New Video - "Gotham City Chase Scene"

The teaming of Solillaquists of Sound and X:144, both Orlando Hip Hop scene brightspots have once again provided an amazing video. Gotham City Chase Scene is the follow up to Marvel. Once again, the storyline brings you into the video, with the Solilla group seeming being chased by the Dark Suit group present in the first video. The description reads that it is a prequel but definitely broadens the original storyline of Marvel. This is not your prototypical on a boat, in a club, walking in the streets hiphop video. The storyline is currently open for interpretation but the video editing/production is flawless in my opinion. There is action, quality acting, and the song is one of the stronger songs on the album “ No More Heroes” (released on Epitaph Records and available on Itunes and Amazon). Swamburger and Alexandrah are an excellent example of how complety contrasting styles can still create a harmonious sound, while DiVinci continues to create these “movie scores.” This is the second video that ends in a cliff hanger but I was assured by both X and DiVinci at this year’s Lounge Battles that all would explained by the end of video series…

Stay Tuned…

Support Good Music, and Stay Searching for G.E.M.s my friends..



S.Skillz



Flashback Fridays - LL Cool J - Who Shot ya

First and foremost, huge shoutout to my fellow GEM district contributor Laquita Luv!

Not only is she picking up all my slack with regards to posting, but is putting my written word skills to shame. Thanks Lady..

But on Fridays I always tend to think of the music I used to listen to at "top level" on my "walkman". The flashbacks are always songs that contributed to my decreased hearing ability. lol

Enjoy, because honestly these huge star studded tracks are few and fewer these days. No hooks, no chorus, just an attempt to be the best MC on the song.

Keith Murrary ( a monster at this time), Prodigy ( he was at the peak of his writtens here), Fat Joe (before he leaned back, and did songs with Ashanti, he was the DITC rep that had the illest mic presence), Foxy Brown ( I cant lie, other than a few songs I was never a fan but she murdered her bars), and LL... say what you will. If he isnt "the", he is obviously a G.O.A.T. ( greatest of all time). You show me someone else who has been able to evolve and consistantly make good music. (btw Mr. Smith is his best album to me : which has this song)

Flashback Friday.. jeah mang jeah

My Goodness, My Goddess

by LaQuita Luv

It's no secret that I have delusions of grandeur. In another life I am a thriving pop star with a signature style, stellar costumes, and honey-drenched voice. While that ship has sailed for me, it remains alive and well in Florence Welch, a.k.a., Florence + The Machine.

The 26 year-old ginger-haired British goddess hits strong and hard, only to retreat an instant later to lure you back in for another smack. I am completely spun out when I listen to her debut album, Lungs, as images of the celestial heavens are burst open by a speeding bullet.

Like many people, my first real taste of Florence + The Machine was at the 2010 MTV VMAs. She was epic...ethereal...powerful...talented...limitless...and only in her mid-20s. Thinking that her entire album would follow the path of "Dog Days Are Over"---a whirlwind of tempos, theater, and a bluesy drag of voice---I was confounded by "Kiss With a Fist," a sassy, violent, and catchy track that has long garnered comparisons to Kate Nash.

When she stops in Chicago on her next tour, Florence and I are hitting up the Lyric Opera and then lounging at a hookah bar. Wanna join?

Head to the official Gem District Drop Site for a limited time to download a sampler for your listening pleasure.

I've personally requested that she cover "Running Up That Hill" by Kate Bush, but I doubt she's heard my plea.

Electropop Princess

by LaQuita Luv

Swedish-born Robyn hit the scene in the mid-90’s with high school hits “Show Me Love” and “Do You Know What it Takes (To Love Me)” and I have to admit that I not only owned the album, but played the hell out of it. A chick who is my age, talented, adorable, and full of attitude—when can we be besties?

Robyn and I lost touch over the years due to her music not being available in the States in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, but we were reintroduced through “Cobrastyle” and “With Every Heartbeat” in 2007. These tracks reveal the disparity between being hard-hitting and sassy, while also keeping a raw, emotional side intact. Something that all modern women struggle with.

She gained more electro cred by joining Röyksopp on the track, “The Girl and the Robot” off their 2009 Junior album. Two of my other favorite electropop princesses, Karin Dreijer Andersson and Lykke Li were also featured on the album.

Yeah, she’s over 30 and still shooting videos in a club—but it works. Robyn tours and creates mercilessly. Her latest album, Body Talk, is broken into Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 and isn’t stuffed with filler. Every track is thoughtful and well produced.

She is a pint-sized, platinum powerhouse whose consistent ability to stay true to pop music and still evolve musically will keep her working for years to come. I'll be sure to invite you over the next time she and I are in my living room, chatting over a bottle of Malbec and some Swedish meatballs.

Head to the official Gem District Drop Site for a limited time to download a sampler for your listening pleasure.

I’ve personally requested that she cover “Invincible” by Pat Benatar, but I doubt she’s heard my plea.

I Heart Funky White Boys

By Laquita Luv

The latest offering, “Brothers,” from the duo The Black Keys finds the boys on a steady path of evolution without sacrificing the sultry grit they established with their 2002 debut “The Big Come Up.” Progressing into friendly hooks while retaining a sound that intimates a dirty secret beneath—like tattoos under a Brooks Brothers suit—keeps them from being considered a sellout to pop culture.

Every track from the new album transports me to one of three realms: a smoky lounge with tattered oriental rugs and couches that have seen better days; a dark basement jam session; or a private room at a club with strong arms and a tight rump working a pole.

The Black Keys gained some notoriety through “I’ll Be Your Man,” off their debut album “The Big Come Up,” being chosen as the theme song to HBO’s “Hung”—a track that fits so perfectly with the show, one would think it was written after viewing the pilot. Their tracks have been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and video games and continue to be noticed by musical communities from Rock to Hip Hop.

Discography: The Big Come Up (2002), Thickfreakness (2003), The Moan EP (2004), Rubber Factory (2004), Chulahoma (2006), Magic Potion (2006), Attack & Release (2008), Brothers (2010).

Head to the official Gem District Drop Site for a limited time to download a sampler for your listening pleasure.

This is sexy music for grownups, people.

I’ve personally requested that they cover “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress)” by The Hollies, but I doubt they’ve heard my plea.

Grey Does Matter..

Grey Does Matter...

Tempermental… Beats

Illustrate….Rhymes

Wow.. G.ood E.ntertaining M.usic

Tempermental (the DJ/Producer) provides the mood, Illustrate(MC/Spoken Word Artist) well…illustrates the picture (pun intended). Together you have music that anyone can truly enjoy. Illustrate is a truly gifted writer. He takes your mind through well crafted lyrics filled with emotion/wordplay and simply put.. talent. Tempermental is a beatsmith of the highest caliber. He manages to provide the perfect compliment to Illustrate’s rhymes scheme on every track.

Grey Matter's BandCamp site

Has (2) EP’s for your listening pleasure, and their album is set to release 8/10/2010. My purpose here is to help people that feel trapped by the radio in finding new music. My “thing” is finding G.E.M.’s in the hip hop world. Without a doubt, Grey Matter is just that.

Standout Tracks:

The Problem – Illustrate spitting some truth on a ridiculous Tempermental beat.

Same Old Story- This is why you make music...

Breathe – Breathe is just like Eternia’s track “To The Future.” Illustrate puts his heart and soul in the song. The emotions are only magnified by that Tempermental beat… ri-dic-u-lous…

Grey Matter.. .Matters werd

Jeah mang jeah

Skillz

Eternia and Moss - At Last

Okay... Simply put 4 out of 5 ugly faces.. The only reason I didnt give a 5, is because the mixdowns make you miss some of Eternia's words. Now I am not an anti-"femcee" person, I am just usually not moved by the typical female emcee. Lauryn Hill, Lady of Rage, Rah Digga, and Invincible are simply put.. dope. If you have never heard Eternia before, add her to this list.

These ladies are not just dope Female MCs, they are just dope MCs. Funny enough Rage and Digga are on Live @ the BBQ track. Giving their take on the Main Source Classic. Eternia shines throughout the album. Her words are strong, has excellent cadence and takes you on a trip with her rhymes while Moss creates a true soundscape for the listener.

I will confess that at first take I skimmed through it because I didnt find it sonically appealing but when I gave it a second listen I didnt skip a track. Moss is hit or miss with me on his production, but he definetely excels on this. I am more and more appreciative of the Producer/MC albums. They are fluid soundscapes where you see the MC and Producer evolve with eachother.


Standout tracks

32 Bars- Eternia murders the beat.

At last ft Reef and Termanology- That beat ,some of my favorite MCs, and Eternia.... whoa...



It's funny ft. Joell Ortiz - Joell is the truth, and Eternia still shines

To the Future - Hands down my favorite song, only because it is the realest shit I have heard in a long time. I am surprised anyone would put that much of themselves into a song. And...I applaud that.



Eternia and Moss - At Last.. A true G.E.M..

jeah mang jeah - Skillz

Fair Use in Sampling?!?!?!? Love, Live, and Learn

This is too good and interesting to not share. For all those that make or appreciate sample-based music, this is a wonderful snippet to open your mind to asking questions.



Big Ups to the forthcoming contributor the GEM District. LaQuita Luv for putting me onto Girl Talk. It was cool to understand or know about the piece of work used as a comparison point.

Lounge Battles 8!

This week. Quickly becoming the East Coast Premier Battle.

MC Battles, B-Boy Battles, and Production Battles..

Very Dope.. Come support the G.ood E.ntertainment M.ovements..

Lounge Battles information here

Shout-outs to my Family Madd Illz, for putting it down as usual.

Despicable Me.

El Mundial is over people.. so it is back to the postings...


This is really dope, I had to share. Few artists from the Hip Hop genre could even attempt to do this. Impressive.

Not Closed

The Gem District is not done.. Not Even Close. We are just caught up in the World Cup..

Props to the U.S. and my parents motherland Chile. Y'all made us proud..

Stay Tuned...

Throwback Thursdays - Xzibit "Paparazzi"

Okay kiddies it is either continued Musication of the youth or memories for the older crew...  This video was my introduction to Xzibit. Which bugged me out at the time when I found out he was from the west coast. This was only because of the beats and his rhyme format. I later found out that another stand out song on his debut album "Foundation" was produced by DJ Muggs one of my Top 10 all time Producers. To this day, whenever I need a dope line to cut, I pull out Paparazzi first. X to the Z is still dope to me. and I still have the cassette..



So damn Freshhhhhh..

Solillaquists of Sound - Marvel

So... Orlando Reps.

Solilla
Swamburger (MC), Alexandra (Vocals), DiVinci (Producer MPC master), and Tonya Roberts (poet)

X:144 makes his directorial debut on this ridiculous song/ video.. props... serious props

The Aviator Is Dead

Mr Cloudy... Finally... you did your talent justice.

Alrighty peoples, where IMakeMadBeats gave me the tools to make music, Cloudy was the cat that made me want to be part of the Orlando scene. In fact, he made me want to make music and perform.

I was the new DJ on the scene making an appearance at Ehjays in Winter Park (RIP Ehjays) I was on crutches, and was also seeing how little I knew about cutting thanks to my also meeting K-Razor (Scratch Academy) and SPS (2008 DMC US Supremacy Champ, Zulu World Champ). But... I wasnt really that impressed with the local music until the headliners came on stage. O.F.F. (The O.rlando F.lorida F.oundation). These cats blew my mind away. The beats were sick, and all the cats had a ridiculous presence. Cleazy, Que the MC, Ru, and  especially Cloudy (kwon at the time). Cloudy had a mis-mosh of a kung fu outfit on both white and black pieces but was ripping the Mic, and he had the crowd captivated.

We later became friends and even crew. I was always let down that he never put more effort into his recording even when myself and Scrollman (tracks soon to be dug out) were pushing him to do so. But gone are the days of Kwon, The Aqua Doc, Dragonfist the Antagonist! It's Cloudy October now.

I am far from a rooster rider (if you get it, you get it) but this album is Fresh. Cloudy proves that he can rock any type of beat, and as usual uses a creative but sonically accurate delivery. Not only does he handle the rhyming but he is also handling the bulk of the production. Along with X:144 (soon to be profiled) handing mixing and mastering, the aviator is dead is a wonderfully packaged product. He is offering it free on his website but you can order one of the limited edition copies he has pressed.... and promote the hell out of him!!!

I have honestly tried to figure out how to describe him but it is hard because he is the Orlando version of Ol Dirty "there is no father to his style." But hearing his album you will catch hints of MF Doom, Little bit of Andre of Outkast, The Procussions, even Em due to his hint of comedy. The rhymes are sick and you can tell he is artist who is taking his craft serious.. Vagonbondage is my favorite track due to my preference of hearing Cloudy rock higher BPM beats.. either way..

Props to Cloudy

(4 out of 5) ugly faces only because this is only the beginning




www.cloudyoctober.com
for his album

Remember if you likes.... SUPPORT the G.E.M.s!

So far best World Cup Commercial - From the House of Nike..

come on people as of today the World Cup is 21 days away..

I had to post this because the commercial is just sick.

Drogba, Cannavaro, Rooney, Ribary, Donovan, Howard, Ronaldinho (even though he isnt gonna be on the team) and Ronaldo..

True dopeness..



World Cup.. U-S-A.. U-S-A..U-S-A..

and

VAMOS CHILE MIERDA!!!!!

Hard Target - Bang!

Okay now I have said it before, and I will say it again. I dont understand how Target has not blown up yet. Dude is mad creative, his songs are dope and have commercial strength. All in all one of the more talented artists I have met in Florida.


So once again shameless promotion, I am not saying he is dope because I worked with him but the opposite, I worked with him because he is dope

Hard Target 4 President (Produced by Santiago Skillz)

Dude has a strong fan base so support Hard Freakin' Target!

His Official Blog



Rockstar - I mean come on you cant hear this on the Radio????

I Make Mad Beats

Now some background...

Many moons ago, there was this student @ UCF I passed an Elements Flyer to. Little did I know that this single moment changed the course of at least my musical life. This young cat turned out to be "then" Nemo of the Paradox Unit. Although I was slowly trying making my mark on the Orlando Scene, these cats had already begun that journey. Through him I met Tzarizm, and the rest of that very talented camp.

I remember sitting in his room hearing some of the craziness coming out of those speakers, and remember telling people he was THE truth. In fact he is on my first recorded track ever. Little did I know how right I was..

Our relationship became somewhat strained many years later as our opinions and projects were different and some what conflicted with eachother, but I never lost respect for the dude. Not to mention he IS - THE guy who gave me the first tool to make music. He gave me the basic knowledge on the program and let me loose, and because of that I finally got a lot of music out of my head and onto MP3's for which I will forever be grateful..

Either way now he is IMAKEMADBEATS, still part of the Strangaz production team(Him and Tzarizm - both sick),BlakOut, and now he is Half of the Transcontinental (on Koch Records). Dude is still making ridiculous music. Check him out..

IMAKEMADBEATS.com

Madd Illz is that dude

yeah, just showing you some music you may not know about.

Madd Illz is an Orlando MC. Multiple Battle Champ, Organizer of Lounge Battles, and Co-Owner of Grindtime.

http://maddillz.com

Check him out.

Wake Up (produced by Santiago Skillz)

Beat box app - dopeness

This site it dope. Drag and drop the different items on the shirts and create your own music.



The site is http://www.incredibox.fr

It's by French Beatboxer Polo.

I am telling you Europe is killing this Hip Hop ish..

it begins.... again

Now I have had this damn thing for damn near a year, and not much has been done with it. I have come to realize in my "advancing years" that G.ood E.ntertaining M.usic is still appreciated. Shit I take personal pride in saying that I opened someone's ear to a certain music or that i knew about someone a year before they blew up.

I will continue that shit here. Whether it be from a producer standpoint, a DJ standpoint, or me just being a fan.

FYI
I am known as Santiago Skillz in "some circles", a decent DJ, a good enough beat maker but an avid music lover.. NY birthed me, but Orlando made me.

In addition to that stated above I will share dope shit I find online, stupid ish that makes me laugh and maybe the occasional good looking chick..

Either way the GEM district is here. And I will aim to please.. jeah