Skip Luciano Ft. JustDollaz..."The Mood"

Durham artist/tattoo shop owner, Skip Luciano, teamed up with another NC artist, Just Dollaz and film crew SuckaFree Films on this video titled "The Mood" and I love it! It's creative, out of the ordinary and the vibe of the song is smooth. Sucka Free Films is a Durham, NC based Promo and Video company. They've been building with several other local up & coming artists such as Skeemz, O.Z., Defacto, That Boi Milly and Just Dollaz. Check out "The Mood" and share it. If you need a video...hit up Sucka Free Films!

Follow The Crew:
Facebook
Just Dollaz
Skip Luciano
YouTube
@Timelss_Tattoos (Skip Luciano)
@JustDollaz
@JLeelTV

ILLPO Feat. DROX CZEN..."Don't Talk About It"

Greensboro, North Carolina is home to ILLPO (Boones and JBond), a hip hop duo that stays prominent in their local area whether performing or out supporting their neighborhood artists. Both Boones and JB were born in the North but raised in the south and set forth to help their residential state gain the respect and notoriety it deserves. ILLPO's sound represents both north and south flavor, small town and big city tones, struggle and drive. Their stage performances are high energy and interactive with the crowd around them. 

As I always preach, visual presence is important for an artist to connect with their fans, ILLPO has that down to a science. Watch their newest video "Don't Talk About It" featuring Drox CZen. Check out their Website (www.ILLPONow.com ) and be in the building next time you see them on a bill. 

Follow ILLPO:
Facebook
ILLPONow.com
UpSouth Musik
YouTube
@Boones_ILLPO
@ILLPO

Doc Verbz..."All Trades"

Jabari "Doc Verbz" Young relocated to Raleigh, NC from Fayetteville, NC and put down roots in the Hip Hop scene around here. He's an educator of the culture, a Producer, Engineer, Promoter and Emcee. Doc is also studying graphics design. 

Born the same year that the "Hip Hop Culture" was recognized, Doc has taken great pride in being an instrument of knowledge and history for others. He began writing and emceeing in his teens and became part of a group named "Infinite Potential". "Infinite Potential"  opened shows for numerous National artists including Notorious B.I.G., Redman, Busta Rhymes, Doug E. Fresh, The Lost Boyz, 95 South and Junior Mafia. As Doc Verbz excelled in his music, he suffered in his schooling, his mind was only focused on his 1st love, Hip Hop. With socially and politically charged lyrics, and collaborations with other local artists, such as Big Uno, Adrian Walker, The Specialists and Jey Davis, Doc released his newest project "All Trades" to bandcamp. Download and listen to the soulful raw talent of Doc Verbz. 

Follow Doc Verbz:
Facebook
Bandcamp
Reverbnation
@docverbz

Shelly B...CLIQUE (SheMix)

Shelly B...The long running Queen of North Carolina Hip Hop dropped some heat on us today. I had to step back when I opened my email and hit play because I already knew this was going to be hard. Being a huge fan of female emcee's, Shelly B never disappoints! Listen, Download & Share "CLIQUE"...Request "Outta Body" to your local radio stations also...

Catch Shelly B live on air tonight on www.kmn1061.com from 9pm to 12am...

Follow Shelly B:
Facebook
ShellyBThat.com
@ShellyBMusic

Ciroc Pop...More Aggressive

Ciroc Pop, Independent artist and CEO of his own label, New View Entertainment, hails from "the toughest small town in the world", also known as Hamlet, NC. The release of his 1st album, "More Aggressive", rocks with some hard hitting beats (Production by DoxKINGDOM, Majhor Gunz) and he definitely has some things to say in his lyrics! This album is a collection of street tracks and real life struggles. Featured on "More Aggressive" are Ladii Pink, Lava Izzo, Paradox, Coco Filipina, Hugg E. Bear and Ciroc's wife F.A.M.E. 

When asked to describe his sound, Ciroc Pop says he sounds like poverty, hunger, ambition and determination. A very good recipe for expressing your heart and soul in your music. 

"More Aggressive" is available for free download on datpiff.com and his 1st video from the Album for "Walking Testimony" can be found on YouTube.

Follow Ciroc Pop:

Facebook

Website

Datpiff

Walking Testimony Video

@CIROCPOP

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

LOGIC...Reasons, Reference, Refinery

LOGIC aka Matt Coleman, is one of those "Where did he come from?" artists that North Carolina Hip Hop regulars might not have heard much about. He is one of the members of Spring Hill Music Group, which also includes Azon Blaze and W2. W2 (Will Worthington) does most of the production for the group and is the brother of Azon Blaze (also a member of Blaze The Sky with SkyBlew). I personally know that Logic's EP has been long in the making, but knew it would be worth the wait. Well put together lyrically and production wise, "Reasons, Reference, Refinery" has a smooth vibe to it from beginning to end. Logic is world traveled with his modeling career and numerous Humanitarian Projects, but releases his music not for the daps, the money or recognition, his hopes are to make changes with his music. 

 "I crafted this EP upon the base of one emotion; Love. The love for not only my culture but for the awakening of humanity. I'm an artist despite any uttered label upon my character. My intentions with this EP is to base its targeted release vaguely in the U.K. London an onward to AUS. On top of having friends an creditable dj's within these place, ive sited these places and noted the perception of the thinkers abroad. America makes you an opportunist but at the same time they institutionalize you; this we know. I give you Reasons, Reference, Refinery.. The EP" Logic

Follow Logic:

Facebook Fan Page

Audiomack

Reverbnation

@SpringHillMusic

Download Mixtape | Free Mixtapes Powered by DatPiff.com

Joshua Gunn...Victory

Joshua Gunn, working under his own label, Red Eye Lifestyle, released his "Faithful Struggle" album earlier this year and it was applauded by J.Gunn fans everywhere. Taking us, musically, through his beginnings and triumphs in the industry, and now using his birth name (Joshua Gunn), we are given the 1st video release from the project. "Victory" takes us visually through several events that impacted us all over the world. Gunn reminds that with each step he's taken, he's conquered his own personal struggle. Find more about Joshua Gunn and Red Eye Lifestyle at www.jgunnmusic.com 

Follow Red Eye Lifestyle:

jgunnmusic.com

@jgunnisbetter

@BRANDONPIERRE

@RedEyeLifestyle

C-Roy Feat. Jozeemo...Stick N Move

First video release from C-Roy's "Don't 4Get 2 Flush" Mixtape features now retired Durham rapper, Jozeemo. "Stick N Move" was filmed by Homebase Music Group's Loot-Tenant Trax and edited by Jozeemo. 

C-Roy hails from Newark, NJ and now resides in North Carolina. He came up as a Musician under Joe "Flip" Wilson, Lady Gaga's current Music Director. C-Roy's goal is to be able to make the best music possible that fans from all walks of life can relate to. "Don't 4Get 2 Flush" is his first project and it's already causing quite a buzz. Download it for free on datpiff.com...

Follow C-Roy:

Facebook

datpiff

@crooktime

"Wrath Of The Godz" at Casbah Aug. 31st 2012

The Blitz Brothers are hitting the scene hard with a major impact showcase at the Casbah in Durham this Friday, August 31st. Who are "The Blitz Brothers"? Many of you may remember "21st Records" Label with artists such as Jozeemo, Motha Nature, Spliff, Pauly Snubnoze and D.R.C. Pauly Snubnoze went on to put together some big shows in the RDU area, including the highly successful "BGirl Fest". Still maintaining his presence and support as Jozeemo's manager, Pauly is back, with his brother Charlye Cockpit to stir North Carolina's music scene up as "The Blitz Brothers"

With an untouchable line-up and in the middle of the Bull City, fans will be entertained by the likes of Headliner Rapper Big Pooh (formerly 1/2 of Little Brother, now a highly successful solo artist),  Jozeemo (who also claims that this is his LAST performance as he transitions from rapper to Family man and college student), Kaze (preparing to release his newest project "The Black Kennedy Mixtape" before the end of Fall 2012), Up and coming Bull City favorite Wreck N Crew (which consists of duo FreshSutton and Trie Cartier, also affiliated with Realer Music Group brothers Lil Bob, Jacobi and Free Agent Jasun) and Greensboro, NC's Swayze Jones (signed to Homebase Music Group and preparing to release her 2nd album "SwayzeNation2". 

Special Guest Charlamange Tha God (famed loud mouth from MTV2's The Guy Code and Power 105.1's The Breakfast Club morning broadcast) will also be present. Durham Vet, hip hop teacher to local emcee's and official DJ for Big Daddy Kane, DJ Skaz Digga, will provide the music for the evening and Y?BNormal creator/owner Bishop Omega will keep the show live and entertaining between sets (Imagine "If your wack, I'm calling you out!!" Bishop and Charlamange Tha God in the same building!! Wow!). 

Advance Tickets can be purchased for $15 at www.casbahdurham.com or feel free to pay $18 at the door, either way, this event will be well worth it! 

Location:

1007 West Main Street

Durham, NC 27701

Direct Ticket Link:

https://www.etix.com/ticket/online/performanceSearch.jsp?performance_id=1652281&cobrand=casbahdurham

Casbah Promo Page:

http://casbahdurham.com/2011/02/fri-aug-31-wrath-of-the-godz-wrapper-big-pooh-charlamagne-tha-god-and-more/

Kenny Macguyver....Second Chance

Formerly known as "Killa K" from freestyle battles at the Local 506 in Chapel Hill, Kenny Macguyver, dropped a new video this week called "Second Chance" which let's us into his journey through his rap career thus far. The lyrics tell us about his life going from hopeful signed rapper to his daily 9 to 5 job. Kenny keeps it real for his fans in this video. Filmed and edited by DJ SpaceCadett. 

Follow Kenny Mac:

Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Edgar Allen Floe & J Wheels..."Floetry in Motion"

New Album released by Edgar Allen Floe, joined with Producer J Wheels, has been a year in the making. Floe's 1st release on the scene was in 2005 and he's put out 4 other projects before "Floetry In Motion". A member of 9th Wonder's The Justus League, Floe has been described as an emcee that "raps from a pulpit of authority that not many emcees rival", Edgar Allen Floe produces and creates Hip Hop on a higher level. 

J Wheels, a self-taught Producer from Norfolk, VA, adds his creative touches to the music behind the emcees on this well constructed album. 

Find The Album:

Edgar Allen Floe

J Wheels

iTunes

Bandcamp

Amazon

@eafloe

Sarah Kaboom...Lady On The Mic

How do I describe Sarah Kaboom?? Young, beautiful, quirky, soulful, inspiring and a lyrical beast on the mic. That about sums it up. She does not hold back and that's what draws people into her performances. Kaboom is confident on the stage and releases bars that sometimes make more seasoned emcees jump back. On the flip side, she throws out a unique voice when she sings that's hard to compare with anyone else. 

Sarah was introduced to the music scene by her father who was a jack of all trades in the local scene. She started writing at a young age and was already a well skilled songstress by time she hit middle school. While attending The Durham School of The Arts throughout Middle and High School, she also trained in dance and Creative Writing, giving her the advanced skills to launch her further into her serious music career path. 

Since finishing school, Kaboom has featured on numerous fellow artists projects, released her own solo tracks, opened up the half-time show for the CIAA Tournament in 2010, and made several appearances on showcases and charity events around the 919 area. The future has her preparing for a Tour with other local NC Artists called "The State of the Art Tour" which launches this July. 

Follow KABOOM:

Reverbnation

Facebook

Website

@SarahKaboom

O.Z. Featuring That Boi Milly....D.O.P.E.

New video from Suckafree Music Group out of Durham, NC, off of their upcoming Summer Mixtape. O.Z. shows off his lyrical talent with D.O.P.E. (an acronym for Driven Off Pure Energy) and features fellow emcee That Boi Milly in this video shot & edited by JLeelTV. 

O.Z. has been writing since the age of 10 years but began taking his music more serious by time he hit High School. After joining a local group of Emcees/Producers going by the name U.R.F. Movaz, O.Z. perfected his style and sound. Now he's on a mission to show the world that he's at the top of his game and it can only get better from here with his new crew of independent artists beside him. Suckafree Music Group is an all inclusive network of artists out of North Carolina that pushes each other towards success. 


Follow O.Z. and Suckafree:


Facebook
Reverbnation
YouTube
@OZTheHitmaker

King F.A.M.E..."Can I Be..."

King F.A.M.E. released a new summertime track for the ladies this week titled "Can I Be". Smooth flow from the verses to the hook that speaks to the females with encouragement and understanding. As F.A.M.E. continues to pull his Mixtape and Album together, both with expected releases this year, keep a watch for more tracks to hit the scene.

Find F.A.M.E.:

Facebook

Soundcloud

@KingFameNC

K-Hill..."Tatooine"

North Carolina Emcee/Producer, K-Hill, dropped a jam on Father's Day for us. Written around the time the news was splashed with the unjustified shooting of a young man on his way home from a convenient store run. The death of Trayvon Martin gave K-Hill some perspective on being the father of 2 young minority sons himself and he put his pen to paper to honor what his sons mean to him and how they keep him motivated in the daily struggles. 

Enjoy!!

Find More K-Hill:

www.khillmusic.com

Facebook

@HillCosby

DJ Bro Rabb...Mr Lawd Have Mercy

DJ Bro Rabb (Phillip Bell III) was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. After attending a company party with his mother at the age of 8 years, he was introduced to a live DJ set up and skills, by his middle school years, he was starting to DJ small events around his hometown of Durham. As his experience and following grew, his career took off and put him on stages with major artists such as Rakim, Kid Capri, Nas, KRS-ONE, Big Boi from Outkast, Big Daddy Kane and many more. He went on to work at both Duke University and North Carolina Central University as a Mixshow DJ from 1997 until 2006. DJ Bro Rabb joined up with a group of DJs called The World Famous Butta Team, which also includes Skaz Digga and DJ ScottyRock. As part of that team, Bro Rabb worked on a critically acclaimed documentary called "Welcome 2 Durham" that went on to win several independent film awards and was featured on ABC World News. The Butta Team released a soundtrack for the documentary and a single "Welcome 2 Durham" with Legendary Big Daddy Kane and the now dismantled Little Brother group, which was produced by Grammy Winning Producer 9th Wonder. 

Most recently, DJ Bro Rabb has become an established DJ in the club and show scene of North Carolina, and he's working on his own "Mr Lawd Have Mercy" show. He also DJs on the internet radio station "IceBreaker Radio". 

Follow DJ BRO RABB:

Facebook

IceBreaker Radio

@DJBRORABB

TaraMarie Interview With Team Collective

One of 2012's CMA Nominees for "Best New Artist" goes by the name Team Collective. 

Team Collective is a "Movement" of various artists, promoters, photographers, models and more that have come together with a common goal: "To support each other and excel one another to reach the highest potential in their respected crafts". Team Collective consists of 5 individual Hip Hop/RNB artists that have decided that "UNITY" is the best way to accomplish goals and get their music to the masses. Each artist, unique in their own way, brings a different aspect to the group and makes the team stronger. 

I recently had the chance to get this team to sit still for an interview and find out more about them. So, I introduce to you, the artists of Team Collective! 

Follow The Team:

Facebook

ReverbNation

YouTube

Twitter:

@TeamCollective

@DaPanyRaider

@D2LENT

@FLOWZInfinite

@EMORYSWORLD

@darealbonez1

@Flawless_Models

Shelly B..."Outta Body"

North Carolina's Titled "Queen Of Hip Hop" goes by the name of Shelly B. Don't let the image fool you though, Shelly B has the talent to back up that name. Climbing her way up a predominantly male dominanted industry, she has successfully proven that she can hold her own on the mic and the stage. Shelly B is known for making history Nationally for North Carolina by being the 1st Independent Artist from here to be featured in The Source's Unsigned Hype section and being the 1st Female artist to make it on AllHipHop.com's Breeding Ground section. She created her own street buzz in her home state by holding the crown for 7 weeks straight on Radio One/K97.5's Freestyle Friday Battle Contest, beating out NC's top male artist. 

Shelly B has had full control over her own career as an Independent Artist, but has touched the Mainstream scene by sharing the stage with Major Label artists such as : DMX, Trina, Lil Wayne, Petey Pablo, Fabolous, KRS-1, Soulja Boy, G-Unit and others and also landed a spot on a 6 city tour with Rah Digga in 2005. She is the definition of a true Grinder!! 

The inspirations behind Shelly's newest project (expected release this year) come from every independent woman from the teenager, the single mom, the business lady and the hustler doing what she needs to get her own. Shelly B gives major credit to her own mother, Myra Bradley, (Creator/Operator of Women That Care Non-Profit Organization) for always encouraging her to do and be her best and to not let anything or anyone stop her from achieving her goal. 

Check out Shelly B's newest single "Outta Body" now and keep your ears open for other drops from her upcoming album.

Link With Shelly B:
Facebook
ShellyBThat.com
@ShellyBMusic
WomenThatCare

Kourvioisier..."Fear Of Progress"

Durham emcee Kourvioisier is said to be one of those young artists with an old soul. He started rapping at the age of 11 but was always noted as being beyond his years, a true student of the Old School/Golden Era of Hip Hop. His talent caught the attention of co-founder of the World Famous Butta Team, DJ Skaz Digga, when Kourvioisier was barely a teenager and with Skaz's encouragement and mentorship, Kourvioisier put out his first project in 2009, gaining the young emcee recognition and praise from Hip Hop greats such as Big Daddy Kane, Lord Finess, and 9th Wonder. This is Kourvioisier's 2nd album and its laced with production by Skaz Digga, K-Hill and JL Proof. If this talented artist has any "fears of progress" in the game, they are misplaced. Enjoy!

Follow Kourvioisier:
Facebook
Bandcamp
AudioMack
@KTR1027

Nycest Emcee..."Spread My Wings"

Doyin "Nycest Emcee" Euring, Raleigh, NC resident, released his album "Arrival N Departure" a few months ago on iTunes and CDBaby with features by Rah Digga, Royce 5'9", KSlack (Well-known Producer originally from Durham, NC) and NC female emcee Jey Davis. Nycest Emcee describes his music as "profound without being profane". He recently had the opportunity to perform in Germany, which linked him with HIG MEDIA Films, and that turned into filming his 1st video for his single "Spread My Wings". The video debuted today throughout Germany and the States. I had the pleasure of meeting Nycest Emcee this past weekend and found out where his "stage name" comes from...he really is one of the "nycest" guys you will ever meet. Enjoy!

Follow Nycest Emcee:

iTunes

Reverbnation

Facebook

@nycestemcee