D-TRAGIC (805HIPHOP.COM)

ARASH F/ REAZON

ALL OF MY LIFE

SOFULL ENT.

[[  August 3, 2009  ]]

What's Upper? 

Last Thursday we were blessed to have one of Hip-Hop's legends on our "RAP ATTACK CONF CALL," RAKIM. RAKIM is BACK in 2009 with "Holy Are You" (RA Records/SMC Recordings). I wanted to share with you what went down on our call. Here's WRFG's JayForce with his breakdown on one of most historic calls:  "The RapAttackLives.com conference call last Thursday featured one of the greatest lyricists of all time -- Rakim. In preparation for his upcoming album entitled "The 7th Seal", the legendary God Rakim spoke with deejays from all over the world on the call on a variety of issues. Although Rakim didn't fully go into any pressing details involving his former label situation on Aftermath with Dr. Dre or his relationship with former partner in crime Eric B, he provided some insight on his legacy & brought us up to date to 2009 with info on the pending release of his new album. When asked about how he's taking care of his health Rakim says that although he's not a workout buff he does try to maintain a healthy mind, body, & spirit. As far as touring is concerned Rakim explained that although he utilized the legendary DJ Kid Capri on tour with him on more than one occasion, he mentioned that Kid Capri stays touring very often & the possibility for them to do it again is always possible. The focus of the conference call then turned more towards information regarding the album that many fans have been waiting for many years. Rakim says that he has a great list of producers & surprise guests on the album, but stopped short of naming any individuals instrumental in putting the project together with him. Rakim did say that he is still dedicated to preserving true lyricism without having to use plenty of profanity to paint a picture. Despite non-stop recording since his break from his Aftermath situation, Rakim said that he may leak plenty of records prior to the album being released as he's amassed a wealth of music that may not make the cut. It appears that although things have changed since the late 80's & 90s in terms of the speed that music is released from artists, Rakim refuses to compromise his art, instead he's focusing heavily on releasing the right songs with quality production & lyricism. Significant deejays on the call from around the globe included Vernassa Fields from Spincycle Radio, DJ Third Rail (WNUR-Chicago), DJ Savvy (KDON-The Bay Area), Ahsaan The Golden Child (WRSU-NJ), Jayforce (WRFG-ATL), D-Tragic (805HipHop.com), Rich Lawson (KSMU-Missouri), G-Fresh (WAIF-OH), Edgie Kokoski (WUNH-NH), (DJ Addition (Mixtapes-Boston/NH), Nesto (WODU-VA), DJ Bombai, Chill Will (WCBN-MI), DJ Frresh, Kevin Sakoda (KSPC-CA), DJ Fusion (FuseBoxRadio), Nasty-Nes, Kate Wolfson (SMC Rec), Blaze Wong (Cornerstone) & many others. Rakim's the "7th Seal" album is scheduled to drop on SMC Recordings/Universal Music"...
 

Blue Scholars signs with Duck Down Records for a modern day record deal. Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle's Caffe Vita Coffee Co.

On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release "OOF!" their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album "Bayani", which has already sold over 20,000 units. Bayani Redux will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon. The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away.  Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses.

Dru Ha, CEO of Duck Down Records states, "I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in Hip-Hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business."
Duck Down's current distribution partner, E1 Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the United States, will handle distribution of Blue Scholars' physical product. Digital sales and distribution will go through Tunecore. Direct-to-fan marketing and sales will be developed by the members of Blue Scholars themselves, using Topspin web marketing tools.

Says Geo, of Blue Scholars, "After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music. "

To finance all the upcoming projects, Blue Scholars have formed a strategic brand relationship with Seattle independent coffee company, Caffe Vita. The coffee company will also play a role in the sales and distribution plan by selling upcoming albums in all of their retail outlets and marketing the releases via their online presence. Blue Scholars DJ/ Producer Sabzi says in regard to their partnership with Caffe Vita - "their innovative marketing, their justice and equity in business practices, and their premiere quality of product and presentation, make Caffe Vita an ideal brand to partner with. I intend to do with our music what Vita does with their coffee."

Blue Scholars have sold over 60,000 albums and played over 400 live shows. They have developed a dedicated following in the Northwest (selling over 4,000 tickets for each of their last few Seattle performances) and have shared the stage with an impressive list of nationally acclaimed artists such as Kanye West, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Matisyahu, Zion-I, Flobots and the Coup.

To learn more about Blue Scholars and download a free track off their upcoming OOF! EP in stores August 25th visit: WWW.BLUESCHOLARS.COM
For more information on Blue Scholars' partners visit:
Duck Down Records: www.duckdown.com
Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Company: www.caffevita.com
Topspin Media: www.topspinmedia.com
Tunecore: www.tunecore.com 
 

NJ's own DJ Phillee Blunt reppin' IllVibe.net & mixtapes is hanging up his headphones for now. He's been a great part of our RAP ATTACK panel & we wish well in his future endevours...
 

WANT TO BE ON THE FOLLOWING CD ????  KEEPITCLASSIC.COM - UNDERGROUND HIP-HOP COMPILATION VOL. 18 - THE FINAL VOLUME "FALL/WINTER 2009"

We are now accepting submissions for Volume 18 (THE FINAL VOLUME) of the Keepitclassic.com Underground Hip-Hop compilation CD Deadline is August 28 or Until CD is filled.  This includes The Following:

*Song Placed on CD

*Song Title, Artist Name, Production Credit, Record Label Name, & Website, placed on the back cover of the CD

*Street Promotion of the CD & Online Promotion of the CD

*2,000 CDs will be pressed and will be given out with all orders placed on Keepitclassic.com, and at various hip-hop events.

*Each artist on the CD will get 50 personal copies to give out themselves.

This CD will be serviced digitally to all the RapAttackLives.com reporters/DJ's who rep College Rap Radio, Internet & Satellite Hip-Hop shows & exclusive MixTape DJs  Once we review and accept the track the artist submitted for the CD. The artist must give us $110 which goes towards the cost of pressing, promoting, & shipping the CD's. This is a non-profit CD and none of the funds recieved from the artists goes into our own pockets. Also, this CD is not a Mixtape. It is a compilation Album and You get everything listed above for your $110 donation towards the CDs production. 

Email tracks to info@keepitclassic.com

We have to approve your track before we accept your payment.
Payments and tracks are due by August 28th
Payments are accepted through paypal.com or money order.

Here is the tracklist for the current CD, Volume 17  KEEPITCLASSIC.COM UNDERGROUND HIP HOP COMPILATION VOL. 17 SUMMER 2009:
CO-HOSTED BY: BLAK PHILLY & IRREGULAR (KEEPITCLASSIC.COM ALL STARS)

1) Blak Philly Intro
2) Framed - Blak Philly featuring Influence
3) Stand Up - Awol One featuring. Myka 9 and Aesop Rock
4) Savings Withdrawl - Caligula featuring Lyrikill
5) Blak Philly Drop
6) I Don't Know What To Do - Brash
7) Golden Lining - Top Knotch
8) Elements - Evolve
9) Grind Season - Casino Dialz featuring Kinkaide Da Bully & Dirty Del Negro
10) Thinkback - Dino Ferrari
11) Black Philly Outro
12) The Bizness - Trace Motivate
13) Irregular Intro
14) Sex 201 - Irregular
15) Rip Ya Torso - EecMcee Featuring Copywrite
16) The End - Mayday
17) Official - Awol One and Factor
18) Moments In Time - Beobi
19) Good Music - Jeff Jack
20) Two Different Worlds - Awkwerd ft. Esean
21) Irregular

This weeks' NUMBER ONE MOST ADDED RECORD is by DC's own D.O.E. CIGAPOM "It's Alright" (Sa-Loan Productions) Peep their VIDEO LINK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nn4Jp59s_vo&feature=

pyv&ad=3280560640&kw=doe%20cigapom...

Rap group The Beastie Boys have announced member Adam "MCA" Yauch has cancer, forcing the the group to cancel a number of tour dates and push back their upcoming album. In a video posted on their website beastieboys.com, Yauch explained: "I have some pretty heavy news to say. About two months ago, I started feeling this little lump in my throat, like what you would feel if you have swollen glands or something like that...When we were over in Europe doing promotion, I started to think that I should talk to my doctor...They did tests, and I actually have cancer in the parotid gland, and it's also in the lymph node right in that area." All of us at RAP ATTACK will keep you on our prayers & believe that you will make it thru this & be cancer free...

DJ B-Mello exits Seattle's KEXP "Street Sounds" after holdin' that show down for 10 years since Nasty-Nes turned off his mic. Larry Mizell Jr. aka Gatsby from They Live will now be hosting KEXP's Sunday night's "Street Sounds" show. Meantime DJ B-Mello still holds it down in the mix on KUBE 93 & will also be a part of the new Death Row Records. Since its inception, DJ B-Mello has been a mainstay of the KEXP urban music community. Known best for supporting independent artists, getting them heard on the radio and keeping a close ear to the underground scene, DJ B-Mello is making some changes in his career. 

 “KEXP has been an amazing experience for me and it will always be a huge part of who I am as a DJ and what I stand for in terms of discovery of new music and the support of developing talent. Change is good, I’m looking forward to what’s coming next. But new opportunity has come to B-Mello who is now scheduled to consult for the new Death Row Records - aka Wideawake Death Row Entertainment working Death Row product in North America including working with radio programmers, clubs, DJ’s, special remix contests and initiatives. “Given my long history living in the Northwest before becoming the CEO of WIDEawake Entertainment Group, I am really happy to create an opportunity for B-Mello and work closely with him to help bring new life into Death Row. I think having someone who really understands the national and international club scene and how Death Row can play in is a huge a plus for our company,” says  Lara Lavi (CEO). WIDEawake Death Row Entertainment was created when WIDEawake Entertainment Group Inc. purchased all the Death Row Masters and Publishing from a California bankruptcy proceeding in January 2009. The Company is committed to honoring the artists, music and fans that are the ground breaking phenomena Death Row Records. B-Mello won best West Coast DJ of the Year in 2006 and has not stopped. He still maintains his on air presence as well as being a sought after club and party DJ. For More Information: contact: Sasha Stoltz: sashastoltz@bellnet.ca ...

Fusebox Radio Broadcast with RAP ATTACK's own, DJ Fusion & Jon Judah has been nominated for "Underground Radio Show for 2009" by the Underground Music Awards. Please vote for their show at: www.UrbanBuzzFactor.com by no later than Thursday, August 6, 2009.

Rap Attack welcomes to their DJ/Radio reporting panel, 206's Zulu President, King Khazm. Khazm holds it down every Saturday night at 10pm (pst) on 91.3FM-KBCS ( www.kbcs.fm ) with "Zulu Radio." To hit up Khazm with your joints & for more info contact:

Email: zuluradio@gmail.com
Phone: (206) 760-6235...

Rap Attack bids farewell to long time reporter Tazzy Taz from EnLaCasa.com. We wish him the very best in his future endeavours...

WHAT'S BLAZIN' WITH BLAZE WONG? by: BLAZE WONG:

 It was great meeting all of you guys that were on the Rakim Rap Attack Conf Call this past week! It's so great to be on a call and hear folks talk about support towards the real, Hip-Hop....Another trying week where I am beginning to think someone from up top is trying to throw me challenges to accomplish. First off, thank you to everyone that has been supporting Rakim's "Holy Are You"!

Second, all my DJs in the NYC metro area please hit me up, i have a surprise for you guys that I can not divulge on here but I am sure what I have to offer, you will love it!

Lastly, I received a few emails from you guys already and if I never responded please do not take offense to it. If you do not hear back from me just re-email me again. I get tons of emails and it may be buried in between emails or simply give me a shout at the office! I love talking to new people!

Shouts to momma and poppa Blaze! This past weekend after 20+ years of service to a small community outside of Albany, NY, momma and poppa Blaze decided to call it quits and retire the restaurant that they worked so hard to take care of their children with. I had to go up and see this through to the end. Wish you guys could've came for the last meal! The whole community came for one last taste! Even I ran the helm cooking up some craziness that'll make you coming back for more! So this week's "Triple Freshness" is cooked up for you with love of Hip-Hop and also a hint of spice for the clubs! Enjoy!

1. Rakim "Holy Are You" (Ra Music / Tuscan Villa / SMC Records)
2. Pac Div "Mayor" (Universal Motown)
3. Ester Dean "Drop It Low" (Interscope Records)

Blaze Wong

Cornerstone Promotion / National Manager of Urban Promotion

blaze@cornerstonepromotion.com

www.cornerstonepromotion.com

www.1200squad.com

www.twitter.com/1200squad 

You can find all of this on www.1200squad.com, thank you for all your support and feel free to reach! Have a great one and don't ever forget that "The DJ is the Cornerstone of Hip-Hop"®

Def Jam’s top-ranking roster of superstar rappers continue to dominate this summer’s touring circuit - as Method Man, Redman and Ghostface join forces for The Foot Print in Hip-Hop Tour, keeping the Wu-Tang Clan spirit alive and well on a 21-city schedule that opens July 22^nd at the Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, and wraps up August 16^th at Mezzanine in San Francisco. Opening for the tour is Brooklyn’s Duo Live performing their Color of Money and hot single "Shooting". (Please see tour dates below.)

Method Man and Redman are basking in the glow of BLACKOUT 2, their critically acclaimed new Def Jam collaboration released in May – the long-awaited (ten years!) follow-up to their essential Blackout, one of the defining hip-hop events of 1999 (with “Tear It Off,” “Y.O.U.,” and “Da Rockwilder”). BLACKOUT 2 blasted off with a trifecta of new single releases showing off Meth and Red at their very best: “A-Yo” featuring Saukrates, produced by Pete Rock; “Mrs. International” featuring Erick Sermon, produced by Buckwild; and “City Lights” featuring Bun B, produced by Nasty Kutt. The album debuted on top 10 on Soundscan and has drawn unanimous raves from print and web media.

Ghostface Killah, W-TC’s most prolific member, will release his 6^th Def Jam album (and 10^th major label career album) in September, THE WIZARD OF POETRY, described as “an R&B-influenced rap album.” Ghost’s most recent release was Ghostdeini The Great (December 2008), his first official archive collection on the Def Jam label, blending “classic tracks with remixes and new verses,” as Billboard.com described it. Guests included W-TC, fellow Def Jam artists Kanye West and Ne-Yo, Amy Winehouse, Mary J. Blige, Ice Cube, and others. The collection also drew tracks from three of Ghost’s Def Jam albums: Fishscale (March 2006), More Fish (December 2006), and The Big Doe Rehab (December 2007).

Redman exploded on to the hip-hop scene in 1992 with Whut? Thee Album, his RIAA gold debut album. It was followed by Dare Iz a Darkside.(1994), Muddy Waters (1996), Doc’s da Name 2000 (1998), Malpractice (2001) – all RIAA gold-sellers – and El Nino with Def Squad (1998, with Keith Murray and Erick Sermon), and Red Gone Wild (2007).

Always larger than life, Method Man became a vital part of hip-hop culture in 1992 as a founding member of the seminal hip-hop supergroup Wu-Tang Clan with their classic debut, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). Solidifying himself as a superstar in his own right, Meth went on to record for Def Jam and release Tical (1994), Tical 2000: Judgement Day (1998) – both RIAA platinum – Tical 0: The Prequel (2004, RIAA gold), and 4:21…The Day After (2006).

THE FOOT PRINT IN HIP-HOP TOUR

Starring METHOD MAN, REDMAN & GHOSTFACE

Date City Venue

6 New Orleans, LA House of Blues

7 Houston, TX House of Blues

8 Dallas, TX House of Blues

9 Austin, TX Emo’s

11 Albuquerque, NM Sunshine Theater

12 Phoenix, AZ Marquee

13 Las Vegas, NV House of Blues

14 San Diego, CA Canes

15 Los Angeles, CA House of Blues (two shows)

16 San Francisco, CA Mezzanine

Ok it started years ago with Friendster & then I joined MySpace & then FaceBook and now Twitter! Soooooooo follow me on Twitter at: www.Twitter.com/NastyNes1...

WE'VE GOT SOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST DJ's! THE RAP ATTACK DJ'S! GET TO KNOW OUR DJ's BY LOGGING ONTO:
www.MySpace.com/RapAttackLives  AND PEEP OUR UPDATED PHOTO PAGE...

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

Chill Will (WCBN-MI): "What's up? Had another great weekend, which I started out at the Greektown casino. Shout to Jay, Elliot and all the standing room only crowd. Then I rocked the stages at The Bash at the Bay in Toledo Ohio. With artist such as Huey, Unladylike, Pretty Ricky, Tank just to name a few. Along with Dj Drama, DJ Big Lou The Mayor, DJ Dow Jonez and DJ Don Q. The best part about the bash, it was free. So gotta give it up to Hutchdaddy Dolla for organizing a great event. So for more information about me DJ Chill Will go to www.myspace.com/djchillwill734...

DJ Sage (CFRO-Vancouver BC): "We're getting warmed up for the Vancouver date of Rock The Bells which goes down on August 1st at Deer Lake Park. Instead of doing a Double Shot this week, we just got right into showcasing the artists that will be at Deer Lake Park this weekend. That means lots of Nas, Common, Reflection Eternal, Tech N9ne and more!

We also got into a few interviews with the artists as well! We were joined over the phone by Chali 2Na and Tech N9ne, both of whom have new projects out now! We also discussed Rock The Bells and who they were excited about sharing the show with and more! Check them out at www.MySpace.com/Chali2Na and www.MySpace.com/TechN9ne, respectively.

Check out the podcast in a few short days at www.UrbanRenewalProject.net!...

Nate Abney (WKDU-Philly): "Well another hot week here but that's what Summer is supposed to be. Getting back into the swing of things and looking forward to what this last half of the year will offer music wise. The Phillies are in more meetings than City Council and RIP to Eagles Defensive coordinator Jim Johnson. Keeping it light this week so talk to everyone next week"...
 

Kazzeo (KHDC-CA): "Ya know it's been a minute since I had a gripe with someone but what better time than the present right? So a couple weeks back, Greg at Shocksound Promo sent out a mass email to dj's soliciting interviews with Gen. Steele from Smif N Wessun. Steele has a new album out and is trying to hype it up. Since I've been a fan of Smif N Wessun since day one and regularily played their music in the past, I hit him back and scheduled a date for Steele to call in on my show. Everything was confimred multiple times prior to the scheduled date. So Steele was supposed to call in on my show last week at a designated time. The time came, the time went, and Steele never called.

After the show, I emailed Greg to let him know what had happened as well as sending a direct message to Steele or his reps via Twitter. A week has gone by and, aside from Greg's apology, I've heard nothing from Steele or his reps. No explanation. Nothing. Now I discussed this whole situation with a friend of mine who thought I should try getting in touch with his manager or his label to get to the bottom line. As I said, I did reach out to him or his reps via Twitter. I don't have his cell number on me otherwise I'd have called him that night.

So anyway, my thought is this. These independent artists need to step up their game and not think that just because they have a record deal, they can sit back and let managers & reps handle everything for them. Just because people aren't telling you things doesn't mean there isn't stuff that you need to know. Be involved in your career. Regardless of whoever dropped the ball with interview we had scheduled, your reps / manager or Steele, it all comes back to reflect on him. And now he has one less station supporting his shit. And who's to say how many other shows / dj's he's no showed on. Maybe there'll be a domino effect. Who knows? All I'm saying is that flaking on interviews without any explanation is just plain bad for business. You'd think that someone who's been in the game as long as Steele has would have his shit on point. But he doesn't. Don't be surprised if his album goes nowhere.

Michael Vick got reinstated yesterday. Big mistake. In my opinion, what he did is worse than players who violate the league drug policy and yet they get barred for life while Vick can be back on the field by week 6. Bullshit!

Definitely looking forward to checking out District 9 and G.I. Joe. Booth look pretty good"...
 

Nesto (WODU-VA): "What's up people? Damn, another entertainment figure has been taken away. This time Vernon Forest was the unfortunate victim. This past couple of month or so has been brutal on people in the entertainment industry. R.I.P to them all, and condolences to their families.

Michael Vick has been re-instated and people are PISSED about it. I say give the man a chance. I know he messed up and killed a gang of helpless animals and he deserved the punishment he got, but how many other athletes have done worst and are back in the league?

Has anybody checked the new Cage album out yet? I have to say I'm feeling it. Wasn't too sure about it when I read the write up on it, but after listening to it I must admit it's not bad at all. A few tracks I skipped, but beside that it's a decent album. And I have to say, Cage has kept it pretty consistant over the years, and this album is right along them lines. I think Cage is one of the few cats out there that can pull an album off like this one"...
 

Here is our address for 2009 to send material for review, etc (vinyl & cd's)!

 RapAttackLives.com

4750 Kester Avenue, Ste. 11

Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Attn: Nasty-Nes

(FOR MP3's): nastynes818@gmail.com 

Attn MySpace heads! If you haven't joined our exclusive RAP ATTACK page on MySpace, log on NOW & join at: http://www.myspace.com/rapattacklives...

SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy Birthday this week to Mazzi Behi (Def Jam) celebrating on Monday, Aug 3... DJ K-Sly "CHUNG YAAAA!!!" celebrating on Tuesday, Aug 4... To my friend Sensei Morgan Carey & Kate Wolfson (SMC Recordings) both celebrating on Thursday, Aug 6... Stuart DeLa Rosa (KSMT-CO) celebrating this Friday , Aug 7 & to DJ RIP celebrating this Saturday, Aug 8... R.I.P. to both Baatin of Slum Village & to Philippine President Cory Aquino...

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

Nasty-Nes

http://www.myspace.com/nastynes

http://www.myspace.com/rapattacklives 

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16)