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@ActionBronson #BGA Ft. @Alchemist “Drugs and Cheese On A Roll Mix”
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@BriscoOpaLocka Ft. @LilTunechi and Jade “By Your Side”
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5 & Done: Yung Bleu
Rapper Yung Bleu is making a huge impact with his latest single entitled “Go Head” produced by Grammy nominated multi-platinum producer Drumma Boy. The single is one of the top independent songs at radio according to the charts.
Background: Yung Bleu is a charismatic rapper from Mobile, Alabama poised to take the music world by storm. He is confident, bold, artistic and creative. He is working hard to further put his hometown on the Hip Hop map.
AllHipHop.com: What’s good Yung Bleu? You’re buzz is crazy right now, but for those who are not familiar, let them know who you are?
Yung Bleu: Yes, My name is Yung Bleu. I’m a rapper originally from Mobile Alabama. I was recently featured in XXL magazine, YoRaps.com, Top40-Charts.com and more. I started music as a young kid watching my brother rap and do music. I really just fell into what he was doing. I started rapping on tapes in my room. I would sit in there all day just recording and then I would take my music to school to let everyone hear it. By the age of 13, I went up another level and started recording in a real studio. But basically, I have a hustler’s ambition coursing through his veins. In 2010 and 2011, I released two Mixtapes called Anticipated and The Movement. The Movement mixtape featured a song called “Little Secret.” The video for the song was well received and it caught the attention of Memphis-based multi-platinum producer Drumma Boy. Me and Drumma boy joined forces to create a banger called “Go Head” which is currently getting a lot of radio spins around the country.
AllHipHop.com: What project are you currently working on?
Yung Bleu: The current project I am pushing is my street album called “Hello World” which is available for download on Livemixtapes.com. I really brought my artistic side to Hello World. It has stories about me and what I’ve been through. Stories that’ll get your blood flowing in the club. Just all around good music. It’s a good project. I worked with Drumma Boy on this project. In fact, the single “Go Head” is the first single off of “Hello World.”
AllHipHop.com: What is your USP? (Unique Selling Proposition) and what sets you apart from other artists?
Yung Bleu: What sets me apart is that I have a certain swag and rhythm in my songs that I think is not heard among other aspiring rappers. My words are put together in a unique fashion. I rhyme with flavor. I have my own flow. And I keep it authentic. I’m not trying to mimic others. I’m just trying to be me.
AllHipHop.com: Who or what are your inspirations?
Yung Bleu: My inspirations include Lil’ Boosie and Do Or Die. But especially Lil Boosie, because he represents the struggles that I was going through at my start. Also my Young Boss Entertainment family inspires me. They give me guidance, direction and motivation.
AllHipHop.com: Any Final Words for the people.
Yung Bleu: Yes. Thanks to AllHipHop.com for the opportunity. Much love to Mobile, Alabama, my fans and the radio DJ’s spinning my records. Big shout out to Young Boss Entertainment. Follow me on Twitter @_Yungbleu. Also go get my single “Go Head” off of Itunes.. Salute!
@IamDemrick #BGA “Make You Say”
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ASAP Rocky (@asvpxrocky) “Long Live ASAP”
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@50Cent Ft. @SnoopDogg and @BussaBusss “Major Distribution” [Radio Rip]
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Busta Rhymes (@BussaBusss) Ft. @QTip “Poetic Justice Freestyle”
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#HeaterOfTheDay @IamEuroz Ft. @MeekMill “Exorcism”
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@JColeNC “2012” [Unreleased]
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Busta Rhymes Reunites Janet Jackson, Q-Tip On New Track “Poetic Justice”
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Busta Rhymes has reunited Q-Tip and Janet Jackson on a new track fittingly titled “Poetic Justice.”
Although Jackson is absent from the song, the pair come together on the track, which takes a sample from Jackson’s song “Anytime, Anyplace.”
The tune is taken from Busta Rhymes’s upcoming mixtape “Catastrophic.”
Both rappers reminisce over their experiences working with Janet Jackson.
Busta Rhymes worked with her on the set of the risqué video “What’s It Gonna Be,” a video which cost the rapper spent over $2 million to make.
Q-Tip starred with Janet Jackson in a famous opening scene of the movie “Poetic Justice.”
Fans of the 1993 movie “Poetic Justice” will recall the famous love scene between Q-Tip and Janet Jackson.
Tip was featured in the opening of the movie, but his character was shot and killed, making the way for Tupac’s role of “Lucky.”
On Q-Tip’s verse, he reveals his passion for Janet Jackson and offers up some inside information, since he smoked marijuana blunts with Tupac in his trailer, as they shot the film.
“Poetic Justice” is the latest single from the “Catastrophic” mixtape.
The 16-track mixtape features a variety of artists lending support to Busta Rhymes, who recently signed with Cash Money Records.
Artists like Reek Da Villian, J-Doe, Trinidad James, DJ Khaled, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, 2 Chainz, Kendrick Lamar, Dom Kennedy and others check in on the mixtape, which is due to be released in the coming weeks.
Check out the artwork for “Catastrophic” below:
A Battle Rapper’s MC: Soul Khan of Brown Bag Allstars On “Not F*cking Around”
With fresh new music on his latest EP, Psalm, a new wife, and a whole new world around him, Brooklyn’s underground phenom Soul Khan is stepping out of the box and giving it another go-round with a new sound and flavor to his already infamous husky voice.
AllHipHop.com caught up with the brainy member of Brown Bag AllStars for a frank discussion on his previous battle days, his philosophy on what keeps him hot in a rap world full of Ratchetry Worship, and what this latest project means to him. Read on:
AllHipHop.com: Thanks for taking the time out! So let’s just start with the obvious. You’ve finally put the new project out. What was it inspired by, and what was the delay?
Soul Khan: Thank you for your time and consideration. Yes, I just dropped Psalm, my last EP in the Love Supreme series. It is named after the last record on John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, as the preceding Es were named after the preceding tracks on Coltrane’s work (Acknowledgement, Resolution, Pursuance). The delay was having to switch producers from my homie Elaquent to a brilliantly-talented young man named Abnormal from St. Louis. Elaquent was understandably busy with his own project (which I assure folks is off the chain), so Abnormal got tagged in and went above and beyond.
AllHipHop.com: What differentiates this new project from the rest of your releases in the series?
Soul Khan: This EP is a lot more synth heavy, less sample-reliant, and leaning toward the future sound of a lot of my music, which is a fusion of the new and old. It’s also a lot more vulnerable emotionally. Additionally, there are NO RAP features on it.
AllHipHop.com: Who did you work with on this project? Are there any moments of particular interest that you had while working on the release that you care to share with the readers?
Soul Khan: First, it’s remarkable that I have never met the producer of the EP, Abnormal once. Never even talked on the phone. I only know what he looks like because of his YouTube channel. This is what music can do, unite strangers and create once-in-a-lifetime moments. As for my featured singers, there’s the always powerful Akie Bermiss, who brought that new New Jack Swing to the chorus of “The Machine,” Arthur Lewis’ haunting contribution to the hook of “Rusted Ghosts,” Nicholas Ryan Gant’s sorrowful outpouring on the chorus of “Morning Alone,” and all three of them in unison tearing sh*t up on the song “Van Gelder”.
I think the most fascinating moment to me in the process of making this record was witnessing Nicholas at work. He really gets into an almost transcendent state, and then when he’s done, lets out a hesitant chuckle like, “Was that OK?” Everybody watching was just kind of awestruck and couldn’t even answer. It’s surreal when such amazing artists are so down-to-earth, which all my collaborators luckily are.
AllHipHop.com: How has the transition from Battle Rapper to MC been for you, and why do you think it is that the fans can’t let go of the idea of you battling again?
Soul Khan: It’s just a return to form because battling was a digression from music, not a preceding step. I’ve been rapping since I was 12, so like 15 years, and only battled for two of them. It’s actually been a full two years since I last battled, and I cannot say I miss it, though I appreciated it for what it was.
AllHipHop.com: Your music has become synonymous with making a statement. Whether it was speaking on your own life’s lessons in “Soul Like Khan”, the death penalty and Troy Davis in the United States on the song “Mr. Governor”, or the deliberate message about living for today in “Wellstone”, you have always found a way to use your voice to address what you see happening around you. Why do you feel this has been successful with fans in a current musical environment that seems to be full of ratchet worshiping? How have world events changed you as an artist?
Soul Khan: I think there’s a substantial portion of people who want to hear music that isn’t f*cking stupid. There’s a lot of apologists for f*cking stupid music in music journalism circles at all levels, unfortunately, as if they imagine they’ll be regarded as more culturally savvy or provocative by treating f*cking stupid music with the same critical rigor and straight face as music that isn’t f*cking stupid.
That’s honestly a sub-genre to me: “f*cking stupid.” I feel really bad for folks who want to learn about music that moves or inspires them, but have to wade through the marsh of bullsh*t that’s covered today. So I guess my passion resonates with people. (laughter) The world’s events are all that I go on when it comes to making music, on the microcosmic or broader level.
AllHipHop.com: What legacy do you hope your music will leave, and what are you hoping the fans understand about you as a result of listening to your music?
Soul Khan: I hope my music makes people happy, fulfilled, motivated, and so on, but I really want people to take away from the music the idea that everything means something, even if you expressly say it doesn’t. I want people to hold me, themselves, and everyone else accountable for their ideas, their sentiments, what they include, and what they leave out.
AllHipHop.com: Can you give us five words to describe you as an artist?
Soul Khan: Not f*cking around at all.
AllHipHop.com: (laughter) Wow, Okay, so what’s up next for Soul Khan?
Soul Khan: What’s next is a full-length album produced by J57 and a free project to precede it, produced by everybody else under the sun. Also, enjoying life with my wife and cats.
AllHipHop.com: Where can the fans find your new project, and how can they keep in touch with you?
Soul Khan: For my music, videos, and more, always, always, always first head to www.soulkhan.com, and I can always be easily contacted by fans on Twitter and Facebook. Thank you, AllHipHop, and thank you, Skyy!
Download Soul Khan’s Psalm EP HERE
Daily Word: Is This The End???
Happy Friday, my soldiers and survivors!
Welcome to the last time you will ever see this day! Some say the world will end… Some say the
world as we know it will be different… I say as a fact that after today, this day will be over and never come back again, then tomorrow (If God Permits), we will only see that day once as well. The point is that tomorrow isn’t promised, but Today is! We know about today for sure, so it is imperative that we live each day to the fullest!
Stop worrying about the things that you have absolutely no control over! TODAY IS THE DAY!!Use it! Enjoy it! Rejoice in it! Because as Emily Doberstein said, “Every second that you live you are never going to get back. You are never going to get to change what you said, didn’t say, did, or didn’t do. Live how you want to live. Act how you want to be remembered, because you never know how long or short you are going to be here.”
This is not a test! Life is NOW! Waste it and you will NEVER get a second chance to do it over! TODAY is the only day that matters! MAKE IT THE BEST DAY OF YOUR LIFE…EVERYDAY!!!
-Ash’Cash
“Some days life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we’re here we should dance.” -Unknown
“Enjoy life. This is not a dress rehearsal.” -Unknown
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” -Oprah Winfrey
“If you live just for today, to make today the most successful, happy day of your life, I am sure that you will have an extraordinary life. A successful life is nothing more than a series of successful days.” -Unknown
“One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it’s worth watching.” -Gerard Way
“Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night, there will be nothing left for him to steal.” -Unknown
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” -Unknown
“Love Life. Do Good. Live Well.” -Kevin Ngo
TO HEAR THE AUDIO VERSION OF THE DAILY WORD – CLICK HERE.
Ash’Cash is a Business Consultant, Motivational Speaker, Financial Expert and the author of Mind Right, Money Right: 10 Laws of Financial Freedom. For more information, please visit his website, www.IamAshCash.com.
Short Cuts: 10 of Hip-Hop’s Greatest Songs Under 3 Minutes Long
Considering today, December 21, is the shortest day of the year, it’s the perfect time for us recognize some of Hip-Hop’s most timeless songs that don’t take a lot of time to listen to.
All clocking in at under three minutes, these records hold their own alongside ones with standard running times, and those which are long epics. We’re not even sure why they’re so short, since some of them are definitely worth a long ear!
There are a lot of great songs less than 180 seconds long, but here’s AllHipHop.com’s list of 10 great songs that can all be listened to in the time it takes for a pizza to be delivered:
10). “Wake Up” (2006) by Obie Trice: Lyrically, Obie seemed to mature from his debut album, and that is very evident on this track. He speaks against having a ‘hood mentality and encourages people to not buy into the negative things that rap sometimes glorifies.
9). “Code Red” (2011) by Jay Rock: Jay Rock’s street credibility is presented in full-force here. Over keys and with a deep delivery, the Black Hippy member states his gang ties and makes no apologies for it: “But my demeanor will never switch, cherry red beamer/ G######### the f*ck out, red rag around the nina/ No doubt, I’m living it/ Been claiming the set since the year they found Snoop innocent.”
8). “Gimme Some More” (1998) by Busta Rhymes: This song is the epitome of classic Busta Rhymes. It has his rapid-fire flow (which works well for a short cut), a unique sample, and an over-the-top music video, and is simply more proof that Busta is a true original. There was never anyone like him before, and there hasn’t been anyone like him since.
7). “I’m Dead” (1991) by Scarface: Some people may wonder why this is here instead of Biggie’s “Suicidal Thoughts”, since both songs end in death, but it’s important to recognize that this song preceded that one by three years. And while suicide is certainly intense, it wasn’t totally blue after hearing the rest of the Ready to Die album. However, the fact that Face didn’t even realize he was dead until near the end of this song is absolutely chilling.
6). “Two Dope Boyz [In a Cadillac]” (1996) by OutKast: The second track on OutKast’s sophomore album demonstrated that Big Boi and Andre 3000 were two of rap’s most inventive figures. The spacey motif could of come off gimmicky, but instead, it established them as an act willing to push the boundaries of Hip-Hop. Based on the their careers from then on, it’s safe to say they did that and then some.
5). “A Bird in the Hand” (1991) by Ice Cube: In a single verse, Ice Cube paints a picture of the plight faced by many, and he explains how 
a young person falls into the role of a drug dealer in order to make ends meet. It’s an example of Cube articulating his anger, which is one of his greatest strengths as a writer and rapper.
4). “Da Rockwilder” (1999) by Method Man and Redman: The only thing wrong with this song is that it isn’t longer. It’s the Meth and Red duo at its best, with Rockwilder lending his name to one of his most memorable instrumentals.
3). “My Adidas” (1986) by Run-D.M.C.: Normally naming a song after a product seems like a novelty – but, in the case of this record, it is anything but. With the line, “We took the beat from the street and put it on TV,” it was clear that Run, D, and Jay were speaking about the entire culture of Hip-Hop. And by acknowledging their footwear by brand, they were able to point to something specific that made what they represented different from what other genres of music were doing at the time. This song is widely regarded as a standout from one of Hip-Hop’s greatest groups ever, and the catalyst for thousands of rapper product endorsements on song.
2). “The Next Episode” (1999) by Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, and Nate Dogg: It had been a long time since “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” (where listeners were told to “just chill ‘til the next episode”), but it was worth the wait. Snoop and Dre drop stellar rhymes over a classic Dre beat – those cymbals during their verses are dope. Then the song quickly ends on a high note, both literally and figuratively, with Nate Dogg telling everybody, “Smoke weed everyday.”
1). “Public Service Announcement” (2003) by Jay-Z: As one of the highlights from Jay’s “last” album, this last minute addition found Mr. Carter and Just Blaze crafting one of their best records together. How can a track that’s billed as an “interlude” be better than most songs? Hov is just that good, and so he’ll never have to reintroduce himself again.
Are there any more good, short cuts in your catalog? Hurry up and sound off in the comments section below!
Swizz Beatz To Help Students Replace Instruments Damaged By Hurricane Sandy
(AllHipHop News) Super-producer Swizz Beatz is lining up a variety of celebrity friends to support the finale of the VH1 Save The Music Foundation’s 2012 Songwriters Music Series.
Swizz Beatz is hosting the special benefit, which encourages students’ creativity, through production and musical composition.
The fundraiser is also being hosted to help provide students interested in music, with tools they need to be innovative in the classroom.
The event, which will take place at the Hard Rock Café New York in Times Square, will also benefit the Tri-State Save the Music Relief Fund.
The new fund will provide monetary assistance to schools impacted by Hurricane Sandy, so students can replace instruments damaged in the storm.
“New York City and the Tri-State area is my home and it’s a place that constantly inspires music and creativity for myself and millions of others,” Swizz Beatz said. “I’m going to bring out some friends and put on a crazy show to support the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and the creation of the Tri-State Sandy Music Relief Fund so this creativity can thrive again for kids all over the East Coast.”
VH1’s Save The Music Foundation’s 2012 Songwriters Music Series finale will take place on Thursday, January 17.
Mixtape Download: @NappyRoots “The Different Kind Of Christmas Mixtape”
This is “The Different Kind Of Christmas Mixtape” free download that has Nappy Roots, 4 songs with Buffalo Stille of Nappy Roots, Grandmaster Roc Raida, Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey of Parliament Funkadelic, and more.
Tracklisting
Hannibal Stax “Str8 Smashin” (P###. by Marco Polo)
Hip-Hop Rumors: Jay-Z’s Incredible Gift To Rihanna? BUT WHY?
Damn it! I wish I never learned how to write. Why? Because it appears that people like Rihanna are Jay-Z picked a better lifestyle than me! Whatever mannnnnn! I checked in with my dudes over at 4umf and they gave up the goods on what Jigga gave RiRi for Christmas.
But, here is the catch. Rumor are swirling that Jay-Z secretly blessed RiRi with this massive gift for divesting from CB. You know Jay never approved of that. “That’s like his little sister. He never wanted her to be with him, but she does what she wants,” a source emailed. “She had to learn on her own.” I think RiRi will be back with Chris eventually. No doubt, but for now…rejoice.
Illseed, Out.
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Lil Scrappy Discusses His Alter Ego, New Season Of “Love & Hip Hop ATL”
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper Lil Scrappy is taking advantage of his newfound popularity, since his appearance on “Love & Hip Hop ATL.”
Since his debut on the show in June of 2012, Lil Scrappy has been releasing a steady stream of music, including his third studio album The Grustle.
Now, Lil Scrappy is ready to introduce his fans to his alter ego “Merlot Jones,” who will make his official debut on an upcoming mixtape.
“I been working on this ‘Gangsta Grillz’ with DJ Drama, it’s called ‘Merlo’s Way.’ Merlo is my alter ego,” Lil Scrappy told AllHipHop.com. “Merlo Jones, that’s when I’m on my playa s**t.”
According to Lil Scrappy, the appearance on “Love & Hip Hop ATL” helped excite and even grow his core fan base, which he vowed not to abandon.
According to stats provided by VH1, “Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta” ranked as cable’s top reality series of the summer among adult 18-49 andwomen 18-49, throughout the 12 weeks of the series’ airing.
Overall, the series averaged 5 million total viewers.
“The love I been getting from some of the rappers and the streets, I have to put out something,” Lil Scrappy said of his new popularity. “This is what I do for real.”
But Lil Scrappy’s fans will also get another opportunity to see the rapper on the small screen in 2013 since the series performed so well for VH1.
“There’s going to be another season if y’all didn’t watch the little sneak preview [Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: Dirty Little Secrets] yall go f**k with that. It’s going to come out. When it does we turning up. Y’all just wanna see me act a fool.”
Follow Mikey T The Movie Star on Twitter @MTMovieStar
Album Review: T.I.’s “Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head”
Old habits die hard. In Tip Harris’ case, old bad habits are immortal demons that he must come to accept as a part of his daily existence, regardless of the consequences that they may cause him to pay. Fresh off probation, T.I. comes to grips with his bankhead, dope boy lifestyle that has repeatedly sidetracked his career with legal woes on Trouble Man: Heavy is the Head the best way he can: by accepting it as a part of who he is, and paying for the consequences as they come.
“The Introduction” gets his priorities straight by listing his daily dealings of balling out, getting blowed, and not giving a hoot over a soulful sample of Marvin Gaye’s “Trouble Man”. Producer Cardiak adds to his flourishing resume of bangers on “G season”, which finds T.I.’s former protégé Meek Mill getting outshined by his former boss, who addresses the media probing into his personal life.
“F*ck what they say about my cases/ f*ck what they say about my lady/ f*ck what they say what were doing on that day of visitation/ All I care about is my out-date, and the nature of this probation/How much dough I’m second making/ where I’m going on vacation?”
“Trap Back Jumpin” is a return of Bankhead Tip’s Trap Muzik, which reminds his naysayers that he still has not forgotten the recipe for those dope lines and hard bass. Literally. T.I. sounds right at home on the Lousiana’s bouncing “Ball”. His precise and spit fire flow out-bounces even Wayne’s New Orleans-bred cackles so well that it seems like T.I. could have been the long, lost Hot Boy. The auto-tuned hook on “Wildside” seems out of place, which is ironic since its producer, No ID, was believed to have killed off the trendy program as Hov’s accomplice on “D.O.A”. Bad auto-tune hooks also make it hard to take “Cruisin” seriously, and the unfocused Neptunes production on the Cee Lo-assisted “Hello” is confusing.
It wasn’t ’til The King of the South found himself next to fellow Southern royalty, Andre 3000, on the Jazze Pha-produced “Sorry” that he really elevates his multi-syllabic Southern drawl. Triumphant horns and gentle keys ring as Tip rips into a victorious verse of an unapologetic hustler that justifies his rich gains for putting up with the backstabbers and perpetrators.
3 Stacks once again does not disappoint as he delivers another soul baring/introspective verse, which starts off him sniping about why he shuns the spotlight, and apologizing to Big Boi for the lost funds and OutKast fans that may have resulted from his hermit habit.
“I hated all the attention so I ran from it/…I hope we ain’t lose no fans from it/I’m a grown *ss kid/ You know I ain’t care about no damn money/ Why did we try so hard to be stars, just to dodge comets?”
Andre continues his streak of being the highlight of an another MC’s album, once he stops his riveting rhymes to address the internet blogger who might find personal testimony boring.
Yet it’s hard for one to stay bored with hi and such other well-balanced songs on Trouble Man. Whether you’re a dope peddler, lyrical technician, or a club-hopper, there is something to be enjoyed on this album.
If you don’t care for T.I.’s topics of balling-out, dope pushing, and living life on the edge, you have to take note of his ability to make such a well-balanced effort. On this album, T.I. has learned that there is No Mercy for the punishment of his vices that he commits on his personal Paper Trail – so he embraces the heavy burden. Trouble Man is not an apology for past troubles or controversy, but rather the testimony of a man who revels in it and has accepted the consequences that come along with it, for better or worst.
Rating: 8.5/10