DJ Rhettmatic of the Beat Junkies and
Buff1 of the Athletic Mic League
have joined forces to create a hip-hop monster
for all of our enjoyment and appreciation.
That benevolent monster is called Crown Royale.
This Q&A features the production half of the duo,
DJ Rhettmatic.

“Get It Up” • Download

∆: How did you and Buff1 meet?

“Basically, I met Buff thru the guys from Now On. They’re all from Ann Arbor, Michigan and ironically, they’re also from the Athletic Mic League. Now On moved to LA a few years ago and I would start running into them at a couple of events and whatnot. Buff would come out to LA and they would introduce him to me and that’s how we met.”

∆: When and under what circumstances
did the idea of Crown Royale form?

“Well, the idea of Buff and myself of working together came from the 2/3 of Now On: Jackson Perry and Dj Haircut aka Mayer Hawthorne. Around that time, Buff just dropped his 1st solo album and they were asking him what’s his next move. And at that same time I was starting to branch off doing production outside of my other group, The Visionaries.

A lot of people knew me more as Battle Dj/Turntablist and not for my production, though I have been doing some production for quite sometime. I actually gave a beat cd to Now On to do some work. Next thing I knew, Jackson and Haircut came up to me and said ‘we would like you to do an album with Buff’. I believe they did the same thing with Buff. He said ‘if I like the beats, I’ll do it’. He already got an in house production team with the Lab Techs: 14KT, Haircut, Vaughn T, etc… so he was spoiled. And those guys got slaps. I knew it was a go when he sent me the first song recorded and done. Luckily he liked my beats, LOL.”

∆: How early was “Get It Up” done?

“Late last year, and that was actually the first song. He recorded the vocals
first in Michigan, then we redid it when he came back to LA.”

∆: How did you guys come up with the name?

“It’s actually a funny story. At the time, we didn’t have a name for the project or group. During that same time, Magestik Legend, another dope MC/Producer from Detroit, wanted to do a group project with Buff. On Buff’s 1st album,
Buff would always wear a crown so Magestik wanted to name the group
‘Crown Royale’. Ironically, I was brainstorming myself with names and all
and I also came up with the name Crown Royale, and literally called Buff
the week after Magestik shot him the idea. And I didnt know that Magestik
hit him up for the idea. I was a fan of Magestik’s work but I never met him in
person, so it was crazy when Buff told me what Magestik approached him with.

Then later on, like 2 months later, Magestik goes to LA. We all met up at Fat Beats LA and during an instore Buff introduced me to Magestik. I really wanted to name the project or group Crown Royale, so we all had a pow wow with Magestik. By the grace of God (and us doing a lot convincing), Magestik was kind enough to let us use the name and in return, we have him on our album. And that’s how the name Crown Royale came about.”

∆: Wooow, lol. Being that Crown Royale is a duo,
what is one of your favorite hip-hop duos and why?

“Mine is GangStarr…..Buff’s is Outkast. But also, I love EPMD, Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Run-DMC, Low Profile… I don’t know, we can go on forever. You would have to also ask Buff that question, but i do know his favorite group is Outkast.”

∆: What’s a particular reason you can say about GangStarr?

“It’s easy. The DJ and the MC combo, Guru and Preemo. They’re a perfect example of a classic hip-hop group. Preemo is one of my fav top producers, as well as a DJ.”

∆: What are some artists and songs you’ve produced
that the masses need to be aware of?

“Hmmmmm…….. let’s see….. Divine Styler ‘Triple Irons’ (WordPower 2), Aceyalone ‘Keep Rappin Keep Spinnin’, Aloe Blacc ‘Find A Way’ (B Ball Zombie War comp – Stones Throw)… I’m trying to think… RBX ‘Stop That’. Pigeon John ‘Freaks Freaks’. A lot of stuff are like b-sides and album cuts, I wouldnt say obscure but you would have to know the artists. But I worked with alot of cats that people know. I have alot of stuff that hasnt come out officially yet or it’s in the vault. Let me see…Trek Life ‘All Times’ (Price I’ve Paid)”

∆: Did you produce “E=MC5″ (Key Kool & Rhettmatic
feat. LMNO, Ras Kass, Meen Green & Vooodu)?

“Yeah, that was my 1st official record.”

∆: That was my shxt.

“Word? Thanks. I did that on the SP1200.”

∆: Word. From producing songs for artists to producing a full album,
what is your approach? In particular, your approach for producing a full album.

“Hmmm…that’s a good question. In terms of producing an album, I would try my best to make the album flow from beginning to end. Make it interesting like a good mixtape. Try to make it have sometype of continuity. I would put it together like i was putting a mix routine together. It has to make sense. And in terms of the beats, it varies. When i give a beat to an artist, I either would have an idea or concept or I would just let the artist dictate what he or she wants to write, whatever emotion the beat elicits from that artist. And when it comes to adding scratches, I either ask the artist whats the title or the concept of the song, and I would go base it off of that idea. Unless the artist have something in mind, then that makes it a lil bit easier.

Btw… all you rappers out there that think it’s easy to put a scratch hook together… no, it isn’t. That takes time. Diggin for records, listening to records, writing down phrases, then working on putting it together, then tryin to record the scratches until we get it right. Djs/producers are very meticulous. Just like for emcees that want to get the best take and their best rhymes out there. Us dj/producers are the same, for the most part. I just wanted to add that….LOL.”

∆: Word! What’s on the horizon from DJ Rhettmatic?

“Hmmmmm…..It seems I got alot on my plate now. Well, of course,
the Crown Royale debut album on Myx Music Label in early 2010.
I also have another project that I do with Eric Bobo of Cypress Hill.
It’s a DJ/Percussion combo. I actually finished an ep with Frank Nitty
(Frank N Dank). I’m doing a producers’ album with J-Rawls
of Lone Catalysts. I got a 10″ single that I did with MED
that The Do-Over is putting out in 2010.”

∆: When you say a “producer’s album”, what do you mean?

“J-Rawls and myself will be doing production together and we will be having artists on the album rocking over the instrumentals that we produced. We already have a song with Trek Life & Kam Moye aka Supastition, Renee Neufville from Zhane.”

∆: Damn, dope.

“Yeah, it’s been an off and on project. We recorded already 5 songs,
we just haven’t had the time to work on it. And of course my work with
the Beat Junkies. Beat Junkie Radio, our NIGHTLIFE events… and maybe, one day, a group album (which we’ve been saying for the last 10 years….LMAO!). Mix cds…etc.”

Massive Thanks To DJ Rhettmatic For Participating In The Q&A!
Be sure to check out Part 2 tomorrow with Buff1!
Big Up!

∆

Weeeeeeeeeeee! Nothing gets me more pumped up than the opening of the local ski hill. Work just doesn’t seem to matter…life is on the upswing after a dreadful shoulder season in a mountain town…snow is falling.

For those of you out there who love ski season as much as me probably have similar routines that carry you through a typical day at the hill. What I have for you this week is a special little look into my ski day through the power of music.

The first is an uptempo playlist that will prep you all the way from coffee shop stop to the parking lot to the first few leg burners in the powder.  WARNING: It’s not for anyone with weak eardrums.

Click on the Picture to download FREE mp3!!!

The second one will bring you lower in the mountain and back into the public eye. After burning the calories in the morning those pants are a little more baggy, you have your poutine swagger on, and those jugs of beer at lunch time are kicking in. Go directly to the park and play around a bit with this playlist in your headphones. Enjoy and don’t be shy to leave me a comment with a few of your favorite ski hill tunes.

Click on the Picture to download FREE mp3!!!

You know how every now and then you just happen to stumble across a really really cool blog, well it’s just happened. Lemonade was a popular drink (and it still is) had me hooked by the name immediately (any reference to a relatively obscure mid-90’s hip-hop song that I recognise gets a 10 in my book). But even once I got over how cool the name was, the blog itself didn’t disappoint. Here’s how it describes itself…

““Lemonade Was A Popular Drink, and it still is” – Gang Starr, DWYCK, 1994

Lemonade Was A Popular Drink is a place for you to pursue your interests. So long as your interests include pictures of animals in sunglasses, unintentionally hilarious spam emails, Red Stripe lager, early-nineties hip hop, tasteless jokes, general awesomeness and the use of the word “fact” as a sentence

Definitely bookmarked. Plus, to top it off they did plug Charlie Inman’s new timelapse on Mode2 which is a must-see if you haven’t already.

Click for the full post here

Artist : Gangstarr
Album : Hard To Earn
Year : 1994
Song : Mass Appeal

cutz//

“Once again I reveal the skill
Money’s growin’ like grass with the mass appeal
It doesn’t matter hardcore or commercial
I’m universal, this is rehearsal”

(Pass Da Mic by Da Youngsta’s / Somethin 4 Da Youngsta’s / 1992)

http://www.discogs.com/Gang-Starr-The-Lesson/master/23654

Title[The Lesson]
Artist [Gangstarr]
Label [Wild Pitch Records ] Genre[Hip-Hop]
Quality/Size [44,1@VBR38,5 MB] Ripped [03-24-2009]
Grabbed from [Vinyl] Enc [Lame 3.97]
Website [n/a]

Track TimeTitle
– ——–

01 05:52 The Lesson (Full Version)
02 04:43 The Lesson (Dub Mix)
03 04:32 The Lesson (Radio Version)
04 09:52 The Lesson (Super Club Mix)
Totals
04 24:59 min

Release Notes:

produced by Donald Dee!

http://www.mediafire.com/?yijjxoymzgz

Remember when I mentioned being frequently surprised by unexpected events a lot lately? Well, not much has changed. Life is steadily throwing curveballs my way but I’m rollin’ with the punches. No worries at all. Actually, I’m only mentioning it to explain the laziness that’s about to follow. ha My brain is a little more scattered than usual so I dug up an entry from my old blog that was typed around this time two-years ago. Let’s look back at what I was rambling about then:

Originally posted: October 27, 2007

What up peeps!  
First off lemme kick this off by saying another CONGRATS to my homebwoy, DJ Spontaneous. Last week, Spon announced that he’s the new tour DJ for Trey Songz. I hear that Spon is headed to Japan and other overseas locations with the tour this week! GO SPONTANEOUS!!!

Last week was a good week for premieres. My favorite-est reality tv family, The Simmonses, returned for a new season of Run’s House.

Also, thanks to bootleg man, I saw the anticipated movie American Gangster

…aka the movie with every rapper and their mama in it. If you plan to see it when it’s released on Friday you’ll see what I mean. (Common, T.I., the RZA, Anthony Hamilton…ok, he’s not a rapper but close enough. Check out Cuba Gooding Jr. as Nicky Barnes too. ha!) I’m not going to spoil it but I expected more.  The acting is superb but the flow of the movie was kinda boring to me. And, of course, since it’s based on a true story they couldn’t spice it up but so much.

 Mary J. Blige’s “Just Fine”

I was bumping this joint allllllll day on Friday! At the end Mary pays homage to the “Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough” video.  Mary be getting her life!  She’s not the world’s greatest dancer but she be hittin’ them Michael moves! Plus she looks like she’s having a ball. And I can’t even comment on the fantabulous fashions Miss Thang is rockin’. *whew*

To round out my premiere week on Friday evening I saw Joel Osteen live at the Arena. Yes, I said Joel Osteen! I admit to tuning into Lakewood’s broadcast every week to hear the uplifting messages from “the Smiling Preacher”. He’s not the only one I regularly tune into. I “watch church” for 3+ hours as if I was sitting in a real one.  (long story about why I left my old church) Anyway, the evening show was sold out so it was deeeep down there [at the Arena]. Look at where our seats were:

And I got tickets online at 10am on the day they went on sale!!!  I’m not going to rave about Joel too much but he rocks and if you want to know why he’s so popular just check out one of his broadcasts/podcasts. (All it’ll take is ONE time.) http://joelosteen.lakewood.cc/site/PageServer?pagename=JOM_homepage

Anyone else think this is waaaay weird that the Feds can just up and decide that Daylight Savings time will be next weekend instead of the one that just passed?  It’s like they can tell us when to get up, start our day and go to sleep because we’re working on THEIR clock. Ok, ok lemme stop before this turns in to the Matrix or Enemy of the State and a bunch of dudes in black suits show up at my door.

Here’s this week’s “Golden Age” videos!

Gangstarr - ”Manifest”

(Guru and Primo are acting all prestigious but still look like lil youngbucks in this video. lol Wow. The dancers are getting off though. Hot track. Love this!)

Patra – “Queen of the Pack” 

(Yoooooo, Patra was dat chick! Who else had big, long azz braids up in a ponytail? *raising my hand*  Patra had other hits but my favorite’s always been Queen of the Pack because she shows that she can toast it up with the best of them. In between all the whinding and grinding homegyrl could actually flow! Dag, I miss her)

Marley Marl and his Super Friends (hahahaha)  -”The Symphony” 

(I don’t even have to say nothing about this one…*bow*)

Wow. What  fun, “Ebonics”-filled walk down memory lane that was.  LOL Shoutout to my homeslice DJ Spontaneous, who’s still doing his thang on the wheels… Isn’t cool to see that pic of the Simmons family knowing that baby Miley would be added and the kids will be so successful (well, some of them)? … Mary J. is still killin’ em… For some unknown reason the local channel that I used to watch Joel on suddenly stopped airing his sermons. *shrugs* And how do I put on an APB for Patra?! I’d really love an update on her. Shortly after she ‘disappeared’  I heard she married a rich doctor(<-rumor).*shrugs again*  

Back to the future. I’m taking classes (long story) and I totally tanked on an exam yesterday Luckily I have the chance to re-take it on Monday. So I’m going jump back into the books. Since I don’t have much free time to blog follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/jayehunnie  I tweet from everywhere and about anything. Just call it toddler version of this blog. Smaller but much more active! B-)

‘Til next time…
 

]]> http://sheleftmecauseimweak.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/diamond-district-i-mean-business/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:52:11 +0000 WEAK http://sheleftmecauseimweak.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/diamond-district-i-mean-business/

The world had to pretty much fall apart in order to inspire Guru to work again and another 4 months for this video to drop. Here’s hoping that it doesn’t have to freeze over in order to get him and Premo back together on some Gang shit. Oh and in case you slept on the Version 8.0 Lost & Found LP, here’s a few highlights off of it. I’m  relatively disengaged by this album, though it is by no means toneless.

Guru ft. Solar – After Time

Guru – Divine Rule

Guru ft. DJ Doo Wop – No Gimmick Shit

]]> http://guru7grand.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/guru-and-solar-live-the-palms-in-las-vegas/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:36:28 +0000 Hip-Hop Icon Guru http://guru7grand.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/guru-and-solar-live-the-palms-in-las-vegas/

Hip-Hop Legend Guru-(GangStarr) And Producer Solar Performing Live At The Palm In Las Vegas

Send All Interview Request To
guru@eastcoastdigitalsolutions .com

Tom Phillips is a 24 year old designer who lives in Melbourne. He grew up in inner city Melbourne, and the biggest influences on his interests and skills stem from his experiences growing up skateboarding anywhere, any chance possible. Skateboarding led to an interest in design and photography, which led to studies into design, photography and the arts.

Alongside experiences with skating and design, Tom has been playing music since primary school. He played trombone for four years before taking a hiatus for a little while, then picked up guitar and DJing. Music has always occupied an important part in Tom’s life, with most of his friends and family involved in music and performance.

Tom’s interests in this project relate to indie subcultures and artists who flirt with the mainstream while remaining a little outside of it. At the moment Tom has been listening to a lot of hiphop, Gangstarr, Slick Rick and Talib Kweli for preference, as well as modern Americana rock like Murder By Death and Modest Mouse.

tomphillips.com.au

http://www.discogs.com/Gang-Starr-All-4-Tha-Cah-The-Remainz/master/23334

LAbEL..: Virgin Records DATE RELEaSEd: 00-00-0000
ENCOdER: LAME RELEaSE SiZE.: 24,2 MB
SoURCe.: Vinyl TRACkS…….: 06

RELeASE NoTES

Here is an exclusive release of one of primo\’s dopest
productions, All 4 Tha Cash. This Vinyl contains both All
4 Tha Cash, and The Question Remainz. This record is an
import and was a limited edition release in Europe. Of
course, production credits go to Primo. Hope you enjoy
this exclusive gem.

TRaCK LiST

01 All 4 Tha Cash-Clean 02:25
02 All 4 Tha Cash-Street 02:25
03 All 4 Tha Cash-Instrumental 02:24
04 The Question Remainz-Clean 03:29
05 The Question Remainz-Dirty 03:27
06 The Question Remainz-Instrumental 03:26

Total17:36

http://www.mediafire.com/?ymmmdwyidnj

Guru Aka Mr. GangStarr And Producer Solar On PNC Radio Today At 4-5pm
PNC Radio

http://www.pncradio.fm

7 Grand Records
http://guru7grand.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/Guru_7Grand
http://www.myspace.com/guru7grand
http://www.myspace.com/solar7grand
http://www.7grandweshare.com
http://www.gurusjazzmatazz.net
http://www.guru7grand.net

Download Guru and Solar “Lost and Found”

DJ Premier was in the house at a listening session for Royce the 5′9″ and someone got Preme to talk for a few minutes. Premier spilled the details of who is going to be a part of the upcoming BET Awards Cipher and it doesn’t disappoint. They got some ill collabs of both new and established artists.

Source”Kevin Nottingham”

made by KangolLove

01 Yesterday ['Intro'].mp3
02 Ain’t No Half Steppin’ ['Intro'].mp3
03 Nautilus ['Inna Citi Life'].mp3
04 It Ain’t Hard to Tell ['Inna Citi Life'].mp3
05 In Our Lifetime ['Livin' Proof'].mp3
06 Collage ['Livin' Proof'].mp3
07 C.R.E.A.M. ['Livin' Proof'].mp3
08 Suspended In Time ['Suspended In Time'].mp3
09 Da Mystery of Chessboxin’ ['Suspended In Time'].mp3
10 What Do I Wish For ['Sacrifice'].mp3
11 Windows of the World ['Up Against Tha Wall'].mp3
12 Red Sails in the Sunset ['Up Against Tha Wall'].mp3
13 The Golden Apple ['Baby Pa'].mp3
14 I Feel Like Loving You Today ['2 Thousand'].mp3
15 He’s a Runner ['Supa Star'].mp3
16 Funky President ['Supa Star'].mp3
17 Hangin’ Downtown ['Supa Star'].mp3
18 One Woman ['Supa Star'].mp3
19 Sing a Simple Song ['Supa Star'].mp3
20 Tender Loving Care ['Supa Star'].mp3
21 Valley of the Shadows ['Tha Realness'].mp3

Share this Post

Dwyck is one of my favorite DJ Premier tracks ever. The beat is simple, catchy and knocks all the same. There’s no hook and it actually works better that way. It makes the rhymes stand out more and sets it apart from so many songs from that era. Plus the video had some bad girls in it and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Now before I go in on this song I have to say a few things. At risk of discrediting myself, I was a wee youngin’ when I saw the video. The song was straight running man material and that’s all I needed at six years old. Then my moms would come in and scream on us for watching half nekkid wimmen on TV. Ahh, the good old days.

I’m of the opinion that songs can be memorable no matter how old you were when you first heard them. So Dwyck has a special notch on it since it hit me at an impressionable age. So let’s have a toast/discussion of sorts if that makes any sense.

Who Had The Best Verse?

If you asked me this question back in ‘92 I would’ve said Greg NIIIIICE, GREG N-I-C-EEEEEEE!!!! I was far from the (somewhat) lyrical snob that I am today as I just liked music that sounded good to me. Most of the time that involved shit that would make me  go wild around the house and break some of my mom’s furniture: albeit accidentally.

But let’s get real. Guru’s verse wins hands down. It’s kind of funny considering Guru’s monotone flow can lull me to sleep at times but he definitely brought it on this one. It’s one of my favorite verses from him ever actually. Sure he gets a lil’ random in his bars but his flow masks the awkward parts.

Smooth B’s bars ain’t bad but they pale in comparison to Guru’s. Plus they don’t stand out too well against Guru’s verse and Greg Nice’s patented ad lib ladened contributions. But it’s not bad. It’s just tucked in all the way at the end of the track like a bad stepchild. It’s a shame but them’s the breaks.

The VIDEO!!

The cinematography in the video isn’t anything spectacular and it falls into the usual hip-hop trappings of cameos (Red Alert, Kid Carpi & Group Home) and copious amounts video ho’s. But I still like it. Maybe it has something to do with the style back then. It’s pretty funny seeing Premo wear a track suit with bunched-up pant legs.

Guru was killin’ it with the exclusive lima bean green & baluga blue crew neck, jeans bleached to oblivion WITH the hat to match.Let’s not forget the fruity pebbles lookin’ track jacket he had in a couple of shots. Smooth B got the ill denim jacket and WHITE KHAKI’s stuntin on the boardwalk. Yes I know it’s not fair to crticize past fashion trends but the gear these cats had on provides straight comedy.

The girls…are nothing spectacular by todays standards. But the hi-yellow chick in the yellow bikini with good hair is the baddest one out the crew. I’d holla at her but I bet Premo got at it EARLY. Dude is the Gene Simmons of rap from what I’m told. So I’d take a rain check on that one.

WRAP IT UP!! (c) Dave

Now to tie up some loose ends. I talked at length about this song and video wihout bothering to find out what DWYCK actually stands for or where it came from. It’s not mentioned in the song from what I can tell unless I’m really THAT dense. Ehh, not knowing the song title’s origin doesn’t really take away from my enjoyment of it so it’s not a big deal. Still if anyone has any info feel free to drop it in the comments. On that note you can find me playing this joint on repeat for the time being.

dp soundtrackul 8 mile !

S W E E T I E S

In addition to loving my television, film , and salacious celebrity scoop

I ♥ REAL HIP-HOP!!!!

The Real Deal Holyfield.

The authentic material that is only birthed in the underbelly of urban culture.

Commercialized rap spewed from the pawns of major record labels is not my cup of tea.

Trendy beats are great for the club on Saturday night but when I want to throw on my Ipod and walk through my hood I need to listen to music that not only makes me want to move something but  makes me THINK something.

I listen to music from artists that stay true to the flavor from their roots.

I recently discovered one such artist who exemplifies this very notion.

GEE DUBS

Music is such a indelible part of my existence that I can tell within 30 seconds if a track rubs me the wrong or the right way.

When I watched the video for “Career Crooks”  it only took me only a few seconds to determine that this artist has the right stuff.

Nightly Candy: When was the moment/the song/ the circumstance when you fell head over heels in ♥ with hip -hop?

Gee Dubs: I’ve been in ♥ with hip-hop as long as I can remember.  I’m in ♥ with music period. As far as hip-hop goes  I remember the first music I ever purchased was Wu-Tangs Protect Ya Neck single on a tape. It had raw loops with raw lyrics.

Most people born in the mid 80’s can’t even begin to conceptualize the power of the mix-tape or a classic on vinyl. Initially I was baffled by the fact that Gee Dubs is so young yet his sound is mature and his musical influences range among some of the founding fathers of  hip-hop music.

Nas- iLLmatic/Jay-Z Reasonable Doubt/Raekwon Only Built for Cuban Linx/The Roots – illadelph Half Life/ MF Doom – Operation Doomsday, Mobb Deep – The Infamous & Hell on earth/O.C. -Jewelz/Tribe- Beats-Rhymes-& Life are some of albums that aided in building his hip-hop foundation.

Gee Dubs: I had to back track and do my homework on the ones that came before them, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, EPMD, LL etc.etc

He was also influenced by the musical memories from childhood formed by his parents.

Gee Dubs: I was influenced by musicians like Hall and Oats, The Whispers, Sade, Al Green, Michael Jackson and a lot of other 80’s pop and soul music .  I used to hear it alot as a child in the crib while Moms would be cleaning.

Nightly Candy: So what is your opinion on the extreme  commercialization of hip-hop?

Gee Dubs: I can only speak for myself.  It’s music as a whole that attracts me. I hate when people pigeon hole the music to specifics. It takes the freedom out of what you’re doing. Hip -hop is a universal sound. You can take any genre of music and flip it into hip hop. On the flip-side you  can’t take hip- hop and make a country beat.

It was apparent to me from the content of our conversation that Gee Dubs was a young man who has seen and experienced a lot in his life. As he so eloquently put it “coming of age in New York City makes you grow up quickly”. His maturity is most evident with his skills on the microphone.

Gee Dubs: (in response to my comment on his maturity) It’s more a learning experience .. I got into what kids do at that time where I come from. We all have our wild out moments. It’s that 2nd childhood (as Nas would say) that you can’t be a part of. I understand more now the value of self and with that I have to prioritize for my future. This music s*** would always be apart of me even if I end up in the robot world. This is the only thing that excludes me from that and keeps my sanity driven.

One track that stood out to me in particular on the Who’s Listening ? EP is The Last Call. I believe this track is the true epitome of the conscious flow that emits from the depths of this artist.

Gee Dubs: ” Alone in my room/Pen in hand just turn up the boom/ Writing in my book of rhymes/ Escaping to this peace of mind” (line from The Last Call) .  The goal for me when I write is to take myself somewhere musically that I know I can take another individual when they listen to it.

I highly suggest that if you desire a dose of conscious reality in your hip-hop. Get ready to nod your head to the rhymes of Gee Dubs.

Available for SALE on ITUNES:

www.twitter.com /geedubs

www.myspace.com/geedubsmusic

www.facebook.com/GeeDubs

Rap legend Guru and producer Solar rolled into the UK last week on their Lost and Found 8.0 European Tour. They talk to us about their new album, hip hop and fondness of British films…

Check Out Interview At
http://delarge.co.uk/guru-solar-interview

Guru Aka Mr. Gangstarr Freestyle

7 Grand Records
http://guru7grand.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/Guru_7Grand
http://www.myspace.com/guru7grand
http://www.myspace.com/solar7grand
http://www.7grandweshare.com
http://www.gurusjazzmatazz.net
http://www.guru7grand.net

Send All Interview Request To
guru@eastcoastdigitalsolutions.com

Two great friends of mine invited me to their house for dinner. As we always ended up doing, we started talking about music. We’ve been putting a compilation together of hip hop songs from 1994-1998. The three of us were hip hop heads at that time. We were looking through itunes when one of my friends dropped a bomb. He said that he’s just not into hip hop anymore. My other friend and I looked at each other for a beat, then I turned toward the deserter of hip hop and said, “Go to the corner. You are punished.” LOL!

While I was kind of surprised by what he said, I understood it. He’s gotten more into reggae (I said he’s getting in touch with his island roots) and I’ve become something of a little rocker (PARAMORE!!).

The problem is that, in my opinion, true Hip Hop is fading. There are some that have remained true but let’s face it…Hip Hop has cashed in. Artists have relied too heavily on auto-tune, turned in baggy jeans for skin tight nuthuggers, and created music that should be called Pip Pop.

The other problem is that my friends and I were spoiled. We got the best.

After having steak, who wants a hamburger?

We grew up in the greatest time.
The time of Hip Hop.
While it was born in the 70’s, it was reared in the 80’s and grew up in the 90’s.
That was our time.
The time of parental outrage.
The birth of the explicit lyrics label.
The time of a culture that made society nervous.
The time of hard core…yeah we like it raw!
Wu-Tang Clan
Mobb Depp (pre G-Unit affiliation)
Gangstarr
A Tribe Called Quest
Plus, some that remain to this day:
Jay-Z
Outkast
Common
Nas
The time of Tupac.
The time of Biggie.

Jay-Z is finally speaking out on the GARBAGE that has permeated the airwaves. THANK YOU! I can’t take another sing song rap. Where is the lyrical content? Where is the dirty hard hitting beat? I understand that not everything needs to be hard all day every day. LL Cool J is a prime example of that. But he’s also in the minority because he actually has something to say.

As much as these new guys are hot, do they really have their own voice? Or are they merely copying others? Are they really saying something or just coming up with something that sounds good?

Everyone is loving Drake right now. I just can’t join in at the moment. Yes, he’s better than most of the stuff that’s out now. But does that really count? As my friend said to me that night, his flow is sometimes Wayne-esque, sometimes Nas-ified, and other times Jay-Z-ed. Not sure I can get on his bandwagon. I will agree that his mixtape stuff is much better than the radio singles (Successful is going to be his next single…I’m sure with some radio edits). But, to give him the love like he’s the new thing for Hip Hop,…Sorry! To me, he’s in the Pip Pop category. Or just plain old Pop. Hip Hop has hit the mainstream. And that’s fine.
I’m just a hip hop snob, I guess.
I savor steak.
You can keep your hamburgers.

My steak entrees:
Wu-Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple“
Biggie’s “Juicy“
Tupac’s “So Many Tears“
Gangstarr’s “Full Clip“
A Tribe Called Quest’s “Electric Relaxation“

The list goes on and on (and you don’t stop!).

I conclude my rant with this. I couldn’t have said it better myself.