Jef Plane - 'Staircase Freestyle'

A friend of the RFM family, Jef Plane from Marcy in Brooklyn, drops by every few weeks to kick some ill lyrics. Jef kills it in under a minute through this staircase snippet.

A feature story, tentatively entitled 'Boss Dey Plane!,' is coming to the blog in early 2010 because Jef 1 F has officially been dubbed an RFM Whiz Kid & is rumored to be auditioning for Mike TV's new doc 'Whiz Kids: Back 2 Da Streets Pt. 2' w/Khemist & Alise Wonder. Stay in Tune!!

AZ f. Nas "The Essence (Rmx)" (prod. by Baby Paul/BpZy)

Baby Paul, the original producer of the last awesome collab from dynamic New York duo Nas & AZ, is back with a remix of "The Essence" to promote his forthcoming mixtape, Undaground Veteran 1.5, which will be available for free download exclusively on www.coast2coastmixtapes.com. "The Essence Remix" is a faster paced contrast to the hypnotic original from AZ's 2002 underground hit 'Aziatic.' Not bad! CLICK TITLE! Thanks 2 CLOCKWORK MUSIC INC.

Jam Master Jay's Influence on Run-DMC's Style

The more we @ RFM watch portions of 2 Turntables And A Microphone the more we turn into pro-bono promo ppl, LOL. The film is a slamming doc that examines & celebrates the musical & cultural influence of one of the greatest DJs to ever spin a record. The above HIP HOP DX exclusive snippet tackles JMJ's cool & the consequences of it rubbing off on RUN & DMC. CLICK TITLE 2 PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF 2 Turntables And A Microphone!

"This is for My Pretty Girls"

I like this because I'm a huge proponent of pretty girls & OJ DA JUICE contributes a nice, coherent verse. Speaking of pretty girls, I'd like to comment on my newest guilty pleasure, THE BAD GIRLS CLUB. Last wk I was about to hit Subway for lunch with my girl when she put me D to the cliquish, catty Oxygen show.

Then today I get an email from HONEYMAG.COM promoting its video int with Ms. BAD GIRL herself, NATALIE NUNN. All I can say is I became less impressed with the girls' pretty as I watched her pop off @ her housemates and basically scream & punch her way to reality starlit status. Comming soon is pt. 1 of the HONEY thing; check out NATALIE's thoughts on her 'Twitter Beef' w/VANESSA SIMMONS.

Run DMC Some Suckas?

JMJ is painted as one of those rare spirits who knew the crucial value of its' role, influence and presence. The above vid is just an anecdotal slice of RUN DMC history. JMJ apparently was un-phased by his crews thirst for the spotlight.



CLICK TITLE 2 Download '2 Turntables' on iTunes

"Pursuit of Happiness" HD experience

Kid Cudi feat Ratatat & MGMT - "Pursuit of Happiness"
CLICK TITLE 2 VIEW A COMPLEX MAG INT W/THE DIRECTOR.

Very cool vid! Director Brody Baker and the crew provide an intimate window into the transient party life of the Man on the Moon on this particular night. Most of the camera angles get right up in KC's area as he spills champagne with DRAKE or contrasts his somber mood with the celebratory vibe around him.



KID CUDI & Universal Motown are doing a bang up job of buttressing CUDI's Man On The Moon album by letting the material speak for itself. Shout out 2 THINKTANK MARKETING. A CUDI/RFM interview experience will shuttle even more music fans 2 the moon!

Listen 2 "Walking (J.Period Remix)" ft. Jay Electronica

Click Title 2 Download because this is hot! J. Period never associates himself with anything corny & the Nneka remix project THE MADNESS (Onye-Ala) promises to be special. It blends remixes of international, genre jumping artist Nneka's songs with verses by emcees like Jay Electronica, Talib Kweli, M-1, and General Steele. BTW, watch Nneka's video, "The Uncomfortable Truth," below. It's pretty great if I may say so myself. The song reminds me of MJ the Legend.



THE MADNESS (Onye-Ala) drops 12/15 @ www.jperiod.com/nneka. Check out Nigerian born Nneka @ www.nnekaworld.com.

Big Shout Out 2 DECON Records!!

BlackRoc Sessions Episode 3 w/ MOS DEF & JIM JONES

CLICK TITLE 2 BUY BLACKROC @ AMAZON

Dame Dash is coming back out the right was after the whole Roc-A-Fella/Jay-Z debacle. BlackRoc is an underground lifestyle brand predicated on unique collaborations and raw style. The above post features a recording session by the Black Keys, Mos Def and Jim Jones.

I like the fact that both Mos and Kweli are pushing side projects (Kweli is the lone male voice alongside Res & Graph Nobel in the group Idle Warship). And is it weird that all I could think early this morning (after my friend Juanita put me up on BlackRoc) was 'I bet Jay-Z wishes he could/could've done something like it.

I love Jay-Z and not to go off on a tangent, but when Mos Def released the controversial album 'The New Danger' months after Jay-Z dropped 'The Black Album' I thought to myself, "Self (lol) this is a reeeeal black album; it's experimental, it takes shots @ Jay-Z's mentor Lyor Cohen & others who could truly put the brakes on an artists' career." I say all of that to say that it's obvious from his collaborations with Coldplay, Linkin Park & others that some parts of Jay wants to be hailed as a real rock star. Mos Def is on a lower level of economics & popularity, but he is a true rock star because it's a part of him - he has shown that side since his debut solo album. Peace.

Vinnie Paz feat. Clipse "Street Wars"

Quite a disturbing promo image and I see the direction they're going with Vinny Paz. Good thing Street Wars is a certified BANGER. RFM could screen some more Paz, he ain't bad.

>CLICK TITLE 2 LISTEN.

Disney Gets the Money so I Don't Care.

CLICK TITLE 2 WITNESS
Disney's 'Princess,' Anika Noni Rose, PERFORM LIVE ON ABC (also owned by Disney)

We keep things 100 here @ RFM so we'll tell you that Mike TV in particular voted for this post for a few key reasons

1st he claims some kind of geniune, naive affinity for a Disney film about black characters. It's a shame in some ways but it is what it is.

B. Both Disney & ESPN flexed a strong hand in raising Mike in TV Land; disney owns espn - you get the picture.

Plus (and we were all on 1 accord with this one) RFM is all about young talent and Ms. Anika Noni Rose is it for sure.

KELIS SIGNS TO WILL. I. AM MUSIC GROUP/INTERSCOPE RECORDS

CLICK TITLE 2 HEAR KELIS' new SONG "ACAPPELLA" @ IAMKELIS.com.

Before NAS enlisted BLACK EYED PEA pied piper WILL.I.AM for his trouble making 2006 album 'HIP HOP IS DEAD,' his internationally adored ex-wife was cultivating a relationship with the mega-producer and it has led to a new deal for her.

KELIS, famous for her stylishly off kilter fashion sense and anthems like "Milkeshake" (2003) and "Bossy" (2006), is now an INTERSCOPE RECORDS artist. According to a press release from THINKTANK MARKETING, Interscope Geffen A&M Records chairman JIMMY IOVINE says Kelis "is a true artist and we’re so excited to start this new chapter in her musical life.”

Jam Master Jay’s Contribution to DJing

Here's a brief snippet from 2 Turntables And A Microphone, the hip hop doc about slain music pioneer JAM MASTER JAY, featuring 50 Cent, Common, Kid Rock & more. CLICK TITLE 2 order your copy of the doc from AMAZON. The film seems truly intriguing & comprehensive.

P.S. - Peep how 50 says that you can't "escape" what RUN DMC created, LOL. The guy wants to be mentioned among the greats when it's all done.

BOOT CAMP CLIK Camo New Era Cap In Stores Now:

Camo design with gold and brown embroidery

BCC & DUCK DOWN RECORDS are marching as hard as ever to the beat of their unapologetically indie baseline. Their latest ventures include a license deal with sports fitted hat giant NEW ERA and a music distribution partnership with iTunes. CLICK TITLE 2 ORDER A CAMO FITTED CAP. Below are more details about the iTunes deal via updates@duckdown.com.



The first two albums under the direct deal were the recent titles from KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT (Survival Skills) and Skyzoo (The Salvation). Recently Duck Down re-uploaded back catalog from artists on the roster, including Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, 9th Wonder & Buckshot, Boot Camp Clik, Black Moon and more, so these artist's older releases are being handled direct from Duck Down to iTunes without the use of an aggregator.

Drew (Dru Ha) Friedman had this to say about the deal, "We view our direct deal with iTunes as a true achievement. While many Indies may have secured direct deals in the past, with the abundance of music on iTunes it has become increasingly difficult to be accepted as a direct partner. As with our physical product, where Duck Down manufactures and markets, and which is solely distributed by E1, going direct to iTunes privileges Duck Down to retain a greater percentage of sales and will immediately impact our Artists who will benefit by avoiding paying additional aggregator fees. It also offers us the ability to explore Digital Distribution Deals for Artists who are in need of posting their music on iTunes for sale."

2 Turntables And A Microphone - The Life and Death of Jam Master Jay - Official Trailer (In Stores 12-1-09)

We're highly interested in this doc. Mike TV has his own theories about JMJ's murder and they revolve around the 50 CENT/SUPREME McGriff beef. Mike recalls reading that McGriff forbade stateside (or at least NY) recording studios to record with 50. JMJ recorded with 50. It's pure speculation that these two incidents are connected.

Thank you Brian & THINKTANK MARKETING.

Method Man & Street Life perform ODB's classic song "Brooklyn Zoo"

We @ RFM firmly believe that METHOD MAN is one of the top ten best live hip hop performers in history. He is an MC in the truest sense of the term and the ODB tribute w/STREET LIFE is just a small reason why.

CLICK TITLE 2 PRE-ORDER OBD's NEW LP "Message To The Other Side (Osirus Part 1)"

Lil Cease & DJ Delz Presents Junior Mafia – The Lost Files [Mixtape]

Skee.TV catches up with Wale

...we fux w/SKEE & WALE...

...Story to Tell

Reclined in the back of a bus en route to Austin, TX, J. Cole, of "STAR IS BORN" (BP3) & 'THE WARM UP' mixtape fame, scribed an exciting letter to HONEYMAG.COM concerning his once in a lifetime experience on JAY-Z's BP3 tour. CLICK TITLE 2 read the entire piece; my favorite parts are the backstage celebrity run down from the LA set & the 'Best' list.

Side note: JAY-Z & LIVE NATION actually canceled the remaining BP3 '09 dates, which would have included stops in Lubbock, Texas, Albuquerque, N.M. and El Paso, Texas, due to 'scheduling conflicts,' according to Theboombox.com. The BP3 Tour reportedly will resume in Feb. 2010 @ the Toyota Center in H-Town.

Dear Honey:

I have officially lost track of time. One thing about being on tour is that every other day you find yourself in a different time zone, and keeping up is too difficult. So it’s currently 11:20 pm EST and that’s all I care about! Right now, I’m laid up in the back of the tour bus on the way to Austin, TX. My album (so far) is playing in the background. Mannn. That’s all I can say.

Performing in front of a packed arena with close to 20,000 people is ... like having sex with the baddest chick, but bustin’ in one minute!

Shout out to everybody at Honey and everybody reading! They’ve been on my ass about writing a journal for ya’ll, so here we go. I’m just gonna jot whatever comes to mind as it comes. This reminds me of college. Damn, I miss school!

GUCCI MANE "WORST ENEMY"

The interview w/MS. INFO sets up the viral viewing experience perfectly.


RFM likes this new GUCCI a lot! So coherent and direct. And the editing is awesome! We're provided with different picture frames and TVs filled with re-created images of the world GUCCI wants to simultaneously leave behind and lift up. His solo shots are dynamically lit. Of course "WORST ENEMY" is aimed at GUCCI's ATL/industry rival YOUNG JEEZY, but RFM is hard pressed to deam the track a 'diss' record. But don't take my word for it, lol.

Ol Dirty Bastard 'Say NO' MP3

I must admit that I appreciate ODB much more now that he's gone. It's intriguing to compare/comtrast the handling of OBD's post-mortem material with that of BIGGIE & TUPAC; converse to the rushed, superficial mash-ups forced on us in the name of the latter two fallen legends, WU TANG CLAN, RZA and those controlling the RUSSELL 'ASON' JONES estate are doing a classy, creative job of releasing hot, meaningful verses and commentary by the late rapper also known as 'BIG BABY JESUS' & 'DIRT MAGURT.'

CLICK TITLE 2 hear a darkly funny, snare driven anti-drug parody that finds ODB rapping & crooning alongside the DEADLY VENOMS. Shout out 2 THINKTANK MARKETING & MONEY MAKER ENT.


“Message to the Other Side - Osiris Part 1” (in stores 11/17) features 21 tracks, is executive produced by Allah and features Wu Tang Clan’s ODB, The RZA, Method Man, Masta Killa, along with affiliates 4th Disciple, Brooklyn Zu, Allah, Free Murder and others. This record has the support of Dirty’s family and the entire Wu-Tang Clan, as a bonus there is a 20 minute DVD excerpt of the soon to be released film “Dirty,” a Rapumentary about ODB.

ODB’s solo career began in 1995, making him the third member of the Wu-Tang Clan to release a solo album, following GZA’s 1991 debut, Words from the Genius, and Method Man’s 1994 effort Tical. Released in 1995, Return to Chambers: The Dirty Version spawned the hit singles “Brooklyn Zoo” and “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”, which helped propel the album to gold status. The album’s sound was as raw and gritty as 36 Chambers, producer RZA creating beats even more minimalist and stripped-down than on the group’s debut. When ODB died in 2004 he left behind a growing fan base and a legacy as the most talented and unique of the entire Wu-Tang Clan. This record recently uncovered deep in the vaults of the Wu-Tang chambers is a record that will satisfy his fans and is an official ODB album and not a tribute album. This is ODB’s music raw and to the point.

Fly Gypsy -"Interview" feat. 2Pac

MIKE TV usually isn't a fan of cut & paste legend joints, however, "Interview" is an exception. FLY GYPSY & company engineer a pretty perceptive song and the 'lost' 2PAC verse is the knockout blow. CLICK TITLE 2 LISTEN.

BIG FAT CRAZY RFM SHOUT OUT 2 MICHELLE & AUDIBLE TREATS!

Black Dynamite Score Documentary

Hello my RFM familia! With RFM's own 17 yr old Exotic Prodigy KHEMIST prepping for his historic performance @ HOWARD UNIVERSITY's YARDFEST 2009 - 10/23/09, it's been a busy 2 months to say the least. Mas updates are on the way (my email is jam packed, lol). Check out this 'BLACK DYNAMITE' deal sent to me by WaxPoetics. It's so soulful, lol. CLICK TITLE 2 peruse Waxpoetic.com.




Thx 2 Waxpoetics.com

"The score was written, composed, and performed entirely by the multi-talented Adrian Younge. Armed with an arsenal of vintage equipment and instruments, Younge recorded the album in his fully analog home studio by night, while spending his days editing the film. Inspired by the great Blaxploitation soundtracks of the 1970s, Younge has crafted a singular vision for his debut on Wax Poetics Records.

Black Dynamite, starring Michael Jai White, was released nationwide on October 16, 2009. Not one but two full albums — the Original Motion Picture Score and Motion Picture Soundtrack — were released this Tuesday on LP."

RFM's Skyzoo Feature: In Arms Reach

Today’s viral email blasts and blogged out culture encourage innovative hip hop artists to capitalize on the few thousand followers they do entertain; for example let’s take smoothly lyrical rapper, Brooklyn native, Skyzoo. Production vanguards 9th Wonder and Just Blaze stamp the kid as being ‘nice’ on the mic and his work (including ‘Present Cloud 9: The 3 Day High’ 2006 – an album he reportedly recorded with 9th Wonder in 24hrs) speaks volumes; dig up joints like ‘The Power of Words’ and you’ll realize Skyzoo’s quest to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nas, Jay-Z and The Notorious B.I.G. is no pipe dream.

Maybe, like Russell Simmons says, life is all about fulfillment through the journey. According to Skyzoo ‘major’ labels advise him to make “one of these records that [is] dumbed down or one of these records that came with a dance or had auto-tune.” A large amount of the jaded young rappers blinded by entitlement might let this talk deter their grind, but Skyzoo has a simple rebuttal: “My name is on that, so if it flops they’re not going down in history; it’ll be ‘Yo that was a wack Skyzoo record;’ I’ma do what I wanna do, so whether good or bad, whether, win or fail, it’s on me.” Skyzoo’s official debut album ‘The Salvation’ is in stores now. Yoraps.com correspondent Mike TV hit him up weeks before the release date to discuss his legacy, a hush-hush TV pilot he’s writing, and Just Blaze. (CLICK TITLE 2 PREVIEW SKYZOO's 'THE SALVATION' ALBUM).

Mike TV: Are you a Christian?

Skyzoo: Nah, not at all. I guess you’re asking because of the title of the album and the theme and everything like that. I just wanted to use that as a way to break the ice as far as the story and what the album talks about.

Mike TV: Is your goal to reach the status of a Jay, Nas, or Biggie?

Skyzoo: Absolutely. It’s definitely something I’m aiming for. It’s not like it’s all I think about cause it’s not. But it’s one of my goals. I think anything you do, as far as the arts – entertainment, sports, whatever it may be – you wanna be successful at it and you wanna be the best; when LeBron was coming up he watched Jordan like, ‘I wanna be mentioned in that same breath.’ And now he sort of is a little bit or he’s starting to be; you see that that’s where his career is gonna go. I think we all do that. You’re supposed to. If you don’t then what are you really here for besides a check?

Mike TV: Have you had A&R’s or people from labels tell you you’d be better off dumbing down your lyrics?

Skyzoo: Absolutely. I’ve had offers from all types of those situations and I’ve had people sitting at those same desks saying, ‘Listen, you’re sick; if you just made one of these records that was dumbed down or one of these records that was more about this or came with a dance or had a auto-tune;’ I’ve been told all that stuff, but I never let it do anything to me because it’s about the art at the end of the day. My name is on that, so if somebody else is telling me what to do, if it flops they’re not going down in history; it’ll be ‘Yo that was a wack Skyzoo record.’ So I’m never gonna do that; I’ma do what I wanna do, so whether good or bad, whether, win or fail, it’s on me.

Mike TV: Why should the casual hip hop fan take a chance on copping ‘The Salvation’ on Sept. 29?

Skyzoo: There’s nothing out like it right now, in all honesty. When you heard it, the first you ask is ‘what am I?’ There’s nothing else out that’s gon make you do that; there’s nothing else out, as far as storytelling, that goes where the album goes lyrically. And musically too – the album is full of hard drums and kicks and snares, but then the whole album starts up with a grand piano. And then you got records where there’s trumpet solos and saxophone solos that bring it out. And there’s strings on the hooks. Everything is live; it wasn’t samples. Even if it was a record we sampled, everything on top of it was played; there’s a saxophone sample and then I got a saxophone player to come play on top of it and just get behind it and support it.

Mike TV: Have you considered writing other stuff like novels, screenplays or lyrics for other artists?

Skyzoo: Absolutely. [It’s] my next move – you can’t rap forever; I don’t wanna be a fifty year old rapper; I don’t wanna be that guy. I do plan on making music for as long as I can, but beyond that I am already writing other things; I’m actually in the process of writing a TV show that I’ll be pitching soon. I’ve always been a writer first – before I started rapping; I started rapping at nine, but before that I was writing in school. My best grades always came in English class.

Mike TV: Do you have a premise or working title?

Skyzoo: I have it all laid out – what it’s called, what it’s gonna be about, but I can’t let it go -

Mike TV: Arrrrgh!

Skyzoo: Yeah, I can’t let it go – only because I know it’s something that when people hear it they’re either gonna not be able to wait to see it or somebody’s gonna snatch it. It’s something that needs to be said. All I can really say is that it’s something that everyone is gonna be able to relate to and everyone is gonna be able to appreciate and be a part of and it’s gonna keep you on the edge of your seat.

Mike TV: Do you do any ghostwriting, Sky?

Skyzoo: I got my hand in that a lil bit. I actually got a couple more clients that just hopped on board, so I’ma be a little busier with that than I was before, but I’ve definitely done some here and there in the past.

Mike TV: Do you converse with Buckshot (Co-CEO of DuckDown Records) at all?

Skyzoo: Yeah, somewhat – not that much, only because he working a project at the same time; he working on something right now just as well as I am, so not that much but we have. He was the person who actually came to me like ‘Yo, we definitely doing the deal;’ they came to us and we started talking and once it was on them to make the final decision of what they wanted to do he personally came up to me and was like ‘Yo, we’re definitely doing the deal. It’s a done deal. As long as you wanna do it, we’re doing it.’ And I was like ‘Aight, let’s hash it out.’ We hashed it out and 9th [Wonder] was a part of it and it took off.

Mike TV: If you get a chance, I advise you to speak with Buck about the times he spent with 2Pac. I’ve interviewed Buck three times and in ’07 we spoke about Pac and their times together – the whole One Nation movement Pac was trying to do before he died. I’m just throwing that your way; you never know what you can learn from Buck.

Mike TV: You’ve always reminded me of a more lyrically intricate version of Fab. We know he has successfully capitalized off the R&B features. “For What It’s Worth,” (pun intended) why didn’t choose to let the female vocalist sing the chorus on her own [in that song]?

Skyzoo: Originally I always knew I wanted to do that hook myself because I wanted the story to…it’s me telling one of my stories, so I wanted to carry that all the way out. But then musically I just wanted it to mean more. Everybody spits two or three verses and then the hook and that’s it. Musically I wanted certain songs to do that and I wanted certain things to do other things as well and that was one of the songs where I wanted it to do other things; I wanted to really pull out the emotion of the record, so I think a female singer going behind me – not really harmonizing and blowing through the roof, but just supporting it – may bring that emotion out. [It] makes you feel the record more than just what I’m saying, ya know?

Mike TV: So it wasn’t done to cater to your hardcore hip hop fans?

Skyzoo: Nah not at all, it’s bigger than that; it’s about the art.

Mike TV: I can dig it. As far as production, you have one Just Blaze beat on ‘The Salvation’ right? Was that a direct connect?

Skyzoo: Yeah. Just is big on keeping it in the street and the Internet – he lives on the computer; he know what’s going on. He’s somebody who I would always see in the circuit and he’s one of the few people who I say ‘I gotta work with him.’ Knowing him through 9th and Guru…I forgot where I saw him…I was like ‘Yo man I’m bout to start my album; I would love to get with you somehow.’ And I honestly didn’t know if it was gonna happen cause I’m like ‘I’m not signed; I don’t know if it’s gonna be major or indie or whatever, but I’m making this album and this is my baby and if you say no I get it because you’re a big producer and your budget is probably crazy; I’m not expecting…I’m not here to disrespect you on some “why won’t you work with me;” I get it if you can’t do it.’ He was like ‘Yo just come through.’ I came through to Baseline [Studios] and we started kicking it. I didn’t even have the album yet, I just had beats I had picked out; I played some of the beats that I had for the album and he’s like ‘These is crazy. Let me hear what you do with them as far as the album - where you going as far as the direction - so if we work together I know what to do.’ I came back a couple weeks later and played him some stuff and he’s like ‘Yeah I will definitely be on this album.’ That’s how it happened. We did the record.

Mike TV: Anything you want to say to the Yorap.com faithful before we get out of here?

Skyzoo: Just, thanks for the support from everybody and just know: ‘The Salvation’ is in stores. Lyrics will never be the same. I purposely went into it with no features. There was a few people that I wanted – maybe one or two; it wasn’t like I wanted ten people and everybody fronted; it was like one or two and it was scheduling things – people being on tour and things like that. I still wound up with some time to get em done and I consciously made the decision like ‘You know what? I’ma leave it and just save that for the next album because I really want this album to be about me.’ That’s what I did. The only one feature on there is …and she’s singing a hook. Every single word on this album, I wrote. It’s not like I got a Wayne verse or I got a Jeezy or whoever it is – [it’s not like I got I got] this collab and that collab; I can say [on] my debut album I wrote every single word on it.

Mike TV: Sky, I appreciate your time immensely.

Skyzoo: Thank you for doing the story.

Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway

The BEPs have one of the craziest career arch's in music business/pop culture history. CLICK TITLE 4 Dip Dive page.

Sean Price KIMBO PRICE MIX CD (In Stores October 27th)

SEAN PRICE aka RUCK is bizzack with a new mix CD; DUCK DOWN is not know for disappointing lately. CLICK TITLE 2 hear SEAN's EMINEM spoof.

2Pac (aka 'The Prodigal Son') on Biggie & Diddy via VIBE

2Pac in this 'lost' VIBE interview explains why he rushed Biggie & Diddy after Pac was shot five times on his way to visit the pair in New York in 1994. MIKE TV will take this post opportunity to breakdown my motivation to get T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. tattooed on my body (maybe on the stomach).



2Pac is on record saying that THUG LIFE stands for 'The Hate U Gave Little Infants Fucks Everyone;' basically he, like so many other intelligent, humanity loving students of life, surmised that racism and all forms of hateful discrimination touches everyone in our American community. The tragic case of Emmet Till is a glaring testament to T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. He was fourteen years old in 1955 when he traveled from up north to visit his uncle in Money, Mississippi; Emmet reportedly whistled at a white woman walking down the street in Money. Subsequently, the boy was murdered by a group of white men. When his body was found Emmet's face was deformed beyond recognition, but his mother insisted that he have an open casket funeral.



The point is that no one - not Money residents (white or black); not the President of the United States; not Martin Luther King Jr. - was untouched by this hateful murder because it was rooted in a deeply imbedded societal ill. And so MIKE TV continues to flirt with the idea of getting a provocative T.H.U.G. L.I.F.E. tattoo. Students of hip hop history know that THUG LIFE morphed into something violent and at times nonsensical because 2Pac, the flawed human he was, wasn't quite prepared to lead his sheep. However, my favorite 2Pac quote is, 'I will spark the brain that will change the world.' Food for thought.

PITCH CONTROL TV - MIXTAPE DVD VOL. 3 IN STORES SEPTEMBER 29TH

We noticed there was little to no DIRTY SOUTH representation @ the '09 VMAs. In my view it was a curious situation. Far be it for RFM to forget how much hotness the whole SOUTH brought to urban music in the last few years.

Watch the preview of this new PITCH CONTROL TV MIXTAPE DVD VOL. 3; the Texas All-Star Edition features: UGK, Trae tha Truth, Slim Thug, Lil Flip, Big Pokey, Lil' KeKe, Big Hawk (RIP) and all the Screwed Up Click members. CLICK TITLE 2 VISIT PITCHCONTROLTV.com. Shout out 2 Stacy.Pr.

STAPLETON SEX by Ghostface

Alright then...lol. Semi-pornographic but RFM is always indebted to & will for always respect Tony Starks. Mike TV's first Hilltop newspaper (HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON,DC) hip hop piece & BACK 2 DA STREETS video interview were with Ghostface. Check out the video & CLICK POST TITLE 2 VISIT Ghost's MYSPACE page.

Ester Dean ft Chris Brown - "Drop It Low"

CLICK TITLE 2 VIEW THE VIDEO. YOUTUBE (or is it INTERSCOPE RECORDS?) is stingy, dude.

Look for cameos from LeBron James, Keri Hilson, Nelly, Soulja Boy, & More!!!



Great video! The colorful sets and wardrobe accent the theme of youth and freshness. "Drop It Low" is on the soundtrack (in stores 9/29) for LeBron's new film MORE THAN A GAME (in theaters 10/2) and the video supports LeBron's effort to refresh his brand by showing us a doc (MORE THAN A GAME) about his high school team. I mean it was only 6-7 years ago, but he has done so much since leaping from HS to the pros. In one MTAG clip LeBron looks like he's 15 years old...racing down the court to dunk on some regular HS kid, lol.

Thanks to BRIAN & THINKTANK MARKETING.

-MIKE TV

P.S. - Shout out to LeBron for being his own man and not excluding CHRIS BROWN from this new opportunity. I haven't confirmed the reports that JAY-Z really blocked BROWN from the BET AWARDS performance, but LeBron is super cool with JAY and if it is true, then LeBron is truly an independent thinker.

'More Than A Game' Synopsis:

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about uncommon friendship in the face all too common adversities. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together. MORE THAN A GAME combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos and personal family photographs to bring this heart-warming and wholly American story to life.

Lionsgate and Harvey Mason Media in association with Interscope Records present a Harvey Mason Media Production in association with Galley Boy and Spring Hill Productions a film by Kristopher Belman. MORE THAN A GAME is written by Kristopher Belman & Brad Hogan and directed by Kristopher Belman. The film features LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II.

'THAT'S 2 FAR!!' an RFM '09 VMA Re-Cap

Lady Gaga the Show Stopper

Lady Gaga generates the most provocatively entertaining story from the 2009 MTV VMA’s. Host Russell Grand discreetly sheds light on the not so quiet whispers that Lady Gaga may actually be Sir Gaga. Then Interscope Records product Gaga tailors her show perfectly by closing the performance in mock death, fake blood dripping from her body as it dangles from a cord above stage.



In true showman (no pun intended, lol) fashion Gaga steps her couture headgear up throughout the show (adding fuel to the hot rumor that she has an Adams Apple and penis), donning a spiked out red crown, with face mask attached, to receive her very first Moon Man for Best New Artist (dedicated to God and gays, btw); her closing piece? A white birds’ nest/Christmas reef number… guess she’s a Fallout type of girl – doesn’t care what you say as long as it’s about her.



P.S. – Hip hop’s DC ambassador Wale holds down the emcee role for the house band and is in position to benefit from Lady Gaga’s show stealing antics (CLICK POST TITLE 2 VIEW “CHILLIN,” feat. LADY GAGA; RFM is sure glad Wale ditches the burgundy bowtie mid-show for a Redskins colored varsity jacket).

Kanye’s Losing Fans



As if we even dare to think that a key hand in crafting an event album like ‘Blueprint 3’ plus capitalizing off his pop-art glamour/hip hop swagger with custom designed Nike AND Louis Vuitton kicks and continuously raping the world’s hottest live music venues can sustain Kanye’s gi-normous ego. His hair cut low and engraved Gucci-man style with many symbols and lettering, Mr. MTV Heartbreak busts up Taylor Swift’s Best Female Video victory speech to announce that Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” vid is not only a best of 2009 but one the greatest pieces ever shot.



RFM frowns upon this type of seemingly unwarranted revelry as does Ms. Beyonce Knowles-Carter; she selflessly invites Swift to the stage when B wins a Moon Man for Best Video of the Year. Kanye does too much again. RFM loves him, but if he loses fans, sales and respect then… oh well.


Jay-Z.



Young Hova’s voice cracks when he does back to back heavy shows; MSG houses the big homie on 911 and Hova two nights later closes out the 2009 VMAs with Alicia Keys. (Side Note - Alicia is so bomb; are thick thighs and booty trendy right now? I sincerely hope so; Janet, B and Alicia all rock that shit so well). The guy arrives in a frickin motorcade El Presidente style. In all reality he’s probably napping before the show.



At the end of the song Alicia rises from the piano to bring Hova some respiration because he really starts to lose wind in the third verse of “Empire State of Mind.” But we respect the King of Rap for having no hype man and continuing to give %1000 at his shows. He’s folk hero Hova now.

Green Day



The American Idiots seem never to disappoint a crowd; Mike TV is all ready for a “21 Guns” salute, but album cycles are real and its third-single-time for the band formally known as Sweet Children.

First Green Day’s lead man Billie Joe Armstrong bounds from the stage in search of some good old fashion mush-pit love. An unshakable security guy is bent on preventing the crowd chaos, so our man, quick on his feet as he is, invites the roaring twenty-somethings onto the stage and achieves his goal – kicking and swimming toward the heavens courtesy of the people for whom Green Day rocks.

GOOD SHOW MTV!

Everyone is asking.... WHO IS ESTER DEAN??

She's pretty hot is who she is. (I know that's not really grammatically correct, but...it's late & I have class in the morning; I must go eat so that the Rent is on time).

-MIKE TV




CLICK POST TITLE 2 READ ABOUT MTAG SOUNDTRACK (featuring ESTER DEAN) ON HIP HOP WIRED.COM

NEW Drake ft Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Eminem - "Forever" AUDIO

DRAKE, KANYE WEST, LIL WAYNE AND EMINEM
PROVIDE COLLABORATION OF A LIFETIME ON “FOREVER”
FROM MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM MORE THAN A GAME

More Than A Game , starring the original JAMES GANG, in theaters 10/2. Soundtrack in stores 9/29. The pic fits w/the song so well, dude. "It may not mean nothing to yaaaa'll/ but understand nothing was done for meeeee...I want this shit forever mayne!" Thanks to Brian & the whole ThinkTank Marketing staff. RFM is officially on board.

-MIKE TV

MARY J. BLIGE, JAY-Z, SOULJA BOY TELL’EM, T.I., ESTER DEAN, CHRIS BROWN, TANK, TYRESE AND OTHERS ALSO HEARD ON POWERFUL AND UPLIFTING ALBUM FOR FILM DOCUMENTING THE RISE OF NBA STAR LEBRON JAMES



Santa Monica, Ca – Only King James (aka LeBron James) could bring together three kings of hip-hop and one of the hottest new emcees in the game. “Forever,” the new single from the forthcoming album MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM MORE THAN A GAME, headlines rising star Drake and features Kanye West, Lil Wayne and Eminem in a song about endurance and staying power. “Forever,” produced by Boi-1da, will be available at iTunes September 15th. MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE FILM MORE THAN A GAME (Harvey Mason Music/Zone 4/Interscope Records) will be released September 29th.

Earlier issued from the album was the heartfelt, richly textured ballad “Stronger” from Mary J. Blige. Among the other tracks are “History,” produced by Kanye West, from rap giant Jay-Z; “I’m Ballin’” from young sensation Soulja Boy Tell’Em; “King On Set” from T.I. featuring Young Dro; and “Drop It Low,” the debut single from one of today’s most sought after songwriters, Ester Dean (Mary J. Blige, Pussycat Dolls, Keri Hilson), which features Chris Brown. Also heard are “Top Of The World” (Rich Boy), “We Ready” (Ya Boy), “Go Hard” (Hayes), Frozen (Jared Evans) and “If You Dream,” with its impressive lineup of Tank, Tyrese, Toni Braxton, Jordin Sparks, Omarion, Faith Evans, JoJo, Charlie Wilson, Tamar Braxton and Steven Russel, produced by Harvey Mason Jr. (whose credits include Beyonce, Chris Brown, Whitney Houston, and Jennifer Hudson).

More Than A Game
Feature Film In Theaters October 2
Official Soundtrack In Stores September 29
Interscope / Lionsgate
MoreThanAGameMovie.com
MySpace.com/MoreThanAGameMovie

Dru Chris The Arsonist

I mean Philly is happening, as MIKE TV loves to yell. Dru Chris is yet another example of an ill, youth generated movement in the making. Shouts 2 young, managerial, poly-direct types like my young bauw Joff. CLICK TITLE 2 DOWNLOAD.

The Artists & Repertoire Music Collective Presents... Dru Chris' The Arsonist myspace.com/druchris | twitter.com/druchris

P.S. - Datpiff thinks it's slick - acting like the hip hop outlet & shit, lol. I see you.

DJ ANONYMOUS Presents: 'Hood Hits 12 - Uptown Roamers'

I jacked the Datpiff summary of DJ Anonymous' new 'HOOD HITS 12' because I'm back in school (Howard U in DC) & I use my time wisely. I will say that 'The DMV Supplier' is RFM's favorite DJ for a real reason.

CLICK TITLE 2 DOWNLOAD

12th installment of Hood Hits by PowerHouse DJ, the D.M.V Supplier , DJ Anonymous & hosted by KingPen Slim featuring the newest music in hoods over the nation -- Jay-Z BP3 leaks, New Drake Unreleased KingPen Slim, Lil Wayne, J. Cole tracks, DMV Talent Lola Monroe,Wale, Lil Dee etc Follow Anonymous on the twitter - djanonymousdc

Mary J. Blige - "Stronger" (from LeBron James' upcoming film 'More Than A Game')

Damn, Mary is never going to stop! I trust my man JESSE IS HEAVYWEIGHT when he tells me that life is about circles. I used to come inside after a long, sweaty day pursuing NBA stardom, and my sister, Cachet Ivey, would be banging "411" or "All I Need" from her room. So it's only right that Mary's RFM debut is a collab with the NBA's next Global Icon, LeBron 'King' James. Peace to Cachet (catch her in the dance flick Step Up 3 this fall), Lynda Lloyd, Chantay Thompson & all future leaders of the global community.

LMFAO -"La La La"!

CLICK TITLE 2 PEEP The Vid (Lamo's @ Youtube won't let me embed).

MIKE TV's intro to LMFAO came via MTV's REAL WORLD Cancun ('09), so he's not surprised that the beautiful, flirty Jonna Mannion is in LMFAO's new vid for "La La La;" she gets in where she fits in. MIKE TV also understands that LMAO represents an intriguing part of Will.I.Am's journey in the music biz (LMFAO is signed to Interscope through Will). How do you go from 'underground' hip hop cult leader (BEP) to Coca-Cola popping-pop-stadium-status-band leader? Did Will simply stay true to himself & grind it out? Did Will's sessions w/MJ play a part in the dreaded, energetic emcee's rise to power @ Interscope Records? These are all great questions; hopefully MIKE's diligent friends @ THINKTANK MARKETING & Interscope will help him get the answers.

NIKE HYPERIZERS Are So Hip Hop

Shout out to DJ QUIK; he produced the score for this slamming commercial (people don't show QUIK enough respect). I'd say NIKE is light years ahead of most 'major' record companies as far as getting creative minds to capture a fun, unfiltered slice of hip hop life.



I think the HYPERIZERS spot is inspired by THE JAMES GANG's '08-'09 pre-game antics. Peace to FOG RAW, LOL, aka Mo Williams. He has a future in the entertainment biz if he keeps energetic, innovative minds around him. Kevin Durant's character rides right by rocking the African medallion, plus he delivers the best verse. However, I must bestow the most props on Philly's own new A.I. aka CHIEF BLOCKA aka DON'T CRITICIZE; the fro-hawk is so in order, LOL. Later for the old A.I. - he's a quitter & his rhymes & taste in artists suck! LOL.

P.S. - The HYPERIZERS spot is extra cool, but it's not like NIKE is doing anything cutting edge. QUIK & the other studio workers are the key factors. NIKE just provided the budget & gathered a nice group of the illest young gunners in the NBA.

Myspace Fashion Presents THE FIT w/JORDIN SPARKS

Jordin Sparks


CLICK TITLE 2 VIEW JORDIN's SMASH HIT "BATTLEFIELD."

What can we say? She's gorgeous; her music is hot. And MIKE TV is getting back on his MYSPACE grind. People just gravitate to his page over there.

Digital Girl Remix w/ Jamie Foxx, Drake, The Dream & Kanye West

If Kanye can wear a pink sweater then I can use a pink border! lol. Sidebar: I hate the perception that rainbows & certain colors like pink & purple are considered gay or exclusively feminine.

I can't help but think that Jamie views this whole music game as one big In Living Color skit. It's like his songs are almost spoofs...he has talent for miles and his singles always have that current feel (recruiting the hottest rapper, the hottest singer/songwriter & the hottest rapper/producer doesn't hurt the freshness either).

LeBRON JAMES Presents 'MORE THAN A GAME' w/The Original Akron, Ohio JAMES GANG

CLICK TITLE 2 PREVIEW MTAG Soundtrack (due out 9/22) & Link to FB & TWITTER.

The human (as opposed to the puppet) version of His Highness King James finally makes RFM! We don't believe in accidents or coincidences; it's fitting that James' first RFM appearance is due to his new film. MIKE TV will review MORE THAN A GAME @ a private screening or on 10/2 upon release to selected screens.

Special thx to BRIAN SCULLY, THINKTANK MARKETING & all parties involved in crafting what promises to be an affective, dynamic documentary. Look below for the MTAG trailer & "Stronger" music video which features Mary J. Blige's enduring vocals.



Synopsis:

Five talented young basketball players from Akron, Ohio star in this remarkable true-life coming of age story about uncommon friendship in the face all too common adversities. Coached by a charismatic but inexperienced player’s father, and led by future NBA superstar LeBron James, the “Fab Five’s” improbable seven-year journey leads them from a decrepit inner-city gym to the doorstep of a national high school championship. Along the way, the close-knit team is repeatedly tested—both on and off the court—as James’ exploding worldwide celebrity threatens to destroy everything they’ve set out to achieve together. MORE THAN A GAME combines a series of unforgettable one-on-one interviews with rare news footage, never-before-seen home videos and personal family photographs to bring this heart-warming and wholly American story to life.

MORE THAN A GAME - Music Video


Lionsgate and Harvey Mason Media in association with Interscope Records present a Harvey Mason Media Production in association with Galley Boy and Spring Hill Productions a film by Kristopher Belman. MORE THAN A GAME is written by Kristopher Belman & Brad Hogan and directed by Kristopher Belman. The film features LeBron James, Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis and Coach Dru Joyce II.

Renowned Producer !LLMIND Releases Official Remix Album

CLICK TITLE 2 DOWNLOAD ALBUM.

There's nothing like a really tight remix album. RFM loves em! The emergence of the remix album is truly a sign of the times in the new rap game where you can showcase your skills to the world on the backs of other artists' hits. The key is you must add new flavor to the great songs you choose to remix as well as simultaneously market your own movement.

!LLMIND freaks new versions of "99 Problems" (JAY-Z), "You Don't Know My Name" (ALICIA KEYS), "Conflict" (MASTA ACE & GURU), & some untitled EN VOGUE joint.



FORTILIVE, !LLMIND's hip hop group, also blesses this remix album; look out for "THE COMEUP" & "GOIN THRU IT." !LLMIND is cooking up some serious food. Digest it then read more about MYX MUSIC LABEL, the company behind FORTILIVE & the new !LLMIND REMIX ALBUM. Peace 2 MICHELLE, AUDIBLE TREATS & DJ ICEWATER (of PHARCYDE) on the mix.

MYX Music Label was founded in 2007 by industry veteran Karim Panni of the Boom Bap Project (Rhymesayers Entertainment). MYX Music Label is under the umbrella of MYX TV, which is the only music and lifestyle channel dedicated to the Asian American community. Distributed nationally, MYX TV showcases the hottest major label and independent content as well as dynamic original programming that fuses fashion, comedy, and culture. MYX Music Label integrates the newest technology while developing innovative digital distribution and promotion strategies to service their artists. The MYX Music Label was created for the sole purpose of using the MYX TV visual network platform to promote the finest independent hip-hop and urban music. MYX Music Label's ambitious release schedule for 2009 includes groundbreaking works from production duo Keelay & Zaire, D.Black, Jern Eye, and Kam Moye aka Supastition. Also, adding to their versatility as a label, MYX Music Label DVD releases include The Nutshack, Built From Skratch, Str8 Laced and Slanted Comedy, which features today's top Asian American comedians For more information on MYX Music Label, please visit http://www.myxmusiclabel.com

'Little Miss Blackout' ALBUM by UPSTATE ESCAPE

CLICK TITLE 2 STREAM 'LITTLE MISS BLACKOUT'

Don't you know how like Jay-Z, Biggie & Busta Rhymes went to the same HS? Well a similar kind of VH1-ish back-story to greatness is building here as MIKE TV (Central HS of Phila. Alum) offers you UPSTATE ESCAPE.

The cutting edge band is helmed by lead singer/guitarist (Central HS of Phila. Alum) JOHN NORWOOD. Months ago JOHN sent me UPSTATE ESCAPE's 'THE BALLS TIGHT EP,' lmao (don't worry; there's a chick on the back cover wearing a 'Balls Tight' tee, lol). The EP is fire & from what I've heard so far, musically & lyrically 'LITTLE MISS BLACKOUT' is a progressive step up. Listen to it. UPSTATE ESCAPE interview coming to RFM soon!

DORROUGH INTERVIEW: 'LIVE TO GET IT'

RFM caught up with Dorrough post west coast trip. He was fresh from The Bay Area where his lead singles, "Ice Cream Paint Job" & "Walk That Walk" off 'Dorrough Music,' initially attracted their biggest followings.

By August 12 'Dorrough Music' officially tops the Billboard Indie Chart & it ranks #3 on the Billboard Hip Hop Chart. On the eve of his album's retail release Dorrough opened up to RFM about what drives him to disregard old parameters in order to be successful & elevate his hometown, Dallas, TX.

Mike TV: What type of whip you pushing now that the singles are bubbling & the album is out?

Dorrough: We stay lacked up where I’m from – got a couple lacks; that’s the way we role right now.

Mike TV: What’s your favorite color ride?

Dorrough: My favorite color one is my all black one with black & chrome things.

Mike TV: Your record broke first in San Fran; have you been out there since it got popping? Is it like a world away from D Town?

Dorrough: It was crazy. I had never been out to the Bay or to California for it to be big out there, and they showing a lot of love to a southern artist; it’s hard to break in that west coast market.

Mike TV: Have you been out there since it started popping?

Dorrough: Yeah I was out there yesterday; we did a video shoot for another song I did with a artist out there. I go out there a couple times a month actually.

Mike TV: Who’s on it?

Dorrough: Young Lot.

Mike TV: Does San Fran feel like a world away from D Town where you’re from?

Dorrough: Yeah it’s different, but at the end of the day a lot of places be so different but so the same. It’s a whole different scene, but I like it out there.

Mike TV: Why’d you choose to sign a deal with E1? I’m sure some other labels were hollering.

Dorrough: They just came with the best situation for me at the end of the day.

Mike TV: Do you pay attn to the charts & crazy ringtone stats your doing?

Dorrough: My people around me keep me in tact with it a lil bit, but at the end of the day I stay too busy; I just don’t really have time to keep up with it. I just keep doing my thing and my people around me keep me informed and I just hope and wish for the best – tryna to continue to make stuff pop.



August 12, 2009
EMERGING STAR HAS GARNERED OVER 500,000 DIGITAL TRANSACTIONS TO DATE!

(New York, NY) – Leading independent E1 Entertainment announced today that Dallas hip hop artist Dorrough’s new debut album, “Dorrough Music,” has debuted at #1on the Billboard Independent Chart. The album sold over 12, 000 copies and also debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hip Hop Chart. This release is E1 Entertainment’s 195th album to debut at #1 on the Independent Chart through its music label, E1 Music (formerly KOCH Records).

Mike TV: Of course.

Dorrough: We anticipating a lot of singles coming off the album. We got a couple of em that’s already hitting radio right now – one of em, featuring Slim Thug called “Chain Swang,” and it’s doing real good – produced by DJ Monty; he produced a lot of big records. Then I got a song called “…To the Beat;” it’s pretty big; it’s produced by Too Much who produced “Ice Cream Paint Job.” We anticipate even more singles than that to come out. At the end of the day I feel like it’s gon be a classic album.

Mike TV: You feel like it will have a nice run for months through the winter.

Dorrough: Yeah. It’s one of them albums that’s timeless, so you could jam it – I feel like people gon be jamming it for at least a year after it drops.

Mike TV: Do you think that admitting you went to college is a symptom of the new rap game? Maybe 9 years ago it wouldn’t have been cool to say I’m a rapper who went to Prairie View.

Dorrough: At the end of the day you get it how you get it. If they ignorant enough to not know you can get it anywhere…to be honest I feel like had I not went down there I wouldn’t even be doing…I wouldn’t have even had success like I’ve been having because a lot of my success came from the college market. People don’t look at it like that; that’s like one of the number one ways to break records – one of the number one ways to cater to different people; you get so much exposure. I took advantage of that whole lil college market, so at the end of the day…it is a new generation; you see people coming up through the Internet and people coming up through all type of ways. Me, it’s kind of like I found it out; I was fortunate enough to go to school cause I was a baler; I played basketball. I took advantage of the whole lil music thing and I was in the street at the same time grinding, so I just did it all. Nowadays I feel like you kinda gotta be like everywhere.

Mike TV: I go to Howard in DC, so I totally know what you mean, 100%.

Dorrough: Yeah yeah yeah. Nowadays I don’t do no tripping about that – however I got it that’s how I got it.

Mike TV: How is the feeling of hip hop now different from the vibes you grew up on?

Dorrough: I grew up on all kinds of hip hop – from the west coast, east coast, Tupac, Biggie. But I was really influenced by the southern movement we had: UGK, Swishahouse, Lil Flip – all that; Master P, you know what I’m talking bout? Hip hop is hip hop only because it changes. If it don’t ever change that’s when hip hop…people talk about hip hop dying; that’s when it’s dead – when it don’t change or evolve in some type of way. So now you can’t blame people for coming up the way they coming up; people can’t help if they grew up in the era of the Internet; people can’t control that, so at the end of the day, how can you judge a man for grinding it out off the way he know. I feel like a lot of new artists such as myself should be getting way more respect than a lot of even the other rappers because most of the new artists staying in they lane. I feel like it’s all about staying in your lane and not tryna…you do get people that step out they lane and try to do other stuff and be on some other stuff, but most of the time most of the new artists staying in they lane. A lot of people stepping out tryna say they doing this and doing that and tryna do this and that – tryna create a image. And they really kinda hindering themselves.

Mike TV: What’s your outlook on the Dallas rap scene? It seems like people such as Jesse Is Heavyweight & Lil Will are making the city stand out.

Dorrough: Everybody out here tryna get it. I feel like the Dallas scene has been tremendously overlooked the last couple years. Even right now I feel like we still in the early stage, but we at a stage where we get recognized; people looking at us; we influencing the whole southern region right now. If we keep coming with it we might hit the muthafuckin world in a couple years. We more advanced than where we was a couple of years ago. We got our own style; we got our own swag; we got our own thing, so you can’t knock that either.

Mike TV: How do you see your lane in the game?

Dorrough: I do music. I’m an artist. And when you hear my album you gon see that this dude right here is creative. I don’t really try to stick with one style. I just vibe with music, so at the end of the day staying in my lane is doing what I do best – putting out good music. I got songs that’s lyrical then I got songs where I’m just kind of riding the track. You gotta know how to vibe with music to put out good music; people so one-sided… a lot of these artists so one-sided that they don’t understand that you can be the best rapper in the world – the best lyricist – but you still gotta have the ability to create a song; just cause somebody can spit, that don’t mean you can create a song. And I feel like that’s the biggest rappers. You can go on the street and find some of the best, most talented spitters or lyricists – they can’t put together a song. So at the end of the day it don’t make you [very] talented if you can’t put together a song. I feel like that’s one of my strongest points – I can put together a song. You might put together a concept then a hook; you might put the lyrics into it…it’s about everything connecting with each other. The best artists can really make songs that people can relate to and feel. I feel like that’s what I’m good at; that’s what I’m bringing to the industry right now. I see the bigger picture when it comes to music.