BeSceneMpls Presents: Rooftop Cypher I (Video)

Much of the rhetoric in hip-hop media these days centers around the false dichotomy between what's "real rap" and what's not; Nicki Minaj backing out of Hot 97's Summerjam becuase of DJ Peter Rosenberg's comments is the latest example in that clash. The debate often centers around a traditionalist vs. non-traditionalist approach. If you watch the BET Award cyphers or listen to a "freestyle" on Nah Right and grumble that it's prepared or pre-written material, you probably sympathize with the traditionalist stance. If so, you'll definitely be a fan of this new Be Scene Mpls video series (if not, there's still a good chance you'll enjoy it). Jake and Eamon at Be Scene want to take the cypher back to it's older iteration, where the gathering is more free flowing and improvised. So they rounded up Lizzo, Manny Phesto, Freez, Big Dylan, Yakub along with Tristan (aka Mic Technique) to beat-box. Check out the results above, and stay tuned for more videos from the Be Scene crew.

Freez & Mike Frey: You Are Here (Mixtape)

Ready for another fresh Twin Cities mixtape? Well after posted the first couple of leaks from Freez and Mike Frey's project You Are Here, the mixtape is now upon us. It boats a ton of guest appearances from the likes of P.O.S., Mike Mictlan, Mavin MC, Big Zach, Unicus, Alicia Steele, and Franz Diego. Basically an incomplete who's who of the Minneapolis indie rap scene right now, but nonetheless featuring many of the city's brightest up-and-comers. Hit the download link below.

Freez & Mike Frey: You Are Here (Mixtape)

Freez & Mike Frey: "These Days" (Music Video)

I posted Freez and Mike Frey's first collaborative single "Man-Radio" back in January and alluded to their forthcoming projects. Well, their mixtape, You Are Here, will be available on Friday, May 13.

Greg Grease and Freez: "Dreams" (Music Video)

Greg Grease and Freez are the Grittee Committee. We'll give em a pass on the spelling errors because the music is good. "Dreams" touches on the oft-used indie rap theme of not striving for materialistic goals but only the basic necessities in life, which is all you need to be truly happy. This song will also be on Greg Grease's The Giving Tree, available for free download on 4/20/11.

Greg Grease and Freez: "Dreams"

Mike Mictlan & Freez: "Minne-Triple-Rockalis"

This collaboration between Mike Mictlan and Freez (of Illuminous 3) came out back in August, but somehow I completely missed out on it. I was kind of absent from the usual blogging grind this summer. Regardless, the local emcees definitely put it down for their hometown on this one. Sorry I'm horribly late, but I couldn't let this one get overlooked.

Mike Mictlan & Freez: "Minne-Triple-Rockalis"

Freez & Mike Frey: "Man-Radio"

Since all the way back in 2009, Freez and producer Mike Frey have been working on a full-length LP titled Freez's Frozen French Freys. But while we wait for that, they're putting out an EP scheduled for release sometime soon. This song, "Man-Radio", is the title track to that EP.

Freez & Mike Frey: "Man-Radio"

Freez: "The Ritual"+ Franz Diego: "Breakup (Remix)"

Two of the members of Illuminous 3 just sent these new tracks through, so I'm consolidating them into one post. First up is Freez, whose track "The Ritual" was produced by Greg Grease of Usual Suspects.

Freez: "The Ritual" (Prod. Greg Grease)

Franz, meanwhile, took a different approach and rapped over the instrumental to Mario and Gucci Mane's song "Break Up." I have never heard the original, and quite honestly, am not terribly interested in listening to it anytime soon. Franz's version should suffice.

Franz Diego: "Break Up (Remix)"

Freez: Behind the Scene Footage for New Mixtape (Video)

Freez's For Real It's 2 E-Z Mixtape, Pt. 2 (what a name, I know) is in the works right now.

Previosuly - Freez: For Real, It's 2 EZ, Pt. 1

Freez: Basement Freestyle (Video)

I only called it "Basement Freestyle" because just "Freestyle" sounded too boring. I3 what up?

Illuminous 3: New Franz Diego Mixtape Promo (Video)

Franz isn't really present in the video, but I3 is still representing, with Freez and Mavin MC kicking verses. The mixtape will be released on May 2, but the question on everyone's mind is, "Does it have a name yet?" Only time will tell.

Freez: For Real, It's 2 EZ (Mixtape)

Illuminous 3 emcee Freez recently dropped his latest solo mixtape, For Real, It's 2 EZ. Unabashedly blunt, the Minneapolis emcee put together an admittedly nice collection of tracks, featuring guest appearances from the likes of Brother Ali and Toki Wright. Check it out, and if you still haven't gotten fellow I3 group member Franz Diego's Franz Diego EP, then do that as well.

Sorry the above artwork is so small. The email I received with the mixtape had the album artwork in a pdf file, which Blogger doesn't support. This is the best I could do in the limited time I spent searching for the cover art.

Freez: For Real, It's 2 EZ (Mixtape)

Illuminous 3: Upcoming Projects Promo (Video)

If you're not up on I3, a wildly underrated Twin Cities rap crew, then go buy their latest album, Room. Here they give you an update on their current group/solo proceedings. Mavin MC and Freez will both have some free solo albums that I'll be posting soon, while Franz Diego already dropped his FranzDiego.com EP, which can be found here.