SLUG Contributor Limelight
July 5, 2018
Contributor Limelight: Taylor Hartman
Taylor Hartman has written for SLUG since February of 2016, keeping SLUG’s music reviews sections replete with content about local, experimental electronic music and new-school rap. Hartman lives and breathes writing, which he does both for leisure and professionally (he’s an assignment editor at Fox 13 News—independently affiliated, not Fox News). He considers the online-exclusive interview feature with Lucid Sound Driver and his print classifieds-style listicle “Beats for Sale!” from our April 2017 Records, Labels and Audiophilia issue his favorite SLUG pieces. Always ready, Hartman scribed “Tattooing Now and Then: Apprenticeships, Digital Media and Craftsmanship in a Fast-Moving World” for our Local Tattooing issue on pgs. 22–23. We are continually excited to have Hartman on board with his passion and talent. Keep an eye out for more of his comprehensive work!
Articles by contributor
Top 5 Hip-Hop Albums of 2021: Semetary – Rainbow Bridge...
Sematary = Lil Ugly Mane + Gorgoroth + Bladee … read more
Local Review: Nostalgic90s – Carolina Blues 2
Nostalgic90s = $crim + Gunna + Pi’erre Bourne … read more
Review: Angry Blackmen – REALITY!
Angry Blackmen = Death Grips + JPEGMAFIA + Wolf Eyes … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: August 2021
As summer’s end grows near, this month’s Local Music Single Roundup has everything for those not ready to let go. … read more
Local Review: FERRARI$MOKE – Cra$h
FERRARI$MOKE = Gunna + Lil Durk + Polo G. … read more
Local Review: Gabino Grhymes – Darvey Hent
The combination of grimey rap styles with a more laid-back, westcoast flow makes Gabino Grhymes’ Darvey Hent a perfect springtime listen. … read more
Twisted Roots: Bringing Afro-Caribbean Style and Community to Downtown SLC
Twisted Roots is about more than just selling merchandise and items in a brick-and-mortar store: It’s about supporting a community. … read more
Jesusxvix: Bringing Diversity to Utah Photography by Celebrating the Human...
Jesus Rodriguez’ photography is a celebration of people, and, for the artist, an opportunity to examine the diversity of the human form. … read more
Review: BSTFRND – Proof of Pace
BSTFRND = Mall Grab + Vektroid + DJ ÆDIDIAS … read more
Virtualized: $liing
Piecing sounds together makes music interesting for $liing, who, after four years as a producer, still likes to keep things fresh. … read more
Virtualized: Ben Ra
Though there’s no official “hottest in the whole town” award for hip-hop and rap in SLC, Ben Ra is definitely up there. … read more
Review: H31R – Ve·loc·i·ty
H31R = Lil Simz + Apani B + Angelika … read more
Local Music Singles Roundup: November 2020
As an addition to SLUG’s coverage of EPs and albums, find here reviews on new singles from artists strewn throughout the Beehive State. … read more
Review: P.O.S. – Chill, Dummy
P.O.S. = Death Grips + Brother Ali + Mobb Deep … read more
Review: Kilo Kish – Reflections in Real Time
Kilo Kish = Erykah Badu + Grimes + SZA … read more
Review: Various Artists – Slap Lake City Vol #10
DJ Juggy = DJ Esko + Mix Master Mike … read more
Local Review: zonekidd – resurrection of a dead flower
zonekidd = Greaf + Jinsang + Oregontrail … read more
Local Review: Young Yankee – THE DEFIANT
Young Yankee = G-Eazy + J Cole + Mac Miller … read more
Local Review: The Outsiders – Soul Vision
The Outsiders = The Pharcyde + The Roots + Black Star … read more
Local Review: The Myster-E – Beautifully Human / The Waiting...
The Myster-E = Aesop Rock + The Fugees + Mos Def … read more
Local review: Swell Merchants x Scatterbrain – YOUNGA$$$CATTERBRAIN
Swell Merchants and Scatterbrain = Azizi Gibson + A$AP Mob + Chris Travis
Local Review: T-Squared – I Never Promised You a Rose...
T-Squared = Atmosphere + Pouya + A$AP Twelvy … read more
Local Review: Swell Merchants – Diamond Life Lover Boy
Swell Merchants = Pro Era + Freddie Gibbs + The Underachievers … read more
Local Review: SWIM – Jade Dreamscapes
SWIM = Blank Banshee + Blank Body + Baths … read more
Local Review: SNXFF – Years Ago
SNXFF = RZA + Erick Sermon + Clams Casino … read more
Local Review: Shadø – Szn
Shadø = Lil Baby + NBA Youngboy + Yungeen Ace … read more
Local Review: Scatterbrain – Alleviation
Scatterbrain Alleviation Self Released Street: 04.19 Scatterbrain = J Dilla + RZA + Questlove Local producer Scatterbrain has been putting in the work recently. His most recent album, YOUNGA$$$CATTERBRAIN, a collaboration with local hip-hop crew Swell Merchants’ YOUNGA$$ NICO, came out on April 20 and showcased this young musician’s strength as a producer. Alleviation is
Local Review: Scatterbrain – Ambience & Overindulgence
Scatterbrain = Blvck Sand + Greaf + Clams Casino … read more
Local Review: Requiem Breakdown – Zonkers
Requiem Breakdown = Chromeo + The Weekend … read more
Local Review: Regular Ass Dude – An Elevated Beat Tape
Regular Ass Dude = Metro Boomin + Beats Antique + Mimosa … read more
Local Review: Nostalgic90’s – Hiatus
Nostalgic90’s = CJ Fly + Hieroglyphics + Denzel Curry … read more
Local Review: OKOKKO – XP +1
OKOKKO = tomppabeats + Nujabes + J Dilla … read more
Local Review: Notion – Life’s Hard, Death’s Easy
Notion = Atmosphere + MGK + Sage Francis … read more
Local Review: Mark Dago – Fan CD 2015 Video Game...
Mark Dago = The Beastie Boys + MF Doom + Unicorn Kid
… read more
Local Review: Madscum – The View From Here
Madscum = Atmosphere + Flatbush Zombies … read more
Local Review: Kordlhan – KYOTE
Kordlhan = Blank Banshee + Tycho + Gold Panda … read more
Local Review: Lil Pinky – Pink Slip
Lil Pinky = Russ + Oliver ~ + Yung Pinch … read more
Local Review: Kordlhan – ❦libra
Kordlhan = tomppabeats + Nuages + J Dilla … read more
Local Review: Lucid Sound Driver – Gradient Departure
Lucid Sound Driver = HOME + Grouper + Vaperror … read more
Local Review: Lucid Sound Driver x UFCLO – Universal Foundation...
Local musician and tape maker Jack Murphey and Yuth Lengno from Unified Clothing, a streetwear company based out of Salt Lake City, are coming together for a one-of-a-kind collaboration: an album that exists on a T-shirt. … read more
Local Review: J.M.P. – Bad Habits
J.M.P. = Atmosphere + People Under the Stairs … read more
Local Review: Isaac Haas – Ill Lighted
Isaac Haas = C Slick + Southside + DJ Smokey … read more
Local Review: Jay Citrus – Sunshine
Jay Citrus = P.O.S + ASAP Ant + Action Bronson … read more
Local Review: Isaac Haas – Going Up
The EP is six tracks long, and a great showcase of Haas’ talent as a musician. Each track is unique, but blends together to create a larger work, making Going Up as a whole quite successful. … read more
Local Review: Fisch Loops – Looking Back
Fisch Loops = MF Doom + tomppabeats + J Dilla … read more
Local Review: Good Ol’ Triple – Meet the Outlaw
Good Ol’ Triple = 21 Savage + Froggy Fresh + Lil Bibby … read more
Local Review: Erasole James – Into the Muh
Erasole James is an up-and-coming-rapper in SLC. Recently, he opened for August’s SLUG Localized and is becoming very active in the SLC rap scene. Using strong lyrics, varied meter and complicated rhyme schemes, James is a rap artist to be reckoned with! … read more
Local Review: feal – Everyone’s Out of My League
feal = Tycho + Baths + Greaf … read more
Local Review: Erasole James – Memories de Miramar
Erasole James = Inspectah Deck + Freddie Gibbs + Wifisfuneral … read more
Local Review: DJ BASK – x files
DJ BASK = DJ Paul (Three 6 Mafia) + DJ Smokey + DJ Screw … read more
Local Review: Concise Kilgore – Kil Joy Division
Concise Kilgore = MF Grimm + old Jay-Z + Capital STEEZ
… read more
Local Review: Cuddy Corekt – Arctic Zone
Cuddy Corekt = Pouya + Xavier Wulf … read more
Local Review: Cuddy Corekt – Corekt
Cuddy Corekt = $uicideboy$ + Flatbush Zombies … read more
Local Review: Cuddy Corekt – Odin 05
Cuddy Correkt = Pouya + Shakewell + Chris Travis … read more
Local Review: Boone – Genesis
Boone = J Dilla + Lil Dicky + Drake … read more
Local Review: Boone – I Woke Up
Boone = Doomtree + Q-Tip + Mos Def … read more
Local Review: Benjamin Major – Warm Winds, Summer Nights
Benjamin Major = Logic + J Cole + ASAP Twelvy … read more
Local Review: Aurune – Voyager (A Soundscape to Agartha)
Aurune = Jamie XX + Baths +Gold Panda … read more
Local Review: b.c. einstein – The Month After May
bc.einstein = tomppabeats + J Dilla + jinsang … read more
Local Review: Antonio Dudley – Fragmented Soul
Antonio Dudley = Kirk Franklin + Donnie McClurkin … read more
Local Review: 2Keys & Applestem – Landscapes
2Keys & Applestem = The Pharcyde + Hieroglyphics + The Roots … read more
Local Review: YA ANML – Payday
YA ANML = Kevin Abstract + Death Grips + Danny Brown … read more
Local Music Review: super young adult – Oblivion
Super Young Adult = Mac Miller + Modest Mouse + American Football … read more
Local Review: Zac Ivie – Wishkid
Zac Ivie = Atmosphere + Gang Starr + Madlib … read more
Review: Domo Genesis – Genesis
Domo Genesis = Chance the Rapper + EARL Sweatshirt + Mobb Deep
… read more
Review: Death Grips – Bottomless Pit
Death Grips = ODB + Genghis Tron + Black Dice … read more
Review: Danny Brown – Atrocity Exhibition
Danny Brown = ODB + E-40 + Bizzy Bone … read more
Review: Antwon – Double Ecstasy
Antwon = Schoolboy Q + Clams Casino + The Notorious BIG
… read more
Local Review: Freaky Jason – Some Lovey Dovey Shit
Freaky Jason = Usher + Childish Gambino + Jinsang … read more
Local Review: vinniecassius – KANE PT* 1
Vinnie Cassius = Lil Tecca + 03 Greedo + A$AP Rocky … read more
Local Review: Izzy Davis – X-Communicated
Izzy Davis = J-Cole + Vic Mensa + Logic … read more
Local Review: Mark Dago – Arcadevania
Mark Dago = The Beastie Boys + Eric B. & Rakim + Kid Koala … read more
Local Review: Earthworm – Hiding Yourself From Everyone You Love
For those who enjoy hip hop to kick back to, local artist Earthworm’s new EP, entitled Hiding Yourself From Everyone You Love, could be a perfect fit. … read more
Beehive Distilling: South Salt Lake’s Newest and Most Local-Centered Bar
Beehive Distilling hopes to be at the tip of that new wave of businesses that become a hub for the new type of Salt Lake City … read more
Ogden Twilight: Jared Allen Highlights Ogden’s Culture with Concert Series
When he moved back to Utah, Ogden Twilight co-creator Jared Allen says he saw that the Ogden Amphitheater was being underused. … read more
Dualist – A Film-Production Company Keeping Art in Artists’ Hands
Dualist produces small-budget, independent films nationwide. Wigham is the founder of Big Cartel, a tech company based in SLC that helps independent artists create websites to sell and market their merchandise. … read more
The Goldblood Collective: DIY Advocates and Screen-Printing Wizards Putting SLC...
On a dingy block on South State Street, nestled between two nondescript businesses, sits Goldblood Collective, the multi-faceted business and love child of three local kids with ideas, drive and a passion for music and clothing. … read more
Tattooing Now and Then: Apprenticeships, Digital Media and Craftsmanship in...
The art of tattooing has seen a shift in the past two decades. With reality shows and a cultural change, getting inked no longer principally attracts bikers or members of countercultures, but a large swath of diverse consumers. … read more
Critical Beatdown: Local Beat Heads Unite
For almost a year now, Adam Terry has curated and hosted Critical Beatdown at a bar called Good Grammar in Salt Lake City. The concept was simple: to create an environment where local “beat producers, electronic musicians, beat machinists, synth wizards,” etc. can perform their work in a safe place where experimentation is encouraged and where networking happens naturally. … read more
Beats for Sale! Piccolo
Whether you’re an up-and-coming emcee or a seasoned veteran, there are plenty of locally grown hip-hop producers with beats for sale. Piccolo has the beats you want at the price you deserve. Each Piccolo beat for sale is made with love and sourced locally. … read more
Beats for Sale! Finale Grand
Whether you’re an up-and-coming emcee or a seasoned veteran, there are plenty of locally grown hip-hop producers with beats for sale. Armed with an Akai MPC 4000 and a vast knowledge of all types of music, Finale Grand is able to pump out professional, aesthetically sound hip-hop beats that stretch across virtually any genre. … read more
Beats for Sale! ClearSauce
Whether you’re an up-and-coming emcee or a seasoned veteran, there are plenty of locally grown hip-hop producers with beats for sale. Having produced for the likes of 1017 Bricksquad, ClearSauce could very well be crowned as trap kings of Salt Lake. … read more
Beats for Sale! Chance Lewis
Whether you’re an up-and-coming emcee or a seasoned veteran, there are plenty of locally grown hip-hop producers with beats for sale. If you’re a rapper who likes to experiment and who doesn’t feel the need to be confined to one genre, Chance Lewis is the beat producer for you! … read more
Localized: Khensu
Khensu’s beats are down-tempo and enticing, luring the listener in with deep bass lines, unrelenting hi-hats and snare drums. Drawing influence from a wide variety of sources, Khensu has created a sound that is unlike other producers’ in both the electronic music scene and the hip-hop world. … read more
Localized: Dumb Luck
For artists like Dumb Luck, making music is a multifaceted expression of life and experience. There are no set rules for style, no stipulations nor boundaries that an artist has to fit into. Instead, music is a mirror, a vehicle for expressing one’s own life experience, a way to tell a story. … read more
Azizi Gibson: Starting His New Life with a New Brand...
Azizi Gibson has been recording his own unique brand of hip-hop for several years now. He has been adopting new styles in his music lately, drawing influences from growing up overseas as well as popular culture. … read more
Luxury Sky District: Combining Digital And Analog One Tape At...
We have entered an era where music has become almost completely virtual: growing, blooming and dying solely online. However, for Jack Murphey and Eric Delgado of Luxury Sky District, the art of the cassette tape is not dead, but something that should be celebrated. … read more