DEMOS: An Independent Artist's Guide To Success [Official Trailer]

This looks fresh. Shouts to Velv Somersault. Check the full description below and the trailer above. Chea.

Demos is a documentary that was created to educate and inspire the emerging hip-hop independent artist to accelerate their career. Its primary objective is to provide insight on the myriad of ways to establish or further enhance a successful independent music career. Industry veterans along with well established indie artists will share their experiences, advice and techniques providing an invaluable and unprecedented resource for the up and coming artist. From scholarly advice about branding and getting noticed to revelations about submitting content to media outlets, Demos is a film that should be on any musician's "must-see list!

Demos will expound upon how the industry has transformed over the years. Through the industry's overhaul, the artist needs to now empower and equip themselves with this essential information to maximize their chances of success. The music industry is ever-changing and to keep up, you must be well equipped; Demos is the tool to create a metamorphosis within an artist career.

Narrated by the Grammy Award winning Hip-Hop Poet J Ivy, with appearances by: Pete Rock and CL Smooth,,Naughty By Nature, Shyheim, A-King from PNC Radio, Murs, Carl Choi, El Prez, Dae One, Statik Selektah, Talib Kweli, Tony Rock,Verbs, Wax, Dumbfoundead, Michelle McDevitt from Audible Treats, Money Making Jam Boyz, Z of DJ Booth.net, Asya of Fusicology, Spintelect, Big Pee Wee of KJLH, K Sparks, The Regiment, Convinced, Raven Sorvino, Jean Grae, Pharoah Monch, Big Dho, Jake Paine of HHDX.com, Da Beatminerz, Cisco Adler, Chris Young, DJ Houseshoes, J Davey, Sean Falyon, Marley Marl, TruthLive, Matt Diamond, Joe Scudda, Chaundon, DJ Rhettmatic, Kooley High, Tanya Morgan, Kyra Kyles, Tanvi Patel of Crucial Music, Mac Miller, Warren G, Verbs, Cymarshall Law, and more to be announced.

DemosDocumentary.com

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

First Listen: John Graham "Mirror Music"

It was last June that I first introduced The Mad Bloggers' readers to John Graham. John was working hard on introducing folks to his project at the time, Ascension Methods. I liked Ascension Methods and the music John was creating.

At the time I wrote that his music is one with a poignant message. What John Graham does is creates music he truly believes in. He steps way outside of the box of what would be considered safe music and gives you the music he thinks you should hear. His music is driven by thought provoking lyrics, coupled with cool beats.

You have to respect John for his persistence in delivering his message.

Today, John releases his debut album Mirror Music. And again, he doesn't shy away from making the music he wants to make.

When I interviewed John last July he wanted his music "to inspire dialogue and discussion." I believe Mirror Music, much like  Ascension Methods, will do just that. John wants you to know who he is. It's part of the reason he shed the name J. Qwest. He said during that same interview, "I reached a point in my life where I felt that it was time to shed stage names and give the listener "Me" with no veil or anonymity."

And Mirror Music is just that. It's John Graham with no anonymity.

I personally dig John's more aggressive flow on tracks like "Light's Revenge", "The Re-Awakening" and "It's That Serious." But I also dig the more laid back flow on "I Want You" and "Words & Music."

John Graham is talented. Mirror Music is fresh. Give it a listen. And if you dig it, support it.

www.cdbaby.com/cd/johngraham

twitter.com/VegE10Nerd

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

My Thoughts on Jay-Z and Kanye Going H.A.M.

I'm only posting this track because I'm confused by this track.

Yeah, yeah, yeah I know what you're thinking, "but Q, it goes hard in the club." You know what I say to those people? You spend TOO MUCH TIME IN THE CLUB!

Sure, there's some crazy quotables from Jay and Kanye on this track. Sure it gets me excited for the Watch The Throne project but you can't deny that this track is messy. And I think it's with the Lex Luger beat. It just doesn't match the track. Jay and Kanye's energy goes one way and the beat goes the other. The best part of the beat is the piano riff and Opera like singing at the tail end. I know I can't be the only person that thinks the vocals and beat don't match on this jawn. Maybe I'm wrong. Am I?

I'm posting for your feedback. Hit up the comment section and if all you have to say is "this n-gga Q is a hater" you've already lost the argument. Ha!

ps: Who approved the beveled old english font on the cover? Really? Looks like some Dan Gilbert Comic Sans type shit.

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Download ... Dylan Thomas "Stevie's Soul Sounds"

About a week ago Dylan Thomas, a producer out of the Milwaukee scene, hit me up with the preview for his latest project Stevie's Soul Sounds. Once I downloaded the project, I hit play. My first thought, dope. Stevie's Soul Sounds is definitely a smooth beat tape that you'll enjoy. It's one of those, you don't even really need rhymes over the beats type of projects. Sit back. Hit play. And Enjoy Stevie's Soul Sounds. Chea!



twitter.com/DYLANefinTHOMAS

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Download ... BIC "Takin' It From The Top"

Check out the newest project from Bitches Is Crazy (BIC) that dropped a few days ago. Two of my favorite cuts is the Chuk produced "Beautiful Loser" and the MP produced "Get On Point." Shouts to MP (DJ of The Mad Bloggers Show) and BIC. It's a pretty cool project. Check it.



twitter.com/BICALLDAY_

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... J-Live "No Time To Waste"

J-Live is the multi-talented emcee-DJ-producer who just put out a great EP, Undivided Attention, late last year. He wastes no time getting the year started off right with this dope new single. Check it out and enjoy. Chea!



j-livemusic.com

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Check It ... Chuuwee "French Inhale" (Prod. By Jonathan Lowell)

I'm convinced that Sacramento emcee Chuuwee is always in the studio based on the amount of music he puts out. Earlier this evening, after a little bit of #BeCool motivation from his twitter followers, Chuuwee unleashed this track off his upcoming Be Cool project with Boston producer Jonathan Lowell due to drop at some point this month. Enjoy the weed inspired track. Chea!



twitter.com/ChuuweeTUS

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Yourstru.ly Presents: @BigKRIT Wuz Here (The Grillade Sessions)

Yourstru.ly Presents: Big K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (The Grillade Sessions) from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

You already know I'm a Big K.R.I.T. fan. I'm also a fan of the music created with a live band. Well, it seems that both of those things have come together to create K.R.I.T. Wuz Here (The Grillade Sessions). The EP  takes music from the Mississippi rappers K.R.I.T. Wuz Here project and recreates it with the help of the Bay Area band. Pretty exciting project presented by Yourstru.ly.  Definitely looking forward to it. In the meantime, peep the snippet video above. Chea!

www.twitter.com/bigkrit

Props to GFCNY.COM for the link. 




Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

What I'm Watching ... Signif "Lovely Imperfections"

Signif x Darren Cole. I could end what I have to say there because what they create together is so dope (this is the third video with Darren behind the lens for Signif). The two team up again to bring you a fresh video for Signif's "Lovely Imprefection." Darren is a talented director/editor/dj out of Milwaukee spending time between there Boston and NYC right now. And Signif is a regular on the blog, having been featured countless times and last year she released what I considered one of the strongest projects of the year. Her album The Transition is the gift that keeps on giving. The video is a pretty strong way to start the year for Signif who has a new project on the way produced by Gee Wiz. While we wait on that, check out the video for now and if you're unfamiliar with Signif, check out my interview with her. Chea!

twitter.com/signif

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Hip-Hop Breakfast Ep 48

We're back muddasucka! Ha! Happy New Year and all those salutations. You know what it is. It's Monday. This is Hip-Hop Breakfast. Enjoy. Chea!

01. Trust - Algorhythms
02. Someone To Love Me - Keno
03. Era of Escapism - Lola (Elle) Maxwell
04. All Alone - Quesfire
05. High - Signif
06. The Man - Top $ Raz
07. I Tried - SonReal

(Intro music St. Joe Louis "Good Morning")



Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

EVENT: Soul Khan & Recess at Crash Mansion

Check It -- Thursday 1/13/11: Soul Khan, Recess and others at Crash Mansion 199 Bowery Street, New York, NY. Doors at 8pm, $10. Meka from 2dopeboyz.com will be on the 1's & 2's. Pre-sale tickets.

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers

Brian Allonce Bar Exam 2010 Wrap Up

Salute to the homie Brian Allonce over at PNCradio.FM. He wrapped up a pretty successful year with his show Bar Exam. His last show of 2010 featured Mone Devine, Fresh Daily, Nitty Scott and more. Check it out.

www.BrianAllonce.com

Follow the madness: twitter.com/themadbloggers_
Check out more from The Mad Bloggers