City of Dope

Movin' On Up.....To Wordpress!

2007-09-19T21:35:00.000-07:00

So long Blogspot, it's been fun.

If anyone actually still comes to this site, you can find my at my new spot....

www.CITYOFDOPE.com

Big thanks to everyone who has ever linked to this site, and if you still have be in the blogroll, please update the link.

Peace!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop

2007-03-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

Via XXL-

It looks like Cousin Harold is at it again, starring in a new movie film "Can't Stop, Won't Stop". Saafir will be playing the part of Kody 'Monster' Scott, who you might remember from every wannabe gangsters favorite book, Monster. I never had the chance to catch 'Sweet Potao Pie', but I will assume this one might be a little better.

Kevin James Is Going Hyphy

2007-03-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure how I missed this one, I just caught it this morning over at ProHipHop. This ad is a bit surprising to me considering the amount of negative press the "hyphy movement" has gotten. Does anybody out there know if they are running regional ads like this across the country?

The Rap Game Needs Me

2007-03-09T17:49:00.000-08:00

I pretty much stopped writing here for the last month, but for whatever reason, I'm still getting a few hits. For the meantime until I get the new Wordpress site up, I figured I might just post some shit here and there.

For those in need of some new music over the weekend, Balance and Dow Jones bring you the internets latest free mixtape, "The Rap Game Needs Me". You can be the judge of that by clicking the download link below.

Dow Jones & Balance - The Rap Game Needs Me

Unfortunately, it doesn't really come across with all of his filler "doors open stunna shades" raps, but I think Balance is a pretty smart dude. I hear that he has a film degree which is a hell of lot more than I can say for most of the others out here.

Go dumb! Yee yee!

Fuck You

2007-02-21T18:21:00.000-08:00

To whoever is the new owner of cityofdope.com, I'd like to say fuck you. Yeah, I know, I should have just renewed it, but I'm lazy like that. I forgot. The plan was to move this over to Wordpress and hook up the domain name, but that can all be forgotten now.

Anybody out there have an idea for a new name for the site? Email me at cityofdope@gmail.com. You cant steal that from me you fuckers!

Throwback Video - "Tha Murda Show"

2007-01-19T17:03:00.000-08:00

Spice 1 feat. MC Eiht
"The Murda Show"

Bay Area Rappers Team For Single To Help Struggling Schools

2007-01-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

Via AllHipHop.com

A group of Bay Area rappers have banded together to create a single to generate revenue to donate to local schools, for educational materials and canceled programs.

"Stay in School" is presented by Beats By the Bay and a collective of rappers known as the Bay Area Rappers Care (B.A.R.C.) coalition.

The single features well known Bay Area rappers Keak Da Sneak, Mistah Fab, Federation and Jacka, while Erase E, Mugzi, Hoodstarz and Mac N AK also appear on the song, which was produced by Cholly J and Suga Kane.

B.A.R.C. was organized by Hip-Hop artist Kontac, who is also an East Palo Alto charter school teacher.

Kontac, born Stephen Ashford, said the project's mission was also to keep children from dropping out of school.

“I now have kids myself and even as a teacher, I see the problem first hand," Kontac said. "With the help of these concerned rappers and this music, we can set new goals and once again be optimistic about our educational goals.”

The profits from the single will be donated to eight schools in the region for books, physical education items and training tools.

For more information visit: www.myspace/beatsbythebay

Westbound to the Fullest

2007-01-13T17:25:00.000-08:00

Curtis Jackson only got shot 9 times and they say he's hard to kill, what a pussy. Cousin Harold has survived being stabbed, shot, car and motorcycle accidents, a plane crash, and spinal cancer! Saafir has been through some serious shit and has no shortage of stories to tell. Davey D sat him down for a great interview that every fan off his should definitely check out.

powered by ODEO

powered by ODEO

Don't forget to go out and cop the mixtape, 'Paint the Town', that he dropped with the Turntable Tykoonz.

Two Step

2007-01-11T18:43:00.000-08:00

Clyde Carson is a real articulate dude, yafeelme? In case you didn't know, he's got a deal with The Game and Black Wall Street, yafeelme? I'm not sure how he got this lead single from Dre, yafeelme, considering that Game didn't even get a Dre track on his album, yafeelme? Anyhow, this sounds like it should get some heavy play on "the people's station", yafeelme?

Clyde Carson - 2 Step (prod. by Dr. Dre)
(right click and save as)

Video - "Neck Straight"

2007-01-10T22:47:00.000-08:00

Yukmouth and Killa Klump
"Neck Straight"

"Fru-Da-Da-Loom!"

PSD - The Wait

2007-01-08T20:18:00.000-08:00

This one's been around for a minute, but in case you missed it, you can download the mixtape for free right here.

PSD - The Wait

The Year In Review

2007-01-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

2006 is a now a wrap but I haven't seen too many end of the year posts from the rest of the local blogs. I don't really feel like doing it either, buy luckily I have Davey D's Myspace blog to handle all that. Peep it...

MTV, BET and a number of national magazines covered the hyphy movement, and almost overnight the Bay was again a hot spot after 10 years of drought. The rest of the country discovered the wellspring of Bay Area talent, including: San Quinn, who recently toured with Xzibit; Rick Rock and the Federation, who had the summer smash ``Wear my Stunnas at Night'' and signed to Warner Bros. Records; Casual of Hieroglyphics; producer Dan the Automator, who did a headlining tour for the NBA video game 2K7; and E-40's cousin Turf Talk, who signed with Warner Bros.

Swangin' It

2007-01-04T19:20:00.000-08:00

Video - "Do That For Me"

2007-01-02T19:29:00.001-08:00

San Quinn
"Do That For Me"

Words of the Year

2006-12-20T20:02:00.000-08:00

SFGate.com has there word of the year poll running and you'll never guess what's been nominated. Hyphy! In cased you missed this one, here's the definition:

Hyphy -- It's a style of hip-hop, born in Oakland and spread throughout the Bay Area (aka the Yay Area), that's gone national. It's also a hyperactive, wild way of acting at clubs and sideshows. This video by hyphy pioneer Keak da Sneak gives the idea.

If you don't know, now you know. In case you are the biggest dork in the world, you can click here and vote for it.

Mixtapes for Dummies

2006-12-11T19:37:00.000-08:00

Here's an interview with the Demolition Men all about their mixtape hustle. I've never heard of this shit called YO!TV, but I think they might want to consider replacing that girl host.

The Crash

2006-12-09T14:24:00.000-08:00

This isn't news to anyone who stays up on the internet hip hop game, but for those who don't know, The Coup and Mr. Lif had a terrible crash while on tour a few days back. Every site out there has already posted some type of story on the event this week, but Boots posted a blog on his MySpace page yesterday with a first hand account of what happened.

Read it here....

They have also set up a Paypal account for those people who might be interested in giving donations since they lost everything....it is the holidays.

The Coup - Fat Cats and Bigga Fish

"They Gonna Hate Me" Video

2006-12-08T18:36:00.000-08:00

Vital

"They Gonna Hate Me"

B.A.R.S. Awards Shut Down After Crowd Gets Too Hyphy

2006-12-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

I'm not really surprised to hear the B.A.R.S. Award show was shutdown this year. I didn't think San Mateo was really the best place to have this go down and security might have overreacted to whatever was going on, but people need to learn how to act. Maybe next year Bay Area, you almost did something big.

From Vibe.com

Problems arose when uninvited guests and entourage members jumped on stage as artists were performing, and when fights broke out among the crowd. E-40 and San Quinn, who have both been equally vocal in the past about the urgency for the Bay to come together, were unsuccessful in their pleas to calm down the crowd.

"It just got too hyphy," said Guce of Bullys Wit Fullys. "It was too hard for people to control themselves; once they hear the music it takes over them mentally and physically."

Something to Think About

2006-11-24T15:52:00.000-08:00

Zion I and the Grouch - Bad Lands

Whoooooooo Kid

2006-11-20T18:46:00.000-08:00

From AllHipHop:

DJ Whoo Kid Drops 3rd Bay Area Mixtape

DJ Whoo Kid and Bay-area powerhouse DJ E-Rock have collaborated for the third installment of their Bay Bidness mixtape series.

After the success of Bay Bidness 1 and Bay Bidness 2, the notorious deejays are releasing Bay Bidness 3, featuring E-40, Keak Da Sneak, Mistah F.A.B., The Federation, San Quinn, and new Bay-area stars J. Valentine, Dem Hoodstarz and PSD.

"Without DJ E-Rock, I wouldn't have known anything about the Bay Area and its scene," Whoo Kid said. "After he put me up on what was going on out there, I had to start this series of tapes to put the Bay in a more commercial light." says DJ Whoo Kid."

"Click" Video

2006-11-16T19:21:00.000-08:00

Jern Eye - Click feat. Zion and DJ Platurn (the tallest DJ in the Bay)

The Contemplations of a Dominator

2006-11-15T18:31:00.000-08:00

Kirby Dominant dropped another one yeterday called "Starr", which is CD/DVD combo. I didn't even hear a word about this one until was getting my MySpace on a minute ago. If anyone is in going to be in the City within the next couple of hours, he's doing a release party at Poeleng tonight with Z-Man and Trackademicks...$5 well spent.

Kirby Dominant - Radio Shock

Top Prospects

2006-11-11T16:44:00.000-08:00

Spexxx on the mic, DJ Process on the beats. Together, they are the "Top Prospects".

While repping Redwood City to the fullest, Spexxx has been a fixture in the Bay Area underground for a lot of years. He's the guy that made your fresh rappin' homeboy sneak out the back door once he showed up to the battle. Basically, this dude can just flat out rap, which seems to be a lost art with most rappers these days. Not ironically, he also wears glasses and is a proud father to his newborn son, Spexxx Jr.

Currently residing in Brooklyn by way of the Bay, DJ Process has more records than you do and he knows how to use 'em. He caught some buzz from his last project,"Sidetracks" , which was a remix album that made good songs better.

Here's some tracks for download to improve your iTunes.
Top Prospects - Light Up
Top Prospects - Raw Dog feat. Nate Mezmer
Top Prospects - Grinder feat. Bucc Rogerz

Bonus: The first person to email me their address with 'Top Prospects' in the subject line, will receive a free copy of the album in their mailbox courtesy of Mad Seven Records.

Freestyle Tuesday

2006-11-07T21:31:00.000-08:00

Remember when people used to actually freestyle?

L-I-F-E

2006-11-07T21:06:00.000-08:00

I somehow found my way onto the FADER blog and came across this gem, so I thought I should just go ahead and rip off the whole post since I'm lazy like that, picture and all.

Lyrics Born feat. Mistah FAB - L-I-F-E (prod. by Trackademicks)

Dirty Raps

2006-11-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

To all you wack mixtape DJ's out there, it's time to step your game up. Oakland's own, Matthew Africa and DJ Eleven, have given you the greatest and most comprehensive Too Short mix the world will ever see. This one is 40 straight hits from beginning to end and is even blessed by the Godfather himself. If you don't already own this one, you still have a chance to redeem yourself by picking on up right here or straight from the source at MatthewAfrica.com.

If you need more persuasion, here's a sample.

Some Good Game

2006-10-29T11:57:00.000-08:00

Here's a couple tracks from the new Saafir album, "Good Game-The Transition". I came up on an advance promo CD yesterday and it actually has whole songs. From what I've heard, this is definitely no 'Boxcar Sessions', but it is still Saafir regardless.

Saafir - One of the Hardest
Saafir - Get Busy

"Hit 'Em" Video

2006-10-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Zion I & the Grouch feat. Mistah FAB
"Hit 'Em"

Here is the first one off "The Heroes in the City of Dope" which I have yet to get my copy of. This shit knocks when not played through your computer speakers so I hope it makes it to the club.

"Cash Me Out" Video

2006-10-23T14:35:00.000-07:00

Saafir
"Cash Me Out"

Thizz Face

2006-10-09T23:11:00.000-07:00

Word to Ninoy Brown for finding this one. I can pretty much guarantee that I'm going to see someone rocking this dumbass Mac Dre mask during the next few weeks of Halloween parties. At least I've figured out what I'm not going to be this year. If you're into mocking the life of dead rappers and have $40 bucks to waste, head over to Rapbay and pick one up.

B.A.R.S. Awards '06

2006-09-30T18:12:00.000-07:00

Oh snap, its almost time for the second annual BARS Awards which is coming up in December. It looks like they have updated their shitty website into a less shitty one, and it wasn't really working to well for me. Im not sure when the voting ends, but I think it's coming up pretty soon, so head over and make some picks even though I would imagine that the whole thing is rigged anyway.

Mistah FAB Signs to Atlantic

2006-09-28T18:37:00.000-07:00

From BallerStatus.net

The 24-year-old rapper is very excited about the new deal, stating he felt that Atlantic was the best choice after fielding offers from various major labels since January.

"We've been in a bidding war since January with a lot of majors," Mistah FAB told BallerStatus.com. "I sat down with every president across the country. I think that Atlantic showed the most interest, not only that, but they stuck with it. Some labels, we shied away from and we haven't heard from them since. But, Atlantic has constantly stayed on our bumper, trying to get us involved in their whole movement and what they're doing."

I'm not sure if the rest of the world is ready to start riding the yellow bus, but I guess we're going to find out soon enough. By the way, Fabby is the new guest blogger over at XXL.

R.I.P twobeesinabucket.com

2006-09-22T21:49:00.000-07:00

2006-2006

Time to pour out a little liquor and have a moment of silence.....

It appears that Old Dirty Bucket has officially thrown in the towel on the blogging world. It's too bad because this was my always my first stop on the links. I think he got a girlfriend or some crazy shit like that. Oh well, best of luck with that, and if not, I'll probably see you again on the mean streets of the internet.

Double Shot of Motion Man

2006-09-21T18:56:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately, Motion Man is one of those dope MC's whose been around for what seems like forever, but I bet you don't have a copy of any of his records. There's alot to like about this guy, mainly for the fact that he still drinks Old E 40's and will breakdance on stage if he's egged on.

He's got a new one out now called "Pablito's Way" that you should definately go cop. Of course he's got Kool Keith on there, but alot of heavy hitters from the Bay show up including Too Short, Gift of Gab, Mistah FAB, and DJ Q-Bert. You can get a sample of the album by going over to Strivin and download the single, "Confidence".

Below are a couple of new videos....peep game.

Motion Man feat. Gift of Gab
"One Time For Your Mind"

Motion Man
"Megalo Maniac"

Real Big

2006-09-20T23:46:00.000-07:00

I don't really think that these guys are some dope rappers, nor do they claim to be, but the music these guys make is always pretty weird. Check out this little write up in The Fader...

“When I first heard ‘18 Dummy’, it sounded like rap meets rave,” says Doon Coon, one of the group’s three MCs alongside Goldie Gold and Stressmatic. In the song’s first minute, listeners are bombarded by CHOOM CHOOM CHOOM bass kicks, spastic blinks of melody, and a computer-voice chorus from Federation producer Rick Rock, all underneath a free-associating verse by Coon that references El Niño, various Northern California neighborhoods, serpents, baby powder, Red Lobster clam chowder, Remember The Titans, kites and the Triton synthesizer, before unexpectedly breaking into song: If you sleazy all you beezies say, We loooove you Cooooon… It’s some out-there shit, even in a regional rap scene where rainbow-tinted goggles and ecstasy grimaces are considered pretty normal.

Dont Hate The Player

2006-09-17T13:10:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video for Dan the Automator's, "Don't Hate The Player", featuring Hieroglyphics.

Watch it here. (quicktime)

"So Tall" Video

2006-09-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Zion I
"So Tall"

Let Him Introduce You To The Stunna Life

2006-09-16T18:24:00.000-07:00

From The SF Guardian:

First nicknamed the Rolling 20s in the ’70s, then the Twomps in the ’80s, the group of East Oakland avenues below MacArthur and between 19th and Fruitvale avenues received its present designation, the Murder Dubs, in the early ’90s, when a neighborhood hustler named P-Dub began a lethal reign of terror in an effort to control the local drug trade. Naturally, this didn't endear him to the community, which locked its collective doors to him the night his number came up, leaving him to be gunned down in the street by pursuers circa 1994.

Yet despite this violent legacy, the vibe in the Dubs seems remarkably friendly, at least in the company of its most famous son, 23-year-old MC and producer Beeda Weeda. Head of the sprawling Pushin' the Beat (PTB) camp — whose roster includes a half-dozen talented producers, as well as rappers like Lil Al the Gamer and veteran crew Under Survalance — Beeda is on familiar terms with most of the neighborhood, though this doesn't prevent a nearby group of kids from treating him like a star.

Continue Reading...

Beeda Weeda
'Turfs Up'

Crispy

2006-09-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

Crispy b/w Cash Me Out

Saafir

ABB Records

Buy at iTunes Music Store

Download "Crispy (Main)" (MP3, 192kbps)

Dummy Juice

2006-09-08T22:42:00.000-07:00

18 Dummy juice will help you knock a muthafucka out, just ask Chuck Liddel.

'Beautiful' Video

2006-08-27T12:53:00.000-07:00

Ise Lyfe
'Beautiful'

Bang The Drum '06

2006-08-26T14:12:00.000-07:00

It's going down once again this Sunday in Golden Gate Park, Bang the Drum muthafuckas! Not only is he known for the worst graphic design in the biz, but Kevvy Kev is the host of the worlds longest running hip hop show on the planet, The Drum on 90.1 Stanford. Come out and witness this lineup of some of the games nicest MCs. Keep in mind that half these guys aren't really coming and the other half don't know that their name's on the flyer yet, but who give's a shit, it's free!

Bangers

2006-08-26T13:33:00.000-07:00

Theres been a lot of Bay Area music over at XXL lately, some of it youve heard, and some you haven't.

Too $hort feat. E-40, Dolla Will & Mistah FAB “I Want Your Girl”
$hort Dog gets an all-star Bay team together on this track from his new album Blow The Whistle.

Traxamillion feat. Too $hort Mistah FAB “Sideshow”
The Bay Area’s heavyweight producer drops this single off his new compliation album The Slapp Addict, due out later this summer.

JT Tha Bigga Figga feat. Mistah FAB “Name in Ya Mouth”
The Fillmore rap vet hooks up with $hort Dog and Fabby Davis on this track from his new Cali Untouchables mixtape.

Turf Talk feat. Dem Hoodstarz “Wakin’ Em Up”
It’s time to stop sleeping on Sick Wid It’s Turf Teezy. Wake ’em up!

Summer Jam '06

2006-08-11T18:08:00.000-07:00

Not the gay ass concert, but the lastest mix from my main man, DJ J.Lee! This is a must have for all your summer needs, but you don't have to take my word for it, let J.Lee tell you....

"A random collection of summer rap, and some R&B. Designed for summertime activities such as cruising, BBQ's, rooftop parties, and slip-n- slide. My first mix in a long time. Part corny, part classic, part obscure...ALL SUMMER!!"

Click here to peep the tracklisting and download the mix with cover art.

'Bammer Weed' Video

2006-08-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

R.B.L. Posse
"Bammer Weed"

Thats His Word

2006-08-01T21:22:00.000-07:00

From the last good magazine on the rack these days, Mass Appeal, is a nice little piece with Keak.

As the birthplace of most of the slang thrown around these days, the Bay Area suffered quietly for years at the hands of thieves looking to exploit the culture. The culture, coincidentally, had no choice but to be original due to isolation from the rest of the hip hop landscape. Artists who vacationed here and soaked up the game never mentioned a word of respect when it was their time to shine. “A lot of people been in a position like this, and I didn’t feel like they opened that door for us,” Keak alludes. “And they didn’t really respect where we got that torch from.” In turn, Keak vowed never to turn his back on the people who stuck it out and gained wisdom from the hardships of years past. “I waited my turn patiently. And it is my turn,” he states. “If it’s gonna be a movement, we all gonna move as one. So I don’t put money and illusions before this. It never took cars and rims and jewelry for me to be Keak. I’ll just pull up in a scraper, straight blunted. I can’t ever forget that.”

Meet The Dealer

2006-07-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

Big Rich is block tested and hood approved. This is a pretty good looking video and I think I accidentally drove through the shoot a while back. 40 Water is co-signing for this dude, I guess San Quinn wasn't enough, whatever works.

From Rapnews.net

Big Rich, a rising star rapper/producer from San Francisco’s Fillmore district, is set to record his first solo album to be released by KOCH Records in conjunction with Rich’s imprint label 3 Story Muzik and Street Cred Music Group.

A video was just filmed in the Bay Area for the first single, “That’s the Business,” and will be serviced to radio and video outlets shortly.

Here it is.

Big Rich
"Thats The Business"

The Bishop Interviews Nate Mezmer

2006-07-26T19:45:00.000-07:00

Below are the links to an interview conducted by Adisa Banjoko with Nate Mezmer, the man who penned the critically acclaimed masterpiece, 'Kill The Precedent'. Topics discussed include the new album 'Big Brother', the situation with Isreal and Lebanon, and the revolutionary potential in hyphy . They get hyphy but they don't go dumb. Check it.

Links in quicktime
Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

'Vans' Video Trailer

2006-07-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

Heres the trailer for the new 'Vans' video by The Pack. I don't wear Vans, nor do I like this song, which means it will probably blow the fuck up. Word to Young Stunna, thats a fresh name for an MC.

Here's what Ninoy Brown has to say.

The Links

2006-07-22T12:23:00.000-07:00

From Spinemag.....

MC Hammer sells his catalogue for $2.7 mil
Many albums deep in this, slang-talking E-40 urges you to read up on his history if y'all don't know him by now.
New music from Too $hort 'Keep Bouncing' featuring Snoop Dogg and Will.I.Am. (Plays in Real Player)

From XXL.....

Messy Marv feat. Kurupt “West Ride”
DJ Shadow feat. The Federation & Animaniaks “Turf Dancin’”
Traxamillion feat. Too $hort Mistah FAB “Sideshow”

He'll Fuck Your Main Bitch While You Watch!

2006-07-20T18:57:00.000-07:00

He aint got no 'mad skills kid', but thats how you start a muthafuckin' show. This clip is some classic material from the Bomb Hip Hop tour in San Francisco from 1994, wish I was there. Too bad theres so many hacks out here in the Bay doing it right now, because this is the guy who I'd really like to see blow (no homo). I'm sure Dre Dog really doesn't give a fuck though, he still hates you with a passion.

RIP Coughnut.

'18 Dummy' Video

2006-07-18T16:12:00.000-07:00

The Federation
'18 Dummy'

Hometown Heroes

2006-07-16T13:57:00.000-07:00

Ive been hearing about this collabo album for a long time now and I guess it's really supposed to drop in October. Fans of the Napster favorite 'Silly Puddy' will probably get a boner when they get their hands on 'Heroes In The City Of Dope', the new full length featuring Zion I and the Grouch.

Back in the mid/late 90's when I had my backpack strapped on tight and a King Cobra 40 in my hand at all times, the Grouch was one of my favorite MC's. As I grew older and realized I had plenty of my own problems, I started becoming tired of hearing about his.

It took me a long time to really get into Zion I, but I think 'True and Livin' is one of the best albums start to finish I've heard in a long time. MC Zion holds his own with all of the featured MC's and Amp Live is one of my favorite producers out there.

I downloaded these two tracks below from their MySpace page, check 'em out.

Flow - Zion I & The Grouch
Z and G - Zion I & The Grouch

Hot Sunny Day

2006-07-15T19:45:00.000-07:00

Celly Cel
'Hot Sunny Day'

My polo has sweaty pit stains, the bus stinks like shit, and I'm getting drunk in the middle of the day. It's a hot sunny day, oh yeah.

Sneak Preview

2006-07-13T22:02:00.000-07:00

Heres a look at the new Mac Dre bobblehead that hasn't made it out yet. Macassis about to give 'em the backhand. Yeeeee!

Its Gonna Blow

2006-07-13T20:44:00.000-07:00

Nate Mezmer respects the architechs, as he begings to build.

This ones a little tribute to the pioneers, but not in that bad way. No yes yes yalls, no takin' it back to the golden age, no reppin' the 4 elements, and especially no lite jazz loops....I hate that shit.

Nate Mezmer - Hand Grenade

Meet Ise Lyfe

2006-07-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

"We went from fighting for freedom to goin dumb for free". You gotta like that line.

I've been hearing about Ise Lyfe for a few years now, but to be honest, I really dont know much about him. I could be listening to his music as I write this and not even know it, but it seems as though that might be changing, as his name has been popping up all over the internet lately.

The Otherside of Hyphy - An Interview with Ise Lyfe
by Davey D

powered by ODEO

Lyfe As We Know It
from Allhiphop.com

AllHipHop.com: A line on there, “ My neighborhood’s filled with liquor stores, and I’m sick of it. So when I’m in the liquor store, I’m stealin’ s**t.” I like the blend of sociology and gangsterism…

Ise Lyfe: There’s a library in Oakland every 192 blocks, but there’s [on average] a liquor store on every corner. I need some national media vehicle to let us do an article on the other side of Hyphy. People ask me, “Ise, since your music has a certain intellectual backdrop to it, how do you feel about going dumb?” They try to pin me against Hyphy. Please! Hyphy is dope, it’s our roots and our principle. It’s a resistance of the system – everything in Hip-Hop is. Hip-Hop has always been a reaction to poverty. People spray-painted their names on subway trains in New York ‘cause nobody gave a f**k about ‘em. They put they name up so people had to pay attention to them. Hyphy comes out Oakland, California where they spend 77 million dollars on police and three million on education…where they take all the music out of the schools…where elementary schools are being shut down…where the mayor of Oakland runs for Attorney General. That’s how major the gentrification is around here. McConnors High School entered a class of 493 freshman students and graduated 41 of those students. That’s what Hyphy is. On one hand, it’s dope. On the other, it sensationalizes a death of a culture – can’t nobody front on that. A lot of it is love. But a lot of it is “thizz, thizz” – poppin’ a pill. I got students that weigh 120 pounds that’s smokin’ purple bud, poppin’ ecstasy pills, drink Robitussin, and eat hot chips – that’s they whole f**kin’ life. This [Hyphy] culture promotes it. Without callin’ no names, most of the cats you hear on the radio rappin’ that s**t, they drug free. Kids is followin’ ‘em thinking it’s cool.

Buy This

2006-07-06T18:56:00.000-07:00

This new mixtape by DJ Eleven is the best thing I've seen in a while. It's two discs with 67 Bay Area classics from old to new. Fire up the bbq and slap this shit in.

Peep the tracklisting and buy one.

Bubble, Toil, and Trouble

2006-07-03T14:37:00.000-07:00

For an article in the SF Weekly, Tamara Palmer decided to check with the local hip-hop community to see if Bay Area personalities can afford the Cristal boycott and the bottle itself.

Name: B-Legit, veteran soloist who rapped about rum cocktail "Hurricane" with cousin E-40 in The Click.
Amount of Cristal purchased pre-boycott: None.
Amount of Cristal planned for future purchase: None.
Beverage of choice: Hennessy ($31.99-$125.00) and Baileys Irish Cream ($18.99).

Name: Chuy Gomez, host of the alcohol-free programs "Chuy in the Morning" on KMEL 106.1 FM and "California Music Channel" on KTSF TV 26.
Amount of Cristal purchased pre-boycott: None.
Amount of Cristal planned for future purchase: I may buy a bottle for my son's graduation, but that isn't for another four years.
Beverage of choice: An almost slushy, cold Coke ($2.79 for a six-pack).

Name: Traxamillion, producer of Keak Da Sneak's local hit "Super Hyphie" and the forthcoming Slapp Addict Compilation.
Amount of Cristal purchased pre-boycott: None — I haven't even held the bottle.
Amount of Cristal planned for future purchase: If I was at a party and they were passing it out, I'd have some, but I can go through life without tasting it and I'd be OK.
Beverage of choice: Hurricane ($7-$10 at most bars) or "Katrinas," as I like to call them.

Name: Zion, MC in Zion I, a group inspired by the Black Panther legacy as well as "Cheeba Cheeba."
Amount of Cristal purchased pre-boycott: None, but I heard it was good.
Amount of Cristal planned for future purchase: None, because I take care of my skrill [money].
Beverage of choice: Water (free) is the best, but I dig on Vitamin Water, too ($1.39).

Name: Trackademicks, buzzing street remixer and producer on Mistah F.A.B.'s Son of a Pimp album.
Amount of Cristal purchased pre-boycott: I think I bought a bottle of Cristal once ... wait — that was Crystal hot sauce for my fried chicken.
Amount of Cristal planned for future purchase: I need to buy a bottle soon to go next to my Paul Wall grill and Jacob the Jeweler timepiece.
Beverage of choice: Breezy drinks like Sparks ($5.99 for a four-pack).

Doors Open

2006-06-30T17:15:00.000-07:00

Everyones seen when ghostriding the whip goes wrong, but this ones the best Ive seen. Check out the dude in the second clip, its as hilarious as it is horrifying. Go dumb.

In unrelated sports news, I came across the most pathetic story I may have ever seen.

The suit alleges Griffin was drunk and masturbating when he crashed his luxury SUV into a parked Suburban outside a store in Minneapolis, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday.

Griffin told the St. Paul Pioneer Press after the accident that he crashed his car because he was reaching for a cell phone that had fallen off his lap. But the lawsuit alleges the crash occurred because Griffin was "under the influence of alcohol" and masturbating while watching pornography on a TV set in his dashboard.

Damn.

Draft Day

2006-06-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Warriors....come out and play

Wednesday is a big day for extremely loyal and forgiving Warrior fans like myself. The NBA draft has been one of the few things to get excited about after for what feels like a lifetime of losing. Although this appears to be the worst draft class in recent memory and the pick is all the way at 9, you just never know what can happen. Ideally, I'd like to see Rudy Gay (no homo) slip down but that's probably not going to happen. I've ruled out trades for Garnett and Iverson because that kind of thing just doesn't happen with the Warriors, however, the move to pick up Tyson Chandler just might happen which works for me. Goodbye Murphy, Goodbye Pietrus. It's been fun. Unfortunately, I'm planning on another dissapointing season but I'll still be drunk on the couch watching every single game of the season....I'm an idiot like that.

Smooth touch Adonal!!!

For some real insight into the world of Warriors basketball, go check out Golden State of Mind, it's the best bball site on planet Earth.

Be A Star

2006-06-26T23:31:00.000-07:00

This is from a Myspace bulletin...

Peace Fam,

We'll be shooting the video for the song "Click" feat. Zion I this Tuesday in Oakland! Anyone interested in getting down for the video is more than welcome!!! We need you fly ass people to get busy wit us, so just hit me back and RSVP and I'll shoot you the location and time! Yee!!!
Let's do it! Authentic Vintage album in stores July 18th! 3 The Hard Way Tour jumps off this Friday! Love always....

One,
Jern Eye
LUNAR HEIGHTS

Jern Eye feat. Zion I - Click

Shadows' Back

2006-06-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

Super producer DJ Shadow is back with his newest album, 'The Outsider', and it looks pretty solid. Peep the tracklisting, its obviously not you typical Shadow type stuff...

01 Outsider Intro
02 This Time (I'm Gonna Try It My Way)
03 3 Freaks f/Keak Da Sneak & Turf Talk
04 Droop-E Drop
05 Turf Dancing f/The Federation & Animaniaks
06 Keep Em Close f/Nump
07 Seein' Thangs f/David Banner
08 Broken Levee Blues
09 Artifact (Instrumental)
10 Backstage Girl f/Phonte Coleman
11 Triplicate / Something Happened That Day
12 The Tiger f/Sergio Pizzorno & Christopher Karloff
13 Erase You f/Chris James
14 What Have I Done f/Christina Carter
15 You Made It f/Chris James
16 Enuff f/Q-Tip & Lateef The Truth Speaker
17 Dats My Part f/E-40

Click here to read a pretty good interview where he talks about the 'hyphy movement' (yeah), nearly losing his wife and unborn twins, and shopping for records!

Heres a bonus video in quicktime of some behind the scenes shit for the '3 Freaks' video.

'We Are The Ones' Video

2006-06-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

The Coup
'We Are The Ones'

Golden Shelltoes

2006-06-21T15:35:00.000-07:00

Z-Man, Conceit, and DNAE Beats on 40 Ounce Radio

2006-06-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Westaddradio.com

Oh Boy

2006-06-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

www.hyphymovement.com

Happy Birthday 'Pac

2006-06-16T14:08:00.000-07:00

Truth be told, Ive never been a big fan of Tupac. My intrest in his music peaked around 92-93 when I getting into high school and I'd probably rather watch 'Juice' than sit down and listen to any of his albums. Anyhow, today would have been his 35th birthday and the man is without a doubt one of the biggest figures music has ever seen. That being said, pour out a little liquor and pay respect.

Below is an interview from Davey D.

This is a walk down memory lane where we celebrate the life and times of Tupac Amaru Shakur. He was born June 16th 1971 and died tragically September 13 1996.

Featured on this tribute are Sway from MTV, author Dr Michael Eric Dyson, 2Pac’s first manager Leila Steinberg, Big D one of 2Pac’s first producers, Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, Shock G of Digital Underground and YoYo.

Sit back and enjoy his words as we celebrate the accomplishments of one Hip Hop’s greatest rappers

An Open Letter To Hip Hop

2006-06-11T11:15:00.000-07:00

Word to Old Dirty Bucket, everyone else should be reposting this as well.

From Davey D:

Dear Folks who say they Love Hip Hop:

I wish there was a way to make this issue of Net Neutrality more interesting. I wish there was a way to spice it up and make it compelling like some sort of beef within the rap industry. Maybe I should get Brad and Angelina to talk about it instead of their baby. Maybe Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton can utter a few words and force us to take more of an interest.

I wish Cam'ron spent his vast money holding press conferences, dissing punk ass Congress for taking tainted money from Verizon, SBC, and Comcast instead of going after Jay-Z. Im glad Jay-Z ignored Camron, unfortunately he remained silent as the President of Def Jam on this important issue. We'll see what happens after Def Jam finds it difficult or too costly to send out their e-post cards alerting me and others of their latest releases

Im sorry Miss Jones on Hot 97 was so upset and enraged that she felt compelled to make headlines calling Mary J Blige a bitch for not shouting her out at last weeks Summer Jam. Its too bad that she didnt use her 3-4 hours a day of airtime in the nations largest city to call the greedy Congress people who accepted money from these corporations Bitches. There aint gonna be any shout outs if the Senate follows Congress in passing this bill. Maybe she'll step it up when her parent company Emmis finds that folks from all over the country can no longer easily access their archived interviews on their website.
It's too bad that many of us found this issue 'too complicated' and 'too overwhelming' and hence directed our attention to Ludacris and Ice Cube's beef with Oprah. This is the feedback I got after stories ran on my website as well as AllHipHop.

Shyt I'm sorry Oprah was too busy telling Ed Lover that she really does love Hip Hop and that she listens to 50 Cent and his violent ass all damn day instead of alerting her millions of viewers about the issue of Net Neutrality.

Im sorry that KRS-One and others used these Internet airways to tell us about the Hip Hop Nation they want to build, but didnt issue a call to action to protect a main arm of our communication. Whether youre a Hip Hop or Rap Lover the elimination of Net Neutrality is gonna impact you..

Here's what's happening folks. The house has gone passed the COPE bill and rejected proposals to insure Net Neutrality. Those who sided with the Comcast and Verizon are well aware that the ability of ordinary people to communicate to the masses is a problem because its been the only thing holding them accountable. For the last 5 years, the biggest stories about government corruption, corporate swindles, global warming and no weapons of Mass Destruction has come through Internet bloggers who were able to push an issue to the masses and force Fox, CNN and other News outlets to pay some sort of attention.

Anyone who is an activist and championed causes ranging from Election fraud and Diebold Machines, police brutality Freeing Mumia, Global warming, Media Reform and Saving the South Central Farm in LA just to name a few this is will especially hit you hard, because the Internet and its neutrality provisions have enabled many of us to counter biased mainstream media outlets get information out about particular causes all over the world.

Yesterday that ability took one step closer to coming to an end. The mantra being sung on Capitol Hill is Shut it down, Shut that shyt down and redirect traffic to a handful of places and media outlets that they can influence and control.

Like Ice Cube said 'Laugh Now and Cry Later', because many of us will soon be crying when we see the Internet gets parceled up and we start paying outrageous tolls for basic amenities. And speaking of which why didn't Ice Cube talk about this issue instead of not being invited on Oprah?

Anyway your next steps should you choose is to call your Senator's office and tell them to stand up and protect your interests. Ignoring this, waiting for others to take on your responsibility or acting like the issue will simply go away will not change this.

While many of you may shrug this off and think it doesn't apply to you, stop and think of all the activities you do on the daily that involve the Internet. Such activities range from using phone cards which use Internet connections-(Many of y'all didn't realize that) on down to peeping your favorite blog... Many of y'all like to surf and check out my site, AllHipHop, Sohh, HipHopGame etc.. Folks that shyt is about to change in a big, big ,big way.

You're soon gonna be left with only being able to peep monthly issues of The Source and XXL, who neglected to address this issue. The Source bypassed this in their Media Watch column and Elliot Wilson from XXL obvious saw his shyt talking editorials as more important then keeping you informed. I guess I can understand, all these Hip Hop Internet websites were eating into business.

All you artists who felt like you can easily get your music out there via Myspace and the other sites, that's about to change Oh yeah lets not forget the punk ass RIAA who like to sue everybody. They stayed silent on this and in fact while all this is going on they have quietly lobbying Congress to change laws so that they can fundamentally change the copyright laws in such a way that it will make it damn near impossible to pass things around via the net. Please read about this here and here.

Also lets not let Steve Jobs and his vast i-tunes network off the hook. Perhaps I missed it, but I didnt see him alerting us when you went to download your favorite song or stepped into his stores. Perhaps he figures hes rich enough to pay for the inevitable increases while the rest of us cant. In other words controlling 90% of the market is not enough.

Shame on former Black Panther, Congressman Bobby Rush for selling us out and supporting these corporations. Shame on the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and any other Civil Rights group pretending to represent our interests while selling us out and taking the money to front for these groups. And while Im glad former Congressman Ron Dellums did well in his Mayoral bid in Oakland, we should not forget that hes also a lobbyist with one of his main clients being Verizon so shame on him as well. Hows Oakland gonna be a world class city that is a beacon for new technology and innovation when his client is one of the main people trying to shut down the Internet?

In closing I'm gonna say this and it may be sobering for some... It's what my pops told me after I got caught fuccing up and then went home and tried to kiss up to him so I wouldn't get in trouble. He told me to stop acting like a wuss and start acting like a man. He told me it was time I grow up and accept responsibility. He then punished me for 3 weeks not for the fucc up, but for me trying to kiss his ass instead of owning up to my mistakes. This is about to happen to all of us...

My point is this. Hip Hop is over 30 years old. We're not kids no more. This industry is not run by kids. To not involve ourselves in shaping the institutions that we rely on to get our information and music out is irresponsible. Thats some thing to ponder about.

Peace out for now....

Holla at your Senator before you holla back at me....

Davey D

Harold the Menace

2006-06-09T19:17:00.000-07:00

A few months back, I saw so Saafir do a quick show at Milk. Overall, the new songs he was doing pretty much sucked, but it was fun and I'd never seen him live before. Since then, I think he had a tumor or something like that which surprisingly didn't really make much news. He beat it, and now I hear he's got a new mixtape with the Turntable Tykoonz. I hope its good, because Saafir is one of the dopest the Bay will ever see.

Saafir - Battle Drill

Vinyl Exchange TV

2006-06-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

vetv.tv

The YouTube below is the premiere episode of Vinyl Exchange TV and it's pretty cool. To all the Haight St. gypsys and record nerds out there, the interviews here will probably be nothing new to you. However, I'm willing to bet that most of you are not too familiar with these cats. If you're like me and totally hyphy'd out, this is a refreshing change.

The show kicks off with Eddie K and DJ Marz who hip you squares to the 3rd St. ghetto stash. From there they've got interviews with Cool Chris from the world famous Groove Merchant record store, Mark Herlihy of Future Primitive and DJ RasCue. Peep game.

'Rhymin' Over Breakbeats' Video

2006-06-06T22:02:00.000-07:00

Prozack Turner
'Rhymin' Over Breakbeats'

Moses Music! BBQ! Celebrities!

2006-06-05T18:29:00.000-07:00

Cool sound effects!

Little know fact: Seanny Sean once had his head ran over by a dump truck. True story.

Rap Dreams Trailer

2006-06-02T20:11:00.000-07:00

Kevin Epps is here with a new one, 'Rap Dreams'. The man who brought you 'Straight Outta Hunters Point' is back with the cameras following Mista FAB, Kev Kelley, and Hectic chasing their way to the top of the rap game.

Watch a 30 minute trailer right here.

Heres an interview at AllHipHop.com.

Politics As Usual?

2006-05-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

It looks like Mista FAB has big plans for the Town, he's endorsing Ron Dellums as the new Mayor of Oakland. That's good news for all the thizzed out yellow bus riders who have been undecided up until now.

FAB sat on a Hip Hop meets Politics panel a couple of weeks ago when Dellums came to speak. FAB was impressed and told the candidate that he and other politicians need to have a way to make their political speak relatable to the Hip Hop fan base that Mista FAB and others have.

FAB also told Dellums that he should not be fooled into thinking that because he sports a grill, wears his hat backwards and gets hyphy that he doesn't stay up on the politics effecting Oakland. Following in the tradition of 2Pac who was always well read and stayed informed, Mista FAB is and numerous other artists are the same way. Part of being able to get their hustle on is being up on all aspects that impact both their business and neighborhood.

It's good to see someone from the 'hyphy movement' step up and deal with some real shit going on in the area. From what I've heard, FAB is already pretty involved in the community and does tons of volunteer work. I'm pretty sure Dellums might want to see Fabby trade in the 'Stop Snitchin' shirt.

Read more at DaveyD.com

Crown City

2006-05-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's going down tonight.

Crown City Rockers
'B-Boy'

This is a good one for the summer.

They Are The Ones

2006-05-24T19:58:00.000-07:00

Here's another one from 'Pick A Bigger Weapon', it's funky!

The Coup - We Are The One's

Like Heads in a Barrel

2006-05-23T20:31:00.000-07:00

These guys have about a century in the rap game between them, so they know what their doing.

Pimp C, E-40, B-Legit, and Bun B - The Corruptor's Execution

'Situation Critical' Video

2006-05-19T18:56:00.000-07:00

Dre Dog
'Situation Critical'

Hyphy Week

2006-05-18T18:39:00.000-07:00

MTV's My Block is now a thing of the past and will be quickly forgotten, because BET has a whole fucking week of hyphy madness coming your way. I'm shocked that they are actually putting down a whole week dedicated to the Bay considering I haven't seen a Bay Area video on there in about a decade. Im hoping Spice 1 and Dre Dog might be able to sneak their way into one of these shows.

“Hyphy promises to be more like the ‘second coming’ of the glory days of Bay Area music artists,” stated Charles Johnson of Oakland’s Young Lion Entertainment. It has been more than a decade since hip hop dominants like rap artists MC Hammer, The Luniz, Digital Underground and E-40, put the Bay Area music scene on the map. Hyphy has erected a new stage for unique and talented artists like Oakland native Mistah F.A.B, rap’s version of the Grateful Dead — Hieroglyphics Crew, The Federation, and the ageless Too Short. The country will have the opportunity to catch a glimpse and experience the movement through BET next week.

The BET series covers the past, present, and future of Bay Area Hip Hop. The series opens Monday’s with hip-hop icon, rap artist Too Short—a pioneer Oakland Rapper who went from slanging tapes on the corner to platinum sales—and concludes on Saturday with the Bay Area’s Top 10 Countdown.

The schedule is as follows:
Monday 5/22/06 Too Short – A Day in the Life
Tuesday 5/23/06 Hyphy – A subculture of Hip Hop
Wednesday 5/24/06 E-40 – His second wind
Thursday 5/25/06 Hieroglyphics & Davey D – The Past, Present, & Future
Friday 5/26/06 Bay Area – The Road Map
Saturday 5/27/06 Top 10 Countdown.

This player below is an interview Davey D did with Mad Linx from BET and Big Chuck from Soul Beat. Listen to it, you might learn something.

powered by ODEO

Who Shot Ya

2006-05-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

San Francisco super-producer TomC3 is pack with his latest installment to the rap game, 'Project Polaroid'. This time around, he's teamed up with the legendary Kool Keith to hit you with some super scientifical madness. Everything is full blast android. Peep game.

TomC3 and Kool Keith

Wassup Tom, let 'em know who are you, how you got started and what you have done.
TOMC3 / producer. I got started by being fascinated by all the greats such as Ultramagnetic MC's, Rakim, the whole Juice Crew, BDP etc..I grew up listening in an era that was very innovative. The mid to late 80's! So, basically what i did was work at various odd jobs and saved up enough money to buy my first sampler. An akai s950. Thats basically how I got started. I learned the hard way, there was no internet etc to help you out with beats and samples!

Well, as for the projects that I have done so have been Dopestyle 1231 (self titled album), Kaijin (Japacronix), Nate Mezmer(Kill The Precedent), Project Polaroid(The Original Soundtrack) Bucc Rogerz feat. Kool Keith (Transmitting Live 12"). I also did a remix for Tweaker feat. Robert Smith from the Cure that hasnt come out yet.

Some people think Keith has fallen off a bit since the days of Dr. Octogon. Does this record get it back to that feel?
Well, as far as Keith falling off since the Octagon days, it's just a matter of opinion I guess. He still sells units, so there is a fanbase that steadily purchases his stuff. Judging from sales it wouldn't indicate so. But I guess people were expecting another Octagon and he hasnt given them that. So, in that sense I suppose people would assume he fell off according to that.

This album we did (Project Polaroid) does touch on that era of Keith in that he is kickin some sci-fi type stuff. But the album itself isnt based just off of that concept. It's its own thing, I would like to believe. I would say its a return for him to rappin over sample based production. But, if you were a fan of the Octagon era, then you would definitely dig this album.

Anyone who's listened to Keith's music know he's a bizzare dude. How is it working with him, do you guys get along well?
Working with Keith is fun. He has a lot of routines he needs to do before he records. i.e. go to porn shops, buy chicken wings and look at magazines for an hour or maybe go to Red Lobster. Keith really knows what he is doing when its time to record. He doesnt take many takes to get it right, he's very quick during the recording process.

We get along pretty good on a business and personal level. You just have to know his routines and you'll be fine. He's a funny dude.

Project Polaroid has collabs with Motion Man, Jihad the Ruffneck from Third Sight, and Prince Po. I know you've worked with Motion and Jihad before, but how did the track with Prince Po come together?
Well, that came about because I have always been a fan of Organized Konfusion. Prince Po was my favorite in the crew. I thought he had some of the illest lines. Especially on releasing "Hypnotical Gasses", he has some of the illest lines on the album . I basically got in contact with him through the label he was on at the time, LEX. I hit him up and he was totally down and did that verse on "Mechanical Mechanix". I told him what we were going for on that song and he just ripped it. I mentioned something about "Hypnotical Gasses" to him, and thats why he mentions Reed Richards in that verse as a reference to our conversation!!

The 12" and LP cover both have some tight artwork. Why dont people put more effort into the cover art?
Yeah, the artwork is pretty damn dope. I dont remember seeing anything like it. My brother , DIET, came up with that stuff. He has a lot of good ideas. Watch for his stuff coming out, its pretty innovative! You need to get him on CITY OF DOPE!!
Yeah, a lot of covers are pretty un-imaginative. Some dude on the cover with a gold chain in baggy clothes, or with his shirt off etc...pretty lame. You look at the top ten releases for hip hop and the covers all look the same! I seen some cool artwork in the other forms of music though.

Last summer you went around the country on tour with Keith and Guru. That must of been a crazy experience, any wild stories from the road?
It was pretty wild at times. I cant really mention that stuff in print because thats some private shit for certain people. But I'm sure you have heard it all befoe anyways, right? I remember being in Colorado at this bar next to the club we performed at and this girl bought me a drink. That never happens, isnt that wild! hahahah.....we had a chrysler 300 for the whole tour. It was pretty comortable. On the way to Texas we were driving late at night from New Mexico and I remember running over something on the freeway. Whatever it was, it wasn't in my sight, it seemed like it was out of nowhere. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw nothing , so I didnt stop. So we get to Texas and we stop at some place to eat. We are outside standing around and I look at the car and it looks funny, something isnt right. Upon close inspection, the side spoiler? was missing! Thats what I ran over on the freeway that night! The shit fell off!

You dont do a lot of production work outside of your own projects. Why is that? Is there anyone out there you really want to work with?
Hmmm, good question. Well, probably because I haven't really gotten out there yet. I am hoping that after this project with Keith, people will be lookin for some tracks. If not, I have a lot of projects I'm workin on anyways. Plus, I actually prefer to work on whole albums as opposed to just tracks. I like to vibe with the artist like that. Bounce ideas off each other etc. Build an album instead of just "here, here is a beat I made, rap over it".
As for working with people..hmm.. A lot of people. Maybe Sean Lennon, Dre Dog, Beck, Trent Reznor, Beastie Boys.

Ive always thought you looked like the love child of Kid (Kid and Play) and Juwon Howard. Do you get that often from people?
Youre funny, I thought I escaped that! Yeah, I used to get that a lot. Not as much lately. I used to get Juwon Howard more than Kid. It's funny when you realize it yourself. You hope no one notices, but sure enough, they got me! I used to have a hi top fade as well! I can still do the kid n play kick step mean!

What does the future hold for TomC3?
Well, lets see..There is going to be another single for Project Polaroid comin out soon with remixes from different producers , can't mention any names because it isnt final yet, but its gonna be good! ..I have an album that Motion Man and myself are working on called Ernie Drastic. Then theres the Motion Man and Del album that we are workin on right now. Also expect a collaboration with my boy the Specialist. He has some of the illest beats right now! Also doin some tracks for the upcoming Nate Mezmer album as well. Maybe another project with Keith. Thats what I got cookin right now....more to come!!

Tom & Keith at Myspace
Threshold Records

'Deep East Oakland' Video

2006-05-12T19:44:00.000-07:00

Black Dynasty
'Deep East Oakland'

Dont miss the Zack Morris Motorola cell in the beginning.

Team Playas

2006-05-11T18:41:00.000-07:00

The East Bay Express ran a piece this week about local celebs, The Team, and the new album 'World Premiere'. To me, it appears more to be an add for their 'grapple' flavored energy drink, 'Hyphy Juice'. Can't knock the hustle.

"Hyphy Juice is the brainchild of Carson and his partner K.O.A.B. The two own the Moe Doe record label, which put out World Premiere, and created a new company, the Oakland-based It's Good Bev Co., after being inspired by Nelly's Pimp Juice and Lil' Jon's Crunk Juice. "We wanted something to represent our culture on a national level," Carson said. They also "wanted something that tastes like candy."

After two and a half years of product testing, Hyphy Juice hit the shelves earlier this year — just in time for the Team's album release. The national explosion of hyphy into mainstream consciousness was a fortunate coincidence, and so far, the response has been encouraging: Carson claims the drink has earned $600,000 in revenue in its first two months. "The hyphy movement can sell the juice, but the juice is so delicious, it sells itself," he boasts. "We got the West Coast on lock," he adds, with national distribution in the works. According to Carson, business building is in the soil. "All the acts that come out the Bay Area, they always had ownership," he notes, naming Too $hort and Hammer in particular. "We from Oakland, we represent the blue-collar hustle of the Bay; it's just taking it to another level."

Continue reading

I've had that shit, and it's alright, but I prefer Jolt. Twice the caffeine.

Dumb Intelligent

2006-05-08T20:58:00.000-07:00

This one's nothing new but it's super dope, the best remix of this track I've heard.

Tell Me When To Go - Trackademicks Remix

'Light Sleepers' Video

2006-05-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

Saafir
'Light Sleepers'

Bay Area Rappers: Get Off Your Own Nuts

2006-05-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Bay Area Rappers: Get Off Your Own Nuts
By: Adisa Banjoko, “The Bishop of Hip Hop”

Right now we have a lot of people jockeying for position in the Bay. Labels squabble in backdoor bid wars. Mixtape DJ’s are locking and loading the hottest track from the Bay. Everybody from MTV, BET and your local news station want to look at the Bay Area rappers on the rise. A lot of money and a lot of reputations are at stake.

I was here when the Bay Area first rose up in the early 1990’s. I was also here to watch it fall aroudn 1995. One of the main reasons it fell then, and might fall right now- is because of bad business.

There are a lot of self appointed, half baked "managers”, “label owners” and “CEO’s” squandering real opportunities in pursuit of the ultimate hustle. All eyes are on the Bay, but they don’t have to stay here. Out of all the groups trying to take advantage of the hype around Hyphy, only a select group will truly make that journey. Too many people are over confident on what they can do when they have no real record of accomplishment in the game. But if the Bay does not learn to get off it’s own nuts- it won’t matter who is watching.

I want to see the Bay fully back on its feet. To do that the Bay must learn from its mistakes. Here are seven things you can do to keep yourself, your group and your label away from failure.

1. You must learn to see what you are doing beyond the hustle and turn what you are doing into a business. E-40 and Too Short’s success did not happen overnight. It was the result of many years of recording, doing shows, selling tapes outta the trunk, learning the in’s and out’s of distribution, learning how to use the media to your advantage, etc. At some point, they made the actual transition from the hustle into the business. If you fail to do that, you can expect failure period.

2. Follow though with your word and your deed. If you say you are going to provide a service (promotions, recording, PR, mastering, cover art, building a website, etc.) provide to the fullest. If you tell someone, you are going to pay them an agreed amount on a specified day- follow thorough.

3. Understand that just because you soul 50,000-100,000 units or more in the Bay- that does not make you large. I know cats who made platinum plaques on the first rise of the Bay who are broke today. I know cats who never went gold who are living well. The people who won and the people who lost usually had their fate decided on #2. Which one do you want to be?

4. Consistency is the father of victory. If you want to win you have to stay the course. You have to make a habit of doing what you say, when you say you’ll do it. Giving your all in one show, one day of recording, one battle will not keep you in front. Remember a lot of rappers and rap groups have come and gone in the last few years. Only a FEW remain in the minds of the people. If you are consistent, you have a better chance to be one of the truly chosen few.

5. Look at yourself, and your group. Are you marketable? Why should someone buy your music over the next rappers CD? If your only response is, “’Cause I’m hella raw”, that’s not enough. Do you know what a brand is? Do you know what your company’s position is? Do you know what messaging is? What does your press kit look like? What is the difference between public relations and advertising? Do you know what kind of habits build and destroy brands? In an oversaturated market you need very edge you can have. Do you visit sites like www.prohiphop.com ? Knowledge is the key. But there is no better branding than making good music, and conducting positive business.

6. Think beyond the Bay!! Many rappers are so focused on gaining an audience here to the point that they ignore the national and international rap audience. Listen to music from other areas and see if you can show them love by working with producers, DJ’s, magazines and rappers from that region. One of the main reasons the East coast fell off, is because they could not see beyond 5 boroughs. But the world was bigger than NY. If we want to avoid their fate, we have to know that the world is bigger than the Bay. It always was, and always will be.

7. Read books about money and have integrity when you deal with people. Understand that one day of selfishness over a connection or the media spotlight can lead to years of never having access to it again. Read books about the industry, find out the people in your area who conduct the best business. They may not all be apart of the Hip Hop community. Some of the main people I work with have no connection to the rap game. Visit websites like www.guykawasaki.com, www.ries.com- often. No matter how dope you are, no matter how many records you have sold, no matter how many shows you have done, get off your own nuts and put in real work. Seek to build bridges, don’t burn them. If you don’t know how to do that, see #4. Good luck and God bless.

Adisa Banjoko is author of “Lyrical Swords Vol. 1 & 2” and a partner of Shin-Ken PR. For more info visit: www.shinkenpublicrelations.com .

Choppin' Up Dope w/ King Eljen (I Got 5)

2006-05-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

High!
Its King Eljen again...my EP is gonna be out next month! Its called "Green Olive Monsters" (f.y.i.: I love drinking like a monster and eating green olives) and i did it with DJ Waxsmith and The Soundblasters!!! It features Bucc Rogerz and E da Boss did a beat but I'll tell you more later. You ever heard of Joe Quixx? Act like you know kids! Did you see that video a couple days back (on this very site...) by the B.U.M.s "Free Your Mind"? Guess who did that beat...Joe Quixx. Thats one of the many classics beats and current mixtape pieces of genius Joe Quixx has under his belt. Everyone remembers the days of The Wakeup Show w/ Sway and when you heard the deep ass machine radio voice go: ..." with Joe Quixx in the mix..." Goosebumbs right? Maybe im a music pheind but you knew it was about to be some shit that was better than anything going on that night. I personally would listen and bug out on that fresh boom bap never soft onslaught of shit the Joey Quixxsta would drop with a signature no frills finess...thangs aint changed son. No KMEL but J.Q. is still servin' fools with the Oakland Faders alongside DJ Platurn and company at venues throughout the Bay and if your smart you'll get your hands on one of his mixtapes... so so sick. That hard hip hop shit, no silly shit son. I caught up with Joe Quixx spinning @ Radio in Oakland and asked this legend a few questions for you guys, aiight? Peep game...

King Eljen: Yo Joe Quixx, you've been teaching toy deejays how its done for a minute now. Do miss the days of the "Wakeup Show" era or are you feeling whats going on now?
Joe: I'll never miss the old days. 4 me shit just gets better and better as years go by.

KE: Who are some of your favorite deejays right now?
Joe: My favorite dj was and always will be DJ Riz from Brooklyn 3, I don't know too much about rappers.

KE: What about emcees, you feeling anybody right now?
Joe: To me every rapper got they own flavor.

KE: Whats next on your agenda as far as gigs or projects your gonna bless?
Joe: Me and Specialist got a new joint commin' out this month.

KE: What do you like better, mac or pc's?
Joe: I got a pc.

KE: What do you make your beats with?
Joe: MPC 3000.

KE. Can i get one (a beat)?
Joe: Of course sun, you famalams.

KE: Word!(King Eljen jumps for joy) Yo, me and you share a love for Curb Your Enthusiam, whats your favorite episode?
Joe: Crazy Eyes Killa.

KE: Word, thats a classic. I like the one called "Weatherman" where he thinks the weatherman gives the wrong forcasts to have the golf course to himself. But yo, on a serious note, Im about to twist my hair into dreadlocks like Sway. You think thats a good move?
Joe: No.

KE: Alright, lastly whats some advice for the DJ's in the Bay right now trying to get fame and hold the crown like you?
Joe: Everybody gotta take they own journey, let you be you and live with it.

Cool Joe...good looking out as always.

Peaaace!

No five on it list this week, but I'll make you miss it then hit you with the sickness.

..
CHECK OUT THIS REVIEW FOR THE MIXTAPE I'M ON

I told you it was fresh! Big up to E da Boss, he's deejaying for Lateef on Saturday playing with The Coup at a free show in the City. More details to come....peaaace!

E-40 Gets Punked

2006-05-03T19:21:00.000-07:00

Hip Hop in the Park

2006-05-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Live graffiti and DJs! B-Boys and B-Girls! Free!

Its about that time of year once again for the 10th annual Hip Hop in the Park. This is always a pretty cool event and the lineup this year looks pretty good, all Bay Area artists this time.

Live performances by:
Mistah FAB
Pep Love
The Attik
Black Lion Crew
Kahlil
Native Guns
4OneFunk
Kirby Dominant

@ People's Park, Haste between Telegraph & Bowditch, Berkeley
FREE, 12-5pm

Project Polaroid

2006-05-02T18:19:00.000-07:00

If you are hyphy, this probably isnt for. If you know Keith and Motion, enjoy.

Project Polaroid (TomC3 & Kool Keith) feat. Motion Man - Clubber Lang

Project Polaroid @ Myspace
Motion Man @ Myspace

Ethered

2006-05-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Wow...this is fucking incredible! Fuck Kanye West. Treason is the highest form of patriotism, right?

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Three is kind of lame.

'Elevation (Free My Mind)' Video

2006-04-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

B.U.M.S.
"Elevation (Free My Mind)"

Yahoo's Mic Pass

2006-04-29T16:31:00.000-07:00

Yahoo's going dumb. This little video they put together is pretty fresh with a nice cast of the Bay's heavy hitters. 'Freestyles' from Too $hort, Federation, Numskull, FAB, E-40, Dru Down, JT, Yukmouth, and San Quinn.

I especially like the literal mic pass with their fine editing. See above.

Watch it here.

Humm Baby

2006-04-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Rasco feat. San Quinn - San Francisco Giants

'187 Proof' Video

2006-04-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

Spice 1
'187 Proof'

And then Indo smoked 'em all. This video is fucking doooope! I heard it was directed by Chris Cunningham but I could be wrong.

So gangsta.

Pick a Bigger Weapon

2006-04-24T20:48:00.000-07:00

Ok, it's finally dropping tommorow. Go buy this shit, steal it if you must.

The Coup will be at Amoeba Tuesday night at 6 doing a quick set, so if you're in the City, check 'em out.

Interview with the Godfather

2006-04-23T21:41:00.000-07:00

If you head over to Davey D's website, hes got a really good interview with Too Short that is definitely worth checking out. It's pretty rare to read or listen to an interview and actually get some new and interesting material, especially with someone on Too Short's level.

This thing is about an hour long, so if you don't work a soul crushing desk job like myself, it will probably be tough to work this into your day.

Click Here to Listen.

'Wonderful Night' Video

2006-04-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

This shit with Lateef is pretty dope. Theres nothing I like more than a well done hip hop video.

The Rootdown - Friday Night

2006-04-21T17:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a little late posting this one, but it's going down tonight.

Co-Deez
Psychokinetics
Bucc Rogerz
The Sole Vibe

2183 Mission St. between 17th and 18th
SF, CA