" After meeting brothers and sisters from all over the world and overstanding the hardships we endure to persevere, I had no choice but to write this for my people. I wanted it to feel like a sobering cup of black coffee." - AKIR
We're finally back from the "New World Culture Tour" which, by the way, was a great success! Thanks to all of you who made it out; and for those who did not, we brought you back a few treats and will be giving you a full recap soon!
First off, we give you new visuals for "Raincheck!" The video (below) was directed by John Mazyck and comes courtesy of our recently released Evil Christian Cop: The Great Mistapes which you can download HERE for free, if you have not already done so.
Below, we also have new music/visuals from Def Sound! Download "(A)Gain" and check out the new video for the first release of his upcoming sophomore album Anything: The Idea Machine. Def Sound's "(A)Gain" video was directed by Adam Tillman-Young for BangPop!
Also, check out footage from the New World Culture Tour's stop at The Key Club in Hollywood and stay tuned for more from J*DaVeY, Def Sound and the ILLAV8R team.
Thank you all for the love and support, New Designer Drug is on the way!
MP3: Esinchill - "Daddy Was A Sailorman" (prod. by Jake One)
Sophomore Album Release Celebrated With Release Of New Single
The Song:
Unfortunate but true, absentee fathers have been a point of reference for countless hip-hop songs over the years. For Clear Label Records rapper Esinchill, though, who is celebrating the release of his sophomore album, Vigilante, an album that features the likes of Mistah F.A.B., Casual, Dave Hollister, and more, the focus is somewhat different. With his latest single, the Jake One-produced "Daddy Was A Sailorman," the Oakland emcee is instead shedding light on the other side of the story; the father who has put aside his own goals to focus on parenthood.
"Daddy Was A Sailorman" is a conceptual song that tells the story of a son and father who meet during a dream and begin to discuss the different life choices the father made and how those choices impacted their lives. "The inspiration for the song comes from me always admiring my dad and his willingness to put his own dreams and aspirations to the side and be accountable to the family he chose to start," says Esinchill, who also notes Edo G & The Bulldog's "Be A Father To Your Son" as an influence for his own song. Speaking to his father, 17 years old in the song, he talks about how "these Marshall, Texas walls are closing in" and instead of pursuing his passions or school, he joins the Navy. Accompanied by Jake One's mellow production and a soulful hook sung by Esinchill's father himself, he portrays a man confronted with a variety conflicts, including the decision to have kids. "It's one of many truths that you'll find on Vigilante," says Esinchill, "and they should be explored and discussed."
This is a brand new buzzing female rap group out of St. Louis and they go by the name June 5th. This is their new buzz record "Gwap Getta" that's gaining momentum right now. The record was produced by the homie Zaytoven so this one is banging from the STL down to the ATL. Feel free to post the record on all websites, blogs and media outlets.
SUBURBAN NOIZE RECORDING DUO, POTLUCK CELEBRATE THE FAMED 4/20 HOLIDAY WITH A SPECIAL MEGA MIX TRIBUTE FOR ALL TO CONSUME
Over thirty five years ago, a group of California teenagers laid the foundation for an annual celebration. What started out as the meeting time and codename, 4/20 has evolved into a worldwide holiday for cannabis lovers and supporters. Every year, the celebration brings out a long list of people, places and things. Rallies, Gatherings, Parties, Themed Songs and more are featured on this “puff-puff-pass” day. The appreciation of the green has been heard musically throughout hip hop by top artists such as Snoop Dog, Redman, Method Man, Wiz Khalifa and Suburban Noize recording duo, Potluck. This year, the Humboldt County residents have gone into the studio and delivered a tribute for 4/20 a la Ice Cube “Jackin for Beats” style.
Currently touring on the 2011 Strange Noize tour with fellow label mates Johnny Richter of Kotton Mouth Kings and Saigon, the duo are keeping busy rocking stages throughout the U.S. The group took time while on the road and created this thirteen minute and five second mega mix. Potluck’s 1Ton and UnderRated are gearing up for their third album releasing on June 21 entitled, “Rhyme and Resin.” The album will feature collaborations with label mates Slaine, Ill Bill, Oakland rapper Mister FAB, Murs, King Gordy and Glasses Malone.
Potluck will commemorate the 4/20 holiday with a star-studded show in Pomona, CA at the Fox Theater with Kottonmouth Kings, Strange Music artists Kutt Calhoun, Krizz Kaliko and special guests.
Absolutely thrilled to share with you my brand new video for "suffer" shot in Madina: the neighborhood i was born and raised in in Accra, Ghana. "Suffer" is my latest offering to you from my upcoming September 2011 album - Coming to America: Immigrant Chronicles. The excellent production on the song was provided by my friend and frequent collaborator Budo. The video was directed and shot by filmmaker Justin Schell during our one month stay in Ghana filming for the documentary "we rock long distance." The final visual outcome was a collaboration with my friends at Six-ton Productions.
Milwaukee-bred NYC resident SigNif follows up last year's The Transition (see her videos for "Lovely Imperfections" and "Drifting") with the Significant Wizdom EP, produced entirely by partner in crime Gee Wiz. "We worked together on The Transition, and felt we should continue to work together because of the chemistry we had," says SigNif. "The EP is more aggressive, in-your-face. It's about me standing my ground as a female emcee who refuses to back down even when confronted with adversity."
Block Starz Music LLC, www.blockstarzmusic.com, and On The Block Entertainment, www.ontheblockentertainment.com, have announced the release of "Illavation", the debut free mixtape from talented rapper and producer Illa Scorsese.
Born and raised in the streets of North Philadelphia, thus the name "Illa", Scorsese relocated to Richmond, VA as a teenager and began to flourish with his rap career.
"There were more opportunities to get money down here so I figured why not?" says Illa, who first appeared alongside his OTB Entertainment labelmate C. Gillie on the radio-friendly "Got It, Got It" from 2009's critically-acclaimed "East Coast Block Starz" compilation.
The culture of Hip-Hop first made an impact on Illa when he heard A Tribe Called Quest's "Check The Rhyme" and Nice-N-Smooth's "Hip-Hop Junkie", but he was merely a fan at that point.
"I began creating music after I heard Snoop, B.I.G, and Nas albums," says the rapper, who linked up with On The Block Entertainment through rapper C. Gillie. "We clicked instantly and grew as brothers. Being that we were the most fashionable dudes in our respective teams, we recorded an album together called 'The Flyest Gangstas', which gained a lot of regional success and a strong female fanbase."
Illa also appeared on C. Gillie's official mixtapes "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Everybody Hates Chris 2: The Mixtape The Movie", which are both now available for free download at www.blockstarzmusic.com .
On "Illavation", the seasoned rap artist, who has shared the stage in explosive, crowd-moving performances with the likes of Trey Songz, Jim Jones, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Crime Mob, Lil Boosie, Mobb Deep, and Curren$y, delivers 14 original tracks that evoke a wide array of musical influence from classic Philly soul to Hard hitting southern based records.
"Illavation's" lead single, "Thought I Had It All ", is currently impacting radio in Virginia, Dallas, Atlanta, Tampa, and New York, and has garnered the attention of various urban music magazines.
Today marks the one year anniversary of the passing of Keith "Guru" Elam. Fans and supporters worldwide have been sharing their memories of the one they called Baldhead Slick. An official tribute site has been launched and there you can find several articles, mixes and other dedications from the likes of DJ Lord Ron, DJ Ready Cee and others. At the moment, the site has fifteen pages of entries for your perusal.
![[6ix Commandments]](coverart/6ixcommand.jpg)
6ix stand as one.
so
we can bring you new material every week. This week we have
TEN NEW ITEMS for you:
A-Plus' "