I am performing tonight in Greenville, NC
Shoutout to GreenStar Clothing for putting together this event tonight at the Tank in Greenville. This is my first time performing in the 252 since a couple gigs last fall, and I am eager to get back to Pirate Country. G-Vegas always looked out for me in the past, so I am set to tear the roof off that biotch tonight. As normal for my shows down there, I am sharing the stage with H2OKZ & DJ Brillowhead. Also, Lamont Coal will be blessing everyone with his creativeness, performing beats and sequencing live, while bringing out NCHipHop monsters, K-Hill & J Capri. So make sure you come out and support a dope show with a dope lineup. It’s Greenville, so there will be insane drink specials and lots of women. Catch me on stage around midnight. See you there…
Big K.R.I.T. – Return of 4Eva (Free Mixtape)
Last summer, I came across a gem of a mixtape when I downloaded Big K.R.I.T.’s KRIT Wuz Here. Still to this day, I bump it regularly, as I consistently refer to it as my favorite release of 2010. So when KRIT signed to Def Jam, I was hesitant at first. See, KRIT Wuz Here was fueled by an independent ferocity that I feel often gets stripped when an artist signs a major lable deal. With Return of 4Eva, I can hear a more polished thought out sound, and the lyrics are equally as potent for the most part. However, I feel the production cruises through a more laid back vibe on this mixtape. Regardless, this joint is doing crazy numbers on the download side, and is growing on me more & more with every listen. So if you have heard KRIT before or not, make sure you download this joint for FREE here, and get ready for his major label release which I am sure will be out later this year sometime…
Chapel Hill Footage
Shoutouts to A Robb of Eargasm Entertainment for filming parts of my set a couple weeks ago in Chapel Hill. The show was stacked with some of NC’s finest artists, and everyone threw down. Above is a video of me performing “Ante Up,’ with the help of Tuscon & Don DiGiorgio.
Above is me starting off the show with one of my favorite joints, “Money In The Flesh.”
– Thanks again to everyone who came out that night. It was good seeing a lot of my NCHipHop family.
Drique London – White + Blue (Free Mixtape)
Shoutout to the homie Drique, and Risky Bizniz Clothing, on the release of his new mixtape, White + Blue. Drique has got a crazy buzz in NC, and this joint further solidifies his spot in the scene. Check out some more info here:
Raleigh, North Carolina native Drique London is back with his latest effort, White & Blue. The mixtape serves as a precursor to his upcoming album, ‘The Manual’, which is slated for a late spring/early summer release. White & Blue offers tracks produced by U’Nique Music, W2, Doc Verbs, and Brian Flores as well as features from Carrington, and SkyBlew.
4th Quarter Biz presents The Back Court (Free Mixtape)
Shoutouts to the homie, CarolinaBlew, for putting me on to this fire. Here is some more info:
DEVAAN NEWHILL AND QUICK RMSTRONG OF 4THQTR JOIN FORCES TO DROP A FREE TAPE FOR THEIR FANS. THE DUO HAVE TAKEN THE TITLE OF THE BACKCOURT AND INFUSED A BASKETBALL THEME TO BRING YOU “4THQTRBIZ PRESENTS THE BACKCOURT” STARRING DEVAAN NEWHILL AND QUICK RMSTRONG.
Pusha T – Fear of God (Free Mixtape)
When Kanye signed Pusha T to GOOD Music last year, I had mixed emotions. I felt like it was a slap in the face to Malice, the other half of VA duo, the Clipse. But once you think about it, and check the trajectory path of their careers, it was obvious that it was bound to happen. As Malice seemed to be growing more & more spiritual, and devoted to his book and other things, Pusha appeared to be going twice as hard with grind. & Fear of God is a good representation of what you can expect from the future from Pusha Ton. Besides the who’s who list of producer’s that lent their expertise, this mixtape features a rack of some of the most notable emcee’s working the mainstream circuit right now. So make sure you check this out, and let them know what songs you are feeling the most, cuz those are label to be seen again in video form, or on the official album. Download it for FREE here…
Idols & Role Models Series (Free Downloads)
Shouts to the homies over at aFam for putting together these two monsters. This first joint features Focus & Kida over this soulful, yet powerful production. The remix, or “Second Perspective” features HOJ artists, Rapper Big Pooh & Chaundon. Both of these joints are equally as potent, and will keep you looking more from this quartet of artists. So download both of these joints for FREE here….now!
Chapel Hill is the spot to be at tonight….
Whoa. After the last two days of UNC basketball, I think it’s about time everybody exhales(after inhaling, of course), and enjoys life for a little bit. & where else better to do that then in the heart of Tar Heel country, itself. Chapel Hill is the move tonight if you are looking for a good hip hop event. Some of the state’s finest emcees will be in the building to put on a show that will leave you gasping for air. King Mez, fresh off of his first MTV appearance and the release of The King’s Khrysis, will be holding it down. 9th Wonder, and Kooley High prized pupil, Rapsody will be doing her usual murderous microphone routine, Lazurus, Poe Mack, IllPo, and others will also be out repping for NC. Lastly, I will be there doing my usual 2 step on stage. So if you want to get out and celebrate tonight, do it in a smart manner….WITH US! Come tru. Jack Sprat. Show starts at 10p…
Flyer by me.
I am Performing Tonight in Wilmington…
If you are in the Wilmington area, you need to come out to 16 Taps tonight for this international hip hop affair. The homie, Mandisi from Colour Culture hit me up awhile back about coming down to Port City to rock with them at their upcoming show. Being a major fan of ILM, I obviously jumped at the opportunity. Tonight is set to be crazy with Colour Culture, a crew of artists who come from various countries around the world, FineArts, who have ties to Philly, VA, and other spots, Roanoke VA’s Poe Mack, & yours truly(only god knows what area I am repping these daze, hahaha). The event is being hosted by AYPMedia’s The Original Mr. Neva Dedd, & you know how he brings out a good crowd. I am bringing the homie, H2OKZ down to rock with me, so on the whole, this is a show that you won’t want to miss. Shouts again to all my #910 people who are coming out tonight. Can’t wait to see everyone. 16 Taps, 11pm. Be there…
Rapper Big Pooh – Fat Boy Fresh Vol.1 Mix (Free Mixtape)
Humongous shoutout to Rapper Big Pooh & the rest of the HOJ family on the release of Fat Boy Fresh Vol.1 Mix. This joint is a prelude to the album, which drops early next month. Just quick glance at the tracklisting, guest features, and producers on this project virtually certifies it as a classic offering from the former Little Brother member. On top of that, this joint is hosted by the world famous, Statik Selektah, and mixed by Justus League DJ, DJ Flash, So make sure you support the official release when it drops in April, but until then you can download this joint for FREE here…
Cover artwork done by BIG HOP, son…
ReeseBeatz – In Da Street Beatz Vol.1 (Free Instrumentals)
Super shoutout to J Reese on the release of his new instrumental project, In Da Streetz Vol. 1. In case you have smoked too many blunts, J Reese brought us one of this site’s first posts, when Herb Skee & I filmed him verbally unleashing on fellow producers at a showcase in November. Even though it was all in good fun, the video was classic and caused a bit of drama around the NC Hip Hop scene.
Now, Reese is back with this new collection of instrumentals for your listening pleasure. So make sure you check them out, give them a whole bunch of listens, download the ones you like, and record some new jams. Hopefully, Reese will fux with them, and not wyle out on you for doing so. Hahahaha. Get In Da Streetz Vol. 1 here for FREE…
West Wonder – First Appearance (Free Download)
Shoutouts to West Wonder on the release of his first major project as an emcee, which is appropriately named, First Appearance. This project hits hard from the jump with joints like “First Appearance” feat. Ty Bru, “My Life,” & “Running From Sin.” If you are a fan of the NC Hip Hop movement, then First Appearance is a must have in your collection. You can download it for FREE here….
And if you like the production on this project, and are looking for beats, hit up West on twitter. He has got that fire!
Invincible by Styles P. (Book Review by Trick)
The homie Trick is back with this month’s book review. This time he looked at Lox & D-Block member, Styles P’s first foray into literature with his book, Invincible. Many of us know the Ghost as being an incredible song writer, but incase you were wondering about his literary chops, check out what Trick had to say about his debut…
When Hop told me I was going to be reviewing the book that Styles P had written, I think my response was something like “What the fuck could Styles possibly have to say that he needed to write a whole book to get it out?” I mean, don’t get me wrong, the Ghost has always been one of my favorite rappers, but even though his lyrics might go a little deeper than the average gangsta rap, he’s not somebody I would have seen as the author type. But Styles came correct with his debut novel Invincible.
As you’d probably expect, the story revolves around guns, money and murder. Jake, the main character, wakes up from a coma after being beaten close to death in jail, and wages a one man war against the powerful but mysterious crew that tried to take him out. Honestly, I had this book for like a month before reading it – I envisioned it being a literary version of the “State Property” movies – an unoriginal plot with a lot of holes, not put together all that well, and only mildly entertaining. But Invincible has a main character you can’t help but pull for, the story is told well and moves along quickly (not a lot of time wasted with details), and most of it is believable enough to keep you interested. The writing isn’t perfect – the writing style varies from over correct (lots of “you are” and “I am” in dialogue when it’s hard to see the characters not saying “you’re” or “I’m”) to using incorrect verb tense during the narrative; some of the plot twists are a little over the top; some of the characters could use a little more developing – but all in all it’s better than I expected. More “Paid in Full” than “State Property.” It won’t win any literary awards or go down as a classic piece of fiction, but Ii Styles writes another one, I’ll read it.Overall: 3 ½ out of 5 notepads
1 out of 5 notepads – stick to your day job “writer”
2 out of 5 notepads – if somebody gives it to you and your bored, read it
3 out of 5 notepads – if somebody gives it to you, read it even if you’re not bored
4 out of 5 notepads – worth a read, pick it up if you see it
5 out of 5 notepads – go to Barnes & Noble today, stuff this under your coat & walk out
Tune in next month, as Trick discusses Clipse member, Malice’s Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind, & Naked…
Drique London – Red Chucks (Video)
Shouts to Drique London & Depth of Sound for collaborating on this hot new video. This is the first video from Drique’s upcoming project, The Manual, which is set to be released this Spring sometime. If you have been a fan of Drique’s laid back style in the past, then you will be equally as hyped about this one. Stay tuned to the site, cuz when The Manual drops, I will post links to it…
Ill Tactics – Mind For The Taking
Big shoutouts to the homie, Ill Tactics, on the release of his second solo project, Mind For The Taking. If you are unfamiliar with Tactics, then you must be unfamiliar with his group, The Balance. The Balance, a full fledge live hip hop band, have been tearing up the Triangle’s scene for years now. I have been doing shows with them since around 2007, and everytime I hear them, they get more creative and more dynamic. Tactics new project is much of the same. If you like boom bap hip with lyrical flavor, this project is for you. So listen to it for free here, and while you are at it, buy a song or two. F it. Buy the whole project. It’s only $5!
Production by Lava Izzo, Tha Durhamotologist, ArkItekt, and L. Jones. Mastered by J. Memory of The Shape For Memory and All I Can See, Is. Props to Dhap for original album atwork, Reginald Dawson for reworking and coloring it, and Big Hop for graphics and text on the front and back cover.
2 New Videos from Kooley High
Shoutouts to the homies Kooley High for dropping a couple new videos over the last few weeks. Visually, both of them are dope, and they are highlighting joints off their newly Fat Beats-endorsed album Eastern Standard Time. So if you are feeling these joints, make sure you go cop EST!
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