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Hip-Hop, Music News

F**k Tha Police

I’m sickened and saddened by Questlove’s new Myspace Blog post. There are no words to describe the hell that he went through.

But still, I’m torn on the Stop Snitchin’ debate. What happened to Questlove happens to many young Black men every day, and as the victim of an unnecessary stop and search (the officer thought my cell phone was a gun), I can empathize with people who have been the victims of the cops. However, on the other hand, I’ve been in the company of people who are affected by violent crime and want closure and justice. It’s a slippery slope.

I still, think its a good thing that, as a community, we are talking these issues. However, media outlets like CBS and CNN aren’t the proper venues for this discussion and rappers like Cam’ron aren’t the proper representatives.

Read the rest of this entry »

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Hip-Hop, Music News, New Music, R&B

Pharrell and the Yessirs is Real

Pharrell & the Yessirs - How Does It Feel
Pharrell & the Yessirs - Raspy Shit
Pharrell & the Yessirs - Number One

Remember that video that surfaced last year showing Questlove in the studio apparently remixing Pharell’s In My Mind album? Those clips lead to hella speculation that a re-release of the lackluster album was on its way. However, those rumors died down when there wasn’t sufficient proof, and Quest was mum on the whole situation.

Well, now the proof is in the pudding. These three tracks from the Questlove-fronted Pharrell and the Yessirs dropped this week, and the remixes are a major improvement over the source material. I gotta agree 15 Minutes to Live that this shouldv’e been the album that dropped last year.

There was hope that this album would see a commercial release, but with the industry the way it is, I doubt that any record company would put money into a remake of a already failed album. That’s what the Internet is for, right? (props: 15 Minutes to Live)

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Hip-Hop, Music News

New D’Angelo??

D’Angelo - “Really Love”

So I picked up on this track after Bol wrote about it on his site. I cannot deny or confirm if this is a brand new D’Angelo track or that he’s back in the studio after his brushes with the law and rehab, and as Questlove reminds us several times during the track, “You didn’t get this from me.”

Anyway, It’s hard to believe that its been almost 7 year’s since the dude’s last album and over 10 year’s since his debut. Let’s hope he titles his new album “Neo-Soul is Dead” and tries to revive the genre a la Nas.

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Hip-Hop, Music News, R&B, UK Sounds

Music Notes: Jurrasic 5 Break Up, SXSW, Sex For Beats

Jurassic 5 Break Up

So the rumors were true. Jurassic 5 officially announced their breakup over the weekend on BBC 1Xtra. Although management wants to paint a pretty picture over the whole thing, group member Zaakir’s statements, made over a month ago, highlight some deeper tensions in the group. In an Australian interview, he said: “Some might say business, some might say merchandising, whatever, there’s some really stupid s***–some really childish things–happening.”

Hey, that’s the business for ya. Actually, I was never a big J5 fan, but at least they were one of the few quasi-successful acts trying to keep “real hip-hop alive.” Hmm…I’m putting my money on Little Brother as the next group to go. (via ProHipHop)

Joss Stone is F*ckin’ For Beats?

Ususally I don’t address petty ish like this, but I’m posting about this simply for the entertainment value. Over the weekend Dallas Austin went on the record for some straight to DVD video talking about how Christina Aguilera and Joss Stone have traded sexual favors for producers’ beats. The whole thing is supposedly in response to Joss’ trashing of Austin’s friend Dave Gates in a AllHipHop.com interview. My general reaction to the whole thing is eh. DA’s account of XTina’s antics does remind me of this girl I knew in college, but I’m not gonna elaborate on that. As for Joss, I never cared about her anyway, and honestly I just don’t have time to get all crazy about her sex life. Check the videos and more commentary over at Concrete Loop.

Having that said, if you’re considering buying Introducing Joss Stone, put it down and pick up Amy Winehouse’s Back to Black. Or at least check out Alice Russell’s MySpace page. She’s the next element in the UK white girl soul singer invasion. (More on her later.)

Speaking of Amy, my sources (yes, Hits is one of them) predicting that Back to Black will drop about 30,000 to 40,000 copies in the US. Before y’all either complain or say “I told ya so,” 40k is not a bad number for a CD with zero radio play and zero promotion outside of blogs and magazines. Add to that the fact that most people downloaded the CD when it was released months ago. Anyway, Rich Boy and Lloyd will probably drop at around 100,000 or so units, which is apparently the new measure of success in 2007.

“Damn Right I Kissed My Daddy”

Lil Wayne finally addresses that picture that’s been floating around the Internet. Yeah, he admits that he kissed his “Daddy” on some mixtape verse. I’m not touching this one with a 40 foot pole.

And Finally…

Good look to everyone who invited me out to parties at SXSW. Because of my Europe vacation and this damn project at work I wasn’t able to get out there this year. I’m definitely showing up in 2008 though. OKP has a pretty extensive recap of all of the major hip-hop events that went down.

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London 2007, Music News

London Day 3 - London Graf Tour

One thing that amazes me about London is how American this place actually is. Its even more evident since I’ve lived here. They have Wal-Mart people. That’s bad.

But there are still areas of the LDN that haven’t been taken over by Starbucks. The Brick Lane area of the city, a former Jewish hood is becoming a haven for street art, most notably Banksy, who got his start here.

Anyway, here’s just a taste of some of the Graf and street art that’s around Brick Lane. I’ll put up more pics soon. Repect to Miss Hipstah for the find.

Related: Venice Beach Graffiti (from 2005)

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Music News

D. Swain Gets Signed by Def Jux

myspace.com/mcdanny

Danny Swain - Cafe Surreal

Congratulations to Danny Swain for winning MTV2’s and Def Jux’s Best Music on Campus Contest. As part of the contest winnings, Swain gets a digital EP release from Def Jux, a video on MTVU as well as a collaboration with Def Jux Artist Mr. Lif. Y’all know Danny from his numerous profiles on this site and others such as Okayplayer.com.

If you didn’t know already, D.Swain is a multi talented producer/MC from South Carolina currently studying at the Savannah College of Art and Design. The dude not only raps, but he produces all of his beats, and designed his website. Although most people try to pigeonhole him into the Little Brother/Kanye West realm, Swain considers himself more of a cross between A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. The dude brings a certain individuality and swagger to the game that most independent rappers lack.

TCS voted him Breakthrough Artist of 2006 last year and people are starting to take notice. I’m gonna hopefully get this dude on a Podcast before he gets too famous for our ass.

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Music News

Little Brother Splits From Atlantic, Parts Ways with 9th Wonder

Jazzy Jeff feat. Little Brother - Whatever You Want

Zo! feat Phonte - Africa (Toto rework)

So it’s official, Little Brother has severed its ties with Atlantic Records. Big Pooh told Hip-Hop Game that “at this time we are in the process of negotiating our release from the label due to a difference in philosophies.” I guess they took a preemptive strike since we all know that Atlantic wasn’t happy with the sales of The Minstrel Show.

If you followed LB like I have, you must have saw this coming from a mile away. Atlantic just was not a good fit for LB and this group will never get the airplay or put up the numbers that a commercial rap artist would. Why LB never was courted by or signed with a smaller outfit like Stone’s Throw, BBE, Ubiquity, or Def Jux is beyond me. And I’ve always agreed that 9th limited their sound. They needed to hand to torch over to a new set or producers.

Even though LB is putting out a Mixtape soon, I have a serious feeling that Phonte is going to break off and do a serious solo project, with production by….let’s say will.i.am and DJ Shadow. I’m liking the dude’s non-LB collaborations that have been floating around the Internets. This Little Brother/Jazzy Jeff Collaboration (yes THAT Jazzy Jeff) is sold.

The “Africa” rework featuring Phonte (singing) with artist Zo! is um….interesting. After about 5 listens I can’t get into it. The ending is nice, but I’m trying to figure out if this is a good look for Phonte or not. Dude might be entering blipster territory!

Tags: 9th Wonder, Little Brother

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Album Preview, Best of 2006, Crunk/Hyphy, Hip-Hop, Music News, New Music

Interview: Lil B of the The Pack

www.myspace.com/wolfpackmusik

The first time I heard the single for “Vans” I knew that there was something different about The Pack. The Bay Area teens (Lil Uno, Young L, Lil B, & Stunna) weren’t shy about their love for a skateboard shoe in their song “Vans”, (as opposed to the traditional Nike’s), which set the Internet on fire when it dropped last year. From that point on, all comparisons to any other current rap act are null and void.

The stunning success of “Vans” came from the in-house production of Young L, who incorporates thumping crunk sounds as well as influences of ATL booty bass and old skool gangsta rap. Their consistent grind and style has won them the praise of such Bay legends as Too Short and Keek da Sneak as well as a deal with Jive records. Add to that the rumored collaborations with Will.I.Am and Lil John and a group that’s set for major success.

How did y’all get started?

Man, you know what Im’ sayin’, just a love for the music ya know? Met [Young] El at school. El intruded me to Stunna. El was makin’ beats and I was rappin. Stunna introduced Uno and collectively we made The Pack.

How did you start getting’ recognition from Too Short?

Just the grind man, just trying to get the music around and makin’ hella songs and getting that music out there.

Did he find you or did y’all find him?

He found us. He heard us on a music tip tough a partner cause we really did a lot of promotion and mixtapes and and [Too Short's] partner was like “we gotta have these dudes.”

Is that how you got the record deal?
It was ourselves too with the help of Too Short.

There’s skateboarding in your video for Vans. Is hip-hop ready for skate culture?

El and Stunna are the skateboarders and Uno skateboards a little bit but I don’t really do the skateboard thing.

Cool cool, but you know that there’s not that many skateboarders in hip-hop…

Man, we’re trying to crossover and trying to show people that you can be an individual, ya know? Express yourself, that’s what I’m bringing. And I know that everybody else is too. I don’t really skateboard but I know the other cats do. They’e actually bringing individuality [to the game] and telling people its cool to be an individual, a skateboarder, you now what I’m sayin? That’s what we’re collectively bringing to the group? Be individual. Be happy with being an individual person, expressing yourself and not getting scared to.

Is that individuality apart of the Hyphy movement?

Yeah, its a part of the Hyphy movement, but its also a part of The Pack movement. We’re part of that [Hyphy Movement], but besides that we’re trendsetters ya know? That’s how we get down. We do how we want to do we dress how we want and we feel how we want to feel now matter what anybody says. You know how everybody moves right we move left. We try to stay as far from the norm as possible, ya know? And really set trends. We’re trendsetters.

Everybody is lovin’ the video for Vans. We voted it Song of the Year at The Couch Sessions.

Man, than you, thank you for that.

No problem. What was the whole situation with MTV and your video for “Vans?” What did you think about that?

It was just like…..they [MTV] thought it was a commercial. You know what I’m saying? They thought it was a commercial for Vans. We did the song cause it was somethin’ that we wore and we weren’t even trippin’ off of that cause it was something that we did cause we were expressing ourselves and we were out there being different, you know what I’m sayin’? And it ended up blowin’ cause it was very individual.

So did Vans hook ya’ll up? Y’all get free shoes?

You know Vans is helpin’ us out. They’re supporting us.

So what are your influences? Cause I was listening to the EP and I heard this song…you could probably tell me what it is, but it had a lot of old Skool ATL Booty Bass Influence…

Oh, Candy, Candy…

Yeah…that’s the one

Yeah, we’re just influenced by everything, ya know? We just be up in the studio and [Young] El be up in the studio just thinkin’ about crazy beats, and I’ll be thinkin’ up some crazy hooks, ya know? We just be ridiculous some times, just trying to do what we wanna feel.

We know that the Skateboards to Scrapers EP dropped and that was hot. But what’s up with the album?

Oh my god man, we’re workin’ on the new album right now. The album is gonna be ridiculous. You know one of those albums that change the game? It’s gonna be one of those. Skateboards to Scrapers was just a little taste, you know what I’m sayin? The album is gonna be like a movie. Like what Biggie said, ya know? I give you my life and I’ll give you an album. You know what it is.

Who are you guys working with on the album?

Its gonna be crazy. Lil John is gonna be on there. Will.I.Am. We got Dem Franchise Boys on the album. We gonna try to get Currency on the album. We’re tryin’ to get Wayne On there. Pitbull. We’re just gonna start working with some people.

When’s the album gonna drop?

Not sure about that. It’s gonna be soon.

You got a title for it?

Nope.

Is [producer and group member] Young L Makin’ the Beats?

We got a couple producers on there but mainly it’s gonna be Young L.

A lot of people are comparing you to groups from the ATL? Are you down with that comparison?

You know, you get categorized once you make hits? Of course people are gonna hate and categorize but once they hear the virtue to our music theynullll understand what we doin’. It’s all just time, and people are gonna ease into The Pack and realize that we’re a movement. We’re just not just one song

Are you guys gonna tour anytime soon?

Not that I know of, but if we do I’ll definitely let y’all know.

When y’all hit the East Coast let us know what’s up.

Oh yeah. We gotta go out there to visit the first lady of Star Trak outta Harlem. A couple other people like Jim Jones, we cool with them. And I’m gonna come out there and visit you man and you got to show me what’s up.

Most definitely.

You gotta show me how they do in New York man, DC show us what’s good.

Oh, it’s goin’ down! (Look out for the Couch Sessions + Pack connection!)

What’s next after the album?

We’re goin’ overseas, ya know. We’re hittin’ up England, Japan. They love us over there in Japan. It’s really movin’ ya know? We’re goin’ everywhere.

Is that because of the MySpace love? You gettin’ a lot of Internet play?

Man, we got over 3 million plays on MySpace so we gettin’ real real big man. You know. SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT! Were ready to show people what’s up. We’re trying to have fun, and learn ya know? We’re ready to infect the game.

The Pack’s Skateboards to Scrapers EP is out now. Check out their videos for Vans and their new single Diamonds right now.

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Music News, New Music, R&B, UK Sounds

I should be an A&R Dude

Update: I tracked down her original interview from 3 years ago on YouTube. I linked to this from Article Online but it got removed from the original source. And someone is getting me her 2003 demo as we speak (I LOVE my UK people.) Her demo is a cross between old school Amy Winehouse (read: jazz) Mariah Carey, and Corinne Baily Rae. Good look to the people who have emailed me about this girl. More to come…

Update 2 Leona is in LA recording her new album and will make her US debut during American Idol this year. (Good look on the info).

I’m on an crazy R&B kick right now people, bear with me.

The Couch Sessions: Spotlighting talent since 2003: Leona Lewis. I wrote about this girl in 2003 people. 2003. She was doing her acoustic soul/jazz thing at the time. Anyway, the post got a positive response back then in the comments and her best friend Shamila was supposed to set up an interview, which her management dropped.

Anyway, Leona went on to go to win The X-Factor (which I guess is like American Idol since that dude Simon is on there), and she’s got the number 1 single in the UK. She’s also about to sign a $10 million dollar US recording contract this spring with Clive Davis. (Yo, can I get a cut of that? Just 1%??)

I don’t wanna brag on myself, but what can I say…..I can tell if someone’s a star within 30 seconds of hearing them. The Couch Sessions is just adding to their track record of spotlighting good talent. More to come on that real soon…

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Music News

Studio News: Q-Tip To Finally Release Kamaal The Abstract

Q-Tip has finally acquired the rights to the 2001 album Kamaal The Abstract which was shelved in 2002 by Arista Records. According to XXL, the re-release will also include several new tracks one of whom might be “That’s Sexy” which we played on the Podcast a few months ago.

Q-Tip will also release a new solo LP, entitled The Renaissance on Universal/Motown sometime in Spring 2007. Not much is known about the album or if it will include any former members of A Tribe Called Quest, who reunited briefly last year for a tour. The prospects for another ATCQ reunion , however, album are grim. Q-Tip told XXL, “I don’t want to say never, but at this point, I think we’re done for now.”

Oh, and speaking of Kamaal, I proudly downloaded that CD from RapidShare, which was shut down today by GEMA, the German version of the RIAA. Thanks for the memories.

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