From the category archives:
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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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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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…]
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Toronto, also known as the Screwface Capital of the world, is hard place to succeed, especially as a hip hop artist. Canadian hip hop, well, it’s never always been “there.” There are a few that come by and steal the show though. One day, in long, heavy traffic, a dope beat hit this wack (sorry ya’ll, but Flow is wack) radio station and had me jumping. A dial tone was the main theme of the beat and the dude could spit. The dude was Tona, and he was someone to look out for even prior to that (under the name Daetona). Since then, he’s opened for Black Milk and Elzhi, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Masta Ace, and of course has made countless tracks with homegrown talent like Saukrates, Ayah [read spotlight] and Kardinal Offishall. It would be silly to say that he’s not getting better, because he is. Admittedly, I was not a fan of Tona once, but as he grew as an artist and I grew as a listener, I could only appreciate more and more and more of what he had to say. If Nas has a New York State of Mind, Tona certainly has a Toronto State of Mind. KevinNottingham.com sits down with Tona and gives him a spotlight he truly deserves.
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With the release of Tonz of Gunz [The Bootcamp Clik Remixes] [read] last week, we had the opportunity to catch up with one half of the Boot Camp Clik’s Smif-N-Wessun — Tek. Tek is gearing up for the release of his solo LP 24Kt Smoke next month, so we talked about that, his other half General Steele, the current state of hip hop, and a new Smif-N-Wessun album on the horizon. You’ll never guess who’s producing the whole thing! Tek’s a real interested dude and this interview is a great read. Check it after the cut…
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An everyday morning at work magically turned into this artist spotlight. After receiving a link in my drop-box (Thanks Drew!), I automatically fell in love with the sultry sounds, passion and soul of Liya. Having worked with recently spotlighted artists Ayah [read here] and Eternia [read here], she’s well versed in both the R&B scene and the hip-hop scene. After (very) recently dropping an EP, she’s generating a lot of curiosity and praise around the way. Although an unconventional interview format, thanks to Tanya at S4 Entertainment Inc., KevinNottingham.com is once again proud to present an up and coming artist, her name being Liya.
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There are few truisms in life but one that withstands is the ideology that there is nothing new under the sun. After all, history repeats itself constantly, some of us have déjà vu and we all share a common ground if we manage to dig deep enough. So hearing the typical story of an artist making it big no longer impresses us but sometimes we come across one that manages to spark an interest.
Kero One’s rise to fame is as distinctive as the musical sound he’s created. As a resident of the bay area, Kero’s determination and ability is a true tell tale of turning your dreams into a reality. This emcee, producer, web designer and DJ used his personal credit card and his own recording equipment to put together his first project that he marketed and distributed across the world. The record became an instant hit in Japan and Kero was on his way to conquering the music world. He went on to release his impressive debut, Windmills of the Soul in which he handled all the business as well as artistically constructing the album.
Now, after the success of his debut, he has dropped his equally impressive sophomore release Early Believers to astounding reviews. KevinNottingham.com was granted the opportunity to speak to this jack of all trades who filled us in on his new album, record label and why he would work at Whole Foods if he weren’t doing music.
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If you haven’t noticed around the site, I’m huge on hometown pride. Even by way of Somalia, K’naan shares this same love of Toronto that many people within the city feel. Getting away from the stigma many Canadian artist have, K’naan has not only achieved success world wide as an emcee, but he is probably more known south of the boarder (specifically New York) for his wild live shows and his up front political attitude and socially aware lyrics. Hot off of one of the best albums of 2009 thus far, Troubadour [read review], and being announced in to the Rock The Bells lineup, K’naan was able to answer a few questions regarding the aforementioned T Dot, his recent album, his live show, labeling, and his diverse musical influences. He also talks about his success and how he achieved it without changing himself, his lyrics, or his style, as well as the craft of Troubadour and the process of making it.
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H.I.S.D. (Hueston Independent Spit District) was born in 2005 through the collaboration of eight artists of varying mediums wanting to introduce a refreshing perspective to the sound and visual aesthetic of hip hop culture, classic soul music, poetry, visual art, fashion, and photography.
Mutual respect and appreciation for the cultural significance and influence achieved by creatively bridging these art forms, brought Savvi (hip hop artist/entrepreneur), Equality (poet/writer/emcee/architect/visual artist), LdaVoice (emcee), Scottie Spitten aka Lenoge(emcee), plus GoldenSoulClassics which consist of producers, King Midas, Soul One (DJ/radio personality), E-Classic, and Jason “Flash Gordon Parks” Woods (photographer/DJ), together to form H.I.S.D. Get to know them after the cut…
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Tanya Morgan ( Yes, they are a rap group!!) is back at it once again. TM consists of MC/Producer Von Pea, MC- Donwill, and Video Producer/MC- Ilyas. After the success of Moonlighting fans have been anxious for the release of Brooklynati. I have been blessed to be able to see them in concert twice in the ATL, and the energy they bring to the performance is amazing. Their unique sound is refreshing to listeners that are tired of hearing the same ol lyrics about trappin’, money, hoes, and clothes. Be sure to pick up Brooklynati on May 12th, I guarantee it will not disappoint. Hit the jump for an introduction to Tanya Morgan for those of ya’ll that don’t know them already.
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If this article ain’t proof that I got too much going on in my life, I don’t know what is. I had the opportunity to interview Kaze back in February, thanks to my man J Master. The artilce was done; it just got lost in my email. Thankfully the most recent post on Kaze turned a lightbulb on in my head.
Kaze is one of the illest emcees to come out of North Carolina. Most of you know Kaze from his 2003 album The Spirit of 94 and more famously, 9th Wonder’s remix of that album in 2005. Most recently, Kaze inked a deal with SRC/Universal Motown through a contest held by Loud.com. We caught up with Kaze shortly after heard about the news. This is what went down…
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Finishing up our week long look at up and coming artists on the scene is the Bronx’s own MaG. A long time reader of the site, MaG finally hit me up with some of his music. I gotta say I was impressed with his skills. He’s worked with a bunch of familiar cats in the game; it’s amazing I hadn’t heard of him before. You’re gonna be seeing more of MaG on the site as we’ll be doing some work with him on some side projects. But for now, let’s get to know MaG…
“The future of NYC hip-hop” said Buckwild, famed producer, when speaking of MaG. Born and raised in the birthplace of Hip-Hop, Bronx, NY, MaG began his emceeing career at the age of 18. MaG can be heard on new mixtapes/albums by Chanudon , Rich London, DJ Denox, and DJ Wristpect, among others. MaG released the mixtape/album Reaganomics, featuring Darien Brockington, G.O.D. of Pitch Black, Torae, Skyzoo and others and was produced and mixed by MaG, Vega Benetton (”XXL”, Scratch”) and Dan the Man (mixed albums by Lil Kim, Big Pun, the Boot Camp Click, Skyzoo, and others). MaG was a featured artist on hiphopgame.com. MaG was also the winner of DJ Green Lantern’s Sonicbids Mixtape compeition where he landed a coveted spot on Green Lantern’s “Alive on Arrival” mixtape. MaG is currently working on his follow-up mixtape as well as other projects in the upcoming year, marking the transition from MaG the emcee to MaG the artist. Look for more projects and collaborations from MaG, and as hiphopgame.com put it, “this Bronx-bred emcee is worth checking out.”
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Godamus Rhyme is an MC/producer originally from Prince George’s County, MD. He has been heard nationally on college radio and toured as part of the group Caveman Theory. Their debut album, The Stone Quartet, climbed into the top 10 of the CMJ hip hop charts during the summer of 2007. As a solo act, he continued to make waves in 2008 when he was selected by the Snowgoons to feature on their next album for Babygrande Records. He was also chosen by indie powerhouse Rhymesayers as a finalist in their competition for a single deal with producer Jake One in November. Earlier today, he dropped his mixtape The Adventures of Rhyme and Sense [download], featuring beats by 6th Sense. He is currently hard at work on his debut album, Sing My Dreams. Hit the jump to get to know Godamus Rhyme…
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There is no doubt: the music industry is fickle. It’s filled with labels that come and go, artists who are hot one minute and cold the next and fads that orbit like a revolving door. But some entities within this crazy business manage to stand the test of time.
Young Capone first hit the scene when he was seventeen signing a major deal with So So Def. This emcee and producer learned from industry veteran Jermaine Dupri and went on to produce tracks for Shawty Redd while dropping two singles, “What It Iz” and I’m Hot.” Although his tenure at So So Def was a good one, he parted ways with the label and stepped away from the scene. Now, after a brief hiatus, Young C has returned stronger, wiser and hungrier than ever.
Serving as the CEO to his own label, Trotti Entertainment, Young C is working diligently to drop his new album, Small Things To A Giant and prove that his love and respect for his music is indisputable. KevinNottingham.com had the opportunity to politic with Young Capone and get the 411 on his new album, what happened with So So Def and how he is gearing up to conquer the music scene and the Internet.
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She stole the stage for her brief stint on stage with eLZhi for “The Leak” here in Toronto, she rocked the stage with Skyzoo and opened for Robin Thicke, she’s gotten praises from critics everywhere, including OkayPlayer and even got words of paramount praise from the one and only DJ Jazzy Jeff. Pretty impressive I’d say. One trip to her MySpace page should have you hooked and quite frankly, with a voice so powerful, so sultry and so smooth, it shouldn’t be that difficult. The well traveled Ayah has landed in Toronto (Markham for all of those not able to associate any other city with Ontario) and she has blessed this city with a Jill Scott-esque voice of our own. I can say first hand, the songstress is very easy going with a great sense of humour and is all about her business. The self proclaimed computer geek and I decided to sit down and develop an interview, both being conversationalist, we made it easier to conduct a rather unconventional, yet, very natural interview the other day. It allowed me, as I’m sure it will allow you, to get a glimpse into the history, persona, style, and brain of the next voice everyone should keep an ear out for.
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