What's upper! I gotta start my column off with the great news about Gary Payton formerly from my hometown of the Seattle Supersonics signing up with the L.A. Lakers. Yeah boyeeeeee... On the Seattle tip, Sir Mix-A-Lot is finally gonna drop a brand new album this September 9th called, "Daddy's Home" (Rhyme Cartel/IMusic/BMG). Peep out this link as People Magazine catches up with what's been up with Mix-A-Lot: click here. VH-1 will be doing a special on Sir Mix-A-Lot spotlighting his new album & highlighting his career. Yes, yours truly will be a part of that special so stay tuned to VH-1 as the NASTY one goes behind the scenes uncensored with Mix!...­ Russell Simmons and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network announced today their full support of the Seattle Hip-Hop Summit and Expo, scheduled for July 24-26, 2003 at Seahawks Stadium in Seattle, Washington. This Summit represents the first time an Expo will be a part of a Hip-Hop Summit and it will focus on cutting edge technology to empower youth. Seattle was chosen as the site of the next Hip-Hop Summit for a number of reasons. The Northwest region is a vibrant source of hip-hop and a ground zero of technological breakthroughs. It is also an international city and the gateway to the Pacific Rim. As such, it is the perfect location to host this first ever Hip-Hop Summit focusing on technology for youth empowerment. It will also be the first Summit to be web cast internationally and the first event to be web cast from Seahawks Stadium... Our dawg, TapeMasta (formerly with Rap Attack's Mixtape Madness) has started up his Grind Mode Entertainment Media. Their overall objective is to unite the industry, underground & mixtape arena. Straight outta Brooklyn, NY, TapeMasta has a strong love for hip-hop and r&b. The premiere of Grind Mode Entertainment, Inc. will be a monthly email publication. For more info, call (856) 863-1356 or holla online at: GRINDMODE032001@YAHOO.COM... Our dawg, Musiklee Inzane from CKLN in Toronto, Ontario-Canada has a new & tight ass website he'd like you to log on & peep: http://www.therealfrequency.com... Jayforce outta the ATL's WRFG continues to make a lot of noise with his "Beats & Lyrics" show. With 100,000 watts to back his show up, his show just got the "Critics & Readers Choice Awards for Best Non-Commercial Radio Station." Peep out the write up: http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2002-10-16/cityscape_critic45.html. Jayforce says, "Though we bitch about Clear Channel ruining the airwaves, truth is, Atlanta's pretty lucky when it comes to radio choice. But even with the handful of college and public stations to balance out the payola free-for-all on the right side of the dial, local radio's ace in the hole has got to be WRFG 89.3 FM otherwise known as "Radio Free Georgia." Not paid for by record companies -- not even funded by a school or bolstered by NPR -- the station is truly local, grassroots and by-the-shoestrings like so few things in life are anymore. And with a program schedule offering everything from drive-time blues to underground hip-hop, regional bluegrass to currents in Caribbean and Celtic sounds -- as well as good ol' fashioned lefty-slanted news -- 'WRFG is a resource to cherish"... On the new music tip, our homie Lam from WLSO in Michigan is screamin' about the new Kayne West debut joint "Through The Wire." Lam says, " The song and video are real nice and I've been bumpin' this joint consistently for the past week. It's fairly new and I haven't seen a single for it yet but definitely keep a look out for this song cause it's a nice track where Kanye sheds light on his accident that messed him up pretty bad. The beat is ridiculous and Kanye continues to flip the sped up soul samples like no other in hip-hop right now. Interesting enough, Kanye records this track while his jaw is wired after the car accident.....hence the title, "Through the Wire". It's the new Kanye West video for "Through the Wire". with cameos by Deray, Jay-Z, Damon Dash, Twista, Pharrell, Scarface, and hella more !!! Here's the video link: http://209.166.211.51:81/revolver/kanye02.mpg"... "Inside The Music Business," the first company to educate upcoming artists and entrepreneurs through the use of the industry 'Power Players,' has launched a monthly tip sheet. Readers can learn the biz through interviews, Q&A and articles featuring top-name recording artists, execs, attorneys, producers, DJs, managers and A&R reps. "The Monthly Tip sheet is geared towards anyone looking to understand the ins and outs of the music business," said Eric Kline, CEO of Inside The Music Business and former Sr. Producer at the Box Music Network. The company which was started in 1999, previously released a book 2 CD set and more than a dozen monthly audio series featuring 50 Industry heavyweights including Russell Simmons, Ice Cube and Bone Thugs amongst others. To read the July issue of "The Monthly Tip Sheet" free log on to: www.InsideTheMusicBusiness.com or call to speak to a live operator at (866) 263-8980. The first 1,000 subscribers to THE MONTHLY TIPSHEET will receive a FREE CD of audio interviews with Industry Power Players, which will be available in the fall... Planet Asia is about to drop his new single "Summertime In The City" (Avatar) produced by J-Wells. Our Rap Attack panel should've gotten the exclusive advanced MP3 of his joint. So check your email... CT.'s about to get on the hip-hop map with Phar City & their debut single, "Got Em" b/w "Throw Your Hands In The Air" featuring Punjabi MC (Dolo Mic Records). We sent out an advance MP3 of "Got Em" via email to our Rap Attack panel & the feedback's been off tha heezy! Philly's own DJ Meddafore says, "Damn homie -- this joint is HEAT! I'm feelin these cats!!!" Wonder Twinz from Sirius Satellite Radio says, "Yeah man good lookin out Nes!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Phar City is the name, lookout for these cats to make a big impact... Jason D outta Salinas' KHDC had a great July 4th! "Kut Masta Kurt came through the crib to grill, drink, and light shit on fire. We had the new Gang Starr cd in heavy rotation. The skit where Premier goes off on commercial radio and calls mix show dj's robots has me laughin everytime! 'And to the dj's who let the program directors handcuff you and tell you how to mix... you fuckin' ROBOTS,'" said Jason D. "The Ownerz" (Virgin) make sure you got a copy. If you didn't get a promo copy in the mail, go buy one! It's worth the $$$... Our dawg & loyal mixtape reporter/KAZI, Nick Nack outta Austin, TX has dropped his blazin' vinyl with "Mustard Seed" b/w " Skipless Turntable Treats," Salt Of The Earth" & "In Hind Sighty" (Crowd Control Records). Don't sleep on this banger. You shout out Nick Nack & give him his props at his new email address: nick@crowdcontrolrecords.com. While you're at it, peep out the new The Strange Fruit Project with "All The Way" (Kajmere Sound). For more info on both records, contact Jessica Weber (see her photo above!) at (213) 368-1601 or online at: JESSICA@SPECTREMUSIC.COM... The Boo Yaa Tribe are back with their new album "West Koasta Nostra" (Sarinjay) featuring Eminem, Kurupt, Mack 10, Kokane, Knoc-Turn'al, B-Real, Short Khop & more! This Thursday will be the official invite only, Boo Yaa Tribe record listening party with special guest tatoo artist extrordinaire, Cartoon. For more info on the Boo Yaa Tribe, contact my homegirl Abby O'Neil at (310) 393-2010 or online at: ABBY@SARINJAY.COM... Premier is doin' his thing & can't nobody touch him as he produces the new The Ranjahz featuring Celo from the Goodie Mob joint "Inspiration" (Villa). This track is on FIYA. Rap Attack reporters, check your mail this week for this hot vinyl...

Tech N9NE's on the road & if you'd like me to hook up a meet & greet with him, holla at me at (818) 917-2217 or online at: NASTYNES1@AOL.COM. Here's his tour schedule:

TECH N9NE PROMO TOUR:

Friday-Aug 1:  Witchita, KS

Monday-Aug 11:         Lincoln, NE

Thursday-Aug 14:  Des Moines, IA

Fri-August 29:            Dubuque, IL

Saturday-Dec 27:        Kansas City, MO

If you're in Seattle, make sure you peep out the special "History Of Asians In Seattle Hip-Hop" exhibition from July 5th through Nov '03 at the Wing Luke Museum in Chinatown (407 7th Ave.).Yours truly is featured in the exhibit. For more info, log on to: http://www.wingluke.org/curremtnewsreleases.html... While in Seattle for all you martial arts & Bruce Lee fans (like me!!!), check out the Bruce Lee Memorabilia at the former Uwajimaya Bldg. (519 6th Ave. S. in Chinatown) 10am-8pm, Wed-Sun, June 5th-Oct 16. Log on to: WWW.BRUCELEE-EXHIBIT.ORG for more info... SHOUT OUT TIZIME: Happy B'day to J-Tyme from KUGS in Bellingham, WA., to Mona Lisa at Landmyne & to Sway from the Wake Up Show & MTV! Special shout to my vato loco who was M.I.A. for a minute but he's back, Big Daddy Lee Almighty Cadena! Ricardo Frazer & the Rhyme Cartel posse!

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

Nasty-Nes

(Pinoy Pride4Life / John 3:16).