Ecay Uno is a self produced artist who gives you just as much intensity with his lyrics, as he does with his beats. He is set apart from the rest by bringing topics that people can relate to. It wasn’t until after living a life of crime, being riddled with 13 bullets and becoming paralyzed at age 19, that Ecay reached true maturity. With a new outlook on life, this survivor has transformed tragedy into triumph and is now determined to use his music as a vehicle to speak the truth. He has worked for Jayo Felony, Mitchy Slick, I Rocc, Lil C.S., Mr. Lil 1, Mack Villin, and Young Sick in projects such as Crip Hop, Triggeration Station, Blues Brothers, Dollas and SINS, Ghetto Classics, The Statement, and Dickies and Chuck Taylors. Ecay Uno is holding it down for San Diego. Check him out! Ecay Uno on MySpace
Fresh off the announcement of a new album, following a 10-year hiatus, Sade is back in business with the release of the title track "Soldier Of Love." The track which Sade co-produced with Mike Pela, was written by Sade along with longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman. Check it out! Sade - Soldier Of Love
Pharo Starr is an American recording artist, dancer, writer, music producer, and music engineer with his indie label Cool House Entertainment. He is a force to be reckoned with. There are many talents out there but you will rarely find an artist with so much well roundedness combined with such an insight to know how to deliver it. From his midwest styled emceeing to his R&B like dance moves. He is a perfectionist. A poet. An artist. An artist with a hunger to be the best and show the world his story.
After being left off the network's "Hottest" list, Lupe noted that he was out to prove a point. The man knows what he's doing and he's ready to prove it.
"The last six months, it's been like, 'I gotta really, really go out there and show that I'm nicer than all of them,' " he said. "It's like, 'Alright, so be it. If it takes three more albums to do it, then so be it.' That's what I got left with Atlantic. Three more after Lasers. I'm already done with two. The mixtape is coming Thanksgiving. It'll be another mixtape after that and an album after that. It's really to get that status and lock it in and [and have people] be like, 'Look at this positive dude, the underdog. The positive one who came and murdered all these dudes. And he's there, and he's good."
Can't expect anything less from Lupe. I'll be counting down the days.......are you ready?
AKIR aka Always.Keep.It.Real is known for his dense lyrics and socially aware content. Akir first entered the hip-hop scene as an on-air personality with WNMH 97.9 in Mass from 1994 to 1996. In 1998, he ranked 2nd out of 50 in Howard University's Verbal Armageddon, MC competition. Akir has completed 6 international tours: Rock The Bells 06,07,& 08,Vans Warped Tour 04, Fort Minor 06, Redman Tour Fall 07 9 domestic tours and over 500 shows. He has performed with a variety of acts such as: Nas, Kool G Rap, Mos Def, Styles P, KRS-One, Ghostface Killah, The Game, Talib Kweli, Saigon, dead prez, Little Brother, Jean Grae, Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Vast Aire, Brother Ali and Immortal Technique. Those names should speak for themselves.
I suggest you give "The Secret" a listen and see what this guy is made of......
R Kelly’s tenth studio album, Untitled with the singles “Religious” and “Number One”, will be in stores December 1st. The album is destined to be another Kells classic, with contributions from producers Infinity, Lil Ronnie and Chris Henderson. He also broke out of Chi-Town (a rare move) and recorded some of the album in Atlanta.
"Whatever You Want" is Consequence first single off his second studio album Cons TV featuring Kanye West and John Legend. This music video was directed by Hype Williams.
"The number one team is back in the biz, if you feel the same way put the glass in the air cause like with fake Jordans, don't come with a wack pair we really don't want it and we making it clear. Clear, it's b-boy"
Wyclef is set to return to hip hop next month with the release of "From The Hut To The Projects To The Mansion." The 13-track E.P., featuring all new material produced by DJ Drama, comes out Nov. 10 on Carnival House via Megaforce/Sony Music.
The 13-tracks are strung together in a continuous mix with a narrative arc, telling the story of Toussaint St. Jean, a persona suggested to Wyclef by his friend and collaborator T.I. The character of Toussaint is loosely based on an 18th-century Haitian revolutionary hero, Toussaint L'Ouverture.
On the E.P., Wyclef raps and sings from the Toussaint persona, taking on the spirit of a military fighter with grisly war stories. To create a suitable musical accompaniment to the dark stories, Wyclef turned to superstar producer DJ Drama. "I asked myself, 'Who's the toughest guy out there?'" Wyclef says. "Then I said, well, DJ Drama is pretty badass. So I called him and asked if he'd be interested in doing a mixtape. He heard what I was up to and he said, 'We gotta do a book - this is a novel!' He got excited, and it became more like an EP than a mixtape."
Tracklist: 1. Interlude - "From The Hut, To The Projects, To The Mansion" 2. "Warrior's Anthem" 3. "The Streets Pronounce Me Dead" 4. "Slumdog Millionaire" feat. Cyndi Lauper aka Luscious Loo 5. Interlude - "Every Now & Then" 6. "Walk Away" 7. "More Bottles" feat. Timbaland 8. "You Don't Wanna Go Outside" 9. "Toussaint vs. Bishop" 10. Interlude - "The Struggle" 11. "We Made It" 12. "Suicide Love" feat. Eve 13. "Letter From The Penn" 14. "Robotic Love" 15. "Gangsta Girl" 16. Interlude - "Tell The Kids The Truth" 17. "The Shottas"
Lupe Fiasco's word play is crazy. Listen to this track called "Fire" and you'll see. He used a sample off of Jimmy Hendrix "Fire" which blended great with the track. Check it out.
Amerie spoke about the concept behind In Love and War in an interview with The Green Magazine : "Conceptually, I just really wanted to write about the tumultuous times of a relationship. Not so much like everything is so perfect, but looking at the more imperfect sides of love and relationships. And that’s where I came up with the title In Love & War. I also recorded a record called Love & War. When I was writing it, I wasn’t really thinking about the album title, but as I was vocaling, I was just thinking ‘the whole concept of love and war really encapsulates everything that I was trying to get across as far as a theme for the album." adding that "It’s a fusion of hip hop, soul and old school rock."
So far I like what I hear.....
Her album will be released on November 3rd. Be on the lookout!
Royce Da 5'9" Street Hop was originally announced in 2006, and early rumors had fans speculating that Premier would produce the entire album. In September of 2006, it was announced that DJ Premier would executive produce and contribute roughly half of the album's material, in addition to helping select beats. In the same month, Royce was convicted of a DUI, resulting in parole violation. Following his completion of a year-long prison sentence, he prepared the release of the first The Bar Exam mixtape amidst rumors that Nas was amenable to signing him to the rapper's Def Jam imprint, The Jones Experience.
After joining New Jersey rapper Joe Budden, New Yorker Joell Ortiz and California native Crooked I to form the four-man group Slaughterhouse, Royce had been busy recording and touring, he later returned to the studio for his own album with a new release date. Guests currently confirmed are Bun B, Busta Rhymes, and rest of Slaughterhouse, videos have been shot and released for the first two singles, "Shake This" (produced by DJ Premier) and "Part of Me" (produced by 6 July), both directed by Rik Cordero. Recently, the rapper released The Revival EP, a four-song collection including an appearance by the rest of Slaughterhouse.
"Street Hop" is set to be released October 20th. Be on the lookout....
Tracklist 1. "Gun Harmonizing" (feat. Crooked I) Emile 2. "Count for Nothing" 3. "Soldier" (feat. Kid Vishis) 4. "Something 2 Ride 2" (feat. Phonte) DJ Premier 5. "Dinner Time" (feat. Busta Rhymes) Quincey Tones 6. "Far Away" 7. "The Warriors" (feat. Slaughterhouse) Streetrunner 8. "A Brief Intermission" (skit) 9. "New Money" Streetrunner 10. "Shake This" DJ Premier 11. "Gangsta" 12. "Mine in Thiz" (feat. Mr. Porter) Mr. Porter 13. "Street Hop 2010" 14. "Thing for Your Girlfriend" (feat. Kay Young) 15. "On the Run" 16. "Murder" 17. "Bad Boy" (feat. Jungle Rock Jr.) DJ Green Lantern 18. "Part of Me" 6 July 19. "Hood Love" (feat. Bun B and Joell Ortiz) DJ Premier
Rumor that N.E.R.D have a new member named Rhea has been confirmed by Pharrell Williams. "Musically, we're just somewhere else [with her]," he told MTV News. "The music is now very 3-D. It's something you have to hear."
"We're definitely somewhere else," he continued. "I want to leave that impact moment for when you purchase your download and you purchase your CD. The music is very three-dimensional. We're just really excited. We feel like N.E.R.D. has always been the punks of hip-hop and the outcasts of alternative music - just a little different. But this time, we're taking no prisoners."
According to publication, Rhea auditioned for N.E.R.D via Skype. Her rendition of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" impressed the band. "It was just a really good time," she recalled. "When I came in there and I met them and they heard me sing, I think they decided it was the right fit."
Inspired to Gogols short story entitled The Nose from the Petersburg tales, Yi have written her latest short film about the absurd story of the loss of an ear. The ear is actually the key element of the film, shot in RED and partly to be made in 3d animation. Throughout the film, the ear and inner ear as a whole turn themselves into an EarBrige as they get crossed by a bridge. The EarBridge is part of a public project proposal for Baku, Azerbaijan that includes a number of important international contemporary artists.
Through no fault of his own, 16-year-old Derrion Albert has become the latest symbol of the senseless violence that happens too often in the city of Chicago. Last week, Derrion, a senior at Fenger High School, was beaten to death by a mob of teens in a street fight that took place a few blocks from the school.
Nas decided to write a letter to the Youth in Chicago:
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong wars! Killing each other is definitely played out. Being hurt from the lost of a love one was never cool.
Dear Young Warriors fighting the wrong war! I know that feeling, that frustration with life and needing to take it out on someone, any one. But....
We chose the dumbest things to go the hardest for. I remember seeing deaths over 8 ball jackets, Fila sneakers, and name plate chains. Deaths over "he say, she say"!!!!! "I'm from this block or I'm from that block", or "my moms n pops is f*cked up now the whole world gotta pay"!!!
I remember feeling like I was the hardest "n*gga" breathing. And I couldn't wait to prove it. But let's think. What are we really proving?? And proving what to who?? Everybody knows Chicago breeds the strongest of the strong but I just feel, me, being ya brother from another state feels your pain as if I grew up with you in ya very own household.
You have the ability and mindpower to change they way we are looked at. Look who's watching us young warriors, look who's throwing us in jail constantly, look at the ignorance in the world. Look at the racist dogs who love to see us down. Loving to bury us in the ground or in jail where we continue this worthless war on one another.
Young warriors.... We are WASTING more and more time. We gotta get on our jobs and take over the world. Cuz this movie left the theaters years ago, Juice, Menace, Boys n the Hood , Blood n Blood Out, Belly!
When we see each other why do we see hatred? Why were we born in a storm, born soldiers, WARRIORS....and instead of building each other up we are at war with each other.. May the soul of this young person find peace with the almighty. I'm with you young warriors. You're me and I'm you. But trust me! you are fighting the wrong war.
This sh*t sucks !!
-Nas
*UPDATE*
Your fight should to be about becoming bigger and better. To have your own businesses. Real businesses Not Hustles. To have careers not jobs. Not selling mixtapes. You have the resources to do anything you want. There's no excuses. We have no one to blame butourselves.. We have so much great work to do!!!
Young Chris is half of the hip-hop group Young Gunz who had such hits as Can't Stop, Won't Stop. He currently signed with Roc-A-Fella. Check out his stuff if you haven't.
Grand Master Roc Raida (real name: Anthony Williams) of the X-Ecutioners passed away on Saturday due to complications from a mixed-martial-arts accident, according to a statement released by his family.
In 1995 he won the DMC World DJ Championship. He released seven solo albums along with several LPs with his famed crew, the X-Ecutioners. Over the last few years, Raida had been Busta Rhymes' live DJ, where his showmanship skills were a perfect marriage for Busta and Spliff Starr's energetic stage antics.
Busta Rhymes commented,"I never met a more humble man in the industry," he continued. "So unbelievably talented and most importantly such beautiful spirit. I love you my brother. I will never let your name die DJ Roc Raida! We love you, we miss you and we'll never stop reppin' you!"
I am happy to say that I got to watch him manipulate the turntables last month. May his legacy live on!
If you're a Wu-Tang fan then you'll definitely wanna listen to Ghostface Killah Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City. It's release date will be September 29th.
Tracklist: 1. "Not Your Average Girl" (featuring Shareefa) 2. "Do Over" (featuring Raheem DeVaughn) 3. "Baby" (featuring Raheem DeVaughn) 4. "Lonely" (featuring Jack Night) 5. "Stapleton Sex" 6. "Stay" 7. "Paragraphs of Love" (featuring Vaughn Anthony & Estelle) 8. "Guest House" (featuring Fabolous & Shareefa) 9. "Let's Stop Playin'" (featuring John Legend) 10. "Forever" Clyde & Harry 3:44 11. "I'll Be That" (featuring Adrienne Bailon) 12. "Goner" (featuring Lloyd) 13. "She's a Killah" (featuring Ron Browz) 14. "Back Like That (Remix)" (featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo)
Tupac Amaru Shakur (June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996)
Without a doubt Tupac was one of the most successful MC's of all time. He has sold 75 million albums to date and is one of the best-selling music artists in the world. Most of Shakur's songs are about growing up violence and hardship in ghettos, racism, problems in society and conflicts with other rappers. His greatest hits include: Keep Ya Head Up Me Against The World Hail Mary Brenda's Got A Baby I Ain't Mad Atcha Changes To Live and Die In LA Picture Me Rolling Dear Mama So Many Tears
.....and the list goes on. His legacy will live on forever!
KRS-1 and Bucketshot will be releasing a collab called "Survival Skills". It will be released September 15th. Some of the artists that will be featured on the album will be Mary J Blige, Talib Kweli, Heltah Skeltah, Immortal Technique, and Kidz In The Hall. Their first released single was "Robot". Check it out!
Couldn't pass this up...not related to music I know.
Michael Jordan will be entering the hall of fame on September 11, 2009. Michael Jordan has chosen David Thompson to present him at his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Charles Barkley and Isiah Thomas will also be presenters at the ceremony on Friday in Springfield, Mass. Jordan highlights a class that includes David Robinson, John Stockton, and coaches Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz and C. Vivian Stringer of Rutgers . He finished a 15-year career with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards with 32,292 points — the third-highest total in league history, behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Karl Malone. His final career average of 30.12 goes down as the best, just ahead of Wilt Chamberlain's 30.07. I consider him the greatest of all time. I'm sure Adidas is really kickin' themselves for passing Jordan up. Good look Nike!
Drake will be releasing his new track called "Fear" on his EP "So Far Gone". Living in the lime light ain't as easy as it looks. He hasn't released his first album and expectations are high. Check out "Fear"
Cam'ron and DJ Drama dropped a mixtape called "Boss Of All Bosses" featuring their new artist Vado. This mixtape gives me a feel for the good ol' Dipset. Judge for yourself.
I'm a fan of Ne-Yo's music. In "The Collection" you will find some of his great songs. Here's what's on it.....
TRACK LIST
01. Because Of You (Produced By StarGate) 02. So Sick (Produced By StarGate) 03. Sexy Love (Produced By StarGate) 04. Closer (Produced By StarGate) 05. Stay (Produced By Neff-U) 06. Miss Independent (Produced By StarGate) 07. Crazy (Feat. Jay-Z) (Produced By Neff-U) 08. In The Way (Produced By J.R. Rotem) 09. Go On Girl (Produced By StarGate) 10. Mad (Produced By StarGate) 11. When You’re Mad (Produced By Shea Taylor) 12. Can We Chill (Produced By Eric Hudson) 13. Part Of The List (Produced By Chuck Harmony) 14. Do You (Feat. Utada) (Produced By The Heavyweights) 15. Because Of You (Remix) (Feat. Kanye West) (Produced By StarGate & Kanye West)
Foundation is M.O.P.'s fifth album dropping September 15th. Here's the tracklist:
1. I’m a Brownsvillian 2. Foundation 3. Stop Pushin 4. Street Life (Feat. DeMarco Brothers & Drop Outs) 5. What I Wanna B (Feat. Drop Outs) 6. Rude Bastard 7. Blow the Horns 8. Brooklyn 9. Forever and Always 10. Bang Time (Feat. Drop Outs & Styles P) 11. Riding Through (Feat. Drop Outs) 12. Crazy (Feat. Drop Outs & Termanology) 13. Sharks in the Water 14. Salute a G
Shakurspeare is the upcoming posthumous released album from Tupac Shakur. It contains some of Tupac's songs recorded in 1988. Shakurspeare was originally recorder acapella and is digitally mastered to contemporary beats by Baltimore producers.
Be on the lookout. The album drops September 13th.
Raekwon has been working on his fourth solo album which will be released on September 8th of this year. It is the sequel for "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx". Check out the tracklist:
01 Return Of The North Star (Ft. Papu Wu) 02 House Of Flying Daggers (Ft. Inspectah Deck, Ghostface & Method Man) 03 Sonny's Missing 04 Pyrex Vision 05 Cold Outside (Ft. Ghostface) 06 Black Mozart (Ft. Rza & Inspectah Deck) 07 Gihad 08 New Wu (Ft. Ghostface & Method Man) 09 Penitentiary (Ft. Ghostface) 10 Baggin Crack 11 Surgical Gloves 12 Broken Safety (Ft. Jadakiss & Styles P) 13 Canal Street 14 Ason Jones 15 Have Mercy (Ft. Beanie Sigel & Blue Raspberry) 16 10 Bricks (Ft. Cappadonna & Ghostface) 17 Fat Lady Sings 18 Catalina (Ft. Lyfe Jennings) 19 We Will Rob You (Ft. Slick Rick, Masta Killa & GZA) 20 About Me 21 Mean Streets (Ft. Inspectah Deck Ghostface) 22 Kiss The Ring (Ft. Inspectah Deck & Masta Killa)
Not too many people are familiar with J Cole. He is a rapper that recently got signed to Jay-Z's label Roc Nation. I recently blogged about his mixtape "The Warm Up". Here's what to expect from him.
This weekend I had the opportunity to check out Busta Rhymes. All I can say is WOW he puts on a show. If you're debating whether to watch him or not go for it. He is bang for your buck.
So "The Blueprint 3" leaked before its release.....
This is what Jay-Z had to say:
"I may be the most bootlegged artist in history," he told MTV News shortly after his album leaked. "It's a preview. I'm excited for people to hear the album. I'm very proud of the work I've done, so enjoy it."
Chula Vista's Andy Rios is lifted by Isaiah Armenta winning the Little League World Series on Sunday.
I know this has nothing to do with music, but since I'm a San Diego native I had to post it.
Chula Vista's Park View Little League Sunday became the first Little League World Series champion from San Diego County in 48 years by defeating Taoyuan, Taiwan, 6-3 in South Williamsport, PA
You think you're to busy for love and then you find that person that makes you push all things aside just to be with them. This song reminds me of how love will make us forget what's on our to-do list just to be with that person.
Today would have been Michael Jackson's 51st birthday. He was one of the most widely beloved entertainers and profoundly influential artists of all-time, leaving an indelible imprint on popular music and culture.
Filmmaker Spike Lee will be throwing a birthday party in honor of Michael Jackson. Thousands are expected to gather on a 15-acre lawn in Brooklyn's Prospect Park.The party officially begins at noon and ends at 5 p.m.
As we all heard the tragedy that struck us. DJ AM aka Adam Goldstein was found dead on friday in his apartment.
Police found a crack pipe and prescription pills in the Manhattan apartment, said a law enforcement official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Paramedics had to break down the door before they found him, shirtless and wearing sweatpants, in his bed around 5:20 p.m., the official said.
A friend had called police to say he was unable to get into the home in the trendy SoHo neighborhood. There was no evidence of foul play, and a medical examiner will determine the DJ's cause of death.
I am proud to say that Blame One is holding it down for North County San Diego He is one of the realest and most down to earth guys in the Hip Hop world you'll ever meet. If you haven't heard his music check out "Days Chasing Days"
It's about time Big Boi and Andre 3000 got back together for the sake of Outkast. Rumor has it they'll be dropping an album this year (2009). Big Boi said "Outkast are stronger than ever".
"We don't have a commitment date. We just know we have commitments and we just try to get it there and do it".
I can't wait for their album to drop. Just had 2 put it out there for all you Outkast fans!
Lupe Fiasco has been working on his latest album called L.A.S.E.R.S (Love Always Shines Everytime Remember to Smile) with the tagline "We are not losers, we are lasers". "Shining Down" feat. Mathew Santos is the first single off the album, which is set to be released December 2009. Be on the look out for it!
THE L.A.S.E.R.S. MANIFESTO
To Every Man, Woman & Child...
1. We Want An End To The Glamorization Of Negativity In The Media.
2. We Want An End To Status Symbols Dictating Our Worth As Individuals.
3. We Want A Meaningful And Universal Education System.
4. We Want Substance In The Place Of Popularity.
5. We Will Not Compromise Who We Are To Be Accepted By The Crowd.
6. We Want The Invisible Walls That Separate By Wealth, Race & Class To Be Torn Down.
7. We Want To Think Our Own Thoughts.
8. We Will Be Responsible For Our Environment.
9. We Want Clarity & Truth From Our Elected Officials Or They Should Move Aside.
10. We Want Love Not Lies.
11. We Want An End To All Wars. Foreign & Domestic (Violence).
12. We Want An End To The Processed Culture Of Exploitation, Over-Consumption & Waste.
13. We Want Knowledge, Understanding & Peace.
14. WE WILL NOT LOSE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LOSERS, WE ARE LASERS!!!
Lasers are the opposite of losers. Lasers are shining beams of light that burn through the darkness of ignorance. Lasers shed light on injustice and inequality. Losers stand by and let things happen. Lasers act and shape their own destinies. Lasers find meaning and direction in the mysteries all around them. Lasers stand for love and compassion. Lasers stand for peace. Lasers stand for progression. Lasers are revolutionary. Lasers Are The Future.
I'm sure you've heard the buzz on Drake's song "Forever", featured on the movie soundtrack "More Than A Game".
"More Than A Game" is a 2009 documentary that follows NBA superstar LeBron James and four of his talented teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Ohio and James' journey to fame.
