Who?: Buffalo rapper, hip-hop record maker, songwriter and comics enthusiast.

What?:Hawk follows his “Blues of a Journeyman,” released in early 2011, with a new single and accompanying video, “Vigilante Veins.”

Why?: Blending Hawk’s primary loves—hip-hop, comics and superhero films—“Vigilante Veins” tells the tale of an up-minded urban hero tirelessly defending his individuality against the forces of oppression. Set to a gurgling electro pulse, the tune blends Hawk’s well-oiled flow and smart rhymes with a sugar-sweet chorus hook. The corresponding video—find it on YouTube—displays the stunning animation contributions of the Johnson Brothers, a pair of illustrators whom Hawk met while visiting the Queen City Bookstore, according to his website. The result of the pairing is a professional, inspired meeting of the artistic minds, and a significant step forward for Buffalo’s immensely deep but criminally underrecognized hip-hop talent pool.

What’s next?:Hawk will release his new full-length, “Dance Party for the Heavy Hearted,” on Valentine’s Day 2012, via his own independent label, Team Radio.

Check out:“Vigilante Veins” is available now via iTunes. Learn more through chaehawk.com or teamradio.net.