Welcome back...
April 27, 2011 by El Jefe

We'd like to welcome back Qwel & Maker from an extremely successful European tour, once again! They killed it all around France and plan to be back sometime soon to demolish the rest of the continent. Also returning from overseas recently was Qwazaar who forged new ground for the crew down in South Africa and tore the roof off. Qwa will also be performing at this year's Soundset in Minneapolis in late May.

There is much new G4 music upcoming, a few things of which have been officially announced a few more that are being whispered about.

1st up, on May 3rd we're dropping the long lost EP from Denizen Kane's younger brother Lastchild (RIP). Recorded in the early 2000s, 'The Humble & Low EP' is a 5 track digital EP finally getting it's just due. Read more, including Denizen's great write up about the time in which it was recorded, on the discussion board.

Next up in late May we'll be dropping a long-awaited project from Rift Napalm. Another 5 track digital EP, this one pairs up Rift on new recordings of some of his classic tracks over beats from Meaty Ogre's contributions to the Heardrums label 45s.

As far as the whispers, we're gearing up for the much anticipated return to solo action for Qwazaar who is currently putting the finishing touches on the 'Bat Meets Blaine' LP with producer Batsauce. Also, Typical Cats will be doing another run of shows in Southern Cali from May 25-27... who knows what could come of the crew getting together again... ?

added by: El Jefe

2011...
March 4, 2011 by Jefe

Been a little while since I updated here.... I guess we've been in winter hibernation as far as news goes, but that doesn't mean the creative gears haven't been turning...

First up on the tour front, our man Qwazaar is forging new ground for our crew, heading to South Africa for a few shows & promo appearances in March. We've been hit up for years from fans out there asking when we'd be able to get down there, and we finally get to appease. Rumor has it that Qwel & Maker will be following up with their own South African tour in May... stay posted for official news on that.

Speaking of Qwel & Maker, they will be back in Europe (mostly France) in March/April 2011. Check the shows list or discussion board post for dates.

On the music side, we have a lot upcoming... nothing soon enough to really get into yet, but 1st up should be a digital EP from Rift Napalm & Meaty Ogre. You heard that right, Rift is finally releasing music he's been holding out on for years... the final product is superb... also in 2011 we expect new music from Robust ('Filling In The Potholes'), Typical Cats, Dove Rock + Jackson Jones & more to be announced... details to come...

added by: Jefe

Robust & Pore - Something To Sit On - December 7 2010
November 15, 2010 by Jefe

Robust & Pore 'Something To Sit On' EP
Released CD & digital: December 7th 2010

The "Something To Sit On" EP marks the first in what is sure to be a slew of collaborations by Chicago hip hop veteran Robust and G4 newcomer Pore. It's reminiscent of a time before corporate America got it's greedy hands on our livelihood. When having dope raps was more important than who's got more money or notoriety. A time when being honest and true to yourself was still admired and respected by the average hip hop fan.

The EP is meant as somewhat of a prelude and hold-over to 'sit on' while awaiting Robust's upcoming 2011 full length sequel to 2004's Chicago underground classic 'Potholes In Our Molecules', It's a mid-range EP, that still resonates as a complete project. Clocking in around 30 minutes, it's onomatopoeia for a ride from Kimball to the Loop on the CTA Brown Line.

Production on "Something to Sit On" was crafted by Chicago native Pore. After stints on the east coast and in the dirty south, he recently returned to the Windy City with little more than his MPC and a few crates of records. With styles ranging from hard hitting head nodders to soulful original grooves, Pore provides Robust with a dusty sampled backdrop that even the most elitist of beat heads can appreciate.

Never one to stay stuck in a niche, Robust finds himself more comfortable than ever in the pocket of Pore's alternating sound scape. His lyrics serve as a tour guide around Chi town from the average heads perspective, giving outsiders a true glimpse into the modern day struggles and hustles one witness' on a daily basis as a Chicago resident. From gang bangers, to poverty, to sarcastic social commentary, Robust proves once again that he
continues to grow and improve as an artist with each release.

Together, Robust & Pore tell tales of life in Chicago, from the diverse Albany Park neighborhood on the northwest side of town to a broke mans stroll down the Magnificent Mile. Sprinkled with introspective and comedic interludes, the tracks were placed carefully in transition to create a seamless mix throughout the 15 track EP, encouraging the listener to relax, roll one up, and find something to sit on.

added by: Jefe

Qwel & Maker - Owl - Drops September 14, 2010
August 19, 2010 by Jefe

For their 3rd full-length album titled Owl (Galapagos4, 2010), Qwel & Maker’s creative partnership has gone from ‘occcasional collaboration’ to a full-fledged endeavor and the results are loud, clear, and undeniable.

Once described by Rolling Stone as having "stark, biographical songs that occupy the same bleak terrain as Francis Bacon paintings or The Dark Knight," the Chicagobased duo has matured substantially since the release of their 2009 sophomore LP and continually raise the bar with their brand of raw, unadulterated, underground Hip-Hop.

"The Owl watches and grows wiser," explains Maker. "As we became more aware of our environment, we gained new perspectives. This album is our way of reconnecting with everything that surrounds us."

The duo is most at home on tracks like "El Camino" where Qwel’s lyrics scrape vibrant, and often harsh, realities across Maker’s soundscape of hard hitting drums and deft arrangements. "Name looking strange in the limelight / Chamber what you trying to change / Sitting here soaking in hindsight / It’s the road / Its the life I chose" concludes Qwel on "El Camino."

Newly commited to the ‘life they chose’ and resolved to defeat stagnation in an industry in transition, Qwel & Maker have only just begun...

Check out the 'Owl' preview mix by DJ Bizkid here:
Qwel & Maker 'Owl' Preview Mix by DJ Bizkid

added by: Jefe

Coming Soon from Galapagos4: Hellsent - False Profit - August 17, 2010
July 8, 2010 by Jefe

He.llsent hails from the southside of Chicago, and he bleeds it. On his 2nd solo album, 'False Profit', you find him as an artist ready to set the record straight and up the ante with deep meaningful compositions that go against the grain of contemporary music. It features production from mainly from Max, as well as contributions by Fifth Element, DJ Alo, and Loose Cannon. He.llsent takes listeners on a deep introspective journey filled with intense lyrics, well thought out punch-lines and an fiery urgency that’s missing from some of today’s hip hop. "False Profit is a statement", he says. "The rap game is all about money and illusions. The False Profit is a glimpse behind all the smoke and mirrors."

Each song feels like it can be it’s own album; each one is it’s own gigantic universe. The music asks listeners to throw away all they think they know about hip-hop and just listen. 'False Profit' harkens back to a time when hip-hop wasn’t easily digested, to a time when you could tell a real hip hop head by the condition of his rewind button; to an era when lyrics had weight and the music was heavy. When lyrics were deep and cryptic and the artist made sure you couldn’t get what they were saying on a couple listens. When hip-hop still belonged to the ones who helped shape it.

He.llsent flexes his muscle and reveals his fangs on this release. From the bold, hard hitting, in your face lyrics of 'Number 9'; to the aggressive street anthem 'Silver Dollar', He.llsent takes control of your attention and doesn’t let go until he’s ready. This is hip-hop in its purest form without all the fancy bells and whistles; just an ill beat and a nice MC putting in work with a couple scratches thrown in for good measure.

This isn’t about your typical clichés, bitches or drug money. This isn’t about any of the stuff you see masquerading as hip-hop. This is about expression. This is an MC doing what a MC does. Not for a profit or to appear to be bigger than life, but just because he can.

added by: Jefe