In a continued effort to craft the ideal independent record model , Duck Down Music has inked a direct deal with iTunes for Digital Distribution of its complete catalog of music.
Duck Down now has the ability to easily control and manage its content through the iTunes Producer software, as well as receive up-to-the-day statistics on how content is performing.
The first two albums under the direct deal were the recent titles from KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT (Survival Skills) and Skyzoo (The Salvation). Recently Duck Down re-uploaded back catalog from artists on the roster, including Sean Price, Smif N Wessun, 9th Wonder & Buckshot, Boot Camp Clik, Black Moon and more, so these artist's older releases are being handled direct from Duck Down to iTunes without the use of an aggregator.
Drew (Dru Ha) Friedman had this to say about the deal, "We view our direct deal with iTunes as a true achievement. While many Indies may have secured direct deals in the past, with the abundance of music on iTunes it has become increasingly difficult to be accepted as a direct partner. As with our physical product, where Duck Down manufactures and markets, and which is solely distributed by E1, going direct to iTunes privileges Duck Down to retain a greater percentage of sales and will immediately impact our Artists who will benefit by avoiding paying additional aggregator fees. It also offers us the ability to explore Digital Distribution Deals for Artists who are in need of posting their music on iTunes for sale."
A Day In The Life Of One Of Oakland's Finest, Jern Eye 11.25.2009 Follow Jern From The Studio To The Stage In New Video
The Video:
With Jern Eye continually hustling to keep his buzz growing and promoting his new album, Vision, the Oakland emcee has decided to start a new series of videos in which fans get to see a day in the life of Jern and how he gets down. The first video starts off with Jern working hard in the studio, spitting a new verse over a Keelay & Zaire produced track. The video then picks up outside a radio station in downtown Oakland where Jern delivers some exclusive treats to DJ's Plantum and Ambush, including a never before heard remix of "Get Down" featuring perennial West Coast group The Pharcyde. The radio interview ends with Jern Eye speaking on his upcoming performance that same night at Paradise Lounge in San Francisco. The tour moves on to Jern's performance but not without a spot of bother, as we witness a mix-up with the SFPD outside the venue. Not even San Francsico's finest can stop Jern though, as he graces the stage at Paradise Lounge and delivers a highly energetic set with fans rocking along with the Oakland emcee line for line. Don't forget to pick up your copy of Jern Eye's sophomore album, Vision, available nowvia MYX Music Label.
Los Angeles native Jern Eye began crafting his skills early on at freestyle battles in famous L.A. clubs. Jern formed the staple west coast group, Lunar Heights, with friend and fellow emcee Spear Of The Nation shortly after high school, and the group eventually migrated north to Oakland to join the Bay Area's flourishing independent hip-hop scene. Once in the Bay, the group was joined by Khai Sharrieff as they began making a name for themselves opening for a number of well known groups, including Crown City Rockers, The Pharcyde, The Procussions, and more. The group subsequently released their solo effort, Crescent Moon, to high acclaim. Jern followed three years later with his solo debut, Authentic Vintage, in 2006, and toured with Hieroglyphics and Living Legends as a result of the album's success. Jern Eye's sophomore album, Vision, features production from !llmind, Jake One, Keelay & Zaire, DJ Vinroc, Def Supreme, Phil Jahns, and Artek, and collaborations with artists Cali Agents, Mistah F.A.B., Zion I, Guilty Simpson, Nightclubber Lang, and more looks to make the case for Jern's upward movement as a legitimate hip-hop talent on a national level. Vision is available now via MYX Music Label.
Royce Da 5’9” Drops Free iTunes Single of the Week
Fresh off his latest release Street Hop, Detroit MC Royce Da 5’9” continues to garner attention. His new single, “Something 2 Ride 2,” is the “Single of the Week” on iTunes starting today, so you can grab it for free all week right here.
Featuring collaborations with such legends as DJ Premier, Bun B, and Busta Rhymes, Street Hop is arguably Royce’s best project to date.
Download and share Royce Da 5’9”’s “Something 2 Ride 2” from Street Hop [MIC Records/One Records]:
Royce, a legend in his own right, began his career by battling his way through the Detroit underground scene, hitting open mics at Maurice Malone’s renowned Hip Hop Shop and the C-Note Lounge. This would all lead to him meeting a then up-and-coming fellow Detroit rapper, Eminem. The two began recording together, and one of their collaborations, the track “Bad Meets Evil,” made its way onto Eminem’s eponymous debut, The Slim Shady LP.
Now, not only is Royce a famed solo artist himself, but one-fourth of the hip-hop supergroup, Slaughterhouse, which also includes, Joe Budden, Crooked I and Joell Ortiz. Stay tuned as Royce and his counterparts look to bring back the essence of the MC – a unique and rare combination of lyrical skill, musical prowess, artistic integrity, vocal control and a mastered flow.
Tracklist: 01 Gun Harmonizing (featuring Crooked I) 02 Count For Nothing 03 Soldier (featuring Kid Vishis) 04 Something 2 Ride 2 (featuring Phonte) 05 Dinner Time (featuring Busta Rhymes) 06 Far Away 07 The Warriors (featuring Slaughterhouse) 08 …A Brief Intermission (Skit) 09 New Money 10 Shake This 11 Gangsta (featuring Trick Trick) 12 Mine In Thiz (featuring Mr. Porter) 13 Street Hop 2010 14 Thing For Your Girlfriend (featuring Kay Young) 15 On The Run 16 Murder 17 Bad Boy (featuring Jungle Rock Jr.) 18 Part Of Me 19 Hood Love (featuring Bun B & Joell Ortiz)
KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT debut the video for their title track, "SURVIVAL SKILLS," directed by Todd Angkasuwan. Follow the two legends through a maze of obstacles as they show what it takes to sustain longevity.
50 CENT'S MYSPACE MUSIC CONCERT TO STREAM TONIGHT, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Be sure to check out the the performance from last night's MySpace Music "THE RELEASE" show featuring 50 Cent via his official MySpace profile tonight at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST. The event was held last night at New York City's Highline Ballroom and was a celebration for MySpace Music's 50th installment of "THE RELEASE" as well as the release of 50 Cent's new album titled "Before I Self Destruct."
Stream 50 Cent's MySpace Music "THE RELEASE" show tonight (11/24) at 6 p.m. PST/9 p.m. EST: http://www.myspace.com/50 .
"THE RELEASE" is a live concert event where MySpace users are provided a chance to see the biggest urban music artists for free simply by responding to a series of blogs and bulletins posted from the program's official profile at http://www.myspace.com/hiphop. Past events have included record release performances by Jay-Z, Eminem, Nas, Ice Cube, T.I. (with Kanye West & Rihanna), Ghostface Killah, David Banner, The-Dream, T-Pain, Raphael Saadiq and 40 other top-tier artists. For additional info on MySpace Music's "THE RELEASE," please visit: http://www.myspace.com/hiphop .
HOUSTON TEXANS DEFENSIVE TACKLE AMOBI OKOYE IS JOINED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETER BROWN AND RAPPER TRAE THA TRUTH TO BRING HOPE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Houston……on Wednesday, November 25th, The Youngest Player to be drafted into the NFL will show just how big his heart is as he is joined by, City of Houston Council Member Peter Brown and Rapper, Trae Tha Truth to provide Holiday meals and turkeys to children of poverty.
Councilmember Peter Brown will lead a volunteer team on an area-wide distribution of holiday turkeys and meats beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the Sam’s Club (Kirby Drive at Reliant Stadium) location.
Additionally at 2:30 p.m., a group of underprivileged children enjoy a pre-Thanksgiving feast at the Springhill Suites (Reliant Park) during the 3rd Annual Tackle Hunger Feast & Fun event. Not only will the children and families enjoy a scrumptious meal, sponsored by WalMart/Sams Club Corporation, but they will also have the opportunity to play board games and hear encouraging words from Amobi, Trae, and Council Member Brown.
For more information, call Amobi Okoye Foundation Offices at 281-398-4203.
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The mission of the Amobi Okoye Foundation is to Provide Hope to Kids & Communities by fostering programs and services that encourage achievement, promote community stability, and help kids and young adults reach their full potential. For more foundation information, contact Executive Director: Susan Johnson, (281) 398-4203.
Wed., November 25th Turkey Holiday Meat Give-away
11 a.m. Sam’s Club (Kirby Drive at Reliant Stadium location) Parking Lot
Wed., November 25th Tackle Hunger Pre-Thanksgiving Feast & Fun (Invitation Only)
Video: Trinity Releases Video For Their Debut Single "Roc Raida Tribute" 11.24.2009 AG, Sadat X & DJ Jab Pay Homage To Roc Raida With New Video
The Video:
Following the release of their first single as a group, "Roc Raida Tribute," Fat Beats super group Trinity has released a new video with exclusive footage of the late great DJ Roc Raida along with studio clips of the trifecta in the studio recording their infectious tribute to one of hip-hop's most highly regarded DJ's.
The buzz has been swelling since the announcement of the group consisting of emcees AG, Sadat X, and Fat Beats owner DJ Jab on the boards. Their recent debut single has been hitting numerous blogs and websites all across the Internet so it's only fitting for the group to release a video to accompany the song. The video is sure to stir feelings of nostalgia as it starts off with clips from the '95 Technics World DJ Championship where Raida proudly proclaims, "We bringin' it back to the USA!"
What follows is in-studio footage of the group recording their tribute alongside clips of Roc Raida at work on the ones and twos. Raida makes it look too easy as he showcases his undeniable talent. Raida effortlessly scratches between two records, even backwards, not even breaking a sweat in the process. He even goes as far as manipulating the fader with his nose to much fanfare in the video. The video no doubt proves that hip-hop lost a great talent in Roc Raida, but with groups like Trinity showing love and support, his memory will not be forgotten.
Be on the lookout for more info on Trinity and their upcoming album being released in 2010 via Fat Beats Records.
The group Trinity is comprised of emcees AG (Showbiz & AG), Sadat X (Brand Nubian) and DJ Jab (Fat Beats Records Owner). All three individuals have left their own imprint in the hip-hop world and by joining forces, Trinity is gearing up to bring forth the sounds of old and bring back the boom-bap hip-hop that is missing in today's musical landscape. AG is the emcee for the critically acclaimed underground group, Showbiz & AG hailing from the Bronx, NY. Sadat X is part of the famed alternative hip-hop group Brand Nubian and is well known for his politically charged lyrics and poignant delivery. DJ Jab aka Joseph Abajian is the owner of Fat Beats Records and is responsible for developing yesterday's and today's most well respected underground hip-hop artists. Together, Trinity is set to take the industry by storm and leave their mark in the game.
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Shades of Ralph Ellison.
In a continued effort to craft the ideal independent record model , Duck Down Music has inked a direct deal with iTunes for Digital Distribution of its complete catalog of music. 