"UNDERGROUND 2 MAINSTREAM" Your NEW Source For Hip Hop Entertainment!!! |
| Casual "Put It In The Air" Video Posted: 26 Jan 2009 10:00 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Hip Hop Comes Alive @ NFL Youth Center Posted: 26 Jan 2009 09:51 PM CST  Tampa, Florida - One move at a time, that's how you build a hip-hop routine. "Step. 1,2,3,4," shouts instructor DeMario Henry and his young charges at a Jackson Heights Recreation Center dutifully comply. It takes patience and there are mix-ups. "Everybody kick with your right... I mean left!" But this small group of girls is clearly hip-hop happy. "It makes me feel good, 'cuz he got good moves and I can teach my other friends moves like that," says 10-year-old Reshayla Longstreet. So, how does football fit in with a dance class? Well, all these smooth moves are taking place at a NFL Youth Education Town or YET center. For 15 years, the NFL has been donating to Super Bowl host cities to create recreation centers in low-income neighborhoods. But the NFL isn't choreographing all the moves here; the Patel Conservatory is a dance partner. The conservatory provides instructors and equipment for several YET center programs. "And we're just scratching the surface," says Wendy Leigh from the conservatory. "We have hip-hop classes, media arts, we do recording studio, but we really hope to branch out and do a wider variety of arts curriculum." By the smiles, you can tell the dance class is a whole lot of fun, but there's more to it than just steps and struts. "It teaches them people skills, teaches them to be bold and to step out and have confidence," says Henry. Henry says when he was a kid, dance classes like this one kept him out of trouble and he eventually hip-hopped his way into ballet, jazz and a professional career. And, now, with the help of the NFL and the Patel Conservatory, it's his turn to pass on the passion. "Right, right foot first. Then you do what? Turn!" |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2009 09:04 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Evol One, Grafitti Artist & Animator Posted: 26 Jan 2009 07:09 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You Tube Mutes Unliscenced Music In Videos Posted: 26 Jan 2009 07:01 PM CST There once was a time a when you could just go on Youtube and find damn near any song you've ever loved, no matter how obscure. But Youtube pulled the plug on all of that, literally. So, if you start seeing a bunch of videos with no sound, don't worry—it's not your speakers. The Google-owned video site has recently stepped up its anti-piracy efforts and went beyond corrective tactics such as notifications and video pulling. It straight muted thousands of user video posts that contained copyrighted music. That means if your video has "Swagger Like Us" somewhere in it, it's about to be muted like a skin flick playing while mom's in the next room. See ya at Vimeo and Kyte. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Peter Rosenberg Interview, Talks ?uestlove, Noisemakers Posted: 26 Jan 2009 06:52 PM CST Last December, Peter Rosenberg's Noisemakers event featuring DJ Premier provided a new outlet for Hip Hop history buffs. The Hot 97 deejay touched on a number of topics relevant to the game, and the event also featured a musical tribute and a never-before-seen video tribute [click to view]. In efforts to continue the momentum from last year's debut, Noisemakers returns with Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots on February 11 at the 92Y Tribeca. "It's sort of a Hip Hop nerd's paradise, and you generally get a crowd that really loves Hip Hop," Rosenberg tells HipHopDX. "?uestlove has worked with a lot of the mystical characters in Hip Hop; these are a lot of people that you just don't know that much about. On top of that, he's just a crazy music connoisseur, and it's gonna be cool to get his insight based on what he knows.The overall setup is pretty dope, and the 92Y Tribeca is nice inside." Despite the moniker of a Hip Hop nerd's paradise, Rosenberg says this edition of Noisemakers will be "as good an experience as you can get for your money." The event will also feature a musical tribute to ?uestlove by Igmar Thomas and The Cipher, and a candid question and answer session that could possibly touch on everything from ?uest's efforts in President Obama's election campaign to the Philadelphia Eagles. "I might ask him about Eagles fans, because everyone knows Eagles fans are horrible," Rosenberg joked. "I know he's loyal because he's from Philly, but I've gotta find out exactly how serious he is." In traditional Noisemakers fashion, attendees can expect to hear about all of ?uest's shelved, secret and/or exclusive projects from P and the Yessirs to the Randy Watson Experience. Much like Noisemakers with DJ Premier, Rosenberg hopes to walk the fine line between the gatekeepers and tastemakers. "You get this crowd that's really on the breaking edge of stuff," Rosenberg added. "The last 'Noisemakers' with Premier had the conversation about 50 Cent, which led to him dropping 'Shut Your Bloodclot Mouth' [click to listen]. So it's pretty cool, in terms of influence. The Premier event was about as pure, underground Hip Hop as it gets. Yet, the way things work now, people pay attention to the Internet and other media. So it ends up directly impacting the biggest artist in Hip Hop. This event is sort of in-between those two ideas." For those who either missed Noisemakers with Premier or won't be in the New York area, Rosenberg plans on collaborating with another name familiar in many Hip Hop circles to make the series accessible to anyone interested. "Rik Cordero actually shot some footage of the last event, and he's shooting this one too" Rosenberg said. "We haven't put it out yet, but we're gonna release that. We're gonna put out a piece of it next week. And we're actually looking to potentially get this on some sort of television outlet…nothing crazy. If not then, we'll do a DVD of the series." General admission to the February 11 Noisemakers event featuring ?uestlove is $15, and more information is available at www.rosenbergradio.com or www.92y.org. |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2009 06:11 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Nipsey Hussle "Hussle In The House" Video Posted: 26 Jan 2009 06:06 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Over 200 Bidders Show Up For Death Row Auction Posted: 26 Jan 2009 09:57 PM CST  Fans and former employees of the Death Row Records turned up in Fullerton, California yesterday to bid on items from the legendary music label. DJ Skee was among 200-plus bidders who showed up at yesterday's US Bankruptcy Court ordered "Death Row Auction": "I just wanted to be here, I knew it was going to be a one of a kind event," DJ Skee, host of the New Music Show on KIIS, said. "There's been nothing in hip-hop that's quite had its run like Death Row has, that's made so much timeless quality music." And Skee held true to his claim by paying over $600 on the art proofs for Tupac's All Eyez On Me CD in the day's first spirited bidding war. And when he stuffed a wall-sized platinum plaque presented to Dr. Dre into the back seat of his BMW convertible, he was officially one of the day's bigger players. Over 400 items were up for auction. Items being auctioned include the actual Death Row Records electric chair, Suge Knight's cigars and engraved humidor, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's "Source Awards," paintings, framed pictures, Tupac Shakurmemorabilia, framed gold and platinum records, Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Versace items, fitness equipment and more. Earlier this month Death Row Records was purchased by the Toronto-based WIDEawake Entertainment Group. A little-known label, won the right to buy the imperiled Death Row Records for $18 million during an auction in Los Angeles on Thursday In 2006 Death Row, which was previously owned by Marion Knight, known as Suge, filed for Chapter 11 protection. The company's assets include recordings by prominent rap stars including Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre. |
| Merchandising 101: Dont Break The Bank, Break The Band!!! Posted: 26 Jan 2009 03:38 PM CST Steve Gerstman has twenty years in the music merchandising business, having worked at Winterland, Signatures and Brockum. He started Steve Gerstman Services, Inc. in 2001, which currently incudes among its clients Eric Clapton, Queen and Stray Cats. In 2007, Gerstman began Cut Merch (www.cutmerch.com ) which he calls the "First 21stCentury Merch Service." INSIDE TIPS ON TOUR MERCH: You have finally booked some shows – congratulations! – and now you're looking forward to the big day. And if you haven't been living on Mars for the last few years, you know that selling merch is a way to make money. After all, touring can actually cost you money, especially at the beginning, and selling merch can make the difference between costing you money and breaking even – or even making some! 1. PLANNING THE TOUR MERCH Like other aspects of your tour, you need to think through what you will want to sell on your dates and, very importantly, how many to produce. Regarding what items, don't try to get too fancy or different with your tour merch. There are many reasons why bands sell t-shirts, mostly black if they are of the rock variety. It is because (1) that's what their fans want and expect, and (2) they provide good profit margins. It is important to try to figure out how many to produce, an issue I will deal with later. Along with t-shirts, sell your CD if you have one. If you are going out for the first time, or in a city where you are appearing for the first time, or if you otherwise are playing to new people, and you are playing in clubs that hold less than a hundred people, that's all you really need to have. If you want to carry more, consider a keychain or poster, or a girl's shirt. (Baseball caps usually are embroidered, and you won't want to incur the set-up costs for a small run of caps.) 2. DESIGN If you have a CD cover design or a design on your website or MySpace page, use that, or at least tie it in. If you have a logo on the CD, use that. Don't make changes in typeface or colors if you want to project an image to people that they will remember. T-shirts are billboards for your band, and having the t-shirt reflect the same (or similar) images as your CD cover and your web presence will help people remember you and associate it with you. I also recommend that you make your tour merch tour merch, by which I mean that people who buy merch at shows like to see (and show their friends) that they "were there." An itinerary back (if there are, say, six confirmed dates or more) does that. If it's less than six dates (say, in a month's time), then you might not want to date the merch – because you will want to sell them over a longer period of time, and you won't want to sell "stale" product. Finally, keep your designs simple. That means only print two sides (forget sleeves) and keep the colors down. Going crazy on prints and colors on a short run of shirts raise the cost more than you can make up on the price you sell them at. 3. PRODUCTION You have to balance the number of items you produce with the cost per item. The more you produce, the less each will cost, but the more you are out-of-pocket. It is the goal of every merchandiser and band to come out of each tour with as few items as possible, especially if you've "dated" them with an itinerary back or other date. It probably isn't as critical when it comes to CDs as you probably have a garage full of them. If you do a keychain, a simple acrylic one that uses a digitally created photo is the cheapest to produce, and the result, with two sides in color, looks pretty cool. When you are thinking about how many shirts to produce, consider the number of people you expect at each show, the number of shows, and then multiply that by the "per cap," meaning what you project you'll sell per attendee and divide by the price you will sell them for. Whew! There's a tool on the www.cutmerch.com website for this you can use for free. Go to the site and send a note. It's called the "forecast tool." Another resource for posters or handbills (you may want to give out handbills at the shows) promotes your website, announce tour dates or record release, whatever. It's www.psprint.com. Very reasonable prices for anything printed on paper and easy to use website. Regarding the print run for apparel, try to meet the minimums that keep per item costs reasonable. As to what "reasonable" means, you need to shop around. And don't forget that your costs may or may not include set-up costs. Don't assume: Ask! 4. SALES Remember, your product inventory is like cash – and your cash is, well, even more like cash! You will not accept credit cards at the beginning – maybe later you can carry a wireless credit card machine. You need to entrust your stock and the money to someone whom you trust completely, and who has a good head on their shoulders for details and numbers. If you have a small crew, selling merch at the beginning and end of the show can be added to their responsibilities. This person should keep a running inventory and treat the cash income like a sacred trust – again, you can get settlement sheets free from www.cutmerch.com. I recommend that someone else go over sales and cash after each show – and make sure that every shirt is accounted for. Also keep track of how the money is spent. It can be used for expenses (food, gas, lodging), but be sure that the cost of the goods is set aside. You don't want to run out of something and then not be able to buy more! And you don't want any surprises at the end of the tour. Carry clip-on lights (with extra bulbs) & extension cords, some kind of board for display, cardboard for signs, sharpies, scissors, tape, clips and pushpins. You need to assume that all the venue will have is a dark corner and a table for you to set up and the rest will be up to you. Usually smaller clubs will not take any kind of fee for you to sell, especially if you offer them a couple of shirts. (Try it! You'd be surprised at what a t-shirt can get you!) Finally: How much to sell your merch for? If you're just beginning, I'd recommend no more than $20 per shirt. (CDs are up to you – anywhere from $5 to $15 may be right.) You can experiment. No law that says you have to keep prices the same everywhere. And it is important to have the band make an announcement from the stage – it wouldn't hurt to say that buying merch helps support the band and keep it on the road – and having the band at the merch stand at the end (and sign CDs, etc.) is good for sales and general promotion too. If you have specific questions about merchandise, send them to Steve at www.cutmerch.com . Good luck! |
| Hip Hop Soda Shop Hosts Star Studded Events For "The Big Game" Week Posted: 26 Jan 2009 03:36 PM CST Hip Hop Soda Shop Welcomes Top Recording Artists, Star Athletes and Music Industry Executives January 26, 2009: 05:48 AM ET H3 Enterprises, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: HTRE) ("H3" or the "Company"), the world's first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, announce the beginning of their line up for "Big Game" week in Tampa, Florida. Starting the week off the Hip Hop Soda Shop, in conjunction with 4Play Entertainment & WBTP 95.7 The BEAT, present the 1st annual Listeners Lounge. The four (4) day event welcomes and provides visitors and those that live in Tampa a chance to experience part of the "Big Game" week festivities first hand. Many of the events are free and open to the public and will offer daily giveaways of Xbox 360 and Zune products. Visitors to the Hip Hop Soda Shop will have the opportunity to see appearances by today's hottest artists, sports stars, and industry heavyweights. The week will kick off on Wednesday, January 28th, with an independent artist showcase. On this day independent artists will be treated like the majors and will compete for an artist development package. The showcase will be judged by David Lighty, Sr Director of A&R of Jive Records; Ray Daniels, Universal/Motown A&R; Wallace Marshall, Executive VP of Marketing and Operations, Poe Boy Records; and Ron "Jomama" Shepard, Program Director of 957 The Beat. The Listeners Lounge will continue Thursday-Saturday from 12pm-6pm each day at the Hip Hop Soda Shop. The Listeners Lounge will consist of meet n greets, artist showcases, new music listening sessions, a fashion show, model search and much more. The Hip Hop Soda Shop is offering the general public a way to connect with today's biggest celebrities first hand. Friday, January 30th, the Hip Hop Soda Shop presents Legends Lounge, hosted and live performances by Hip-Hop legends Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick. Saturday, January 31st, Big Gates/Slip Slide/Atlantic Recording Artist Plies presents the "I Got Plenty Money" celebrity car show, concert and video shoot for Plies' new video starting at 12 noon. The event will be hosted by Neffie and Frankie from the "Keyshia Cole Show." Advanced ticket purchases are available at the Hip Hop Soda Shop. Saturday, January 31st, the night moves into the Caribbean Explosion bringing together for the first time in Tampa Stone Love and Bass Odyessy. The night also features Poison Dart and much more. Sunday, February 1st, the Hip Hop Soda Shop presents the Super Sunday watch party with Minnesota Viking Bryant McKinnie and Swagga Entertainment. Football fans are invited to watch the "Big Game" with Bryant McKinnie and his celebrity friends including Trina, Slim Thug, Tocarra, Pepa (from Salt N Pepa) and many NFL players. Sunday, February 1st, the night finishes with the Maybach Music Group after party hosted by Rick Ross and friends. The night will be full of celebrity guests to be announced in the coming days. Some of the celebrities set to attend the Hip Hop Soda Shop throughout the week include but are not limited to: Plies, John Legend, Common, Keri Hilson, Rich Boy, Winky Wright, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Sean Kingston, Kato June, Kevin Hart, Palow Da Don, Brisco, Teairra Mari, Rick Ross, Trina, Pepa, Slim Thug and Bobby Valentino. More celebrities and surprise guests will be announced throughout the week. Record labels participating in the week's events include but are not limited to: Universal/Motown, Poe Boy, Sony BMG, Fo'Reel, Interscope/Geffen and Atlantic Records. The Hip Hop Soda Shop has something for everyone, with a full Southern Hospitality menu, full bar, 32 TV screens, recording studio and gaming area dedicated to Xbox 360. Throughout the week the Hip Hop Soda Shop will offer free Xbox 360 video game play to all customers. In addition to the meet n greets and performances the Hip Hop Soda Shop will have a live DJ spinning from 12pm-6pm daily. The Hip Hop Soda Shop will also be filming for their new entertainment-based show "SodaShop TV" throughout the week; fans will get a chance to meet the hosts first hand and have an opportunity to be featured on the show. For full information on the Hip Hop Soda Shop's "Big Game" week lineup visit www.hiphopsodashop.com or call (813) 977-2800. More events to be announced throughout the week. About H3 Enterprises, Inc. and the HipHopSodaShop: H3 Enterprises, Inc., the first publicly traded Hip-Hop company, is the parent company of the HipHopSodaShop (www.hiphopsodashop.com), H3Gameline.com and "SodaShop TV." The HipHopSodaShop combines a restaurant operation with entertainment bridging hip-hop music, sports, video gaming and community involvement. H3 opened its first company-owned HipHopSodaShop in Tampa, FL, December 2007. Safe Harbor: Certain information included herein may contain statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to plans for future expansion and other business development activities. Such forward-looking information is subject to changes and variations which are not reasonably predictable and which could significantly affect future results. |
| John Forte "Life Has Just Begun" Video Posted: 26 Jan 2009 02:40 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 26 Jan 2009 01:36 PM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Jay z, Lil Wayne, T.I., & Kanye West Performing"Swagger Like Us" @ This Years Grammys Posted: 26 Jan 2009 09:56 PM CST  Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lil' Wayne and more have been chosen to perform at the upcoming 51st Grammy cermony. The announcement was made on Monday (January 26). Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Justin Timberlake and the quadruple threat of Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I. and Kanye West have been added to the performance lineup for the Grammy Awards, to be held Feb. 8 at Los Angeles' Staples Center. Jay-Z, Wayne, T.I. and West will team to perform the hit single "Swagga Like Us," while T.I. and Timberlake will also perform together. (Billboard) They are among many prominent artists billed for the event. They join previously announced performers and nominees Kenny Chesney, Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, The Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne, Katy Perry, and Carrie Underwood at the live show February 8 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (NBC) Prior to the showcase, a pre-Grammy Awards special will be televised. Justin Timberlake, Ne-Yo, Lil' Wayne, John Legend, Jordin Sparks, T-Pain, Kid Rock, Jazmine Sullivan, Duffy, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Metallica, The Jonas Brothers, Carrie Underwood and more will join Katie Couric for her "All Access Grammy Special," to air Feb. 4 on CBS. (Billboard) Weezy leads this year's Grammy ceremony with the most nominations. Cash Money/Universal Motown superstar Lil Wayne is Grammy's man of the year, drawing a total of eight nominations - more than any other artist -- for his blockbuster multi-platinum album Tha Carter III, and for his featured performance on "Swagga Like Us" by T.I. featuring Kanye West, and Jay-Z. "The nominations itself are unbelievable, I'm going to continue doing what I've been doing, but I'm going to do it better," Lil Wayne said. |
| Funkmaster Flex Gets New Car TV Show On Spike TV Posted: 26 Jan 2009 12:09 PM CST Funkmaster Flex's love for all things auto-related will take centers stage during a new television show set to launch on Spike TV. Flex's latest TV show is set to premiere in April and is titled Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex. Spike TV will air Flex's new original half-hour series during the network's highly rated automobile programming block, "The PowerBlock." The series, which is produced by Emmy-nominated producer Monica Taylor (Live with Regis and Kelly), features Funk Master Flex customizing and modifying various cars, from old to new, from his garage in the Bronx. A number of celebrities are featured in the 12-episode series, including 50 Cent, LL Cool J, T-Pain, Fat Joe, Jim Jones, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Danica Patrick, Terrell Owens, Jermaine Dupri and others. Spike TV was elated to have Funkmaster Flex back on the network which originally hosted Flex's popular series Ride With Funkmaster Flex. The series earned high ratings amongst the male 18-34 viewing audience on Spike TV from 2003-2005. "We knew Flex would find his way back to his true television home, Spike TV, and we are thrilled to have the true undisputed king of car customizations back where he belongs," said Kevin Kay, president, Spike TV. Funkmaster Flex is no stranger to the automotive world, having hosted hits shows like All Muscle with Funkmaster Flex and Cars Wars, on ESPN. Both shows were also broadcast internationally via the Kenya Television Network (African) and Channel V (Australia). Fast Machines with Funkmaster Flex is set to debut on Sunday, April 5 at 10:30am ET/PT on Spike TV. |
| Dr. Who FT Sadat X "Build/Destroy" Video Posted: 26 Jan 2009 11:58 AM CST |
| Antonio Margarito Vs Shane Mosley WBA Welterweight Title Fight (Full Fight) Posted: 26 Jan 2009 11:56 AM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Judge Dismisses Copyright Lawsuit Against Lil Jon Posted: 26 Jan 2009 11:53 AM CST According to hiphopdx.com, a copyright lawsuit naming Lil Jon and TVT Records was dismissed from United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia days ago. Redwin Wilchcombe, a freelance musician, claimed that he and his manager took part in producing the hook for the track "Weedman," which appeared on Lil Jon's 2002 album Kings of Crunk. The lawsuit stated that Jon came up with the idea for the song after someone suggested calling a marijuana dealer. Wilchcombe was allegedly present at the time, and sang a chorus that the rapper/producer liked. According to Courthousenews.com, Wilchombe sued Lil Jon and TVT Records for breach of fiduciary duty and copyright infringement for not receiving payment for his contributions. Wilchombe admits he never discussed a contract or payment prior to the album's release. "The district court correctly found that the parties' conduct created an implied license,"ruled Chief Judge Robert L. Hinkle. "Wilchcombe does not dispute that he created the song for the album at Lil Jon's request, and that he instructed Taylor to send it to Lil Jon for final mixing and inclusion on the album. Wilchcombe testified in his deposition that he understood Lil Jon would use the song on the album. In addition, Wilchcombe does not dispute that when he handed over the song, he never discussed with Taylor or any of the Appellees that using the song would constitute copyright infringement." "The district court properly rejected these arguments for this reason, and we likewise refuse to give Wilchcombe a 'second bite at the apple." |
| Rampage "Pump Up The Volume" Video Posted: 26 Jan 2009 11:49 AM CST This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| MP3 - "AINT I" FULL FREESTYLE - RICK ROSS, CORY GUNZ, PUNCH & NORE Posted: 26 Jan 2009 09:36 AM CST
But last night DJ MONUMENTAL (www.djmonumental.com) sent me over a FULL MIX he put together with all the rappers who BODIED the Yung La- Aint I beat Now i know most of you all have posted these seperately on your sites but never as one package and i must say today was the first time i heard the Rick Ross verse.. which is CRAZY !!! but all in all ... i got the exclusive so i wanted to give yall the oppurtunity to blast it out to the world ... The kid monumental also added a quick piece of the artwork to go along with it THANK YOU FOR THE TIME ... ITS THE HOME TEAM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CORY GUNZ, PUNCH, RICK ROSS & NORE - AINT I - http://www.zshare.net/audio/5469020606be15c0/ (ARTWORK IS ATTACHED) |
| ClubHopperz TV!!! Baby Cham Performing Live @ Jamaican Gold Inside Ivar In Hollywood 1/25/09 Posted: 26 Jan 2009 01:39 PM CST |
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