Here's some downtempo hip-hop that's perfect for this overcast day in RVA. Up-and-coming local hip-hop artist Avance, who's part of the Mix Breed Entertainment crew, released his Aviation mixtape a few weeks ago (which you can download for free HERE), and "Choly Weed" is a track from it. The soul and jazz feel of the music mixes well with the mournful vibe of Avance's lyrics, which express the sort of angst and frustration with financial pressures that has been a common theme of the recession we're all living through right now. The video is directed by NoNameNoBrain, a local media group whose name I haven't heard before, but whose work here impresses me. They've captured the understated vibe of the track by mixing mostly black & white shots of Richmond cityscapes with footage of Avance sitting in a chair, putting together a blunt as he spits his downcast rhymes. I'm too straight edge to know whether he's smoking actual choly weed (whatever that is) in the video, but regardless, the scenes get the point across. This song is a bit of a bummer, it's true, but the talent that went into putting it together is undeniable. I'm guessing we'll be hearing a lot more from Avance and Mix Breed Ent. in the near future.
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