These days music is digital and mostly free. How does this impact us?

Well, for one, big-name local artists are now able to release albums at will, with or without an album-release show or listening.

On this note, Doughkain, one of the most respected artists on the streets, is back at us with Where The F*** Y'all At? You can get the new album free at reverbnation.com/doughkain. With production by BoomBox Massacre and a host of local up-and-comers, Doughkain's latest project features Tay, Blockrepper R A Dubb, a spirited appearance by Whikid Maticuless and a verse from Lebowski. On a side-note, Lebowski is a young MC from Tacoma who rapped his way onto a track on a Tech N9ne album. That's a big deal. Look for more from him in the future.

Last week DJ Phinisey (of Remedy Recording) and Farid Xan released a project titled The Sandlot Collective LP. It's free on thesandlotlp.com. Production on Sandlot Collective was mostly handled by Phinisey, with a few tracks touched by producers in Oakland, where Farid Xan is from. The album features verses from Farid, Justis, EvergreenOne, Rockwell Powers, Ste-Hood and many others, and is packed with true-quality hip-hop that stacks up well against any city's best.

D'Rocc's new video, directed by Ryan Nielsen, has been up for a few weeks. It's called "NorthWestSide" and features Tak Patron. YouTube it to see cameos from A R Mastamind, Second Family, Mixmaster Lok Skywalker and yours truly. It's filmed mostly at The Firwood Rock Lounge. If you've been stuck in the house and haven't been able to check out this new venue, here's a way to see it.

This brings the conversation to video directors. Who are the main ones in the city right now? Well, there's Ryan Nielsen-he's directed lots of videos for Island Trybe, D'Rocc and that family. And there's Michael Pierce, who most recently directed all the new the most recent Rockwell Powers video. There's also Tommy Gunn-the MC from the now-defunct legendary Black Caesar has directed videos for Second Family & Mr. D.O.G., among others. If you're looking for video work in this town, any of the three are more than capable.