Too Much Fashion, Not Enough Smashin...
August 11, 2011 by Jefe

Coming soon from Galapagos4...

G40055 Qwazaar & Batsauce 'Bat Meets Blaine'
CD & digital out Sept 13
7inch coming soon...

Qwazaar & Batsauce follow up their masterful Style Be The King EP (2011, Fifth Element/Galapagos4) with a 14-track juggernaut entitled Bat Meets Blaine. The record is an absolute rarity, a series of inspired sessions from a world-class MC & producer team at the height of their respective powers. Batsauce provides ambidextrous backdrops that are as multilayered as they are strident, while Qwazaar simply astonishes, baring his soul while performing near-impossible lyrical feats. It’s a record all true heads should cop and that all lab scientists can envy.

At this point in his career, Qwa’s pedigree is unquestionable. South Side representative extraordinaire; Low End theorist; endlessly inventive with flows and increasingly daring in subject and range. Long hailed for his vocal ability, the decades have seen Qwa transform into the rare artist whose symphonic flow is effortlessly matched to pitch-perfect confessional content. The moments that meld both into a unique storytelling voice are rare—Rakim’s "The Ghetto" comes to mind, as do Black Thought’s post-bop excursions. Qwa’s true corollary, however, aren’t his fellow MCs—it’s Charlie Parker, whose wrenching solos feature a technical genius that are only matched by their sorrow—the sound of Icarus’ wings melting. He’s found his proper spar this go-round—Batsauce is a Berlin-based turntable Gillespie (URB recently dubbed him "the next ‘it’ thing in…underground hip hop"), and their first full-length is a true titanic, trans-Atlantic meeting of the minds. Tasteful guest shots only augment the chemistry: Denizen Kane, Onry Ozzborn, Offwhyte, KP the Ilustrado of The Pacifics, Lady Daisey, and DJ Bizkid round out a stellar supporting cast.

Bird once famously said, "If you don’t live it, it won’t come out your horn." Bat Meets Blaine is a record of tremendous vitality and reach—Chicago, LA, Jacksonville, and Berlin are a part of its geographic DNA. It numbers several underground classics (Typical Cats, Walk Through Walls, Suicide Prevention, etc.) as its bona-fide predecessors. Its progenitors have earned accolades and stripes and props in print and in person. But most importantly, it has been soaked in rum and in the river, and it has emerged as a testament to pain and power, and it plays beautifully. Bird and Diz, meet Bat and Blaine.[1]

[1]For cats who don’t know nothing about nothing, peep Bird and Diz (Clef, 1952). Get your weight up, suckas!

added by: Jefe

Style Be The Master...
July 4, 2011 by Jefe

G4 is proud to annouce the new 'Style Be The King' EP from Qwazaar & Batsauce. The EP is a prelude (with all different tracks) to the upcoming 'Bat Meets Blaine' full length dropping in September on Galapagos4.

'Style Be The King' is available on digital format only from G4, and CDs are available exclusively through our friends at Fifth Element in Minneapolis at their shop (2411 Hennepin Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55405) & online at <a href=http://FifthElementOnline.com>http://FifthElementOnline.com</a>

Batsauce provides 9 tracks laced with heavy soul and striking melody that are soundly capable of capturing the intended emotion. Qwazaar once again proves without a doubt that he is an extremely skilled MC and expert in his craft. Of course, he was blessed with a captivating and powerful voice, combined with his impeccable rhythm and flawless delivery, all make for a lethal combination. That's all before getting to what many consider his greatest asset, the lyrics! Qwazaar comes with a wide range of topics, moods, & styles, all of which are tackled with conviction and passion. Also, you can catch more news coverage of Qwa on our <a href="/blackbook">Blackbook page</a>!

added by: Jefe

Aint no party like a G4 party...
June 6, 2011 by Jefe

It's going down once again... July 1st @ Reggie's in Chicago, G4 Mid-Summer Party featuring Qwel & Maker (back from conquering Europe once again on the Owl tour), Qwazaar (celebrating the release of his 'Style Be The King' EP on CD from Fifth Element and on digital from G4), Rift Napalm (fresh off the 'Closure' EP release with Meaty Ogre... finally...), Robust (showcasing the new crew Old Irving, with Bigga on the mic and Pore & Max on dual MPCs) & He.llsent (returning home from Cali after ripping a few shows and working on new material with Outerlimitz & otherwise)... also opening up will be the homie Mad C of The Morlocks who is about to open some minds up... look out for him in the near future...

So nuff said, 17+ $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Friday night. Summertime. Hit the lake and then head down State street to Reggie's to get buck wit' us...

added by: Jefe

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