"Shameless," ft. Slug, MaLLy, Mike the Martyr and Haphduzn (Prod. Dimitry Killstorm)

Check the Blog just premiered "Shameless," the first track from Flood Watch, an upcoming compilation album put together by That Dude Reeg and Tek. The track features Slug, MaLLy, Mike the Martyr and Haphduzn trading verses over some Dimitry Killstorm production. I don't know if the four Minneapolis rappers were together when composing their verses, but you can feel the spirit of competition in this track. Everyone knew they had to bring their best work, and they all definitely showed up for this track. Listen to it below.

Sound of the City, Vol. 12 (Mixtape)

The folks at 4seen Magazine have been putting out these monthly Sound of the City mixtapes for a year now. Coming from someone who writes a blog — and does so horribly inconsistently — this is a respectable feat. The latest tape features the late Fly Henderson, Mike Dreams, K.Raydio, Bobby Raps, Tek, Big Dylan, MaLLy, Mike the Martyr, I Self Divine, and more. Hit the jump to stream it.

Sound of the City, Vol. 11 (Mixtape)

Here is the latest Sound of the City mixtape, presetned by 4Seen Magazine. This one features Toki Wright, I Self Devine, Tribe and Big Cats!, MaLLy, Tek, Mike Dreams, Tomorrow Genius, several Audio Perm rappers, and a monstrous collaboration track from Mike the Martyr, Meta, Muja Messiah and Mac Irv, "Dial M for Murder." Grab the mixtape after the jump.

Claire de Lune: "Save the Day" ft. MaLLy & Truth Be Told (Music Video)

The Local Current blog premiered the new music video, done by River Life Media aka Greg Grease, to "Save the Day", Claire de Lune's lead single to New Lion, her debut EP that is getting released next Tuesday, June 26. The song features MaLLy and Truth Be Told, and was produced by Big Cats!. Pre-order New Lion through Claire's Bandcamp.

Claire de Lune
New Lion EP Release Party
Thursday, June 28 // 7th St. Entry
with Greg Grease, K.Raydio, and DJ Noam the Drummer
$7 door, $5 advance // 18+ // Tickets

Sound of the City, Vol​.​10 (Mixtape)

Here is the newest Sound of the City mixtape, from 4Seen Magazine. This one features Greg Grease, Metasota, Mike the Martyr, Fly Henderson, I Self Devine, MaLLy, Toki Wright, Phonetic One, Audio Perm and more. Stream it below.

MaLLy: "Good One ft. K.Raydio" (Music Video)

"Good One" is the second single to get a music video from MaLLy and the Sundance Kid's excellent album The Last Great... The album is one of the stronger local or national rap releases of the year so far, and it's a free album, so if you don't have it by now, make sure to download it or purchase the physical copy from local retailers like Electric Fetus, Fifth Element or Cheapo.

Claire de Lune: "Save the Day ft. MaLLy & Truth Be Told" (Prod. Big Cats!)

Claire De Lune is a relatively new name in the local music scene but has already established herself as an in-demand collaborator. Past projects that the singer has contributed her talents to include MaLLy's The Last Great... (backup vocals on the hook of "Renaissance 2.0") and her acoustic rap EP with Guante, A Loud Heart (here's their song "The Illusion of Movement"). Claire De Lune is also a member of local trio The Chalice. If that wasn't enough to keep her busy, she's now releasing a solo EP, New Lion, on June 26. You can pre-order the EP at her Bandcamp site, and also stream the lead single "Save the Day," which features a verse from MaLLy, some singing from Truth Be Told and production from Big Cats!

MaLLy: The Last Great... (Album Stream and Download)

Today marks the release of MaLLy & the Sundance Kid's debut album, The Last Great... It's been a long time coming. I first posted music from MaLLy when he hit me up with The Passion in July of 2009. Since then, he's given us the Free on the 15th series, multiple excellent music videos, and a steady stream of increasingly high profile concerts, culminating with his Soundset slot a year ago and his well-deserved opening spot on this year's Welcome to MN tour. Needless to say, however, the wait's been well worth it.

The Last Great... is a terrific album by two artists who are firing on all cylinders. If you need further convincing, I'll let the music speak for itself. All of The Last Great... is available for streaming and free download after the jump. Remember to support MaLLy by purchasing the physical album at any local record store (Electric Fetus, Fifth Element).

MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

MaLLy: "Good One ft. K.Raydio" (Live at The Current)

MaLLy recently made a stop at The Current's studio to record a brief session, which included a song that we haven't yet heard from The Last Great... Check out the video of MaLLy, Last Word, and K.Raydio performing "Good One" above, and stream his whole session —which also includes "Cloud Culture" and "Shine" — with the music player below.

Sound of the City, Vol​.​9 (Compilation Mixtape)

Right on cue, here is this month's Sound of the City mixtape, courtesy of 4Seen Magazine and Big Ten Entertainment. This one features I Self Devine, Toki Wright, MaLLy, Metasota, Knox, Muja Messiah, Fly Henderson, Mike the Martyr, Emazin, and more. Stream it after the jump.

MaLLy Presents The Last Great... Ep. 2: "A Real Job" (Video)

Here is episode 2 of MaLLy's The Last Great... video series. This episode finds MaLLy disillusioned with his 9-5 lifestyle and being reminded of his real passion by the same character who saved his rhyme book from burning in Episode 1.

MaLLy's The Last Great... will be out on May 15 and is available for pre-order through Fifth Element.

MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

MaLLy Presents The Last Great... Ep. 1: "Growing Up" (Video)

Here is the first of three video episodes leading up to the May 15 release of The Last Great... The video details a young man saving MaLLy from stopping pursuing his dreams of a career in rap.

The Last Great... can now be pre-ordered at Fifth Element, and tickets to his album release show are still available at all local ticket outlets (Fifth Element, Electric Fetus, the Depot). Album art and tracklist are included after the jump in case you haven't seen it yet.

MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

MaLLy & the Sundance Kid: "Shine" (Music Video)

Here's the second big local music video of the day. MaLLy and the Sundance Kid's single "Shine" came out one month ago, and now here are some visuals of MaLLy rapping around Minneapolis to accompany the song. The Last Great... is coming out on May 15.

MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

MaLLy & Last Word: "Cloud Culture" (Live at Fifth Element)

While we're on the topic of posting Record Store Day performances, here is some video of MaLLy with DJ Last Word performing "Cloud Culture" at Fifth Element last Saturday. The Last Great... will be in released on May 15.

MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

Sound of the City 8 (Compilation Mixtape)

Another month, another Sound of the City mixtape, courtesy of 4Seen Magazine and Big Ten Entertainment. This one features contributions from Franz Diego, Metasota, I Self Devine, Akrite, Mike Dreams, MaLLy, Ceewhy, Greg Grease, Mike the Martyr and more. Stream or download it after the jump.

MaLLy & the Sundance Kid: "Shine"

"Shine" is the lead single from MaLLy's debut album with the Sundance Kid, The Last Great..., due on May 15. If I remember correctly MaLLy opened his set at First Ave during the Welcome to MN tour with this song, and it had the place rocking. It's got the perfect vibe for a lead single: a catchy hook, a banging beat from Sundance, and plenty of room for MaLLy to flex his considerable lyrical skills. The Last Great... seems to be dropping at just the right time; I've got a feeling it'll be a soundtrack for the summer. Stream or download "Shine" below, and check out the information for the album release party on Friday, May 18.

MaLLy & the Sundance Kid: "Shine"


MaLLy with DJ Last Word
The Last Great... Album Release Party
Friday, May 18
7th Street Entry
with The Tribe & Big Cats, 925ve and DJ Jimmy 2 Times
Facebook RSVP

Sound of the City 7 (Compilation Mixtape)

Last month I shared the Sound of the City 6 compilation mixtape. This month, 4Seen Magazine is back to present another collection of recent Minnesota-made hip-hop. Included in this mix are Metasota, Bobby Raps, Brother Ali, Franz Diego, Mike Dreams, Mike the Martyr, the Tribe & Big Cats!, MaLLy, and more. Stream/download the project after the jump.

Welcome to MN Tour (First Ave, 2/22/12)

The image above is one of the two lackluster iPhone photos I took at last night's Atmosphere/Kill the Vultures/Big Quarters/MaLLy/BK-One show for the second annual Welcome to Minnesota tour. I did it to at least have something to share in this write up, but in all honesty that lineup was way too stacked for me to have been doing anything but enjoying the entire night. I made it to First Ave about 10 minutes before MaLLy's opening set, found an open spot on the floor next to the sound/lighting booth, and didn't leave for the rest of the night. Hit the jump to read my thoughts on the show.

MaLLy & The Sundance Kid: "Once We're Kings" (Music Video)

"Once We're Kings" is the latest song from MaLLy and The Sundance Kid's excellent Free on the 15th series to get video treatment. All you need to have a good time is an adult tricycle and a bottle of whiskey — #WelcomeToMN.

In related news, MaLLy's album The Last Great, which has been in the works for a while now, has been given a May 2012 release date. More info to come soon.

'The Best Love Is Free' Cypher (Video)

The Best Love Is Free is an annual event and compilation album organized by Deaf to the Static Records and Hopeful Opus Productions. The video above is a fantastic cypher recorded for The Best Love is Free, featuring several local artists. In order of appearance are: Sean Anonymous, Phillip Morris, Wize Guyz, Botzy (of Culture Cry Wolf), Lizzo, Ceewhy, St. Paul Slim, MaLLy, and Toki Wright.

The event is taking place this Saturday at the Fine Line Music Cafe in downtown Minneapolis. All attendees get the free compilation CD upon entry. You can purchase tickets online or at several different local stores. Performing are: Culture Cry Wolf, Toki Wright, Crunchy Kids, K. Flay, Wesley Opus, Ceewhy, SlipMats Ent. Details for the event are below, or hit the jump to view the digital flyer. 

The Best Love Is Free
The Fine Line Music Cafe
Saturday Feb. 11th, 2012
FREE CD W/ ENTRY
8pm, 18+, $10 Pre-Sale, $12 Door