Last fall, DMV rap duo DTMD dropped Makin' Dollas, one of the year's better local releases, which was rich in nostalgic soul sounds and thoughtful lyrics. Today, the duo released the video for "Raw," which incorporates all the things you'd expect to see in a throwback rap visual: hooded sweatshirts, dirty stairs, and a rooftop. Guest verses come from Godly MC and Kev Brown.

Born's impressive mixtape, 909 Jack BTS Pause Mix, is out today. It's an 18-track onslaught of released and unreleased material designed to stir anticipation for Behind The Scale, which drops Feb. 14.

909 Jack is free. Listen below.

On his new album out today, Jon Laine says he wanted the same thing. GIANT finds the Northern Virginia drummer taking center stage over a formidable collection of local hip-hop elite, including X.O., Kev Brown, Oddisee and Kaimbr, among many others. "I just wanted the best of the best," Laine says of his new album. "I wanted the top MCs, and singers that people know and don't know. I wanted the beats to hit you in the face."

Maybe that's why certain songs, especially those with notable guests, are mixed louder than those with lesser known talent. On "gimmeSomethin'," for instance, the track is a riotous mixture of strident boom bap and record scratches, and I could barely hear Oddisee's and Heron Gibran's vocals. "Kragenoff," and the unrelenting funk of its instrumental, takes precedence over rappers Kev Brown and Ken Starr.

Elsewhere, "soitGoes," featuring singer Danielle Wertz, is much quieter and allows her to shine through the electro-soul sound. "connected," with its overwhelming West Coast vibe, is given an East Coast kick with a decent showing from rapper E Major. Overall, GIANT stands firm as an atmospheric collection of hip-hop, R & B, and dusty soul rhythms, a culmination for Laine as a multidimensional effort with plenty of Chocolate City soul.

Go here to purchase the album.

The local InnerLoop record label returns with its 23rd edition of the popular "Beatdown" series, which allows local and national producers to display both exclusive and well-known tracks for the audience.

As organizer J-Scrilla explains it, The Beatdown showcase used to be an avenue strictly for local producers to demonstrate their sonic abilities, but that eventually ran its course. The showcase on Sunday will feature 88 Keys, who has crafted beats for Kanye West and Kid Cudi; Bink!, who's worked with Jay-Z and Rick Ross; DJ Spinna, of Pharoahe Monch fame; and Landover's own Kev Brown, a producer for Busta Rhymes and De La Soul.

During the show, each producer will be lined up along the stage and asked to play beats that coincide with certain themes, Scrilla says. For instance, organizers could ask the DJs to rock a beat with a stirring soul sample, then ask them to play a track that could fit in an adult movie. As Scrilla puts it, the themes will depend on the crowd's energy.

The Beatdown, beginning at 10 p.m., will begin with live performances from RA the MC and SM City. The producer showcase is set for 11 p.m. Tickets are $10 now, and $15 at the door. U Street Music Hall is located at 1115A U St. NW.

1. Kragenoff Pt.1
2. Kev Brown – Snowfall
3. Kragenoff Pt. 2
4. Roddy Rod – Donny’s Carol
5. Kaimbr – Carolofthebells
6. Kev Brown – Christmas Wish
7. Kragenoff Pt. 3
8. Kev Brown – Egg Nog
9. Kaimbr – MerryChristmas2U
10. Kragenoff Pt. 4
11. Kev Brown – We Car-roll-ing! (This Christmas)
12. Kragenoff Pt. 5
13. Roddy Rod – Cold Outside
14. Kragenoff Last In Line

Another Random Joint – Kev Brown from Humble Monarch on Vimeo.

Word to Rakim, Adams Morgan weekend nightlife is a bit like a walk through hell, having your dome frozen and your eyeballs swelled. Double-Polo'd fratboys do battle over jumbo slices, too far gone girls puke in alleys and drunk dudes holler sloppily at your girlfriend with both hands. But hey, some people dig that scene.

Either way, the mellow boom bap of DC's own rapper/producer favorite Kev Brown (De La Soul, Low Budget) seems like an unlikely soundtrack for this madness. Yet this short clip from Kev's Random Joints LP was shot squarely in the heart of that chaos and some how manages make sense. The crowds look absolutely jolly in this video and even the for-no-reason firemen that sometimes clog traffic in front of Tom Toms are happy to see Kev. Adams Morgan should consider hiring directors HumbleMonarch to produce a fluff piece to promote the neighborhood.