Author Profile

James Shahan

Web: http://mechamecca.tumblr.com

Twitter: @themachineraps

Profile:

The first time I cheated death was two weeks after birth; the second was when I was nine. I found my calling at age 18. By 22, I will probably rule over half of the free world. Hip-hop is life. Street Fighter is the new chess. I only own a tv for adult swim, food network and Man vs Food. Love to read but don't because I write so much. Not perfect but you should get to know me.

Posts by jamesshahan:

Mar02

Cymarshall Law – Creators Kid EP (Review)

Cymarshall Law

Creator's Kid EP

Released by HiPNOTT Records


Cymarshall Law is not out to please everybody. Hell, the one person who almost accomplished such a feat (undoubtedly the dude who first put peanut butter and jelly together) was quickly discouraged when God caught on and decided to make peanut allergies super-duper bad. He doesn't have to though, Cymarshall has what it takes to garner himself life-long fans by the boatload. The Creators Kid EP is not about being the hardest or about being the most fashionable; it's about being creative and with every song having a very clear message/theme Cy succeeds in doing so.

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Feb02

Coolzey – The Honey (Review)

Coolzey

The Honey

Released by Public School Records


Sure, 1976 Iowa does not really sound like the type of place that would yield underground greatness in the hip-hop scene, but then again, what else would Coolzey have done to pass his time? Though nobody really knows, luckily, nobody really has to. The Honey at a glance seems like another good’ole fashioned ten song hip-hop album. Upon further inspection, it becomes quite clear that there is a little bit more going on.

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Jan26

Voices Voices – Origins (Review)

Voices Voices

Origins

Released by Manimal Records


Listening to Voices Voices is like being back in the womb; it’s warm yet occasionally haunting and there are voices present, but sometimes they just cannot be deciphered. However, if the womb thing were literal, then listeners could hardly be held accountable (seeing as how they have yet to learn anything about language, Teletubbies or not being submerged in embryonic fluid). Well, what is known about these two Los Angeles-based sirens is this: they do not have a Wikipedia page (yet), they heavily volunteered helping out with the “No on Prop 8” campaign, Prefuse 73 lent a huge hand as far as the production on the EP and (not surprisingly) they are on to something with this music stuff.

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Dec08

Clipse – Fresh to Death (Video)

The hip-hop power duo used to be pretty prevalent in the days of old[er]. Unfortunately, such groups are all-but-chillin’ in between sedimentary rock and dinosaur bones. Thank God for the Clipse because they have been holding down the two-dope-rappers niche like nobody else.  With names like “Pusha” and “Malice,” it is easy to jump to conclusions and say that Clipse aren’t for the kids but here at URB, we always look before we leap. We caught up with one half of the powerhouse group (Malice) to talk  Til The Casket Drops, what fuels classics and why Malice’s new book will probably give kids some much-needed insight.

...MORE

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Nov26

Syntaks – Ylajali (Review)

Syntaks

Ylajali

Released by GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL


Why is music so powerful? Sure it's there when there is the movie to score, the party to throw or the afternoon to savor, but why is it worth obsessing over? Well, for many of us, music can and will evoke emotional responses more strongly than nearly anything else. It strikes something obscure within us; something near-imaginary. But the feelings it stirs are the most real thing in the world. This is why Syntaks Ylajali is such a great album. Now consisting of Jacob Skott and Anna Cecilia, the ...

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Nov12

Wale – Back Into Go Mode

It is not very often that an emerging artist is traditional enough to swiftly gain support but unique enough to be in a class of their own. Then again, it takes a special something to land on our 150th issue cover before even having an album out. For people in the know, Wale is far from a “new” artist. Delivering rock-solid mixtapes and now a phenomenal debut album to the masses, this D.C. champion has been someone to pay attention to for a while now. We caught up with the URB favorite to talk Attention Deficit, touring with Jay-Z and Africa.


URB: First and foremost, the album is very very good. You should be very proud…
Wale: Thank you so much man. I appreciate it.


Yeah, it’s great. I mean, I’ve been a fan of you since the 100 Miles and Runnin’ mixtape. …

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