I missed this new track from Jus Daze about a month ago. And I need to get this up for the masses to listen to. It’s more along the lines of promo than a true single but like most work Daze has put out…it’s potent. He’s tired of empty rhetoric and blatant lies, and he lets you know on a cut that lasts just over one minute long.
Single You Out: Jus Daze – Fly Away (J’s Dedication)
Jus Daze wins again by delivering heart and soul in a musical package. Daze gives this musical dedication to a friend who has overcome an addiction as he continues to drop purposeful songs to the masses that endear listeners to his art.
“Survival’s what you do when you’re barely living…“
Single You Out: Jus Daze – Broke Up (prod by Legenda)
Break up songs can be a dime a dozen but leave it to Jus Daze to take something mundane and make it special. Legenda does his part with the production with making it ooze the blues and soul by incorporating an appropriate Bob James sample. This track once again showcases Daze’s song writing ability, as if you didn’t already know. Enjoy…
Single You Out: Jus Daze – New Yawk (prod by Stradivarius)
New Yawk is nothing to tamper with and very few rep it better than Jus Daze. Daze had been dropping a lot of introspective music lately, but here he pays homage to his city. And he does it with the flair and flow that only he possesses. Stradivarius digs down deep into the soul and extracts just a little bit for this really dope beat. Enjoy folks!
Single You Out: Jus Daze – I Miss… (prod. by J57)
Jus Daze and J57 link up to remiss on some better times with the track, I Miss… The track has a dichotomy about it in the sense that it’s both serious and playful. The latter is much in part to the production from J57. The press release that accompanied this track suggests a new EP is in the work for Jus Daze which is always welcome news.
Download
Top 50 Songs (2013)
Disclaimer: It is hard and challenging to pick 50 tracks from the thousands upon thousands that dropped this year. It is merely an attempt to list my favorite cuts of 2012. Click the links to listen to the song! I think it’s a great list. There were a lot of great songs crafted this year and I know I left off some good ones. I listened to 5,000+ tracks from 2012 alone this year, so as an artist, if you made this list you know you are on the forefront of my iTunes!
1. Said Before – Goldini Bagwell
2. Rhyme Of The Year – Nino Bless
4. Outlive, Outshine – Theo3
Top 10 Albums (2013)
More than any year previous, I have toiled and contemplated this list. In particular, deciding on a pecking order proved to be most difficult but this is what I have come up with. Feel free to disagree. The list was assembled based upon the usual criteria of production, lyricism, flow, song arrangement, and the ever popular, but lost ingredient…CREATIVITY.
1. Tenacity x Fratello Beatz – ABnormal Deciding on the number one album of the year was really difficult but ABnormal kept on coming up in the discussion and I could not diminish it’s value. This album oozes creativity and is loaded with great tracks. Tenacity’s lyricism and songwriting ability prove to be impeccable, while Fratello Beatz creates the perfect soundscape. Review.
2. Stryfe x Marc Byrd – The Last Resorts Producer Marc Byrd really outdid himself on this album. The rock infused production made this album knock. Stryfe continues to make a name for himself with his sharp lyricism and witty wordplay. There are a grip of tracks that absolutely bang. The fact that I didn’t give this a full review was a big mistake. Awesome album.
3. Jermiside x Danny Diggs – Quiet As Kept Jermiside and Diggs personify smooth introspection with this release. It is simultaneously laid back and engaging. Review.
4. The Aztext – Four The Aztext keep a record of making great music and they consistently make these end of the year lists. Four is a remarkable album for it’s creative concepts and flavor. These guys just get it. And if you give this album a listen, you too may here it. Review.
5. Demigodz – KiLLmatic This is the one album on the list that made it for it’s pure ‘knockability’. When I first heard this album, I was blown away with Apathy’s production. I think it’s one of the best produced albums of the year. There are too many dope tracks on this album to ignore. Review.
6. One Dae – Daes & Times This was just released last month but I have given it enough listens to consider it one of this year’s best releases. One Dae has a lost of microphone charisma and the production on the album is vastly superior to a far number of albums released this year. Review.
7. Mayday – Believers Many people have a hard time categorizing (or pigeon holing) Mayday. Sometimes they wear that ominous tag of ‘alternative hip hop’. Bull shit. This album is hip hop heavy that is layered in soul and funk elements with a dash of rock. But it’s still hip hop to me and really good hip hop. I wore out the front half of this album it was so good (not to detract from the latter half).
8. Natti – Still Motion Here’s another album that I never gave it’s due. Natti’s Still Motion is comprised of some really good music. It is heavily produced by Deacon The Villain and KNO of Cunninlynguists and those guys know how to make albums. After I heard track #2, Another Galaxy, I was sold. Great album!
9. Swollen Members – Beautiful Death Machine Go ahead and remain incredulous, but this is the best Swollen Members’ album since Balance. And nobody can turn a phrase like Previal and Madchild. They are on their own shit. The production is on point and unlike many of their previous albums, there is a certain level of focus in the tracks and arrangement. There was no deviation. I appreciated that. Review.
10. Jus Daze – Walk Twice As Hard Jus Daze is the most introspective artist on the list. Walk Twice As Hard is a not only a musical journey, but also an extremely personal one. You can really appreciate the care that Daze took in creating the album. Review.
Jus Daze – Walk Twice As Hard (2013)
Artist: Jus Daze
Album: Walk Twice As Hard
Tracklisting:
1. Walk Twice As Hard (Prologue)
2. First Step
3. Here For A Reason
5. Bob (Interlude)
6. Same Struggle
7. Comfort The Comforters
8. 365 Daze Love Letters
9. Superman’s Dead
10. Zombie
11. Fallen Star
12. To Die For
13. Know I Would (ft. Lenore)
14. Andy Dufresne (Ambition)
15. I Made It (ft. MVP & Devo)
16. Whatever Happens Happens
17. Reflection
Note:
What first drew me to Jus Daze was not his victories on the battle circuit. It wasn’t an appearance on a late night talk show. Nor was it because he was the “bow legged bandit”. I rarely even look at the attached pictures of emcees that are sent in submissions. I listen to Jus Daze’s music because he is relate-able to his audience and I connect with his lyricism, his stories, and his message. It’s intelligent and tangible music.
Walk Twice As Hard is loaded with powerful lines and stories but it also lends itself to shear artistry. We have talked about the track Superman Is Dead previously but I can’t discuss the album without revisiting this song. It’s a track that puts a more mortal twist on the supernatural story of Superman and the characters associated with him. It’s a story of love, jealousy, and betrayal. It’s an extremely creative track. I am really not sure how the writing process develops for a song like this. When listening to a track of this nature, it begs the question: What other tales and concepts lie in the confines of the mind of Jus Daze?
Single You Out: Jus Daze – I Made It (ft. MVP and Devo D)
Now this usually ain’t my steez. It’s a little too uptempo and optimistic and I am just not that kind of guy. But the song is too well put together not to share it. The chorus by Devo D really completes the cut in between sixteens from Jus Daze and MVP (from WWE fame, who knew?). It’s the type of joint that definitely could rock a club and steal some commercial success. I Made It, is just the tip of the iceberg from the Walk Twice As Hard album. One of the things I like about Jus Daze is that he is one of the more substantive emcees I feature here. He’s always dropping material that gets you thinking and while I Made It is not exactly in that lane, make sure you give the album a deserved listen.
Single You Out: Jus Daze – Comfort The Comforters
Jus Daze is cranking out the singles for his upcoming project, Walk Twice As Hard. He’s one of the most poignant rhyme writers at the moment. He brings ‘real people’ music to the forefront. The song brings to light many emotions and thoughts. He gets you thinking and that’s to be sure. I can’t wait to cop the album. The beat comes courtesy of Larry Legend.
Hip Hop Dependency 