Illastrate – CrayonBeats

Monday/Friday – “Right On” video

December 7, 2015

(@yaminallday @illastrate_)
The Georgia-based Monday/Friday hip hop duo released a brand new music video for the song “Right On”, from their self-titled album released in August. Over Illastrate‘s soulful, head-nodding beat, we hear Yamin Semali spitting conscious lyrics about being instilled with fear at a young age and being judged and racially profiled wherever he goes, while also spreading the message that he’s going to keep on keepin’ on despite the every day struggle (“Everything isn’t what it appears to be // So I believe in me more than any conspiracy // They put that fear in me and said ‘here, you’re free’ // I see it clearly, struggle don’t disappear // But neither do we, so right on“). Directed by Dazzell Matthews, Yamin walks the city streets while rapping and proudly representing for his African heritage.

Monday/Friday – “MF” video

November 10, 2015

(@yaminallday @illastrate_)
When making music together, Atlanta-based producer Illastrate and producer/emcee Yamin Semali become MondayFriday. Having already released a full-length, self-titled album, in August of this year, the duo is already working on a new EP.

They released a brand new single and music video last month, called “MF”, which is from their forthcoming EP Time and a Half. The song is mega fly, as we hear Yamin spitting boastful, creative rhymes that are mostly made up with a variety of different MF acronyms, over a head-nodding beat. I like that it’s a lyric video, so it’s easy to follow along. Video directed by Kevin Smith (no, not that Kevin Smith).

Yamin Semali – “Senor Dues” album

January 7, 2014

On December 7th, 2013, Georgia-based rapper/producer Yamin Semali dropped his latest album, titled Senor Dues, via his imprint called Yen Dollar Music. He brought aboard guests such as Big Vision, Kurupt, Count Bass D, Sa-Roc, J-Live, Boog Brown, PUDGE, Ras Kofi, SeÃ±or Kaos, and others. Plus, production by Yamin, Dublohskytzo, Illastrate, and Sam Brown. This is his second Y$M volume, with the first being a collection of instrumentals released late 2012. This project also serves as the prelude to his forthcoming album, Class of MMI.

Block Alumni – “Angels Remix” video

February 25, 2013

From Block Alumni‘s For the Love of the Art mixtape released last year, the Michigan duo released their last video from the project. “Angels Remix”, produced by Illastrate, is a deep, soulful joint where International raps about staying afloat in our economy and the loss of his brother, and A-Oz raps on love and perseverance.

Jay Qwest – “Offiseer” (ft Boog Brown & Methuzulah) video

April 4, 2012

#newmusic #hiphop

Jay Qwest is an Atlanta emcee that is preparing to drop his album, “Whiskey & Gun Powder“, April 24th on Elevated Press Records. Watch the J. Barnard directed music video for his lead single “Offiseer”, featuring Boog Brown and Methuzulah. Illastrate on the beat.

Shinobi Stalin – “Yes Yes Yall” (ft Sean Boog & Illustrate)

September 29, 2011

New single from Shinobi Stalin (Vets of Kin member) called “Yes Yes Yall”. Included on the song are Illustrate (of Grey Matter) and Sean Boog (of The Away Team). Production handled by Illastrate aka Henny Loggins. The song comes from Shinobi’s upcoming album “Invisible Man“. Blahzay blah, listen to and download this track!