Moving Day
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!!!
This blog is free of direct and accidental damage caused by missiles, falling objects, fire, theft, explosion, earthquake, windstorm, hail, water, flood, malicious mischief or vandalism, riot or civil commotion, breakage of glass, lightning, smoke or smudge, stranding, sinking, burning, collision, derailment or breakdown. Certain words appear in bold or italics.
"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.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!
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."
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.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!!!"
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.
Labels: Hi-Five, RIP, Tony Thompson
Labels: mista cane, review
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
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 20th on Nature Sounds, and will be available at fine retailers across the country.
Download "Lady Don't Tek No" (mp3)
from Overnite Encore: Lyrics Born Live!
by Lyrics Born
Quannum Projects
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)"
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.Sound Volume 2: Vibe Music sampler - Aarophat
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.
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 29th, 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.