Directed by Unjust.

Hieroglyphics Imperium: “As one of the pioneering artists to come out of L.A.’s beat scene, Free the Robots continues to expand minds around the world with his lineup of original recordings and energetic live performances. The beatmaker that’s spawned from the Low End Theory community with a knack for producing psychedelic, jazzy hip-hop soundscapes has teamed up with Souls of Mischief/Hieroglyphics rapper Opio for a forthcoming EP, The Subconscious Mind.

The Subconscious Mind EP’s second single, “Let the Bass Go,” embodies a thundering bassline that rumbles with a series of torpedoing synths as Opio contributes his charismatic flow. “My direction was very bass heavy, with slower hip-hop rhythms,” explains Free the Robots of the track. “I let my subconscious drive this song lyrically,” adds Opio, “I remembered the time I was first introduced to heavy bass, a time when all my big brothers had dope old schools with big systems.”

“Let the Bass Go” follows The Subconscious Mind EP’s first single, “Blow Sum Smoke,” which premiered with IMPOSE Magazine, who stated “try as you might, you probably could not get more West Coast than Opio and Free the Robots’s new California coast-spanning collaboration.” Opio and Free the Robots’ The Subconscious Mind EP releases March 3rd, and is available for pre-order on iTunes.”

Earlier this year, Zion I has returned with their Libations EP, the second installment of a three part series the duo is working on. Libations is the follow up album to Master of Ceremonies, the first installment of their free trilogy, which focuses on high energy music where the listener feels invigorated and can be taken to a different state of mind. Complete with a multitude of artists and debuted by XXL, “Get Urs” is a new visual from the indie hip-hop fusion group. The video features flashy backdrops, iconic photographs and close-ups with each featured guest. The track was produced by Headnodic and features Mr. Lif, Kev Choice, Deuce Eclipse, Opio, and Sadat X spitting their own verses as each rapper stamps their unique brand on the video.

Introduced as part two of their trilogy, Libations is completely different from its predecessor. The album dropped via URB and features more emotion themes, specifically memories and reflection. Zumbi explains, “This project was heavily influenced by one of my best friends passing away suddenly. His death put me in a mood to really analyze my life and how short this existence really can be. It opened my eyes and heart to both the ugliness and beauty of what we experience while alive.” Hence, Libations broods with reflection and deep emotion. “To me, libation is when you honor someone by pouring out your brew before you sip, its a sort of prayer. On this EP, I poured out some liquor for my homie, as well as my family, and myself.” The EP features production from AMP Live, Headnodic, and newcomer Featherload, along with rappers Mr Lif, Sadat X, and Opio of Souls of Mischief.

Directed by Cory Ring. Produced by Headnodic.

Today, First Light is releasing their debut album, Fallacy Fantasy. The duo, made up of Hieroglyphics members Pep Love and Opio, has released a new video for the single “Los Lobos” to coincide with the albums release. Both the duo and the album were born out of Hiero’s “celebration of spontaneous musical collaboration,” and as anticipation for the album’s release has continued to grow through the previous release of videos for singles “Hold On” and “Lighters,” First Light is now excited to deliver the full album to fans via their label Hiero Imperium.

“Los Lobos,” directed by Unjust, who also produced the track, and edited by Spencer Groshong for Ineffable Music, rightly places all of the focus on Pep Love and Opio., with the two rappers’ energetic performance shots contrasting against the blank, sandy terrain. The use of minor video effects (mirroring, blending shots, motion blur) does the track justice, fitting in with the beats’ dreamy vibe, and the contrast of Opio’s laid-back verse and Pep’s more aggressive take offer a balancing dynamic that helps bring the track together.

The Hieroglyphics (Pep Love, Casual, Domino, Opio, Tajai, APlus) break down Bay Area Hip-Hop, talk new projects, explain their influencers, legacy of Hieroglyphics.

Casual unleashed this new-old Hiero track that didn’t make the group’s last LP. Opio, Pep Love, and Casual on the mic.

HipHopSite.Com, in conjunction with Hieroglyphics, Elevation Nation Productions, and Bandcamp, is proud to present Opio and Unjust’s Mark It Zero LP, a free downloadable album in celebration of 4/20, built around samples from The Big Lebowski. You’re not privy to all the new shit…. Grab it below.

TRACKLIST:
1. Dios Mio
2. What Happens
3. Yeah
4. Aggression Interlude
5. Aggression
6. Cannabis Club Skit
7. C’mon
8. World of Pain
9. Weed Man Skit
10. Far Out

Second offering from the forthcoming Opio and Unjust Mark It Zero LP, a free, downloadable Big Lebowski tribute album dropping on 4/20, right here on HipHopSite.Com. The new track is built around John Goodman’s famous “You see what happens, Larry”, monologue from the film. No lines about fucking complete strangers in the ass though. Audio only on this one kids – be patient, 4/20 is just around the corner.

LISTEN: Opio + Unjust – “You See What Happens”

If you’ve never seen The Big Lebowski, it’s time to change that. The 1998 Coen Brothers directed film is considered by many to be the their best work, and has since risen to cult-classic status. Twelve years later, interest in the movie still soars with frequent special screenings of the film in cities across the country and the film has even inspired Lebowski Fest, a yearly celebration of all things related to the movie. It was at one of these screenings on April 20th at the Red Vic Theatre on fabled Haight Street in San Francisco last year, while smoking some inspiration, that producer Unjust of Chosen Few and Opio of the mighty Souls Of Mischief (both big fans of the movie) got the idea to make a tribute album dedicated to The Dude and his movie. “Every scene and nuance of the movie began to speak to them creatively – especially the soundtrack.” says Unjust. “This is one of those cult classic movies, so the people that like it LOVE it.” Coming full circle a year later to the day, The Big Lebowski-inspired album from the duo, titled Mark It Zero, drops on 4/20 via Hieroglyphics Imperium. The album will consist of stories loosely based on their own “dude-like” adventures with all of the beats sampled directly from the score of the epic film. And so as not to be perceived as “goldbrickers” (to use the parlance of our times), the fellas have decided to give it away free, well, pay as you will. We really think it will tie your 4.20 together.

“Aggression,” the first single off the album opens with one of the many memorable lines from the movie by John Goodman’s character Walter Sobchak, “Life doesn’t start and stop at your convenience you miserable piece of sh*t.” True words. As that line fades out the song opens into a short and sweet smooth jam featuring slick production by Unjust who uses choice orchestral cuts and drum samples from the movie to paint a rich backdrop for Opio, who drops cunning lyrics about Mary Jane and the seemingly unwarranted aggression towards it. The vibe on the track practically pulls you into the movie. So, if you’re unfamiliar with the movie, go rent it, download “Aggression”, and get ready for April 20th.

And be on the lookout for Opio’s upcoming 2nd solo album, Vulture’s Wisdom Vol. 2, and Chosen Few’s highly anticipated Hieroglyphics Imperium debut album New World Symphony, in stores May 25, 2010.

Opio & Unjust – “Agression” (MP3)