Crib Notes

While rap industry bigwigs were busy partying all weekend in honor of the BET Hip Hop Awards, Atlanta’s other rap scene was putting in work.

Here’s some low-budget, behind-the-scenes footage from this weekend’s filming of Novel’s video for “I Am” feat. Talib Kweli and Spree Wilson — whom CL featured in May.

Director Phillip Sportel filmed the video at Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records. The label will release the single (which was featured on the 21 soundtrack earlier this year) near the end of October in conjunction with Capitol Records.

Sportel also shot a video for Spree Wilson’s No I.D.-produced “Word” this weekend. Look for Wilson in the raw footage above. He’s the one wearing the funny hat and cracking jokes.

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Nowadays, the phrase “Atlanta hip-hop” tends to cause mass cringing — especially in the midst of the BET Hip-Hop Awards (happening this weekend). So here’s a cool diversion to remind everyone that Atlanta hip-hop is more than a double-sided snap/trap rap coin.

Check out Proton’s new video for “Fade Away,” produced by Artemus Jenkins (cool name, huh?), above. The song features Proton rapping over Santogold’s “Starstruck.”

The duo’s new mixtape, Red & Purple Vol. 1, is something of a novelty-themed project — every song features female guest artists, or Proton remixes of songs released by Atlanta’s including Slick & Rose, Muffy, Janelle Monae and such out-of-towners as Jessica Tonder, Amanda Diva and M.I.A.

Download Red & Purple Vol. 1 here.

Tonight’s monthly Broke $ Boujee party serves as the official mixtape release with performances from Proton, Gripplyaz, Brittany Bosco and Young Bishop. Ian Ford hosts. The Five Spot, 1123 Euclid Ave. 404-223-1100. www.fivespot-atl.com.

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HOT APPLE TURNOVER: Chi-town native and A-town representative, Thomasan of Proton, works up a sweat in NYC. (photos provided by Fiona Bloom)

As the buzz continues to build about Atlanta’s less celebrated (read: commercially exploited, critically mapped) hip-hop scene, Proton and Gripplyaz acted as ambassadors last week, taking their show on the road for the A Town vs. H Town showdown in NYC.

Held at the 205 Club, the point of the party was to feature rap acts that go against the grain of popular perception when it comes to Atlanta and Houston.

Gripplyaz was also featured. Check out more flicks below the break: (more…)

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