Brian Fresco – Twenty Five [Stream x Download]

Oft imitated but never equaled, the DJBooth Freestyle Series ran from February 2009 through June 2011. Its 250 total entries were the work of a veritable who’s-who of underground and emerging emcees, including rising stars like Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller. Now, it’s back for a second round. The 40th entry in the relaunched series comes courtesy of Brian Fresco, the Windy City buzzmaker who introduced himself to the Booth with September’s reader-approved Bae. On Twenty Five, the unsigned emcee flexes his lyrical muscles over an original beat by SaveMoney-affiliated rapper and producer Vic Mensa. Fred Lozano provides original artwork to accompany the freestyle. Twenty Five is dedicated to the artist’s son, Zion, who celebrates his birthday October 25. Fresh off the September 25, release of SoulMoney, his 10-track collaborative EP with “Soul Trap” originator Tree, Brian and his collaborator recently traveled out west to perform a November 25, show as part of Red Bull’s “30 Days in L.A.” concert series. He currently has no forthcoming projects on the agenda, but we’ll keep you posted as we learn more about his plans.

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Brian Fresco & Tree – SoulMoney [EP]

The collaborative project from SAVEMONEY’s Brian Fresco and fellow Chicagoan MC Tree, SoulMoney is here via the good folks over at Noisey, who handled the premiere. The project perfectly combines Fresco’s off-kilter, angular flow with the frenetic chopped soul samples and funky original production from one of Chicago’s most talented beat makers and artists to boot. Soul Money has benefitted thus far from a solid buzz and the first listen certainly won’t disappoint. Check the project out at the link above and browse through the releases of singles “Rose”, “On My Soul” and “Bae”.

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Brian Fresco feat. Tree – Rose [Stream]

For the first single from his highly anticipated collaborative EP with Tree, the second installment of the rapper/producer’s SoulTrap EP Series, Save Money’s Brian Fresco lets loose the infectious track “Rose”. This track, as well as the rest of the SoulMoney EP, was produced by Tree who also lends one of his unmistakable, raspy-voiced verses. The song speaks on the highs & lows of juggling a burgeoning career in the entertainment business while dealing with responsibilities that come along with everyday life and its effect on them & the people surrounding the two emcees. The song was partially previewed about a week ago in a short, in-studio video clip. The response from that video clip has been resounding and demand for the full, cd-quality version has been through the roof. So now that you have it, enjoy…

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