Doc’s Thumbs Up: Eze Jackson “Goals” Official Music Video

Baltimore rapper Eze Jackson released the visuals for his single to Goals mid-August, and I’ve finally gotten around to seeing it! Eze gets in our face about taking ownership of his crafts and surpassing all those people who “bluff” about what they do. Baltimore rapper and president of arts and entertainment brand Epic Fam tells us what he means when he envisions goals.

Watch the official video for Goals.

The first time I caught wind of Eze was in 2014 attending open mics around Baltimore City. But it was after I volunteered at Baltimore’s 2018 Artscape festival when I saw him perform Unapologetically Black, that I knew I was a fan of Eze’s music. His content has the ability for movement in people that not many artists can’t capture in their art. It’s also a rare commodity in “Baltimore Rappers,” and more generally, the crab artists of Baltimore City, as mentioned before in my blog series Quality vs. Quantity (Part 1): The Saturation of Wanna Be Artists In Baltimore’s Art Culture.

I wanted to share this video because it’s a humbling message to inspire moving in silence when working towards your goals.

The visuals in Goals look chaotic which brings my attention forward and alert. Words swarm across the screen. Silhouettes and images pop up in weird places. The video is everywhere. But as you listen to the lyrics and watch the video, all the same, you start comprehending Eze’s message. Everything is blah blah blah (means nothing) unless you’re really out here making things happen. This dude has tunnel vision for the chaos and “work” that other artists broadcast. He’s a veteran in his field with receipts to back up his accomplishments. The message is to hold what’s important to you, like your goals, at close range so that people who prey on your downfall won’t bring ill-will.

We all know that person who’s always blasting to the masses their next move. Or we know someone who gets way ahead of themselves blasting what they plan to do but never gets around to it. These people leave no room for mystery when it comes to what they have coming next, then ponder thoughts of why bad things happen or don’t happen at all. They leave room for their competition to plot and enemies to prey on their demise. It’s a rookie mistake. Honestly, do you see rap and hip-hop moguls like Diddy and Jay-z blasting their next business venture? Eze is making it known that that type of person isn’t allowed in his circle.

If you like the title track Goals, there is definitely more to come. Early October is the awaited release of the EP Goals; a masterful production brought to you by some of Baltimore’s great audio enhancers, one of the many who brought us the Baltimore Open Mic series event Baltimore Beat Club, Line-Up Room Production, Station North Sound and Mobtown Studios.

Do you have your calendars marked? Do you like this song? Leave if you’ll bump or pass this in the comments below.


Have you watched the video for the last Doc’s Thumb’s Up? Watch Doc’s Thumbs Up: Jai Ivy “I Know” ft. Luki Music Video Premiere on Doc’s Castle Media.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Jai Ivy “I Know” ft. Luki Music Video Premiere

Last time I did a Doc’s Thumbs Up was for 4tae’s “Right Where I Wanna Be” Official Music video in 2015. I definitely need to catch up because there is so much content I’ve seen over the years. I’ve watched so many artists flourish in their crafts. I’m just long overdue to share what dope work I come across. It’s when someone really makes me feel they put in the effort to make a creative piece, it deserves its praises from me. That’s why Jai Ivy’s “I Know” ft. Luki makes Doc’s Thumbs Up

Ivy dropped her music video for “I know” August 11th via her YouTube Channel. It’s a simple music video that tells a story of heartbreak, something almost every girl can relate to. Honestly, during the generations full of entanglements, hook-ups, and situationships, Jai Ivy’s style is a hammer to nail when it comes to the many woes in the emotional roller coaster we call a toxic love.

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The video follows Ivy as she deals with some doubt about the guy she’s dating. They get into an argument, and we watch and get frustrated along with her in the many inaudible cut scenes of her in a debate with the male actor of the video. This scene isn’t unfamiliar. In fact I think this is how Ivy pays homage to many R&B divas before her.

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“I Know” Official Video has an old school 90’s throwback vibe, taking me back to the days of pretending to be Brandy “sitting up in my room” writing in my diary about my many teenage woes. Not sure if the video release was in correlation to the recent Netflix premiere of popular Black Sitcom Moesha. The thought definitely came up as I watched this video. And to top it all off this month, we also got the news that our 90s R&B goddesses Brandy and Monica will be battling each other in the highly anticipated 90s throwback Verzuz battle this coming week! AND it’s on Jai Ivy’s Birthday; August 31st! Woo!

Check Out Jai Ivy’s “I Know” Official Music Video Below:

Jai Ivy is a Baltimore Native artist who is often spotted attending local shows throughout the city. Her album Bleu can be found on all music streaming services. Take a listen to Bleu on Spotify. Follow her on Instagram at @lovee.ivy

What do you think about this song? Leave your comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: 4TAE’s “Right Where I Wanna Be”

Today’s musician I’d like to highlight is Baltimore’s own R&B/ Soul artist 4TAE.

4TAE launched his professional career in 2005 playing with the Eubie Blake legacy jazz band and Marcell and the Truth. He has opened up for various artists, such as Anthony David, Anthony Hamilton, Algebra Blessett, and Lupe Fiasco.

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He also played alongside artists, such as jazz violinist Regina Carter and Raheem Devaughn. Along with the Trombone, 4TAE plays piano, bass guitar, and is a producer. He is currently working on his debut EP “Blue hart”.

Stated via 4TAE’s press kit:

“His music is described as a smooth explosion of hip-hop and R&B. Music lovers will enjoy listening to the sexy smooth sounds of this new artist.”

Well, I’ve had the chance to be the judge of that as I was tagged in a recent music video of him on Facebook. Check out, “Right Where I Wanna Be” below.

The video and song were quite cool. It very well did pass off a smooth kind of vibe. I think the video complimented the theme of the song very well, too.

What did you like about the song? Leave your comments below.

Listen to Duck Myers “Like Stars” Feat Sha-D  on Doc’s Castle Media.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Duck Myer’s “Like Stars” feat. Sha-D

Today’s Doc’s Thumbs Up goes to a boy I’ve met while at work. Haha.

Meet Duck Myers

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First introduced in my post “Shoutout to Baltimore Punk Rock Band Ballyhoo for Setting Off Halloween the Right Way,” Duck Myers caught my attention when he walked to my booth while working an event for CBS Radio. We-vibe for a little while about Baltimore’s lack of support for local talent. Then I let him listen to a track I recorded. He took an interest in my music and I couldn’t wait to hear what he had.

When it came time Mr. Duck Myers would finally send me something to hear, I was amazed because not many people who walk up to me at an event for CBS follows through and actually are talented. Haha. “Like Stars” is his second song submitted.

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Like their name (Rage)aholics, the song gives me that feeling of wanting to lose control. It’s one of those get-up and party hard like you were born to live a Project X type of lifestyle.

I suddenly want to make a documentary of my life’s desire to want party. Hmm…

I’m uncertain if this song has visuals, like a music video or lyric video. But I can picture this video being very colorful and full of alluring activity similar to what goes on in the film Project X. The director might have to “eff” around with these effects to create their own sequel for the movie.

What do you think about Like Stars? Does this sound like a song worthy of radio play? Leave your comments below.

Have you seen the last Thumbs Up? Watch Doc’s Thumbs Up: Hazmat Remi’s “Evolve X” on Doc’s Castle Media.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Boutzie “Intoxico” ft. Jimmy Apoet & FLuX

Baltimore artist Boutzie arrives on the indie music scene with her new single “Intoxico,” a track meant to show the woes of partaking in the various choices of recreational activity.

Indeed, this isn’t your ordinary turn up “let’s pop a molly” type of hip-hop song. Many tracks I come across usually praises the “glorious” life of drugs and living in the fast lane. But this submission doesn’t quite get you hopping out your seat ready to twerk or even imagine yourself in a room full of “Thots” ready to “pop-off,” like an average 2 Chainz song. Instead, it inflicts a self-conscious feeling. Thoughts like ‘why do I even do this drug or condone this behavior’ pops in your head while listening to it.

With lines like ‘Oh it’s murder, the conceivable thoughts that’s unheard of…,’ I’m unsure if I’m suppose to feel a little dark inside for wanting to take that shot of Jose I commonly do.

Sheeeeeesh. Should I chill or what? *Pours shot down kitchen sink drain*

Intoxico features Baltimore artist Jimmy Apoet and Baltimore artist and producer FLuX, both very talented emcees and previously highlighted on Doc’s Castle Media. With a talented group like this coming together to spread common awareness in this very unique way, a person could already tell this may even spark a movement.

So…Where does Boutzie come from?

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This isn’t the first time Miss Boutzie has graced Doc’s Castle Media presence. Last February, she was featured as a Baltimore Blogger in my 2014 Blogger’s Rundown Series as the inspiring Briana Ragler, and what a surprise to see she has another hidden talent. Girl can sing?!?! Who knew?

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I love the eery feeling that comes from hearing “Intoxico.” Though it makes me question my lifestyle, its “read between the lines” call to action is rewarding not only to me, but also in generation that prides itself in doing illegal and very questionable recreational activities. With depicting the dark truths of how being intoxicated can overtake your body in mesmerizing, without a care, sense, maybe there is a chance to push these unconscious motives that I have for the song in others; subconsciously just suck the “turn up” out of their little unruly bodies.

I sound like I’m 75 years old. Believe, I do turn up. *cough cough*

Let’s be for real here. If more artists can take part in pushing songs like this, people would walk around second guessing what they do for fun. It might not be a guarantee to resist but it leave space to ponder. I like when people are made to think.

This new sound from Boutzie makes me anticipate what the visuals, if there should be any, may look like for this eerie track. I see darkness, lots of slow motion shots, and maybe a creepy church bell? I guess, we’ll have to wait and see.

What do you think about this song? Leave your comments below.

Have you seen the last Doc’s Thumbs Up post? Watch Hazmat Remi’s “Evolve” Official Music Video on Doc’s Castle Media.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Hazmat Remi “Evolve X” Official Music Video

For Hazmat Remi to be labeled as a “based” artist, “Evolve X” makes me ponder what the heck is based music?! If you’ve ever listened to any of the original basedgod Lil B’s songs, you’ll understand what I mean. In an interview with MTV’s The Vice Guide To Everything, Lil B explains based music as a genre where the artist expresses him/herself positively. Some based music can be negative, but if it is, it must also have a positive message embedded in it, as well. So to sum that up, based music is really too broad for me to redefine for my readers. Haha

There really is no easy way to explain what it is, you just experience it. A good based artist has the ability to capture you, regardless, with their unique approach to sharing their “positiveness.” I’ve met my share few based artist in Baltimore with that ability, one being Hazmat Remi with her song “Evolve X.”

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There’s lots of positivity in this music video, and I love the message Hazmat Remi leaves in her lyrics for this song. Though I’m not very fond of much based music, Remi makes it a lot easier on my ears to take in.

I might have beginner ears for this genre. Who knows?

Become someone. Be something. Love.

“Evolve X” makes me feel like running to random stranger to bombard them with my friendly hugs for the simple reason they’re living the best way they can. Life’s is going to be okay. Everything will be fine. It’s a song that makes a person embrace the approval of oneself during hard times; during a time where people see more evil than good. We as a people must become an acceptable society as a whole for future generations. Indeed, Doc’s Castle Media is all for that!

*cough cough* “It’s Your Talent…Own That Shhh!” isn’t my slogan just for the hell of it.

Even the Hazmats seem to be comfortable walking the streets carelessly, worry free, and ready to evolve. They want you to hop on board the evolving train. Do something that’ll awaken the brighter you for a better us.

What do you think? Do you like Hazmat Remi’s “Evolve?” Leave comments below.

Are you a supporter of Baltimore hip-hop? Read Doc Talks About Supporting Artists In Baltimore With @BaltimoreFlavaRadio on Doc’s Castle Media.