JIM JONES Feat. REV RUN “Wishing On A Sucker MC”

by DJ Cassidy
A few weeks ago, Run called me with a vision. A few weeks later, the vision became a reality. Working with both Run and Jim on this record was an unforgettable honor. Run-DMC is the greatest Hip Hop group of all time. They, along with Jam Master Jay, played a major role in my life of Hip Hop and were a formative force in my life of deejaying. Needless to say, they put the fedora on my head and the Adidas on my feet.
Re-creating “Sucker MC’s” twenty-six years later was surreal. Hearing Funk Master Flex play it on Hot 97 the first time for thirteen minutes straight was out of this world. As a child, I never thought I could ever possibly contribute to Run-DMC’s legacy. I thank Run and Jim for making a dream come true.
PS. Stay tuned for the whole story of how Run, Jim, and I connected, what it was like working with both of them, and how Run DMC’s “Sucker MC’s” and Rose Royce’s “Wishing On A Star” came to be “Wishing On A Sucker MC.”

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Hear it here first: Sade – Soldier Of Love

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DJ Envy to leave New York Powerhouse Radio Station Hot 97

Written by Thaddeus Reid

Popular DJ and radio-host DJ Envy announced recently that he would be leaving WQHT Hot 97.1 and moving on to its competitor WWPR Power 105.1. Envy had this say about his new position:

“I'm excited to start hosting afternoons at Power 105.1. Now I’m with the first person that put me on the radio, Ed Lover, and the person who taught me how to mix, DJ Clue. I'm honored to join a young team of talented jocks. The grind begins...its Movvinn!!!”

The official announcement was made today by Power 105.1's Program Director Combat Jack. Envy, who also has a show on XM/Sirius, is set to fill the afternoon slot from 2pm-6pm weekdays.

One of New York's leading mixtape purveyors, DJ Envy climbed up the ranks quickly and his reputation was so esteemed that Sony signed him and his affiliate label, Desert Storm Records, and in early 2003 released his commercial debut, The Desert Storm Mixtape: DJ Envy - Blok Party, Vol. 1.

After churning out four volumes of mixtape mayhem from artists such as Cam'Ron, Beanie Sigel, Jay-Z, and the Lox, DJ envy doesn't plan on stopping. Growing up in Queens, this two-time Just-O Mix Tape award recipients has 10 plus years of ripping up turntables but there's more. Envy currently serves as President and CEO of BLOK Entertainment, his own management and production company that has already produced scorching tracks for artists such as DMX, Murderers, Funk Flex, Foxy Brown, Juvenile, Petey Pablo, Fabolous, and more.

How the South Destroyed Rap: Time to Stop Hee Haw Hip Hop

Wow I am floored by this article. Written by Paul Scott for nowarningshotsfired.com describes his views on Hip Hop in the South. We all have views and opinions on Hip Hop so I wanted to publish this story and get your views. After reading please comment on how you feel about this article.

Thanks,
UrbanEstablished.com

How the South Destroyed Rap: Time to Stop Hee Haw Hip Hop
November 22, 2009

Paul Scott

- “All my brothas eatin’ chicken and watermelon. Talk broken English and drug sellin’” -My Philosophy- Boogie Down Productions

Hip Hop is many things to many people depending on which side of the planet you rest your head. New York is honored for being the birth place of the genre. Cali is known as being the place that capitalized off of gangsta-ism (for better or worst.) And the South is known for what can best be described as “Hee Haw Hip Hop”; that throw back to the era when people lived in the land of cotton, old times there are not forgotten.

Welcome to Dixie Land.
While many Hip Hop headz will, vehemently, argue against criticizing any one region for the demise of the genre, it must be admitted that the worst form of Hip Hop for the last decade has originated below the Mason Dixon line. While other forms of Hip Hop have at least tried to convey some sort of message, Southern Hip Hop is as devoid of style as it is substance, that is, unless you consider dudes with gold teeth rappin’ like they have a mouth full of snuff some sort of swagga chic.
The rappers of the South Coast seem to go out of their way to rep the stereotype of country folks having the intelligence level of a watermelon to the fullest. Every time, I hear a Gucci Mayne or Plies song on the radio, I think that my IQ drops a couple of levels.

It must be noted that this has not always been the case.

The history of southern Hip Hop can be traced back as far as the early 80’s with an artist named Shy D and his Planet Rock type rhythms. He was followed by Luke “Skywalker” Campbell and the 2 Live Crew who gained world wide fame for their mixture of Hip Hop and hedonism and their attempts to push the 1st Amendment to the limit by claiming that they could be “as nasty as they wanna be.”

Like NY Hip Hop, the South also had a brief conscious era ushered in by the Dungeon Family (Outkast, Goodie MOB) in the mid 90’s. However, just as gangsta rap replaced East Coast conscious Hip Hop in the early 90’s, “Crunk Music” replaced the socially conscious rap of the South by the late 90’s.

Much of the credit for this can be attributed to the mastermind Steve Gottlieb, at the time, owner of TVT records, a company that started off selling TV show themes but found out that they could make a whole lot more money popularizing retarded rap (Ying Yang Twins) and making, otherwise, intelligent black men (Lil Jon, reportedly has a Masters Degree) sound mentally challenged.

The question we should ask ourselves is how can an area with more than its share of black institutions of higher learning (especially the ATL) now be famous for producing music only suitable to step and fetch to?

Historically, perhaps, it has something to do with the post Civil War Era as many black folks left the South to go North where getting an industrial job required a higher level of education than it took to pick tobacco.

Also, according to Dr. Noliwe Rooks in her book, “White Money, Black Power,” “southern whites feared that education for blacks would provide African Americans with the means to, eventually, upset white supremacy.”

Dr. Claude Anderson in his book “Black Labor, White Wealth” argues that after slavery, “cultural customs and laws forced the newly emancipated blacks to conform to the historical image of blacks as common labors.”

So the plot was clear, keep black folks deaf, dumb and blind to preserve white socio-economic hegemony. We see the same method of operation today with “Operation Dumb Down,” today. This is why most commercially successful southern rappers sound like they are just two feet off the plantation.

In an effort to preserve the status quo, the powers that be are determined to destroy Hip Hop and take the minds of black children down with it.
If the rationale for “Operation Dumb Down,” is, indeed economic, then the counter solution must also be economically based.

As Jay Z said, “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.”

This, so called, holiday season is the period when the entertainment industry counts on making most of their money by pushing anti-conscious Hip Hop. This is why we are using “Black Friday” to kick off the “Black-out Ignorance Boycott.” We are asking that those who truly appreciate black culture and want to save Hip Hop not purchase anything that disgraces our culture from November 27-January 1st (the end of Kwanzaa.)

Instead of buying music to put us to sleep, we must support artists that are trying to wake us up, whether it be internationally known Hip Hop pioneers like Rakim or up and coming MC’s like Pittsburgh’s Jasiri X. With the educational challenges that our young people face, we must also start buying more books and less video games. Also, instead of paying hundreds of dollars to turn our youth into walking billboards, advertising everything from Home Depot to Mountain Dew, we should seek out designers that have clothes with positive messages.

This makes a whole lot more sense in tough economic times than spending what’s left of our hard earned cash on bamboozled bammas who happen to have hot beats.
Now we are aware that some folks are going to miss the point of this call to action and dismiss this as a case of “hatin’ on Hip Hop” as that is what they have been programmed to do. Some will even argue that we are in control of the images of us that are projected around the world.

Dr. Bobby Wright put it best in his book, “The Psychopathic Racial Personality,” where he discussed “behavior modification” by quoting psychologist Dr. BF Skinner who wrote “it is possible to delude people into believing that they have the essence of life-Freedom and dignity-and still control them.”

So, as in the days of Harriet Tubman the condition of our people remains the same.
Some folks just don’t want to be emancipated from mental slavery.
As the great heroine once said.
“I freed a thousand slaves..I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”

Preview the first 10 minutes of the Lil Wayne Documentary

Check out Weezy's official documentary preview/trailer, released straight to DVD on Nov. 17, 2009. Pick it up in stores today!

The Death of the Female MC

Ok, ok I just finished listening to some new CD’s and checked out a few blogs about some very promising MC’s coming up in the game. Wale (hot, hot, hot CD), Kid Cudi and Drake are all on a path of success in the music industry. Then it hit me, other than Nicki Minaj, I can’t really speak on any other hot females coming out. Don’t get me wrong, there are some very talented female MC’s in the game right now. My favorites include Jean Grae, Rah Digga, MC Lyte (from back in the day) and a few others. But damn, where are all the female rappers now? I know I might date myself a bit but growing up there were female MC’s left and right. I remember female trailblazers such as Roxanne Shante, Sweet T, Monie Love and the one and only Queen Latifah. Yes I know the game changes and these guys move on to bigger and better things, such as acting or running production companies or labels, but still where is the breeding ground for new female MC’s? Is it because the industry does not accept or help groom female rappers as easily they do their male counterparts? Are too many women rappers trying to use sex appeal to break into the industry. Do female rappers not sell? Do we as the listening audience think that they are not credible? Are we truly seeing the death of the female MC!

I am even seeing true veterans of hip hop starting to recognize that lack of women in Hip Hop. Public Enemy rapper Chuck D fears the hip-hop scene is dying because there's a lack of good female rappers. The performer-turned-label boss insists the industry needs new talent, and promises to spend 2009 pushing the careers of young wannabe women MCs. He will start with up-and-comers Creww Grrl Order, who are signed to his label SLAMjamz. Chuck D says, "In 09, my fighting the power is for women in hip-hop, especially groups, producers, songwriters, and label heads. "There are very, very few all women rap groups. Less than we had 25 years ago."

Too many questions and not enough answers for me to even cover right now. I just wanted to plant the seed so that we as hip hop fans, consumers and supporters recognize a problem within the genre.

Below is a video from Nicki Minaj and her take on the situation:

He's the King, I'm the DJ! JAZZY JEFF and MICHAEL JACKSON mixtape

From the mind of possibly the best DJ ever to touch the turntables, and we already know Mike was and will always be the BEST! ENJOY!



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It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop – M.K. Asante Jr. [Review]

Originally posted on: The Hip Hop Democrat (http://thehiphopdemocrat.com)


Reviews by Sana Arshad on October 28, 2009

M.K. Asante, Jr.’s “It’s Bigger than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post-Hip-Hop Generation” 259 pages © 2008 is a successful attempt to remind hip hoppers that hip hop has been and should be more than just entertainment. He more eloquently compared the book to “snatching the mattresses from beneath our slumbering selves” and opting instead to sleep on the hard floor of a prison cell avoiding the danger of getting comfortable with the status quo.

Asante, an award winning filmmaker, author and professor before the age of 30, explains why so many may be upset with the direction of hip hop today.

Hip hop artists are predominately black males and since it became clear that hip hop was profitable record executives have not been black or hip hop for that matter. Asante likens this disconnect as colonial-like and one of the many ills of hip hop.

The “big four music companies (aptly called parent companies), Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, EMI Group and Warner Music Group account for 81.87% of the U.S. music market and supply retailers with 90% of the music according to Nielsen SoundScan music business likened to colonialism.”

Contrary to what it looks like there are no black males in executive positions at any of the parent labels. The subsidiary companies P. Diddy’s Bad Boy (owned by Warner), Lil’ Wayne’s Yung Money (owned by Universal), Russell Simmon’s Def Jam (sold to Universal in 1999) and Jay-Z’s Roc-a-Fella (another sub of Universal) are the colonies of the Big Four parent/mother companies.

“The mother countries go to the colonies and extract the raw materials like rubber, cocoa or gold to be finished and made saleable for the marketplaces of the mother country and back to the same colonies from which the raw materials were extracted in the first place.”

“So the inner city with its poverty, poor schools, drugs, police terrorism, etc. provides the raw materials needed to produce rap.” The result, the successful commercialism of hip hop benefits the parent companies and hurts those that are instrumental in producing it.

Beyond the colonial comparison Asante’s book contains discussions with Assata Shakur, dead prez, quotes from a number of hip hop artists, a nice historical lesson on the life of hip hop and the ghetto, an insightful discussion of the disconnect between hip hoppers and the Civil Rights leaders who focus on content rather than the sponsors of rap (parent record companies) as well as the incestuous connection between the prison system and the lobbyist that push laws to keep those prisons filled.

By midway through the book you can feel Asante calling you to act, encouraging artists to be artivists, listeners to be conscious of the badman box consumerism of hip hop has created, which they do not have to live in (and shouldn’t since it often leads to jail and the continuation of ghetto life) and separate the “real” from the “reel” daring to unlock their imaginations.

Quotes of author and quoted by author:

“When you make an observation, you have an obligation.”

“Each generation,out of relative obscurity, must discover their destiny and either fulfill or betray it.” Frantz Fanon

“The present was an egg laid by the past that had the future inside its shell.” Zora Neale Hurston

“American golden rule: those with the gold make the rules.”

“By focusing on the content, they unskillfully avoid the tough questions: Who sponsors rap? Who buys the most rap? Who backs ignorance? Who owns radio stations?”

“In the end, we conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught.” Baba Dioum

For more info: READ the book! Peep the filmography (by any medium necessary) and bibliography for additional reading. Visit www.colapublib.org/ and www.lapl.org

Independent Artist Hustle: So Supreme

This is the first of many independent artist articles I will be adding to my blog. Now I am not going to spotlight every independent artist I run across and and do a posting, but I will review many artist and and post an article based off of a few factors. These factors include current exposure, radio spins, are they creating a buzz etc. So first up is an artist named So Supreme out of the ATL.



Click Here to Listen and Download >>>>>>> CLICK HERE

Finally! A street rapper with African roots has arrived. Born of Nigerian blood, raised in the streets of America, So Supreme is an international superstar representing the millions and millions of Nigerians worldwide and now stakes his claim in the music industry.

In an industry filled with so many artist trying to push ahead, So Supreme not only is the name of one of the hottest MC's in the business, but it is also an attitude that is set to take him and his music to the next level. Currently based in Atlanta, GA he is poised to create a buzz and establish himself in the Hip Hop music scene. Influenced by the likes of Nas, Jay Z and Outkast, So Supreme creates a vivid image of street life in his music and words. So Supreme’s latest single currently heating up the clubs in Atlanta “I’m a Problem”, features one of the industry’s hottest rappers Lil Wayne! Hot tracks, mix tapes or live performances, So Supreme’s motivation and definition of success is being on top of the game. He believes the best way to succeed in today’s music industry is to offer the people something new in the music game, blaze your own trails and let your music do the talking.

As C.E.O of Against the Wall records, So Supreme is crafted in both the business and entertainment side of Hip Hop. With two street albums already dropped independently he has fans waiting for the third. The experience, determination and drive that fuels his work ethic can only mean one thing to the industry, that So Supreme is a problem.

VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009

The 6th annual “VH1 Hip Hop Honors” show will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Def Jam Records, as talents from across all artistic genres come together to celebrate this significant milestone in American hip-hop music.

“VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009″ will be taped from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) Howard Gilman Opera House in Brooklyn, New York. “30 Rock’s” Tracy Morgan returns as host for the 3rd year, as he will be joined many of hip-hop’s biggest luminaries. The “VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2009″ broadcast will premiere on VH1 on Tuesday, October 13 at 9PM ET/PT.

Def Jam has launched the careers of some of the biggest names in music history and has inspired other emerging labels and artists. Special homage will be paid to the architects of the label, Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Antonio “L.A.” Reid (Chairman Island Def Jam Music Group). Presenters and performers honor the history and the legacy of Def Jam Records through never-seen-before interviews, archival footage and special musical performances of some of Def Jam’s greatest hits. It promises to be a night that will showcase how Def Jam came and remains to be one of the premier record labels of hip-hop music.

www.oldschoolscholar.com

Ran across this site today and I thought I should pass it on to my readers. The site is called www.oldschoolscholar.com

Check it out, Old School Scholar: The University of Hip Hop Culture, has created a global symposium providing the highest order of education, inspiration, editorial, media, news and resources in all major aspects of Hip Hop Culture. The Old School Scholar Vision is to establish a foundation for life-long growth in the Hip Hop culture beginning with the roots of our Old School pioneers, and to offer opportunities for contributors and members that are tradition based and socially oriented.

In pursuing this vision, Oldschoolscholar.com reaffirm their commitment to diversity within The University of Hip Hop Culture. Their faculty members and contributors strive to be inspiring scholars as well as social, artistic, professional, and intellectual leaders. Furthermore, we endeavor to educate, expand, and amplify authentic Hip Hop culture throughout the world, and to enhance the quality of the community’s cultural, aesthetic life.

"Two Turntables and a Microphone", The Jam Master Jay Story

The late Jam Master Jay lives on thanks to family, friends and fans in a documentary that called, “Two Turntables and a Microphone”. We all know about the famous group RUN DMC and there DJ, Jam Master Jay. The famed DJ was gunned down on October 30, 2002 in his Queens recording studio. Police officials have yet to identify a suspect in Jay's murder.

This documentary not only recalls the rise of Jam Master Jay, but it also digs into the mystery surrounding his violent death. Interesting enough the trailer states that people were present when Jam Master Jay was killed, which also amplifies the calls to why this murder has not been solved?

The documentary features interviews with Run-D.M.C. emcee Rev. Run, Russell Simmons, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Ja Rule, 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Method Man and Swizz Beatz.

Neurosonics Audiomedical Labs Inc.

ILLEST COMMERCIAL OUT TO DATE!!!!!

Lynwood Rose (q-tip, raphael saadiq, d’angelo) – Lynwood Rose {mixtape}

I've been sitting on this for a minute. I am shocked that a lot of my peeps did not know about this. Free download if you want it!


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Rick Rubin: Your Producer's Favorite Producer!

Rick Rubin is a producer and is currently the co-head of Columbia Records. He is given credit for merging rap and heavy metal as well as producing the "American Recordings" albums with Johnny Cash. MTV called him "the most important producer of the last 20 years.

But never judge a book by it's cover. Rick Rubin is more than a record company executive, he would better be remembered in history as a person who helped put Hip Hop on the map! During his senior year Rubin founded Def Jam records using a four track recorder. In 1983 with the help of DJ Jazzy Jay they produced "It's Yours" for rapper T La Rock. In 1984 he partnered with Russell Simmons and managed to get his record label off the ground and thus laying the ground work for Def Jam Recordings. Their first record released was LL Cool J's "I Need a Beat". Rubin went on to find more hip-hop acts outside The Bronx, Brooklyn and Harlem including rappers from Queens, Staten Island and Long Island, which eventually led to Def Jam's signing of Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys.

Rubin is also known for his fusion of Rock and Hip Hop. Rubin pioneered the fusion of rap and rock in his work with Run-D.M.C., the Beastie Boys, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Later examples of his rap-rock fusion were Jay-Z's 2003 song "99 Problems" and Lil' Jon's 2004 song "Stop Fuckin Wit Me". The latter sampled Slayer's "Mandatory Suicide" and "Raining Blood", both originally produced by Rubin.

Check out this YouTube clip of Rick Rubin and Russel Simmons discussing working with Jay Z on the 99 problems track.

WALE SPEAKS ON DEBUT ALBUM

Has Hip Hop Gone to Far!?

As much as I love Hip Hop, where it came from, it's history etc. I sometimes wonder where is it going? On a regular basis I run across some of the most horrible Hip Hop music ever created. From the lyrics, to the beats, to the promotion and down right coonery that some artist put out as music. I am not trying to say that I am an expert on what is good and what is bad, but sometimes good old common sense is needed when these so called rap artist put out their work. The rap game is getting more and more competitive. Gone are the days when you put out an album and you could depend on the sales to bring in the cash. Gone are the days when you completely own all of the publishing rights to your song or had enough points on your album to feel good at the end of the day. Artist today have to diversify how their music is sold and marketed. Artist have to look to new avenues such as digital downloads, ringtones, product endorsements, mixtapes etc. So then with the game changing so much why do we still get plastered with garbage music on a daily basis. Are Hip Hop consumers really buying this stuff? I know that a lot of readers are waiting for me to start listing all the rappers who can be identified as the guilty conspirators, but thats not my call. You know who they are.....so ask yourself...IS HIP HOP GOING TO FAR????

Affion Crockett might have hit it on the nail with this one!

THE MISEDUTAINMENT OF OUR YOUTH

Hip Hop has the potential for growth or it can cause damage to the psyche of our youth

Written by Courtney Thomas for Defculture.org

I vividly remember listening to Boogie Down Production’s Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop album for the first time in 1989. I remember cutting the front and back yard to earn my $10 weekly allowance that I immediately used in its entirety to purchase BDP’s new cassette tape, followed by the slight disappointment that Kris wasn’t holding a gun on the album cover. I also remember thinking why did KRS-ONE marry Ms. Melodie; she can’t rap and she kind of looked like the “don’t nobody bring me no bad news” witch from the Wiz. But what I remembered most was the enthusiasm with which I ran into my mother’s room, put the television on mute and made her listen to my favorite song on that album, “Why Is That?” She responded by saying, “That’s nice.” That’s nice! Did you even hear the chorus?! “The gov..the gov…the government we have elected is inoperative. “ How could anyone not see that Hip Hop was an unstoppable movement that was bound to change the way we view the world? After that day, I vowed I would never be like that… I would never lose touch with Hip Hop, the music of the youth, the music of the streets, the music that had its finger on the pulse of the inner-city struggle.

Fast-forward twenty years. Now, I am a psychologist working with inner-city youth and KRS-One still gets heavy play in my IPod. However, the greater part of my days are now more likely to be spent listening to an adolescent male explain to me why throwing a chair at his teacher is the appropriate response to the question, “Do you have your homework?”
Just recently, one of these aforementioned chair throwing adolescent males rushed into my office brandishing a blank CD, asking whether I had ever heard of the New Boyz. My response of “who?!” was all the opening he needed to slide his blank CD into my computer and play their hit single, “You’re A Jerk.” At which point, he immediately started “jerking” in my office. Thankfully…”jerking” is a dance which primarily appears to be a cross between doing the “running man” in reverse and a bad 1980’s touchdown celebration. My immediate response was “that’s wack.” After explaining to him what “wack” meant, we agreed to disagree about the merits of the New Boyz and their overall contribution to Hip Hop.

I share these experiences not because my life is particularly interesting but rather I am beginning to wonder have I outgrown Hip Hop. Have I, a self-proclaimed head, lost touch with the music of the youth? When I talk about Hip Hop nowadays, I feel like the angry old man telling the kids to stay off my lawn with their ringtone raps and new fangled auto-tune machines. My argument that any artist whose name begins with “Lil” or “Young” should automatically be disqualified from any discussion about the best rapper alive usually falls on deaf ears. But there is no doubt in my mind that Hip Hop continues to touch the lives of many youths the way it touched mine.

Hip Hop is an art form that has the potential to generate large-scale political, social and emotional change among children and adults. It also has the same potential to be a malignant, destructive, force capable of causing irreparable damage to the psyche of young adults. But maybe it’s the responsibility of those of us who have known Hip Hop longer to bridge the generational gap. Maybe it’s our job to find new ways to use Hip Hop as tool for self-empowerment and progress, as well as allowing it to be a fundamental mechanism in the illustration of how to perform the latest dance moves. Or maybe the New Boyz had it right from the beginning and I really am a jerk, who just can’t seem to let go of the past...

Respect 101: Beastie Boys Hip Hop Pioneers

There once was a time when rappers did not have to show the world that they could be a thug. Back in the mid to late eighties most rappers only wanted to show the world a brand new craft from the streets that was new and cutting edge. My thoughts today are with Adam "MCA" Yauch one of the founding members of the Beastie Boys who was just recently diagnosed with cancer. From the reports that I have read, doctors caught the cancer at an early stage and by all estimates MCA will have the cancer removed and we fully expect him to have a full recovery.

In the scope and history of rap a lot of so called rap buffs seem to forget the Beastie Boys and what they accomplished in teaching the world that rap was not just a Black thing. And one can only imagine the struggles they had to prove to the industry and to fans that they were a legitimate rap group here to stay in the early years of hip hop. Just image 3 Jewish kids in a city like New York, the birthplace of hip hop, and all the battles they had to go through to prove that they were not a joke and that they were not making fun of hip hop. Through it all one has got to say that the Beastie Boys deserve just as much respect as any of the other groups from back in the day who blazed a path for rap and hip hop. The Beastie boys should be mentioned in the same respect and manner as other pioneering groups or artist such as Run DMC, LL Cool J, Public Enemy, KRS-1 and countless others. You may or may not have liked the famed group the Beastie Boys, but you must respect the hustle and grind that this group put in over the years and the tracks they left so that rappers today can be the entertainers that they are.

Rakim's long-awaited "The Seventh Seal"

Hip-Hop pioneer Rakim's long-awaited The Seventh Seal album will finally be released this fall and drop under the rapper's own record label.

Rakim recently explained the meaning behind his forthcoming release and how he anticpates gaining the younger generation's attention.
"The seals are from the Bible - Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse...The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times...I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene...I don't accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we've always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck...Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I've always been able to bring that."

Ludacris Ghostwriting for Dr. Dre Detox

Another song allegedly from Dr Dre’s upcoming “Detox” album has hit the net, this time showing that Ludacris is a ghostwriter for the highly anticipated album. The new song “OGs Theme” which hit the net over the weekend, features Ludacris rapping as Dr Dre. ”With 30 mil sold, where’s the f*cking gratitude,” Luda raps in Dre’s voice. “I see all these little BG’s/Mean muggin’ on the screen trying to be me/I’m much more than 6-4’s/Gun talk, weed smoke and sick h*es/That’s why most of them have come and went/I just re-coupe, re-create and re-invent/N*gga welcome to the West Coast/We the home of the jackers and the best smoke/And ain’t no n*gga better than/Doc Dre, I’m a 20 year veteran…” Ludacris confirmed the track on his Twitter account. “RT: LUDACRIS - “OG’S THEME” (REFERENCE FOR DR DRE’S DETOX) IS PRODUCED BY@JCARDIM!!! Not sure how this leaked,” he wrote. “RT: it’s funny hearing you rap as dre.. sick track dude.(via@jrobinsonn) Ha! It was fun trying. RT: song written for dre has actually been the best joint written for Dre that has leaked for detox.. (via @prsvr) Appreciated.”

Video of the Week: Jay-Z "D.O.A."

Wale’s Interscope Debut Coming In September

From: www.xxlmag.com

The disc will be released on Grammy-award-winning producer Mark Ronson’s Allido imprint on Interscope Records. Along with Ronson, the Washington, D.C. native has recruited a long list of heavyweights to provide the CD’s soundscape, including Sean C and LV, Dave Sitek of indie group TV on the Radio and Cool and Dre, who are responsible for Wale’s single “Chillin’” with Lady Gaga. Bun B, K’Naan, Marsha Ambrosius and Jazmine Sullivan were also drafted to share mic time with the rapper.

Just last month Wale released his latest mixtape, Back to the Feature and held a listening session on his Twitter account (@Wale). The disc, which was offered for free online, included a laundry list of lyricists, such as Bun B, Beanie Sigel, Young Chris, Talib Kweli, Royce Da 5’9, Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Jean Grae. –Elan Mancini

Thank You.........

To all MJ fans, DJ Lonnie B put together a MJ mixtape back in the day before the terrible and unexpected death of the world's greatest entertainer. So it's only fitting that I post this mixtape up!

Thanks, MJ you will be missed.

DOWNLOAD HERE <-------

R.I.P. Michael Jackson You Will be Missed

Yesterday just like the rest of the world I heard the bad news about Michael Jackson passing away. My heart goes out to his family and everybody who has ever enjoyed the music this genius put out. I was listening to a radio show this morning while driving to the office and they said that MJ was the King of Pop! “Wow”, I thought, MJ touched so many more genres than that. Anybody that picks up a mic or aspires to be a recording star can only dream to have the success that Michael Jackson has had. He was the prototype of what a real star should be and accomplish. Michael Jackson during his prime was bigger than the Beatles and Elvis Presley combined. His music during the years was a tribute to his dedication to his craft and all the hard work he put into it while growing up.

Now to bring this full circle to my favorite genre of music, Hip Hop, we must take a look at all the artist who have sampled a MJ track, used his name in a verse and or incorporated something that MJ did into their music. Today is indeed a sad day. It’s like I woke up from a bad dream this morning only to realize that it was not a dream. Michael Jackson one of the greatest entertainers that ever lived!

New Muslim Cool

Maybe I am late on this one, maybe not. Last night while getting ready to turn in for the night I was making my last ditch attempt to see what’s on TV. To be honest most nights during the work week I am watching shows like “The First 48 Hours” or “Crime 360”, but something caught my eye while I was scanning and I am glad that I took the time to watch it. On PBS last night I caught the documentary, “New Muslim Cool”. Basically the documentary is about a Puerto Rican-American rapper Hamza Pérez who pulled himself out of drug dealing and street life 12 years ago and became a Muslim. Now he's moved to Pittsburgh's tough North Side to start a new religious community, rebuild his shattered family and take his message of faith to other young people through hard-hitting hip-hop music. New Muslim Cool takes viewers on Hamza's ride through streets, slums and jail cells — following his spiritual journey to some surprising places in an America that never stops changing.

Honestly I caught the middle of the documentary when Hamza was performing with his Hip Hop group. That was what initially made me want to stop and see what was going on. But to me the power of this video is seeing how Hamza uses Hip Hop, his religion and his values to help other kids build a better life for themselves. In the wake of all of the images we are seeing in Iran, the racial stereotypes we consistently see here in America, it is refreshing to see a story like this. It just reiterates the freedom we have here in the states and how people no matter what background they have can help make a difference and build a better world. Please check out “New Muslim Cool” it is definitely worth taking a look at. Check out the trailer below.

UrbanEstablished.com

BLACK THOUGHT BROOKLYN HIP HOP FESTIVAL 2009

Check out one of my favorite rappers! Black Thought at the Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival!

Hot New MixTape and Artist: J. Cole

CHECK OUT J. COLE HOT UP AND COMING ARTIST OUT OF NC!

Download Mixtape | Provided by DatPiff.com

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: Clipse - Kinda Like A Big Deal (feat. Kanye West)

Dame Dash To Release Tell-All Book

Dame Dash To Release Tell-All Book
Posted: Monday - June 22, 2009

We're used to people in hip hop spitting like a beast. But when one decides to sing like a bird, it definitely raises eyebrows. Apparently Damon Dash doesn't care about the weird looks he might get. The former hip hop mogul has penned an autobiographical memoir that is actually being described by sources as a candid "tell-all" book.

The book is said to include an in-depth account of Dame's life as CEO of a major record label, behind-the-scenes details of the makings of his musical empire, and an insider's view of the bond connecting the Roc-A-Fella family. But, most importantly, the book is said to reveal details surrounding his estrangement from longtime friend/partner Jay-Z and the controversial ROC split.

Insiders say Dame hopes this book will rescue him from his current place of obscurity, both physically and financially, and position him back into the limelight. The former Dynasty captain has suffered setbacks ranging from property foreclosures to divorce since the demise of his multi-million dollar Roc-A-Fella empire.

Sources say Dame employed Kim Osorio, the former editor-in-chief of Source magazine, to ghostwrite the tell-all. At press time, Dame was still pitching his book to numerous publishers for a possible distribution deal.

- By Chardaie Lewis

Yo Gotti Arrested In Richmond

Courtesy of aplus804.com

Yo Gotti is arrested after performing at the Cotton Club in Richmond, Va. Police were waiting on Yo Gotti and his crew to pull out of the lot and pulled them over and said they were under investigation.

Funny how Gotti said @ 1:44 “we on the East Coast, Hip-Hop Police out here.” There’s people in this city who act like we’re in the heart of Louisiana. Boosie fades and all.

UrbanEstablished.com Throwback Video of the Week - Jay-Z - Feelin It (Classic)

UrbanEstablished.com Throwback Video of the Week - Jay-Z - Feelin It (Classic)

Mixtape Of The Day MLK & T.I. - A Year & A Day

New MixTape From MLK AND T.I. Download after the Jump!!

01. A Year & A Day Intro
02. Don’t Forget Me (feat. Mary J. Blige)
03. Hell Of A Life
04. At It All Night
05. Make You Sweat
06. Get That Money
07. Done It Now (feat. Lil Wayne) (Unreleased Version)
08. Show Off (feat. Young Dro)
09. Leaving With Me (feat. Chris Brown)
10. Your A Freak (feat. Blue Marley)
11. On Top Of The World (feat. Kanye West & B.o.B) (Unreleased Version)
12. Still Ain’t Forgave Myself (Classic)
13. Big Kuntry - I Do (feat. Young Dro & T.I.)
14. All G
15. Collect Call (feat. Mitchellel)
16. Outro

Download Here >>>>>

Spike Lee Rips Tyler Perry

Courtesy of BlogXilla

Spike Lee had an interview with Ed Gordon on Our World with Black Enterprise scheduled to air this weekend. In the interview he complained about “coonery and buffoonery” and both of Tyler Perry’s shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne,” comparing them to characters from minstrel shows.
“We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made 'Boyz in the Hood'], people came out to see it. But when he did ‘Rosewood,’ nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”

UrbanEstablished.com Club Flyer Design May Special

UE is running a May special. Club flyer design, 1 side $45 - 2 side $85! Half down to start and remaining balance due once flyer is approved.

For more info email us at info@urbanestablished.com

Run-DMC rapper's son Jo-Jo Simmons gets out of jail

The son of Run-DMC founding member Joseph Simmons "walked this way" - directly out of a Manhattan courtroom - one day after being arrested on drug possession charges.

Jojo Simmons, 19, was released on his own recognizance after being charged with two counts of possession of marijuana and a count of resisting arrest, officials said.

Police had initially slapped Simmons with attempted reckless endangerment, a felony charge, but a Manhattan judge Saturday gave the aspiring rapper a lighter rap.

Police said the hip-hop heir was behind the wheel of his BMW, which has "JoJo" embroidered on the head rests, rolling a joint when narcs knocked on his window Friday.

Talib Kweli Ties The Knot With DJ Eque

Rap star Talib Kweli cemented his relationship with DJ Eque yesterday (May 9) when the pair were married in Bel Air, California at a private residence. Kweli and DJ Eque tied the not during an intimate ceremony which included family and friends, including Queen Latifah, ?uestlove, Adam Rodriguez of CSI, DJ Rashida and others. The pair have been dating and engaged since at least 2007 and DJ Eque has produced several Blacksmith Music mixtapes. Talib Kweli is currently working with producer Hi-Tek on a new album as Reflection Eternal.

Sneaker Of The Week - "Kryptonite" Foamposite

Nate Robinson made the shoes an overnight sensation as he wore them while defeating Superman Dwight Howard during this years NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The shoes are now an important part of sports and fashion history. There has been no official word from Nike whether or not these shoes will be mass produced to suit the needs of sneaker fanatics. However the Nike Kryptonate Foamposite Lite is now being heavily bidded over on eBay.

News: The Roots' Black Thought Accuses Will Smith Of Un-Brotherly Love Written by Cyrus Langhorne

Courtesy of SOHH.com

The Roots' Black Thought recently spoke on the lack of unity between Philadelphia rappers and why past emcees like Will Smith should have made stronger efforts.
Click here to find out more!

Thought described the struggles Philly emcees go through to rep their city.

"I wish artists like Will Smith and some of the other artists who were popular representing Philly in the '80s and '90s had [reached out] because what it does is it's good for morale," he explained in an interview. "It's just a good look for the city and I mean, it just opens doors for the next generation of artists coming from your hometown...It breaks down a lot of barriers or apprehension that people might have about reaching out to a different sort of artist. Maybe the Beanie Sigel's and Peedi Crakk's will reach out to the Santogold's and the DJ Diplo's but that just like it would be unwelcome. So we send out a positive signal with a positive vibe by breaking genre barriers." (Hip Hop Game)

Beans is known for trying to unite Philly rappers in the past via anti-violence events.

Beanie Sigel, Freeway, Gillie Da Kid and more have linked with Nike to provide fans with an upcoming "Brotherly Love Concert" in Philadelphia December 2008. Presented by Nike's All Conditions Gear (ACG) shoe brand, the Philly-bred emcees will unite to show local fans their commitment to working together despite prior rap beefs in the past. "ACG's are the official hood boots and I support what they do in the community," Sigel said in a statement. "I had an idea to put everyone together in one building and on one stage to start a movement here in Philly and promote unity." (Press Release)

Philly rappers aren't alone in their plea for help, the West Coast's Crooked I previously called out rap veterans in his region for not reaching out to up-and-coming emcees.

"You've got all these people on the West Coast," he explained. "The 'Men' stands for 'mentality': No country for this old mentality. We don't want to deal with this mentality that says we can't like each other, we can't unify...After this stuff, man, I've been really thinking. That [album is] cool. That's something that needs to be said. But right now ... I've been in these [life-threatening] situations before...My focus now is if Ice Cube, Snoop, Dre, none of them dudes wanna reach down and help the new dudes, that's fine. Maybe I'll call them and have a healthy conversation about it and move on. I'm not in that zone no more. I want to leave a body of work behind that matches a Biggie or Pac."

I AM A LEGEND SERIES: Daddy-O Talkin’ All That Jazz

Brought to you courtesy of Rasha Entertainment:

Rasha Ent sat down with the legendary Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, a pioneer of the hip-hop movement. Watch as he reveals how Puffy, Biggie, along with himself help to create and produce the Junior Mafia group.

Daddy-O is a true architect of our culture who takes us backstage on the legendary “Raising Hell Tour” when LL Cool J upset the undisputed King of Rap (RUN DMC). Find out why Rakim robbed LL Cool J of his precious metal and more.

Unbeknown to many, Daddy-O is the producer behind “Top Billin’” which was later sampled in the chorus for 50 Cent “I Get Money”. Everyone from Mary J. Blige, Biggie to 2Pac borrowed elements of the classic hit composed by the frontman of Stetsasonic.

The I Am A Legend Series will interview the pioneers and players who carried the torch. This series will act as a hip-hop tutorial for today’s generation on what is the true essence of hip-hop.

Kelis Files For Divorce From Nas

The marriage between rapper Nas and singer Kelis is over.

Kelis filed divorce papers yesterday according to Vibe Magazine.

Initial reports suggested that the reason for divorce was verbal abuse and infidelity but that has since been denied.

A representative for Kelis said,

“I can confirm that she has filed for divorce … We request the media to respect her privacy during this very difficult time,”

The couple who met at an Awards afterparty in 2002 are expecting their first child together.

Video Premiere Maxwell "Pretty Wings"

Here is the new video from Maxwell for his song "Pretty Wings" off of his album Black Summers Night due in stores July 7th.

Wale: DC Chillin (Hosted By Hear-It-First.Net)

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What the Hood Could Learn from the Somali Pirates

I pulled this from AllHipHop.com because it is a very interesting story. We need to remember there is always two sides to every story. Before you make a judgement on something please hear other views on why something is the way it is.

By Chloé A. Hilliard

Once again American forces have saved the day, popping up in the Indian Ocean to body the four Somali pirates that held U.S. cargo ship captain Richard Phillips captive for five days. Now all the European countries that had been punked by the water thugs for the last couple years are rallying on the heels of America to punish the pirates.

No doubt, more blood will be shed and the already frail country of Somalia—a country that hasn’t had a solid government since 1991, no economy and watches helplessly as mafia ran shipping companies dump toxic waste on it’s shores—will be further devastated by those who want to punish it instead of help it.

The pirates villianized by the media are no more than fisherman, who made a living by selling fish and seafood caught off the shore of Somalia in an area dubbed the Horn of Africa.

Left to their own devices they banded together and created a network that manned the shores and waters. Frustrated by the dumping and the damage to their livelihoods they began to tax and hold for ransom boats that entered their territory.

Their mentality: “You not just gonna up in my hood and f**k my land up. You got to pay!”

Does this sound familiar?

If you live in any hood across America, you have witnessed something similar. Impoverished neighborhoods treated as dumping grounds and its people as pawns. Children attend schools with no windows and cracked roofs, no supermarkets or chain stores will build and the underdeveloped lands, mass transit is sketchy, business are forced to close, homeowners are beat over the head with inflated mortgages.

Yet, on this side of the pond, what is the hood doing to change the situation?

Where is the grassroots mobilization, the community within the community that says, “we understand you don’t respect us but we respect ourselves enough to keep what money we have in this community, to create jobs, teach ourselves, etc…”

The Black Panthers did it and were quite successful…for a brief period of time.

Ask young black or brown kids living in the hood what’s the problem and their response:

“We killing each other.”
“We hungry, tryna eat.”
“It’s hard in these streets.”

Americans have no idea want hunger and poverty is.

Life in Somalia: Personal stories

Eight residents of Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, tell us what the new government's priorities should be and how they have survived 13 years of anarchy.

Mahamut:
Scrap metal worker
"I smash the foundations of the US embassy wall to get steel rods to sell"

Halima:
Refugee
"I am too busy looking for food to think about the peace process"

Abdi:
Refugee
"I see a dark future for my children. There are no schools or health services"

Gangs here fight with each other over turf, small time drug trade and egos. Nothing is done to better the community. There is no structure or hierarchy or goal outside of selfish ones. This isn’t to say that the people of Somalia aren’t the victims of gangs who are taking advantage of the country’s weak state.

Let’s not even call them pirates anymore…the community activists of Somalia saw their people dying and their land being raped and did something about it.

They are really starving.
They are really trying to eat.
They are really fighting the man.
Can you say the same for the goons who claim to run your hood?

T.I. Re-Releasing "Paper Trail"

Before T.I. heads to the pen, he plans to spend a lot of time in the studio working on new tracks for the re-release of his platinum album Paper Trail. The rapper reveals to MTV that five tracks will be added to the album and he’s also thinking about including leaked collabos “Like I do” with The Dream and “My Dear” with Ciara. He says,

“I’m still in the process of picking the songs, but I’m also still recording. Through the best of times and through the worst of times, I’m still able to record. It may change the sort of song you do, but you never can tell”.

I wonder what Grand Hustle has on deck while it's leader T.I. is doing time?

Deeper Than Rap - Exclusive Rick Ross Mini Movie

Rick Ross' short film Deeper Than Rap has officially been released online highlighting the rise of a fictionalized drug dealer from a kid to kingpin.

Keeping the film under 10 minutes, Ross' movie project features a limited number of cast members.

Executive produced by Rick Ross, Deeper Than Rap shows the young brother of a successful drug dealer witness the murder of his older sibling and associate while in his home. Filmed with a dark setting and with songs from Ross' album playing in the background, the film jumps to a present-day image of the protagonist as he has followed in his brother's footsteps within the drug game. Showing he has a business mentality amongst his associates and partners, the story's main character faces off with the men responsible for slaying his family. (World Star Hip Hop)

Sadat X ft. KRS-One & Rahzel - Blow Up Da Spot

Sadat X will drop his latest project Brand New Bein’ on May 5th. The LP will feature guest spots from Grand Puba & Lord Jamar, KRS-One, Rahzel, Buckshot, CL Smooth, Craig G, C Rayz Walz, Poison Pen, Cold Heat and others.

Sadat X ft. KRS-One & Rahzel - Blow Up Da Spot

Sadat will also hit Europe for a 10 date tour with Diamond D starting on April 29th in Copenhagen.

Rock The Bells 2009

Nas, Damian Marley, the Roots, Big Boi and Common, among others, will lead this summer's Rock the Bells traveling hip-hop festival, which is set to visit 10 North American cities on consecutive weekends from June 27-Aug. 9.

Also on the bill in various markets are KRS-One, House of Pain, Reflection Eternal, Tech N9ne, Murs, RZA, Supernatural, Raekwon, Sage Francis, Pete Rock and others. Each tour stop will feature 25 artists on two stages.

The summer trek is scheduled to visit Toronto; Washington, D.C.; Boston; New York; Denver; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Miami; and Vancouver. Specific dates and venues will be announced during a later date, according to Rock the Bells organizer Guerilla Union.

Rock the Bells made its European debut last fall, visiting such cities as Amsterdam, Prague, Stockholm, Helsinki, Paris and London. The European visit arrived on the heels of Rock the Bells' 10-date 2008 summer run of North American amphitheaters, which featured A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Mos Def, De La Soul, Rakim, Pharcyde, Santogold, Kid Sister, Cool Kids and Murs, among others.

Here is a list of artists confirmed for the 2009 Rock the Bells:

Nas
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
The Roots
Common
Big Boi
KRS-One
House of Pain (with all original members, featuring La Coka Nostra)
Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli, Hi Tek)
Tech N9ne
RZA
Raekwon (Cuban Linx II)
Sage Francis
Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5'9," Crooked I)
M.O.P.
Charlie 2na
Necro
Eyedea & Abilities
Evidence
Alchemist
Psycho Realm
Mystic Jouneymen (Sunspot Jonez, Lucky I Am)
Mickey Facts
Tabi Bonney
Supernatural
Murs
Pete Rock
Slum Village (Baatin, T3, Elzhi)
Buckshot
K'naan

How Is Hip-Hop Dead When The New Draft Class Is Killing It?

Written by Carl Lamarre

I sense a heartbeat. Maybe it's Ron Browz' heavy bass escaping through the speakers. Maybe it's Slaughterhouse's affable comradery, which appears reminiscent of The Firm. No, wait. Maybe it's Kanye returning to his roots, which consisted of a dark Caesar, and bantering lyrics that drew smiles from even the harshest critics. Call me cynical. Call me naive. But, maybe the demise of hip-hop has escaped death a la 50, and is on the verge of returning from its banal state, and into something "Brand New."

We heard the complaints. From the inept lyricism, to the eye-gauging dances that had people running to the bathroom as if their stomachs were soaked with laxatives. We've seen the complaints displayed on numerous magazines, and blogs. Yet, only a few outlets have applauded the positives that have been utterly apparent. XXL, known for deliberating as to who should grace the Freshmen 10, may have hit the nail this year. Wale, Charles Hamilton, Blu, Curren$y, Mickey Factz, Kid Cudi, Cory Gunz, Asher Roth, B.o.B, and Ace Hood are currently walking with targets on their backs, as if they're Obama at the podium. This class has the makings of possibly resembling the 2003 NBA draft class. The skills are there. Their potential is simply waiting to be tapped. Others have referred to this list as a pseudo of the draft class. Some critics even believe that these artists will vanish sooner than Chandra Levy.

The funny thing was, when people were asked to label their flaws, the question remained unanswered. All you heard was pure hate. Who cares if Charles' spare time consists of having his fingers glued to a Sega controller? So what, if Asher Roth rather play beer pong than floss some gaudy jewelry. Is that a bad thing? Then people want to throw shots at Ace Hood by questioning his mic skills. The same dudes that were blowing the whistle on his wordplay were baffled when he stood side-by-side with Jada, Fab, and Juelz, during the cipher at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, where he mutilated his freestyle.

Just like the 03' class, the love for one another is there. In a conversation I had with Curren$y, he openly told me how happy he was seeing Charles and B.o.B's video being played on MTV. No hate. Just love. The same love that listeners once showed when Big L breathed air into the track like CPR. The same love that listeners once showed when Meth & Red joined forces on a track. What people need to understand is that '94 came, and went. If you can't embrace the new school cats, then fine. That's why you have the option of having an iPod, where you can remember the times like Michael Jack.

If people are really claiming that lyricism has been gone for a minute, and is indeed on the verge of falloff, then let me introduce you to hip-hop's new four-headed monster named Slaughterhouse. Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Royce Da 5'9 have decided to join forces and form hip-hop's new super group, equipped with jaw-dropping punchlines. From songs like "Move On", to "Wack MCs", this group is proving why their faces should be plastered onto Mount Rushmore. Individually, these rappers are fully capable of wowing the listeners. Now when they assemble, the possibility of a person's ear drum being popped has risen to a high rate.

Now for people who prefer that club and party music, complaints should be minimal here. Last time I checked, people have been "Poppin' Champagne" as if it was aspirin, and were quickly placing the blame on Jamie rather than the alcohol for their discretions. Yes, Ron Browz isn't the best rapper, but that's why I listed those artists above for those who want lyricism. Stop complaining about not having any music that tickles your fancy, nor move you feet, when you're the same person walking to 7/11 claiming you have "Arab Money."

For people who want a hint of everything, here comes the new man on the block, Drake. It's sad because everyone just discovered him, when in the contrary, he released his first mixtape back in '06. This man's buzz has been off the Richter as of late, especially with his latest mixtape So Far Gone. If you're in need of a ringer, which reminds you of wifey, Drake can croon his way into your heart with "Brand New". If you're in need of some punchlines, and well-crafted lyricism, then he could hit you with "Ignorant Sh**". The man is like Baskin Robbins, he has every flavor you oh so need, and maybe even more.

What more do you want? I'm tired of people crying, and complaining about the demise of hip-hop. Hip-hop never died people. She simply went into the surgery, and is awaiting a makeover. If she looks anything like Kim Kardashian, than I see no complaints. If you think she's on her way to looking like Star Jones, then feel free to take shots on the comment box below.

Wale - The Road to “Attention: Deficit Mixtape”

With the release of his single, the announcement of his promo tour as well as the release date for his next official mixtape, “Back to the Feature,” we felt it was perfect timing to put together a nice compilation of Wale’s work up until this point.

This compilation mixtape includes work from his past mixtapes (Paint a Picture, Hate is the New Love, 100 Miles & Running, The Mixtape About Nothing), as well as some live material and rarer freestyles. This is similar in style to our Cudi mixtape, that’s done almost 11,500+ Downloads so far.

We set out to call it the “Road” to Attention Deficit (his upcoming Interscope album) because his career has been a journey thus far - so we included live audio from the UK, Australia, California, etc. that captures his journey around the world.

Thanks to HHU members Clif Soulo (who initially thought of the project), Tha Advakit and K-TO.

Download Here

Wii Virtual Graffiti

If you don’t have a spray can for graffiti, why not try the Wii Spray. This virtual can is a mod from your trusty Wii Remote to create your virtual masterpieces. This looks crazy, a new way to do graffiti, save it and not get arrested all in one. After spotting this over at Hypebeast , I then checked out their site at WiiSpray and found the video posted after the break. The Wii is cutting edge with creating games and programs that mimic the actual activity as much as possible so with this program you can do stencil drawings or straight from the can, really incredible stuff. According to the video after the break it is "coming soon"!


WiiSpray Teaser from Martin Lihs on Vimeo.

Ecko Might Finally Be Done For...

According to a NY Post article, clothing designer Marc Ecko has hired investment bank Peter J. Solomon to help refinance at least $170 million in debt owed to two key business partners. With lenders scarce, sources say his empire may be dismantled as he sells off assets to pay creditors.

Here's what the Post reports:

After a disastrous holiday season that forced heavy markdowns at department stores including Macy's -- where Marc Ecko is the largest supplier of young men's clothing -- sources said the company owes more than $100 million to Li & Fung, a global trading company that helps manufacture Marc Ecko's inventory.

To make matters worse, Marc Ecko has defaulted on a term loan of more than $70 million from a syndicate led by commercial-lending giant CIT, sources said.

While Marc Ecko has won forbearance on the loan, CIT "wants their money," and will have to be paid in full by July and possibly sooner, according to one source. Accordingly, Ecko is "scrambling to avoid bankruptcy so he doesn't lose every stitch of equity he's got," the source added.

"We're pretty confident that this isn't an issue that's life-threatening at all," Michael Golden, chief marketing officer at Marc Ecko Enterprises, told The Post. "In our case, we have more than enough assets to pay off that term loan, and we have more than enough time."

Golden characterizes the $100 million due to Li & Fung as "normal trade payables" that fluctuate with seasonal inventory. And while he admits that "some businesses are doing better than others," Golden noted strength in the company's licensing and international units.

Nevertheless, sources said Marc Ecko's executives and bankers alike have been lobbing phone calls to rivals, trying to unload the company's brands in exchange for cash. Having slashed its bloated expenses in half, Marc Ecko is desperately trying to lease out chunks of its 280,000-square-foot headquarters on West 23rd Street -- which includes a half-size basketball court.

The dire scenario is a far cry from a few years ago, when Marc Ecko had entertained potential offers from Jones Apparel Group and Tommy Hilfiger. At one time, both firms were weighing bids for Marc Ecko in the $500 million range, according to one source.

T.I. Performs With B.O.B. in Atlanta - Freestyle: VIDEO

Sentenced to jail during the day… Performing on stage the same night. T.I. lives a interesting life.

So this weekend I went to see B.O.B. and Wale perform in Atlanta. There were a lot of surprise guests which included, Grand Hustle Family - Killer Mike, Big Kuntry and low and behold T.I. Bun B also popped up on stage with Wale during the show.

Check out footage sent to us by the good people at Thekaoseffect.com

Explicit Ills featuring Black Thought

I bet you saw this title and was like, "Yes a new Black Thought track"! Well not exactly my brother (or sister). Black Thought of the legendary Roots crew has a part in a new flick named "Explicit Ills". Directed by Mark Webber. With Rosario Dawson. A drama of four interconnecting stories revolving around love, drugs and poverty in Philadelphia. A group of people on the low end of the social scale scramble and struggle just to deal with the daily necessities of life: medicine for a sick kid, drugs for a habit that's out of control, the right clothes to impress that certain girl. You know the deal, this is a limited release movie and is currently being seen in major markets, so check your local listings to see if it's being played in your city. Check out the trailer below:

T.I.'s Fate Will Be In The Court's Hands

While the rapper made a plea deal, his sentencing isn't set in stone.

On October 14, 2007, on the eve of the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta, T.I. was arrested after attempting to illegally purchase weapons, and a search of his home turned up even more firearms. He was convicted on the felony weapons charges, and it seemed as if his career could be in jeopardy and he would be sentenced to years behind bars.

But Tip was able to secure a plea deal last March that suggested if he completed 1,000 hours of community service before sentencing, paid a $100,000 fine and agreed to complete another 500 hours of community service after his jail time, he would be sentenced to a year and a day in prison. The sentence is notable, according to legal experts, because of the specific length. If T.I. were to be sentenced to one year in prison, for example, he would be required to complete the entire sentence. But, similar to Lil' Kim's case a few years ago, a sentence of one year and one day could allow T.I. to be released earlier for good behavior, if warranted.

From the series finale of Tip's MTV show "Road to Redemption," which aired on Tuesday (March 24), we know that his upcoming sentencing on Friday isn't a slam dunk — and we don't know what will follow immediately afterward, either. According to Vibe's April cover story, Tip will most likely report to jail within a 30- to 60-day time frame.

Nothing is guaranteed Friday beyond Tip's appearance in court. What allowed T.I. to strike his unique deal in the first place was a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January 2005 that said federal sentencing guidelines were suggested and not mandatory.

It's not the ideal situation to be in, but T.I. seems to be handling it well. Late last year, he told MTV News he was mentally preparing for his prison time. He said he would spend his incarceration planning his activity after his release, which is expected to include writing rhymes. Earlier this month, he said he has at least 19 new songs recorded already for his next album.

Source:MTV

De Notes & Mick Boogie Present Mae Day - Cherish The Day

MAN THIS RIGHT HERE IS STRAIGHT FIRE!!! Every now and then I run across a mixtape that just stands out in a sea of dull and garbage mixtapes. But this right here is yet another example of true Hip Hop.




Track List :

1. Maeday Maeday! // Fear
2. DJ (Same Song) // King of Sorrow
3. Hold On // Nothing Can Come Between Us
4. Crime // Is It A Crime
5. Give It All // Give It Up
6. Jezzebelle // Jezzebel
7. Sweetest Taboo // Sweetest Taboo
8. No Ordinary Love // No Ordinary Love
9. Still Love H.I.M. // Your Love Is King
10. Keep Looking // Keep Looking
11. Cherish the Day // Cherish The Day

*all songs produced by DeNotes Productions*

All the songs on the tracklisting is the title then the sade song it sampled.

Click Here To Download

Or Just Sit Back and Listen!!!

De Notes and Mick Boogie present....MAE DAY "CHERISH THE DAY"

Nike Air Yeezy’s Glow In The Dark Now Included

Submitted By 100Stax.com

Look familiar? They should, since these are the Zen Grey colorway of the Air Yeezy’s which are slated to release April 4th at select Nike retailers.

Turns out these bad boys really do glow in the dark and I think its a nice touch. It won’t sway my decision in trying to get these, as they never looked tight to me to begin with. However, if I was in middle school and hitting up the skating rink every Saturday, I wouldn’t have minded having these to stunt in while walking around or playing laser tag. Over in ‘Ye’s Universe it was suggested that these would kill in club.

First of all, good luck getting in the club with these. The hate will be strong from the bouncers if you come strolling up to the door in these. Secondly, these joints will get utterly destroyed between people spilling drinks and stepping on your feet. I’d really like to see someone rock these because I’m pretty sure they’d be fighting before the end of the night.

THE BIG DADDY KANE STORY video

Is Blogging the New DJ of Our Time

Okay so it’s been a while since I sat down and wrote or updated my blog with an article straight from the mind of UrbanEstablished.com. Well this weekend I was really burning up my twitter account when I saw an interesting tweet from TJ’s DJ’s. If you are in the music industry then you should know TJ’s DJ’s and all the good work he does for breaking new artist and music. Basically TJ was talking to a lot of industry cats about how bloggers are the new DJ’s of our time. That really got me thinking because I can really see where TJ is coming from. When was the last time you heard a DJ break a new song? If you listen to radio you hardly ever hear of new songs being broke. Now most stations have play lists that have to be strictly followed by their DJ’s. Not only does this limit the amount of new music we hear on the airwaves, it locks the music into a so called “box” that can only be broke by the music director or program director. Okay so lets flip it a little bit, when is the last time you been in a club and you heard a new track? Chances are you might hear some new music, but that’s it! You hear it one time and may not ever hear that track again.

So how is new music or an artist introduced to the consumer? How do they get a buzz on the street about a new artist or song? We all know that you need talent, hard work and determination, but what else? If it can’t be done on radio or if it can’t be done in the clubs then how do you break new music? Well the answer is literally in front of your face. I mean it, literally in front of your face.

Back in the day DJ’s broke all of the hot music. It was done by radio or the all famous mixtape which once was the best way to generate buzz. But now with advances in technology i.e. the internet, a song can be broke all over the world in minutes if it is done by the right person with enough influence on the industry. The music industry is built on being heard and the internet is the perfect vehicle on being heard if it is used correctly.

So now how does blogging play into the mix of all of this? Today bloggers can spread news, videos, music etc in minutes. How many of you read blogs? How many of you go to blogs to catch up on gossip, news and music. Blogs are built so that anybody can read them. There is no need to be part of some exclusive industry network. No need to be a label exec or program director. All you need is access to the internet and know what blogs to go to. The best thing about using blogs to promote yourself as an artist or your music is that it can be viral. By this I mean one day you might have one blog with a hot track on it. That track really sounds good and people like it, next thing you know it’s on nine more blogs and a week later it’s on twenty blogs. If the person who created the song is using the internet correctly he’s having that blog about his track connecting with his Myspace, Facebook, Twitter or Soundclick site. They are using blogs to build an internet presence, he showing his numbers to industry cats so that he can prove that he has a buzz and maybe they should check him out. He’s now using that buzz to get on mixtapes and features. He’s using bloggers as his modern day DJ to get his music heard.


Here are some blog sites that push new music:

Digiwaxx: http://blog.digiwaxxmedia.com

Promo Leak: http://www.promoleak.com/

Buck Marley: http://www.buckmarleyxxx.com/