Interview: Miss Special x BJ The Chicago Kid x Liza Garza

I chop it up a lot with Miss Special behind the scenes. She's a talented woman with a lot of passion for music. I dig what she does and support as much as I can. A few weeks back she hit SXSW with the rest of the music world and snagged up a couple of interviews with some dope folks. As she uploads them, we'll be posting them. Enjoy.

I was finally able to interview BJ The Chicago Kid before his performance at The Vibe House during SXSW. We spoke about working with Thurz, Pac Div, Fly.Union, a bunch of unreleased tracks with Fly.Union, possibly doing a duet with Kay Cola and his upcoming duets with Joi Starr, Lola, Treasure Davis, etc. We also spoke about the story behind the title "Pineapple Now-Laters", including the J. Dilla influence, bringing soulful r&b back, the next video from the album from Paris and when to expect it. In addition we spoke about the success of the album, the loss of his friend, the creative process when working with Kendrick Lamar and what's next for him. 

While at SXSW, I was introduced to the lovely Liza Garza at the WhutUpDoe “Set It Off” showcase. After the showcase, I had the pleasure of interviewing her. We spoke about her appearance on Def Poetry Jam, her favorite hip-hop artists and her first album “BloomfulBeautiful”. We also spoke about her next album, the story behind her latest song “Gather Round”, writing poems versus writing songs, her jewelry line and more.

(via @MiSS1SPECiAL)

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TMB x DonutsandMilk.com Presents: O-Lay & Diatonic "Meanwhile..."

The Minnesota emcee/producer duo O-Lay and Diatonic re-release Meanwhile... presented by TMB and DonutsanMilk.com. Meanwhile... is a combination of songs that serve as an intermediate project between their debut, The Set List, and their upcoming project, Safe Travels. An album that was all but forgotten, I linked up with the crew to repackage and push their work. I dig what they do and believe in quality music. O-Lay and Diatonic definitely deliver the goods. I look forward to more music from them soon. In the meantime, enjoy. Chea!



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@KirbyLauryen's A Song A Day: Day 95

"I wrote a song for you today. Help me tell the world!" -KL

As she approaches day 100 of her A Song A Day series and with her new project Risk It All due out April 9th, Kirby steps back and catches her Second Wind. Enjoy the music.

twitter.com/kirbylauryen
kirbylauryensings.bandcamp.com

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REUPSPOT Presents: F*ck Cancer (Mixtape)

Spread love, it's the Brooklyn way...

This project is to help raise Cancer awareness in the Hip-Hop community. This tape represents the struggles of fighting cancer and the glory of beating cancer. The songs we’ve compiled from some of the best up & coming hip hop artists can be helpful for the patient, a friend or family member. It is also great music for the casual listener and we hope that you understand what this tape stands for.

Featured artists include HavKnott Republik (Scolla & K-Bunz), Playboy Tre, Marky, Frank Ramz, Dee Goodz, K. Sparks, NatStar, Wordsmith, Yung Nate, Wes Coas & Anonamas, Skyblew, Shortman Score, Charmingly Ghetto, P. Dukes, & Jones Andrews.

Download



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What I'm Watching: ¡MAYDAY! "Lando's Jam"

Apparently ¡MAYDAY! is making music for my blogging partner to rock with in Lando's Jam. Ha! I dig it. Enjoy the music. Chea!

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What I'm Watching: Mara Hruby "Soon Come"

Mara Hruby is amazing. The Cali singer/songerwriter releases the simple visuals for Soon Come, which will be on her debut album due out later this year. The video was shot in The Attic Of Love, the same space that 'birthed' her From her Eyes EP. Beautiful song, with Nate Mercereau on guitar. I dig it. Enjoy.

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Nike Nando "The Disconnect"

DC's pro-wrestling fan, sneaker connoisseur and rapper Nike Nando drops off his new new The Disconnect. Definitely feeling the vibe of this track. Hit play and enjoy. Chea!



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@KirbyLauryen's A Song A Day: Day 94

"I wrote a song for you today. Help me tell the world!" -KL

twitter.com/kirbylauryen
kirbylauryensings.bandcamp.com

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What I'm Watching: Rocky Rivera "GRLZ" feat. Irie Eyez

"A lighthearted peek into their world of Hello Kitty and hairbrush-microphones, these ladies rock out at their rehearsal and show us their playful side."

Rocky Rivera x Irie Eyez x DJ Roza and the GRLZ deliver. Definitely digging the Jordan Ching directed video. Enjoy. Chea!

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Interview: @KirbyLauryen Has A Story To Tell

Kirby Lauryen is a storyteller. 

A storyteller with an amazing voice. That’s one hell of a combination. And the more you listen, the more you realize, there truly is something special about the Memphis born and Missisippi bred singer/songwriter.

She was first introduced to our pages through TMB contributor EMS, when she stumbled across Kirby’s A Song A Day Series on day 19. As she explains in the interview, she started the year off fresh by committing to writing and sharing a song daily with anyone who was willing to listen. She had a new found hunger and the result was an ambitious idea, but one that has led to her series taking on a life of its own.

There is something to be said about an artist who steps forward with no gimmick or over the top antics. Kirby emerges with just a piano and a story to tell, as she grows musically in front of us with a sound that continues to be captivating. Her words are filled with passion, and her music contains so much raw emotion. Once you hit play, you want more and find yourself wrapped into her world of youtube videos.

I once wrote that sometimes the best part of Kirby’s videos, outside of the music obviously, is the humility in her outro (and sometimes intro) dialogue. You’re drawn in by the music and you stay because of the woman. For such a talented person to be so down to earth is dope.

After a successful EP, The Introduction, Kirby is gearing up for new project due out April 9^th, simply titled Risk It All.

Recently, I reached out to Kirby for an interview. We talked about her start with music, her inspiration and more. Check out our conversation after the jump.

What I'm Watching: Nitty Scott, MC "BullSh*t Rap"

One of my favorite cuts off of Nitty Scott, MC's DOOBIES x POPSICLE STICKS. Directed by Donald Robinson Cole and Robert Adam Mayer, BullSh*t Rap features some cool cameos to compliment the dope track. Enjoy. Chea!

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TMB x DonutsAndMilk.com Presents: O-Lay & Diatonic "Plain Ol' Wes"

After dropping the cool track Why Now, the Minnesota emcee/producer duo O-Lay & Diatonic return with a video that they say is kind of a day in the life for the crew. They linked up with Erik Blume Photography to shoot the visuals. I dig it. Look out for their full re-released project presented by TMB and donutsandmilk.com Thursday 4/5. In the meantime, enjoy the music. Chea!



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