RED & METH Destroy DC!!

"Give it up 4 METHOD MAN. That shit was hot!" (RED)

MIKE TV has witnessed JAY-Z, NAS, JOE BUDDEN, SLICK RICK, RAKIM (the list goes on), however, the dynamic dosia duo, RED & METH, rocks the best show in HIP HOP, hands down. Last Friday the affably roguish pair that has logged an unsaturated 17 years as pro entertainers strutted onto the 930 Club stage to a roaring crowd that didn't chill until RED & METH tossed the last water bottle and DJ ALLAH MATHEMATICS spun the final cut. The show proves that hard work can be both taxing and exuberant but what impressed the most was the way RED & METH mastered the ceremony.


"Give it up 4 REDMAN. That shit was hot!" (METH)

Once REDMAN removed his hoody to reveal a fresh fro-hawk it was obvious RED & METH still embody hip hop swag. But it doesn't mean they can't throw on the '90's bubble vests' and rip off classics like "TONIGHT's DA NITE," "ALL I NEED," & "HOW HIGH." Their set was so tight that songs from the new album, 'BLACKOUT 2,' charged 930s' rowdy, drunken mix of whites & blacks with just as much energy as "DA ROCKWILDER" did. On stage RED & METH feed off each other like JOE MONTANA & JERRY RICE - that kinetic force tranfers to the crowd and the entire venue becomes electric.



By the time the set was closing, and that signature RED & METH crowd surf was done, people were clapping in unison to "KICK PUSH" & the most infectious 'Hell yeah/ Oh yeahs' you'll witness. DC surely was treated to show biz greatness via the Hip Hop Footprints Tour.

Peace 2 THEDA, KADLISHA & SEVEN for getting RFM in on the action.

Willie The Kid - "No Fly Zone"

CLICK TITLE.
DJ DRAMA leaked this new WILLIE THE KID song on Twitter today. It's on WILLIE's new GANGSTA GRILLZ mixtape, 'The Fly.' MIKE TV met WTK in '06 @ Howard University's Homecoming. His songs & verses have gotten progressively better since then. I think of WTK as a slightly less sharp version of Lupe if Lupe was like strictly street; WTK has intelligent rhymes & a spiritual side, but he's no skate-board/street-wear type. He reps Gun-Rule (aka Grand Rapids, MI) just as hard as he waves the AMG flag.

So peace to WTK, LAD, DRAMA, CANNON, JEWELZ & the whole AMG movement.
P.S. - Sicknotes is nice with the beats.

'Good Brova I'm In The Hood Brova' (Cassidy)

CLICK TITLE


MIKE TV is back in Philly for a few days, so it's only right that the 1st RFM post from The City includes GOOD BROVA. "I See U" is a ghetto love track by this rapper/singer, and the song is just like Philly - sophisticatedly street; you know only an artist from the city where they might pray for you before they blow your brains out could sing about following the Prophet & making somebody a vegetable in a love song, LOL. Peace 2 CLOCKWORK MUSIC INC.

Look out for GOOD BROVA's 'The Passion Project (Subway Stories Vol. 1).'

"Run This Town" (Dirty)

People should spend less time hating on Jay-Z and more time using his stuff as inspiration. He took two of the hottest artists he help build & made a song that feels like the times (or at least the next 6 months may feel like the song).

Lately I've been watching a lot of Pac stuff and feeling a certain way about cats like Jay-Z & Nas. But I won't deny the huge positive impact they've all had on the RFM movement. Live, Eat, Listen. Shouts to Billboard. I plan to work with them.

LETS GET FREE!!

Oh yeah baby! In the report Chris Mortensen mentions that the UFL is ready to pay VICK between 1 & 2 Million $. The road of life for VICK is becoming a highway again. Let's hope he can stay off the weed and successfully do what he loves again. RFM has followed this story very closely since 2007 when VICK was arrested for operating an interstate dog fighting ring. We believe VICK's life is a cautionary lesson in redemption for all of us future millionaires.

GHETTO POP @ ITS FINEST!

Did you know that FREE RADICALS make us GLOW?


dead prez uses a great color scheme for this video. I like the bald, tatted-up chick & the song is pretty cool "Summertime" music. Yesterday I read that scientists have found that we actually glow a little. I learned that a while ago, but it's cool to know why they think we do - something about free radicals (click title 2 learn more) My sister Cachet swears that her 'aura' is like orange.

Kali & STATIK SELEKTAH - WELCOME TO HOTEL KALIFORNIA

Homes is kind of hot, but if you listen in slow motion he sounds even more nice. I said it on Twitter yesterday after I interviewed DORROUGH - I thank my DIRTY SOUTH fam for putting me on too SCREW & all that dope shit.

Statik Selektah has his ear to the pulse of urban culture. Boston, where he's from, goes unnoticed by the business, but there's so much heat there; Termanology & Sev One just to name a couple.

CLICK 2 TITLE 2 DOWNLOAD. Peace 2 CLOCKWORK MUSIC INC.

P.S. - Shouts 2 G Money & Durham, Slim & ATL, M. Graves & THE GULF COAST & Jesse & DALLAS.

KHEMIST - "CAN'T DO THAT"

Who is this kid?! I hear he's only seventeeeen. PHILLY is on some shit for 2010, I see. This song is crack!

Nas-Nas-Nas...(This is how u know I been TVBLogging way 2 much. 2 Nas posts in 2 days@MikeTv2009)

CLICK TITLE. Just Listen 4 a change. i don't like to waste my words ya know? Not like waste em on you folks, but just in general. Peace.


Isn't this like a hip hop baseball card?

Nas is great w/J Love but he can't Love Kelis or the 1 who Loved J

So Icey Entertainment / Asylum/ Warner Bros Records Artist GUCCI MANE Stars As Mr. T...

Track Listing:

1. Intro
2. Pressure ft. Woo Da Kid
3. Burr
4. Beat it Up Ft. Trey Songz
5. Hottest Rapper ft. Waka Flacka
6. Gucci Ft Shawnna, Nicki Minaj
7. Overboard Ft Oj Da Juiceman, Rock City, La The Darkman
8. BreakUp Ft Mario, Sean Garrett
9. Alot
10. Awesome Ft Snoop Dogg
11. Superhero Ft JMoney, Waka Flacka, Shawnna
12. Leading Lady
13. Mr.T
14. Aint Nothing Else To Do ft. Shawty Lo
15. Loud
16. Wasted RMX Ft Oj Da Juiceman, Plies
17. Waka Flaka - Let's Do It

This is what you get when the TOP STREET-HOP BRAND in the business links with the #1 GHETTO-POP blog in the universe. MIKE TV stamped GUCCI's latest mixtape; throw it on & do whatever you do to be you because it's flames all the way through. Look out for "OVERBOARD," "PRESSURE,"AIN'T NOTHIN," & "LOUD."

MIA & Santogold On The Same Record?!!

N.A.S.A - "Whachadoin?" Video


What more can you ask for? And it's cool because the title is my favorite drunken text to girls, LOL. N.A.S.A. makes a party jump with those beats dude.

NAS in QB Reppin KNIGHT

If I'm going to swagger jack my man ESKAY's post then I must add something. The other day I was about to post a Nas/Kelis story about them breaking up with a son on the way. I stopped short for some reason. Forget what TMZ or Hip Hop blogs say about Nas or Kelis. This is RFM gottdammit!

I think it's amazing to have a son. All my mans in PHILLY have children including ORACLE, a burgeoning emcee/author. His mixtape is on the way. So shout out to lil ELIJAH, Nas' son KNIGHT & my niece CHEYENNE. At the end of the day we're kicking in doors for them. CLICK TITLE 2 witness ORACLE rip down a Nas beat (and look down. i'm taking cooler pics every day).


ORACLE in grimy Phil-del.

Nikki Jean's Inaugural Promo Meeting @ Columbia

How fitting that NIKKI JEAN's RFM debut finds her in a record label meeting @ Columbia (we're all about real talent getting shine). RFM fell in love with this beautiful, spirited soul last year on Myspace. Sure she can sing her ass off & pound the keys, but she's a good song writer & she is quite simply the best vlogging artist I know. Nikki's really sweet & creative with hers, and she shows a genuine appreciation for her growing fan base. Look what hip hop can do; LUPE grabbed her for the hook on "HIP HOP SAVED MY LIFE" & the rest is history. Nikki's album is in the works. RFM is behind her.

Smoke Bulga Feat. Jim Jones - "Money On My Mind"

Smoke Bulga Ft. Jim Jones - Money On My Mind from DanTheMan on Vimeo.

I hesitated to even watch this vid because there are a million songs with this title & concept. I'm glad I gave it a chance - it's fly. Simply. And most of us young black dudes do have money on the brain. We love to make something out of nothing.

Jones comes correct. The collab doesn't look forced. Dan The Man (director) does good work.

P.S. - CLICK TITLE 2 hear the dope "Put Your Head On My Shoulder" w/Masspike Miles & Smoke Bulga. Peace 2 CLOCKWORK MUSIC.

Big Urban - "Your Mother Is A Hipster"

This song is crack yo! CLICK TITLE 2 LISTEN. I'd go on, but AUDIBLE TREATS describes BIG URBAN well. And they actually get paid to do it, LOL. I'm out! I gotta go make my Rent dude.

In their latest single, Big Urban get back on the scene by poking fun at it. In a day and age (especially in Brooklyn) where the term "hipster" is thrown around without regard, Big Urban looks to spell out the meaning, in no uncertain terms, for those who have forgotten the origin of the label. Emcee Krayola Spectrum lays it out plainly when he states, "Your mother is a hipster / Ain't no doubt about it / Seen her at the cool place/ She had on an outfit / She's a cynic / Seen her at the clinic / She made a point to point out all the celebrities." Though it may be just as in vogue to talk about hipsters as it is to make fun of them, Big Urban has a flawless approach to the topic which, therefore, makes it all the more hilarious.

Chris Brown Mans Up & Big Ben Gets Accused

I think it took a lot of courage for Chris to publicly apologize about beating his girl. It's more than some 50 year old men are capable of doing (trust me, I know). When you grow up as a young boy watching 'domestic violence' I think there's a good chance your conceptions of male/female relations will be fucked up. Therefore, I salute Chris. It must be hard to truly humble yourself when checks, chicks & audiences say you can do no wrong. But Chris did it.

Then you have the SUPER BOWL CHAMPION QB getting accused of sexual assault by a woman that he reportedly had a consensual sexual relationship with. Well actually he's being sued by this woman, Andrea McNulty. It's wack that CELEB TV waits until the end of the vid to mention the evidence that points to 'THE ABSENCE OF ANY CRIMINAL CONDUCT.'

U2 - No Line On The Horizon Live in Dublin

I'm on Youtube earlier watching a Behind-The-Scenes vid about U2 recording their new album in Fez, Morocco; I go to snatch the embed code so I can show you guys, and don't you know that the code is disabled?! Sucks. You can, however, CLICK TITLE to check it out after you watch BONO & the band perform 'No Line...' live in Dublin, Ireland.

I like the Fez thing because it's well edited & it features picturesque shots of the city where U2 shot the vid for "Magnificent" - no wonder the band says that the home for this particular album is Fez. It seems to be a beautiful place. RFM is all about that. Enjoy!

P.S. - I dig that BONO thinks "the enemy of greatness is very good;" I don't dig the lispy way he says "lets go fellas" at the top. RFM is not all about that, LOL (not that there's anything wrong with that).

SOULJIA BOY's RFM Debut!

Oh this joint is hard as nails! The sharp editing cuts & zooms make for a really hype video. Why are they wearing all the red though? Whatever...SOULJIA still carries himself like an indie artist via the minimalist streets vids and blogs. Congrats man!

Dame Dash Speaks on Chrianna/Jayonce Fallout

(Don't you hate when blogs combine couples' names, LOL?) Roc-A-Fella Records co-founder Dame Dash still seems pretty humbled & shocked that Jay-Z left him behind four years ago, but he dropped some jewels on SMACK about schooling the young'ns VS. using Hollywood leverage to embarrass & deprive.

According to my facebook post about Jay supposedly black balling Chris Brown from the BET celebration people are split down the middle. It's no surprise that ALL the comments were from females. CLICK TITLE 2 add your sense.

When Hip Hop Meets Classic Nintendo...

I haven't listened to FINALE's music yet (such a slacker, I know), but this game is an awesome promo tool. (The frickin embed code doesn't work, so just CLICK TITLE 2 PLAY). Now I'm not that old, I just have a keen memory, ya heard? Lol. I was the youngest in charge staying up on weekends, playing Nintendo with Bam & Tone & Cash. Damn I miss Philly! Next weekend baby!

Look out for more FINALE posts soon; Detroit be having that ill hip hop. Shouts 2 MICHELLE & AUDIBLE TREATS.

SuperHead Goes MAINSTREAM

Yo...yo yo yo. First, I think some of her advice for women is actually on point. And I guess the writing career is going great because her people got her on TODAY. She handled herself pretty well with the off-the-cuff jokes & quick deflections.

Question: is it realistic that Karrine Steffans is NOT still using her mouth & vagina to get ahead? The bigger question is, if she is, what's her advice worth?

(If you're unfamiliar with this woman...she's a former hip hop video girl who released a book a few years ago detailing her sexual exploits with rappers and the abuse she suffered as a battered girlfriend. It's really sensational.)

"The ONE"

In my humble opinion Slaughterhouse (joe budden, crooked i, royce da 5'9, & joell ortiz) created the perfect lead single. It is indeed the one. Dare I say that this concise crew joint is accessibly hip hop? Maybe ghetto-pop?

Last month Slaughterhouse left DJ GREEN LANTERN's radio show & went straight to a studio session with M.O.P. to make "WOODSTOCK HOOD HOP;" don't you love when Hip Hop rocks out with its cock out? (PAUSE! LOL). I say that to say this: "The One" has a great Rock N' Roll rinse to it - the song & the vid. But don't take my word for it.


Album out 8/11! RFM can't wait!

"21 GUNS"

Due to my limited access, bootlegg cable hook-up I've become a VH1 fiend. You'll see & hear some good songs in between shows (VH1 markets the artists they like in a cool way - all kinds of bottom line credits and snippets); this is one of them. "21 GUNS" builds great momentum during the verses & the chorus is a great contrast of light singing & pounding guitars. I was skeptical at first, but '21st Century Breakdown' shall be my next album purchase.

I've been a Green Day fan since this...

Seacrest's New Deal Worth Reported $45 Milli

I didn't watch much American Idol last season, but I'll tune in more next season just to watch Ryan Seacrest handle the pressure of being the highest paid reality TV host in history.

It looks like Seacrest earned the big contract, which won't be announced until next week according to Yahoo, but my first reaction was to wonder what he had to sacrifice in order to get a deal worth a reported $45 Mill over three years. Since Dave Chappelle basically ran away from hundreds of millions I've been curious about the pressures & responsibilities of becoming a Hollywood multi-milliionaire.

CLICK TITLE 4 MORE DETAILS.

"Heros Ain't Supposed 2 Die" (Vince Young)

Rise: 2/14/73


Ya know, some people, men & women, don't feel much remorse for STEVE 'AIR' McNAIR because he was an adulterer. I even had one friend tell me he thinks that STEVE may be in hell if there is one because he died sinning. I honestly don't know about all that. All that I can say is...he was a big time hero for me. I lived & died with every drop back & scramble he made in Super Bowl XXXIV, and I hated the TITANS for a while in '06 after team owner BUD ADAMS locked STEVE out of the practice facility due to contractual issues.



I can only aspire to represent the kind of heartfelt, iron clad will to win that STEVE showed on Sundays. This post is a tribute to the rise & fall of a man whom I grew up admiring a great deal. RIP STEVE McNAIR & SAHEL KAZEMI.

Fall: 7/4/09

A Glimpse of 'THE SURREAL LIFE'

JESSE Is HEAVYWEIGHT & DJ ANONYMOUS are wrapping up 'THE SURREAL LIFE' as we speak. CLICK TITLE 4 a lil leakage called "LUNCHROOM" featuring HOWHOOD & Yours Truly.

C'mon! How could rap not be one of my hats? But don't worry; there will be no conflicts of interests; my interest is simply dopeness like POOKY.

BRANDOE in BLACK CAUCUS' DARK ROOM

Aw man! Do you see where a little vision and some editing software can take you? Don't forget to be hot though. You must be dope to make RFM. Shouts to my man RYAN K. SMITH. Philly is happening! Nice beat by Jc.

"...Dominated rap so my next goal is to tackle golf." (BRANDOE)

RIP Action Jackson

We waited a while to post a tribute to Michael Joseph Jackson. RFM feels that now is the right time and we've found the right info. KING TAFARI sent me an email listing MJ's record establishing charity work. We know he didn't console terminally sick babies & donate millions in order to get props, but we're gonna give em up right now. Here are just a few reasons why MJ stands as an undying emblem of human compassion & empathy. Live on.

P.S. CLICK title 2 visit the international MJ fan site Jackson Action.

January 10, 1984: Michael visits the unit for burn victims at Brotman-Memorial Hospital in Los Angeles.

April 9, 1984: David Smithee, a 14-year-old boy who suffers from cystic fibroses is invited to Michael's home. It was David's last wish to meet Michael. He dies 7 weeks later.

April 14, 1984: Michael equips a 19-bed-unit at Mount Senai New York Medical Center. This center is part of the T.J. Martell-Foundation for leukemia and cancer research.

July 5, 1984: During the Jackson's press conference at Tavern On The Green, Michael announces that his part of the earnings from the Victory Tour will be donated to three charitable organizations: The United Negro College Fund, Camp Good Times, and the T.J. Martell-Foundation.

July 14, 1984: After the first concert of the Victory Tour, Michael meets 8 terminally ill children backstage.

December 13, 1984: Michael visits the Brotman Memorial Hospital, where he had been treated when he was burned very badly during the producing of a Pepsi commercial. He donates all the money he receives from Pepsi, $1.5 million, to the Michael Jackson Burn Center for Children.

January 28, 1985: Michael and 44 other artists meet to record "We Are The World", written by Michael and Lionel Ritchie. The proceeds of this record are donated to the starving people in Africa.

1986: Michael set up the "Michael Jackson UNCF Endowed Scholarship Fund". This $1.5 million fund is aimed towards students majoring in performance art and communications, with money given each year to students attending a UNCF member college or university.

February 28, 1986: After having had a heart-transplant, 14-year-old Donna Ashlock from California gets a call from Michael Jackson. He had heard that she is a big fan of his. Michael invites her to his home as soon as she is feeling better. This visit takes place on March 8th. Donna stays for dinner and watches a movie together with Michael.

September 13, 1987: Michael supports a campaign against racism. He supports efforts of the NAACP, to fight prejudices against black artists.

October 1987: At the end of his Bad Tour, Michael donates some personal items to the UNESCO for a charitable auction. The proceeds will be for the education of children in developing countries.

February 1, 1988: The Song "Man In the Mirror" enters the charts. The proceeds from the sales of this record goes to Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a camp for children who suffer from cancer.

March 1, 1988: At a press conference held by his sponsor Pepsi, Michael presents a $600,000 check to the United Negro College Fund.

The Millennium-Issue of the "Guinness Book Of Records" names Michael as the Pop Star who supports the most charity organizations. The following projects are supported by Michael Jackson:

AIDS Project L.A.
American Cancer Society
Angel Food
Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles
BMI Foundation
Brotherhood Crusade
Brothman Burn Center
Camp Ronald McDonald
Childhelp U.S.A.
Children's Institute International
Cities and Schools Scholarship Fund
Community Youth Sports & Arts Foundation
Congressional Black Caucus
Dakar Foundation
Dreamstreet Kids
Dreams Come True Charity
Elizabeth Taylor Aids Foundation
Heal The World Foundation
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
Love Match
Make A Wish Foundation
Minority Aids Project
Motown Museum
NAACP
National Rainbow Coalition
Rotary Club of Australia
Society of Singers
Starlight Foundation
The Carter Center's Atlanta Project
The Sickle Cell Research Foundation
Transafrica
United Negro College Fund
United Negro College Fund Ladder's of Hope
Volunteers of America
Watts Summer Festival
Wish Granting
YMCA - 28th Street/Crenshaw
Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America: This is the oldest mentoring organization serving youth in the USA. BBBSA has provided one-to-one mentoring relationships between adult volunteers and children at risk since 1904. BBBSA currently serves over 100,000 children and youth in more than 500 agencies throughout all of the United States.

Fashawn's LA Listening Experience

Here's a nice slice of West side rapper Fashawn's recent listening session for his debut LP 'BOY MEETS WORLD' (love that title, lol). It's encouraging for a hip hop dude like me to see west coast hip hop elites - Dilated Peoples & Plant Asia -supporting the new generation, Fashawn & Blu.

Notice when EVIDENCE discusses his ear and how any music that really stuck took a little while to grow on him. People get too caught up in being Fan & R's, as in right away they think they need to stamp a song as 'hot' or 'not'. I think it speaks to the disposable nature of today's pop music and people just doubting the validity of their opinions.

We @ RFM feel that the west coast 'underground' (I hesitate to use that 'taboo' term) has been THE MOST sustained, consistently hot pocket of hip hop for 10+ years. The beat goes on with Fashawn.

Peace 2 Ms. Kim Trick & The Orchard.

HAVOC's "GOIN OT"

"I gotta get money every where that I go." Shouts to Mr. OT aka M. Rex; I think he'd bang this on trips. Idk if Hav produced the track; it's pure rider music.

I'm OT right now, and part of me wishes I wasn't. I miss Philly man. AU mixtape coming soon. I put on for my city.

Dorrough - "ICE CREAM PAINT JOB"

I mean, DALLAS has it poppin right now; what can I say? It used to be that the only Dorrough that RFM knew was from Desert Storm. But we'll make room for this kid due to his crunk singles and fun videos. Dr. Teeth held Dorrough down for this one; nice girls, shiny whips and hood shots that aren't cheesy.
Peace 2 David & E1 Music.

P.S. - "WALK THAT WALK"

Artistic Integrity

Known simply as Naledge to fans of Kidz In The hall, the self styled ‘Chicago Picasso’ enlists the support of taste-making DJs and magazines to launch his artfully titled solo debut. Sure it’s not an official album, but lengthy, collaborative mixtapes get more play than the old standard.

‘Chicago Picasso’ is hosted by Mick Boogie and DJ Timbuck2. Click title to purchase tracks or the entire mixtape @ iTunes. Indie hip hop vanguard Duck Down Records last year signed Kidz In The Hall (Naledge and producer partner Double O) to a deal that allows latitude and creative freedom according to University of Penn grad and Chicago native Naledge.

He isn’t garnering heavy media attention like Drake or Mickey Factz, but this may be a small price to pay for avoiding pigeonholes. Before the release of ‘Chicago Picasso’ Naledge linked up with Mike TV & RFM to talk about misguided producers, Duck Down Records and the reason people can’t believe he’ll work with them.


Mike TV: Do you think you’ve grown as an emcee and song writer since KIH made ‘The In Crowd’ last year?

Naledge Born: You have to grow; if you don’t grow then you’re going backwards. The way I operate, I’m always working, so when y’all was listening to that I was already making new stuff. I was listening to ‘The In Crowd’ for a year before y’all heard it; I was listening to ‘School Was My Hustle’ a couple years before ya’ll heard it; I listened to this mixtape a year before ya’ll heard it; I’ll probably end up hearing the next KIH album, which is coming out in October – I played most of these records for six, seven months, so I’m always working and I’m always on to the next thing. And I just try to create good music for people to enjoy. I don’t have to think ahead because even if I make a song now, it probably won’t get released until next year. You gotta be thinking on some next level shit or just changing up on that. This is an art form, so it should always be evolving. I shouldn’t be tryna give you the same formula just cause it worked last time.

Mike TV: Are there any distinct differences between the ways you approach a solo Naledge Born project as opposed to KIH projects?

Naledge Born: There’s no difference; the only difference is I had the final say-so on a lot of things. I still create the music the same way; it’s just that if Double O disagrees with something [then] we talk about it; on this…it’s like it’s my project so, LOL.

Mike TV: Right. You’re the boss!

Naledge Born: I ask for his opinion on things, but if I disagree I just kept it moving and still went with it. We talk regardless and he’s always around me when I’m recording. I worked with him on this project as well – he had three joints on there. So it’s always music being created, but I think the biggest difference is it’s more personal. A lot of the KIH stuff is more a joint effort; a lot of the stuff I’m talking about is more general. The stuff I’m talking about on this project is more Naledge-centric. Even the title, ‘Chicago Picasso,’ is a statement. The KIH aren’t both from Chicago; I’m from Chicago. So it’s a bigger statement for me to put a solo record out because everything is gonna come from a certain perspective; this album was made on my own. It wasn’t made in conjunction with Double O or as KIH. There’s a lot of collaborations on this record; there’s a lot of different producers on this record. Everything is different. The sound is really what you’ll get that’s different. The lyrics and the way I approach making music – it’s all the same; the beats aren’t all Double O, so obviously there’s a certain thing that you probably accustomed to hearing me over and you’re like ‘Wow! I never knew what he would sound like on this kinda beat.

Mike TV: True. That’s what I found myself saying as I heard it.

Naledge Born: It’s like ‘He can rap on these types of beats too!?’ I get people who make beats and they give me CDs full of Double O beats, and I’m like ‘Dude, if I wanted Double O type of beats I’ll go get Double O, LOL.’ Making this project I worked a lot with Nez & Rio – producers with Brainiac – and they have a different sound; they have their own sound. That was what inspired me to wanna bring them into my circle and that’s what inspires me to work with people – when I don’t have to direct them; when they just like ‘I got some hot shit! Listen to it.’ And then it’s just like ‘Wow, he’s right,’ and then I just rap on it. People who put me in a box and have a certain perception of me will never get me cause I don’t have a box, I just go with the flow.

Mike TV: So I got the promo stream of 'Chicago Picasso' and I noticed that it’s registered to CMJ and there’s another stream provided by URB magazine. Shed some light on that for the people. What’s that about?

Naledge Born: At the end of the day we just want people to hear it, but we don’t want people to steal it, LOL.

Mike TV: I feel that, but what’s the actual relationship with the mags? Why is it that two music rags are behind that?

Naledge Born: Honestly, URB has been a supporter. It just fit. There’s never any agenda with who we partner up with; it’s people we believe in who believe in us.

Mike TV: Speaking of partnerships & support, on a scale of 1-5 how do you rate Duck Down’s effectiveness at helping Major League and KIH reach your music and business goals?

Naledge Born: They’ve consistently given us…they’ve consistently given us…I guess… they’ve consistently given us a lane to come out. They’ve given us freedom; they’ve never limited us; they never tried to change us into something we weren’t. They just let us operate how we operate. That’s been great for us – having a partner that allows us to be…free creatively and gets it out to the public.

Mike TV: So is that a four, a three, a five?

Naledge Born: Everything has room for improvement, so I guess it’s like a four.

Mike TV: I went to Howard University with A. Pinks who’s on “Blessed By God." How’d you catch wind of him and why’d you wanna do this particular joint with him?

Naledge Born: It’s weird. Our managers are cool. I’ve known him for the longest; we had hung out and been around each other before we made a song, so it’s kinda weird because we been in the same circle for the longest but never recorded nothing together; we would always be like ‘man, when we get on a record together…’ People think I be blowing smoke and I just start sending them beats. He was like ‘Aw man, I thought you was just talking.’ I’m like, ‘Nah, I wasn’t just talking.’ He came to the video in LA – the “Love Hangover” video. He’s actually in the video if you watch closely. But yeah…we got the song done; it’s dope. It’s actually for the producer Analogic who’s actually a real fresh producer out of Jersey; I met him at a beat battle, which is random cause it was sponsored by Rawkus and it seem like it was ages ago, but we kept in contact. It’s another situation where I was like, ‘Lets exchange information; I like your stuff.’ And I don’t think he took me seriously either. I was just talking to him and I was like, ‘Naw, send me some joints!’

Mike TV: Why people always think you’re playing man, LOL?

Naledge Born: I think people think because I’m in a group…I think it’s situational and other artists do do that; they just say, ‘Hit me up any time;’ they give you a number they don’t really answer or they give you an email they don’t really look at. If he had a beat CD on him at that moment I think he felt like I would’ve listened to it, but when months go by and then I hit you like, ‘Man you was supposed to follow up and you didn’t follow up;’ I think that surprises people cause they’re like, ‘Wow, he really thought about me.’ We ended up doing two joints – three joints actually – and that was one of the joints we did together. The other joint was “Southside Shit;” there’s another joint that’s on his project that’s coming out.

Mike TV: That’s one of the cool things about ‘Chicago Picasso;’ I’m getting put on to a lot of dope emcees & producers I don’t know much about.