What I'm Watching ... In Studio w/Shad

Photo courtesy of Jess Baumung www.jessbaumung.com

"Didn't believe I was def until some checks starting clearing ..."

I don't need to say Shad is dope because I've already said that a number of times. Anyway, the homie Shad dropped his new album TSOL north of the border on Tuesday and is already the # 2 joint on iTunes in Canada. I'm still working on getting a copy of the new joint. Soon come. Like I've said before, Shad is a cool dude. According to his blog he's been getting a lot of love in Canada too with the project. This is a piece that the National Post did with Shad. Enjoy.

www.ShadK.com

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Check It ... Jeff Spec - "Sneakerboxxx (I Did It For Kicks)"

So this dude out the blue hits me up on Twitter about his music. Here's what he says...

"What's good? Not sure if you know of me, I'm from Vancouver BC and have a new album to promote - as a blogger, do you have any tips/advice?"

So I proceeded to give him my opinions on how to get heads to listen to his music. I say this...

"Don't spam it. Talk to people normally. Throw the link out so people can hear. Bandcamp is a nice site for previewing. Being more personal works. Like, what you're doing now is better than 'Hey, got a new album out. Check it out.' and then just flood the social networks with your music."

He did well with me. I listened. And I'm glad because this album is nice. So now....I'm hitting you guys with the link so you can see for yourself. He already had a Bandcamp page. I love those sites. Let's me review it before deciding to buy it, because we all know, I can't bring Bandcamp with me to the gym, car or job unless I always have my laptop, which I don't. I don't even own one. Haha. Check it out. Hit play and all the tracks will play or you can click the down arrow next to the song title.



Jeff Spec's BandCamp
Jeff Spec's MySpace
Jeff Spec's Twitter

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Check It ... SelfMATHEMATIKS Photography in P.R.

The homie SelfMathematiks hit me up about a trip he went on to Puerto Rico. Dude is ill with the photography. I have seen him work first hand. I'm trying to get to where he is. Haha. I asked him about his trip and this is what he had to say.

I got the opportunity to do two photo shoots. One for the legendary Richie Bastar of El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico and one for Jayko, a recording artist from Wisin Y Yandel's record label WY records.

I caught up with both of them at La Concha Hotel & Resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico for an interview that Journalist/Owner Griseida Diaz of VipLatino.com was doing. I got chosen to do the photography for the interviews.

I also got to do separate photoshoots for both of the guys Richie and Jayko.

Richie was nice enough to show me around town and even took me to his home for his photoshoot, he showed me his awards and even let me hold and take a pic with him and his grammys. We also shot some of the shoot at a local, beautiful river with falls.

Jaykos shoot was dope too. We shot it in the city area. We even shot in the middle of the busy streets as traffic flew by us. We also got parts of a shoot in at studio "Area 51".
We really got some creative shots in.

Over all the trip was amazing and Richie's and Jayko's hospitality was amazing. Both down to earth humble artists.

His whole thing is to educate people about the trip and shoots with the artists and to show his versatility from his usual shoots, club photography and street photography to shooting with famous/legendary people. He's got range and definitely shows it with this project. Contact him for all your photography needs.


Richie Bastar of El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico


SelfMathematiks and Richie Bastar holding the Grammy


Jayko El Prototipo - Latino R&B singer

Check him out at www.SelfMathematiks.com
SelfMathematiks' Facebook

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Where @LadyBlogga will be ... ROCK THE BELLS!!

Guerilla Union… You are my HEROES!

I am Rock the Bells Junkie. I’ve been to every show, even in the rain. Last year I was there with precious cargo in tow. Rock the Bells is a day long festival for music lovers like myself and many of you. This year, the show is taking it back to when Hip Hop was just that. If you have never been to a Rock the Bells show, you need to get up, get out and get there this year. The Rock The Bells Tour line-up is takin’ it back to Old School. On the bill are legendary Hip-Hop artists performing their legendary albums… Yes you heard correctly.

This Classic show will have Wu-Tang Clan performing tracks from “Enter the Wu-Tang”, Eric B and Rakim doing “Paid In Full”, Boogie Down Productions doing “Criminal Minded”, Slick Rick will be doing “The Adventures of Slick Rick” and I am sure the bill will grow as the dates of the performance gets closer. There’s no gum drop and lollipop Hip-Hop here folks. I have attended many a show and this by far may be the best one.


I am a little disappointed that there aren’t any women on the line-up. I am sure there are some classic females they could add to the bill. Monie Love, MC Lyte, Queen Latifah… Aww hell even Salt N Pepa. But females haven’t been on the tour. Jasmine Solano broke that ice last year with her debut Rock the Bells appearance as the “First Lady Rockin’ the Bells”. Hopefully this year, they will give her a slot to shine. Since she is on tour with Wiz Kalifa right now, and Wiz is on the bill too, I am hoping the Union steps up and offers her a slot. *Okay Guerilla Union, I’ll wait for a response…*

If you are in New York City, you need to be at Governor’s Island on August 28th, rain or shine. The tour kicks off in San Bernardino's NOS Events Center on August 21, and will end in Washington DC on the 29th at the Merriweather Post Pavillion. On the side stages will be other artists including The Clipse, Yelawolf, Immortal Technique, Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean. I am telling you folks, get your cameras and be prepared to spend the day with good music and great company. If you plan on going to the show, email me at LadyBlogga@gmail.com and let’s see if we can link up. You know I only speak the truth so when I say this is not to be missed, I mean it!!

Follow: twitter.com/ladyblogga
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TMB's Weekly Podcast, Episode 9

New week. New podcast. Enjoy.

01. Nasty - Pack FM
02. Dear God 2.0 - Roots
03. Black Cloud - Jermiside
04. Crossroads - Reinvention
05. So Supreme - Sha Stimuli
06. *Throwback Joint* Maybe - Da Bush Babees
07. Chemistry (Feat. Godfree, Signif & I. Not Poetic) - Dana Coppafeel (Remix)
08. Closer - TheSekondElement
09. Refuse to Lose - Dead Prez
10. Cheesesteak - Donwill and Von Pea
11. Birds and Bees - Diamond District
12. Say Superman - YC the Cynic
13. Group E - Fresh Cut Collective
14. Good Lookin Ugly Girl - theOTHERSIDE

Download [usershare | divshare]



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TMB's Track of the Week 5/25/10: "Come to the Otherside" theOTHERSIDE

Check out the joint from the theOTHERSIDE (rapper Keno and producer Wallsauce make up the crew) off their "From the Ground Up" project. The rapper / producer duo are working on their upcoming project"Rock and Bullwinkle", while Keno is completing his solo project "Sleeping Giant."


In the meantime, enjoy "Come to the Otherside", the track of the week!



theotherside.bandcamp.com


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Download ... Louiz Rip "Vestige Autonomy"

 Yeah, well this has been sitting in the email for the last 7 days or so. I have a love / hate relationship with checking my email. I need to get better at organizing and sorting through it. Anyway, it's a pretty good project. "For the Longest Time" is my joint. Go ahead and check out the project.



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Check It ... Pugs Atomz "Dan Ryan to LSD"

Check this pretty dope cut from Pugs Atomz off his "Kinda Like a Mixtape" project.



www.myspace.com/pugsleeatomz

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Epsilon Project's "Audacity" EP is Available

 
I've posted a few joints from Epsilon Project's "Audacity" over the last few weeks. Their full project is finally here and available for your enjoyment.

"This album was initially called "The Audacity of Dope", a play on President Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope", but a Google search killed that idea. (www.theaudacityofdope.com)... D'OH!!!!!!!

Sooooo, we dropped the words {of dope} and the word {audacity} remained.

This 9-track project, appropriately titled “Audacity”, features production from Kev Brown, Ohno, Supa Koopa and DJ Vadim.

From the brazenly laced critique of the United States on "America", to the incredibly descriptive narratives presented on "Poor World", each track is a manifestation of intrepid boldness."

iTunes
Bandcamp
Amazon


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Shad Interview on Sunday Night Sound Session (via @DJHyphen)

 "Maybe I'm not big cause I don't blog or twitter..."

I'm not sure how I got put on to Shad's music. It might have been DJ Hyphen that put me on to him or someone else. I really don't recall. I do know I haven't looked back since. Shad is a dope dude. He's definitely one of my favorite emcees! His new album dropped today "TSOL" in Canada. I had to reach out to my Canadian connect to get it. Anyway, the homie DJ Hyphen caught up to Shad Sunday night for this interview. I don't post interviews too often but I felt the need to post this one. Check it!

via @DJHyphen
"Shad is one of my favorite MC's and since his new album, TSOL, drops in Canada today, we had him call in to Sound Session to talk about the project, his writing style, when it'll be released officially in the US and more."

Blog post (full radio show) - www.theaudacityofdope.com/2010/05/24/sound-session-260-5-23-10/

www.shadk.com

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Download ... @IanWellz "Jim Beam: No Chaser"

I caught this joint in the email. I passed on a few of the tracks but overall Ian Wellz delivers on his "Jim Beam: No Chaser" mixtape. Check it out.

"With musical influences from Mos Def and Common to Ryan Leslie and Ne-Yo, Ian Wellz's artistry supersedes that of the typical rap artist. Ian Wellz love affair with music began in 1997 when he picked up the trumpet but it wasn't until he heard Jay-Z's "Hard Knock Life Vol. 2" that he fell in love with Hip-Hop...

...Throughout the mixtape lyrical wordplay, quality production and entertainment value can be found."

Check "Dics Jockey"


"Jim Beam: No Chaser" [Download]

www.twitter.com/IanWellz

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Beanpie Comic Strip: Sarcasm

(Click to make larger)

beanpiepromotions.com/blog


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