Saturday, November 19, 2011

2ND ANNUAL HIP HOP FOR THE HOMELESS EVENT


The 2nd Annual Hip Hop For The Homeless Food Drive will be in effect, ready to show the solidarity that the Baltimore hip hop community is showing.  Last year's drive was a huge success, banding together a scene that often gets a bad rap (no pun intended).  For 2011, the event takes on a bigger scale, as it covers ground from December 14th-18th across the Baltimore metropolitan area.  It felt very good last year to show support and donate to such a worthy cause, because there are countless individuals that are suffering through the homeless epidemic that plagues our fair city and abroad.  According to reports from Baltimore CityPaper, there are approximately 4,000 persons that are classified as homeless, and I strongly believe that these numbers are not accurate.  Take a walk or drive through various pockets of Baltimore and you will see a homeless man or woman camped out on a bench or sidewalk, with nothing more than a blanket and a few bags of their prized possessions keeping them company.  It can be a grim, daunting sight, so participating in Hip Hop For The Homeless is a no-brainer to me, being on both ends of the spectrum with this epidemic.  I am looking forward to the Baltimore hip hop community showing up and showing out to support such an important cause.  Hip hop started as a means to band together communities and show unity within the culture, so that tradition must continue.

Here is the schedule of events for the 2nd Annual Hip Hop For The Homeless:

DECEMBER 14, 2011 TOY AND FOOD DRIVE KICKOFF

CATONSVILLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE 7-10PM
900 S. ROLLING RD
CATONSVILLE, MD 21228
BARN THEATRE CAMPUS
THIS EVENT REQUIRE A CANNED GOOD OR OTHER NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM TO GAIN ENTRY

DECEMBER 15, 2011 MATTHEW BLU ART SHOW
EUBIE BLAKE CENTER 6-830PM
847 NORTH HOWARD ST
BALTIMORE, MD 21201
THIS EVENT REQUIRE A CANNED GOOD OR OTHER NON-PERISHABLE FOOD ITEM TO GAIN ENTRY
DECEMBER 16, 2011 FREE CONCERT-AN OUTSIDE EVENT
WHEEL DEAL 4-10PM
3200 REISTERSTOWN RD
BALTIMORE, MD 21217
DECEMBER 17, 2011 FREE CONCERT-AN OUTSIDE EVENT
RIM SOURCE 4-10PM
4810 BELAIR RD
BALTIMORE, MD 21206
DECEMBER 18, 2011 DISTRIBUTION
AUTOGRAPH PLAYHOUSE 4-10PM
9 W. 25TH STREET
BALTIMORE, MD 21212

Please do YOUR part and donate time, money, non-perishable foods, blankets, and/or clothing to this cause.  I strongly believe that blessings will come by blessing someone less fortunate than yourself.  If you are not directly affected by the homeless epidemic, then indirectly there is someone you may come into contact with that is a part of that suffering demographic.  I hope to see the strength in numbers during this event, and I also hope that we as a community will not only focus on this event, because this is an ongoing problem.  For more information for this event, contact hiphopforthehomeless@gmail.com.  Special thanks to those participating in this life-changing event, especially Anita Foster.  She, along with her team of individuals, has been a tireless advocate on the scene, garnering much support along the way to help combat this ailment we face known as homelessness.  Make a difference now B-more!

Monday, November 14, 2011

LAST BORN CHILD INTERVIEW

This is one of my favorite moments EVER from a hip hop standpoint.  I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Ahmed Childs, artistically known as The Last Born Child, a Baltimore-bred, but globally respected individual who has made music, creativity, and activism his calling.  For almost an hour, we sat down and just discussed whatever came to mind.  Even though it can be considered an interview, it was more akin to a discussion with that family member that is able to talk about any and every subject under the sun.  Because the interview lasted for a great length of time, it is broken into four parts.  This is Part 1, and it will give you a glimpse into the influences, humble beginnings, and aspirations of the emcee (not rapper, there is a difference).  You can visit The Last Born Child on Twitter at the following:  @Ambassadorborn. 

Saturday, November 12, 2011

VIDEO: "GHETTO DREAMS"---- COMMON FEAT. NAS

This is a collaboration that I've been anticipating for the longest.  Common, known as the Chi-town Nas, finally got the opportunity to rhyme with one of his biggest influences with "Ghetto Dreams".  Common and Nas sound invigorated and energized on this No ID track, and I'm loving it.  Here is the official video for said song, giving us a visual perception of what Mr. Lynn and Mr. Jones considers the perfect around the way girl, 2011-style.

Friday, November 11, 2011

ON THE RISE MAGAZINE INTERVIEW WITH KOOL G. RAP: STILL ON THE ROAD TO THE RICHES

I had the pleasure of speaking with an artist who I have respected and revered since the mid 80's, the one and only Kool G. Rap.  Our discussion was not gossip-based, but strictly hip hop.  It felt very natural to talk with one of the best lyricists to ever walk this Earth.  He was cordial, funny, down to earth, and a genuine cat for real.  This conversation will go down as one of my best interviews/discussions ever!  Thanks to On The Rise Magazine CEO Attica Lundy, Editor In Chief Aisha Staggers, Staff Writer Kelsey Jones, and the rest of my magazine family.  WE SUPPORT THE COME UP!

On The Rise Magazine link:  http://www.ontherisemagazine.com/2011/11/03/still-on-the-road-to-the-riches-an-interview-with-kool-g-rap

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There are certain hip hop artists that demand and command respect. The venerable Kool G. Rap is one such artist. Born Nathaniel Wilson, he has been on the Hip-Hop radar for the better part of twenty-five years and is responsible for influencing a slew of “rhyme spitters” and gritty street poets such as Big Pun, Nas, Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G., Crooked I, Joell Ortiz, and countless others. Since his Juice Crew days, the name Kool G. Rap has been synonymous with the multisyllabic flow that is commonplace in today’s lyricism-driven Hip-Hop scene. He has weaved some of the most dynamic and visceral rhymes in the history of Hip-Hop culture, and he continues to make moves in front of, and behind, the scenes.


Listening to his standout verse on the Juice Crew classic, “The Symphony,” you can hear just how “ahead of the game” Kool G. Rap was even in that Golden Era of Hip-Hop. For those who do not know the history or backstory related to this piece, venture back to the very beginnings of Hip-Hop with ‘Road To The Riches,” by Kool G. Rap & DJ Polo, released on Cold Chillin’ Records in 1989. Over twenty years later, Kool G. Rap is still on that very road, still seeking riches, both literal and figurative, and that makes him not only “On The Rise”-worthy, but also legendary!

On a recent Sunday afternoon, I had the honor of discussing with this iconic artist his past, present, and future…and the future looks very bright for the one anointed Kool Genius Of Rap!



OTR: To start things off, it is a pleasure speaking with you today.

Kool G. Rap: No doubt man, I appreciate this opportunity to speak with you for real.

OTR: Let’s talk about your recent album Riches, Royalty, Respect. How do you feel about that project?

KGR: I didn’t want to do an album without having something to say. On Riches, Royalty, Respect, I touched on personal topics, some highlights that I didn’t touch on before. When I put albums together I am creative, I put stories together. It’s a well-rounded project. I speak on real life issues with this joint. From concepts to lyrical display, I covered all grounds, but I felt like the album caught a bad rap because there was no label push. People felt it was a classic. It kinda shocked me the label didn’t get behind the album.

OTR: In today’s hip hop climate, who are three current emcees on your radar?

KGR: Three CURRENT emcees? Rick Ross, got to give him a lot of props. I love his delivery. Dude got crazy wordplay and a slick approach. Joell Ortiz, I gotta bring him up, no doubt. He is definitely an ill emcee. Styles P is another that I gotta show love to. There are a crazy number of artists I can shout out, but those three stick out in the current crop.

OTR: Would you love to work with those artists?

KGR: I’ve actually worked with all three of those artists, so I’m grateful for that opportunity to “spit” with some real dope emcees.

OTR: How do you feel about the climate of hip hop currently? It seems like the Dirty South is doing major things in the industry.

KGR: You know man, everything evolves and revolves. New York had a stranglehold on the game from the beginning, then it went out to the West Coast, then the South really took the bull by the horns. The South didn’t dominate at first, but came into an explosion. They doing their thing, so I salute them most definitely. Me, as a New Yorker, I’m not offended at all. I like to mix it up anyway. I did a project back in the early 90’s with Sir Jinx from the West Coast, so we got that mutual respect.

OTR: I remember that album, Live And Let Die. You took the same approach that Ice Cube took when he recorded Amerikkka’s Most Wanted with the Bomb Squad.

KGR: Exactly. I had the opportunity to work with some of the best rappers ever in Ice Cube and Scarface. Ice Cube is always gonna be one of the greats, same thing with Scarface, NWA and The Geto Boys! I was never hating on any coast, any area. I salute the South. Music evolves. It might come back to New York, it might not. Something might come from another area we least expect. Baltimore can definitely do that, no doubt.

OTR: Thanks for that support. I hope my city [Baltimore] can band together and get that just due. Let’s discuss that reported Juice Crew movie that I’ve been hearing about. What’s the word on that project?

KGR: Well, when it first mentioned to me, it seemed like it would happen sooner than later. I spoke a few times with the producer of the project, and there were some ideas tossed around, but I haven’t heard anything at all about the movie, so that notion is on hold man.

OTR: Speaking of the Juice Crew, is there a possibility of a Juice Crew project?

KGR: No plans. I haven’t talked to anybody about that project. Of course, me and Kane would make sense. Lyrics and flows with both of us. There just hasn’t been any kind of communication about it though. That would be dope though.
OTR: Do you hear your influence in artists that are out now?

KGR: Of course I do. Not to sound cocky or anything, but yeah, I hear it all the time. Joell Ortiz comes to mind. People compare Ortiz to Pun, and they compare Pun to G. Rap, so there is that lineage right there. Ortiz would never say I don’t show that love, because I see the skills, I see the influence shining. Eminem shouted out G. Rap as an influence! That’s major. Of course Nas. We worked on “Fast Life” single before, so that is an artist I respect hugely.

OTR: Are there any new projects on the horizon?
KGR: I’m working on quite a few things. I’m working on shoe and clothing line right now. The shoe line is gonna be with exotic materials, alligator and crocodile, so we have to take our time, get the paperwork right. You can’t rush that at all. I’m also working on my label, Full Mettle, and I have a few artists that I’m working with. G. Rap got some surprises. I guess I can say I’m working with a group from Europe, a combination of pop, soul, and R&B. It’s gonna be a different look for me.

OTR: That’s definitely a departure from what I would expect from you.
KGR: I’m expanding my horizons, thinking outside the box. I’m not the type of artist to be boxed in or contained. It’s cool for me to do something unexpected, and Full Mettle is just that. Stay tuned! One thing I’m working on is a full album with The Alchemist. We’ve talked, and the project is a go. We’re gonna make that happen. It’s going to drop on the Full Mettle label.

OTR: Is there a timeline for this album?

KGR: We sat and talked and agreed on the project, so that’s good enough for me. We’re not going to rush this process. You know me, and you know The Alchemist, so this is a dope project in the making. I’m looking at a 2012 release, but nothing concrete yet. We just have to get into the process.

OTR: What would you like to say to the readers of On The Rise Magazine?

KGR: I wish you luck in helping to get B-more on the map. Baltimore got the street life on smash. Everybody knows about “The Wire”. Rappers from Philly, New Jersey, New York, they all know that Baltimore brings that gritty street life.

OTR: Baltimore appreciates that!

KGR: No doubt, my brother. In closing, you haven’t heard the last of Kool G. Rap. From my new project with Necro, my album with The Alchemist, my label Full Mettle, there is a lot in store when it comes to G. Rap. Look for that clothing line and shoe line. Look for a new album from me too. Much love bro! Peace!

OTR: Thank you for this golden opportunity to speak with you. It’s been an honor and pleasure, Kool G. Rap.

KGR: Likewise. Peace!





The latest Kool G. Rap album, entitled Riches, Royalty, Respect, was released earlier in 2011 to critical fanfare. The album is what you expect from G. Rap, full of descriptive, lyric-laden narratives about urban existence. Riches, Royalty, Respect was released and distributed by the Fat Beats imprint.



You can find his discography on his website: http://www.koolgrapnow.com/  and follow G. Rap on Twitter @koolgrapnow.