Are You A Fan of Humble Beast?

We love to highlight the independent artists and music.  This time we bring you an entire label, Humble Beast out of Portland, OR.  Featured artists: Theory Hazit, Braille, Odd Thomas, Propaganda, Citizen Aim, Foreknown.

Here is what their label has to offer to the culture and their impact on music:

Question: WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU take a collective of artists and attach the terms record label, hip-hop crew, support system and blend them together in a complimentary mission goal? Answer: Humble beast. In this day in age where most are concerned with brushing the dirt off their shoulders, our goal is wash the dirt off your feet. The conventional structure of a music industry powerhouse is a thing of the past. We openly embrace the outlets that technology permits but we hope to give back the character, honesty, and warmth that the digital age has squashed. How? Humility. Our aim is to put the music in the hands (or ears) of the listener for FREE if they choose. In a culture that has survived for so long on ego and falsehood, transparency is now the key. The consumers and fans of today feel that the product has been cheapened and overdone. Without sacrificing the quality and representation of the art, Humble beast wants to help level the scales that have been so wrongfully tipped.

Comprised of five initial artists, each pulling their own weight to accomplish this mission, we take the humble approach in offering the music we make for free. There’s a difference between an ego and confidence. We’re confident in our gifts and abilities but also understand we’re no better than the next man. We hope to profess, relate and share our view on life and the existence we live in and to do it well. Each artist has had their respective past nurturing and perfecting their craft from across the United States (Arizona, Ohio, Portland and Los Angeles). While our home is now in Portland, OR, our sound will reflect all that each member brings to the table. By handling all aspects of the production (music creation, writing, recording, beat-making, artwork, promotions and post-production) we want the final piece that the listener holds to be the best it can be, all presented in a “beastly” manner.

Our goal extends to when we take the stage: To be beastly in our delivery yet humble in our approach. When a listener comes to a Humble beast show, we see it as an opportunity to engage them. First, by giving them what they came for which is a well rehearsed, energetic, and ultimately face melting performance. Then, when we step off the stage, we embrace the opportunity to meet people, connect, and develop relationships. Days, months, even years later, when somebody says to them “I like this song! Who is it?” we want them to be able to say in all honesty “A good friend”.

Here is a joint by Theory Hazit to give you a good looks to the talent coming out of the Humble Beast.



Visit Humble Beast @ www.humblebeast.com and support their music as a true fan, but we need to know...

Are You A Fan Yet?

Are You A Fan of KJ Hines?

Sharp as he wants to be KJ Hines is an MC out of Austin, TX that's putting his mark on the indie rap scene with his most recent release Before My Time Vol. 3.

I spent a few days listening to a lot of artist to the point where my ears were raw with half the garbage out there.  Some rapper's you can hear the lack of talent from the sheer force of the lies they tell, thats when boredom kills your enthusiasm.  KJ Hines is a refreshing voice that is actually spitting from his heart and people, he can spit.

I'm gonna be honest, when I first started listening to the CD I was like, "eh," but, we can blame that on the fact that I spent hours listening to lames.  Now, the song that grabbed my attention and made me wake up from slumber was his rendition of J. Cole's Lights Please (If you dont know how J. Cole tore that joint up, buy it).  I fell back and said, "Let me tap this mixtape back to the beginning."  From there I found myself entertained by the wit, fearlessness and intelligence of this MC.

Before My Time Vol. 3 speaks volumes to his talent and confidence on the mic.   KJ's ability to connect with the audience stems from his ability to not just scream the obvious, that there are haters in the world.  What he provides is insight to the effect that they have and the lessons he learned to overcome their watchful eye.  Most rappers always say what's in their heart after its been filtered through their minds.  That filter in the mind is doubt.  So by the time you hear it as a listener you're only getting half of what you paid for.  The thing that makes the greatest that ever done it great is the fact that the filter in the mind is removed, there are no doubts.  KJ is heading down this path artisticly.  Every verse and every song KJ telling his listener, "Keep up with me, I got a lot to say and I'm not going to stop." Rare do you see an artist take that position.  Most believe the mass public need their hand held.

I believe that KJ's, slight homage to Jay-Z's In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 is his way of saying that he's an MC with skills who is on his way to being a fierce competitor in the music scene and he is just getting started.  I recommend you visit his site and listen to how KJ has the ability to draw you into the world.  I'm not saying that KJ is one of the greats but he has the heart of one because the filter is gone.  We'll see what happens next album.

Although he has a good run of tracks on here, the repeat offenders for me are: Jealous, Ya' Know, Slick As They Come, Hi Hello.

For more info visit KJ Hines at www.kjhines.com.


Are You A Fan Yet?

New LL Cool J - LLovely Day, Are You A Fan Yet?

 

LL Cool J is back with a new joint called LLovley Day.  Let us know what you think about this latest joint from the GOAT.

Is this going to be banging out your ride this 4th of July weekend?
Most importantly, Are You A Fan Yet?

Are You A Fan of SageInfinite?

For nostalgic purposes lets take it back to a time when commercial and underground hip hop were at war.  When the MC used to say that a rapper was wack because they used to talk about making people sweat and what could and couldn't be touched.  Let's say the war between Commercial Hip Hop and Underground Hip Hop went differently.  Let's say that the Puff Daddy Era didn't win out at the turn of the millenia and the Grammy's understood that Wu Tang was for the children.  Nas never decided he was Escobar and created "jiggy" records for sales and Ja Rule never sang out of tune.  What would we be listening to?  What would hip hop artists sound like?  They would sound like SageInfinite. 

SageInfinite broke from the mold with raw rap that delivers timeless Hip Hop straight from New Jersey.  Between his rhymes and sharp delivery, Sage is a lyricist that reminds us how an MC is supposed to rhyme.  

His most recent mixtape release is a collaboration with Outbreak titled, Sage Vs. Outbreak.  Sage lives on the production molding every verse to the beat so the listener can embrace his world.  The first track titled Cloud Hoppin' sets the tone for the entire CD which is a button pushing opus that delves into the psyche of betrayal, mediocre rappers and his skill to create vivid images with words.

The lost art of story telling isn't missing when the mic is in front of Sage.  He verbally paints pictures on nearly every track but, the spotlight needs to be on the track titled Trynna Snatch Beauty.  Sage provides a story about a beautiful young lady whose father abandoned her before birth only to be jealous of her rise to fame.  I won't spoil the conclusion for you, but, it is worth a couple of listens to catch the intricacies of his rap flow and the little details that ad layers to the ending.

Sage is an artist that must be snatched up.  Artistically the passion is present and judging from his lyrics it's obvious he has the flexibility to bring what needs to be represented in the industry.

The whole CD is fire but if highlights needed to be selected off of Sage Vs. Outbreak, they would include: I am..., Crimes, Drugs, Liquor, & Life, Will I Make It Pt. 1 & Pt. 2 & Trynna Snatch Beauty.

For more information on SageInfinite visit: www.sageinfinite.com
Here's an exclusive joint from Sage for you to listen to:


I'm a Fan of SageInfinite.  The question is, Are You A Fan Yet? 

Are You A Fan of J. Cole's new video? [Music]

The Video Who Dat by J. Cole hit the web on Monday, June 21st.  So, what we need to know now is ... Are You A Fan Yet?

 

For more information on J. Cole visit, www.jcolemusic.com.
ARE YOU A FAN YET?

Are You A Fan of Big Remo? [Music]

Artist Bio

Home of Camel and Pall Mall Cigarettes, Wachovia Bank, Texas Pete Hot Sauce, and Krispy Kreme Donuts, Winston Salem should be proud of another one of its creations.

Big Remo was born and raised in the Tre Four, his style being reminiscent of a time when Texas, Georgia, Mississippi, and Carolina had permanently drilled a spot for the south in hip hop's world. While southern hip hop artists attain fame with manufactured snap crackle and pop tunes, Remo stands out as the new school representer for the original rugged and raw southern rapper. Standing on the shoulders of no one, he is a testament that tenacity is what sets dope emcees apart from their peers.

A member of Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder's It's A Wonderful World Music Group/Jamla Records label, Remo refuses to let hip hop from the southern point of view be remembered for what dominates the radio and television for this generation.

Remo started writing at the age of 12. "My first rap album was ‘The Great Adventures of Slick Rick,' and I was heavily influenced by his gift to tell stories to beats and his great display of the 80's player," Remo says. His career started then, and he used to freestyle on the local Winston Salem radio stations. In 2003, he formed the group A.L.L.I.E.S. with friend Novej, and just a year later the duo was nearly picked up by Interscope Records. The two parted ways when the deal fell through, and Remo was asked by 9th Wonder to appear on 9th's first album, "Dream Merchant Vol. 2." When 9th started his label, there was no question about whether or not Remo belonged on the Jamla Lineup.

Remo is currently slated to release his first project through IWW/Jamla Records titled ENTRAPMENT, with production from Young Guru, Khrysis, M. Phases, and of course, 9th Wonder. ENTRAPMENT is laced with guest appearances from Remo's labelmates. This album is Remo's declaration of independence and secession from the union- he brings substance and consistency to the microwaveable hip hop with little to no nutritional value too many patrons consume today. He makes sure you know that Winston Salem makes all their products built to last. 
 
Dope flow & solid production = a Win. Visit Big Remo @ www.therealbigremo.com.  In the meanwhile here is the latest video by Big Remo called "GO" feat. 9thmatic.


BIG REMO ft. 9THMATIC - GO from Pricefilms on Vimeo.

ARE YOU A FAN YET?

Recovered [Eminem Recovery]

Rap is a fickle industry and it's very easy for artists to get complacent after they reach a certain level of success.  I personally believe the best artist do it for the love, not for the money.  Eminem is an artist that does it for the love and it shows with his 7th album, Recovery.

Although Relapse was one of the most successful albums to be released in 2009 many critics were divided, but, it's worth noting that Eminems worst critic bashes the album as if he wasn't the one to record it.  Another testimony to how serious this man takes his craft, is the fact that he appearerd on BET's Cypher last year.  Was this neccessary for a man whose last release sold over 600k units its first week?  No, but, it was necessary for a man who felt like his last album wasn't his best work and he needed to get back to the basics of trying the be the best.



I'm all about lyrics and I do believe that Em was on point lyrically on Relapse, the key element that was missing were strong songs.  That is where the magic was lost.  There is a talent that Eminem has that other rappers of his calibre do not have and that is making a song.  A good song evokes emotion and takes your mind to a place that you forgot or didn't realize was there in the first place (Little known fact Daniel Day-Lewis listened to Eminem everyday while filming Gangs of New York as inspiration for his character Bill the Butcher).  Joy, humor, rage, excitement... Eminems talent iss getting that out.  This is where Relapse fails and Recovery succeeds. 

Eminem comes out the gate to evoke inspiration with his first single, Not Afraid, a departure from his previous efforts which would jump off with catchy melodies that would force you to memorize the lyrics after the second listen (WhyDoIKnowTheLyricsToThisSong-itis).  Songs like On Fire, Almost Famous & No Love reminds me that the lyricist that I used to rock to before the major label debut is still there.  Going Through Changes in my opinion is the most heartfelt song on the entire album, compared to I Love The Way You Lie which feels like a song that was inevitably going to be a single that women will gravitate towards (and it reminds me of a 80s pop song).  I cannot leave out W.T.P. where Eminem finally did a club worthy song (I'm not including Crack a Bottle, I'm talking about a solo joint), I honestly thought this couldn't be done by Em.  The fact its called a White Trash Party gives it the free pass for Eminem to cut loose and still have it be a banger.

I'm a fan of the album.  Even though Eminem isn't back to his bleach blonde songs and even if he doesn't connect on every song like he did with his previous releases before Relapse, this is a good walk towards recovery.