Tag Archives: REASON OVER TREASON

Q&A With Los Angeles Based Hip Hop Duo REASON OVER TREASON

Much respect REASON OVER TREASON for the dope debut EP. Before getting into the new EP, for the readers who don’t know, how long have you guys been making music?

Divine: We started making music about 5 years ago.

Osirius: Yep about 2015.

What are some of the major takeaways, positive or negative, growing up in South Central Los Angeles? How has the city embraced your music so far?

Divine: I was born and raised outside of Boston and moved to LA back in 2006. My East Coast foundation is the energy I draw from when I produce. Los Angeles has embraced what we do I think because we are being ourselves. We aren’t searching for hits necessarily; we truly care about the craft.

Osirius: For me it’s always how folk react to my style coming from LA. My pops played a lot of Gangstarr, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, AZ, Nas, and so forth so that experience shaped my flow on some other shit. It’s unexpected. Everywhere I spit we get love for sure. It’s always that one or two people after a show that comes to pour their heart out. I love it.

How have you guys been doing during this pandemic? What do you think about the whole situation? How are you pivoting your music grind during this time?

Divine: The pandemic has truly been a blessing as it relates to my artistry. It’s forced me to slow down and get back to what I love and reassess what the focus should be. This time has been a tough one but a good one as well depending on how you choose to look at. I choose the positive perspective. We are working on new music and I have a beat tape I put together during this time titled “Thoughts Become Things Vol. 1” that I will be releasing next month. The pandemic has honestly made me hungrier.

Osirius: We on top of things for the most part. Thankful for being healthy and watching over the little ones. It’s a damn shame as far the social climate and loss of life is concerned. We restricted to the booth and social media for now but can’t wait to get back out on the open mic. I got a feeling the public will start opening back up after elections.

Just heard the debut EP, “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1.” ! The production is super dope!! Briefly describe the creative process involving the EP? Writing and producing?

Divine: To be honest the production on this project is old, we started this project years ago and the beats I made are from back then. For me when I create music I always start with listening to samples. Once I hear something gritty or something that makes me stop what I’m doing and listen closer I know that’s the one. From there I chop it up and find some drums that match the sample. Working with an MC like Osirius who is a true lyricist, I know that I have to leave space for him to be himself on my tracks, so I strive not to overcook my beats.

Osirius: Life is strange and amazing, yo. I take from instances and encounters that astounded me and put them in metaphor. It’s like Divine throws me a beat and I paint the canvas and press record. It’s been a 1-2-3 process but now we plan to brainstorm together and cook up in the same setting and see what happens. It’s been dope so far but now is where we really push the limit.

In a few words, what do new listeners expect to hear on this debut?

Divine: Street Knowledge served raw.

Osirius: How To Cut A Diamond Vol. 1 is a witty, esoteric polishing of the mind’s eye.

All the songs were on fire! On your behalf, what are your top 2 tracks off the project?

Divine: My two favorites are “Blood In My Ink” and “Killjoy (Gods With Guns)”.

Osirius: That’s a tough one! “Schallah Rock Universal” and “Still Kill”. That’s just me personally.

Any new videos coming out off the project?

Divine: Vol.2 is done already so we are planning to put out some videos off Vol.2 soon.

Osirius: Maybe one more video off Vol. 1.

Anything else in the works for the rest of 2020? If so, let our readers know!

Divine: One of the great parts of the pandemic for us is that it made us more self-sufficient, so we decided to create our own studio. We have been working on new music and this is levels above anything we’ve done in the past!

Osirius: We just released “The Pre-Medi” mixtape on Youtube and Spinrilla in anticipation for How To Cut A Diamond Vol. 2. For all readers out there, check out the hiphop novel on Amazon entitled Hoodhartha authored by myself, Osirius Lewsyphr.

Our infamous question! What’s your definition of “underground hip hop”?

Divine: Underground is where the soil is and the soil contains the nutrients that we all need to survive, so to me underground hip hop is and always has been what feeds the culture. You can only consume fast food for so long before you must come back to eating healthy again.

Osirius: What defines Underground hiphop is the gall to lead the masses, not follow. Even if it means going against the grain in order to represent.

Where can people find more of your music? Is there a main platform?

Osirius: Search Youtube for now. REASON OVER TREASON.

Lastly, any shout outs involving the release of your EP?

Osirius: Shout out to my brother Marcus Hunter for the art cover and Iron Sheik out the Wu-Tang Squad for his special guest production, no doubt. Big up my Road Schallahz. SCHALLAH UP!

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REASON OVER TREASON – “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1” (EP Review)

Los angles Born project and Duo REASON OVER TREASON release their latest EP “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1” a 2020 drop produced by Devine Milk and written by Osirius South central raised rapper. I was impressed with the slick look of the cover art it matched perfect with all the expectations.   As we dive into the album I can see this is one to anticipate as the 9 track album was cultivated by the two.

Track one started with a production with a sonic sound merged with Hip-Hop boom bap and Egyptian folklore music, This is a rare combination but impactful every-time. In recent hip-hop history we find artist who were able to successful merge the two like Busta rhymes “Arab Money”. “Higher Design” was calm and poised with the focus around over standing and the intricate bars. The delivery was dynamic and words used shows arrangement and gritty songwriting style. “Reason for Treason” has a unique vibe that yells golden age, I appreciate the the grass roots Hip-Hop elements as the collaboration enhanced the sonic approach.

“Schallah rock Universal” was another fusion sounding track with old school samples that push the soul forward. The Delivery of Osirius is hard hitting like a Big L mixed with a DMX, And the lyrics are just as impactful. I can see this alliance going far as they both excite the rap psyche for more.

“Kill Joy (Gods With Guns)” was a smooth production very classic feel this time around I got a Fabolous vibe with LA overtones. This track was explaining the war between the incarnated Gods,  So far on the album this was my favorite track because of the substance and delivery.  When I 1st heared “21 Grams” the low profile street vibe is perfect for the vibration created by the duo. This song makes me think of a short film explaining this song more in depth.

“Blood In my Ink” is another class of music as it nostalgic of 2pac songs like “Until The End Of Time” with this multi faceted song touching on the shadow side of the soul we see new elements around the rap duo. One thing we look for in great albums is delivery, substance and evolving content, I hear all of these elements as the album continues to play. Its only natural “Professional” is the next song on the track list , “The new Gods be the Old Devils” this was a impactful quote meaning the process of change and the flip side to understand yin & yang.

“Heart Grows” Starts with a dynamic soul sample that gets you in-tune with record right away. I especially like production as it stays consistent and unique every-time the sample heavy producer Devine Milk shows why sampling is his specialty creating classic sound after classic sound. “Still kill” was the perfect ending song with a Jedi Mind shot leaving the listener wanting more. “Waves extremely low but the frequent” This bar alone shows the wordplay and visual skill Osirius exhibits ending this album. For more updates from Reason Over Treason, Follow them on Instagram @osirius_lewsyphr_writer @divinemilk777 for new music and visual.

8/10

Highlights: Substance Production & Delivery 

The post REASON OVER TREASON – “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1” (EP Review) first appeared on UndergroundHipHopBlog.

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REASON OVER TREASON – “21 Grams”

Check out this new single titled “21 Grams” by South Central Los Angeles based Hip Hop artists REASON OVER TREASON (Osirius & producer Divine Milk), off their debut EP “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1.”  Follow them on Instagram @osirius_lewsyphr_writer @divinemilk777.

The post REASON OVER TREASON – “21 Grams” first appeared on UndergroundHipHopBlog.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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REASON OVER TREASON – “21 Grams”

Check out this new single titled “21 Grams” by South Central Los Angeles based Hip Hop artists REASON OVER TREASON (Osirius & producer Divine Milk), off their debut EP “How to Cut a Diamond, Vol. 1.”  Follow them on Instagram @osirius_lewsyphr_writer @divinemilk777.

The post REASON OVER TREASON – “21 Grams” first appeared on UndergroundHipHopBlog.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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