Yankees know what it feels like. So do the players that suit up for the Lakers. Sometimes the name on the front of the jersey is bigger than the name on the back. You don’t just rep a city; you rep an entire legion of hopes and dreams. That’s what it’s like being a Detroit rapper. Cats break out all the time—Dilla, Eminem, Black Milk, Royce—but the D is always a potent strain in their DNA. Though they’re relatively new to the game, Clear Soul Forces has already made a vital impact on their city’s sound, from 2010’s Clear Soul Radio mixtape to their Departure EP. Everything is in the mix. It’s Motown sway meets golden era bounce. With four emcees and four distinct flows, their tracks are front-loaded with verse after well-written verse. “Get No Better,” off their Detroit Revolution(s) LP, is already halfway over before the hook comes in, but CFS doesn’t rely on hooks alone to draw ears in. With this crew, it’s all about lyrical fortitude and equally intelligent instrumentals. Check out an interview with E-Fav, L.A.Z., Noveliss and Ilajide after the jump, then visit them on the Red Bull Soundstage for news, videos, tracks and tour dates.
Tenacious D’s Rize of the Fenix, the long-waited follow-up to The Pick of Destiny and the band’s 2004 debut, is out today… Baltimore’s Beach House’s releases the much-anticipated Bloom to rave reviews — as do Best Coast, hoping for a higher chart position with The Only Place (they debuted at #36 with 2010′s Crazy for You)… Squarepusher’s getting bigger and better, continuing to churn them out with Ufabulum… for the hardcore, there’s new Shadows Fall and a re-release of Pantera’s Vulgar Display (CD +DVD combo). Finally, the anxiously awaited debut of Philm, an Ipecac release and Dave Lombardo’s side project… see you in a week with more…
