Apollo Brown takes his Thirty Eight instrumentals to an NYC Park for Quelle Chris, Cavalier, Ras Kass, Has-Lo, and yU to cypher to. Join the table as they let loose rhymes over “Cellophane.” Directed by Jay Brown. Produced by Apollo Brown.

Producer Arcka opens “D.L.S.” with a guitar pluck driven beat that inspires rapper/mc CASTLE to declare the definition of Swagneto (magnetically attracted swagger). Meanwhile, partner-in-rhyme, Has-Lo, glides in like Jordan on the opening verse. But rather than go into the typical 16, Has-Lo and CASTLE begin an uncouth rhyme trade off. But the real star here is the energy between the two emcees as they bounce back and forth spitting, laughing, and dancing through Arcka’s lively production that would have served as a perfect backdrop for some Dirt McGirt, if we were fortunate enough to still have him around.

The mixture of drums, closed cymbal crashes, string plucks, and soul sample vocal stabs is a perfect beat backdrop for the two creatively unfiltered emcees to rhyme, laugh, and enjoy rapping on. Why? Because it feels good. It’s a musical friendship played out with the record button luckily pressed. Vibe with Has-Lo & CASTLE, and if you like the feeling in your brain-stem when you’re done, pre-order Live Like You’re Dead.

From the upcoming all new album from Has-Lo & Castle Live Like You’re Dead, due July 29th Digital, August 5th CD, via MelloMusicGroup.

On July 29th, Mello Music Group will release “Live Like Your Dead,” the brand new collaborative album from Has-Lo & Castle. The Philadelphia to North Carolina connection pairs both MC/Producers together, trading rhymes and production, rapping over raw loops and disrespectful bass, letting go of fear in its many forms, while laughing in the face of death. Today, check out the first leak from the “Live Like Your Dead” album for the track “Go to Work.” Peep the tracklist down bottom.

1. Go To Work (Produced by Has-Lo)
2. Yoga Pants (Produced by Castle)
3. Famished (Produced by Castle)
4. Hennessy-Yak Rap (Produced by Castle)
5. Agassi & Ashe (Produced by Castle)
6. D.L.S. (Produced by Arcka)
7. My Uncle (Produced by Has-Lo)
8. The Big Ole A$$ (Produced by Has-Lo & Castle)
9. Good Feelings (U Must Realax) (Produced by Has-Lo)
10. Stubborn Vice (Produced by Castle)
11. The Uncomfortable Truth About Stardom (Produced by Castle)
12. Live Like You’re Dead (Produced by Castle)
13. Off The Bench (Produced by Castle)
14. Look Out! (Produced by Has-Lo)

Next week marks the release of Castle’s “Return of the Gasface (The Has-Lo Passages)” via Mello Music Group.

“Return of the Gasface (The Has-Lo Passages)” is a remix album of Castle’s previously released “Gasface” album, entirely remixed by Has-Lo. The upcoming album is not a traditional remix album as Castle re-spit all of the songs to fit Has-Lo’s new production and the new album contains 2 previously unreleased tracks.

Today, in support of the upcoming release date, enjoy the song “Todd Shaw” which also features a guest verse from Has-Lo as well.

Producer/Rapper, Castle, released his Gasface album earlier this year and is currently working on a collaborative album with fellow Philly Mello Music Group Producer/Rapper, Has-Lo. This previously unreleased remix of “Krillz”, produced by Has-Lo features a minimal synth melody and bouncing bass line which breathes new life into the song, who’s original version was released on Castle’s album Gasface.

Mello Music Group and Has-Lo are preparing for the fall release of Has-Lo’s “In Case I Don’t Make It” album on Limited Edition 180 Gram Vinyl. Has-Lo is also in the works with North Carolina emcee, Castle, for a new collaborative release coming later this year. In support of the upcoming 180 Gram Vinyl of Has-Lo’s album “In Case I Don’t Make It” enjoy this ‘video remix’ of Apollo Brown’s remix for Has-Lo’s song “Hindsight.” The new version from Apollo is a stripped down and hating affair that puts Has’ man on the edge lyrical display in focus.

Zilla Rocca started this florid set-up last summer with the “Full
Spectrum” video, filmed on Super 8 film on location in Asbury Park,
NJ, funded exclusively by Kickstarter with a gaudy appearance from his
Wrecking Crew comrade Has-Lo of Mello Music Group.

This summer, Zilla Rocca grabbed Open Mike Eagle while he was on tour
in Philly with Random aka MegaRan, reunited him with Has-Lo after
their west coast Desert Vypers Tour (which yielded the “Backpack Past”
video) threw him in a South Philly backyard where he discovered
Yuengling for the first time, and let the chromatic camera roll.

Thus you have the video for “Full Spectrum 2″ featuring Has-Lo & Open
Mike Eagle, directed by Curly Castro, Pat Murray, and Dewey Decibel
(who drew the title card above and housed the filming in his personal
painting workshop). Passion of the Weiss declared it “one of the most
joyous clips any of these three have released.”

“Full Spectrum 2″ is available on the Full Spectrum EP, an easy how-to
guide for this tinted rendezvous. Compiling five versions of “Full
Spectrum” and the sequel with production from Man Mantis (who just got
off tour with Sole), L’Orange of Old Soul fame, and Dr. Quandary (who
kept his hand busy with the beats and the artwork above).

Throw in Has-Lo & Open Mike Eagle for the Wrecking Crew vs. Hellfyre
Club rap aspect and you’ve got yourself a pretty snappy 5 song
situation. You can download it for free at Bandcamp this week only,
and then it moves up to the big leagues at iTunes.

So true. Wear your backpack past (and present) like a badge, I do. From the album 4NML HSPTL.

Has-Lo, the Philadelphia based emcee/producer who brought you the critically acclaimed album In Case I Don’t Make It, is back with Conversation B – a complete re-envisioning of ICIDMI. Exile, J-Zone, Oddisee, Kev Brown, Eric Lau, Apollo Brown and more lend their extensive production powers to the project. It is eclectic, melodic, chaotic, bleak and brutal all at once. The journey of a man at the tipping point continues…

The cold and calculated MC, Has-Lo, has quietly smoldered on his acclaimed debut, In Case I Don’t Make It. Teetering between street and backpack, Has-Lo raps with an analytical mind and a streetwise tongue. Earlier today, Has-Lo debuted two songs at Passion of the Weiss and released his first vinyl 45.

“Stained Glass” finds Has spitting over powerful horns courtesy of Apollo Brown. Brown is a master of restraint, allowing the beat to come into it’s own with minimal meddling, and Has-Lo responds with a calculated and detailed set of verses, no bar is by accident. With a subtle confidence, the East Coast spitter intricately compares his style to the loading of a bullet in a burner’s chamber. On the B side, “Make A Bet”, Has-Lo is less confident and a bit more paranoid, as if he’s racing against the clock. Illmind’s driving beat culminates with a jarring synth arrangement at the chorus that emphasizes the feeling of pursuit: “put the hours on the clock, let your god count it down”.

Has-Lo spits with the vision of a veteran. His words are careful and deliberate; his flow is patient and steady. Proving that some still take the craft of writing dead serious, Has-Lo is a genuine lyricist.

PremRock & Willie Green are proud to announce the first single off of their upcoming Remix album entitled: “PremRock & Willie Green: Reassembled” dropping on 3/12/12. The album will feature the entire self-titled effort remixed by various producers all over the country and globe. Featuring productions from the aforementioned Blockhead & Has-Lo the album also boasts efforts from NASA, A.M. Breakups, Lex Boogie, Talpas (CZ. Rep), Taj (Grey Sky Appeal), ManMantis and more. On top of the brand new re-interpretations will be the original album’s full instrumentals by Willie Green as well as a newly recorded bonus cut all available on March 12, the day before the duo sets out for a strong presence at Austin’s SXSW festival. Enjoy the first single, which when downloaded also features the original cut off the critically-acclaimed album.

Recently chosen for HipHopDX’s DXNext feature Has-Lo continues to support his latest “Conversation B” release with a free download for the Audible Doctor remix to the song “Reincarnate.” The original song “Utero” was off of Has-Lo’s critically acclaimed album “In Case I Don’t Make It” and Audible Doctor adds his personal touch featuring a chopped up vocals and strings, while Has-Lo showcases his creative wordplay proclaiming “I make pussycat rap acts boogie and dash, Like I’m dog the bookie, I bully a track.”

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/12/01/has-lo-reincarnate/feed/ 0 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/15/has-lo-light-years-j-zone-remix/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/15/has-lo-light-years-j-zone-remix/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 02:26:54 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=40607 [cont.]]]>

We miss J-Zone beats:

Has-Lo’s new project Conversation B is officially in-stores everywhere today on CD, Limited Edition Magenta Vinyl, and Digitally. The new album is a complete re-envisioning of his March debut In Case I Don’t Make It. To celebrate we’re giving away a free download of Has-Lo Light Years (J-Zone Remix).

]]> http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/15/has-lo-light-years-j-zone-remix/feed/ 5 http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/08/has-lo-face-in-disguise/ http://www.hiphopsite.com/2011/11/08/has-lo-face-in-disguise/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 00:42:08 +0000 http://www.hiphopsite.com/?p=40350 [cont.]]]>

Has-Lo’s “Conversation B” album will be officially released November 15th via Mello Music Group. But today marks the early iTunes exclusive release, which features a re-envisioning of Has-Lo’s critically acclaimed album “In Case I Don’t Make It,” featuring production from Exile, J-Zone, Oddisee, Kev Brown, Eric Lau, Apollo Brown and others.