MIXTAPE 89 – HELLO CANADA

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MIXTAPE 89 – HELLO CANADA

So I got interviewed on the Canada Broadcasting Corporation’s Radio One, recipe on a show called Search Engine. Haven’t listened just yet, ailment but it’s about the Jena 6. Shouts to Jesse for making that connection.

By the way, buy if you’re looking for the Jena 6 episode, you can click here to see the original post.

This episode, we’re pushing forward with more good music.

Tracklist:

Jaylib - Mission Remix. There’s not really too much to be said that hasn’t been said about this duo. Dilla on the rhymes as well, and as you expect, he tears it up. The strings in this cut are ridiculous. stonesthrow.com.

Specifics - My Tunes. Straight outta Vancouver – and with this, I believe that I’ve exhausted my supply of Specifics tracks. For some reason I found this on my iPod when I was still in China, and jammed it for like three days straight – then I accidentally deleted my hard drive. They just really have this jazz loop thing down. In case you hadn’t noticed, I like this group. Go Canada. myspace.com/specifics.

UGK - You Don’t Know Me. Wondering why UGK gets so much respect back home? This is one reason. Thanks to cocaineblunts. myspace.com/ugk.

Phonte - Interlude: Wack Freestyles. I couldn’t resist this one. It’s just so…meta. Come on. He’s making fun of mixtapes. And this is a mixtape! Get it? Okay yeah but a good sign of a poor rapper is someone who can’t string together a decent demo without using an established song as a crutch. I’ve got no problem with unofficial remixes and bootlegs (check the archives on this very hip-hop podcast) but unless you have a specific reason for doing otherwise, find your own beats. If you need help with that, ask me – I know plenty of talented producers. myspace.com/mickboogie.

Gif - Alicia Keys Freestyle. And that prior thing was in no way related to this cut, because a) it’s a different flip, and b) it’s hot. Gif, could you explain your name to us? myspace.com/dagif

Wise Intelligent – Go With Me. Another storytelling joint. I won’t ruin this one for you, but check the very end of this cut. myspace.com/wiseintelligent

Polyrhythm Addicts – It’s My Life feat Phonte. I was a bit late on this one, but with DJ Spinna on production, this one’s an easy call. Dig what Phonte is saying about independence as well. myspace.com/thepolyrhythmaddicts.

And the bonus cut: Suburb - Synth + Strings (snippet). Again, the kid is ridiculous. I’ve got more from dude. Anyone want more? myspace.com/suhburb.

Intro beat: Specifics - Life’s Work
Outro beat: Mathematics - Untitled.

And that’s this week. More coming very very soon. Any requests?

Jena 6: Where are our hip-hop artists?

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Think about this:

We’ve got six high-school age Black kids either in jail, information pills or on the verge of going in. And I know that not all Black kids listen to a whole lot of rap music – but for the sake of argument, visit this check this:

A lot of the same artists that these kids spend their lunch money on, that these kids (for better or worse) idolize, that these kids think speak for them; are now, in their hour of need, nowhere to be found. I’m not necessarily talking about Kanye footing the bill for the defense fund, but about somebody saying something.

However: some of us are doing something. If you want an example, check out the last episode. There are a lot of prominent people on there showing support for these kids.

So I’m going to go ahead and take a bar from clyde (who, by the way, has really been taking bloggers to task on this thing) and compile a list of people who I know have done something about this issue. If you know of somebody who is doing something, please add them up in the comments. If you yourself are an artist and are doing something, then let us know.

I do worry sometimes that we get too negative about hip-hop, when plenty of people are carrying their own weight (and in the cases of a few, that of others). So this post is really just to show people that there is a growing number of MCs, artists, and industry people who are taking responsibility – and thereby encourage the rest of us to do the same, feel me?

Hit up the comments section…I know some of you out there have some info on this!

MIXTAPE 88 – THE JENA 6

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MIXTAPE 88 – THE JENA 6

For those of you who have heard, heart today is the day of the nationwide protest in Jena, Louisiana for the freedom of Mychal Bell and the rest of the Jena 6.

If you’re not totally up on this situation, listening to this hip-hop podcast should remedy that. This show contains, in part, an interview with Brother James Rucker of ColorofChange.org. But that’s not the only voice you’ll hear. A few days ago I posted a call for messages from the community on this situation, and got literally dozens of calls, which I’ve also added into the mix. You’ll hear people from California, Chicago, NYC, South Africa, Canada, London, and beyond. Rappers, filmmakers, label presidents, students, and everything in between.

Hopefully you dig this one. Thanks again to Color of Change, thanks to every single person that called, and every single person that is continuing to get the word about and fight for positive change. As you listen to this, a few thousand of our brothers and sisters are marching the streets of Jena, LA. The least we can do is make spread the word.

Note: To all college/community radio people: This episode is completely FCC clean and ready for airing. If you do

Listen to
and air this one, I’d appreciate a quick email so I can publicize that on the site. Thanks.

Hip-hop Artists/Personalities that appear in the show:
NYOIL (hear snippets of his “Jena 6″ in the intro and outro)
DJ Mr. King – myspace.com/djmrking
Vell Rob – cdbaby.com/vrob
John Robinson (President of Shaman Work Recordings) – shamanwork.com
Nick Cicero of Cicero Pro Audio – myspace.com/ciceroproaudio
Jahmil XT Qubeka (Filmmaker)
Michael Miraflor of Hip-Hop and Advertising – hiphop-ads.com.
Mad Anthony – Designer madanthonynyc.
Agent M of Blunt Beats Radio bluntbeats.com.

Beats:
Suburb – Untitled (first heard at 0’20)
Mobb Deep – Temperature’s Rising Remix (first heard at 1’55)
Madlib – Mind Touch (first heard at 5’20)
RJD2 – Weatherpeople (first heard at 9’40)
Dilla/Pharcyde – Runnin’ (first heard at 23’55)

Participate in the Campaign.
The Jena 6 campaign at Color of Change – www.colorofchange.org/jena.

Also: Note that Mychal Bell is still in jail. You can send him postcards and letters of encouragement at:

Mychal Bell
Inmate, A-Dorm
LaSalle Correctional Center
15976 Highway 165
Olla, LA 71465-4801

A few moments of your time can really brighten this kid’s day.

Post this on myspace, facebook, email this, whatever it takes.

Free the Jena 6.

Jena 6: Get Your Voice on The Mixtape Show

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Note: The Jena 6 Episode is up now. Check it out here.

I’ve been thinking for the past few days on this Jena 6 case. I know that on the 20th there is going to be a nationwide action, bulimics centered in Jena, anorexia Louisiana. I can’t be there, but I feel like we can still do something.

So I’m working on an episode. Some tunes, some beats, some talking. I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to turn out. So I’m looking to you – yes, you reading this right now – to help.

I want you to call the Mixtape Show phone right now: (310) – 928 – 6876 – and leave a voice message.

Speak your mind on this issue. I’ll play it back, uncut, on the podcast show (in iTunes and on the site) for 15,000+ people.

Let everyone hear what you have to say. If you want to speak directly to the Jena 6, do that. If you want to speak to the public at large, do that. If you have something to say to the hip-hop artists or public leaders that are or are not doing something about this, say it. One sentence? Fine. One hundred? Do it.

Whatever is on your mind is perfect. Don’t be shy, don’t rehearse it, don’t give it a second thought. You can be anonymous if you prefer. Pull your cell out of your pocket right now and make sure everyone knows what you think.

Normally in this sort of situation, I would find a knowledgeable guest and interview them. But – I figure that we’re all world citizens here, and what we have to say is as valuable or more valuable than what any public intellectual or celebrity may have to say.

Try to keep it concise. A minute is good. Other than that, do your thing.

The mic is on. Say something. Please pass this on.

310-928-6876

*If you’re outside the US, or can’t use your phone, that’s fine. We still want to hear from you. I’d recommend picking up Skype. It’s a free download, and will let you call the Mixtape Show from your PC for free. Just download it, and call the username “mixtapeshow” with your account, and it’ll go straight to the voicemail.

Or: use Gtalk and send a voice message to kucrdex@gmail.com.

** Producers, holler at me. I may need some more beats for this one.