Lord of the Flies set in a toxic post apocalyptic NYC. The first section where they twitch their heads, carrying that one dancer who crawls like a deformed creature. NYC dance on the flexin tip. Bone breakin. Next Level Squad. Video by Yak Films.

A kora drenched in kaleidoscopic energy glitters like a canopy of stars above the forestry. It evokes a thankfulness for the good fortune of the now (or then), yet is filled with anticipation for what’s next. Woody drums carve a rhythmic tale sturdy as oak while vibrations in the soft fermenting soil foretell epic chapters ahead. When the otherworldly light hits at 2:40 with a touch of trepidation for the unknown, everything makes sense and justice fills the air as the mind moves on. But what is beyond, we will never know, and the source of this wisdom imparted reveals itself in its Earthly form for the final seconds. Arca is a Venezuelan artist living in New York. This track is slated to be released on vinyl by Uno NYC, who recently dropped a free EP of his. (Photo by Heikki Leis.)

When it comes to video projection installations, AntiVJ are pretty far ahead of most of the world with only a few exceptions. They make giant sculptures come to life, allow viewers to enter inside columns of shifting white light, conjure holographic screens of color, and more. Of course, they’re a European collective, leaving most Americans to gawk at internet videos or maybe once a year catch some corporatized version of similar engineering. However, the group’s director, Joanie Lemercier, is here in New York right now. He’s responsible for the video above, which features a room-sized 3D topographical map that dips and glows with the depth of a master painting come to life. Currently, one of his works is on display in Brooklyn at the Muriel Guepin Gallery until April 15th. You can also catch him speaking next Thursday in Chelsea at Eyebeam.

Come thru!
(Original art by M.V.A.T)

In 1997 people still watched public access television, cassette tapes weren’t dead yet, and reggaeton hadn’t blown up in New York. But the Boricua Guerrero EP would help to change that last point. It was one of the first reggaeton releases out of New York to find success. As was the case with most NYC reggaeton back then, it had heavy hip hop influences and roots in Bushwick. One half of the EP was hip hop and the other reggaeton. And Elias, who ran the label of the same name, was staying in Bushwick. (Eventually, he would form the White Lion label, which brought Calle 13 to fame.) The EP was made by Nico Canada and DJ Playero, one of the pioneers in Puerto Rico. This particular track features Jahdan, who had attracted their attention after appearing on Smif-N-Wessun‘s “Sound Bwoy Bureill“. The riddim was produced by Select. In 2012 we use Youtube over TV, MP3s instead of tapes, and dembow from Uptown is bigger than Bushwick reggaeton. But Jahdan is still blessing forward thinking beats. (GIF via Gifmovie.)

Fantasy Thrilla has got an ear for beats and bass. Whether it be the Manhattan-based artist’s own productions or his carefully curated selections, he keeps it fresh. And his mix for Culture System is more live than a five hour energy drink. So whether you’re trying to build up those guns or back up them buns, Thrilla’s got you. From Munchiton and Jersey Club to nextwave juketronika and stateside heaviness, he keeps it knockin. Tracklist after the jump. (Art by Atelier Olschinsky).

Rizzla – Fine Azz Night
Munchi – Fuck This
Why Be – Go Hard (Nightcall Edit)
Tommy Kid – East Street
Lucid – Drung
Babe Rainbow – Greed (5kinAndBone5 Remix)
Juicy J – Who Da Neighbors (DJ Sliink Remix)
Drake – Headlines (DJ K Millz Remix)
Wale – Bait (DJ 2o1 Remix)
C¥BERGIGA – Drip Sex Funeral
Vybz Kartel – Virginity (Skanky’s 3vybz Remix)
Fatima al Qadiri – How Can I Resist U
Chelley – Took the Night (Quali-Juke-Ton Remix)
zAK-MATIC – Δ $ $
Nicki Minaj – Stupid Hoe (Ben Aqua #jukewerk Remix)
Lisbent – Crack, Come On ((fuck me) Cracked by Craxxxsmurf)

This is some smacked life music. Face that bottle, bump this, and stay fresh music. Young bols outta Jersey, the New Jersey Rebels like to fuck shit up basically. In a haze of treated reality they trade stories about recklessness. You might recognize this beat from Young Zee’s “Drugs”. You know, the one with that crazy video. But it’s a family affair, because Krash from the Rebels is actually Zee’s son. The track came from their new mixtape that dropped this week and features some production by Nadus. (Art by Sebastian Bentler.)

Life asserts it’s dominance as the dashboard crumbles, and a lack of control is embraced. Cocooned in a spiraling satellite orbiting earth’s last day, happy just to have had a chance. Basking in the glow of the navy blue jewel and snow white wisps on one side, soaking up the vibrant glow of humanity’s fire on the other. Flicking through the jpeg album of existence down there, taking the dark side with the bright, feeling both passionately. (Image of the Midwest US with aurora borealis off to the left by NASA.)

Life is dangerous but the sun is still on your back. Matter-of-fact street life tales paired with warm rootical riddims. This is Subatomic Sound meets See-I. The track retains much of the original; It relaxes on the same stoop but captures the scene as clouds move, allowing a flood of light. It revels in the little joys like glittering reflections on reverberating surfaces sustained in billowing, smokey delay. The track is a free release from DC’s Fort Knox Recordings and comes just in time for Subatomic’s Sound System tonight with Deep Space at Cielo. It’s the birthday party for the man otherwise know as Emch tonight, so come through and bask in Funktion One sound and toast another year. (Art by Francesco Brunotti.)

Reclined in a leather seat, “Ice” slides over synth fogs that obscure an unknowable deepness below. Depth charge downbeats encase distant bang fills. Subs zero in on sheets of toms. Ice so dry it clouds the mind. Neako prefers that this placeless beat mystify and invites the listener to roll with his mentality. The vocals, featuring Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J, are more concerned with musicality than substance, consisting of a smooth flow and distortion that matches the rest of the soundscape. The most notable line is, “Time flies when your days are always better than your last, and your joy is in the future and your pain is in the past.” Hailing from Newark, this Taylor Gang affiliate’s latest mixtape The Number 23 [taken offline?] shows a strong ear for beats. This is evidenced by his own production work on cuts like “Ice” and though the selection of others’ music like Flying Lotus and Radiohead. (Image by Aymeric Rouillard.)