GOLDYARD

Let’s go ahead and add alt-rap trio Goldyard to the list of groups and artists that I’ve spaced on. Because here I am playing catch up again. I could cut straight to the chase and tell you about Fuck Culture, the group’s new EP which just dropped on DJ Booth and marks the first of three proposed releases for 2014. But for the purposes of this post let’s go back to May of last year when Goldyard unveiled their video for “French,” a track which not so incidentally appears on their latest effort. Somehow this bit of Southern-rap-with-a-twist funkiness never hit my radar, so I’m here to rectify that misstep. While not exactly a weed anthem, the track definitely makes the group’s preference for ganja abundantly clear and it certainly doesn’t hurt that the laid-back production, courtesy of Flick James, does everything in its power to envelop you in herb-infused clouds of billowing bass and smoky horns. As for the video, well, let’s just say that there’s more than a few puffs caught on tape in-between performance footage shot at the Basement and shots of the trio chilling among friends. Overall it’s a pretty dope introduction—a little late on my part, yeah, but dope nonetheless. - Latest Disgrace

Have you ever followed a new movement and all of a sudden it disappears? In this case we will let the portraits speak for the artist. Hip-Hop Digital welcomes back fan favorite, In-Doe with his latest release entitled “The Red, White, And The Blues”. The project is filled with soul and lots of nostalgia for listeners. Since the release of his previous mixtape In-Doe Eats World, this artist has been growing in supporters and musical content. We may not be able to track down his location at all times, however the trail of euphoric and witty records, all lead back to the Varcity League empire.



Hip-Hop Digital: In-Doe! You certainly have been a man of action since your last interview with us. It seems we can expect you to deliver a great project every time. This new mixtape “Red, White, and Blues” has a theme and sound tied into the appeal of it .Tell us about what inspired this idea and what made you choose the title.

In-Doe: First of all, I just want to say thanks for having me. It’s always surreal to me whenever I get a chance to make incredible music and deliver it to the people…because life is short. Guess I am blessed. God is good. Well after I made ”IN-DOE EATS WORLD” I wanted to give the people some more songs like ,”No Escape” and “Wonderful One”, the songs that were smooth but still had a message. At this time in my life, I am older and wiser. Definitely been through shit a 40 year old hasn’t. I just felt like it was time to let the world know how I felt! You know, instead of just the entertainment. I wanted to give them some food for thought…something that could make them see life or just anything from a different perspective. Make it to the point where it’s like…“see I am just like you” I just wanted people to feel something! A human feel, in a time of technology and machines. The name “The Red, White, and The Blues” just came to me…you know I have a lot of opinions on this life. I think title just falls into place, it fit us…it fits America.

Hip-Hop Digital: It is pretty clear the production on the “Blues” part of the project comes from the record samples, however your personal story is definitely the cap stone. Why go personal at a time when most artists are going party?

In-Doe: Everyday life isn’t a party, for the most part, it is spent on downtime. It ties in with the current state of the economy. I just wanted it to be something that people could relate to. I enjoy bringing emotions out of people because I believe that’s what music is about.

Hip-Hop Digital: From keeping in-touch with you we know that you are constantly traveling, how do you find time to produce and write so much music?

In-Doe: Man I don’t even put out half of the stuff that I work on… (laughs) I think it’s only because, I really care and have love for the art. The fans show me mad love and are loyal supporters, which also keeps me going. Knowing that people are responding to it helps a lot. I will be doing this till I die for the fact it helps me cope with life. Some people paint, some cut their selves, I write and make beats…that’s my meds. (laughing)

Hip-Hop Digital: On the track “taste the ground” you took a chance and sang your verse. It fits so well with the record because it actually sounds like the Blues and not top 40. Is it safe to say you are a risk taker?

In-Doe: Yea I would say im a risk taker…I like that title (Laughs out loud). Of course, I feel like to grow as an artist, if it’s about the art, you have to take chances. I am trying to be the best at what I do. Creativity is the key to setting yourself apart from the crowd.

Hip-Hop Digital: Your artwork for the cd is brilliant and very patriotic. However in songs like “Brixton”, you explore more than a few controversial subjects. Do you feel a responsibility to In-Doe listeners to inform, or is it just something you wanted to speak on?

In-Doe: When you have a platform to reach millions of people, you should tell them what you see and what you think. I don’t like sugar coating things because of the pace of reality today. Whether you are from the “hood” or rich, it is real out here for everyone. Some just have it a lot worse. I like to make music with some kind of substance …don’t get me wrong, I will make a feel good track however, that’s not what inspires me. It’s the realistic tangible things. I feel like with all the situations going on, everybody feels some sort of way, I just wanted to express my opinion.

Hip-Hop Digital: Going through the songs, you hear a variety of sounds, but “Rainbows” is a song that makes you stop and listen. Did you know it was going have such a big impact when you first heard it?

In-Doe: Not really! When I produce a track I don’t have the idea for what I am going speak about until I am at least half way through. It’s definitely a stand out track from what I hear from the fans. I am glad that they receive it. I have produced my last two mixtapes on my own, so I am just glad that my full concepts - HIP HOP DIGITAL

THE MIXTAPE THAT’S ACTUALLY AN ALBUM.
Definitely one of my top fav albums of the summer, Call Me Tomorrow is worth a listen or two, or five.
I especially recommend “Contact” featuring In-Doe and Yung Plus Anutha, as well as “Incredible Hulk” and “Lullaby” featuring FLICK, but yeah, I also recommend just listening to the whole thing.

xoxo,
LUXI - LUXI

While Drake gets lauded for his vulnerable, player and poet approach to making music and writing lyrics, Fuck Culture an EP from Atlanta alt-rap heroes Goldyard, succeeds where Drizzy sometimes falls short.

Sans the cheese and emo-ness that comes along with rappers turnt sangers (or those who do both) Goldyard's first EP in a series of three to be released this year, is a haunting, bass and synth-heavy ode to vulnerability, the finiteness of life, and all of the awesome/fucked up experiences that get us through it all. MC's In-Doe and A.T. seem to have found their musical spirit animal in producer Flick James, who handled the majority of the knob turning with the exception of "Get Your Weight Up" and the Cousin Dan-featured, "No Ghost," which fell into the capable hands of the fellas over at SMKA.

Whether they're contemplating suicide ("Live"), trading bars over a tripped-out, chopped up 2 Chainz sample ("ILL"), or "trying to get chose" on "French" (see video below), the fellas transition through topics and beats with an ease typically found in seasoned rap veterans. The duo seems to have no issue traversing an audio terrain of experimental hip-hop, electronic, R&B, and everything in between. (Think more Andre and Big Boi circa Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik meeting Aquemini going into Stankonia than whatever other Atlanta rap duo and releases that probably come to mind). Bold claim, but not a stretch.

The fact that these cats can sing choruses like "I ain't afraid of no ghosts," without the listener feeling like they're being sonically punk'd is a testament to the comfort In-Doe and A.T. have with themselves and their collaborators including, the aforementioned Cousin Dan and Jarren Benton. - Creative Loafing