Author Archives: Logos

RTN – 2020 (2021)

May the title of this release do not fool you, the EP is fresh out in 2021.

If you remember, RTN dropped his FUNKTION in 2019 which established him as a great g-funk producer. Here’s what he’s been doing since, not to mention all the collaborations that came out. 2020 is an instrumental album, which shows the genius of the producer, all songs were produced and recorded in 2020, that’s where the title coming from. A beautiful, chill-out fusion mix of styles presented. No one is doing it as he does, he got his own unique sound and style. You can check the trailer below and decide for yourself:

We wouldn’t be us if we didn’t tell you that the CDs are selling out as well!! It is a very limited press of 200 copies which are already in low stock, so hurry up. As usual, no bullshit CD-R’s, only real Replica.

You can order the CD by writing to 2020rtn@gmail.com

For all digital and streaming lovers, here the link for you.

Exclusive interview: Clyde Bazile / Blackat Productions (Houston, TX) Part II

G-FUNK.WS: Exactly at what point did you realize it back then it got to the war for you with Pen & Pixel, was it any graphics work for any particular album that started it all?

BLACKAT: I got crazy with the Lil Flip Cover, this was and idea I brought to Flip and Hump. I came from a song by C-Note, “Diamonds All-N-Yo Face”. On Flip’s verse: “Lil Flip on my arm, eating a bowl of Lucky Charms”, and that was the cover idea, a box of Lucky Charms from Cleveland. We started created promo a year before the album dropped. When PnP takes the Cereal idea to Yungstar. What made it even better. Pen and Pixel had a PR machine promoting their company, when a writer showed up at my office with a million questions, asking me about the dates on my artwork, which I always add. That’s when the article hit in the Houston Press, sampling Styles. PnP was pissed, the press had did there research and found out the truth. PnP treated to sue them and me for definition of character. I once asked Shawn from Pen and Pixel, how do you sue the press your PR person got to do a story on you. Never got an answer to that question. I’m sure I never will. This guy even tried to sneak in the Lil Flip cover as his own until someone called him out on it.  

G-FUNK.WS: Was that just one artwork story?

BLACKAT: My early years with Blackat Productions most of my work was direct to labels, like majors labels that do there own printing and manufacturing. It wasn’t until I designed the cover art for the .380 album  I learn to control the whole process from design to print. I turned over the art to .380 and they took it to Pen and Pixel to print and that’s when PnP added an overlay onto the art and added, Design and Printing by Pen and Pixel to my artwork. It also stopped people from going into my files and savaging them. 

G-FUNK.WS: Could you tell us about Bling Bling type of art which was the South’ thang, who originated it & brought into the masses? 

BLACKAT: Bling was a term given by Cash Money, That name I didn’t come up with, It was an effect I added to things in my art, from metal, to jewelry, or glass, anything that would reflect light. The effects are called Lens flares, Cash money was a client of Pen and Pixel. If you take the time and research  PNP’s work like 20-2-Life or Trinity Garden Cartal there was not Lens Flare effects. When I came along it was just a part of my work and was added when necessary, they took it, put it on everything and road it to the grave, and that Red fucking Sky.

G-FUNK.WS: What graphics designers out there you can say you were real cool with & respect their work?

BLACKAT: Mike Frost, Kid Styles – I’ve always been a fan of their work and both are great guys.

G-FUNK.WS: Have you been in good relationship with DJ Screw, Screwed Up Click members & affiliates?

BLACKAT: I never hangout with Screw much but in the business you know each other and always around the work I did. I do remember him not liking Skulls but as any artist, you don’t have a choice when the label is in control. I remember a story Beyonce told me about the single Bonnie and Clyde, it wasn’t her pick for a single, but that’s what the label was gonna go with. She had to fight for her power.

G-FUNK.WS: Would you share with us some good memories about Pimp C in his remembrance?

BLACKAT: Pimp was like family, he was home. Every holiday I would go down to Port Arthur to visit Family, food and fun, Then my next Stop was Chad’s house, is what I would call him. So hard to call him Pimp C face to face when you know him, kinda like I do with Flavor or most artist I have a personal relationship with and they call me Clyde.

G-FUNK.WS: Were there any rappers whom you worked with but you could say it grew into a friendship?

BLACKAT: Willie D and the Geto Boys, Pimp C was like a little Brother to me, we both grew up huge Beatles fans, DJ DMD who did the song 25 Lighters, my hometown Brother also, Big Mello, D-Wreck of Wreckshop, C-Note of Botany Boys and its been a few, we have spent time beyond the music and work. To family friends watching each other kids grow up.

G-FUNK.WS: Can you share a funniest story that happened with you during your career / in your life? 

BLACKAT: Sum of that funny shit that might have happened to you & that still get you smile after all these years when it comes to your mind.
It was when Flavor Flav lived with me. We both was hanging out at a Hotel in Houston called Hotel Derek. Flavor wanted to go outside and Smoke. Now there we are with both our backs against the glass of the Hotel talking when out of the dark, I hear my name, “Hey Kat! Hey Blackat!!!” when out of the shadows comes Pimp C. I walk out to give him a hug and at that moment, Pimp C looks over my shoulders and see Flavor Flav. Pimp freaks out and runs over to Flavor and drop to the ground and kisses Flavor Flav shoes. By this time Flavor is High and freaking out, like “WTF! Kat!, Who is this Guy? Make him stop!” Flavor tried to back up and run but he slam into the glass and was stuck. I could do nothing but Laugh my ass off on the look of Flavor’s Face, Like it’s a huge Bear was sighing on you and I was nothing you could do. It get funnier, years later after Pimp C’s death. I’m in Vegas with Flavor, both my sons and his kids at Flavor’s Crib, we was all in the kitchen when Flav went off, that he met Pimp C and Pimp Kisses his shoes. LOL No one would believe his story so he looks at me like, “Kat!, tell them I’m not lying!” Again I did nothing but laugh my ass off, I couldn’t even verify the story form laughing so hard. LMFAO!!!

G-FUNK.WS: Where do you get inspiration from? 

BLACKAT: Comes from people like Sergei Eisenstein, Salvador Dalí, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol. Robert Rauschenberg from Port Arthur, Texas, my mind was blown the day he won a Grammy for the cover of Talking Heads, Vincent Van Gogh and Charles M. Schulz, he worked at home creating his vision, was something i always wanted to do. and of course, George Lucas’  THX1138 and Star Wars, and Marvel and Stan Lee.

G-FUNK.WS: Who were your mentors back then?

BLACKAT: David Bowie, Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue, Bono of U2, Chuck D, manager – Shep Gordon, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness, Ricky Richardo, who was a Tour manager for Vanilla Ice and Whodini.

K-Locsta – Hustlas On The Come Up EP (2019)

The 2019 ain’t done yet bringing solid releases to your music library. This time K-Locsta is up with brand new EP released on CD. If you already know him – then you know that it will be nuttin’ but quality, last few years Russian g-funk camp shows some real rise. This one will include guests like Collarossi, Benjilino, G-Money (R.I.P.), Loco, Mista L, Ghost Dest… Flow fits perfectly with beats by Rabzooz, Loco and RTN. Short, but so dope, nuff said. 

As always, no bullshit CD-Rs. Support the real thing and buy it @ K-Locsta Official Bandcamp , supplies limited to 100 copies worldwide, get one while it lasts!

G Wylx presents “From Russia With West” (2018)

Talking about 2018 releases, we are obliged and proud to mention one of the best releases which came from the country where you believe it’s been snowing all time and bears walking the streets. That is not true! Summertime here as hot as anywhere else and g-funk is dope as anywhere. “From Russia With West” is the project that filled with the talented people like PopovskiWazAp, UGNIpo CritaL-Tune, our homie Loco, etc… G Wylx (of Big Black Boots) executively-produced the whole thing as the movement’s veteran with more than 20 years of experience behind his back. Aleks Fima made all beats and they are bumping! It is very solid project from start to finish. Y’all heard projects from Japan, Poland, Italy, France and even more exotic places, now it is time to give this one a try, you can decide for yourself by listening to the whole release by the video in the frame below. Also need to mention special guest appearances by MC Eiht and Mellow Man Ace. So if you down for smth really smooth, fresh and new, support the project HERE and HERE.

Rich Garcia: The Rich G Show Barrio Chronicles (2018)

Damn, we’ve been waiting for this one to drop from the beginning of the year. Actually, some of us were expecting solo from Rich Garcia since the early-mid 90’s when we first heard him on classic tracks on iconic albums such as Smile Now, Die LaterStone Cold World, Eastside Drama, etc… The late Toker of Brownside said “he’s my Mexican Nate Dogg” to describe his sound.

The digital release was already out, however the CD release was about to follow, and finally it got dropped on BROWNSIDE13.COM, the official online store of Toker’s Brownside label. We have already got our CD’s in hand and listened to this album banging it to the fullest: it’s the great soul album (flavored by some live guitar and saxophone parts) with some tracks featured by Toker, Wicked, Lil Danger, Lady Jade, Lil Tokes (son of Toker), Chris Gunn & Howard E. Scott.

You can pick up an option if you want a signed CD from a legend himself or just regular CD, it’s up to you. Physical release contains bonus tracks that you won’t find on digital release. All we want is just to let y’all know so you won’t miss this banger, check the videos below:

 

Loco – Locolization (2018)

All right, y’all! Ready for another hot summer full of intereating g-funk releases? We’re gonna give it to ya! Today we’re introducing you the Russian rapper/beatmaker Loco with his Locolization album. Loco ain’t new to the game, he’s been releasing stuff since 2009. And now he’s coming back with new album that can fill needs for old heads and fresh ones. So if you opened for smth new – we highly rerommend to order this album at his OFFICIAL BANDCAMP, CD’s will be real pressed ones issued in 4-panel digipaks; no bullshit CD-R’s as it’s been confirmed by the artist himself. All we want to say that it’s a really good album filled with summer vibes, talkbox tunes and dope production by the man himself. Also available on all digital platforms!