Upgrade

Upgrade is in one word: talented. There the review is over..lights off..time to go home….

Okay but on the real, Upgrade is a talented individual who hails from Kingston, NY. I have known him for about 6 or so years through an online hip-hop message board and have always been impressed by his smooth way with words. He should be noticed more than he is because with the style of music that he does, he’s so smooth, clean and professional sounding he should be on the front steps of breaking into the industry and filling a whole that has been left absent by Asher Roth (though he has released a few mixtapes, he is rarely in the public eye) and not quite yet filled by Chris Webby and others like him.

Upgrade’s sound is backed by smooth wit, spectacular storytelling with a vernacular and multisyllabic rhyming skill that is paired with a unique voice.

How does his new project stack up against one of my old favorites “Waiting in Line”? Read on after the break and find out.


I would first like to say the most noticeable change between the two projects is the overall sound quality is much, much improved on the latest. While tracks like “Dear Diary” and “Angel” will forever be engrained as far as great storytelling tracks, the sonic quality brought to the table this go around is a major step up and makes listening to it all the more enjoyable.

While those tracks previously mentioned from WIL brought up social issues and excellent storytelling, Upgrade really brings it back into the fold this time by being personal and showing us what his life is subjected to. Late nights, lots of alcohol, a breakup and more to name a few. “Boy in a Bubble” is a perfect example of how he allows us to delve into the mind and sift through the emotions that are swirling around.

While doing those personal tracks a certain justice, Upgrade has also always shined on tracks in which a lyrical “showing of the ass” is needed and tracks like “Rearview Mirror Shake” and “80s Back” are perfect examples of that.

Features include Mac Lethal (of rap battling fame) on “Drunken Master” where he lays down a great verse that is hilarious and is a good contrast pitch wise with Upgrade.

As most rappers do, they have to have a song for the ladies, and Upgrade does, but in a different manner. He goes about it by rapping about her tattoos and piercings on the track “Work of Art” that also features Justina Soto who lays down a work of art of her own on the hook.

Production is backed up by EScrappa, Vans Beats, and a few others, but the real shining to me is still the sonic quality so the other shoutouts go to Max Conklin for putting together the whole exihibition and allowing Upgrade to shine.

If I have to say anything negative about the album (and having discussed this with somebody that we both know) is that it is slightly monotone. But not in the normal way of it being boring, but in that Upgrade has such a unique voice that to listen to it over a span of tracks you start to realize that some delivery is lacking in the way the rhymes are recorded. His vocals could stand some changes into changing their intonation, that is whispering some lines or SOMETHING to break up the sound.

That being said, overall, I found no major flaws with the album (the above is just nitpicking). He is talented and his rapping chops have only gotten better since “Waiting in Line” and I can only imagine if given some attention he would shine in the industry in the same way those above have. - Poisonousplanet.com

’s well known how important first impressions are and Upgrade made sure that his introduction was worth remembering. Yesterday Upgrade released his debut album Smile and Nod. Upgrade has dropped several mixtapes throughout his young career but at first listen you can tell Smile and Nod is something different. The introduction on the album starts the album off on a great foot, showing his ability to flow and tell his own story. The first 3 tracks are refreshing insights into the life of Upgrade including a standout last verse on the song “Don’t mess up my hair”. The next couple tracks on the album Drunken Master ft Mac Lethal and 80s back are clever songs showing that even when talking about partying and good times upgrade never loses his wit and wordplay. One of the stand out tracks on the album “Last Breath” which has a dope hook and three introspective verses on the struggle of living out your dreams. “Make Room” ft Skyzoo, produced by ill mind, Upgrade attacks the track showing off all the skills a MC should have. With lines like “the mic and us are soul mates if you let us, romaine”. Another standout song on the album is the creative single “Work of Art” with a great catchy chorus. Upgrade gives a dope detailed description of a tattooed vixen that he desires. The next few tracks on Smile and Nod are deep looks into the past and thoughts of upgrade, on “Boy in a Bubble” the most personal song on the album Upgrade gives a refreshing insight into his life. “RMS (Rearview Mirror Shake)” ft Gregg Self and Wes Cashtro, Produced by Escrappa, is a dope trunk shaking song that sounds different from any other track on the album in a good way, it shows the diversity in Upgrade’s music. The song is full of dope punch lines from all the artist featured on it. On the song “On my own” Upgrade talks about his problems with relationships, this is one of the best songs on the album Upgrade truly shines on this track with lines like “never gave a girl a rock I just bag a dame and dash”. With an acoustic beat and the soulful voice of Nilsa Farewell is a perfect song to listen to Upgrades ability to flow, his wordplay is truly one of his best talents. The second to last song “My perspective” is the best song on the album with Upgrade looking at the current state of Hip-hop and how he feels about it. The album ends with the album titled track “Smile and Nod” which is good conclusion to the album with Upgrade letting it be known despite everything in life he still keeps a positive outlook on life. Smile and Nod does everything a debut album should do it shows you all the sides of an artist in an interesting way that makes you want listen to the whole album. - ReOfEv blog

I’ve been listening to hip hop for many years and have heard countless records over the course of my time. I’ll always remember where I was when I heard such seminal classics released by A Tribe Called Quest, Souls of Mischief and De La Soul just to name a few. I mention these legends because I’ve always felt they made records that made me feel good after listening to them from front to back. This weekend I had the very same pleasure when I received my advance copy of Kingston, NY rapper Tom “Upgrade” Taub’s debut release Smile and Nod.
When I received it I couldn’t help but remember the albums and artists that I listened to when I was coming of age exactly eighteen years ago. That very weekend was when the music world lost Kurt Cobain. At that time not only was I heavily into Nirvana but also to the hip hop icons I previously referenced. Again I cannot help but reiterate how wonderful it was to listen to that music during that period of time. In listening to Smile and Nod I had the same feeling this weekend. I could not deny the notion that I was listening to a feel good record. Smile and Nod includes guest appearances by Mac Lethal, Skyzoo, Justina Soto and Rev of Ev stalwarts Gregg Self and Wes Cashtro all lending strong support on the record with their performances. The flawless production work was headed by Escrappa and Max Conklin who mixed and mastered the record. A veritable who’s who of producers left their diverse and unique imprints on Smile and Nod which perfectly compliment Upgrade’s outstanding lyrical acumen. Lending skilled hands on this record are Boonie Mayfield, Vans Beats, Scarecrow Beats,!llmind (Illmind), Kid Flash, Flawless Tracks, Evelution Beats, Sinima and Vherbal.
The tracks on Smile and Nod range from melodic to up tempo and they display Upgrade’s range of flow perfectly. This is all demonstrated on such songs as “My Perspective”, “Met My Match”, “Growing Up” and my personal favorite “Farewell” featuring Queens, NY native Nilsa. Of the latter soulful track Upgrade explained, “When I first played the beat in the studio I got a lot of weird looks. But once they heard where I was going with it. It all made sense. This track is about saying farewell to the flaws in your life and just trying to have a positive outlook on everything. Nilsa killed the chorus as well and made the vision clear.” Upgrade also tackles relationships and coming of age with the tracks “Met My Match” and “Growing Up”. The first track Upgrade reveals, “Is based on a true story about an attractive female I was feeling. I wasn’t looking to meet my match for a relationship and really never go out of my way to find someone but I just let it happen. In this case I met my match in the way that I was feeling her more than I got back. She’s still cool people by the way Also during the recording of this project this was kind of the song that set off the whole process of Smile and Nod so I wanted it to come next after the intro.” As for “Growing Up” he went on to describe it as, “A feel good growing of age track. Just me being me and open to the stupid shit we use to do as kids. Back in the day when the girl with her locker next to you was the girl you were dating and you never even talked to her before. So much shit that seemed like such a big deal back then that you just look back and laugh at now. “ When I asked to describe the project as a whole Upgrade said, “The whole project is an introduction to what I hope to bring to the table. I want to create the most honest and real music that I am capable of. Whatever the topic, I want to make sure that it is ME 100%. I’m not trying to be anything but myself and as long as that is portrayed in the music, I did my job. Even if it’s a Power Ranger watching, video game playing, awkward, bipolar, Pokemon master, alcoholic, Bob Saget wannabe, hip hop fan.” However, this album may not be an introduction but more of an invitation. It’s an invitation to the world of a rapper who is trying to cross musical and social boundaries with his talent. Upgrade’s brand of music can definitely appeal to different crowds whether it is the Mac Miller/Asher Roth types or the people who rock a little harder in the Slaughterhouse set. It appeals to back packers, skate boarders, the kids who feel a little left out of the crowd and the cool kids who may still never have the time. This record is the kind that will get your attention via its well structured beats dressed with clever lyrics that are colored with, humor, sadness, joy and pain. - Daniels Den

Upgrade & Escrappa gearing up for 2012 “It started at Best Buy, which is pretty funny. Actually I was looking for jobs real quick and they hired me. I was looking for anything at the time. Shop Rite hired me at the same time Best Buy came over. The day after the interview they hired me,” explained Tom “Upgrade” Taub in reference to a simple employment opportunity that has now mushroomed into what appears to be a full blown career. The career path is not one that involves selling appliances or cell phones. But rather it was his decision to work for one of largest retail chains in this country that led him to embark on a career in music. It was around this time last year where things began to change in an upward direction for the twenty-three year old rapper from Ulster County, New York. It was at this very Best Buy located in Kingston, New York where he would link up with his current in-house producer Eion “Escrappa” DeCarmo, Jr. DeCarmo, who had been creating music since 2008 after a trial run with Fruity Loops and a crash course with the engineering software program Reason, was looking for someone to pair with at the time Taub set foot in the store. “I worked at Best Buy and everyone told me Upgrade is rapping. Dre was telling me he was nice and cool. Maybe I can send him some beats and put something together”, said DeCarmo. After a short period of getting acquainted which included the discovery that they had the same taste in musical influences which include MF Doom, Malib and Jimi Hendrix the two would ultimately join forces. “He was always sending me beats. So I was like okay cool but I was looking at other beats. But then he finally sent me one beat where I was just like fuck! What the hell was this! Okay we’ve got to do something”, said Taub of his decision to make music with DeCarmo. Taub’s decision was made at the same time he began to record his upcoming album “Smile and Nod” which DeCarmo did contribute a track. During the course of this year long partnership a series of events took place. Taub and DeCarmo released two mix tapes “Written On Scrapps” and “Upgrade Hip Hop” both of which have been making serious rounds in the indie hip hop seen. The musical collaboration has also lead to some mainstream audience exposure last year as Upgrade won a contest to open for Mac Miller which then led to an opening slot on show headlined by rap superstar Saigon. These chain of events plus the constant touring throughout the northeastern United States caused the production of “Smile and Nod” to take a little longer than what was initially expected. One would think the delays in production would turn people off to a record but that is not the case as a buzz has developed for it based on how frequently the previous mix tapes have been exchanged through the internet and the indie hip hop scene. - Daniels Den

Upgrade visited the WMAR studio and we had the chance to interview him, learn more about his music career, and listen to three of his new songs. My favorite was “Work of Art” which can be heard on his new album Smile and Nod. We definitely had an awesome time hanging out with him in the studio – Upgrade was just TOO FUNNY! I could not stop laughing! If you walked into the studio, you would think we’d been friends for years! While he was at the studio he told us about how he recently participated in a “Cinnamon Challenge”. Thankfully, he posted a video of it on his website so all of us can view the hilariousness of it! Overall, Upgrade is a really cool guy, down to earth, and really talented! We were more than happy to have him as a guest on our show and we’d love to see him stop by WMAR again soon - WMAR

Surrounded by mountains in the valley of Ellenville hails an MC who’s moniker rings with an echo: Upgrade. His career began passing out mixtapes in the hallways of high school and he has since developed into a legitimate underground force. Upgrade has a diverse list of rappers that influenced his music including artist such as Chino XL, ToneDeff, Black Star, MF Doom and Ghostface Killah to name a few. Already in his young career Upgrade has shared the stage with Ghostface Killer and opened a sold out concert for Mac Miller, Upgrade has elated audiences all over New York. Always real and rapping about his own life experiences, Upgrade brings a sound and demeanor that is the essence of hip hop and works constantly to push the limits of his craft. This summer Upgrade’s debut album “Smile and Nod” will be released; the album will have features from Skyzoo and Mac Lethal. Whatever path Upgrade’s career takes him, one thing is for certain; it’ll be one hell of a ride. - RevOfEv

I am currently working on my debut “Smile and Nod” which will be released summer of 2011. I have put in over a year of blood, sweat, tears, and more money than I could afford into this project , but proud to say it is easily my best work yet. It will feature artists Skyzoo and Mac Lethal along with other artists I’ve yet to announce. If you do not purchase this cd when it is released, I will not be able to feed my kids…..just kidding…I don’t have kids…at least that I know of. (stop calling me Lisa!) - wwsmag

Upgrade aka “the Larry David of Hip Hop” aka “mr I can beat your girlfriend at street fighter”, just wrapped up the Written on Scrapps EP with Escrappa on the production – going to drop beginning of October. Working on a bunch ofother projects still in the works and going out with the street team heavy promoting everything and all UpgradeHipHop - ReOfEv blog

Hailing from upstate New York, Tom “Upgrade” Taub has made a
name for himself in the hip-hop scene. One of the first impressions you get from him is the sincerity of his delivery: in his
‘Smile and Nod’ music video he raps about self-improvement
while going shopping at the local Rite-Aid. He spits his rhymes in
front of an H&R Block. He talks about being rejected by women. THAT’S REAL. That’s refreshing. Latency catches up with the self-proclaimed “Larry David of hip-hop” to discuss his approach and his latest record, Written in Scrapps - Latencymag.com