With 2019 coming to a close I felt that it was only right that I hit you with some music that I have been enjoying this year. All of the albums on this list have been released this year except one. That one project is April + Vista “You are Here”. The reason that I included songs from this record is because this is the record that I have listened to most this year after discovering them in the spring. Her voice, her writing and their production for me was just infectious and dominated my headphones for much of 2019. The list also includes some selections from the homies Murs and Nigel (Onry Ozzborn), as well as some Jazz from Alfa Mist and some funk from the Du-Rites. Of course its heavy in hip hop, but contains a nice range of sounds and moods. For me, this year has been about rediscovering old music, but I definitely had to dip into the current stream. I hope you enjoy!
When collaborative efforts happen, sometimes that shit is magical. Criminal brings the beats and Illogic, well he does what ILL does: brings that tightly wound lyricism that has everyone paying full attention. The fire on this release simply cannot be contained.
Dj Criminal and Illogic Present “Experience” which is their 3rd Video from their latest release “A Change in Mantra“. Directed by Blueprint, “Experience” gives you a peak behind the curtain in the life of an independent artist and the sacrifices made in order to present their art to the world. It is a struggle that many know all too well. Please Enjoy and Share. Thanks for your Support!
I know we have been out of commission for a while, but we are back and ready to go. Please give us time to construct ideas for new content that allow you to dive into the life and adventures of Illogic. I have many things in-store for my fans. Until we get some things going all of the pages are operating in perfect condition. The Music/store links, Video and Photography pages are here for you until we boost up the content. I will be bringing back my “askillogic” column so start sending in your questions, the 5 spot interviews, Poem time and adding some new content as well. I also have 2 new music projects that I am finishing up, the main being my debut as an Emcee/producer called “Autopilot”. Anyways, stay tuned thank you for all of the continued support.
On April 16th, Illogic & Blockhead will release their first collaborative full-length, Capture The Sun. The album, which includes features from Blueprint, Abstract Rude, and others, will be released on TK via Man Bites Dog Records. Already, Illogic & Blockhead have released two singles – title track “Capture The Sun,” which features Slug of Atmosphere and album lead-off “Neva Heard” – and along the way the rapper and producer pair unveiled the first part of what will be a four-part mini-documentary, Journey To Capture The Sun, detailing Illogic’s and Blockhead’s long-running history and how Capture The Sun came to be. Today, Illogic & Blockhead are releasing the second part of that series.
Capture The Sun, for both Illogic and Blockhead comes at a time of musical change in their lives – Illogic learning how to balance his music dreams with being a father and husband; Blockhead stepping away from strictly instrumental work to collaborate with rappers again – and so this mini-documentary, which details the history of the pair’s individual and collective history with hip-hop is a fitting piece to help explain the journey that has lead the two to where they are now. And so, in part two, the mini-doc, which is directed and edited by Blueprint, picks up where part one left off, with Illogic and Blockhead each recalling the moment that they found each others work and the impact it had on them, personally and artistically.
Shrouded in a sea of darkness. Clothed in absolute incompletion. Your reflection reveals disgust. Swimming in an abyss of “I am nothing” or “no one cares”. Failure seems the only option. Tomorrow is the worst thought one can muster. Fully immersed in doubt. Happiness is a mirage in a desert of pain, unattainable for unknown reasons. You smile in an attempt to hide the gloom you wake to every morning. This is depression.
Here is an excerpt from an email I received a few weeks ago: “I relate to your ideas and outlooks too well from time to time and I suppose my question for you is how do I handle this depression? I’ve felt miserable for as long as i could compose the thought of genuine unhappiness. I don’t talk to anyone….I guess this isn’t really a question I’m just seeking advice…”
So how do we deal with these feelings that have been embedded in us for as long as we can remember? I speak from experience when I say that the escape from depressions grasp is a choice and it is a choice that only you can make. Once the choice is made it has to be reaffirmed daily. Many of us can fall on our past as a cushioned excuse to remain in that state of ever evolving reasons to fail and to not be good enough but, at some point you have to say “ENOUGH!!!”. Personally I have the prime background for a life of depression. I was raised with no relationship with my natural father and when there was an attempt at a relationship I was continuously rejected, teased by classmates growing up to no end, inappropriately touched by a family friend when I was about ten, etc. The List can go on and on…I have felt that there was no place for me on this earth and that no on would miss me if I was gone. I felt that God has just forgotten about me. I was drowning until one night I was in College walking home from a friend’s house in the rain ready to take my own life. Something told me to stop and look at my reflection in a large rain puddle at my feet. I must have stared at my self for about an hour balling. It was like the rain drops were equivalent to my tears. And then I believe God spoke to me and asked my why I felt like I was nothing when he made me so Special and this was my response….
After writing this I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. Not that my depression was completely cured but, I could see it clearly now. I believe that God revealed to me my feelings and gave me the choice to change them.This revelation was given to me in song so that others will know that they are not alone. Many times when drowning in depression you feel that no one understands what you are going though. You feel like you are the only one with these feelings of worthlessness and self-loathing but, I was given a gift to express to many that they are not the only ones. It has and still is a process but, I choose to be happy. You have to wake up every morning and tell your self that you choose to be happy and not depressed. You choose to live a life of peace and not one of chaos. You have to choose your surroundings to be ones of edification and not turmoil. If you are surrounded with positive energy then you will be more likely to internalize that energy and then emit that energy. Proverbs 23:7 says “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he”. You must modify your internal dialog to match the desire that is in your heart to be happy and at peace. In doing so those desires are what your life will reflect.
If you make up in your heart that you want to change and you put in the work and have the faith that you will then you will but, the first step is to make that choice to do so. I hope this helps…
P.s. Here are a few other songs I wrote dealing with the Subject of depression and choices….
Here is the Second installment of “Ask Illogic” This is where you guys ask me anything you ever wanted to know about me or my opinions of topics of any kind. This week I picked some pretty good ones so lets Begin….
How would you define yourself politically speaking? what do you think about Big Boi’s stance on libertarianism and its role in hip hop?
Politically I would consider my self and Independent who leans more Liberal. I voted for President Obama in the last two elections, Not because I whole hardheartedly believed in everything he stood/stands for but, because I believed he was more trustworthy and qualified then John McCain or Mitt Romney.
My personal stance on government is that it is all corrupt no matter who is in office. I believe that the founding fathers of this country had a great idea of Justice and doing right by the people that in theory works but, in practice could never work unless we become a resource driven world and not a Profit driven world. I agree with Big Boi that we do need to mind our own business and do what we need to do to take care of our own but, without rules and regulation there would be chaos. Without help some people would not have the ability to get back on their feet.
As far as hip hop and politics there has always been a connection. From 1982s “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five to Brother Ali and Immortal Technique’s music today, hip hop has always been a vehicle for our voices to express the wrong doing of out political system locally and world wide.
Many of your tracks are philosophical, so I was wondering how deep into philosophy you delve. Any particular philosophers or theories that you especially like?
I studied all kinds of philosophy in college and high school but, I wouldn’t say I’m in it deep at all. I have recently read and continue to study books like the The 48 Laws of Power and The Art War . Those two in particular have had a profound affect on how I live and make decisions now but, I will say that from living life and my different experiences I have developed my own philosophy about life.The Holy Bible as well as other religious texts like the Koran, the teachings to Taoism, Buddhism etc has help shaped my life philosophy. Over all I do consider my self a believer and follower of Christ. I believe that life is a balancing act of positive and negative energy. Some believe that those energies are representative of Good and Evil. I say the more positive energy that you have in your heart then the more positive energy that will be attracted to your life. It has to be inside you though not just in the acts that you do or the words that you say because those things can be fabricated. The positive energy has to be in your heart to really affect your life and the lives of those around you. If negative energy is in your heart then it is what will affect your life and the lives of those around you. Of course no one is perfect and no one always emits positive energy but the heart never lies.
I know im suppose to give you a concept but i kinda need your help. I have a mixtape to record but this writer’s block is killing.Can you please give me a few ideas on how to break through it please? #fan in need#
Writers block is different for everyone. Some people get stuck and can’t even come up with wack rhymes. Some can only come up with wack rhymes and some just can’t get in to a flow with the topic that they are trying to express. Either way there is only one way to get out of that slump and that is to keep writing. When I have writers block or I am just in a creative slump I might write a poem or just write about my day. No rhyming. No restrictions. I also do writing exercises that at least keep my gears turning. I learned this one in high school, I would write for a set time usually 30-45 min without the pen lifting up off of the paper. The writing doesn’t have to make sense or flow but it is a way of getting out your ideas. As you do this more and more some of these exercises will speak to you in ways that you never imagined. Some of them can turn into staples in your writing career like this writing exercise did for me….
My question is: How do you define love? , especially young affection.
I define love as an undying need to do for someone more than you would do for your self. It’s not a want but it is a need. It is a place where your purpose is fulfilled because you see them smile. It is listening when your past tired of listening and I mean actually listening not just hearing words. It is a kiss on the forehead for no reason accept to feel their skin pressed against your lips. Its the simplest yet most complex part of our lives as human beings. It is more then a feeling it is a need. Love is understanding that love isn’t enough.
In many cases young affection is either lust or strong like. In my opinion it can’t be love because the young person has not had enough experience or lived enough life to understand the truth of love. In many cases with youthful love is only a feeling. Its how that person makes you feel all the time. Its all gooey and stuff. Yes, that is what love develops from but, it is not love in its mature state. Love in it’s mature state is unyielding and overflowing but this does not make it everlasting. Mature Love adds to you as a person. It makes you a better person over all and its reciprocation it is what breaths life into us. One sided love can die quickly, but when true mature love is alive and surrounds you and you significant other 360 degrees it can last forever.
OK, Weekly maybe bi-weekly I am going to be answering questions sent to me by you the fans. Anything you want to know about me and my life mo opinions, etc not just music just ask. I have been wanting to do this for some time now but, time did not lend itself favorable to me. Now I have nothing but time on my hands so I can dedicate my self to writing on the site and fielding some of your most poignant question of me so with out further or due, Here we go….
So, was Lesson in Love inspired by a similar real life event?
For some background Lesson in Love was a song on my Celestial Clockwork album. You can listen to it above….Yes it was real life. Every word of that story is true. I was dating a Somali girl at the time and that day I caught her cheating. She did everything to try to get me to forgive her and you know I mean everything if you heard the song. After that encounter we still spoke briefly but the relationship was over. The song First Trimester also above is about the same girl.
How do I go about creating some promotional artwork for you?
You can always send work to my email… Unforeseenshadow@gmail.com and I will check it out. I usually use artwork that coincides with the style of what erver I am doing or the campain I am working on at the time but, I am always on the lookout for great tee shirt designs and ways to use art in other ways so send it in and if can use it I will let you know. I will get back to you on what I think of the art either way though.
When is your next album coming out? Yo’ your track Lucky ft blueprint,I can’t find it and its my favorite!
Not sure where you have been but Capture the Sun is my next album. it is produced entirely by blockhead and will be released on Man Bites Dog Records 4/16/13. Below are a few videos from it and the first Episode of a Bio-series we have done for the album…Enjoy
And here is Lucky. It was produced by Blueprint and Featured on his Weight Room album.
Yo ill I’m curious to know what you think of the Canibus/Dizaster battle..what’s your take on the whole thing?
Well first off, I am a fan of these rap leagues. I enjoy a great battle and Dizaster is one of the best to ever do it. I knew Canibus was in trouble as soon as I heard that it was going down. I expected it to be good but, I did not expect for him to be destroyed the way he was. When he went to the Note pad I couldn’t stop laughing. Canibus has been done for a while but, that killed any attempt for him to be taken seriously ever again. The guys that do this stuff are amazing. it’s a lot of work to write 3-4 rhymes that are 3-4 min long about one person. That is like at least 40-60 bars per verse. That’s a lot of writing and memorizing. I enjoy most the ones like Dizaster that mix it with actual on the spot freestyles. It’s very entertaining.
Well that does it for the first edition of ” Ask Illogic”. If I didn’t get to your question I will. A few of the questions I sent I may do a whole write up on so stay tuned. Again Send your questions to Askillogic@gmail.com.
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