PopSyndicate.com

Doing their part to put Washington, DC on the hip-hop map. 

Hoping to shine some light on the hip-hop/rock scene in our nation’s capital, several artists in the area have come together to create the Food Chain Collective, and are offering listeners a chance to discover what all the fuss is about with the release of The Food Chain Mixtape. Boasting a dozen tracks from a variety of artists, the mixtape is sure to have something for everyone.

“Ink” by Cubbiebear kicks things off, but don’t be fooled by the name, as the track is quickly gives way to the rage and anger of his incendiary and cathartic lyrics. The rapid-fire spoken word feel to the rhyming is a perfect fit for the rock infused vibe to the production, all leading up to the drum-heavy, menacing hook. Things only get stranger with “Gasoline Tears” by Ardaplus, as MCs Ardamus and Double Plus trade verses over an apocalyptic, glitchy techno beat. The whole sound is moody and ominous, but undeniably infectious. Rock band Caverns, meanwhile, offers the instrumental track “Turkish Bathhouse Armageddon”, with the piano almost substituting for the vocals. Educated Consumers’ “Roaring Flood” is yet another change of pace, with more of an old-school hip-hop sound, reminiscent of the early 90s.

Other notable tracks on the mixtape include female MC Jade Fox, with “Got ‘Em Like”, as well as “Best I Can” by Blak Lungz, with its drum-n-bass influenced production and subtle Elton John sampling in the hook. The mixtape ultimately ends with the enigmatic Rosetta Stoned’s “Last Supper”.

Listening to The Food Chain, one is reminded of all the things music, especially in hip-hop, are, can be, and should be. At the end of the day, it’s a form of expression, as well as a form of storytelling, and ultimately a means of connecting individuals, and sharing ideas. The artists featured on the Food Chain mixtape are fiercely defiant, refusing to limit themselves, or let others put labels on what they do, striving to do things on their terms.

The Food Chain Mixtape is available to download for free on their official website: The Food Chain Collective

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