attempt to make the underground and mainstream collapse on top of each other. 

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Case CockrellReview

Live music review: Lil Yachty was an ardent completionist at his debut ACL TV taping

“I did what I wanted to do, which was create a body of work that reflected me,” Yachty explained in a Billboard cover feature. “My idea was for this album to be a journey: Press play and fall into the void.” This was his position before recording his debut Austin City Limits (ACL TV) taping last week. 

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Case CockrellReview

Live music review: Against odds Lil Ugly Mane performs in Austin at Oblivion Access Festival 

Lil Ugly Mane, aka Travis Miller, has always been an elusive figure. The underground hip-hop world that Ugly Mane spawned out of might call the Virginia native an enigma, so much so that Lil Ugly Mane’s many pseudonyms meant to take the prolific music creator outside of the SoundCloud rap box that he was painted into with his breakout 2012 debut album Mista Thug Isolation.

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Christina DeStefanoInterviews

Interview: Austin artist Raw Lew keeps it positive while exploring beats

For those stuck inside going stir crazy with the latest spike in the Omnicron variant that is running rampant across the country, check out Raw Law for some positive,  focus music to start off 2022. Austin-based Raw Lew, aka Lewis Loatman has been  music since 2015. The Cosmic Clash’s Christina DeSteffano sat down with Loatman to discuss his work, Austin and the process of creating music in an intimate interview.

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Amanda QuriaishiGreg AckermanPremiere

Video premiere: [Exclusive] Ben Buck drops The Marquee with Boom Baptist

You know what makes us feel good? Hip-hop music made with love, commitment to the craft and a sense of humor. Remember in the 90s when groups like The Beastie Boys and Digital Underground with Shock G reigned MTV’s airwaves with clever, funny videos like Ben Buck clip “The Marquee,” is out today  as a premiere exclusive, only at The Cosmic Clash.

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Brian HillsmanReview

Album review: Little Simz delivers perfect recording with ‘Sometimes I Might Be Introvert’

Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo, known in the music world as Little Simz, released her latest LP, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, on September 3rd. The Islington, London MC has risen to prominence over the past five years via four studio albums and a flurry of tour dates.

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Greg AckermanPreview

Live music preview: Juneteenth Vancerts show Saturday with Tribe Mafia at Native

Austin hip-hop duo Tribe Mafia are set to headline an impressive Juneteenth bill for Sunset Saturdays by Vancerts and Fistful of Bourbon at Native Hostel this Saturday. The event begins at 6 p.m. (instead of 5 p.m.) inside Native so fans won’t wilt in the midst of hot, summer weather already upon us in Central Texas.

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