We haven’t heard an IZ solo joint since the end of Winter earlier this year when he was promoting his It IZ What It IZ mixtape. But I suppose he’s now looking to the future with the release of his latest track – “2012″ featuring Enote. The song has a lot of similarities to the Nicki Minaj assisted Jay Sean song of the same name. So you can expect an energetic, electro-hop party anthem-type of track to serve as a soundtrack for an end of the world soiree. DL the track for free here.
Comedian Bart Kwan (of JK Films) decided to expand his horizons and try his hand at music. To get things started off on the right foot, he enlisted the help of IZ, Alyssa Marie & Decipher for a track called “Villian”. BTW, Alyssa def stole the show, largely attributed to the element of surprise. The girl can flow! Same time ya can’t sleep on De either – the dude always spits on point. How did Bart himself fare? Decently though his rhymes aren’t quite as polished as his features. It was a good look to get some vets on the track to balance things out. It’s a free DL via the bandcamp widget below!
After getting out, IZ seems to be going full speed on his grind. The 454 Life artst just dropped a music video for his remix of Nicki Minaj’s big radio hit “Moment 4 Life”. It’s just a one verse track similar to what we saw from Thai the other day, but he sounds more determined than ever. Visuals are clean and simple and appreciated when compared to all static image mixtape drops on Youtube.
Thankfully rapper IZ was released from jail and he has hit the ground running, seemingly more inspired than ever. Here are his latest drops, an MV for the single “Run Together” – a remix of Kanye’s “Runaway” which is part of a newly released mixtape entitled IT IZ WHAT IT IZ. In the song IZ touches upon a lot of his life’s experiences and shows love to many of those who have helped support him and his crew. It’s a great introspective Hip-Hop track and one of my favorites to hear from him thus far.
The mixtape also dropped today containg 17 tracks, many of which we’ve heard before and some unreleased. Look for collabs with Thai, Tommy C, Michelle Martinez, FM, Lil Crazed, J. Reyez & more. We’re thrilled to see IZ more back, determined and inspired. The mixtape is a free DL so be sure to grab it here.
In an unfortunate turn of events, IZ aka IZreal, of 454 Life Entertainment was recently locked up and is currently being held at a penitentiary in LA. Two of his group members, Thai & Drew Deezy, let the world know via the youtube below. They are asking for your support, and if you wish to write to the guy and show him your love, you can do so at the following address.
Chin Woo Paek #2606384
P.O. Box 86164
Terminal Annex
Los Angeles, CA 90086
We don’t have any further details but we really hope things get can cleared up quickly, and wish IZ the best of luck in a safe return home.
454′s IZ hasn’t had a solo drop in a while but that changes tonight with the MV for “Ain’t Nuthin But A Street Thang”. He uses the classic beat behind Dre x Snoop’s “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang”. The video serves as an introduction to his upcoming mixtape entitled It IZ What it IZ. IZ’s flow is smooth and the visuals are sharp but I’m not exactly a fan of him dropping the n-bomb. It’s good to see a solo drop from him. I believe it’s the first one since he released the MV for “Paper Chaser” back in August of last year.
In a big collaboration of Youtube rappers, 454′s Thai & IZ team up with Tommy C of IBU, J. Reyez and Lil Crazed for a new single and music video called “Girlfriend”. We showed you the preview for the song a month ago but now you can see the final version. The song is also available on iTunes. This is a tune I’m sure the ladies are gonna love. It’s a solid pop song for sure. The video production values are crisp (as always from 454) and they chose some great locations around the bay for the shoot. If you’re looking for a light, catchy tune you’ll prob enjoy this release.
Finally! After hearing about the album and MV for “Name” for months now, both have finally dropped. The MV is a collaboration with WongFu and it’s only more proof that their portfolio continues to improve. This MV has a great concept, matches the style of song, and effectively incorporates everyone involved with the project including all the band members and a cameo from Paul Dateh himself. It was a nice touch to see the band rocking out on office supply instruments. The heroine of the video is pretty cute too 
. Props both to the band and Wong Fu for a great release.
“Name” can be found on their full length debut, It’s All in Your Head which also dropped today – so pick up a copy! It’s got 11 tracks, is 11 bucks and has free shipping at the moment! The album also features Derek Kan of Magnetic North, Taiyo Na, Pigeon John, dumbfoundead, JK Films, Traphik, IZ, and verseatile. Support the band, support these artists.
1. dreamers
2. be ft. derek kan (magnetic north) + taiyo na
3. horizon
4. til i’m found
5. name ft. paul dateh
6. forever pt 2
7. not one for words
8. the people intro
9. the people
10. fr*a ft. pigeon john, dumbfoundead, just kidding films, traphik, iz, verseatile
11. gone
You didn’t think Tommy C, J Reyez, and Lil Crazed would visit the bay area without getting a ton of work done with 454 did you? Here’s more evidence that the artists kept busy as they dropped the teaser to a new MV they plan to release next month called “Girlfriend”. It’s another mixing bowl of Youtube talent and from the looks of it, this is another track for the ladies. As always from 454, it looks like the visuals are top-notch quality.
Last week Lil Crazed, J. Reyez, Tommy C and others were in San Jose, the home town of 454 so naturally they linked up and collabed. This is one of the fruits of their labor, a remix of Lloyd’s “Lay It Down”, featuring IZ, Lil Crazed, J. Reyez, Thai, and Tommy C. Look for a cameo from Erin Paula. The song is a free DL. I think the song is better than the video, which felt more rushed than their usual releases (and it likely was). But regardless, this is the type of activity that needs to happen more among Asian-American( & Canadian) musicians. Mutual respect, support, and collaboration.
