For Those Who Can't Sleep On Hip Hop

Hip Hop Symposium / Mixtape Phenomenon

October 14, 2006

Submited by
R. “Silva Sir-fa” Brown
What: Hip-Hop Symposium/Mixtape Phenomenon

Who: G.A.C. & (See panelist listed below)

Where: Hip-Hop Cultural Center @ The Magic Johnson Theatre, 2309 Frederick Douglas Blvd 2nd floor, NY

When: Saturday, October 14th – 4:00pm to 5:00pm (free admission)

Havelock Nelson (moderator) is a public relations strategist, carrying out a broad range of regional and national public relations campaigns for such clients as Sony Electronics, the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, ABC Radio, DualDisc, the River to River Festival and New York Life, on behalf of the acclaimed PBS series Slavery and the Making of America. Prior to his PR career, Nelson was a writer for such outlets as Rolling Stone, Vibe, the Village Voice, the Boston Globe, the New York Daily News, Entertainment Weekly, Interview and MTV. He became Billboard magazine’s first rap editor in 1991, the same year his critically praised book, Bring the Noise: A Guide to Rap Music & Hip-Hop Culture, was published.

 

Wicked is a Connecticut-based rap artist making his mark from the ground up. A Justo Mixtape Award recipient, he can be heard on mix tapes by Connecticut’s DJ Big Mike, New England’s DJ Kurupt and New York City’s DJ Kay Slay and DJ L. In early 2005, he was honored by the city of New Haven and radio station Hot 93.7 FM as a pioneer in area’s burgeoning hip-hop community. Wicked has collaborated with the likes of Dipset’s J.R. Writer, Papoose and new Shady Records artist Big Twin. Wicked is also co-owner and operator of the New Haven-based retail destination Diamond Records.

 

Alan Ket is president of From Here to Fame Publishing, a book publishing company dedicated to preserving hip-hop and graffiti culture. Ket has been in the publishing industry for over 10 years. He was founder, editor, and publisher of Stress magazine and Complex magazine. Most recently he was the editor and producer of Vstyle, a magazine supplement published by Vibe magazine. He is an internationally known graffiti writer.

 

Remo Da Rap Star is behind one of the most highly-anticipated mixtape albums in recent memory. Rap Star Phenomenon debuted with rave reviews from MixUnit.com, Sohh.com, RapMullet.com and MTV. The collection features an impressive list of star DJs, including Green Lantern, Vlad, Dirty Harry and Clinton Sparks. Remo hails from Castle Hill Projects in the Bronx.

Dayana Concepcion is president of sales and marketing at Mixtape Kings. In her role, she focuses on strategic planning and product differentiation. Previously, she was a production assistant at MTV Networks and a Sales Coordinator at NYTimes.com.  She presently attends The Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, majoring in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management.

 

Reagan Sommer McCoy is COO of Juz Muzik Group and Justo’s Mixtape Awards, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. She is also assistant manager to Star Track artistThe Clipse. She attended Hampton University, where she studied architecture.

 

Dimez Dinero is CEO of Rapmullet.com, the premier mixtape review website, founded in 2003. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics from New York University.

Rahman Dukes from Mixtape Mondays.

Hope to see you there….

R. “Silva Sir-Fa” Brown

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Synergy travelling from Boston to your ears!!! CyPhER777

October 13, 2006

synergy.jpgSynergy-(Self Titled) Basement Troubadour
Synergy which consists of emcees/producers August Ease and Kurram. From the beginning of the first track “Act One,” you’re automatically hit with an intricate industrialized beat. Couple that with superb rhyme skills, and you have no choice but to be hooked and intrigued at the same time.

Synergy is as expressive as a well written novel. Only seven tracks long; you’ll appreciate the effort these guys put forth; bouncing clever rhymes over their self produced distorted madness. T
“Brake pedal to the stoplight in the nation’s safest city
 Green light, gunshot, murder one oh what a pity
 I feel shitty but damn I must feel a bit worse
 I’m in my car in traffic; he was in a hurry to get to work
 Oh well whatever….. Never mind
 Those who’s bad bumper stickers without clever lines”
 It pretty much sets the mood for the other 6 tracks.
Next is “Generic Idols” where Kurram takes over the production duties. On this track, the sounds contain haunting undertones and will definitely get most heads nodding. Lyrically both emcees are in tune with one another; building and providing much arsenal verbally for the listener to absorb. The sure banger on this EP is definitely “Science Killed God.” How can you go wrong when you start a track with an Alex Jones sample? This is a very edgy track that evokes paranoia and mistrust but not in the fictional sense. Their words deal with the reality of the goings on with society today.
“Greenland Blunted” is nicely crafted, multi-layered and deep vibed. Nothing too complicated. The multi faceted “Anti-socialism” then kicks things back in gear but carries over the same smooth vibe of the track before. Somewhere in the middle the beat get a little complex where the drums and snares collide beautifully with each other. Lyrically both August and Kurram are dope. Please support Synergy @ http://www.myspace.com/synergy1 or http://www.basementtroubadour.com/ . Thanks CyPhEr777

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E40 Presents Big Rich

October 12, 2006

Interview Big Rich
by Anilast aka Stuart de la Rosa
(KSMT 102.3 & 102.7 Breckenridge, CO)
big rich.jpg

Tell me all about this E-40 movement that’s happening and all the hype over this hyphy thing

BR: What’s going on is this Hyphy movement is just getting the national spot light but it’s been going on for a long time now. It’s a sub-culture of Hip Hop, like crunk. It’s our style, it’s what we are and we finally got a brand that describes our style. Out here (west coast) it’s the way we dress, the way we talk to the way we walk, the way we dance, how we rap; we have our own wardrobe, it’s a movement for sho’. It’s defiantly catching on across a few markets across America and we are trying to make sure it stays there. We had our chance in ‘94 and in ’95. A lot of artists in the Bay area were getting record deals and we kind of fumbled it, and now we don’t want to lose it moment again.

Regarding the Hyphy movement, let me get this straight, they drive cars and have parties anywhere?

BR: Anywhere! They set up a side shows in any intersection in the world. A bunch of cars spinning out, doing hitting donuts, it’s a crazy culture. It’s like controlled chaos, it’s chaotic, but it’s still under control cause no one’s really trying to hurt anybody.

Aren’t there legalities issues if you’re setting up parties on intersections?

BR: They shut the sh*t down, out here we’re not even allowed to say the word sideshow on the radio. If we do have the word sideshow in it, we have to edit it. The sh*t’s illegal if you out doing donuts in the intersection and some gets killed or someone gets ran over, that’s why they banned it.

bigrichalbum.jpgAll that sh*t gets edited out here. We made the hyphy language, the word purple. There‘s clubs out here that won’t let you in if you have gold teeth and dred locks. Even if it’s a brother’s culture he still won’t be able to get into the club, cause it’s associated with the hyphy movement.

What is it that sets you apart as an artist?

BR: My sh*t is not really the hyphy sell; it’s really not my sound. My music is more street orientated. It’s about regular, every day situations. I still support the movement so within that I try to bring an alternative to it. If you don’t feel like partying too much to high active music, my sh*t is more on everyday life.

What’s you’re new album about?

BR: It‘s my story, a lot of dudes glorify the streets to sell records but I still live here I am still from there. My whole family is there, no 9-5 jobs, there was a lot of drug dealers, a lot of hustlers and pimps. That’s what I was brought up in but I found rap and that was my outlet. Instead of going down that road, I chose this road. It’s slowly paying off for me, but it’s street talk.

So if you had to sum up your alum in one sentence what would it be?

BR: My story.

E40 Presents: “Block Tested, Hood Approved” is in stores now and available on Koch Records. Visit Big Rich’s site www.myspace.com/bigrich

Thanks to Sean Cliff (Koch Records)

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Tower Records Will Close

October 10, 2006

After over 30 years of operating one of the most indie friendly national chains, Tower Records, has been sold to Great American Group. The second highest bidder was Transworld Entertainment, who had been out bid by Great American by $500,000, for a grand total of $134.3 million dollars.

Great American plans to liquidate Tower’s assets. Ironically, if the purchase were to have gone to Transworld, who currently own chains such as FYE, Sam Goody and Werehouse, they reportedly planned to continue to operate a majority of the stores. Now, with Tower shutting the doors of 89 remaining stores, 3000 employees will lose their jobs.

This latest hit to traditional brick and mortar music retail is more evidence of the impact that trends in online music consumption has had on the music industry.

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Bling Water?

October 10, 2006

Message from Kreoliciouz below sent to Insomniac about new Bling Water.
Wow! We’re speechless.
image004.jpg

“What in the entertainment world is Hollywood talking about now? The newest sensation in beverages has arrived. Bling H2O is the latest water that will leave you hydrated while quenching your thirst in style. Served in limited edition recyclable frosted champagne bottles drenched in Swavorski Crystals, or you can order limited edition plastic bottles by the case in various colors. Bling H2O comes in 2 image001.jpgdifferent sizes, 350ml and 750ml. Order them individually or by the case for your next event or to serve in your place of business.”

 

350ml  $24 per bottle      $360 (case of 24)        750ml  $40 per bottle      $324 (case of 12)

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