For Those Who Can't Sleep On Hip Hop

Here we go, major artists will start employing indie tactics to get their music out. As predicted in my previous article well-known artists will begin to release their releases using similar business models as RadioHead’s recent “pay-what-you-want” offering. In this case fans can purchase or download for free the Reznor and Williams collaboration entitled “Niggy Tardust.”

On the site, Williams states, “We need no priests to talk to God. No phone to call her. And when you click the link below, i think it fair that you should know that your purchase will make middlemen much poorer…” I can’t think of an artist who is as eloquent as Saul Williams. This should be an amazing display of non-genre specific music. I’m hoping for some hard-hitting soundscapes manuvered by Saul’s stylistic prose. Let the games commence.

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Over 15 years ago, the groundbreaking act Born Jamericans made their debut Kids from Foreign on Cali imprint Delicious Vinyl. Following this effort up with Yardcore, the group’s eclectic fusion of hip hop and dancehall was a bit before it’s time. But never-the-less, the duo made their mark on fans through out the world — for they brought elements of dancehall culture to the mainstream.

Edley Shine rose to fame as the larger-than-life DJ whose trademark bass heavy voice ripped through infinite hits like “Boom Shak a-Tack,” “Warning Sign,” “Cease and Seckle” and many others. It was his piercing microphone skills that indisputably wooed the ladies, motivated the gents and kept the vibes flowin’ from start to finish.

Although Born Jamericans weren’t able to weather the storm, one half of the former act Edley Shine has continued to rule his destiny. Of late, the DJ has been busy dropping bangers on the underground and mixtape circuits. As June came to a close, he was off to Chile, South America with Mad Lion to celebrate the release of his red hot new mixtape Edley Shine Foreign’s Finest, Street Mix Volume 1 (Bandulu Records and One Draww Sound).

Available at www.mediafire.com/?nztm1d20l3m, this mixtape boasts pure fire — including the smashes “Boned Love” and “Drop a Sleep.” Without a doubt, Edley Shine also puts it down on his latest singles “Bashment Girl” over the Lookgal riddim and “Try No Go Round It” on the Unfinished Business riddim.

Both July and August are destined to be chock-full for Edley Shine, as he is recording tracks for a back-to-school mixtape for the fall and prepping for monstrous birthday bashes to be celebrated in Washington D.C. (July 26 – Setting Night Club) and Los Angeles. There is no question that he will use these events to promote his new music.

As you read this, the DJ is negotiating a distribution deal to secure getting the hottest “riddims” distributed in America without a hitch. All the while, Edley remains humble about his vibrant past, viewing it as a true learning experience. When asked about the most important thing he learned over the years, without much thought he blurted, “Loyalty is everything. Everyone entering the business should know this.”

The sky is certainly the limit for Edley Shine as he gets in gear for forthcoming opportunities. In addition to releasing fiery music, it’s clear where else his passion lies. “In the next few years, I want to be the eyes and ears of the people dem – bridging the gap between Jamaica and America……… I think that I can provide dancehall artists in Jamaica with a great understanding of the American music business and vice versa,” says Edley Shine with sincerity. “My whole purpose is to entertain and educate all rising artists, from the gullies and trenches to the garrison. And of course, I want to sell a million records, who doesn’t?”

Impressively, Edley Shine has already started on his career quest by working with upcoming artists Carlissa Meeks and Bolo, who kills it on “Round of Applause”, a spicy counteraction to Rihanna’s “Take a Bow.”

Overall, Edley Shine is confident of a music-filled future. Each day, he wholeheartedly embraces his Jamerican background, a rich recipe of cultures that will inevitably continue to manifest in his music and walk.

To keep up with Edley Shine, visit: http://www.myspace.com/edleyshine.

Flair Lindsey

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Here’s another event noting the end of mass media, as we know it. Radiohead recently made individual tracks from their song “Nude” available for download on iTunes. These tracks consist of various components of the song: vocals, bass, guitars, effects, and drums. Digital downloads of the five individual tracks which make up “Nude,” and the actual song itself, were made available as a digital package for $5.99. Fans were encouraged to download the tracks and create their own remix of “Nude” using software such as Garageband. The combined sale of these stems, as they are called on iTunes, helped “Nude” debut on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart at the 37 position. This chart is comprised of data from the sale of music and radio play, however, according to Billboard, at the time of their first charting, “Nude” was only receiving airplay on three or so stations. So, the song’s basis on the charts is mainly due to the 60,000 paid downloads it received last week.

What’s ingenious about Radiohead’s offering is that it was a hugely successful way to merchandise a single song, digitally. In a world where music consumers are less likely to purchase an album, and instead opt to pay .99 cents for a song, Radiohead has effectively sold a single for $5.99. Again, this is really a tribute to connection that this band has with its diehard fans. Since most artists aren’t able to sell entire digital albums to their fans for $9.99, it is more than likely not possible for these artists to effectively sell this type of digital single package of sorts to fans.

Ultimately, creativity, options, and strong connections to fans are proving to be the components of success in the new music economy. Radiohead is doing a great job of ushering in this new era- one where Clear Channel, mass merchants, and major labels are not the gatekeepers for the success of a music release.

(Photo credit- RoadsidePictures Flickr creative commons )

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216462933_2137cb9676_m.jpg

Here’s another event noting the end of mass media, as we know it. Radiohead recently made individual tracks from their song “Nude” available for download on iTunes. These tracks consist of various components of the song: vocals, bass, guitars, effects, and drums. Digital downloads of the five individual tracks which make up “Nude,” and the actual song itself, were made available as a digital package for $5.99. Fans were encouraged to download the tracks and create their own remix of “Nude” using software such as Garageband. The combined sale of these stems, as they are called on iTunes, helped “Nude” debut on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart at the 37 position. This chart is comprised of data from the sale of music and radio play, however, according to Billboard, at the time of their first charting, “Nude” was only receiving airplay on three or so stations. So, the song’s basis on the charts is mainly due to the 60,000 paid downloads it received last week.

What’s ingenious about Radiohead’s offering is that it was a hugely successful way to merchandise a single song, digitally. In a world where music consumers are less likely to purchase an album, and instead opt to pay .99 cents for a song, Radiohead has effectively sold a single for $5.99. Again, this is really a tribute to connection that this band has with its diehard fans. Since most artists aren’t able to sell entire digital albums to their fans for $9.99, it is more than likely not possible for these artists to effectively sell this type of digital single package of sorts to fans.

Ultimately, creativity, options, and strong connections to fans are proving to be the components of success in the new music economy. Radiohead is doing a great job of ushering in this new era- one where Clear Channel, mass merchants, and major labels are not the gatekeepers for the success of a music release.

(Photo credit- RoadsidePictures Flickr creative commons )

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IVENS-SOUNDS TO EXPIRE TO OBESE RECORDS

This review, along with all my others, are obviously geared towards certain types of Hip Hop fans. The type of fans that ignore the commercially saturated radio waves and so called video channels. The type of fans who are willing to take a chance on what some might not consider conventional. Nasty Nas (better known as Nas), released an album that claimed that Hip Hop was dead. And although some might think this is true, Ivens’ “Sounds to Expire To” proves the contrary. This seminal release by Ivens is proof that Hip Hop isn’t dead but, is in fact very much alive and is being held hostage; purposely suppressed so that the corporate conglomerates can stuff their pockets with more loot while bombarding all facets of entertainment (audio and visual) with garbage.

To the rescue is Australia’s Ivens “Sounds to Expire To”! It’s funny how even though Ivens reps the down under, “Sounds to Expire To” is like everything you loved about hip-hop before it went all flashy and pop domestically. Ivens is a well-rounded battle rapper and writer in his own right, reminiscent of a younger and hungrier EL-P. Plutonic Lab step in as a major production force concocting sick beats that are stranger than the most abstract, heavier than the most metal, blacker and more claustrophobic than the most industrial. “S.T.E.T.” consists of 13 tracks in which Ivens and Plutonic Lab take chaos and carnage and twists them into musical shapes which strain, struggle and bend against the boundaries of the art form.

Ivens’ distinctive style is laced with spitfire delivery, relentless wordplay and. is a refreshing blend of knowledge, truth, and exceptional wit. His lyrics are a diverse and dynamic representation of hip-hop. The opening line on the “Intro” sets it off:

“Re-alignment of the frame works coming to pass let’s bend and shape/

Splintered driftwood overlooked seen as an accessory for the taking/

Craftsmanship from a different plain story boards that need no order/

Original etchings fine tuned to the point they seemed distorted.”

As a fan of this incredible art called Hip Hop, I along with many others grow increasingly frustrated that Artists/Groups like this are constantly overlooked. Tracks like “The Grudge” or my favorite “Well Oiled Machine” offer proof that these tracks can hang on any radio station played alongside any commercial artist. Yet the musical playing field is still uneven. Other notable tracks include my second favorite joint “MODLITONTHEMANOCORNUTO”, “Ninth Letter” and every other track I didn’t name. Any fan that is appreciative of dope music will easily connect with this release. To me, this is easily the best LP of this year and should get multiple mentions in all media outlets. Ivens once again proves that there is great music out there if you’re willing to take a chance on it. Trust me, take a chance on this cause you won’t regret it! To support Ivens please check him and Plutonic Lab @ http://www.myspace.com/daveivens. Thanx CyPhEr777

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