Brooklyn emcee Koncept and Cali beatsmith Tranzformer have hooked up with DJBooth.net to bring fans their highly-anticipated collaborative EP, More Than Meets the Eye.
The project features five brand new joints from the Brown Bag All-Star and his production partner, including reader-acclaimed leak “Day Dreaming.”
More Than Meets the Eye comes complete with guest bars by UK emcee Jefferson Price, and features co-production by Honey Brown.
Check out the brand new mixtape from R&B singer Rotimi. Well equipped with the singles that you already know and love "Beautiful" and "Forever" as well as the new single with Gucci Mane "Bottles." It doesn't stop there though. In true Rotimi style he gives you more than you bargained for.
This is definitly a project that you will want to get in your collection asap.
Truly, when it comes to the art of Hip-Hop Poetry, J. Ivy is the 1st of his kind. He is a pioneer, a trendsetter, one who has knocked down impossible doors, taking the Art of Poetry directly to today’s mainstream music & television arenas. His motivational motto, “Dreams Don’t Come True, They Are True” has guided him from his native home Chicago to becoming a Grammy Award Winning Artist. From his breath taking performances for people of all ages to his appearances on countless television networks, J. Ivy’s passionate delivery always leaves spectators transfixed in a state of inspiration, and because of that he is recognized World Wide.
J first discovered his affinity for the written art during a routine high school assignment. After hearing the talent in J’s writing, as well as in his voice, his English teacher demanded he share his gift on stage. Reluctant, but never afraid, J performed for his peers and to his surprise he received a standing ovation. Since that life changing moment, J has never stopped creating. He headed to Illinois State University, where he soon became known on campus as “The Poet,” which later led him to performing throughout Chicago.
In no time, J. Ivy became a staple on the Chicago arts scene. Excited about his quick success, but far from satisfied, J pressed on becoming the 1st African-American Poet to represent Chicago on Russell Simmons HBO Def Poetry performing his captivating poem “I Need To Write.” Again he received a standing ovation and was invited back for two encore appearances on the award winning show, which included his heartfelt poem “Dear Father.”
Soon after, Kanye West caught word of mouth about J. Ivy’s impressive skills and offered him a spot on his debut album “The College Dropout”. Holding his ground next to Jay-Z and Kanye on the song “Never Let Me Down,”Jeffectively showed the world the undeniable power that rest in his words, by recording one of Hip-Hop’s most memorable poetic verses. Still not satisfied J wrote on, performing and collaborating with the likes of the RZA,Erykah Badu, Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez,Bo Didley,Talib Kweli, The Roots, Dave Chappelle, Carl Thomas,Mos Def, Common, Jessica Care Moore, Kid Cudi, Jill Scott, Sharon Stone, The Last Poets, and John Stephens, whoJ. Ivy renamed John Legend. J even penned a rap for Martha Stewart that she performed opposite of Sean P. Diddy Combs on The Martha Stewart Show.
As a versatile artist J. Ivy has also done an abundance of work in the sports world. Whether performing on camera or delivering an amazing voice-over presentation, J’s writing has reached over 100 million viewers thru his work forHBO Boxing, Costas Now, ABC’s Monday NightFootball, The BCS Selection Show, The All American Team Show, and The 2005 National College Championship Game – The FedEx Orange Bowl. J has also done work for MTV’sWho’s Got Game, The NBA, Major League Baseball, and CBS Sports’ Inside College Football. Most recently J was heard on the Faith Hill Intro for the entire 2009 Season of NBC’s Sunday Night Football.
Not only has J. Ivy appeared on shows like the Emmy Award Winning Series ER, he has also headed up numerous advertisement campaigns. As a model, he has done national campaigns for Mecca and LRG Clothing. Online he was a spokesperson for the FordUrban.com campaign. Along with 2 Time Grammy Winning Singer Tarrey Torae, he also co-wrote and performed the theme song for Allstate’s Beyond February campaign. He received a Gold Clio Awardfor his work with Verizon’s History In the Making Campaign, which was featured in over 30 print publications that included a revolutionary voice chip with J’s voice springing from the pages. The same campaign also featured J. Ivyon radio and he was seen in movie theatres nationwide in a commercial spot, which was directed by Bob Giraldi, who also directed Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” music video. Currently J. Ivy is heading up a series for McCafe’ & B.M.O.A. across the Midwest.
Beyond the music and television realm, J. continues to support community arts through his Dream Big Foundation, which encourages young people to explore careers in the arts. Besides his regular college touring, J regularly participates in the Chicago Public Schools’ programming, as well as other national events, with his performances, poetry workshops, motivational speaking, and commencement speeches. His efforts have prompted the creation of an honorary scholarship in his name at his high school alma mater.
J. Ivy’s impressive resume easily distinguishes him as a trailblazer in the 21st Century. Now he is set to take the World by storm with the release of his debut album “HERE I AM”. Promising to surpass the bar he has set for himself, the release is sure to solidify J. Ivy as one of today’s most prolific artists. Stay tuned. There is much more to come…
This incredible 14 song compilation is available exclusively for FREE when you subscribe to SpokenVizions Magazine. Please log on to www.spokenvizions.com and get your subscription today. Artists includes Tantra Zawadi, Amber Ojeda, Rachel Walker, Tarrey Torae, TaNeal, Tshombe Sekou, Floyd Boykin Jr., Mahogany Dust, J. Ivy feat Jessica Care Moore and Jesse Boykins III, Ron "Chill" Williams, Natasha Waterman, Tracy Mitchell, Isis Sun with Miguel A. Wilder and Stylicia Bowden.
For Woman's History Month we wanted to shed light on how violent this society is especially towards woman and girls. "Three Little Girls" tells the stories of the senseless murders of Christina Taylor Green who was killed during the shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Brisenia Flores who was gunned down by anti-immigrant militia intent on starting a race war, and Aiyana Jones who shot to death while asleep in her home, by the Detroit Police Department, while they were filming a reality TV show.- Jasirix
Up-and-coming emcee Jabee has hooked up with DJBooth.net and IM KING to bring fans his latest street album, Lucky ME.
The follow-up to last year’s Mick Boogie-hosted Must Be Nice mixtape, the project features 11 new joints from the Oklahoma City buzzmaker, including reader-approved leaks “Imagination,” “How to Fly” and “Better.”
I have had my eye on this young lady. Madame Sabrosa is extremely talented and I have no doubt that we will be hearing more from her. If you picked up Carlitta Durand's "Nastalgic Nights" free download then you have already heard lending her unique style and talent on "Occupied."
Check her out here as she performs "Born This Way."
Freedom's INK wishes to pay tribute to Nathaniel Hale aka Nate Dogg who passed on March 15th. The cause at this time is unknown but we do know that he suffered from two strokes in the last few years. We pray for his family and friends.
Rap musician and singer Nate Dogg (born Nathaniel Dawayne Hale) has performed on dozens of hit rap and R&B records, but he began his singing career in the gospel choir of New Hope Trinity Baptist Church in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where he sang and practiced three days a week. He continued to sing at the church, where his father, Daniel Lee Hale, was the pastor, until he moved back to Long Beach, California, at the end of his freshman year in high school. After returning to California, Nate became close friends with his cousin Calvin Broadus (rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg) and with Warren Griffin (rapper Warren G), when all were attending Jordan High School in Long Beach. Nate Dogg soon grew tired of his studies and left school at the age of 16. He joined the U. S. Marines, where he served for three years before returning home.
Upon his return, Nate Dogg rekindled his interest in music by forming a rap group with Snoop Doggy Dogg (now known as Snoop Dogg) and Warren G. The group, named Three The Hard Way after the 1974 Gordon Parks blaxploitation film, began to record songs and shop their demo tape to area producers. Soon after changing their name to 213 (after the Long Beach telephone area code), the group's tape reached the hands of rap super-producer Dr. Dre (Warren G's stepbrother), who began to work with Nate and Snoop Doggy Dogg for the classic 1992 album The Chronic. Nate added his soulful vocals to the hardcore gangsta lyrics of "Deez Nuts," an album cut featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg, Warren G, and Daz. Word of Nate Dogg's vocal talents quickly spread, and he appeared soon after with Mr. Grim on "Indo Smoke" and with Snoop Dogg on "It Ain't No Fun." In 1993 he signed with Dr. Dre and Suge Knight on their Death Row label and began working on his solo album.
Although the completion and release of his own album was frequently delayed, Nate Dogg continued to contribute his talents to the music of the West Coast's hottest rap artists. In 1994 he and Warren G released the Grammy-nominated hit "Regulate," which used a sample of Michael McDonald's single "I Keep Forgetting" to help recount a wild night of sex and violence in their native Long Beach. Over the next few years Nate Dogg would become rap music's most prominent singer, providing the choruses for numerous artists on the East and West Coasts, including Pharaoh Monch, 50 Cent, Mos Def, and Mac 10.
Although Nate Dogg's greatest moments have come as a guest on some of rap music's most memorable hits, he has also found time to develop a prolific, though uneven, solo career. In 1996 he completed his first album, G-Funk Classics Vol. 1. Due to problems with Death Row Records the album was shelved, despite the success of his debut single "Never Leave Me Alone." Nate Dogg left Death Row Records in 1997 and formed his own label, Dogg Foundation, through Celestial Breakaway Entertainment. After a long battle with Death Row Records over the rights to the album, Nate Dogg released the album along with 15 new songs in what would be G-Funk Classics Vol.1&2. While the album's first single, "Nobody Does It Better," was released to warm reviews, the entire album was not well received by fans and critics, and the album was largely dismissed by critics for its dated sound. As Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide remarked, "It was a case of bad timing, pure and simple—G-Funk Classics sounded dated, and its bloated running length made it seem even more of a dinosaur than it actually was."
After his Dogg Foundation label folded, Nate Dogg released Music & Me for Elektra Records. The album, which reached gold status, was highly regarded by critics for its stronger production and improved lyrics. Reggie Royston of the St. Paul Pioneer Press noted, "While no song on Music & Me ever quite rises to the dramatic dexterity of Barry White, or even R. Kelly, it's Nate's ability to produce understated, catchy vocal parts dragged from the subconscious of disco radio that makes this album as listenable as any Funkadelic record."
Like many rap artists, Nate Dogg's career has been marred by legal troubles. In 2000 he was accused of kidnapping, arson, terrorist threats, and domestic violence, after being arrested outside of his Pomona, California, house. At the time, police officials reported that Nate Dogg had beaten his ex-girlfriend and held her at gunpoint in a Los Angeles home, setting her car on fire after she escaped and contacted the police. Although five of the six charges were immediately dropped, he was forced to stand trial for possession of a firearm as a felon, based on a 1996 drug case. After pleading guilty in exchange for a lesser charge, Nate Dogg was given three years' probation and a $1,000 fine. In 2002 he was arrested on drug and weapons charges, after his tour bus was pulled over for speeding and police found him in possession of four ounces of marijuana and a stolen handgun. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year of probation, 24 hours of community service, eight hours of drug treatment, and a fine of more than $4,000, in exchange for a dismissal of the weapons charge.
Despite his legal problems and fluctuating solo career, Nate Dogg has remained one of rap music's most sought-after vocalists. In 2002 he lent his talents to cinema with a part in Chris Rock's film Head of State. More recently, he reunited with Warren G and Snoop Dogg to finally release a 213 album, titled The Hard Way. The album, a collection of relaxed summer G-funk tunes, was released in August of 2004 to brisk sales and warm reviews. Although the microphone time is dominated by Snoop Dogg, the album, like West Coast rap music, would not be the same without Nate Dogg's vocals.
Pharoahe Monch's first video from W.A.R. (We Are Rengades) due out March 22nd. This is a 10-minute short film, where he tells the story of a police raid gone wrong, very wrong.
Welcome to the Spring 2011 issue of SpokenVizions Magazine. It features the amazing and very talented Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart, Poetry Superstar
J. Ivy, R&B Legend Al Mac of TROOP, the amazing Amber Ojeda, Teen sensations "I'm The Only Boy", Venus Jones and many more.
Our Winter Issue was a success!!! It featured poet Janette...ikz (pronounced Genetics), Lin Que (formerly Isis of the Black Watch Movement, made popular by the X-Clan), and Future the Poet. Thank you all for your support.
SpokenVizions Magazine is a quarterly publication geared towards the lifestyles and culture of spoken word artists, poets and indie artists.
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