Word Around the Sound is… Greg Cypher finally released his self-produced project titled Summer Sampler. As the title would suggest, Greg Cypher’s latest album is a sampling of a summer in Seattle. You can feel the warmth from the sun, smell the slightly salty breeze coming off of the Puget Sound, you can even almost hear the seagulls squawking in the back of the beat.
On top of capturing the essence of the sounds of Seattle, he also gives you a sample of some of the artists you can find around the city. Features throughout include Jesse Desean, Blake Anthony, Aaron King, Falon Sierra, Bryce Bowden, Mr. Hentvii, Grynch and JuJu Twist.
He declares right from the beginning that he feels like he has finally “Found My Groove,” and it shows throughout the entire album. There are a lot of high energy jams like “Percolator” and “Ima Get One” but there’s also some more mellow moments like “Beach Waves” that wash away any sense of a bad day. Overall, it’s hard to walk away from listening to Summer Sampler not feeling absolutely elated.
Greg Cypher Summer Sampler
Campana “Rope” ft Dave Shanaé and Dave B.
Campana doubled down on the Dave’s for his latest release “Rope” with both Dave Shanaé and Dave B. lending their smooth vocals to the track. The sweet song is a reassuring melody for that special someone in your life. “There ain’t nothing to worry about babe, you call me anytime you want and I’ll answer… You’re the rope that holds me together, you make me better.”
Ellis Prescott “Bentayga”
On his latest release, “Bentayga,” Ellis Prescott’s vocals sound like they’re wrapped in a buttery smooth leather like the seats you’d find inside a Bentley. Like the luxury SUV, Ellis is able cruise down the beat in the smoothest way possible. When you press play the temperature drops, and you can feel the ice dripping off of him as he croons his way through another frosty track.
All Day Trey “Don’t Worry Bout Us” ft Oblé Reed
Both All Day Trey and Oblé Reed are asking politely, “Don’t Worry Bout Us” in their latest release. Frolic through the park with this super sunshiny summertime bop as they spread positive vibes focused around taking care of your mental health with a playful music video to match.
Nacho Picasso “A Town Without Pity”
Nacho Picasso is back with a new single produced by Keyboard Kid. The track, “A Town Without Pity” has his signature flow that delivers his often off the wall rhymes. Nacho has always been underground like Pioneer Square but over the years he has built up his fanbase because of how consistent in quality each of his releases are and this one is no different.
Jaywop “First Date” ft Dave Shanaé
If you could ball up the anxiety you get before a “First Date” and put it in a song, it would turn into this new track from Jaywop Dave Shanaé’s smooth vocals are featured on the high energy bop that focuses on the uncertainty in newer relationships. First dates are all about taking chances, unlike a first date though, there are no risks to come from listening to this song.
Gabriel Teodros “Spacetime”
An homage to a version of Seattle that is vanishing in front of our eyes, Gabriel Teodros gets deep on the subject in his latest release. In “Spacetime” Gabriel ponders the idea of what home means. “I don’t know if home is in a place or in a time or in a combination that lives somewhere in our mind. Maybe we don’t know until we leave it behind or maybe it’s a moment, the moments that always shine.” Produced by Vitamin D with a music video shot by Prometheus Brown, this track couldn’t get any more Seattle if it tried. Given the legendary people involved, as well as the nostalgia-inducing impact both the visuals and lyrics have, “Spacetime” is cementing itself has a piece of history in the legacy of hip-hop within the city.
Josiah Mekhi “In Motion”
Let the waves crash over you while you roll your hips to the latest single “In Motion” from Josiah Mekhi. With the same flow as a tropical breeze, Josiah gives us a super sweet track to round out those end of summer playlists. You’ll be dancing into the sunset with this one.
Blake Anthony “MORPHEUS EXIT” and Sessions in Place with Crissy P
For Blake Anthony’s most recent release “MORPHEUS EXIT” he utilized an AI platform to help create a visual for it where “the video oscillates between viewing reality and experiencing reality.” You too can experience these “mental fluctuations from the universe within to the outer universe we know” if you catch him at his next Sessions in Place performance on Friday, August 18, with Crissy P. The show will be at Emerald City Trapeze Arts, is all ages and tickets start at $20.
Upcoming Events Around the Sound
Saturday, August 12: Hip Hop 50 will celebrate the five elements of the culture, shining a light on Seattle’s contribution over the years. Check out the full schedule here and head down to the Waterfront Park at Pier 62 from 12-8pm for a full day of fun for the whole family.
Saturday, August 12: Hooligan Beat Sessions is throwing their biggest session to date with an outdoor party at Showboat in Ballard. Slide through from 4-10pm as eight local beat makers take the stage for Vol. 21 of the showcase series.
Thursday, August 17: Cosmos is reuniting for one night only at Madame Lou’s. Hrvst House is presenting the evening, bringing along Daizha, Vic Daggs II, and Pax providing the sounds all night. The show is all ages with doors opening at 7:30pm and tickets costing $18.
Thursday, August 17: Cherry Ferrari will be headlining at Neumos with Aurora Avenue and Nathan Nazanga performing as well. Tickets are just $15 with the doors opening up at 7pm for the all ages show.
Sunday, August 20: BCNF University Tour is pulling up to Nectar Lounge with at least 15 different artists on the bill including MikeJack3200, 2000 Baby, Mafi D, Swanks, and many more. The show is all ages with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets start at $30 with the meet and greet package running $65.
