Shad & 14KT "Reel Speakers" (EP Stream)

The good homies: Toronto rapper Shad and Michigan based producer 14KT have surprised everyone by dropping a brand-new EP showcasing their recent collaboration. Reel Speakers, a four-track EP stemming from freestyles Shad did on socials, is a compact, high-energy listening with beat, grit, soul, and hope. The pair met at DJ Jazzy Jeff’s iconic Playlist Retreat years prior and connected over freestyles Shad was doing on Instagram to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. 14KT started crafting a beat for one of the freestyles online, and the project eventually took shape and birthed Reel Speakers. BIG fan of both artists, this is an excellent collaboration, dig into the stream below...

Athletic Mic League "Playground Legends, Vol.1" (Album Stream)

Athletic Mic League (AML) connected on basketball courts and while attending Huron High School in Ann Arbor, MI. Buff1, 14KT, Grand Cee, 3Steez, VaughanTego, and Wes Taylor then brought in DJ Haircut AKA Mayer Hawthorne. Though AML creating as a unit came to a halt in 2005, it never halted the love and brotherhood they shared. And as a result, AML returns now with Playground Legends, Vol. 1. To set the stage for the album, the group shares: "On the dawn of a looming worldwide pandemic Athletic Mic League held an epic 4 day retreat at Wes’s creative compound. This was the first time in over 15 years the crew assembled to make music. Members traveled from California, Georgia, and Michigan (their place of origin) to reach the secret location right outside of Richmond, Virginia. No expectations were set for the retreat, therefore no one knew what the outcome would be especially after such a long hiatus. Almost immediately the Lab Techs set up several production stations throughout the compound to produce a continuous stream of non stop heaters, that set the tone for the whole thing. The retreat represents a resurgence of one of the most innovative collectives of the late 90’s and early 2000’s. It also represents the bond of a brotherhood that has lasted for 25 years. Because of that bond and a commitment to innovation, the Mic League was able to reflect on years of impact, and influence, both as a collective and individually. This retreat has resulted in the completion of Playground Legends, Vol. 1, and this is just the beginning." The music industry is always a better place when Detroit is in the mix! Listen below...

14KT "For My Sanity" (Album Stream)

Following up 'The Power of Same', the first single off 14KT's new project, featuring Muhsinah, and remixed by Kaidi Tatham, 'For My Sanity' is a "freedom project", an album rooted in free creation, without being tied down by bars, patterns, scenes, and sequences. The intention behind this long-player is clearly stated all throughout the 12 tracks: releasing the angst of the current climate we are facing through collective artistic means. "I made all the music really late at night after my day-to-day work, as an escape from "what I normally do". Paired with the everyday struggles of being an artist, it was very stressful hearing about so many deaths––especially due to law enforcement. Making "For My Sanity" was how I was trying to find peace of mind every night so I could go to sleep," says 14KT. The themes of the album sway gracefully from personal philosophies and creeds, to burning social matters and celebration of the importance of family and genuine, fruitful friendships. If we were to classify this in a genre, we would say For My Sanity is a jazz record, at its core, but elements of hip hop, soul, r'n'b and latin music are easily recognizable and at home on the album. 'For My Sanity' features an array of fellow visionaries - Jimetta Rose, Stro Elliot, Rasheeda Ali, Farnell Newton, Kris Johnson, Magestik Legend and more –– who help deliver the message and further relay the essence of what the album stands for. IAMABEENIE is a name that denotes a series of jazz-Influenced albums 14KT is currently working on. Enjoy the album below...

RSXGLD "RSXGLD" (Album Stream)

Ro Spit and 14KT have built a small empire on their own as solo artists. Ro Spit has amassed a career spanning across 3 albums, 2 mixtapes, and countless of features including Royce Da 5’9”, Denaun Porter, Bun B, Freeway and Raheem DeVaughn just to name a few. Not to mention a reality TV show centered around his world famous brand Burn Rubber that was produced by Eminem. The production arm of RSXGLD, 14KT, is 8 albums deep into his career. KT has paired with some of the best in the game, having worked with a who’s who of today’s artists such as Roc Marciano, Black Milk, Bun B, Elzhi, Oddisee, Skyzoo, Jay Electronica, and more. Nothing, however, in their respective discographies has sounded more organic and masterful than the combination of Ro and KT. “Every project that I’ve done he’s been a part of,” says Ro. “To be honest, he’s my favorite producer.” The chemistry they’ve been able to develop over the years is evident throughout Ro’s discography. It’s only right that the two have taken their time to create an organic piece of work unlike anything they’ve done before. RSXGLD is the lyrical maturation of Ro Spit while this group pushed 14KT to new creative levels sonically. “Sonically, I’ve created in a way that I’ve never created before. It’s all different and out of my comfort zone.” This is a true, social experiment. This is music made from the soul that encompasses every aspect of the human experience. This is how you push beyond your limits. This is RSXGLD. Dig into their wonderful collaborative effort below... Much love to 14KT.

14KT "Nowalataz" (Instrumental Album, 2009)

Let me start off by saying that this is a personal favorite of mine and one of the best instrumental projects I've ever heard. I was already a fan having interviewed 14KT in '08 to support 'The Golden Hour Soundtrack.' There were layers of soul and emotion in that project that I'd never experienced through instrumental projects before. When we dug deeper into his relationship with God and the church, that connection became way more clear to me. In August of 2009, I received the press release and download link for 'Nowalataz,' which blew me away and he climbed higher on the list of producers I wanted my artists to work with. I was fortunate to bump into KT at SXSW in March of 2010; he gave me a limited physical copy of the project, which I put in a safe place (away from all the other promo CDs I'd been given). If you're not familiar, here's your chance: 'Nowalataz' is available on iTunes and for Pre-order on vinyl for the first time at Fat Beats. Do NOT sleep on this!

14KT "DAMN U Mix" (Part 1 & 2, 2010)

If you're a fan of Ypsilanti's producer/MC 14KT, then diggin' into the archives for older material is never a loss. Below are two episodes from Karat Gold Radio... the 1st episode was recorded ahead of the 2010 Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle, where 14KT was a finalist. The Athletic Mic League / Lab Techs producer linked up with DJ Rhettmatic of the World Famous Beat Junkies to release the "DAMU U" mix they did featuring some of 14KT's best production. The second episode announced that 14KT had WON the Red Bull Beat Battle championship! To celebrate, 14KT connected with DJ Graffiti to hit y'all in the head with a second part to the "DAMU U" mix that KT and Rhett had created previously. It features some of 14KT's best production and includes beats that 14KT featured in the battles. You'll hear tracks and remixes with Invincible, Jay Electronica, Erykah Badu, Obie Trice, Buff1, Kanye West, Danny Brown and more. If you haven't heard his Nowalataz instrumental album, I recommend you check that out immediately after this post! Listen below...