FeSo

Chi-town emcee FeSo brings along a couple of his Windy City partners in rhyme for this new jawn “Outta My Head” featuring Naledge and Add-2. If you’re feel in’ that, head over the jump to download FeSo’s full EP, Working Title. - OkayPlayer

FeSo’s Working Title project is available now; if you like what you hear you can head to his e-tilt to grab it. - 2dopeboyz

First time I’m hearing of FeSo, but he definitely holds his own while pinned up against two fellow Chi-Town rhyme animals. If you’re feeling what your hearing, hit the jump for his latest - 2dopeboyz

Name: FeSo

Age: 24

Reppin’: Chicago

My style and/or skills have been compared to: Lupe Fiasco, A Tribe Called Quest, Murs

My standout records and/or moments have been: “Outta My Head” on Working Title; “Dream Chasin” on Don’t Sleep 2; “Kung Fu” on Working Title. My stand out moments have been putting out all of my four projects independently and performing at Little 500 with Ludacris.

I’m gonna change the game by: Restoring the foundation of hip hop with lyrics that have substance.

I’d Like to Work With: Madlib, Black Milk, DJ Khalil, Jay Electronica, Kendrick Lamar, Elzhi, DJ Premier

My goal in hip-hop is: Bring lyricism back to the focus of hip-hop and kick-starting the resurgence of the Golden Era hip-hop.

I’m gonna be the next: I’m the first FeSo. I don’t really want to be the next anyone.

To check out more of my music go to: http://music.fesomusic.com/ - XXL

On paper, I glanced at the trio of emcees for “Outta My Head” and had a feeling this would be a nice collab. Then that was followed by the hope that it was an original song that coincidentally had the same title as Lupe & Trey’s single, and was not a remix of it. Sure enough, I was not disappointed on either account as FeSo, Naledge, & Add-2 indeed rock an original cut with all emcees doin’ their just part. I expected high intensity from FeSo and Add-2 after following their careers now here in the Chi, but not necessarily from Naledge, who I feel has more of a laid-back style most of the time. Well, Naledge matches the intensity of FeSo’s beginning with a dope middle verse as Add-2, then of course, bats last. Like I said, all three do their thing and leave the feeling with me to run this back a few more times to make sure there wasn’t an extra dope line or two I may have missed. So check out “Outta My Head” – a *Tibs Fav.™ and promising preview for FeSo’s next project, Working Title, due out later this month. - GoWhere Hip Hop

As the cliché goes, the road to success is paved with failure—failure which, for those in the entertainment industry, takes the form of public embarrassment—and the ones who do win out are those who had the courage to pick themselves up and soldier on despite early stumbles. On new single Walkin’ By, an exclusive world premiere, Booth newcomer FeSo teaches listeners a lesson in perseverance, harking back to his very first tentative steps into the rap game. Over CMart‘s soulfully poignant beat, sampled from Nina Simone’s Don’t You Pay Them No Mind, the indie emcee describes how a few awkward cipher performances inspired him to start penning rhymes. Though, as he explains, his first couplets were far from dazzling, he didn’t let homies’ unenthusiastic reactions take the wind out of his sails: “Even though they weren’t impressed, I kept at it ‘cause comfort kills success.” Matte lends a hand on the middle, reflecting on the backbreaking (but rewarding) labor of making one’s way in the game. FeSo’s clearly come a long way—if you’d like to accompany him on the next leg of his journey, be sure to cop his Working Title street album when it drops on August 16.
- DJBooth.net

Chicago Mc/Producer by the name of "FeSo" his lyrical gymnastics are one of a kind..Foundation of intellect and with the influence of his surroundings, combined with a natural gift for music..After hearing his "Dont Sleep" Projects is was known already to hit up homie with a WIB Versus..FeSo aims to inspire listeners to chase after their own dreams as well.
"Everytime I get to moving in the right direction,
The situation presents itself with alternate intentions,
Regression before precession, that's the lesson that is learned,
Nothing in this world's worth having free, you gotta earn."

North Carolina composer/MC by the name of "Castle"...Upon listening and being a fan of his work for a minute was astonished when the last project he had accomplished was his last one entitled "Ditch Effort"..All his material is epic and very intriguing to hip hop that is known to the masses...Lacing up the beats and rhythms which such proficient skill and ease...It was in my thoughts and plans to ask "Castle" to contribute to a Versus...Very blessed to add that the homie agreed and as you listen to what has been a epic track..Would have to mention that this is extreme fire!!..One of a kind dope track!!...Having to think that this hip hop composer would let go of making neck breaking melodies and ambient chill vibes..Here is what has been said about it..
"This is the last solo project I'll be releasing for a while. After performing for almost 20 years (since I was five), I've grown tired of seeking a record deal or independent recognition. Giving up music is not my intention. I don't think I ever could. I can, however, give up the "grind."
I don't plan to leave the grind behind forever either, but I have no idea when I'll return to it. To those who've paid attention to me over the years, I appreciate your love and support.
Peace.
- Chris "CASTLE" Um'Rani"

This is North Carolina VS.Chicago....Castle Vs. FeSo...
The Originators For THE WORD IS BOND VERSUS. - The Word Is Bond

FeSo Performs Insomnia (Put 'Em Up) at Elastic Arts Foundation in Chicago (Live)
- Shezdope.com

With two prior successful releases, ‘Don’t Sleep’ EP and his debut album maniFeso, FeSo is set to release the latest installment in the ‘Don’t Sleep’ series, ‘Don’t Sleep’ 2 sponsored by us and GoWhereHipHop.com. On ‘Don’t Sleep’ 2, FeSo exhibits his outstanding lyrical poise seamlessly over tracks ‘Digiorno’ and ‘Environmentally Friendly’ while also illustrating his journey thus far in his music career on the smooth ‘Dream Chasin’ featuring Kris Bills. ‘Don’t Sleep’ 2 features production from FeSo, AJ Crew, Kyle Resto, and David Ben-Porat. Click to the pic to download! - Dope Couture

Back in May I posted a review on my favorite Bloomington hip-hop artist FeSo’s debut album Manifeso. Since then FeSo (aka Brandon Smith) has graduated IU and headed back to his home state of Illinois to continue his plans for hip-hop domination. Check out his new music video for the Manifeso track “Be Me”: - HipsterSpinster

Here is yet another GoWhere sponsored project. This one comes from another Chicago native by the name of FeSo. If you have yet to hear of FeSo I suggest you get familiar. I have actually been waiting for this kid to drop music for a while now. So this is definitely a treat. Now it’s your job to #SupportChiCityHipHop hit the jump for the official tracklist and download. - YNotMyDream.net

maniFeso, the debut album from up and coming hip-hop artist FeSo, dropped yesterday. Straight out the gate, FeSo displays his lyrical ability on the songs “Go Get It” and “I Forgot”. The album also features “For The Record” which was posted on this blog. This album is must have for any hip hop fan. Come by the shop or email FeSo at fesomusic@gmail.com to get your copy.

- Dope Couture

New single from Chicago’s artist Feso Featuring Kris Bills off his upcoming mixtape Don’t Sleep 2 coming soon.

- Hip Hip Rap Info

SLLLLAAAAAPPP!....Been waiting for this to drop..."FeSo" Drops visuals from his Project "Don't Sleep 2", Kris Bills (featured artist on Dream Casin') Directs and Edited this Video, Seth Oberle served as Director of Photography.....WIB GIVING OUT WELTS FOR FREE!!! - The Word is Bond

While FeSo is currently working on two new upcoming projects he recently performed at Elastic Arts Foundation in Chicago. During his set FeSo performed “Insomnia (Put ‘Em Up)” off his EP Don’t Sleep.

- Thomas

(Chicago, IL)- Hip-hop artist Feso releases featured track off of sophomore mixtape “Don’t Sleep 2.” The track which was also produced by Feso, features Kris Bills.

Feso was raised in a musically diverse home. The influence of his surroundings, combined with a natural gift for music, are what destined this supreme lyricist to live a life centered around music. Participation in ciphers and emcee battles throughout his high school years were only a starting point for the multitude of opportunities that would later open up for the young artist. While studying at Indiana University, Feso made his mark as a powerful performer with the opportunity to open up for notable artists such as Lyfe Jennings and Ludacris. While in his own pursuit, Feso aims to inspire listeners to chase after their own dreams as well.

Download “Dream Chasin” here:

http://fesomusic.com/track/dream-chasin-feat-kris-bills

- Hip Hop Press

FeSo comes through to us with a solid new joint entitled "Elaine" produced by Ugh! (awesome name, haha). The up and comer goes in from start to finish, droppin' some clever references along the way including the Seinfeld reference I was waiting for that happened around the 1:05 mark. Having said that (see what I did there?), FeSo's flow could have been executed better at times but it by no means holds the track back. It's a solid cut that hip hop fans should appreciate and give a shot above.
- GoWhereHipHop.com

We featured Chicago emcee FeSo at the beginning of the month highlighting his song “Soul of Ethiopia.” After listening to “Soul of Ethiopia” and some of his other material a spotlight for him was the next order of business. Hit the cut for the interview as he discusses the origins of his name, his musical beginnings, being a rapper/producer, and future projects. - KevinNottingham.com

FeSo comes through with the second of our sponsored mixtapes in as many days (technically) with Don't Sleep 2 actually being the second in his own personal series as well. The project, co-sponsored by our good friends at Dope Couture, boasts quality over quantity as FeSo shares the Lupe Fiasco mindset of proving to be dope in a short amount of time on a mixtape. 6 tracks with a couple quick interludes to be exact. The first two tracks are actually self-produced, setting a soulful tone that hits an apex in intensity on track 3, "ChinCheck" f/ Chuck P and Relly Rell. "Environmentally Friendly" is one of my favorite tracks on the FreEP and is sandwiched between a Mickey Factz drop and some words of appreciation from FeSo. The latter two tracks close things the way they begin with a dope soulful background. FeSo provides intelligent commentary throughout Don't Sleep 2 as the first few bars from my favorite record on the tape, "Dream Chasing" f/ Kris Bills, suggests:

"Everytime I get to moving in the right direction,
The situation presents itself with alternate intentions,
Regression before precession, that's the lesson that is learned,
Nothing in this world's worth having free, you gotta earn."

- FeSo "Dream Chasing"

These words resonated with me right off the bat because FeSo understands an ideal I have been seeing come true more and more often: the "regression before precession" line. Or as I like to think of it, taking one step back to take two steps forward - a necessary part of life. The song as a whole becomes a nice motivational record, indicative from its title, and is one that I'll be vibing with in my rotation for weeks to come. Download the entire FreEP above and peep the full tracklist after the jump. More collaborators include producers AJ Crew, Kyle Resto, and David Ben-Porat. - GoWhereHipHop.com

Don't Sleep 2 was rated as one of the top EPs of 2010 by KevinNottingham.com contributor Thomas - KevinNottingham.com

Son flow me fait penser à celui de Murs, ses quelques productions sonores parfois à celles de 9th Wonder. Pourtant cette jeune pousse (22 ans) du Hip Hop n'a pas travaillé avec eux (enfin à ma connaissance...). Peut-on alors se dire que cet artiste a un fort potentiel créatif? Je suis tenté de dire oui.
FeSo nous propose Don't sleep, un EP où les productions sont souvent soulful, où les lyrics sont pas mal travaillées et rythmées, où les samples sont sympathiques à l'oreille.
Quelques morceaux retenant mon attention: hommage à J Dilla (R.I.P) dans One for Dilla, un beat résonant dans Long Sentence ou encore un clin d'oeil à une des reines de la soul Gwen McRae dans le morceau You tell me song, qui sample 90% of me is you:

Mon morceau préféré reste malgré tout She's gonna stay.
FeSo sortira un premier album en février qui s'intitulera maniFeSo. En attendant, vous écouterez donc Don't Sleep.
Shout outs to FeSo! - B from LU

For all those in Bloomington looking for some decent Hip-Hop, I can tell you, hands down, that FeSo is the real deal.

Manifeso is the first full-length release from Naperville, Illinois native and recent IU-Bloomington grad Brandon Smith, musically known as FeSo. In his own words, his flow is “fierce like Chicago in the Wintertime”, and this guy seriously knows where it’s at with some killer beats, clever rhymes, and words that actually MEAN something. FeSo raps for life, meaning he writes with purpose and words that inspire change. From the top of the record with “Go Get It” to it’s closing “Exit Song”, Manifeso is the rap album I have been waiting my whole life to hear, and I couldn’t be prouder to see it not only come from someone I know, but from such a young mind.

Manifeso is an album deep with powerful messages that will leave you chanting “Wassup wit da O.N.S.?” In it’s 10-track glory, Manifeso covers everything from going for your dreams, being yourself, and inspiring active change, to appreciating the fun memories of the past and a clever track about shopping for a new pair of sneaks.

The freshest beats on the album are obvious in “For The Record” and “Untitled”, two standout tracks that make you want to blast them in your car stereo with the windows down and your head bumpin’ like there’s no tomorrow. Fun and catchy tracks “Be Me” and “Old’s Kool” are all about personal taste, the first about trips to the record store and shoe store to pick out some new favorites, and the latter about appreciating that old school sound.

The stand-out track in terms of message is clearly “Change” the album’s sixth track. With lyrics like “Instead of brainwashing kids to but ice on their chests, take that money to the bank and seek to invest” and “the pen is mightier than the sword” you know this guy has the right things on his mind. The track also name-drops inspirational speakers like Tavis Smiley and Michael Eric Dyson. Other change-themed tracks include a call-out to all those who consider themselves rappers in “I Forgot” and the cleverly designed “O.N.S.” that gives you a lesson in proper 21st century courting.

Pick any track on this album and you are introduced to a strong, young voice ripe with a fresh message to society and a flow like you wouldn’t believe. FeSo is well on his way to making his dreams come true as he opened for the IU Little 500 concert featuring Ludacris this spring (as seen in the video above)

Aside from dropping his first full-length, FeSo was also featured on the 24th annual Live From Bloomington compilation CD this year, performing two crowded shows for a Hoosier Hills Food Bank Benefit.

Spend a little time getting to know his music, and I am sure you will find yourself becoming a FeSo fan. - Nicole O'Neal