"Down by the schoolyard with the Don Julio" The Legendary Hieroglyphics Announce Added Dates For "Freshly Dipped Tour" 06.27.2008 Tour expands to forty-five dates in North America
Alright, so I can't stay away. I had a ton of shit in the inbox, and I forgot about my plans that I had until I got home. Too fuckin' far to drive back. Oh well. Here is some of it from the last few days. I have more that'll try to toss up tomorrow, if I get the time and feel like it.
Seems like the blogs are catching some heat lately. First you had Kidz in The Hall bringing up Robbie & Unkut.com. I have nothing against Kidz in the Hall, I like the album a lot more than I thought I would and that's not a diss either.
I like Robbie, I've spoken to him via myspace a couple times and he seems down to earth, and of course I think Unkut is one of the best blogs out there. I'm don't totally agree with his "biggest douche bag" thing, but his choice. I'm not really the biggest fan of that whole "hipster" fad, but then again, I'm over thirty, so I guess it's not for me.
Then, courtesy of Unkut again, you have one of my all-time favorite MC's (pre Mr.Smith), in LL Cool J taking shots at blogs. The same LL that hasn't dropped a "hip hop" album in how long? Like I said, I won't deny LL is one of the legends in the game and one of my favorites, but he's going to take shots at what gets said about him on blogs because they talk the truth? Really? We are just saying what most of his past fans are thinking, nothing more Uncle L, nothing more. I haven't bought an LL Cool J album since Mr. Smith. Yes, he still drops jams that proves he still has it, but not on a whole album. As far as I'm concerned he alienated his hip hop fan base and started catering to the Hot 97 crowd. That's his prerogative, but don't get pissed when those same fans call you out for it. My two cents.
Then you have J-Love the mixtape DJ dropping a scathing rant on "all" blogs. At first I went the "A Bitch is a Bitch" way and figured"if your feelings get hurt then I'm probably talking about you", but then I started thinking a bit. I have no desire to beef with artists, I've always taken the route when dealing with moron visitors, fellow bloggers, or artists that if they go to name calling, then fuck 'em, let them call their little names. They wouldn't act that way in person, cause after all, real bad boys move in silence. Sure, I don't fall into the realm of blogs he is speaking on, but I still found it unnecessary. J-Love has always kind of rubbed me the wrong way in the past. He always came off as a cat as "I'm more hip hop than all y'all" white people, and maybe he is, but what's the fuckin' point of declaring it all the time? A little insecure? Then he drops the cut and is dropping the N-word all over it. The last time I checked, J-Love was as white as me. Whatever, I guess, I'm not sure if the dude woke up on the wrong side of the bed or feels threatened or just thinks he is more hip hop than anyone else that is white. That being said, I thought his "10 Codes of Ethics for White People" was almost dead on. Still, I think he is trying a bit to hard himself, he should re-read his "rule #9" and try to follow it himself. And yeah, I would say it to your face if I met you. You could try and be a bad ass or discuss the topic like grown folk, but if the truth hurts, say ouch. But for now, don't worry, I won't mention your little DJ gig and projects on my "gay" blog.
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Jay Z weighs in on Shaq/Kobe beef
A little mix from AB's man, Willie Evans Jr
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The Song:
Exercising his deviant mental muscle over intoxicating chords, Opio draws another fresh single and video from his bottomless brown paper bag with "Don Julio." A hilarious twist of Paul Simon's "Me and Julio Down By The Schoolyard," "Don Julio" finds Mr. Opio at the same location, swigging from the bottle. The combination of wit and hypnotic production may create drowsiness in the listener as well- prepare to cut your head nodding to 1⁄2 time.
In the video, Opio floats in and out of the two realms where he holds the throne: hip-hop ("mostly clockin' shows or I'm in the damn studio") and party ("down by the school yard with the Don Julio"). In a true slice of life, Don Julio sees Opio hit the stage and the blunts with equal passion. With 4 videos complete on an album yet to be released, Opio shows no signs of weakness as the buzz builds over Vulture's Wisdom Vol. 1.
The Background:
As a teen, Opio hooked up with local rappers Tajai and A-Plus, whom he met through Casual, another emcee who was Opio's classmate and neighbor. The three instantly clicked and began recording together, soon adding fourth emcee Phesto Dee, to form the group Souls of Mischief. Together with Del the Funky Homosapien, Casual, Domino, and Pep Love, the legendary crew Hieroglyphics was born. Opio has always done double duty for Hiero as both an emcee and producer. Opio's recent production credits include the track "Naked Fonk" from Del's recent 11th Hour. Opio's first solo effort, 2005's Triangulation Station, moved over 20,000 units. Vulture's Wisdom, Volume 1 is the first chapter of a forthcoming trilogy from Opio. All three albums are produced by Oakland-based The Architect and will be released on Hiero Imperium records.
Opio will be touring this summer and fall in support of the album with Hieroglyphics. Dates available here.
Streams:
"Don Julio"
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/Opio/DonJulio.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fng1VtMPU4k
"Some Superfly Sh!t"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Opio-Some_Superfly_Shit.mp3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3cgjhzdjIg
"Stop The Press"
http://media.audibletreats.com/Opio-Stop_The_Press.mp3
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gWj_GMQOoqc
Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/opiolindsey
Hiero MySpace:
http://www.myspace.com/hieroglyphics
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Hiero Imperium Achievments:
Rolling Stone Magazine named Hieroglyphic's Third-Eye Vision logo as the #3 most recognizeable band logo in history
The Source Magazine named Souls of Mischief's '93 Til Infinity single & album to their Top 100 Rap Songs Of All Time and Top 100 Rap Albums Of All Time lists
Hieroglyphics members Del The Funky Homosapien, Souls of Mischief, Casual, Domino, & Pep Love have sold over 1,000,000 units independently
(June 27, 2008 - Brooklyn, NY) To ring in their 10th anniversary as an independent label and hip-hop collective, Hieroglyphics announced details for the second leg of their massive North American fashion and music expo that will span from mid-summer into fall. Twelve dates have been added to the 3-month long tour. The Freshly Dipped Tour celebrates Hiero Imperium's prolific past ten years as indie hip-hop trailblazers and looks ahead to their expansion into the fashion industry and their continuing role of bringing both classic and new West Coast hip-hop artists to the masses.
Combining elements of fashion and music, The Freshly Dipped Tour will feature Hiero Imperium's stable of artists as well as their brand-new lifestyle line (www.hierojeans.com). Available at the shows will be a selection of Hiero Jeans denim and shirts as well a copies of Souls of Mischief emcee Opio's new album, Vulture's Wisdom, Volume One, and a limited edition Freshly Dipped Tour 7".
The Lineup:
Hieroglyphics: Souls of Mischief (Tajai, A Plus, Phesto, Opio), Casual, Pep Love, and Domino. Opio's new album Vulture's Wisdom, Volume One in stores in July
Blue Scholars: MassLine/ Rawkus. New album to be released June 2007, new EP Butter & Gun$ out now. Video and single for "Loyalty" in rotation on MTVu
Prince Ali: Eye 5/Hiero Imperium. New album Curb Side Service in stores now. Video for “The Majors feat. Casual, Planet Asia and Keith Murray" in rotation on MTV and BET
Musab: Rhymesayers Entertainment Founder, Hiero Imperium. New album Slicks Box in stores now
Knobody: Bumpin Muzic, Hiero Imperium. Album Tha Clean-Up in stores now
Dates
Fri-Jul-11 Pomona, CA Glasshous
Sat-Jul-12 Los Angeles, CA El Rey
Sun-Jul-13 San Diego, CA Belly Up
Tue-Jul-15 Tempe, AZ Clubhouse
Wed-Jul-16 Flagstaff, AZ Orpheum
Thu-Jul-17 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine
Fri-Jul-18 Dallas, TX Granada
Sat-Jul-19 Austin, TX Emo's
Sun-Jul-20 New Orleans, LA Parrish
Tue-Jul-22 Orlando, FL Social-Late Show
Wed-Jul-23 Atlanta, GA Masq
Thu-Jul-24 Carrboro, NC Cat's Cradle
Fri-Jul-25 Charleston, SC The Music Farm
Sat-Jul-26 Wilmington, NC Soapbox
Sun-Jul-27 Virginia Beach, VA Steppin Out
Tue-Jul-29 Baltimore, MD Bedrock
Wed-Jul-30 West Chester, PA The Note
Thu-Jul-31 New York City, NY Highline
Sun-Aug-03 Burlington, VT Higher Ground
Tue-Aug-05 Ottawa, ON Babylon
Wed-Aug-06 Toronto, ON Mod Club
Thu-Aug-07 London, ON The Salt Lounge
Fri-Aug-08 Ann Arbor, MI Blind Pig
Sat-Aug-09 Columbus, OH Skullys
Sun-Aug-10 Chicago, IL Abbey Pub
Tue-Aug-12 Madison, WI High Noon
Wed-Aug-13 Minneapolis, MN First Ave-Early Show
Thu-Aug-14 Omaha, NE Waiting Room
Fri-Aug-15 Boulder, CO Fox Theater
Sat-Aug-16 Salt Lake City, UT Urban Lounge
Thu-Sep-18 San Francisco, CA Fillmore Theater
Fri-Sep-19 Chico, CA Senator Theatre
Sat-Sep-20 Sacramento, CA Colonial Theatre
Mon-Sep-22 Bend, OR Midtown
Tue-Sep-23 Eugene, OR Mcdonald Theatre
Wed-Sep-24 Portland, OR Roseland
Fri-Sep-26 Seattle, WA Showbox Market
Sat-Sep-27 Seattle, WA Showbox Market
Sun-Sep-28 Vancouver, BC CanadaRichard's on Richards
Mon-Sep-29 Victoria, MB Element
Wed-Oct-01Reno, NV New Oasis
Thu-Oct-02 Santa Cruz, CA The Catalyst
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New Juice Track feat Crooked I - I Do It
http://www.zshare.net/audio/146009631c310cc8/
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West Coast Battle Documentary Trailer
Trailer for the Fresh Coast Battle Documentary DVD due out September 2008. DVD includes interviews and unreleased battles/freestyles from all the west coast battle heavyweights including: Illmaculate, The Saurus, Nocando, Franco, Okwerdz, Passwurdz, Lush One, Bo-Rat, Ex-I, Tantrum, and many more.
for more information please contact
phillipdrummond01@yahoo.com
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New NOTORIOUS Video Diary From Wayne Barrow!
Check out Wayne Barrow's latest video diary covering the production design
of NOTORIOUS. Here you'll find out how the filmmakers decided to portray the
overall look and feel of the film -- from the '90s/hip-hop style of Biggie
and his crew to the streets of Brooklyn and beyond. Watch it now on Wayne's
blog "Notoriousblog.net":
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Rebel Muzik Media Presents The Release Of The First Single "So Ghetto" off of the Highly Anticipated MIC Legacy album "FEED YO KIDS!"
http://www.myspace.com/miclegacydafuture
Produced by Grammy Winner NOTTZ and UBC (United Black Colonies,) featuring Rapper POOH from Little Brother
VA/DC- Rebel Muzik Media announced today the release of the single So Ghetto from the latest project from Mic Legacy titled FEED YO KIDS.
So Ghetto is produced by Grammy Award winner and Virginia native, NOTTZ, and features a cameo by Rapper Pooh from the group Little Brother.
"The So Ghetto collaboration between Nottz, Rebel Muzik, Legacy and Rapper Pooh is historic and is sure to be a classic," says Grail "Ruc" Hodges, CEO of Rebel Muzik Media. "This entire album pays homage to the days when true MC's and beat makers would come together in somebody's basement and set the standard for the other albums of that year to follow."
Feed Yo Kids boasts a list of today's hottest producers and underground messengers such as the already mentioned Nottz and Rapper Pooh. It also features ILLMIND, KELPH, JCLYDE, BRAINSTORM, DIGITAL DAMAGE, NY OIL, BIGSHOT& KHIZMAN(DMP), LATOYA WILLIAMS AND JON BIBBS.
Members of the media and true hip-hop enthusiasts are also treated to a mix tape titled "Sumthin To Snack On," by logging on to http://www.myspace.com/miclegacydafuture.
Watch Out for So Ghetto, the video, featuring Rapper Pooh, MIC Legacy and the VA Hoods. Watch for it on http://www.myspace.com/miclegacydafuture, http://www.myspace.com/ubcunitedblackcolonies, youtube and international and national video shows in the near future.
http://www.zshare.net/audio/146013682b8cb0c2/
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Help Torae bring home the Best Lyricist award in the 2008 UMAs by voting daily at www.hiphoppalace.com (July 1-31st)
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Kidz In The Hall's road trip began in New Jersey as producer Double O devised a bass-heavy instrumental and decided he and rapper Naledge were going to travel the USA putting their favorite artists on the record. The duo paid a visit to Masta Ace in Brooklyn, NY and then made a quick pit stop in the Bronx to say what up to Pusha T from The Clipse. The journey continued on to Chi Town where the group linked up with the Cool Kids. From there it was on to Port Arthur, TX to visit Bun B. Their final destination, like so many road trips, was California, where Kidz In The Hall met up with Pac Division, Tyga, Glasses Malone and Mistah F.A.B.
Check the West Coast Remix to Kidz In the Hall's hit single "Drivin Down The Block":
http://www.zshare.net/audio/1460170009b341b2/
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N.Y.OIL SOUNDS OFF ON ICE-T/SOULJA BOY BEEF
N.Y.OIL, notorious for pressing hip-hop's hot-button issues via such
tracks as "Y'all Should All Get Lynched" & "What Up My Wigger Wigger,"
weighs in on the recent conflict surrounding Ice-T and Soulja Boy.
Examining both sides of the beef, N.Y. drops some knowledge regarding
the responsibilities of both the youngsters AND the elders and their
respective roles in shaping hip-hop?s past, present and invariably,
its future.
WATCH IT NOW!
AUDIO:
"Soldier" feat. Chuck D. (of Public Enemy)
DOWNLOAD IT:
http://burnupload.ihiphop.com/download.php?id=2848CCE41
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More Blu & Exile Concert Footage
Blu - The Narrow Path
Blu - Dancing In The Rain
Blu - Blu Collar Worker
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CHECK OUT THE STREET VIDEO FOR “BURNT” OFF KARDINAL OFFISHALL’S UPCOMING ALBUM NOT 4 SALE
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The Wu-Tang affiliated supergroup (Almighty) consisting of Bronze Nazareth, M-80,
Killah Priest, C-Rayz Walz, Son One & 5-Star officially announce the
first single off their forthcoming album "Original S.I.N. (Strength in
Numbers)." With blog-buzz burgeoning around this underground
collective, and anticipation of their debut album reaching a
fever-pitch, the group offers "Obey (The Statesmen)" the first single
off of the forthcoming release, featuring Planet Aisa, Killah Priest,
Son One & C-Rayz Walz.
7/02/2008
Daily News: "Fuck All Bloggers"
Re-Ups
Kaos - Court's In Session (Bad Boy Records, 1988)
A1 Court's In Session
A2 You Got The Time
A3 Kaos Era
A4 Let's Do It Again
B1 Crank It Up (The Bass)
B2 Let The People Dance
B3 What Have You Done Lately
B4 Play It In The Day
Yesh aka Yeshua DaPoed - Into Fresh Things (Ill Boogie
Records, 2002)
A1 Welcome (Interlude)
A2 Shout
A3 Apt209
A4 On2DBeat
A5 U Don't Really?
B1 The Convo To Have (Interlude)
B2 Victim
B3 Most Days
B4 Hustlers
7/01/2008
Re-Ups: Beat Factory's Rap Essentials Vol One
I'm going to be taking the week off so to say. It's a shortened work week here in the U.S. with our Independence Day this Friday gives us a three day weekend. Then I have plans Wednesday night and Thursday night as well and I'm already behind on some things. That said, I'll take this week to fill some requests and re-ups over the week. It's easy to do and I haven't done it for awhile. If there is anything anyone wants re-upped or if you have some kind of request, let me know and I'll try to fill it. I'm not going to do more than two or three albums a day, anymore than that defeats the purpose of taking the week off. If no one wants anything, I'll just toss up a couple out of print albums myself. I'll still be answering emails and basically just trying to catch up on some of the new artist spotlights, interviews and a couple other ideas I have brewing.
That said, we jump into the first two. Someone requested the First Priority Family album which I'm going to have to hunt down in my collection.
Beat Factory Rap Essentials Volume 1 (Beat Factory Music, 1996)
A1 Rascalz - Fitnredi (4:29)
A2 Concrete Mob - Boiling Point (3:17)
A3 Down To Erf - Learn To Earn (3:25)
B1 Kardinal Offishall - Naughty Dread (4:24)
B2 Black-I - No Lawz (4:23)
B3 Wio-K - Sunlight (3:42)
C1 Red Life - Who's Talking Weight (Remix) (3:46)
C2 Dan-E-O - Dear Hip Hop (3:24)
C3 Scales Empire - Bright Lights, Big City (4:00)
D1 Choclair - Twenty One Years (4:17)
D2 Citizen Kane - Structure, Foundation (What's The Plan) (3:14)
D3 Ghetto Concept - U.L. (4:24)
This is a compilation filled with some classic north of the border jams from the mid 90's. There is most definitely some nice jams to be found on here, including the classic Kardinal Offishall "Naughty Dread", fan of classic mid 90's hip hop should check this out if you don't know what it is.
Superrappin (Groove Attack, 1999)
A1 Rasco - How Many X's Featuring - Planet Asia
A2 El Da Sensei - Frontline Featuring - F.T. , Mike Zoot , Organized Konfusion
A3 Frankenstein - So I Featuring - Choclair
A4 High & Mighty - The Sun, Moon & Stars
B1 Walkin' Large - Self
B2 Natrue -l Natruel On Top
B3 Network Reps - Games, Dames In Automobiles Featuring - Punch & Words
B4 Lootpack - New Year's Resolution
C1 Eddie Brock - Relax, Relate, Release
C2 Brixx - If It's Alright Y'all
C3 Da Grassroots - Price Of Livin'
C4 Consequence, Shabaam Sahdeeq , Mike Zoot , F.T. - Nobody
C5 Square One - Dayz To Come
D1 L-Fudge - Dimmin' The Life
D2 Ed O.G - Let's Be Realistic
D3 Jigmastas - Threat
D4 Matt Fingaz - Shoot Out
D5 Mathematik - Following Goals Featuring - Bahamadia
Another classic compilation that got a lot of play from me back in the day. I know this has been upped not too long ago, but I'll be damned if I can find it on the blog.
6/30/2008
This Or That.....De La Soul is Dead Vs. Buhloone Mindstate
Last Week
I'm tired, slightly hung over, and feeling very uncreative, so this could be rather half assed. We will see how I feel once I start getting into this. With four hours of voting still to come for last weeks 3 Feet High & Rising Vs. Stakes Is High, it's still too close to call. Only three votes separate the two albums. I'm actually kind of surprised, I figured that 3 Feet High.... would run away with it, although Stakes is High is my favorite De La album. We'll see what happens when it's up in four more hours.
This Week
Part two of the De La Soul "tournament" comes into play this week pitting their sophomore release of De La Soul Is Dead against the groups third album, Buhloone Mindstate. As I mentioned last week, I didn't get into De La Soul until Stakes is High came out. I thought 3 Feet High and Rising was just plain weird, I liked a couple jams on De La Soul is Dead, but still saw no reason to check it out. Buhloone Mindstate just went over my head like it did a lot of people back in those days. After purchasing Stakes Is High, I started to go back to their catalog and De La Soul is Dead was the first album I went back and checked out. My tastes in hip hop was open enough by that time I could appreciate the beauty of De La Soul Is Dead. It would be later though until I could grasp the complexity found in Buhloone Mindstate, but now I can appreciate the greatness of the album. As I write this now, I'm not totally sure which way I'm going to vote.
De La Soul is Dead Vs. Buhloone Mindstate
De La Soul is Dead
Positives
- Much more accessible in nature than their lead off album, 3 Feet High & Rising. De La Soul tried to kill all that noise of hippies and the daisy age by basically reinventing themselves. ....Is Dead is a more mature effort, yet still plays and has fun.
- I thought the skits that tied this together through out the album was excellently executed. We get to hear the demise of Jeff as dicksnot and his boys beat the fuck out of him and jack him for the "new" De La Soul album. I never get tired of hearing them and still laugh out loud at certain sayings.
- The singles from the album were great. I had "Ring Ring Ring" as my answering machine message back in the day and "A Roller Skating Jam Named Saturday" is one of those tracks that you could play at any jam.
- It's just an overall cohesive effort, which is saying something for an album that is 27 cuts long. It has a vibe that flows through out the album. Tracks like "Biddie in the BK Loung" and "Millie Pulled a Pistol on Santa Claus" just make this album a great effort.
Negatives
- There isn't much to bag on in the album. I thought some of the focus of earlier in the album is lost, "Shwingalokate", "Fanatic of the B Word", and "Keep the Faith" (which sounds like a 3 Feet reject). So it could've been trimmed a little bit here and there.
- Not necessarily a negative for me, but if you were into their previous image, this would probably disappoint some.
Buhloone Mindstate
Postives
- One could argue that Buhloone Mindstate is the most creative album in De La's catalog. It was Prince Paul's last time working with the group and he demonstrated a more mature sound than the previous two creations. Lyrically, I think Pos & Dave were at their pinnacle. Probably my all-time favorite De La Soul song is "I Am I Be", in which Pos' first verse is a classic:
I am Posdnous I be the new generation of slaves here to make papes to buy a record exec rakes the pile of revenue I create But I guess I don't get a cut cuz my rent's a month late Product of a North Carolina cat who scratched the back of a pretty woman named Hattie Who departed life just a little too soon and didn't see me grab the Plug Tune fame As we go a little somethin' like this look ma, no protection Now I got a daughter named Ayana Monay And I can play the cowboy to rustle in the dough so the scenery is healthy where her eyes lay I am an early bird but the feathers are black so the apples that I catch are usually all worms But it's a must to decipher one's queen from a worm who plays groupie and spread around the bad germ I cherish the twilight I maximize, my soul is the right size I watch for the power to run out on the moon (And that'll be sometime soon) Faker than a fist of kids speakin that they're black When they're just niggas trying to be Greek Or some tongues who lied and said "We'll be natives to the end" Nowadays we don't even speak I guess we got our own life to live Or is it because we want our own kingdom to rule? Every now and then I step to the now for now I see back then I might have acted like a fool Now I won't apologize for it This is not a bunch of Bradys but a bunch of black man's pride Yet I can safely say I've never played a sister by touching where her private parts reside I've always walked the right side of the road If I wasn't making song I wouldn't be a thug selling drugs But a man with a plan and if I was a rug cleaner betcha Pos'd have the cleanest rugs I am
-Again, there are some great singles, most notably the excellent "Ego Trippin' 2", in which Pos and Dave do their thing and listeners soon realize that they are no punks on the microphone.
-Two years ago, I wouldn't even have to think about this decision, as I wasn't all that big on Buhloone Mindstate, but this album sounds like it could have been released last month. It's aged much better than De La Soul Is Dead.
Negatives
- It's not as digestible as some of the other albums. That was the main knock on the album when it first dropped and still to this day I pick up things every time I listen to it. They were never a group to really spoon feed you something, but this isn't an album you can just listen to the first time and figure it all out.
Final Verdict
When I started writing this very half assed post, I really didn't know which way I was going to go. I've long considered De La Soul Is Dead as my second favorite De La album after Stakes is High, but over the last two years, my love for Buhloone Mindstate has really grown on me and become one of my favorite albums ever. When my man Floodwatch posted his autopsy for Buhloone Mindstate (one of my favorite blog posts EVER), I realized how great the album really was. I would have never dreamed voting this way, but it's going to be Buhloone Mindstate
Winner: Buhloone Mindstate
6/27/2008
New Artist Spotlight: Elemental Zazen
I tend to think that the political charged hip hop of the late 80's/early 90's is somewhat of a lost art. No longer are exposed to the strong political and socio-tinged rants of Public Enemy, Paris, X-Clan and others. Yes, we still have the likes of the Dead Prez and Immortal Technique, but in these trying times, the more the better in my book. Both society and the world is basically going to hell in hand basket and unless people wake up and see the potential problems await us in the not so distant future, it's going to be worse before it gets better. I've long been a big believer in thinking for oneself. Be active in your environment and your society. I can deal with a person's beliefs no matter what they may be if they have done their homework and explain to me WHY you feel the way you do.
This weeks artist for our New Artist Spotlight will undoubtedly get the "political rapper" tag, which I think he wears on his sleeve with pride. Elemental Zazen has been all over the world, from third world countries to the "radical" middle eastern countries. He's been through trials and tribulations that you and I could only dream about, in our nightmares. He's lost his cousin to a tragic accident, had a brain tumor and lived on the streets, all with in a few years of each other. He brings his second album, "The Glass Should Be Full", full of music that should make you think and open your eyes to issues around the world.
Elemental Zazen - "Machine" [mp3]
Elemental Zazen - "Handcuffs" [mp3]
WYDU: Thanks for your time Zazen, would you mind giving a proper introduction for the readers that might not be familiar with you or your work?
Elemental Zazen: My name is Jason, and on the mic I go by Elemental Zazen. For most of the past 8 years I have lived in Boston, but I am moving to Seattle this fall in order to pursue my PhD. Most people would classify my music as being political, but I see it as more of a platform for personal and social commentary.
W: From listening to your new album, "The Glass Should Be Full", and reading your press bio, you are bringing a political charged fervor to your music. What situations and events in your life have lead you down a path that is kind of a forgotten genre in hip hop?
EZ: Growing up in the third world obviously had a profound impact on my political and socio-economic ideas. Many of the aspects of the third world that bothered me, such as economic inequity, gender inequality, etc. are also alive and well here in the US, only they aren't as readily apparent. My view points are merely a reflection of both my experiences as an internationally raised white American, and the personal tragedies I've accumulated along the way. As far as political hip hop goes, I agree with you that in some ways it is a forgotten sub-genre. The roots planted by Chuck D and others are is still alive on the small stages and dusty shelves, but hopefully n
ot for too much longer. There is too much talent invested in it for it to stay beneath the surface forever.
W: How do you look at hip hop and it's current state in missing as a tool toward social revolution? There isn't really any X-Clan's, Public Enemy's or Paris' that are in the forefront of the music these days, how do you explain that and how do you use your music for change?
EZ: The record that really got me thinking about music was "Apocalypse '91" by Public Enemy. I remember being a 5th grader in Al Taif, Saudi Arabia, signing along with "By The Time I Get to Arizona", "Lost At Birth", and "Can't Truss It." Chuck D was always on some shit. The more I learned about history and political science through both school and my own readings, the more I understood how valuable a medium like music could be in terms of spreading a set of ideals. Through that understanding I gained an immeasurable amount of respect for all artists in all genres and all practices (literature, visual art, music, etc) that use their work to champion the cause of the common man. At the same time, the more a society becomes stratified between haves and have-nots, the more that view points that oppose the status quo will be marginalized, especially in the mainstream media. For example, anyone that supports any sort of systematic change is considered a "radical"- a word which carries undoubtedly negative connotations. This makes artists that seek national exposure less likely to speak out against those in the power positions, because if they do, both they and their opinions will be laughed off the mainstream stage. Even those that do attempt to make "protest" songs and release them on major labels are doing safe protest songs. For example, it is trendy to target G.W.Bush, so you see a bunch of major label artists from all musical genres doing tracks bashing Bush. I want to talk about the most important issues: the systematic problems that insure that whether Bush or Obama or Clinton or Reagan is in power, this country will still neglect the common man.
Sorry for the tangent. I'm passionate about this…can you tell?
W: All good man. What would you change in the American political and social system if you could?
EZ: We could be here for days…. Actually, there are two main changes I would like to see. One is for the system to change from a two party, winner take all platform to a representative democracy, such as what you see somewhere like England. Secondly I would like to completely alter the way white collar and drug related crimes are punished. White collar crimes should be, in extreme cases, treated as just as seriously as something like manslaughter, because there are instances where the aftereffects of them impact hundreds of people. For example, when a CEO knowingly uses inside information to make his/herself millions while simultaneously putting workers out of jobs, they should be punished far more severely than someone that stole a George Foreman grill from Wal-mart. Punishments levied for drug possession and distribution are similarly ridiculous in that they very rarely fit the severity of the crime.
W: You've gone through some "trials & tribulations" to put it lightly the past few years, how did those misfortunes shape not only your music, but you are as a person living in these trying times?
EZ: When you are faced with extreme adversity, all you can do is be strong. My life has been so crazy…one moment I am on top of the world and the next I am diagnosed with a brain tumor. Amidst everything, though, I've remain focused on my main goal: to have a positive impact on the world through my music and academic work.
W: Let's talk about your album, "This Glass Should Be Full," some, what can listeners expect when they are checking out the album for the first time?
EZ: I think this album is more rewarding to those that give it multiple listens, because it is so dense. I have my lyrics posted on gnawledge.com, so that will hopefully make it easier for people. I wanted to make an album that was both initially likable and got better with each listen, and I think I have done that. The producers I worked with blessed me with some incredible beats, and I think the album is very strong lyrically. It's easy to pigeonhole any artist with meaningful lyrics as being a "backpacker" or "underground", but I think quality hip hop stands by itself and can't be placed into one category. That being said, I usually describe my music as "socio-political commentary over dirty break beats."
W: You have some heavy hitters as far as underground producers go, with Maker, Kno and Joe Beats, how was it working with them and do you think it's important to have those kind of names backing the album?
EZ: I am honored to work not only with those 3 producers, but with everyone that appeared on the album. Honestly, I don't really care about the name of the producer, as long as the beats fit what I am looking for. I could have worked with other producers, some of which are more well-known than those 3, but the beats didn't fit the album. That being said, there is a good reason why most musicians in the indie rap scene get popular- mostly because they make better music than their competitors. I seek out the best producers in the scene, and am lucky enough to get a chance to work with some of them. My next record will have some other well-known names on there, but that's for another time.
W: What do you hope to accomplish in the future, both in music and in your personal life?
EZ: My main goals are to 1: Put out another record in fall of '09, and 2: to finish my PhD as soon as possible so I can get to work on making the world a better place, only this time with more effectiveness.
W: Any last words?
EZ: Shout out to Gnawledge Records for putting out my album. A big thank you to Gnotes and Canyon for all of their hard work. Also, check for my label mate Afro DZ AK's record "Elevation" which hits stores this fall.
Lyrics http://www.gnawledge.com/zazenglasslyrics.html
6/26/2008
Daily News.......
Tanya Morgan - "Hip-Hop Is Dead 2" 06.25.2008 "They keep sayin' hip-hop is dead but I just can't believe it, I just can't see it." LONG LOST ALBUM FROM BOSTON HIP-HOP PION EER AND PERCEPTIONIST DJ/PRODUCER, FAKTS ONE, FINALLY SEES LIGHT O F DAY Long Range
The days are heating up, unless you live in SoCal then the days have done already been heated up since May at least. In the summer time, people spend less time indoors reading blogs and I spend less time inside doing blogs. What I'm saying is you might not see the same volume from WYDU as you have in the past. Remarkably, I do have some sort of a life...barely. Have some good times planned this weekend, my man Dino's b-day next week along with the American Independence Day then a trip planned in July, August, and September. By that time, shit will start cooling off and I'll be back on the daily grind. Until then, just enjoy less of me for the next few months. On to the news.
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Ras Kass to drop ANOTHER mixtape?
I like Ras Kass more than the average old school head, but damn dude, can we get an album finally? (trav)
RAS KASS PREPS "INSTITUTIONALIZED VOL. II" FOR AUGUST 5th RELEASE ON
BABYGRANDE RECORDS
One of the most critically acclaimed West Coast emcees of all time,
Ras Kass is renowned for his complex lyricism, sharp battle rhymes and
witty punchlines.
1996's debut "Soul On Ice" established Ras as one of the front-runners
of the post West Coast gangsta rap movement pioneered by seminal acts
such as N.W.A. and nationally popularized by modern day icons Dr. Dre,
Snoop Dogg & more.
Marrying a hardcore street sensibility with his signature witty
wordplay, Ras built a loyal underground core with subsequent albums
including 1998's "Rasassination," featuring guest appearances by Dr.
Dre, Xzibit, Twista & RZA (of Wu-Tang) as well as multiple mixtape
releases.
Currently serving time, Ras Kass' ambition in the face of adversity is
on full display with the August 5th bow of "Institutionalized Vol. II."
Sure to satisfy Ras' loyal constituency and beyond, "Institutionalized
Vol. 2" is a testament to both Ras' resilience and the raw skill that
underlies his longevity within the ever-changing hip-hop landscape.
For more information and to sample some tracks, please visit:
www.crackspace.com/raskass
www.babygrande.com
Ras Kass
"Institutionalized Vol. 2"
In stores August 5th!
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The Song:
Instead of arguing or preaching, Tanya Morgan disproves the "Hip-Hop Is Dead" argument with a simple song that demonstrates the existence of good, living hip-hop in 2008. "Hip-Hop Is Dead 2" features fun rhymes and a beat that samples the smile itself... yet many think the art form is dead? That's pretty incongruous, if you ask Tanya Morgan: "They keep sayin' hip-hop is dead but I just can't believe it, I just can't see it." In other words, so long as heartfelt, playful hip-hop tracks by Tanya Morgan pop up, hip-hop cannot be dead.
The Background:
In 2003, Brooklyn resident Von Pea teamed up with Cincinnati's Donwill and Ilyas to form Tanya Morgan. Three years later, the group's Moonlighting LP took the rap world by storm, receiving a 3.5 mic rating from The Source and high praise in XXL's Chairman's Choice column. Donwill describes the group's uniqueness and appeal: "Instead of jam-packing our releases with different producers and guest emcees for attention, we carefully choose who we work with because we make it a priority to cultivate our own sound and identity. We look to groups like Eric B and Rakim, who honed their own sound and rarely collaborated with other artists." After a brief hiatus from center stage, the crew is back in 2008 seeking the hip-hop triple crown: the release of a mixtape, EP, and LP, all in the same year. Tonya Morgan has performed with Ghostface Killah and has had videos featured on multiple MTV channels. The Bridge EP is available now on via Bay Area label Interdependent Media.
Streams:
"Hip-Hop Is Dead 2"
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/TanyaMorgan/Hip_HopIsDeadII.mp3
"Be You" featuring Czelena
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/TanyaMorgan/Tanya_Morgan-Be_You_feat_Czelena.mp3
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ScholarMan Mixtape
Download ScholarMan's "The Pull Forward EP Vol. 1" today if you enjoy dope b eats and rhymes!!
The Pull Forward Series pays tribute to artists and tracks made famous during the golden era of hip-hop!
Download volume one today!
www.thepullforwardseries.com
Peace!
New ScholarMan album coming January 2009!!! His latest album "Soul Purpose" now available at online retail outlets!
More info at: www.scholarman.com
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