When you first think of the DMV (DC, MD & VA for those that don’t know), you probably think about Wale, go-go music or the ex-mayor Marion Barry. The DMV is more than that, we have the world’s best kept secret that is about to blow up on the national spotlight. Today we want to introduce you to RAtheMC. As an emcee, singer and songwriter RAtheMC has a talent that is rare. There are not many that can do all three, let alone do one. Enough talking, now it’s time for you to get to know RAtheMC.
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139 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Interviews
When most people think of Southern hip hop, they immediately think of prominent artists from Georgia, Texas, Louisiana & Tennessee. Alabama is now making a name for itself and the leader of this new emerging talent is G-Side, the duo of ST 2 Lettaz & Yung Clova. The Alabama group, along with their crew Slow Motion Soundz, has brought lyricism to the forefront along with their progressive sound provided by The Block Beataz. With their latest album Starshipz & Rocketz receiving critical acclaim, G-Side are following in the same vain as legendary Southern duos like Eightball & MJG, OutKast & UGK. Here’s you chance to get to know the group after the jump.
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196 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Interviews
When you hear the name JFK the first thing you think about is the assassinated president or the airport in New York. Today we are gonna introduce you to JFK aka Jay Fre$h Kick$. The kid has went from local producer to the dude supplying hot tracks for some of today’s hot artists, such as EPMD, Eve and Julez Santana. With artists like this under his belt he is definitely an artist to look out for. He’s a humble cat that will never tell you “I told you so” but he’ll show you so… JFK aka Jay Fre$h Kick$ is in the building!!!
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254 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
It’s been over a year since we gave Emilio Rojas the artist spotlight treatment here on the site. I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of his upcoming mixtape, The Natural (which finally drops at the end of the month) and since Recession Proof dropped earlier this year, I have been catching up on some of Emilio’s back catalog. All of that just sort of prompted this interview and a really dope Emilio Rojas Collection that I threw together. If you’re not up on Emilio, this collection will definitely get you up to speed. So hit the jump to catch up with Emilio and to download some great music…
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235 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Exclusive, Interviews
While I was out in Cali a few months ago, I had the opportunity to meet this cat by the name of E Reece. The hard penetrating, self-reflective vocals of this MC poignantly illustrate that true school hip hop is alive and well. Born in the Midwest, raised in Maryland, and schooled in the business in NYC, E Reece is unlike any artist you have ever heard or seen. This talented and hard-working lyricist, songwriter, poet, and musician keeps your attention at every turn and will make you challenge yourself. His music speaks of love, life, and staying true to yourself.
His latest album, L.I.S.n 2 This Live.In.Studio, with his live band Core Elements is everything jazz hip hop fans are craving. Hit the cut to get to know E Reece and check a preview of the album…
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154 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
Every now and then there comes a new artist on the scene that I personally really take a liking to. Last year, I can name two artists of the top of my head that did that… Trav Williams and Nobody Famous. This year, the one artist that sticks out in my head the most is this dude right here… know:juander.
As both an emcee and a producer, know:juander has a talent that is rare amongst others. There are few that do both and even fewer that do both well. His latest effort, A Kid Love, beta [download], sounds to me like a young Kanye in his prime. In fact, I’ll even go as far as putting A Kid Love, beta up against College Dropout any day of the week. If know:juander is putting out music this good already, you can only imagine what he’s got in store next. Whatever his next project will be, I’ve already extended the offer to put him out on HiPNOTT Records… welcome to the fam!
Let’s get to know know:juander after the cut…
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577 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
Veterans in hip hop are overlooked and underappreciated. They either get no love on their early work and perhaps too-little-too-late love on their more recent work, or, they get tons of love on their early stuff and get ostracized from the hip hop community for “selling out.” Blaq Poet may be better known now for his work with legendary DJ Premier, however, Poet was also one of the first emcees to fire back at KRS One’s onslaught against Queensbridge (check his diss track to KRS, “Beat you Down”). Po was also a member of Screwball, a group consisting of Hostyle, KL, Blaq Poet, & Solo. Hopefully some of these quick facts are ringing bells, but Poet is certainly no stranger to the old school hip hop head. His longevity is tried and true, being in the game for over 20 years and dropping one of his best pieces of work to date with DJ Premier, Tha Blaqprint, Blaq shows that his hunger is still evident and very persistent. KevinNottingham.com got a chance to sit down with Blaq Poet and discuss this aforementioned hip hop stamina, DJ Premier, his part in the Bridge Wars, overseas hip hop fans, the changes he has seen over the last 20 years, amongst other topics. Loads of content, of course. Peep after the jump.
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445 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Interviews
I am proud to present Mr. S.I.N Music himself, L.E.G.A.C.Y. Hailing from the tobacco state of North Carolina, Leg has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. In an industry flooded with artists talkin the same old money, cars, clothes sh*t madness, L.E.G.A.C.Y provides that rawness that has been lacking for awhile. I suggest you head to the stores asap and cop the classic Project Mayhem album and his latest album Suicide Music. Check our interview with L.E.G.A.C.Y after the jump.
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523 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Interviews
As one half of Art of Fresh (website) (along side Slakah The Beatchild (myspace), the emcee, D.O. aka Duane Gibson (myspace), has accomplished quite a bit. After putting out a few solo EP’s, the Sarnia and Toronto bred MC was declared XXL’s “True Freestyle King” after he freestyled for 8 hours and 45 minutes consecutively, thus, setting a new Guinness World Record in the category. Defy the Odds claims the microphone with a strong presence alongside his Juno award winning, BBE Art of Fresh Producer (Slakah), but is truly no slouch when set aside to do his absolute own thing. His most recent project Stay Driven is already causing whispers among the international scene, and as the buzz of Slakah rises, so will the buzz of D.O- deservedly and vice versa. KevinNottingham.com’s eA had a chance to chat with D about the state of Canadian hip hop, Art of Fresh, real freestyling, and what is truly “fresh.” Check after the jump for the dope interview.
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246 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Interviews
J. Blitz is one of the best kept secrets in the the New Orleans underground scene. While most outside the state associate the city with former powerhouse labels like Cash Money and No Limit, the city has a new hip hop scene with artists breaking the stigma of the typical New Orleans sound. J. Blitz is one of the leaders in that scene and looking to make a major breakthrough with a big year planned for 2009. We had the chance to talk to J and here’s your chance to get to know the talented emcee.
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192 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
About a month ago we highlighted a mixtape from Baltimore’s The Black Sunn and producer Mydus, Born Alone Die Alone [download]. The joint was so hot, that we hit up the emcee to find out what he’s all about. Hit the jump to get to know The Black Sunn…
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358 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
Rasheed Chappell is truly an exception to the current rule of click’s and cliche’s. Rasheed is an artist whose music is a sonic backdrop to life as he sees it, lives it and dreams it. Rasheed’s gift is only second to his tireless work ethic and his constant pursuit of elevation, to push himself and the genre to new heights and dimensions.
He is the child of an era when Hip-Hop Legends such as Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick were considered prophets among men by their command of the English language on the microphone.
Rasheed’s words are able to capture and convey cinematic emotion, it’s as if you are watching a movie more than listening to music. He has the ability to weaves tales of tragedy and triumph into soulful melodies that reflect his environment and love of Hip-Hop culture.
Rasheed Chappell has a story to tell….let’s get to know the man.
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400 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
We recently featured Phoenix Jones‘ latest mixtape, The Family Guy [download], on the site and it’s turning out to be one of my favorite tapes of the year so far. So I wanted to hit up this Cleveland emcee and find out what he’s all about. Get to know Phoenix Jones after the cut…
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293 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
Coming from Cincinnati, Ohio a city known for not being the most supportive of local artists The Red Giants (Jermiside & Brickbeats) have helped put their city on the map. The duo has been featured on both Tanya Morgan albums and a host of features with various artists from around the world, so these guys are definetely not rookies. This year is turning out to be a very promising year with the duo dropping several mixtapes and albums. Be sure to check out the Chain Reaction EP dropping today. I had a chance to finally catch up with The Red Giants while they were taking a break from recording and get a insight into what plans they have up their sleeves. Check out the interview after the jump.
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191 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
Jean-David Aime, Jr (AIME) knew he had a gift for putting words together after writing his first rhyme as a 6th grader. AIME continued to hone his craft by performing raps for class projects and performing for his friends, however, he eventually stopped rapping because of his family’s belief’s regarding Hip-Hop music.
After his family moved to Pennsylvania AIME connected with another rapper in high school that rekindled his love for writing and music. Since this chance meeting the Temple University student hasn’t looked back. After the cut Get To Know AIME…. [read full article…]
386 views | Posted in Artist Spotlight, Get To Know, Interviews
