I just had to do it. Anybody who lived in NY during the Dip’s short-lived reign and wasn’t feelin’ their music is a damn liar- but I can happily attest to not ever owning anything pink…
Back in 2007, Canadian femcee Eternia began recording her sophomore LP with fellow country-man, and well sought producer, MoSS. Almost three years later, the aptly titled At Last, will be released June 15th on Fat Beats Records. If association breeds similarity, then the long list of features found on At Lastincluding the likes of Rah Digga, Jean Grae, Rage and Joell Ortiz should be a strong indication of what Eternia might just have to offer. A quick listen of the Joell Ortiz assisted It’s Funny, which sees Eternia sounding like a more aggressive MC Lyte, (not meant to be a knock @ Eternia but rather a compliment) does bear talent and would give any Barbie a run for her young mula baby.
On another note, one cannot help but be grateful for the recent surge of the “one-producer one-main rapper/emcee” type releases, such as Stimulus Package, The eXXecution, and 9th Wonder’s upcoming collaborations with David Banner, Jean Grae and Murs. It’s definitely a good look for this thing of ours.
A few days ago we got Phonte’s take on their leaked track Star and the tweeting that ensued; now here is Big Pooh’s diplomatic yet candid take on the situation.
From Big Pooh:
"We decided to give that song to people for two reasons. First, the people have been asking for another 9th/Little Brother song since this is the last Little Brother album. We had intended for that song to be an iTunes bonus track but certain circumstances led us to leak it, which leads to the second reason: We got word late Friday from our distribution company that iTunes took the song down following a call from 9th or someone in his camp. I feel that if he didn't want the song out then he could have easily contacted any one of us (Big Dho, Phonte, or myself) and explained his reasoning and the issue would have been dealt with accordingly. Instead we find out on some "oh yeah, I forgot to tell" type shit while trying to figure out other information. "Star" was recorded in 2005-2006 for use by 9th on his Wonder Years album that has yet to get a release date.
A lot of people have been asking and waiting for my response regarding the twitter outburst over the weekend. I posted a few statements via twitter myself, but, for the most part, I have chosen to remain silent. I have never believed in airing out business on the internet. I have tried to be as diplomatic as possible when answering questions about the situation in an effort to move on. Unfortunately, the same passion that people have had for Little Brother since we came on the scene in support of us is the same passion that fuels a lot of the extra back and forth between parties. You would have never witnessed what you did over the weekend if 9th actually spoke to us instead of speaking to you, the fans, via social network about the situation. Telling people, "You don't know the REAL story," and "It ain't on me, they wanted me out the group," and other comments of that nature does nothing but agitate the situation. It's only so much you can take before you finally explode and ask, "Why not talk to me instead of talking to those who have nothing to do with our problems?"
Phonte and myself have always been made to look like the mean, jealous, bitter, former group members in the situation when that is far from the case. 9th has taken the "high road" because at the end of the day, there isn't too much he can say if we really started throwing out the facts behind his departure from the group. We have issues that can and will only be worked out by us, if at all. Some of your outside input is appreciated but not necessary as we sort through this situation. At the end of the day it doesn't help, it only adds fuel, regrettably. As always, we appreciate you support and thank you for listening."
Here are two brand new remixes for Georgia & Declaime’s Heaven or Hell, a track featured on their latest LP, SomeOthaShip. These brand new reworkings, The Re-Bop and Queen G Remixes, come courtesy of Georgia herself. According to Michael Tolle, head of Mello Music Group, “Georgia wanted to take the reins and create a new remix for the track.” The result is two distinct remixes that still maintain the tracks composure and meaning while also displaying the eclectic nature of Georgia’s command of a sample-free, futuristic cosmic sound.
Peep their insightful interview with Out Da Box TV studios. In the interview the duo reveal what inspires them as people and artists, the message in their music amongst other topics.
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“Don’t listen to Beyonce for a long time…then go listen to it. You’ll get disorientated. “Declaime
“I got a lot of respect for Dilla. As far as his engineering skills, his sense of rhythm and how he mixed them snares is amazing. But as far as the message…I felt like that was just a waste of funk.” Georgia
Following an impromptu exchange on twitter between 9th Wonder and Phonte, Phonte chose to air out some grievances, or set the record straight as he sees it. His video sheds some light into Little Brother’s storied breakup or falling out; however, it should be noted that there are two sides to every story; here there might be three. In either case we should allow 9th to retort before passing judgment, even though Tigallo’s remarks paint 9th in an unmistakable dark light. .
Left coast rapper Trek Life teams up with fellow west coast producer, J.Bizness for the ten-track free EP, Rhymes Within Reason. Clocking in at a little over 25 minutes, it serves as the first of three offerings in 2K10 in conjunction with Mello Music Group, in which the artist [Trek] worksexclusively with a single producer (Oddisee,Everything Changed Nothing; DJ Babu, Fire Outside). Thankfully, J Bizness’s soulful yet raw and authentic beats complement Treks clear-cut, right-thinking lyrics from the left coast.
Alas, the masses can finally breath a collective sigh of relief – there is still hope for hip-hop videos. London’s own Richy Pitch enlists Ghanaian native M.anifest for the track, Blackstar, from his upcoming LP which is set to featuresome established artists in and around Accra, Ghana. As for the video, enjoy an 8-bit trip down memory lane.
During one of their most recent stops for their European tour, UK’s SB.TV caught up with Souls Of Mischief members sans A-plus for an unplanned cipher. Whether their individual verses were written or off-the-top, collectively the rapping was “free of style”, word to Big Daddy Kane.
Let Illuminati try me and my army/ I’ m strong in the concrete jungle puff a Marley
yU, 1/3 of the DMV’s Diamond District is readying the release of his solo album, Before Taxes. Slated for an April 13th release date via Mello Music Group, Before Taxes is yU’s response to hip-hop’s creative recession if you will; he describes, “hip-hop's golden era of boom-bap greatness as being akin to one's personal finances... before taxes, that is.” Subsequently, and as a result, this well-versed emcee has taken it upon himself to replenish the listeners pocket and flood their ears with a “rich cultural currency” of unbridled hip-hop.Opting to take an experimental approach in terms of the album’s soundscape, yU enlists the likes of Bilal Salaam, SlimKat, Finale, Grap Luva, Kev Brown andOddisee for this recession-proof LP.Before Taxes stands as one of two release for yU this year; as TheEARN,his follow up is tentatively scheduled for release in the fall.
Here is the video for Murs & 9th Wonder’s The Problem Is, from their highly anticipated release Fornever. It features Sick Jacken, who bares a strong resemblance to Fester Adams from The Adams Family, and a crooning Uncle Chucc. Unlike their previous LPs, Fornever is loaded withmore guest features than we are usually accustomed to when dealing with Murs & 9th Wonder. Nevertheless, if Sic Jacken’s stellar verse* is any indication of the choice features on Fornever, then listeners should be in for a treat. Fornever in stores April 13th.
Since I reside in NYC this track is something I could definitely relate to; Malik-16 and Brandon Carter put a hilarious and practical spin to Lloyd Banks rehashed single, Beamer, Benz orBentley. Granted the lyrics may not always be on point and their flows are a bit lethargic, this revised piece is still for the common man, like me.
Queens’s emcee, Pharoahe Monch, is readying his follow-up album to 2007’s Desire. Tentatively scheduled for a summer 2010 release*, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), will be released via a joint partnership with Duck Down Music and his company W.A.R. Media, LLC. Known for his complex and intuitive lyricism, that displays a sense of communal awareness, Monch suggests that” This album deals with conflicts andresolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things.” The album is slated to feature production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo andExile to name a few; while also featuring lyrical heavyweights Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte and BlackThought.
* Hey Selam, perhaps Rahel can shedsome light on this...
Considering all the good news my family received today; it is safe to say today was a good day. Hence, Ice Cube's aka Mr. I am The West's classic is very fitting for this occasion of some sorts.
The basis for the Closed Sessions recordings was quite simple- assemble talented artists and producers alike and let them do what they do. The result is a 14-track EP, Closed Sessions: Vol. 1, all created at SoundScape Recordings in the WindyCity, Chicago. Where this compilation differs from others however, is that the artists featured on this EP were either visiting the city while on-tour,or they already call Chi-Town home. Furthermore,Closed Sessionscontributors worked with artists and producers they may never havemet and may not typically work with; the result is a delectable gumbo mix of undeniable music featuring the likes of Curren$y, TanyaMorgan, Amanda Diva, Skyzoo amongst others.
Since I am down in Atlanta I think its only fitting that you holla @ a playa when you see me in the streets. Don't quote me on this but someone told me the self proclaimed King of White Girls, Polow Da Don, was a male escort prior to Jim Crow ewww!
Here’s yet another single from the f0nk duo, Georgia & Declaime off their album, SomeOthaShip. As the story goes SomeOthaShip ConnectGame produced by Detroit’s Black Milk and featuring Kazi was meant to be done over a Kev Brown beat, “but when D sat down and heard Black's beat, they recorded right away" says MichaelTolle, founder of MelloMusicGroup. SomeOthaShip is available at all digital and physical retailers now.
Directed byup-and-comingfilmmaker Veronica Hinds, the video for J*DaVeY’s Get Together taken from their EP, Boudoir Synema: The Great Mistapes (the first of three free downloadable EP’s leading up to their forthcoming Warner Bros. release New Designer Drug) is at best an artsy video that depicts its main characters including Jack Davey and Brook D’Leau of J*DaVeY being lured into the great unknown by a floating orb of light.When asked about the main concept behind the video Jack Davey explains, "I kept seeing a processional march down a hallway... and wanted to convey the main characters following their light to a meeting place." She continues by saying, “people need to step out of their individual bubbles and start connecting with other people… Step outside of your comfort zone and feel something new, try something new, speak to someone new, transcend.”
It's hard to backtrack, start a new beginning/ So starting today I'm vowing to make a new ending
At last I learned that happiness is not having what you want/ But is wanting what you have
Produced by Symbolyc One, and shot and directed by Matt Koza, Splitting Image is the latest video from the artist formerly known as Supastition, Kam Moye. Featuring the endearing vocal talents of Neenah, the video depicts a story of a boy who is forced to become a man due to an unplanned pregnancy with whom we [viewers] assume to be his girl. The powerful imagery coupled with Kam’s forceful lyrics offer hope in light of this all too familiar occurrence. Having fathered a daughter at the age of 16, Kam hopes to show “…younger people that your life isn't over when you make a bad decision but it means you've got to work twice as hard at your dreams.”
Alas the video (be as it may be a low budget video) for Big Boi’s For Yo Sorrows from his upcoming LP, Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. The video features cameos from the always eclectic, George Clinton and the West Coast’s unequivocal Mack of the Century Too Short. Now only if we could get 3 Stacks and Daddy Fat Sacks in the booth together.
The aptly titled Curtain Call is “the last first single you will hear from Little Brother.” Taken from Leftback, this Khrysis-produced track finds the NC duo summing up their careers as LB.
Who would have thunk it?! T-Pain (shown below) could actually produce something worthy of my attention. Freaknik: the Musical featuring the likes of DJ Drama (shown below), Big Boi, Weezy, Snoop and George Clinton airs on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim March 7th @ 11:30 PM.
