Language Artz – Introduction of A Gee

Language Artz is, as it implies, a boutique record label out of L.A. with rappers who use artful language. They’re not gangsta, they are not “conscious,” they just pretty much do their own thing, their own brand. The label’s spearheaded by president/emcee Picaso (who likes Polo Ralph Lauren more than I do, and that says [...]

A Poem Called Overstand

I can still write verses like I was 17 and living in North Hollywood rollin’ with Infinit P’tenchul. I see you Excell!
uhh… this that sh*t u shall overstand, let’s go..
Since the message it was written
I’ve been hittin every note, u listen
Infinite composition so Pay in tuition
take a federal loan if u can’t get a grant,
Count [...]

New VIBE covers

These are coming to newsstands next week if not sooner.
What Drake has around his neck is a Hebrew letter for “life.” Knowing that his mother is Jewish and he had a bar mitzvah, of course, this doesn’t surprise me. Neither do CB’s biceps (pause).
Shout to the new Vibe’s Linda Hobbs for the heads up.

Pac Div on Roc4Life

Proud to say I was runnin with these guys in ‘06, long before Sylvia decided to Universal Motown them and the media swarm began. Not mad, not mad at all. Shout out to Like, Mibbs and BeYoung, as well as Carl G and Jeff Green of FreshMLK.

New Music: Mike Ultralove – Introguicer (Raw)

Mike Ultralove’s is an up-and-coming songwriter/singer/rapper out of Pittsburgh, PA, who currently rests his head in Venice, CA. When he’s not locked in Santa Monica studio, you can find him – and his acoustic guitar – rockin’ out at venues such as Stronghold on Abbot Kinney and Cache Restaurant off Main Street in Santa Monica. [...]

XXL November Cover

I like this – a lot. XXL’s been showing me love, so it’s only right to show some back. Not to mention, Def Jam definitely deserves the attention on its 25th anniversary. However, although this collection of artists is pretty thorough, where is Uncle Russ, Rick Rubin, Jay and Dame? Wait, Jay was on the [...]

Update

I’ve been away from this here blog because daddy duty called over the past week. I have a feeling posting will be sporadic throughout most of this month because I have some deadlines and other work coming up. Plus, I’ll be moving, so that’s going to affect things as well.

Bad News/Good News

Well, the bad news is I didn’t get a city hall reporting job I interviewed for a couple weeks back. That makes it 0 for 4 for me as far as newspaper reporting job this year. Bummer.
The good news? A chat with a potential business writing job is on deck. I am trying to remain [...]

XXLMag.com: Common & Friends Review

So today I popped my byline cherry over at XXL magazine’s web site with a splendid review of the Common & Friends benefit concert at the Hollywood Paladium. It was definitely an incredible show, on par with the Jay-Z gig at the same venue I reviewed for Vibe last year.
Lonnie Rashid Lynn was one of [...]

Video Teaser: U-N-I feat. Fashawn – “Pulp Fiction”

Looks interesting. Just saw Thurz and Y-O Saturday night on the red carpet at the Common & Friends benefit show. They walked in right after the man of the hour …