Po Politickin

This is a short documentary on the history and current Hip-Hop/Rap scene in Charlotte, NC as told by the artists themselves. Written, directed, and produced by Mehka for Invisible Man Media, starring Charlotte artist, co-produced by Michael Crowe, assistant producer Wyounda Horton, edited by Dazzell Matthews, Invisible Man Media presents Crown Royalty.

CROWN ROYALTY by Mehka King from Dazzell Matthews on Vimeo.

Nu Revolution Entertainment would like to present Wordsmith' new UK single/video, "Tour Guide To New Bride" directed by D-Dot Films. This is the second single on his debut album "Vintage Experience" in stores March 30th. This single is a break from the regular commercial Hip-Hop singles as it conveys a unique story to the listener. With a catchy hook, his lyrics and storytelling ability allow you not only dance in a club, but also get a kick out of how witty the song was put together.



"Vintage Experience" is broken up into 4 chapters with unique scores and plays out like a "Movie on Wax." The material, in general, ranges from songs Wordsmith wrote/recorded from 2006 to 2009 with all the production coming from in-house producers Strada, Professa, Capish and Street Level. The features were kept to a minimum with only Chubb Rock, Camp-Lo, Grand Daddy I.U., Soulstice, Kontact & Black Knight and local DMV stars Kimia Collins and Whitefolkz lending verses on the album.

In continuation of the topic of lyrical vs non-lyrical club hits, we start out with Tony Neal speaking on why he won't play a lyrical rapper's music in the club. Next, Tony Neal, DJ Impact, and The Big DM, talk about the origins of the Core DJs, the Core Retreat, the Core DJ satellite and syndicated radio shows, winning 15 awards at the SEA in Memphis, DJ Tools of the Trade, and Leaking the Yung Joc single, "Drip" last week.



These are excerpts of Core DJs CEO Tony Neal speaking to DJs about going outside their market for success, not giving up on a hit single, the deception of seeking platinum status and BDS, and he shares his theory on the 4 types of DJs. Very interesting perspectives...

Virginia native, Gates is new to the industry but not new to the game. Picking up the mic early in life, Gates put his own career in his hands putting out back to back mixtapes.

Now with a strong team and new goals, Gates is ready to break out the gates and place his name among the best freshman in hip-hop.

Popolitickin.com caught up with the up and comer Gates to talk about how he got into hip-hop, his influences and his music.

Popolitickin: How did you get into hip-hop?

Gates: Been doing it since 3rd grade. I did a contest back in the day and I did well. People liked it and it kinda just stuck with me from there

Popolitickin.com: A lot of people start off thinking this will be their career, and then they fall off. What kept you going?

Gates: Seeing the feedback. It’s been from the point where people started asking me if I had material or anything to buy.

Popolitickin.com: What do you have coming down the pipes right now?

Gates: A couple of things. EP coming in March follows up to the “Cook-up Season.” Part 1 is online now

Popolitickin.com: Describe your style for those who haven’t heard you yet?

Gates: I’m from Virginia. I sound southern. Music wise, I put together good wordplay and metaphors. Make songs that you can party to and are still lyrical

Popolitickin.com: What’s it like being an indie artist right now?

Gates: It’s tough. I knew people who were signed when they did artist development. Now you have to create your own buzz, put out your own video. Being an indie, it’s a little easier to do with the internet now. It’s easier to compete

Popolitickin.com: What about the majors? Are you looking for a major deal?

Gates: Right now I’m in grind mode. If a major came with the right deal, then we can do something. If they came right I wouldn’t turn it down

Lifefacent.com, twitter.com/whoisgates

Interview done by Mehka, check him out at twitter.com/mehkaveilli

Rico Paysos In-Studio Performance of Break Bread off The Addiction: Diary of a Microphone Fiend narrated by DJ VLAD hosted by Mo Money Mixtapes

Lets be honest, R&B is hurting right now. R&B has become a watered down version of its former self as more artists lean towards hip-hop collabo’s. Very few acts today rely on vocals and lyrics making you wonder, “are there still acts who sing, with soul?”

Wonder no longer. Atlanta native Myko has staked his claim as one of the few artists who understand what R&B means and strives to give that true soul sound to the world. Like so many other great R&B acts Myko found his voice while singing in church. After finding his voice, he hit the open mic’s and showcases through out the “A” building a name as a star on the rise.

Myko talked with Popolitickin.com about how he got into performing, how he feels about the current R&B scene.

Popolitickin.com: When did you know that this would be your career?

Myko: Participating in church and choir, I knew I would do this in my life early. Music was always in my household. Music was always part of my life. My father was a deacon in church. He was like, “I’m not going to tell you what to do” He would play groups like the Stylistics and acts like that to se how I would react to it. That was the music I ended up leaning towards. God is still part of my life.

Popolitickin.com: Describe your style for those who haven’t heard you yet.

Myko: My style is very edge. I’m kind of like the early R&B. I might belt out a smooth accapella just to show that I can really sing. I feel like you have to give fans something to make them remember and when you come out and show you can sing, they walk away remembering that.

Popolitickin.com: I know you are signed to SRC right now.

Myko: We have a situation with SRC/Universal right now. Currently we have Interscope and Jive looking at us. It’s always about trying to find a better situation for yourself. We started out with a good deal and now we’re working to see if we could find a better one. Let my work speak for itself, I’m going to grind

Popoliticikin.com: You made a name for yourself performing open mics in Atlanta and you still perform at most of those same open mics. Do you feel it’s necessary for you to still go out and just rock any stage that’s open for you?

Myko: I feel like you have to. Until you drop an album you have to stay relevant. There are people who gave me a chance when I was still coming up and if they asked me to come out I would with no question. People like P. Brown, Tony Neal; they showed a lot of love for me early so if they ever called up and asked me to come out for a showcase then they got me.

Popolitickin.com: Who are some of your inspirations?

Myko: My father brought music into my life at an early age. I still hear him in my ear. That’s my number 1 inspiration. Behind that, Donnie Hathaway and Minnie Ripperton. I feel like he never got his just due.

Popolitickin.com: Do you feel like R&B is dying musically?

Myko: I don’t want to say that. People have grown, things are going to change. We will get back to the day. I’m not upset with auto-tune. That’s the way of the world. Things change all the time. If everything was the same, then it would be very boring.

I’m more R&B. It’s hard to put R&B into a box because you can hear so many different styles. There’s some R&B that’s really pop. I do the things that I feel. I’m still singing. Trey Songz, Usher, Musiq, they are still singing.

Popolitickin.com: So what's next for you?

Myko: We just dropped the mixtape “Pardon the Interruption” I got more product. Release a new single. Were testing the market. Dabbling in writing for others. I went out to the Grammys and got a chance to network with some good people. Look forward to hearing some new sounds from me. Don’t be shocked if you hear my next single on 95.5 and not 107.5 (laughs)

Follow Myko at twitter.com/mykoatl and myspace.com/mykoatl

Interview done by Mehka, check him out at twitter.com/mehkaveilli

J The S (aka Jake The Snake) was able to track down and meet...Jake The Snake of WWF lore. Damien was not present, but beat downs and Jake The Snake Roberts were!

I can dig it.. Pretty dope...

R. Kelly | MySpace Music Videos

To the fans, I’d like to say that your support enables me to go a mile on days when I feel like I can’t move an inch. And I solemnly swear that as long as I receive that support I will keep kickin’ the industry in the ass…with a size 12 Timberland boot…HARD!!! With that said, we at BGOV bring you balance...Partake! - Bobby Creekwater



Just in case you missed it on March 4th, here is Back 2 Briefcase 2: The B-Side as well!

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Rhymefest records at New York's legendary Baseline Studios w/ super-producer Just Blaze. Problems arise when Fest has unexplained troubles in the recording booth--but like all great artists, Fest delivers in the end.



Rhymefest's sophomore LP, El Che, will be released on 5-18-2010 and Fest will be releasing his last "Pre-LP" mixtape, Dangerous: 5-18, in April 2010.

J The S drops "Wish You Were Here," Presented By IM King, DJBooth.net, and 2dopeboz.com. The street album features 14 new records building up to his soon to be released debut album "The Last Days." With You Were Here has features from Jadakiss, Nipsey Hussle, Crooked I, Emilio Rojas, Dre Robinson and more and also features production from Cory Bold, M-Phazes, Raf Moses and Reality.




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He's worked with the likes of MF Doom, Aceyalone, Copywrite. He released the acclaimed album Deadringer on the label Def Jux.The diverse DJ, Producer, and Musician RJD2 sat down and talked about he recent release, The Colossus. He also speaks on the difficulties of running a music label in 2010, why he chose to start his label (RJ's Electrical Connections), and his production tools of choice.

Mo Money and Go Hard DVD bring you Exclusive Footage of DMX's studio setion with Dame Grease. Full studio-video and track coming soon!

GoHardDVD.com
MoMoneyMixtapes.com

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The Soul System EP is the newest project from Detroit's Nametag, produced entirely by Black Bethoven. The concept of the "Soul System" is, "One producer, One emcee, One concept...One EP." It came about originally with Black Bethoven preparing to release an instrumental CD to follow up 2009's "Da Ear Hustle" but with an idea inspired by Dub MD, the emcee and producer decided to team up and create a music piece that provides food for thought you wouldn't find in your local grocery aisle. With tracks like "Time" which is the EP's leading single, Nametag and Black Bethoven prove that soul music has a permanent spot in the hip hop genre.

After a plethra of mixtapes and EPs, Nametag is finally releasing his first official solo album titled "The Name Is Tag". Although there is no set release date yet, Nametag has confirmed the album will be a 2010 release. The production for the LP is a definite eyebrow raiser with beat contributions from international producer Black Milk, Black Bethoven and Chris Sholar. It is also filled with guest features from groups such as Street Justice, Cold Men Young, and champion-esque collabs with Finale, Quest M.C.O.D.Y, Buff 1 and Ro Spit. It's safe to say that "The Name Is Tag" will be an undeniable album, stay tuned.

01.) Time (Produced By Black Bethoven)
02.) Beast Mode (feat. Kopelli) (Produced By Black Bethoven)
03.) Can We Try (feat. Journey) (Produced By Black Bethoven)
04.) The Product (Produced By Black Bethoven)
05.) About You (Part 2) (Produced By Black Bethoven)
06.) Visionz (Produced By Black Bethoven)