"They think they got the whole story 'bout the brotherhood"

Canto I; A duo based on everyday life, Street Fighter 2, and most importantly, the love of music. I got the chance to talk with these cats, and let me tell you, they are some cool ass ninjas. "Straight out of the middle of no where," Canto I gives The Trolley Stop the time of day to answer a few questions that may interest you guys. Check it out:

First off, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to interview you guys. I love the music you guys make; it’s what I call real hip hop.

Danny (Effect): Why thank you sir. We appreciate your support for the sound.

Joe (Joe Fury): Word man thank you we appreciate it. I mean we don’t really try to classify ourselves as anything, really, its just Hip-Hop. Whatever way you want to look at it we just want to make good music.

To start could you give us a little breakdown? Who you guys are, where you’re from, what you do, you know that kind of thing.

J: Well I’m Joe Fury, younger brother, born and raised in “The Flats” aka Las Vegas, NV kid! What I do… Uhhhh… I don’t want to tell you if I have a real job or not so lets just say I murder mad people in Street Fighter 2 all day and occasionally write a bar or two.

D: A wondering thinker finding my path through life. Hope to somehow make this world better by contributing to the human evolvement of peace. I enjoy sex, gadgets, music and ping-pong. I own a Chameleon named ‘Tits’ and can’t wait ‘til the Yankees climb back to complete dominance.

What do you guys call Hip Hop? Can you give us your own unique definition(s)?

D: The first 2:23 seconds of "Section" by The Roots. I call Hip Hop an incredible way to express ideas about how to bring people together. The people are tired of fighting, man. We’re tired of being fed reasons as why we should hate and commence war on one another. Hip Hop is truly the voice of the ordinary person, with extraordinary abilities to relate and connect to those around them. Ridiculous beats and having fun doesn’t hurt either.

J: Hip-Hop is Hip-Hop dude. For me Hip-Hop comes from the heart and soul. It represents life in the everyday person, the struggle, and the hardship of living. Its what you feel at that very moment in your life with so much passion and strength in your voice, everyone will know what you’re talking about. Shhiiitt there are plenty of times where I’m borderline singing on tracks. And my voice is ugly! Haha…its just like I’m having a conversation with the beat, like I’m letting the music know how my day was. That’s Hip-Hop.

So I know you guys were brought up in Vegas, how does it feel to be basically one of the few Hip Hop artists to come out of Nevada?

J: It’s cool, real cool. I mean Vegas is a crazy ass city but I love it. Hella people get caught up in the hype though; I mean we weren’t about the glamour and flashing (lights!) too much, but I think growing up there really put a unique spin on our music and personalities. I just turned 21 a couple of months ago too so I used to get kicked out of casinos all the time because of my fake ID you know?! Hahaha.

D: We are merely the first ones to jump in the pool. There are plenty NV acts chillin’ on the edge waiting to see what are reaction to the temperature is.

Canto I, what does that mean? I know Canto in Spanish means to sing haha, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what you intended it to mean.

D: Yea, we get that all the time, but it definitely has absolutely nothing to do with singing in Spanish. Its root meaning is actually Latin-Italian. In Renaissance literature, a “Canto” was a break or chapter dividing a poem or piece of written work. More specifically in The Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, he used Cantos to separate his writing. Dante’s story involved a fictional interpretation of non-fictional characters and events that he was involved with personally. We’re applying our interpretation of the life we live in, giving our insight on current and future events, while using Hip-Hop as our canvas to display the picture. The “I” comes from being a human; as in, a single person traveling through each chapter (or ‘Canto’) in life. We apparently think we’re extremely deep.

J: Word. Plus “Insane Clown Posse” was already taken. I was pretty disappointed about that.

What sparked your interest in Hip Hop? And how did you get started?

D: Hip-Hop was obviously a part of my music life as a kid, considering I was an 85’ baby. But I was also raised on the classic Led Zeppelin, Beatles stuff also. I was just infatuated with music in general and had an obsession with it since before I can remember. As far as being involved in Hip Hop, it wasn’t until high school. Friends would battle around school, and I would jump in every now and then to stake my claim, just for kicks though nothing too serious. After I started writing though, it was over. I loved creating songs, rather than just self-boasting my image and “skillz”, haha. Making that classic song everyone could vibe too was my ultimate goal. It’s what I love doing. Contributing quality songs that any music fan can enjoy.

J: Word, Oh! I Agree. Lets be serious though my first Hip-Hop album I bought myself was Biggie’s Ready to Die. I bought that on a cassette tape too I didn’t even have a CD player yet. Haha, I’m old school. But yeah I had all the old Led Zeppelin albums on tape or CD for the house. And our Dad really had everything you can think of. He gave me the actual Led albums on the original records from the 70’s, which is ill as shit. But we grew up on 90’s generation Hip-Hop, and as soon as Danny asked me to pick up the pen and put down the beats I fell in love with writing and creating Hip-Hop as a whole.

If you were to collaborate with any artist(s), who would it be?

D: I really wish I could get the chance to record with Jimmy Page; I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a miracle to happen for the time being. But anyone from Lupe and Common to Incubus and Ziggy Marley would be dope. I’m throwing ridiculously popular names out there to boost my self-esteem. Fuck it, I’m going to pretend I’m a big deal.

J: I’m a Huge deal… kind of. Nah, but I would like to kick a song with Nas or Common or Pharoahe Monch even. And Kanye can make me a beat but he’s not allowed to rap on it. Hahaha nooooo, I kid… you think he’ll see this?

I have both of your albums (Entry Level/Elements and While You Were Sleeping), and I would like to say that they are two of my favorite in my entire library; instant classics. But from listening to these albums, I’ve noticed that you guys have more to say than the average artist, what influences you as you are writing the lyrics to your songs?

J: Just life son. To be brutally honest with you I write about things that I have kept bottled up from everyone for a really long time and the only way to get those things off my chest is to tell the music. Like things about love, or not being in love, a beautiful day, school, having to get up early as fuck to go to work, shit like that. I write about everyday events that affect me directly. Like on Entry Level | Elements the song “Day Dream” came from me being at work hella fucking early, like 5:00 AM. I kept freestylin’ like “..and it was early in the morning / gots to thinkin that I need a breath from stress…”

D: You gotta pretty good library too man, I’ve seen your taste in music, so thank you. That’s a pretty powerful statement; glad we could contribute. My goal is to not be another cliché self-boastful rapper. I have a philosophy about life, about the world, about people. I want to share that as best I can, however not forget the essence of what Hip Hop is about – flowing, motivating, and most importantly having fun. I write about things that should matter to people in the long-run.

What are your personal favorite tracks off Entry Level/Elements and While You Were Sleeping? And why?

D: I enjoy “6:00 AM” and “One Two” on the new one. “The Shining” and “Fear and Loathing” are my favorites on Entry Level | Elements. I tend to like more of our smooth, positive stuff.

J: See I’m more of the in depth type of guy. On the new one my favorites are “Progress,” “P.S. (Note to Self),” and “I Do Still Love H.E.R.” On the old one I’ll have to say “The Shining” and “Fear and Loathing” as well. They’re just mad chill.

Can you explain to us a little about your new record label, Outbox Records?

J: We are just trying to think outside of the box. We have been working with some of the illest people in the game right now, as far as I am concerned. People like Jape, Chadlee, Galley, Tree Woodz, Has-Lo, and Lacy Redhead are all up and coming on the label. Just trying to promote good music that we like and enjoy. Go to Outboxrecords.com!

D: Outbox Records is great outlet for great music. Whatever genre it may be, if we put it out, we think it’s ill. We’re putting out stuff of our own style and musical taste. I know people will enjoy it. We’re not trying to be anything else but ourselves and create a positive image while having a good time with good people. We make sure to connect with our artists on a human/mental scale first, and then hopefully help them out by getting their music exposed to the masses.

I read that you two weren’t always a duo. How is being a solo artist different from being a group?

D: I hated being a solo artist, haha. In fact, I really wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for us forming Canto I. I wasn’t truly enjoying the music I was making, and kind of just messing around as a hobby when I was bored. I honestly never thought it would turn out this way, but I’m stoked that it did. Now I’m fully focused on really contributing to making good music. And by good music, I mean perfecting our sound to what really defines us as people, not necessarily claiming that I’m the “dopest n shit.” Just “rapping” is kind of pointless if you think about it. I want to create something new and innovative that nobody has ever done before. I’m merely holding on for the ride.

J: You know I never really was a true “Solo Artist,” I made solo tracks all the time but I never put out a solo album. Plus I was always making music with my peoples, I always had someone else to kick it with. But I definitely want to venture out into the solo realm one day, but for now we are chillin’.

Is there anything else that you would like to say before you jet? Any concluding statements about Hip Hop today?

J: Hip-Hop will never die, and if you have something to say don’t be afraid to tell the music what’s up. And uh… Outbox kids!

D: As far as “Hip Hop today” goes, as long as cats are being real with themselves, I support their cause. We’re here to help contribute to bringing positivity back to Hip Hop. Nothing more, nothing less. Well, and maybe grab some free drinks along the way.

Once again I would like to thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to do this for the site, and for the readers. We appreciate it greatly.

D: Worrrrrd up Optimus Prime. Fuck Megatron!!!

J: Haahhhduuuukennn!!

Just a little Sidewalk Cypher with my boys Effect and Joe Fury. Be sure to go out and buy BOTH of their albums, Entry Level/Elements and While You Were Sleeping. Like I said, instant classics.

"And now-a-days these rappers just dont have the heart, no brains, no skills, man they're just fallin' apart"

"So watch how these Outbox kids, out box kids"

Doing the math (by adding up the total plays from each song) I have played While You Were Sleeping 726 times already in the past month alone, and Entry Level/Elements 1584 times. Judging by the statistics you can tell that I'm a hardcore Canto I fan. I sincerely believe that these guys are going to be the next best thing, and they're blowing up pretty fast. I can still remember the first time I ever heard them, which was around spring of 2007. They automatically jumped out at me. In my opinion Effect and Joe Fury are bringing back real hip hop. If you look up hip hop in the dictionary, their picture along with the lyrics to "Sidewalk Cypher" should be next to the definition.

Lyrically they destroy every track I've heard them on. Their lyrics aren't the usual lyrics, but of actual experiences and opinions/ideas such as work, relationships, etc. In the interview I was privileged enough to conduct with this duo, Joe Fury explains: "To be brutally honest with you I write about things that I have kept bottled up from everyone for a really long time and the only way to get those things off my chest is to tell the music. Like things about love, or not being in love, a beautiful day, school, having to get up early as fuck to go to work, shit like that. I write about everyday events that affect me directly." I guess you could consider them "conscious hip hop" but I'm not one for labeling. In my opinion, Canto I are up there with Lupe, and Jay Elec lyrically. Beat wise, Jape, Galley, Steez, and Chad Lee, produce some bangin beat for these cats to "talk to". Big ups to Outbox for making such amazing music!

Overall, I can see Canto I becoming one of the hip hop giants in the future on the underground scene, and maybe even the main stream scene, as long as they keep pumping out meaningful music that people can relate to. Now go out and cop their albums, they really deserve the support.

"I do still love H.E.R to death"

Canto I - While You Were Sleeping

1. 6:00 AM
2. They Think They Know
3. One Two
4. Pardon The Dust
5. The Flats
6. Same Ole' Thing
7. To the Sky! (ft. Has-lo)
8. I Do Still Love H.E.R.
9. Death Connection
10. Current Status (ft. Lacy Redhead)
11. While You Were Sleeping
12. Progress
13. Lets Get Up (ft. Tree woodz)
14. Ps (Note to Self)

Remember those 2 brothers from Vegas I told you about? They're back with another amazing self-production entitled While You Were Sleeping. Canto I is not known to anyone...only a few heads have been actually graced with their music, and I am here to give you the opportunity to culture yourself haha. Their music is defined simply as "headphone music". This album is very insightful in many ways, as Canto I speaks on life, the music industry, etc. Canto I comes with their usual head bobbing boom-bap beats, and their extreme lyrical capacity. One thing that surprised me was their use of the concept track. In the song I Do Still Love H.E.R. they tackle the classic concept of using a metaphorical woman to describe their love for Hip Hop as in Common's I Used to Love H.E.R. In Death Connection they play around with the concept of addiction and the evils of drugs by describing a relationship between the dealer and the addict. They also use the same concept in The Flats, except the addiction is to gambling. Good stuff. I highly recommend this album, but the thing is I'm not giving you a download link because of their unpopularity. You're going to have to buy this album. Sorry guys. These guys really deserve the support for all their hard work, plus the CD is only $9.99 and it comes with some cool art work and what not. You can preview most of the tracks after the jump to decide whether you'll buy it or not.

Get It!

Canto I; Hip Hop is NOT dead

Canto I - Entry Level/Elements

1. Entry Level*
2. First Things First*
3. The Shining*
4. Route 95 (ft. The Chapter)*
5. Fear & Loathing*
6. Sidewalk Cypher*
7. Elements*
8. Day Dream*
9. Burning Bridges*
10. Skullyosis*
11. All I Know*
13. Thirty-Five 15*

Well...this was one of the first albums I stumbled across while searching the web for new music to listen to. The minute I heard The Shining, it was all over for me. I was hooked on this duo. Canto I is made up of 2 brothers from Las Vegas, Nevada, Effect and Joe Fury. These kids can flow. Joe and Effect sync perfectly with each other, especially on the song "Burning Bridges." This album is worth the download. If your looking for another "rap" album talking about money, bitches, ice and fame...this is not what your looking for. This album is all is what hip hop is all about.

Check out their myspace.

Look out for their new album set to drop on July 8th.

Unfortunetly I don't have a link for a free download but you can listen to and buy the album at CDbaby.com

Canto I!

So i was looking through my itunes, and came across Canto I, i love these guys, so sick. Anyway i went to their myspace to see how theyr doing on their new album, and its pretty much finished. They have the album artwork, AND the tracklisting. check it:

1.) 6:00 am
Produced by Chadlee
2.) Think They Know
Produced by Marco Polo
3.) One Two
Produced by Jape
4.) Pardon The Dust
Produced by Jape
5.) The Flats
Produced by Jape
6.) Same Ole' Thing
Produced by Galley
7.) To The Sky! (ft. Has-Lo)
Produced by Galley
8.) I Do Still Love H.E.R.
Produced by Marco Polo
9.) Death Connection
Produced by Chadlee & OH JEEZ!
10.) Current Status (ft. Lacy Redhead)
Produced by Chadlee
11.) While You Were Sleeping
Produced by Jape
12.) Progress
Produced by Chadlee
13.) Lets Get Up (ft. Tree Woodz)
Produced by Galley
14.) P.S. (Note To Self)
Produced by Chadlee

This album drops on july 18th and will be avalible on iTunes, Outboxrecords.com, or CDbaby.com. Support these guys! I know i will! Check out two of the songs on the album on their myspace.

My top 10 albums

Well, I've been out for a while now, and now I'm back with vengeance! Today I'm going to give you my top ten albums of all time. There's a few exceptions to the rule, but this is the general line up right here. And hereeeee we go:

10. Blue Scholars - Bayani9. Son of Ran - Tribute To Sky City
8. The Roots - Illadelph Halflife
7. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt6. Nas - Illmatic5. Canto I - Entry Level/Elements
4. People Under The Stairs - O.S.T.3. Crown City Rockers - Earthtones
2. Giant Panda - Fly School Reunion1. Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food and Liquor

Well, thats all folks. Remeber theres a few exceptions such as Binary Star's Masters of the Universe, Lupe's The Cool, Giant Panda's Electric Laser, a few more Roots albums, Canto I's While You Were Sleeping, Mission's One....and etc. Again this was just my general line up. Keyword general.

Im the incredible

Mickey Factz - The Leak Vol. 2: The Inspiration (mixtape)

18. Overdose feat. Drake & Travis McCoy (Prod By. Omen)
19. Jumanji feat. Nakim, Nymesys, Charlie Clips, Smoke DZA, Curtains (Prod By. H-Storm for Beatz Galaw Music Group)
20. Live Water feat. Lauryn Hill
21. Good Money (Prod By. 9th Wonder)
22. Naturally feat. Jade
23. Rockin N Rollin (Prod By. Precize)
24. 6 Letter Words (Prod By. Jet Audio)
25. Machine Gun
26. Rockin N Rollin Remix feat. The Cool Kids (ILLFONICS REMIX)
27. Incredible (Prod By. Sebastian)
28. Keep Moving feat. Fresh Daily
29. Africa feat. D’Anglelo
30. Keys Of Life
30. We Aint feat. Tanya Morgan (Prod By. AEON)
31. Sublime (Prod By. Precize)
32. Going Nowhere (Prod By. Precize)
33. The Rush feat. Smoke Dza (Prod By. Ibe)
34. The Inspiration (Prod By. Black Friday)
35. Swahililand feat Jesse Boykins & Cocoa Sarai
36. Pick Up The Bass Snippet (Prod By. Precize)

To tell you the truth I never really paid much attention to Mickey, but recently he contacted me, asking me if I would post content that he would send to me. After that I decided to really listen to him. He's not bad at all. In my opinion, he has his own style, but it has similarities to some other artists such as Lupe Fiasco. I downloaded this mixtape to get a taste of Mickey Factz, and It definitely did the job. Mickey can spit some serious hotness, if you've passed over his music check him out now.

Get It!

P.S. - I know I'm on a mixtape tangent, but that's only because I've had Canto I's While You Were Sleeping on rotate religiously...I'll get back on my album reviews soon enough.

While You Were Sleeping Review

Okayplayer gives Canto I's second album an 89 out of 100 possible points. I told you this duo is doing big things! Oh and look out for a Canto I exclusive right here at The Trolley Stop later on in the next day or so...

Click the picture to read the full review.

Keepin up with the Jonesz

The Jonesz - Season One

1. The Pilot
2. Sneakers N Heels
3. Blueberry Hotel pt. 1
4. Blueberry Hotel pt. 2
5. Guess What
6. Lemonade
7. Super8Supperclub
8. Skywriter
9. Interlude
10. On The Go
11. Mount Real Habitat
12. Interlude
13. Next Best Thing
14. Alice
15. With G ft. Golden Boy
16. Kill Mics
17. TeleDiscomusic
18. Shoutro
19. Guess What (Think Twice Remix)

Here's some new music that I found. This duo likes to call themselves The Jonesz. They're based out of Montreal, Canada. Don't underestimate them because they're from Canada, some dope hip hop comes out of that country. Well anyway, these guys have a chill sound, ideal for brooding/thinking, as well as night time listening. I'm not too sure which one the emcee is, but I'm guessing that it's Jesse Maxwell. Maxwell has a style kind of like Effect from Canto I, but different still...in some songs he sounds like everything he says come off the top of the dome, which is very refreshing. I enjoy this album, and I just downloaded it. The first track caught me immediately. So if your looking for something new, jump on this right now.

Get It!


the Jonesz "Season One" on P-Vine Records (JAPAN) from Sixteen Pads Films on Vimeo.

My 10 all time favorite Hip Hop artists

I've been sitting here and brooding for the past hour or so, trying to narrow down my favorite artists to just 10 (in no particular order), and I think I've finally done it. So here we go:

Jay Electronica

Blu

Lupe Fiasco
Son of Ran

People Under The Stairs
Giant Panda
The Cool Kids
Canto I
Crown City Rockers

Blue Scholars
And there you have it, just click the pictures, and you'll automatically search the archives for some of their stuff or anything related to them, now I'm off to bed...I spend too much time on this blog...

Caution: Small Metal Objects may be hazardous to small children

Has-Lo - Small Metal Objects (EP)

1. Small Metal Intro
2. Ain't Got It In Ya
3. Small Metal Objects
4. The Quiet Things
5. Inhuman Interlude
6. Dogma (ft. Awar)
7. The Commentary pt.1
8. Small Metal Outro

I posted up Has-Lo's previous EP earlier. He has his own unique type of style, which explains why Canto I enjoys working with him. He has a smooth flow, and pretty intense lyrics. This EP is his newest to date. I just downloaded it and in the process of listening, so I'll come back and update this post after I give it a good listen, or you can download it now and judge it for yourself, which I suggest. So far, my personal favorite song on here is The Commentary pt. 1.

Get It!

Othello; Not the Shakespeare play

Othello - Alive At The Assembly Line

1. And Always
2. Let's Just
3. Place to Be
4. Alive at the Assembly Line (feat. Propaganda / Vursatyl)
5. Cycle (feat. Surreal)
6. RAPS
7. Smooth It Out
8. Silhouette (feat. D-Minor)
9. Peripheral Drift
10. Shallow (feat. Pigeon John)
11. Rot
12. Work Epic
13. Shoot Past (feat. Olivia Warfield)
14. Fly (feat. Ohmega Watts / Braille)
15. Farewell

Othello, along with GP, Canto I, and Blue Scholars, was one of the very first artists that turned me on to hip hop. He is apart of a group called Light Headed that is a part of the Tres Records family. This group includes Braille, and Ohmega Watts. Let me tell you this guy can spit, his style is much different than others. Along side that, he rhymes about morality and life which is a good thing. I dont think ive ever heard him curse in any of his songs. So if your looking for somthing to bump that will uplift your spirits and help you chill after a hard days work, look no futhur. He is currently on the Warped Tour, so if your going to that look out for him.

Othello - Lets Just


Get It!

"Slide through ya baseline"

Folk&Stress...another Canto I? Possibly. But It's too early in the game to compare them with my favorites. I must say though, they have some pretty bangin tracks, and to accompany that they have extreme lyrical skill. Peep their new tracks featuring Vast Aire and Aesop Rock off their soon to drop album, The Box.

Folk&Stress (ft. Vast Aire) - The Beatrix
Folk&Stress (ft. Aesop Rock) - Quiet

F*ck Has Day

Has-Lo - F*ck Has Day (EP)

1. Prelude
2. Calibration
3. Fuck Has Day
4. The Usual Way
5. Unsigned Emcees
6. Hands
7. Molotov Cocktails
8. All's Fair

Has-Lo is signed to the same record label Canto I is, Outbox Records. He's pretty lyrically blessed, and pretty good at producing too, since he produced this free EP by himself. I'm looking forward from some more stuff from him soon, check him out for yourself. Drop me a comment, let me know what you think of him.

Get It!