Sunday, March 18, 2012
Promise........Living The Dream!
A couple of years ago when this internet thing really jumped off It really began to take my music in a whole different direction. It was almost comparable to the Berlin wall coming down for me (In a creative sense of course!) I say that because really, before MYSPACE I was so restricted in my ability to reach out to other like minded artists and therefore was a bit stunted in terms of my musical growth and development. I was also extremely limited in how I was really able to get my music out there. Once I got put on to myspace though, EVERYTHING changed. I was able to connect with like minded cats from all over the known world, and it was really then that my music began to get some legs. One of the artists I met during this time was PROMISE, a young canadian emcee who completely blew me away from the very first time I heard his music. His music is what alot of people would call christian or gospel rap (A Term I Completely Loathe and Despise!) but as an artist he was honestly unlike anything I had ever seen before. This dude was able to convey the message of Christ through hip hop masterfully and powerfully and yet it was completely uncorny or cliche. As a christian myself and self proclaimed Anti Gospel Rap Dude I found this to be an extremely welcome surprise and I contacted him immediately to let him know exactly how much of an inspiration to me he was. He quickly contacted me back and we began a working relationship/Friendship that has lasted until this day. We have done a heap of songs together (Many of which are sitting on his hard drive) ;-) , and he even invited me to good ole T.O (Toronto) Canada in 2009 to perform with him in the Canadian music festival. The thing I most appreciate about this dude Is that he is constantly growing as an artist, business man, family man, and most importantly as a man of GOD. Although he is a bit younger than me I am always looking to him as an example of how to approach this music business, mainly because he has done so much on his own. He's secured a management deal with Duck Down Records and has basically all of the perks of being a label artist while at the same time maintains complete autonomy and complete control of his music career. He is the example of someone who is playing this game by his own rules and is truly as Charlie Sheen would say "WINNING".But aside from music; Dude is a good father and husband, mentor, and most importantly a faithful Man Of GOD! I think that's why his hard work has been so blessed. I'm extremely happy for Him and his wife Liya, as they've had a child and have recently entered into the family stage of life. This hasn't at all slowed the big homie down musically however, my man just recently rocked Friday March 16 at the Duck Down vs Blacksmith SXSW Showcase along with Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Pharoahe Monch and a whole bunch of other Legendary hip hop artists from both camps rosters. I'll get some video of that performance posted as soon as I can get my hands on it. Im so proud of this dude, and I'm constantly inspired by the moves he's making. His ongoing success is a constant reminder to me that maybe, just maybe one day my dreams of doing this music thing on a larger scale can also come true. Much respect and congrats to my homie PROMISE......I see you family!
Please Support PROMISE and what he's doing:
Twitter:@ipromisemusic
http://www.facebook.com/ipromisemusic
www.ipromisemusic.com
http://www.duckdown.com/
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Oregon Football This how we do it down here
For all of you who may not know me personally you probably wouldn't know that I am a football FANATIC! I actually have been playing football competitively since age 7. I played my college ball at Marshall University, as well as Norfolk State University, and I have been playing Semi-Professionally in Europe for the past couple of years. Football is actually the only thing I've been doing almost all of my life that equals, if not surpasses my passion for Hip Hop. Football in my opinion is the ULTIMATE team sport. No other sport takes more people at one time to play, and in turn in no other sport is each player so dependent on his teammates. Its also probably the only sport that combines shear physicality with skill in such a perfect balance. Anyone who knows the game of football knows that it is a thinking mans game, and that the idea of football players being big dumb jocks is simply untrue. A standard college football playbook is about as thick as a small phone book, and a player must make split decisions as well as adjust to the opponent in some cases before the ball is even snapped. Think of it like chess only with real people, mixed with gladiators fighting in a Colosseum. Organized confusion at its best! At any rate, I thought this video was extremely dope for a couple of reasons. One being that I am a huge fan of Detroit Activist and Emcee "Invincible", and two being that I'm also a HUGE Oregon Ducks Football fan. This video in my opinion perfectly captures the spirit and attitude that football is all about. A perfect musical backdrop provided by Invincible makes the visual all the more inspiring. And It also doesn't hurt that OREGON's style and swagger are always front and center.....Even their practice uniforms BANG!!!!!!!!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Intalek & Ritchcraft "Beautiful Noise"
One of my favorite Emcees from the Crib. I've recently been listening to alot more of his stuff and he has really made a fan out of me. The boy is a beast lyrically, not to mention that he's extremely INTALEKtual ;-) I couldnt resist! But seriously, check my man out. This track really has a Train of thought Talib Kweli type vibe to it, Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
EmceeNemesis "Ghetto Gospel"
New Video. I actually wrote this verse with the intention of re-making the BET cypher with a couple of other Dope Emcees I know. However the idea never materialized and so I just chose to record the verse and release it as a dolo'd out version. I intended to make the video in black in white but after seeing the vivid colors in the shots I just chose to leave it as is and I'm really happy with the way it came out. Big shouts to the homie Dicap and his dude, Ash at Bad Signal Films as well as my wife for working the moving cam. TEAM NO CHAIN!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Irans Secret Weapon.
Very Interesting Piece about Iranian women Secretly training in the art of Ninjutsu. Just the other day I was talking to my wife about the fact that Iran (If my memory serves me correct) is one of the few nations who has never sent a woman to compete in the Olympics. The reason cited being that sports for women was considered to be a slippery slope to immorality because many sports uniforms exposed to much skin "Cough Cough" (GARBAGE!) "Cough Cough" Excuse me, I had something stuck in my throat. But anyway, This left me wondering about which sports then if any could women in these repressed countries participate in where attire or lack thereof would not be a factor..... Well, I guess this answers my question. I found this piece to be very interesting. It did kind of leave me scratching my head however as to why a country seemingly doing everything it can to keep its women in a repressed and submissive state would allow them to engage in such an empowering sport. In all honesty I think its great, and I hope that it inspires other women in this country and countries like it to empower themselves. I wish one of these chicks husbands would try to lay hands on em!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
PHONTE - The Good Fight (Official Music Video directed by Kenneth Price)
This video is the Anthem for most people I know nowadays my age.
New Tigallo, New Tigallo, New Tigallo!!!!!!
New Tigallo, New Tigallo, New Tigallo!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Jean Grae - U & ME & Everyone, We Know (prod. by M-phazes) | HD
Amazing Song! Jean Grae is one of the most talented Emcees doing it period....... Beautiful Song, Great job M-Phazes on the Production.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
This is an Amazing story about an amazing young man. 23 year old Kevin Olusola, a pre-med student who graduated from yale. He plays the Cello and BEAT BOXES! I love the fact that he is making music that infuses Hip Hop and Classical. I think this will really stifle alot of peoples negative opinions towards hip hop, and challenge those who question its versatility and legitimacy as a truly artistic form of music that can be cross cultural. Hearing this young man play is absolutely INCREDIBLE, and I hope that he encourages many young kids by what he's been able to accomplish thus far. Please watch!
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Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Talib Kweli - Palookas feat. Sean Price (Live at Hip Hop Nation/ SiriusXM)
Talib Kweli doing a Live version of "Palookas" which happens to be one of my favorite songs on the Gutter Rainbows Album. I LOVE how Sean Price forgets his verse, but kicks an even funnier verse. I love these dudes!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Koncept "Aspirations" featuring Soul Khan (prod by J57) (Official Video)
Extra dope song and video from the homie Koncept feat Soul Khan. Definately some ole feel good hip hop right here. I love it! Enjoy.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The Children
This song took me a really long time to finish. Around 3 years to be exact. However that's not at all rare for me. Sometimes that's just how my mind works. At any rate, I really love the way it came out. Song title speaks for itself. Enjoy!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Better Days
Wrote this song to a beat that had been sitting on my hard drive for years. Cant even remember
who produced it, but I'm really happy the way the joint came out. Song is entitled "Better Days" and it basically a collage of thought. Had alot on my mind... Enjoy!
who produced it, but I'm really happy the way the joint came out. Song is entitled "Better Days" and it basically a collage of thought. Had alot on my mind... Enjoy!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
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