Words from Jonathan Kim: “DMV representatives, Diamond District, the group consisting of Oddisee, yU and Uptown XO, are preparing to release their March on Washington album on Oct. 14th via Mello Music Group. Today, enjoy the first music video from the album for the song “First Step.” Directed by Jay Brown, the video follows all three members on their individual travels who later come together to form as one. Both the video and song showcase the diversity in styles and approach but with a similar message and outcome, which is characteristic of the group as a whole. “First Step” was produced by Oddisee, who produces the entire upcoming album.”

Diamond District are back with their upcoming October 14th album “March on Washington.” Consisting of Oddisee, yU and Uptown XO, Diamond District first released their critically acclaimed 2009 album “In The Ruff.” After countless solo projects, the group is back a half-decade later to provide ‘wisdom over rhythm’ over neck-snapping drums.

Entirely produced and arranged by Oddisee, all three members are in top form on mic duties, continuing from where they left off while never looking back.

In celebration of the upcoming album and album pre-order, enjoy the first track for the song “First Step” which features all 3 members handling mic duties over an Oddisee produced beat.

Diamond District “March on Washington” Album Tracklisting:

1. March On
2. First Step
3. These Bammas
4. The Backup
5. Working Weekends
6. Purveyors of Truth
7. A Part of It All
8. Way What You Mean
9. Ain’t Over
10. Erything
11. You Had To Be There
12. Lost Cause
13. March Off
14. Bonus Flow (Bonus Track)

**All Tracks Produced & Arranged by Oddisee**

ere’s a lost jewel from Diamond District’s Uptown XO featuring the other MMG’s big spitter Wale. The original track (sans Wale) was produced by Oddisee, but for the new version XO recruited Diamond District brother yU to show off his production skills, then had Wale drop a verse. Uptown XO’s current album “Colour de Grey” is available everywhere.

From the Uptown XO album Colour de Grey. Produced by AB The Pro. Directed by Creative Junkfood.

Directed by Backie Thomas Produced by AB The Pro.

Uptown XO continues to offer raw emotive rhymes that open windows to his world. The cold, gun toting exterior often belies the humanity behind it all. XO offers a story not unlike many with scarface dreams born of section 8, but fresh in it’s minutia the way only truth can be. The disection of this textured story’s cycle from evictions as a youth to the echos from the fridge; from the sales of kush in orange bubbles, to the understanding of how it employs the lawyers, the judges, the DA, and the jail workers; – all poignantly wrapped in the phrase “damn, ni&&as just didn’t want to flip burgers.” Earnest reflection over ill production. The sometimes morbid take on life culminates with the mantra “I got mouths to feed till they put flowers on me.”

AB The Pro produces the haunting track for Uptown XO to reflect and lay relish over, while director Backie Thomas creates stark visuals, brilliant in color, framing, and movement. It’s all prelude to the new album Colour de Grey coming from Mello Music Group Janaury 29th.

Uptown XO continues the march towards the release of his new solo album: “Colour de Grey.” Today, XO offers a new visual for the track “Rugged” off his pre-album mixtape “The Color Gray.” The track, produced by A.B. the Pro, features Obi Say and Awthentik spitting bars alongside XO who breaks it down to a fraction.

Grey is not a color that gets much attention. But that’s not how Diamond District’s gritty lyricist Uptown XO sees it. For the DC spitter, grey represents the convergence of two worlds: dark and light. On the anticipated mixtape The Color Grey, XO continues to combine the street and the conscious in a way that’s honest and relevant to today.

The tape, almost entirely produced by AB The Pro, is sonically consistent. Wether a tune about bittersweet summer nights, the popular “Good Vibes,” or a gutter track examining the injustice of the modern prison system, the fantastic “Petey Greene,” the songs knock. The drums crack and the bass lines rumble. Lyrically XO shines, often taking the mood of the music and fleshing it out into a coherent and persuasive song. Few MC’s could so effortlessly spit lines so explicitly political and seconds later detail servin’ in a manner so precise, you know it’s from experience. Hood with a purpose, gutter but not nihilistic, Uptown XO complicates what ground an MC can cover.

Like its namesake, XO’s tape creates something new out of opposites. Fans who prefer thought-provoking music instead of tunes to tune out to, The Color Grey is where it’s at. This is just an appetizer. The full course meal, Colour De Grey, will be served later this winter on Mello Music Group.

“The Schools closed, the prisons open.”

Hip-Hop at it’s best is more than entertainment – it is political. Enter Petey Greene: 70’s & 80’s DC radio host turned television celebrity, who made his mark discussing racism, poverty, drugs, and life in America with unparalleled candor. Fast forward 30 years and much of rap has lost its edge, much of its political ambition.

Bringing it back, is Diamond District emcee Uptown XO on the newest cut, “Petey Greene”, from his soon to be released mixtape The Color Grey(10/1). The Washingtonian rapper uses his platform to explore the Chicago School Teachers Strike, the judicial system and institutionalization, and racism in general. Enjoy the new video, look out for the mixtape, and educate yourself for the action.

Uptown XO (of Diamond District) is preparing to drop his latest mixtape The Color Grey October 1st. In anticipation Secret Society & MMG have the new video for the standout track “Good Vibes”. The song sounds exactly like the title: AB The Pro builds the beat around a soothing vibe chord change that XO compliments with unorthodox flow. Mirroring the musical mood, the video’s director Blackie T takes us to a late summer barbecue in full effect: savory chicken and hot dogs grillin’, homies chllin’ and playing cards.

Lyrically, XO makes clear that though skies may be grey at times, good vibes reign supreme. Lines like “The US Government played us like R&B, we were here before the colonies” point to the underlying conviction that fuels XO’s tenacious but honest street style.

The Color Grey drops October 1st and XO’s official Mello Music Group debut album Colour de Grey lands in January.

Another beautiful visual from Uptown XO shot and directed by Ralph Lorenzo from the clctv . This is an important visual that reflects what XO stands for as an mc. “Occupy DC” will be on the upcoming mixtape and was based of the Occupy movement going on earlier in 2012. The video asks viewers to imagine a universe where knowledge is truly dangerous. It’s a good glimpse of what’s in store for XO fans.

Look for the upcoming mixtape “The Color Grey” (October 1st) and the new album “Colour de Grey” on Mello Music Group this winter.

As part of the triumvirate of Diamond District, XO has been pushing DC street rap to the forefront for the past few years. Before XO reconvenes with Oddisee and yU for their sophomore group effort (March On Washington), XO is gearing up for the release of his new mixtape “The Color Gray” October 1st. To be followed by his new solo project “Colour de Grey”, to be released on Mello Music Group this winter.

The first taste from the pre-album mixtape is “Errybody.” The uptown Washington, DC native named the track phonetically to reflect the area dialect, highlighting the culture of the DMV. Much like the place, XO is a convergence of different styles and influences that created his uniquely sharp talent. Produced by AB the Pro, XO’s longtime collaborator and sole producer of the upcoming solo album, the menacing and militant track is a perfect example of the intricate and gritty energy that’s been bubbling out of the district.

The video for “Errybody” was shot at SXSW earlier this year, blending the street banger with images from the crew’s trip to Austin. Nipsey Hussle, Peter Rosenberg, Killer Mike, Danny Brown, and Oddisee are some of the cameos that pop up throughout, recognizing and giving XO his props. Capitalizing on the momentum of earlier projects, the mixtape “The Color Gray” (October 1st) and the upcoming album “Colour de Grey” (late winter) will further ensure the rest of the world is hip to that DC slang when it drops through Mello Music Group.

New video from Washington DC emcee, Uptown X.O (member of the Diamond District) off his upcoming solo LP Monumental II. The album will be available August 30th and produced entirely by A.B. The Pro. Nino bitches!