Viewing: Short Fuze - View all posts

SHORT FUZE RELEASES NEW SINGLE, ME AND MY DEMONS 

Uncommon Records has released the first single from Short Fuze’s upcoming LP, The Painkiller Boutique today. Me and My Demons is produced by Dr. Khil and is the first single from an album that is primarily produced by Khil along with some additional production from Uncommon Nasa, Bloodmoney Perez and Messiah Musik. Fellow Chicago emcees Defcee and Collosoul Structure (of Jyroscope), as well as Uncommon Nasa, join the record for cameos. 

Be sure to listen and follow Short Fuze on Spotify in order to be alerted of the next single and the album drop in October. Pre-Orders for the CD and Digital release will be along soon.

GUILLOTINE CROWNS RELEASE HILLS TO DIE ON 

We are finally here! Guillotine Crowns’ dynamic debut, Hills to Die On, has arrived. Short Fuze and Uncommon Nasa move officially into an era of collaboration as a group/duo. As with their previous work together, Nasa will be providing all of the production, but this time fully participates on the mic as well. Over time Nasa and Fuze were able to build thematic songs over aggressive and innovative production, ranging from inventive boasting to weighted activism. The only thing traditional about this album is that we feel it’s best you hear it AS AN ALBUM. It lays out an evolving pace, ending in a statement baring crescendo. 

They aren’t alone, joined by Chicago’s Jyroscope and SKECH185 as well as Uncommon vets, Tracy Jones, Duke01, Digdug (co-produced a track) and our recently passed and always remembered friend, Gajah. 

The album is available now on all digital streaming services as well as on Bandcamp. We are currently shipping CDs (on both Bandcamp and our Webshop) and taking pre-orders for limited edition Red Splatter vinyl (which will ship in the Fall while they last). 

Don’t forget to follow Guillotine Crowns on Spotify and Instagram and help spread the word. Without you, there is no us. Click the image to purchase.

GUILLOTINE CROWNS' NEW SINGLE DROPPED TODAY, PLUS ALBUM PREORDER IS LIVE  

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa are Guillotine Crowns and today they released a new single called, Art Dealers. It's in advance of their album, Hills To Die On. The album will be released on Vinyl, CD, digital, plus assorted bundles. The album can be preordered on the Uncommon Records Bandcamp (here). When you preorder the album, you'll get Rebel Crowns & Art Dealers right away. Both songs are also available on Guillotine Crowns Spotify page, so make sure to follow them there as well.

Short Fuze Appears On Uncommon Nasa's New EP, Oculus  

Uncommon Nasa & Messiah Musik are back with a new EP called, Oculus. It's a follow up to the critically acclaimed album, also produced by Messiah Musik, Only Child. The EP includes five brand new songs and the instrumentals. The EP includes cameos from Short Fuze and Pastense. You can get the EP on cassette and digital at the Uncommon Records bandcamp by clicking the image below. Oculus is also available on all DSP's including Spotify and Apple Music.

GUILLOTINE CROWNS' NEW SINGLE DROPPED TODAY, "REBEL CROWNS" 

From uncommonnasa.com:

 

The first Guillotine Crowns single is here! Uncommon Nasa and Short Fuze's new duo, Guillotine Crowns delivers Rebel Crowns. The duo is fully produced by Uncommon Nasa and features both on the mic on their upcoming Hills to Die On LP. 

This being their first single, we want everyone reading this to follow their Spotify page so that you can stay up to date on upcoming singles and the album. You can also DL the single for FREE at our Bandcamp, and pay what you want to DL and stream on the Bandcamp app. The single is available at all streaming services, add it to your playlists.

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa Sit Down And Discuss Uncommon Restoration 

Uncommon Nasa and Short Fuze have begun Uncommon Restoration, a full fledged imprint label of Uncommon Records focusing on 45 RPM 7 Inch Releases. They break down the formation and philosophy of the label in this video and, why they chose Tracy Jones as the first artist to launch the new label.

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa Partner On A New Label  

Originally posted on uncommonnasa.com

 

Uncommon Records has now begun a 45 RPM imprint label called Uncommon Restoration. Headed by Uncommon Nasa and Short Fuze, the labels goal is to dig in the back crates of Uncommon Records (and beyond) to deliver forgotten masterpieces on a new and incredible format. There was no better place to start then Tracy Jones’ seminal Humancloud Abandonment project. Originally released on Uncommon Records in 2008, in 2021 it returns. It’s now been re-mastered including instrumentals and a new Uncommon Nasa Remix of the title track - re-introduced digitally through all streaming services including Spotify on January 22nd. 

Uncommon Restoration steps in with a limited edition 45RPM 7” single (now available for pre-order) featuring two tracks from the release, d.d.b. b/w the title track of the album, Humancloud Abandonment. At Uncommon Restoration, we believe in second chances and will be granting them to many songs and many artists as we grow this imprint over time. We’re honored to take on this role in this art form and doubly honored to have Tracy Jones to kick this off. Pre-Orders will land at your doorstep on February 12th, only 100 pieces were pressed and slid into crispy orange sleeves.

Short Fuze Appears On Evolve's New EP 

Evolve has been busy this year, dropping six releases. His newest release, Suicide Tongues-Oblivious Animals, features a cameo from Short Fuze, on the song called, Rich Sinners. It was produced by, Jones Got Music and also features Spy MC. You can purchase the EP by clicking the cover below.

Guillotine Crowns Release The First Stand Today 

As you may or may not know, Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa have formed a new duo called, Guillotine Crowns. Today, they have released a new album called, The First Stand. It features brand new songs and a collection of songs the duo have done together over the years. It is available on all streaming sites, CD and digital for free or as pay what you want. The duo also have logo t-shirts available. Cop everything by clicking the image below.

 

Short Fuze Offers Up A 10th Anniversary Retrospective On Lobotomy Music 

Note: This post originally was written for and appeared on: uncommonnasa.com 

 

In this post, Short Fuze takes over with a song by song breakdown for the 10th Anniversary of an album I produced for him on Uncommon Records in 2010, Lobotomy Music. Before handing it over to Short Fuze, I wanted to add a few words about the importance of this album to myself and the label, both personally and professionally. When you listen to Lobotomy Music today, it's indicative of the kind of music I produce, write and release on Uncommon Records. But I would be remiss to miss the point that in that style and approach for us, this was the first. Lobotomy Music has pointed the way for the following 10 years and beyond that follows it. 

The ironic part about that statement is like many of my productions at the time, I had no idea what we truly had until everything was recorded and I began the second wave of production and mixing on it. Little did I know that I was now a part of what I deem a pioneering album, not just for us as artists, but for hip-hop in general. Uncommon Records had already been around for 6 years in 2010, but I think this is the first album where some our now long time fans really took us seriously as a label that wasn’t going anywhere. That laid a foundation that would expand a few years later when I reached a point of critical acceptance for my solo work by the mid-2010’s. When Lobotomy Music was released, both myself and Short Fuze were still emerging from the shadows of the indie scene we were raised in from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. With that foundation in mind in both of our approaches, I think we fully “got” what we were doing and that was for me to create a complex and heavy landscape and for Short Fuze to tell humanistic, spiritual and relatable stories over such cacophony. It’s a formula that is semi-common place in today’s indie landscape, but in 2010 was truly uncommon. - Uncommon Nasa


Poison Makes Me Pretty 

The beat for this song was the first beat on the first beat CD Nasa sent me. I knew instantly that this beat would be the first song on the album. I originally just wanted a scratch chorus on this song, but Nasa felt it needed a hook, so he laid it down because I had no idea what to do. Back then, once I felt a song was finished, it was hard for me to go back to it. The title was inspired by things I had experienced at that point, bad relationships, strain in my old group at the time and just a lack of confidence in that moment because I had no idea if I could pull off an album by myself at this point in my career.



God’s Waiting Room 

This song would become the signature of my style going forward, dense lyrics mixed with life experience. Shortrock laid my favorite scratch chorus on the album here. I remember choosing different parts for him to scratch for chorus, but Nasa and Shortrock insisted that we use the GZA line on this song. I thought it was too obvious, so I didn’t want to use it at first. Then I heard it and was sold. I didn’t know what to call this song for the longest time. Nasa named this song this after hearing a line from Tracy Jones. That’s why the line is at the end of the song, to pay homage.This song was also the first time my daughter saw me record, so it was a special experience for me because she was only 7 or 8 years old at the time.



Break Down The Walls

 This was the first time Nasa and I realized the chemistry we could have together on the rap side of things. My verse was an open letter to my mother. She was never supportive of my rap career. She generalized all rap music as something negative. She was one of the reasons I rarely cursed in my songs, hoping to get her to listen to my music. It didn’t work. As far as I know, she’s never listened to anything I’ve done. The drum pattern on this beat is also the same on a song I previously did with my old group W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. The song was called, Headtrip from our 2005 album, Rise Of Empire.



Beautiful Anger

Back when I traveled frequently, did more shows and toured, I’d always run into someone I knew in obscure places or I’d come across someone who I’d just met and, they would tell me their life story. I was in Louisville, KY and after a show, we stop to eat and get gas. There is a guy sitting on the curb and he says to me, “You look like a rapper. Are you a rapper?” I said, “Yeah, how do you know?” He said, “You don’t look like you’re from here and you have a different energy. I only see that in rappers that come here.” He asks if I have any CD’s for sale and he starts talking to me about how his girlfriend left him and he needs to find a new place to live. After talking for awhile, I just tried to give him a CD. He refused and said, “Music is art, art is valuable and I always pay for art.” We leave and head back home. I immediately started to write when I got home. This song is about me telling a stranger my life story up to that point. This was the last song to be recorded for the album, the first song I recorded at Nasa Labs and the hardest one to put down because it was an emotional song for me at the time.



Turn Off The Lights 

I originally wanted Rob Sonic on this song along with The Presence. I was a big fan of the song they did together called, Pink Noise. Unfortunately, the talks with Rob fell through. Small tidbit about myself, I hate writing choruses. I always write good ones when I do, but for some reason, I don’t think my voice sounds good for them, so I defer that part as much as I can. The chorus on this particular song is my favorite I’ve written. The song is inspired by the movie, Children Of Men. My verse tackles spiritual struggles, Nasa tackles social and political struggle and Cirrus handles economic struggles. So, they nailed the concept perfectly here. This is one of my favorite songs on the album. Nasa told me he had originally made this beat for The Presence, but they didn’t do anything with it. So it was cool for me to pick up that mantle and make something happen, because I was huge fan of them. The cuts on this song is a homage to them and one of my favorite songs they did called, Woke.



Don’t Feed The Machine 

This song is one of my favorites I’ve done. It’s very personal to me. I touch on a lot of things here in regards to my grandmother, who even though she hated rap music, supported me because she knew I was passionate about it and it could keep me on a good path instead of being out in the streets. I also touch on my view of my father on this song, who I’ve always had a strained relationship with. I wrote the chorus for this, but I hated how I kicked the end of it, so I asked Taiyamo Denku to jump on it with me to give it a different feel. Nasa and Shortrock didn’t think the Johnny Cash cuts would work, I told them it would and to trust my idea. This was my first official single. It gave me a bit of buzz and made it on a couple mixtapes. People love the Johnny Cash cuts because it’s something different. I’m glad Nasa and Shortrock made it work because the cuts make the song. (Editor’s Note: I can remember me and Shortrock sitting in Nasa Labs trying to pitch down Johnny on the turntable to fit this aggressive hip-hop track and thinking “no way this is going to work”. Then in a moment, it clicked in instantly once we got the right pitch, after that it practically played itself from Shortrock’s hand to the track. This was an important moment for my work with Short Fuze, this was the moment I learned to trust his musical instincts. The cut on this song is undeniable. - Uncommon Nasa)



Bully Rappers 

Growing up and listening to rap music, one of my favorite things on good albums was a great posse cut. I wanted to do something like that for my album. Karniege and Eleven were label mates at the time and I was huge fans of them as well, so it was cool to get them on a track. Passive 65ive was someone I knew from the early days Twitter. One day, he emails me and tells me he likes my style and wants to work. I told him definitely. A few months later, he got wind of me working on a solo album and he emails me again and straight up asks if he could drop a verse. I thought it was so ballsy at the time to just go for it, that I was like, I have no choice but to honor his request. So, that’s how he ended up being on the song and being my first UK collab. To this day, him and I are still cool. The last line of my verse references me penning the verse on the back of tax form. That’s true. It was the only piece of paper I could find, so I said fuck it.



Berserker Fury 

I originally was supposed to have Hangar 18 on this song. It went as far as me meeting them when they came to Chicago on El-P’s, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead tour in 2007 and giving them the beat. Unfortunately, me putting the album together was a slow process. So, by the time I was ready to finish the song, Def Jux was on the verge of closing it’s doors and Hangar 18 went on a hiatus. I wound up replacing them with my crew, W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. The song turned out dope, but that’s why my verse sounds the way it did, to match Hangar 18’s style.



Doomsday Device 

This song was important to me as far as addressing stereotypes about religion and Muslim people. I converted to Islam when I was 17, but I never was super religious. Islam did help me find stability and accountability in my personal life. I felt the need to address the stereotypes projected on to me by people, especially after 9/11. Nasa did a great job addressing his own experiences with religion as well. One of my favorite songs on the record. In one of reviews for Lobotomy Music, the reviewer said he was amazed that we even rapped over this beat. That still makes me laugh.



Master Peace 

I wrote this in 2004 for my original solo album that I was planning to do when I was with my original crew. I even recorded a rough version of the song, but never released it. I felt it was still important to my story and spiritual journey at this point, so I re-recorded it for this album. Nasa lost the initial re-recorded version and I had to scramble to redo it again so it could make the record. I still give him shit about to this day. (Editor’s Note: I don’t remember this happening, but it sounds like something I would do. - Uncommon Nasa)



Gorgeous 

This is another song that was planned for my original solo album. A previous version does exist that I produced for my old group’s album in 2005. We chose not to call it a remix because Nasa gave the song such a different vibe, that it became its own song. A lot of people love this song. I really did write this on my 24th birthday. It addresses my battles with depression, the birth of a close friends first daughter, the birth of my own daughter and growing apart with people that you’re close to because life takes you in different directions.



It’s amazing to me this album is 10 years old already. I’m proud that people still mention it to this day. Lobotomy Music was the culmination of my career and life at that point. It perfectly encapsulates my 20’s growing into a 30 year old man. It’s a love letter to everyone and everything that was inspiring me at that time, the indie era that came before me, my life, my family and friends, peers and collaborators, being part of a label that cared and believed in what I was doing. Most of all, it’s a homage to the music I loved that inspired me to do something with my talent. Thank you to everyone involved, Uncommon Nasa for allowing me to be myself and, everyone who has and still fucks with this record.

Guillotine Crowns And Skech185 Release Killer For Charity 

Guillotine Crowns & SKECH185 released a song called, Killer this week. It highlights their experiences, anger and frustration with Police Brutality. The song is available on the Uncommon Records Bandcamp. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Police Accountability Project. You can read the statement from Uncommon Records below:

This track was recorded and planned for the upcoming Guillotine Crowns (Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa) LP, "Hills to Die On", but in light of recent terrifying events we thought it would be more relevant and could do some good if we released it now. It features our good friend, SKECH185. 

100% of the proceeds from this single will be donated to The National Police Accountability Project (NPAP), from their site: 

"National Police Accountability Project (NPAP) is a project of the National Lawyers Guild, which was founded in 1937 as the first racially integrated national bar association. In 1999, NPAP was created as a non-profit to protect the human and civil rights of individuals in their encounters with law enforcement and detention facility personnel. The central mission of NPAP is to promote the accountability of law enforcement officers and their employers for violations of the Constitution and the laws of the United States." You can donate and download the song by clicking the image.

Short Fuze Featured On Uncommon Nasa's, City As School 

Uncommon Nasa recently returned with his new album, City As School, released on October 31st. It is produced entirely by, Kount Fif and features a host of fantastic cameos. Short Fuze joins Gajah, The Last Sons, Shortrock and Uncommon Nasa for the posse cut, Origin Stories. The album was released via Man Bites Dog and is available on CD, Cassette and all download/streaming services. You can purchase the album by clicking the image below.

W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. New Album, BBQ & Chaos Now Available 

Wastelands has returned with their new album, BBQ & Chaos. After Short Fuze and Taiyamo Denku embarked on successful solo careers and, Augury focused on family, the trio has decided to reunite after 10 years. Initially, the album was started in 2011 by Short Fuze and Denku. The handful of tracks that were recorded at that time were vaulted. After a recording session Denku did for Short Fuze, they listened to the tracks they had and decided they should finish what they started. Short Fuze reached out Augury to record new material along with Denku to finish the album. The album features production from: Uncommon Nasa, Dcypha, Black Tokyo, Agartha Audio and more. The crew is excited to have you all hear this album. They feel it's their best and most complete album to date. Click the album cover below to download the album. Enjoy!

 

W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. Drops Lead Single, BBQ & Chaos 

W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. is back after a 10 year hiatus with a preview single from their forthcoming album, BBQ & Chaos. The single also called, BBQ & Chaos is produced by Dcypha and features verses from all 3 members. The full length album will be released in mid August. The group also plans to drop videos and physical product to support the album. In the meantime, you can listen to the song below:

Credits:

Written by: C. Friday, J. Miller and E. Ellis (ChiMil3 ASCAP)

Produced/Cuts by: Dcypha

Recorded and Mixed by: Taiyamo Denku at Denku's Garden, Milwaukee, WI

Mastered by: Uncommon Nasa at Nasa Labs, Staten Island, NY

 

W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. Unveils Cover For BBQ & Chaos 

W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. is almost ready to release their new album titled BBQ & Chaos. It is due to be released in August and will feature production from: Dcypha, Uncommon Nasa, Black Tokyo and more. Ahead of the groups first release in 10 years, Short Fuze wanted to share the cover with fans that are excited about the new album. The cover was designed by DJ Jazzpants, who has been Uncommon Records resident designer for years. He took original elements of the groups use of the nomad and gave it a fresh style. Check it below and stay tuned for more news regarding the release.

  

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa Announce Guillotine Crowns On Last Sons New Single 

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa were recently part of the Last Sons new single, Champions. In addition to that, the duo announced their new group name, Guillotine Crowns. They are excited to release new music under the new name going forward. In the meantime check the stream of the new single below. The preorder Chekhov's Gun is below as well. Enjoy and share!

Champions, taken from the Last Sons upcoming Uncommon Nasa produced LP, "Chekhov's Gun". This track features Guillotine Crowns (Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa) and Barrie McLain. The album will be released on Vinyl, CD and Digitally on March 15th, 2019. Chekhov's Gun is available for Pre-Order on Vinyl or Compact Disc at uncommonnasa.cwww.uncommomshop and is available for Pre-Order Digitally at www.uncommonrecords.bandcamp.com

 

Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa Release Mr. Robot Themed Song, Generosity 


Generosity is inspired by Uncommon Nasa and Short Fuze's love of the Mr. Robot television series and what the show represents in it's message and it's art. This song isn't a play by play of any of the seasons of the show or what happens on them, but it's an attempt to get into the mind of people like Elliot, Darlene, Angela or the other characters. 

What if Elliot was a rapper/poet with something to say about how he found the world? This is that. The goal was to create a song that stands alone whether you've seen the show or not, while also paying some tribute to it. 

Season 3 ended on Wednesday, Net Neutrality ended on Thursday. and now this on Friday.  Enjoy it, while you can. 

A "Pay What You Want" Download with the Instrumental version is available at Bandcamp, it also streams on Youtube and Soundcloud


Short Fuze Unveils Tales From My Rap Life 

Short Fuze has unveiled a content feature on the site called, Tales From My Rap Life. It will be updated with stories from Short Fuze's career, ranging from stories from the road, recording and behind the scenes stuff giving insight on the recording process. You can read the first story called, That Time I Almost Died (Kind Of) At Yule Prog 2. Read here, enjoy!


New Site Design 

Short Fuze has redesigned the site for the upcoming new year. It has a cleaner and easier to navigate look. As always, buy, listen or download music from Short Fuze & Uncommon Nasa or W.A.S.T.E.L.A.N.D.S. here. You see updated content in Video Of The Month, check interviews, album reviews, watch the video for Time And Space, browse photos and more. The will be a new feature launched soon. Enjoy, thank you for your support!


Short Fuze Featured On Uncommon Nasa's "Written At Night" 

Uncommon Nasa dropped the long awaited follow up to Halfway on Friday, August 4th.

Written At Night features heavy hitters like Open Mike Eagle, Guilty Simpson, Oh No, The Last Sons, billy woods, Quelle Chris and more.

The album is produced entirely produced by Uncommon Nasa and is available on Man Bites Dog Records.

In addition to the heavy hitters mentioned above, Short Fuze along with Bronze Nazareth is featured on the track, Gods Aim.

You can listen to the song here 

In addition to the stream, you can purchase the album on vinyl, digital download and cassette. Click the album cover below to purchase and listen.