STRIVIN'

Moving Day

2007-10-08T22:09:00.000-07:00

I've relocated to a new spot -- http://strivin.com.

Blogger's been fun, but it was time for a change. To my enormous amount of regular readers (all three of you) and to all those who have me linked, please take note of my new address (http://strivin.com) and update your links!!!

Malice & Mr. Illmannered's B-Day Bash

2007-09-30T10:28:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I went to a birthday bash for my buddy Mr. Illmannered (Apt. 3/DNA Entertainment) at the lovely Boulevard Bar & Grill up in Rohnert Park. They were also celebrating the birthday of Apt. 3/DNA Entertainment artist Malice. DJ Mark 7 manned the DJ booth and Bay Area legends T-Gunna (aka Tayda Tay of 11/5), UDI, Big Drawz and more came through to kick it. Here's some flicks courtesy of G-Dubb, Dana and Boogie...

Big Drawz of 2-11 gettin' the party started in the parking lot. Box wine is the lick.

Trecherous Tic on the mic. Tic might be the funniest dude I've met in a while.

Malice and Mr. Illmannered with Big Ant on the mic.

Twan Goddi, T-Gunna of 11/5, Big Ant and Mr. Illmannered.

Quint of UDI, Malice and friend.

T-Gunna of 11/5, Big Ant, Mr. Illmannered, Twan Goddi doing some Bay Area rap karaoke.

Chicks dig Bay Area rap music.

Big Ant and T-Gunna of 11/5.

Boogie and Trecherous Tic.

Malice and Mr. Illmannered.

Big Ant, Mr. Illmannered and Twan Goddi.

The ladies approve of the festivities.

All in all it was a great night. No drama, great music (all classic Bay cuts, no hyphy crap) and I got to see some people I haven't seen or talked to in years (Pig Pen, UDI, T-Gunna, etc...)

Also, Mr. Illmannered and DJ Mark 7 are going to be throwing regular parties at the same place starting in October. The parties are basically for artists to come kick it with each other and fans. I'm sure every once in a while there will be performances, but overall I think the functions will be just for artists and fans to mix and mingle. Here's the flyer for the kickoff party, The Mobb Shindig...

Here's what Mr. Illmannered has to say about the series of parties:

"Anyone who was there with us less than a month ago remembers how sick it was. Please family, don't miss out. Mark 7 and I are trying to make this a regular party where fans and music execs are on the same level - last time, execs and fans respectfully thanked us for the way we set it up. Mark and I hire our own security so if anyone acts close to wrong, they are sent face first into the concrete. This is our opportunity, let's make it work for the best of all of us. Big thanks to the folks at the Boulevard for taking a chance on us."

And here's DJ Mark's 7's:

"I've never really been one to put my name on a party, concert, etc..., but since moving back to the Bay and going to a couple events I see the need for things like this. Artists who may have seen each other, but never really met or folks who haven't seen each other in a long time and having the chance to reunite on some positive shit without the pressures of performing and what not. Just a chill night to network, trade stories, pop at broads or whatever. Folks can just leave the egos at the door and help strengthen Bay music by showing unity.

It's really an open invitation to ANY artist or fan, etc... to come politic with the folks that make this whole Bay Area music thing happen... ie: EVERYONE.

So come by, have a drink and just have a good fuckin' time."

This first party will also be the launch party for Illmannered Street Wear. There will be 10 t-shirts to check out and buy that night as well as free giveaways. Get yourself out there!

King Of The Yay Tournament

2007-08-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

The folks Dookie over at the MECCA that is tha BAY is running with a great idea right now. I'm a little pissed I didn't think of it first, but oh well, us Bay bloggers gotta stick together. The idea is the KING OF THE YAY tournament done in the style of the NCAA basketball tournament all broken down into regions.

It looks like he's doing it one region at a time so click here to place your votes in the first bracket. You can check out the entire field if you click here.

Should be interesting... There's a handful of people in the tournament that should not win. If any of them do I will be seriously doubting the musical taste of Bay Area rap fans.

Go check it out ya bastards.

----------------
Now playing: Mob Figaz - Bay Area
via FoxyTunes

RIP Tony Thompson

2007-06-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

I know this happened a few weeks ago, but I don't care...

Tony Thompson, who sang on the 1990s R&B hits "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)" and "She's Playing Hard To Get" as part of the group Hi-Five, has died. He was 31.

Thompson was found dead Friday night of an apparent drug overdose, friends told the Waco Tribune-Herald.

Thompson signed with Jive Records in 1990 as part of Hi-Five. The quintet's self-titled debut album went multi-platinum and spawned the hits "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)," "I Can't Wait Another Minute," and "Just Another Girlfriend."

In 1992, the group found success again with the songs "She's Playing Hard To Get" and "Quality Time."

Thompson released his solo debut, Sexsational, in 1995 after Hi-Five split.

The Waco native had recently moved back to his hometown from the Dallas area and was working on new material.

Anyone who was in junior high or high school when Hi-Five was poppin' knows how dope their shit was. 8th and 9th grade parties were always bumpin' "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)" and "She's Playing Hard To Get!!!"

I know some of you readin' this remember Gumby fades, overalls with one loop side up and the other down, pin-striped Starter hats and jerseys, etc... If I remember right, I had the bangin' Cleveland Indians pin-striped set. Listening to these old Hi-Five tracks takes me right back to that era. It's a trip.

If you weren't at that age when they dropped (or if you weren't even born yet), they probably don't even register on your radar, but man I wish we had R&B acts like Hi-Five these days.

So for my fellow old folks who might have lost their Hi-Five albums and for you young cats who have no clue who I'm talking about, here's the Hi-Five Greatest Hits album...

Hi-Five - Greatest Hits

The obvious standouts are "I Like The Way (The Kissing Game)," "She's Playing Hard To Get," "I Can't Wait Another Minute," "Quality Time" and "Unconditional Love."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Thompson_%28singer%29

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-Five

RIP

You Want My Spirit & Soul? I'll Give You My Life. Here.

2007-06-08T17:43:00.000-07:00

Life is trying to kill me again.

You ever see that movie The Perfect Storm where three storms combine to form one massive motherfucker in an attempt to drown George Clooney and Marky Mark? Yeah, it's like that except I'm on land and the sun is shining.

It's always weird when everything that can go wrong in life goes wrong at the same fucking time. Who decides that shit? One thing at a time is manageable, but when the list starts getting long I fuckin' lose it and stop eating and instead start drinking vodka and beer way too heavily which doesn't help shit. Probably makes everything worse really, but I'm stuck.

Anyway, fuck...

Here's a bunch of goddamn songs and shit for you to download. Some have been out for a while, but I don't care.

I like these dudes Grafh and Prinz from New York. Both of them are on Black Hand Entertainment and put out music with some goddamn feeling in it which is sorely missing from most fucking rap music these days. Here's some of their shit...

Grafh - Autografh album

Graph & Prinz - Gangster Music mixtape

Grafh - "Money, Power, Respect" freestlye

Grafh, Prinz & Foxy Brown - "How We Get Down"

Thanks to Sneek for download links.

I wrote about this cat Born Unique from Virginia a while back. Dude is raw. I need a fuckin' album from him damnit. Here's a new reggae track with him guest rappin' on it...

Collie Budz featuring Born Unique - "Come Around (Remix)"

I don't know who this dude Kristo is or anything about him actually. I don't even remember where I got this damn song at either, but it's good. If you have some info on him, let me know.

Kristo - "Letter To Hip Hop"

Here's another one I don't know anything about. Name is Lou Armstrong and I assume he's from Boston. Song is deep. Again, let me know some info.

Lou Armstrong - "When It's All Gone End"

I haven't forgotten about the Bay you bastards. Here's a solid track from Frontline...

Frontline - "IMG"

Remember Young Dre from southern Cali? He was a guest on Ray Luv's Forever Hustlin' album and was dope as fuck. I know he dropped an album back in that era, but I haven't heard much about him since then. Here's something recent...

Young Dre - "I Love LA"

And some more Bay shit. A Plus from Souls Of Mischief recently dropped a new album called My Last Good Deed so here's a track for you...
Download "Patna Please" (mp3) from My Last Good Deed by A Plus Hieroglyphics Imperium

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Stream from Rhapsody More On This Album

Mista Cane - In My Life

2007-04-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

MISTA CANE
In My Life
Pervelous P. Entertainment/Koch Entertainment
Produced by: Davey D. Cohn, Sean T, One Drop Scott
Featuring: The Game, Rasco, Sean T, San Quinn, ProHoeZak, Planet Asia, Mike Marshall, Selau

After a long wait that included some great mixtapes and signing a distribution deal with Koch Records, Mista Cane has finally dropped In My Life, a new solo album to follow 2001's The World As I See It and 2002's Who Am I? Now We Begin... Cane made a couple good decisions on this release...1) Using only three producers which keeps the album cohesive and 2) Minimizing guest rappers. Having guests on only six of nineteen cuts puts the album closer to an actual "solo album" and helps people pay more attention to what Cane has to offer. It would be nice if other rappers would try to incorporate these ideas into their releases.

In My Life opens with "Right Now," a short track intended to draw the listener into the album. The backdrop provided by Davey D. Cohn mixed with some aggressive bars from Cane accomplishes just that. The first of three features on the album from The Game comes on "The Anthem," which also features Sean T. Cane more than holds his own alongside Bay Area OG Sean T and one of the hip hop world's biggest stars. DJ Iroc who mixed Cane's Contract Year mixtape provides the scratching on the track. The title track gives the listener a glimpse into Mista Cane's past and mindset and it's another winner from Davey D. Cohn who reworks Foreigner's 1985 classic, "I Want To Know What Love Is."

"Try" a smooth R&B tinged track for the ladies features backing vocals from the legendary Mike Marshall (formerly of Timex Social Club) who has quickly become the go-to guy for Bay Area rappers needing classic vocals for their tracks. Although Davey D. Cohn expertly handles thirteen of the nineteen tracks on the album, veteran One Drop Scott comes through with two of my favorites, "Friends" which is a somewhat depressing track about mistrust and lost friendships and "You Are Everything" which is a great ode to hip hop in the same vein as Common's "I Used To Love H.E.R." and "Act Too (Love Of My Life)" by The Roots among others. Cane cleverly expresses his love for hip hop music in a way that I'm sure many people can relate to. His lyrics are backed by Selau's soulful chorus and One Drop Scott's brilliant, sped-up rendition of The Stylistic's classic of the same name.

"...somethin' about you / made me hustle hard off the boulevard / to become somethin' they said I'd never amount to / in this life I question everything, but never doubt you / your history intrigues me / I can't live without you...

Another Bay Area OG, ProHoeZak (C-Funk for my fellow old school heads or Cap'n Crunch from Rated X for my fellow really old school heads), brings the chorus vocals on "In The Summer" which is a smooth, cruising track produced by Sean T. For the most part, Cane has a straightforward delivery, but on "I Remember" he flips it a little bit and rides the beat with a faster flow. It's different for him, but it adds another dimension to the album. The lyrical content here is similar to "In My Life." The very strong "Nightshift" has Mike Marshall on background vocals and Cane's stories of struggle over another great re-working by Davey D. Cohn. This time it's The Commodore's song of the same name.

Other noteworthy tracks on In My Life include the California ode, "Cali State Of Mind," "Slow Down," "Ain't No Sunshine" featuring Cali Agents (Rasco and Planet Asia) and "Hard Work" featuring Rasco.

The hyphy movement has made for a very sad, monotonous few years in Bay Area hip hop. Too many new booties (and some OG's) have mimicked each other's bad music to the point where they've essentially cancelled each other out. A handful of artists like The Jacka and San Quinn have stuck to their guns and put out music with actual lyrics and musicianship.

Mista Cane is another one of those artists and hopefully he, along with the others, will be able to climb out of the glut that hyphy has put the Bay in. In My Life is a strong step in the right direction for him.

Download "Hard Work" featuring Rasco off the In My life album.

Download Mista Cane's Contract Year mixtape.

Pervelous P. Entertainment
Mista Cane
Davey D. Cohn

RIP Skee 64

2007-02-26T18:26:00.000-08:00

First off... RIP to Skee 64, a Sacramento heavyweight. Apparently, he passed away yesterday from health problems concerning his liver. Condolences to his family and friends.

Related: http://www.myspace.com/SKEE64

I've only got a few things for you today...

New mixtape titled The Rap Game Needs Me from Dow Jones and Balance. It also comes with a bonus DVD. Click here to download some footage of Balance performing off that.

Mixtape tracklist:
1. Balance-The Rap Game Needs Me
2. Mitchy Slick-Got Snow
3. Omar Cruz ft. Ya Boy-We Rydaz
4. Balance ft. Chace Infinite-Bay 2 LA
5. Keak Da Sneak-That Go
6. Bishop Lamont-No Stopping Carson
7. Young Buck ft. Kokane-Haters
8. Balance-Fly
9. Clyde Carson-2 Step
10. Balance ft. Rank 1 & Glasses Malone-Get Low
11. Young Buck-Niggas Change
12. Husalah-Yo
13. Messy Marv ft. Keak Da Sneak & Psd-Cuz Cuz
14. Balance-Slaps
15. Mistah Fab-Hella Dumb
16. Turftalk-Got Me Goin
17. Mistah Fab-Ghost Ride It
18. Keak Da Sneak-Hyphy Hyphy
19. G Stack ft. Kaz Kyzah & Eddie Projects-18 Go Dumb
20. Balance-Boomin System
21. Balance-Terminator
22. Messy Marv-See Me
23. Balance ft. Problem-Weight
24. Parker Brothaz-Blah Blah
25. Problem-Who Wanna Problem
26. Talib Kweli ft. Strong Arm Steady-Function
27. Balance-Summer Time
28. Dow Jones + Balance-The Rap Game Needs Me Outro

Related: www.myspace.com/balanceskillz

Album snippets from the homie M-Dash's upcoming solo, Keep Smoke Alive.

Snippet track list:
1. Donuts And Coffee
2. 1 Fo The Mob w/ Husalah
3. Girlfriend
4. Fed Ex w/ The Game, Sean T
5. Ignorant w/ Lee Majors
6. Pimp Music w/ Lee Majors, KMX
7. Mainey Muzik w/ Lee Majors, Mistah FAB, Stizon Skrilla, Kobra Abysmal
8. It Might Go Down w/ Prohoezak

Related: www.myspace.com/mdash707

And finally, here's a new video for "Here To Stay" from Vallejo rapper, Topkat. I've never heard of this cat until I saw this video, but I'm looking forward to hearing more. Real, solid, non-hyphy song and top quality video. Apparently, he has an album titled Somethin' In The Music dropping April 24th on GMG/SickMix/Koch.

Related: www/myspace.com/topkat

Hey, You Fucks!

2007-02-14T18:58:00.001-08:00

Hey you fucks!!! I went and got myself a goddamned myspace page. I don't really know why, but I was bored a few weeks ago so here you go... http://www.myspace.com/strivin_doxx

Add that mufucka.

Two of my favorite up and coming Bay Area cats are Young Rebz aka Lil' Rebel from Richmond and Taj-He-Spitz from Fairfield. Well, what do you know? They decided to do a track together and the title and subject matter are right up my alley... "Anti-Hyphy." Download it here.

Related: Young Rebz... http://www.myspace.com/loosecannons510

Don't know much about this cat Graph from New York, but here's a nice new track from him called "Glow In The Dark." Download it here. Hopefully his label, Black Hand Entertainment, contacts me soon with some more info and songs.

And here's another cat from Black Hand Entertainment by the name of Prinz... His new track is called "In My Heaven." Solid track. Download it here.

Related: Black Hand Entertainment... http://blackhandent.com/

Here's Mistah FAB's debut video with Atlantic Records for "Ghost Ride It."

And how 'bout a goddamn mini-mixtape from Hell Razah?

February 2007- Brooklyn, NY ––As fans eagerly anticipate the release of Hell Razah's debut album Renaissance Child, he offers this free mini-mixtape (mixed by winner of Justo's Mixtape Awards, DJ Rated R) to hold the fans over. This 9 song tribute to the golden era finds Razah dropping a medley of gems over those timeless, classic '88 style beats. "I wanted to take it back to when it was just about beats and rhymes. It was that whole Marley Marl era that had the most influence." explains Razah. Back into the Renaissance contains remakes of songs from greats like Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap & Public Enemy and is a telltale sign that for this Brooklyn MC, hip-hop is back from the dead.
Best known for his integral role as a member of the late-'90s Wu-Tang Clan spin off group Sunz Of Man(over 350,000 units sold!), Hell Razah readies himself to unleash his solo debut, Renaissance Child, Feb 20^th on Nature Sounds, and will be available at fine retailers across the country.

Tracklist:

Intro
Let It Off
Early Bird Special
BK's Most Wanted
Welcome to the Renaissance
Heavens Door
Young, Right & Exact
Armagedon
Outro

Download it here.

On Some Shyne Shit, Your Career... Chop It In Half

2006-12-30T09:24:00.000-08:00

The holidays wrapped me the fuck up, but I'm back to give you something before the New Year.

Quick and to the point... My boy Mista Cane is shittin' on most of the rappers in the Bay. No hyphy bullshit, just quality music and verbals.

For a sample, download "Different World" and "Dollas Circulate."

Click here to download the entire Contract Year mixtape which is mixed by DJ Iroc of Amerika's Most Wanted DJ's.

If you want the actual CD for the collection, I've got 3 copies to giveaway. First come, first served so shoot your mailing address to doxx707@yahoo.com.

Also be ready for his new official album, In My Life, droppin' on March 13, 2007 on Pervelous P Entertainment / Alliance Music with the distro runnin' through Koch. Production on the album is handled by Davey D Cohn (you might remember that he dropped heat rocks on San Quinn's last album), Sean T and One Drop Scott. Features include The Game, San Quinn, Sean T, Cali Agents (Rasco and Planet Asia), Prohoezak, Mike Marshall and Selau.

Going by the music I've heard in the past and the stuff on the mixtape above, I know that the official album will be a solid release.

Related: www.myspace.com/mistacane ... www.pervelouspent.com

Some Of The Things That I Know, Will Be In Your Next Bible

2006-11-11T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here's two tracks off the great new release from Lyrics Born called Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live! It's seventeen tracks recorded with a live band at shows in Australia. Plus there's three bonus studio tracks. Below is one of the live tracks, "Lady Don't Tek No," and one of the new studio tracks, "Knock Knock," for you to download.

Download "Lady Don't Tek No" (mp3)
from Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live!
by Lyrics Born
Quannum Projects

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Download "Knock Knock" (mp3)
from Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live!
by Lyrics Born
Quannum Projects

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Bootsy-muthafuckin'-Collins has a Christmas album out right now!

Funk legend Bootsy Collins spices up Christmas time with his first holiday album, Bootsy Collins: Christmas Is 4 Ever, a newly recorded CD from Shout! Factory that mixes four new recordings and nine “Bootsyized” yuletide classics. Bootsy, whose hits include “Ahh...The Name Is Bootsy, Baby!,” “Bootzilla” and “The Pinocchio Theory” puts his funky touch to popular Christmas favorites “Jingle Belz (aka Jingle bells),” “Chestnutz (aka The Christmas Song),” “Winterfunkyland (aka Winter Wonderland)” and "Dis-christmiss (aka This Christmas)," originally written and recorded by Donny Hathaway. Bootsy is joined by Snoop Dogg, who raps on the new “Happy Holidaze,” and Charlie Daniels on fiddle and background vocals for the classic “Sleigh Ride” (which also features vocals by Ohio members Players lead singer Sugarfoot). Additional notable guests include Fred Wesley and other former James Brown collaborators MC Danny Ray and Bobby Byrd, as well as former Parliament/FunkadelicBlackbyrd McKnight and Bernie Worrell. The CD also features holiday greetings from Buckethead and Roger Troutman as well as a message from Bishop Don Magic Juan.

Listen to "Boot-Off (aka Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer)"

Someone better put that in my damn stocking this year. You can buy it here.

Never Tell A Bitch All Yo Business 'Cause One Day She Might Be An Eyewitness

2006-10-29T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hey now, I'm back again. I moved to my new abode on October 7th and got my internet hooked up a few days later, but didn't get around to posting. I was busy getting situated, getting to know the new roomies (and the dog) and getting drunk at the house because my favorite fucking bar is closed down for 35 fucking days because of some bullshit with some undercover Alcoholic Beverage Control agents. So I've been drinking beer in the comfort of my own home lately. We had a pretty sweet Halloween party here the other night (I went as Dr. Goodfinger the gynecologist). Spectacular.

Anyway, here's some rap music related words, images, and sounds for you to read, see and hear. Blogging is easy!!

San Quinn (one of the few guys in the Bay who actually deserves some nationwide shine, but hasn't been getting nearly enough) is working on a new album. The tentative title is From A Boy To A Man. So far the only feature I've heard about is Tech N9ne, but Quinn really doesn't even need features in my opinion. I do have a list of producers who are contributing to the project: Traxamillion, Rick Rock, Daz, DJ Toomp (who does lots of beats for TI), Sean T and Davey D Cohn (who gave Quinn some nice beats on The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds earlier this year).

Here's a real nice track produced by DJ Toomp that is supposedly from the upcoming album:

"Bring The Game To The Table" - San Quinn

I still haven't heard the entire NBA 2K7 soundtrack that Dan The Automator produced so I can't say much about it other than the couple songs I've heard are solid, but click HERE for a recent in-depth, informative interview with the man. If you're too goddamn lazy to read the interview, you can listen to it HERE. Lazy bastard.

I love doing this blog shit because it gets me open to so many people I may have never been exposed to. DJ Deeper from Rugged Soul Records shot me the new album from Aarophat, The Sound Volume 2: Vibe Music. Dude is nice on the mic.

Here's his bio followed by an album sampler and two full length tracks from the album...

For too long, Hip-Hop has been mired in lyrical mediocrity. Today anyone and everyone can pick up the mike and rhyme. Emcees are no longer expected or required to elevate. Instead they are expected to jump on the bandwagon of the hottest producers, to ill prepare themselves for fleeting success and to take a rapid rocket ride to the top of the charts. Lyricists aren't built to last these days. They are massed produced for quick millions and a hot summer single that will fade by the fall. Fortunately there is still raw talent bubbling under the surface. Riding the wave of a steady fan base and a rock solid reputation, Aarophat is the first of a crop of up and coming talent to make himself known. Youngstown, Ohio's premier lyricist has been writing and rhyming for as long as he can remember. He patterns himself after no one, but with a healthy respect for Big Daddy Kane and Rakim, Aarophat has set out to blaze new trails and leave his mark on the game.

With humble beginnings in the inner city of Youngstown, Aarophat's story isn't one of hard luck. He's not a killer, a drug dealer or pretending to be anything he's not. He grew up like everyone else, but his love of his craft began early. When those around him were drawn to quick money schemes and the streets, Aarophat felt the pull of the studio. Everything else became secondary. Resisting the traps of small town life, Aarophat has cultivated a broad fan base in his hometown and across the world. Utilizing the internet as a tool, he has been featured on websites such as skeebo.com, rapmusic.com, and in the MP3.com newsletter. On the strength of his talent alone, he has reached as high as #2 on the MP3.com charts and was featured in an issue of Blaze Magazine.

Aarophat's aggressive lyricism adapts him to be equally at home rhyming over mid-tempo beats as he is riding a high powered funk track. He has proven himself to be a universally adept performer, able to appeal to audiences without sacrificing his underground credibility or his creative process. Aarophat delivers the total package.

He is equally convincing rhyming about Black on Black crime, suicide or male-female relationships as any other topic that's thrown at him. His unique voice shines brighter than the bass and beat allowing listeners to feel what he offers. There are no tricks here, no production hiding a lack of lyrical skill and no bubblegum hooks to be found. Aarophat has a style and presence that can not be measured. He stands alone on the horizon of Hip-Hop, more than prepared to move mountains.

Sound Volume 2: Vibe Music sampler - Aarophat

"Two Years" - Aarophat

"Let's Get Bigga" - Aarophat

Here's a new video from Young Ed (aka Big Bread Ed) for a track called "Black T'z and Hoody'z."

Nice to hear he's still keeping it gutter. Hopefully this means he has a new album coming soon. For the youngsters, Ed dropped a Bay Area classic called Time To Stack back in like '96. Research it.

Here's an old school Bay Area video for you... "Sliden" - Cobra w/ Dru Down, Knucklehead, Otis & Shugg...

Hiatus

2006-10-07T01:41:00.000-07:00

Hey kids, I'm moving tomorrow and my internet/phone won't be hooked back up until next Thursday so no updates until then. If you know me and need to get a hold of me, you can still leave voicemails at my home number 'cause I'll be checking those or just call me on my cell.

Once I get finished moving tomorrow I'm gonna drink 1,000 beers because I hate moving and this will be my second move in 5 months. I'm angry.

But hey, I just scheduled a 4 day trip to Las Vegas in February during the Super Bowl so I'm pretty goddamned happy about that. I may not make it back.

It's Like I Got That "Last Dragon" Glow

2006-09-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

The line I used for the title comes from this solid track off the classic 1995 Bay Area Playaz compilation... "Can't Be Stopped" - The Delinquents w/ The Whoride

That Last Dragon reference is fuckin' golden. That's old school shit for you chillren's. Learn about it.

Here's a new track for ya... "Grippin Tha Grain" - Loose Cannons

Look and listen for more from this Richmond, Cali crew in the future.

Some Mo' Of It

2006-09-18T22:18:00.000-07:00

New shit from Motion Man and Saafir for your listening pleasure.

Shot to IODA Promonet for this sweet ass little toy I got for my blog today. This shit lets me generate posts like this with the album cover, purchase link, song download link, etc... automatically.

Pablito's Way

Motion Man feat KutMasta Kurt

Threshold Recordings, LLC

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Download "Confidence" (MP3, 192kbps)

Crispy b/w Cash Me Out

Saafir

ABB Records

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Download "Crispy (Main)" (MP3, 192kbps)

Y'all Together Couldn't Equal Me

2006-09-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

Here's the new video from Hiero for "Don't Hate The Player" off the NBA 2K7 video game soundtrack produced by Dan The Automator.
Higher quality version at Decon Media

Download the track... "Don't Hate The Player"
_____________________________________________

I'm many weeks late (Months, maybe? I suck at blogging.) on posting about this, but here's a download link to Spec Boogie's album, On My Grind. The gist of it is that he lifted the beats from Pharrell's On My Mind album and put his own lyrics down. I've never been a huge Pharrell fan, but some of his beats have caught my ear so this album is perfect for me.

For more on Spec Boogie I highly recommend checking out Loosie, which besides being the label he's on (once there just click the "Music" link for the record label side of things), is also a really well done online magazine that you should explore. Shot to the Loosie Promo Monkey for hooking me with the album.

Snatch You Off The Stage If You Ain't Rockin' Right

2006-09-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

So pretty much everyday in my inbox I get all sorts of press releases, album downloads, single downloads, etc... which is great because I get info and music from tons of diverse artists from all over the place that I might never get exposed to if it weren't for this blog. But I've been lagging on posting some of this stuff for you guys and now I feel like a neglectful asshole. So here's "Stick N Move" by Born Unique from his solid mixtape, Bad News Born.

"Stick N Move" - Born Unique

The guy who produced this song is named Dox One which is similar to my name so that's a good start. On top of that, Born Unique is RAW AS FUCK. Dude drops that grimy, gritty, cracked pavement, broken window, bullet hole in the side of the building shit that seems to have taken a backseat in Hip Hop these days. Judging by what I heard on the Bad News Born mixtape, Born Unique could be one of those who helps bring it back.

By reading his bio and doing a little research I see that he is from Virginia and has appeared on his fair share of mixtapes including ones from both Kay Slay and Doo Wop. He's also released a few mixtapes of his own that have helped establish him throughout his region. I've been listening to this mixtape a few times a day for weeks now and it's got me anticipating a legit solo album from Born. Hopefully it's coming soon and gets some good distribution so other regions can have easier access to an impressive talent.

Note: I'm gonna contact Born's label, OK Kid Entertainment, and see if they'll let me post up another song from the mixtape called "Outta Ya Dome." Either that or "Bad News Born" because both of those are ridiculously good. If for some reason you're not feelin' "Stick N Move," I guarantee that you'll like one of those two songs.

Buy the Bad News Born mixtape at Digital Hustle (there's a couple of his other mixtapes there too)
www.myspace.com/bornunique
________________________________________

And here's a couple other tracks for you to check out...

"Fire" - Potluck (This is a duo from way up in Northern Cali. Humboldt County to be exact, the goddamn homeland of world famous greenery. They've got two previous releases out I believe and this single is off their upcoming release, Straight Outta Humboldt, which drops September 19th.) http://www.lostkoastproductions.com/

"Kitty Kat" (remix) - 2XL w/ E-40 (2XL are twin brothers on Tommy Boy Records. Reaching out to 40 for the remix is a good look.) http://www.2xlonline.com/

Un-Fucking Believable

2006-08-22T23:37:00.000-07:00

Apparently someone stole Mac Dre's tombstone. This shit makes me sick 'cause Dre was my folks and a huge reason for me ever being involved in Bay Area hip hop.

If by some slim chance the person who did it is reading this, get your head right and drop that shit off somewhere in the V.

AP.9 of the Mob Figaz is looking for the perp himself.

From AP's Myspace...

"SOMEONE STOLE MY NIGGA MAC DRE'S HEADSTONE OFF HIS GRAVE AND I'M OFFERING 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS OUT OF MY OWN POCKET FOR WHOEVER DID IT. NO COPS INVOLVED. I JUST WANNA KNOW THE NAME OF THE NIGGA THAT TOOK IT AND I'LL GET SHIT HANDLED MYSELF. THIS IS NOT A JOKE. IF U KNOW ANY INFO ABOUT WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE THEFT OF MAC DRE'S TOMBSTONE, CONTACT ME ASAP AND COME GET THIS $10,000 DOLLARS, CASH.

PASS THIS INFO TO EVERYONE OF YA MYSPACE FRIENDS. THIS NIGGA CANT HIDE FROM ME, I WILL FIND HIM...

CONTACT ME AT WWW.MYSPACE.COM/AP9"

Too $hort Baby, Comin' Straight From Oakland

2006-08-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Pay homage, bitches. (image via Notes From A Different Kitchen)

"Rap Dirty" - Too $hort

New Shit From Dan The Automator

2006-08-15T22:31:00.000-07:00

Dan The Automator has always made sick collaborations with a wide range of artists like Prince Paul, Del (Hieroglyphics), Mike Pattonn (Faith No More), Damon Albarn (Blur), Mike Simpson (Dust Brothers), etc..., but this new project he has droppin' on September 19th is my most anticipated I think. It's the soundtrack to the NBA 2K7 videogame and it's got a pretty stacked line-up on it as you can see...

Track Listing:
1. Dan The Automator - "Intro"
2. Slim Thug - "I Love This Game"
3. Rhymefest - "Bang The Ball"
4. Hieroglyphics - "Don't Hate The Player"
5. Fabolous - "Ball Til You Fall"
6. Aceyalone & Rakaa of Dilated Peoples – "Champions"
7. E-40 & San Quinn - "Baller Blockin'"
8. Ghostface & A.G. of D.I.T.C. - "2K007"
9. Lupe Fiasco & Evidence of Dilated Peoples - "Catch Me"
10. Mos Def & Anwar Superstar - "Here Comes The Champ"
11. Charli 2na of Jurassic 5 - "Anchor Man"
12. A Tribe Called Quest - "Lyrics To Go (remix)"
13. Zion I - "Fade Away"

I love that they got Quinn on there. He deserves the shine.

Here's two tracks to tide you over until the album is released:

"Don't Hate The Player" - Hieroglyphics

"2K007" - Ghostface & A.G. of D.I.T.C.

What's Going On

2006-08-15T21:44:00.000-07:00

In my new effort to expose y'all to different and interesting music, here's something everyone should be interested in. If you're not... Expand your mind and taste, loser.

The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has re-interpreted Marvin Gaye's entire What's Going On album with many special guests. Portions of the proceeds go to the Tipitina's Foundation which benefits the music community of New Orleans so buy the album and support people who put their hearts and souls into the music and the city they love. See the end of this post for links to hear "What's Going On" featuring Chuck D.

Here's the press release I received which sheds a little more light on the new project and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band...

In recognition of the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf coast, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will release a meaningful reinterpretation of the Marvin Gaye classic What’s Going On. Thirty-five years after its original release, the evocative themes and social commentary found in the songs on What’s Going On are just as relevant today. Guest vocalists Chuck D, Ivan Neville, G. Love, Guru and Bettye LaVette contribute to The Dirty Dozen Brass Band’s musical message. In stores August 29^th, Shout! Factory and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each copy of What’s Going On to the Tipitina’s Foundation, benefiting the music community of New Orleans.

Just one year ago, Hurricane Katrina shattered the homes and lives of the residents of New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast, including the members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and many of their friends and neighbors. Founding members Roger Lewis, Kevin Harris and Gregory Davis’ homes were completely destroyed by the storm and the flooding aftermath, as was the home of trombone player Revert Andrews. Band members Terence Higgins and Efrem Towns’ homes remained standing, enduring massive wind and water damage.

When discussing their next step musically, the members of The Dirty Dozen Brass Band unanimously concluded that they needed an outlet for the overwhelming feelings of loss for their beautiful city and community, and frustration with the government’s response to the disaster, or lack thereof. Members of the band had been listening to What’s Going On, and finding that the strong sentiments Gaye expressed 35 years ago were again resonating loud and clear. Reinterpreting each of the nine songs on Gaye’s album was simply the right concept at the right time. While Gaye’s original was smooth rhythm and blues, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band turn in expansive, powerhouse instrumental performances. The resulting album is sexy and explosive.

For the past three decades, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band has taken the traditional brass band music of New Orleans, combined it with funk, jazz, gospel and soul, and introduced it to the rest of the world. Over the years, they’ve won the approval of fans, critics, and the taste-making musicians they’ve collaborated with including Dizzy Gillespie, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Widespread Panic and Modest Mouse.

"What's Going On" featuring Chuck D (Quicktime)

"What's Going On" featuring Chuck D (Windows Media)

Official website

OG Shit

2006-08-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

Isaac Washington was a bitch gettin' machine.

To Quote My Friend 24K... "PISS YEAH!!!"

2006-08-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

Hollywood, for the most part, is full of dipshits who greenlight a bunch of crap and make way too much money because America, for the most part, is full of fuckin' retards who'll flock like sheep to the goddamn theater to see some garbage because their lives suck.

But once in a while Hollywood releases something that makes going to the theater worth it...

http://beerfestmovie.warnerbros.com/

Beerfest is from Broken Lizard, the same people who did Super Troopers, and from the looks of things it will be superb. Anyone who knows me knows I love beer eternally and unconditionally so this movie will undoubtedly become one of my all-time favorites, taking its rightful place alongside Strange Brew (the greatest movie about drunk Canadians ever). By the way, if you haven't seen Strange Brew, your life sucks. Buy it immediately.

2006 Spin Off DJ/Turntable Competition Grand Finals

2006-07-27T21:47:00.000-07:00

The press release below is a bit old, but the graphic above is new and gives the actual date, performers and ticket info for this great event taking place at the Great American Music Hall right here in the biggity Bay Area. It might be a little hard to read so here ya go:

The performances are Madlib, JRocc, A-Trak, Peanut Butter Wolf, plus a J Dilla tribute (RIP). Tickets are $12 and are available at www.tickets.com.

Get out there if you can. I'm looking forward to attending if I get a chance. If I can somehow swing some free tickets I'll do a contest here on the blog for you guys.

GUITAR CENTER LAUNCHES 2006 SPIN OFF

Nation’s Premiere Turntable Competition is Alive and the Prizing Is
Massive


WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif. (April 18, 2006) – Guitar Center today
announced the launch of its 2006 Spin Off competition, the largest and
most prestigious DJ/Turntable competition in the country. Up for grabs
is over $40,000 in prizing and the Spin Off Grand Champion bragging
rights.

“Spin Off pays tribute to the battle DJ movement that shaped the
turntablism art form,” said Jack Sonni, Vice President of Marketing
Communication for Guitar Center. “A throwback to the original days of
the movement, battle DJs represent the purest form of the genre.”

Scheduled from May to September in the nation’s larger markets, Spin
Off is a three-tiered competition in which contestants are judged on
originality, technique, style, stage presence and overall performance.
Following the District Competitions starting May 23, winners advance to
District finals, Regional finals and ultimately Grand Finals, scheduled
for September.

Guitar Center has partnered with some of the nation’s leading brands
including Toyota Scion, Technics, Rane, Nike, Stones Throw Records,
Obey, Napster, B-52 Professional, SOBE, and Scratch and XXL magazines.

“It’s a given that every Stones Throw artist, and most of our staff,
shops at Guitar Center on a regular basis as nearly all of us are DJs,”
said Eothen Alapatt, general manager of Stones Throw. “There couldn’t
be a more natural partnership for Stones Throw Records.”

Parallel to the exclusive nature of the competition, this year’s Grand
Prize package features a 2006 Scion XB, a trip to the Nike iD studios
and a session with a Nike laser designer, a $2,500 Obey shopping spree
and a one-of-a-kind “Obey the Champ” Technics SL-1200MK5 turntable.

“I've been a music fan all of my life. To me, sampling in hip-hop is
the sonic equivalent of what I do as an artist and designer, which is
finding old references and remixing them to form something new,” said
Fairey, a world-renowned visual artist. “I used the ‘sampling’
approach, as I do for many things, on the Spin Off graphic. And to
create the official event t-shirt, I combined influences including old
school hip-hop flyers, elements of turntables, propaganda, and vintage
label art.”

About Stones Throw Records
Peanut Butter Wolf, founder and president of Stones Throw, became
popular as a DJ in the Bay Area in the 1990s.  He has since transformed
into an artist in his own right and the head of one of the most
influential indie hip-hop labels in the country.  By remaining true to
his musical philosophy, Wolf has introduced musicians such as Madlib
into the hip-hop scene and has brought some of the genre’s most
respected artists to the label such as the late J. Dilla and (MF) DOOM,
creating a varied catalogue that includes new hip-hop, undiscovered
gems of soul and inspiring niche and cult projects.  His efforts add up
to a recording company that transcends a brand and takes on surprising
new directions with every release.
For more info, visit www.stonesthrow.com.

About Shepard Fairey
A world-renowned visual artist, Shepard Fairey is a critically
acclaimed, prolific and “notorious” street artist whose memorable
graphics work and fame has spread all over the globe. In addition to
his studio work (www.studionumber-one.com), Fairey also is known for
his work with the “Obey Campaign,” which can be explained as an
experiment in Phenomenology. For more info, visit www.obeygiant.com.

About Guitar Center
Guitar Center is the nation's leading retailer of guitars, amplifiers,
percussion instruments, keyboards and pro-audio and recording
equipment. We presently operate 168 Guitar Center stores, with 127
stores in 50 major markets and 39 stores in secondary markets and 2
stores in tertiary markets across the U.S. In addition, the Music &
Arts division operates 87 stores specializing in band instruments for
sale and rental, serving thousands of teachers, band directors, college
professors and students. Guitar Center is also the largest direct
response retailer of musical instruments in the U.S. through our wholly
owned subsidiary, Musician's Friend, Inc., and its catalog and web
site, www.musiciansfriend.com. More information on Guitar Center can be
found by visiting the Company's web site at www.guitarcenter.com.

Some New Vids & Shit

2006-07-25T23:18:00.001-07:00

Big Rich "That's The Business"

Celly Cel "Bay Classics"

The Federation "18 Dummy"

Bullys Wit Fullys (Guce & Messy Marv) "So Hood"

Bailey "U-C-It"

and for the wacky tobaccy lovers...

Aceyalone "High Lights"

Here's a link to the video at the Project Blowed website for a little better quality.

Acey's not from the Bay, but I've decided I'm gonna be covering a lot more stuff from outside the Bay Area. There's just too much stuff out there that people should hear and see.

Happy Birthday Pac

2006-06-18T22:36:00.000-07:00

I know I'm late, but arguably the biggest icon in hip hop history, would have been thirty five years old a few days ago and I didn't want to not mention it. Think about what could have been had he not been murdered that night in Las Vegas.

Happy birthday and Rest In Peace

A quick note about the blog: A few posts back I said I was gonna be really trying to update this blog on a regular basis, but I don't know if that's gonna happen. Life's taken a turn for me that makes me really not give a fuck about much, including writing about music. I still love it, but I don't really care right now so please be patient. There will probably be big gaps in between posts here for a while until my head is back on straight so please keep checkin' in.

'til next time...

It's An East Palo Alto Extravaganza!!!

2006-05-17T23:54:00.000-07:00

Fuckin' YouTube, I love you. Whatever fuckin' nerd put that shit together deserves to be richer than Bill Gates.

So I stumbled upon three classic East Palo Alto videos from the mid-90s and as fucked up as my life is right now, they made me smile because I remember being in the midst of all this stuff during that era. I figure some of you might like them as well. Maybe you've never seen them and they'll be new and fresh to you or maybe you remember them like I do and they'll send you on a trip down memory lane.

NOTE: Until I'm done moving and all settled, pretty much all my posts are gonna be videos from YouTube.

First up is "Squares Wanna Be Players" by Roots From The Underground featuring Chunk. Goddamn that beat is dope. I don't have the album in front of me, but if I remember correctly, the video version has different music then the album version. Look for the E-40 and Little Bruce cameo.

Here's "California Game" by SIC (Sic Insane Criminals). Shout out to Splerg and K9. Long time no talk. Where's that goddamn new album? The Bay needs it!!!

And finally here's my favorite out of the three, "Backstreet Life" by Totally Insane. Ad Kapone and Ten Dolla (fka Mac-10) were such an underrated duo and this beat is riknockulous. Shout out to Ad on lockdown, but coming home soon I believe. I got a lot of respect for that dude because as a snot nosed kid in high school before I got into the "industry" I wrote to the Totally Insane fan club 'cause I thought the Goin' Insane album was the greatest thing I had ever heard. I guess with my letter I sent a little questionaire with my address and phone number and all that shit. One day the phone rang and Ad Kapone was on the line thanking me for the letter. The fact that he did that always stood out to me and I'll always have respect for him 'cause of that. Now, when he touches back down he's gonna be working with my boy Gabe over at Apartment 3 and dropping an album. Can't wait...

Bay Area Hip Hop Archives - Volume 1

2006-05-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

I don't really have time to write too much today because I'm in the process of moving which means closing and transferring accounts, cleaning, big fuckin' headaches, etc... It also means going through tons of shit and reminiscing and in the last few days I came across a bunch of old magazines, pictures, bios, promo items, etc... that I've been keeping all these years, all of it related to Bay Area hip hop. Shit brought back some real good memories for me and I thought I would share some of it with my ~~huge legion of readers~~ three readers so I took some pics with my trusty digital camera. Click the thumbnails to Super Size like McDonald's...

E-40 on the cover of 4080 magazine (March 1995)

Dubee, Mac Dre (RIP) & Khayree on the cover of 4080 magazine (1997)

IMP (RIP Cougnut) interview in 4080 magazine (1996)

E-40 on the cover of Rap Pages (April 1999)

Luniz on the cover of Underground Soundz magazine (1996)

JT The Bigga Figga & Snoop on the cover of 4080 magazine (1997)

11/5 on the cover of Paying Duez magazine (January/February 1996)

A letter that Mac Dre wrote to me while he was incarcerated in Lompoc Federal (May 1995)

An E-40 baseball and a baseball bat shaped wooden pen to promote his Tha Hall Of Game album (1996)

Hope you enjoyed looking at some Bay Area hip hop historic archives type shit. I've got a ton more - remember, I've been involved in Bay Area hip hop industry in one way or another since 1993 and have been a fan even longer - so look for more posts like this in the future.

Oh, and once I get some time I'll go fuck around at Kinko's and do some scanning. Then I'll slap you in the head with all the Bay Area hip hop pictures I took back in the day.

Pass The Mic / The Hype On Hyphy / Spice 1 Mega Mix / The Coup

2006-04-30T23:49:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates and I will be making a concerted effort to make this little shithole of a blog into a place Bay Area rap fans can go to get info.

Now, just a quick post to start my attempt at a return.

I guess Pepsi and Yahoo! have teamed up to ~~showcase the creativity and talent in the hip hop world~~ pretend that they give a fuck about the urban world so they can make a bunch of money with their Pass The Mic series. Basically each installment is focused on a particular city/area and has a bunch of rappers gettin' down. Previous installments include Houston, Los Angeles, New York, etc... Here's the Bay Area edition. Note: It seems Pepsi and Yahoo! are both into being anally raped by Bill Gates since you can't watch their shit on a Mac so below is a YouTube of it.

It was pretty decent. Too $hort's did his tried and true thing, his old Asian limo driver was dope, Numskull ripped it (He needs to drop something. What the hell has he been doing lately?), FAB was tight and it was good to hear Dru again. My main comment though really is... They should have made that shit like five minutes longer and just let Quinn rip for the whole final five. That guy (and rappers like him) is who the industry should be focusing on when it comes to Bay Area rap.

Also I guess BET did something called The Hype On Hyphy. Here ya go...

PART 1

PART 2

Bay Area rap collector/archivist, r8r, did a monstrous mix of songs from one of my favorite Bay Area rappers - Spice 1. You can download it by clicking here. I think about 9,374 people are killed over the course of the thirty-six tracks. Here's a tracklisting for ya:

1. Intro/187 Proof (OG Version)
2. 187 Proof 2
3. 187 Pure
4. Ghetto Thang
5. The Boss Mobsta
6. Born 2 Die
7. Clip & Tha Trigga
8. You Know You Fucked Up
9. Playa Man
10. You Got Me Fucked Up
11. Recognize Game w/ Ice-T, Too $hort
12. In My Neighborhood
13. The Murda Show w/ MC Eiht
14. Dontcha Runaway
15. Runnin Out Da Crackhouse
16. Suckas Do What They Can w/ Roger, Too $hort, Yukmouth
17. Give The G A Gat
18. One Luv w/ C-Bo
19. Mind Of A Sick Nigga
20. Snitch Killaz
21. Trigga Happy
22. Jealous Got Me Strapped w/ 2Pac
23. East Bay Gangsta
24. U Can't Fade Me
25. You Can Get The Gat For That
26. Break Yourself
27. Peace To My 9
28. Welcome To The Ghetto
29. Strap On The Side
30. Im The Fucken Murderer
31. Sucka Ass Niggas
32. If It Aint Rough It Aint Me
33. Stickin To The G Code
34. Lucky Im Rappin w/ Jayo Felony
35. What The Fuck w/ N.O.R.E.
36. 976-SPICE

And finally...

Go buy Pick A Bigger Weapon, the new album from The Coup on Epitaph Records. They are true Bay Area pioneers with actual messages and meaningful topics in their music and they deserve support. The Bay Area is getting a whole shitload of attention musicwise, but the nature of the beast is that the media likes to overfeed the public bitesized, convenient, easy to categorize things. That's why damn near anything you hear about in the mainstream media is about "hyphy." Because of this The Coup and MANY other extremely talented people out here get the shaft. At least give this a listen and see what you think: "My Favorite Mutiny" featuring Black Thought from The Roots and Talib Kweli.

Also, get your ass over to Cocaine Blunts and read both parts (part three is coming soon) of noz's interview with Boots from The Coup. There's a ton of background info on not only The Coup, but the Bay Area hip hop scene in general. Can you imagine a Bay Area record label with a roster of 2Pac, The Coup, Spice 1 and Mopreme from Thug Life? It could have happened.

Some Off Topic Videos & The "I'm A" Video From The Product

2006-03-11T22:29:00.000-08:00

This first video has nothing to do with Bay Area hip hop, but sometimes I gotta post some other shit. This video has been floating around the internerds for a while and everytime I watch it I can't stop laughing so fuck it, even though I'm late with posting this I'm gonna do it anyway. I looked at the YouTube stats for this thing and it's at almost 1,000,000 views or some shit and that's well deserved since the shit is good. I do have to say though that the first half or so is absolutely fuckin' hilarious, but at about the halfway mark the funny lines kinda drop off.

"Comb yo' beard. I don't wanna hear that shit."

This second video has nothing to do with Bay Area hip hop either other than the fact that a lot of rappers were influenced by the film that it came from. Turn your speakers down if you're at work for this one.

And finally...

This one has to do with Bay Area hip hop. It's the debut video from The Product, a new group consisting of Scarface, Young Malice and the Bay Area's own Willie Hen. The track is called "I'm A" and it's from their new album called One Hunid on Koch Records. I admit that I have yet to hear the album, but every word I've gotten about it is that it is SOLID. Here's a recent interview with the three from allhiphop.

"White T-Shirts, Blue Jeans And Nikes" Video - Keak Da Sneak featuring E-40

2006-03-10T16:34:00.000-08:00

MTV's "My Block: The Bay" Segment

2006-03-06T01:21:00.000-08:00

Here's that MTV piece about the Bay Area hip hop scene that I mentioned the other day. I don't have the HTML skills to embed the Windows Media version in my post so here's the YouTube version below ~~(it looks like YouTube decided to take a shit right before I posted this so check back later and the video should be here)~~ and if you wanna sit through a long ass download for a much better quality Windows Media version you can click here. Or just watch the repeats on MTV2 and MTV. Also here's a nice article from MTV to accompany the piece.

It's pretty decent although I feel some of the artist profiles were too short (San Quinn for one) and a lot of people who really should have been involved were left out (The Jacka for one). But I can't really complain because:

A) At least MTV did something about the Bay.

and

B) I'm sure they didn't purposely say "We don't want such and such person." I imagine it was just a matter of how much time they had alloted and whether or not certain people could make it or not.

Whatever. Like I said at least they did a positive piece about the Bay Area. What's with those chicks at the beginning and their totally scripted conversation though? That was a strange intro.

"3 Freaks" Video - DJ Shadow, Keak Da Sneak, Turf Talk + Some Other Random Shit

2006-03-04T21:36:00.000-08:00

So the video for "3 Freaks" is finally done and it looks great as you will see when you watch it below. Shadow has a big push behind him so there's no cheapo shit here. The company behind the video is Half-White Productions based out of Southern California and they also did the "Super Hyphy" video. ~~I was just contacted by them and was told that they will have the "3 Freaks" video up at their site shortly in much better quality than what you get with YouTube~~ The vid is up at their site. You can also watch the "Super Hyphy" video at their site. "3 Freaks" is gonna be on DJ Shadow's still untitled upcoming album which is sure to be a classic. So far I've found out that album will also have features from Q-Tip, David Banner and Little Brother. You can also see some behind the scenes photos from the "3 Freaks" shoot at DJ Shadow's site.

The Ambassador made the cover of last week's San Francisco Bay Guardian. The article is very good save for a few minor mistakes. If you can't find a print copy you can check it out here.

Also, check out this remix of "Tell Me When To Go" done by Trackademicks. Dude is making big moves and working with a lot of people including Mistah FAB, Balance, J. Stalin, Casual and Lyrics Born. He e-mailed me a bit ago so look for an interview/profile sometime soon.

Europe loves the Bay! This mixtape comes to us by way of France I believe. I was hipped to this by Kreme (click that link and then click the banner at the top to go to the homepage for the mix). 31 tracks (some old, some new) of some of the Bay's best. It's nice to see that Bay Area music is appreciated like that overseas. Here's the cover and tracklist:

1. TooHard4TheFuckinRadioIntro
2. I Gotcha - The New Bay & Richie Rich
3. Pills And Weed - Turf Talk, Doonie Baby & Stress
4. So International - B-Legit & Too $hort
5. That's What's Up - Messy Marv
6. Timin' - E-40, San Quinn, B-Legit & Richie Rich
7. Whatugonedo? - Celly Cel
8. Thizzle Dance - Mac Dre
9. Rubber Burner - Too $hort
10. Slumper - Turf Talk & E-40
11. Step Ya Game Up - Ya Boy
12. We Ain't Listenin' - The Factors
13. Go Dumb - The Federation
14. Don't Let The Glasses Fool Ya - B-Slimm & Droop-E
15. Rock That - The Team
16. Do The Robot - Turf Talk, Young Mugzi & Kaveo
17. Sex, Drugs & Rap Money - Smigg Dirtee, CG & Steezo
18. Drop It Like It's Hot - Laroo, Lil Ric & Lil Cudi
19. Workout - Frontline
20. Makin' Moves (Lankizzle Remix) - Dynamic Duo
21. We Do It Movin' - Laroo, Turf Talk & Goldie Gold
22. Hoes In Here - The Federation
23. Town Shit - Keak Da Sneak
24. 707 - D-Shot & E-40
25. Fuck Wit Us - Killa Tay, Guce, Laroo & Luni Coleone
26. Tykoonin' - Laroo, Doonie Baby & Keak Da Sneak
27. Mask Cracked - San Quinn
28. We Roll 'Em - B-Legit & Dru Down
29. Super Sic Wid It - Mistah F.A.B., Turf Talk & E-40
30. Oooh Ahh - E-A-Ski, Yukmouth & B-Legit
31. Dollalalala Lotsa Paypa - Mac Dre, KC Bobcat & Sauce

For US orders you can go here: http://laitdbac.com/store_us

Ooops!

2006-03-01T00:22:00.000-08:00

I forgot I was supposed to like, post things here and stuff. Life is hectic so I've just been dealin' with that, but I figured I'd drop a few things for ya' real quick.

The Bay Area hip hop scene will be getting some much deserved attention in March on both MTV and MTV2. The "My Block: The Bay" piece that MTV was filming all around the Bay a few weeks ago will be debuting on MTV2's "Sucker Free Sunday" on March 5th. E-40 is hosting for the day as well. If you don't have MTV2, don't worry because the piece will also be shown on regular ass MTV at some point in March as well. For whatever reason the internet is goin' nuts with dates for the MTV showings so I have no idea what day it will actually be on. Call MTV I guess.

As for what will be included in the piece?

Here's what "Dave" at Rap News Network says. I have no idea who Dave is, but fuck it... it sounds like a damn good show to me. I think I'm most excited to see San Quinn get the exposure out of all this. If you miss it I'm sure someone will YouTube it and I'll post that up when they do.

Earl Stevens had the listening party for My Ghetto Report Card the other night in the Big Apple. Apparently 40 and Lil' Jon treated their guests to fresh baked cookies and a dance recital performed by a few ladies from a local dance troupe. Sounds good to me.

The single, "Tell Me When To Go," has apparently been getting crazy radio play lately so I hope that translates to big sales for the album dropping on March 14th. The closer we get to the album release the more excited I am to see what direction 40 is going with the rest of the songs. I'm also really curious about what the second single is going to sound like. Supposedly, it's going to be the song with T-Pain called "U And Dat." With T-Pain on it I'm guessing it'll it be a smoother, slower track to pull the ladies in. Time will tell.

Word around the campfire is that Keak Da Sneak has signed a deal with a certain big label. Unconfirmed as of yet, but stay tuned.

Finally, my good buddy T-K.A.S.H. is set to drop his new album on March 21st. It's titled Turf War Syndrome and is coming out on Paris' label, Guerrilla Funk Recordings. Pick this shit up! Not everything has to be hyphy in the Bay. People can come with some other shit as well and T does just that. You can read more about T-K.A.S.H., the album and check out a couple songs from it right here and read his interview at AllHipHop right here.

San Quinn - The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds

2006-02-07T17:32:00.000-08:00

SAN QUINN
The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds
Deal Done Entertainment
Produced by: Sean T, Cozmo, Steve Vicious, Davey-D Cohn, E-A-Ski, Traxamillion, Mac Pacino, Left, Maxwell Smart, Mista Royce, T.B., Box Kev, J-Moe
Featuring: Ya' Boy, E-A-Ski, Big Rich, Seff Tha Gaffla, Hoodstarz, Mike Marshall, Allen Anthony, Selau

San Quinn could have taken the easy route and jumped on the hyphy bandwagon since the prevailing opinion (if you believe the internet) is that hyphy music will be the savior of Bay Area hip hop. Luckily he stuck to his guns (as he did with 2004's I Give You My Word) and delivered a solid album without constantly talking about goin' dumb or scrapin' or :insert played Bay topic here: like way too many other songs in the Bay. It's nice to hear someone stick with what got them where they are, but all the while improving on their formula.

Sean T has a habit of crafting anthemic opening tracks (for example: check "Intro" from Sean's last album, Ain't Playin') and he does it again here for San Quinn with his work on "Frisco Stand Up (Checkmate 2)" featuring Ya' Boy. Recently I've heard people claiming that Quinn doesn't rap as "hard" or "gangsta" as he used to, but his verse on this song alone should silence that noise. Starting off slow and then steadily building towards an aggressive crescendo, Quinn delivers darts the entire way. Ya' Boy follows suit and more than holds his own. I have no idea who Maxwell Smart is, but I need to hear more of his production based on what he came with on "Planet Fillmoe." It was pleasing to hear Seff Tha Gaffla guest on this track as I haven't heard too much from him in recent years. Quinn's life is chronicled on "Look What I've Done For Them" and the combination of Quinn's heartfelt lyrics and Cozmo's soulful production put this song on another level. "Butterfly" was a wildly popular song on Quinn's previous album so he smartly did something for the ladies again this time around. It's called "So Young" and it could easily find a place on the airwaves based on its subject matter and the demographics of urban radio. The backing vocals are done by Mike Marshall who is an exceptional singer which will also help push the song to radio.

"From A Gangsta Like Me" is Quinn at his finest. He portrays street scenes with ease, but rather than just glorifying the lifestyle he's reflecting it with thoughtfulness and actual emotion as he does on numerous cuts on this album. That's hard to come by these days and I feel that San Quinn is one of the best at it. Also it doesn't hurt that Cozmo once again creates a perfect backdrop for Quinn to use. Ya' Boy joins Quinn on "The Hunter" where once again he stands in direct opposition to the argument about him not rapping as "gangster" as he used to. "Holdin' Back These Years," produced by Davey-D Cohn and Box Kev, utilizes a great sample from Simply Red which was a nice choice. I'm glad to see producers diggin' in the crates to find new and different things to incorporate into their creations. With this track Quinn again effectively goes back and exposes his life and the lives of those around him to the listener. When I first saw the tracklisting for this album and read the song title, "Way More Than They Can See," I knew it was going to incorporate George Benson's classic, "Love Ballad." It's a great old song to use as the basis for a rap song. I'm interested in hearing more production from Davey-D Cohn if "Holdin' Back These Years" and "Way More Than They Can See" are any example of what he does on a regular basis. Quinn spits street heat over the course of all three verses and with the production being so solid, this is a strong contender for best song on the the album. Some other standout tracks on The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds that deserve mention include "Put My Mind To It," "Kick Yo' Ass" and "That's Beef" featuring Big Rich.

I want to congratulate Quinn and Deal Done for a very high quality release in all aspects. From top to bottom this is a well put together package and you can tell that they went all out. From Quinn's rapping to the top notch production all the way to the very polished and professional packaging from Shemp at Photo Doctor Graphics, this release screams "major label worthy." In a way, I wish that this album had been pushed back until after E-40's upcoming album so Quinn's album could benefit more from the wave of hype that 40 is going to create for Bay Area artists. That being said, I do still feel that The Rock: Pressure Makes Diamonds is many steps forward from San Quinn's previous work and places him in a well-deserved position to bring some shine back to the Bay Area. Like I said in a previous post... 40 will open the door, but it will be San Quinn who becomes the first new nationwide star from the Bay in many years.

I posted it before, but once again here is the video for "Look What I've Done For Them"...

Related:

Bay Area Classics - Volume 3

2006-02-02T13:44:00.000-08:00

This edition of BAC inadvertently turned into an Oakland/Vallejo party. Next time I'll be sure to diversify a little better. I decided to add a video this time as well. God bless YouTube.

"Playah's Mode (Street Remix)" - Young Lay
Lay was an extremely promising rapper. Unfortunately he was riddled with problems which sidetracked his career including being shot, being locked up, his baby being kidnapped, the mother being murdered, etc... Dude just could never get to a settled place in his life to really have a chance to blow up which he had the talent to do. As far as I know he's locked up right now. The original version of "Playah's Mode" is on his amazing debut, Black 'n Dangerous on Young Black Brotha/Atlantic. This remix came off of a promotional cd for the single which also included a few other mixes, an instrumental and an acappella. Without question, Khayree is one of the dopest producers ever.

"For All Yall" - No The Piper, ???, Danesha
No The Piper was never really a huge name in Bay Area rap, but you can find him on a handful of releases from the mid '90s. I'm pretty sure he released a solo album back then as well, but I don't have it. It's just recently come to my attention (thanks to seen510 over at the bay is in the area) that he now fronts Flipsyde which is a rock/rap group on Interscope Records. Their song, "Someday" is even the goddamn theme song for the upcoming Olympics. Suck on that. I have no idea who the second rapper on this track is as he's not listed in the credits. "For All Yall" is from a compilation called The Gruuvelyne Connection-Tyme II Ryde which was released in 1997 on Gruuvelyne Records. The comp was entirely produced by the Whooride (Mike D and Sonny B) who were behind a ton of great tracks from Oakland in the mid '90s.

"Ham Samiches & Coup DeVilles" - E-40 featuring Big Gipp (Goodie Mob), Big Boi (Outkast)
This baby was on the advance copy of Loyalty & Betrayal that Jive Records sent me, but for whatever reason it didn't make the final cut. There's a couple other tracks on there that also didn't make the retail album, but this is the most interesting one. Unfortunately there was no additional info with the advance copy so I have no idea who produced this damn song or anything. Just listen to it.

"3 Strikes" - Askari X featuring Seagram, 3xKrazy, Bad-N-Fluenz, Mr. Ill, The Delinquents, Mike Mike Ansar Moe
Remember "Ward Of The State"? That was a pretty damn big song for Askari X back in like '92 or something. On his 1995 album, Message To The Black Man, on Slow Motion Records he dropped "Ward Of The State II" which is another good one. Askari's militant stance may turn most off from his music, but if you can get past that then you will hear some quality music on the whole album including this gem. The order of "3 Strikes" is ???, Seagram, Keak Da Sneak (3XKrazy), ???, G-Stack (The Delinquents), Askari X, ???, Big V (The Delinquents), Agerman (3XKrazy) and ???. Obviously the question marked spots belong to Bad-N-Fluenz (Rappin' Ron & Ant Diddley Dog), Mr. Ill and Mike Mike Ansar Moe. Problem is I'm too lazy right now to compare the voices on this song to other songs with those artists so I have no idea who is who. Sorry. This is another produced by the Whooride.

"V-A-L-L-E-J-O" - Game Related
This song is good, but more than anything I just REALLY enjoy the production that K-Lou brought to the table. I wish we still had people using this kind of sound out here in the Bay. Musically, the old production of people like K-Lou, Mike Mosley, Studio Ton, etc... shits on the majority of what's being served up out here now. This track is from the 1996 album from Game Related titled, Soak Game. Released on Big K Records originally, it was picked up by a semi-big label called Robbins Entertainment and re-released later that year. Some songs from the OG version were cut from the Robbins Entertainment re-release. "V-A-L-L-E-J-O" was one of the tracks. It's not bad at all so I'm not sure why it was cut. In fact, it's one of the better tracks from the original. K-Lou was so fuckin' funky back then. I haven't heard anything about these guys in years other than the fact that Potent C put out a solo album called Potent Reality in 1999. And just recently I know he has recorded a couple songs at my boy Rhythmx's studio. You can buy the original version of Soak Game at Rapbay and the re-release at Robbins Entertainment.

And here's a classic video for you...

"I Got 5 On It (Remix)" - Luniz featuring Dru Down, Richie Rich, E-40, Shock G, Spice 1
The best parts of this video to me are Dru Down's Shirley Temple locks and seeing Captain Save-A-Hoe (aka Crazy Ass Kevin Dixon) walking around in his cape. Good flashback video.

"Gotta Get Mine" - MC Breed featuring 2Pac

2006-01-31T22:07:00.000-08:00

First things first... I changed the color of STRIVIN' to this spiffy new white background . The black background was bothering me and was a little hard on the eyes I think. I'll probably end up changing it again in a few months.

Now, on to the show.

YouTube is the greatest goddamned thing since breakfast burritos. There is so much classic and new hip hop shit on there it's ridiculous.

Today I was snoopin' around on there and found this video for "Gotta Get Mine" by MC Breed and 2Pac. The track is from Breed's 1992 album, The New Breed which featured production from Colin Wolfe, The D.O.C., Warren G and Breed himself. I hadn't seen this video since damn near when it came out so it was a nice flashback for me.

Pac was just that wild ass, kickin' up dust kid in this video...

New Interview - The Jacka of the Mob Figaz

2006-01-26T20:27:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEW BY: Doxx

First off, congratulations on The Jack Artist. It came out real solid all the way around and I never really saw any bad reviews of it anywhere. How does it feel to put out a project that's so well liked all the way around?
I'm proud man. I'm always happy for even the simplest shit. To be able to do something that I like and people actually like it too gives me drive and fuel to just make more shit and make me grow as a artist.

What's been the response from your travels when you go and perform?
The performance response is always a cool one 'cause I can interact with the people.

What are some of the towns you've had the best time in as far as doin' shows, meetin' fans?
It's certain areas that I knew was good for me since the Mob Figa days, but it's also little spots that I never knew that they would even know who I was. Denver and DC, New York, Florida. I was in Florida and somebody was like, "You Jacka, huh? You're on that Burn DVD." There was a DVD out with my video. I knew it was comin' out, but I didn't know what it was or nothin' about it, but a nigga on the street I asked him for some trees and he had DVD's and all this shit. That was crazy.

You got a chance to do a video for this album.
Yeah, I did a video for "Barney (More Crime)" song. I'ma get into directing. I realized it was easy for me. I'ma give it a shot and direct more niggas videos. As far as that "Barney" go I really just wanted to be a regular street nigga just like how I am. No chains, no nothin', just straight cash. Hustlin' and rappin'.

What's goin' on with the group (Mob Figaz) now?
We was already friends so that ain't never stop. You get older and start goin' off doin' other little things, but everybody still cool. We still the Mob Figaz.

Is there an album comin' up?
A lot of people wanna do something with us. But that's like big if you wanna do something with that. That's not no average shit. We never really tried to be like the average shit. We really wanted to be big when we was young. Even though we was independent we treated it like we would probably go platinum. We didn't know 'cause it was our first chance really in the business. We did good with that attitude so that's the attitude that we keep. When we together bro, the songs that we make is so ridiculous so it's gon' be big. We need to really have somethin' big pushin' it.

So right now is there an album planned?
Yeah, we doin' somethin' right now with Bo. We just recordin' songs, makin' hot shit. Just doin' shit so when the time comes it gon' drop. It's gonna all come around 'cause everybody still around and we all still fuck with each other.

Let's talk about what's next for you solo? What's up with a new album? People are already lookin' forward to it.
I'm just tryin' make somethin' real. Somethin' really like worth goin' to go buy 'cause that's what they want. I'm just focused on tryin' to make some good shit. If I'ma bring somethin' back, bring some thunder back. I'm damn near done.

Do you have a title?
It's called What Happened To The World?

I'm sure Rob Lo is doin' most of the production this time around too.
Yup.

Anybody else on there for production?
Dug Infinite.

Who do you have featured on there so far?
So far I don't have no features. I wanna get like Mess, I'm tryin' to get Cormega on some shit. Just my normal nigs that be comin' with that shit. Maybe my boy Amp Pacino from The Regime. Then after this album I'm gonna have like volumes, What Happened To The World? volumes like compilations and I got all kind of artists for that from different countries and everything. I got producers from hella places. Just some crazy shit, but it's actually dope. It ain't far out that you gon' be like, "Wow, this nigga's spaced out." It's nothin' like that, it's actually dope. The only thing I wanna do is give people their money's worth. I wanna be able to sell music 'cause I know what I put into it and I know that it's something that'll actually stick with you. You can learn from it, you can grow from it.

Just by listenin' to The Jack Artist it's obvious that you put a lot of time into each song. It's easy for a rapper to just do a song, but some of the stuff you say and the visuals you create with the music you can tell that you really think about and take your time with it. That's something a lot of people aren't doin' right now in the Bay.
I had a lot of time to practice. I was makin' songs when I was 13, 14, 15... I was actually in the lab every single day practicin' my craft. Just like everybody else in my group. I been doin' it a long time. You gotta be puttin' in work.

Who are some of the artists that you haven't had a chance to work with that you'd like to?
I really like to hear new talent. On my albums I might have Yuk and Keak or somethin' 'cause they my nigs, but if you hear another feature it's probably a young dude from off the street with a lot of street credibility and he really tryin' to make it. I like to do songs with niggas like that. Not only does it help them, it actually helps me too 'cause nine times out of ten these dudes got a whole neighborhood pullin' for 'em and I'm givin' 'em they first shot. That's helpin' me out too 'cause now I got they neighborhood too. They respect a real nigga comin' through fuckin' with they nig and puttin' them on so I look at shit like that. I know if I go get a big feature it's cool, but it ain't a big deal. A big deal is when you really helpin' somebody out. If a big feature comes and gets me, that's different and I'd fuck with 'em. As far as wantin' to go pay a nigga thousands of dollars to do some shit with me, I really ain't with that shit.

Speak a little bit about Freako (RIP).
Of the whole crew that nigga was like the top ranked dude. He had been through a lot, he had a lot of shit, he did a lot of shit. He was a fly ass nigga and he wasn't scared of shit. He was ready to do whatever at any time. He was like Troy, bro. I always explain it like he was like the movie Troy. You ever watch Troy? That's Freak, that dude is Freak, bro. He goin' at the biggest nigga and he gon' take him out instantly and be like, "Who else want it?" You feel me? That's how I always known him to be.

It's a shame that had to happen to him.
Yeah, man. It's mainey man 'cause you never know when it's gon' happen or how it's gon' happen. What I learned from that is that we gon' be around that kind of shit so don't do too much. Don't hang out. Don't do extra shit to be noticed when you out. Just relax and when you get done with what you doin', go to your destination. Don't fuck around man 'cause it's real. That's what that made me realize. That's what made me just change my whole way of thinking after that shit happened to Freak.

Let's get back to the Jack Artist album. What are some of your favorite tracks on there?
I never listen to that album. I just don't be listenin' to it, but today I was listenin' to the shit and I realized I like "Never Blink" and I put it number one 'cause that beat is a tight beat and we was comin' with some rhymes that was street shit. It's some independent shit and it ain't major, but it sound like it might could be. I like "Never Equal" too 'cause it made me get my props I think. Certain niggas that listen to rap and appreciate rhymes be givin' me credit on that. And a lot of Muslims give me credit on that song. "Girls Say" 'cause I can perform that in a party.

One that I really like on there is the one for your daughter, "Kuran." I think that is one of the strongest songs on there. Talk a little about that song and what it means to you.
My lifestyle is just so crazy 'cause I rap and I gotta do everything. I got a daughter and she mean a lot to me. She gettin' older now so she know that it's crazy. I really just made that song to let her know that I care about her like, "I'm explainin' myself to you in this song so when you get old enough to understand what's goin' on and you hear that song you're gonna realize that everything I did was for you." How she is is because of me. The things that she grows up to see, the woman that she becomes, everything she becomes is because of me. No matter what it is. If it works out to be good, that's great. If it turns out to be bad, it's because of me. It's a song for her and hopefully to give her some guidance to be a Muslim.

You mentioned being a Muslim and the quote on that song that really interests me is when you say, "I pray facin' the East, but don't know where Allah is." What do you mean?
I don't know where Allah is because I don't know where God is. You can't see him. I know he's there because I got faith. I can't see the air that I'm breathin', but I believe that I'm breathin' air. I got faith in that. Just like God. I pray to him even if I don't see him.

In all your songs you hear your religion comin' into them, but you also have the street influenced lyrics. How do you balance your life between the things you might be doin' or what you're rappin' about with a righteous life as a religious person?
It ain't overnight. I wasn't born a Muslim. It was really somethin' that I had to grasp and was somethin' that I had to grab a hold to after bein' blind for my whole entire life. I know that God see everything that I do. I can't hide nothin' from him so I just pray for forgiveness. I ask him to work with me on everything that I do. If I'm hustlin' I still pray and ask for forgiveness and give thanks because he knows what I'm doin' and I know that he knows. Who am I hidin' from? I can't hide from him. So that's how I do the balance I guess. He's the most merciful. He forgives a lot so hopefully I'll get forgiven for certain things that I ask for forgiveness for. There's things that probably I won't get forgave for. In my music when I say somethin' about that, but I'm still talkin' about the streets it's because it's a struggle. It's like a war. I'm right here. I know the truth and I know what it say in the Qur'an and I gotta battle with whatever it is until I become strong and want to give up everything. Muslim really just mean somebody who submits to the will of God. I can't really even say sometimes that I'm a real Muslim because there's certain things that I do, but I do submit to the will of God. Even though I do certain things like have sex and drink and stuff like that, it's just some shit I gotta deal with and I gotta fight. It's just somethin' in me that I gotta fight.

Related:

"Iller Clip" from the album, The Jack Artist
www.thejacka.com (d/l the "Barney (More Crime)" video in the LINKS section)
www.myspace.com/thejackamobfigaz

Remember This?

2006-01-25T12:05:00.000-08:00

"Time 4 Peace" - Digital Underground, Paris, Sway

Released during the Persian Gulf War in the early '90s, "Time 4 Peace" was pretty damn ballsy (especially Paris' verse: "...Make way for P Dog the Bush killa / cop killa / Black urban guerilla...") and actually got mainstream radio airplay. These days if someone put a song like this on a major station like KMEL, government stormtroopers would be kicking down the station door within a few minutes. You'd never see or hear that DJ again most likely.

It's nice to know that a song like this could get on the radio back then and it's really nice to remember that not too long ago rappers in the Bay could actually take some time and record something for a purpose and a belief. These days everyone is too busy going stupid, goin' dummy, scrapin', etc... to give a fuck about the world around them. It's pretty fuckin' sad actually. Of course The Coup and Paris are still putting themselves on the line, but beyond them it's pretty rare to hear something like this in the Bay.

Shit even Digital Underground put it down on this song and they were the fun lovin', party group of that time like the hyphy cats are now. Have any of the hyphy contingent stepped out of the box and done something like DU did on this track? If they have, I haven't heard it and I apologize for comin' down on 'em a little bit.

Anyway, enjoy the old song. If it makes you think too much, just take some E, mentally block out the lyrics and get dumb, retarded, hyphy to the beat. That's what we do in the Bay these days, right?

New San Quinn Video - "Look What I've Done For Them"

2006-01-19T23:18:00.000-08:00

It's very similar to Kanye's "Through The Wire" video, but the video isn't even really what I want to talk about. Bottom line is that the song is dope as fuck and Quinn's upcoming album, The Rock (Pressure Makes Diamonds) is going to be a monster.

E-40's new Lil' Jon backed album, My Ghetto Report Card, is gonna bring some much needed attention to the Bay Area again, but once we start getting some ears pointed our way again San Quinn is the one who is really gonna set it off for the Bay Area. Bank on it.

The Rock (Pressure Makes Diamonds) drops on February 7th. Buy it! Buy two copies! Do not download it! Do not burn it for your boys! Sales figures are what brings the big dogs sniffing around.

I'm trying to get an in-depth interview with Quinn real soon so check back.

Related:

San Quinn
Done Deal / Done Deal

New Interview - C-Lim

2006-01-18T12:44:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEW BY: Doxx

For anyone who might not know you, give your background, the albums you put out and some of the industry things you've done.
My name is C-Lim. I also go by Slim Loc 1 and The C Monster. I was born in Sacramento, raised in Stockton, been back to Sac for the last ten years. I signed a deal in 2000 with Diamond Life Entertainment and released my first album, What Dat N Like, featuring Tray Deee, Lil Keke, Bad Azz, Big Syke and X-Raided. Sold about 25,000 copies. After that I started my own label, Northstar Ntertainment, and released the album, Spoils Of War, under my alias Slim Loc 1. In March 2005 released Star Wars, a joint venture with Black Armor Records and my boy Big Rock.

What was that like since you just came out and all of a sudden you were doing songs with Tha Eastsidaz who at that time were pretty big?
It was a beautiful thing. Tray Deee showed me major love. Back then I wasn't smokin' that much, but he made your boy blow big weed. We had fun, it was a new experience for me. I still had a lot of non-believers back home in Stockton and Sac speakin' low of me, not thinkin' I'm gonna do my thang with the movement I had goin' on, but you can't never just sit back and wait or buy into what all the haters believe and shit. You just gotta keep doin' it movin'.

The last year or so we haven't heard too much from you. You did the Star Wars album, but since then there hasn't really been too much known about what you've been doin'. Let us know what's goin' on now.
Man, I been doin' a lot of networking. I stay busy runnin' to the Magic in Las Vegas, the Billboard awards, bein' all over the place showin' my face. What I got in the works right now is this Brotha Lynch Hung Presents C-Lim project. I'm workin' hard with Brotha Lynch right now on some shit. Also you gonna catch me on his new album. We squashed all our stuff and we workin' together now. Also I'm workin' on a project with my boy Kavio. The Boss Gang, that's our group.

That's Kavio from West Coast Mafia?
Yeah, Kavio from West Coast Mafia. Shout out to West Coast Mafia. I been workin' on that and I got a couple solo projects that's in the closet right now. Mainly I been concentrating on shoppin' a deal so if there's any A&R's out there that's looking' for an up and coming, talented young man like myself, holla at ya boy.

What label is that album presented by Lynch coming out on?
I'm not really knowin' yet. It might be like a joint venture, Siccmade and Northstar Ntertainment.

The album with Lynch and how everything is squashed... How'd that come about 'cause I know you guys had your differences or whatever?
Well, Lynch is like family. A lot of people don't know that we kinda more connected than what you would think. His wife do the business with my sister, Lexxo, which is also my artist. Lexxo do the business with his wife, Zigg Zagg. On top of that we just basically had a misunderstanding. I got word back to him, he got word back to me that everything was one hundred and next thing you know we was on the phone choppin' it up and that was the business. I was just at the studio with Lynch about two weeks ago.

That's good that it all could get worked out like that and end up bein' somethin' beneficial for everybody.
Yeah, I got major love for Lynch so make sure that gets out to the world. Ain't no hatin' and on top of that I got major love for my boy Hollow Tip too. We squashed the beef so send a shout out to that man. Keep it movin'.

So all the beefs are squashed?
All the beefs are squashed.

That's good man 'cause for a while there was too many of 'em.
Oh man, how many did I have goin' on? I had so many beefs goin' on it was ridiculous.

You're from Stockton and Sac. What kind of connections do you have with Bay artists?
My boy ADR (of Triple 6) just brought me out to the Bay. That's my boy. I got much love for ADR and the Apartment 3 movement and shit. AP.9, that's my boy. I do the business with AP. I do the business with Messy Marv, B-Legit, Mistah FAB, Yukmouth, Too $hort, T-Nutty, JT (The Bigga Figga). Matter of fact, I just seen JT up at the rally at San Quentin for Stanley "Tookie" before he was put to death. Rest in peace to Stanley "Tookie" Williams.

What was the scene like out there (at the rally)?
Oh man, it was like the biggest rally San Quentin ever had. I was up there, Snoop Dogg was up there, JT The Bigga Figga was up there, media galore. It was real emotional. The police was on edge because it looked like somethin' might be goin' down, but we kept it all positive. Man, we had to park like two, three football fields away and walk to get to the event. Luckily you're boy is lightweight celebrity so somebody picked me and my little camp up and brought us to the front, but we was walkin' for a hot minute. It was real positive though.

What's been the reaction out on the streets?
Don't nobody really believe in that death penalty bullshit. I did a interview with UPN 31 news and Channel 13 news and the media basically wanted to know if there was gonna be retaliation or if the Crips and Bloods and all the gangstas are gonna start trippin' if they put "Tookie" to death. What they don't understand is that, like I said on TV, "Tookie" sent a positive message and he wasn't about all that bullshit so it wasn't gonna be no negative stuff jumpin' off if he was put to death which unfortunately he was. I sent that message out, let 'em know I don't think any of the Crips is gonna do anything.

In the Bay Area we still have the street shit, but now a lot of music out here has shifted to the hyphy movement. What does someone like you who does the street shit think about that kind of music?
I'm with that more laidback gangsta shit, but I'm feelin' the hyphy movement. There's hyphy people all around me right now out here in Sac. I'm feelin' the movement, but really I think what's about to kick off the movement is that Thizz movement. Thizz Entertainment and all that, that's who's gonna really jump the Bay off. I think that they got the big potential to put Northern Cali on the map how it's supposed to be. I'm feelin' all that shit.

Did you ever have any dealings with Mac Dre before he died?
We ran into each other a couple of times just from promotin' and little shit like that, but I never got to get down and do no tracks with him. I always had major love for him. Matter of fact I did do a track, but I wasn't there in the booth with him. I just laid my verse up at Hachet's studio up in Oregon and then he laid his verse and it went out on a compilation.

Do you know which compilation that was?
I can't remember. I think Celly Cel was on the song too now that I think about it.

Back to that new album presented by Lynch. Do you have a title yet?
Naw, naw man. I got a few good titles, but I don't wanna leak them yet. We got a few good things jumpin' off. And your boy Lynch on his project, he got some big things jumpin' off too. So y'all make sure y'all get ready to cop that Dinner And A Movie because he got some surprises for y'all on that one.

Who are some of the artists down in Southern California you've worked with?
Bad Azz, Tray Deee, Kurupt. There's a lot of artists that I haven't worked with, but I talk to like my boy Daz Dillinger. Shout out to Daz. Kill Kill, my boy Kay9ine. Pretty much anybody in L.A. I pretty much done messed with 'em or they know who I am from WC to Jayo (Felony) even though he ain't from L.A. he from Diego. I'm on that new Jayo & Spice 1 album and one of Jayo's solo albums too so make sure you look for that. Pretty much anybody you can name man, they know who the hell C-Lim is. I done did the business with 'em.

I know you did some work with Bossalini Clothing...
Oh yeah, big shout out to Bossalini Clothing out in San Francisco. My boy Gene Steptoe, he's the CEO. I was at the Magic with 'em this past February doin' it real big. Right now he's tryin' to pick up some different retail outlets to get his clothing in. He got some new sportwear comin' up, different t-shirts, all type of outerwear. Bossalini still holdin' it down. I'm still representin' Bossalini Clothing so if y'all see it, cop it.

You were tellin' me you were just in the new Lil' Flip video?
Oh yeah, me, Kavio, the Boss Gang. Shout out to my boy Black Al Capone, my boy Lil' Flip, my boy Red from the Clover G's. We flew out and filmed some stuff over there at the Long Beach hangar. Then we did it movin' to the hood in Long Beach and filmed some pieces. You'll catch me at the end of the video. Just look for the hat that say C-Lim on it.

What's up with that Boss Gang album with Kavio?
Man, we got so many different things goin' on right now. He got his new album, Hittaz On The Payroll comin' so he concentratin' on puttin' that out right now. Then he got a album comin' with Black Al Capone from the Clover G's. We just got things lined up so whenever we have a chance to record is pretty much when we can work on the Boss Gang album. The Boss Gang is comin', please believe.

Related:

Download C-Lim's new song - "Stop Snitchin'"
Watch Lil' Flip's video - "What It Do" (C-Lim is in a few shots during the backyard party scene at the end. Keep an eye open for the "C-Lim" hat.)
C-Lim on MySpace
Bossalini Clothing 1 / Bossalini Clothing 2

"How Dumb You Go" - New Track From Casual of Hieroglyphics

2006-01-17T20:01:00.000-08:00

Click HERE for Casual's MySpace page and once you're there and the music player loads, ~~click on the track titled "How Dumb You Go"~~. edit: track has been taken down

This is some brand spankin' new shit from Casual. Unfortunately there is no download available, but the track is dope and it's produced by my old school folks Raytona500 aka Rhythmx from $ickWid'It Records / Pharmaceuticals / Tha FYA Dept. / Tha Blap Factory / Tha Spliffstonian Starship / Mobbservatory Musick.

Check back for an interview with Raytona500 aka Rhythmx real soon and I'm hopin' to get in touch with Casual for an interview as well.

Related:

Ask And You Shall Receive I Guess

2006-01-17T12:57:00.000-08:00

So two days ago I wrote about there being no new bio/press release for E-40's new album, My Ghetto Report Card...

Well, this morning Warner Bros. released a brand spankin' new one. You can read it here: E-40 Press Release

Now all they need to do is get someone at BME to take down that old ass one they got up and replace it with this one.

New E-40 Video - "Tell Me When To Go" featuring Keak Da Sneak

2006-01-15T14:11:00.000-08:00

PHOTO FROM: Focus And Record

First things first before I even get to the video...

I'm positive Lil' Jon and BME/Warner Bros. are serious about trying to blow 40 up, but I'm a little dissapointed that the E-40 section of BME's website is using an E-40 bio/press release that was written to promote Grit & Grind back in 2002. It's actually not even the whole thing, just part of it. Regardless, it's talking about songs from a previous album. I know that this is a miniscule piece to a much larger promotion/marketing puzzle, but you would think that it would be REAL easy to get a new one written to coincide with his upcoming album, My Ghetto Report Card. From top to bottom, expensive video to online bio/press release, every piece is important.

Click HERE to watch the video.

The video is very well done, but I wish it could have been at least partially in color (maybe just for the car scenes and a few other scenes). Based on what they show in the video it seems like they're trying to show how vibrant and energetic the Bay is and I think a little bit of color would have highlighted that vibrance even more and really made it pop. BIG appreciation to 40 for having the RIP for Mac Dre at the end of the video.

Proponents of the hyphy movement are already proclaiming this to be the biggest thing to happen to the Bay since Humphrey The (Hyphy) Humpback Whale got stuck out here in our waters back in '85.

I have been an E-40 fan since day one so I'm glad to see him getting a chance to shine again and I have my fingers crossed that the video and the new album both blow up nationwide.

Thoughts and opinions on the song/video? Leave a comment.

Related:

BME Recordings

Cool C To Be Executed

2006-01-12T01:33:00.000-08:00

This post may not interest some of my younger readers who don't know much about hip hop before 2000, but I'm posting it anyway.

From allhiphop.com:

Rapper Cool C's Execution Warrant Signed by PA Governor Ed Rendell
By Seandra Sims
Date: 1/11/2006 4:15 pm

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed the execution warrant yesterday for former Philadelphia rapper Christopher "Cool C" Roney.
Roney, 36, is currently an inmate at Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution at Greene and is set to die by lethal injection on March 9.

In October 1996, Roney was found guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Philadelphia police officer and nine-year veteran Lauretha Vaird during a botched January 1996 bank robbery that included rap partner Warren "Steady B" McGlone and a third man.

Vaird was Philadelphia's first female officer ever killed in the line of duty.

While McGlone was convicted as an accomplice and getaway driver, later receiving life in prison, prosecutors asserted that Roney was the triggerman and sentenced him to death.

The sentence was affirmed by the state's Supreme Court a year ago, and a subsequent plea to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied in October 2005.

Roney was a member of rap crew The Hilltop Hustlers in the late 1980s and helped put Philly rappers on the map with singles such as "Juice Crew Dis" (which was later used by Philadephia rappers Beanie Sigel & Peedi Crack on 'When You Hear'), as well as 1989's hit single, "Glamorous Life."

As a rapper, Roney released two albums, 1989's I Gotta Habit and 1990’s Life in the Ghetto.
In 1993, he joined Steady B and Ultimate Eaze to form the group C.E.B. and released the album Countin' Endless Bank in 1993 on Ruffhouse Records.

Just hearing the name Cool C brings back a lot of memories for me. "Glamorous Life" was my shit back in my middle school days! I remember wanting to get a blue track suit like the one he had on in the video. Shit, I still find myself doing the little "ooo ooooo, you got it" call every once in a while.

I'm not here to debate his crime and the death penalty or anything like that. All I can say is it's a shame that his life turned out this way.

"Glamorous Life" video

"Glamorous Life" mp3 (this is a longer version of the song than what you hear in the video)

Great Mac Dre Article

2005-12-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

This guy Gabe Meline really nailed it with his piece on Mac Dre in the most recent issue of the North Bay Bohemian. I'm usually EXTREMELY disappointed in the Bohemian's coverage of hip hop, or lack thereof really, but this is a very well thought out piece which includes some little known information and some real great convos with Dre's mother, Wanda Salvatto aka Mac Wanda and his aunt. And the fact that they made it a cover piece is even more impressive to me.

This is another great collectible to add to your Bay Area hip hop archives so shoot on up the North Bay and grab a copy or two if you get a chance.

My favorite part:

Then there was the time he surprised Dedrick and Salvatto by showing up out of the blue during a camping trip at Lake Mendocino.
"Here comes Andre with a silver Mercedes," she says, recalling Dre in the rugged outdoors, "in his nice clothes, with his Burberry briefcase! It was just so funny."

READ THE ARTICLE AND SEE SOME GREAT PICTURES HERE

Happy ChrismaKwanzukkah

2005-12-24T08:44:00.001-08:00

Happy holidays and all that jive and a "no homo just in case" for that picture. I think that shit is funny as hell though. Another thing that's funny to me is Santa making kids cry so below is a picture of another drunk Santa making some ungrateful little punk cry. You can see a lot more pics like this here: Santa Is Best When He Makes Kids Cry

The holidays are a little rough this year since I'm losing my job next Friday and haven't found a new one yet, but hey, I'm still breathin' so it's not all bad.

I figured I'd drop a present here for the masses so here's the High Fo' Xmas EP from Master P's No Limit Records. I'm a little undecided about posting full albums here, but this shit is 10 years old and I'm pretty sure it's out of print by now so I figure it's okay for me to post it.

As you can see, P clearly got the inspiration for the High Fo' XMas cover from the drunk Santa picture up at the top. Thankfully, for the cover they kept the nudity to a minimum with only one shirt missing.

Anyway, when this compilation came out in 1995 I was geeked. Some of it is pretty cheesy with the whole Christmas theme, but there are some really good songs on it. In particular, "Chillin N Da Game" by Mafiosos is damn near perfect. It has no Christmas twist to it so it seems out of place here, but whatever. The song is great and Mafiosos really should have been a bigger duo in the Bay. Another favorite for me is "Locked Up Fo' Xmas" by King George. Everyone always clowns King George, but I really like this song so fuck off. Bay Area legend, Al "Baby Jesus" Eaton, produced it and kept the jingle bell sound rollin' through the whole thing and it worked. "Rev. Do Wrong Xmas Party" is another strong track especially when Dangerous Dame comes through and DEMOLISHES it. "...so 'tis the fuckin' season to be jolly / my favorite gifts is my bitch and my broccoli."

Here's a tracklisting for ya:

High Fo' Xmas (Street Version) - San Quinn, Silk, Master P
Intro
Locked Up Fo' Xmas (Street Version) - King George
Talk
Jacking Fo' Da Holidays (Clean Mix) - Master P
Chillin' N' Da Game (Street Version) - Mafiosos
Ghetto Nite
Christmas In Da Ghetto (Radio Version) - C-Murder, Master P
Hood Carols
Rev. Do Wrong Xmas Party (Street Version) - Big Ed, Lil Ric, Dangerous Dame
No Limit Party (Remix Bonus Street Version) - Master P

Here's the album link: High Fo' Xmas - West Coast Bad Boyz (No Limit Records, 1995)

You're gonna need StuffIt Expander to open that bitch up.

Aww shit, happy holidays!!!

RIP Richard Pryor

2005-12-11T00:44:00.000-08:00

Definitely one the best to ever do it.

Bay Area Classics - Volume 2

2005-12-04T01:14:00.000-08:00

Here's another group of tracks for ya...

"Get Off My Sack" - C-Funk featuring Mozilla (EPA)
He now goes by !ProHoeZak?, but when this song came out in 1995 he was still known as C-Funk. Old fucks like me will even remember when he was known as Cap'n Crunch. Anyway, this song was off his great EP, 3 Dimensional Ear Pleasure, on Paris' Scarface Records. It never really got much press or attention for some reason, but it was a good release and I enjoyed it so here ya go. Random trivia: His cousin is none other than Flavor Flav of Public Enemy.

"Dead Presidents" - Chunk (EPA)
I pulled this track off of a sampler CD that I got at a Gavin music conference called The Sessions back in '96 or '97. The CD featured a variety of people from J-Live to Clee & John Doe to Lyrics Born & Lateef and more. At the time Chunk had an upcoming album on E'Lan Records. As far as I know that album was never released and this song never really saw the light of day. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong and let me know where else this song appeared.

"Rollin Thru" - COZ featuring Bun B of UGK (Oakland)
COZ was the very first person I ever interviewed for 4080 magazine (RIP). The publisher of the magazine kinda threw me into it without warning and I ended up conducting the interview while riding around Oakland in a Mercedes with COZ and one of his boys for a hour or so. We actually even ended up stopping at his grandmother's house for some reason. The interview came out great and even though I was completely unprepared for it, I think I did a pretty good job. When I first met him, I noticed that he kinda looked like Ice Cube and kinda sounded like Scarface and actually his music is kind of a blend of those two. This track is off his album, View To A Kill, on Ghettogroove/Str8 Game Records which was basically a re-vamped version of his major label album on EastWest Records (I think it was EastWest... It's been a lot of years.) I really like this album, but unfortunately I haven't heard too much about COZ since it dropped save for a few compilation appearances. Also, I figure I can't go wrong posting a rare track featuring Bun B since everyone on the internets is all of a sudden Bun B fanatics. I like Bun B just as much as the next guy, but damn, where were all these Bun B fans before? They should have BEEN supporting.

"Westbound To The Fullest" - Underground Rebellion featuring Saafir (Oakland)
Underground Rebellion is one of those groups that was always kind of on the outskirts of the Bay Area rap scene. No disrespect to them at all because I liked all the shit I heard from them, but they just never seemed to bubble past a certain point for some reason even though they deserved to. They weren't making your typical mid-90's Oakland rap. They experimented and sounded different which was refreshing and Krush's production was always on point. This one features another Oakland vet, Saafir, and comes off the A1 Immaculate Funktism album on Treasure Line Records.

"Cellblock Rulaz" - STN featuring Erase-E (Richmond)
Unfortunately STN (RIP) was killed recently. This track is off of his highly slept on album, Game Stress, and as far as I know this is the only album he ever got to release way back in the mid-90's. Not much to say about this track because it really just speaks for itself. It's just some good Bay Area street music featuring a great production job by Kidnapp and vicious verses from both STN and fellow Richmond resident, Erase-E, who flows ridonkulously here. I got to meet Erase-E a month or so ago and he finally has some new material about to hit the streets which I am eagerly anticipating. His upcoming album is titled, Smoov'...But Aggressive, and will be released on Lethal Injection/Beats By The Bay/Hillco. Features include Twista, B-Dub of CIN and luckily some STN so he will not be forgotten. Look for an interview with Erase-E here soon.

Enjoy and let me know (doxx707@yahoo.com) if you need anything re-upped.

You Need To Get A Jobby Jobb

2005-12-03T17:11:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of updates here. I'm in real life stress mode so posting about rap music hasn't been my top priority. Long story short: The company I work for decided to eliminate a bunch of positions and my job is one of 'em so I got my 30 day notice and will be out of work soon.

Happy holidays, I guess.

As far as Bay Area rap music/blog business...

1) Later tonight I'm gonna do another Bay Area Classics audio post (probably five songs or so that all may have been overlooked or just came out before your time). IMPORTANT FOR FUTURE AUDIO POSTS: Does anyone know how I can convert songs from cassette to MP3? I've got tons of rare, overlooked shit on tape just sitting in my closet that I think people should hear. E-mail me at doxx707@yahoo.com if you can help me.

2) Speaking of audio updates, please frequent Get Stoopid. Jayo over there has been putting in some good work by posting all the latest tracks from the Bay for the last few months. Plus he recently re-upped every track he's ever posted which is ridonkulously nice.

3) SD (formerly known as Skip-Dog of EZSD) was in my neck of the woods a week or so ago came by my house and kicked it for a minute. He digs the interview I did with him a while back, but I still haven't posted it yet because I haven't had a chance to go to Kinko's and scan the picture he gave me to go along with it. Plus I'm waiting to get an exclusive song from him off his upcoming solo album to post with the interview as well. Should be soon.

4) CultStatus seems to have dried up. No new posts since September 13th, just tumbleweeds rolling around. So for now, I gotta refresh the links and remove it. It was/is a great blog so I hope it gets updated soon. Dame!!! Where you at!!! If you come back to it, let everyone know so we can re-link.

5) In relation to numero four up there... New blog added bitches!!! I've been really enjoying Nah Right for a minute so it's in there now. I've got some others that I like and are gonna be added soon, but my head hurts right now and I can't think of them. Keep checking the link list over thataway-----------> and you'll see 'em soon.

Be sure to check back later tonight for that new audio post (if it's not up tonight it'll be up tomorrow sometime).

Now I'm gonna go drink my last 8 Pacifico's and figure out a way for this blog to make me a millionaire so I don't have to find a new job. Perhaps a Pacifico sponsorship??? Lord knows I've probably been the leading consumer of their fine product for many years now. Just ask my local bartenders.

Mac Dre On The Cover Of The San Francisco Bay Guardian

2005-11-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

I'm glad people liked that last post I did with that rare Mac Dre feature. I've even seen the track I posted pop up on a few other sites so it's cool to know that people are (a) checking my site out and (b) are spreading pieces of it out there into the matrix.

I'm on a Dre theme right now so I figured people should know about this as well...

There's a very good article written in the new issue of the San Francisco Bay Guardian by Garrett Caples about the aftermath of Dre's murder. Dre even made the cover, which you can see above, via a nice painting of him done by Eustinove P. Smith. The article delves into Dre's past as well as the newfound popularity he had just prior to, and after, his murder. The point of the article though is really to open people up to the idea that just because Dre had a criminal past it didn't define him and that he should also be remembered for the positive things he did during his much too short life. You can read the article here: http://www.sfbg.com/40/07/news_dre.html, but I would also recommend trying to find yourself a copy of the issue if you can. It's a real nice piece of memorabilia for a Bay Area collector. I grabbed two of 'em for my own archives.

Also, there is an accompanying piece about Dre's label, Thizz Entertainment, also written by Garrett Caples that you can read here: http://www.sfbg.com/40/07/news_dre2.html.

The Cover From Issue 2 Of My Old Magazine

2005-11-12T13:21:00.000-08:00

I put that bad boy you see up there out in 1997, but I was working in this Bay Area hip hop industry for 3 years before that. I've been around this music shit for a long time. I've got history. That's the cover of issue 2 and I'm still real proud of that one 'cause I had a good mix of people in there from Mac Dre (RIP Andre Hicks) and Andre Nickatina to Closed Caption and Lateef & Lyrics Born. I did all the interviews in that issue (other than half of the Assassin piece) and took all the pictures of Mac Dre for his cover feature.

Just felt like throwing that old school cover up there for people. I still have a handful of copies of that issue laying around so if anyone wants one, hit me up and we can figure something out. True Bay Area hip hop collectible for ya.

Bay Area Audio Update (E-40/Casual/The Coup/Clyde Carson/Turf Talk/San Quinn/Lyrics Born/Zion I)

2005-11-10T21:58:00.000-08:00

E-40 & Lyrics Born

Haven't had an update in a minute 'cause I'm working on a few different big posts right now so I figured I'd just drop a couple tracks that I've been listening to lately on ya'. Enjoy.

1) "Callin' Out-Remix" - Lyrics Born w/ E-40 & Casual
Some real energetic, bouncy funk shit. This has been out for a good while now, but I still really like it and I just re-found it after much searching of the interwebs. I really like the fact that Lyrics Born reached out to someone like 40 for this since I never imagined they would be on a track together. 40 sounds different than normal on this track, but he still puts in some real solid work as do LB and Casual. "...let me ask ya'll somethin', huh / straight up / is the Bay up in this mothafucka..."

2) "My Favorite Mutiny" - The Coup w/ Black Thought & Talib Kweli
I'm real happy to hear some new music from The Coup. They always had that revolutionary shit to actually make you think, not just nod your head. They have a new album called Pick A Bigger Weapon coming out soon on Epitaph Records. Judging by this track, Boots hasn't lost a step lyrically or productionwise (I'm assuming he produced this, but I'm not sure. It definitely reminds me of his work on Genocide & Juice).

3) "The Bay-Remix" - Zion I w/ Clyde Carson of The Team, Turf Talk, San Quinn & Casual
I'll be honest and say that I don't know much about Zion I from Oakland, but I've been seeing and hearing their name more and more lately. At this point I haven't actively looked into them yet, but this song definitely caught my ear and has sparked me into finding out more about the crew. Good look on getting a bunch of Bay hitters on here.

If any of the links die and you still need them, let me know so I can re-up them.

New interviews coming soon including The Jacka, super producer Rick Rock, Mac & AK, The Federation and many more. I think I'll be reaching out to The Coup soon and Lyrics Born as well for my second interview with him. I really want to make sure that STRIVIN' is wide-ranging and covers all aspects of Bay Area hip hop music from the "turf" shit all the way to the "backpack" shit or however people want to classify things. I like to cover it all and that's how it should be.

New Interview: Sean T

2005-10-31T22:22:00.000-08:00

INTERVIEW BY: Doxx
PHOTO COURTESY OF: Get Gone Records

You've been around since the early '90s. How does it feel in almost 2006 to still be a factor after all those years?
It feels real good man because I done seen a lot of different things as far as musically, as far as the way people rap now, the way that the independent game works. Everything is way different from what it was when I first started. For me to evolve and adapt to what's going on is always a plus, man.

What do you see different about the independent game?
The only difference that I see is that it's not as easy as it was before because there's a lot more artists now and the market is a lot more flooded. Back in the day I used to be able to just make a CD and just take into the stores and sell units. I could press up two thousand and sell out in a couple of weeks, press up another thousand and keep sellin' like that. Now artists is strugglin' to sell six thousand units.

What do you think happened that caused that?
A lot of people bein' careless in the game. Everybody thinks that they're a rapper, everybody thinks that they're a producer and they don't wanna get their tracks produced by a real producer and sit down in the studio and take they time. They wanna go buy their own equipment and try to just put out anything. That's really what it is.

The Bay had that part of the '90s where we were sellin' a lot of units, major label deals, radio, video, the whole thing and then it really just died. A lot of it was based on what you said just now about a lot of people gettin' in who really weren't built for it.
Doxx, to tell you the truth, I could tell you where the downfall is. As soon as 2Pac was gone it was like a big change and the industry didn't know what to do, especially in this market. Everybody was ridin' with Pac, all the music was good, it was quality. Pac set that example so everybody was like, "I gotta make my stuff sound better than Pac or as good as Pac." As soon as that was over it was like, "Oh, we can do anything now."

The way things are going now there's a lot of people gettin' in who really shouldn't be there, but there's a lot of really good quality stuff comin' out too from new people and the older people who've been in it for a long time. Do you see the Bay Area having a repeat of those big years we had?
It all comes back around, man. Whatever was here ten years ago is all comin' back around now. And all the people that's not really all that good is gonna be shifted out. Everybody knows who's tight and who's not. If you're good then you're gonna move shit. If you're not then you just gotta play the background until it's your chance or until you get up to par.

That one quote you had on "Rowdy" on the new album about puttin' the whole Bay on your back. I really liked that quote, I liked what you said right there...
Really, what I meant by that is there's a lot of people that's just comin' okay. They not puttin' they all into it, just doin' stuff to do it or play the songs for they potnas and ride around town and all that. I'm tryin' to set an example productionwise and lyrically to let people know that OG cats is still doin' it and I'm steppin' my game up so y'all look at me and follow in my footsteps. The whole thing is in the Bay is that we need unity here, man. If everybody quit hatin' on each other and get together like how they do in the Midwest and the South and stick together and eat together, then it'll be big here. Real talk.

Have you experienced that a little bit? People maybe bein' shady on you and not really supporting you like they say they do when they see you?
Yeah, I know there's a lot of cats like that. I gotta keep on movin', I gotta keep on pushin'. And I know a lot of dudes that's out here is respectin' me and what I've done in the past. But a lot don't know what I've done in the past. They think I'm new! You just gotta roll with the punches. I'm gonna do the best at whatever I do. I make sure I put time and work into it. I'm not gonna give nobody no half-ass shit when I put out a album or when I do production. But that's all we need man, more unity and less hate. That's the bottom line.

A lot of people might not know how long you've been doin' this and some of your past work. They might think you're new 'cause they were young when you startin' out.
A lot of people think my first release was Pimp Lyrics & Dollar Signs.

Give a quick background on the releases you did back with Murder One (Records) all the up to the new stuff.
Actually, even before Murder One I started off with a group called Parts Unknown. That was like 1989, 1990. And I was in a group called MOG. And another thing that people didn't know... East Palo Alto, we the first ones in the Bay to put out a comp, the EPA City compilation. After that comps just went crazy, there was comps everywhere. Where we got it from was a click from LA and they was called Chuck Small and Tweedy Bird Loc. That's where we got the idea from. From there, I'd say '91, was a artist named Chunk that I did production for. Then after that I signed to Murder One Records and I did my first solo, Straight From The Streets. Actually before that we did MOG, Exposed To The Game. Then from there on is Pimps Lyrics & Dollar Signs and the rest of the albums.

Who was in Parts Unknown with you?
There was Kilo G, Studio B and then another rapper named Low Key and then Top Dog.

What's the history on Murder One?
Murder One Records was started by my boy Pedro... He goes by Front Page. He was just like a baller in the hood lookin' for artists and stuff. He heard that I was a producer/artist and I signed with him and the rest is history after that.

What was your involvement with the label? I know you rapped and did the production. Were you also behind the scenes making decisions?
No, at that time I was just a artist and producer because I didn't know too much about the business back then. That's why my career didn't go where it needed to go and where it could have went. You learn as you go along and I learned the business and how everything works.

The label had you, Kaos...
Papoose and Mobboss. Actually that was Roots From The Underground. Papoose is still one of my artists right now. He's changin' his name now though. His name is J. Streets.

With that big roster of talent a lot of good albums came out of that era when you were with them and at that time a lot of deals were happening with the majors. Did Murder One ever have any major offers?
We had a lot of major offers, but we didn't ever take 'em. We had Priority, we had Relativity, Capitol. There was a lot of record labels lookin' at us. What Front Page was tryin' to do was get the whole label signed. They just wanted to sign either me or Chunk and not sign everybody else and we didn't go with it. I think it was a mistake because we should of went with it and once one of us got in the door we could of brought everyone along.

When I interviewed Mac Dre a long time ago he told me that once things started really movin' for him he didn't really look at himself as being a celebrity so he was just out there bein' normal, but he realized that it was a problem because there's a lot of jealous people. Comin' up and bein' a rising star in somewhere like EPA, did you encounter a lot of jealousy and things like that?
Well, if it was it wasn't brought to my attention because East Palo Alto is real small. Everybody knows everybody. It's like two square miles across the whole city. Everybody from East Palo Alto was lookin' at it as like, "If he shinin', we all shinin'." It's a small town. We called it the "Small Town Cemetary."

I remember it was the murder capital back in what, '93?
'92.

Comin' from somewhere like that, how did that shape the music you were makin'?
That was my influence back then 'cause that's all I knew, violence in the streets and hustlin' and prejudice and police brutality, so that's what I talked about.

Productionwise, you were the one who made that EPA/Menlo Park sound. You put the stamp on that and that sound comin' out of there is basically you.
I was like the only producer that was doin' hardcore production from East Palo Alto. There was another producer by the name of C-Funk. He was doin' his thing. He was more on a mainstream level. He was an influence on me too to make me wanna do it.

What would you say your production style was? At the time the mob shit was real big with Studio Ton and K-Lou and you had somethin' similar, but it was on a whole different page.
My production style was kinda like a mixture of East and West really. A lot of people back then was doin' live music, playin' live basslines, live guitars and all of that. My influence was Dr. Dre and then the Juice Crew like Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap and all of them. It was like a mixture of Marley Marl and Dr. Dre together and heavy 808, deep basses and stuff like that. And samples, I was a heavy sampler.

You used to work a lot with G-Man Stan doin' the guitar. What's up with him, are you still workin' with him at all?
Yeah, I work with him from time to time. Not as much anymore, but he does his thing. Me and Stan did a lot of work together back then, comin' up.

Let's get into the new album. It's called Ain't Playin' and it's on your own label, Get Gone. Tell me about some of the stuff on the album and what the feel is.
I really just balanced the album out to give everybody a little bit of somethin'. I tried to give you a little bit of lyrical, somethin' for the ladies, gangsta stuff, even some radio stuff. I'm really tryin' to let cats know that just because I was rappin' back in the day don't mean that I still rap that same way. A lot of people judge you by how you used to rap or they feel you can't adapt to what's happenin' now, but that's not me. I'm a chameleon man, I switch up.

What are some of your favorite songs you did on the new album?
"Punchlines." I like that song because I'm showin' the lyrical skills. The song is all punchlines. I'm just sayin' that it's my time to blow and I'm lettin' cats know that I don't just do the gangsta rap. I can do lyrical stuff too. I like "Ain't Playin'," "Transformin," "Long Time Comin'." That's like one of the real heartfelt ones. That was real spit on that song right there.

What kind of words of wisdom do you have for some of these new kids that are just tryin' to get into it? They might have the talent, some of 'em don't. What kind of advice do you have?
I just wanna tell 'em to stay humble. I mean it's good to be cocky to a certain extent, but you can't get cocky to where you're downplayin' or disrespecting the OG's or anybody that's been in the game longer than you or know more than you. Just be humble. If it's workin' out for you and it's startin' to blow for you, stay humble. Don't ever get big headed. Like for instance, Mistah FAB is a good example. He hasn't got big headed or nothin' and he's doin' his thing man. All these other youngsters need to look at him as an example of how he does it, his work ethic and everything.

What are some of the next steps for the label? I know you got 18 comin' up.
Got 18 comin', got Sand (formerly Mr. Sandman) and his album is called The Subpoena, J. Streets (formerly Papoose) and then Alabama Slim. And the name of 18's album is Access Granted. J. Streets' album is called No U-Turns and Alabama Slim's is Guilty By Association.

What about some of the other people you used to be with on Murder One? Like where's Kaos, where's...
You know what? A couple of months ago I talked to all of 'em. I talked to Kaos and Top Dog, but they doin' other things now. They still do they rap thing, but they not real serious about it how they was, like the drive how they had back then. I still keep in contact with 'em, everything is good.

What's up with Chunk? I heard him on the new mixtape you just did (see below interview).
Yeah, me and Chunk been talkin' about doin' a album too. He wants me to put a album out on him so we just been talkin' about that. They need to know about Chunk 'cause Chunk was a firespitter... Still is a firespitter. The mixtape is called Get Gone and Lawless Radio-Volume 2 and y'all need to check that out. There's some nice stuff on there. We tryin' to showcase that we got skills out here. Palo Alto shouldn't be forgotten, you know?

RELATED: If you see it, make sure you get your hands on the new mixtape that Sean mentioned in our interview. Real solid all the way through with great tracks from Hoodstarz, Sean T, Chunk, 18 and more. Here's the cover...

2nd Annual BARS - Bay Area Rap Summit

2005-10-29T13:49:00.000-07:00

This should be a huge event for the Bay Area hip hop industry. I've got a lot of respect for a young guy by the name of Danny Dee who put this together because this is exactly the type of thing the Bay needs right now.

Back in the day I would have gotten free VIP passes for something like this in the Bay, but this time I gotta pay 'cause let's be honest, I'm a nobody in the Bay Area hip hop industry these days. At least for now. Once the blog starts gettin' going real strong and more people are checking it out I'll be back on the invite list to all these type of events just like how my old newsletter and magazine granted me access to everything back in the day.

It'll be real nice to be back at another "industry" event. I'm excited about seeing a lot of familiar faces from back in the day (like B-12, Rhythmx, Rob Nonies and more) and re-connecting with them as well as networking my ass off with all the new industry names that I've not met yet. So if you're gonne be there, I'll see ya. I'll be handing out a bunch of flyers promoting STRIVIN' and my business card will be in heavy circulation so say hello.

And if you're interested in going, check out www.rapsummit.com for more information.

Bay Area Classics-Volume 1

2005-10-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

Every couple weeks I think I might throw some classic Bay tracks up here for everyone to listen to. Some will be very well known songs by very well known artists and others will be lesser known songs by lesser known artists, but all will be good. Here's the first installment:

"Stuck In The Game" - 51.50 (Marin City)
This track is actually just Ryan D. of 51.50 and comes off the group's excellent second album, Crazy Has Struck Again, which was released in 1995 on Arrogant Records. You can probably still find it on ebay or on rapbay. A true must have for a Bay Area collector.

"Goal Tendin'" - E-40 (Vallejo)
This gem is on the Sprung soundtrack from 1997 on Qwest Records. Studio Ton gave 40 a perfect backdrop with his production here. This is vintage mid-'90s Earl. "...push pause, pump yo' brakes batch / might not be a disc jockey, but I got a little scratch..."

"Thug Thang" - IMP (San Francisco)
I used a picture of the cover for IMP's Ill Mannered Playas album because I wanted people to see the two rappers on this song-Cougnut (RIP) and C-Fresh, but this song is actually from the Notorious Pimps, Playas & Hustlas compilation released in 1997 on Loc-N-Load Records. This is one of my all-time favorite IMP tracks because it's kind of fast, but still ridiculously rugged because of Fresh and Nut's verses and voices. "...What? / You want me to come to yo' hood and feed ya' bullets?..." And I don't know who Steve Jones (the producer) is unless he goes by another name maybe, but this track he gave IMP is perfect.

"Off The Hook" - Seagram (Oakland)
They don't come much realer than Seagram Miller (RIP). Before being gunned down in 1996, Seag released a few albums that were well-received on both the West coast and down South. Seag was really one of the first Bay Area artists to network with the South and this was way back before that was the popular thing to do. Seag had a very confident flow and voice and a very hands on knowledge of the dope game that made his songs all the more realistic. Produced by Terry-T, this song appeared on Seag's posthumous release, Souls On Ice, on Rap-A-Lot Records.

"Mr. And Mrs. Abuser" - Rondo & Crazy Rak (San Francisco)
Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture to go with this song. Rondo & Crazy Rak (RIP) were a pretty much lesser known duo in the Bay back in the '90s so you never really heard too much about them. I remember hearing this song get played on KMEL back in the day on the "Street Soldiers" program and I always thought it was a very poignant, powerful song. This song is from their album, The Abused, which I believe was released in 1994 or 1995 (the CD doesn't say) on High Power Records. Not too much was heard from them after this album. Rondo released a solo album in 1999 I believe that generated some buzz and unfortunately Rak died in a fire a few years back if I remember correctly. If anyone remembers more details about that, please let me know.

There you have it... Volume 1 of my Bay Area classics. More to come soon. I guess these yousendit links die after a while so let me know if you need anything re-upped.

Review: Sean T - Ain't Playin'

2005-10-20T21:45:00.000-07:00

SEAN T
Ain't Playin'
Get Gone Records (www.getgonerecords.com)
Produced by Sean T
AVAILABLE NOW

As a producer, Sean T pretty much established the Palo Alto sound and was the talented backbone of all the classic Murder One Records releases as well as being a hit maker for hire on countless albums throughout the years. But make no mistake about it, he was no slouch on the mic either as he had a powerful, commanding voice and delivered picture perfect street tales throughout his career. If you don't remember how menacing "All In A Niggas Look" was both musically and lyrically, you need to pull Straight From The Streets out of the vault. A true Bay Area OG in every sense of the term, Sean T returns with his new album, Ain't Playin', on his own Get Gone Records and lets it be known without a doubt that regardless of how long he's been in the game he is still in the upper echelon among Bay Area rappers and producers.

Ain't Playin' opens with a confident Sean T over an anthemic track that sets the tone nicely for the rest of the album. Sean still has that thunderous, slow rolling production sound that made his early work so memorable, but he's also adapted to the times and switches things up well as evidenced on "Punchlines," "We Don't Stop" featuring Keak Da Sneak, "Thas The Spirit" and "We Beastin'" featuring Turf Talk and Sand. "Scream At Me" goes back to the anthem styled sound similar to the intro and provides a solid backdrop for Sean to establish his name for those who may have forgotten and to check those out there who may be exaggerating a little too much in their raps. A memorable section of the song includes these lyrics: "...niggas layin' down fibs 'bout how they live/speakin' on the past tense on what they brothas done did/I wasn't born yesterday/I know who done what and do shit/who got the fake, who got the weight and who move kicks/I ran the streets with murderers and thieves/pullin' all nighters/didn't change my clothes for weeks/the game was good sometimes/but it wasn't always good nigga/got shot at then had to bust caps at a few niggas..."

The women and the clubs should love "In Yo Look" with it's good time lyrics and smooth hook work courtesy of Mike Marshall. New Get Gone Records artist, 18 from Hayward, is featured on "All We Do" and doesn't let the opportunity go to waste as he comes with a confident flow that should keep people looking forward to his upcoming album. "Rowdy" is easily the strongest track to me as Sean T delivers both the hardest beat and lyrics on the entire album. To me, the beat and the smooth, but aggressive vocals show just how hungry Sean T is even though he has already become a prominent figure in the Bay Area rap industry. Sean's quote, "...Sean T be a monumental figure in rap/and if I have to I'll put the whole Bay on my back...," instantly made me proud to have him as one of the people representing the Bay Area as it showed me that he really believes in himself and the other talent we have out here and is willing to do anything to get us to our proper place in the industry. PSD, one of my all-time favorite rappers joins Sean on "Down Ass B" along with Blu Chip. Another flawless, laid back production job from Sean almost takes center stage over the trio's lyrics about finding a women willing to do anything for her man.

Other strong tracks include "We Don't Stop" with a trademark Keak appearance, "Just Don't Get It" which expresses some feelings about the rap industry and "We Beastin'" featuring Sand and a nice showing from Turf Talk.

I've been listening to Sean T since 1993 and the fact that I can review a new album from him in 2005 and be extremely pleased with it is a great thing. His lyrical and production skills still have that certain vibe to them that I remember from back in the day, but he has also made great strides in terms of advancing his trademark sound which makes for a great all-around album.

I Got White Girl For Sale!

2005-10-15T19:03:00.000-07:00

The title of this post is the first thing that popped into my head when I came across this picture tonight. Anyway, on to the actual topic...

A lot of times I go on binges when it comes to Bay Area rap. For instance, right now I'm on an E-40 binge which means I'm digging through my archives and pulling out all my E-40 and E-40 related CD's and tapes. Next week I may pull out every SoleSides related piece of music I have. Anyway, at this moment I'm listening to not only the best all-around album to ever come from our friend, Mr. Earl Stevens, but also one of the best to ever come from any Bay Area rapper, which is In A Major Way. I defy you to argue with that. You can't.

For older Bay Area rap fans, In A Major Way is a landmark album, an audio reminder of when the Bay Area scene was at it's best. Who else out there can play this album now and instantly flashback to when it first came out and actually visualize what you were doing when you listened to it? I can clearly see myself in a friend's car driving through Novato, CA listenening to "Fed" with its rumbling Funk Daddy production matched with three perfect verses from 40 and thinking it was the greatest damn song I'd ever heard. To this day it's still one of my favorite tracks. Earl destroys that song!

First let's look at the production on this album, shall we?

Sam Bostic and Mike Mosley
Funk Daddy from the Northwest
Studio Ton
Kevin Gardner and Redwine, also from the Northwest

All he needed was a track or two from K-Lou and 40 would have had every top "mob" producer at the time on one album. Maybe some Ant Banks too, but he wasn't as much of a "mob" producer. There isn't a throwaway beat on the entire album. These are the kind of beats that the Bay needs to get back on and I don't give a fuck what anyone says about "living in the past" and "the Bay needs to move on." What's funny is these same people are the ones who also say that the Bay needs to embrace our own sound and expose it to the masses to blow up. The mob shit we were doing back then IS our sound and is what we should be beating into people's heads until we catch the break that the South got, specifically the Houston area. They did THEIR OWN shit from top to bottom from the sound of their music to the lifestyle they lead. They pushed Houston onto people real heavy and it worked. To me the majority of shit dropping these days from the Bay Area is sounding too much like what other regions are doing. How is that embracing our own sound? I see good things happening for us if we embrace our past and bring that "mob" sound back.

On to the features.

B-Legit
Suga T
2Pac
Mac Mall
Spice 1
Celly Cel

This is how I like 40's features... Family, labelmates and associates. Shit, he even had Mac Mall on there which, for you youngsters who may not know, was kind of a big deal at the time because that was one of the first collaborations for rival Vallejo neighborhoods, the Crest and the Hillside. Then you throw in some solid, laidback B-Legit ("...take her for a ride in my blue Lex Luthor..."), some vintage Spice 1 and Celly Cel, slap Levitti-the best hook man in the Bay-onto a couple tracks and you got a short, but effective list of features. And don't forget that 40 got Pac on "Dusted 'N' Disgusted" which was a definite album highlight. He kept his features to a minimum and everyone put in some good work, no canned verses from anyone. Even Suga T fit in good on the "radio" track, "Sprinkle Me." And hey, for all the new Bay Area fans, you even get to hear a very young Droop-E rap on "It's All Bad." I was never a big fan of 40's feature choices on his later albums though. Obviously, he was reaching out and trying to draw in a wider range of fans on his more recent albums and sure, some of the features worked and sounded good with 40, but others just seemed forced.
Even the damn cover of In A Major Way was perfect! 40 cooking up a big ass pot of crack with a chunky, old school brick cellphone on the stove!?!?!?!?! Classic!

One thing that saddens me about this album, which deserved to go platinum within a few months of release in 1995, is that it didn't actually earn that plaque until SEVEN years later! That's ridiculous.

In closing, if you're an older Bay Area fan like me, pull all of 40's old shit out (especially In A Major Way) and listen to all of it again. And if you're a youngster who only knows 40's new music, find some of his older works and soak 'em in. E-40 and his older music (along with many other rappers and their past catalogs) defined and made the Bay Area scene that you get to enjoy now.

Sean Combs Is Delusional

2005-10-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

I know this is a Bay Area hip hop blog, but since it's mine I'll do what the hell I want and post about other stuff whenever I want. That being said...

Sean Combs knows how to make hits and stars (if you don't count Da Band or whatever) so I'll give him that. And I guess he's so famous that it might be hard to not have an ego of some size, but this is ridiculous...

from Rolling Stone, Issue 982-September 8, 2005:
Sean "P.Diddy" Combs declared that he will be now be known simply as "Diddy." "I felt like the P was getting between me and my fans," Diddy said on the Today show on August 16th. This is the fourth name change for Combs, who has previously gone by Sean Combs, Puffy and Puff Daddy.

That one quote from him tells me that he's off the deep end and his vision of himself is way out of control.

Ol' Dirty Bastard (RIP) on the other hand had a pass to change his name as often as he wanted. He was a cuckoo mad genius for Christ's sake! As soon as Sean Combs takes a limo to pick up his welfare check with an MTV camera crew filming it all, rushes the stage at a major awards show to declare his love for the children, gets arrested for making terrorist threats, lifts a car off a little girl and gets arrested for wearing a bulletproof vest in California, then and only then, should he be allowed to randomly change his moniker. Until then he's still Sean Combs.

In conclusion: ODB > Sean Combs

The Vallejo Giants

2005-10-11T21:49:00.000-07:00

Here's some real good new interviews with E-40 and B-Legit...

E-40 at Fader

B-Legit at Hip Hop Game

(both links via Catchdubs)

Bay Area Hip Hop Bloggers In SF Weekly

2005-10-05T20:51:00.000-07:00

Much appreciation to Tamara Palmer and the SF Weekly for throwing me in the mix! Feels good to get some shine on a larger level especially since I just started really doing this.

"Strivin'"

(strivin.blogspot.com)

The 707's "Strivin'" actually began as a mid-'90s Yay Area newsletter called No Joke. Publisher Doxx then joined up with local hip hop champion Billy Jam to create the magazine Strivin' in 1997. It folded after just two issues due to lack of advertising revenue, but is now reincarnated online with interviews from the vaults, some of which haven't seen the light of day until now.

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE ABOUT BAY AREA HIP HOP BLOGS...

Back In The Bay

2005-10-01T18:05:00.000-07:00

Fresh and relaxed from vacation, I'm back and am about to start up with the new interviews, reviews, etc... Right now I'm trying to line up interviews with Sean T, Skip Dog of EZSD, The Jacka and AP.9 of the Mob Figaz, C-Fresh of the legendary IMP and MANY MANY more, including a couple biggies that I'll keep quiet about for a minute.

I should have at least one up by the end of this week.

PS - During my vacation I decided to go into a little record store in North Conway, NH which is a mountain town with a population of about 10,000 (mostly burly mountain men, skiiers and retired people) and see what Bay stuff they had in their rap section. Surprisingly enough I found The Jacka, Yukmouth, Turf Talk, Spice 1, Baby Bash, Ya Boy and a few others. Good to see that we're invading the North East.

Vacation

2005-09-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hey, that last Mac Dre interview is it for now as far as the classic shit.

Also, I'm leaving tonight for a 10 day trip to the Northeast and will be hitting Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire so I won't have anything new up for a minute.

Once I get back though I'm scheduling all new interviews with tons of cats so check back in a few weeks and I'll have lots of new content for ya.

Peace.

The Final Classic Interview - Mac Dre (RIP)

2005-09-19T21:32:00.000-07:00

By Doxx...

This interview originally appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' magazine (1997).

Ask most Bay Area rap fans who was one of the first Bay Area rappers that really put it down and most likely they will say, "Mac Dre."

In the late '80s and early '90s, Mac Dre was on top of the Bay Area rap scene. His first release, 1989's Young Black Brotha, was a maxi-single which featured "2 Hard 4 The Fuckin' Radio" and "Young Black Brotha." He then put out his second maxi, California Livin', which featured the now classic song of the same name. Following that was his first EP, What's Really Goin' On?. On March 26th, 1992 (eight days after that EP's release) Mac Dre was arrested for conspiracy to commit armed bank robbery in Fresno. While in Fresno County Jail he recorded (over the phone) his fourth release, the four song, Back N Da Hood.

While many felt the evidence against him was weak and that he was set up, Mac Dre was sent to Lompoc Federal Penitentiary on March 12th, 1993, right when he was on the verge of blowing up big time. Shortly after he began serving his sentence, Young Black Brotha-The Album was released featuring a mix of his old songs and some newer material. This album first introduced the public to Mac Mall who guested on the song, "My Chevy."

Mac Dre was released from Lompoc Federal Penitentiary on August 2nd, 1996 after serving four years and four months and is back to drop some game on all his fans who've been eagerly awaiting his return. He's got a compilation (The Rompalation) out now and in '97 he's putting out a full-length solo album.

Let everyone know what's up with Mac Dre now?
What's up? This is young Mac Dre, fresh out the Feds, handlin' business. This is my second week out. I'm already startin' my own record label, Romp Records. We puttin' together like a sixteen song compilation that will be out on December 10th. It's called Mac Dre Presents The Rompalation with the 187 Fac, Mac Mall, Da 5 Footaz, JT The Bigga Figga, Dangerous Dame, Jay Tee from N2Deep, Beesh, San Quinn, Seff Da Gaffla, Messy Marv, Dubee aka Sugawolf Pimp, Coolio Da Unda Dogg, Young Lay, me and various artists that's gonna be on my label like Stevie D (PSD), Doscha and Young Web. So I'm just in here workin' immediately, tryin' to get back out in the mix.

I heard you're also workin' on a solo album to come after that.
In early '97 I'm gonna drop a solo album on Romp Records and that's just gonna be the bomb. Both of 'em gonna be the bomb, but this is just a taste to let you know what you're in store for. The first one is just like a icebreaker. I'm just lettin' people know that I'm back and the things that's on my mind and where I'm gonna take my corner of the rap game to.

Are you talkin' at all about the case that sent you to the Feds?
I'm not gonna talk too much about the case because one thing I found out while bein' locked up is that when you fuckin' with the Feds it's a no win situation. I can do all the rappin' and talkin' about mothafuckas I want and the end result is I'll be back behind bars hopin' to be out again. I'ma concentrate on makin' money and doin' what I gotta do to keep my pockets extra fat.

You were down for four and a half years, right?
Four years, four months.

Most of your time you spent writin'? That's what you told me last time.
I did a lot of writin' and a lot of game soakin'. A lot of watchin' and a lot of listenin'.

Who's workin' on the compilation as far as production?
We got K-Lou, Khayree, Ferg, Johnny Z. We tryin' to get (Mike) Mosley to do some thangs and that's about it.

Now that you're out are you doing things a little different as far as your own personal behavior?
Well, I'm doin' things a lot different because before I went to jail I was like in the hood 24-7, didn't wanna leave the hood and was just a straight hood person, a straight hood nigga. Now I'm concentratin' more on handlin' my business as far as the rap thang and stayin' shaded and out people's way.

So you saw what you were doin' before is not the thing to do anymore?
I wasn't doin' nothin' wrong really, but just hangin' out. Everybody hang out, but you get caught up hangin' out. And then when you on celebrity status... See, I wasn't thinkin' about me bein' on celebrity status. I was just thinkin', "Man, I'm just a regular nigga. I just rap. I can be out here just like everybody else." But now I see when you on celebrity status the attitude that people have towards you change differently. You just can't be out like every other ordinary dude.

So you saw that the more you came up, the more other people were tryin' to bring you down?
It's a lot of jealous, envious people out there that hate to see the next person doin' good. I was lookin' at it like I'm not gonna change because I'm from here and this is what I do. I'm not thinkin' I'm better than nobody. This is just what I do and what I do has got me successful, but some people can't take it for that. And I'm not just talkin' about dudes from the neighborhood. I'm talkin' about police, city hall representatives, people in the music industry.

Now while you were gone a lot of bad things happened as far as people with your label: DJ Cee got killed, (Young) Lay got shot and then what happened with his baby and girlfriend. How did that affect you while you were in there when you heard about it?
Well, it hurt me. Especially DJ Cee 'cause he was with me from day one and I hate to hear what happened to Young Lay too 'cause that's my folks. I watched him grow up and all that hurted me. But the end result was it motivated me to take this thing to the next level, to a higher level and be successful for my folks that's not here right now like DJ Cee and The Mac.

He (DJ Cee) was one of the original DJ's from Vallejo, right?
Yeah.

Was he the one who got you started?
Naw, The Mac got me started rappin'.

How did he influence you when you first started off rappin'?
I was in the boy's ranch. I got released from the boy's ranch and when I came out he had a maxi-single out and I was like, "Man, you makin' records? I'ma try to start rappin'." So I started rappin', makin' demos. Studio Ton had a little four-track studio downtown and I was fuckin' with him and when my partner The Mac heard my shit he took it to Khayree and when Khayree heard it he said, "We got to have him on wax."

Last time I interviewed you we talked about how things were before between the Crestside, Southside, Hillside and all that. Now that you're out have you associated with any of those people that you used to have beef with?
I talked to a few of 'em. The only one I haven't talked to I think is 40. He probably on celeb status somewhere chillin'. But now it's no animosity. The only conflict I got is with my bankroll. I'm tryin' to have my bank as fat as possible.

So your label, Romp Records, who are you gonna put out on that?
Romp Records, I'm the president. My partner right there is D-Con, that's my executive. A female by the name of Pam, she runnin' A&R and my cousin Los is doin' promotion. We got artists from here to New York, Compton, but we gonna start at home in the Crestside.

Who's gonna be first?
Remember Coolio that rapped on "California Livin'" with me? That's my first artist. He changed his name to Da Unda Dogg. After that we got two artists that's comin' out at the same time, Doscha and Stevie D (PSD).

Can you talk about a few of the things that are gonna be on your first album?
I might come with some stuff I wrote while I was in the pen, but I'm thinkin' about just lockin' up with a Khayree DAT and just writin' all new shit.

What's some of the stuff you're talkin' about?
It's just like I'm a good storyteller. I got a lot of story raps and I could take you to the hood and put you on a all night money mission, grindin' from eight o'clock at night to four o'clock in the mornin'. I got raps about that. I got raps about takin' you to a party where suckas is playa hatin' on you and you have to handle your business. I take you in different atmospheres and then I let people know that the end result of doin' the things that I did is the penitentiary. That's cool if you choose to do it, but just remember the consequences. You gonna be in the pen or, like my homeboy The Mac, be in the casket.

Since you left and now you're back and you've had a few weeks to circulate and talk to people, how do you see people's attitudes?
Since I been back I've seen nothin' but love. From people from my neighborhood to Bay Area artists, everywhere I go they greet me with open arms. Everybody thinks I'm gonna be real successful so I can't let nobody down.

Do you see how times have changed a little bit?
Times have changed and people have changed because when I left it was more of a bond between Bay Area artists. Now you got these people over here, you got people that moved up out of the Bay that don't mess with the people they used to mess with and that kinda tripped me out.

How else have you seen the Bay Area rap scene change as far as more artists and different areas comin' up?
Yeah, everybody rappin' now. When I left, people was just buyin' tapes. Now everybody makin' tapes.

Do you see that as good?
Naw, I don't see that as good because some of that stuff be bullshit and it be cloudin' up the industry. If somebody go to a record store and they got a hundred tapes up there and you might overlook somethin' that's good because you might see somethin' that has a good album cover on it and think that's the bomb and you really lookin' over the bomb. I think people who don't know how to rap should try somethin' else. And if you friends with somebody that's tryin' to rap and they don't know how to rap, tell 'em man, "You don't know how to rap! Give it up!"

I heard you had a little BBQ party, a surprise thing that happened (upon your release).
Yeah, they threw me a little surprise party. Warren G came up, Dru Down, the Luniz. It was cool.

Did you know them before?
Nope. They came just to show. They remember me from back in the day.

Classic Interview - Lateef The Truth Speaker and Lyrics Born

2005-09-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Interview by Doxx...

This interview originally appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' magazine (1997).

How did the collaboration come together?
Lyrics Born: Everybody on SoleSides works as a group at some point or another. Back in '95 Lateef was working on his twelve inch, "The Quickening," and we did the song "Latyrx" together and it worked out so well we decided to go ahead and do a full length project. Thus the Latyrx album.

I remember I was talkin' to Lateef on the last interview and you said you were gonna do the same kind of album, but with Chief Xcel.
Lateef: The Lateef and The Chief record will probably be out some time next year.

Let's talk about some of the songs on the Latyrx album. "Latyrx" is an interesting song with the doubled vocals, both rapping at the same time is something unique. Why did you choose to do that? LB: Essentially we wanted to do something that was, one: that we hadn't ever done before and two: that we hadn't really heard nobody do before. We had kinda been bouncing around the idea before. The way that the music moves in that song... We liked the way it moved so much that we used that as another element. We both used our own vocals as instruments and then the beat that Shadow had arranged, we used that as an instrument as well.

Could you kind of explain your verses?
LB: We both purposely took different angles so that you could listen to each verse into and of itself, however there were themes that we touched upon in both of our verses that allow you to... The content is kinda similar in certain points and the word use kind of plays off of each other so you can follow it over and across the vocals.
L: It's the same theme sort of, but just different approaches.
LB: So stylistically we touched the same bases at certain points like on "privately" we both say that at the same time. The momentum slows down for a moment and then we build together again. The way that the content is, your ear can travel in between the concepts that we're talking about even though we're both completely on different lines.

The whole SoleSides organization is done real independent, but is known worldwide. How do you feel that with the amount of fans you guys have most of 'em are the more "hip hop" fans and a lot of people who listen to other styles aren't really recognizing you yet? Why do you think it is that you're not getting the all-around recognition?
LB: I think it's just a matter of promotion really. It's like with anything, you can't deny the fact that in the music business you need to have certain pieces in place in order to get your tunes across. So for the most part, all we ever had the money to do was press vinyl. So if that's all you have money for, that's the only crowd you're gonna reach. Undoubtedly, if I had Columbia or somebody behind us we could go out there and put snipes up, we could go out there and do a promo tour which are things that after four years of puttin' out records we're just starting to do now with our own money. And SoleSides, we're making big giant steps everyday. We're working with singers now, we're working with live bands now, we're touring now and on the business end we're doing a lot of new things as well. Going back to your question, it just has to do with a lot of economic issues.

"Balcony Beach." That's an interesting one too. What's the whole idea behind it?
LB: I finished writing it about a year ago, but I started it about two years ago. The whole concept of "Balcony Beach" is basically just that everybody hits that time in their life where you're not a kid anymore. You don't know what's what. You've been using a certain set of values and a certain way of thinking about things and all of a sudden you wake up one day and they don't work for you anymore. Nothing is as simple as it used to be. You gotta take care of yourself, et cetera, et cetera. You start making your own decisions and it's like, "Whoa, which direction am I gonna take?"

You gotta get out there and be a man.
LB: Exactly. That's the whole point.

Now the whole SoleSides crew came together at UC Davis, right? Was it all because there was a radio show and you guys all hooked up there?
L: Essentially it was KDVS radio shows. We heard each other on the radio. That was kinda our haven away from bullshit that exists on the campus itself. That was where we all kind of gravitated towards. We just met up and all had kinda the same ideas about hip hop and where we thought hip hop should go and we were able to share our own experiences and interpretations as well as history that we had gained along the way. That's kinda how it all came together.

I know Lateef is from Oakland. Where were you (Lyrics Born) from originally before you went up to school?
LB: I'm from Berkeley. In one way or another most of us are from the Bay and we all ended up in Davis somehow.

What was it like livin' up in Davis 'cause I've been there and there isn't really nothin' up there?
L: That shit is just school man. It was good in a lot of ways because down here you're exposed to a lot of bullshit opinions about music in general. You're exposed to the propaganda. We were lucky to be shielded from a lot of that and kinda foster our own viewpoint of music and life in general.

You hear about people touring in England and Japan and they say that they seem to appreciate the music more over there than in the US. Do you think that's true?
L: I think that they appreciate music a lot more over there. It's kind of a different value system. Over there they're really into the music. That's not always enough out here anymore. People in America are a little bit more on their own dicks. They don't fuckin' jock nobody. You gotta make sure that they hear your shit. They're not gonna go out lookin' for your shit. So that's a big difference 'cause out there they're lookin' for the new shit. Out here they want you to impress them. America is a real consumer driven exonomy so a lot of times people are defined by what they have materialwise. You could work at fuckin' McDonald's, but if you got a Lexus you're still the man.
LB: I've been to Europe and Japan and they're both very similar in the way that they consume American music. Typically we've been the creators for the world so we have the luxury of being able to take our music for granted. They've typically been the recipient in the relationship. That's not the case, but that's the attitude that we take. There's a lot of good groups in other parts of the world, but typically the United States is looked to as the end all, be all authority.
L: Particularly by Americans.
LB: The way that American culture is, we're in a fast food culture to where we just use something up and then throw it away. Since we're so used to creating it, we're used to having it put on a plate and having it handed to us. In England they've traditionally had to search for it, in Japan they've traditionally had to search for it. I think that comes into play a lot. In America you've got to spoon feed it to people whereas in England or Japan they're out there actively searching for your shit. L: Some shit that we'll throw away, they'll buy for $200.
LB: You go to Japan and Common Sense's first album which came out two years ago goes for $120!

What's next for SoleSides?
L: We have a Muzappers EP coming out which is gonna kind of be like the versatility you see in "Latyrx" superimposed on a "Muzappers" theme. It's gonna have a few new songs on there, a few mixes of "Muzappers." That'll be out like around May. Blackalicious is comin' out with they record which is fat. Then we have a record which is all of us, all of the artists within SoleSides. It's called Quannum. We're all looking forward to that one.
LB: That's only the stuff that's scheduled. You never know what's gonna happen. That's all stuff that's definitely gonna come out, but we're always working on other things. We're going out on tour with Jeru and De La, we got the video coming for "Say That" and "Balcony Beach." When we get back we're gonna be working on whole new records. DJ Shadow just shot his video. His album is out. A lot of stuff is happening right now, you just gotta be on the lookout. Definitely you gotta be on the lookout for the album, the Latyrx album and then the Blackalicious album.

RIP Cougnut

2005-09-05T23:23:00.000-07:00

September 4th marked the four year anniversary of Cougnut's death in a car accident. He was a solid dude and I'm proud to have had a chance to interact with him while he was here.

RIP COUGNUT...

Interview And Pictures

2005-08-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

Hey...

Added a classic interview with T-Lowe from Hunters Point and also went back and posted pictures that I scanned to a bunch of previous posts. Check 'em out.

Classic Interview - T-Lowe

2005-08-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

Interview by Doxx...

This interview originally appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' magazine.

So how's your new album doin'?
It's doin' pretty cool. It's been out like a month. Got my boy Rappin' 4-Tay on there, Black C from RBL, Hitman, Tayda Tay. It's kinda fat.

You got Herm on there too?
His debut rappin' appearance. He ain't never rapped in his life.

What would you say the difference is between the first album, Keep It Real, and the new one, Mack-A-Flama?
My matureness. My last album I was like eighteen and didn't really know what I was doin'. This one I got to do more of my own thang, create beats and do a lot of my format. It's really a continuation of Keep It Real. Keep It Real was just one book. This is book two.

Talk about some of the songs on there.
I got this bomb joint called "Don't Smoke Up All My Weed." That's the first single off the album. I got another one with 4-Tay, it's called "Real Playas" and 4-Tay droppin' that ol' shit as usual. Then I got one with Black C of RBL and he ain't rapped since our boy Mr. Cee died. I had to bring him up outta retirement. Me, Black Chris and Tayda Tay got one called "Kick It Wit Us." Then I got a track that was inspired by Mr. Cee. Me and him was probably gonna do that on the new RBL album if he wouldn't have got deceased. "Momma Used To Say," that's the track I dedicate to Mr. Cee 'cause he insprired that song in me.

How did him getting killed affect you?
It hurts. I grew up with him. I got a baby by his sister. He was practically like my brother-in-law. I been around him since he was ten, eleven all the way 'til he turned twenty-one. I'ma always have love for him. That's who I dedicated my album to, him and Herm's brother, Rodney Lewis.

How would you describe your style because your voice really sets you apart from other people?
The ill flow. That's our motto. See a lot of people fail to realize that I'm from RBL. It was just that I kept gettin' incarcerated. The first (RBL) album-incarcerated. The second album-incarcerated. People never even got to witness me. That's why on the new (RBL) Posse album I'll be settin' it off. I'm on like six tracks on the new RBL. The new one is called An Eye For An Eye. Like Black C say, "We just some niggas with the ill flow." I can't even explain it. Some people be like, "You got some old Busta Rhymes, Redman type of sound. Where you get it from?" Just about anybody can rap. They might not be good at it, but just about anybody can rap. When you take rap and make it into an art, then you're a rap artist. That's what I am. I don't wanna be sounding like this brotha over here or Mr. Cee or my boy Hitman. I wanna be distinguished like Eddie Murphy. I studied this. It ain't like one day I just woke up and I started rappin'. It took me years to perfect this art of rappin' with my voice 'cause I kinda got a scratchy voice. I know how to work it by doin' my doubles and people talk to me on the streets and they like, "Damn, you sound way different on wax!" That's the artist part.

What do you think it takes to be successful in the Bay Area rap industry and make a name for yourself?
Hard work and like Too $hort say, "Don't stop rappin'." I feel like this, and 4-Tay told me this, the more you (are) heard... Like you keep doin' things like workin' on your own albums or compilations or networking with other artists such as 4-Tay or Black C or Richie Rich, the main thing is you wanna be heard. As long as people like what you sayin', you gonna be felt. Some people luck up and it happen overnight. I prefer to work for it. I can picture me workin' six years and havin' my meal ticket. It's major labels jockin' the hell out of me, but I'm not ready to make them decisions like that. They make you look successful, but that shit be a hype. Y'all could blow me up, but I don't want no label tryin' to make me look more than what I am 'cause then people see me in the videos flossin' and they like, "Damn, I seen Lowe drivin' a Toyota. I thought he had this." I just prefer to work. I prefer to put in my years. I'm a young man. I'm ready to just work hard, be like twenty-four, twenty-five and have paper. You'll feel much better workin' hard for it than somebody handin' it to you. Like how you started your magazine independently. I'm pretty sure with your ideas you could have went to a few investors easy. You work hard and your reward's gonna be grand. That's the definition of success-workin' hard and puttin' it down.

The Man

2005-08-26T18:06:00.000-07:00

The Man is once again trying to keep Bay Area hip hop knowledge from the deserving public. Apple.com has decided that I'm not deserving of a credit account with them so I can't get a computer yet unless I want to shell out the $1,300 up front for the system I want. So since I still don't have a computer at the compound I'm currently posting from an undisclosed location.

New classic interview will be up Monday or so and hopefully within a month my hate mail campaign will convince Apple to stop hatin'.

Stay tuned.

Classic Interview-Andre Nickatina (formerly Dre Dog)

2005-08-19T00:43:00.000-07:00

Interview by Doxx... This interview originally appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' magazine.

The thing most are wondering about is the name change (from Dre Dog to Andre Nickatina). Explain that.
The name change is basically a change for the better. As for the Dog name it would just go down like a Rock or a Ski, those old MC names. The name change was basically based on I figured I had a little more to offer people and I didn't want people just to be judging me by the Dre Dog name.

How did you choose Andre Nickatina?
It just came about. Nickatina doesn't mean anything. I actually did it in a song to try and make something rhyme and it just came up. It just sounded good and I used it.

Let's talk a little about the new underground album, Cocaine Raps. You're not with In-A-Minute (Records) on this one. Talk about why you're not with them anymore and what label this new one is comin' out on.
Basically I'm not with In-A-Minute anymore because my contract was up. This new label that I'm on is my label. It's called Fillmoe Coleman Records. It's a label I put together that's gonna put this album out called Cocaine Raps and it's gonna be an album as in a volume one so you might be seeing a couple of volumes. I'm gonna try to make a few volumes, at least three or four Cocaine Raps albums.

What song do you really want people to check for?
"3 A.M." I really like "3 A.M." for the beat. I felt that it might be a nice little dance track. Not even a dance track, a something to ride to track. Just the feel of the album... It's just a more mature album I think. I think I did a good job on all the songs actually. I tried to make it random (so) that people would be able to choose from. If you don't like this one, somewhere one there you'll like at least one of 'em.

One thing I noticed was that the sound is a lot harder this time as far as the production. Who's on this one on production and why did you go with these new people?
Basically it was me and this other cat, Nick Peace. We went to the studio and vibed on a lot of shit. I came through with most of the ideas or he had a idea and we both just made it happen like that. Usually I would only work with one or two producers on a album anyway. I don't think I especially need a lot of producers on it. I basically like to go in the studio when I wanna go in there. Sometimes it ain't like that with a lot of producers. You gotta go in when they wanna go in. When I wanna go in the studio I just be like, "Fuck that! I wanna go in now." That's why I mostly be workin' with myself and shit like that.

Yeah, I notice on some songs you say, "It's Thursday the whatever. It's about 2:30 in the morning."
Yeah. When I wanna go in the studio man, I wanna go in there now. When I feel it, I need to go in there and put it down 'cause it'll come out just the way I'm thinkin' it. I don't care what time it is. That was what was so cool about Nick-it didn't matter what time. If I had to wake him up in the morning to come through, he would get up.

Give a little insight as to how you come up with your concepts and lyrics. When I interviewed you before we talked about how you had the lyrics about all sorts of different shit and animals and bugs and ways of putting things. How does it all come up in your head? What's the process?
There is no process. It's just about havin' a open mind when you rappin'. If you put it out there to where you concentratin' on what you want people to look at you as the way you rap, they'll put you in that category. If you're always talkin' about guns, people will label you like that. When I rap I just try to keep a open mind. I just try to put a little somethin' in there for the people who are listenin' to it. If you like what I'm puttin' out there then I think I always will surprise you with somethin'. If you like my music I think you'll always find somethin' on my tape that you'll like to listen to.

One thing I tell people a lot... They ask me who are some of my favorite rappers in the Bay a lot and I always tell 'em that I think you're one of the most underrated rappers in the Bay. You hear a lot of names like JT (The Bigga Figga) or 40 or so and so, but you don't hear about you a lot. Does that bother you at all that you'e either not known or as talked about as some of the other artists out there?
No. It doesn't bother me at all. I'm not doin' it for popularity. I'm doin' it because I can do it. The people who like it, the people who listen to it is the ones I'm tryin' to reach. I didn't jump into this as a popularity contest. I jumped into it 'cause I knew there was a couple cats out there that'll like listenin' to what I think is listenable. I'm not the type to be goin' hella places and be presentin' myself like a rapper. If I go to a club or a record release party, I just be chillin'. I might be the one that's just over in the corner just kickin' it, watchin' the party, but not walkin' around like "I'm Dre Dog" or "I'm Andre Nickatina." I know every rapper out there. I know all the Bay Area rappers. All the Bay Area rappers who I know and don't know always say what's up to me. Everybody give me respect. I give them respect. I'm not trippin' on the popularity.

I think you told me before that you really don't like to do interviews. Is that just another thing like you don't like to be presenting yourself at functions?
It's not that I'm not into doin' it, but I only wanna do it with somebody who knows my music. I don't want nobody to interview me because they seen the tape cover. I want 'em to do the interview because they listened to the tape and they wanna talk about the tape or they wanna talk about a couple other thangs. A lot of these writers don't know me. Like I get people who wanna interview me and don't even know that I got two albums out.

That's why I appreciate this a lot.
Yeah, that's why I told you at the thang... I say I'll do it with you 'cause I remember the article you wrote up. I really liked that article.

Like I said before, you come up with some interesting stuff. Talk about "Crack Raider Razor."
That came about... I was sittin' downstairs with this little broad and we was just smokin' a blunt, choppin' it up before we go up in the house. On the block it's like this big hill and it was real late and the moon was just shinin' and I can see up the street. It was this figure that was comin' down that long ass hill. Just came over out the light and just streakin' down the hill. It was this cat on a ten speed and he's like a dope fiend, but he knows how to fix cars. He's just a master wizard mechanic and that's how he make his livin'. When it comes to cars he just razor sharp at that shit. Anyway, he was just covered with car oil, dressed in black, had a beanie on. The beanie was over one eye and the other eye was up and he was ridin' on a old ass ten speed. Just dirty, covered with oil, ridin' around lookin' for somebody to buy some crack from. His mind is sharp when it comes to fixin' cars, but he's on that shit. I started callin' him the crack raider until he had to fix one of my cars and I sat down and actually talked to him and he's smart. He's just on that shit. The song wasn't to be talkin' about him, but he gave me an inspiration. It was about two in the mornin' too. It was just late night, he came over the hill. He was just ridin' down quick as fuck! Everytime I see him I think about that beat. He was just lookin' for somebody to buy some crack from.

Was Fillmoe Coleman Records something you had in the works for a long time?
Not for a long time, but there was something always in the works whether it was Fillmoe Coleman or Japanese Coleman or whatever. There was always something in the works. Always.

Where does the name Fillmoe Coleman come from? I know what the Fillmoe is, but what's the Coleman?
Coleman is just to make it sound a little more presentable. I just put Fillmoe Coleman to make it sound more of a name type feel. Most people say, "Who is Fillmoe Coleman?" He or she is nobody.

When do you think this first volume of Cocaine Raps will be out?
The first volume of Cocaine Raps will be out at the end of the month of December.

Are you just doin' it straight yourself or are you goin' with City Hall (Records) or anybody?
I'm goin' underground for a second. For the first couple thousand I'm gonna be on the streets. So for people to get this they gonna have to see me, somehow get my number, page me, somehow. For the first couple of months I'm on the streets workin' it like that.

New San Quinn Interview @ The Siccness

2005-08-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

There's a great new San Quinn interview up over at The Siccness.

Go here to listen: San Quinn Interview

Update

2005-08-11T11:28:00.000-07:00

Updates are going to be a little slowed down for a bit here.

When I started the blog I was doing all my posts from work since I have no computer at home anymore. The reason I could do them from work with no hassle is because about a month ago it was announced that my company would be closing. Because of that, my position's duties were essentially halted immediately so I literally have had no work to do since June 28th. I could sit at my desk and twiddle my thumbs all day or I could do something fun. I chose fun and started the blog.

Well, now I'm out of here as of 4:00 PM today and will be starting a new job on Monday morning. Obviously I won't be able to fuck around on the computer all day at my new job so I'll most likely be posting once a week or so from other people's computers for the next few weeks at least. But with the new jobby job paying me $10,000 more a year I can afford to buy a new computer for the house and get the high speed shit hooked up. So in a few weeks to a month I hope to be on a more consistent posting schedule.

Today is pretty busy with closing out my old job, but I'll try and post up another old school interview or two before I'm done here. If not, I'll post some stuff early next week from an undisclosed location.

Also, once the old shit runs out, the new features and interviews begin. I'm already starting to line up some new interviews and it looks like the first one will be with Bay Area legend Sean T. He's got a brand new album coming soon titled, Ain't Playin', on his own Get Gone Records. Look for the album and the interview soon.

Mr. Cee (RBL Posse) Dedication Track

2005-08-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is a great RIP track for Mr. Cee of RBL Posse which appeared on a rare compilation called The Pusha' Man on The Road Productions. It features OG Herm on the intro, T-Lowe, Baldhead Rick of UNLV, Primo and a raw verse from Cougnut (RIP) of IMP.

"Tribute To Mr. Cee"

When you click that link scroll down and hit the "FREE" button. On the next screen, you have to wait for some crazy ass 13 second countdown shit and then you can click the "Download" link and the download will begin. A lot of bullshit just to listen to one song I know, but I still need to learn how to just post audio directly on this bitch. Until then, it's a great song so deal with it.

Related: http://strivin.blogspot.com/2005/08/classic-rip-dedication-mr-cee-rbl.html

Classic Letter-Billy Jam's Open Letter To 106.1 KMEL's Program Director

2005-08-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Letter by Billy Jam...

This letter originally appeared in Issue 2 of Strivin' magazine. This shit is classic and made a little bit of a buzz around the local music industry because it was a straight shot to KMEL's program director at the time, Michelle Santosousso. These days KMEL is playing a lot more Bay Area rap and that's great. I have no actual proof of this since I haven't turned on the radio (besides talk radio) in the past nine years, but from what people are telling me, the Bay is finally getting a little recognition from the powerhouse station. To understand this letter you have to know that around the time of its publication (1997), KMEL had all but abandoned local music. They were calling themselves the "The People's Station" and "The Station For The Hip Hop Generation," but were actually far from it.

On to the letter...

Dear Ms. Santosousso,

I am writing you this open letter since you didn't have the professional courtest to return any of my last four phone calls over the past six months for stories I was writing for numerous publications read by many of the "people" that "The People's Station" targets. Hopefully you will see this letter in Strivin'. However, based upon your format, which pretty much ignores the Bay Area's rich rap/hip hop talent, I doubt that you spend much time reading Bay Area rapzines or even listening to much music from the Bay. If you did you would no doubt realize how incredible most of it is and immediately have in heavy rotation the endless radio-worthy Bay Area artists in place of your current biased playlist.

In case you think this letter is an attack on KMEL's staff or on you as a person, it is not. Firstly, I have no beef with anyone on KMEL's staff. Many, including Davey D, Sway and Chuy Gomez are respected and valued friends. In fact, I got fired from Wild 107 a few years ago when, after calling in on KMEL to congratulate Chuy (a former Wild 107 DJ) on his new gig, my program director kicked me out of the station for going on the "competitor's" airwaves. I could have kept the job if I had apologized to him and disowned Chuy as a friend. I didn't.

Regarding you Ms. Santosousso, since I've never had the opportunity to talk to you, I don't even know you and therefore have no opinions about you as a person. However, I do have many strong opinions, many negative, about your programming decisions. The first of these was when, after a backstage problem at a KMEL Summer Jam a few years ago, you decided to ban all of Too $hort's music. Then you justified this blackball move with a statement made to the San Francisco Chronicle about how Too $hort hadn't had a hit in two years anyway! The irony of this story is that a year into the ban Too $hort blew up with the title track of his next and "final" album, Gettin' It, and you had no choice but to recant your decision and program the man's music. Of course you never admitted your mistake nor apologized to Too $hort, the godfather of Bay Area rap. And when $hort was interviewed live on KMEL he was a true gentleman and professional so he didn't bring it up. Comically though, the album that you helped him promote on your airwaves still had his side of the story including that famous and ultimately prophetic line from "That's Why," "fuck all of that blackball shit / It won't last / KMEL, y'all can kiss my ass."

Now I could go on with more examples of your questionable programming decisions, but I don't have enough space so I'll jump up to the present or rather to March 14th, 1997, the day that "The People's Station" underwent its recent image makeover. At 6:00 PM the new format was introduced by a rap freestyle that falsely promised, "Regardless of the time of day / All you're gonna hear play is hip hop," and then we were told that KMEL is "The Station For The Hip Hop Generation." This slogan, which has been driven into the ground every single mic break since then, is not only misleading and insulting to your listener's intelligence, but it is also totally disrespectful to the artform of hip hop. Having the voice of KRS-1 telling us that this is the sound of "the hip hop generation" wedged between a cheesy jingle for Levitz Furniture and a sappy Mint Condition ballad is not hip hop by any means! It seems to you that "the hip hop generation" is interchangeable with "the Pepsi generation."

But it gets worse. It appears, in light of the 2Pac and Biggie murders, you've upped your "no color lines" and "increase the peace" type slogans. Don't get me wrong, "Street Soldiers" and "Street Knowledge" are highly commendable shows. So is Sway when, on March 21st, he had former gang members and peace activist Pastor Sonny on his show dropping knowledge about putting an end to gang violence in our community. However, when the very next DJ comes on and plays (from your playlist) the gangsta athem, "Gangstas Make The World Go Round," you totally diffuse your supposed stand for peace. But then I wouldn't expect much more from a programmer who in a sampled evening hour's format (March 27th, 6:00 to 7:00 PM) of music for "the hip hop generation" plays, out of twelve songs, six R&B cuts and out of the six rap/hip hop songs only one was local and that was the multi-platinum 2Pac.

So Ms. Santosousso, how come "The People's Station" doesn't give much love to the "people" of the Bay Area? Why doesn't your "hip hop" daily playlist include such super talented hip hoppers as Saafir and the Hobo Junction family, Rasco, DJ Shadow, Lateef and Lyrics born and the SoleSides crew (and not just as background music!!!!), Homeliss Derelix, Invisibl Skratch Piklz including Mixmaster Mike or Q-Bert with Dr. Octagon, Bored Stiff, Mystik Journeymen, Hieroglyphics, etc., etc.? And since you're playing the self-described "gangsta" music of Westside Connection, why don't you play the unlimited supply of popular local reality rappers like C-Bo, B-Legit, 11/5, Mac Dre, Cougnut, The Delinquents, Andre Nickatina, GLP, RBL Posse and the classic 415, etc., etc.? And tell me, why didn't KMEL add The Conscious Daughters' killer 1996 single, "Gamers," or the Whoridas' incredible single, "Shot Callin' & Big Ballin'" which even The Beat, your sister station in LA added?

Based on your past record I don't expect you to reply this time, but if anyone reading this happens to be calling, writing or e-mailing KMEL's programming office, please join me in asking that they cease and desist pimping the words "hip hop" and that they start to act like a real "people's station" and give some love to Bay Area artists.

Sincerely,
Billy Jam
Strivin' & Hip Hop Slam

Gracias

2005-08-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Bay Area oriented group of blogs on the interwebalotti is growing and recognizing each other.

Thanks to pacificstandard and somanyshrimp for mentioning my blog in recent posts. Also gotta give appreciation to bestwest for the mention and the linkage. bestwest is in French so I'm a little lost over there, but it's all good. cult-status also slapped my blog up in their link list. BTW, let me know how that Too $hort interview went for your cuzzo.

Let's keep it going.

A Touch Of Newness

2005-08-04T11:04:00.000-07:00

I know I said that for the first few weeks this blog would be showcasing classic shit from my old publications, No Joke newsletter and Strivin' magazine, but I have to throw this post in here not only to support my people, but to make sure you know about a high quality Bay Area compilation which we all know is hard to come by these days.

For a solid new compilation you need to cop Known Associates from my people over at Apt. 3/DNA Entertainment in association with Crosshair Records. 9 out of 10 compilations in recent years (actually since damn near '97) have been garbage with weak and/or recycled tracks, but Apt. 3/DNA doesn't play with that shit. If you heard their last compilation, Theme Music To Drug Dealin' & Killin', you know that they believe in giving the listener nothing but quality and Known Associates is no different.

I even provided them with two of the tracks on this compilation. I had been working on my own compilation and decided to abandon it so I had some completed tracks and nothing to put them on. It just so happened that my friend Gabe at Apt. 3/DNA needed a couple of songs to round out the Known Associates compilation so I provided him with two of the tracks I had completed - "Everytime" (by Rhythmx, Kaveo of The Mossie and San Quinn) and "Time Keeps Tickin'" (by Baldhead Rick of UNLV).

Along with those artists, the Known Associates roster of talent reads like a who's who of Bay Area street rap with a heavy representation of heavy hitters from the Bay's golden era. Check it out:

Ad Kapone of Totally Insane / Young Dru / Young D Boyz / Malice / Cold World Hustlers / 11/5 / Baby Menace / Neva Legal / C-Fresh of IMP / UDI / 2-11 / Dubee / The Gamblaz / D-Moe / Dush Tray / RJ of Black Madness / Kaoz The Assassin / ADR of Triple 6 / and a few more...

Solid all the way through.

For snippets of the entire compilation click here.

Classic Interview-JT The Bigga Figga

2005-08-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

Interview by T-C.A.S.H....

This interview originally appeared in issue 1 of Strivin' magazine.

You been out of the limelight for a minute. What you fittin' to do to put your foot back in the door?
I been in the cuts, in the lab dwellin'. My last album, Dwellin' In Tha Labb, was just like a sample you could kinda call it because basically I just put it out, but I didnt' really push it on that level. I kinda got caught up in some other things. I had a lot of things I was doin' at one time. Definitely though the product was very important to me, but at the time I had other situations I had to deal with. Immediately after I released my project I been workin' on the San Quinn project since last year and now it's May 5th. The new GLP album and the new San Quinn album is two projects that I feel is gonna put us back in the game how we supposed to be because it's quality product. Me as an individual, I'm focusing mostly on my production because that's where the key is at and then management of the company and basically gettin' situated and preparin' and gearin' up to come back in this game and be fully prepared. Got all the necessary marketing strategies, all my street teams in place, my plan. When I put my album out I didn't have no plan, I just put it out. I feel that project was like sealin' up the old. That project and the GLP, What We Known Fo' was two projects that sealed up the old. Right now we in a transition so that's why we ain't been in the light like we was before and that's kinda good 'cause we didn't get burnt out. We have longevity in the game. Right now we gotta come back with a hit.

The transition for the old to the new... Specifically, what's gonna make it sound different?
Number one, the production is enhanced. I feel the production is increasin' to another level because it's more complete. The concepts of the production and the concepts of the songs is maturing as we do song to song. You just look at all the old product, we had a variety of different thangs we talked about. It was different people in the crew that added certain chemistry... Certain elements to what we was tryin' to do wasn't necessarily clickin' together. So we had to deal with that. It was so much that if we weren't blessed with the determination and the desire and the will to keep going', this wouldn't have been no more.

The People's Station (106.1.KMEL)... It's a lot of word on the street about the station, the transition from hip hop to dance and techno. Not to dis KMEL, but do you have any personal feelings about that 'cause you are one of the artists whose records have been cut from the rotation?
I feel like this. They own they station, they gonna do what they want with they station. They can't make me, they can't break me. If they mess with us it's one love to 'em. If they don't it's still one love to those individuals who work there. But the company itself, if they ain't showin' no love to those artists that's in they backyard, then fuck 'em. To those individuals like Chuy Gomez, Franzen, Trace Dog, Davey D, Rosary, Renel, Alex... I could still say one love to Alex because he just makin' a decision that he gotta run with. If our type of music don't fit into the loophole I can't knock him. I still got love for Alex as an individual just for him being him. But now when he put on that title and he workin' up in KMEL I can't speak on it. I can't knock KMEL 'cause KMEL helped me get to where I am so if they shut the door now it don't matter. That's like a little baby bird in the nest. Eventually you gotta get out and fly on your own.

You got San Quinn, D-Moe and yourself...
D-Moe and Seff, they venturing they own thing right now. We still mess with D-Moe. Seff Tha Gaffla, it's like we ain't seein' eye to eye. So therefore I can't knock what he doin', he can't knock what I'm doin'. As I was sayin' about the little bird, they gotta fly so that where we at now. Me and San Quinn.

Anybody else?
This cat named PAG that's gonna be another cat that's gonna be stemmin' off. He mess with the Paper Chase. Paper Chase Music, that's a subsidiary of Get Low Records. Playa P. I'm not gonna be responsible for 'em. They gonna be on other labels, but those are associated artists. We got J-Mack. He from Sacramento. That's C-Bo's cousin. We doin' some distribution for him and Terrible Tight Records.

Any last words you wanna say?
We got that new San Quinn, The Hustle Continues, and that shit be out real shortly. The new GLP album which is titled properly. It's called The Unexpected 'cause it's the last thing you'd expect comin' from us. Now there's a lot of individuals that know somethin' about to take place in this Get Low organization, but then you got the doubters and the disbelievers... Y'all just watch and see.

Right On

2005-08-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Get Stoopid for being the first to add me to their link list.

Classic Interview-Tayda Tay of 11/5

2005-08-02T14:04:00.000-07:00

Interview by Billy Jam...

This interview originally appeared in Issue 1 of Strivin' magazine.

11/5 started out, what, two years ago?
Yeah. Well, this is '96. No, we started out in '93.

The first album, Fiendin' 4 Tha Funk, did incredibly well and featured the same lineup which is Tayda Tay, Maine-O and Hennessy and now we're up to the new album which is the long awaited A-1 Yola. That kinda continues the same theme as before like Fiendin' 4 Tha Funk and 11/5 being sorta drug terms. A-1 Yola is also drug related, right?
Yeah, that's cocaine. That's pure dope.

But it's a metaphor for cocaine in this case, right?
Yeah, we're sayin' that our group is pure dope.

So do you feel that you, as a group, have grown?
I feel we've grown a lot. We found out little things that we had to do that we didn't do on the first album and we applied 'em.

Such as?
Well, we started learnin' the studio better.

So you produced this more...
We had a lot of input on the album.

It was three of you producing along with TC...
And Reg and Race at Premiere Studios. Also we have Mr. Laid from UDI.

So the new album... "I've got women / I've got bitches to buy me clothes..." Whichever way you look at it, that song is one of my favorites. The official title is "I Got Bitches." How did that come about?
Well, that came about because my group, we full of playas and that's what we go through.

It's kinda like "Brousin'" in a way?
It's sorta like "Brousin'", but a little more descriptive.

The last album had a great weed song and this one does too, right?
Yeah, called "The Nade." That's the new weed. It's Canadian weed that's been out through everywhere.

Can you get me some?
Of course!

So is it pretty good?
It's really potent weed.

It's even stronger than the Cali weed?
Yeah, it'll have you on shutdown.

For people who may not have yet heard 11/5, how would you distinguish the different voices and vocal deliveries?
Maine-O, he raps real intent. He never break off at all. Then we got Hennessy, he got that little grave digger sound. People like his voice a lot 'cause it's real deep. And me, I'm just that everyday hustler-player-gangster.

So when you guys come up with these songs how does it come about?
We work on the music together and after comin' up with the music, whatever we feelin' at the time that's what we come with. We choose our concepts and then we go home and write. We don't do no writing together.

Do you think that's a better approach?
Yeah, I think that's a great approach 'cause if we write together we may sound the same. But since we go home and do it everyone has their own different flavor.

What's your favorite song on the album?
It's got to be "Hate To See Me Have Shit." It's goin' out to all the playa haters out there.

The success of the first album... People got jealous, right?
Basically it's a lot of jealousy goin' on. A lot of bitterness goin' on 'cause everybody's not doin' as well.

There was even rumors started. It was (about) you were sniffling on the first album?
On the beginning of "11/5 On The Inside" I snorted my nose. I had a cold. People get from that that I'm on hop, I snort hop! It's a lot of rumors that come with it, but I'm pretty used to that now.

Now (the term) Kill-A-Hoe... Who came with that originally?
It was my boy Kevin Johnson, OG Kevvy Kev. We was at a rap symposium at San Mateo State and we was havin' a argument with one of the girls at the front desk 'cause we was tellin' her we was gonna perform. She was like "Your name's not on the list." so we wrote these little stickers and she said "What's the name of your group?" and we put Kill-A-Hoe.

Now that song offended a lot of people. You either loved it or you hated it. There was not in between. What was your response when people said it's a disgusting, demeaning, sexist piece of music?
My response is if you're not a bitch and you're not a hoe it doesn't apply to you.

So what else is on the new album that people should expect?
My boy Maine-O is doin' a lot more singin'. We do a lot of background singin. They even got me in there singin' now.

So what's "Slangin' Dope" about? Is that a metaphor for slangin' tapes?
That's how we went about it. It's still talkin' about dope, but we talkin' about ourselves as the dope.

What do you think of the Bay Area rap scene today versus just two or three years ago when you guys first came out?
There's a lot more rappers. I think a lot of rappers are corrupted.

In what way?
Say you goin' to school to learn a trade. That's what some people are doin' with rap. They're not really rappers, they just go to the drawing board and try to be like somebody else. I'm startin' to hear my groups sound in a lot of places. It doesn't take much to be original, everybody has it in 'em.

So what's your advice to people comin' up today?
Basically keep it real. We like to drop our own game and if our game that we droppin' can help somebody else better his then so be it, but keep it on the real.

Letter From Mac Dre (RIP)

2005-08-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is a letter I received from Mac Dre in May of 1995, just over a year before he was released from Lompoc Federal Penitentiary. Once I have a chance I'll scan the actual letter so people can see it.

Doxx,

What's hatnin' folks? I'm gettin' at you to return some of that Bay love you've showed a young playa caught up in the Feds. I'm sorry it took so long to respond but I was tryin' to return to the town unannounced and I didn't want to spoil thangz. Ya know? But after receiving your constant correspondance and newsletters I recognized your realness.

I'm glad to see another real mutha-fucka represent that Bay thang wholeheartidly!! Me and my folks from the Romper Room Crew are representin' to the fullest, lettin' fools in this Federal system know that the Bay Area ain't no joke!! It's mutha-fuckas from Mare Island to the Virgin Islands in the Feds and they know that the Bay consist of pimps, playas, gangstas and big bank$ta$!!! I'm up here lacin' these fools with that shit that you've been missin'. That uncut, super sucka free Romper Room game that only Mac Dre can serve! You think mutha-fuckas is out there poppin' now, huh, wait till they get a load of me!! I'm nothin' correctable and ain't to be fucked with and you can best believe I'm comin' home to reclaim my throne folks (and you can print that)! I'm about to sign with... Well, let's just say the mutha-fucka with the biggest bank!! I gots to come home to somethin' extremely phat so I can clown those smirks who did the wrong thang durin' my bid. I'm finna make niggaz bow the fuck down and give a real mutha-fucka his proper respect!! I gots to take this rap shit to a whole 'nother page.

But peep this folks, I just wanted to get at you and show you some recognition. Tell Billy I send much love and respect to a OG in this Bay Area thang and tell all my Bay Area rap potnas that the Bay boys in the Feds (707/415/510) said keep servin' that shit!! And to you Doxx, I say it's on like a vacation in Rome when I come home!!

Till next time, big Bay love from Mac mutha-fuckin' Dre.

Romper Room Crew Fa Life!!

Classic RIP Dedication-Mr. Cee (RBL Posse)

2005-08-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Dedication by Billy Jam...

This dedication originally appeard in the January 1996 issue of No Joke newsletter.

1996 got off to a very tragic and sad start for Bay Area rap fans when one of its premier stars, Kyle Church (aka Mr. Cee) of Hunters Point, San Francisco rap duo RBL Posse, was shot and killed on New Years Day. The twenty two year old rapper was shot eight times in the chest by an unknown suspect on Harbor Road in the Bayview/Hunters Point district around 6:00 PM on Monday, January 1st. "It was another case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time," said manager and friend Tony Jackson.

Along with partner Chris Matthews (aka Black C), RBL Posse had built a remarkably solid fan base both locally and nationally since 1991 for their unique Frisco styled, no holds barred street rap. From their popular debut single, "Don't Give Me No Bammer" to "Bounce To This" and the current single, "Bluebird," RBL Posse's music struck a chord with rap fans everywhere. Their second and most recent album, Ruthless By Law on In-A-Minute Records, impressively sold over two hundred thousand units and found them on the Billboard R&B Albums chart for six months! In recent months the two had been busy working in the studio on a new RBL Posse album which was set for a major label release. "This album will be released. We're just not sure as yet of all the details" said Tony Jackson of the partially completed recording.

The day after the tragedy, KMEL DJ Sway (who is featured interviewing Mr. Cee and Black C in the video for "Bounce To This") dedicated his 10 O'clock Bomb radio show to the late great Bay Area rap talent. On the special show where Sway was joined by Hunters Point street activist Herm Lewis, the phone lines went crazy with callers all agreeing that Mr. Cee's death should act as a reminder to all of us of the stupid senselessness of guns and violence and how in 1996 we really need to stop the violence! May be rest in peace.

Classic Review: Bay Area Playaz Compilation

2005-08-01T10:13:00.000-07:00

Review by Billy Jam...

This review originally appeared in the November 1995 issue of No Joke newsletter.

Bay Area Playaz, the much anticipated compilation about to drop from Anonymous Records, is the ultimate Bay Area rap compilation containing as it does, the best rappers and producers from the greater Bay Area all delivering their very best (all original) tracks! This impressive playlist, which tops all the previously released Bay Area compilations, reads like a who's who of Bay Area rap. It includes triple-dope tracks from the likes of RBL Posse, Knumskull of the Luniz, JT The Bigga Figga, Master P and TRU, The Delinquents, Totally Insane, Guce, Sean T, GLP, Young Cellski, Hitman, The Link Crew, Mr. El, Sh'killa and talented newcomers, Street Thugs, whose song "Deep In The Game" could well be an underground smash.

From start to finish, Bay Area Playaz is one of those records that grabs your attention and never lets go. "It's the sort of tape that you never want to hit fast forward on," enthused project producer T. Cee. One of the reasons for this is the variety of sounds found on Bay Area Playaz courtesy of the various producers such as K-Lou, DJ Fuze, Cellski, Sean T, The Enhancer and JT.

With preview demo copies of Bay Area Playaz already a hot item on the rap underground circuit, pundits are picking their favorite tracks. Most seem to agree that RBL Posse, the popular Hunters Point duo comprised of Black C and Mr. Cee, have delivered one of their best tracks with "Miz Me" while the fun and cleverly scripted "Captain Wreck-A-Hoe" from Knumskull has already become other's clear favorite on the compilation. Another crowd pleaser is the instantly engaging JT The Bigga Figga's "X-Filez" which is also a tribute to KMEL, the station that helped launch the Fillmore rapper and his crew (the GLP) to national fame and fortune.

Another Priority Records artist, Richmond's Master P and his posse TRU, also deliver some of their best work with the track, "I'm A Gee." Other standout tracks include East Oakland power duo The Delinquents killer track "Can't Be Stopped," The Link Crew's "The World In My Eyes" which is the album's first single, East Palo Alto rapper Sean T's "M Dash One" and Hitman's "Everyday." Bay Area Playaz is definitely the ultimate Bay Area rap compilation.

Classic Profile-Hitman (RIP)

2005-08-01T09:57:00.000-07:00

Profile by Billy Jam...

This profile originally appeared in the October 1995 issue of No Joke newsletter.

RBL Posse's Hitman has dropped one of the year's best rap albums with his fourteen track, Solo Creep, on Right Way Productions. With excellent production from RBL Posse's Black C on cuts such as "Would You Know," "Mr. Player Hater" and "All The Niggas," this is one tight debut from Hitman who, like his fellow RBL partners, hails from San Francisco's Hunters Point district.

Hitman started rapping when he was just a little kid. "I was about eleven or twelve," said the seventeen year old who added that RBL Posse's Black C and Mr. Cee have had a "very positive influence" on him. Black C likewise speaks very highly of Hitman recalling how, "He was really a fan at first. He always admired us and used to come up by our house where we had our little demo studio at and he'd freestyle 'cause he was tight. And I told him that one day I'd put him out."

First Hitman appeared on "Listen To My Creep," "Pass The ZigZags" and "M.N.O.H.P.," all found on RBL's top selling Ruthless By Law album. Black C and Mr. Cee also guest on his album, appearing on "You Betta Come Strapped" and "Would You Know" respectively. "The idea for 'You Betta Come Strapped' came about when me and Chris (Black C) was just sitting in the car. First we came up with the chorus and then the rest of the song we pieced together in the studio," related Hitman. On the hit bound, "The Funk," Hitman flexes his uniquely clever flow with lines like, "...cut out your brains / Put is on your body and call it mind over matter..." On "All The Niggas" Hitman incorporates local street dialect with the word "jiggies" which he says "is a Harbor Road term for hoes." "I Bet You Bite A Chip" is directed at all the playa haters who put down rappers. "Mr. Playa Hater" featuring the super talented NOH deals with the same topic while "Deeper And Deeper" "is for all the youngsters on the block." Other great tracks include "A Glock Here, A Glock There" featuring Iyesha Matthews and the great weed track, "Mr. Sandman."

Reminder

2005-07-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

All new Bay Area content will be coming soon. Until then enjoy the classic stuff from my old publications that I put out. I'll post some more next week.

Stay tuned.

Classic Interview-Lateef The Truth Speaker

2005-07-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

Interview by Doxx...

This interview originally appeared in the March 1996 issue of No Joke newsletter.

Just as Blackalicious blew up with their amazing album, Melodica, Lateef The Truth Speaker from East Oakland looks poised to be another major name to emerge from SoleSides Records and attract a fan base that stretches from the Bay to the opposite end of the world. Keep a lookout for his single, "The Wreckoning" and you'll know why. I especially enjoyed this interview because we spoke about a variety of things beyond the realm of hip hop including politics and Minister Farrakhan.

What would you say influences the way you rhyme? What would you say your style is?
My style is just me. It's my voice. Lyrics have always been my thing. I remember when I was real young I went out with my father to a gathering for the Black Panther Party and there were people performing and I was amazed by the music itself and I was like, "The music sounds great" and he was like, "Yeah, but listen to what they're saying." And that shit just stuck with me. Ever since then I've really put a lot on lyrics. Music has to emulate life, life has to emulate music in order for it to be solid. That's where I try to get a lot of my influence from. MC's I'd say, of course growin' up out here, Too $hort, Ice Cube, KRS-1.

I like on "The Wreckoning" how you pay real close attention to the lyrics like at one point you're talking about what happens to a body after it dies. You were goin' real deep with all the different aspects of it.
Fools be talkin' about, "I'll do this and this to you and I'll kill you this way and I'll kill you that way." I was just breakin' down exactly what happens when somebody dies.

Now you have the more traditional hip hop influences, but you also got the West coast influences. How do you feel about how a lot of rap fans or just rappers in general are so strictly into one set style? Like if they're from the East they can't feel nothin' from the West and vice versa.
I think honestly that's one of the things that's killin' rap right now. We all on the same team. As much as money is a major thing in hip hop right now, it ain't that many motherfuckers that actually got it. The White power structure in this country has tried to manipulate people against each other when they are the actual enemy. As soon as motherfuckers are ready to come up off their egos and really talk about the problems that affect us as a community, whether it be hip hop, Black, multi-cultural, minority... As soon as motherfuckers is ready to drop the egos and stop set trippin' and address some of the problems we can go ahead and expand in that direction and also stylistically reach past the East and West coast.

What do you think would be the first step towards unifying the sides?
Unifying?

Maybe not unifying, but just bringin' it to a point where they understand each other and are comin' together a little bit.
I think at one level it'll never completely happen. I mean you gotta have some kind of pride about where you from, especially as tribal as hip hop is right now. Where you're from, it gives a spin to who you are in hip hop. I think there's a certain aspect of that that's good 'cause it is necessary for the people of a place to decide who is the voice of that place and then have that be the representation as it meets with other voices across the nation. For the unity to start I think fools gotta start acknowledging instead of getting caught up in the money and the image and goin' for self. Fools gotta start acknowledging that there are some problems that exist beyond the confines...

Bigger than all of it.
Yeah, it gets a little deeper that that. That's what I feel in terms of edging towards that unity and things like the Million Man March, which I participated in, are big steps in that. Like I said, music imitates life, life imitates music so all of the things needed to make that unification are not necessarily in music. A lot of 'em are in life.

Now you went to the Million Man March. What do you think of what Farrakhan preaches?
First of all, I think he's a dynamic man. He goes out on a limb for our people in a way that I don't see anybody else doin' right now which, in and of itself, warrants a tremendous amount of respect. I agree with a lot of what he's sayin', but it's the actions that speak louder than the words. The thing that I respect about the man most of all is that his word is bond. He's able to make actual, things that he says he wants to make happen. When you can lead a revolution in a way that isn't confrontational in terms of actual physical confrontation... I mean, he's talkin' about revolutions on an economic basis, a societal basis and a community basis. If he's able to spearhead that type of revolution, I'm all for it.

See I'm not Black. I'm Mexican and White and I agree with a lot of what he says and I thought the march was real positive. When you'd watch the news though, they tried to downplay it by only bringing up the fact that he's a Black separatist when really that's not even the main factor that he was talkin' about.
I feel you. I'm Puerto Rican and Black. I feel like in that march he was attackin' the idea and especially when he was breakin' down things on Masons, secret societies, Illuminati and what not. When you really get down to it, White supremacy has been goin' on since about 4000 BC, since ancient Ethiopia was overrun by White settlers and Islamic Arab settlers. Also these same White supremacist movements out of the Vatican and what not have gone ahead and subjugated the entire world for the most part. They run South America through money and oppress the people continually through government and all kinds of crazy shit. They'll have two people from a South American country fighting each other. One working for them to create dissention among the rest of the people in leadership so nobody's gonna lead them out of the situation as long as they continue to manipulate in that way.

There's a lot of dirty stuff goin' on.
Real dirty. And some of it is dirty in a way that's offensive. Well, most of it is dirty in a way that's offensive because they try and do it so subtlely. Like cocaine laws. You can get caught with like zips of powder and get out in, what, three months? Parole in three months. It's the White man's drug. But you cook it up and have one rock on you...Life. That's fuckin' ridiculous. That's like blatantly a racist law that is put into effect and is just kinda shined on and they use words and tricknology to get up out of the situation again and again. Things like the Oliver North scandal, Bush skimming hella money off the top and not being able to be held accountable for it. All kinds of shit. I think that he (Farrakhan) was kinda attacking that, but it gets deep because they've broken up life into so many categories and they have a part of each and every one. They have people in positions in the government, in business, in education, in different facets all going towards the same aim as a collective. We as people of color in this country and in the world don't have that sort of organization goin' on right now.

Are you workin' on an album right now?
Me and my man Chief Xcel are workin' on an album. Lateef And The Chief is our collaborative name. My album will touch on a lot of other levels that you can get a gleaming of on the single, but they're explored a little more in depth on my album. Suffice it to say, if fools bit the hell out of this single it wouldn't matter because the other shit that I have is completely different. I think fools do themselves a disservice when they allow themselves to get pigeonholed into any one type of style. Styles are infinite. The voice is another instrument, perhaps the most powerful because it can convey meaning and entendre specifically as well as emulate almost any other instrument created by man.

A lot of times they get stuck on that and can't get away from it.
Exactly. And it gets old quick because that's the thing about a song. Hopefully, when you make a song you want the beat to be able to stand by itself, you want the lyrics to be able to stand by itself and the whole thing to stand against the world. You also want your song to be different than the next song you make and different than the next song to the point where it's a challenge to make a song. You wanna come with some new shit. You don't wanna just be fittin' your shit into a formula and sayin' what everyone else is sayin' or the latest slang. That's doesn't help you at all in terms of your growing as a person.

How did you hook up with SoleSides Records?
Through school. I got on up there (UC Davis) and met some cool brothers that was into the music at a level which I could relate to. That was something that I didn't see at that time in too many other people. We kinda gravitated towards each other and used each other to kinda bounce ideas off of and build within our own group.

When is your solo album expected?
Probably in late '96.