What I'm Watching ... @BlitzAmbassador "Something to Believe" feat. Tess

photo by Mikey the Conscious Hustler

You know who's super dope? This guy -----> Blitz the Ambassador! Yep. I've been checking dude out for a bit and his music continues to impress me - deep rooted in classic Hip-Hop with it's heavy jazz overtones and coupled with Blitz's serious word play. Translation, Blitz is dope. Check out "Something to Believe" featuring Tess, off the StereoLive EP. The vid was directed by Terence Nance of the MVMT. The Live Session performance will air on MTV2 and MTVu.




Click here to purchase StereoLive on iTunes

Click here to purchase StereLive on Bandcamp.
www.stereolive.bandcamp.com


blitz.mvmt.com
twitter.com/blitzambassador


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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: Duece Bug

I hope you're enjoying the Connecticut installment of The Journey to Hip-Hop series. Much like the Milwaukee installment, I'm being introduced to a lot of different heads that I hadn't heard of before. It's dope.

Check out Duece Bug, the Norwalk, Connecticut emcee. The dude has opened for Method Man and Redman, Foxy Brown, Ghostface, Wale, House of Pain and a few others. He's got tracks with Cappadonna, Cory Gunz, Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox and more. His album, "fuck.duece.bug" drops in June. But enough of the co-signs and dope emcees he's worked with, the dude's music speaks for itself. Check it.

"More Than..." feat. Cappadonna



Check out more: www.myspace.com/duecebugalot

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Download ... Zone Fam x Teck-Zilla "The Full Script"

I didn't know how I was going to feel about this project before listening to it. I'll be honest, I was skeptical. But while there are a few tracks on this joint that are just alright, Zone Fam and Teck-Zilla definitely deliver with "The Full Script". The production is serious. Check it out, it's definitely worth a listen.

"This is the culmination of hard work, perseverance and consistency; going back and forth for over a year the Zone Fam and Teck-Zilla have put together, what is one of the best cross country collaborations that will be heard. Teck-Zilla from Nigeria is a rapper and Producer for Str8 Buttah Productions and Zone Fam are a six member Rap Crew from Zambia under Slam Dunk Records.

Hooking up on Africanhiphop.com was the start of big things, they collaborated on the song ‘To be an African’ that featured on the ‘The Sequel’ Mixtape. Teck-Zilla being based in London and Zone Fam in Lusaka - proved not to be much of a challenge as the world wide web has made the globe so much smaller. The Full Script features 10 blazing tracks with Hip Hop and its influence on the collective being the main subject matter."

www.facebook.com/pages/Zone-Fam
www.reverbnation.com/zonefam




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Check it ... Wrekonize (of ¡MAYDAY!) Freestyles!

Good, good stuff in the email today courtesy of ¡MAYDAY!. I gotta share. Check it...

Freestyles Galore

Wrekonize has probably been serving up freestyles since he jumped out of his mother's womb and the ¡MAYDAY! native recently lit up the net with a series of freestyles that would even make your momma proud.

His most recent release has the battle MC spitting fire over Lil' Wayne's "Single" instrumental, reminding us once again why that last shot of Jack is just a bad idea.

Listen to Wrekonize - "One Too Many" (Freestyle)and while your at it treat yourself to Wrek's last two freestyle gems over Diamond District bangers, "In the Ruff" and "Streets Won't Let Me Chill".

Wrekonize – "One Too Many" (Freestyle)


Wrekonize - “Don’t Stop The Music” (Freestyle)


Wrekonize : “Streets Wont Let Me Chill” (Freestyle)


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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: Expertiz - "Machinery"

Expertiz, out of Stratford, CT, hit me up with this track "Machinery" off his album Disrupting Nature's Balance which was released March 3rd of this year. He heard we were doing a special project for local artists in the state of Connecticut and wanted to be a part of it. Got it, listened, liked. So now I want you to check it out...

Balance, depth and intensity are at the core of the debut release from Expertiz, Disrupting Nature’s Balance. The 22 tracks move effortlessly throughout, each standing on it’s own as a separate pieces of a complex poetic puzzle. These ideas and concepts are his alone and shun the languid conventions of “radio” hip-hop. Expertiz wears his heart on his sleeve while lacing paragraphs littered with density throughout the project. Whether spitting fire like that found on “Let’s Be Clear” questioning Darwinism as found on “Weave Through Worlds” or looking within himself to find answers such as “Before Life Concludes”, the album has something for all avid listeners of classic hip-hop. With production by some of Connecticut’s finest producers, including Deto-22 Dirt E. Dutch, and Defnyshn, the music serves as a perfect compliment to the array of lyrics shown by the host emcee. Guest appearances include Hawl Digg of Workforce, Roc Doogie of Phenetiks, The Rising Sun Quest and Breez Evahflowin.

Expertiz - "Machinery"


Expertiz's MySpace
Expertiz's Facebook

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Check It ... @WillieGreen1 "David Lopan"

I caught this joint a day or so ago in the email in the midst of a gang of other music and releases. It almost slipped by me but I came back to it and I'm pleased that I did. "David Lopan" is off Willie Green's upcoming project "Dirty Jordans". The joint is fresh. Enjoy.

"The lead single from Willie Green's upcoming album Dirty Jordans, "David Lopan" is a hip-hop/dub hybrid loaded with samples from its namesake's film Big Trouble In Little China. The song is a feature from the producer's next instrumental release, a 30-track follow up to last year's acclaimed "...Of Heroes and Villains."

Willie Green is based out of Brooklyn, NY and possesses an impressive production resume including Cannibal Ox, LuckyIAm, Reks, Naledge (of Kidz In The Hall), MarQ Spekt and many more. As in-house producer/engineer for Backwoodz Studioz, Green has a number of upcoming projects with the label, including a one MC/one producer project with New Jersey's HiCoup titled Guerilla Jones, and production on the upcoming billy woods solo effort History Will Absolve Me."

Dirty Jordans will be available June 22, 2010 from Backwoodz Studioz


www.WillieGreenMusic.com www.Twitter.com/WillieGreen1 www.BackwoodzStudioz.com Follow the madness: twitter.com/madbloggers Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Eternia & MoSS "IT'S FUNNY" RMX ft. RAS KASS [Behind the Scenes]

Oh, you thought the videos were over because she got the record deal? Nah homie, they continue. Check the behind the scenes video and be sure to download the "It's Funny" remix featuring Ras Kass.

"Finally the record label & release dates have been announced, but that doesn't mean the cameras stop rolling! Get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of Eternia tracking her final verses for "AT LAST" at Fat Beats HQ, premiering the "IT'S FUNNY" Remix on HALFTIME RADIO, and building w/ RAS KASS about a lil' controversy in his verse, and why he calls Eternia ... "Annie"?

Eternia & MoSS will release their highly anticipated album "AT LAST"June 15th, 2010 & the "AT LAST" Vinyl EP drops May 18th, 2010 on FAT BEATS RECORDS worldwide!"

Eternia & MoSS "IT'S FUNNY" Remix ft. RAS KASS: Clean | Dirty


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Tanya Morgan presents the First Book Charity Concert & Book Drive

Hey if you're in the City this Friday, show some support for the First Book Charity Concert and Book Drive presented by Tanya Morgan.

"On Friday, April 30th Tanya Morgan presents the First Book Charity Concert and Book Drive at Crash Mansion (New York, NY ). Curated by Tanya Morgan and Move Forward Music, the book drive concert will feature performances by hip-hop legend Buckshot, his Duck Down labelmates Skyzoo and Torae, and of course the Brooklynati trio themselves, plus many more special guest appearances.

Presented in association with Black Apple Intl., proceeds from the concert will be donated to First Book, a non-profit that provides books to underprivileged kids across the U.S. and Canada. In their 20 years of public service, First Book has donated 65 million books to children in need, combating one of the most significant problems in U.S. literacy and education: access to books. Right now, more than 80% of preschool and after-school programs serving low-income populations have no age-appropriate books for their children, which has led to 30 million people over age 16 in the U.S. who don’t read well enough to understand a newspaper story written at the eighth grade level or fill out a job application.

This is our chance to take part in making a change. Join us for this incredible concert, and get down with the cause!"

When: Friday, April 30th 7:30 - 10pm
Where: Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery
Admission: $12 (donated to First Book), Used Books also welcome!


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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: Blacastan - "On and Off the Mic ft Apathy"

Check out Blacastan, out of Hartford, Connecticut, doing what he does on the mic with this track titled "On and Off the Mic" featuring another Connecticut native named Apathy. This guy holds his own on the stage, as I witnessed, when he guest appeared for Jedi Mind Tricks and Apathy as well at Toad's Place. This track is off The Master Of Reality album recently released in March 5. Go cop that.

This mix, full of 19 all new studio tracks features all original production from the likes of 7L (who also mixes and arranges the entire piece in his signature Bladerunner's cut and paste edit style), Columbeyond, Esoteric, Apathy, DJ Doom, Blacastan himself and more. Vocal contributions come from Apathy, Columbeyond, Krumbsnatcha and Blac's Branch Davidians crew.

This is a prelude and serves as what Blac calls "... the meal before the meal ..." referring to his upcoming full length opus entitled "Blac Sabbath." The debut album boasts production & vocals from some of the elite in the game: Statik Selektah, Blue Sky Black Death, Mr. Green, Colombeyond, Esoteric and Celph Titled.

Blacastan - "On and Off the Mic ft Apathy"


Blacastan's MySpace
Blacastan's Twitter

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Download ... Addifi "The Green Diner Mix"

I hit play and chilled for 18 plus minutes to the beats of Addifi, an indie LA producer/DJ. There's definitely a refreshing sound in his beats. Why did I listen? The email tells the story.

"Hey,
I'm a big fan of TMB, especially the mix tapes and esoteric, lesser known stuff, most importantly I love what you guys do for the indie artists, a big support there. I'm an indie LA producer/DJ who recently put together a Beat Tape of some instrumentals I've been working on and I was just looking to spread the word and see what people think.

Anyway, if you get a chance I'd love for you to check it out and hopefully you dig the tunes and it was worth the time, if not, thanks for taking the time and keep up the great work."

It's all about the approach. It's not because he said he was a fan but because he just wanted to share music and understood our website. We get a lot of emails from folks that have obviously NEVER checked the page because of some of the content they send us. Whether Addifi had copy/pasted this to a hundred different blogs (I doubt that's the case) I respect the approach in recognizing the content of our site.

I definitely enjoyed "The Green Diner Mix" and it was worth the time. Check the project and hopefully you'll dig it too!



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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: @BigStat

I first heard about Big Stat back in September '09. It was his "Don't Quit Your Dayjob" mixtape that caught my attention. At the time he was doing some shows throughout Connecticut and elsewhere and his mixtape was hosted by Redman. So, I checked him out. Dude is cool. He hasn't stopped working hard for his music in the months that I've been following him. I dig his sound. I shared his mixtape back then but now I'll share a few cuts off of it that are among my favorites. Enjoy!

Open Up My Eyes (Produced by Ralphie-O)


I Gave You Everything (Produced by Nachural)


Download: "Don't Quit Your Dayjob"
More info: WWW.BIGSTAT.BIZ

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Download ... @Ritchcraft presents "The Big Band Blueprint"

It's an interesting concept for sure. But I'm not going to say much and let this be one of those joints that I'll let you decide about. Enjoy.

"Halifax producer Ritchcraft, has recently compiled a mixtape featuring the smooth jazz samples from the big band era accompanied by the infectious flow from Jay-Z’ rap classic The Blueprint. The mixtape is titled The Big Band Blueprint, is hosted by Nico Roth, 4 Plae, and Fresh Kut Ave and features 13 tracks, including revamped classics like H to the Izzo & Heart of the City.

Ritchcraft has been involved in the East Coast music scene for close to 5 years. His production credits include working with local MC’s Quake & Kayo, along with a handful of others. His skill lies in his ability to create genre-bending tracks that separate him from his competition. Ritchcraft’s musical influences range from funk to disco to classic rock, there isn’t a style of music that this producer does not borrow from."

ritchcraft.bandcamp.com/album/the-big-band-blueprint-2

www.ritchcraft.bandcamp.com
www.myspace.com/ritchcraft

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