Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Eze Jackson
What’s Poppin’ #88
Davu Seru, from Minnesota, is one of dozens of musicians who will be improvising at the High Zero festival. Credit: Keith Miesel High Zero, The Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston Street. September 24 to 27, times vary.
Best Beats Issue #088
Black Chakra — “HOPE HURT HALOS” 28 minutes. That’s how long it takes for award-winning spoken word and hip-hop artist Jacob Mayberry, aka Black Chakra, to exceed any expectations you might have for a spoken word album. “HOPE HURT HALOS” captures the veteran griot’s stage presence in a more intimate setting with carefully crafted production by Wendel Patrick (who, full disclosure, I have often collaborated with).
Best Beats Issue #087
Y1 — “The 4 Warning” Baltimore’s live-wire lyricist Y1 dropped his fourth album, “The 4 Warning,” in July. The album is an 11-song full-on lyric-packed offering that brings you in and out of grooves and traditional Golden Era hip-hop vibes. Covering topics from romance and heartbreak to the love of drugs, Y1 showcases his ever-growing ability to pick beats and craft songs. “Sunset Drive” is a smooth Dave O-produced vibe set as the sun is coming up from a night of grinding.
What’s Poppin’ Issue #077
“The Cycle,” by LUSMERLIN Courtesy of the artist Rouse Company Foundation Gallery at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, Maryland, through March 16. howardcc.edu When was the last time you wandered through an alternate universe? With “Big Bang Baby,” the latest exhibition from emerging painter LUSMERLIN, quantum physics contorts and abstracts the physics of ancient divine feminine archetypes.
Best Beats Issue #077 - Love and Sex
Caption: Cover shot by Luke Hundley Gidi — “BODYCRY” Valentine’s Day is around the corner, and what better way to celebrate you and your lover than with a bed-shaking, hip-rocking, love-making song. Baltimore artist Gidi rocks your body in all the right places with his 2023 song “BODYCRY”. Riding a beat that is influenced by Timbaland from the bass to the keys, Gidi switches from singing to rapping as he smoothly scales across the melody.
Ivan “TVs Biddy” Baker is carrying on a legacy of Black entrepreneurship
In the middle of the 500 block of N. Chester Street in East Baltimore, half a block away from Northeast Market, sits Biddy’s TVs. The area has seen lots of changes since 2001 when Johns Hopkins Hospital partnered with the East Baltimore Development Initiative. The 20-year project acquired around 2,000 properties and 88 acres north of the hospital, but residential blocks like this one still remain. It’s always a bit nostalgic for me coming back to the neighborhood.
Best Beats Issue #076
Contra Madre Cover illustration by Brandon Geurts Nomad War Machine and Susan Alcorn “Contra Madre” When internationally revered pedal steel legend Susan Alcorn died last January, the city’s heartbreak took on the sound of a swooping, bent B string. Alcorn brought the pedal steel guitar out of the honky-tonks and into the art houses.
Ivan “TVs Biddy” Baker is carrying on a legacy of Black entrepreneurship
Baltimore Scores Big with CIAA Tournament: A Slam Dunk for Local Economy and Black Culture Celebration The CIAA basketball tournament is once again bringing the heat to Baltimore, and it's not just about who can sink the most three-pointers. According …
Best Beats 1/14/26 - 1/28/26
Ill Conscious — “The Aggregation of Marginal Gains” Baltimore veteran emcee ILL Conscious has spent years solidifying his name as a top-tier lyricist at home and abroad. On December 12, 2025, he dropped his 9th album, “The Aggregation of Marginal Gains.” The album release show was at Baltimore Soundstage, where he shared the bill with Wu-Tang Clan’s GZA. The Mobtown tour stop celebrating the 30th Anniversary of GZA’s classic solo album “Liquid Swords” was a perfect storm.
Best Of 2025: Arts & Culture
|
Sounds by Seven With family roots from the Black Belt to Brooklyn, Xavier Walker is picking up undeniable steam as a newcomer to Baltimore a little over three years ago. Known by many as Sounds by Seven, Walker proudly embodies the role of the DJ as archivist, curating spaces for Black queer joy, community wellness, and artistic excellence that we count ourselves lucky to have been able to experience at our Summer Jam this July.
By Eze Jackson, Lisa Snowden Verified, Baynard Woods, Grace Hebron, Rahne Alexander, E. Brady Robinson, Bry Reed, Alejandro Danois
|
Baltimore Beat
Verified
Baltimore Beat Gift Guide 2025
Compiled by Ana Bak Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse 3128 Greenmount Avenue (443) 602-7611 redemmas.org Red Emma’s is more than a bookstore — it’s a worker-owned cooperative and community hub for radical ideas, local authors, and meaningful conversation. Who better to give us recommendations for their favorite local releases?
Home of the Realest: Mullymania
At only 52 years old, hip-hop is a relatively young genre. For comparison, rock & roll is in its early 70s, R&B music is 80 years old, and jazz music is a supercentenarian. This year, rap acts like Clipse, Ghostface, and Freddie Gibbs opened up the conversation about ageism in hip-hop by releasing critically acclaimed albums in their 40s and 50s. For some reason, rappers are given expiration dates, usually after the age of 40. But the art form is still nimble enough to constantly reinvent itself.
Baltimore Beat picks: From burgers to crabcakes to desserts, here are some of our favorite dishes
By Madeleine O’Neill Mi Comalito 2101 N. Charles Street All of the food at Mi Comalito, a little Salvadoran spot in Charles North, is delicious and worth a visit. But the pupusas are what I end up craving on late nights, and Doordashing more often than I’d like to admit. They’re always delivered piping hot and their cheesy, gooey centers are so satisfying to pull apart.
Best Beats 9/24/25 - 10/8/25
John Wells – “I Been Missing Therapy” If this is your first time hearing the name John Wells, go ahead and catch up, come back, and thank me later. But not until you take a listen to his first single “I Been Missing Therapy” off the upcoming EP “I don’t wanna die (Pt. 1)” It’s rare in hip hop that mental health is even discussed, let alone as organically as Wells does here.
Class Is In Session: An interview with the innovators behind Spitcam University
In recent years, a new form of platforming performances has emerged. Audience members can now watch their favorite artists and be introduced to new artists by watching them perform in studio with no loss of quality in audio. If music videos are used to market and promote an artist’s music, these platforms serve in almost the same way by providing a creative uniform backdrop for all of its guests.
Best Beats 8/27/25 - 9/9/25
Dre Thompson – “Bulls On Parade” Baltimore rapper and party starter Dre Thompson has been on the scene and unquestionably delivering quality work for some time, whether on record or in live performance. His latest six -song project “Bulls On Parade” showcases both his lyrical prowess and his ability to create tuneful dance music. The whole album is a soundtrack to being fly, counting money, and talking your most confident shit with ease.
Best Beats 7/31/25 - 8/13/25
Releases from Muscle, Nature Boi, Veli Smallz, The Ten Roars, and 4Tae Muscle – “Arrest God” 2025 has been a year of seeing the hypocrisy in religious propaganda placed on front street, as many religious leaders are either silent or supportive of the most evil parts of humanity like genocide, denial of women’s rights, transphobia, and racism. If ever there was time to tear down current structures and disgusting societal norms, it is now.
Best Beats 7/2/25 - 7/16/25
Pretty – “Chops 4 Breakfast” West Baltimore producer Shantele Pretty has gifted fans of golden era-hip-hop with a brand new beat tape: “Chops 4 Breakfast.” For those unfamiliar with hip hop, a beat tape is a project of instrumentals from a producer, usually given to a rapper for them to have a selection of sounds to write to. Producers often release their beat tapes as full projects.
Baltimore Memorial Day Sunday Pier Pressure Party Cruise
About this Event VIP Nightlife & BAL Nightlife present … Biggest yacht party in Baltimore this Memorial Day Sunday: 3 Decks, Live DJ, 2 Floors of Music, 1 Amazing Party aboard Spirit of Baltimore! Baltimore Memorial Day Weekend Pier Pressure Yacht Party Cruise Sun, May 25, 2025, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM EDT "Everyone's Doing it" ...3 Decks • Live Top 40 DJ • 2 Dance Areas • 1 Amazing Yacht Party with sounds by World Class House Music and Open Format DJs: aboard the multi-million dollar Spirit of...
Best Beats 5/7/25 - 5/21/25
Chipelo – “Sirena” It’s no secret that Baltimore’s Latino population has grown substantially over the past two decades. So, it should be no surprise that the sounds and vibes are here as well. Chipelo is currently a student at Towson University. His single “Sirena,” however, can be seen as a crash course master class in making a hit. The dark, seductive intro grabs you immediately in anticipation for the beat that does not disappoint once it drops.
Best Beats: Baltimore Uprising Edition
For this edition of Baltimore Beat’s roundup of the local music we love, we’re looking back at 2015, when Freddie Gray died while in police custody. The uprising that followed was a moment in history that sparked literal and figurative fires in the city. Bop down memory lane with us real quick as we listen to a few tracks that Baltimore musicians released during that time. Still image from Tate Kobang’s “Bank Rolls Remix” music video.
Best Beats: 05/26/25-04/09/25
DJ AyyMello: “Kendrick Lamar Squabble Up (Baltimore Club Mix)” Don’t say you’re a fan of Baltimore club music if you don’t know who DJ AyyMello is. He won the eighth annual “King of Baltimore” club dance competition created by Bmore Than Dance and was a featured artist in TT The Artist’s musical-documentary “Dark City: Beneath the Beat” (that’s currently streaming on Tubi, by the way). He has ingrained himself in the city’s culture.
Best Beats: March 2025
DJ Dolla, “2.22FM” Released on February 22, 2025, in celebration of his birthday, DJ Dolla’s “2.22FM” EP is a vibrant testament to the energy and diversity of Baltimore club music. Dolla opens the EP with a dynamic remix of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Scenario,” setting the tone for the lively and deeply talented cohort of collaborators that follow. DJ Dolla, who started DJing with a controller gifted by his girlfriend, has become an undeniable force in the Baltimore music scene.
Beauty & Barz
Last year, hip-hop turned 50. As the culture around hip-hop has grown — powered by commercial success and the money that comes with it — it has branched out into subgenres and overflowed into film, fashion, and corporate America to become more than just music. And while men might sometimes take up the most space, women have always held hip-hop down. Presently, we are living through a golden era of women in hip-hop.
It Ain't Over Till It’s Over
Drive north on Sinclair Lane, just past Federal Street on your right-hand side, and you’ll see Claremont Freedom, an attractive, fairly modern community with plenty of colorful houses. It looks like someone took a neighborhood from Montana and sat it in northeast Baltimore City. You’d never think it was once the Freedom Way housing complex, home of one of Baltimore’s most unsung heroes — the rapper, producer, actor, and entrepreneur Tim Trees, aka Wayne Jones.
BALTIMORE LABEL, EPIC FAM, DROPS VIDEO FOR “GETCHO!” & DEBUT COMPILATION ALBUM
Seth Barmash October 22, 2021 (left to right – KOTIC COUTURE, WIFTY BANGURA, EZE JACKSON, & STARRZ) Baltimore area record label and media company, EPIC FAM, just released their 24-song album titled, ‘Eze Jackson Presents: EPIC FAM Vol. 1.’ Curated by executive producers Ezekiel “Eze” Jackson and Dermell “Melbourne” Brunson. The album was created in an effort to bring more awareness to some of Baltimore’s most talented and promising underground musicians.
MC Bravado – Enough’s Enough Ft. Eze Jackson
Niyah Nel November 21, 2016 Rapper/English Teacher MC Bravado recruits one of Baltimore’s dopest and most respected voices, Eze Jackson, for “Enough’s Enough”, a vitriolic battle cry for “the other 99%.” One of MC B’s earliest influences as an artist was Nonphixion, and it shouldn’t take a seasoned ear long to deduce Brav is echoing their sentiments with his own voice of dissent. The song was produced by Militant Marxman, MC Bravado’s Cypher Junkies brethren; it features cuts by DJ MooseJaw.
Mayor Announces New Baltimore City Community Grants Program
At a press briefing Wednesday morning, Mayor Catherine Pugh announced The Baltimore City Community Grants Program. The partnership between the Mayor’s office and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation will provide up to $10,000 to nonprofits with an annual operating budget of less than $500,000. “There are more than enough dirty alleys and empty lots in the city. There are thousands of hungry residents that this can fill their need,” said Ray Kelly of No Boundaries Coalition.
The Fight for a $15 Minimum Wage in Maryland Returns, With Force
On Monday Jan. 15, 2018, a holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a coalition of union and non-union workers, activists, elected officials, and small business owners gathered in Annapolis to kick off the “Fight For $15” statewide campaign, calling on elected officials in Annapolis to raise the minimum wage during the Maryland Legislative Session, which began on Jan. 10 and will end in April.
The Fight for a $15 Minimum Wage in Maryland returned with force
On Monday Jan. 15, 2018, a holiday celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., a coalition of union and non-union workers, activists, elected officials, and small business owners gathered in Annapolis to kick off the “Fight For $15” statewide campaign, calling on elected officials in Annapolis to raise the minimum wage during the Maryland Legislative Session, which began on Jan. 10 and will end in April.
Feds Take Over Investigation into Death of Detective Following New Charges Against Baltimore Cops
The Baltimore Police department has requested the FBI take over the investigation of the death of slain Detective Sean Suitor, according to Commissioner Kevin Davis. In the Dec. 1 press conference, Davis read his letter to FBI director Christopher Wray. “I am growing increasingly uncomfortable that my homicide detectives do not know all of the facts known to the FBI and the USAO that could, if revealed to us, assist in furthering this murder investigation,” he said.
Mothers Of Murdered Sons And Daughters offers space to deal with grief
At around 1:50 a.m. on Aug. 8, just two days after Baltimore’s first 72-hour Ceasefire, Dejuane Beverly was shot near a house on Liberty and Tulsa roads. He died. Police found no motive. No suspect was arrested. Naturally, Dejuane’s mother Dedrah Johnson was caught completely off guard. It was the last thing she expected to hear on that Tuesday morning. “It’s like, you become shut off from people sometimes because you feel like nobody understands what you’re going through,” she said.
Spreading The Word
At around 1:50 a.m. on Aug. 8, just two days after Baltimore’s first 72-hour Ceasefire, DeJuane Beverly was shot near a house on Liberty and Tulsa roads. He died. Police found no motive. No suspect was arrested. Naturally, DeJuane’s mother Dedrah Johnson was caught completely off guard. It was the last thing she expected to hear on that Tuesday morning. “It’s like, you become shut off from people sometimes because you feel like nobody understands what you’re going through,” she said.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Eze
Contact Eze, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack