Tag: Illect Recordings

Most of us first heard sintax.the.terrific as a member of hip-hop supergroup Deepspace5, a massive rap cypher featuring members of Mars Ill, Labklik, The Pride, and Ill Harmonics. The group’s debut hit stores in 2001 via Uprok Records (the hip-hop sublabel of Tooth & Nail Records). sintax’s first solo album released in 2006 for Illect Recordings, interestingly enough, run by the former head of the short-lived Uprok, Josh Niemyjski. That is, of course, if we don’t count his 2003 indie release. What’s cool about “Moonlighting” is the autobiographical take on being an independent Christian rapper by night, while being a real-life lawyer by day.… Continued →

SoCal rapper Peace 586 (born Rene Vasquez) has been hitting the hip-hop game hard since the late 80s (first as M.C. Peace), as a member of the seminal and innovative Freedom of Soul, and through numerous collaborations with artists like S.F.C., Jon Gibson, Scott Blackwell, J.C. and the Boyz, and many others. He went solo following the break-up of Freedom of Soul and released his first solo album in 1996. As impressive as that is, what’s even more impressive is the fact that he’s still been active as recently as 2023, releasing a full-length solo album on his own label.… Continued →

Join Newselph and Illect Recordings for a free listening party to celebrate If It Ain’t Broke, Remix It (vinyl & digital). Come along to listen to the music with the artist and chat about the making of the album. If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It features an incredibly lengthy list of collaborations including K.I.N.E.T.I.C., Sareem Poems, Sivion, Rel McCoy, Ozay Moore and many others. Follow the link below to RSVP: https://illect.bandcamp.com/merch/if-it-aint-broke-remix-it-listening-party… Continued →

One of the larger, more legendary cyphers in Christian hip-hop, L.A. Symphony came to us from where else but Los Angeles. They emerged in the late 90s with a few 12″ singles and a full-length album on member Flynn Adam Atkins’ own independent label Eartube Empire, via which Flynn had also released a full-length solo album earlier. The group’s breakthrough came in the form of 2003’s The End is Now for Gotee Records. I had the privilege of booking/hosting the group for a youth event in Atlanta in the mid-2000s.… Continued →

Dallas rapper Sivion has a new record coming out in September, this time a collaboration with Malex. The LP version comes on a beautiful translucent red vinyl, and digital versions will be available too. Pre-orders for both are live now, as well as 3 songs ready for listening. https://illect.bandcamp.com/album/str8-shot… Continued →

Hip-hop stalwarts Illect Recordings, brainchild of Josh Niemyjski (Sphere of Hip Hop, Illect, Uprok), have released a brand new playlist on YouTube of all instrumental, jazzy, turtablist hip-hop. Great for studying, background sounds, or even to practice your own rhyming skills over the top of the beats. Check it out below.… Continued →

Underground hip-hop leaders Illect Recordings (home of Sivion, Terem, James Gardin and many others) are running holiday sales currently on physical merch (12″ Vinyl, 7″ Vinyl, CDs, Cassette Tapes & more). A few new items are included in addition to a couple re-stocks. There are also pre-orders, from tomorrow, for the Sivion x DertBeats Vinyl LP. Stock is expected to arrive in a few weeks from Europe. The official release date will be 6-8 weeks later but fans who pre-order the vinyl will be the first to have it.… Continued →

There’s a new collaborative album out featuring Sareem Poems & Newselph, and . . . it’s now available on vinyl! Hip-hop leading indie label Illect Recordings are offering the vinyl for pre-order via their Bandcamp page. Fans who pre-order the vinyl will get it 2 weeks before it hits stores August 14 (via Fat Beats). illect.bandcamp.com/album/the-art-of-living… Continued →

Dre Murray recently announced that he has signed with Illect Recordings. Apart from his studio albums, Dre has released two mixtapes within the Dark Vader series, the second of which was released in 2019. The third and final installment is on its way, and in the meantime, here’s a song from the upcoming mixtape.… Continued →

Sivion’s latest single has received the video treatment. The vintage visuals, courtesy of Dust Sieber, complement the Dallas emcee’s reflective rhymes. Tee-Wyla provides the hopeful and nostalgic production, and Imperial comes through with some nice scratching. “I’m Good” is available now on Illect Recordings.… Continued →

On his third single from The Dying Ones, DIE-REK carefully analyses the supposed importance of the “praises of men”, the value it adds to our lives or the lack thereof. Even though the primate-like thump of the self-produced beat will make you do the Klingon Face™ immediately, the lyrical content is still intensely personal. DIE-REK’s unique perspective on props from peers will require repeated listens for effective digestion. It’s safe to assume that DIE-REK humbly accepts any renowned kudos, but he also knows that his legacy is greater than Earthly trinkets and his real treasures are stored in Heaven.… Continued →

Seattle-based hip-hop label Illect Recordings are at the top of their game after more than a decade of releasing quality hip-hop and alternative rap. They’ve just released three new projects which can be streamed, or even downloaded for free! The first is an instrumental album from Sivion called “Group Therapy: Beats” and it features a number of underground hip-hop producers on different tracks. Choose your platform here: https://snd.click/group-therapy-beats The second is a “Sugary” single from French beat-maker Terem. Check it out here: https://snd.click/terem-sugary Lastly, we have another single (complete with an instrumental version) from Sareem Poems & Newselph, called “Freedom.”… Continued →

Canadian emcee Rel McCoy (formerly RELIC) has released a brand new video for his song “Part of the Plan.” The jazzy track features guest raps by RationaL and lyrics that question religious platitudes during times of doubt and difficulty. Check out the video here: https://grownuprap.com/2020/01/30/exclusive-premiere-rel-mccoy-part-of-the-plan-feat-rational-video/… Continued →

On Wednesday, the video for “No Fly Zone” by Sareem Poems & Newselph premiered over at VIBE Magazine. The song is taken from 88 To Now, which is available in both digital and physical formats via Illect Recordings. “No Fly Zone” addresses issues related to digital identity and social media, and the video can be found below.… Continued →

Where are my hip-hop heads at? Lightheaded is/was a collaborative project between Ozay Moore (FKA Othello), Braille, and Ohmega Watts. Each of these MCs have had significant solo careers on their own. This track brings the three of them back together after a long hiatus. Super-cool stuff! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Wk8aWiY0PQ… Continued →

Rel McCoy (formerly known as Relic the Oddity, or simply RELIC) has signed with Illect Recordings. Hailing from Toronto, he is not only an emcee, but a producer, singer, songwriter, engineer, and DJ as well. Some of you might remember his name from songs by other Canadian hip-hop artists like Manafest and RationaL. You can learn more about Rel McCoy through this interview published by OK-Tho.… Continued →

A music video has been released for James Gardin’s 2017 single “Right Now,” produced by Terem. It is available on all streaming platforms and you can download it for free on Bandcamp.… Continued →

James Gardin will be releasing a new EP on Friday – so make sure to sport your floral shirt if you have one! Sweet Jesus will be available on all digital retailers, but on Illect’s bandcamp the instrumentals are also included. It’s looking to be a grand ol’ time with Gardin and his posse. Here’s some more information from the press release: Sweet Jesus! By no means is that anyone taking the Lord’s name in vain. Think of it as more of a proclamation of excitement and expectation of the brand new EP by Illect’s James Gardin.… Continued →

You think you’re fresh; but are you “Funky Funky Fresh?” Check out the new James Gardin collaboration with Ozay Moore to find out. Oh, and don’t forget your dancing shoes. … Continued →

It’s been nearly five years since Mind the Rap Volume 3 came out, but Illect is back with a new compilation and it’s “name your price” on bandcamp. The album features 19 tracks from the likes of James Gardin, Sivion, and Armond Wakeup, among others. Check it out in the music player below. I might also recommend hearing Die-Rek’s recent single, “I’m So Potential,” if you enjoy what you hear. … Continued →

Sivion has a new music video for “Darkness,” one of the singles from Dark Side of the Cocoon which released last year. Featuring vintage visuals courtesy of Dust Sieber, the song calls attention to the importance of finding oneness with Christ, instead of anything that is apart from Him.… Continued →

James Gardin has a new video for “Joy,” his mellow and catchy single which released in October. You can check out the music video below, and if you like what you hear, consider supporting on bandcamp or other digital outlets.… Continued →

Toronto-based hip-hop artist, Die-Rek, has signed with Illect Recordings. He has been a staple in Canada’s underground scene, so be sure to check out his past work on bandcamp. The emcee and producer had the following to say about the signing: There’s a lot of legacy on this label. Tunnel Rats, L.A. Symphony, Scribbling Idiots, Lojique, Phat K.A.T.S. and Deepspace 5. These are household names that will live on in the culture, and that’s the aspiration.  It sets a standard for me and puts a confirmation in my heart that I’m in the right place.… Continued →

New Zealand based producer, Sundance, has a new single out and it’s got a stellar lineup. “The Last Sunrise” features Adam L, Stro Elliott (The Roots), Sivion (Deepspace5), and DJ Sean P among others. Check out this most excellent example of jazzy hip-hop below. … Continued →

Armond WakeUp has a new video for “Revelation Is Revolution,” taken from Even If I Lose. This creative visual was filmed by Matelli Graves, and edited by Gabyo, whose clients have included Ralph Lauren, XXXTentacion, and Lil Yachty. Check it out below and be sure to catch the interview Armond had with RadioU last Friday.… Continued →

UK producer Imperial will be releasing Layers tomorrow on Illect Recordings. Blending instrumental hip-hop and chill electronica, this is a great album to complement August’s warmth. You can take a listen to this diverse instrumental album a day early over at The Find Magazine.… Continued →

“Groovy” might be 60s slang, but James Gardin offers a fresh dose of it with his new song “Groove.” Produced by Terem, the track boasts psychedelic synths and a tight beat to back Gardin’s smooth vocals. The song is available on all digital retailers. … Continued →

“Can’t get a clear read when everybody’s joking / No emotion, emojis depict feelings / Crying is weak, hitting women is hard / There’s no role models, everybody’s a god.” If you like your hip-hop contemplative and experimental, there’s a lot to like here. Check out the music video directed by Travis Hayward below for this reflective, synth-heavy song.… Continued →

Earlier this week, I shared “Eyedentity,” one of the great singles from Mind Over Matter. Today, the album was released on Illect Recordings. With creative production and smooth rhymes, it’s a summer release that hip-hop fans should keep on their radar. The press release reads: After three years of writing, developing, and preparing new music, Sareem Poems and Ess Be are back with Mind Over Matter. Releasing via Illect Recordings, Mind is the second full length project from the Lansing, Michigan-based MC and producer duo.… Continued →

It’s time to shake off those Monday blues with an encouraging song from Sareem Poems & Ess Be. The blend of hip-hop, electronic, and soul makes “Eyedentity” a standout from an artistic standpoint, though the lyrics only accentuate this. In verse one, focusing around the image of a young black male, Sareem cleverly states: “Don’t use slang, you talk white / Hip hop ain’t the only music that you like / Metallica tees on you just don’t look right.” The song comes from Mind Over Matter, which the duo will release on June 15.… Continued →