Not that he isn't always dropping strong new product these days, but prolific and prospering Minneapolis rapper MaLLy followed up the announcement of Atmosphere's second "Welcome to Minnesota" tour – on which he'll be an opener – by issuing two highly recommended new clips. First up is the video for his "Free on the 15th" single, "Cloud Culture," a breezy, '70s-styled jam with a forward-thinking message. One of his best yet, I'd say. You can see/ hear it below. No doubt he scored points with the "Welcome to MN" bosses by showing off their Fifth Element record store in the footage.
The St. Thomas University grad (Malik Watkins) also just dropped a much harder-hitting, heavy-handed new single called "Stomp Through," a collaboration with 925ve rapper Tigre and producer Last Word. Click here to stream or download the track. And if you didn't already hear it, MaLLy was part of the all-star single "Somebody, MN," which Rhymesayers issued last week to promote the February "Welcome" tour. He and his chief partner the Sundance Kid are finishing up work on a third full-length album, ostensiblty titled "The Last Great."
While it continues to cultivate in-town talent, Rhymesayers' will welcome back one of its best out-of-town artists, Evidence, tonight at the Triple Rock. The show was booked as part of a class project at the Institute of Production and Recording. Best known for his work with Dialated Peoples, Evidence's solo album for the Minneapolis label, "Cats & Dogs," is now popping up on some best of 2011 lists.
