Blind I | The Boutique Music Blog | Quality Over Quantity.

FRESH FACES: KJ

21 year-old KJ is sounding like the next up from out of Toronto. Must be something in the water up there! I’ma let his bio tell it though…what got me was the music and the visuals and I suppose those are the only things that should matter in the game! “Alternative Hip Hop never sounded so good, KJ is what you wish you heard when you were younger and what your glad you heard now. He is “Hip Hop” inviting Rock, R’n'B and Dance Music to dinner and everyone wants seconds. Compared to the likes of Common, Andre 3000 and Mos Def, this young man is fitted for the Hip Hop history books.KJ is a credited recording engineer and mix engineer, the best sound is always first priority. Self production inspired by Danger Mouse (Gnarles Barkley), Kanye West and many more has made this sound so diverse but yet still current. Raised in England and relocating to Canada at 11 now 21 “A Breath of Fresh Heir” is what music needs and is what you will get.” Check out “When I Came” and then hit the jump to see his video for “Repeat” and download his A Breath Of Fresh Heir mixtape…

KJ – When I Came

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Tags: Fresh Faces, KJ

FRESH FACES: DAVID DALLAS

David Dallas is the illest thing to come out of New Zealand since Jermaine & Bret. Then again, I don’t know zip about New Zealand so I’m going off how dope the music is. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, the biggest Polynesian city in the world, David Dallas is an artist with the rhymes and the universal appeal to take his hip hop tales from South Auckland to the world. Formerly known as Con Psy, and one half of award-winning New Zealand Hip Hop duo Frontline, rapper David Dallas is the full package.

Thoughtful lyrics, an effortless feel for flow, rhythm and delivery, and a smooth, distinctive voice – this half Samoan, half European MC has created a style all his own. An eighties baby raised on a diet of Pop, R&B and a strong helping of US Hip Hop. David Dallas’ sound combines his love of East Coast lyricists of the ’90s with the melodic stylings and song-writing of their West Coast counterparts. Interpreted through the voice and slang of a Polynesian New Zealander, and with stories grounded in the normality such a far off country affords. He brings a fresh take on Hip Hop. Check out his single “Big Time” and hit the jump for the video!

David Dallas – Big Time

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Tags: David Dallas, Fresh Faces

FRESH FACES: HIROLLER

Hiroller (Myspace) is a Brooklyn MC with a knack for creative & eclectic rhyme styles, which is a breath of fresh air for people like you and I who are always looking for the next best thing on the horizon. With a combination of poignant lyrics and dope delivery, Hiroller strives to think and spit outside of the box – whether it be conservative or commercial you’re looking for he’ll strive to break you out your mode single-handedly. The scary part is, he just might be nice enough to do so. Check out his joint In Search Of and then hit the jump to let us know if you’re feeling Hiroller or not.

Hiroller – In Search Of

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FRESH FACES: NIKKI LYNETTE

Nikki Lynette (Myspace) is atypical to say the least. As a female rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, Chicago on-air personality, as well as a dope multimedia designer, she’s easily smashed any stereotypes about being from the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago. Her influences are just as her look may have you assume: Hip-Hop, R&B, and Alternative music. But Lynette is striving to show a different side to the traditional topics a female singer/songwriter would usually delve into – one that hopefully opens up the doors for her style and lets people relate to her on a more personal level. She’s dropped off a few of her joints for the Blind I faithful to rock with, and as is becoming custom with our Fresh Faces category, we want you to let us know how you feel!

Need A Man

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Now That I’m Fine

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If you love it or hate it, let us know after the jump.
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Tags: Fresh Faces, Nikki Lynette

FRESH FACES: NICK-N-BEANS – SCHOOL IN SESSION

That fontface looks familiar, hmm. Nick Jr and Q-Beans of the LDRS camp here in Chicago have dropped a new EP entitled School In Session: 1st Semester EP. These two young MCs have been doing their thing out here in Chicago, and I for one am glad they finally dropped something that I could shoot around and see what people though of them. I hadn’t previously gotten a chance to hear Q-Beans’ beats before this project landed in my inbox, but I was pretty impressed. Made me go back and listen to my first recordings and realize the new generation of MC’s is gonna be outlandish compared to what the vets are doing now. Anyways, partake of the sample song, 1 Way To O’hare, check the tracklisting and the EP download link after the jump, and let them know what you think about it.

Nick-N-Beans – 1 Way To O’Hare

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Tags: Chicago, Fresh Faces, Leaders, Nick Jr, Nick-N-Beans, Q-Beans