(AllHipHop News) When Tony Neal first founded the Core DJ’s and began planning for the Core DJ’s Retreat, it was originally designed to be for independent artists.  It has grown dramatically since.Remaining focused on independent acts, while gaining the attention of the music industry professionals across the board, and now in its 13th retreat, the Core DJ’s retreat kicks off today (November 11th).The retreat starts with pre-party hosted Brick Squad/Mizay Ent./Furious Ent., featuring Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka, OJ Da Juiceman, Bo Deal, Ray Rizzy and Muffy.Amidst the busy schedule that he and his team planned, Tony took the time to explain that he is looking to create a family environment that encourages artists and DJ to build relationships.“It was really designed for independent artists at first, and it just grew and we saw the need for it to grow with national artists as well, so we kind of designed it as a bigger situation than networking, that’s why we call it a retreat,” Tony Neal told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview.“Its not called conference because it’s not corporate. I think anything that is a conference is corporate. We call it a retreat because its corporate based, but its kind of mixed and it’s a little bit more relaxed and it’s really to get the artist and DJ relationships better.  They come in and meet each other and have a better understanding of how each other operate, you know what I’m saying?” Tony Neal told AllHipHop.com.In many ways this allows for DJ’s to grow their businesses and get jobs in other places and allows artists to connect with grassroots DJ’s who are crucial to the development of a hit record.When asked about what development he has seen amongst the retreats attendees over the years, Tony said, “A lot of DJ grow and get jobs outside of their own market.”Tony also added that, “a lot of DJ’s skills are increased, and they get to bump shoulders with artists that they haven’t gotten to see and artists get a chance to talk to DJ’s they haven’t seen. It’s really like a big family situation. That’s what its designed for.”Tony strongly believes that when DJ’s and industry tastemakers are more relaxed they are more likely to be receptive to someone playing their record, as opposed to approaching an industry in an inappropriate situation.“When you are more relaxed with somebody you will be more apt to play their record or you know how to approach a DJ at a B and C market, verses going right at the A market DJ,” Tony Neal explained. “Because B and C market DJ’s really start the records off first, unless you have particular situations, like big record breakers, like Drama or other people like that. But really you want to start the records off on a testing level with the B and C market DJ’s, and we have a lot of A DJ’s and B DJ’s, but we really want everyone who has the capability of breaking a record in one spot and all the independent artists that are going to be bigger on an national level who will be bigger later on in their career.”While registration is still possible, those interested shouldn’t just go to see the artists that are booked at clubs or to speak or appear.“We don’t book artists, but they come off from all angles Akon, Devine Stephens, its like everyone musically inclined comes. Not just artists, producers, writers, it’s everything, because the situation is bigger than just the artists, publicists, writers they all come too” Neal humbly clarified.Those artists scheduled to appear include Diddy and Dirty Money, Ludacris, Dipset (Jim Jones, Camron, Juelz Santana, and Freaky Zeeky), DJ Drama, DJ Smalls, Lil’ Scrappy, Dorrough, Webbie Lil Phat, Jazzy Pha, Diamond, Trina, Cy High the Prince, Shawnna, Rocko, Shawty Lo, Tity Boi, , Mouse on the Track, Yung Berg and many more.The retreat will include appearances from several record labels as well, including but not limited to Asylum, Universal, EM, Warner Music Group, Jive, Sony BMG, Atlantic, Cash Money Records, Columbia, Interscope and Poe Boy.Those interested, who will be in the Atlanta, are encouraged to register for the Core DJ’s Retreat XIII online on the via their website at www.COREDJSRETREAT13.EVENTBRITE.com or by phone 877-333-9940 EXT 2.

(AllHipHop News) Southern rap veteran/mogul Master P. is teaming with Worldwide Gladiators Championship Fights to help feed the less fortunate this Thanksgiving (November 25th). Master P., along with Urban Born and WGC have teamed to encourage supporters, volunteers, celebrities and community leaders to make a difference by donating money, buying canned foods or by purchasing tickets to an upcoming WGC MMA bout for charity. WGC is asking fans who attend the Artenas Young vs. Cleburn Walker fight this Friday (November 12th), which is also being sponsored by WGC’s Sam Viranski. “So many less fortunate families don’t eat regularly on a daily basis and having a hot meal for Thanksgiving would be such a blessing. Our mission is to serve Thanksgiving dinner for thousands of less fortunate family during this Thanksgiving season,” Sam Viranski, President of WGC told AllHipHop.com. In addition to the fundraising/can drive, 10 pro MMA bouts will take place on the Young vs. Walker undercard.  For more information, go to http://www.wgcfights.com

(AllHipHop News) DJ Premier recently sat down to talk with AllHipHop.com about his label’s first compilation and working with the various artists on the label, as well as veterans. Year Round Records’ first release Get Used To Us is a compilation record that features guest appearances from Styles P., Joell Ortiz, Saigon, Freddie Foxxx, KRS-One, Grand Puba and others. According to Premier, Year Round has six albums lined up for 2011: KRS-One’s Return of the Boom Bip, Pete Rock Vs. DJ Premier, Freddie Foxxx’s The Kolexion, NYG’z’s Hustlaz Union: Local NYG, Nick Jovas’ Destination Unknown and Tef’s album Contraband. “It’s a beautiful thing that everyone has a vision, because I have always been a visionary, which is why i’ve existed all these years, 22 years professionally,” DJ Premier told AllHipHop.com in an exclusive interview. According to Preem, Get Used To Us is a sampling of the material to come from Year Round Records, which is focusing on developing new acts, by introducing them along side established veterans. “With the compilation, I took two or three projects from every project, remixes we did on vinyl, so I said let’s put all that [out],” DJ Premier told AllHipHop.com. DJ Premier stated that his label’s debut offering would be available digitally and in several other traditional formats. In addition to stores like Best Buy and Target, Preem stated that the album would also be available in mom and pop stores and on vinyl. “Best Buy, Target will carry my stuff. I know all the underground stores that still carry vinyl for sampling and digging…some people want to have the physical product,” DJ Premier explained. “I still like to read the linear notes and read everything and just look at the CD and the artwork. I want to provide that.”Although the acts on Year Round Records are establishing their identities and building their brands, DJ Premier hand selected each artist because of their individuality, their professionalism and their ability to execute the vision for their music. “Artist wise, everybody has their own lane,” Premier continued. “You gotta have a good live show, you gotta make good records, know how to interview, you gotta know how to put your image out there. With all these guys, I’ve never had to sit down and go ‘we’ll what do you want to do?’ As an artist, that means you paint pictures, how can you not visualize how you see yourself?Year Round Records: Get Used To Us is due in stores on December 7th, 2010.