The O.G. Spice 1 shows us he has friends far and wide in the hip hop community. Along with his California hommies like Strange Music's Brotha Lynch Hung, Tystik, Giddie and the rest of the boys, Spice heats up also with rap mainstays Glasses Malone, Game, Twista even UGK's Bun B & Pimp C. Take a listen below.
Tracklist: 01. Spice 1 - 187 Proof 02. Spice 1 - Step Out Of My ft. E-Note & Giddy 03. Giddie - Club Like ft. Jazz 04. Spice 1 - Niggas Sing The Blues 05. Zigg Zigg - Stay Out The Way ft. Brotha Lynch Hung 06. Tystik - Aint Nobody Illa 07. E-Note - Swervin ft. Glasses Malone 08. Spice 1 - Dumpin Them In Digits 09. Brotha Lynch Hung - What They Want Osama For ft. Pappoose 10. Spice 1 - Trigga Gots No Heart ft. Twista & Game 11. Spice 1 - Murderman Dance ft. Pimp C & Bun B 12. Tystik - Keep Tryin ft. Spice 1 13. Spice 1 - Ready For This World 14. E-Note - Those Games 15. Tystik - Pistol In My Pocket 16. Spice 1 - Strap On The Side Of Me
Today (June 30th) at the CrunchUp in Palo Alto (CA) rap all-star Chamillionaire sat down with Michael Arrington and talked about the social internet. Chamillionaire is a noted Twitter user, and actually debuted the lead music video for his upcoming album live on Ustream.
Arrington pressed Chamillionaire, real name Hakeem Seriki, on his use of social media to help his last single reach the top iTunes spot. Facebook helped promote the event, and that combined with Ustream time with the rapper himself exploded the song across the internet. That woke up record executives to the power of an individual really working the ‘tubes.
“I’m an artist, but I call myself a businessman,” Hareem said in a discussion about his life. Chamillionaire is a noted attendee of technology events, even when not speaking, given his wish to leverage technology for business purposes. “I come to the tech conferences to see what’s next,” Hareem said to a big round of applause.
Chamillionaire has an interesting record deal that includes a larger percentage of revenues from sales earmarked for himself. “When I went to the lables I had leverage,” he said.
Chamillionaire is perhaps the most active user of social media tools of any artist online. After pulling out three cell phones Chamillionaire brought down the house.
Hanging behind the stage at 50 Cent's show last night at the Warfield was a monstrous self-portrait of 50 emerging from a cityscape, with lava pouring out of his mouth and eyes. This apocalyptic stage setup mirrored the testosterone-fueled music that 50 Cent is all about.
But before the scrim was raised, a silhouette of the 34-year-old holding a laser-pointing gun stood center stage for a while, which caused the audience to fall to pieces, screaming.
The hot-rod rapper finally appeared last night in excellent form, smiling from ear to ear. "I have one question for you," 50 asked the exuberant audience: "Where the ladies at?"
50 ran through his massive list of hits slowly over the course of the evening, saving favorites such as "Candy Shop" and "Magic Stick" until the bitter end. This left the audience in screaming shambles.
At one point, the hulking rapper flashed a knowing grin. "I know you all love 50," he said, "but I know you all love 40!" All of a sudden, the Bay Area's own E-40 stepped onstage and busted out a version of "Tell Me When To Go" that probably would've made Mac Dre turn over in his grave. The audience sang along and couldn't have been more enthusiastic.
Later on in his set, 50 showed off another special guest. Too Short sprung out from the curtains and gave a whirlwind performance of his hit "Blow the Whistle" that sent everyone for a loop. Then the Oakland rapper disappeared almost as suddenly as he arrived.
50 Cent changed outfits a handful of times during his set, and each time he came out wearing something new he threw at least one article of clothing into the crowd. In turn, women in the audience started throwing lingerie and brassieres onstage, which 50 put in the back pocket of his jeans.
The shared respect and love between 50 cent and the audience was astounding. To a lot of fans, 50 Cent is a godlike figure, having overcome a rough adolescence on the streets of Queens to become a multimillionaire and celebrity. Some kids in front even brought copies of 50's new self-help book The 50th Law, hoping they could score his signature.
The good vibes in the Warfield last night were infectious, with star-struck fans singing along to every word coming out of the rapper's mouth. But it was clear to everyone who was having the most fun -- 50 himself.
6/6 – Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl Concert Theater at The Palms 6/7 – Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theater 6/10 – Kansas City, KS @ Midland Theatre 6/11 – Dallas, TX @ Music Hall at Fair Park 6/12 – Houston, TX @ Arena Theater 6/15 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore 6/17 – Atlanta, GA @ Tabernacle 6/18 – Myrtle Beach, SC @ House of Blues 6/22 – New York, NY @ Hammerstein Ballroom 6/23 – Wallingford, CT @ Chevrolet Theater 6/24 – Boston, MA @ House of Blues 6/25 – Atlantic City, NJ @ House of Blues
The song "What You Finna Do?," released earlier this month by Fillmore District rapper DaVinci, opens with a vocal sample from the 2001 PBS documentary The Fillmore. It condenses the gentrification process the area underwent from the 1960s into one slogan, lamenting, "Basically, after the urban renewal, it was basically Negro removal." As the gloomy beat kicks in, DaVinci starts to rap, eventually coining his update on the situation: "Down the corner of the street used to be the spot/Till they replaced all the liquor stores with coffee shops." The rest of his debut album, The Day the Turf Stood Still, released in both free download (alternate link - here) and retail versions this week, repeats the motif. It's no surprise, considering the changes he witnessed on his block.
"My grandmother came to San Francisco from Texas in the 1950s," he says. "She bought her home, a three-apartment unit, for $15,000 and paid it off before she passed away in 1996." Around this time, he started to see the reshaping of his 'hood. The usual signifiers of impending gentrification were all in play. Drugs and crime were up. Property values were down. The Fillmore's proximity to downtown made for potentially high rents. Then came the wrecking balls, turning housing projects to rubble and providing a very physical cue for an exodus of black residents. As he recalls, "The newer people offered those who were living there the opportunity to sell their houses, move out, and make a profit. It didn't sound like such a bad idea — by that point, half the neighborhood had already moved." But his family stayed, retaining the title to their home and bolstering their roots in the area.
Today, the 27-year-old DaVinci makes music shot through with local pride. He's been releasing mixtapes since 2002, plus 2007's "street" album, Butter and Gunz, executive-produced by San Quinn. He sees his debut album as a fitting contribution to the Fillmore's rich musical heritage. In the 1960s, jazz greats Count Basie, Etta James, and Duke Ellington used the area's clubs as their musical playground. During the rapper's own coming of age, it saw the formation of a hip-hop scene boosted by its insularity. The sound of the block was king. As DaVinci recalls: "You couldn't tell me anything about who the best rapper in the mainstream was — we'd listen to cats like San Quinn, JT the Bigga Figga, and D-Moe the Youngsta. Together, they were like the Roc-A-Fella [musical empire] of the Fillmore at the time. Looking at them, I saw that hip-hop could come out of Fillmore and be respected."
Being engulfed by this wave of self-sufficient rappers helped shape DaVinci's outlook. San Quinn, who lived two blocks away, could sometimes be found hustling with DaVinci's pops. JT released records on his own Get Low label at 18; his independent moves fostered DaVinci's expectations of the music industry. He's adamant that running after major labels "isn't even in the picture." And, true to his independence, DaVinci's album eschews the gangsta sheen of his elders in favor of relaying street parables over rugged, melancholy beats. It's a blend that suits his breathy timbre well and ensures the album rewards listeners who prefer carefully wrought lyrics over a quick hook.
It isn't a commercial sound, but DaVinci is confident he has wide appeal. Last month, he journeyed to New York City on a mission to boost his profile by meeting with online media outlets. Back home, he's looking at the positive side of the Fillmore's metamorphosis — caffeine-connoisseur neighbors included. "When we'd perform shows, it used to be all family who'd come, but now it's college students," he explains, before joking, "That's good, 'cause you can charge them more!"
Then he adds, "I think the new mix of ethnicities is the best thing that's happened to the Fillmore. Now it's not just a place where only black people know about the music that's coming out of here. That's a good change."
Be on the lookout for DaVinci's new album, The Day The Turf Stood Still available for sale and free download March 9, 2010 via SWTBRDS Creative Collective
LOS ANGELES, CA (March 1, 2010) – With over 45 million Myspace views, 37 million plays, dominating Southern California radio stations Power 106, KIIS FM, AMP with over 3,000 spins of hit single "We Run LA", opening up for artists such as Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Sean Kingston and more serve as a brief rap-sheet for newly signed Kon-Live artist, Ya Boy. The record label is lead by internationally acclaimed artist and entrepreneur Akon. Ya Boy joins label mates Lady Gaga, T-Pain, Colby O'Donis, Kardinal Official and dynamic duo Rock City as the first artist from the west coast signed to Kon-Live. "Ya Boy is one of the hardest workers today…He's an amazing artist that never got a chance to shine. He never gave up and now he has a chance to shine not only on the West Coast but internationally," says Akon.
Catchy punch lines, versatility, eyebrow raising topics, witty wordplay combined with his no-color lines policy have helped garner Ya Boy aka YB The Rock Star widespread appeal. In 2002, he further gained notoriety from his song "100 Bars of Crack" where he rapped a 100 bars over Dr. Dre's "Nuthin' But a "G" Thang" also featured on The Black Wall Street Journal Vol. 1. In the summer of 2005 Ya Boy released his first solo mixtape, "Future of the Franchise" followed by the 2006 release of his debut album "Rookie of the Year ." The album featured collaborations with his Bay Area rap neighbors E-40, Turf Talk, Clyde Carson of The Team, San Quinn and more. The album's first single, "Step Ya Game Up", was produced by musical architect, Rick Rock. That same year, Ya Boy wrote and appeared on the Kevin Federline's rap album Playing With Fire allowing him to expand his horizon.
Seamlessly pounding the music industry's pavement YB The Rock Star secured his position on the West Coast in 2008, when he released the single "Holla at Ya Boy" produced by Cool & Dre. Successfully saturating the web with viral videos and music on hundreds if not thousands of multi-media stations across the globe.
Meanwhile, The Source Magazine featured him in the Unsigned Hype section, BET's Rap City awarded Ya Boy the mixtape of the week title, while XXL Magazine, Ozone and Hip Hop Weekly all co-signed him as the "Next To Blow." In 2009 Ya Boy released hit single "We Run LA" feat. Dr. Hollywood, the song is currently spinning on multiple radio stations throughout Los Angeles. "Ya Boy truly deserves this moment…We felt there's no one on an international level bigger than Akon. We're excited and happy to join the Kon-Live family," says Manager Mike G, Nitevision Management.
With multiple Ya Boy videos and mixtapes saturating the web, a total seven years of paying dues, Ya Boy will finally reap the benefits of his labor. Now that his path has been paved and recognized "It will impact music with a breath of fresh air," says Ya Boy.
01. Back In Business 02. Whip It Up ft. Gucci Mane & YV 03. B*tch ft. Too $hort 04. Undastandz Me 05. Duck 06. I Get Down ft. B-Legit 07. The Art Of Story Tellin' 08. F*ck You Right ft. J. Valentine 09. This A Boy ft. Droop-E 10. I'ma Teach Ya How To Sell Dope 11. The Weedman ft. Stresmatic 12. Lightweight Jammin' ft. Clyde Carson & Husalah of The Mob Figaz 13. Everyday Is A Weekend ft. The Jacka of The Mob Figaz 14. Got It 15. Rick Rock Horns ft. Marty James of One Block Radius 16. Dem Boyz 17. Outta Control ft. Dem Hoodstarz & Mistah F.A.B. 18. All I Need 19. Gotta Get Betta ft. Mike Marshall & Suga T
E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Night Shift'
01. Over The Stove 02. Nice Guys 03. Can't Stop The Boss ft. Too $hort, Snoop Dogg & Jazze Pha 04. Show Me What U Workin'‘ Wit' ft. Too $hort 05. How I'm Feeling Right Now 06. Knock 'Em Down Music ft. Ya Boy, Turf Talk & Cousin Fik 07. Stilettos & Jeans ft. Bobby V 08. He'’s A Gangsta ft. The Boy Boy Young Mess,The Jacka & Kaveo 09. Spend The Night ft. Laroo, The DB'z, Droop-e & B-Slimm 10. Wet ft. Ya Boy & Cousin Fik 11. Trained To Go ft. Laroo, The DB'z & Mac Shawn 100 12. More Bass, More Treble ft. Cousin Fik & Turf Talk 13. Ahhhh Sh*t! 14. Turn Up The Music 15. Power Up ft. Keak Da Sneak & San Quinn 16. Prepared 17. Attention ft. Dru Down, Suga Free & Stompdown 18. The Server 19. Let Go & Let God ft. Lenny Williams
E-40 'Revenue Retrievin’: Day Shift & Night Shift' on Heavy On The Grind/EMI both arrive March 30 each version sold separately.
Truthlive - full-length debut album 'Patience' produced entirely by Jake One available on Interdependent Media April 20.
Evan "TRUTHLiVE" Phillips, owner and founder of Interdependent Media, has certainly made his mark in the music industry with his wide range of talents. As an emcee, DJ, entrepreneur, and artist, TRUTHLiVE has had his hands in everything from a very young age. After a traumatic adolescent period where his health was at risk, three heart surgeries proved the artist to be quite a fighter. He explains to his new listeners, "The name TRUTHLiVE doesn't mean that I'm proclaiming myself as the truth, end-all be-all; it's more of a reminder to myself on how to conduct my life and career." The MC best summates, "My music is my truth and my life."
About the featured track...
Continuing to build on the early buzz of his recently leaked "Shoot Me Down," TRUTHLiVE is proud to bring fans "Tormented Genius," the second leak off his upcoming free EP, The UnLearning. For the track, TRUTHLiVE teams up with producer Martin SLO and DJ Tonytone who provide the musical foundation for his confident rhymes. "Like a lot of my music, this song is a challenge of the status quo," explains TRUTHLiVE. "While a lot of my music has similar thematic subtleties, this particular track is me speaking about what comes naturally and easy to me, and how those things sometimes seems complex or difficult for others to relate." TRUTHLiVE proves his point to a tee, rapping, "...they must not get it though, my brain works in rhymes/ My trying to flow is like the sun trying to shine/ I guess you could say I bring light to lines/ And in due time then bring life to minds"
Back with the fourth and final pre-album track before the release of his SWTBRDS debut, The Day The Turf Stood Still (March 9th), DaVinci aka J. DaVinci swiftly delivers another strong offering, "Hustler's Theme," to hold us over until he begins releasing the first songs and videos from his album in the coming weeks. Sticking with a golden formula, DaVinci once again links up with Vancouver producer and frequent collaborator Blunt (Freeway, Edgar Alan Floe, J-Love) who brings his trademark smooth, soulful chops to the track the perfect contrasting backdrop to DaVinci's raspy vocals and the lyrical landscapes the Bay Area MC effortlessly paints.
E-40 - "Revenue Retrievin' The Day Shift" and "Revenue Retrievin' The Night Shift on Heavy on the Grind/EMI arrives March 30.
via the press release
We know him as Charlie Hustle, 40 Fonzarelli, The Ballatician, Mr. Flamboyant, 40 Belafonte to E-Feezy, however E-40 is above all, the Ambassador of The Bay Area. Set to release his thirteenth and fourteenth album on the same date, the greatest game Spitta of all time sets his record straight March 30, 2010 with the release of two separate albums entitled "Revenue Retrievin' The Day Shift" and "Revenue Retrievin' The Night Shift." Going to work with him, Hip-Hop's finest profiles, Snoop Dogg, Gucci Mane, Too Short and Mistah Fab punch in along with the melodies of Bobby V, Jazze Pha, YV and J. Valentine on both day and night shifts. With a total of 38 brand new tracks, E-40 and his Bay Area conglomerate B-Legit, Messy Marv, Dem Hoodstarz, Ya Boy, The DB'z, Turf Talk, Clyde Carson, Husalah and Droop-E lyrically engineer a top shelf production.
Northern California is recognized geographically as the Bay Area. Over the years, E-40 has served as the headliner of notoriety while creating a musical space of his own. In addition, he has gained international exposure for introducing new music genres to Hip-Hop music in addition to threading new terminology such as "Slaps" and "Thumpers" used to describe the sound. As his beat goes on, the rap veteran recently made the savvy decision to sign an independent label deal with Heavy On The Grind Entertainment/EMI owned by Earl Stevens Jr. aka Droop-E who is not only a hit making producer but the son of E-40. "I'm excited about this album; it's been a year since I dropped "The Ball Street Journal." It marks an important independent business venture for me. This way, I am able to go back to the basics and run my own campaign." says E-40. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to provide commercial services for E-40. He has had a massive impact on Hip-Hop in the Bay area and beyond and we're extremely excited to partner with him on the next phase of his career", Dominic Pandiscia, Senior Vice President & General Manager - EMI Label Services. With the heightened attention towards the release of the two albums, the label has assembled a high-level security team to eliminate a premature leak of the album.
According to Bay Area blogger Coolhand Luke at 38th Notes, E-40 will release 'Revenue Retrievin', his 13th release independently through EMI/Caroline.
A track with Young Jeezy And B-Legit entitled 'Get Money' will be included on the release, which I speculate was recorded around August when the America's Most Wanted Tour made the rounds in the Bay Area.
Crown City Rockers "The Day After Forever" out September 29th on Gold Dust Media
(via press release) Bay Area true school hip-hop soldiers Crown City Rockers have linked with Brooklyn based Gold Dust to release their upcoming album, The Day After Forever. The first album since 2004's Earth Tones, the album represents the culmination of years thrilling fans on the road, fine tuning their sound, and collaborating with like minded hip-hop artists.
Crown City Rockers have built a reputation for their driving sound derived from live instruments fused with traditional hip-hop production, which makes their live shows particularly dynamic. Emcee Rashaan Ahmad commands the crowd in the tradition of the block party greats, with a tight backing group infusing funk energy into the bouncy hip-hop sound.
Though the group has remained intact, the album represents a reunion of sorts, as many of the contributors have been focusing on solo projects recently. Rashaan Ahamad's solo album Push (2008) furthered his reputation as a party rocker par excellence, which he supported through tours with People Under The Stairs, Common Market, and others. Bassist/producer Headnodic recently helmed the boards for last year's Mighty Underdogs project on Definitive Jux with emcees Gift of Gab and Lateef from the Quannum camp, and keyboardist Kat recently completed a solo project and is currently working with People Under The Stairs' Thes One.
The Day After Forever will be followed by an extensive US tour.
Crown City Rockers "The Day After Forever" tracklist:
1. Intro 2. Break 3. Soul 4. Kiss 5. Go On 6. Astroshocks 7. Go Away 8. Crusin' 9. Let's Love 10. Clap Your Hands 11. Make It Hotter 12. That's Life 13. The Forever Song
