Video: Keak Da Sneak – “Dawlas”

Packed With References to the Occult and the Illuminati, the HipHopDX-Premiered Video Brings a Withdrawl Highlight to Life

12.5.2017

Critical Praise

“Keak Da Sneak has become, for many, the hip-hop voice of the Bay Area. It’s a gravel-toned, jagged-edged, smoked-too-much-growing-up-in-Oaktown growl that cuts through a track like a diamond slicing glass.” – The Mercury News

The Video:

Cutting through hyphy instrumentals with his trademark rasp, Keak Da Sneak embodies the idiosyncrasy and honesty of Bay Area hip-hop. Turning his attention to the cultural influence of finance and greed, Keak looks out for his own on “Dawlas.” Rocking a hypnotic one-word-at-a-time flow over sinister piano and eerie vocal samples, Keak lays out his ambitions and calls out deadbeats on the single, proudly wearing his eccentricities on his sleeve. In the video, Keak counts cash in a windowless room, transforming into a trace-motion silhouette, intercut with images of $100 bills and occult pentagrams. Produced by The Mekanix, who co-star with Keak in the new video, “Dawlas” is a highlight from Withdrawl, released in November, Keak’s first new album since 2013. Premiered by HipHopDX, “Dawlas” follows the rowdy video for “Ima Keep It Goin’,” which features E-40 and boasts a cameo from Marshawn Lynch.

Entirely produced by The Mekanix, Withdrawl is Keak’s latest release since recovering from two serious gunshot incidents in 2017. Running the gamut of Bay Area styles, from lush soul instrumentals to sinister hyphy bangers, the album boasts highlights such as the creeping, snaky, FADER-premiered “Him Not Them,” featuring Mozzy, and the Ike Dola-featuring “Zippin’,” which received a Mass Appeal reveal . Premiered by Passion of the Weiss, the album features additional appearances from J. Stalin, Kool John, and others. Withdrawl, distributed by EMPIRE, is currently available for stream and purchase.

Watch “Dawlas”: https://youtu.be/ESTQbciFaZ0

Check out the HipHopDX premiere: https://hiphopdx.com/videos/id.26427/title.dxclusive-keak-da-sneak

Listen to Withdrawl: http://Empire.lnk.to/withdrawl // https://soundcloud.com/themekanix/sets/withdrawl

Please contact Michelle or Isabel for more info.

The Background:

Keak da Sneak launched his career as one-third of 3X Krazy, a semi-successful mid- to late-’90s hardcore rap trio from Oakland, and soon after embarked on a solo career in 1999. He signed to Moe Doe Records, which released his first two albums, High Tech (1999) and Hi-Tek (2001), as well as a collaborative effort with former 3X Krazy colleague Agerman, Dual Committee (2000). Following this stint with Moe Doe, Keak moved on and continued to develop his career, beginning with the Retaliation album for the Sacramento-based hardcore rap label Black Market Records.