One of the greatest Dilla Tributes to date. A medley that's,'Official' and even mentions of falling in love. Performance by Phonte, John Robinson, Radar Ellis. Event by Revive Da Live.
February 28, 2009
Major Dilla Tribute: Performance by Phonte, John Robinson, Radar Ellis & Revive Da Live...
One of the greatest Dilla Tributes to date. A medley that's,'Official' and even mentions of falling in love. Performance by Phonte, John Robinson, Radar Ellis. Event by Revive Da Live.
February 17, 2009
Free Mixtape: Dub MD & Spectacula Presents "Unexclusively Exclusive"
Here's some exclusive new heat from Queens emcee, Spectacula as he joins forces with Dub MD for this brand new project entitled "Unexclusively Exclusive" a 16 track digi-zip jam packed full of classic hip hop music. The new mixtape features beats from a whole host of producers from the likes of DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Alchemist, Black Milk and many more, and in the immortal words of the homie Fresh Daily, it's supaspectacular!This new project is in preparation for Spectacula's up and coming new studio album "Every Second Counts" which due for release sometime this year. The Queens emcee will be releasing a mixtape every month until the summer in the lead up to his album, this mixtape being the first in his "Quality In Quantity" series. Also check for some new releases from Dub MD this year as he tags-up for a second time with Nametag for Volume 2 of the "Classic Cadence" collection, along with projects with an army of other artists in 2009, keep it locked!
Download Link
01.) Intro (Produced By Kon and Amir)
02.) Shine (Produced By The Alchemist)
03.) Pressure (Produced By Pete Rock)
04.) Your Welcome (Produced By 9th Wonder)
05.) Let Go (Produced By Madlib)
06.) Full Time Job (Produced By Pete Rock)
07.) Just Venting (Produced By Khyrsis)
08.) For The Websites (Produced By Black Milk)
09.) Whats Next? (Interlude)
10.) Going Out Of Style (Produced By Pete Rock)
11.) The Forefront (Produced By Bronze Nazareth)
12.) Wasted Potential (Produced By DJ Premier)
13.) Snakes In The Grass (Produced By Khyrsis)
14.) For The Hell Of It (Produced By Easy Mo Bee)
15.) Gravity (feat. Gorillaz) (Produced By Gorillaz)
16.) Unexclusively Exclusive (Outro)
www.myspace.com/spectacula1
www.myspace.com/dubmd84
The Failure of Hip Hop Journalism: Rewritin' Hip Hop History by Paul Scott
To hear some Hip Hop journalists tell it, there was a time when Hip Hop magazines were the vanguard of the Revolution. Not since David Walker's "Appeal" were there such powerful writings that shook the foundations of the system. Some believe that if it wasn't for Hip Hop journalists , slavery would have been back in effect after the Reagan administration.
However, contrary to popular belief, the Source was never "The Negro World" nor was XXL ever the "The Messenger."
This is not to say that Hip Hop magazines have not had their shining moments. XXL's first couple of issues showed promise that something new might have been on the horizon and the Source did give the early conscious rappers a voice in its early years. But that had more to do with the fact that Hip Hop, itself, was going through a brief conscious era more so than the Source shaping the direction of Hip Hop. The writers were merely reporting what was happening in Hip Hop not plotting a new "vanglorious" course.
Today the Source does have a few interesting articles especially in its "Ear to the Street" section, however, this is an exception to the rule. For the most part Hip Hop journalists give the same rehashed stories over and over again regarding beefs, street credibility and the obligatory paragraph about a rappers love for weed.
The goal of Hip Hop magazines has and always will be to sell subscriptions, not to lead black folks to the promised land. For the most part, the mission of Hip Hop journalists has been to give pseudo black culture to mainstream America in small doses at a time.
In other words, the cat who buys a Hip Hop magazine in 2009, is the same dude who bought that Alfonso Ribeiro "Learn How to Breakdance" book back in the day.
This is not to say that the writers of 20 years ago were any different than most Hip Hop artists whose end game strategy was to gain acceptance by the mainstream and to prove once and for all that rappers were people, too.
To suggest that there was ever a period when Hip Hop journalists/artists ever consistently put fighting the power before fighting for profit is a myth that has been repeated so much that it has become part of the official Hip Hop canon. Of course, there were some writers who used their skills as tools to empower the masses. Even today a few still exist such as Davey D and Rosa Clemente, however they have found ways to move the crowd , mostly, outside of mainstream avenues. Also, there are a few Hip Hop artists who have used the art to deliver political commentary to the streets such as Pittsburgh's Jasiri X.
While some would write about "The Poor Righteous Teachers," back in tha day, few wanted to be one, as assimilation into the mainstream was more lucrative. This is the true side of Hip Hop journalism that few want to discuss, therefore we become victims of historical amnesia.
Hip Hop history becomes problematic when, like the rest of American history it becomes revisionist. Those who are entrusted to record historical events tend to give themselves or their causes greater roles than they actually deserve. Therefore, many who see as their crusade to return Hip Hop back to a "Golden Age" are trying to time travel back to an age that never really existed to that degree.
If we are ,truly, trying to move Hip Hop forward, we must first dispel the myths of the past.
First of all, Hip Hop journalism has never been revolutionary in and of itself. We must remember, as much as we try to extend the time period, out of the almost 30 years since Hip Hop was first put on wax, the period of "conscious Hip Hop" was relatively short, barely lasting four years. What ever conscious Hip Hop of that era was, it was not able to engage itself in a protracted struggle against the powers that be. At best the writers did the best they could to enlighten the masses within the narrow confines imposed on them by those who had a vested interest in keeping young urban America in the dark.
While some writers consider themselves "underground Hip Hop journalists" they face the same contradictions as underground Hip Hop artists. As Huey P Newton said "movements are driven underground" through some form of political repression. The writings of true revolutionaries are quickly labeled as contraband by the oppressors, therefore you would not be able to buy them for $4.99 at your local grocery store.
We must also remember that conscious Hip Hop began to lose it's "pro-blackness," as soon as it began to gain acceptance by the mainstream. What could have been a force to teach unadulterated black history/culture to the youth soon became just another way for white kids to live the hood life vicariously through Hip Hop. They could drink of the rivers of blackness without experiencing the after taste. Although, we may wax nostalgic about the pro-blackness of the Hip Hop journalists during '88-92, just like the writers of the Harlem Renaissance , they were never allowed to reach their full potentials because of the influences of outside forces. (Read "Crisis
of the Negro Intellectual by Harold Cruse.)
Despite all the new prognostications of Hip Hop journalism's sudden growth spurt into collective maturity since the last election, it still is well below the intellectual level that it should have reached during its 20 years of existence. While some refer to the shallowness of today's Soulja Boy-esque Hip Hop as ring tone music, today's Hip Hop writings can be best described as "text message journalism." Thus, it has not evolved much from where it was two decades ago,
Out of all the things Hip Hop magazines coulda/shoulda done to advance the culture, their crowning achievement was promoting the East Coast/West Coast Beef.
If Hip Hop is to move forward the scribes must see the past as its was and not
through rose colored Gazelles
As the saying goes, "those who don't learn their history are bound to repeat it."
However, contrary to popular belief, the Source was never "The Negro World" nor was XXL ever the "The Messenger."
This is not to say that Hip Hop magazines have not had their shining moments. XXL's first couple of issues showed promise that something new might have been on the horizon and the Source did give the early conscious rappers a voice in its early years. But that had more to do with the fact that Hip Hop, itself, was going through a brief conscious era more so than the Source shaping the direction of Hip Hop. The writers were merely reporting what was happening in Hip Hop not plotting a new "vanglorious" course.
Today the Source does have a few interesting articles especially in its "Ear to the Street" section, however, this is an exception to the rule. For the most part Hip Hop journalists give the same rehashed stories over and over again regarding beefs, street credibility and the obligatory paragraph about a rappers love for weed.
The goal of Hip Hop magazines has and always will be to sell subscriptions, not to lead black folks to the promised land. For the most part, the mission of Hip Hop journalists has been to give pseudo black culture to mainstream America in small doses at a time.
In other words, the cat who buys a Hip Hop magazine in 2009, is the same dude who bought that Alfonso Ribeiro "Learn How to Breakdance" book back in the day.
This is not to say that the writers of 20 years ago were any different than most Hip Hop artists whose end game strategy was to gain acceptance by the mainstream and to prove once and for all that rappers were people, too.
To suggest that there was ever a period when Hip Hop journalists/artists ever consistently put fighting the power before fighting for profit is a myth that has been repeated so much that it has become part of the official Hip Hop canon. Of course, there were some writers who used their skills as tools to empower the masses. Even today a few still exist such as Davey D and Rosa Clemente, however they have found ways to move the crowd , mostly, outside of mainstream avenues. Also, there are a few Hip Hop artists who have used the art to deliver political commentary to the streets such as Pittsburgh's Jasiri X.
While some would write about "The Poor Righteous Teachers," back in tha day, few wanted to be one, as assimilation into the mainstream was more lucrative. This is the true side of Hip Hop journalism that few want to discuss, therefore we become victims of historical amnesia.
Hip Hop history becomes problematic when, like the rest of American history it becomes revisionist. Those who are entrusted to record historical events tend to give themselves or their causes greater roles than they actually deserve. Therefore, many who see as their crusade to return Hip Hop back to a "Golden Age" are trying to time travel back to an age that never really existed to that degree.
If we are ,truly, trying to move Hip Hop forward, we must first dispel the myths of the past.
First of all, Hip Hop journalism has never been revolutionary in and of itself. We must remember, as much as we try to extend the time period, out of the almost 30 years since Hip Hop was first put on wax, the period of "conscious Hip Hop" was relatively short, barely lasting four years. What ever conscious Hip Hop of that era was, it was not able to engage itself in a protracted struggle against the powers that be. At best the writers did the best they could to enlighten the masses within the narrow confines imposed on them by those who had a vested interest in keeping young urban America in the dark.
While some writers consider themselves "underground Hip Hop journalists" they face the same contradictions as underground Hip Hop artists. As Huey P Newton said "movements are driven underground" through some form of political repression. The writings of true revolutionaries are quickly labeled as contraband by the oppressors, therefore you would not be able to buy them for $4.99 at your local grocery store.
We must also remember that conscious Hip Hop began to lose it's "pro-blackness," as soon as it began to gain acceptance by the mainstream. What could have been a force to teach unadulterated black history/culture to the youth soon became just another way for white kids to live the hood life vicariously through Hip Hop. They could drink of the rivers of blackness without experiencing the after taste. Although, we may wax nostalgic about the pro-blackness of the Hip Hop journalists during '88-92, just like the writers of the Harlem Renaissance , they were never allowed to reach their full potentials because of the influences of outside forces. (Read "Crisis
of the Negro Intellectual by Harold Cruse.)
Despite all the new prognostications of Hip Hop journalism's sudden growth spurt into collective maturity since the last election, it still is well below the intellectual level that it should have reached during its 20 years of existence. While some refer to the shallowness of today's Soulja Boy-esque Hip Hop as ring tone music, today's Hip Hop writings can be best described as "text message journalism." Thus, it has not evolved much from where it was two decades ago,
Out of all the things Hip Hop magazines coulda/shoulda done to advance the culture, their crowning achievement was promoting the East Coast/West Coast Beef.
If Hip Hop is to move forward the scribes must see the past as its was and not
through rose colored Gazelles
As the saying goes, "those who don't learn their history are bound to repeat it."
Shaya - "Open Up"
Shaya comes through once again, this time with a brand new joint just in time for you and your soul mate to wind down from a Valentine's Day weekend. Succeeding where many other love songs fail, "Open Up," featuring Eyezon, is full of inspired sweet-talk that comes off as sincere rather than contrived. Matched with a soulful beat and a smooth-as-can-be chorus, "Open Up" is sure to set the mood you'll be looking for. Stay on the lookout for Shaya's upcoming mixtape In Case You Forgot.Download
Buy
"It's Like That" Produced by 9th Wonder
"Impeccable Concepts" Remix featuring Trek Life & Finale
"Fall Back" featuring Jake One
"Take A Ride"
Artist Of The Week – Terrence Jones
A lot of R&B singers can tell you about the ups and downs of love, but how many can also tell you what it’s like to be in a combat zone in Iraq? Meet Terrence Jones, singer / songwriter / military man. Originally from Fremont, Ohio, Jones has been stationed everywhere from Iraq to Ecuador, and all the while he’s bounced around he’s written and recorded music. Late last year Jones released his debut album, Secret Admirer, and this week I caught up with the R&B crooner to find out more about his musical upbringing, the concept behind his album, and how his time in the military has helped shape him both as a man and as an artist. Click Here...
February 15, 2009
Neck On Froze from The Bronx Über Villaini by The Bronx Über Villain
The 128kbps version is available for free download now. If you really dig this tune you can name your own price for the high quality(mp3, AAC, FLAC, Ogg...)version of Neck On Froze.
About The Bronx Über Villaini
The album can best be described as ‘unclassified audio’, that’s what we’re going with. If you can appreciate the likes of NIN, Outkast, Portishead and Saul Williams then you’ll definitely enjoy this work.
February 13, 2009
Feb. 24th "A Monthly Bondfire @ The Bowery Poetry Club"!
Freehiphopnow.blogspot.com presents,
"A Monthly Bondfire @ The Bowery Poetry Club'! A Show That Begins On
Time!
Sounds by DJ Ready Cee
Photography by Techie NYC
Cover $5 after 11:30 $10 ( Free Hiphop Now Blog subscribers get in for $5 all night. Just mention you're a subscriber at the door).
Door opens at 10PM (Open Mic Sign Up at 10PM. Limited list. Be on time!)
Bondfire Mic's Open Show begins at 10:30 -11:30
Bondfire Concert Series Begins at 11:45
"Being plastered all over the cover of entertainment magazines generally has no bearing on whether or not the artists pictured, actually live up to what the articles inside them mention..."On Tuesday Feb. 24th at the Bowery Poetry Club you will witness two entirely different artists that are very similar when it comes to their amazing talent. No seriously.
Both prolific and profound writers of intricate music, they both deliver with marksmen like accuracy and have the ability to not only move the crowd but have members of that crowd go home with a new appreciation for the art.
At 11:45 meet the 'Gif' as he unveils a condensed version of his one man show that recently had a very successful debut at the legendary BAM Opera House at BAM Cafe. He is accompanied by an awesome band that transforms powerful soul sampled production into the instrumental master pieces he narrates his compelling stores to...
At 12:30 meet Cavalier (member of Brooklyn group The Dugout). Responsible for the stellar debut album 'The Breaking' that has been called by more then a few respected sources, 'better then Nas' 'Illmatic' and Jay Z's 'Reasonable Doubt'. Cavalier is a force to be reckoned with.
Bondfire: Mic's Open Show 10:30 -11:30pm
Think MTV Unplugged, Def Poetry/Comedy Jam & SNL. During Bondfire: Mic's Open Show, open mic participants are guest of the host, 'The Bronx Über Villain'. Like medieval times where kings were entertained by the likes of jesters and musicians, performers do the same for the audience as well as , 'The Bronx Über Villain'. Each performance concludes with a mostly humorous comment from the host. The official show once edited for television and dvd will have a mix of the most outstanding open mic performances and out takes, live performances from the Bondfire: Concert Series, video interviews with various artists, comedy sketches and special ‘The Bronx Über Villain' commentary.
Bondfire: Concert Series 11:30pm-until
People aren't too enthused these days with live shows. They never seem to start on time. Artists either cancel or show up and aren't that impressive when they do. New York is a great city that has a reputation for being the starting point, and place of discovery of some of the greatest musicians to ever do it. Bondfire: Concert Series is about regaining the confidence of music lovers and creating lasting memories. Simply having a wonderful time. We're saying, 'No To Mediocrity!'.
Brought to you by... I ARE Promo
If ‘Ushouldnoaboutit’ we’re talking about it. I Are Promo is more then your would be, run of the mill, email blast spewing, wanna be PR company. We deliver the goods on unique happenings on and off line and are devoted to issuing quality entertainment from our growing list of superb clients, not just any ol’ folks that can toss us a dollar for our extensive promotional campaign methods. We have the right to be selective, since we do all the work. I Are Promo seeks only to provide the world with interesting and valuable content.
Guaranteed, you won’t get any mind fluff from us. That’s for sure.
http://www.youtube.com/user/iarepromo
Uninfatuated - Loer Velocity
Uninfatuated, an eight-track EP available for FREE download from Embedded Music artist Loer Velocity. Uninfatuated finds Loer drawing from his own past to discuss love in ways not so typical for your average February 14th. From questioning compatibility, to the natural ebbs and flows of intimacy, this free EP is definitely worth a listen... Or 10. Relationships are complicated, you know. Click on album cover for download...Morn N Afta
February 12, 2009
DJ Revolution "Man Or Machine"
With no human competition left, DJ Revolution battles a machine for turntable supremacy. Watch to see who is victorious. Music from DJ Revolution's "KING OF THE DECKS" album courtesy of DUCKDOWN.COM. Directed by Todd Angkasuwan
Bandcamp.mu is pretty awesome!
Bandcamp Screencast from Ethan Diamond on Vimeo.
Bandcamp isn’t Yet Another Place to Put Your Music. Rather, we power a site that’s yours. So instead of ads for Sexy Singles Chat, your fans see your design, your music, your URL. You retain all ownership rights, and we just hang out in the background handling the tech stuff.
Choice. We offer your tracks in mp3, AAC, FLAC, Ogg...all the formats your überfans demand. Choose between giving away your music, setting a price, letting folks name their price – it’s up to you.
Viral distribution. We give your fans drop-dead easy tools to share your music with their friends, and most importantly we do it in a way that drives traffic back to you. We also give you complete transparency into how your music is spreading, with...
The motherflippin’ stats party. We show you where your fans are coming from, what they’re listening to, even which tracks they’re obsessed with versus which ones they’re skipping over. And we make it real purdy, too.
Your fifth (very nerdy) Beatle. We provide fast, dependable streaming and downloads of your catalog, adorn your tracks with all the metadata they need to sail into iTunes with artwork, track names, and so on intact, and mutter the various incantations necessary to get your site top-ranked in Google. All things we know you could do, but we suspect you’d rather focus on your music. Well, think of us as your invisible bandmate who loves that other stuff. And we won't even ask to play tambourine.
Ludacris, Common, Mix Master Mike, Keri Hilson to Celebrate Black History Month Live at Hip Hop 101 Music & Arts Festival Feb. 21
Los Angeles, CA- (February 11, 2009) – With a stellar lineup of Grammy winning artists on one stage, Hip Hop 101 Music & Arts Festival (www.hh101.com) will celebrate Black History Month with Ludacris, Common, and turntableist Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys on Saturday February 21st at the Los Angeles Sports Arena starting at 6:30PM. Also included on the bill are R&B singer and songwriter Keri Hilson and Grammy-nominated alternative Afro-Punk singer Janelle Monae.The brainchild behind Hip Hop 101 Music & Arts Festival are Investor/Event Presenter Derek Patterson(Champ Funds, Inc.), Executive Producer Ken Andrews (South Bay Music Awards), Arias Webster Berry (Entertainment Entertainment) and Producer/Production Manager Sid Zuber ,(Creative Marketing Agency) who’s vision is to provide a creative arena to express Hip Hop in multiple ways.
“Hip Hop 101 Music & Arts Festival is our way to acknowledge the achievements of every artist by creating a platform and embracing Hip Hop’s culture and unity through the expression of music, beats, graffiti, visual arts, performing arts and lyrics,” explained Andrews. Besides the A-list lineup, show producers created an event that will showcase multiple facets of Hip Hop. Some include live graffiti artists, Visual Symphony with an old school Hip Hop history film and visual effects show as well as a dance competition by Millennium Dance Complex (past dancers include Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson). Winners of the competition will be given a scholarship by Hip Hop 101 Music & Arts Festival. To increase awareness to this monumental event, Power 106 (www.power106.fm ) along with Metromix (www.metromix.com) has come on board. For tickets please visit www.ticketmaster.com or www.wantickets.com
Tanya Morgan To Be Honored At Brooklynati Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
(February 12, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) - Bay Area-based record label Interdependent Media announced that they will release the multi-media project Brooklynati by rap group Tanya Morgan on May 12th. Highlighting the creativity and throwback sounds of the emcee trio Tanya Morgan, Brooklynati is an album, a place, and a state of mind. With Tanya Morgan providing the soundtrack, the Brooklynati project invites fans to become part of the virtual city of Brooklynati and one of the most involved and intricate marketing campaigns ever created for a hip-hop release. Hot off the success of their critically acclaimed debut album Moonlighting which received nods from ?uestlove, The Source and XXL, Tanya Morgan is stepping out of hip-hop's shadow and moving to Brooklynati. Are you coming?Miles away from the watered-down hype of auto-tune, the glam of Hollywood, big bank accounts, and even larger cars lays the virtual city of Brooklynati. Brooklynati, is Anytown, USA; a place where small record shops struggle to stay alive, local corner stores become impromptu gathering spots, and people enjoy city parks, attractions and performance venues regularly. Providing the soundtrack to our daily encounters, this album gives everyday people a chance to discover the things they have in common with the three members of Tanya Morgan; Ilyas, Donwill, and Von Pea. Discussing his move to Brooklynati, Donwill from Tanya Morgan says, "Brooklynati is the most real place I know".
As part of the Brooklynati experience, fans will have the opportunity to explore the city of Brooklynati through a virtual metropolis outfitted with an extensive website, video newscasts, a zoo, mayor's office, and even a fledgling mom and pop record store. Fans will have a chance to "move" to Brooklynati, become part of the vibrant city, get their very own Brooklynati driver's license, and order Chinese from their favorite takeout spot. The multi-faceted multimedia campaign driving the Brooklynati experience will feature a plethora of innovative limited edition merchandise including New Era Brooklynati caps, one-of-a-kind MUNNY collectibles from THIS SIDE UP DESIGNS, Brooklynati Public Library cards which will entitle its holders to access the Library Systems files, Tanya Morgan paper toys, and city destination relics featuring the most popular spots in Brooklynati. The unveiling of the Brooklynati project will also include album release parties in 5 major cities at premiere venues.
In 2003, Brooklyn resident Von Pea teamed up with Cincinnati's Donwill and Ilyas to form Tanya Morgan. Three years later, the group's Moonlighting LP took the rap world by storm, receiving a 3.5 mic rating from The Source and high praise in XXL's Chairman's Choice column. Donwill describes the group's uniqueness and appeal: "Instead of jam-packing our releases with different producers and guest emcees for attention, we carefully choose who we work with because we make it a priority to cultivate our own sound and identity. We look to groups like Eric B and Rakim, who honed their own sound and rarely collaborated with other artists." After touring the US more than a few times following their debut release, the crew came back in 2008 with release of their mixtape Tanya Morgan is a Rap Group and their EP The Bridge. Brooklynati will be released via Interdependent Media on May 12, 2009.
The Bridge EP Review - by Les-tor Manchestor - Click Here
Listen to Tanya Morgan:
"How Low"
"Hip-Hop Is Dead 2"
"Be You" featuring Czelena
Critical Praise for Tanya Morgan:
"The trio's latest, the savory The Bridge EP, demonstrates why Tanya Morgan has been a critical favorite for the last several years. Their deliveries are effortless, their beats run the gamut from smooth to boom-bappy, and their music has an inspiring vibe." - The Source
"Never mind the name — Tanya Morgan is a hip-hop trio with an affinity for soul breaks, big beats and complex, conscious lyrics."" - RollingStone.com
"their newest project, the highly anticipated The Bridge, is garnering them more buzz than a U.S. soldier’s haircut." - XXLMag.com
"With all due respect to Talib and Hi-Tek, I'm actually more inclined to revisit team Tanya's likeably loose, bordering-on-sloppy inaugural effort than said ballyhooed backpack-crowd classic." - XXL - Chariman's Choice
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iCON Calls Joe Budden To The Starting Line
iCON the Mic King officially challenged fellow rapper Joe Budden to a foot race after hearing of Budden's recent victory over rapper Joel Ortiz. iCON is the heavy favorite in the event after beating fellow rapper and former collegiate track star PackFM in a similar race while training to run a half-marathon benefiting the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. iCON recently completed this run in Miami in late January with great success, finishing the 13.1 miles in a blistering 2' 22". Now, he has personally challenged Joe Budden to a foot race, one on one, man to man, emcee vs. emcee. In the challenge video iCON appears very confident, sipping his wine and talking smack. iCON had this to say to Budden: "I'm telling you right now, I'm challenging you right now, me and you are gunna do a hundred meter dash and I'ma body you!...if you smoke like crazy, I will smoke you like crazy..."
When asked how he felt the he did in the half-marathon, iCON said that aside from the time he put up, he was also very pleased with the money he raised for the CCFA. The CCFA was equally pleased with his efforts, meeting with iCON after the run to discuss plans for him to become the official hip-hop spokesman for the foundation and scheduling him to perform at a CCFA event in June.
iCON's next album, entitled Cool Aide, will be released late Spring. The official album will be preceded with a free mixtape, Flavor Ade, to be released in the next month. Flavor Ade will also feature an appearance from guest artist Elzhi. A true visionary, iCON is one of few hip-hop artists to not only engage in a physically demanding fundraising activity but who will also match 100% of the donations made on his behalf for an entire year to this cause.
Couple Free Downloads Below:
iCON the Mic King & Chum - "I'm The Best" feat. Has-Lo
iCON the Mic King & Chum - "Run 4 YL"
February 11, 2009
* Lecha Dodi Vs. Akon
Right before we release the “Shir Ha Shirim” album by Benyamin Brody, Diwon & Dugans, we thought we would give you a free remix by Diwon, of Benyamin Brody Vs. Akon singing Lecha Dodi. To download the remix click, here ( http://shemspeed.com/daily/lecha-dodi-vs-akon ). Be on the look out for a free download of the “Shir Ha Shirim” album which will be out in iTunes in March.DOWNLOAD NOW FOR FREE
http://mediafire.com/?irnnz0zmtnm
- to download all other Diwon remixes for free, click to http://myspace.com/diwon
* "i heart mixtape" (free download for V-day)
DOWNLOADDiwon is influenced heavily by his family's roots in Yemen, Ethiopia, and Israel. His musical taste seems to also have been subconsciously influenced by the the different countries in which he lived while growing up as a Navy brat, including Japan where he lived for 3 years as a child.
This multicultural maestro is always full of surprises, and his latest release is no exception. The fresh aesthetic of the Asian region has somehow stuck with him since and so, for February 14th, Diwon presents a mix devoted to what pop music is made of, LOVE...just in time for the day devoted to it. In this mix, Diwon mixes various languages and genres as well as some of his own sounds into the music of which love is made.
Included on the mix are sounds from; The Concretes, Cat Power, Finley Quaye, Buju Banton, Blur, Smokey Robinson, and Anounshka Shankar to name a few. DOWNLOAD NOW FOR FREE
A Full Schedule in 2009 For Interdependent Media
(February 11, 2009 - Brooklyn, NY) With 2008 already a fading memory, there's a good chance you're going to need a fresh supply of music to hold you down in 2009. Interdependent Media has you covered with a full slate of brand new releases, including albums from Finale, Tanya Morgan, Truthlive, K'Naan, and Canibus.First out of the gate, Detroit up-and-comer Finale is charged to set the rap world abuzz with his debut effort A Pipe Dream & A Promise. Dropping April 7, A Pipe Dream & A Promise finds Finale spitting vocal barbs over elite production from the likes of J Dilla, Black Milk, Nottz, Oddissee, and more. Following on Finale's heels is the much-anticipated sophomore LP, Brooklynati, from Tanya Morgan. Comprised of Brooklyn's Von Pea and Cincinnati's Donwill and Illyas, Tanya Morgan has received critical acclaim for their debut LP Moonlighting as well as 2008's The Bridge EP. Closing out the year are exciting new releases from Truthlive, K'Naan, and Canibus. Truthlive, the emcee work of iM founder Evan Phillips, will be releasing Patience, an album produced entirely by Jake One (50 Cent, De La Soul, Freeway), while Somalia-born K'Naan, set to release his major label debut Troubador on EMI in late February, will be releasing the live album The Dusty Foot On The Road, which documents recent performances from around the world including Paris, London, New York City, Edmonton, Brisbane, and Djibouti. Finally, iM will end the year with Canibus, one of the most ferocious emcees to touch a mic, who will make a triumphant return with The C Of Tranquility.
Interdependent Media is no ordinary record label, and iM's innovative and interactive marketing and promotion methods for 2009 continue to raise the bar. To help promote the new Finale album, iM will be releasing a Super Mario Bros. themed online video game, complete with an 8-bit version of the song “One Man Show,” produced by Black Milk. Featuring Finale as the Mario of the Hip-Hop world, players who beat the game will receive an exclusive remix track. The setup for Tanya Morgan's Brooklynati release will be driven by one of the most involved and intricate marketing campaigns ever for a hip-hop release; the virtual city of Brooklynati will become a reality. The city will have an extensive website, video newscasts, a Chamber of Commerce where fans can apply for and receive Brooklynati drivers licenses, menus to the local Chinese restaurant, and its very own fledgling record store. Finally, thanks to the amazing work of artist Jamar Nicholas, fans will have the opportunity to channel their inner-child with a brand new limited-edition coloring book featuring the label's entire roster - get those crayons ready!
About Interdependent Media:
Founded in 2006 in the Bay Area by Evan Phillips, Interdependent Media has built unique strengths in the development, production, and marketing of recorded music via new methods of marketing and promotion. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of both traditional and emerging methods of marketing, iM has successfully created multi-faceted methods of raising awareness and interest in their projects. Industry veterans Ian "ID" Davis and Dominic Del Bene head operations at iM and are credited with discovering and/or developing artists such as 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Tanya Morgan, Blackalicious, Del the Funky Homosapien, the Hieroglyphics and more. In 2009, iM will be releasing multi-media projects from artists Finale, Canibus, K'naan, Truthlive, and Tanya Morgan. For more information, please visit http://www.imculture.com
'Vibe' Retrenches in Face of Recession
Reduces Circulation, Frequency; Staff Gets Pay Cuts, Four-Day Workweek
by Nat Ives
Published: February 11, 2009
NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Vibe magazine is cutting its paid circulation 25%, reducing its frequency to 10 issues a year from 12, and merging its print and digital editorial operations, all in the magazine industry's latest response to the twin attacks by recession and new media.
But Vibe is also departing from the standard playbook by introducing a twice-a-year newsstand-only celebrity tabloid. It plans to increase the subscription price for its flagship. And it is avoiding layoffs by adopting a four-day workweek accompanied by 10% to 15% pay cuts for its employees. The new day off, at least to start, will be Friday, though some staffing will be organized to keep the office open five days a week.
"Based on the financial climate and based on what's going on, we needed to make a tough decision," said Steve Aaron, CEO of Vibe Media Group. "We decided not to follow the old-school textbook of restructuring and instead look for ways to keep the talent in place." Employees were told of the changes in a meeting this afternoon.
The Wicks Group, a private-equity firm, bought Vibe in 2006. It quickly laid off more than 25 employees. It shuttered Vibe Vixen, a 2-year-old spinoff focused on women, the following year. (It now plans to publish Vibe Vixen and Vibe Prodigy, a parenting title, as occasional specials.)
Once a sign of weakness
Cutting paid circulation -- in Vibe's case, to 600,000 from 800,000 -- was once a sign of weakness in the eyes of advertisers and marketers, but the ad pages that bloated circulations used to attract aren't flowing like they used to. "If you're not getting as many ad pages anymore and you have less-profitable circulation that you're trying to maintain, the equation doesn't make sense anymore," said an executive at one big magazine advertiser. "Magazines would be better off getting rid of their unprofitable circulation and managing to a level where it's more profitable on a bottom-line basis. And advertisers would understand the reduction if it's told to them in the right way."
Many magazines are still expanding or maintaining their current circulation levels. But many others have decided to chop some down, resulting in circulation cuts for titles including Time, Playboy, Reader's Digest, TV Guide and others. Newsweek said on Monday that it will cut circulation twice more in coming months.
"I really am surprised that a lot of other magazines aren't doing this now," the executive said.
Vibe's ad pages dropped 17.7% last year, worse than the industry's overall decline of 11.7%, after falling 19.9% in 2007, when magazines as whole held the line, according to the Publishers Information Bureau. Unique visitors to Vibe.com, however, increased 35% to 443,000 in December from 328,000 in December 2007, according to ComScore.
3 Headed Monster Mixtape [NSFW]
01. TreyPeezy.com Intro02. Pop BC THE FLOW IS CRAZY, Jimbo Slice WHATUP
03. Ol' Skool
04. Steady Pulse Interlude
05. Freshness
06. Unbelievable Feat. Rah and Hash
07. SD Swagger Feat. McKinney Love and D.
08. So Many Things Feat. Bless of Surviva West
09. Best in SD
010. Rough Heat Feat. D.
011. Black Cotton Family
012. Trouble In '09
013. Show 'em What They Not
014. Why You Lookin' At Me '09 Feat. Leef
015. Unselfish, Shellfish
016. Fuck Nevaja
017. We Illy
018. Never Say Goodbye
Click here for Download
Listen to Black Cotton - Pop Champagne
February 9, 2009
Artist Of The Week - Señor Kaos
The stereotypes of southern rappers are that of excessive jewelry, loud lyrics, and general shouting about nothing. Thankfully, Atlanta emcee Señor Kaos represents none of the above. Maybe it’s because he was literally born into Hip-Hop with his father being a DJ, B-Boy and emcee in the early 80's. Maybe it’s because he cut his teeth in street ciphers where skill was of the utmost importance. Maybe it’s because he hasn’t spent his entire life in the south. Whatever the reason, Señor Kaos is a part of the subsection of southern Hip-Hop that is the complete opposite of what people assume the genre to be and his brilliant new mix-CD, Swagger is Nothing, Talent is Everything, is a testament to that. This week I caught up with Señor Kaos to find out more about both him and his music, some of the misconceptions outsiders have about the southern Hip-Hop scene, and the very unique collaboration he’d love to see happen. Click Here...
February 6, 2009
Bailout Money - Emilio Rojas
Everyone's heard Busta Rhymes', 'Arab Money' song by now and knows the easy moves of the special dance that goes along with it, that came out last year, but fresh for 09 is Emilio Rojas' take on economic matters over the same track. Digging a bit deeper and expressing his concerns is Rojas who's attempt turns out to be a pretty good one...
She don't get low, she doin the Dow Jones...
We don't go broke, the government got loans...
They gettin Bailout Money...
They gettin Bailout Money...
Bill Gates: How I'm trying to change the world now
About this talk
Bill Gates hopes to solve some of the world's biggest problems using a new kind of philanthropy. In a passionate and, yes, funny 18 minutes, he asks us to consider two big questions and how we might answer them.
A passionate techie and a shrewd businessman, Bill Gates changed the world once, while leading Microsoft to dizzying success. He plans to do it again with his very own style of philanthropy.
GLC and Kanye West - The Big Screen
Kanye West raps along side his new artist GLC on "The Big Screen", the new single off of the True To The Game compilation in stores March '09.TRUE TO THE GAME will also feature new tracks combining the talents of successful and prominent recording artists with new talent such as Yung Joc, Sam Chris and Big Boi, T-Pain and Tay Dizm and many more.
Participating artists for TRUE TO THE GAME want to recognize, thank and give back to their brothers and sisters who played in the Negro Baseball Leagues. These artists are literally putting their money where their mouth is and donating a heavy part of their proceeds from the album sales to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, MO. The museum proudly keeps this amazing era in sports alive and works to better the communities and the country through education, outreach, scholarships and more.
www.truetothegamemusic.com | www.myspace.com/truetothegamemusic
February 5, 2009
February 3, 2009
Cam'ron - I Hate My Job [Explicit Lyrics]
Three cheers for Killa Cam for actually doing a song about something real in a creative fashion. Something that listeners can relate to in 2009. A simple enough video shows that it can be done and that everything in Hiphop isn't all juvenile beefs about nothing other then washed up rappers trying to own one another. Let's see what else Cam'ron has to offer up on the forthcoming album, 'Crime Pays'. We need this right now...!
The Bodega and YUME give rising stars a chance to shine
Up and coming MC's and artists looking to land the opening spot on the main stage at The 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival get ready. Brooklyn Bodega, the producers and creators of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival and YUME Music have teamed up to create "Show and Prove," a competition/showcase where artists who think they have what it takes to rock the biggest crowd in Brooklyn can show and prove their skills.
The "Show and Prove" competition will give artists from all over Brooklyn, New York City, the United States and ultimately the world a chance to open up the 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on June 20th, 2009.
"Show and Prove" will take place over three months - March, April, and May of 2009. At each month's event a panel of judges including Brooklyn Bodega staff will select a winner. The three winners will become the 'Show and Prove' finalists. On June 1st the winner will be announced via email, Twitter, Facebook and on BrooklynBodega.com. The winner will open the Festival as well as win a prize pack from YUME and Festival sponsors.
Wes Jackson, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, "Just as we did last year with 'Spit 16' we want to give that struggling MC a chance to shine on the big stage. This time we wanted to make the process more transparent. Let's take it back to the roots. If you are nice it is time to hit the stage and 'show and prove.' Each month key Bodega staff will be there and you will have your chance to showcase your skills and build with the producers of the Festival. We are not sitting in an ivory tower making decisions. We are right here fighting for Hip-Hop just like you. We have a track record of breaking artists from Little Brother to Lupe Fiasco to Kids In the Hall to Blu to Mickey Factz. I can't wait to find the next one."
Michael Peterson, member of the YUME movement had this to say, "To be a great MC is one thing but to be a great performer is another ball game. I've always felt that the BHF has been one of the pioneers of melding these two disciplines, from Rhymefest jumping into the crowd freestyling, to Print performing with a six-piece band, to bringing true architects of Hip Hop like Big Daddy Kane and KRS ONE to the stage. Now artists will receive a chance to really "Show & Prove" that they belong at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. I believe we are creating more of an opportunity for new artists to show what they can do, as well as educating them on the evolution of the music industry today. This is a global opportunity for all walks of artists to show their skill. There is no other summer festival that gives this opportunity. This is true Hip Hop."
In order to enter artists must register at www.brooklynbodega.com. Once they are registered they will be given an email where they can send their submissions. No mp3 files will be accepted. All music submissions must either be uploads (zshare, yousendit, etc.) websites, or Myspace pages. Submissions should also include live performance footage (also via upload) and additional content including bio and images.
In line with organizers desire to create a truly world class event there are also plans to create a "Show and Prove" International contest. Ebonie Jackson, Director of Production added, "As we have said time and again the Festival is not for Brooklyn, by Brooklyn, in Brooklyn. We are not creating an insular event. We want the best talent from all over the world to come to the beautiful borough of Brooklyn."
Dates and venues will be announced next week. All interested artists are encouraged to check www.brooklynbodega.com periodically for more information.
-----------------
Brooklyn Bodega are the creators and producers of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. They are a collective of cultural programmers, marketing professionals, writers, designers and academics dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Hip-Hop culture. Their daily musings can be found at www.brooklynbodega.com
YUME is a multi-platformed company that looks to create avenues for independent thinkers to live and experience their dreams, by providing the very best in entertainment. Encompassing Music, Art, and Fashion, YUME strives to provide the very best products and programming while redistributing all things Music, Art, and Fashion into the YUME community. YUME also has a strong youth and adult education component.
The "Show and Prove" competition will give artists from all over Brooklyn, New York City, the United States and ultimately the world a chance to open up the 5th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival on June 20th, 2009.
"Show and Prove" will take place over three months - March, April, and May of 2009. At each month's event a panel of judges including Brooklyn Bodega staff will select a winner. The three winners will become the 'Show and Prove' finalists. On June 1st the winner will be announced via email, Twitter, Facebook and on BrooklynBodega.com. The winner will open the Festival as well as win a prize pack from YUME and Festival sponsors.
Wes Jackson, Executive Director of The Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival, "Just as we did last year with 'Spit 16' we want to give that struggling MC a chance to shine on the big stage. This time we wanted to make the process more transparent. Let's take it back to the roots. If you are nice it is time to hit the stage and 'show and prove.' Each month key Bodega staff will be there and you will have your chance to showcase your skills and build with the producers of the Festival. We are not sitting in an ivory tower making decisions. We are right here fighting for Hip-Hop just like you. We have a track record of breaking artists from Little Brother to Lupe Fiasco to Kids In the Hall to Blu to Mickey Factz. I can't wait to find the next one."
Michael Peterson, member of the YUME movement had this to say, "To be a great MC is one thing but to be a great performer is another ball game. I've always felt that the BHF has been one of the pioneers of melding these two disciplines, from Rhymefest jumping into the crowd freestyling, to Print performing with a six-piece band, to bringing true architects of Hip Hop like Big Daddy Kane and KRS ONE to the stage. Now artists will receive a chance to really "Show & Prove" that they belong at the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. I believe we are creating more of an opportunity for new artists to show what they can do, as well as educating them on the evolution of the music industry today. This is a global opportunity for all walks of artists to show their skill. There is no other summer festival that gives this opportunity. This is true Hip Hop."
In order to enter artists must register at www.brooklynbodega.com. Once they are registered they will be given an email where they can send their submissions. No mp3 files will be accepted. All music submissions must either be uploads (zshare, yousendit, etc.) websites, or Myspace pages. Submissions should also include live performance footage (also via upload) and additional content including bio and images.
In line with organizers desire to create a truly world class event there are also plans to create a "Show and Prove" International contest. Ebonie Jackson, Director of Production added, "As we have said time and again the Festival is not for Brooklyn, by Brooklyn, in Brooklyn. We are not creating an insular event. We want the best talent from all over the world to come to the beautiful borough of Brooklyn."
Dates and venues will be announced next week. All interested artists are encouraged to check www.brooklynbodega.com periodically for more information.
-----------------
Brooklyn Bodega are the creators and producers of the Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival. They are a collective of cultural programmers, marketing professionals, writers, designers and academics dedicated to the celebration and preservation of Hip-Hop culture. Their daily musings can be found at www.brooklynbodega.com
YUME is a multi-platformed company that looks to create avenues for independent thinkers to live and experience their dreams, by providing the very best in entertainment. Encompassing Music, Art, and Fashion, YUME strives to provide the very best products and programming while redistributing all things Music, Art, and Fashion into the YUME community. YUME also has a strong youth and adult education component.
A Monthly Bondfire Jan 27th Show Photos
Last Tuesday Freehiphop.com did yet another successful night at The Bowery Poetry Club with the newly reestablished Bondfire show.As promised, the show started and ended on time! As one of our official Photographers, Techie NYC has provided images via Flickr of the first portion of the evening. In the audience and participating in the evenings Mic's Open portion of the show were a number of NYC's up and coming underground artists paired in with a few veteran's of the New York City scene.
Unbelievable: The Notorious Edition
Mick Boogie and Terry Urban present... Unbelievable: The Notorious Edition.Alternate download link coming soon...
Tracklist...
Tracklist...
2. Biggie and The Clipse: Blow
3. Biggie and Jay-Z: Brooklyn Go Hard
4. Biggie, Game, and Darien Brockington: On Top (Produced by The Kickdrums)
5. Biggie and AZ: Brooklyn
6. Biggie, Craig Mack and LL Cool J: The Flavor (produced by Frequency)
7. Biggie and Big L: Let The Games Begin
8. Biggie & Redman: Machine Gun Funk (produced by DJ Premier)
9. Diddy Interlude
10. Biggie and Fashawn: Going Back To Cali (produced by Remot)
11. Biggie and Kanye West: Kicks Open Doors
12. Biggie and Jadakiss: All Day Every Day
13. The Madd Rapper: Still Mad Interlude
14. Biggie and Lil Kim: Only One Thing
15. Biggie and Young Chris: Young G's Part 2 (Produced by Moss)
16. Diddy Interlude
17. Biggie and Jay-Z: The Commission
18. Biggie and Gravy: Ready To Die19. Biggie and Nas: It Aint Hard To Tell
20. Biggie and Prodigy: Escape From NY21. Biggie and Sheek: Things Change (produced by nVMe)
22. Diddy Interlude
23. Biggie and Lil Wayne: If You See Me (Produced by Garbs)
24. Biggie and Mobb Deep: Last Dayz.
25. Diddy Outro26. Biggie, Big Daddy Kane, Ms. Jade: Set It Off
the press play show
February 2, 2009
Artist Of The Week - Jupiter Rising
Jupiter Rising has been on the scene in some way, shape, or form, since 2006, but don’t feel too bad if you don’t instantly recognize them, founder Spencer Nezey has gone through a number of lineup changes with the group. Enter singer Jessie Payo. Suddenly Jupiter Rising’s lineup is rock solid. The California duo, he from Sacramento and she from Los Angeles, immediately saw the potential in their teaming and started recording together. The resulting sound they’ve created is a mix of pop, Hip-Hop, rock, downtempo, drum n bass and funk. In other words, it’s some really fun, danceable, music most anyone can get down to. With Jupiter Rising’s upcoming album, The Quiet Hype, which happens to be Nezey’s first with Payo, due out in March I caught up with both of them to find out more about their coming together, what makes their teaming work, and the inspiration behind their extensive genre-mixing. Click Here...
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