Category: The Music Highlight

Kush & OJ Revisited: Alissa Fere’s Creative Tribute to Wiz Khalifa’s Iconic Mixtape

When I dropped the 4Da Streetz music video on Halloween 2025, it wasn’t just a visual—it was a love letter. A tribute. A full-circle moment. Because long before I was Alissa Fere, before Doc’s Castle had a name, before A Voice of My Own was published as a chapter, there was Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ.

Wiz Khalifa’s 2010 mixtape wasn’t just a vibe—it was a blueprint. The soundtrack to my early creative grind. The orange juice, wake-and-bake mornings, and late-night plotting. The smoke, the smoothness, the sense that you could build your own lane and cruise in it. Kush & OJ permitted me to dream out loud.

“Never Been” and “In The Cut” are two songs that really captivated me. They’re among my top favorites on the mixtape. I’ve always felt a strong connection to their beats, thinking I’d love them forever. Years later, that inspired me to write my own lyrics for “Never Been.” The original beat isn’t available on streaming services. I found through Reddit threads that it’s because the beat includes a sample from the 1995 video game Chrono Trigger. However, Sledgren’s original beat resonated with me, much as another artist, Logic, used it for his 2012 mixtape, A Tale of Two Stans. To celebrate Wiz Khalifa’s 15th anniversary, I’ll do the same. With it, I’m including the 4Da Streetz song and a mic drop tribute video on Doc’s Castle Media, showing my appreciation.

When I heard the anniversary was coming up, I knew I had to pay my tribute in my own way. That’s how 4Da Streetz Official Mic Drop Video came to be.

A Tribute in Motion

Shot and directed by the visionary Shot by Swish, with The Real Smirf bringing the energy of Easy Rider and The Lineup Room providing the sonic backbone, 4Da Streetz is more than a music video — it’s a thank you — a nod to the mixtape that shaped my sound, my aesthetic, my hustle. Every frame is laced with the spirit of Kush & OJ — from the laid-back confidence Fere exudes as she sits on the couch in the studio, gazing at the pink smoke clouds, to the unapologetic pride in where she’s from.

Other honorable mentions I’d like to thank for producing this moment in Alissa Fere’s timeline are the engineer who helped lay down the track at The Lineup Room Studio, Track Smith, and Dreez of TrustIn Records for mixing and mastering the track.

Then Came the Anniversary Drop

On November 14, 2025, Wiz Khalifa and Rostrum Records released the official 15th-anniversary edition of Kush & OJ, now streaming everywhere. The re-release includes two unreleased tracks from that era—“Over Here” and “Champagne”—gems that feel like they were tucked away in a time capsule, waiting for this moment. Hearing them now, weeks after releasing 4Da Streetz, felt like a cosmic nod. Like the universe saying, “Yeah, you were right to honor this.”

Listen to the 15th Anniversary of Kush & OJ.

From Mixtape to Memoir

In A Voice of My Own, I talk about how Kush & OJ was part of my origin story. It wasn’t just music. It was a motivation to write about one of the memories of a time when I listened to the tape. Writing my song Jose (Liquor Talkin) from a moment before vibing to the original tape taught me how to build a vibe, how to stay true, how to let the world catch up to your frequency. That mixtape helped shape Alissa Fere. And this tribute—this video, this moment—is my way of giving flowers while the music still plays.

So stream the anniversary edition. Watch 4Da Streetz. And if you’ve ever had a mixtape that made you feel seen, heard, or unstoppable—this one’s for you too.

Did you see what I dressed as for Halloween 2025? Read “Im My Alter Ego for Halloween 2025” on Doc’s Castle Media.

I’m My Alter Ego for Halloween 2025: Alissa Fere

For many years, I’ve dressed up as a variety of characters. Halloween has always been my time to shine, a moment to embody creativity and personal expression. This year, my costume is more than just a look—it’s a personal release and a performance. I’m stepping into the shoes of someone known only to me: my alter ego, Alissa Fere.

In the past, I often chose costumes inspired by trending topics or cultural moments. This year, with the world feeling uncertain and chaotic, I wanted to create something meaningful and authentic rather than topical or morbid,  like an expired SNAP benefits card or an unemployed SSA employee.

Read: Get in the Spirit of Halloween: 5 Halloween Costumes by Doc

Despite the turmoil and challenges we face nationally, including the ongoing struggles since the Trump administration’s policies, I find hope in the resilience and solidarity of communities. Families in Oregon organize food drives, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the generosity in Maryland through my work with Instacart, delivering food to those in need. These acts of kindness inspire me to believe we can emerge stronger.

Since my son arrived, he’s developed a love for Halloween that mirrors my own. His costume had to be special—he requested to be a Happy Dragon. After weeks of interpreting what that meant, I transformed him into the happiest dragon I know. His creativity fuels mine, especially during this season.

Ro, The Happy Dragon and my sister dressed as a sim.

I chose to be his partner in crime this year. The Mother of Dragons herself visited my spirit, painting my hair blonde. I became Daenerys Targaryen, the fierce and complex character from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and the HBO series Game of Thrones. Walking alongside my son in this tradition, which my sister and I have cherished for three years, was truly magical.

The Many Faces of Halloween

Over the past decade, I’ve embodied many characters—from Tina Belcher of Bob’s Burgers to a Covid-19 germ, to cancel culture itself. Each costume tells a story, reflects a moment, or challenges a narrative.

Introducing Alissa Fere and the Official Mic Drop Video

With the release of “A Voice of My Own,” a free chapter from my memoir 4Da Streetz, I’m unveiling something special: my alter ego Alissa Fere and the official mic drop video for my very first music video.

Alissa Fere

Born in the Underground Dojo, Alissa Fere found her voice in Baltimore’s underground arts scene in the early 2010s. She is the alter ego of Taylor “Doc” Walker, founder of Doc’s Castle Media, and more than a name—she’s a reckoning.

For years, Alissa observed from the shadows, learning the grind and grace of artists around her while quietly nurturing her own lyrical fire. Now, she bursts forth with unapologetic boldness. Her music is raw, honest, and unfiltered—a declaration of selfhood, survival, and resistance against the silence polite society demands.

Alissa Fere doesn’t just write music. She tells it like it is. No filters. No apologies. Just her truth, amplified.

How to Engage with This Release

This Halloween, I’m not just dressing up—I’m stepping into my power and inviting you to witness the birth of Alissa Fere. Stay tuned for more creative releases and performances from Doc’s Castle Media.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Recording 4Da Streetz at The Lineup Room: Where Baltimore’s Sound Comes Alive

The Lineup Room is a Baltimore Hip Hop and Rap Recording Studio with mixes that are featured on Netflix, Billboard, and HBO. It’s the stomping grounds for many of the city’s creatives—Eze Jackson, TT The Artist, DDm, Mighty Mark, SU The Clique, Jay Ivy—who’ve all tapped into its production and engineering magic. The resume and notoriety of the studio alone is immaculate, and a big motivator for why I chose it as the location to record the official 4Da Streetz music video.

A Hub for Baltimore Creatives

The Lineup Room isn’t just a studio, it’s a cornerstone of Baltimore’s hip-hop ecosystem. Known for its professionalism and artist-first approach, it consistently rises above the noise of other city studios by nurturing talent and respecting the creative process. Whether it’s helping songwriters refine their sound or supporting recording artists in shaping their vision, The Lineup Room delivers with intention and care.

Beyond the booth, the studio plays a vital role in community uplift as a proud contributor to The Dream Bigger Community Institute’s flagship initiative, Beats Not Bullets, a transformative program that empowers at-risk youth through hands-on education in music production, sound engineering, and the business behind the art.

The Lineup Room Instagram. Sept 2025

I Chose the Lineup Room

I’ve recorded at The Lineup Room multiple times, working closely with engineers who provided exceptional customer service. The sounds were crisp—even before mixing and mastering. While being serviced at the studio, I worked with individuals who not only recorded my songs but also gave vital feedback and encouraged the development of a sound for Alissa Fere, my music persona and alter ego.

Now, let’s be real. While working on 4Da Streetz, I hit a few bumps. Some engineers were a bit shaky to work with. But what business doesn’t have a few bad apples trying to get a come-up? When I ran into issues, I knew my guy Brandon Lackey would make sure my project was handled with care. One quick call to an old friend, and he ensured I was satisfied with how everything turned out.

Read: The Music Highlight: Jose (Liquor Talkin) by Alissa Fere on Doc’s Castle Media

A Voice of My Own, a standalone chapter from 4Da Streetz The Book, traces Alissa Fere’s journey through Baltimore’s Underground Dojo, a space where raw experience meets lyrical truth. While her breakout track “Jose (Liquor Talkn)” wasn’t recorded at The Lineup Room, it’s the studio where the visual heartbeat of 4Da Streetz came alive. Filming there wasn’t just about location. It was about intention. The Lineup Room became a vessel for Alissa’s reclamation—a sonic sanctuary where she sparked a continuation of her story, embodying her voice, her truth, and her power.

Daniel Hess Interview with Brandon Lackey of The Lineup Room Studio

To learn more about Brandon Lackey and his journey with The Lineup Room, check out the interview with Daniel Hess of To Tony Productions.

This interview was awesome, mainly because they did it while coloring with Crayola crayons. Shout-out to the crayon plug. I love to color! Beyond that, it gave me deeper insight into Brandon, the owner of The Lineup Room, where he discussed the history and mission of a studio that’s been serving Baltimore artists since the early 2010s.

If you’re looking to book a session, hit up The Lineup Room on their official site. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just getting started, this studio knows how to honor your sound and your story.

Have you heard 4Da Streetz by Alissa Fere? Watch the lyric video below.

Doc’s Castle Release The Official Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist Vol. 1

Doc’s publishes the first Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist, six years after the Doc’s Thumbs Up segment first premiered as an additional commentary segment highlighting artists on Doc’s Castle Media. 

It’s a long time coming, but honestly it never crossed my mind until I realized I was already creating my playlist without noticing. The IG algorithm was strong this year pushing way more musical artists than in the past, and I’m not mad at that at all because I love my ears being immersed in absolute originality. What I did that was so different this time was search Spotify for artists who I thought were cool and saved their songs for “later.” Boom, now I have a list.

I spent an entire year saving songs for later. Beginning Fall 2020 to Fall 2021, I added songs that got me through my days.

Aye, Baltimore! I summon you to stand up first, here, as I’m a native and understand the “Baltimore struggle,” I have to use my first Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist to highlight the artist I love hearing from my hometown. Just to drop a few artist names that I included in the Doc’s Thumbs Up Vol. 1 Playlist, we have Abdu Ali, Kaotic Couture, Kariz Marchel, Kay LA, T.Ali, Miss Kam, Butch Dawson, Hazmat Caz, and so much more.

I’m certainly not the master of curating playlists. I simply like what I like. When I want to listen to a song for a while, I make it a habit to add it to my own track list like I used to make mixtapes back in high school. So this isn’t that much of a big deal than what I’m about to gas this up to be. But anyway…Doc’s published her first Doc’s Thumb’s Up Playlist. Woot woot!

I’m uncertain if I’ll make another Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist. I did enjoy creating this one. It takes a lot of work finding local artists to include on this list. I spent many work days searching social media and Spotify to find songs I liked to listen to while working out, creating in my art studio, or to include on my daily drives.

Maybe, if I decided to create another playlist, I’ll do a collaboration with someone else. What do you all think? 

Shout outs to these two brands that inspire me to curate my very own playlist. They are themselves Baltimore talent and the few media outlets I subscribe to when keeping up with what’s hot in the DMV region. These local media specialists are a great start if you’re looking on where to find out who’s worth listening to locally.

Karlito Freeze, host of and Rides with Freeze, and former host of Strong Way Radio.

ParkMag, underground hip-hop online publication and curator of 8 Baltimore Playlist via Parkmag.space.

Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist Vol. 1

Listen to Doc’s Thumbs Up Playlist Vol. 1 via Spotify.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Kotic Couture Celebrates One Year Anniversary of Pink Durag A Few Weeks Before #DuragHistoryWeek

Kotic Couture celebrates their one-year anniversary of the official music video for Pink Durag ft. 310N this August 2021. And I can’t help to wonder if they meant to release the video for Pink Durag weeks prior to Durag History Week. Today I share in its glory by making the Pink Durag featuring 310N official music video the latest Doc’s Thumbs Up feature on Doc’s Castle Media.

Kotic and I go way back to 2016 working for Baltimore pop hits radio station Today’s 101.9 as promotion assistants. Thank God we’ve evolved from those humble beginnings. I always loved Kotic’s straightforward tell-it-how-it-is attitude. So when they told me who they really are outside of working at the station, I kept following them closely on all their social media so I can watch their musical journey.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CFmw3-Up_Y7/?utm_medium=copy_link

Kotic makes waves in Baltimore like no other. From appearing in the Netflix documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat, DJing, and opening up for other musical artists in Baltimore, to hosting parties at arts and entertainment venue Crown in Baltimore, Couture alerts are from every direction in the DMV and tri-state area. Obviously, the couture is juicy because the Kotic buzz has been busy for a while now. They also appeared in Spotify’s DMV Ripple Effect Playlist as a feature on Miss Kam’s FTCU along with Ddm. Finally, as of recently, they’re traveling more booking gigs across the east coast from New York City to even DJing in the PBNJ Block Party club music tour on August 28th in New Jersey. Like, is this Kotic giving us all that they got? …because gah!

http://www.instagram.com/p/CS92nHpL001/?utm_medium=copy_link

Kotic Couture Pink Durag ft. 310N Official Music Video

Pink Durag is the Doc’s Thumbs Up feature because it’s long overdue. The video premiered last August while I was still learning how to build this website. Now, I remember while Kotic celebrates its one-year release via Instagram. I’ll say this post is better late than never because they deserve all the recognition they can get with this one.

In honor of #DuragHistoryWeek, Kotic Couture is here with it. Though there isn’t a durag insight in this video, the message is as strong as its staple in the black community. Kotic shares with us via email the idea came during the pandemic after watching, what felt like consecutive, fatal killings as a result of police brutality. “The deaths of George Floyd, but specifically Breonna Taylor and Oluwatoyin Salau, left such an impression on me. I was tired of screaming on the Internet. I literally had to tell myself to calm down so I started working on music.” Out of frustration, the song was born. 

The production and visuals of the video are fire, but the overall message is what should take you away. Breaking barriers from what society pictures as the norm is what makes Kotic one of my favorites in Baltimore’s art scene. They can really put on a show defying the odds and truly showing who they’ll be.  But listen closely to the spoken word closing out the video.

Kotic narrows our attention on Oluwatoyin Salu, a 19-year-old BLM activist who was murdered days after protesting for George Floyd in Tallahassee, FL. Her murder highlighted the notion that despite being the backbones of communities and large movements, Black women still face a high risk of facing a violent end. I love that Kotic took a moment to bring this message to the forefront. It is what truly should be on our minds in her case. The music video defies stereotypes, sure. This breeds a fire 🔥 reaction in itself. But Kotic is also spitting a message American’s need to hear.

The sound and video are a bit different from the usual fast tempo or club banger from Kotic. “The last time people saw a visual from me it was loud and colorful,” Kotic shares. Pink Durag is quite different which shows, early, them to be versatile through maneuvering genres. With this skill, we can expect them to work with numerous different artists in the future. Wow, oh wow, at what we get coming from little ole Baltimore, hmm?

Durag History

Over the course of a decade, summertime is designated as an hour for black people to ride the Durag wave. In September 2014, Durag History Week was declared by Van R. Newick II in a thread of memes via a tweet and Black Twitter went wild. Black people started to come together yearly in honor of celebrating durag history by sharing their favorite durag memes on social media. A few years later, visual artist and activist Dammit Wesley initiated the 1st annual Durag Festival in Charlotte, NC to showcase its history and dismiss the stereotypes associated with black hair and black culture. Just this year on Juneteenth, black folks in NC celebrated its 3rd annual durag celebration, and on July 25th the residents of Milwaukee saw their 1st durag festival. What’s to say that these durag traditions won’t evolve and carry on to more cities and states.

[Read more on “The Renaissance of the Durag” by Alisha Acquaye via Allure]

I wondered if there was any relation to releasing Pink Durag the time black people love cherishing durags so much. Actually, Kotic told me the durag didn’t have any influence on the song at all. “I definitely didn’t wear a Durag on purpose. I never want to be too predictable or cheesy and the song had nothing to do with Durags, that’s just the metaphor for things sitting on your mind, so I didn’t think that being in the video needed to be represented.” I guess I’ll scratch the idea of Kotic touring in Charlotte and Milwaukee offering to perform Pink Durag for next year’s festival is officially off the table. 

What do you think? Do you like the video? Share your comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Five Artists on Frequency’s Ripple Effect DMV Playlist Not from Baltimore

Spotify’s Frequency Playlist highlights the music of artists from the DC, Maryland, and Virginia regions. Some of the DMV’s well-known hip-hop artists Rico Nasty, Pusha T, and Ari Lennox come together on Spotify’s Frequency Sunday Dinner podcast to discuss the Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist. I had the time to listen in and wanted to further give a Doc’s Thumbs Up to the artists in the DMV who made this dope hip-hop playlist. So I list five artists to listen to on Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist who do not live in Baltimore city.

The DMV is finally getting its well-deserved flowers from major folks in the music industry. I always knew our region had a spark about it. Too many of my talented friends were going unnoticed in the last decade. But I believe major industry folks are seeing how DMV artists are able to hold their own without traditional media backing. In the new area of social media, everyone has a platform and most of these artists have a loyal following that they work hard for.

[Read about Who’s Behind Spotify’s Frequency’s Playlist on Spotify Newsroom]

Spotify’s Frequency consists of 4 playlists that were ”created in response to a climate in which Black voices in music, fashion, business, and more continue to be left out of the narrative, their contributions left underappreciated and underrepresented.” The Ripple Effect playlists’ mission is to uplift artists who are unknown, unsigned, and from underserved genres. So this playlist was specifically tailored to serve our people!

As savvy underground listeners, we have uplifted these artists through online streaming services. We added their songs to our playlists on services like Spotify and YouTube Music. Supporters followed their Soundclouds. Fans attended their local shows. I’m so proud to see Spotify highlighting dope artists from the DMV, and it’s because of the buzz that’s created by supporters of these talented individuals. It’s a great thing to see, especially coming from where we come from. When we work hard, we elevate to new levels. Some of the Baltimore artists to make the lists, I watched constantly at work for years. Now they’re getting recognition past the borders of the city.

[Read: Busting Out of The Crab Barrel: How to Support Baltimore Artists on Doc’s Castle Media]

I woke up to expressive Instagram posts from Baltimore artist and last month’s Doc’s Thumb’s Up feature Miss Kam and Baltimore MC Deetranada excited about being featured on Spotify’s Frequency Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist. Rico Nasty also gave shoutouts on The Frequency Sunday Dinner podcast released on July 29th to Miss Kam and Baby Kahlo. Such awesome talent emerging from the DMV area. Other Baltimore artists to grace the ears of listeners of the playlist are DDm, Kotic Couture, CalvoMusic, YG Teck, Ernest Third, and Mighty Mark.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CSCnaGdFZTz/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Artists of Baltimore definitely get the top pick of the litter here on Doc’s Castle Media when it comes to highlighting talent. It’s because of my Bmore pride, I want to give my hometown its well-deserved recognition. There’s over 40% of our views coming from Baltimore readers. So I give people what they’re used to seeing and what they like to see represented in the city. But today, I decided to check out a few more artists from The Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist because everyone on it deserves a good listen. 

I’m pointing out five artists whose songs feature on the Ripple Effect playlist that I heard for the first time thanks to Spotify. Take note of these artists’ names and tracks as we may hear more from them in the years to come.

Five artists to listen to in the Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist who don’t live in Baltimore:

Dreamcastmoe – Washington, D.C.

Soul Belongs 2 U is a cool love song by Dreamcastmoe that puts you in a new atmosphere. It might sound a little creepy, but I can Digg it. Just think of speaking to the love of your life than telling them that their soul is now yours. That’s the type of effect I want on my man. “You’re mine,” said like Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat. Yeeeeeeeah, that’s the vibe I got when I heard it. Haha! Dreamcastmoe got a dope song there.

Leeto – Woodbridge, VA

Broken reminds me of songs by Juice World and what’s funny is in Leeto’s YouTube bio, it’s said that’s who he grasps musical inspiration from. He’s only 16 years old and I can already pick up on musical influences in his tracks. That’s a skill that many artists at that age aren’t able to hown. Good job! You’ve got my attention, young grasshopper.

Kelow Latesha – Prince George’s County, MD

Let’s add some girl power to this list. Charizard made the Ripple Effect Playlist and it came on with a punch. Let me tell you I did not put this list on any particular shuffle so I wasn’t expecting Charizard to come on after hearing IDK and Young Thug’s PradadaBang. This is something fast-paced that I’ll consider adding to my workout playlist while I’m getting this Thirsty 30 Body right. Kelow is also one of the two female rap artists to make the playlist that does not live in Baltimore. Rico Nasty is the other.

Shaolinn – Virginia Beach, VA

It’s very rare that I find an r&b/hip-hop artist that I like. So it feels good to come across Heavy Heart on the playlist. It gives off an R&B/alternative kind of vibe. Very calming to my ear after hearing so much rap at the start of the playlist. Don’t get me wrong, that’s not the entire list. Shaolinn is one of those soothing voices to subscribe to because we aren’t all hard here in the DMV area. There are some dope vocalists here, too.

Shy Lennox – Richmond, VA

Shy Lennox is another smooth-sounding alternative R&B artist coming with his song Poolside. He’s an actual vocalist who studied vocal performance at Virginia Commonwealth University. But his song Poolside projects for me “audiovisuals,” similar to if I closed my eyes and started seeing what is being sung vibrantly. It’s relaxing.

There are 58 tracks on the Ripple Effect: DMV Playlist. Nearly three hours of original content from unsign and unheard-of talent from the Washington metropolitan area. These five artists shared today are only a snippet of the full list.

Listen to Ripple Effect on Spotify:

Other mentions on the playlist that we head nod:

Mya -Worth It

GoldLink – White Walls

Baby Sosa – Money Shower

Jabb – Fvck Dat

Shy Glizzy – Ridiculous 

Share what songs you like from the playlist in the comments below.

Doc’s Thumb’s Up: Miss Kam FCTU featuring Ddm & Kotic Couture

Baltimore Artist Miss Kam is a force to be reckoned with creating buzz for herself straight out of BMore. She releases our most recent Doc’s Thumbs Up feature this month. The official video for FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture dropped in early June, and what can I say? What better song to pick from the Tew Faced album to be this LP’s first visual piece of art, than FTCU?

Miss Kam has been on the Doc’s Castle Media radar for quite some time now. The first time I saw her in action was in a cipher for Beet Trip Episode 60 summer of 2020. A year later, she creates buzz traveling for her musical performances and collaborating with other talented underground artists. Her efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Miss Kam is bursting out from the shadows so much so she mentioned in an interview with The Working Title Podcast that she’s even gained attention from the legendary hip-hop artist Missy Elliott following the debut of her We Are The World featuring Zadia official music video. So this lady is certainly a big deal.

Miss Kam released her LP Tew Faced last December 2020 via Bandcamp. It’s definitely worth blasting in your car, or even maybe in some headphones during your work shift since that’s how I listened. The LP is composed of 14 original tracks and features five other local Baltimore music artists. Awesome is she that the previously featured Doc’s Thumb Up artist for Faded, T.Ali is one of the honor guests.  Mentioned in her Bandcamp biography, Miss Kam “sets the tone with her rich, yet gritty contralto voice; all while being paralleled with angelic harmonies and unique production.” While she creates this audio art, she makes it “clear on delivering the audible conceptualization of what it truly means to be a Gemini.”

Miss Kam is definitely a “make it happen” queen. She understands the power of social media and uses it to promote original content. Simply check her numbers. She always keeps her social media booming running up retweets and likes while posting weekly freestyles and supporting other artists in Baltimore. My favorite campaign to watch is Freestyle Fridays when she posts new weekly freestyles for social media followers. She’s also a huge supporter of Bandcamp Fridays, a day when listeners can purchase music and an average of 93% of their money reaches the artist/label (after payment processor fees).

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Miss Kam often creates campaigns to promote her music and encourage the support of her peers. She collaborates with local business entrepreneurs promoting natural skincare and haircare products. Last summer she launched a campaign selling self-made beanies to raise money for her Tew Faced campaign. Doc’s Castle Media supported by purchasing and we received such a thoughtful note from the queen.

All this greatness said about this goddess, we want to give her her props where it’s due and grant FTCU with a Doc’s Thumbs Up for the hard work she’s putting in. 

FTCU features two other Baltimore’s hip-hop artists Ddm and Kotic Couture, both artists and representatives of the LBGTQ community, and also advocates in Baltimore’s Club music culture. They both made appearances in the club culture documentary Dark City Beneath the Beat directed by TT the Artist. Miss Kam couldn’t have chosen a better duo to shut it down for the video. Stylish, poised, and polished, yet still giving us a jab of fierce savagery through their lyrics, they definitely band together to show us how they come to “fuck the check up.” The track truly is giving us Gemini vibes. I’m a Gemini, myself. So I approve this message.

Watch full Video to FTCU featuring Ddm and Kotic Couture 

Listen to Miss Kam’s Tew Faced by visiting her Bandcamp.

What do you think about FTCU? Let’s start a conversation. Leave your comments below.

Baltimore Club Music Documentary Produced By Issa Rae and Directed by TT The Artist Now Streaming on Netflix

You could feel the spirit of K-Swift in the production in this one. Issa Rae, TT the Artist, and Nexflix come together to showcase Baltimore city’s club culture in Dark City Beneath The Beat documentary. 

Dark City Beneath The Beat initially premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and American Black Film Festivals prior to the 2020 pandemic. The documentary premiered mid-April 2021 with a bang on Netflix while artists in Baltimore share in pride and excitement across their social media timelines opening weekend.

I can speak for many in Baltimore when I say we were a little skeptical of the documentary. It’s been years since I celebrated club music. I reminisce of my peak in embracing Baltimore’s club culture when I joined dance battles amongst my middle school classmates. I miss making up dance routines with my neighborhood friends. Those fun moments in my past that I associate with club music and viewed as a distant memory, aren’t as extinct to many artists like TT the Artist, DJ Mighty Mark, and DJ Blaqstarr.

It was in the early 2000s when the city lost its club music queen K-Swift. There are small glimpses of a rise of Baltimore’s club culture – back when K-Swift traveled and advocated nationally for house music prior to her passing. Without K-Swift, the aura is not the same. It’s like the people of Baltimore secretly get jealous of acclamations that other house music listeners from states like, for example, New Jersey claims “to being the land of the greatest club music, ever.” & Such claims are absolutely absurd, of course.

TT The Artist is a Baltimore city arts advocate and director of Dark City Beneath the Beat. She speaks about the hate she receives considered an outsider of Baltimore. Originally from south Florida, TT moved to Baltimore city and fell in love with Baltimore’s club culture while attending the Maryland Institute College of Art. When she left to pursue dreams in Los Angeles, she exited carrying with her the precious sounds of the Baltimore club mix to push an evolution. TT saw something magical. She felt that club music and dance were too good to keep confined to the streets and people of Baltimore city. She sees a culture that uplifts a community that also needs to be uplifted in return. So she created this documentary.

About the Film

The artists featured in the film have the charisma to share with the world what Baltimore’s club culture is about. What I and many other people lack is the knowledge of how they do this. The film sheds light on groups and organizations working to keep the Baltimore club music culture alive. Viewers learn a brief history of club music, the names of staple icons, such as dancers, singers, and producers, in the current Baltimore’s club music scene, and soak up the essence of feeling Baltimore’s original beat. The documentary isn’t so caught up on historical breakthroughs in club music by highlighting influencers that we so often hear of like the well-known Frank Ski, Rod Lee, and Ms. Tony. Rather we learn about influencers in the culture today. A new list of artists comprised of dancers and community leaders like Uneek and Tsu Terry.

I gave the documentary a shot the morning it premiered on Netflix and wasn’t disappointed. I had faith in it doing well so I support it. It stands as a good representation of what Baltimore club music does for those who live here. It’s not so prevalent in my lifestyle as it once was for me as a child, but the beat still speaks to me whenever I do hear Baltimore club mix. It’s near impossible to watch the film without doing the crazy legs or sexy walk in my chair. It should be the same for anyone who’ll stream the film on Netflix. I encourage others to give it a shot, too.

Overall the film gets a Doc’s Thumbs Up because TT The Artist served her purpose well. She paid homage to Baltimore and forged a visual representation for a famous Baltimore art subculture. She works her ass off helping to pave a lane for this art. The film is beautifully done. I commend her and everyone involved in the production of Dark City Beneath the Beat. It deserves to be celebrated.

Watch Hey Baltimore! Produced by Kariz Marcel and written by Rufus Roundtree and Eze Jackson.

This song was featured and can be streamed via the Dark CityBeneath the Beat soundtrack.

Do you have a favorite Baltimore club song? Leave your answers in the comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Ashley Sierra’s Dummy Official Music Video

Lately, it’s been all about supporting and watching out for Baltimore Artist here on Doc’s Castle Media. In keeping up the momentum by sharing yet another local artist, the Doc’s Thumb’s Up for this week is Ashley Sierra’s Official Music Video for Dummy.

[Read Busting Out of the Barrel: How to Support Baltimore Artists]

Ashley Sierra was put on my radar in 2015 at the 2nd Annual Baltimore Beat Club event hosted by recording studio Line Up Room. She was one of the many freestyle artists to grace the beat club stage and leave a lasting impression. I have followed her on social media since, and look how she’s a feature on Doc’s Castle Media. 

Ashley Sierra’s Dummy is a song glorifying the Baltimore slang term. The word Dummy is of authentic Baltimorean culture. It’s defined in the Urban Dictionary as a word to address someone no matter the situation. “What’s Up Dummy” is a common greeting amongst Baltimoreans. Ashley also gives plenty of examples of how the word is used in the track. 

[Read How Baltimore Talks via Baltimore Sun.]

When asked where Ashley got the inspiration to create the song, she says from simply being a Baltimore native. “Dummy is a part of our slang. We say it to refer to a friend or comrade. I just wanted to introduce the world to some Baltimore culture, as well as make a visual statement about the current division in America to encourage reconciliation between America and D.O.C (descendants of slaves)” she shares with Doc’s Castle Media.

Ashley’s use of the word Dummy is catchy and captivating. Similar to her branding and artistic persona, the song gives off a “homegirl” vibe. That’s why it doesn’t come off as a surprise that Ashley’s song gives me thoughts of a friend who’s there to the end no matter what the situation or cause. A “dummy” is just that. The matter is that she’s lyrically painting her visual of comradery but also being first hand that representation, is awesome in itself.

The song Dummy, for me, is reminiscent of moments from my childhood. It makes me want to sit on my front porch similar to how I used to do in the 90s with the radio blasting and a bunch of my neighborhood friends, or shall we say “dummies,” vibing right along with me.

Dummy is from Ashley Sierra’s latest EP Noir Cycle which is available to stream and download on all major streaming services. Click here to visit her Link Tree.

Watch the official video for Dummy:

Dummy is one slang word Baltimore uses often. Can you name other popular Baltimore slang terms used as lyrics in songs? List them in the comments below.

Doc’s Thumbs Up: Rewind by HazmatCaz Official Music Video

I love the Hazmat Chicks; Caz and Remy! We go way back to kicking it in former recording studio The Dugout Dojo in Baltimore, MD. Whenever I see my girlies making things happen, definitely will share what pride I have in their work. This week’s Doc’s Thumbs Up is Rewind by HazmatCaz Official video.

[Watch Doc’s Thumbs Up: Hazmat Remi “Evolve X” Official Music Video on Doc’s Castle Media]

hazmatcaz
Photo from Hazmatcaz Instagram

Hazmatcaz, since having gone viral in early 2019 for her “Hood Siri” interpretation, has been featured by multiple news outlets such as Yahoo News, Fader, ViceTV,  and even snagged an interview with Kings of Comedy mogul and talk show host Steve Harvey. Caz’s blow up even caused her to start her own web series on YouTube to keep up with the hype of her newly found fame as Hood Siri.

But…Caz is a rapper first and has expressed plenty of times that she’d rather be recognized for her music. So I want to bring it back to highlighting the official video for Rewind because it’s dope like her.

Rewind is visually vibrant! Like the rainbow in Caz’s hair, every color of the rainbow appears in this video. Life looks great. It’s a life anyone who’d enjoy having a good time would want. Caz personally directed the video and did well creating that very visual of being young and fun. She talks about rewinding back to a time she’d love to relive “over and over.” Take her back to a time where she’d bask in the idea of doing these things “again and again.”

Rewind is an exclusive video from Hazmatcaz that can be found on her SoundCloud and YouTube channels. Watch the full video.

Hazmatcaz also released a new music video over the Christmas holiday for her new single Me. Watch the video via Hazmatcaz YouTube Channel.

http://www.instagram.com/p/CJRuNDIjjmN/?igshid=7z1p6bp48ier

So what do you think about the song? Is Hazmatcaz someone you want in your playlist?