New Artists and Music

So I am going through my e-mails and trying to pick out the good from the bad and what is really astounding from what is just average. In today, average doesn't cut it and some of you who submit have some ability but you don't have the personality that comes across on the track. For those people, I hope you're not banking on rap, even if you're doing the normal average trendy 'get money swagger'

Local Flavor - Baltimore

So Baltimore isn't much known for it's rappers unfortunately, unless you count the short lived success of B. Rich and the even shorter shot at the mainstream for Bossman, but there are some decent rappers, some of which I have covered before like Japiro and Skarr Akbarr. More well-known at least for those who pay attention to Sean Puff Daddy' Comb's signings is Los.  Now I'm not a Los fan but

Mix tapes are out of control

So you may know I'm not a big fan of the modern mix tape, especially as is treated like an album, albeit with limited distribution and no direct checks for the artists. I understand, once 50 Cent and Gip-set were able to make a huge push in the streets with them, they became the accepted way to gain publicity and create a buzz, though since then, the impact has been negated because literally

Radio better listen up- Going on on WERQ 92Q FM

This quick video tells the truth right here about what goes on in the radio industry, especially in Baltimore, MD. I took the station off of my dial a long time ago, but I dropped all of the urban stations because I don't want to hear the same thing several times a day anyway. She's right Future does suck, and to get on Baltimore radio, you have to let the station DJ's be your manager or

Album Review- Japiro-Conspirocy

For the first time I will take the pleasure of doing a review of one of my people's albums. I'll let you know from the jump I will be slightly biased with this because this is a dude I've know for damn near 15 years, and I'm proud to say that he didn't just give me some garbage to listen to and co-sign. Japiro- an independent artist from Baltimore, has given me the best and most complete album of

Album Review- Childish Gambino- Camp

So there are a lot of new young hipster type artists coming out and many are in more of the Kanye West non-thug model and thats a good thing to have something new and different. Childish Gambino is the alter ego of actor Donald Glover who stars on NBC's Community as Troy. The image of Troy is one thats odd when you listen to the album because Camp is much more serious than his TV character. After

As Is Hip-hop Awards 2011-Independent album Of the year

It's the time of the year where I give my thoughts and ideas on who would be the victors at my awards show if I was having one. You been around, you know what this is, so let's get it started. This year, click on the highlighted links for my initial reviews.

5. Sheek Louch- Donnie G - Don Gorilla

So Sheek came out and dropped another solo album and of course, it was slept on by many because he

Mysonne

Simply put this post is about an artist who was one of the next in line to blow around the time when Jadakiss was coming into his own and 50 Cent was beginning to get his shine on. Ironically, considered the next Shyne, Mysonne was on the sure fire path to stardom. Unfortunately, a jail stint put his career on hold and I for one thought this guy might not ever surface again. He got out and a

Iggy Azalea

So I was looking at one of my ignant blogs and I ran across an artist by the name of Iggy Azalea and honestly I'm torn on this one. First it's not really my kind of music, now she isn't a bad rapper but she isn't good and from what I see she's just a gimmick. but here- check these out now:







Now this last video is her single from what I gather and this West Coast artist has potential but too

Independent Music Spotlight

So I know a lot of independent guys send me their music and my e-mail is exploding right now with unread stuff. I do try to get through it all though it just takes time with work and the major label releases amongst other things. Here is a long overdue post though for you guys trying to make it and get to the level of the Big Sean's and Drakes. I know it isn't easy.

I am pretty sure I wrote

Album Review- Black Rob- Game Tested Streets Approved

Black Rob has been through hell and back. He has been signed to Bad Boy, been to jail a couple times, and battled serious illness. Through it all he has persevered and remained one of the few artists who can seemingly make a decent single yet keep it real. with a gravelly voice BR is back an on Duck Down records, an underground NY powerhouse of street mc's with his latest release.



"Welcome

Rock Solid...just that indeed

So on today's plethora of world star nonsense I was able to find something that I might consider a gem. This artist-Rock Solid, decided to put out a diss to Lupe Fiasco for his greasy talk about Barack Obama. A lot of disses are just stupid and lame hood beef but this one has a little bit more of a purpose. Now do me a favor-watch this, and do not be turned off by the 'skit' he does because there

Album Review-Bad Meets Evil- Hell-The Sequel

So one of the biggest developments in underground/lyrical hip-hop was the winter signing of Slaughterhouse to Shady Records. One of the back stories to the entire deal was the reconciliation of Eminem and Royce da 5'9. Though their beef had been squashed years before it took some conversations and 'manning up' over the past 18 months or so to bring this entire deal about. So its a good thing, and

Unsigned Hype - Tayyib Ali Take 2

Now as I said before I am going to make an effort to spotlight up and coming artists as well as have real discussions about hip-hop issues. Now a few days ago I blogged about a new Philadelphia artist named Tayyib Ali. He has a single that's poppy and a second song that I felt was decent but I only really saw his polish as a potential mainstream artist though I wasn't quite sold on his skills

Unsigned Hype - Tayyib Ali

So i actually do get around to checking my e-mail so you can keep those independent submissions coming in. Today I'm checking out an artist from Philly named Tayyib Ali with his new single- "Supermodel". Honestly, I don't get the title when I listen to the hook but the song is catchy albeit unoriginal yet I could listen to it more than something like Racks on Racks. It also isn't overly vulgar so

More useless rapper-Ace Hood or Chopper City?

Honestly, I don't even know why I'm going to dedicate an entire blog to either one of these users but I am. Maybe it's because I just wish that they would both disappear into the annals of hip-hop and never ever return. I mean Young Berg fell off of the planet why do i have to keep seeing these two guys whom I have never seen nor heard anyone say that they like or even listen to.





I mean

Album Review- Pharoahe Monch- W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)

So sometimes you get an album title that you cannot help but love and have high expectations for. Sometimes however, you look at the artist and know that they cannot pull it off. Pharoahe is a bit of an enigma, I know he has the ideas to pull off an album with a good yet ambitious title, but my biggest concern is always his flow and ability to avoid the pitfalls that 'underground' artists can

Album Review- Saigon- The Greatest Story Never Told

So another Atlantic records artist who has been in purgatory over there for a while recently dropped an album along with Lupe. Saigon is one of the more well known underground mc's and he has been trying to get his album released for at least four years now. A former inmate, he is known as more of a conscious thug, one who can speak on it because he has been there.

The album starts with a

Something new...

Check my links if you haven't in a while you will find some interesting things. Just recently I added YAPPARIHIPHOP.COM a Japanese hp-hop site. It's confusing but there is English on the site so you can see what's going on internationally.


Now I have been erratic lately but I must shout out my man Japiro for making number one with his new Baltimore collaboration with Al Great, Duce Wayne, Eddie

Keepin it Real Goes Wrong

So I'm trying to get some inspiration to get my blog on and i see this tomfoolery over at the "death of hip hop and urban culture" World Star Hip-hop. In the following clip- this interviewer does some things wrong that all of you who want to be personalities in the industry should pay attention to. The 'artist' Nefu da Don - I know, who cares right?, screws up on multiple occasions too. check it