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DJ Young Mases’ The Takeover 3 received a mention on MTV’s Mixtape Mondays column.
This is The Takeover series’ third time on Mixtape Mondays. MTV has also recognized efforts by DJ Exclusive and DJ Babe in the recent past but considering their anti-hip hop roots, would they still be on board if hip hop’s bubble were to burst? Just sayin…
Here’s The Takeover 3’s first video for “I’m ready”, featuring Young Mase, K-deezy, Stretch Money and Tone Tone.
Kelley L. Carter of the Free Press looks at the Rock the Bells Tour which comes to metro Detroit tonight.
On Wednesday, the Rock the Bells Tour comes to DTE Energy Music Theatre in Clarkston, featuring an all-star lineup of talent. On deck to perform at the outdoor concert hall are Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Talib Kweli, MF Doom, Pharoahe Monch, Immortal Technique, Slum Village and Phat Kat.
Some folks call it backpack hip-hop, but that simplifies what these musicians do.
It’s a snappy way of saying that what these guys have in common is substance.
Here’s a look at a documentary of the original Rock the Bells in 2004 which saw Wu-tang reunite on stage.
The film is getting great reviews all-around as is prepares for release. More information is available at www.rockthebellsmovie.com.
Biba Adams sat down with Iron Fist Records’ Supa Emcee and select members of the Almighty Dreadnaughtz to speak about their future and Supa’s recently released Hood Hero Album.
From the interview in the Michigan Citizen:
MC: Since I have all of you here, when is there going to be another Almighty Dreadnaughtz album? [Five years have past since the last project from the 13 man crew that has been called Detroit’s Wu Tang Clan.]
Kris Steel: There will definitely be a Dreadnaughtz project in 2008—by hell or high water. After Supa, my mix CD, and Guilty’s project, of course. [Dreadnaughtz member, Guilty Simpson is working on one of the most anticipated rap projects which will be released on Stones Throw Records.]
MC: Supa, how do you feel about this project and the solo thing?
Supa Emcee: The project is really not for me or for anybody in particular other than Big Proof. It’s me doing it, it’s my vehicle but it came out of a time when I was really hurt. It came out of a really chaotic time, so in essence, when I’m saying the Hood Hero, I’m not talking about no Detroit s**t or no Highland Park s**t, I’m talking about Big Proof. But, I think I climbed musically with the project and showed personal growth.
MC: Can I ask you guys to reflect on the last year? What do you think the direction is? And what should the direction be, now that we are getting past our grief and moving on?
Konphlict: First and foremost, I feel that it’s organization. That’s one thing that we are looking towards doing that hasn’t been done. That’s one big problem with Detroit, getting people together to really do something that will take us to the next level and really going through with it.
Kris Steel: I think that organization is a factor. But also in Detroit, you have a lot of jealousy and envy, those are human emotions, once we can kinda get over those emotions you will see us elevating our talent. That other stuff is a waste of time. With all of those people who we have seen become successful, Proof, J. Dilla, Slum, Em, it’s like we had our own movement. It’s up to us to show and prove again.
MC: I hear you. As far as a movement, do you think Detroit Hip Hop is still a movement?
Kris Steel: Can a movement be a movement if it’s not moving? That’s something that we should focus on, awakening our movement here in the D. [Everyone nods]
MC: Supa, there are a lot of love songs on the album…
[Everyone erupts into laughter.]
Kawshuz: She just came out of left field with that one.
MC: Hey, I peeped it.
Kris Steel: I was proud of him for that.
Konphlict: He showed a side a lot of people don’t see.
Supa Emcee: A lot of different experiences led to me making some of those songs. It represents people, places, times and experiences with different females with whom I have that understanding.
MC: How was it working with all of the different artists and producers? You got a track from Black Milk, Mr. Drummin…
SE: Yeah, that was crazy. DJ Genesis produced a track for me and Neeco Redd, and she made it from scratch, she is a dope producer. Everything just came together. The song with L. Renee, Movin On, sometimes I just listen to it while I go to sleep.
Read the entire interview and article here.
Origix from WHFR’s The Zone Radio with Origix and DC has taken over the hip hop section of Real Detroit’s weekly Four Track column.
Origix updates us on DJ Butter and DJ King David’s Dip Set & Byrdgang Invades Detroit mixtape.
This summer, Detroit mixtape veterans DJ Butter and DJ King David dropped their latest project together, Dip Set & Byrdgang Invades Detroit. “The mixtape is meant to promote Crime’s LP (Streets Is Contagious), and all of the Dip Set’s up coming releases,” King David says. Harlem Rappers Jim Jones and Hell Rell combined with Detroit’s late Blade Ice Wood and Royce da 5’9” show that our rap scenes have a lot in common. Get a copy from Detroit to NYC at myspace.com/djbutter or myspace.com/djkingdavid313….
…The Zone Radio with Origix & DC airs Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on 89.3 FM. Stream audio at whfr.fm, and visit myspace.com/thezoneradio.
Detroit Hip Hop in the news