10.4 Rog at SXSW 2010; photos by me

"Extrahelladope" by State of the Artist feat. Tay Sean (10.4 Rog 7th letter remix)

"Whatchudooin" by Clockwork (10.4 Rog afterhours remix)

This series started two weeks ago and it's already time for Vol. 2.

Renton music man/filmmaker 10.4 Rog released* two remixes last weekend for local rap groups State of the Artist (aka SOTA) and Clockwork. Both are wildly different from the last couple we heard from the 24-year-old US Census-identified Roger Habon, Jr., which were sparkly** Northwest indie pop and deconstructed Southern American bass rap (see Vol. 1.)

These new tracks toast old California hiphop and keep the young producer's winning streak alive.

"Extrahelladope" is a slapper, for sure. Anchored by a frilly/regal guitar hook mirrored by drums and bass, and with a severe snap action to its beats, the song screams Los Angeles circa 1993. It seems tailor made for guest rapper Tay Sean, who begins his scene-stealing verse "Hey, hey, hey: the West Coast."

"Whatchudooin" is a loping head-nodder built around a dull, plodding synthesizer. Rog pushes the synth to the front of the mix and rhythmically wonkifies it just enough to make one's neck strain for the slowtastic muffle-crack beat. The track is rumored to be inspired by Sacramento horrorcore, a hiphop genre known for low-budget keyboard funk.

Rog spoke to me recently about his current hiphop work in terms of an apprenticeship, like he's working his way through Seattle's farm system. The characterization is accurate in that he doesn't have a large repertoire, but also way too modest: Even in his developmental state, 10.4 Rog has lapped most producers in town.

*By "released" I mean "put on Twitter/Facebook."
**The word "sparkly" used without permission from Three Imaginary Girls. Please don't sue me.