If You Haven't Watched "Atlanta" Here's Why You Should

Tuesday night, the world finally watched Donald Glover's newest TV show, Atlanta. Although the show was highly anticipated ever since Glover's announcement of the show in 2015, the only thing people saw about the show were mainly 30 second - 3 minute teasers showing some of the characters and a couple clips from several scenes. However, that was a bit of a good thing for us, because we would've not been impressed by this comedic drama. There's only two episodes already out, but I'm very proud to say that Atlanta might be the show that might steal more viewers as its story progresses, and here's why:

Good start to a dope story:: Following an intense prologue to the episode, Atlanta starts with Earnest Marks (Glover) a homeless young adult down on his luck and living behind a shadow of what's seemed to be a glorious past before he had hit rock bottom. After finding out his cousin Paperboy, aka Alfred (Brian Tyree Henry), is getting a little notoriety around town as a prospective, Earn tries to convince him that he's the right person to be his manager while also quickly seeing the consequences that come from it. The show's story progresses through a number situations told in a deadpan style, but each one has an underlying message. From a beatdown in jail from the police to Paperboy getting his first "fan", Atlanta finds ways of bringing to light the dark images of reality through a unique perspective without trying to be too serious. The first two episodes also introduce some of the cast, including Earn's baby-mother Van (Zazie Beetz), his parents, and Alfred's weird ass friend Darrius. While much is not known about each cast member's backstory, their chemistry with the show's main characters kept moments both funny and authentic.

Atlanta's Soundtrack Boomin': If you've been a fan of Glover's musical past, especially with his album Because The Internet, it's evident that he knows how to add the right music to soundtrack Atlanta. The first episode kicks off with OJ Da Juiceman's "No Hook", and from there, the show provides the dopest sounds to narrate the story. Atlanta's music supervisor, Jen Malone, has so far put together a solid range of tracks to set the tone for each scene. This is definitely the type of show you'd want to hear with some good speakers.

Cast: We're only two episodes in and Atlanta's cast has already got our attention. There's so much sass and sarcasm in the writing, your TV's gonna wreak of shea butter from the black ass dialogue in this script. The actors really bring out the vibe of the show, making even some of the dark scenes in this show to really standout in a humorous way. It's only the start of the series, but the characters already show a personality that we want to know more about, even the DJ who thinks is cool to say the N word around Earn (Ooops....spoiler).

If you haven't seen the show yet, you should do so, and ASAP. Thanks to Atlanta's interesting cast, dope music, and mysterious story, Donald Glover's new series is already coming out swinging. The first episode is available on YouTube.............for now.

The third episode is set to release today at 10 on FX.

Watch the first episode below.

Thug Entrancer’s Cyberpunk Sound

Bandcamp Daily

With an equal love for music hardware, technology, and science fiction, the Denver producer Thug Entrancer has forged an innovative style of house music that recalls cyberpunk classics like Blade Runner or Shadowrun. Although his music is fast-paced—taking some inspiration from Chicago’s juke and footwork scene—the ambience surrounding the high BPMs paints a gloomy picture. That feeling is further illustrated through his videos, with visual art that captures a vision of the future colored in psychedelic shades of black and white.

His music focuses on a distant—and possibly dark—tomorrow, yet Thug Entrancer’s perspective doesn’t feel too far removed from the present. In a country where both technology and cultural tension seems to grow at a rapid pace, the producer wants his music to remain progressive.

We reached out to Thug Entrancer to discuss the transition of his cyberpunk sound, from his debut project Death After Life to his latest release Arcology.

Read the full interview here.

A League Of Her Own

(The Undefeated)

It was the early 2000s. And before every race, Maritza McClendon faced a starting block, a swim lane, as well as a crowd of spectators watching her every move. McClendon was only one of two black women on the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs swimming and diving team, but the pressure she felt to win was so heavy it could break her concentration. There was a routine that kept her focused. Inspired by words from her father, Vincent, a former University of London crew member, the swimmer would step to the block, touch her toes and tell herself, “Just do your best.”

Read more here

Meet Pentagrvm, The D.C. Area's Connection Between Hip-hop and Metal

(Washington City Paper)

In the quiet suburban town of Cheverly, there's a musician who utterly transcends genres. Armed with both a drum kit and a mix board, Pentagrvm creates a brilliant connection between two genres of music that, at first glance, could not seem farther apart: hip-hop and heavy metal. But when you listen to the numerous mixtapes and singles that Pentagrvm has on Soundcloud, the similarities becomes apparent. In hip-hop, Pentagrvam brings beats to the local scene inspired by classic southern underground sounds like Memphis legendsThree 6 Mafia and Tommy Wright III. With more than 1,500 Soundcloud followers and a laundry list of artists that he’s been working with—such as vets like DJ Smokey and Jake Sinatra—Pentagrvm is growing into an artist who showcases the darker side of hip-hop in the D.C. area.

Read more here

Meet HRCHY C.I.A., The Women Behind Some of D.C.'s Most Popular Parties

(Washington City Paper)

As D.C.'s population continues to expand, so does its arts and cultural offerings. There’s a plethora of unique organizations like DC to BC, Rock Creek Social Club, Bombay Knox, and Broccoli City magnifying the artistic side of the city—specifically it’s music scene—but it's a new collective on a quick rise that could be the next hub for music and culture in the District, and beyond. 

This group is The HRCHY C.I.A.—short for The Hierarchy Creative Intelligence Agency—a creative agency that’s been spotlighting some of the D.C. area's most promising new artists, including Virginia's Masego and up-and-coming D.C. rapper Kelow. Founded by Chanelle “Airplane Penelope” Whitfield, HRCHY is making waves in D.C. not just by premiering new music on its hyper popular Soundcloud page, but by throwing unique and highly popular events in the area.

Read more here