“I’m the biggest advocate of being yourself,” says Michelle, who considers music to be her therapy. “People can believe in you all day long, but if you don’t bring it to light or nourish it, it doesn’t matter.” Each song she writes is a soundtrack to a life that started in Memphis, TN. A life that lead to the title of her debut album, Pain Medicine, which will be released this Fall on Hitz Committee/Jive.

“Everything that I do is in this album,” says Michelle. “I sing about what I’m going through at the moment. For example, I don’t have any love songs on the album because I’m not in love right now.” K. Michelle doesn’t take for granted the opportunity she has to show the world who she really is—a fighter, a single mother, a true musician. “[Pain Medicine] is my story. If I have this platform it has to be my story.”
The decision to become a singer/songwriter wasn’t an easy one for K. Michelle. Although she earned a musical scholarship to attend Florida A&M University, she eventually switched her major to Biology and toyed with becoming a nurse. “I didn’t want to major in music,” says the 24 year old. However, she never stopped singing. “My whole time at college I played the piano and sang. I even won Miss FAMU.” However, it wasn’t until she graduated college that she decided to make music her main focus.

For several months she toured Asia as a singer with Memphis orchestra Sound Fuzion. Upon her return to Memphis, she took an office job. That didn’t last long. “I got a job in sales. I sat in a cubicle all day. I’d walk around the office singing. That’s when I realized that was not the life for me.” Michelle created a Myspace page and within a week caught the attention of a production company in Atlanta. Seeing this as her big break, she moved to Atlanta with the goal of securing a record deal. But that didn’t happen for another two years.
Thanks to a chance run in with fellow hometown native MeMpHiTz, Michelle got the big break she needed. During a trip to Jive’s New York offices, she spotted MeMpHiTz in the hallway wearing a “901” chain, symbolizing the area code of Memphis. “I introduced myself to him. I had nothing to lose,” remembers Michelle. “He asked me what I was doing there trying to get a record deal without him.” A week later, now under the Hitz Committee Entertainment, K. Michelle wowed Jive executives and received a deal. “God knew I needed somebody that could understand my struggle and develop me into a better artist. MeMpHiTz is the best person to work with me.”

K. Michelle connection with MeMpHiTz has a lot to do with their ties to Memphis, TN. “Memphis is a rough city. I thank the city, because it toughened me so much.” It’s that toughness that pours out in her debut album Pain Medicine. On it, K. Michelle writes and co-produces every track, making her album very personal. “I can’t fake music. I sing about what I’m going through at that moment.” The album’s buzz single “Self Made” has turned into a surprise hit, striking a chord with women thanks to its call for self-empowerment.

While her single bangs in the club, Michelle is putting the finishing touches on the album, teaming with producers Salaam Remi, Drumma Boy, Elvis, Cool & Dre, Rico Love, Lil Ronnie, Platinum Brothers and Harvey Mason Jr. “It was very important for me to work with people that my energy connected with.” She describes her writing process as starting with one simple question: How am I feeling today?

One thing that K. Michelle cherishes is her five year old son, Chase. “I’m very proud to be a single mother.” She understands that her new career means she isn’t the typical mother but looks forward to creating a life that her and her son can enjoy. Another side of K. Michelle that might surprise some people—she is a big fan of country music and even yodels. “As a little girl, I had the same vocal coach as Justin Timberlake. My coach introduced me to country music and I still love it to this day.”

Before her album hits stores, K. Michelle is already making fans including fellow Jive recording artist R. Kelly. “Getting the opportunity to sit with R. Kelly was so beneficial to me. He taught me so much about music, the business, and being true to myself.”

Determined not to be forced into a box, K. Michelle wants her music to be accepted for what it is—her truth. “I’m offering honest music.”

Harlem elders Uncle Bo and Noble, played by Hawthorne James and Taurean Blacque, want the twenty-something year old “Kids,” Santos, Hands, Pennell, and Sonja, to understand their black history. Uncle Bo wants the next generation to respect and protect the family brownstone from Caucasian slumlord Levine who says, “The only thing you (black people) were good for was slavery. Thank God for the penitentiary.” Unfortunately, the “Kids” seem to care more about clothes, cars, and jewelry than history.

In The Stick Up Kids, the “Kids” collectively experience love, a gambling addiction, sexism, racism, a life-changing injury, loss of a loved one, and the value of keeping “black” dollars in the black community. The Stick Up Kids has a “Robin Hood” flava that an entire neighborhood eventually benefits from. Even though the “Kids” acquire their money illegally, they turn out to be excellent role models for Harlem and any other African American community.

The “Kids” in The Stick Up Kids are intelligent, attractive, loyal, and creative. You’ll admire their elaborate schemes and the special bond of friendship they share. You will almost forget that they should be considered “bad guys.” The Stick Up Kids is a movie for young as well as mature adults. The acting is superb, the original soundtrack is one of the best I’ve heard, and there are many surprises in between the redundant beginning and the “robbin’ for the hood” ending. Learn a lesson from this movie, and keep “black” dollars in the black community by buying The Stick Up Kids today online or at a store near you.

Solar said the rapper has a history of lung problems and asthma and has been guarded about revealing his health issues. “Guru has entrusted me to be accurate and truthful in relaying information to the media,” Solar said.

The legendary MC always tried to keep his private life behind closed doors and Solar said he was confused as to why Guru’s nephew, Justin Nicholas-Elam Ruff, accused Solar of withholding information about the rapper from his family and not allowing them to see him, given that Ruff’s mother, Trish, and other family members have visited with Guru.

“It’s very, very baffling to me because his mother [Trish] was at the hospital not even a week ago with Guru’s brother and his sister,” Solar told CNN. “I speak to Guru’s father and his brother daily. This is amazingly untrue and I have no idea what this is about.”

“I have nothing but the deepest love and respect for the Elam family but I have not stopped them from seeing Guru!” Solar added.

Doctors have not given any indication as to when Guru might be released, Solar said, and the rapper is touched by the fan support.

“The outpouring of love from around the world has been tremendous,” Solar said. “I’m reading some of the best e-mails, texts and Twitters that come in and he enjoys them. I think that’s what has been helping his recovery and what’s got him in there fighting.”

During what must be an incredibly hard and stressful period in life, keep sending your prayers, thoughts, and wishes to Guru, Solar and his loved ones.

Guru, the sole founder of the world famous Hip-Hop group GangStarr and the legendary Jazzmatazz series, has suffered a heart attack and Hip-Hop fans around the world have shown massive love and support to one of the greatest rappers of all time.

www.myspace.com/guru7grand
www.twitter.com/gurugangstarr
www.youtube.com/7grandrecords
www.myspace.com/gangstarr

DOA
No ID Speaks
Props to BIG Brother Jay-z – Kanye West
Hola Hovito
BluePrint 1 Return to the soul samples
The Rulers Back
Izzo
Heart of the City
Never Change
Young Forever
Empire State of Mind
What Where I’m From
Already Home
Reminder
People talking
Hate
Takeover/Run This Town
Renegade
Real As it Gets
All I Need
03 Bonnie And Clyde
Excuse Me Miss
So Ambitious
The Bounce
Excuse Me Miss Remix
Jigga that N*
Stop
What They Gonna Do Part 2
Ain’t No N*
Venus Vs Mars
Girls girls girls remix
On to the Next One
What We Talkin about
Every Day A Star is Born
Thank You

Produced by T Mos. “Thank you to everyone that has supported my album release A Day In The Life on HiPNOTT Records…During the last few weeks I’ve recorded roughly 30 new songs…Here is one of the songs I did with the homie Beyond Belief…The song will be on myself and T Mos EP entitled Social Studies…I wanted to do a song reppin for Queens so we both went in shoutin out various parts of Queens…props to everyone that supports”

Phase 1: NBA 2K11 Producer Contest
Starting today, March 8th, producers will have two weeks to create one sample-free instrumental.

All submissions must be sent to nba2k11@duckdown.com by March 22nd.

Producers are also encouraged to record video of their beat making process, which can be included with their final submission.

The top ten instrumentals will be selected by Duck Down Music A&R and representatives from 2K Sports. Each instrumental will also be streamed online via a link at www.XXLMag.com, as fans will have the chance to vote for their favorite track. The winner will be announced on April 5th.

Phase 2: NBA 2K11 MC Contest
Starting on April 6th, MC’s will have four weeks to submit one clean track using the winning producer’s instrumental.

All submissions must be sent to nba2k11@duckdown.com by May 4th. After the top ten songs are determined by Duck Down Music and 2K Sports, they will again be posted via a link on www.XXLMag.com for fans to hear the tracks. The winner will be announced on May 11th.

The grand prize winners of the contest, which will consist of one producer and one MC, will:
Have their song placed in the music soundtrack for NBA 2K11.
Receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City, where they will have the special opportunity to perform the song live at Duck Down’s CMJ Showcase in October 2010.

For full details on rules & regulations, please visit:
http://www.duckdown.com/nba2k11

Rhymefest’s sophomore LP, El Che, (in stores May 18th, 2010) delivers raw lyrics over epic production and Hip Hop lovers should expect to hear an unfiltered Rhymefest, liberated from the corporate suits and oppressive major label ideals of the prevailing record industry as evidenced by the hard-hitting “Talk My Shit,” “One Arm Push Up” and the frenetic Scram Jones produced “Give It To Me” f/Saigon & Adad. Always one to deliver a cohesive and diverse project, Fest and Phonte of Little Brother drop playful barbs on “Say Whassup” and gets celebratory on odes such as “Prosperity” and “How High” f/Little Brother and Darien Brockington.

As dN|Be Entertainment’s flagship artist, Rhymefest now has full creative control over his projects. When questioned about his new partnership with dN|Be Entertainment, Rhymefest mentioned “I wanted to be somewhere that not only appreciates artistry, lyricism, and originality, but also serves a greater purpose in Hip Hop and the Black community.”

On the heels of releasing El Che, Rhymefest will be releasing his last pre-album mixtape, DANGEROUS: 5-18 on ElCheTheMovement.com this April; Rhymefest’s tour dates (including Austin’s SXSW) can also be found there.

Tracklisting and credits for Rhymefest EL Che LP:

1.) Intro: The Agent
2.) Talk My Shit
3.) Say Whassup f/Phonte of Little Brother
4.) How High f/Little Brother & Darien Brockington
5.) Chocolates
6.) One Arm Push Up
7.) Prosperity
8.) Truth On You f/Twone Gabz
9.) Intermisson: Juan Carlos
10.) Chicago
11.) Agony f/Glenn Lewis
12.) Last Night
13.) Give It To Me f/Saigon & Adad
14.) Intermission: No Help
15.) City Is Fallen f/Slique
16.) Celebration

Blu Moon was born in Nassau, Bahamas, and raised in Florida. It was there that he fell in love with music with influences ranging from traditional hip hop artists like 8-Ball&MJG, Trick Daddy, and Scareface, and included, as well, such diverse styles as Reggae great Bob Marley, Metal band Metallica, Alternative band: Foo Fighters, Blues legend Odes Redding and Classics artists like Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry. It was these open minded formative years that are ultimately responsible for the complexity that is Blu’s unique sound which is taking hip hop to exciting new places and unexplored territory.
Blu’s talents can be traced back to his father, also a musician known as Moon Man. Never having met his father, the Moon Man still played a strong influencing role on Blu and it was his passing that served as the motivation behind Blu Moon changing his name from his previous epithet of Quin La. Blu was raised by his mother along with his brother and two sisters and moved to the US. Growing up in Florida Blu started rapping at the young age of 7, and when he was 17, wrote his first song “Blu Sky, White Clouds, Gray Smoke”. At age 20, Blu signed his first record deal with Megabyte Records and since then he has opened up for such artists as Trina, Yin-Yang Twins, Icons, Kia, Money Mark from the Slip N Slide Crew, 8-Ball&MJG, Young Buck, TI and Young Jeezy.

Sergio Giles of DAE ONE Records got a hold of Blu’s Demo CD and immediately recognized the rare latent talent that was residing deep within the young musician, and signed him with DAE ONE in 2009. DAE ONE has been cultivating the young talent ever since, regulating his exposure with surgical precision and creating the optimal circumstances for a mass market introduction to begin the metamorphosis from underground phenomenon to mainstream superstar. Withholding such talent has not been easy but once fans hear his silky-smooth style with rhythm and rhyme that’s slick as axel grease… it will have been well worth the effort.

Like many other hip hop sensations, Blu didn’t have it easy. Fate had him spend part of his formative years growing up in a crack house and witnessing the worst that inner city streets can throw at a young teenager trying to find his way in life. Blu can stare any gangsta rapper in the eye and say “I’ve been there too brother”. However, the storyboard formulaic of the disillusioned street kid-turned gangsta, with a mind to exploit the criminal persona for hip hop stardom, does NOT register with Blu one iota. Unlike those who have become the street in order to beat it, Blu never surrendered to the pressures of surviving the streets, nor has he ever sold out to them. Blu looked at the same challenges, and with music as his sword, managed to pierce through the wall of negative forces that surrounded him. He wrote about his dreams and the things that inspire him, like struggling in his career or trying to find that perfect woman. Things that can resonate with every man and that people recognize as being real. Blu’s message speaks to more people than any other hip hop artist and “gangsta wanna be-fan” because he’s just a man, like you and me, chasing dreams like you and me.

Blu’s music can only be described accurately by combining no less than five different genera. He himself though, can be personified in just three simple words. He’s “The People’s Rapper.”

www.reverbnation.com/blumoon

The first thing that an artist should ask is, what is a beat maker? A beat maker is a person who sales you a track. Yes, this may sound like a very plain and simple definition but some artists do not know the advantages and disadvantages of working with a “beat” maker. A beat maker’s primary goal is to sell you music that he/she has created to make money and/or to get a buzz for him/herself, should others recognize your work as a talented artist. Once the track is sold to you as an artist the beat maker usually has no other purpose or function. If the track that was created was to your satisfaction, you have just made an even exchange of monetary funds (perhaps several hundred dollars) for a product, nothing more or nothing less. Most upcoming artists unfortunately spend too much time searching and paying for beats instead finding a great sound for their music. Some beat makers actually prey on amateur talent, especially if they have the capability to record or engineer the artist during studio time. Some signs of a beat maker getting over on such artists include purposefully prolonging studio time with high hourly fees, no feedback during recording, or rushed studio sessions, which leads to very poor music!

All “good” artists know that a producer is key to making a hit record. This is also something that the major labels know. For this reason alone, record companies are willing to spend hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of dollars on production. A good producer to an artist is what a director is to an actor. A producer is more like a coach! Most producers do make tracks but there is a major difference in their function. A producer knows if the sound and energy an artist is giving on a track is going in the right direction or if it needs to be changed. For example, if certain tones should be inflected in the voice, if words need to be tweaked (added or taken away), if choruses (also known as hooks) are catchy and strong! Good producers can also help the artist define their style and great chemistry between the artist and producer will set the platform for future hits for the artist. There are also some producers who don’t create music but know what sounds good on a record and what elements are needed to make a hit. Most successful artists record with producers who have a great track record and they understand that quality music is way better than quantity, or having a large catalog of songs without hits!!!

So whether you are an up and coming artist or signed to a major label pick your “directors” wisely. In the competitive game of music you need a person to guide your music and a great producer is the main ingredient to building a successful song!!!! Good luck!!!!!

This post was reprinted with permission from the Lounge Report. Please visit their site!

“I’m 16 and PLK is 17. We’re both from the city Orleans and we’ve been friends since we were 14 years old so it was only natural that we’d came together to do a project.” states Flow. “We’re doing jazzy/soulful instrumentals. PLK has more of a feeling to his instrumentals and mines are more like Madlib or MF Doom.”

The “Tasty Beatz” series is available as a free download under the Creative Commons license from the Universal Indie website.

The second album in the series can now be download from Universal Indie Records

Coast 2 Coast Mixtapes is going to make history again with March Mixtape Madness 2010
we are very proud to be affiliated with all the sponsors, DJs and artists lending help to the campaign. We are confident fans of all types will be pleased with the surprises we have in store this month. On a daily basis within the month of March a mixtape will be released from artists and DJ’s such as Souljah Boy, AZ, Sha Stimuli, Kurupt, Omarion, Three Six Mafia, illaj, Tone Trump, Ace Hood, Trazz, Mikey Bloodshot, Statik Selehtah, DJ Noodles, The Empire, Mr. Peter Parker, DJ Epps, DJ Ykcor, DJ Nophrillz, DJ NU, and many more.

http://hoodgrownonline.com/?p=5233 Charlie Murphy is back y’all, and he is funnier than ever! Charlie Murphy’s new straight-up, stand-up DVD appropriately titled I Will Not Apologize is so funny that in addition to the “adult language” warning, it should come with a “please go to the bathroom before listening to Charlie Murphy” warning because you will not be able to contain your laughter or your bodily fluids. Charlie knows his fans are going to love I Will Not Apologize because he is a self-proclaimed “real dude” and the DVD gives you “Charlie’s Murphy’s version of what’s going on.”