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Janus
They say, “Real recognize real” & w/o a doubt that’s the formula of Rockstar Society. This group of young talented hip-hop individuals from
On July 30th, Rockstar Society launched a series called “Welcome to the Society” to let the world witness their journey from the bottom to the top on the way to the glory road. Check out the episodes & get familiar w/ The Heartbreak Kid, Yung Juggz, G-Swagger, Fly Guy Nyks, Drugzzy, Rockstar R3MX, HStyler and others aka the stars who’ll rock your world.
“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men…” but hip-hop managed to take freedom to another level… to the level where only sky is the limit. And New Jerz own Haiti Da Poet decided to test this “limit” w/ his latest mixtape “Songs of Freedom”.
In hip-hop there's no such thing as being last cuz your only option is to be number one.I remember the day I saw Apollo The Great in action for the very first time. It was ‘bout a year ago… in Oct '09 right after his Desert Storm Showcase. I listened to a few songs and the first thing that came to my mind was “What the hell them other cats were doing there? Messin’ w/ this guy is kinda suicidal”.
Well, I guess I was kinda wrong cuz if messing w/ Apollo in 2009 was suicidal then what about now? During this year Apollo The Great stepped up his game to the level where sayin’ “I'm number one” ain’t being cocky, it's simply a fact that no one can deny.
Check out Apollo's latest vid and enjoy the greatness of New Jerz hip-hop cuz C.M.D. is in the building!
1970’s… somewhere in the 
The rap game is a game that never stops. It's a 24/7 competition where even the sky ain’t the limit & perfectionism is the driving force that gives birth to the illest Hip-Hop legends. The moment one thinks that he is the King of the game & decides to rest on his laurels, a new cat comes to the game & takes over the crown bringing to the table something absolutely unhearda. The rap game is prolly the only game where only one moment separates a rookie from a legend…
A few days ago Camden's very own Apollo The Great dropped his debut vid “Call it quits” a message for those who take Hip-Hop as a joke clowning on BET, MTV & the radio cuz Apollo is about to remind the whole world what Hip-Hop is all about…
And visit ApolloIsHIM.com to witness how a “rookie turning into a legend” takes over the game
When do you know that an artist is outstanding? If I was asked this question I would say, when his music can talk to my heart in such unknown but still so familiar “language”. And most definitely Young Solomon is one of those artists whose music & voice can do something amazingly crazy to your soul. New School artist w/ Old School soul, he carries on his family’s legacy with such a grace bringing R&B to another level. Being driven by true love for music, Solomon has mad work ethic & never stops perfecting his craft. His every performance takes you on a journey to another world… the world created by the soulfulness & honesty of his voice. Incredible vocalist, performer, songwriter, actor… without a doubt Young Solomon is one of thee most promising R&B artists of our time.
Y’all know the official elements of Hip-Hop culture… but to me “dreaming” has always been the most official one since in the beginning it was all a dream… a beautiful yet wild dream that became reality despite all the hate, criticism & obstacles. Hip-Hop nation is a nation of dreamers whose self-belief changed world’s understanding of what’s possible & what’s not. Carrying on this tradition D~Y introduces to the world her first but already classic mixtape called “DreamPusher”. No matter how much of a skeptic/non-dreamer you are, this mixtape will touch your soul in so many different ways. Even tho’ it’s D~Y’s very first mixtape this girl ain’t no rookie. It’s safe to call her a true veteran cuz she reps Hip-Hop to the fullest. Her unique style lies somewhere in between “Old School” & “
What happens when ill talent goes hand in hand w/ unique vision? Well, the answer is easy… take a look at O-Skeez. This young artist is something this game ain’t never seen. Without a doubt “unique” is thee word to describe this emcee. No matter what it is he does it his own way bringing to the table something outstanding…
Hip-Hop… Essence… Realness… There are the words that come into my mind every time I listen to Dynasty's music. This girl is thee definition of a “femcee”. Her music is a perfect combination of the best Hip-Hop traditions w/ something that the world has never witnessed before. And while most artists are trying to drop a hit, D~Y gives the world one classic song after another…
Despite the fact that Detroit Indie Hip-Hop scene is probably the most underrated one, without a doubt it has its own unique flavor & a galaxy of truest stars. One of those stars is an up-and-coming emcee Prophecy. Being the self-proclaimed "voice of the streets", every time he grabs the mic he tells another side of the story… the true story of a real g… the story of the one who comes to the game to change it. After several years of being lost between his love & his passion (Hip-Hop & basketball), Prophecy finally chose music & he ain't gonna stop till he reaches the top.
Artist's latest album “Hidden Chapters” is another confession of the streets. Being a student of school & the street, Prophecy managed to mix these two “worlds” & created something that everyone can relate to… of course if they know what "hustle by any means" is all about. This album is a story of one man's glory & his way to the top through all the blessings & tribulations that life can bring.
Mad lyrical game, substance & delivery that touches your heart be something that makes every song on the album so special that you just wanna play it again & again.
For more Prophecy check out his twitter, myspace & official website
If you live anywhere near N.Y.C. come & show some B-Day love to one of the hottest East Coast artists, Yung Juggz, during his B-day party. RockStar Society is in da building!
Hip-Hop community has always been a secret society w/ its own code. But ever since the culture stopped being a ghetto secret, a lot of “laws” have been questioned. Eventually, today we've got lots of controversy in the game. Without a doubt ghostwriting is one of the most controversial phenomena. Discussing this issue has been like some kind of taboo for years. A lot of people still argue if ghostwriting is a positive or negative phenomenon in Hip-Hop.
First off, there are two totally different “types” of ghostwriting. The history of Hip-Hop knows lots of cases when a successful artist ghostwrote songs for others, either to prove his lyrical skills or to express himself differently participating in “unique” projects. Emcees like Nas, Jadakiss, The Game, Jay-Z, Mase, Smitty, T.I., The D.O.C., Royce Da 5’9” & many others ghostwrote “a song or two” in their careers. This kind of “collabo” can also be a great way for up-and-coming artists to become well connected & well respected inside of the industry, since sometimes the rap game is more about who you know than who you are & being supported by heavyweights can play a huge role in artist’s career.
But every medal has its reverse & the music industry often creates a mirage. It takes a person w/ certain “star qualities” like marketable face & personality, nice delivery and creates a “star” when in reality that “artist” has nothing to do w/ emceeing.
This “Poet vs. Entertainer” issue is exactly what bothers Hip-Hop community so much. Hip-Hop culture… and rap music in particular is a lot more than just entertainment. Emcees have always been ghetto poets, people who could make a difference using the power of the spoken word. Emceeing is all about being a multitalented player… real MVP. You can't be just a good performer or just a good lyricist or just a “natural-born star”. Nah, it's not the case. The rap game is a survival of the illest. Only chosen ones came to the game, changed it & stayed there forever.
So who's a ghostwriter? Is he a friend or a foe? At this moment, ghostwriters indisputably are the warriors of the invisible front called lyricism. The rap game doesn't recognize being #2; it has no mercy for everything fake. That's why rappers come & go but emcees stay forever and ghostwriting is just a new level of the game called ”Hip-Hop Vs. The Industry”. I bet y'all already know who's gonna win…
Making history is not about being “big” at a certain point in time; it's about making a difference that will live through decades & centuries. And this is exactly what Apollo The Great managed to do w/ his latest mixtape “H.I.M. (History Is Made)”. Being a “rap clone” ain't an option for him, that's why Apollo invented his own Hip-Hop flavor & w/ every new mixtape/album this flavor gets only better. Spitting nothing but realness, Apollo The Great is definitely one of the best storytellers in the rap game. He always reflects life through the lenses of Hip-Hop culture & turns every song into a real anthem for those who know what life is all about.
“History Is Made” is a new chapter in the history of Hip-Hop culture told by the young emcee. It's one of those projects that represent Hip-Hop in its essence. When was the last time you had a chance to listen to a mixtape packed w/ songs that could make your soul shiver?
It's Apollo THEE Great, mothafakas, & history is made cuz Hip-Hop is more alive than ever & it ain’t going nowhere!
The rap game is known for having no rules. There's no formula of success & longevity in Hip-Hop. There’s only one direction that is a must-follow: “Be yourself & do you”. W/ every new step you take you gotta be “transitioning from fitting in to standing out” & this is exactly what an up-and-coming artist from Huston, Joose Castone, is proving w/ his latest mixtape called “Standing Out”. This mixtape shows to advantage Joose’s style which is a perfect mixture of mean Southern swag & mad rapping skills. On this project J. Castone strips down to his soul & gets really personal almost on every track. Lyrical content of the mixtape won't leave anyone cold cuz its concept is something everyone can relate to… at least if you know what “being a work in progress” means.
The strongest joints on the mixtape are “Standin’ Out”, “Bulletproof Mimix”, “Aaron Out”, “I Want It (I'm On)”, “Slow”, & “Errands”.
Joose Castone… remember the name cuz this artist is ready to take over the game.
“You can spot us out of town by the way that we walk, the way that we talk, cocky the state of New York City is known for being home of a lot of mad talented emcees & RockStar Society‘s own G-Swagger is definitely one of them. This artist managed to combine everything you'd expect from an NY emcee w/ his charismatic individuality & to bring something brand new to the East Coast Hip-Hop scene.
Heartbreak is one of those things that can make you or break you & you're the only one who decides what it's gonna be. Floco Torres has already made up his mind & turned it into a win/win situation. His "The Anti Valentines Day Color Is STILL Green" mixtape is a reflection a raw emotion which is something that music lacks so much these days. This project is a sequel to “The Anti Valentines Day Color” & without a doubt it shows artist's immense growth. What can you expect from this mixtape? As usual… nothing but uniqueness & genuineness cuz these are the words to describe Floco’s music. Floco always manages to create a new reality through his music. This time he brings us a confession of a broken heart. Do you really think that you've already heard everything about it? Well, then this mixtape will prove you wrong cuz it's definitely a one-of-a-kind project. Floco’s lyrical versatility combined w/ incredible energy & undeniable charisma makes "The Anti Valentines Day Color Is STILL Green" a must-have-mixtape.
Download "The Anti Valentines Day Color Is STILL Green" HERE
For more Floco Torres check out his myspace, twitter & official website
Hip-Hop culture has been hated on since the day one. Critics don't stop talking about its death & lack of potential. I must say that every time I turn on the radio I kinda feel like believing them… but when I come across true artist who make that really real music I can clearly see the future of Hip-Hop which is nothing but greatness. 
They say that the new generation is totally lost… that the new school artists have nothing new to bring to the table… I bet they've never met that one kid… the Kid On The Bus… Who is he? He's no one & everyone; he's the spirit that keeps hip-hop alive… And this time he invites you to take a ride w/ one of the most promising hip-hop artists of our time... YFame's latest mixtape “Kid On The Bus” is a journey of a young individual who's looking for the place where he belongs in this world. Every song is a new step that he takes on his way “home”… a new lesson he has to learn. He goes through a lot of up & downs on his way cuz unfortunately we always learn the most essential lessons the hard way.
Deep lyrical content combined w/ amazing production turns this mixtape into a real masterpiece. YFame is a known lyricist & storyteller but this time he surpassed himself. “Kid On The Bus” is definitely Fame's best work so far. This is a mirror where everyone can see his/her own reflection.
What's the last stop of the bus? It's something you have yet to find out…. So are you ready for the ride?
I remember the very first time I heard the name “Apollo The Great”… I was like, “Either this cat is that cocky or he’s that good”… but when I heard “History In the Making” I had no doubt… Apollo is simply that great! Lyrically gifted individual w/ unbelievably deep understanding of what hip-hop really is… Apollo The Great is the artist to look up to. If he doesn’t make it in the rap game then I don't know a thing about hip-hop.
One of those things I love so much about Scolla’s music is that he always takes you on a trip to another world… the world that makes you experience déjà vu cuz even tho’ Sco talks about his own life experience somehow he makes you feel like saying, “Yeah! I’ve been there too! That’s my story!”. This time
What does it take for an indie hip-hop artist to win? When the majority of unsigned people be looking for a deal w/ a major record label, true artists enjoy their freedom & get creative. The Internet has already become #1 promo platform & it's one of the best creativity tests for artists and/or their team since there are no limits to self-expression.
Check out the official Pilot Episode for USR (United Street Regime) TV & get familiar w/ the hottest artists from
Some people were born to follow; some people were born to lead. Verb Spielberg was born to make a difference & change the game. When other rap cats talk their talk, Verb Spielberg walks his walk and lets his actions speak for themselves. Mad talent that sends chills down your spine mixed w/ deep inner world makes Verb Spielberg one of the most outstanding artists in the rap game.
One of the characteristic features of Hip-hop is absence of rules & boundaries. That's why Hip-hop never stops to amaze people. The moment you think you figured it out, it shows you an unexplored side of it. You thought that it was all about “Me, me, me!”? Well, the latest mixtape by SMKA called “The 808 Experiment Vol.2” is out to change your mind. This mixtape is a collaboration of more than 30 gifted individuals & even tho’ every artist is a star in his/her own right, they don’t even try to outshine one another. “The 808 Experiment Vol.2” is a musical collage of different individual styles… a collage that represents Hip-hop's essence – diversity. It doesn’t matter what sub-genre of hip-hop you prefer cuz this is the project where everyone can find a song that reps his/her inner world to the fullest.
For more SMKA check out their myspace, twitter, & official page.
Even though the majority of people think that the rap game is for youngins, I believe that “30 something” is the most interesting stage of any artist's career cuz on the one hand an artist is still young & ain’t afraid to make some crazy/revolutionary moves, but on the other hand this artist has already walked “a few miles” and you can see if this is a "sprinter" or a "long-distance runner". But what really excites me is finding a youngin who has that raw talent & dedication to make a difference in this game… someone who makes you think, “Damn! This cat might be a long-distance runner!” One of this diamonds-in-the-rough is up-and-coming emcee/producer/writer ALPH-A-BIT from
During the last years a lot of people have been talking about hip-hop's death. And today more and more people start believing this “Hip-hop is dead” campaign. So is that right? Did we let this happen? If yes, then who killed it? Who's the one to blame? First off, what's hip-hop culture? What do we mean by “hip-hop is alive” & “hip-hop is dead”? If we had a time machine, we could go back to 1970s and see the roots of the culture: the block parties & on-the-corner performances, people who spoke their minds cuz hip-hop was their only way to escape the rough reality of the ghetto. Hip-hop was that special place in the universe that you could call home; place where you could reach the craziest dreams and be safe & sound. Hip-hop was a ghetto secret… a secret code young hip-hop nation lived by. And now, let's go back to 2010. Has anything changed? Has HIP-HOP changed? …to be more exact. Nah, it’s still the same. The only problem is that people are looking for it in all the wrong places. Who told y'all to look for hip-hop in the music industry? The word “industry” can’t have anything to do w/ hip-hop cuz hip-hop is art and art can’t be a manufactured product. Any industry works according a certain scheme making its product, but is there any scheme one can use in order to create an art masterpiece? Na-a-aaah! Every masterpiece is unique, it’s something unseen or unhearda. So how come fans are looking for hip-hop watching MTV, BET or listening to the radio? The industry clones each & every successful move and turns it into a joke.
If you take a look at the greatest artists’ life-stories (and I’m talking about the greatest artists of all times… not only ‘bout hip-hop people), you'll see that the greatest of the greatest lived underground life. They all struggled for a right to express themselves. They became recognized, famous, & successful posthumously. So why do people consider their artworks to be masterpieces? What makes their heritage so special? The feeling. The universal, real feeling their works carried through centuries. They were the people who hit the bottom & their only option was to succeed. But since they lived in a “caste society”, they created another reality … they lived art. The same goes for hip-hop. Do you remember DMX's “To live is to suffer, but to survive, well, that's to find meaning in the suffering”? Real hip-hop cats didn’t talk about “money, cash, hoes”; they dug a lot deeper. They were rebels without pause. Their each step made a difference. And then big money came & killed artists’ longevity. Usually an artist's first album is raw and dope, but after a few albums all this artist has to say is “money, cash, hoes”. But is it hip-hop? Nah! It has no feeling in it. It ain’t art anymore.
So is hip-hop dead? Nope. It’s still alive. Then where is it? Right where it’s supposed to be … it’s rocking its underground mic. From the p.o.v. of culturology, one of the main features of art is “elitism”. Pure art is supposed to be understood by a few, not by mass. Perception of art requires special training. So if they failed Prof. G.O.D.’s & Prof. Life’s classes, they ain’t ready for hip-hop realness. This form of art is only for the members of elite society called hip-hop nation… society of people who don’t simply bob their heads to a hot beat… they dig hip-hop on a deeper level. Their heart can create a beat of its own, cuz hip-hop runs through their veins. Hip-hop is the truth & the truth is immortal. And just because the mass doesn’t see the underground movement that carries on tradition, it doesn’t mean that hip-hop is dead. Who's dying then? The music industry. Should we be sad about it? Nah, cuz the moment it dies, underground movement will come out of the industry's shadow. This is a take ova; no Jay Hova….
Even tho’ there are lots of different ways to promote an artist, it seems that the music industry still has no clue about it, especially when it comes to female emcees. Unfortunately, every lady who wants to be an emcee has only two ways to the top of the game. She uses either “sexy” image or smart yet feminine, tomboyish image. But since the “sexy” image is the easiest way to reach “success”, the majority of females chooses it. I remember one of No I.D.’s interviews where he criticized Drake for being a heartthrob. He said that using that kind of image was a dangerous game. At the same time he says that a chick has to rhyme about a d*ck in order to make it in this game. Well, the first part is understandable, but the second one … I don’t think so. This is exactly what destroys the reputation of female rap. There have been hundreds of female rappers in the history of hip-hop. Some of them had their temporary buzz & were gone in a minute; some of them became legendary artists. So what's the difference between an outstanding femcee and a one freak hit wonder? What do emcees like Lauryn Hill, Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Sha Rock, Missy Elliott, Eve, Salt ‘n’ Pepa, Jean Grae, Mae Day, & Dynasty have in common besides substance & deep lyrics? They all brought something new/special to the game. They ain’t afraid to be themselves & represent their beliefs.
Now lemme add one more outstanding femcee to the list. Her name is RaTheMC & she reps D.M.V. According to Ra, a female emcee has to be much more than a rapper to succeed in the rap game & Ra has a lot to bring to the table being emcee/ singer/ song writer/ photographer/ fashion consultant & having undeniable charisma. Rashea ain’t concentrating on the “gender” problem & simply tries to establish herself as an emcee respected by both camps (male & female). Her goal is to change the way female emcees are viewed in the industry, to be treated as equal. In Ra's book, emcee is supposed to be a good storyteller and she is definitely good at it. Her songs have both, storyline & very special vibe created by her charisma, flow and vocals. On top of that RaTheMC has her own style/image: she doesn’t accept trends, she creates trends of her own.
Download “A Mixtape About Something, I think” (for free) here
For more RaTheMC check her myspace, twitter & blog.
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