THE D.M.V: Who's Next?

Peace.

What uuuuuuup? What's happeninnnn? Lol. What's good people? I'm not in the best mood today as I received some extremely disturbing news this morning upon waking up but I'll be alright. Anyway, it's been awhile since I've graced you bastards with my words.

So there's this buzz surrounding Wale from the DC area and that's all to the G-O-O-D. But I wanna holla at y'all about somebody else from the DMV (DC, Maryland, VA area). He goes by K-Beta from Inner Loop Records. He's got a new mixtape out - "89 to 09" and you can check out the promo here. Feel free to purchase his album "Nigger" from here!




Lol aight that's enough pluggin for one paragraph. K-Beta is CRACK. His shit had me hooked instantly. I think my favorite track is Dismember (that beat is SICK!!). His flow is hot, the beats are slick and he reminds me of a mixture between Beanie Sigel and NaS. Yeah I said it. NaS. He's very honest but he has a sharp tongue that cuts right through you. He made the songs cry like a thug. I really dig'em y'all.


Buy his album, hit him up on MySpace and support this man y'all. He's got a true sense of what hip-hop needs.


Just Listen - Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Summer Reign

Peace.

Everyone knows the summer brings about 2 things. HEAT & HEAT. When the sun is up it will make you sweat. When it goes down -- so will Pacino's new track.

Lick Her Box is the new track that's bound to make some niggas lose their girls this summer. The title speaks for itself....

Pacino will NOT let that record outta his hands until June 5th....but until then....

(I managed to get my hands on a snippet!!!!)

Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Lucky Seven

First I need to rant for a second. So now that everyone is aware that I'm a female -- what the fuck makes you (yeah you) think that as a woman my opinions or feelings on hip-hop, scratch that, music in general is compromised or suspect? Ya know, if it's one thing I can't stand it's fake people. And it's funny...I know more fake dudes than chicks. If I don't like you, you'll know it. I'll come right out and tell you. And just because I don't like you doesn't always mean I won't respect you. I know how to be civil and respectful. If I choose not to be it's because you flipped the bitch switch. Bitch, this is my blog. It's how I feel and what I think. You don't matter. Fuck you.

-hops off soapbox-

Now. So last night I went to a show at G Daddy's BBC. It isn't your TYPICAL hip-hop venue but it works. Of course my favorites were in attendance. (Proph I'm stealin that shirt!) I missed the first two acts but I'm sure I didn't miss much. The crowd was diverse and I saw some new faces. That's ALWAYS a good thing. (Especially when they don't leave mid-show)

Now one group on particular caught my attention. I'd heard some of their stuff previously but I'd never seen them perform. They blew me away. They had N.E.R.D.-like energy with the boastfulness of a new-age Beastie Boys. They also aren't the typical Milwaukee rapper. Ya know...Blah blah blahing about money they haven't made, clothes they've never worn, cars they don't have, weed they don't smoke and broads they've never smashed let alone smelled her perfume. The flow was ill. The beats were some of the best I've heard in awhile. And everybody who isn't a hater was feelin it.

They are The Cranberry Show. They do not leave a bitter taste in your mouth.
















Just Listen. ~Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop : Part Six

Peace.

It's 2009 and celebrities, politicians, and regular joes like you and me are becoming more and more concerned with the environment. I recently heard an exclusive track from 1/3 of KHB that made me feel like such a loser. DNA personally sent me a copy of B.I.G. (Born In Gluttony). I've been listening to it for about a week now and trying to think of something to write. I. AM. WASTEFUL. This song made me feel like a low-class citizen.

DNA got real heartfelt on this track ya'll. He discussed how damn near eveything we do these days is done in excess. So I broke down my own life. When I go to the grocery store I only need a quart of milk but I buy a whole gallon and waste more than half of it. When I go to the gas station for a slushie (oh how I love slushies!) I get the biggest one I can find and only drink half of it. Okay I'm going to stop there because I'm stating to feel bad again.

He talks about how we all do it "BIG". We're so concerned with "doin it big" and our obsession with size. The biggest buildings, the biggest desks, the biggest jets, the biggest SUV, the biggest rims, the biggest sums of money. He even goes hard on the gubment ya'll. What happened to the days of pure necessity?

My favorite line of the whole track: "Big tits, big dicks/All big, big, big/And we live in big cribs cuz we're just big kids"

It reminds me of the Murs track "And This Is For...". In it he says "I don't care about ya rims/kids ride big wheels/That's until they learn balance and it's obvious you haven't." TRUE STORY. This song makes me feel even more conscious of how much we waste and our blatant disregard for our money, our Earth and our self-consciousness.

KHB is a force to be reckoned with. I honestly feel that they have a sense of what people want to hear. They aren't for everybody though. If you wanna talk about hustlin, hoes, rims and clothes they probably aren't for you (unless you like to get made fun of). But if you're like me and you enjoy intellectual stimulation, clever lyrics gifted nicely over a sick beat and playful yet intelligent lyrics that give you something to think about besides your audition tape for Making The Band 5 then KHB is all for you!

Just Listen. ~Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop : NOVember Reign

Peace.

So, for weeks now the anticipation has been building around Young Nova's 'Gone Til NOVember' mixtape. The release party took place last night at one of Milwaukee's favorite venues for local music, Stonefly Brewery, on the Eastside.

Let me start by saying I REALLY wish Stonefly had a better sound system. 808's don't come off very well in there, it ends up sounding distorted and crackled. But it's spacious, easy to get to, there's plenty of sitting AND standing room and the drinks are well made. Moving on...

So I thought the show didn't start out very well. It was a tad unorganized and the crowd was just sitting idle for quite awhile listening to the most hood music possible. Every fat girl in Milwaukee with oodles of self-confidence was in attendance wearing the smallest clothes they could find shaking EVERYTHING that KFC, God, McDonalds and Taco Bell gave them. The hood niggas were also in full effect dressed to their nines with leather coats and crisp linings.

Why on Earth am I mentioning this? Because it simply solidifies a prior statement I made concerning The A-Team and their loyalty to the hood. Most of the local artists I prefer are sick with the word play, have extremely extensive vocabularies, and tend to come off as more intelligent individuals who are looking to advance in life not just in hip-hop. A-Team is more in tune with the hood, with the block. Folks that are more accustomed to repetitive beats, catchy hooks and playful lyrics, and let's not forget the customary AYE! thrown in several random spots.

Now to breakdown the show itself:

Once it started the crowd became energized, upbeat and ready to be amazed. The first act was a young man named Major. I had never heard of him, never heard his music or anything. I am astonished. He projected his voice perfectly and I understood every word that left his mouth [and truth be told Stonefly does NOT have the best sound set-up]. The beats were exceptional and his stage presence was commandeering. He owned that stage and I'm proud of him. I look forward to seeing more of him. Next up was a very random and unexpected performance (as far as I know) by our very own Ray Nitti. He has a single out right now that isn't worth writing about but catchy just the same. It's called "Bow" and I've hated it since I first heard it a few weeks ago. I'm still not interested in learning all the words but GOT DAMN if it didn't get the crowd out of their seats and hype as hell! Kudos. Now...when Young Nova took the stage I had no choice but to be completely still and watch carefully since it's my job to critque him. First of all, SHOUTOUT to his wife, Stacey J. for being super pregnant (but still gorgeous!) and rockin the fuck outta some sick ass black stilettos. Sure she sat down most of the night but still.... :)
Once Nov decided to take the stage and do his thing I was impressed. His flow was very clear, he appeared very comfortable and the songs were genuinely impressive. But - (there's always a but) he got tired quickly. He sat down on the stage where no one could see him and it became harder to hear him. I think he had WAY too many people on the stage and when you put girls on the stage, make sure they serve a purpose. His did not. They just stood there staring out into the crowd like they were mentally preparing themselves to stage dive. His overall performance was mediocre at best. He has loads of potential to put on an amazing performance but I'm a strong believer in practice makes perfect. I had fun and enjoyed myself. Good job.















Just Listen. ~ Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Part Five

Peace.

WHO THE FUCK IS MELISSA CZARNIK? I had no idea until she added me as a friend on Facebook. Her profile pic was interesting so I clicked on it and found out that -drum roll- she's a rapper!!!! ??? WTF!? She recently released her very first album, Strawberry Cadillac. I don't know her as a person as I do many people I write about. I have never met her, never spoken to her, and I JUST found out wtf she looked like. From her appearance, she looks like your very,very average white girl from the 'burbs. She sounds like a "normal" and very average Midwestern dweller. But when you hear her music.....holy cowtails Batman!

I am floored. That's not a normal occurence for me. The beats are heavy on the jazz/funk/soul tip but they hold some very modern 808's. The live band definitely doesn't hurt!!! Her lyrics are poetic and very storyteller-ish. She talks about sex, pain, love, growing up. She even talks a little bit about her mother (not negatively by the way). Listening to her music, I almost felt like I was in a cafe listening to spoken word while sippin a latte. Her sound is organic and sincere.

I hope whole-heartedly that her life as an emcee is long and prosperous. Buy here CD here. And contact her here.


Melissa Czarnik is hip hop ya'll.


Just Listen. ~ Soul

Milwaukee Hip-Hop: Part Four

Peace.

Raze is a nasty ass nigga. His music is the epitome of (using one of his favorite terms) debauchery. His new mixtape, lust love HATE, is something to be proud of. The production is different. It's catchy and easy to nod your head to. I'm diggin it like a muhfuckin shovel. The 3rd track entitled "Rude" is probably my favorite. It's an audio autobiography of Raze. His unapologetic way of telling people to either accept his brutal honesty of STFU is infectious. He's also not afraid to talk about sex. He's man enough to tell women straight out that there are no holes barred when it comes to him. Track 8? Hilarious!!!!! It's basically his take on Milwaukee and how every night there's a Ladies Night SOMEwhere. (It's true.) Track 15...c'mon. Ya'll KNOW how I feel about J Dilla. He did the beat justice. I ain't even mad. Normally I would talk shit about somebody ridin on Jay Dee's shit.

Someone asked me recently if I was serious when I said I was diggin Raze's mixtape. I can't believe they'd actually say that. Hell yeah I like it. Shit, I love it. He's honest. I can't dislike that. His flow may not be what we're used to hearing but it sounds very genuine. He speaks to the mic...he doesn't spit on it.

I can't help but respect that. Go download that shit bitch.


Just Listen. ~Soul