Showing posts with label Has Lo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Has Lo. Show all posts

Thursday, 26 June 2014

@Has_Lo & @CSTLNOVA - D​.​L​.​S. (Single)

Producer Arcka opens "D.L.S." with a guitar pluck driven beat that inspires rapper/mc CASTLE to declare the definition of Swagneto (magnetically attracted swagger). Meanwhile, partner-in-rhyme, Has-Lo, glides in like Jordan on the opening verse.  But rather than go into the typical 16, Has-Lo and CASTLE begin an uncouth rhyme trade off.  But the real star here is the energy between the two emcees as they bounce back and forth spitting, laughing, and dancing through Arcka's lively production that would have served as a perfect backdrop for some Dirt McGirt, if we were fortunate enough to still have him around.

The mixture of drums, closed cymbal crashes, string plucks, and soul sample vocal stabs is a perfect beat backdrop for the two creatively unfiltered emcees to rhyme,  laugh, and enjoy rapping on.  Why? Because it feels good. It's a musical friendship played out with the record button luckily pressed.  Vibe with Has-Lo & CASTLE, and if you like the feeling in your brain-stem when you're done,  pre-order "Live Like You're Dead."

July 29th
iTunes | CD

Thursday, 20 March 2014

@CSTLNOVA - Return of the Gasface (The @Has_Lo Passages) (Album) (@MelloMusicGroup)

Castle's Return of the Gasface (The Has-Lo Passages) enters the stage today on Mello Music Group. The record is a frame by frame rewrite of the graphic debut from Castle, Gasface. Unsatisfied with the typical approach to remix projects, MMG vet Has-Lo built the album from the ground up - having Castle re-spit verses, adding verses, ad-libs, a guest verse from Has, and even pair of new tracks. The result is an entirely new wave thematically and cinematically. Conceptually the project is somewhere between Marvel's "Team Up" and "What If" storylines. The synergy between Has-Lo and Castle is that of long-time collaborators offering the best of back and forths.
Lyrically Castle manages to combine the menace of the streets with the reality of home life - an intimate three-dimensional portrait of a man witnessing life unfold through a Hip-hop filter. Castle describes it well: "Pop rappers chastising, claim that I don't stack enough. Art rappers chastising, claim that I don't tap enough." Add to it, Has-Lo's sonic backdrops that seem to help Castle's lyrical displays rise to the forefront, providing well-timed accents that drive it all home.

The original cover art was created by New York artist Josh Bayer, who is best known for creating the opening sequences in the HBO show "Rome" as well as the paintings in Alicia Keys "Girl On Fire" video.  In addition to the cover art, Bayer created an entire booklet of original pieces to go along with each single for Castle's album. Mello Music Group is proud of the marriage created between lyrics, production, and original artwork.

Castle, "Return of the Gasface (The Has-Lo Passages)" hits digital retailers today with vinyl and cds on the way shortly hereafter.  Now tell your girl to get off the phone so Castle can drop one off in her drawers.