The Germany based indie label, Kiez Beats released the new remix album from Keith Masters, Electromajic. The project features contributions from Lady Nogrady, Natalie Oliveri and Vince P and dynamite production from Minnox, Ren Riz, Digikid84, Futurecop!, Odd Modern, GunSlungLow, Daze and Flashworx.

For years I’ve felt Keith does not get the attention that he deserves. He has been churning out some of the best electronic and hip hop beats in the city for years. This album is one of his more inventive projects and is a solid listen.

Empires have announced that they will be releasing their sophomore album, Garage Hymns, on June 12th through their own label History Records.

The band will be opening for Kaiser Chiefs at House of Blues on April 19th.

It is a hard moment to relive, but Serengeti makes a case for not blaming Bartman for the Cubs failure in the NL Playoffs. "Don’t Blame Steve" comes from his new ep Kenny Dennis and was produced by Jel & Odd Nosdam.

Who knows, maybe if we forgive Bartman we will have another shot at the World Series?

Rooftop Session has released another performance for their recording with Jenny Dragon. In this video the presence of the city’s skyline is beautifully pronounced. Earlier this month the band entered the studio to record their debut full-length album.

You can catch Jenny Dragon at Uncommon Ground on Clark on March 31st at 8pm with Little Light.

Isaiah Grass continues to pump out the singles. His latest is called "PHEROMONES", and it is just as polished and stylish as the rest. The single which dropped on Feb. 23rd is his first of 2012, but 8th overall since releasing "I’m a Freak" back in Jan 2011. Grass is a model and young emerging pop star who is definitely on the rise.

You can hear an interview with Isaiah on Fearless Radio from back in Sept here.

Video: Isaiah Grass "Pheromones"

Giant System is back with a great performance from Valis. The site also leaked that they have upcoming episodes from CAVE, Thin Hymns and E+ in the can.

Chicago-bred, but LA-based Haroula Rose recently released a new single called "All I Know". She is preparing for the release of a new EP called "So Easy" later this Spring and she is working on her second LP. The Hood Internet also recently dropped a great remix of her track "Lavender Moon" from her 2011 debut These Open Roads.

Sometimes an album just sneaks up on you and blows your mind. I confess that I had not heard of Chris LeSage, but I vaguely remember his past project Silhouette Radio. Last week I received an email about his new ep The Prelude which he dropped via soundcloud and bandcamp on Feb. 29th. I pressed play and was transported to a world of pulsing, soulful, atmospheric R&B.

This album is so compelling and beautiful, and truly deserves your attention. Check out the first track from the ep below.

Moon Furies have released the second single from their upcoming ep "Not Earth". The track is called "Skyy".

You can catch Moon Furies on March 30th at Empty Bottle opening for Nite Jewel and Chairlift.

Dolphins released their self-titled debut album this week. The band has a dense and diverse sound that is as sunny and appealing as their promo photos. Johnny Paglino, Adam Offer and Mark Kuivila have been working on songs for years and now Dolphins are here for you to enjoy.

Dolphins website says they are performing at Den Theatre on March 24th at 9pm.

It is hard to ignore the rise of Chief Keef, and with the release of his new mixtape "Back From The Dead" just 10 days ago the buzz is about to reach an all new level. Keef has a tremendous story to tell at such a young age. Anytime a high school aged musician can gain national attention it is remarkable, but the details of Keef’s rise is even more incredible. It was last August when Keef released his first video and single for a track called "Bang", and it went mostly unnoticed. It took an arrest following a shoot-out with police for the 16 year old emcee to gain notoriety. Since then his video has been viewed over a million times.

For better or worse Chief Keef is on the rise and with the new mixtape it seems like nothing is going to slow him down. For more information on Chief Keef I would recommend reading this great article on Gawker by local writer David Drake.