Rakim Interview With 247HH.com

Rakim from MCM on Vimeo.

Rakim Interview With 247HH.com

Rakim tells us about a wild story where Kool G Rap gets punched and more. Plus he explains one of his favorite set of lines off of the classic "Paid In Full"

Jared Evan – “Headphones / Feeling Like A Song” BTS

Following the success of his "Frozen" video, Jared Evan reunites with fame Director Rik Cordero to deliver visuals for "Headphones" and "Feeling Like A Song" (produced by !llmind) off Jared's debut mixtape, Radio In My Head. Here's a behind the scenes look from the shoots....

Jared Evan Behind the Scenes "Headphones/ Feeling Like A Song" (directed by Rik Cordero)
[VIDEO]: http://www.three21media.com/videos/play.php?vid=387

Jared Evan Radio In My Head mixtape (presented by Rik Cordero and hosted by Polow Da Don) AVALIBLE NOW!!
[DOWNLOAD]: http://usershare.net/x10it7sgjxpr

http://www.jaredevan.com/

Rakim @ Ruby Skye 10.26.09 //tourdates

Remaining Tour Dates
October 29 Canes San Diego, CA
October 30 Venue of Scotts Scottsdale, AZ
November 3 House of Blues Houston, TX
November 4 Emos Austin, TX
November 6 House of Blues New Orleans, LA
November 9 Amo's Charlotte, NC
November 11 Music Farm Charleston, SC
November 12 Lincoln Theater Raleigh, NC
November 13 Hat Factory Richmond, VA
November 14 Dragonfly Harrisburg, PA
November 15 Black Cat Washington, DC
November 17 Toad's Place New Haven, CT
November 18 Lupos Providence, RI
November 19 BB Kings New York, NY
November 21 Asylum Portland, ME
November 22 Paradise Boston, MA

Hip-Hop Legend Rakim Officially Drops New Single "Walk These Streets" and Tour Dates

**TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED**

Hip-Hop Legend RAKIM Drops New Single "Walk These Streets" On October 27, 2009
Long Awaited Album THE SEVENTH SEAL In Stores November 17, 2009
(Ra Records / Tuscan Villa / SMC Recordings/ Fontana/UMG)

October 8, 2009 (New York, NY) - On October 27, 2009, the man many call The God MC, Rakim Allah, will release "Walk These Streets," the new single off of his much anticipated new album The Seventh Seal. Produced by Needlz for Dry Rain Entertainment, "Walk These Streets" features Maino and Tracey Horton. Additional guest artists featured on The Seventh Seal, which drops November 17, 2009, include Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, IQ, Styles P, and others, including Destiny Griffin, Rakim's own daughter. The artist's Ra Records shares the imprint in a joint venture with Tuscan Villa and SMC Recordings and is distributed through Fontana/Universal Music Group. Rakim is currently on the road previewing the album and testing out new material at intimate venues across the United States.

Since its release, the album's set-up single "Holy Are You" has won praise from critics and fans alike. USA Today states, "The God MC previews his long-awaited The Seventh Seal with a lyrically adept reminder of how he earned the name," with Billboard proclaiming "Rakim is in top form, richly merging self-mythologizing reflections on his legacy with religious imagery."

His first full album of new material in almost a decade, The Seventh Seal is Rakim's contemporary observation of the Hip-Hop culture he helped define. While staying loyal to his New York roots, Rakim has created a body of work that encompasses the very best of regional, underground and mainstream styles that are reformed and delivered through his intricate lyricism and the seemingly effortless flow for which he is revered. He has enlisted a slew of production talent including Needlz, Nottz, Jake One, Nick Wiz, Ty Fiffe and more on the album's well-rounded tracks.

The artist states, "The Seventh Seal is my own revelation...my way of taking the best of what Hip-Hop has to offer, what we as a culture and a community have to offer, putting my stamp on it and leading us forward while constantly respecting what we've already accomplished. When you've been blessed with a career like mine, you develop a deep relationship with the music, and that love is recognized by the true heads that share it with you. You'll see us keep building as we break through each Seal...showing the best of what I can do in many forms, bringing the energy and having fun, but first I'm laying that foundation and give my longtime fans the conscious fire they expect."

For up-to-date news on the release of The Seventh Seal, check out http://www.Rakim.com


US TOUR 2009:
October 28 El Rey Los Angeles, CA
October 29 Canes San Diego, CA
October 30 Venue of Scotts Scottsdale, AZ
November 3 House of Blues Houston, TX
November 4 Emos Austin, TX
November 6 House of Blues New Orleans, LA
November 9 Amo's Charlotte, NC
November 11 Music Farm Charleston, SC
November 12 Lincoln Theater Raleigh, NC
November 13 Hat Factory Richmond, VA
November 14 Dragonfly Harrisburg, PA
November 15 Black Cat Washington, DC
November 17 Toad's Place New Haven, CT
November 18 Lupos Providence, RI
November 19 BB Kings New York, NY
November 21 Asylum Portland, ME
November 22 Paradise Boston, MA

ABOUT RAKIM ALLAH:
Universally referenced as one of the Masters of the Microphone and an influence and inspiration to his peers and followers alike, Rakim first exploded onto the scene with the release of iconic Eric B. is President in 1986 with long time collaborator Eric B. The single marked a turning point in the Rap world - raising the bar for future emcees and revolutionizing the way rhymes are delivered. Rakim's intricately, intellectual lyrics draw their force from his worldly experience, inner faith and progressive contemplation, fueled by a deep understanding of not just Hip-Hop, but also the Jazz and R&B influences that have surrounded his family since his youth. Rakim's recordings - including the all-time classics, Paid In Full, Follow the Leader and The 18th Letter - have sold in the multi-millions worldwide. Billboard, Rolling Stone, MTV and a host of others consistently refer to Paid in Full as "the greatest Hip-Hop album of all time" - a claim often repeated in audience polls. The Seventh Seal marks the first album under his own imprint, Ra Records, allowing a true freedom in creative control unparalleled since his monumental first recordings.

ABOUT SMC RECORDINGS:
Established in March of 2005, SMC Recordings is home to independent music and artists. Based in San Francisco, CA, the company's prized accomplishment is its unique philosophy of artist development, where artists are encouraged to participate with the label from inception through maintenance of their career. This innovative structure has garnered industry veterans to join the company and aid in its growth. SMC's range of artist owned label partners includes national heavyweights like Rakim and Killer Mike along with a staple of regional acts constantly being developed such as Messy Marv, The Jacka, and the Town Thizzness brand...SMC is distributed by Fontana, the indie subsidiary of Universal. It is SMC's humble regional beginnings and loyalty to their artists and their careers that will guarantee the company to always be on the precipice of creativity and expansion in the music game.

"Walk These Streets" Rakim feat. Maino & Tracey Horton
iTunes Purchase Link:
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=336096435&s=143441

"Walk These Streets" Rakim feat. Maino & Tracey Horton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpc5J307LQA


Rakim "Holy Are You" with lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsCJHsunS9E

Jared Evan Performs at CMJ

Jared Evan hits up the Shameless x Karma Loop CMJ Showcase at NYC's Redbull space and performs "Frozen", "What I Want", "Feeling Like A Song", and a few more tracks from his debut mixtape, Radio In My Head.

Jared Evan CMJ Hightlights:

[VIDEO]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Umhc8QI_jOc

Download Radio In My Head: http://usershare.net/x10it7sgjxprPlease stay tuned to JaredEvan.com for more updates.

Jared Evan "Radio In My Head" mixtape coming October 2009!

"Often you meet artists in the music game and they tell you that they are trying to create a new lane....well, Jared is really on some other shit." - Polow Da Don

"Jared is impressively lyrical, expressive and emotive - just listen to his 'Frozen' track on on the 'More Than A Game' soundtrack for yourselves and you too will become a believer." - Mariel Concepcion (Billboard Magazine)

"Jared meshes Hip Hop lyrics, electronic and post punk influences with classic rock to create a truly unique sound." - Rik Cordero

St. Lunatics (Nike Sport Remix) St. Lunatics, feat Larry Fitzgerald

St. Lunatics (Nike Sport Remix) St. Lunatics, feat Larry Fitzgerald

Nike Sport Gameday Remix: "I Do" Lil Jon, Swiss Beatz, Snoop Dogg feat. Matt Ryan

Nike Sport Gameday Remix: "I Do" Lil Jon, Swiss Beatz, Snoop Dogg feat. Matt Ryan

Michael Jackson Remix Suite IV Songs

Michael Jackson Remix Suite IV Songs

LEONA LEWIS TO RELEASE HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SECOND ALBUM ECHO ON NOVEMBER 17TH

CHECK OUT LEONA LEWIS' NEW VIDEO FOR
"HAPPY" FROM HER FORTHCOMING ALBUM
ECHO IN STORES NOVEMBER 17TH!



2008’S BEST-SELLING NEW ARTIST LEONA LEWIS TO RELEASE HER HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SECOND ALBUM ECHO ON NOVEMBER 17TH ON J RECORDS/SYCO MUSIC

ECHO IS THE FOLLOW-UP TO MULTI-PLATINUM BLOCKBUSTER SPIRIT

ECHO’S FIRST SINGLE, “HAPPY,” AVAILABLE AT ITUNES NOW

(New York —October 22, 2009) — Multi-platinum singer and songwriter Leona Lewis, who took the music world by storm with her 2008 debut album Spirit, will release its follow-up, entitled ECHO, on November 17th on J Records/Syco Music.

After proving her commercial potency on the three-time Grammy-nominated Spirit, which entered both the U.K. and U.S. album charts at No. 1, spawned the best-selling single of 2008 (“Bleeding Love”), and sold more than six million copies worldwide, ECHOgave Lewis the opportunity to take a few chances. “I knew that I had evolved as a singer, songwriter, and performer,” she says, “so it was important to me to take the songs on ECHO to the next level and show what else I could do.”

To that end, Lewis co-wrote nine songs on the album, collaborating with a host of A-list songwriters and producers, including re-teaming with One Republic frontman and “Bleeding Love” co-writer/producer Ryan Tedder on three tracks, including the first single “Happy.” She also worked with Swedish studio vet Max Martin and songwriter/producer Novel, as well as new collaborators Justin Timberlake, multi-platinum Bon Jovi/Kelly Clarkson producer John Shanks, and in-demand hitmakers Evan Bogart and Kevin Rudolf. Each helped Lewis deliver raw emotion through the melodies and lyrics and make full use of her “titanium-caliber voice” (as the New York Times has described it). Once again, Clive Davis and Simon Cowell joined forces to co-produce ECHO.

ECHO also finds the 24-year-old London native expanding her palette and exploring adventurous sonic territory. The dancefloor-friendly “Outta My Head” is sleek, stylish electro-pop, while the rock-driven “Love Letter” and “I Got You” show an edgier side of Lewis. Then there’s “Brave,” which soars with a Middle Eastern influence and pounding timpanis, and the sultry, synth-driven “Fly Here Now.”

“I really wanted a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to the songs,” says Lewis, a self-described “film nerd” who namechecks ’80s fantasy film The Labyrinth as her all-time favorite. “We would even put on movies in the studio to inspire us; it was a cool way of writing. I’m always thinking of scenes in my head.” Of course, ECHO features plenty of epic, lush ballads to satisfy Spiritfans, including the uplifting first single “Happy,” which Lewis says is “about overcoming obstacles and striving for happiness,” and People magazine called “passionate and soul-searching.”

It’s that passion and soulfulness that permeate ECHO, which Lewis can’t wait for the public to hear. “I’m actually more confident with this album than the last,” she says. “I’ve taken more control this time and I feel more at ease with everything. To me, it’s all about great songs. I hope they move people as much as they move me.”

Lewis was “discovered” in 2006 after auditioning for The X Factor, a British talent show executive-produced by American Idol’s Simon Cowell, who is also a judge. The then-22-year old — who attended performing arts academy The BRIT School, and famously worked as a Pizza Hut waitress to support her fledging music career — won the competition after endearing herself to fans week after week with her soaring voice, down-to-earth personality, and striking beauty. Certain he had a superstar on his hands, Cowell phoned legendary music executive and J Records founder Clive Davis, who teamed up with Cowell to sign Lewis to J Records/Syco Music, Cowell’s joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment in 2006.

The track-listing for ECHO is as follows:

“Happy”
“I Got You”
“Love Letter”
“Can’t Breathe”
“You Don’t Care”
“Outta My Head”
“Brave”
“My Hands”
“Alive”
“Don’t Let Me Down”
“Fly Here Now”
“Broken”
“Lost Then Found” (with One Republic)

Visit www.leonalewismusic.com for news, updates and more.

Alicia Keys back to school

[New York, NY – October 19, 2009] Fresh off of her star-studded annual Black Ball fundraiser for Keep A Child Alive and the premiere of her brand new video for “Doesn’t Mean Anything,” twelve-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys kicks off “The Element of Freedom: The Lecture & Performance Series” at New York University’s Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday, October 21; presented by the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, Tisch School of the Arts. This is a private event and not open to the public.
Named after the singer’s upcoming album THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM, this unique lecture and performance series offers the opportunity for students studying music and other entertainment fields to obtain first-hand information from Keys on how she applies the element of freedom into her creative process and life in general.


Alicia comments: “For the first time in my recording career, I think I’ve finally found an understanding of the creative process by just allowing myself to be free. I took a totally different approach for this album and didn’t confine myself in a studio or allow myself to be negatively affected by deadlines, which can hinder any creative spirit. I've found a freedom and flow that I try to implement everyday.

Hopefully the points discussed during these lectures will resonate with the students as they continue to find and define their creative process and style."
Additional events will be held at UCLA’s Royce Hall on October 28th with more dates to be announced.
Keys’ fourth studio album, THE ELEMENT OF FREEDOM, will be released December 1st on MBK Entertainment/J Records.

Technology Review: Rockster+Pro

Technology Review: Rockster+Pro Home Studio Recording Software Package
by Marios Papasavvas, MusicDish Network

[Mi2N PR] New York, NY -- Rockster+Pro is an innovative new home studio recording software package that gives serious home studio musicians an effective and easy to use method of transforming amateur sounding analog tracks into digital tracks that have a professional sound. Created by the new music company Born to Rock, mainly known for its production of guitars and basses made from metal instead of wood, Rockster+Pro is one invention that delivers on its promise.

Most home audio recording equipment is lacking in acoustics and the ability to produce a rich, vibrant sound. Rockster+Pro solves that problem by allowing the artist to choose "one of seven presets or invent their own. A GUI panel provides controls for factory and user presets, reverb time, decay and mix, heat, drive, space and dither. Reverb controls are independently adjustable for reflections from rear, side, ceiling and audience so you can design your own concert hall's size, shape, and liveliness." Another great feature is that Rockster+Pro doesn't work in real time. It analyzes the entire file before processing it, and even gives you a warning of any overages before processing modifications so you can choose to re-record the track if you want to.

With Rockster+Pro, I was able to infuse a very unique musical color into dry sounds with just my digital audio workstation. Using different settings, I managed to make my very own cello-and-piano composition sound like it was in front of me, being played live.

I have worked with various audio editing programs over the past few years, and it has always been a struggle trying to use the software's controls and settings just trying to do something really simple. That's not the deal with Rockster+Pro. You've got a clear and simple panel, 15 controllers, all with values from zero to nine. You can store and recall presets when you find just the effect you need, ranging from just barely noticeable to something entirely different.

Rockster+Pro isn't good just for making your home studio recordings sound "live". Boosted, higher harmonic frequencies and a slightly longer duration for each note of the melody gives any recording sound a much more realistic feel.

I would have liked to be able to use Rockster as a VST plug-in with FL Studio or Cubase and apply its effects in real time before having to save the file each time.

Rockster has 12 knobs (3 groups of 4) that manipulate three aspects of a sound with each one of the aspects maintaining control from a different location -- rear, side, ceiling and audience. The first group (top left four knobs) controls the time delay, the second is for the decay, and the third group is for mixing.

The first example is an upbeat composition using an accordion, guitar and trumpet:

Example 1 - Upbeat Accordion-Guitar-Trumpet by sthprk


And after using preset 2 (screenshot 1):


Example 1 - Upbeat Accordion-Guitar-Trumpet after using preset 2 (screenshot 1) by sthprk

In this example, my audio file already had studio audience recorded, so it was closer to a live performance. But by manipulating it with Rockster+Pro's settings, I was able to create a much clearer sound. As you can see, I used one of the presets provided by the program. Adjustments to the original sound were applied as such: Time delay - rear set to 7, the side to 4, ceiling 3 and audience 2. Decay is set to low levels for all directions – rear 4, side 3, ceiling 2 and audience 2. The way the mixing knobs are set, the "rear" setting receives more amplification – rear 7, side 4, ceiling 3, and audience 2.
Heat, drive and space are set to 4, 4 and 5 representing a medium sized venue.

The second example is a slow cello-piano duo I composed using FL studio:

Example 2 - Slow Cello-Piano duo by sthprk

And after using custom settings (screenshot 2):


Example 2 - Slow Cello-Piano duo after using custom settings (screenshot 2) by sthprk

In this example, I had much calmer and low-key instruments (piano and cello). In Greece, we are more used to listening to a cello–piano duo in a smaller venue, with fewer people in the audience. At the same time, however, a smaller venue means a warmer ambience, and fewer instruments get to the audience with a distinctive and clear sound. That means less time delay, even less decay, more heat and less space.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, I tried to virtually create the best live sound possible, with the correct settings.
* Time delay is set to: rear 6, side 3, ceiling 2, and audience 1.
* Decay: rear 3, side 2, ceiling 1, audience 1.
* Mix: rear 6, side 3, ceiling 2, audience 1.
* Heat and drive were set to 6 and space set to 2.

It's pretty obvious by the examples above that Rockster+Pro is what it claims to be. I enjoyed using it, and would recommend it to any artist or musician who does home studio recording

"Overtime (Nike Sport Remix)" Ace Hood, Akon & T-Pain feat. TJ Houshmandzadeh

"Overtime (Nike Sport Remix)" Ace Hood, Akon & T-Pain feat. TJ Houshmandzadeh

Download Here:

http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/usnikefootball/en_US/calendar#?year=2009&month=10&date=8

interview Immense/xxl magazine

Hip-Hop Official: Black Dynamite is COMING

Hip-Hop Official Presents:

Black Dynamite is COMING

Billy Roadz - Towards the Sky featuring Maino - EXCLUSIVE

Dirty

http://www.zshare.net/audio/66549813b3fa0480/

Clean

http://www.zshare.net/audio/665498948ecc0382/

MYSPACE.COM/BILLYROADZ

TWITTER.COM/BILLYROADZ