Happy New Year. It's been a while.

After 8 years and change of highlighting, and sometimes breaking, emerging independent talents in hip hop and beyond, we at Rappers I Know are taking the plunge and re-entering the ball park as a proper music label.

In a day before the immeasurable sea of music blogs litered every pocket of the web, Rappers I Know was started by a small group of creatives in Houston, Texas as an outlet to share the work

they made, refusing to be confined by regional barriers that existed at the time.

As the question is often asked: If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

We intend to make noise.

We'd like you to join us.

Here's what we've been up to.

Available Now via:
iTunes | Amazon | Google Play | Rdio | Spotify

"Little Girl", the lead single from Here, My Dear, received the video treatment. Shot and directed by Damien Randle for Ill Mannered Media on location in Houston, Texas.

Stream and Download "Little Girl" by The ARE on Soundcloud

Our inaugural release on Rappers I Know was Here, My Dear by multi-platinum producer and Houston Independent Hip Hop titan The ARE.

The 11 track instrumental affair was made in the wake of a deteriorating relationship with the mother of his daughter, Harlow, who remains his driving inspiration as a producer.

To learn more about the project, why not hear it straight from The ARE. We filmed a handful of vignettes where The ARE breaks down what catalyzed him to create this project and his thought process throughout producing it. Click here to watch them.

"Little Girl", the lead single for the album has been given the video treatment by The ARE's fellow K-otix member Damien Randle, shot on location in Houston, Texas.

The ARE first reached notoriety handling full producer duties of the Houston trio K-otix with their classic underground 1997 release Sponaneity EP, followed up by their first LP Universal released in 2001. Their sophomore LP Legendary is due later this year.

He later went on to produce for more mainstream acts such as LL Cool J, Keyshia Cole, Nicki Minaj, Lil Kim and more as a member of the Trackmasters production team. Never forgetting his underground roots, he also produced for Hip Hop legends and underground wordsmiths alike such as Masta Ace, Oh No, Punchline & Wordsworth, Truth Enola, Zion I, Canibus, Strange Fruit Project, Tanya Morgan, Donnis, Cyhi the Prince and others.

Available Now via:
iTunes | Amazon | Google Play

"Passing By", the lead single from The Freedom of Expression. Music video directed by Joseph Tuzzolino and Eddie Moore.

Stream and Download "Passing By" by Eddie Moore and the Outer Circle on Soundcloud

Despite the name of the collective and music label, Rappers I Know's range has always extended beyond Hip Hop alone.

A recent Masters recipient of the University of Missouri-Kansas City's Graduate Jazz Studies program, Houston raised, Kansas City based Jazz pianist Eddie Moore and his quartet The Outer Circle released their debut album The Freedom of Expression earlier this winter on Rappers I Know.

Composed entirely by Eddie Moore,The Freedom of Expression melds his traditional jazz training with modern influences. A very lyrical effort, the compositions employ mixed meter to introduce twist and turns in mood to allow the soloist the upmost freedom with line and idea.

The album was produced by Kerwin Young of Public Enemy's production team, the legendary Bomb Squad.

The first single from Eddie Moore's debut album is "Passing By", a musical romp through Eddie's Kansas City neighbourhoods. The composition ebbs, resonates and bops as a sprite-like reflection of the different streets and buildings present in his environment.

Eddie, along with Joseph Tuzzolino, recently directed a video for "Passing By" which is now available for your viewing pleasure on Rappers I Know's YouTube Channel.

Available Now via:
iTunes | Google Play | Rdio

Stream and Download "Salud" by D. Rose & DJ Cozmos on Soundcloud

The Daily Journal is the second collaborative album from D. Rose & DJ Cozmos following 2008's Taster's Choice.

DJ Cozmos (1/2 of production duo King Coz) handles the bulk of the production duties, with assistance from Soul One (H.I.S.D.) and 24K King (King Coz), with vocal features from Tray Chaney (Poot from HBO's The Wire), D. Randle (K-otix), MaGestiK LeGenD, Scottie Spitten (H.I.S.D.) and more.

D. Rose, recently began filming one take videos of some of our favourite verses recorded for this album and other unreleased tracks as a part of our #TakeOne series.

"Salud", an empyral guitar driven track kicks off the album and gets the #TakeOne treatment, which can be viewed below. Next week, we'll drop D. Rose kicking his verse from The Foundation's "Mama's Prayer" produced by Chris "Daddy" Dave.

"Salud" is the opening track on The Daily Journal, produced by DJ Cozmos. Shot and directed by Damien Randle for Ill Mannered Media on location in Houston, Texas.

"Forever" is a previously unreleased track by D. Rose, produced by The Jake. Shot and directed by Damien Randle for Ill Mannered Media on location in Houston, Texas.

Available Now via:
iTunes | Amazon | Google Play | Rdio | Spotify

The Wake Up Call EP by Scanz is available on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play and other online retailers for the first time via Rappers I Know.

Largely self produced, this mixture of instrumental and vocal tracks features Twizz & DJ Phsh, Selina Carrera, and MosEl of Michigan bred crew Crown Nation. The Mad Rapper also stops by to tell you why he's mad. Son.

Also available are Scanz's 3 singles from Wake Up Call EP, "Art of War", "SwaGGed Up", and "Take Me". Each project comes with a Digital Booklet containing artwork.

Stream and download them below.

Stream | Download

Stream | Download

Stream | Download

Available for the first time on iTunes, Amazon and Google Play are both Radio Galaxy projects; We Come In Peace and Daaarkness Everybody... EP. The trio of Spacebunny Jefferson and King Coz (24K King & DJ Cozmos) craft infectious, low end grooves that have caught the ears of the likes of Questlove, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, 9th Wonder, Jay Electronica and more. King Coz's indelible production coupled with Spacebunny's arresting songcraft and sublime vocals are a match made for your headphones. Stream and download both projects now on Rappers I Know.
Available Now via: iTunes \| Amazon \| Google Play "Feel Trip", the lead single from Radio Galaxy's 2011 album We Come In Peace turned the game on its head. "Just one of those joints you have on repeat." Check out the video below.	Available Now via: iTunes \| Amazon \| Google Play \| Spotify "Edward" is the lead single from Radio Galaxy's 2012 Halloween themed EP, Daaarkness Everybody....This saturnine tale of reluctant intimacy is eerily depicted in this brief vignette; watch below.
The video for "Feel Trip", the lead single from We Come In Peace. Shot and directed by Damien Randle for Ill Mannered Media on location in The Gold Room.	The video for "Edward", the lead single fromDaaarkness Everybody... Shot and directed by Damien Randle for Ill Mannered Media on location in The Gold Room.

In December, FWMJ stopped by Anthony Valadez's show at KCRW to discuss design, the formation of new label and to play some tunes already released or set to release via the label. That new H.I.S.D. though. Here's a new drinking game: take a shot everytime FWMJ says "you know...". #smh You can stream both the interview and DJ set via Soundcloud.
Listen to the Rappers I Know Label Spotlight by DJ Anthony Valadez (KCRW) via Soundcloud.	Listen to Anthony Valadez's (KCRW) Interview with FWMJ of Rappers I Know via Soundcloud.

Stream Now via:
Soundcloud

Stream "Noor Saber" by Tabu (The Niyat), produced by I.V. League on Soundcloud

That Avengers verse though.

Tabu. The Niyat. Bars.

Of all The Niyat brothers, Tabu seems to be the most willing to just drop new tracks unexpectedly. For that, we're grateful. His bars always feel like a smack in the mouth.

Revisit "Gun State" if you're unfamiliar.

#FWMJsFavouriteRappers

Watch the video for The Niyat “Gun State” featuring Tabu directed by Snap (The Niyat). "Gun State" is produced by I.V. League.


	Jaz Infinite 93 Culture Beat Tape Hosted by Dinco D (LONS), Mixed by DJ Chorizo Funk		Denmark Vessey & the Storefront Church “They Schweepy” (Live One Take From The Coachhouse)
	Opal Block Tyson		Mndsgn "Hiking / Fif Dim" Music Video
	Classic Drug References Vol. 1		The Eclectic Beings "Day 3"

"Real Rap Since 1999."

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