Lords of the Underground...LUV Hip Hop

At aTrue School University Sunday session, we were honored by an in-depth interview with DoItAll, member of the legendary Hip Hop group, Lords of the Underground (LOTUG). With a studio full of emcees present and female rappers A.D. and Lady J, joining us on the phone, DuKelly chopped it up with us about the state of Hip Hop, touring the world and visiting his DJ Lord Jazz in France where he 'lived' the culture and experienced Hip Hop in an international forum. Plus, we kicked it about their new independent project, House of Lords, available now.

Stand out tracks include: I Luv Hip Hop, What is an MC, Hum It Out, and Slick Talk to name a few. The album is laced with True School Hip Hop flavor, with new school/retro dance beats intermingled with Brick City Funk. Production is mostly handled by Rise with other tracks by Sedeck Jean, DJ Lord Jazz and even Marley Marl. Before he left, DoItAll, blessed us with many gems and even anchored an impromtu rhyme cypher....

LOTUG aka the Legendary Lords of the Underground represented by DJ Lord Jazz, Mr Funkman and DoItAll aka DuKelly for blazin' us wit some new Hip Hop flava on House of the Lords. The lyricism is authentic True School material. Our favorite tracks so far after the first listen are...I Luv Hip Hop, Yes We're Fresh, Hum It Out, Slick Talk and What Is An MC. Beats are newwave old school, so you will get that early 90's late 80's retro feel on some of the more danceable tracks. Its availble now so check it out, if you Love Hip Hop!

At TSU this past Sunday, while conducting a conference call with NYC's Lady J and Brooklyn native A.D. from NAN TV, we were joined in studio by our special guest of the week, DoItAll. The Brick City, NJ representative was very cordial, answering every question hurled at him by in-studio guests and participants on the phone. In fact as we parlayed, we were joined by Wiz of Crash Clik and ZAQ Coldly from the Cold Committee via telephone and voice of the Hood Brown Sugah who blessed us with some powerful thoughts during the conversation wit DuKell. One of the initial insights he laced us with was...

" We gotta understand that Hip Hop finally has a birth date which is Aug 11, 1973 on Sedgewick and Cedar in the Bronx NY (pioneered by) DJ Kool Herc which became known as Hip Hop."

During the convo we touched on many topics relating to the music industry and Hip Hop culture. While talking to ZAQ Coldly about touring Europe, DoItAll recounted living in France for a short period...

"When you travel to other cultures as an artist, we might get to go places but we don't get to live the culture...You travel from the airport, to the hotel, to the sound check, then maybe somewhere to eat then back to the venue, the hotel and the airport. So you aint get to live it. I aint understand that til I went to visit my DJ Lord Jazz, who was living (in France) for like 4 years. To me, they were like 5 to 10 years back behind us here dealing with the culture of Hip Hop. It made me feel like I was back in the 90's wit the style and whole feel for it, and how they love it and respect it. Like if they love Kurt Nice, they gonna know everything about Kurt Nice and Shades of Hip Hop, Big Haneef, Ali-Mu and whoever else you fuckin wit. They gonna know them too. If you put somethin out that they love, that's a classic, then they rockin wit you. Even if you put somethin else out ...they don't even have to hear it, cause they still rockin wit you."

Other notable quotes:

"That's how you learn your craft, you had to prove yourself as an artist."

"When you get 30 or 35 it's like 'ah it's over now' but this aint no sport where your knees go bad, it's a culture." And you live that for life!

"The most memorable thing was performing in Cinncinati wit Run DMC and JMJ. I got to rep my city on a national level cause it was on BET...(plus)I wanted to be Run when I was a kid growin up and to have him come in the dressing room later and be like 'yo yall gotta do some shows wit us' (was ill)."

Winter 2007

Kurt Nice

Lil Nat From Behind the Scenes to the Front

Puttin in mad work behind the scenes in radio for years is your girl Lil Nat. In fact for cats like me in the so-called underground circuit heavy, Hot 97fm in NYC is a whack-ass station that plays bullshit Rap for the most part. However, certain people that work for them are mad cool and deserving of much respect because of their work ethic, persistence, and talent... people like Lil Nat. She has been puttin mad work in for name brand radio personalities, held down gigs in other markets, produced her own spots and engineered segments for others as well. Her overnight hours and schedule make her one of those work horse DJs on the come up who is being groomed for something much bigger. Still, it would be sad if the corporate machine one day destroys her sense of independence and integrity. And yet, there but for the grace of the Gods go all of us on this side of the media outlet. During the interview I had with Lil Nat at the Drahma Magazine Media Blitz affair, we kicked it about a lot of relevant topics which made for a great conversation. She has a quick and rational mind with experience she seems to be proud of rather than jaded by. Some industry cats become regretful of the 'long hard road to wherever you're at' and act like arrogant brats. Not so here. To Lil Nat, I wish you all the success you have earned. Just keep the big picture of Hip Hop Culture, and civilization for the uncivilized in mind.
One Love - Kurt Nice.

Shah Echelon Hip Hop Meets Poetry

A beautiful fusion of Hip Hop, Poetry and ambience laid the foundation of good vibes for the showcase put on by Shah Echelon in Brooklyn this month. Under the looming shadow of the Brooklyn brigde on Water St., Miami educated and Memphis, raised, Brooklyn resident, Tracy Smith explained the drive behind her Shah Echelon movement. As founder and CEO she recalled her reasons for starting her promotions, "I wanted to bring some positive things to the community, and enhance, educate and preserve the Hip Hop music culture. (in addition) strengthen the lyrical content and the positivity. Poetry is the foundation of Hip Hop. Today the originality and the creativty has been lost. But there are so many talented emcees out there that might not have the look or the clothes but have the sound, style and passion for the music. You don't have to be a gimmick or fit a certain record label's idea of what a rapper should be. We have a stage for you and you can perform here."

Hosting the evening's festivities for Shah Echelon was the duo of Definition and Sosoon. As writers, poets and emcees themselves, they were able to galvanize the support of the crowd for each artist that reached the stage. Performed was an eclectic mix of spoken word that ranged from raw, erupting emotion with poets like Elijah Kuan Wong, to tentative, sincerely rendered introspection from first time poets like Marcia Howard. The music crossed the spectrums of polished R&B singer/pianist G Martin providing hooks for classic-style rap artists Maintain and Kon, to acoustic guitar performed by a soul-felt female singer named Bridgette B. Special Shout Outs to Tongo, Kazu, Aisha, Naima, and Chaz Raps.

Summer 2008

- Kurt Nice

Faces in the Crowd - DJ Bedtyme357

Big Up DJ Bedtyme who gave us an interview the other night at Club Rebel in NYC. Starting as the DJ for CL Smooth he travelled to Europe, explored Hip Hop music and most recently has been DJ'in for Remy Ma. At the All Is One, Faces in the Crowd showcase, put on by Chalant and Reality, Bedtyme stated that showcases like these are the most important thing to do for artists because, "it's the easiest way for you to get heard. Even if you don't perform you can pass out CDs. Sampler CDs are most important because they're more direct (verses your whole album)." About the FREE Remy Ma shirt he was rockin that night he said, "Remy is good, believe it or not given the circumstances. She has accepted that fact that shit happens and it is what it is, but don't count Remy Ma out yet. She'll be home soon." As for that night, he was reppin as the 'hype man' for SicOsyrus from Philly, who did his 1,2's on stage before a well attended audience. Shouts to everybody in the house especially Rham Robinson from Protege magazine, Ace of Spades, Sav Killz, J-Hatch, Homeboy Sandman, Drahma Magazine, No Mercy, Mix House, and Maino who blazed a quick set which included the Hi Haters joint which had the crowd wavin to all the subliminal haters. None were present at Faces in the Crowd from what I saw. It was all love. Badboy, Atlantic, Universal and Motown A$R reps were in the building to check out the hungry talent which, in the past, has included artists such as Chrisette Michelle who they helped get a recording contract. Every month it's on!

Summer 2008

Inside a 26 Hour Rapathon

Last week we were treated to a very special event for rappers to test their skill level and endurance on the mic. It was the 2nd Annual 26 hour RapathonHip Hop Culture Center held at the in Harlem, NY. More like a marathon of rhyming, this all you can eat buffet of lyricism was dished out back to back in cyphers of 4 to 5 rappers on stage at one time who would alternate with another group of 5 for three hours straight. In between verses which included freestyles and some artists whole catalog of writtens, a consistent old-school hook would be recited, "Rock, You Don't Stop, Keep On, You Don't Stop!"

This kept the speaker pumpin with non-stop rhyming from the time we got there until we left 10 hours later. As for the emcees, only serious heads needed to apply. This was the graveyard shift. The late night replaced by the wee-hours of the morning, followed by the crack of dawn and full-on Sunday morning. To be on your A game at 3:45, 4:45 and 5:45 in the morning seemed to bring out the best in heads that night. As I spoke to the Executive Director, Curtis Sherrod of the Hip Hop Culture Center in Harlem (on 124th St at the Magic Johnson Theater), I found out some interesting things...

First not only is the Center a place for the one of the only Hip Hop Rapathons in the world but it is a youth center that empowers thru Hip Hop Culture. They teach economic literacy, political awareness, Hip Hop and civil rights, diet/nutrition and home economics for young ladies and young men. Besides that on display is "the illest Hip Hop flyer collection in the world" Sherrod told us. As his flagship event, the Rapathon, he says was "one of those flashes of brillance" from someone who is "not the brightest kid but I have flashes of brillance." The decor of the spot is likely being added on to periodically. Now it includes huge posters of Kool Herc, Afrika Bambataa, Cold Crush Bros. etc. old-school flyers are displayed and original-design hand-painted converse sneakers are hanging from the ceiling like they would on a street telephone wire. The stage is in the middle with a huge video screen on the far wall playing back all the action from the stage. No doubt it was a hot event. It was a uniquely original event that any true Hip Hop fan would cherish as a fond memory.

Hasan Salaam

During that same 3am - 6am set of emcees spittin at the Rapathon we got a chance to check out Hasan Salaam in action. It was ill to see how alert everyone was at this time of morning when around the NYC cats were nestled in their beds dreaming about how dope of an mc they are. Meanwhile I peep Hasan Salaam rhymin on both sides of the stage and even from the audience. Maybe it was the Guru 100% Natural Energy drinks that helped but from the look in cats eyes it was the Hip Hop. Hasan like everyone else looked happy to be there even at 5am. Shouts out to Baron, Majesty, 5th Column, Hicoup, and DJ Static for the beat to Broke and Proud.

Rugged N Raw

At about 3am an ill set began. It featured some of the illest emceeing I had seen all night. Not that other cats weren't skillin, but for some reason my attention was drawn to the stage a bit more. When you hear RnR, you think professional; clear diction, on-point flow, witty metaphors and a mind that understands song formula. He spoke to shadesradio.com during the Hip Hop Rapathon and had this to say... "this is how Hip Hop started (with the cypher) and this determines who emcees and who's rappin. The beauty of the whole frestyle is that one minute you could be on-point and another point you could be a little shaky. But the thing is perserverance, keepin it new and really goin at it to see how quick witted you are, and just entertaining the people. It's 4:56 in the morning, and no matter when you go up there you gotta gotta be hungry cause you never know who's watching (or listening)." About the track 'Broke and Proud' RnR commented, "everybody is on these poppy beats talkin bout how rich they are and I don't live that life, so if I put that on wax, I'm not being true to myself”

MCs for Days

The thing that stood out about M-TRI was the fact that as groups of four or five emcees would alternate on and off the stage for 3 hours, M-TRI seemed to stay up there the whole time, on the same side, same place adding to the cypher every couple of verses. This dude had rhymes for days. At first Shy-U noticed it in between smoke breaks and long stints at the car, eating and drinking. Then G-Hop questioned "who's that cat on the side, he been up there mad long?" In fact, over the course of about 10 hours during our first shift we saw a never ending supply of emcees that included: D-Nasty, Fresh Aire Sekou, Baron, Jason aka Syncypha, Malik Sinclair, PPressure, Ra-Set T, Lil Crise, Chao$, MeccaVillain, Alias, Rugged N Raw, Hasan Salaam, Majesty, Just, Kiana, Sofija Sofre, Arson, Carlito, Verbal Artisan, Priest Forever, John O., Supreme Magnetic, Big Wil, Rich Kid, Kween Kash, Nicolette, Major Pain, Gypsy, Endya, Prophetic and more. Peace to everyone that attended who are too numerous to name.

Ali-Mu

During the morning and afternoon sessions Ali-Mu among many others held it down. Though by this time we were safely back in Newark at the ATF Sunday Session. After withstanding a pocket crunching setback at the start of the day, Ali-Mu gathered his rhyme skills and dove into playground of rhyming that he, like most of the other emcees, had never seen before. A group of rappers skillin is the best set-up for Ali-Mu to freestyle. Although he shines in a cypher full of whack mcs, it brings his level down. But when cats are skillin Ali-Mu's mind seems to start racin to where he can weave rhymes as easy as talkin. I've seen him do it. He told me afterward, "Its a great experience, positive energy, networking... I felt like I knew everybody there.Plus Uncle Ralph McDaniels was DJing during my set so it was an honor for me."

Grand Wizard Theodore

At the Hip Hop Culture Rapathon in Harlem we had the pleasure to reconnect with certain pioneers in Hip Hop and meet others for the first time. After being at several events with Grand Wizard Theodore, we were finally able to get a recorded interview with him for shadesradio.com. About the 25 hour marathon of rhyming GWT said, "I'm glad to be here, cause the real essence of Hip Hop is being lost. To be at the Hip Hop Culture Center makes me feel good that Real Hip Hop is still here." Grand Wizard Theodore started DJing at the age of 12 and invented the scratch in 1975. wikipedia defines: "Scratching" is also a present participle of "scratch", and may also refer to a form of street art

Scratching (or "skratching") is a DJ or turntablist technique used to produce distinctive sounds by moving a vinyl record back and forth on a turntable while manipulating the crossfader on a DJ mixer. While scratching is most commonly associated with hip hop music, since the 1990s, it has been used in some styles of pop and nu-metal. Within hip hop culture, scratching is one of the measures of a DJ's skills, and there are many scratching competitions. In recorded hip-hop songs, scratched hooks often use portions of different rap songs.

To talk with the person credited with inventing the scratch, an integral part of the development of modern Hip Hop music, was a great honor. Always respect the architects!

One - Kurt Nice

Leticia Lewis Fuses Hip Hop and Classical on the Violin at EOW

What else can I say about Leticia Lewis' violin performance at EOW beside magnificent, dope, ill, professionally-trained, excellently executed, funky? Probably much more. Suffice it to say Leticia killed it. She performed a butter composition that she backed with a self-produced track of groovy rhythm. Over-top of that she stroked out improvisations on her violin that were strong, definitive, a little sad and sultry at the same time. At one point she threw down her bow and began plucking the strings on some other shit. From there she went into some heavy trills combinations where she plays the same note back and forth real fast like she’s about to black out. With Propayne and Vice Verses on stage as back up, what started out as some adlibs turned into sincere appreciation for talent. Up on stage I had the best view cause I was holding the mic for her. lol. What a night!

Summer 2008

- Kurt Nice

Rapfanatic Magazine Showcase in New York City

Making his way in the underground scene real heavy right now is the boy Sav Killz. He has completed numerous collaborations and been steady on the grind everyday in NYC. Besides seeing him at the Bronx Museum most recently, we also saw him at Faces in the Crowd (Club Rebel), and the Rapfanatic Magazine showcase at the Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan within one week. Always accompanied by mixtape DJ J-Ronin, Sav Killz, has been working his way thru the emcee circuit promoting his latest project Success is Inevitable. At Rockstarr Arena held at the Bowery Poetry Club, your greeted by what looks like an average urban old-school book store cafe Its kind of retro 60's Beat Café, a spot to have an herbal tea, a muffin (or homemade lasagna) and read excerpts from a poet's novelette. Behind the curtain however is a comfortable, dimly lit lounge with a strong sound system, bar and a stage. That 's where it really goes down. Rapfanatic Magazine's Rockstarr Arena showcase highlighted various talent some of which we caught up with on the interview tip like: Wordspit, Gat, Sinsay, Holliewood, Tony Blaze, A.D. the General, Worth Amil, Triple and Deeno Snuff from the Ashy L Bowz, Egyptian Prince, Mu Dillz, and Poison Pen. On the wheels Ace of Spades kept the music bumpin. Also in the house were Loone D, Homeboy Sandman, Grind Hard TV, the Whoopie Collection, Has Hade, and Chiffon. Despite a little bit of immature posturing at the end of the night all went well.

Cuban Link
We caught up with Cuban Link who kicked it in depth with us about the business of rap and takin the game back to lyrics. "I'm from the days of G Rap, KRS, Big Daddy Kane, Nas that era. So I'm more into the lyrics..and ofcourse Big Pun took me to the next level just being around being a friend of mine. Hip Hop is missing the variety right now. You only seeing one side, the dancing and I don't knock it. I like shakin my ass on the dancefloor wit the ladies too, but there's them songs that you put on and you get goose bumps from what the lyric is saying. That's what Bang Bang Boogie is bringing back. (We might) make you dance but you gonna hear what we saying and you gonna get chills in your muhfuckin body." Reppin Bang Bang Boogie with Cuban Link are Mysonne and Lord Tariq, 'long side Hocus, PO, S1 and Gilly, Joe Grinds and Redchild. Special shouts Omar for hookin up the spot for the debut party. Pics and more coming next e-blast. so stay tuned. for more on the Cuban Link interview go to shadesradio.com

Did you ever see that TV show on VH1 about Ego Trips' White Rapper?
If you did, you must remember that dude John Brown, King of the Burbz, reppin Ghetto Revival. From watching a few episodes, he seemed strange at the time but upon meeting up with him at the Bowery Poetry Club, he came off quite normal and down to earth. He was humble, easy-going and coherent explaining that for the show he was "on some robotic shit, wit the phrases. But it was just infiltration mode. I wasn't there to be against anybody. I was there to be against Viacom. I mean, it was me vs. them in terms of who got the publicity. (Because) If you go with the flow (on a reality show) you're gonna get railroaded. They put it together all for the entertainment value." He said one of his favorite moments they didn't show was talkin to Remy Ma, who warned them about Hip Hop's darkside. Originally from Davidson, CA, he now resides in Brooklyn where he linked up with the other artists of Ghettoe Revival, Dred Scott, EZ, EMS, and Scholar to show a "different aspect of this society we live in. G.R. is about lifting up our communities by puttin out things that are productive and I'm just representing my lane in life or my angle in America which is the suburbs."

Summer 2008
One, Kurt Nice

Drahma Magazine Party Industry Meet and Greet

I sat down with Maino at the Drahma Magazine event and chopped it up for a second and he had this to say..."I loved performing (at Hot 97fm's Summer Jam) this year with 50,000 people waving their hands, singing along to my music. It was a beautiful thing, especially coming from the bottom, street route that I came from, like with the mixtapes, DVDs and things of that nature. I'm influenced by all the greats. I'm a student of the game but a fan of the music."

Even though it was a Tuesday evening it felt like Saturday with the enthusiasm people brought to the Drahma Mag Anniversary. By 8:30pm it was ram; jam packed with artists, publicists, industry heads, friends and of course media. Cable and internet video shows, DVD producers, mixtape DJs and of course internet radio was officially represented by yours truly, shadesradio.com. We caught up with a lot of old acquaintances and made some new connects as did everyone else. Special shout out to Big Phil who had to almost shut down the party because the Fire Marshal complained that it might be too many people inside. Once the Marshal came thru and made people move to the rear, then promptly left after heads complied, I began to smell the familiar aroma of herbals probably coming from one of the three large hookahs which were placed casually here and there. That was enough for Big Phil to throw down another warning about weed smoking. lol. Afterward, the sidewalk scene turned into a paparazzi-fest with pictures snapping and heads gettin their last chance at free video coverage.

Summer 2008

Kurt Nice

KRS ONE at Madison Square Garden 2008

At the Retro Jam in NYC a concert featured Bobby Brown, Keith Sweat, Rakim and KRS ONE. Inside, KRS ONE energized a hometown crowd out of their seats as he ripped thru a set of classics and new material including the song 'the Deejay' produced by DJ Revolution. Joined on stage by Chiefrocker Busy Bee, Hakim of Channel Live, Chip Fu of the Fu-schnickens, and new artist Beast, KRS ONE elicited cheers from an appreciative crowd who remained on their feet for the entire show. Tour manager Mondo One said, "A lot of the songs the Teacha does are by Primo so what's better than to have DJ Premier live on stage with KRS ONE.".

In a backstage interview with Chip-Fu, he expressed these thoughts on the Stop The Violence Movement 20th Anniversary Tour." It's like 360 degrees, everything comes back in cycles. Sometimes it takes the same voice or the same ideas to make a change. Right now we're going thru what happened years ago with the drugs and guns in the neighborhood, no one paying attention to the youth and for the Teacha to actually just say 'it's time for this to happen again', it's a beautiful thing. And for the emcees now that are current to take part in the situation is a beautiful thing."

There and Back Again: A Hip Hop Journey

On our last leg of the Stop The Violence Movement Pre-tour 2008, we went to California in final preparation for the full 20th year anniversary commemoration starting in 2009. Rather than fly over the country by airplane we decided to meet KRS ONE and our other Temple of Hip Hop brethren in Cali after reaching our destination by Amtrak train. We couldn't be happier with our decision. By taking in the panoramic views on the observation car which is enclosed in windows from floor to ceiling, we gained a new point of view about this great country we live in. Unlike the GPS/MapQuest excursions to show dates we've been doing for the past couple of months, here we sat back in comfort, walked around the train, ate delicious meals in the dinning car, talked to interesting, friendly people, and found quiet time to contemplate while someone else handled the driving.

Our journey across America began in New Jersey then thru Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, Nevada and finally California. The most spectacular scenery came around the continental divide, which is the mountainous and canyon region of the U.S. near the Rocky Mountains. At 10,000 feet the Rocky Mountains give you a sense of the grand scale of nature matched only by the great expanses of canyon region you can travel thru only by train or river transportation. The main sense I was personally able to reacquaint myself with was the appreciation for civilization. Corner stores, record shops, and malls take on a new value when confronted with the vast wildernesses which would exist everywhere if not for the ingenuity of mankind. Even in this country there are places that the hardest of hardrocks does not want to be alone in. And I'm not talkin about midnight, in one of the seediest sections of the Bronx or Compton or ATL or Detroit. I'm talkin about Arches National Park, or somewhere outside of Provo Utah, or Elko Nevada. People whose lives are filled with intimidation, sucker moves and get-over tactics could easily catch an eye opening reality check when faced with the heartless, unforgiving world of Mother Nature. On the train one night in the dinning car, a guy named Steve from Utah, told me a story of a guy who went hiking by himself and had to cut off his own arm, after getting it lodged under an 8 ton boulder, unable to free himself for a week with no rescue in sight. The story was much more graphic than I've said here but suffice it to say that even if it's not true, nature is your harshest judge outside the inner-city life style that city dwellers and even suburbanites participate in.

Travelling up and down the east coast you see places that are remote no doubt. However, remote like a desert or a mountain is a little different. Just ask the Donner party of the late 1800's in the Sierra Nevada mountain range near California. After a very harsh winter only half of the people had survived by resorting to cannibalism of their former comrades. To the people that choose to live or find themselves stuck in those types of remote areas, especially in America, I got much respect. Yall don't get to enjoy the full extent of modern living in an integrated world like Chicago, L.A., Atlanta or NYC. Yet at the same time, the character ethics you might relinquish to live in that world of so-called modernization, could give you some comfort, in making the choice to stay in such a rural area.

The point of all this is this: I am Hiphop. And representing the preservation of this culture I appreciate civilization, and my fellow man. We need each other. You can't survive out there on your own. You need people. That’s the Unity in Peace, Love, Unity and safely having Fun. Yes, ultimately it is your own conscious mind that will save you from a path of personal destruction. But in the mean time, other people will definitely be the help you need along the way. Shout to Reelest Reeken, Jah Jah, GBR, Gus Grizzle, MJ, Shy-U, G-Hop, and Sista Shai, for assistance in making things happen.

Sincerely,
Kurt Nice
Founder - Shades of Hip Hop, Archivist - Temple of Hip Hop

The Storm Watch Show

2009

It was a pleasure to be on hand for the Storm Watch Show put on by Rham Robinson for Protege Magazine at Don Hills Nightclub in New York City. The unsigned artist showcase was especially nice from my vantage point as one of the three industry judges for the competition that awarded the winner with, among other things, a diamond bracelet provided by DefJam. Most performers shouldn't be souped by bling though. Just gettin good critiques and direction for a career in this business should be the motivation. Although there were some pleasant surprises like R&B singer Mbusi, and overall winner Sound Cartegena, many of the rappers were convinced that songs about relationships would get them noticed. That’s a sad trend in rappin' right now, when the tired R&B love formula gets used in rap. It's not creative, more than get-over and when rappers find it necessary to lip-sync instead of getting a hype man to back them up, it's embarrassing.

The winner of night, Sound Cartegena, gave an energetic performance that was clearly delivered and entertaining. He brought his hype man Montana who was very crisp on the adlibs, an important asset to a serious live performer. All of the judges took special notice when rappers lip-synced their words or let the backing track do most of the work while they provided the adlibs. Whack ass sucker mc's. Yall are definitely on the clown list. Study your craft means goin back in time. Biting the style of today's rappers is a big mistake. Labels know it, program directors know it and deejays know it even though some would sell their soul for a street buzz. Still, it’s better if you step your game up. HINT: Duos and groups should practice each others lyrics to back each other on stage. Solo artists should get a hype man. Study Mr. Cheeks and Freaky Tah or Chuck D and Flava Flav.


One, Kurt Nice

Introduction To Insanity (i2i)

Rythmatic cadence and metaphor filled flow, spit in a common sense kinda way describes Year of the I. The string of emotions on the album goes from excited, energetic verbal combat, blackout style on tracks like World War 1 and Mayhem to tracks contemplating dreadful thoughts of suicide on Cide Note. The duo of Vice Verses and Propayne two thirds of the Three Kings, End of the Weak's top-notch hosting team, go bar for bar measure for measure, 16 for 16 in a back and forth style that stays fresh throughout the journey. On Heemies, Swave Sevah joins in to pay tribute to the herb like all true Hip Hop albums should. They shouted everything out from bubblegum diesel to lambsbread, and white rhino to beef and broccolli. Tasty. On Feet Don't Fail Me, they drop subliminal science on the masses with a bouncy, amped up flow..."add on daily, see things clearly. Never stop buildin' everyday is something new. Keep it movin in the now, what we bout to do." They show originality on concept tracks like Halls and The Storm in which they explore the characteristics of a storm as a metaphor for aspects of their rhyme skill. The only drawback is not having a live version of most of these tracks. I do have a live version of 121 Watts which is bananas. i2i has energy on stage like watching Olympic level kickboxing, you know, mad action. Lyrically and presence-wise they are like a bolt of electricity on stage. They are sic and relentless when they get deep into it . They describe themselves as, "a few sandwiches short of a picnic, crazy, tryin to do everything with A.D.D." - Vice Verses and "a Kubrick flick directed by Tarantino. Edgar Allen Poe my thoughts should be illegal." - Propayne

Esinchill & King Beef

Coming out of Oakland, CA is some hot mixtape material full of Hip Hop goodies. These emcees, although promising solo artists have come togther to construct several memorable classic style songs in which both artists bring you back to the way Hip Hop used to sound…dope. When you hear "cuz-o close dat door" with that thick Cali accent, you know it's about to be on. What gives it so much flavor is the melodic west coast swagger, horns and all, and the overt respect for True School Hip Hop. On the first verse you get an idea of where they comin from and the second verse tells you their influences, which is the best way to start off a description of yourself to an new audience. You will definitely hear more from Esinchill and King Beef on shadesradio.com and to all the non-drinkin cats not supportin the bar, they say "go sit your sober-ass down somewhere…If you don't want to drink with me then (F.U.!)" lmao.

One, Kurt Nice

Immortal Technique and the Third World Revolution

What if Chuck D from Public Enemy had rhyme skills closer to Canibus? What if Big Pun was on some revolutionary style like Brother J from X-Clan? What if Styles P and M.O.P rapped about the government structure? What if Tupac lived and started talkin all that new era Black Panther shit like people thought he was gonna do? Well then you would be approaching the revolutionary swagger of Harlem raised Latino emcee, Immortal Technique. His lyrical aggression is unmatched by most and his album The 3rd World is a testament to the hard-body ruthlessness of his approach. If you want to know what a true hardcore emcee sounds like, listen to Immortal Technique. So-called gangsta rappers are addressed on Hollywood Driveby with the help of Sick Symphonies and Psycorealm who says "the streets don't believe you homey. Armageddon in the rap game is comin and we lead the army. Rock terror tape outta ya sound. Got hostages in pink, this is what they call Hip Hop now? I keep that metro shit outta my whip. That dummy rap is thru makin money. It's about to extinct." We caught up with Technique in the Bronx for a R.I.P. tribute to activist Fleet Militant at the Bronx Museum. He spoke about the album's significance saying, "I wanted to remind people in the hood that as bad as it seems for us here, let's never forget how bad it is for people over seas. Latin America, Africa, the Caribbean, people that suffer ten times worse than we could ever imagine. Cause here we can go to a chicken spot. There’s some places where there ain't no chicken spot." He also compared the way the "1st world" oppresses and robs the "3rd world" of it's diamonds and gold and resources to the music business, "it's the same way that major labels, superpowers, come to the underground which is the third world of Hip Hop to exploit us for our labor." DJ Green Lantern took the album's worth of tracks and blended it like a mixtape with some choice cuts and backspins to make the experience complete. Other stand out tracks include Parole, That's What It Is, The 3rd World, Harlem Renaissance, Mistakes where he contemplates various theoretical mistakes going back to his youth. Also check for his other collabos Stronghold Grip featuring Poison Pen and Swave Sevah plus Payback featuring Diabolic and Ras Kass. The song is a tale about "paying people back on a personal level and on a global level." Technique said. On Reverse Pimpology he talks about the difference between real pimps and thugs, politicians and rappers saying "we think we're pimpin the game and we're not. We're gettin pimped...A real gangsta ain't tryin floss no jewelry...ain't tryin to fuck your wife. A real gangsta is fuckin your country." For the full interview and song samples go to shadesradio.com.

One, Kurt Nice

Dirty Water of the DMV

One of my personal favorite creatively gifted Hip Hop duos on the rise groups is coming strong out of the Washington DC/Maryland area. Soon to be spotlighted here, you can check for an albums worth of material on shadesradio,com. Joe D & Cool Cee Brown have formed many soulful works of auditory art as the group Dirty Water that have been transferred to me thru early 21st century mp3 and internet technology. To get to know them musically, listen to Love Your Style and feel the groovy rhythm and tight rhyme flow of Joe D in which he says to suspect "niggas hop off my vas deferens, I'm from Maryland where they blast metal and meddle in people's business like they house, windows and car locks. Think PG the suburbs come around my block or rather where I live at, down Marlboro Pike, old heads smoke the Marlboro lights.." Then listen to Eat My Breakfast Alone with Cool Cee Brown doin a singing/rappin style that illustrates a much more realistic take on relationships, albeit much more cynical and sarcastic as well. Still, their sound remains original, serious and funny at the same time. Together they have some masterpieces of Hip Hop intellect we will discuss at a later date in much more detail.One of my personal favorite creatively gifted Hip Hop duos on the rise groups is coming strong out of the Washington DC/Maryland area. Soon to be spotlighted here, you can check for an albums worth of material on shadesradio,com. Joe D & Cool Cee Brown have formed many soulful works of auditory art as the group Dirty Water that have been transferred to me thru early 21st century mp3 and internet technology. To get to know them musically, listen to Love Your Style and feel the groovy rhythm and tight rhyme flow of Joe D in which he says to suspect "niggas hop off my vas deferens, I'm from Maryland where they blast metal and meddle in people's business like they house, windows and car locks. Think PG the suburbs come around my block or rather where I live at, down Marlboro Pike, old heads smoke the Marlboro lights.." Then listen to Eat My Breakfast Alone with Cool Cee Brown doin a singing/rappin style that illustrates a much more realistic take on relationships, albeit much more cynical and sarcastic as well. Still, their sound remains original, serious and funny at the same time. Together they have some masterpieces of Hip Hop intellect we will discuss at a later date in much more detail.

Deeno MF Snuff & Triple Incredible

No Lotion is a brand new CD by the duo Ashy L Bowz, aka Triple Incredible and Deeno Snuff. The project is the first effort of this Brooklyn, NY based group out to make a statement in this new era of rap music. About the independent hustle of the 2008 Hip Hop business, Deeno Snuff said "it's a gift and a curse. Because in the same way I'm talkin to you right now, and everybody listening could be like ' yo let me see what these cats are about'. That could blow a nigga up on some real shit. And that's worldwide. Plus you get to cut out the middle man that's jerkin niggas anyway." In reference to the drawbacks he spoke about the grind and how you have to work hard to obtain the things you want in life, when you might be more inclined to sit back and indulge in other things. The CD is a nice, concept-driven arrangement created to introduce you to the Ashy style of underground Hip Hop they display. From the beginning you're welcomed into a world of lyric based songs, heavy with fun-filled metaphors and punchlines. On Ashtro (instead of intro) and Keep It Ashy, you are bombarded with witty spin-offs of the word ash..like "the game need some more flavor pass the Mrs.Dash, leavin' whack mcs on the curb like trash. We gon' grow on ya. Why you think they call it a rash?" On the album No Lotion, Ashy, brings the socially introspective side of things too on songs like My Yute, Hood and I Guess saying. "you ain't a killer just cuz you say you is on a beat, I guess it's easier just to follow trends then to lead. I guess there's always been more Indians then the chiefs." Their first single off the album, We Got Game, is a catchy video game inspired track that sounds like the theme song from an NBA Live joint. Hip Hop fans will appreciate this album most for its mature-minded themes that stay youthful and up to date with delivery and cleverness. Big up to the beat production by A-Rod Grimes, Maestro, Buzz and ConvahSation, which is solid with originality and variety as well. The most murda-talk you hear is on Smoke Dat, where the victim is "i'ma kill dat bitch (mary jane)." Very original.

Solid Ground

After missing the chance to get my copy of the new Solid Ground CD in person at the Pyramid Club during End of the Weak Sundays over the last couple of weeks, I finally got it. The group Solid Ground boasts a veteran-length resume which includes extended performances outside the US with EOW while carving out the longest running Hip Hop open mic in NYC. SupaZoo aka Big Zoo drafts fluid sets of Hip Hop vibration with partners Vice Verses and Propanye as The Three Kings. But with his wingman Nonesio (pronounced Nunzio) in Solid Ground they have created The Balance a mature, lyrical, concept-driven soundscape of ideas, that run thru the mind of real emcees. Conceptually it runs down ruff topics and hard paths like on the Long Road, which is tragic tale from slavery to the present day in Hip Hop verse. Prototype One is an extension of this introspective point of view as the rhyme sarcastically glorifies all the negative mind states of a hood mentality. Of course like any good Hip Hop album, there is the well-crafted ode to the cannabis in Lighter. On Ground Groove, a contemporary dance flava is blended with higher grade lyricism than the average car/club banger. A superb cruising tune for those of you with whips, no doubt. Musically the beats flow between thumping head nod tracks to funky, mid-tempo grooves, to reggae-inspired riffs like on Lick Shot and Tip Top Shape to the soulful old time spiritual sound of Long Road plus a subtle 70's film/tv soundtrack qualities. P.H.V. featuring Webafied sums up the perspective you get from Solid Ground. It's Panoramic Hood Vision. A 360 degree viewpoint of the urban environment, or at least a look ahead and a glance back in the past. Duality is explored like a sociological research paper in ill ass rhyme form on Wants vs Needs and Fisticknifegun two of the albums biggest commercial stand-outs and Hip Hop Classics. Undisputedly, those two songs in particular fall into the category of timeless Hip Hop classic songs once you hear them. The clear precision vocals and compounded hook of WvN illustrates the answer to a basic question that every person has..."What do I want? vs. what do I need?" They ofcourse answer it from the point of view of an emcee. SupaZoo creates a solo masterpiece with Fistickinfegun. Exploring the evolution of violence in modern society, he illustrates a grim reality over a haunting beat of bass, strings and heavy hi-hat which fits the mood perfectly. Respect is shown to pioneers on Relapse where recollection of when Hip Hop came to influence them is spit to a smooth synth beat with a light congo touch and ill synth string that reminds me of some 70's TV show...

" Relapse a moment in time. The divine memories we rewind are the fuel for the grind. Relapse a snapshot in ya mind. A cultures guideline redefined by the freedom of rhyme. "

Some may classify Solid Ground as underground, or conscious, political or whatever but it seems to me their better definitions may be - mc's emcees, throwback to real emcees, lyricist performers, better than 85% of rappers on CD. - Kurt Nice

Zaq Coldly Fuses Hip Hop & Rock

Has there ever been a well received Hip Hop Rock project? I don't know. The Everlast - 'Whitey Ford' CD was dissed heavily by the critics. Mos Def's venture into the genre was criticized and left in obscurity too. Maybe it was the time period. A lot of projects that surface ahead of their time suffer the same fate.

But in the era of Rap kids 'Partying like rock stars', shadesradio.com is proud to present ZAQ Coldly. His preview CD Hip Hop Rock Star is the nicest mix of Hip Hop and Rock that you may ever witness. More Hip Hop than Linkin Park, with heavier skateboard rock influence than Lupe Fiasco, ZAQ puts raw emotion into clear view with vivid stories of lust, passion, and daily reality on the edge. On songs like I Heard, which reiterates rumors about some of today's most popular rappers, in the style of Jadakiss' 'Why', ZAQ showcases his skill on the mic as an emcee on a straight ahead rap format. He further illustrates this skill while ripping over straight ahead rock tracks like No Rest 4 Da Wicked, Lay Down and Monsters. ZAQ backed by his band Ugly, shows vocal and writing range by singing hooks and even whole songs like Control and the sleeper hit It's Phukked Up! Grimy tales of gun play and violence are expertly executed on Aint No Thang and Art of War featuring Dead Prez. Although there aren't many features on this album, collaborations are already in the works for the next project. In fact look for a Lil Fame produced track and remix featuring M.O.P. real soon. - Kurt Nice

K.Tana Goes Green

The Green Project is the first CD I have heard from K.Tana and the first thing I realized is that she is way better than most females I have been hearing on the radio especially simplistic rhyme styles in the song making category like Remy Ma . Out of the gate she steps on the track for Rat Poison right after the lead off verse from Nems Murderfest, a 25 time Hardcore Champion of Fight Club, and not only holds her own but stands out on the track with two other male emcees. She says " never forget don't bite the hand that feeds. Like my men like my weed, mad green and no seeds. pimpette wit the princess muthafuckin cuts, spittin that blade like you splittin that dutch. You need a crutch for those weak ass tracks, get yo game up, name up, say what? I'm shittin on these lame ducks." About the concept for Rat Poison she told me, " there's alot of commercial shit polluting the game and we're just tryin to come thru with the realness and kill that." I have also heard K.Tana a couple of times live with the multi-talented female vocalist named Tish, who sung the hook for their duet on You're A Star. If you like female who can rhyme you'll like K.Tana because lyrically she pays attention to words and metaphors more then some chicken head spittin about her couchie. Shouts to Latin, Jess Jamez Figueroa, Datin, La Bruja, T-Weaponz and EOW-NYC It's more like Real Hip Hop on this one!- Kurt Nice