#BUFFACOLD: Get To Know ILLY ALI
With his influence growing, rapper Illy Ali is stating his claim with his recent project Rosebuds Too. An Eastside Buffalo native who moved to Atlanta in 2008, the rising lyricist has been through a handful of sonic reiterations but finds his footing on the 6-track EP serving as an introduction to who he is now; mature, well-traveled, and telling his story.
“My quest is trying to make music that shows my truest self,” Ali shared.
Initially on the scene back in 2006, Illy Ali’s first contributions to Buffalo hip-hop came through his participation in a young hip-hop crew called ‘Da F.A.M,’ and they released their debut mixtape titled Heart of the City that same year. Their sound, an integration of backpack raps and street lyrics was a dichotomy to the raw, boom-bap movement, which kept them on the fringes of the city’s rising rap community, but that didn’t stop Ali. A graduate of Hutch Tech and Canisius College, Alli moved to Atlanta to pursue music and work as a teacher.
“Moving to Atlanta was a whole ‘nother ball game,” Ali explained. “I started to call myself Sandwich Bag Shawty. Named my first solo mixtape Sandwhich Bag Shawty. We still had CDs then…and I went to AC3 with CDs in a sandwich bag. I started getting marketing ideas.”
An ode to Atlanta’s “Shawty era” integrated with his Buffalo pride, Ali’s work on Sandwich Bag Shawty highlights his duality as a rapper and artist. Besides the constant references to weed and smoking (hence the Sandwich Bag) songs like “Three Ogs,” “Ode to Blo,” and “Friend or Foe” display the street tales of the versatile rhymer, with grand instrumentation. But he keeps the project exciting with party-centered tracks like “Go Green,” “Whip Game” and “Shawty Smoke,” which stretched the boundaries of standard hip-hop production - don’t be surprised to hear his background vocals throughout the project.
A constant collaborator on Sandwich Bag Shawty is Buffalo-based beatmaker Anthymonthetrack. Producing most of Ali’s work, including Ali’s follow-up to his solo debut and the 3rd installment called Sandwich Bag Season, Anthym joined forces with Ali to create a hip-hop duo called The Dignitaries. Creating from 2010 to 2017, The Dignitaries released their own project titled Chess Not Checkers towards the end of the year-showing off their lyrical chops. Standout tracks like “The Beckoning,” “Freaked Out,” and “Book Of The Dead” finds the two going tit for tat throughout the project.
“In 2017 we cracked the code. We had a group of 4 people but…we did a couple songs with just Anthymonthetrack and myself and I knew that was the sound that kind’ve the people wanted…for us to finally just come together and do a project with the two of us was an evolution,” Alli shared.
Also starting their record label called Native Alien, Anthym and Ali continued to work closely. With a fresh rebrand, Ali matured his sound. The rapper strayed from his Sandwich Bag Shawty identity to Rosebuds - signifying his move to a storytelling-centered narrative, which gives major homage to Buffalo.
“I did 3 volumes of Sandwich Bag Shawty with weed symbols on everything and I didn’t want to just put myself in that 4/20 category…there’s more to me, there’s more depth,” Ali explained.
Inspired by his childhood experiences of singing in the city’s church choir called Rosebuds and his interest in love songs, Ali’s 2020 effort deepened his intention. The 6-track EP slows the rapper’s pace, with rich production from smooth strings to simmering 808s. With the themes of love, romance, and good bud on the project, Ali ups the ante - he produced most of Rosebuds and features fellow artists like 7xve The Genius, Tommi Cole, and Fee Love.
“I wanted to kind of give listeners a glimpse into my production,” Ali mentioned.
Expanding his sonic journey with Rosebuds set the tone for his follow-up released last year. Rosebuds Too is poignant, and sharp, but still maintains Illy Ali’s clever edge as a lyricist. His single “Don’t Walk Away From Me” is a culmination of his introspective storytelling, lyricism, and smooth production. Also, take a listen to tracks like “Blood With My Brothers,” and “I Love You.” Always repping Buffalo, Alli’s unique collaborations and approach to his music make him one to watch.
Listen to “Don’t Walk Away From Me” here:
Follow IIly Alli HERE
#BUFFACOLD: MOLOTAV MALL
Shot by Rob Szobski, Lit716
Notable rapper and entrepreneur Molotav Mall continues to change the narrative. The longtime rhymer known for his brassy anthemic rap tracks and larger-than-life personality grants a new sonic offering on a joint album with rapper Duka Deniro, titled The Dialogue. The 808-pumping, melodic album gives a glimpse into the rapper’s musical palette today; a refreshing take and reintroduction to the artist who has been through some brand changes with businesses and collaborations - but still continues to shine a light on his unique artistry.
“I’m an artist, but more than an artist…I connect people together.”
A personality at the core, the seasoned rhymer first caught our attention in 2019 with the emergence of his recording studio, Chakra Bar Studio. Bringing art, music, and small events to an unassuming area in the city, South Buffalo, Mall’s artistic flare and colorful charisma grew a buzz that elevated himself and his consistent collaborators; talents like singer/songwriter Lindsay Bartlett, energetic rapper Keydolla, and gutter lyricist Madface Mossberg, among many others. Building a foundation off of his music, and also on his studio, gave Molotav Mall a curatorial edge with his work and industry relationships. His early projects like the 2018, 16-track Fuel 4 The People set the tone for his staple sound and position as a dynamic socialite.
“Fuel 4 The People” was a vibe when I was trying to like…bring a positive aspect. “Fuel 4 the People” was motivation music.”
His early mixtape which included its predecessor of the same name is all about positivity and relatability - a theme that can be traced back to his roots. Growing up in downtown Buffalo, and coming from a family of personalities who were also aligned with the entertainment industry, it’s no surprise the rapper and his music are creativity-orientated.
“I grew up in the Perry’s (Perry Projects) and I always had a lot to say. I used to read a lot of books...I used to always write; write poetry, write stories, draw, eventually that turned into expressing myself through music.”
Leading both with an artistic inclination and street sensibility quickly made Molotov Mall an anomaly in the city’s hip-hop scene, and possibly a leader of the rap music movement in South Buffalo. Dropping a slew of singles and small works after his mixtapes and continuing to highlight rising artists, the rhymer continued his work at Chakra Bar Studio until his rebrand last year. The studio is now a smoothie shop - a change due to growing a better relationship with the community is the rapper’s way of maintaining his presence and entrepreneurial grit.
“South Buffalo is segregated…I’m kinda here for a reason to help change the narrative around here. We giving back...There’s no healthy spots. There are only fast food spots and bars…we hangin’ in there.”
Despite Chakra Bar Studios being no more, Molotov Mall’s passionately positive approach to his business changes and his new project, makes for exciting anticipation of what he will do next. With The Dialogue fresh off the press and continuing to make its rounds, it’s clear the seasoned rapper has no sign of stopping. Listen to the project here.
A.I. THE ANOMALY RELEASES “BONNETS & BANTUS”
“Can I paint?” is what Buffalo-based rhymer A.I. The Anomaly says before the simmering breakdown on her new single, “Bonnet & Bantus.” It’s been a while since we’ve heard that same line. Before, it was on her blowout single “Eastside” in 2019; It’s very fitting here too. The faith-based femcee touts the same high energy and her out-of-the-box lyrical prowess on the Carolinah Blu-produced mid-tempo track where she unravels another layer of her womanhood.
With artistic ease, A.I. touches on grind culture, goals, and staying focused. Connecting the prep of black hair care ( Bonnets protect hair and Bantus preserve the state of the hair) with the mindfulness needed to hustle makes the single an instant motivational anthem she hopes will positively impact her listeners.
“As a woman and an entrepreneur who loves hip-hop, I wanted to be encouraged by what I’m listening to so I wanted to create something that would encourage myself,” she explained. “Also motivate those who move like me, those who are in similar spaces. I also wanted to create something that I could share with my daughter… I’m really trying to uplift women, uplift people in general, no matter where you come from you can do something. You can create the world that you want to create for yourself.”
Adorned with textured sounds from oozing synths to trap-flavored drums - a premier sound profile from the dream team that is Blu and A.I., the song ultimately pushes the message of self-love, personal growth, and determination. Particularly after the bridge, A.I gets more transparent - it almost sounds like she’s speaking directly to her daughter or maybe to her younger self. Lyrics like “Look into my eyes until I find you little girl/ Lost on a road I will find you little girl… No matter where you come from grow something, little girl,” finds the Christian rhymer at one of the most introspective points in the song - and discography so far. For us, this deeply emotional and climatic masterpiece is more proof that the staple lyricist’s creativity has no bounds. Listen to the new song below!
BIG STEEZE IS PUTTING ON FOR NIAGARA FALLS
During the summer of 2022, rapper Big Steeze released a highly anticipated 7- track project called Face Of My City. Featuring an impressive roster of rising rappers and producers ( Quisi La Flare, Go Hard Kiss, 96_ Garden$, etc.) from what we call “The Falls,” Big Steeze was front and center flexing his rhymes, larger-than-life style, and spreading an underlying message that Niagara Falls has talent. Untapped and underrated, Big Steeze hopes his ascension will shine a light on a city that not only holds one of the 7 wonders of the world but a community of fiercely talented artists paving their own way in an overlooked city. The rapper, who has had an impressive rise this year himself - opening up for artists like Dave East, Jay Critch, Benny the Butcher and touring with Conway The Machine, sat with us in October to talk about the Face Of My City project, Niagara Falls’ hip-hop scene and what the future hold for his career.
Watch Below and listen to Big Steeze on the #BUFFACOLD 2022 Playlist Here
Follow Big Steeze on IG: @im_steeze