What's upper? 

IMPORTANT TO ALL RAP ATTACK REPORTING DJ's & RECORD LABEL REPS: The last day to report your Top 30 chart for 2005 will be on Wednesday, December 14. We will start back up on Wednesday, January 11, 2006...

A Few Things to Ponder: How the West Was Won - West Coast Hip Hop Pioneers Speak About their History
By Davey D

You can peep the interview with Egyptian Lover  http://odeo.com/audio/461196/view  

You can peep the interview with Arabian Prince   http://odeo.com/audio/461377/view

We got a chance to sit down with two of Hip Hop’s most influential yet over looked figures-The Egyptian Lover and the Arabian Prince to talk about the West Coast's history within Hip Hop. Many people don’t realize that these two guys were part of a much larger LA deejay/party that was coming into prominence during the late 70s /early 80s that existed independently of the Hip Hop scene in New York.

Egyptian Lover along with fellow pioneers like Roger Clayton and Uncle Jamm’s Army were working four turn tables, doing all sorts of deejay tricks like playing records backwards and adding a whole lot of showmanship to their craft. It was natural extension and progression of the Funk/Band scene that proceeded it. They were throwing huge parties at places like the LA Coliseum various Roller Skating Rinks and laying down the building blocks for what would later be Cali’s vibrant Hip Hop scene.

It’s important to note that Egypt started out as a deejay and not as a rapper. Egypt explains that like his east coast counterparts Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambaataa, he too was working the early drum machines/ beat boxes and making record specifically to enhance his booming parties. He later took that skill for early beat making and passed it along to other deejays and crews including Luke Campbell of the 2 Live Crew. Egypt explains how the 2 Live Crew's original members came from Southern California and then moved to Miami. Their early sound was his signature sound.

Egyptian Lover also talked to us about the early party days of LA and how cats grew up and were influenced by artists like Prince and Kraftwerk. His love for Prince is what influenced the sexually charged music. That’s why he did songs like ‘Girls’, ‘My Beat Goes Boom’ and ‘Freak-A-Holic’. His love for Kraftwerk is what moved him the direction of what we now call Electro-Funk. This admission is eye opening because many folks outside of Cali automatically assumed that Egypt and Uncle Jamm’s Army came up trying to be like Afrika Bambaataa who introduced us to Electro-funk via his classic song ‘Planet Rock’. Egypt noted that such was not the case and that he has met him once and wished that the pair had teamed up to do music because they would’ve developed an entirely new sound. LA had it’s on thing going.

The Egyptian Lover gives us the run down in this interview http://odeo.com/audio/461196/view

Arabian Prince is probably one of West Coast Hip Hop’s overlooked figures. Raised in Inglewood long before we heard of Mack 10, this well known deejay was putting it down in the late 70s and early 80s all the way up through the late 80s when he was a member of one of the most influential groups in Hip Hop’s history NWA. So in other words Arabian prince was a pioneering figure in Hip Hop’s electro-funk movement as well as pioneering figure in Hip Hop’s gangsta rap movement. A quick look at his track record will show you that he produced landmark tracks for everyone ranging from JJ Fad to Bobby Jimmy and the Critters as well as NWA.

In our interview Arabian Prince talks about how he was a perfectionist who preferred to stay behind the scenes so he could be creative. He talked about the early LA Hip Hop scene and how it was centered on large deejay crews like Uncle Jamm’s Army and the World Class Wrecking Crew which was home to Dr Dre. He talks about how the crews would battle and how everyone had to come with their A game.

He also talks about how the and why early LA Hip Hop was merged with New Wave and Punk in the early 80s. He also reaffirms what Egyptian Lover spoke about regarding who and what influenced the early west coast scene. He says it was definitely Kraftwerk and specifically to compliment the type of dance vibe that was going on in the hood. Arabian Prince concludes his interview by explaining why he left NWA and took his creativity and love for music to another level. He currently programs popular video games.

This is an incredible interview that just begins to open the doors about the rich history of West Coast Hip Hop. To hear what Arabian Prince has to say click here: http://odeo.com/audio/461377/view

A huge congrats goes out to the Trilogy Records family for locking down a distribution deal! Trilogy will now be distributed by Raptivism. Because of the early success of the Doujah Raze album, Trilogy has inked a distribution deal with Raptivism Records/Ryko Distribution. Raptivism/Ryko, who has released successful projects for Zion I, The Last Emperor and Mr. Complex, will re-release Doujah Raze domestically in January. In addition to making this album much more widely available (Tower, Best Buy, etc.), this new alliance will provide Trilogy the network and resources to release projects on a more consistent basis. Both Raptivism/Ryko and Trilogy are extremely excited about the new relationship, and are anxious to bring more quality Hip-Hop to the masses.

Nikki D from the 90's "Daddy's Little Girl" fame is back as Nikki Strong with four new cuts off her new mixtape featuring: "Take Yo Beat," "Dat Bitch," "Stand Up" & Nic_Shaun." Nikki Strong's been puttin' in overtime working over at Phat Farm & now she is ready to make her lyrical comeback! Stay tuned...

Fat Beats has started a radio program on EastVillageRadio.com, and in their first month they were one of the most listened to shows with over 10,000 podcasts/streams. EastVillageRadio.com is alway down to play the newest and hottest singles so record labels please add them to your servicing mailing list.     Please send 4 copies of every record to:
Fat Beats Radio
Attn: Dan Goldberg
110 Bridge St
3rd Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Dan@Fatbeats.com

After a long deserved hiatus, Kirk Hamm (formerly with Elektra) has returned to work with "www.digiwaxx.com " a FREE online service that provides up to 3 major label music releases a day. Digiwaxx.com then sends email alerts directly to your email inbox, prompting you to then go to the website and download new music and limited exclusive releases. Hit up Kirk for more info at: office:(866) 599.0186 or via email at:  kirk_music@yahoo.com...
 

SCRATCH MAGAZINE REMIXES BLOKHEDZ: Hip-Hop's hottest comic book has a new home. Excerpts from the street-adventure comic series "Blokhedz" will be featured in the January/Feb issue of Scratch Magazine. Nas and DJ Premier grace the cover of the issue that will jump off a recurring Blokhedz feature.

Created and illustrated by Mark and Mike Davis, "Blokhedz" first began flying off of shelves in early 2004 before selling out completely in comic book shops throughout the country. Now the best way for new fans to get their Blokhedz fix is through the bi-monthly editions of Scratch.

According to "Blokhedz" writer and producer Brandon Schultz "Our audience is small, but devoted. From Japan to Australia to South Central LA, Street Legends Ink has carved a niche in the comic industry for the Hip-Hop generation. Linking up with Scratch gives us a chance to grow that audience in a way that stays true to the Blokhedz aesthetic ".

"Honestly, it's been our desire to work with Jerry Barrow since his editorial days at the Source. He is a visionary and his move to Scratch ensured that the spirit of our collaboration would be authentic. Scratch is the iterary 'Beat Street' to our animated '8mile'" added Blokhedz comic producer Nicole Duncan-Smith.

Published by industry upstart Street Legends Ink, the series has garnered coverage from Reuters, CNN live, The Boston Globe and the Los Angeles Times among others. Scratch editor-in-chief Jerry Barrow observes, "I've been a huge fan of Blokhedz since the first issue and I haven't found a Hip-Hop comic book that combines great art with a compelling storyline like this, so it was an honor for me to get them down with Scratch".

Street Legends Ink, a wholly owned subsidiary of ImajiMation Studios Inc, produces the Blokhedz comic series and toys. Street Legends is a  licensing
company that specializes in products relevant to the global youth culture. To learn more visit: www.streetlegendsink.com...
 

M-1 f/ Stickman of Dead Prez "Early" (Sotti Records) is the next joint to lookout for! You can peep out M-1's site at: www.myspace.com/m1rbg. Don't sleep on this aiight? To get laced hit up my boy Gusmo at:

 Gusmo Nat'l Dir of MixShow & Promo
Sotti Records
1212-244-8010 EXT 4
GUSMO@SOTTIRECORDS.COM 
M-1 of Dead Prez solo Album dropping March 8, 2006
 

I'm really feelin' the new GMC "Pay It No Attention" (X Records). This indi group has got lots of potential to become a BIG record for 2006. Check your mail for the single & MP3! Hit me up for more info...

Koch Records has got the ish these days! Peep out Alchemist "The Instrumentals" album a two vinyl set featuring instrumentals to Alchemist's bangers! Also in the Koch mix you need to peep are: Scarface presents The Project "Gotta Get Out" b/w "I'm A," Snoop's DPGC "Real Soon" & Funk Flex f/ 50 Cent & Paul Wall "Just A Touch"...

Warren G f/ B-Real "Get U Down" (Lightyear) is puttin' my O.G. homeboy back on the Hip-Hop map! The album "In The Mid-Nite Hour" is TIGHT too featuring Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Mike Jones, Ice Cube, Raphael Sadiq & Bishop Lamont. Debuting on this weeks RAP ATTACK TOP 5 UNDERGROUND chart "OUT THE BOX" is proof that this album is gonna make some noise!...

CT.'s Phar-City keeps droppin' the singles & they are real close to hittin' it big on the Hip-Hop map with their latest "Gotta Have It" featuring Trey Songz. Stay tuned...

Straight outta TN is artist Brandy Li who's debut single Envy" b/w "E" (Union Avenue Ent.) is gonna garner new fans from both the dj's & consumers. You heard it first right here on the RAP ATTACK! Droppin' in Jan 2006...

Rebecca Altman with Conspiracy Sounds is back in full promotions effect. Please hit her up with all your current contact info to: conspiracysounds@hotmail.com or call her at (914) 260-4092. Rebecca & I will be promoting the new A-Alikes joints, so give her a holla now! The long awaited A-Alikes joints are finally bout to drop in a couple weeks on Nervous Records.  The A side features: "What's Your Politic?," produced by DR Period and the B side features, "They Wanna Murder Me," produced by Madsol. Their album "I Eat U Eat" drops next Spring...

Reppin' Kentucky, artist Slaughterhouse has dropped his debut 12", "Yaw Don't Know" b/w "That's Gonna Be A Problem" (Slaughterhouse Music). Here's what New York's own DJ PrizMatik from WFTU radio is sayin' about the new Slaughterhouse: "I gotta say man, I'm loving this shit. This is by far the best thing you serviced in a while. I am really feelin this joint. I'm all over it. I was gonna add it to rotation this week, but i will wait to officially drop it with the rest of the dj world.Don't know where I've heard it before & I don't know where these dudes came from, but this shit is real hot"...

Rap Attack takes a "WHAT'S UPPER" look this week with:

DJ Raw-B (KUSF-SF): " Click on the link below and vote for your favorite Bay Area DJ. Your consideration is appreciated. Please vote for me! Thanks for your time: http://www.nitevibe.com/dreamteam2005/sfpoll/page1.asp...

DJ Radd 1 (WDBM-MI): Peep out my MySpace page at: http://www.myspace.com/4585537"...

DJ EFN (Mixtape / Miami): Check out the latest write up on Miami's underground king...GARCIA!

 Miami New Times: http://www.miaminewtimes.com/issues/2005-12-01/music/livewire.html

Also check GARCIA & DJ EFN @ Myspace.com's event in Miami, Fl. Dec 10th: http://www.globitron.com/myspace/florida/takeover_florida.html...

EarthQuake (Live365.com): " Check out a really nice article on me written by Adrienne Matthews on: http://seaspot.com/index.shtml. Shout out to Kun Luv for wanting to spotlight me on his site"...

Nate Abney (WKDU-Philadelphia): " Thanksgiving has come and gone and I definitely got food to eat for sure. I hit up the ATL as well and found out alot about my 91 year old great grandmother(she is as sharp as ever). There a few other things I noted about my trip I found interesting:
1. Getting off the plane and realizing the women were just banging
2. Repping Philly to the fullest and letting everyone know Michael Vick is overrated and can't read defenses
3.Talking to all the college football fans in Georgia, Georgia Tech etc and saying tough season huh(PSU #3 in the BCS)
4.. My brother asking every woman he saw to repeat what they just said because he found their accent funny
5. My brother discovers David Ruffin is good(not to mention legendary)
6. My 91 year old great grandmother and 73 year old great aunt both asking when I'm getting married and to hurry up because I'm on the clock                            All in all a great time. Club 112 was packed by the way almost ran over this jawn on peachtree street. Hope to have everyone check out a special E-Soundbites
on Dec.7th. Also congrats to Lou Logic and J BROWN for making it official with Fatbeats. Peace"...

Garbs Infinite (WRUW-OH): " Hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving. For those in the snow belt like me be careful! I have a decent sized show that I am helping to put on January 13th featuring Grand Agent, Saj Supreme & the rest of my crew, and other groups out here in cleveland who are doing some stuff on a bigger scale then the average local mc's. If any of you are interested or know anyone who might be insending me some giveaways for the concert lemme know. Anything will do some cd's, shirts, anything that you might be working on, It will be a large hip hop crowd! Contact me Garbs38@gmail.com or hit me 216-965-5500 Peace!!!!!

Lee L'Heureux (WRED-ME): "As some of you know, I personally am making some changes. I'm leaving WRED. I have some excellent other opportunities including a radio venture available through Yahoo and Itunes which you'll hear more about later and some label work with Asylum Records. We did some great things at WRED which is #1 18-34 in the market and my new music show is #1 rated all demos in the market. However, it is time to move on. For those of you who service me records, please change the address to:

Lee L'Heureux

6 Old Belgrade Ave.

 Oakland, ME 04963

Thank you for working with me. There will be another new address coming but for the time being if you could use that it would be appreciated. Thank you all for the support of my endeavors"...

Raw-B (KUSF-CA): "What up Peoples!? I recently started helping out these folks who've created a new way to listen to music. It's basically your personal jukebox that's connected to a network. Think Myspace meets Itunes...yet completely unique...if that makes sense. Although they're still in their infancy stages, Chuck D's Rap Station label and Duck Down Records have signed on to contribute content to the network. This is an EXCELLENT way for you and your label to spread your music free of charge and completely legal. One of the advantages of using this format is that you get detailed feedback from the listener i.e. what songs they like, how many times they listen, their location, and many more demographic data. Anyway...the best way to get a grasp about what I'm babbling about is to download the player and check it out for yourself. If you or your label is interested in submitting content to this exclusive network then feel free to hit me back. Thanks for your time. Here are the links:
To download the player and start listening to new tunes, you'll need to
register for the music service. Click this link:
http://www.tastyaudio.com/register/92ade93e1fb8
We look forward to your feedback as we roll out this new way to connect
with independent music. Your comments are extremely useful for us to
incorporate new ideas into future versions of the product"...
 

Meddafore (Mixtape / Philly): "My Birthday Bash is set to take place on December 17th, DOIN IT BIG! Any labels or companies looking to get involved with sponsorship or anything else related to the event, hit me up asap at  Meddafore@aol.com. This will be the one to remember!"...

Here is our new address for 2005 to send material for review, etc (vinyl & cd's)! Same address, just a new Ste. number:

 RapAttackLives.com

4750 Kester Avenue, Ste. 11

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Attn: Nasty-Nes

COMING DECEMBER '05 "Rock The Beat Volume 3" Promo Vinyl & CD

IT'S BACK: EXCLUSIVE NEW RAP ATTACK OFFER:

The New Motorola V3 Razor

is $99 dollars with a 1 year contract.

The New Blackberry 7290

is $99 dollars with a 1 year contract.

Here it is the ALL NEW Blackberry 7100t. TMobile is offering our Rap Attack DJ's & affiliates friends & readers of RapAttackLives.com & business associates the following special:

OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU FOR MAKIN' RAP ATTACK NUMBER ONE!

$100.00 plus a $100.00 rebate ($000.00 for the unit)

THIS IS FOR REAL! RAPATTACKLIVES.COM APPROVED!

$100.00 plus a $100.00 rebate

$29.99 monthly fee which includes unlimited web browsing & email plus 300 incoming & outgoing text!

$150 SIDEKICK II - 2WAY DEAL:  I've got the exclusive hook up if you're lookin' to buy a "Sidekick II" 2 way. They normally retail for $300 plus. TMobile is offering our Rap Attack DJ's & affiliates (friends & readers of RapAttackLives.com & business associates) the following special:

$100.00 plus a $50.00 rebate ( $50.00 for the unit)

$39.00 monthly fee for cell & unlimited text messaging & online, etc.

Contact Alex Nguyen at (408) 310-3933 or online at: vtxguy4O8@yahoo.com.

Tell him Nasty-Nes from RapAttackLives.com sent you & save yourself $$$ on a brand new "SIDEKICK II."

P.S. Great news!!! Effective NOW the 1000 minute phone/cell plan with unlimited nights and weekeneds is NOW only $39.99!!!!!!!

 

www.RapAttackLives.com has the all new Pro Club Thick T-Shirts!

 Yup it's the #1 Hip-Hop clothing brand for Tees & we've got the hard to find Long & Short Sleeve T-shirts from sizes: XL to 7XL!

 Log on here for more info: http://www.proclubthicktees.com

SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy Birthday this week to my O.G. homie from back in my Mix-A-Lot days & my brother-in-Christ, DJ Bubba G. Scotch from Salinas', KHDC celebrating this Wednesday, December 7th. To L. Precise reppin' Canada's CJSF celebrating this Thursday, December 8... Mark Luv (Zulu Nation)... To Sally Piper & Candy Kaniecki (see photo above-Thank you for believing in me & representin' me! 2006 is gon' be BIG!!!)... Donnice Wilson from Duck-Lit Productions (Thank you so much for opening the doors for me in Hollywood. I will never forget you. I promise)... Gloria Ortega (Get well & stay strong. You are in my prayers daily )...

PEACE, LOVE & HIP-HOP UNITY (God Bless & Isa Mahal),

Nasty-Nes

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16)