New Wayniac. Stones Throw emcee/producer Jonwayne comes through on a relaxed introspective vibe with his new jawn, “Altitude.” Jonwayne lays the witty wordplay: “That’s All you can get is a marionette, I’m high strung all over which juggling act I’ve gotta follow next” – while the production is handled by Wayne and Mndsgn. Elevate, below. The track will be landing on Jonwayne’s upcoming tape, The Marion Morrison Mixtape, which is set to drop on July 30th (the third in his cassette trilogy). Features on the tape will include Captain Murphy, Jeremiah Jae, Zeroh, and Oliver The 2nd.

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First and foremost, shoutout to the fam over at Fresh Selects who just officially launched their record label, after 5 years of steady bloggin’. To kick off their series of cassette re-issues of the label’s favorite free projects (alongside new and original projects) will be a re-releae of Breatharian, a concept-heavy instrumental project from L.A. producer, Mndsgn. Mndsgn has previously worked with OKP favorites like Jonwayne, Blu, Sonnymoon, Zeroh, and Knxwledge. The Breatharian re-release will be out on November 12th, after being mixed and mastered for the first time (with added bonus tracks, guest remixes, music videos, and more). To celebrate the re-release, Mndsgn hits us with this promo mix, Frugal Earth Vol. Two. I’ve had this shit on constant repeat, and I’m sure you will too after first listen. You can stream it below (just Side A), and get a free download of it with purchase of the Breatharian tape. Mndsgn’s Breatharian tape will be out November 12th via Fresh Selects Records.

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The good people at Fresh Selects Records have just made their official debut with the release of Mndsgn‘s new LP, Breatharian (check track #3 to fully understand the title). The experimental L.A. producer comes through with a concept heavy, 19-track instrumental project. The re-issue also comes with those promo mixes (that you heard here) as bonus tracks. You may have heard the album before, but not like this, as it has been mixed and mastered for the first time and tracks 12, 13, 14,and 16 are all new ish. You can cop the Cassette + digital versions (or just digi for a dollar less) via FS’s Bandcamp.  A very dope listen, I’d highly suggest making that purchase.

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Danny Brown and Mndsgn serve up a decidedly sharp dart with “Sweeney Song.” This joint drops ahead of the forthcoming Classic Drug References 7″ box set from Sweeney Kovar, founder of the now-defunct Classic Drug References hip-hop blog. Danny Brown does some heavy lifting on the track, proving he continues to be a huge problem on the mic – a point Kovar touches on in his retelling of the track’s inception:

“Danny was my longshot for this project. By the time I got moving on this he’d already signed with Fool’s Gold and was about to drop XXX, which would establish him as one of the fiercest MC’s out. I emailed and DM’d to no avail. One day I decided to try something really crazy and picked up the phone and called him. The stars were aligned and a rapper actually answered his phone. In all of two minutes he agreed to cut a track. I emailed him a .zip of beats I’d culled from the homies and about a week later I got a sendspace link entitled “SWEENY SONG.” He had taken a Mndsgn beat and absolutely ripped it to shreds. It’s been so long since he cut it that it now sounds like vintage Danny to me, which of course I love. I fixed the typo in the title and ran with it.”

The Classic Drug References project is available for pre-order via Bandcamp. Sweeney Kovar’s limited vinyl box sets ship on November 25th with a trio of records and a CDR magazine. The digital download will be available on December 3rd. Check the track below to get a taste of “Sweeney Song.” Stay tuned for more.

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After over four years of dropping music on us, Mndsgn, finally released his first official video today. So why not do it big? Mndsgn comes through with a double feature with “Hiking” and “Fif Dim” off of his recently released Breatharian cassette. The two instrumentals appeal for different reasons, “Hiking” takes me to the most tranquil and calming place on earth, while “Fif Dim” supplies a little more of that slap you may be looking for. Video directed by The Pressure and Kenny Fresh. Breatharian is out now via Fresh Selects Records.

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To be honest, I’m still here thoroughly enjoying the beats on L.A. producer, Mndsgn‘s, recently -re-released album, Breatharian. But Fresh Selects Records aren’t gonna sit around and wait while you play catch up, as they’re dropping a remix EP, Inedia, to coincide with the original release, before the month ends. OKP proudly premieres the first leak off the EP, Iman Omari‘s remix of Mndsgn’s “Starving.” Not just nice with the vocals, Iman can chop them beats up with the best of them, as well. For this remix, Iman slows down the feel of the OG version while also mixing in samples of his own song “Sun Ray (Look of Love)” as well as his jawn with MoRuf “Clutch!” – the result is pure dopeness, check it below. Inedia will be out January 21st and will consist of a brand new single and 4 new remixes handled by his friends and family. Be on the lookout for more big releases from Mndsgn and Fresh Selects Records, later this year (and make sure you cop Breatharian!). Artwork: Alima Jennings.

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A couple of weeks ago, we were hipped to a new remix EP from L.A. producer, Mndsgn, Inedia. Consisting of 5 new remixes of tracks off of Breatharian. On board to handle production are Black Spade, Zeroh, Sonnymoon, and Iman Omari. We already premiered Iman’s track, now get a listen to (and purchase) the other 4 tracks, below (Mndsgn produced track 1, himself). The digi-only EP comes with a full digital booklet and an exclusive art piece for each track by collage artist, Alima Jennings. I’m sure this doesn’t need to be said, but this shit is tight from start to finish, so dive into Fresh Selects’ latest label offering, below.

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Mndsgn lets loose a delicate glam-funk flip with “Txt,” the first drop off his upcoming Stones Throw debut Yawn Zen. With a calculated chop of The Rah Band‘s cult classic “Messages From The Stars” laid over some the West Coast camp’s latest addition both embraces the textures of his new crew and pays homage to the now 30 year-old two-step staple in one breezy mash. We’ve been hitting y’all with tidbits on the enigmatic LA producer for a minute, but if you haven’t caught on yet, dude is on some straight prolific ish right now.

Aside from working with some of OKP’s favorites (Iman Omari, Danny Brown, Sonnymoon and Black Spade to name just a few) his level of productivity amongst young left-field producers mirrors that of a Kaytranada or a Toro Y Moi, just devoid of that shine. Needless to say, we’re more than antsy about this imminent Stones Throw release, as it cements him into the thralls of the progressive and eclectic crew’s roster. You can listen to the first offering from Mndsgn’s anxiously anticipated Yawn Zen LP below, but make sure to hit his Bandcamp and Soundcloud for some more sonics. Head over to Stones Throw for the full origin story.

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MNDSGN is Stones Throw‘s latest sonic recruit and he’s got one insanely tripped-out clip for his single “TXT (MSGS)” off the recently release debut Yawn Zen. Beat heads probably know the enigmatic sonic constructor for his prolific space-aged output, which is likely what caught ears out West. The on-point flip of Rah Band‘s “Messages From The Stars” mutates the sophisticated and funky cut into something a bit more jet-set and polished, taking messages from the stars and landing them in your ears and eyes.

The visual is a litany of wildly animated scenes, where the enigmatic producer simply sits still and watches the world run amuck with geometric figures and strobing, jolted lights around him. And yes, it gets intense.  The long awaited Stones Throw debut Yawn Zen is out now and can be copped via iTunes today. One listen should convince you that he’s precisely where he belongs, amongst the top-tier of future-funkateers and audible constructors, who have so intricately and diligently carved out their space. Go ahead get familiar with MNDSGN, we assure you there’s plenty more on the horizon. Watch the trippy clip for his latest single “TXT (MSGS)” below.

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Photo courtesy of Mohamed Chakiri.

Oslo-based MC Ivan Ave has quietly been putting tracks to bed since his early ventures with Fredfades on their collaborative Hands and Breathe projects. A keen ear for seamless production and a profound respect for the culture have quickly made him the sixth man on a number of short lists boasting the coldest rising MC’s. Approaching the game with profound humility and a hunter’s bloodthirst, Ave has proven himself a lyrical technician whose approach to the mic is as much about what he’s saying as how he is saying it; the careful word placement and delicious adlibs at the core of his rhymes often find him approaching tracks in the same way that a seasoned horn player might capitalize on the nuance and negative space in the rhythm.

Just a month out from Jakarta Records‘ formal release of the Low Jams LP – a small masterpiece of a sonic appetizer produced by Mndsgn – Ivan Ave returns with the debut of the official video for the project’s opening track “Obedience.” The project is an enveloping headnodder that peppers irresistible grooves with vivid double-entendres and exists in the same elusive strata of true school perfection occupied by Nas’ debut Illmatic LP. While carrying the torch may be a daunting task for some, Ivan – clearly above average – is the unassuming keeper of the flame. Check out the text below to read our exclusive interview with Ivan Ave. Scroll down to check out the official video for “Obedience” directed by Jonas Meek Stromman and edited by Isak Gundrosen. Purchase the Low Jams LP via Jakarta Records. Stay tuned for more from Ivan Ave.

Okayplayer: Why Ivan Ave?  There’s nothing average about what you bring to the table as a hip-hop artist.

Ivan Ave: I used to go by Ivan Average as an inside joke, because I was something like a George Costanza of the local scene. I didn’t know what I wanted in this game and I didn’t dress, sound or mean mug like someone who does. So I couldn’t call my self “Mr I’mma Get It”–like half of these rappers do. I had to shorten it to Ave when I realized I actually wanted to get somewhere, though.

OKP: Some people are getting their first taste of you with the Low Jams LP produced by MNDSGN, but you have been around for a while.  What was your goal with this project from EP to full length?

IA: Low Jams was the product of my musical correspondence with Ringgo. We just wanted to do something interesting together. I would send him samples from my record collection, rip some parts that I felt he could flip. He sent me a bunch of beats and I selected the ones I felt the most. I had a plan to release the first four tracks on Soundcloud, just to let the world have a listen. And then expand on those and make an album with other producers, some of my own beats, etc. But things happened when I put those first songs out. People started listening. When I got some distance from the tracks, I felt like it was a piece in its own right. Jakarta reached out and we decided to do a 12″ with instrumentals on the flip. Peace to my brother Mohamed Chakiri who did the cover photo.

OKP: How does Low Jams compare to the Hands and Breathe EP’s you dropped with Fredfades?

IA: I hope to always keep looking for an honest expression musically. I think I’m getting closer. So the main difference is I feel more like myself on Low Jams. It depicts a very real winter in my mid twenties. I’ve always tried to tell the truth lyrically, but you also have to provide a vibe that communicates that truth effectively.

OKP: How did your relationships with those producers (Fredfades and MNDSGN) come about and what would you say is unique/best about each?

IA: Fred is one of my best friends. We linked years ago through the graffiti scene here. He has always been a mentor when it comes to record digging, DJing and production. Oslo is a good place to be for music heads, because of people like him. He keeps it rugged one hundred percent. If the SP-1200 cult had a suicide pact he would be pouring the Kool-Aid. Ringgo I got to know through a shared friend, shouts to Tania. I was in LA last summer and since then we stayed in touch and finally got some tracks together. I love his work for its uncompromising soulfulness. Layers and layers of that raw feel.

OKP: Your flow is very distinctive and rhythmic but so is your wordplay.  What would you say drives your attention to lyricism?  Who are some of the MC’s that influenced your style?  Any unexpected sources of inspiration?

>>>Click Through to Page 2 for the Premiere of “Obedience” Official Video

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Mndsgn comes through with another patently perplexing visual for his latest single “Camelblues” off his Stones Throw debut Yawn Zen LP. The track features a rare vocal performance from the enigmatic frequency freaker over swampy key touches and a nautical click, stripped virtually bare of any percussion in a sensual treatment that’s perfect for those “night is the right time” moments. It even dips into a tender, repackaged take on J Dilla‘s “Fall In Love” to cap it off. The clip follows Ancheta as he makes his way through a thrift, scooping synths like 5 dollar button-downs off the hanger.

Yawn Zen has been a proper addition to the Blessed Coast camp’s catalogue, perfectly synthesizing their modern-funk sentiments with his own prolific output of spacey productions. One listen to the revamped Rah Band cut “Messages From The Stars” as his chopped up and slightly slurred “TXT (MSGS)” groove should prove that in spades (peep the Tron-ish set of visuals on the track for some added eye candy.) Despite its name, the album should not be slept and can be purchased via iTunes today. You can catch Mndsgn wooing and crooning from the thrift shop floor in the clip for “Camelblues” below.

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Hold on to yer butts, Music Industry…it’s that time of year again. SXSW is once more descending upon Austin, Texas like one big, loud twister of exciting new music, people who write about exciting new music (and drink beer) and established pop stars trying to maintain (or regain) that new car smell of being an exciting new musician. Call it a Hit-storm. And if you’re one of the fortunate souls making the trip through (and snagging an all-access badge) then you’re likely overwhelmed by the sheer density of fantastic artists playing the festival, as it never seems possible that there are more cool things going on than there were last year–until there are.

But take heart–Okayplayer has done the dirty work for you. From fashion labels to record labels, blogs, magazines and radio stations (‘member those?), we’ve compiled and collated what are without a doubt the greatest artist showcases across the boards of hip-hop, r&b, funk, house and barbecue (just kidding). So get out your itineraries and put your FOMO out to pasture with the rest of the Texas cattle. Here for you (in more or less chronological order) is the Complete OKP Guide to South by Southwest 2015.

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Ain’t it funky, y’all. Welcome to another edition of Mixtape Monday, this one specially dedicated to the Godfather of Soul James Brown. And in celebration of the late great’s birthday (true it was Sunday, but we digress) We’re proud to bring you the world premiere of one of the grooviest sets we’ve ever heard. Yes, here for you is J. Period and Black Thought‘s live James Brown tribute mix.

Over 34 minutes of vintage JB cuts, Thought spits straight fire while sir Period chops and screws, jumping from break to break, jostling the guitar and horns just so. Beyond that funk we’ve got hip-hop gold, courtesy of Wicked‘s Gang Starr mix, some springtime bossa nova via Music Is My Sanctuary, a little African, a little more hip-hop and plenty of modern funk. Stick with us as we count it off–the week’s about to get on the good foot.

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Spaced-out and tasteful are the two terms that best describe the work of Stones Throw signee MNDSGN. Compositions like “Maintenance” and “EElectric Piano Solo” coast by with a lightness that’s refreshing at a time when most of the Soundcloud seems to be concerned with bass and nothing else. MNDSGN’s work, and all the open space within it, is fresh air for the neck-nodders the world over, and in a new video produced by FACT we’re treated to a glimpse of his creative process running on overdrive.

The latest episode in FACT’s “Beat the Clock” series, the clip features MNDSGN making a nearly-complete in less time than it takes to wait in line for a cortado at your favorite cafe spot. With Ableton running and a phalanx of keyboards surrounding him, the producer chooses a sparse, mid-tempo funk beat before gradually adding live wood blocks and synth chords so 80s they’ll have you hoverboarding with Marty McFly in no time. Any beatmakers or DAW nerds will surely have a field day with the clip–it features plenty of screen captures of MNDSGN’s work process and is a privileged look into how his beats get made. For that, the clip is worth watching in its own right, but the thing is, the beat also flat-out goes. By the time the alarm rings, MNDSGN is able to lean back in his chair and enjoy the fruits of his hastened labor. Watch the clip below and get set to take notes.

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Mndsgn is likely one of the beat scene’s brightest new stars, churning out sonic silk like soft-serve. If his mad-dash beat constructing session didn’t prove this in spades, then is super intimate affair, filmed in the Stones Throw dungeon amongst crates of LPs and tees, should convert even the most fundamentalist beat connoisseur. It finds the Jersey-bred one-man music machine behind the keys, sliding through the luscious and seductive Rhodes groove to his single “Camelblues” with bass-man Swarvy holding down the low-end proper. They even dip into a little Dilla, glazing their seemingly impromptu session with the melody to A Tribe Called Quest‘s “Find A Way” about mid-way through. And if you keep your eyes on the clip for long enough you might even see Stones Throw chief Peanut Butter Wolf creeping in the back of the scene. The track “Camelblues” can be found on Mndsgn’s stud label debut Yawn Zen, which is available for you to cop on iTunes today. Watch as he, Swarvy and Knxwledge perform live and direct from the Stones Throw HQ below and stay tuned for the next episode.

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I’m really lovin’ what I’m hearing from Inglewood, CA singer/songwriter/producer Tiffany Gouché. This video for “Fantasy” serves as my intro to her music, as well as the first single (produced by MNDSGN) and title track off her new EP. “The free form ‘Fantasy’ depicted in this non-fiction piece leaves much to the imagination as Tiffany envisions a world where generosity, gratitude, deep connection and selflessness, all elements of unconditional Love, reigns supreme… The short film also serves as an ode to the city of Los Angeles and specifically the Leimert Park district with its rich cultural history and often misrepresented beauty within.” Video directed by CALMATIC. Fantasy is out now.

The post Tiffany Gouché “Fantasy (prod. MNDSGN)” [Official Video] appeared first on Okayplayer.

First and foremost, shout out to Mndsgn & Koreatown Oddity for paying respect to the original Aunt Viv with their new creative collaboration, Vivians. Their new project features appearances from Jonwayne as Uncle Trill, Quelle Chris, Zeroh, Nanna B. and more.

Vivians was premiered this past weekend at Stones Throw’s Cassette Store Day pop-up shop. Along with OG Aunt Viv, they pay respect to another piece of black culture people try to forget, the jheri curl (I may or may not have had one when I was 7), with this track “Reelfeelings/Showrcap.”

You can cop Vivians at The Stones Throw store via Akashik Records.

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It’s been a real pleasure watching Mndsgn come into his own over the years. The nomadic frequency weaver’s Stones Throw landing was a fitting one, joining the ranks of the some of the beat scene’s brightest maestros on a roster that seemingly gets better with each and every year that goes by. Lately, we’ve seen him in all sorts of incarnations, providing the supporting sonic suites for new talents like Tiffany Gouché and his Koreatown Oddity collabo project, Vivians.

Today, however he returns with yet another new talent in Nanna B., (who turned up on the cassette-exclusive Vivians debut and seems to be a frequent beat scene collaborator in the last few years) on the smooth-as-hell new single, “Akasha.” Here Mndsgn plays his strongest suits, fitting Nanna with a synth-smothered spell of 80s-styled r&b vibes, opening up the cut to an ethereal lilt; a brilliant beginning to a tale we’re sure we haven’t heard the last of. The video is surreal one, finding the duo wandering an arid dessert, painted up and washed out. Watch the new video for Mndsgn and Nanna B.’s dreamy new cut below.

Mndsgn Tour Dates:
Feb 09 @ Paradiso Kleine Zaal – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Feb 12 @ Gretchen – Berlin, Germany
Feb 19 @ Loppen, Christiania – København, Denmark

The post Mndsgn & Nanna B. Share Smooth, Dreamy New Single “Akasha” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Amongst Stones Throw‘s new crop of beat constructors, MNDSGN has emerged as one of its most visceral crafters of sonic suites. He’s been seen and heard in various incarnations; delivering brilliant G-funk swings as one-half of Vivians (with Koreatown Oddity) not too mention, supplying the gamut of femme fatales with backing sound scapes, most recently on Nanna B.‘s reverie-inducing single, “Akasha.”

Today MNDSGN resurfaces with a lovely, string-loaded take of North Texan producer, Botany‘s, moody and sumptuous album cut, “Au Revoir,” off 2015’s Dimming Awe, The Light Is Raw. Peeling away Milo‘s bars, MNDSGN injects the cut with feathery falsetto touches and a delicate arrangement that will instantly position itself within your feels and maybe pull on a string or two while it’s there. To hear the original, head over to Spotify and have at it. And once your ears are pleased (as we’re sure they will be) head over to iTunes to take a copy of the record home with you. Stream MNDSGN’s reword of “Au Revoir” below and if you’re looking to catch him live and direct, jump to Songkick to peep his full slate of dates.

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For two decades now, Stones Throw Records has championed the good shit over the bullshit, embodying the very fundamentals of progressive music, in and outside of hip-hop. They introduced the world to the weird, wild and wonderfully prolific mind of Madlib, the late Charizma and provided a home for J Dilla upon is arrival in LA. But even well beyond their golden period, Stones Throw has pedestaled modern geniuses like Knxwledge, MNDSGN, Dam-Funk and Anderson .Paak, ushering in a whole new generation of forward-minded beatsman and music men already leaving their mark on the game.

And so, as we look back on all of the joy and musical merriments that Peanut Butter Wolf, Jeff Jank and Egon have brought to the world in 20 years, the camp seems intent on keeping its eyes on the future and celebrating what they’ve already accomplished. This spring and summer, PBW, MNDSGN, J Rocc and Samiyam will embark upon a 20th anniversary jaunt that will hit at least three cities on the eastern seaboard, including Orlando, Miami and Brooklyn. And while we can’t say whether anymore will be added in the near future (though we certainly hope that is the case) we encourage you to hit the link below for dates and ticketing info, as the celebration begins this very weekend. Anyone who’s seen the Stones Throw roster at work know damn-well by now that these sets are simply not to be missed.

>>>Stones Throw 20th anniversary celebration 

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