Episode 40: The IRAS Takeover

Named after the original God MC, Rakim Al-Jabbar is, in his own words, "the heartbeat of Dallas Hip-Hop" and the consciousness of true MCs who are looking to reclaim the throne of their legendary forefathers. Note to the reader; please don't get "Big Baby Thanos" (Al-Jabbar's alter ego) confused as a rapper that doesn't know his birth roots. This 5'8 lyrical master can "swang & bang", "talk smoke," and take the listener on a verbal tour of the streets of South Dallas and Oak Cliff with the best of his fellow rappers from the Big D, which is what these southerners have come to be known for. However, with consciousness and self-awareness calling him to lyrical excellence, he showcases his mastery of metaphor in ways that relate to the newly indoctrinated and seasoned Hip-Hop aficionados alike. In this down-to-earth and cumulatively musically exotic package, Rakim Al-Jabbar sends a message that lands dead smack in the middle of the cerebral cortex and reminds you that Hip-Hop is a culture that is geographically boundless. One of the biggest of the current class of MCs on the planet resides in Dallas, Texas, and as they say, everything is BIGGER in Texas.

The "Big Baby Thanos" project, composed of 9 new tracks, is Al-Jabbar's first offering from a series (more volumes coming quarterly) of topical lyrical hymns paying tribute to southern culture, family struggle, survival in the streets, and hope for the future, all in a seamless 35-minute voyage of the mind. Rakim's flow rings of so… Read More

n 2023, Alex Irish's standout track "PSYCHO" showed a captivating exploration of her inner depth, garnering attention and swiftly spreading into organic, word-of-mouth acclaim. The rapper has genre-spanning versatility, effortlessly transitioning from the breezy vibe of "Valley" to the rock-infused energy of "On the Loose" and the tumultuous "Twisted Metal." Her upcoming album, set to drop in early 2024, might just cement her status as a dynamic and multifaceted artist. - Dallas Observer

My name is Charly, I am 25 and super active in the Dallas community. I started off my career with modeling then started getting into directing fashion shows, short films, photo shoots, and music videos. I’ve directed the Neighborhood Gala fashion show created by Dante from Barely legal global. Then one day my homeboy Graham told me that the person that was media corresponding his and my friend Romii’s event “No days off” couldn’t come. So he asked me. I came and realized that media corresponding is something I am extremely interested in. I grew up watching LALA Anthony and I feel like I fit that role perfectly. My homeboy Hyndo then asked me to host his events “restoring the feeling” and ever since then I’ve been hosting his events consistently. Now I’m hosting the IRAS vision label SHOWCASE! I’ve helped Matt and Hyndo coordinate a show for one of IRAS top artist Devy Stonez. But I’m excited to now host a show with this big of a line up. I’m so grateful for the opportunities my community has brought me. It’s so much more to talk about but this is just a short Biography, so thank you for reading.

Matt Winn is a multifaceted creative entrepreneur, audio engineer, and producer from Dallas, TX. A Berklee College of Music alumnus, Matt has used his education and experience to propel the Independent Recording Arts Society (IRAS), a youth-focused non-profit and artist development firm he founded in 2013. Under his leadership, IRAS has flourished, impacting thousands of local artists, including notable names like Post Malone, Devy Stonez, and Yung Nation, and fostering a vibrant music community.

IRAS’s commitment to nurturing young talent is evident through its numerous initiatives and milestones. The organization has launched innovative programs like Dallas Music Industry Project and expanded its reach within the Dallas music scene. Additionally, IRAS has hosted hundreds of workshops and shows, collaborating with industry giants such as Live Nation and Downtown Music. Matt’s dedication to empowering underserved creatives has established him as a respected figure in the industry, continually inspiring and uplifting aspiring artists in Dallas and beyond.

Pop/ R&b artist from Dallas texas. Axandria’s sound is inspired from late 90’s early 00’s pop with elements of today’s drums and Hip Hop sound.