Hey guys, I'm back and ready to roll right into August. Lots of shows, lots of traveling, and damnit lots of good music. Stay tuned. Check the new video releases dolow.
Janelle Monae "Cold War" (You better know what you're fighting for!)
Kanye West "Power" (Yeah I don't know what this is, it's pretty though.)
Jessica Jarell "Up and Running"
Eminem feat. Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie" (Nice comeback from cancelled tour RiRi...Nice)
SUPERFRAICHE: Always Sweet and Crunchy
In ten days Canadian pop group (with a sexy female insert might I add) Dragonette will be stopping in Atlanta for Arjan's inaugural Atlanta Superfraiche pop concert series, which has been held in NY and LA. Lucky ATL to be the next stop and really take advantage of good music.
Dragonette is straight funky with a fun-loving sound and heart-breaking rhythms. Marina and crew talently add smooth lyrics and attractive vocals.
"Mr. ElectroGlampop" Barry Brandon will be opening for the trio and if you're lucky, ONLY IF YOU'RE LUCKY, he'll invite you to one of his sexy parties.
Unfortunately Shy Child can't make it, but Arjan has great ears. I'm sure he'll find another fabolous to make the crowd go wild.
Get you tickets now! Keep your eyes stressed for some ticket giveaways next week!
89.3 The Show's I Love Rap Event
Yeah you know you love rap, even if all you listen to is holy hip hop.
The Show's Ms. Dia and ChicagoTrilla will be hosting. Ms. Dia is quite the fool might I add. I was first introduced to her at Hip Hop Appreciation Week's Women in Rap event. Cool people.
NAIRA, dat boi Grip, Ness Lee, and more are performing. Tickets are $10 at the door. Check for me to post interviews later this week.
And you know it all goes down at Apache Cafe at 9pm. Hit me if you need more info.
Big K.R.I.T. - What's Become of the Country Boy?
The music industry continues to 360 with major labels signing artists that are more established and have a base. These artists have a following, a brand, and do everything themselves. That's exactly what Mississippian Big K.R.I.T. is all about. He's created everything for himself. “They let me do me. I’m country and I’m always gonna be country. They [Def Jam] is behind what we’ve already branded and they believe in the movement. They are providing a platform for people to hear it.”
He’s taken advantage of that platform fusing 19th century soul and ghetto lyricism on his critically acclaimed compilation of true southern hip hop K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. The mixtape and his NY performance was praised by a publication that tends to shy away from anything below D.C. “Being from where I’m from and to be recognized for music in New York is a blessing. For people to write about my music, whether it’s negative or positive, it’s still a blessing,” K.R.I.T. exclaims.
His comparisons lead many to believe he will be the next to takeover the southern hip hop-sphere, putting intellectual back into what the south started more than a decade ago. Since he considers himself a student of hip hop, there may be some truth to that. “I listen to the dynamics, storytelling, hook patterning. Really being a student has to do with the type of artist I am now. From UGK and Outkast to Tupac and Biggie, all of these artists influence me. They molded who I am as an emcee.”
The producer and emcee expressed being a southern artist is not everything society thinks it is. There is a lot more to country folk than non existent dirt roads and an accent. “We’re educated, down to earth, soulful people. I wanna break down the stereotypes. It ain’t no dirt roads and we ain’t on horseback. We go through the same thing the rest of the country goes through. We’re more open-minded musically and academically. I really want to express that in my music.” His country cousins do the same. “Wiz Khalifa, J Cole, Freddie Gibbs, Yelawolf. All these artists put out music that reflects them as an individual and where their from. Be yourself and rap about what you know about and people will respect it.”
Interestingly enough, early in the game K.R.I.T. is already familiar with the hustle that goes on with making music that does not reflect that individual. He hopes that artists remain true to themselves but to those that are on hard times he's been there and done that. “Artists that compromise their creative mind frame, I can understand when you’re trying to get the label’s attention and you sacrifice, but it’s a new day and age. Def Jam invested in who I am as a human being. A major label will still invest in you being yourself. Make sure it’s quality and go all out when investing in yourself so when the labels do call you can call the shots.”
This is good advice coming from a major label rookie and as things become overwhelming for new artists he stays focus by remembering his ultimate goals. When newly signed artists are thinking about their first car or piece of flashy jewelry, K.R.I.T. has more important things to care for. Making music is not just for him. “My ultimate goal is to make quality music and become financially free. I want to be able to help my loved ones, give inspiration and hope to those who listen to my music.”
Motivated by his colleagues and his competition, he moved to Georgia for a better sense of the industry. “I moved from Mississippi in 2006 to come to Atlanta because it is the southern hip hop Mecca. My main goals are branding now. Also working with other artists and going platinum. Producing the best music I can. I like all genres and I’m indulging myself in all of it.” He made it out here like many do and now he’s ready to celebrate with us. We should expect similar hospitality because it goes across the board. “It’s going down on the 10th of July. It’s a celebration of everything!
He signed the dotted line but things don’t change for the worse, they only get better. K.R.I.T. favorites majority of the current release and keeping around those who have been with him since the beginning. “Hometown Hero” is one of my favorites. “Return of Foreva” and “Country Shit” I really like. “I Gotta Stay” which is dedicated to my grandmother is on there because I wanted it on there. It’s just one of those things. Everything isn’t so much about shock value.” Make her proud.
I Gotta Stay
Viktorius
As Small As A Giant
Hollyweerd - Love Us
(L to R: Stago Lee, Dreamer, Tuki Carter, the LoveCrusader)This is Atlanta, Ga. and there are not too many men you can find that are fly at all times, educated in many fields, versatile from every aspect, and driven to get what’s theirs. It’s hard to believe that the crazy and imaginative foursome has all these traits covered but lost love on a two way street, according to their recent release Edible Phat 2.0. It may be the grocery cart....
Stago Lee, Tuki Carter, Dreamer, and the LoveCrusader form Hollyweerd. As they are transitioning out of a progression period that has changed their sound and management, fortunately their music and other talents in arts have continued to keep them standing out all over.
Tuki is part owner in a nationally known tattoo shop, City of Ink. “Tuki tattoos and makes music all day,” the LoveCrusader says of him. “We both design and stuff. That’s the artist lifestyle,” his continued. Stago Lee helps keep music in the schools by teaching at a local charter school while Dreamer is in partnership with Brian Stone as apart of Operation ADD. Separately they get it in throughout the state but together they take over the country.
Since the past three releases, including last year’s Edible Phat, they have matured continuing to learn more about each other and grow in their sound. It's been positive reception their newest mixtape and its' proved to increase their set of supporters. “The first three projects were concept driven. Edible Phat 2.0 was mixed and more in tune with our music,” Dreamer starts. “Our sound is more mature. We’re still in the progression stages of our career. The sound pinpoints where we are now in our career.”
The change in management contributed to Hollyweerd’s growth. They acknowledge it’s time to get down to business, do what’s good for everyone involved, and get focused. “Everything happens for a reason. We made a business decision for the greater good of the group. It’s all about progression and we felt like the move we was for that and better opportunities. Right now ya’ll need to be focused on Edible Phat 2.0.,” the LoveCrusader explains.
At this time in the music industry, going independent is the move for anyone trying to get on. These cats love the idea and it sounds good but they are just trying to give everyone an experience when it comes to their music, hence the repetitive “pumping this music to get you into it” of “SupaEazy”.
“There’s gonna be jaws droppin’! It’s a lot of fun and we try to bring something new and different,” The Love Crusader describes. In these upcoming shows with new Def jam signee Big K.R.I.T. and the 2010 Atlanta Indie Fest, Hollyweerd will continue to bring newness to the stage. They’ve learned from the best. “We’ve done shows with entertainers that have really put on a show. We’ve learned from the Constellations to Falcon Lords. We take what we’ve been around and apply it,” Dreamer says.
“Shows. Shows. Shows. All I wanna do is shows,” Dreamer reiterates. One-half of the group may have magical Scorpio powers with the ladies, but when it comes down to what they really want for the group, only performing can really satisfy their steez. Those same powers won’t get them where every other artist thinks they should be: signed to a major label.
Getting signed isn’t their main goal and the LoveCrusader believes that it’s not as important. “If we get signed, it’d be by doing shows.” Tuki somewhat agrees. “If we get signed, it’d be by doing shows.”
Excited about everything that’s to come: a new EP, music videos, and shows on all coasts, the LoveCrusader expresses how they stay positive and moving forward. “The album is coming. It’s gonna come when it comes cause we working, but it’s a family situation. We’re blessed.”
Love Me
Download Edible Phat 2.0
