"Hillmatic" Showcase in Chapel Hill

When it comes to the HipHop History of North Carolina, Chapel Hill is one of the foundation landmarks. With venues such as The Local 506, Cats Cradle and the now closed Jack Sprat, the town is rich with monumental events. In the forefront of this history is Kevin "Kaze" Thomas, as one of the few OGs still pushing and repping the HipHop Culture of this predominately college run town. 

The 1st Annual "Hillmatic" Showcase promises to deliver a peek into the past, present & future of Chapel Hill's talent.  20+ years of HipHop in the Hill! Most emcees I've met and/or worked with reminisce about "Microphone Mondays", the legendary beat battles with Apple Juice Kid, Erv Ford, Khrysis and Skaz, the HipHop Nation TV show and Sunday Night Sessions. Everybody who was anybody emerging from North Carolina's Underground scene came through the Hill at some point in time... J.Cole, TYFU, King Mez, Jozeemo, JGunn, K-Hill, 9th Wonder, Little Brother, Kaze and many more. This "Hillmatic" event promises to deliver a major celebratory night of good music, undeniable talent and unforgettable history. Performers include JSwiss, No9to5, Well$, Fluent, Kaze, and special performances by SkyBlew & The Digidestined Band and J Rowdy & The Nightshift band.

In the words of Kaze:

Wow. The city with so many contributions, hosted moments, and talent instrumental in the Carolina#HipHop Movement its unreal. UNC HipHopNation. TYFU. Sankofa. Haxoba. Underbrush. Dj Pez. Birthplace of the ORIGINAL Apple Chill.The many shows Shaw and Uzi did at Cats Cradle that brought stars within reach. They put us on those shows. L in Japanese. Phonetic. A Typical. LowKey. The MC battles w/ me, Phonte, JGunn, and Jozeemo. HipHopNationTV. Microphone Monday. The legendary Beat Battles. Who gonna win? Erv, Slack, Apple Juice, Dirty, Khrysis or Skaz? Dj Flash and Izzy Nice killing shit. 9th was there. BigDaddyKane. ButtaTeam too. Fayettenam and Durham in the house. But they'll let you know that for sure. Cole was there. So was Nerv. SundayNightSessions. Mez was there. We all were. Every week. Bishop holding it down. Big Darrian at the door. Dr. Katz establishing HipHop curriculum at UNC-CH. Freestyling in The Pit continues til this day. Pierce Freelon and Apple Juice taking BeatLab worldwide. Damn homie I could keep going on and on. But that's what AUG. 22 is for. #HILLMATIC. 

Don't miss out on is looking to be a yearly festival of North Carolina's music history!

FOLLOW

Tickets for Hillmatic

@kaze4letters (IG)

@rowdylife (IG)

@jswisshere (IG)

@retro_flu (IG)

@SkyBlewMusic (IG)

Major Green "Stay Tuned"

If you live anywhere near Raleigh, North Carolina, you have SEEN the name Major Green! When it comes to Marketing himself and his brand, Jabre Green knows exactly what he's doing. He's not only the Artist "MAJOR GREEN", he's also the mind and hands behind iKandi Productions, a Multi-Media Company that handles Engineering, Production, Recording, Photography, Events, Graphics and T-Shirt Pressing. With his wife, Shariah Green, by his side, all I see is a winning combination. 

"Stay Tuned" is a well-tuned flow of catchy hooks, strong lyricism, and high energy production, with DJ Cen City (one of the most prominent Indy supporting DJ's in the area) on his hosting job. This is one of those CD's I can pop in, ride to and find myself rapping along with after the first spin. Make sure you catch the video for the intro track, Power, and go check out Major Green on the stage at the 2015 Durm HipHop Summit this coming weekend. 

FOLLOW
@major_green (IG)
@MajorGreen_ (Twitter)
@DJCenCity (IG)
@DJCenCity (Twitter)

"IStruggle" by Novacain featuring Jozeemo & Oace Spades

In times of Civil Unrest, there are still glimpses of Unity, Brotherhood and Concern for our neighbors around us. The daily struggles for Independence, Validity and Justice run deep through our Black communities while the news is rampant with acts of Violence, Injustice and Misuses of Power by our Authority figures. It is long past "the time for change" because the necessary changes have to start within oneself first.  "IStruggle" draws us through the desired unity needed between not just our city, but our neighborhoods. You can't lead a people, if you can't first learn to direct yourself.  

This song is powerful! Salute and Respect to the artists, Novacain, Jozeemo and Oace Spades. 

Follow

@Jozeemo (IG)

@Jozeemo (Twitter)

Oace Spades

@KingElegance (IG) 

Novacain

Seven Da Pantha "The Rider" Official Video

Seven Da Pantha - A Rider from Otrocity on Vimeo.

It's been a minute since I've actually seen the homie, Seven Da Pantha, so I'm glad this came across my timeline and I took the time to watch. The track flows with a nostalgic beat (Produced by Kwest), the content is heartfelt with facts and issues facing the Black Community everyday (Directed by Otrocity). 

"A Rider" is someone who is not afraid to stand up for their beliefs, one that will stand beside his fellow man in action and fight for a positive change, and be the leader of such a movement when called upon. I've seen Seven be that person within the Indy scene, for his partner, Apostle (Anthony Adams), and other artists. 

Word is that Seven is leaving the East Coast and setting up residence out West. Come celebrate his journey next Thursday, July 16th, at Deep South Bar (430 S. Dawson St. Raleigh, NC) where he will give us his last North Carolina performance on the Power Of The Tongue Showcase, Presented by SpringHill Productions (K-Hill & Azon Blaze). 

Follow
Facebook
@Pantha_Politix (IG)
@SevDaPantha (Twitter)
POTT Showcase

Chris "Lil' C. Corleone" Peterson is an American Singer/Rapper 

hailing from Smithfield, North Carolina. His recently released Mixtape,

"So Far Faded" (Hosted by DJ Wispas & DJ Arab) is a smooth riding

collection of remixes and original tracks. Lil' C. Corleone highlights

his ability to sing then drops some mastered lyrical content on his 

listeners. 

"My mission is to make it, be persistent and patient...Ain't nobody 

gonna give it to you, you just gotta take it..." comes from Track #8,

"For Me" and it gives the best representation of Lil' C's drive to be a big

player out here in this music game, and nobody is going to get in

his way! 

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34106/lil-c-corleone-so-far-faded.html

Follow

@LilCCorleone (Twitter)

Facebook

Soundcloud

Fluent "Take You Down" Feat. Joe Budden

Chapel Hill, North Carolina artist, Fluent, isn't playing around this year! His upcoming album, "Supreme Victory", will be flooded with features, including "Take You Down" featuring Slaughterhouse member, Joe Budden. The album also pairs Fluent with Producer J. Cardim, who carries credits with Akon, Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Talib Kweli and many others. "Take You Down" has an unfamiliar, eerie sound, with a heavy lyrical drop by Fluent, which sets the song off. 

"Supreme Victory" will be released July 15th, 2014, under the "Sound Of The Culture" Independent Label. Pre-Orders are being taken through iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/supreme-victory/id890623102

Follow Fluent 
@FluentTheGod (Twitter)
@retro_flu (IG)
Facebook
iTunes

Major Green "Art Gallery"

It took me a minute to finally sit back and check this song out, and I've played it numerous times since. Major Green is a man of many talents, and I'm loving the sound and flow of "Art Gallery". Being the CEO/Creator of iKandi Productions has inspired Major Green to learn every aspect of the music and entertainment business. He not only writes and records music, he also produces, does his own Mixing and Mastering, edits videos, designs his own artwork and flyers, presses his own tees and duplicates cd's. He's a "Business" in himself. 

"Art Gallery" features singer T. Graham, Production credit goes to Tspoon. 

Major Green, aka Jabre Green, is currently working on his new album, and recently released the Official Video for another favorite of mine, "Good And The Bad". 

Download "Art Gallery"

Audiomack 

iTunes

CDBaby

Follow Major Green

Facebook

@MajorGreen_ (Twitter)

@major_green (IG)

Website

Kenny Macguyver "Diary Of A StepDad" Official Video

Sometimes a battle rapper gets the chance to step out of the streets and into the life of a family man, and it changes him. Durham, NC's Kenny Macguyver's heartfelt lyrics on "Diary Of A StepDad" tell his personal story of how his life has evolved in 2014 as he stepped into the role of a stepfather of 3 young children. He's also been leaking hints to the building of his upcoming new album "For Mature Audiences Only". This video features his fiance, Mosca Flux, and the children he's helping to raise. 

Follow Kenny Macguyver

@kennymacguyver (Twitter)

@kennymacguyver (IG)

YouTube

Website

Tigo B Featuring Brandon D "9 to 5" Official Video

A song most of us can relate to..."I never want to work a 9 to 5" 

"9 to 5" is off the newest project release by Tigo B, "Rise: A Gemini Story", and features Greensboro, North Carolina Legend, Brandon D. From the mind of an Independent Artist, who knows the struggles and the potential of that 24/7 grind, "You're either working for a dream or a dream is working for you".  Both Tigo B and Brandon D are relentless in their pursuit of never having to work a "9 to 5". 

Download entire "Rise: A Gemini Story" project at LiveMixtapes.com 

Follow Tigo B

@TigoBMusic (Twitter)

@tigobmusic (IG)

Website

Follow Brandon D

@brandondllc (IG)

Facebook

#InTheStreets With DJ ESudd

The name "DJ ESudd" is a familiar one if you're from the Greensboro area of North Carolina, outside of NC he's most known as the Official DJ for "2Chainz". DJ ESudd stays busy between being on the road touring, networking and supporting the Up & Coming artists through Chophouze Studio's and getting his Mixtapes built and out to the public. 

I was able to grab some advice from DJ ESudd recently outside of the Underground Rich Tour held at Greene Street Club last week...Hit play to hear what he had to say...

Follow DJ ESudd

@djesudd (Twitter)

@djesudd (IG)

LiveMixtapes

DJ Service Pack

Street Execs

Chophouze Studio

#InTheStreets With Brandon D & Nikki Nikole Davis

I caught up with one of the original North Carolina grinders, Brandon D., recently in his hometown of Greensboro after the Chophouze Studio sponsored "Underground Rich Tour" in which Brandon hit the stage for the first time in 5 years. Side by side with his wife, Nikki Nikole, he proved that he's still here, and his fans are still rocking with him...

Hit play and catch up with where they've been and where their future is leading them...

Follow Brandon & Nikki Davis

@brandondllc (IG)

@nikki2hot4radio (IG & Twitter)

@4dreamersonly

@scarletmythcosmetics

Nikki's Website

ILLPO-ODE Official Video

If you haven't already heard of "ILLPO", let me introduce you to two of the hottest Hip Hop artists out of Greensboro, North Carolina. They go by the names "Boones" & "Bond" and when they hit the stage they set off an incredible tag team of lyrical comraderie that sets them apart from so many others. Their newest project, "Dopamine", is produced by one of Raleigh, NC's hottest Producers (and one of my favorite's), D.R.U.G.S. Beats (Credits with 50 Cent and Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Young Dro, Ludacris, Big Boi and others) with executive production by CBoogs. ILLPO-ODE is the 1st video from the UpSouth Musik represented rap duo from the "Dopamine" project.  

ILLPO doesn't give you fabricated rhymes, they offer you an upbeat sound that's reminiscent of the organic vibe of the Hip Hop culture.  "Dopamine" is scheduled for a Memorial Day release...Watch for it and make sure you grab that! 

Follow ILLPO

@ILLPO

@Boones_Illpo

@illpo_bondburna (IG)

@boonesillpo (IG)

Facebook

UpSouth Musik

Follow D.R.U.G.S.

Soundcloud

Facebook

Twitter

Ashley Mar Shell..."Call Me Up" #PopUp Video

The Official Full-length "Call Me Up" #PopUp Video by Ashley Mar Shell, directed by Joe Murdock III aka Jozeemo, BHE CEO. Comment, Share, and support one of North Carolina's break out R&B Diva's!! Guest appearances by Marc Law and voice of Skaz Digga...

Subscribe to Ashley's VEVO page...

Follow Ashley Mar Shell

Facebook

Reverbnation

@AshleyMarShell (Twitter)

@AshleyMarShell (IG)

AshleyMarShellVEVO

Follow BlockHuggerz

@Jozeemo 

Facebook

DURHAM BOIZ "AUTOMATIC" Short Film Music Video

The name "Durham Boiz" has been circulating around the Triangle area of North Carolina for about a year now. They are steadily building a following outside of the state as well from South Carolina to Atlanta. So who are the Durham Boiz? They are a coalition of individual HipHop artists representing Durham, North Carolina, that came together after seeing a need for unity among the music scene around them. Each coming from different sides of their hometown, with a collective focus of representing on a larger scale. OZ is a lyrical monster, cutting out his own lane in the music world. His style and sound are hard to label under one niche in the HipHop genre, but he's one of my favorite artists and entertainers from this area.  Harvey J has always been the guy with a plan, and the drive to bring it into existence. He is currently the new owner of a unique, Indy focused & supporting clothing store, Runway Rebellion, located in Four Seasons Plaza (Greensboro, NC). He's 20 years old!! Tobot East is the beatmaker and one of the artists. Shawn Da Don progressed as a battle rapper to an Official artist. Kash's goal is to show those he came up with that there is more to life and Durham then running the streets. He's forming his own path through the music with a positive message. Video production by DeVon Jackson (@dev_shotya)

Ok, Ok, let me stop with all the details as to who Durham Boiz are and get to the HIGHLY ANTICIPATED Video for "Automatic"!! And shout out to "Buttercream Jones" for his hilarious cameo... #BullCity 

Follow "Durham Boiz"

@durhamboiz

@omgitsharveyj

@OZTheHitmaker

@FashionKiddKash

@_ShawnDaDon

@toboteast

Facebook

Website

Ciroc Pop "Whore's Cry" Official Video

Ciroc Pop - Whore's Cry (Official Music Video) from NARE TV on Vimeo.

Ciroc Pop released his newest video off his "Atazagoraphobia" project a few days ago. "Whore's Cry" follows the life of a prostitute from the streets to her relationship with the 'pimp' that promises her everything, only to take it all away from her. This is a deep track brought to life by Ciroc Pop. Like I said before, "Atazagoraphobia" is a "must have" in your cd collection of HipHop coming out of North Carolina this year. 

Download "Atazagoraphobia" 

Amazon

iTunes

Follow Ciroc Pop

Facebook

@CirocPop (Twitter)

@CirocPop (Instagram)

Kaze "Young Jordan" Feat. Fluent & Ease

Since I'm asked on the regular "What's Kaze up to?" let me give you all an update. After moving to the West Coast last year and leaving his mark, Kaze came back to North Carolina to handle some business. He is currently set up at Bull City Sound Studio in Durham working on new music, scheduled for a Summer 2014 release, and building his SOTC (Sound Of The Culture) Independent label with fellow emcee Fluent. Fluent recently released "Hustle Till I'm Ballin" featuring Nipsey Hussle and has tracks with Joe Budden and Action Bronson on deck. 

Some of you may have been seeing Kaze appearing on "My Carolina Today" (NBC17) with Valonda Calloway. Kaze has been invited to be the guest host twice a month for their "On The Map" segment, focusing on Arts & Entertainment events going on in the area. 

Kaze is keeping all lanes open for the future with plans to continue connecting with other music and entertainment markets, focusing on L.A., New York and Atlanta. Stay tuned for this Summer's new sounds from SOTC...in the meantime, Press Play on this new "Young Jordan" track, featuring Chapel Hill artists Fluent and Ease...




Follow Kaze
@BlackKennedy (Twitter)
@kaze4letters (IG)
Website

Lil Bob "120"

Daniel "Lil Bob" Thompson is a D.C. native currently residing in Durham, North Carolina. As a member of the local Realer Music Group, Lil Bob has been lighting stages up both with the collective and as a solo artist. You can't just "be" in the crowd when Lil Bob is rocking, he draws you in and encourages your crowd participation! 

"120" is the 1st single from his upcoming project "FYAH" (Forever Young Ambitious & Humble). There's an electronic sound lacing this track with BARS!! 

Follow Lil Bob
Facebook
@itslilbobdoe
Reverbnation
@lilbobdoe

Wreck-N-Crew: "Vanity" (OFFICIAL VIDEO)

For as long as I've been hearing and watching Durham, North Carolina duo, Wreck-N-Crew (Freshman & Trie), I've never been disappointed! 2AM: Alcohol & Music 2 sets us fans up for another wave of creative visuals, dope lyricism and instrumentally soul-laced production. This visual for "Vanity" features dancer Dominque Perry who captivates us with graceful moves, then hits us with a lil twerk action. Production credit goes to in-house producer Groove for this track. The full project consists of production by emcee/producer Trie Cartier, The C.O.M.Posers, Ty B. Rude and Laphelle. Freshman and Trie bring a refreshing flow with every track on this project. This is a great representation of the talent among North Carolina HipHop. 

Visuals for "Vanity" by Devon Jackson...

Follow Wreck-N-Crew

@Wreck_NCrew

@Trie_Cartier

datpiff

AudioMack

Bandcamp

YouTube

Website

Descendent (The MC)

It's always an honor to watch an emcee grow and embrace his/her talent. Ira "Descendent" Bond is one of those emcee's from the Raleigh/Durham area that has continually grown into his craft. He has used advice from mentor's such as Chaundon (Justus League) to find himself in his music and has set personal goals to use his words to inspire those who listen, especially the generations coming up behind him, to believe in their own dreams and to use the tools that God gave them to accomplish whatever they set their minds on. 

Descendent learned from his father and uncle's to really pay attention to the lyrics in songs because there's a story behind every artist that can be heard in their rhymes. He feeds off that knowledge when he writes his own verses and you can hear his story through every line he spits. He is currently working on a new project titled "Road To Greatness: Journey Of A Lost Soul" due to release end of April 2014. Watch for it! "I just want to make good music for the people to spread the truth. Hear my heart, feel my pain! Hopefully you will like what you hear and continue to support me." Descendent

Follow Descendent

Facebook

@descendentMC (Twitter)

@descendentmc (Instagram)

YouTube

Website

King F.A.M.E. "Jay Bilas...Gotta Go To Work" Release Party

King F.A.M.E. has been in steady work mode for the past...well, forever! With new music being created and a powerful team backing him, the future looks nothing but bright for this up and coming Durham, North Carolina based Artist. His newest single titled "Jay Bilas (Gotta Go To Work)" is set to release on April 7th, 2014, with a preview Release Party being held at Flashback's in Raleigh this coming Sunday, March 30th, 2014. Official release to DJ's and media will be on April 7th. The song's title refers to former Duke star player and current ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, who begins each day with a post on his Twitter quoting a Young Jeezy lyric and hashtagging #GottaGoToWork These tweets are a daily motivator for F.A.M.E.

The Release Party will be the 1st stop on King F.A.M.E.'s "Gotta Go To Work Tour" scheduled this year, ending in September 2014. To keep posted on future dates and locations on the tour, follow King F.A.M.E. on Twitter, Instagram and his official website www.groundbreakingonline.com 

"Jay Bilas" will be included on King F.A.M.E.'s full length project "Crown Ruler" (no release date set as of yet). 

Follow King F.A.M.E.

@iamkingfame (Twitter/IG)
Facebook
Soundcloud