I was on the train about two week ago on my way back home from NYC. This track came on. I had to look down at my iPod because it didn't sound familiar. The joint had immediately caught my attention because it was just sooooooo smooth! This JIMIJAMES joint had been on my iPod for a while, as part of a collection called the FALL IN LOVE Mixtape released by JIMIJAMES, featuring some of her tracks as well as tracks from others (including the homie Haz Solo). Anyway, this joint has found itself on repeat a few times over the last week or so. Even though it was released in 2006, this Fa'al and JIMIJAMES produced joint is still dope. Enjoy "How Much", the track of the week.
Melissa Czarnik is back. She returns with "Raspberry Jesus" available for pre-order and out officially on July 31. Her first single, "Anattitude," is really fresh and shows that the Milwaukee based emcee hasn't been just chilling since her last album. Yeah, between shows overseas, locally and working on this new album, the last thing Czarnik has been doing is chilling. You should be excited about this new project. Melissa Czarnik isn't a joke musically and always delivers. I'm excited for her. And I'm excited for you to discover "Raspberry Jesus" and Melissa Czarnik.
(Milwaukee,WI) On Saturday, July 31st, 10pm Milwaukee based poet-emcee, Melissa Czarnik will release her long awaited sophomore album, Raspberry Jesus (Hyperdrive Motivator Productions, 2010) at Stonefly Brewery, 735 E. Center Street, Milwaukee, WI. Czarnik will be backed by the Eric Mire Band, a five-piece hip hop/jazz/soul band made up of bandleader, Eric Mire (guitar), Chip Baily (drums), Maurice Cotton (keys), Brad Bloom (sax) and Don Bradshaw (congas). Other acts include the DJ duo, Him & Her (Milwaukee); the Eric Mire Band will also open the night playing a selection of instrumentals from Czarnik’s 1st album, Strawberry Cadillac, as well as the Eric Mire Band’s 2009 release, Spooky Love. There will be a collection of Midwestern themed drawings and photographs on display from the brother-sister duo, Dominic and Erica Heisdorf. The evenings happenings will be photographed by the Milwaukee based photographers, Shaku & Mindy Mays.
From the depths of her soul, Melissa Czarnik delivers audiences an album strapped with power, love, and struggle. With bolder lyrics, bigger beats, and more collaborations, Czarnik has proven yet again, that hip-hop is not dead, but indeed, underground. Her first album, “Strawberry Cadillac” was released in July, 2008 and since then she has gained recognition in notable publications such as Bitch Magazine (USA) and Anattitude Magazine (Europe). She has toured increasingly throughout the Midwest and has gone as far as Brussels, Belgium to rock the Supafly Women in Hip Hop Series in June 2010.
With a blend of hip hop, poetry and jazz, Czarnik’s Raspberry Jesus offers up yet again, a bigger and better sound that is organic in feel, original in sound, and intimate in content. Working side by side with producer and composer, Eric Mire, the album features a wide range of collaborations from musicians like Aaron Gardner and Eric Jacobson of Kings Go Forth; gospel music director, Maurice Cotton produced and composed a full-length gospel track; and members of the Eric Mire Band can be found sprinkled throughout several tracks on the album. Czarnik also worked with hip-hop producer, Dylan Thomas on a track that features, R&B singer Patrice Downey.
Czarnik’s diversity on Raspberry Jesus is exemplified in her musical flow and hard punchy lyrics that are layered with the same musicality as that of an instrument. Czarnik can go from bold and boastful on one song to soft and romantic on another with the same ease as artists such as Lauryn Hill or Ani Difranco. Growing up on Milwaukee’s working-class North Side, she is street wise, compassionate and community aware. She completed two years of service in AmeriCorps and has spent the past 3 years working at Woodland Pattern, a non-profit literary arts center. Together, Czarnik and her label mate Eric Mire founded Hyperdrive Motivator Productions, a label that prides itself on DIY artistry and has brought audiences albums such as Strawberry Cadillac (HMP, 2008), the Eric Mire Band’s Spooky Love (HMP, 2009), and most recently Melissa Czarnik with the Eric Mire Band, Local Live EP (HMP, 2009). Raspberry Jesus is now available for pre-order sale at www.melissaczarnik.com.
O put me on to ¡MAYDAY! These dudes are dope. Check the new track, "Lost Highway" off the upcoming "Stuck on an Island" album set to be released this fall. Enjoy this track in the meantime.
The homie Shaun hit O and I up with the first volume of his comic book, Beanpie, in addition to a bunch of other promotional material. It's been a while since I read a comic book. I dig Beanpie's real life approach AND it's based in Connecticut (the state I technically call home). Anyway, Shaun is definitely doing his thing and this is just the first issue in the series. It's definitely enjoyable. Check it.
Beanpie is written by Shaun Bolden. It started in 2007 and is part of an ongoing saga. After two years of writing and promoting a story, an artist was found. Dino Diaz joined up with Shaun and they began to work on their first comic strip which was in Urbanology Magazine in March 2010. On June 5th 2010 they released their first comic book entitled, Beanpie: The Hustle Begins at the Comic Convention located in Toronto.. The response at the release was a positive one and the two continue to reach out to people and embrace new fans daily. Beanpie can be found on eBay. If you are in Toronto you can find the comic at Silver Snail, A Different Booklist, Beguiling, or Studio 47. The graphic novel is scheduled tpo be released in December. Stay tuned and READ BEANPIE!
A little old (not that old) but still VERY hilarious. It's a conversation. Let's have it. Or, you can just tell me "what a ninja gotta do to get some orange chicken around here?"
You might remember Emperess from her "A Verse A Day" promotion a few weeks back. Perhaps you recall her verse on "Trouble" alongside Ra The Mc and Jay Mills. OR you've heard her "Outside The Box" project. Emperess is dope! Check out the new project, Fairytale World. At seven tracks you can enjoy this a few times. Enjoy.
The homie @MBtheREMIX put me on to this dude via twitter. Definitely enjoy this track. Megatron Bombs coming soon. Check the track and hit up the comments and let me know what you think.
O and I met this dude at the Jass Bianchi video release in Brooklyn. He performed at the event. Dude hit the stage with a lot of energy and some dope tracks. He hit us up a few days ago with some of his music. We wanted to pass on this track (which is dope) and his latest mixtape. Enjoy both.
I had the opportunity to catch up with this dude while I was in Brooklyn. Good peoples! And his Dirty Jordan's beat project is dope. Get that. Check the video!
I'm debuting a brand new video "High Stakes Canasta." It features two tracks from the Dirty Jordans album, "High Stakes" and "Canasta," and also includes a previously unreleased beat in the middle. "Dirty Jordans" is available for purchace at: www.WillieGreenMusic.com
"Chasing Fame" MUSIC VIDEO CHECK IT OUT!!! Directed and shot by Retro, produced by Fresh Kidz... for the #719Project "I Love Campaign" and also featured on the upcoming project from FAME "C'est LaVie".
