Hip Hop veteran Popmaster Fabel provides firsthand insight into the history of uprockin’ with his new revealing and free documentary. This is a great opportunity to absorb some Hip Hop history as told by some of the originators of the culture and art form. They reveal its initial growth as a means to get out of a world of gangs and negativity and into a world of positive self-expression, recognition, and creativity.

Part 1.5

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

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P-Star Rising is a multidimensional film. It’s about family, drug addition, dreams, show business, and Hip Hop. During the ’80s, Jesse Diaz was an up and coming contender. He toured with some heavy hitters and began to get his feet wet as a performer struggling to get out of New York City’s slums. He was an inner city Hispanic teenager who had a passion for Hip Hop and was able to get a taste of the limelight, and then dropped out to deal with life, and raise a family. The mother of his children was addicted to drugs, and he stepped up to care for his daughters. Unfortunately, in the process of attempting to make a living, he made some poor decisions and ended up having serve jail time. When he got out, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his children. His younger daughter showed interested in performing Hip Hop. Jesse’s passion for the spotlight was rekindled, and he worked with his nine year old on her craft, and was successful in getting her signed to a label. The rest you’ll have to learn by watching P-Star Rising, a documentary that touches the heart, sheds insight into the struggles of urban blight, and provides a slice of what it’s like to break into the music industry.

Kudos to director Gabriel Noble. Hollywood has never come as close as P-Star Rising to displaying a more realistic glimpse into this subject matter without glamorizing or sensationalizing it. He effectively tells the story, blemishes and all, of a family struggling to make it and the power of passion.

-I. Vasquetelle

Here’s a track from the movie:

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Public Enemy is having a contest calling on all interested DJs to remix their brand new single “Say It Like It Really Is.” Not only do upcoming Hip Hop producers have a shot at winning some amazing prizes, but they also have a chance at going down in history in the music industry for remixing a track for one music’s most iconic bands.

Don’t sleep. Visit the link to submit.

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This Hip Hop Top 20 Chart is reported by DJ Chill Will of the University of Michigan’s WCBN 88.3 FM. He hosts the longest running Hip Hop radio show in the Mid-West.

Check Chill Will out on Twitter or Facebook.

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During the later 70s, punk music began creeping up from the underbelly of the Bowery in New York City with the help of a Queens’ based band called The Ramones. The Clash and Sex Pistols bashed the establishment in England with their brand of rebel music. And shortly after, a band called Bad Brains were forming in Washington, D.C. However, unlike the earlier forefathers of the genre, the Bad Brains have continued to make records and perform for three decades. Having never experienced a radio hit or a platinum album, they are by no means a household name. Regardless, they are something that many bands who have garnered hits could never be- iconic. If you happen to be a fan of hard underground rock, then Bad Brains are your favorite band’s favorite band. In fact, they may be your favorite Hip Hop icon’s favorite band too. The Beastie Boys apparently decided to name themselves with “B” and “B” in their name to pay homage to Bad Brains.

Leading the band is H.R., one of the most dynamic and unpredictable front men in the genre. However, it’s the whole Bad Brain’s package that has made the iconic rock figures forever rediscoverable by lovers of rebellious music. The Rasta quartet is infamous for their high voltage hybrid of punk-hardcore-metal-reggae-spiritual music. Their tracks run the gamut in regards to diversified sounds. Within one song they can bounce from genre to genre in a seamless fashion, remaining cohesive and sonically appropriate. Bad Brains can teach artists of any genre something about longevity, creativity and embracing uniqueness. This is because their music incorporates so many different genres, in many ways, similar to early Hip Hop. Those initial artists in Hip Hop delivered a sound that couldn’t not be pigeon-holed to one style. In that way, although some characterize Bad Brains a hardcore band, the reality is that they can jam Dance Hall grooves as well as any seasoned Reggae group. Like early Hip Hop, Bad Brains are the original practitioners of what we now call mash-up music. – Israel Vasquetelle

Here I speak with indie music industry veteran Anthony Countey, manager for Bad Brains, and members Darryl Jennifer (bassist) and legendary frontman HR.

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Slayer’s new vinyl box set includes all of their classic Def American releases on wax including: Reign in Blood (1986), South of Heaveneasons (1988), Seasons In The Abyss (1990), the double-record Live Decade of Aggression (1991), Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1998), God Hates Us All (2001), Christ Illusion (2006), and World Painted Blood (2009). The Vinyl Conflict will be released on October 12, 2010 to pre-order visit the record label site.

Courtesy of Heidi Ellen Robinson Fitzgerald:

American/Sony Legacy invested a great amount of care into making The Vinyl Conflict, treating the albums the way they would treat a great jazz, classical, Bob Dylan or Miles Davis record, something that isn’t normally done for metal records. All ten albums have been re-mastered from the original analog flat master tapes and were pressed on the highest quality, 180-gram audiophile vinyl at RTI, the most respected pressing plant in the U.S. and among the best in the world. Lacquers were cut and re-cut several times to ensure the highest sound quality. The individual vinyl discs will come in a standard, clear inner sleeve to preserve the vinyl, are then housed in high-quality litho-wrapped jackets, and then boxed in a hardcover slipcase. Additionally, reproductions of the original LP inner sleeve artwork were converted to 12X12 inserts.

Make sure to check out Insomniac Magazine’s music industry interview with Slayer’s Dave Lombardo.

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G-Unit Records has entered into an exclusive agreement with EMI Label Services in which EMI will distribute and promote releases on the G-Unit roster in North America. EMI will release the Grammy nominated multi-platinum rapper Lloyd Banks’ third solo album “H.F.M. 2″ (Hunger For More 2) on November 23rd, 2010, and Tony Yayo’s as yet untitled sophomore album, which is scheduled for early 2011.

G-Unit, formerly with Interscope Records, is joining a growing number of third party labels and artists to ink deals with EMI Label Services. EMI Label Services’ unique approach gives independent artists and labels creative freedom along with access to the expertise, marketing and promotional muscle of a major label.

The release Banks’ “H.F.M. 2″ (Hunger For More 2), which will include the smash single “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley,” featuring Juelz Santana. The single has generated sales of more than 500,000 downloads, making it one of the biggest tracks of the year. EMI Label Services team will begin promoting a second track, “Any Girl,” at Urban and Rhythmic radio formats this month.

A Tony Yayo album, which will include the single, “Pass the Patron” (featuring 50-Cent) is slated for release in early 2011.

“We are delighted to join forces with G-Unit and artists who aretruly marquee names in hip-hop,” said Mike Harris, executive Vice President/General Manager for EMI Label Services and Caroline Distribution. “G-Unit is a huge force. Lloyd Banks knows how to deliver a lyrical punch and his single has already generated huge anticipation for the album.. Tony Yayo is a totally unique talent, and ‘Pass the Patron’ already has the hip hop world buzzing about his album coming out next year.”

According to Lloyd Banks, “It’s refreshing to see the EMI staff excited about my project, they have the passion and energy I haven’t seen in while”.

Per Tony Yayo, “the EMI staff is creative and willing to think outside the box. They are fans of my music and career. I’m looking forward to marketing and promoting my upcoming album with them.”

Banks solidified his star power with the release of his double platinum solo debut, “Hunger For More” in 2004, selling more than 450,000 copies its first week of sales making it the #1 album in the country. The album garnered Banks a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance for “On Fire,” and included singles “Karma” featuring Avant and “I’m So Fly.” – Tresa Sanders

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If you haven’t listened to Ving’s over the top rant while promoting his new movie, it’s an interesting listen. Aspiring entertainment industry newbies take note- He doesn’t break character. What better way to promote a movie about man-eating fish?

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Insomniac Magazine recently participated in an interview with Julian Lennon to discuss his new release and a brand new company called theRevolution LLC. Lennon and music industry professionals Michael Birch (sold Bebo to AOL for $850 million) and Todd Meaghe (created the first 50/50 artist music store) started the company as a new approach to releasing music and working with artists. The company scouts talent, and then helps set up these artists with their own businesses. The company assists the artists with a variety of business endeavors including: finance, development, digital and physical distribution, promotion, and other important aspects of their careers.

In this first segment, Julian talks about this new approach to the music industry.


Julian is also one of the first artists on the label. His new release, a four-track EP, was co-written and co-performed James Scott Cook. The title track “Lucy” is about his childhood friend that inspired his father and The Beatles to write and record “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Lucy Vodden recently died from complications of lupus. theRevolution is donating a portion of proceeds to various lupus foundations. Cook’s grandmother, also named Lucy, also died from the same illness.

(Artwork for the new release.)

As a child, Julian created a drawing of Lucy. This image was the inspiration for the classic Beatles’ song. In this interview Lennon discusses his thoughts on the industry, his motivation for theRevolution, and he speaks about Lucy. As well, he talks about forgiving his father for not playing a significant role in his upbringing. Lennon has had significant previous success of his own with releases such as “Valotte,” which the Grammy nominated “Too Late for Goodbyes” was a single from.

Despite his successes, and the fact that his father is one of the most recognized artists in the history of music, Lennon has still had a rough time as a recording artist. This is part of his motivation for starting theRevolution. The company’s slogan is “Turning the music business into the musician’s business.” It is Lennon’s desire to help artists be in business for themselves. -Israel Vasquetelle

(Julian Lennon on the Music Industry)

(Julian Lennon on forgiving his father)

If you enjoyed this, visit Insomniac Magazine’s interview with Family Man Barrett, bassist for Bob Marley’s Legendary Wailers. He speaks with Israel Vasquetelle about the music industry, his history with Bob Marley, and the meaning of authentic Reggae.

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This song is a birthday song to myself. At the same time it goes out to Griff and brothers who cross the half century mark age wise. The dizzy whirl of society today has trained people into robots and consumers thinking that we celebrate younger age not the rite of graceful passage into knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. While I overstand I’m not asking for anyone to buy into anything especially not this record … I got away from that notion 20 years ago. I’m not asking or begging any DJ or VJ to play this song. Introduction of the digital option by PE 11 years ago was for the freedom of art and artists from the pressure of business people who altered this into a “thing’ to sell. We want people to ‘get’ our music not necessarily reach down and purchase , especially in this time.

I long have stressed that rap music keep its originality if not its integrity. It’s not about myself getting old just older … I have always maintained this independent state of mind. I do not pine or sell myself especially to an industry and society that considers black art, black history and black life a disposable joke unless it can be cashed. I don’t joke nor play with the legacy of the contributors that made it possible.

I dig much all of hip hop New School, Classic, alternative whatever… as long as its under it’s original terms of creativity. I can’t stand corporations of major radio stations TV cable giants and the remaining major record companies that have bought peoples minds to be convinced that anything either too new ,too old or different is irrelevant. Structures that depend on a forced black mind state to detach from its own history while saluting the Beatles, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan even U2 and Eminem who know more about our root culture than US. In comparison we lost Michael Jackson, James Brown, Issac Hayes, Ray Charles, Rick James, Teddy Pendergrass Nina Simone, Barry White, and even Richard Pryor these past 10 years to relative mainstream media silence with the exception of Mr Jackson.

I dig this digital age because I don’t have to have an ulterior motive other than to motivate. Fans are fams , this and my digital label SLAMjamz music can be bought on iTunes but we have been a licensing label so that option is an area that we term ‘donated support’. We have our own digital radio stations, our own Video and news outlet via SLAMtv , PETV , and hiphopgodstv.

Publicity and news services and things to get our word out we are on a YouTube Vimeo planet.
New is old , old is new. We will continue to do what we do and travel the earth in a hip hop way as well as recording and releasing music film and art from new artists who we encourage to just be themselves.

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