Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Throat Chop Session: The American Dream (puberty deferred)

Note: I decided to bring back a bit of my rants to The Mad Bloggers. You know, put the "MAD" back into it. Remember when O and I use to fly off the handle with our "tell 'em why you mad" pieces? Yeah, well we're going to bring back a bit of that personal touch. Now on to the the throat chopping ...


Dream, are you kidding buddy? What's your problem, pal? You weren't kidding with that radio killer stuff, huh? Has marriage and fatherhood messed you up to the point that you think you can remake an Aaliyah jawn?  You took your unpuberfied voice into the studio to touch this classic? There's a one in a million (pun intended) chance that anyone would have choose you to be the one to remake this joint. Cuz, you should be ashamed. Why? 1) Because you're a grown ass man and Justin Bieber has more base in his voice than you. And 2) just because. I feel like Quincy Jones some how indirectly put you up to covering this song since Quincy is on a war path to wreck remake classics.

What's funny is I know there are some folks that like this joint. That's fine. If they like it, the hell with that "it could be worse" argument though. Eff worse, it shouldn't have been done.

I'm not gonna front like I've never listened to any of your music but Terius, sometimes you need to know better. Oh, and since we're on the subject of things that suck, "Love King" is wack as hell too! Get your mind right or go back to just writing.



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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: Milo Sheff


Hartford, Connecticut's very own Milo Sheff has been at this Hip-Hop thing for years. We got a lot of dope artists in CT that needs to see the light. Read his bio, check out the tracks and give us your thoughts.

Hartford, Connecticut native Milo Sheff is going to make his mark on Hip-Hop history in many ways. He delivers with a style unlike any MC in the industry and he writes all his own songs that all seem to be hits. With the arrival of Connecticut's first major commercial urban radio station in 2003, Milo Sheff invaded airwaves with consistent DJ promos and has had a state record of 14 different songs featured on the top rated HOT 8 at 8 countdown. Milo's over-saturation of his bouncy delivery and catchy hooks set the tone for a starving Hip-Hop scene in the hidden market of Hartford, CT. Milo's first single "Last Call" was the first Connecticut Rap record to be added to rotation at WZMX, and his second single "Wynd Up" received BDS spins on WZMX, WPHH, WKSS, WKCI, KKWD, and WDLT, among others. In 2004, he once again broke down doors with the in-store release of "SHEFF HAPPENZ" birthing the idea of a mixtape album which included a DVD containing a BET Uncut music video and a documentary on his not so average life behind the spot light. Shortly after this, he released the highly anticipated album "Shapeshifter" nationwide that received 5 stars on iTunes. Through radio airplay, special appearances, and live shows, Milo's name is respected among rappers and fans alike. Milo also always demands the crowds attention with his off the wall live performances which have brought him on an overseas tour along with opening for major hip-hop all-stars such as DMX, Nas, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z & Mary J. Blige across the United States.

Currently he is gearing up to independently release another long awaited album that was recorded, engineered, mixed and mastered by Mr. Sheff himself. The title of the new release is "TABLE OF CONTENTS". This CD will be released worldwide sometime in the next couple of months. In the meantime, you can check out some of his new tracks from the new album along with some of the older tracks here under his songs page. You can also keep in touch and updated on everything Milo Sheff from his MySpace page which is www.myspace.com/msheff. You can purchase all of his past releases on iTunes or CDBaby.


Milo Sheff - I'm CT


Milo Sheff - Know The Facts


Milo Sheff - Gritz Grime Gritz


Mile Sheff's MySpace
Milo Sheff's Facebook
Milo Sheff's Twitter

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For #Aiyana


I caught this story and was outraged much like the rest of you. I just thought of this little girl, Aiyana. A life cut short. I'm a father. This story hurts. Who chose for Aiyana to be a martyr?

I could talk about the police. I could talk about how they were overzealous. I could talk about the conditions in our urban communities that create conditions in which parents keep their children in unsafe homes. I could talk about how this could and will happen again if there isn't a drastic shift in procedures by police and responsibly by parents. There's a lot of emotion and thoughts running through my head when it comes to this story. I thought about writing about it. But my home girl @_Peech says pretty much everything I'm thinking and feeling. So, we pause for a moment from music and pop culture ...

From @_Peech
To wake up this morning to more news about #Aiyana Jones, the 7 year old girl who was tragically and senselessly murdered by men who were supposed to serve and protect her broke my heart.

Her death should break all our hearts. A little girl who could have grown up to be anything – full of promise and potential – slain by cops who got trigger happy because there were reality show cameras focused on them.

Who serves a warrant on a house where children and elderly persons live by throwing a flash grenade in a window? Reports have even surfaced of toys in the yard and neighbours who told LEO (Law Enforcement Officers) that children lived inside. To add insult to injury, the suspect was not even apprehended at the same apartment in which little Aiyana and her family lived.

Many subjects and opinions have come to light over today: Racism, police brutality, poverty, living in urban areas, and more; But my thought lies with [something I'm familiar with] Social Media. During the Iran Elections (just rock with me for a second), when the riots and violence started – it was less than a day before the number one topic on Twitter (most likely the longest running political trending topic) was #IranElection. Soon to follow was #MSMFail (Mainstream Media Fail) also #Mousavi and #CNNFail were top ranking as well. In fact, the entire TT list – all 10 topics – at one point referenced the Iran Elections.

Major news houses all over the world were getting their news from Twitter!

Not reinforcing already known news, but we [Tweeters!] were updating the world on the Iran Election. Quickly, Succinctly, and Clearly. Even when dis- (and mis)information came up, the solidarity of people who understand the gift of the internet quickly squashed it.

I say all that to reiterate my point:If it was done once, it can be done again. #Aiyana deserves justice and attention. The poor in America who are brutalized every day by LEO deserve justice and attention. The tense racial situation in this country deserves attention. The LEO who forgot the people that they serve because they were too busy posturing for reality television deserve attention and ostracizing. We deserve to stand up and
say “I will not live in a police state. I will not watch my children be murdered by ignorant police officers. I will not watch my country go up in flames while people look on as if it were a movie - detached.”

I am, in my heart, disappointed and angry. Where is President Obama to speak on this? Where is Cornel West? Where is Tavis Smiley? Where is the honorable Minister Farrakhan? Where are our black leaders to speak out and put #Aiyana first instead of more posturing? Where are the voices? Where is the cacophony of screams for justice? They are not here.

They aren’t here. But we are. #Aiyana


Read what other folks are thinking over at owlasylum.net

Damn, Stacey Dash Can Get IT!


Stacey Dash is 44 years old but damn, she's hot. She showed up in the new Officer Ricky video featuring Ne-Yo, "Super High", rocking some short shorts and fishnet stockings. She's kind of old to be a video girl but gotdamn, she can still get it. Will the chuuuuuuuch say amen?! Yes!!!!! Anyway, after watching that video I found myself heading back to Kanye West's "All Falls Down" video which also features the very attractive Stacey Dash (the slow motion run through the airport, gaaaaaaaaah damn!) So, for no damn reason other than Stacey Dash, I'm posting this video (it's also one of my favorite Ye tracks). To catch the Rick Ross x Ne-Yo track, click here. You're welcome!



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TMB's Track of the Week 5/18/10: "Closer" TheSeKondElement


I recently caught the new project from TheSeKondElement, "The Kommencement LP", which led me to this track from her EP released ast year. I'll definitely be bringing you some tracks from the LP but in the meantime, enjoy "Closer" from TheSeKondElement, the track of the week.

Download "Closer"



www.kammstheace.com
www.thesekondelement.bandcamp.com


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Download ... @Donwill & @VonPea (of @TanyaMorgan) "The Sandwich Shop"


I'm not gonna lie and be like I've been checking Tanya Morgan for a while. It wasn't until last year that they popped up on my radar. Since then I have been checking their collective and solo work (even going back and copping some of the earlier projects). The homie Donwill's "Don Cusack In High Fidelity" gets weekly plays. Anyway, two thirds of Tanya Morgan (Donwill and Von Pea) dropped "The Sandwich Shop: Cos Hoes Gotta Eat Too!" today. Yeah, get that, ASAP!
Riding a wave of critical and commercial success, and fresh off a successful tour if the UK, Donwill and Von Pea, two-thirds of acclaimed rap group Tanya Morgan, are proud to announce The Sandwich Shop.

The project sees the two witty MCs rapping over The Roots "Sandwiches", a collection of short musical segments released by drummer Questlove in late December 2009. "Sandwiches" consists of the tunes that The Roots play coming in and out of commercial break on their nightly gig on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Tanya Morgan members Donwill and Von Pea decided to rap over some choice selections of "Sandwiches" and cleverly renamed the project The Sandwich Shop: Cos Hoes Gotta Eat Too!

<a href="http://donwill.bandcamp.com/album/the-sandwich-shop">Spaintro by donwill (of tanya morgan)</a>


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Check It ... Goines "Leader of the New School"


Another installment of the DJ Booth freestyle series. Check out Goines.
The 170th entry in the DJBooth.net Freestyle Series comes courtesy of Goines, the Arkansas native (and Suga City member) who earned reader acclaim for mixtape tracks "Jim Brown" and "Dope as Me." On his brand new, exclusive Leader of the New School freestyle, the Conduit Entertainment rapper flows over a Chuck Inglish-produced instrumental originally featured on the Cool Kids’ 88. Goines is preparing for this Wednesday’s (May 19) release of his latest street album, the DJBooth.net-sponsored "Lead By Example: Leaders are Real People 2."
Goines "Leader of the New School" [Click to Download]

www.facebook.com/IAMGOINES
twitter.com/GOINES870

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Dr. Quandry "Beyond All Spheres of Force and Matter"


I reached out to the good folks over at World Around Records regarding music. They hit me back with a gang of projects. This joint is from Dr. Quandry (a Boston-area producer). This one line from the email sums up this project very well, "Beyond All Spheres of Force and Matter, which is some heavy cinematic instrumental epic shit." It's like the soundtrack to a motion picture. While listening to the joint, I'm thinking of scenes in my head. It's a good listen. "A Dream of Distant Shores" and "My Soul Longs for Her" are among my favorite listens. It's different. Remember that. Sit back and enjoy.

<a href="http://quandary.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-all-spheres-of-force-and-matter">Ekbat de Sebat by Dr. Quandary</a>

Production, synths, sampling and arrangement by Dr. Quandary. Additional bass on tracks 2, 4, 8 & 9 by Matt Scott. Artwork and design by Federico Piatti.

www.worldaroundrecords.com

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Check It ... Epsilon Project "America" (prod. DJ Vadim)


A few days ago we hit you with "Inspiration" from Epsilon Project's upcoming album "Audacity". We were feeling "Inspiration" so much, we even put the jawn on episode 7 of the podcast. Anyway, the crew is back with the second leak off the project, "America" produced by DJ Vadim. It's serious. Check the promo vid and track below. "Audacity" drops May 25th with production from Ohno, Kev Brown, Supa Koopa and DJ Vadim.



<a href="http://epsilonproject1.bandcamp.com/track/america-prod-dj-vadim">America Prod. DJ Vadim by Epsilon Project</a>

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Check It ... Kayo and Coo.L.Era "We Are Here"

I've been getting really bad at checking email again and then posting the stuff I like. I caught this joint a few days ago. Enjoy.



Kayo and Coo.L.Era "We Are Here" [Download]

Monday, May 17, 2010

What @LadyBlogga is Listening to: "The Ground Work" Vol. 2




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The Journey to Hip-Hop ... Connecticut: Phenetiks - "Shootout Number 9 featuring Deto-22 and The Protege"


Deto-22 is a cool dude. Real humble. Real down to earth. Really into music. The group, Phenetiks, is mainly out of Waterbury. According to Deto, that's where the magic happens. Haha. Here's some info about them direct from the source and check out the track they got out. Not your average!


Phenetiks:
The amalgamation of MCs Roc Doogie and The Protege, producer and part time MC Deto-22, and DJ Sircumference. This crew within the Antfarm Affiliates crew has been around for a long time, since it's inception in 1994, and is constantly working on projects whether as a group or solo/side projects. Collectively putting out four projects since 2006, with two to follow this year Roc Doogie's "My Mom Thinks I'm Awesome" and the next, untitled 3rd Phenetiks album. Their second album "Revolutionary Non-Pollutionary Mechanical Wonder" was released in 2007 as part of Rawkus Records' "Rawkus 50" project.

"Shootout Number 9" an exclusive look into the next Phenetiks album that features Deto-22 and The Protege.

Interesting production note...both halves of the song share the same exact bass, kick, snare and rhythm pattern which plays alone for a two bar piece in the middle.

<a href="http://phenetiks.bandcamp.com/track/shootout-number-9">shootout number 9 by phenetiks</a>


www.littleax.com
phenetiks.bandcamp.com/
twitter.com/phenetiks


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