tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48098906663467832392024-03-12T16:39:34.276-07:00If You Can RelateHip Hop for the Thinking Man.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-71536192016451736472014-04-09T18:52:00.000-07:002014-04-09T20:11:15.046-07:00Pittsburgh Hip Hop Summit: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxVMQTy6yc2NIwPOV6u3JN2bFNHhEgZlvevA1XB0dAJXUbuL2-02QJGsvh8n3BTxf8jVFYF0u5Aou9nXWoc3Le122IobusekJN0SU6N7wpyzmUPWVLWO3n4SxESHjpLJs3Q-i5glMkg/s1600/pic+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxVMQTy6yc2NIwPOV6u3JN2bFNHhEgZlvevA1XB0dAJXUbuL2-02QJGsvh8n3BTxf8jVFYF0u5Aou9nXWoc3Le122IobusekJN0SU6N7wpyzmUPWVLWO3n4SxESHjpLJs3Q-i5glMkg/s1600/pic+1.jpg" height="133" width="200"></a></div>
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On April 4th, nine panelists and over 70 other participants in Pittsburgh Hip Hop came together for a discussion at Alloy Studios about the issues in the local hip hop scene and to discuss ways to improve it for all involved. In a sometimes hostile environment, filled with years of built up frustrations from those in attendance, many positives came from the discussion. What follows is the good, the bad, and the ugly sides of that event.<br>
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</div><a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2014/04/pittsburgh-hip-hop-summit-good-bad-ugly.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-60221260032165292952014-02-04T13:29:00.001-08:002014-02-04T13:34:07.515-08:00The Pittsburgh Underground Music Awards: Why Local Artists Should Care<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJMV5pQKVIcrf-HwKZbe1XniqAay9Q77LzEyAjB9rzVcl9kOMbFHSPJnb-Ilbp_FB3Wrs9K4Qo30OVhxMjL_NWVHlLFKFBY70H5CNCpclWiBOkoTc3I-N6huVId1LIgiL0MgjsuZrrQ/s1600/puma+logo+final.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJMV5pQKVIcrf-HwKZbe1XniqAay9Q77LzEyAjB9rzVcl9kOMbFHSPJnb-Ilbp_FB3Wrs9K4Qo30OVhxMjL_NWVHlLFKFBY70H5CNCpclWiBOkoTc3I-N6huVId1LIgiL0MgjsuZrrQ/s1600/puma+logo+final.png" height="200" width="176"></a></div>
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Local awards shows are always scrutinized, more-so than even national awards shows. And that's fine, perhaps that's how it should be. It's easy to be skeptical of a group of people dishing out accolades. Who knows who their friends are, if they're biased, or what their agenda is. I get it. But when it comes to local awards shows, I find many artists saying that they don't care about these awards at all. They look past them. The example I want to use is the <a href="http://www.pghundergroundmusicawards.com/" target="_blank">Pittsburgh Underground Music Awards</a>, though I'm sure this could apply for any local awards in cities around the nation. Artists claim they're meaningless, worthless, and these guys try to belittle any artist who places value in being nominated or, God forbid, winning. But why?</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2014/02/the-pittsburgh-underground-music-awards.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-76074204176803074742013-12-14T16:06:00.000-08:002013-12-14T16:06:12.212-08:00Album Review: Stone - Written in Stone<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIKCDfriptg6O2JUPMJDRfJyvQo9D_ar04BbYuVvc3CDTu1rtHjCATl9RvG0uhyX0DVFXyPkOcAlKWqpZlJK6szrNFMn4dheOFH7FTn0YFdJUDnaGVfJnEE4E2QODnwPFzQfeYWdlxg/s1600/stone+written+in+stone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGIKCDfriptg6O2JUPMJDRfJyvQo9D_ar04BbYuVvc3CDTu1rtHjCATl9RvG0uhyX0DVFXyPkOcAlKWqpZlJK6szrNFMn4dheOFH7FTn0YFdJUDnaGVfJnEE4E2QODnwPFzQfeYWdlxg/s1600/stone+written+in+stone.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<i>"You see a saint is just a sinner, who fell down and got up... so get up,"</i> rhymes <a href="http://twitter.com/stoneimusic" target="_blank">Stone</a> on "Again," the intro to <i><a href="http://4theiam.bandcamp.com/album/written-in-stone" target="_blank">Written in Stone</a></i>. It's that type of talk on tracks that makes me excited to review unknown artists. Stone, which stands for "Second To One," is a Christian rapper from the D.C. area. If that seems like a trend in my reviews, it's because he is associated with Shyne On Me, whose project <a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/11/album-review-shyne-on-me-loose-change.html">I reviewed recently</a>. Regardless, here is my second foray into D.C.'s Christian rap scene: Is the quality consistent?<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/12/album-review-stone-written-in-stone.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-17271733637214616412013-12-05T13:37:00.001-08:002013-12-05T13:38:36.532-08:00Album Review: Sosa - LA Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHNrngT63Ui2udqbwOsXiSiudAxJ5lX2bLx_BDKVrDi7H43TEy5nkj7vlGlMZfxNirQKLzGga6A30OmwrbSboM0VkpGurWkFFNiePsFHgWZ_m5hqsfIbznhWACU8psuveb7UFT3Fsbw/s1600/sosa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeHNrngT63Ui2udqbwOsXiSiudAxJ5lX2bLx_BDKVrDi7H43TEy5nkj7vlGlMZfxNirQKLzGga6A30OmwrbSboM0VkpGurWkFFNiePsFHgWZ_m5hqsfIbznhWACU8psuveb7UFT3Fsbw/s320/sosa.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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When I get asked by underground or local artists to review their mixtapes, I never quite know what to expect. There have been times that I have been blown away by no-name rappers, and there have been times where I was shocked they were disillusioned enough to even think their product was ready for someone else to hear. But hey, that's the beauty of it. The latest work placed before me comes in the form of <i>LA Market </i>from Pittsburgh artist, Sosa. On which end of the spectrum will his latest offering fall?</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/12/album-review-sosa-la-market.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-65560970076350812352013-11-14T10:17:00.000-08:002013-11-15T09:41:25.735-08:00The Black Album: Where I Found My Love for Hip Hop<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezyf0T5udQLCOJiEObUBXIuXg_Di-IJ7xZPhrkeVLyubzqvj7DLk1OUKyNWChE3e3c33pvBctFjL7C4tBzIfD87SI1h3eehNU8Kapq5rU-rjWuCm6R3m_JorgbByaGKx2sjb3yhy56w/s1600/the-black-album.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjezyf0T5udQLCOJiEObUBXIuXg_Di-IJ7xZPhrkeVLyubzqvj7DLk1OUKyNWChE3e3c33pvBctFjL7C4tBzIfD87SI1h3eehNU8Kapq5rU-rjWuCm6R3m_JorgbByaGKx2sjb3yhy56w/s200/the-black-album.jpg" title="" width="200"></a><b><i>"But at least let me tell you why I'm this way, hold on..."</i> - Jay-Z, "December 4th," <i>The Black Album</i></b></div>
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The word classic gets thrown around far too easily these days in hip hop. For me, defining a classic album is simple: It has to stand the test of time and have an impact of some sort. Albums come out that are <i>really </i>good, but after that year, how much replay do they get? A decade ago, Jay-Z released what he called a retirement album, although now we obviously know that wasn't what happened. Regardless, I consider <i>The Black Album</i> to be a classic album for me, personally, and I'll tell you why. It's the very reason I fell in love with hip hop.</div>
<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-black-album-story-of-start-of-my.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-56777376243157315192013-11-07T15:33:00.000-08:002013-11-07T15:56:29.916-08:00Album Review: Shyne on Me - Loose Change<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYEKJJ5Dvend9SII4h1et2qWi2AS83CoDf-RkQ4UINvWjCyQFTM03C0bhfxp0OlbvMovwdBDY-5ZFLsCPVJj73-eYjQiBESS4MkDD2-vipV27maV6yMb10Cb9Yx-UFxB8cZOmvbzUmQ/s1600/a1870468144_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYEKJJ5Dvend9SII4h1et2qWi2AS83CoDf-RkQ4UINvWjCyQFTM03C0bhfxp0OlbvMovwdBDY-5ZFLsCPVJj73-eYjQiBESS4MkDD2-vipV27maV6yMb10Cb9Yx-UFxB8cZOmvbzUmQ/s320/a1870468144_2.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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For over a year I've been saying that <a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-thoughts-on-hip-hops-direction.html">hip hop is entering a revival</a> of sorts, with dozens of new artists emerging on a global and local scale to reinvigorate the music and refill it with message-laden rhymes that bring meaning and purpose back to the genre. Unfortunately, my theory had been on pause for a few months, at least on a grassroots level. Yes, we've seen the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF8aaTu2kg0" target="_blank">Kendrick Lamar</a>'s, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-vQ_VsTkn0" target="_blank">J. Cole</a>'s and more recently, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dMwygrefos" target="_blank">Dee-1</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFVV5SXqqrA" target="_blank">Lecrae</a>'s, carry the torch for the mainstream, but other than <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCBK5mRYWsE" target="_blank">Palermo Stone</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT7Pcxfsq-8" target="_blank">JKJ</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sccP-AcAVuU" target="_blank">Scolla</a>, not many unsigned artists have really stepped up to the plate <i>consistently</i> in this area of inspiration and introspection. With his latest offering, <i><a href="http://4theiam.bandcamp.com/album/loose-change" target="_blank">Loose Change</a></i>, D.C. area Christian-rapper <a href="https://twitter.com/Shyne_on_meDC" target="_blank">Shyne on Me</a> hopes to share some of this burden and make a name for himself not only in gospel rap, but the conscious hip hop scene in general. </div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/11/album-review-shyne-on-me-loose-change.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-72133126713781438862013-09-21T15:17:00.000-07:002013-09-21T15:17:54.203-07:00Album Review: Drake - Nothing Was The Same<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtp74R1sMfAgs67EwcsYkvFPeAOhRAHA25AhzO-72Wsw-wc2Cm0sjYHgR0iHpeV1HqznlBThd1cg2f0rNtnyIEeKb5FhUnv0hvYJxonS7cUwgeJMX3xV-dsnpz0CI-v1GDL8ZNn3iqA/s1600/drake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtp74R1sMfAgs67EwcsYkvFPeAOhRAHA25AhzO-72Wsw-wc2Cm0sjYHgR0iHpeV1HqznlBThd1cg2f0rNtnyIEeKb5FhUnv0hvYJxonS7cUwgeJMX3xV-dsnpz0CI-v1GDL8ZNn3iqA/s320/drake.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/Drake" target="_blank">Drake</a> is immune to the normal criticisms that seem to plague most hip hop artists. He is never attacked for a lack of content or a lack of emotion in his music. In fact, Drake seems to face ridicule for the opposite: for having <i>too much</i> emotion in his records, for being <i>too</i> vulnerable. The subject of many a joke from people too hardcore to admit to enjoying or (God forbid!) identifying with his material, Drake remains unshaken due to the fact that he sells records, and a lot of them. He has effectively created his own lane: a unique blend of rap and R&B that few can replicate at all, and that none can without being considered imitators. A consistent presence on the Billboard charts, the Canadian actor turned rapper is no stranger to walking the line of staying true to your music while pleasing the masses. But now that he is what many consider to be a seasoned vet, will Drake switch up his proven formula? Or rather, should he? After surviving the sophomore curse with a great offering in <i>Take Care</i>, Drake is back for more with his third studio album, <i>Nothing Was The Same</i>. </div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/09/album-review-drake-nothing-was-same.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-70849711967585656012013-09-20T14:43:00.002-07:002013-09-20T14:55:50.187-07:00Album Review: MC Stan (of Rho Nu Sigma) - Pace Laps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaHKGXG9dyuXaQmv3wbUuYo6r78pGQai8uiEyPx9YZ-wZAAUGohyphenhyphen9RBUjshLOOP0eCk9zW3PmVma-Kkif_xIvo_7ZNF7Si_rWNgcm6_q4ytP7SQ6KKqCGtjzQQQiMG1IPLcgyZ5u3Mg/s1600/pace+laps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBaHKGXG9dyuXaQmv3wbUuYo6r78pGQai8uiEyPx9YZ-wZAAUGohyphenhyphen9RBUjshLOOP0eCk9zW3PmVma-Kkif_xIvo_7ZNF7Si_rWNgcm6_q4ytP7SQ6KKqCGtjzQQQiMG1IPLcgyZ5u3Mg/s320/pace+laps.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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A pace lap is, traditionally, one unscored lap around a race track led by a pace car, essentially a test run of what is to come once the race begins. MC Stan, a Virginia-schooled, Aliquippa-born emcee, part of hip hop duo <a href="https://twitter.com/RhoNuSigma" target="_blank">Rho Nu Sigma</a> and new to the hip hop scene, offers his own <i><a href="https://soundcloud.com/rho_nu_sigma/sets/pacelap-s" target="_blank">Pace Laps</a></i> for listeners in the form of a six track EP, recorded in only one week to serve as a preview of what can be expected from his official full-length debut, <i>The Learning Curve</i>. So, should we be eager to see his metaphorical race start to finish or, like this writer's opinion of NASCAR, can we pay attention to literally anything else in the world and tune in only for the last few laps?</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/09/album-review-mc-stan-of-rho-nu-sigma.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-17246660615677209502013-09-09T16:47:00.000-07:002013-09-10T07:43:12.788-07:00Album Review: Lil Wayne - Dedication 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8vH_ETrTZQ0-ecMH2X4dI-NsXZBl9HBJwXbt4b1LFu3YGfiX0YhxskwVj-F56UycG4NqHLC7r3qDG2DSycoxx7yjaFXT2_ctDNQ38M4GroZHSt5H3eE1UKcmSPbHuElCiyZLggxLcA/s1600/D5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8vH_ETrTZQ0-ecMH2X4dI-NsXZBl9HBJwXbt4b1LFu3YGfiX0YhxskwVj-F56UycG4NqHLC7r3qDG2DSycoxx7yjaFXT2_ctDNQ38M4GroZHSt5H3eE1UKcmSPbHuElCiyZLggxLcA/s320/D5.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Only in the music industry can you simultaneously be heralded as one of the most accomplished and respected rappers while also being one of the most criticized and frowned upon. <a href="https://twitter.com/liltunechi" target="_blank">Lil Wayne</a> has the longevity that none can argue with, with at least one classic album, several critically acclaimed mixtapes, and literally hundreds of music videos under his belt. But since 2009, frankly, the dread-locked, tattooed rhymer with New Orleans on his back transformed into a spaced out, skateboarding rockstar whom many feared had completely lost any perception of and ability to create quality music. <i><a href="http://www.datpiff.com/Lil-Wayne-Dedication-5-mixtape.525016.html" target="_blank">Dedication 5</a></i> is the fifth installment in Wayne's highly regarded series, but does it do enough to silence critics and mark Wayne's return to the forefront of rap?</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/09/album-review-lil-wayne-dedication-5.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-38942807029262442692013-08-22T13:54:00.001-07:002013-08-26T08:09:53.376-07:00Album Review: Norman Dean - Hippy High<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuQjUdsSdhEF9dazkZ51d1_D9NaKyiXt58wwAd35H55WooMgMX-7LRQ7Vuw-Xcpi2VwgCcBlCX_xtxWmrZvQyDhf7hz2JuH14t4QNGSZAcLctFtvc21lwvG-vL5IQ0OZgkSdqRFAEkg/s1600/Norman_Dean_Hippy_High-front-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuQjUdsSdhEF9dazkZ51d1_D9NaKyiXt58wwAd35H55WooMgMX-7LRQ7Vuw-Xcpi2VwgCcBlCX_xtxWmrZvQyDhf7hz2JuH14t4QNGSZAcLctFtvc21lwvG-vL5IQ0OZgkSdqRFAEkg/s320/Norman_Dean_Hippy_High-front-large.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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In today's underground soundscape, it seems like everybody and their mother is a rapper. Due to technology, anybody, including this writer, could lock themselves in a room and record music (mercifully, I won't). This makes for a crowded cyberspace as everybody tries to climb over each other's Twitter posts in order to "make it." So how do you stand out? One answer always seems to carry some weight: co-signs. Enter <a href="https://twitter.com/RealNormanDean" target="_blank">Norman Dean</a>, a Pittsburgh emcee who, until a few months ago, wasn't a player in the Steel City's underground hip hop scene. Thanks to a backing from <a href="http://www.jenesismagazine.com/" target="_blank">Jenesis Magazine</a> and a love shot from <a href="https://twitter.com/DjCapCom" target="_blank">DJ Capcom</a> (who hosted the project and included on nearly every track easily some of the most annoying tags imaginable), Norman Dean suddenly has a platform for his Team Epic movement to be heard. So what does this young rhymer have to say on his anticipated <i><a href="http://www.datpiff.com/Norman-Dean-Hippy-High-mixtape.523356.html" target="_blank">Hippy High</a></i>?<br>
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</div><a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/08/album-review-norman-dean-hippy-high.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-78012220922878353172013-08-14T11:55:00.000-07:002013-08-14T11:55:58.420-07:00Album Review: Tech N9ne - Something Else<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtM0k6_DXbUx3uYOPfq5ikT5oxEmKAqVLcf9TgljDzLQqJ2dz8H649XmdxNSaCF3eQr99n_nHlSgQZ9wHSFNXAqEhs2akHjjHf90SgbjO0HmxTY00sb_b3dKkIvi-bIQlwVq3s0QI4A/s1600/Something-Else-Deluxe-Edition-cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtM0k6_DXbUx3uYOPfq5ikT5oxEmKAqVLcf9TgljDzLQqJ2dz8H649XmdxNSaCF3eQr99n_nHlSgQZ9wHSFNXAqEhs2akHjjHf90SgbjO0HmxTY00sb_b3dKkIvi-bIQlwVq3s0QI4A/s320/Something-Else-Deluxe-Edition-cover.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Where do we start with <a href="http://www.therealtechn9ne.com/" target="_blank">Tech N9ne</a>? If you've never heard of him, you need to know he is unlike your traditional idea of "hip hop." He is one of the most unique, most successful, most relevant, completely independent rappers that we have ever seen... ever. Due to recent accomplishments such as appearing on Lil Wayne's <i>Tha Carter IV</i> and the resulting success of his Strange Music label, Tech's status has risen to new, never-before-seen heights. Now, with a bigger budget on <i>Something Else</i> and a bigger expectation for an impact in mainstream hip hop, can Tech navigate these new resources, new expectations and still maintain his signature sound and identity? <br>
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</div><a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/08/album-review-tech-n9ne-something-else.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-9414046415143819642013-08-09T08:34:00.000-07:002013-09-27T08:42:18.056-07:00Interview: Jaywan - Grammy-Nominated Producer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLEITv4MaIKBZLkmapuZ84ZfLXCSnh6YAXKDQxEtwH8Usl1z8hFoKk8H6V9OBja-e1KGGXRX4NvqVncCdCyWcTZxq5VJgP_movygZEH1ZJFnUcHj9kVkhSOFIXfZkiB1YzABczQHycQ/s1600/jaywan.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLEITv4MaIKBZLkmapuZ84ZfLXCSnh6YAXKDQxEtwH8Usl1z8hFoKk8H6V9OBja-e1KGGXRX4NvqVncCdCyWcTZxq5VJgP_movygZEH1ZJFnUcHj9kVkhSOFIXfZkiB1YzABczQHycQ/s200/jaywan.jpeg" width="180"></a></div>
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With a steady track record of success, a name built from nothing and a company built from the ground up, <a href="http://twitter.com/JaywanInc" target="_blank">Jaywan</a> has seen the in's and out's of the music industry. He had a few minutes to sit down with <a href="http://istandardproducers.com/" target="_blank">iStandard</a>'s <a href="http://twitter.com/HolaRamito" target="_blank">Rami Bensasi</a> and shed some light on the nuances of how to make it in this game. Known for his unfiltered advice, this interview is filled with insights that every up-and-comer needs to know to help themselves make it. </div>
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(<a href="http://istandardproducers.com/news/jaywaninc/" target="_blank">See interview on iStandard's site here.</a>)</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/08/interview-jaywan-grammy-nominated.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-32782583811564068242013-07-08T15:15:00.001-07:002013-07-09T09:45:07.295-07:00Album Review: Jay-Z - Magna Carta...Holy Grail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ-db9a0Mj6V8IMV-7t-0XklO3Y5niSSJ5VZQ-rHuZpG7NCequOb7QqqdaClFQ6Sdtj0ZNEJTEkXTh42SzI-qmA8N746K7hddiVNmOR6wfHgVHSbt82fFx8zvd94ghqh1T84IwuZYRw/s1600/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJ-db9a0Mj6V8IMV-7t-0XklO3Y5niSSJ5VZQ-rHuZpG7NCequOb7QqqdaClFQ6Sdtj0ZNEJTEkXTh42SzI-qmA8N746K7hddiVNmOR6wfHgVHSbt82fFx8zvd94ghqh1T84IwuZYRw/s320/jay-z-magna-carta-holy-grail1.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Jay-Z doesn't play fair. Throughout his illustrious career, he's done more in hip hop, with hip hop, and for hip hop than any rapper ever could. At this point, he has transcended the genre and is now a global icon and successful businessman. Comparing him to any other rapper would be silly (yes, even to the almighty Yeezus), because it's simply no contest. So to compare Jay-Z's latest album, <i>Magna Carta...Holy Grail</i> to the albums of other emcees would be a waste of time: it's not apples to apples. Nobody has the budget, the connections or the social status to make a Jay-Z album except for Jay-Z. In that sense, new Jay-Z albums should only be compared to one thing now: old Jay-Z albums. So how does <i>Magna Carta...Holy Grail</i> stack up? <br>
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</div><a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/07/album-review-jay-z-magna-cartaholy-grail.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-23287962983051698652013-06-27T05:19:00.001-07:002013-10-01T07:50:42.460-07:00Album Review: J. Cole - Born Sinner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBxqBWqqbRu1FifWS3lJpidd5zNOH9YHCfJmYknIfStKbWey72AT9YMdgS8YLnb-i2NnYnkOD0e9S92Dj_9islZ4Nek0KL2404W3Zr_P4bWjYjyAKvq6SEwwsWQzX5Q6paWuMqpy3sA/s1400/j-cole-born-sinner-deluxe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBxqBWqqbRu1FifWS3lJpidd5zNOH9YHCfJmYknIfStKbWey72AT9YMdgS8YLnb-i2NnYnkOD0e9S92Dj_9islZ4Nek0KL2404W3Zr_P4bWjYjyAKvq6SEwwsWQzX5Q6paWuMqpy3sA/s320/j-cole-born-sinner-deluxe.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">Certain artists in the industry can skate by on mediocrity. J. Cole is not one of them. After receiving critical acclaim for free mixtapes <i><a href="http://www.jcolemusic.com/us/music/warm" target="_blank">The Warm Up</a></i> and <i><a href="http://www.jcolemusic.com/us/music/friday-night-lights-mixtape" target="_blank">Friday Night Lights</a></i> and being the first artist signed to Jay-Z's RocNation label, the Fayetteville, NC native came into the game with the bar set extremely high. His official debut, <i><a href="http://www.jcolemusic.com/us/music/cole-world-sideline-story-explicit" target="_blank">Cole World: The Sideline Story</a></i>, which wasn't a sub-par offering by any means, received less-than-glittering reviews upon its release and begged the question that perhaps Cole, though undeniably talented, was incapable of truly captivating his audience and making that next-level music that everyone seems to expect from him. Now, nearly two years later, we get J. Cole's sophomore effort, <i>Born Sinner</i>. Can he silence the critics (and not because he put them to sleep)?</span></div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/06/album-review-j-cole-born-sinner.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-82796293669711699432013-06-13T14:38:00.000-07:002013-06-27T05:29:32.241-07:00Album Review: brandon* - Rainbow In The Dark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBCP60gAWMuZHy4RHJ_Qk6reHTT-Nygf2Ao6gQHDvMV0wH5lYePWz44XjfeOExduH-R4o7puFh8s7TeU8iZHSazwdgACIvpzjV6luaKyZOsUX9KBz5fEuELPnX6AmWy9SSu4pIGErAQ/s1600/rainbow+in+the+dark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaBCP60gAWMuZHy4RHJ_Qk6reHTT-Nygf2Ao6gQHDvMV0wH5lYePWz44XjfeOExduH-R4o7puFh8s7TeU8iZHSazwdgACIvpzjV6luaKyZOsUX9KBz5fEuELPnX6AmWy9SSu4pIGErAQ/s320/rainbow+in+the+dark.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Blending genres has always been a tough trick to master, no matter your roots. Many have tried, few have succeeded. Every style of music has its traditionalists who believe that nothing should touch their beloved genre or run the risk of forever tainting it and its history. But to really gain mass appeal and acceptance, an artist has to learn to walk the line that pleases both the idealists of every area and the less strict fans of multiple styles. Enter <a href="http://ilovebrandon.net/" target="_blank">brandon*</a>, an award-winning composer, musical arranger and multi-instrumentalist, who delivers his debut album, <i>Rainbow in the Dark</i>, a mixture of hip hop, electronic, jazz and soul. Will his debut gain him widespread success or universal alienation? </div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/06/album-review-brandon-rainbow-in-dark.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-74950156305404900862013-05-12T12:18:00.002-07:002013-07-08T15:20:15.365-07:00Best Of: Hip Hop's Ode to Mothers<div style="text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_dQi2VdkHxMJvtCorEikoA-LW_EOYlOYanGM4GaC-Ibulf8EHXh2DYfl8z9tE3Lb6sz9jZrnuWu54X9l7kQx9UHWMVr0QWgpFOzpjWCdRJ7ybq2ADr_yRYsk4iprjcQ5Z-4z2jvnUw/s1600/hip-hop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_dQi2VdkHxMJvtCorEikoA-LW_EOYlOYanGM4GaC-Ibulf8EHXh2DYfl8z9tE3Lb6sz9jZrnuWu54X9l7kQx9UHWMVr0QWgpFOzpjWCdRJ7ybq2ADr_yRYsk4iprjcQ5Z-4z2jvnUw/s200/hip-hop.jpg" width="200"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Souce: djjudgemental.com</td></tr>
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Hip hop carries a stereotype along with it that parenting isn't one of the most widely used practices on rappers. But while that may be true, there are just as many moments in hip hop that pay tribute to those mothers that have raised children in often less-than-ideal circumstances. Hopefully this list will let you see just how deep emotion runs in hip hop; it's not as shallow as you think it is.</div>
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Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, new and old. Take a moment to listen to this collection of hip hop highlights giving thanks for all that you do. In the now timeless words of Tupac, "You are appreciated."</div>
<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/05/best-of-hip-hops-ode-to-mothers.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-21787688201303376592013-05-08T14:43:00.001-07:002013-05-08T15:21:37.226-07:00Album Review: Che Flo - Reading Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURcsOG43c8JlQF2RyYaeF-ju_SPdf7fqrIEuFqU75YTm38hLluBMtzIcDRO1OIiB25X8QsqsoJTmXf30Yw8ox8eG_nRrLgUyyLm52NYD0ZtTtEXJmWayXcWAIa8Igj6znL2aByanEdg/s1600/che+flo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURcsOG43c8JlQF2RyYaeF-ju_SPdf7fqrIEuFqU75YTm38hLluBMtzIcDRO1OIiB25X8QsqsoJTmXf30Yw8ox8eG_nRrLgUyyLm52NYD0ZtTtEXJmWayXcWAIa8Igj6znL2aByanEdg/s320/che+flo.png" width="320"></a></div>
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Fresh off their previous effort, <i><a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/06/album-review-che-flo-booksmart-idiots.html">Booksmart Idiots</a></i>, Carnegie Mellon University alumni duo Che Flo are back at it with their sophomore offering, <i>Reading Day. </i>While it's apparent that the two are filled with energy, <i>Reading Day</i> arrives with higher expectations than they faced with their debut. Have they progressed enough to piece together a complete project?<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/05/album-review-che-flo-reading-day.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-61437468191333957452013-05-03T15:50:00.000-07:002013-05-08T15:27:17.216-07:00Album Review: Chezeq Young - The Hiatus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAOULzWmFT5aVe3L3EUKMif26UMj8TOdxCGvNZWt-auN6errHuSODin7SCif_sPubndKcof0AsJ3Sb5iXE7tkuyxu7fXjDnAyLqaU_5scimpc5stz4pJ12D4RWhIDoJH7a4lKg5Agsw/s1600/The+Hiatus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAOULzWmFT5aVe3L3EUKMif26UMj8TOdxCGvNZWt-auN6errHuSODin7SCif_sPubndKcof0AsJ3Sb5iXE7tkuyxu7fXjDnAyLqaU_5scimpc5stz4pJ12D4RWhIDoJH7a4lKg5Agsw/s320/The+Hiatus.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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As his first offering in over a year, Chezeq Young releases the appropriately titled <i>The Hiatus</i> as a prelude to his upcoming project, <i>Dorm Room Music</i>. Taking it for what it is, a prelude, this collection consists mostly of songs that won't be making the album cut, but still show off Young's skill to listeners. Citing <i>The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill </i>(genius marketing ploy to rope in hip hop heads like myself) as a major influence of this project, one can guess what themes would be popular throughout--love, heartbreak, materialism and human emotion. Throw in Young's own youthful ambition, introspection and charisma, and you have the recipe for a very significant and content-heavy mixtape. After a year of silence, the Pittsburgh emcee must have accumulated plenty of things to tell us, right? <br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2013/05/album-review-chezeq-young-hiatus.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-19414779504631323392012-07-10T20:09:00.002-07:002013-05-08T15:27:47.076-07:00Album Review: White House Band - Renaissance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWYrfr2EmRiJBC89dby2Sp3yNiAwm9JO7qps-K53TRudKRvX_EzDvG2JXDsaAqsmHMA9HjfSiqmnMqruDiNsx4GKR4IXscMfd2-T55L-j_FKmB6p_bE6Hi78_eTdJGMW5PcUPocMYXQ/s1600/Renaissance_-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWYrfr2EmRiJBC89dby2Sp3yNiAwm9JO7qps-K53TRudKRvX_EzDvG2JXDsaAqsmHMA9HjfSiqmnMqruDiNsx4GKR4IXscMfd2-T55L-j_FKmB6p_bE6Hi78_eTdJGMW5PcUPocMYXQ/s320/Renaissance_-.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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These days, unless you're extremely good at it, it isn't enough to just rap anymore. Artists are coming with a multi-talented approach to hip hop and trying their hand at rapping, producing, writing and live instrumentation. White House Band (WHB) is an urban rock project led by David E Beats, the band's only official member. An artist who raps and sings simultaneously (as seen in the band's video, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzH3suvFnpg&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">"Have It All"</a>), David E Beats is clearly a more-than-capable musician. But with his latest offering, <i>Renaissance</i>, are his talents being spread too thin?<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/07/album-review-white-house-band.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-46806810590155505542012-06-29T08:04:00.001-07:002013-07-06T14:47:22.170-07:00Watch the Throne, Lose the Kingdom<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3lnvAkjotf3yaqCwSVkpnWQV6mwo0b6bR835zyWs_0Dd0toI9xhjWUzkmkl8vZx1MqcvGdIAF5ZW68AAwn-BBpUY1FSqB4h7cV4PG-PCsSBo1KjsusVhFWlpF_1BBTFnSIKj09Fnpg/s1600/kanye-west-jay-z-ham-sxsw-00.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3lnvAkjotf3yaqCwSVkpnWQV6mwo0b6bR835zyWs_0Dd0toI9xhjWUzkmkl8vZx1MqcvGdIAF5ZW68AAwn-BBpUY1FSqB4h7cV4PG-PCsSBo1KjsusVhFWlpF_1BBTFnSIKj09Fnpg/s200/kanye-west-jay-z-ham-sxsw-00.jpg" width="200"></a></div>
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One is the self-proclaimed “Greatest of All Time.” The other is a dropout-turned-producer extraordinaire. One is often argued as being the best rapper alive. The other is one of the most talented producer-rappers to ever make music. Individually, they are Jay-Z and Kanye West. Together, they are the two-headed dragon known as “The Throne.” Individually, they are two of the most influential hip hop artists to walk the planet. Together, they are detrimental to hip hop’s progression.</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/06/watch-throne-lose-kingdom.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-55979668429076185872012-06-12T14:20:00.001-07:002013-05-08T15:28:20.628-07:00Album Review: Che Flo - Booksmart Idiots<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRafgbI7Hzy_PZH8PDFSQGaCXbSZI8j37YcIpBGBnIFhwMuSrxhe0kxvMAd9gl6RkVlgNWOS9mXHGW9Xkwl3yO5kIBO-2SMVUMq2L3YzSXpaeuqSKJgNF7cL5_UjjkVDVoD2jvkdTVaA/s1600/Album+Cover+-+Che+Flo+-+Booksmart+Idiots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRafgbI7Hzy_PZH8PDFSQGaCXbSZI8j37YcIpBGBnIFhwMuSrxhe0kxvMAd9gl6RkVlgNWOS9mXHGW9Xkwl3yO5kIBO-2SMVUMq2L3YzSXpaeuqSKJgNF7cL5_UjjkVDVoD2jvkdTVaA/s320/Album+Cover+-+Che+Flo+-+Booksmart+Idiots.jpg" width="320"></a></div>
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Who says hip hop isn't for everyone? Who says you have to come from a certain area, from a certain upbringing, or be in a certain situation to make this type of music? Meet Che Flo, two Carnegie Mellon University students who, in between their studies, found time to pick up a mic, make some beats and bring us their debut effort, <i>Booksmart Idiots</i>.<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/06/album-review-che-flo-booksmart-idiots.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-83515449606140268842012-06-01T07:56:00.000-07:002013-09-27T08:44:02.619-07:00Interview: Jitta On The Track - Behind the Mic<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9GGgOmOS-wz7iIRKYNjfvCNLjVuix99hT8J2mU8gq99Vej_4S51HOQC_n-Ji52tUvzSiWBRT2AaMFRV56MbYgq2Rgx4JtDZ1VNUejWlGgq6wHdQv7XuvJ9y8BRqa0S9QUToy5Fh89A/s1600/Jitta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9GGgOmOS-wz7iIRKYNjfvCNLjVuix99hT8J2mU8gq99Vej_4S51HOQC_n-Ji52tUvzSiWBRT2AaMFRV56MbYgq2Rgx4JtDZ1VNUejWlGgq6wHdQv7XuvJ9y8BRqa0S9QUToy5Fh89A/s320/Jitta.jpg" width="320"></a>It’s not everyday that an artist from Connecticut gets invited to tour with some of hip hop’s heavyweights. But that’s exactly what happened to <a href="https://twitter.com/JittaOnTheTrack" target="_blank">Jitta On The Track</a> when he won the <a href="http://www.ourstage.com/" target="_blank">OurStage</a> contest, awarding him the opportunity to open for the likes of <a href="http://twitter.com/Drake" target="_blank">Drake</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/JColeNC" target="_blank">J. Cole</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/MeekMill" target="_blank">Meek Mill</a>, <a href="http://twitter.com/WakaFlockaBSM%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Waka Flocka</a> and more. And that, understandably, can keep an artist pretty busy. <a href="http://www.reppittsburghhiphop.com/" target="_blank">Rep Pittsburgh Hip Hop</a>’s <a href="http://twitter.com/HolaRamito" target="_blank">Rami Bensasi</a> was lucky enough to catch up with Jitta in the minutes following his D.C. performance. (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CDEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reppittsburghhiphop.com%2F2012%2F06%2F01%2Fbehind-the-mic-jitta-on-the-track%2F&ei=16VFUp6DDveo4AOTl4DwDw&usg=AFQjCNEyYkyZ7vbXPdcQf4SZqwfTcDeHJw&sig2=IlXWDdVOSZeEWpHs06ymqw&bvm=bv.53217764,d.dmg" target="_blank">See interview on RPHH here.</a>)</div>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/06/interview-jitta-on-track-behind-mic.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-9757767992306411062012-05-16T14:58:00.002-07:002013-05-08T15:28:37.528-07:00Album Review: Hitt of MCM - Data Recovery<br>
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One of the biggest, most frequent and most legitimate criticisms of hip hop is the specialization of people involved in creating the music. More often than not, if you're a rapper, you're only a rapper. Likewise, if you're a producer, you're only a producer. This creates potential for a glaring lack of artistry and musical cohesiveness between the vocals on a song and its underlying instrumental. Very rarely do individuals emerge who can successfully piece together an album from scratch entirely on their own, and when it does happen, these artists are usually hailed as greats of their time and are credited with not only being a hip hop artist, but a talented musician overall (see Kanye West, J. Cole, and Big K.R.I.T. for recent notables).<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/05/album-review-hitt-of-mcm-data-recovery.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-30039376289225613572012-05-09T14:52:00.001-07:002013-05-08T15:28:50.503-07:00Album Review: Meek Mill - Dream Chasers 2<br>
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<i>“You ever watch a dream manifest? There’s nothing like it,”</i> begins “Big Dreams,” the halfway point of Meek Mill’s latest offering, <i>Dream Chasers 2</i>, and the halfway point of Meek’s journey to realizing his own dreams. After the success of his first <i>Dream Chasers</i> installment, the Philadelphia native became the newest member of the empire-in-the-making that is Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group. Using his polished lyrical dexterity and profound knack for quality delivery, Meek put his newly acquired arsenal of top-notch MMG producers to the test, crafting a star-studded, wildly diverse project.<br>
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<a href="http://holaramito.blogspot.com/2012/05/album-review-meek-mill-dream-chasers-2.html#more">Read more »</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4809890666346783239.post-19435636666627611002012-04-09T06:49:00.000-07:002013-05-07T13:03:09.942-07:00Album Review: JKJ - NineOne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From the often busy WonderHitz camp comes their latest installment in the form of JKJ's <i>NineOne</i>. <i>NineOne</i> has been self-described by JKJ as "a compilation of released / unreleased music that I had collected over a year that I held on to because it didn't feel right for the previous projects. It was once I had really sat down and listened to all that I've accumulated that I felt these few songs meshed together well enough to compile a solo mixtape that I was able to really feel." But does <i>NineOne</i> truly fit together well enough for JKJ to proudly stamp his name on it as a solo project? Or, like his description suggests, are the songs on the ten-track mixtape too different and disjointed to merit a release, and would they have been better left on the cutting room floor, or high on a shelf, collecting dust, where he found them?<br />
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Hosted by Palermo Stone's DJ and drummer, DJ Spillz, <i>NineOne</i> gets underway with two tracks featuring the R.A.R.E. Nation artist as well as fellow WonderHitz mate, Scoot, further solidifying the chemistry that the three have found on numerous songs. Ignoring the fact that the two adjacent songs bring messages that are polar opposites of each other, and while "Cost 2 Be A Boss" is utterly forgettable, "Underdog" sets the tone for the remainder of the mixtape. <br />
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JKJ finds his feet on more emotional songs, and <i>NineOne</i> is full of them. "Eyes Closed" features some particularly insightful and clever bars: <i>"So many nights I cried / staring at the sky / asking the Lord "Why / do I even fucking try / to go the right way?" / 'Cause I'm sick of the detours, the road to success is rocky and I'm kind of sick of climbing / I will find my way, I don't need no navigation."</i> Not for the only time here, JKJ shows listeners that his simple and sometimes predictable flow can be packed with metaphors and a level of introspection not normally seen in an artist of his age. To compliment his quality verses, JKJ is no stranger to crafting a catchy hook either. Many listeners will catch themselves chanting several of the tape's standout hooks and not even realize it, which is never a bad thing.<br />
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Moving through <i>NineOne</i> does not give listeners a clear sense of the pace of the tape, as it varies from slow to fast and back to slow with no clear direction, much like one can expect from a compilation. The final tracks of the tape feature two of <i>NineOne</i>'s highlights in another standout collaboration with Palermo Stone in "D.O.E. (Death of an Empire)" and an absolutely show-stealing verse from ZaE on "Back 2 School" to close out the tape. But unfortunately for JKJ, these highlights are ultimately the root cause of <i>NineOne</i>'s downfall.<br />
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Understandably, an artist wants to put on his fellow label-mates and collaborators when crafting his solo projects, but here the key word "solo" seems to have been ignored. Of the ten tracks offered to us, a startling seven tracks included a feature from another artist, sometimes multiple artists. At such a short length, it's impossible to retain the majority of the spotlight while trying to share it with others, no matter how good the material is. While JKJ was never sub-par anywhere on <i>NineOne</i>, he was never the focal point either, which made this a forgettable contribution to his personal collection, but a quality showcase of local talent.<br />
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If you can relate, <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1907786001">download </a><i><a href="http://wonderhitz.bandcamp.com/album/nineone-hosted-by-dj-spillz" target="_blank">NineOne</a> </i>and hope that JKJ's upcoming album, <i>Stewart Street</i>, is more self-focused.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10186497380410490186noreply@blogger.com0