If you know me it’s no suprise that Nas is my favourite Hip-Hop artist.

I’ve mentioned in the past to Matt and Afran about how Nas is one of those kind of illusive artists that you rarely get a glimpse of actually in the studio working. On the contrary there are many artists that might as well be sponsored by isight.

To go in the studio, and produce great music, without the cameras, without the vblogs, it really lets what should matter speak for itself. I like that in an artist, especially one as ludicrously talented and praised as Nas is.

This video is a recent collaboration with Nas and a young producer C- SIck in the studio putting together Film.

It’s an amazing track and It’s awesome of Red Bull to put together such a great opportunity.

To hear Film in its entirity and download it check it

Dwele is an amazingly talented R&B/soul singer, songwriter and record producer from Detroit, Michigan. He grew up listening to such Motown artists as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Miles Davis and Roy Ayers, since becoming a life-long fan and even a spontaneous collaborator. He started writing at the age of ten, using it originally as an emotional vent after dealing with a tragedy in his family. After briefly attending Wayne State, Dwele left college to pursue his own passion for music while working full time.

His demo tape, The Rize was created in a backroom at his mothers’ house. Dwele pressed only 100 copies with a goal to gain some recognition within local Detroit, never anticipating the attention he would soon receive. Since then he’s taken the Soul/R&B world by storm with 3 studio albums, Grammy nominations and features on tracks with such as Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights” and Common’s “The People”.

Dwele is a catalyst for what a true musical artist should showcase. That is passion, talent, soul and an undeniable work ethic.

I was fortunate enough to get a chance to speak with him and gain some insight on some past experiences and future goals for the down-to-earth talent.

Dwele: Yeah, you know I’m in the studio, I stay working. You know what I’m saying; Even when I’m not officially working on the album I’m always working on it. You know, I mean other than that I’ve been touring, you know doing spot dates, maybe about to start a tour  in July I believe it is, so I got that coming up but other than that I’ve been trying to keep my youtube thing updated, you know, doing random stuff.

SH: Could you give us an insight on the newest album in terms of its production? Features? I know you got a joint with Slum Village on there.

Dwele: Yeah, this past album Sketches of a man, I worked with Notz on the song a few reasons and with G-1 on the single I’m cheating. Other than that, of course I worked with Slum Village out of love but that was about it. This next and upcoming album I plan on working with a few more producers you know what I’m saying? And bringing on a few more guests. In the past I didn’t really want to put too much into having guests on there because a lot of the times when a artist does that you don’t really know what the artist is about because they have so many guests and other things going on with the album and I didn’t necessarily want that to happen. But now that I think I’ve established, you know this is going to be my 4^th album, 5^th for some you know what I’m saying so I think I’ve established who I am as an artist and I just need to start branching out and trying and doing different things. So that’s what this next album is going to be about.

SH: What kind of response have you been getting?

Dwele: Yeah, the response has been good; been great you know what I’m saying. It’s still going, still moving which is a beautiful thing, I think this album right here is a slow burner. You know, we didn’t really do much of a push on this album as far as getting it out there but I think little by little with the small things I do. I’m going to say even the McDonald’s McCafe thing, don’t get it twisted, the album sales have jumped you know what I’m saying? A lot of people may call that selling out by putting my music on a coffee commercial, but I look at it like you know, I’m branching out, I’m trying to get my music exposed to people who otherwise wouldn’t give it a listen. That’s what it’s doing man, its creating an awareness for the music. You know what I’m saying? And sometimes, that may come in the form of a coffee commercial, that’s what its all about man.

Dwele: I mean, all the shows you know what I’m saying. I got a show coming up in North Carolina on the 24^th; I got a few different shows coming up. I don’t want to be putting out things cause I might say the wrong thing; I don’t have my schedule in front of me. But you know, we hitting North Carolina, we got The Essence fest coming up in New Orleans so I’m looking forward to that, that’s always a great thing, always a beautiful thing but there’s a lot coming up, I think we are coming to the east coast like New York, so there’s a lot coming up for us.

Dwele: Yeah I got to say tainted was the one that did it. I was actually signed with Virgin for 3 years before the album actually came out. I think when they heard tainted come out and that it was creating a fan base for the type of music that I was doing I think that kind of pushed Virgin to you know, move ahead with the album and start promoting it and see what can happen so I’m most definitely thankful for Slum giving me the opportunity to do my thing on that joint.

Dwele: Yeah I remember when I was you know, first getting to know Slum and Jay, it was around the time when they were working on the first fantastic. I was in JD’s basement and they were cutting Just for You, So I walked in the basement and free was playing something but I couldn’t hear the actual music cause he had the headphones on cutting so he did it kind of shady. I went in the sound booth and turned the mic on and turned off the music and the sound was coming through the headphones and we would cut it, so that’s how it jumped off. So yeah, I was listening to his flow and tried to make it make sense like you know, What kind of music is this that he’s flowing over, because the flow was so unorthodox on that joint so when he was done and played the joint back man I was like, my god. Like I knew Dilla was special you know what I’m saying but to hear that joint come together the way it came together in that basement with damn near nothing you know what I’m saying really showed how magical that dude was, how he could make anything happen with whatever he had.

Dwele: Man, I got to say that point was a highlight of my career thus far. Actually being on stage with Roy Ayers, I grew up listening to that guy. I modeled a lot of what I did right down to the laid back groove you know what I’m saying I modeled a lot actually after Roy so for him to call me on stage and play a part on one of my favorite songs ever with the man himself you know what I’m saying, it was humbling and inspirational at the same time. That’s something that I can’t forget, I wish I had video of that joint.

Dwele: a lot you know what I’m saying, just from everyday living inspires me. I guess for books, I got this one book called the Prophet, and it’s sort of like poetry. And I kind of read that book when I’m just relaxing and want to get into that vibe of making something more poetic, song structure wise. So I’ll read that book cause it kind of puts me there. Movies, I got to say one of my favorite movies musically would be Mo Betta Blues

Dwele: Yeah, I started off producing and after a while production started feeling incomplete without doing something over it whether it was rhyming or singing. Most of the time through high school it was rhyming but as I got older and started dealing with people in the hip-hop scene and there wasn’t really anyone doing the vocal signing thing so I kinda started gravitating more towards that because it stood out a little but more. I think my favorite instrument would have to be the piano that’s what I love. That’s what I was raised on you know and the type of music I listened to you know but other than that I work with the MP you know, even If I don’t necessarily sample my own sounds and are using some software synths and sounds you know I think I’m still going to use that MP you know what I’m saying, It’s just the feel of the pad, that I love but other than that, I try to keep a lot of different instrumentation in the music no matter what I’m doing you know, So I like using a live band, bass, and a live guitar depending on the type of set I want to do. I grew up playing Trumpet too so on some of the songs I’ll pick up the horn and work that out too.

SH: Speaking of musical talent, I saw a bootleg production, I’m not sure how recent it was from but you were spinning on some Stanton’s showing some samples from tracks and it was just way too ill. Have you always been a master of all musical trades or what man? It seems whatever you can get your hands on your can show some skills.

Dwele: Man, I try to learn everything enough to do a little something with it you know what I’m saying. The DJ thing, that’s my most recent attempt at something but you know, I just got my CDJ’s last year you know so I’ve been just kind of working with them. You know, they aren’t the best CDJ’s but they get the job done, it’s something I can learn on and mess around with, I can entertain, like if I’m doing a party at the crib the DJ’s my own joints, that’s kind of how it all got started, just kind of fooling around and taking it where I can.

SH: That video also showed me that you have an amazing taste in music. Is there that one song for you that can make a bad day good or get you hyped no matter what? A song you just don’t skip on the iPod.

Dwele: Man, There are a few of them, there are a few like that, but you know, it all depends on my situation. If I’m waking up and the suns coming through my window you know what I’m saying, and I need that feel good song man, it’s got to be Stevie Wonder’s All I do. But If I’m in the range, riding down 8 mile or something with the sun out and the window’s down you know I’d probably have to say. You going to laugh man, but it’s this song out by this artist called Damn D and the song is called love me, that song makes me loose my mind man, makes me do 80 in a 35. For real.

Dwele: Wow, creative I’m going to have to say the most feel good, and just beautiful song, I’m going to say it would be between De Angelo’s untitled, was just a classic. Or Bilal’s soul sisters, that song had every tick, I mean every tick you know what I’m saying? It was a classic, just a classic joint. I’d have to say, to write a song on just for like, popularity, or money. I’d have to say… damn this is a good question; there are a lot of them out there… I don’t know man, were going to have to come back to that one.

Dwele: Yeah man, that was something that my management pulled together and made happen for me. I’m a person that likes challenges. I looked at the McDonald’s commercial as a challenge you know what I’m saying, Can I make a McDonald’s commercial hot? That’s kind of how I looked at it; I took it as a challenge. I think for the most part I did everything I could do to make the commercial as hot as I could make it, But we got another one coming out that I actually have to fly out to LA for, we’re shooting a second one, and it’s going to have a little different vibe to it, so I’m looking forward to that but that’s really what it’s about man and it’s always a challenge for me. You know, I feel like I’ve conquered the soul scene, I’ve done that, so let’s see what else I can do. What else can I accomplish, and it’s not easy to get a commercial spot you know so I definitely need to pray and thank my management for giving me the opportunity to try it, It’s something I look forward to doing more of in the future and it does open up a lot of doors for me and like I said it turns a lot of people on to me who otherwise would have never heard my name let alone my music and that’s ultimately at the end of the day what this is about man, I’m trying to turn people on to real music

Dwele: I didn’t see it coming man, I almost crashed my car when I got that call you know what I’m saying, and I had to pull over. I still didn’t believe it, I had to go home and check on the Internet before I believed it. But most definitely, that was something that I really didn’t see coming and the surprise was a beautiful thing you know. I got to go out to LA, to celebrate the Grammy’s and my birthday at the same time so it’s one of those situations when you go once, and you got to get back, I got to get back there man.

Dwele: I wrote the majority, wait. I think all the songs. I wrote every song on sketches of a man, almost positive. Every song.

SH: When you’re in the studio, is there a special drink you got to have or something that’s a constant?

Dwele: Ahh, not really man, What I like when I’m writing or producing is being at my mothers house in the backroom where I started off man, that’s where I’m most comfortable and it’s all about being comfortable, and that’s where mine is, in that backroom. I mean, a lot of that album I actually cut at my house, you know a little bit away from my mothers so it can be done elsewhere, but it seems like it flows a lot better and it a lot more comfortable and relaxed when I’m at home at my mothers house where I grew up. Other than that man, that’s pretty much all I need is just my comfort and a little bit of quiet.

Dwele: I mean, One of my goals that I’ve always had is something that I feel like to an extent I’ve achieved you know what I’m saying and that was just getting my music out there you know, past my friends and past Detroit, you know, across the world. And I feel I’ve done that to an extent, of course there is different levels of that but for me to be right here right now is a blessing and of course there are a lot of different levels so I’d love to continue with it and to make it bigger but ultimately man, I think we all get into music for a certain level of respect for what we do and that’s about it, Of course I want to make it comfortable for not only me, but for my family off of doing what I love so ultimately that’s one of my goals.

SH: What are some ways your fans or first time listeners can experience your work? Find out about live shows and that type of thing?

Dwele:I keep my myspace, and my facebook page updated with all the shows. My facebook would be….well, you know how to use facebook. It’s a fan page, so just search Dwele on facebook and you’ll find it. The myspace page is myspace.com/dwele and they can also check out my youtube channel at dwele24, the youtube thing is probably the most fun and interactive because it’s updated and I try to do a video once a month without ever knowing what the videos going to be about. It’s always a surprise for myself, and everyone who gets to check it out. And of course now you got to have a twitter page, so to follow me just search therealdwele. That’s about everything right there.

SH: Before we wrap up, do you have any last words for your fans?

Dwele: I just really appreciate all the support thus far and I’m going to try to keep it moving and keep this music coming. A new album’s going to be coming very soon and is in the works now. Don’t have a release date but its definitely, other than that I’m in your area.

SH: Thank you so much man, I really appreciate your time. You are an amazing talent and I know you haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of your success. I wish you all the best in the future man; it’s been great talking to you.

http://myspace.com/dwele
http://dwele.net

Soundhustle.com has once again given me an amazing opportunity and I can’t thank them enough.

Buckshot and I spoke about his recent full collaboration album with KRS ONE’s Survival Skills, His issues with the Rock the Bells tour, some of his favourite MC’s in the game and what to expect in the future.

Although it may be a bit of a read, there’s some great inspiration for up in comming artists and true fans of Hip-Hop.

Was the album Survival Skills a long time coming or was it more a spontaneous idea that began to take shape from there?

It was a long time coming.

What are some things you respect about KRS ONE for both what he’s done for the game, and as a person?

Just the fact that he’s persistent, dedicated and always seems to know what he wants and how to do it. He’s a very smart and conscience person. Kris is just that guy, you know? I’m amazed and obliged to be in his presence and make an album. I think he’s amazing. It’s almost like, to be able to create the material that could hang with Kris is another challenge in itself. They picked the right guy for the job because I don’t care if (no disrespect). It could be Elvis Presley in the booth along with,I don’t care. That’s Right. I love them all but when I get in that booth I’m still a general, and I have to do my job.

I know you have Havoc on Robot and you’ve worked with Marco Polo in the past but who are some other features and producer’s fans can expect on the album?

Black Milk, Ill mind, koptict, 9^th wonder, Moss, a host of other producers.

“It’s just the yellow and the bulls-eye when it comes to shooting the target of that boom bap.”

Did you have a strategy when figuring out who you thought would be right for the project?

Yeah, Everything on the album is a strategy. Everything. Every artist, every MC and every beat is strategically put in place with careful thought and energy. Slug from atmosphere is going to have some New York niggas thinking who the hell is this?  But there may be some people from atmosphere who may not know who Sean Price is. So everybody on this album is a show and see, everyone on this KRS album is a showman. I think that’s how it was strategically done; the whole album was put together to be a show.

What was it like working with Mary J Blige and Black Milk on “On the Grind”?

Aww, They were incredible man. I can’t even describe..
First Black Milk gave us the track, it was off the chain. We did our thing, the track was amazing. Mary J Blige and I went in the studio to do some work for her. Mary’s cool, Mary got on some gutter shit, Mary’s street, Mary is very street.

What does it take to survive in the rap game, especially today?

Persistence, patients, discipline, obedience, tactics.

I’ve heard KRS say that coming together with you was very fluid in the sense that you both believe in the same sound. Do you want to touch on what that sound is, and how you guys can find common ground when creating it?

We know that originally one of the hardest essences of Hip-Hop was bangin’ on tables and bangin’ on walls. So when you bang on a table and you bang on a wall with your two hands right? When you bang on two things with your two hands you get what? That boom bap. That is the essence of the drum machine. Before they ever made the drum machine, we had the drum machine by going “ Look watch this, Boom bap, boom bap, boom boom bap bap” They followed that and made a machine out of it. Me and Kris believed in the essence of that same style of boom bap. Even though we may have a lot of different music samples, sounds, instruments on top of it. The essence of it will always be boom bap, it will never be tick tick, it will never be tap tap. It will always be and will always hit your heart from the inside.

In past interviews you’ve spoken a bit about artists finding their own voice and lane especially when talking about auto-tune. Do you want to speak a bit about originality and the current use of the technology?

At this stage, I take great pride in saying were done with that. So how about that? You’re the first on air interview where buckshot is saying were off auto-tune. We’re not even on that no more. We said that, that shit was said, we put a record out about it, it was really just for the moment and we really weren’t planning on campaigning auto-tune.

We don’t have a problem with auto-tune on terror or any of those guys, we’re just saying, if you turn on the radio and go, Oh shit, who’s that? Is that Kanye’s new shit? No.. wait is that Wale? Wait no? Turn it up! Is that the dream? Wait no? Is that? That sounds like Shawn Paul or Bobby Brown on auto-tune!?

You see what I’m saying? If I have to keep saying “who’s that” then that’s a problem. That’s the problem, when I’m steady thinking I’m bumping to Kanye and I’m bumping to some other nigga named Wale. It isn’t even your fault, that’s the reason why we put that song out. Don’t be a robot, be yourself.

And now to show and prove, lets see people like Jay-Z or anyone else, let’s see them follow the next step that were going through which is survival skills. Anybody you hear talking about survival skills, or you have to have skills to survive. Once you start hearing that, you’ll know it came from us and you can start laughing. You can start peeping the followers already. Once you start hearing “yeah, survivor, survival skills!” you’re going to be like ah man, here we go again. See? We came out and started dissing those people who are copying auto-tune and this and the third. And then we had other MC’s that are so influenced. One of the best MC’s said was they couldn’t relate to a 15 year old. I can relate to a 15 year old, because I’m a human. Not because I’m 30 something years old or because I’m this part or that, I’m black, none of that. I can relate to a 15 year old because I’m a human. If that’s too deep for a person to understand because their mind keeps seeing the surface of “well, 15 year olds do this? So if you don’t do that, how can you relate?” then you need to talk to me in a few minutes, a weeks bro. I’m smart enough to run a whole unit, why wouldn’t I be smart enough to know that what you’re saying, why wouldn’t that have gone past my mind? I’m not 15! So how can you relate to em’? Well, I can relate to them this way, and that way and mentally, being human, naturally, spiritually. Because I have an open mind, I can relate to you.

“What you doing lil’ homie? Oh I’m doing this. Okay well why don’t you try this? Oh word? That’s a good idea” Now him and I can relate to each other as apposed to saying “Yo, what you doing lil’ homie you aint supposed to be doing that, you don’t know nothing about… Ahhh shit” Here comes this close-minded motherfucker trying to tell an open minded person on the rise what he can’t relate to. The OG’s used to teach me that too, and not directly teach me, I used to learn that, OG’s that always have the young ones around them is because they have open minds. If you always peep the majority of the older dudes that have young people around them on some natural shit, it shows they have open minds.

Who are some of your favorite MC’s in the game right now?

I don’t really have a favourite. I’ve always had favourite artists. But I just don’t have a favourite MC in the game right now. I mean, favourite artist would be a guy like Bilial, that’s my favourite artist in the game as far as right now if your asking me who’s out right now or on the come up or whatever. There hasn’t been somebody who made me feel the way KRS-ONE made me feel on this album in a while. I’ve always been a fan of KRS-ONE but I’m a fan of KRS-ONE after this album.  This new one that he made. I’m a KRS-ONE fan that know all of his lyrics off this album. Even the ones that he forget. I’ll say, you this line, that’s the line. When you can do that, that’s when you’re a fan. I just don’t do that automatically. I don’t just know everybody’s lyrics on every song that come on. You gotta’ be the shit for me to remember you. And I don’t remember a lot of people’s shit. In terms of word for word, I may know the choruses, know the theme, know the vibe but I don’t know your shit like “di di di di di di dadi day, all you sucker MC’s…” I don’t know your new shit like that.

KRS-ONE on the survival skills intro he goes “ These small time rappers ain’t as dope as us. When you hear rappers in the club, you just hope it’s us, back in the day they used to smoke the dust, but cats kept jumping off the roof too much, so now a days we don’t abuse the dutch, What? Niggas said my feet be planted on the ground. You want that soft pop shit you better book another sound”

When I can tell you shit like that, I’m a fan of it. So it’s not a new MC that I’m a fan of right now but it’s new material from an old MC that I’m a fan of right now. Other MC’s I’ll big em up’ Lil Wayne, Wale, Kidz In the Hall, Kanye you know? All these dudes are fucking nasty at what they do.

I think believe it or not, as disagreeable as “faggot” or whatever the fuck they be saying about Kanye. He’s a fucking incredible artist; you can’t take anything away from that boy when it comes to that. He’s got his own style, his own way of doing shit… but, so did Prince.

I’ve heard a couple dates (August 25^th/ September 15^th) when can fans expect the album to drop?

September 15^th. We pushed it back because we about to drop the single Survival Skills. Were not doing the same viral industry shits, that we created years ago and people fucked up.  We’re not just dropping a single and coming right behind with the album. Were doing it the old school way. Were taking it back, were giving you the single, survival skills and then were going to give you the album. When the album comes out were going to release the track with Mary J Blige so the world can hear Mary, KRS-ONE and Buck buckwildin’ in the studio. Talking about how we gonna make it happen.

I happened to see a video on the DuckDown youtube channel with the possible album artwork. You two were helping each other climb a jagged mountainside. Have you decided on an album cover? And why were you feeling that option especially?

For me personally, it was monumental. For me, nothing could describe that. The feeling of actually seeing KRS-ONE rising, climbing to the mountain. He’s been there, he’s been there before. I’m proud to be in that position with him. I feel like the luckiest nigga in the world because here we have a person who came out in the heart of hip hop. He not only survived it till’ today, but he’s made it past all other dudes that were doing it then too. It’s like him telling you “yo, I’m nice nigga, it’s 1989, Imma charge till 2009” mother fuckers were like “bullshit!” He told you, he did! A lot of other MC’s didn’t, they’re shit is played out, they cant flow right, they fat and sloppy from having too much turkey bacon. By Kris pulling me up it’s like word man, its like climbing to the mountaintop. I’ve had in the past a lot of challenges to get to this decision to even grab a hold of Kris. Were both on the same mission.

“Buck, you on a mission like me? Word, Hold on son. Because we are going to make it past the storm” Kris is going “What’s up buck, welcome to the fight, I’ve been fighting before you got here, It’s a rough fight so prepare for it” Let’s go Kris.

How did you feel about the Rock The Bells tour and is it something you would like to be a part of for years to come?

That’s kind of tricky. I don’t know how to answer that question because you can either love me, hate me, hate to love me or love to hate me. I’m going to say that because I’m privileged to be on the rock the bells tour.

There’s an artist side in me that acknowledges the frackle. The frackle is what I call when you got two different stages and fans don’t know that. Fans don’t know that when they come and pay all that money to see the show. They are not promoting it fully like that. I don’t know man; it’s just something that’s not, I don’t know what the term is, but I don’t like it. Having two different stages going on at the same time with monstrous groups performing.

What happens when you do that is you fuck up because you have certain people performing, and motherfuckers will be saying “ oh shit look, I’m going to go over here cause such-an-such are performing. Then the crowd will be like, let’s go back because so-and-so is performing so it was just bad in the sense of having a crowd go from one end to the other, one end to the other.

I seen Wu-tang, but I missed Buckshot. I missed Buckshot, but I saw Talib. That shit, certain people didn’t pay their money for that. That’s the only thing I don’t like about that but other than that yeah, I’m privileged to be on it, I’m happy to be on the tour and all that but at the same time that’s the bullshit about it. Like, I’m on the pay dues stage, so I’m going to pay dues! Fuck it, I’m going to pay my dues because I’m going to let you know. Yeah I’m paying my dues, but when my dues are paid, I’m coming out like Rocky. When I pay my dues, you can’t tell me nothing. Just like I said on my record Who got the props? “I paid my dues so you can’t tell me nothing” I said that shit for a fucking reason man. Real talk.

When I come through don’t tell me how my attitude is or none of that shit because you got me on the pay dues stage. So you’re saying that Buckshot hasn’t paid his dues yet so put him on the pay dues stage and we are going to have Slaughterhouse on the main stage and these mother fuckers haven’t paid God damn dues if it was mountain dew. They just got here, like I said, until you have that “it” time I agree with one MC I forgot, I think it was 50 that said “ Yo, if you’ve never had that “it” time, then you can’t call yourself a legend, or a classic, or none of that because you’ve never changed the course of history with your presence in the game”

I’m not alive for that reason, but I cant deny that. Like Snoop Dogg, you’re a legend, you’re classic, you changed the course of the hip-hop game. It was going this way and you came out and it started going that way. That’s a change, which didn’t happen with Slaughterhouse, and I’m not even mad at Slaughterhouse. I’m mad at the motherfuckers fake ass Live Nation who’s another corporation who took over everything. Motherfuckers be killing me, You’re all hip-hop artists, you’re all gangsters, you’re all killers but y’all niggas are scared to say fuck Live Nation, because they own every concert venue in the world and you’re scared you might not get anymore venues. Fuck you Live Naiton, I’ll perform right in front of the venue. Fuck around and cause a riot. Then I’ll have the riot going against Live Nation. What the fuck you think you dealing with man? I’m here to change the world, change corporate America. Fuck corporate America, Period.

Do you have any shows/upcoming events that your fans should check out? And what are some of the ways your fans can keep in touch with you.

Join the Duck Down network. That’s the way the fans can stay in contact with me, that’s the way the fans can be a part of my movement and I can be a part of their movement as far as were all supporting one network. So if they go to duckdown.com, they can click on whatever they want to see. Guess what, if they want to be a part of the system and upload their music and videos, beats, stories, talents, conversations or even your point of views on the Duck Down network then go to myduckdown.com.

I’m getting that it’s all about giving the people the freedom to be a part of this and not trying to keep the old Bush administration mentality of “we’re the snobby rulers and you guys are nothing but peasants ass consumers, get over there, pay for your product and play your position” we’re not with that. We’re changing that.

The God Rakim has been tempting hip-hop fans for years with his anticipated return with the 7th seal.

He has recently shared some thoughts surrounding the new project and his return as the G.O.A.T

“The seals are from the Bible – Revelations and the coming of the Apocalypse…The Lion of Judah breaks the seven seals one by one, each imparting knowledge and inflicting catastrophe, ending with seven trumpets announcing the end of Times…I want to do that: to spit fire and take our best from the ashes to build our kingdom; to recognize all the regional styles, conscious lyrics, the tracks, underground, mainstream, the way we treat each other. Lose the garbage and rebuild our scene…I don’t accept that the new generation is looking for anything different than what we’ve always been looking for. Depending on the moment, they want bangers that make them crack their neck…Every generation wants that real hip-hop. And I’ve always been able to bring that.”

After hearing DJ Critical Hype’s The Art of Slaughterhouse mixtape I was determined to find out who produced the original beat for Royce’s “I owe you” (verses from Death is Certain)

I couldn’t get to the bottom until I came across the answer in Charles Hamilton’s Brooklyn Girls. After some more research not only did I discover that Charles Hamilton despite his rather unorthodox flow is a beast on the mic, he’s also proving to be one of my favorite new producers. A lot of hip-hop fans frown on sampling but I’m a huge fan. Charles is creative, unique and very much worth a listen.

Charles Hamilton is 21 years old on Interscope and has released 9 mixtapes to date (I believe). He’s extremely talented musically as a whole and is definitely an artist to watch for in the future.
If you get a chance I suggest you pick up The Pink Lavalamp, Well…Isnt this awkward and Outside Looking.

“When I sample, I’m not just doing it to sound good. I’m trying to tell a story. To convey an emotion. If I sampled it, there is a reason I sampled it. I believe that music is based on moments, and that there are some moments that people may have missed back in the day. They may have even missed it a year ago. When I sample, I’m giving the artist their respect, while simultaneously creating something new”

I wanted to apologize for being non-existent on my blog over the last couple months. I’ve told myself many times I’d get back into it but have been somewhat preoccupied.

Occupied with what you may be thinking?

I got a new job working for a upincomming recording artist out of Toronto named George Casey. My job description is very loose but I’d consider myself a “jack of all trades” when it comes to advertising and promotions both online and in the streets.

It isn’t exactly where I thought I’d be at this stage in my life but Its becoming more and more comfortable. I get to write, and be surrounded by the music industry that I’m loving dearly. Working full-time and being paid is definately a change in pace, but that’s something I’ve enjoyed getting used to. Other than working full-time I’ve been collaborating closley with a couple Hip-Hop websites that I feel are going to become major contenders in the market within the near future. Soundhustle.com/ hiphopmingle.com (launching soon). Apart from that I’ve been doing some freelance writing for real estate & photography when there’s time to dedicate. So I’ve been somewhat busy with work/freelance/my amazing girlfriend/friends/family etc. but will be getting into the swing of things in no time.

I’m hoping to keep up on posts over the next month or so as I will be on a computer for 8+ hours a day.
As I mentioned in my first post a while back, it’s about time I start adding something to the internet as apposed to leaching off it everyday.

So here’s another youtube great that my brother showed me that has since become a saying around my house and beyond.

Whistle Tips Whoo WHOO!

Reporter: “Some neighbors have said that It’s just way too loud”

Bubb Rubb: “….that’s only in the morning, arnet they supposed to be up cooking breakfast or something? That’s an alarm clock.. WHOO WHOOO!

By: Scott Boniface 

Date: May 13^th 2009



Kenya born/London Ontario raised Shadrach Kabango is an extremely talented and promising emcee coming out of Canada. Shad started rapping in 2005 while achieving his undergraduate business degree at Wilfred Laurier University. Shad won the 91.5 FM The Beat’s Rhythm of the Future talent competition and was awarded $17,500 that he put solely towards his 2005 debut when this is over. The independently released record showcased immense creativity accompanied by insane flow and insightful, inspirational lyrics. After much acclaim and praise Shad released an amazing concept album on Black Box Recordings called The Old Price and has since received a Juno Award nomination for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the 2008 Polaris Music Prize. Shad breaks the mold of a typical Hip-hop artist for many reasons. Some of those reasons being that he plays guitar with a live band on stage, writes inspiring/motivational lyrics and travels the world on tour all the while maintaining his part-time student status, currently pursuing his masters in liberal studies at Simon Frasier University.


Shad is one of my personal favorite emcees. His music possesses truth and a candid outlook on relatable everyday experiences that anyone can find inspiring and motivational. I would like to thank Shad for taking some time and discussing some future projects, some past accomplishments and personal theories. 



Let’s get right into it, what are 3 interesting things about Shad that others may not know about you. 

- I got my drivers license like… 2 years ago.

- I’m a huge john stockton fan.

- I own a bootleg of the wonder years complete series on DVD.

How has touring been? Is it true that you went to Japan? And is SXSW 09’ as amazing as I’d imagine? 

My album is out in Japan but I haven’t toured there. And no – SXSW is more amazing that you imagine. It’s insane.

Who do you think is taking the NBA playoffs this year?

As much as he bugs me, I think Kobe is going to do it although I hope Denver trips em’ up …

How is it going to be adjusting back to your typical touring circumstances as apposed to the more lavish experiences while touring with Classified? (Sold out shows, tour busses etc.) 

  haha… in some ways easier and in some ways harder. Not having to drive was nice, but its also nice playing your own shows where you do not have to win over a crowd because people are there to see you as the headliner. In that sense, it’s easier than opening… pros and cons!

Are you currently working on new material while on tour or are you planning on taking some time off to relax when you get back home?

I’m trying to develop some new material. Hopefully ill get some clarity on where I should go with that…. in the meantime.. Writing… Growing… Living…. all in the plans for the next little while…

You clearly have a love for what your doing and have a good time with your music and messaging. Have you ever felt any pressure to do music that wasn’t necessarily you and in your creative vision?

No not really. If I feel pressure to compromise, its in the sense of cutting corners and doing something easier than searching my soul and my thoughts for something truly worthwhile to share… a pressure to just deliver music that sounds good and might even be good and positive and all that but there’s no heart behind it. No real truth in it… its subtle but its important. It’s a bit hard to explain but if I feel pressure to do something that’s not “me”, it’s in that sense…

You’ve said in the past that you write in the bathroom like Biz Markie, is this something you still do? Without giving too much away, what’s your writing process like? Do you write in a specific place? Or have any “must haves” while writing?

 haha… I write anywhere a good idea hits me… I don’t really have a routine although I probably should.



We need to talk a bit about I’ll never understand. This is one of the most powerful songs I’ve ever heard. I know it’s based off a poem your mother wrote for the 10^th year genocide memorial, when you first heard it performed did you know you wanted to share it with others and give your insight? Or was it something that came into play while working through the album? 



Yeah, the idea came to me more while working on the album. From the time I heard the poem I wanted to record it and share it somehow but when I was working on the album was when I thought maybe this might be the opportunity to do that.
 

What are some of your musical inspirations?  Favorite albums? Is there that one track that can make a bad day good and alter your whole mood?

 
Favorite albums include Aquemeni for the creativity and the production… I love College Dropout for the ambition of it… Common, Sage Francis, Lupe Fiasco as lyricists… Hayden’s everything I long for, for its rawness… Weezer’s first two albums… say anything is a real boy … I love Motown for the arrangements… so many others…

Outside of music, what inspires you? What are some of your other hobbies and interests? 


Honestly, besides music and school. I kinda like reading and watching movies but I’m not a fanatic about either. I like playing basketball… and that’s about it! I take lots of naps and I hang with my friends… as for inspiration – I’ve always been inspired by spiritual themes and metaphors… Love. Truth… those enduring ideals that never lose their potency and beauty if your heart’s in the right place… I get inspired by things I’m feeling and seeing and how it all ties together when I can get a glimpse of that… something funny can be inspiring too – sometimes a funny line can turn into a whole song for me… anything…

What can we expect from shad over the next couple of years? 

Hopefully some good music.

What is your favorite part of your musical success and what has been your greatest accomplishment thus far?

I’m one of the luckier people in the world to get to do something that matters deeply to me for a living. There’s not a day that I don’t think about that and feel excited and thankful… I don’t know what else I can say about that. 

Are you still out of love and in search of a Claire Huxtable?

haha well I’m not in love… Clair Huxtable, Aunt Viv (the first one), Peggy Bundy…

Does the old prince still live at home?

 Nope… living in Vancouver these days…

 Is there anything else coming up you want to include or get everyone psyched about?

 Warped tours coming to a somewhere near you soon… otherwise thanks for checking me out!

http://www.shadk.com

http://www.myspace.com/shad

http://thefacultyof.com/SHAD/Shad%20-%20The%20Old%20Prince.html

Your blog’s banner has a spelling mistake. I didn’t believe them at first thinking I was pretty careful.

After realizing, I feel like a total tool. I MISSPELLED interest.

I’ll make the change when I get some time, I’ll have to redo the whole thing, but It will soon be right.

Sorry to everyone who noticed…

I was wrong, please stop judging me now…

Nothing much can be said. This track is rumored to appear on OBQLII. I’m getting giddy like a school girl just thinking about it.
Love the skits & story telling, really hope Lex Diamond comes strong this time around.

Methodman & Redman feat. Saukrates- AYO!

Couldnt find it to embed, Sorry!

Blackout! 2 – In Stores May 19th – Tracklist

1.      B.O.2 (INTRO)
2.      I’M DOPE NI**A
3.      A-YO – feat. Saukrates
4.      DANGERUS MCEES
5.      ERRBODY SCREAM – feat. Keith Murray
6.      HEY ZULU
7.      CITY LIGHTS – feat. Bun B
8.      FATHER’S DAY
9.      MRS. INTERNATIONAL (SKIT)
10.    MRS. INTERNATIONAL – feat. Erick Sermon
11.    HOW BOUT DAT – feat. Ready Roc & Streetlife
12.    DIS IZ 4 ALL MY SMOKERS
13.    LOCK DOWN (SKIT) – feat. DJ Kayslay
14.   FOUR MINUTES TO LOCK DOWN – feat. Raekwon & Ghostface killah
15.   NEVA HERD DIS B 4
16.   I KNOW SUMPTN – feat. Poo Bear
17.   A LIL BIT – feat. Melanie Rutherford

I don’t want to get in too deep on what it is I think about Eminem’s newest single and promo trailer for the album.
Let’s just say I’m less than impressed and actually disappointed In the moronic voice he puts on for the track. I would honestly prefer auto-tune to this german/indian/whereever/whatever he’s trying kind of voice he’s been exercising.

Pisses me off that some one with so much talent, resources, money and following could once again “open hand slap his fans in the face”

UGH, check it out if you havent already.

This promo is pretty bad ass. Very motion picture.

Aftermath is famous for doing these types of trailers. Eminem’s Relapse has garnered extensive hype around the new 3AM video.

“Cinemax exclusively debuts the latest, never before seen, uncensored music video from rap star Eminem, on Saturday, May 2 at 10pm ET/PT. The music video for 3 a.m., the third track to be released from Eminems forthcoming album, Relapse, was directed by Syndrome”

I wanted to include this video for all you fans.
This is true Eminem on stage doing his thing with Big P in New York.

I first off wanted to say sorry to everyone who reads this blog.  I’ve been loafting over the past couple days.  I’ve been really busy with personal stuff, internship work and just kicking it. I’ve been so used to leaching off the internet that its hard to get into posting mode.

On my walk today I was thinking of how I wanted to start posting more, being that I’ve seen some pretty cool shit over the past couple days.

So as I perused the Interweb I was devastated by a headline on rapbasement.com

“Kelis files for divorce from Nas”

This makes me really upset for a bunch of reasons. Some I wont get into, but some are general enough to talk about.
Nas is my favorite musical artist of all time, I’ve been following his life with praise, going far past music. From what I gathered over the past couple of years is that Nas was geniunley happy with Kelis. Everytime I would see them on camera, the red carpet, the way she stuck up for his creative individuality when dropping Untitled, the tatooing, the dedication songs and the baby on the way interviews, they always seemed like best friends that just happened to be married.

It makes me so sad to hear they’ve parted ways but I’m almost certain its the best decision for both of them moving forward.

I’ve gotten the impression that it’s Nas’ doing. When all that bullshit was happening with his EX and daughters mother (her fucking jay-z and writing a book about it) I always was rooting for Nas to land on his feet after being screwed over. Past ratonale being that Nas was too much of an individual and in his own world. I believe this is a quality that every man should possess and excersize on a regular basis, but in the end I think it may have led to the collapse once again. Whatever it was it must of been serious givin having a divorce at 7 months pregnant. This is just a speculation on my part but it could be the case.

On the good side of things this may provide amazing heartfelt music from Nas that I’m personally really looking forward to.

So this sadens me, and kind of makes me think of how fraglie marriages truley are in 2009′

“NAS & KELIS, I WAS REALLY PUSHING FOR YOU GUYS! Nas and Kelis met in 2002 at Diddy‘s MTV Video Music Awards after party. “I wasn’t going to go, but I’m glad I did,” Nas told later said, continuing “Then at the afterparty, I met my girl.” Kelis remembered the meeting saying “Everyone moves out of the way, and Nas stands up, and I put my hand out, and I’m like, Hey, I’m Kelis. And he goes, ‘Who?’… So I’m crawling into a fucking hole, and he’s like, ‘Wait-huh? What’s your name? And I’m like, Kelis, and he’s like, ‘Oh, well that’s great, because I’ve been waiting to make you my wife all these years.’”

Royce never stops stepping to the mic like he has something to prove.

This whole track is lyrically ridiculous with too many punchlines to quote and praise, just listen and see for yourself.

Did he diss Edo G? I’m not down for that at all, Edo G’s the man.

But either way, that’s just something Royce does. To anyone and everyone.

(He could let diddy diss you)

Although, he has a common theme in what he rhymes about (PWA- Pussy, Weed & Alcohol)
He’s still the man. Here’s a couple tracks you should check out for a little taste.

I LOVE these beats, he usually chooses some that are right up my alley.

What a job- Devin The Dude, Andre 3000 & Snoop Dogg

Devin The Dude-  Thinkin’ bout chu

Devin the Dude- See what I can pull
(this song was like my high-school anthem. Judge me if you must.)

Love to hear what you think about the dude.