When Miss Hopie Spitshard releases new music, my expectations are always high.  With precedent set from her past two projects: Diamond Dame, and Dulce Vita, her latest attempt, Raw Gems out today.

“Raw Gems is an experiment.  It’s an ode to inventive hip-hop, drawing influence from 90′s-era underground rap, dub-step and outer space.  Its an album made for a hip-hop fan, boasting features ranging from annoited up-and-comers to pioneers of independent rap.  Armed with inventive world play and no hold-barred beat making by longtime producer, 6Fingers, Raw Gems is sure to prove that two years hitting the books hasn’t derailed Hopie’s left-brained schemes or creativity in the least.”

The project features collaborations from Murs, Del The Funky Homosapien, Moe Green and etc, and should be dope.  I will do a full in depth review of the project, however download it here now via ITunes.  If you don’t want it in digital format, make sure you get it from one of these retailers: Premium Blend San Francisco, Adapt in Oakland, Troy in Vallejo, Amoeba (Berkeley & San Francisco after 6) and at Rasputin’s Berkeley after 11.   Also, if you are living in the Bay Area and you’re over the age of 21, make sure you go to Hopie’s album release party this Thursday at San Francisco’s 330 Ritch.  Information for the event is here, and yes, I will be hosting.