[[  February 15, 2010  ]]

What's Upper? 

RAP ATTACK Conference Call RAP UP with FREEWAY by DJ JayForce:

Rapattack DJs wrapped up another solid conference call with yet another artist who understands the importance of the grass roots effort. Freeway joined the Rapattack conference call last Thursday in support of his latest collaborative project with Seattle producer "Jake One". The new album "The Stimulus Package", which is now available in stores, takes it back to the early formulas in hip hop whereas one emcee would work with one producer to create a solid if Not classic album. With the changes in the industry it's becoming commonplace for artists to pair with one or two producers instead of paying thousands of dollars per track for several producers on an album. In this day & age that practice is not cost effective & it doesn't necessarily help with an album's overall cohesiveness. It's one of the primary reasons music lovers usually find only one or two good tracks on an album because there isn't a focused direction. The new album has been released through the Minneapolis based label Rhymesayers. Freeway says that unlike his time at Def Jam who were clogged with artists who may never see a release date, Rhymesayers offered excellent support & attention to the "Stimulus Package" project. In fact the packaging of the album & promotional campaign itself has generated numerous reviews for it's creativity within industry circles & with fans alike. The album packaging is shaped like a wallet containing not only the CD & album credits, but they've also included with the wallet style packaging are Freeway & Jake One dollar bills. The album is getting the necessary positive media
attention & reviews it needs, but ironically as a former Rocafella artist some of the negative attention media from recent events is also bringing attention to the album.
It's common knowledge in the blogs & news media that there has been some turmoil amongst all of the former members of the Rocafella movement namely with Beanie Sigel's recent jabs at his former friend Jay-Z. Beanie Sigel appears on the intro to the new "Stimulus Package" album so it was a matter of time on the conference call before any of the DJs on the call asked Freeway to state clearly how he stood on these recent events. Keeping a tone that was rather business like, Freeway elected to give his opinion offering no more & no less than what everyone was interested in knowing. Freeway explained that in the beginnings of the Rocafella movement he was brought to the label by Beans upon his release from prison. Freeway said that because Beans brought him to the label he may have not had the same friendship connection with Jay-Z like Beanie Sigel had prior to him signing with Rocafella. Freeway implied that he doesn't have a ill feeling towards Jay-Z either way, because their friendship wasn't as close as that of his and Beans. If Freeway does have any ill feelings toward Jay-Z he didn't come off that way on the conference call & kept his answers very businesslike. Freeway says that Beanie Sigel is his own man & quite simply may have had a stronger relationship with Jay-Z so it may have hurt more for Beans in dealing with the loss of what he may have believed to be more than just a business relationship.

Every conference call DJ 3rd Rail asks the same question to every artist though he may present it to the subject of the conference call in a variety of ways. To some it may seem like a very intrusive question to ask, but it's an important question if you really want to find out more about the character of the artist we're dealing with.
3rd Rail's primary question always seems to inquire about how does an artist like Freeway make their money with a music industry in disarray & an equally slumping economy. It's understandable why some of the former Rocafella artists may have some ill feelings to what went down at Rocafella when you have children to feed & bills to pay but Freeway says he never felt like he needed to look back. Only Forward. In response to DJ 3rd Rail's question on income & finances as an artist, Freeway stated on the call that he's always been a hard worker & doesn't pass up opportunities. Freeway says he makes the majority of his income from aggressively getting on the road & also stated that he & Jake One will be doing some dates together in support of the new album. Although Freeway made it clear that he'll take advantage of opportunities, he did strongly state that when he & Jake One got together for this new album it was not to make a commercial sounding album but an album for the fans of that real hip hop we've become accustomed too especially for DJs on college & non-commercial radio. The majority of Freeway's catalog have never been commercially contrived albums so that should tell us plenty about what type of artist Freeway is continuing to be. Freeway also briefly spoke about his trips to Mecca & how difficult it can be as a muslim artist when its typically frowned upon to be student of islam while doing music.

Before Freeway concluded the call the overall collective impression is that Freeway will be around for a long time because not only is he a hard worker but he can adjust to change good or bad. Having been estranged from his primary producer Just Blaze on his debut album Philadelphia Freeway, they recently reconnected with each other through twitter. Songs from Freeway's debut album like "What We Do" & "Flipside" produced by Just Blaze still get heavy rotation in the clubs. It'll be interesting to see if these guys can do it again at a later time, but its clear that as previous doors close other doors opens. As an artist Freeway has proven that if you work hard & put out good music, you won't have to wait on any one else to give you a Stimulus Package. You just will have to go & create your own......this time with Jake One...

Peepout online the interview with one of the dopest Filipino-American emcee, Bambu on the NYC based DadWagon.com. The URL for the interview is at: http://www.dadwagon.com/2010/02/17/qa-bambu-the-filipino-mos-def/ ...

The 'net's longest running Hip-Hop website - the one that practically set off the whole movement - HipHopSite.Com - is back. They've completely reinvented the site from the ground up, relaunched with a whole new design, including all of the classic content dating back to 1996. All of your favorite sections are here - In The Deck, Interviews, I Ain't Havin' That, New Joints, Best & Worst Lists - plus several new, never-seen-before sections - all of which will be updated on a daily basis. There's no store this time around - physical or digital - just loads of free, exclusive content for your consumption. Check them out now at www.hiphopsite.com ...

Peep the new video from Khingz "Blaq Han Solo" online at: http://www.vimeo.com/8525207
 

GUARDIAN ANGELS CELEBRATES 31 YEARS by: DJ 3rd Rail ( 21 year active member )

 February 13th 1979 Curtis Sliwa formed the Magnificent 13 who later become the Guardian Angels 31 years ago. I want to thank those past, present and future members and supporters. We have much more work in front of us. I have sent you several links to videos. Some of you have already seen some of these and some of you have not. They include a slide show of the history of New York City from 1979 day one till about 1993 which is part 1. Then you have a history of the Chicago Chapter from 1981-2010.

Then I included the reality special we did for the A&E BIO channel that aired in September of 2009. The first link is the complete show on the Vimeo account. The next 3 links will be off our youtube page. Since you only get 10 minute time limit on youtube, I was forced to separate it into 3 different videos. Please view them if you want, and forward the ones you like to anyone who might enjoy them.

NYC HISTORY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhSpwTvtIeY  YOUTUBE
http://vimeo.com/9162456  VIMEO

CHICAGO HISTORY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaMLUEXQA14&feature=related  YOUTUBE
http://vimeo.com/8365622  VIMEO

FULL REALITY SHOW FROM VIMEO
http://vimeo.com/9232899

REALITY SHOW ON YOUTUBE 3 DIFFERENT VIDEOS. PART 1-3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA6kVXXzpkw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nbJHbiR03M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5r9WkFPKI8

Due to music layoffs, Latin Prince's position as their National Director of Urban Mix-Show at Universal/Motown was terminated. We wish him well in his future endeavors. LP's www.BumSquadDjz.com will continue to make noise nationally so please continue to show him love. You can reach Latin Prince at:      Email: latinprince@gmail.com Cell: (310) 600-2568...

We've now got a new contact for EMI/Priority Records. Put this in your files:

Angelo Scrobe

EMI Music North America

323-871-5158 Office

718-308-5531 Cell

EMAIL:  angelo.scrobe@emicap.com

This is what's about to drop on Priority...

PRIORITY RECORDS CELEBRATES 25^TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2010 WITH CREATIVE CHAIRMAN SNOOP DOGG AT THE HELM

 Snoop Dogg Presents: The West Coast Blueprint (CD, digital)

1.  Introduction to The West Coast Blueprint

2.  Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It  

3.  King Tee - Act A Fool  

4.  The D.O.C. - No One Can Do It Better 

5.  Low Profile - Pay Ya Dues

6.  Kid Frost - La Raza 

7.  Interlude

8.  N.W.A - Alwayz Into Somethin' 

9.  Yo-Yo featuring Ice Cube - You Can't Play With My Yo-Yo 

10. Ice Cube featuring Das EFX - Check Yo Self   [Album Version]

11. Rappin' 4-Tay - Playaz Club

12. Interlude

13. Mack 10 - Foe Life 

14. Luniz - I Got 5 On It

15. Ras Kass - The Evil That Men Do

16. Westside Connection - Gangstas Make The World Go Round  

17. Ant Banks featuring Too $hort, 2Pac & MC Breed - 4 Tha Hustlas  

18. Mack 10 featuring Tha Dogg Pound - Nothin’ But The Cavi Hit 

19. Snoop Dogg featuring Sylk E. Fine & Suga Free - Trust Me

20. Check Yo Self Interlude

21. Snoop Dogg featuring The Hustle Boyz - Check Yo Self (Snoop Dogg G-Mix) [NEW RECORDING]

WELCOME OUR NEW 2010 RAP ATTACK REPORTERS

RADIO:

DJ Luvva-J aka Jose S. Gutierrez Jr - KAOS 

EMAIL: jose@devastatorgroup.com 

Olympia, WA

Silver Shadow-D - KBCS 

EMAIL: admin@shadowmuzik.com  

Bellevue, WA

Savvy - KDON  

EMAIL: savvy408@gmail.com  

Salinas, CA

Darnell “KIZ-ONE” Williams - KKFI  

EMAIL: Kizone@gmail.com   

Kansas City, MO

Dj D'Lemma aka  Warren Van Patten  KMIH   

EMAIL: djdlemma@gmail.com 

Mercer Island, WA

Jeep Ward (DJ HALO) WPKN/WPKM 

EMAIL: jeepdjhalo203@yahoo.com 

Bridgeport, CT

DJ Eclipse   WNYU  

EMAIL: itsdjeclipse@gmail.com  

New York, NY

Kerri Hughes       WRFM

EMAIL: badteccy@hotmail.com  

Blue Bell, PA

INTERNET:

Commando - IUMMMUSIC.COM -Program Director  

EMAIL: stepincommand@gmail.com

DJ LoKash - AllHipHop.com   

EMAIL: djlokash@gmail.com

MIXTAPE:

DJ FRRESH (Chicago, IL)

Nesto Acosta (Culpeper/Norfolk, VA)

GUERILLA UNION PRESENTS THE GOODIE MOB REUNION

Hip-Hop Legends and internationally acclaimed group, Goodie Mob hit the road on the second half of their reunion tour.  Original members: Cee-Lo (from Gnarls Barkley), Big Gipp, Khujo, and T-Mo  kicked off the tour in Houston, TX January 14, 2010 at the House of Blues.

Goodie Mob reunion tour dates are scheduled as follows:

For more information about the Goodie Mob Reunion Tour or Guerilla Union, please contact:

 Echo Hattix at echohattix@echoingsoundz.net or call 818.787.7633

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

Jayforce (WRFG-Atlanta): "Check out the video I Directed by Arablak ( www.Arablak.com )  "The Deed": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E_9VZIa5Ic  ...
 

Chill Will (WCBN-MI): "What's up Fam? First things for always send your chart to yourself to make sure it's sent out. DAMN!!!! Well big shout to everyone I rocked with at Babs Underground Lounge and Salon Vox. Which is a dope Salon that's to have a dj rock the customers. Got to Salonvox.com and the pictures of the spot speak for it self. For more information about me DJ Chill Will go to www.myspace.com/djchillwill734 "...

DJ Sage (CFRO-Vancouver, BC): With the Olympic games in full swing, we came with the heat again tonight. Starting things off with a double shot off of the new Freeway and Jake One album “Stimulus Package”, which is an absolute banger.
www.myspace.com/freeway
www.myspace.com/jakeone

We had some Canadians in the house too, whether over the phone or live and direct. Halifix MC, Kool Krys called up the station to talk with us about her
2nd album “PERFUME”. You can cop it on Bandcamp at : www.koolkrys.bandcamp.com

Also check out: www.myspace.com/koolkrys1

We were also joined by local MC: Little T. He has got a mixtape comin out called “The Littlest Biggest Deal”. You can cop that on the streets! OR at the shows.
Check him out on February 19th at Brandiz Pub in the East Side. Peep HEAVYSET every Friday night at Brandiz. If you are interested in contacting them, as a local artist, email em up at:
info@theheavyset.com
nigel@theheavyset.com

We had a cypher with Little T, Nigel, Dave, and 2 Face Al. Lots of fun, keepin Hip-Hop real. Then we got back into some more bangers. Best believe it.
Also had 2 Face Al drop a verse or 2 over some new beats.
As always, you can peep the podcast at: http://urpradio.podomatic.com...

Nate Abney (WKDU-Philly): "Apologize to all about last week. Due to the snowstorm I was stuck at my job for two days. A lot of overtime but not a lot of sleep. The Dunk contest was lacking but hey Nate won again!!!!!! I am in not in a wordy kind of feel right now so I'll keep it short. Villanova still looks good and I wish the Eagles would trade this garbage known as Kevin Kolb. Out"...

DJ Luvva-J (KAOS-WA): "DJ Drastic is the 2-Time DJ of The Year for The 25360 (Tacoma/Olympia joint area codes - and we represent the rest of The 360 from Vancouver to Bellingham, but mainly Tac and OLY) and of course this year we were honored by  The Nasty Nes DJ of The Year award to DJ Drastic. Drastic is a native of Georgia and moved to The Olympia area some years ago. He is known for rockin' parties in a real way and DJs from Seattle to Portland, calling Olympia home. Check him at myspace.com/djdrastic24 and he is on Facebook as Damien (Laronte) Carthon"....
 

Mel Boogie (CKLN-Toronto): " Lookout for Theo3, with production from Anonymous Twist. His whole album is pretty dope actually - feel free to check it out http://music.theology3.com...

DJ 3rd Rail (WNUR-Chicago): "In this day and age, few songs make me take a second listen. Few songs impress me after 18 years on the radio and a true die hard Hip-Hop fan. Notice I said fan, yes I'm still a fan. I got an email the other day from Nasty Nes and I saw a YouTube link for this song called Most Hated by Mazzi and Sneakas feat. Mc Serch. I clicked on the link and was so impressed. A Jewish Mc and a Muslim Mc together dropping knowledge. We all complain about songs and rappers not rapping about anything except ring's, bling and things. Well if you like a dope beat and a message then this song is for you. After listening to this song you won't even mind that Mc Serch only talks not raps during the chorus. Sad that in the Middle East you have Muslim's and Jews killing each other and right here you have both races making great Hip-Hop. This is a perfect example on what can happen when we just focus on the music. Take a listen and tell me if I'm wrong? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p47kwS5JbuU&feature=channel...

Kevin Sakoda (KSPC-CA): "Hope everyone's doing well. If you're not in the LA-area, you can catch the show live (via iTunes) every Saturday, 5-7PM (west-coast time): http://www.kspc.org/popup.html   You can also find archived playlists and download links 24/7: http://blogs.myspace.com/kevsakoda   Enjoy!

Here is our address for 2010 to send material for review, etc (vinyl, dvd's & 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  Atlantic Record's O.G., Rick Betemit celebrating this Saturday, February 27...

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)