LOCAL ARTIST PROFILE: DLADD DINERO--Mover, shaker, and money maker.

     I became enamored with the music of DLADD after the release of his mixtape “100% Pure D”. Being an artist myself, I wanted to go and converse with the man and find out what makes him tick. The mixtape was off the chain and I wanted to know how he does things his way and still maintains his artistic integrity.
     JN HARRIS: In my short time looking into the local music scene, talking with various artists, getting feedback from them on what they do, I find myself wondering about the person behind the music. Since breaking into mainstream entertainment can be frustrating, I had to ask:

How did you get started and why do you even want to rap?       Um . . . Rapping has always been like a hobby to me, and its pretty much been a hobby to me all my life. Well, I can’t say all my life, but since like middle school, I’ve been like writing, you know what I’m saying, and it just . . . it felt good ’being good’. You know, when I was at the lunch tables and I was just “killing ‘em”, it felt good so--I continued with it. But I always thought there wasn’t a way to make a career out of it, but then, you know, the music went where it went. I felt like if these guys could do it, make cash out of it and be successful from it, then I could do it.

　
 Your latest video/movie is called, “Money out da ass!” Tell me the inspiration behind it, and why you felt like putting that out there.        
      Well, recently I had owned my own studio, and I was running it. I had it for probably about six months. Then we ran into some, you know, unforeseen circumstances, you know what I’m saying. So, we had to shut down. But, the last couple days we just did and knocked out so many songs, the we just had we’re going to have to get it in.
And BLOCK (Andre Johnson)came down and we sat down and we shot ’em down and got it in.

VIEW "Money Out The Ass" right here
　
        Often, many people like to lump rap into one broad urban category and call it a day. In your mind, how has mainstream music effected the quality of independent artists like yourself?The main reason it’s kind of messed up is because. . .
        Mainstream music likes to take black music and lump it all into one category. You have like things like rock music broken down into 16 categories or more. While Black music is mainly rap R&B, and hip hop and that’s it.  You here names like Soldier Boy and Wocka Flocka and these people are top in the categories are in. They might be gangsta rap or swag rap, but there are many different categories of rap music.
        You got Gangsta Rap, Lyrical Rappers (Mos Def, Common) Back pack rappers, (Whiz Khalifa) etc.

 I personally don’t like it, but how do you feel about auto-tuning? I thinks its good. I am not one of the people that hate it, but I understand why people hate it. Some people take it overboard with their music. If you listen to a lot of the songs, there are a lot of good songs with auto-tuning in them.

 SHUT EM DOWN w/ Kesha II COLD

     I have heard it said that the price of fame is often the loss of anonymity and self respect. How far do you want this music to take you?
I want the music to take me as far as it can financially. I not really willing to go as far as losing my self respect and dignity. Nothing is worth that.

ARTIST PROFILE: R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx

Listen to Murda Traxx on Reverbnation


Real Talk, this artist is straight out of Aurora, IL.
 His lyrics are tight and the beats are great to nod your head to. 
His name is R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx.
And Murder Tracks is exactly what he does.  

I just gave the man a listen, and he is pretty damn good.
So, I am putting his player up on this blog.

"Walk Away" is a strong track with a clear message.
"Fuck'em"--the title speaks for itself, but it is a message (obviously) to all his haters.
"Come Down" and "Doin my Thang" are available for free download.

Check him out!  And always support your local artists.

http://www.myspace.com/rdg460/videos/video/104436683

For booking information please email RDG  at

rdgmurdatraxx@yahoo.com

Check out music from R.D.G. aka Murda Traxx

Quarter key feat DraZ RUN IT video HD

ARTIST PROFILE: QUARTERKEY--"Bigger than life" AND LOVING IT.

    Quarterkey is a humble man from humble beginnings--except when he is on the mic. He has a take no prisoners style and a razor sharp wit. Take that and add stone hard, crystal clear metaphors and you have one of the hardest emcees in all of Lake County, IL. He is also one of the host of Legal Dope Radio on http://www.blogtalkradio.com/.
    Quarterkey's mixtape BIGGER THAN LIFE dropped on October 10^th of this year, but he has been making a name for himself as a rap artist for a long time. SO JUST WHO IS QUARTERKEY?  And what is he about?

Quarterkey has heart, and you can hear it in the delivery as well as the content of his lyrics.   That is what seperates him from most rappers in Lake County, IL as well as the mainstream.

This young man could have fell off along time ago.   As most of the youth of America do, he had everything going against him.   The streets where the father he never had, and the harsh reality of that has shaped the scope of his vision.

To find out more about the man that is Quarterkey, check out his bio on his personal website.
OR listen to him on your computer from where ever you are on BLOG TALK RADIO's Legal Dope Radio every Wednesday.  The call in number is 917 889 8016.



And to stay addicted, check out Quarterkey's reverbnation page and listen to his tracks.    And to become addicted, just watch the "Run it" video.

STREET BEAT Artist Profile: Juan Zavala

The idea for this blog came from an email I recieved from underground gospel hip hop artist Juan Zavala.  
I had the pleasure of buying Zavala's album HIGH from my local record shop Play by Play Records on Grand Avenue in Waukegan, IL.  And it was so worth it.

The album was so different.  I can only describe Zavala's music as Gospel hip hop with a street sensibility.   The beats were hypnotic, and the message pulls at the heart of the listener.  Some people say christian rap can't go hard.  I say that Juan Zavala's music proves that theory wrong.

Since we last spoke, Juan has been building his repertoire.   You can now find his music, as well as a gallery of links and photos on his own website http://www.juanlzavala.com/. 

Check out the songs  "Always you are God", "No Se", and "All I Need"

Street Beat Editorial: To vote or not to vote

Back in November 2008, this nation elected its first African American President on the pretense of change and upheaval of the status quo.   Whether you think that change has come or not, one thing has always been certain:  the vote and 'the right to vote' does make a difference.

In the past, I would often be scoffed at for wanting to discuss voting and politics.  It seemed like everyone had an "I am black so it doesn't matter" attitude every November.  My attitude was that those who were ignorant of there own history were the cause if it repeating itself.  And since, people protested, marched, bled and died for my rights in this nation, I don't see the harm of bringing it up from time to time that my vote counts.

Most people don't realize that their vote counts, because they don't realize that they have choices beyond Republican and Democrat, Conservative or Liberal.  Many people vote one way or the other, because it has been ingrained in there minds that one side is for them while the other is against them.  Still, we complain when the same amount of nothing gets done by these lying politicians and our taxes are raised to support their special interests.

Well, there are other parties, and other candidates, just as qualified to do the jobs of the ones running the attack ads against each other.  Right now, in Congressional District 10, we have GREEN PARTY CANDIDATES, (learn more about that party by clicking the link)  as well as LIBERTARIAN, and Independent non partisan (stand alone) Candidates.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE PARTIES

There is also the option of writing in your candidate for election into public office.   For Representative District 60 this is the case with Valerie Devost who is write in for Illinois State Representative and Micheal White who is running for Governor of the state of Illinois.  You can listen to Micheal White being interviewed by clicking the link to Lenny Palmer's podcast page.   Lenny's Podcast AM 1050 WLIP & AM 1220 WKRS and You can listen to this interview featuring write in candidate Valerie Devost by Jerry and Nick on WKRS 1220 AM Devost's Jerry and Nick Interview. 

If you have never heard of these people or these political parties, it is not a coincidence.   Ignorance drives the masses when you are playing a political numbers game.  And it is a numbers game.

This is a learning opportunity for all who read this before the November election.  But if you cannot make it out in November, please note that you still can vote early in October from the 11th to the 28th.  That means right now you can make a difference and let your voice be heard.  Right now, if you are fed up you can do something about it.

EARLY ELECTION OFFICES

The reason I vote is not only to preserve my right to complain, but it is also done by me to remember those who came before me who could not.    I have to live in this country, and by God, I am going to let my voice be heard.

Get out and vote.

Book Review: Beastmode by Marcus Hasty

In the streets, death lies around every corner.  Marcus Hasty, the author of Beastmode, knows this well and takes us on a journey through the belly of the beast.

For the author, this is more than just a work of fiction.  This is his life coming out of him and bleeding on the pages.   Welcome to the Jungle.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Marcus Hasty for my show RAC RADIO PRESENTS at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/. 

Listen here

In the book, Marcus gives us a glimpse into the darker side of street life.  Having written the story while incarcerated, the author gives us an unapologetic look at life in the hood.  The story is graphic, and clever.

The story begins with the lives of Twon and Qwon who, after discovering the lifeless body of their own mother on Christmas morning from a heroine overdose, are put on a path of discovery, power and revenge.  Their father is known as the King in their city, and the King has a plan for his progeny that involves getting back at the crooked cops that incarcerated him and making sure that his children are set for life. 

But be warned, street life is lowdown, twisted and grimy.  Some of the characters are as crazy and off the chain, as any you would find on your street corner hustling.  Just like in any tale, there are many twist and turns, but the clarity of a great story is in there. 

In Beastmode: Welcome to the Jungle, you want to cheer for the anti-hero.  You want the underdogs to get theirs.  That is the fun part of fiction.   Look for the sequel coming soon.

http://www.beastmodebook.com/
http://www.blocklife.ning.com/

 

Mixtape Review: Da Bandit and Da Bad Guy

 Smokey Da Bandit has been doing his thing for a while now, if you didn't know.

His latest mixtape/collaboration from Empty Soulz Entertainment is Da Bandit and Da Bad Guy.

With tight beats and gangster lyrics, a persistent street vibe abounds in this mixtape. 

Live at Sharky's in Round Lake, IL


The music of Empty Soulz Entertainment is heavily influenced by the early forebearers of Gangster Rap (NWA, Spice 1, Dj Quick). 

With 18 tracks for the club and for your ride, Da Bandit and Da Bad Guy mixtape is probably one of the best efforts of local independent music I have heard in a while.  This is Hardcore hip hop, with no fillers. 

The lyrical styles of this duo balance off each other well.   PC aka Da Bad Guy has a rugged in your face style you can't help but pay attention to on tracks like "WAR" and "Thirsty".  While Smokey (Da Bandit) has a more mellow approach on tracks like "Love So Strong" and "Blow".

Together on other tracks with fellow emcees Jazzy, TGO, Ric Jilla, Ledroc Smith  and with the vocal stylings of Lady C, Da Bandit and Da Bad Guy have produced a mixtape that I recommend for the lover of Hardcore hip hop and originality in you. 

Check out Smokey Da Bandit at www.myspace.com/smokeydabanditmuzik
   or
PC Da Bad Guy at www.myspace.com/problemchildese

NoGo Street Beat Intro

The music of North Chicago, IL is rough, gritty, and often depicts a less than savory side of life.  We have DJs, Singers, Rappers, Book Authors and Poets.  Producers, promoters, etc.  One thing I have learned about the entertainment business, it is often a cutthroat business.  You have to come correct with your product or don't come at all.

This blog is for all the creative hustlers and original individuals who are trying to put our little slice of the Midwest on the map.  They honestly take no short cuts and they love their craft.

Being inbetween Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI, we honestly can't afford to take shorts.   For every artists there is out there doing something, there is one doing it bigger or better.

Those are the chances that you take in the entertainment industry.

Everyone has a story to tell, and there is a drop of blood and sweat in every line of every song.

I hope those of you that enjoy underground hip hop and independent artists will enjoy this blog.