Tag: Hip Hop

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Featured Song: KL Tha General – “B-Wordz”

KL Tha General has been on quite the Hip-Hop hustle for some time now. From shows, to guest features, to his own songs, he has been hard at work showing a new style of rap from the city of Denver. KL has the charismatic personality to appeal to all audiences. One of his latest songs which was released earlier this year, “B-Wordz”; is a prime example. “B-Wordz” has the potential to be the summer anthem in the city and even nationally if it gets the heat from the right sources.  With a catchy hook, simple bounce beat, and memorable lyrics – KL knows how to  deliver.

 

“I like her and she like me, but what she don’t know is she can never be wifey. Most time one of my other b**ches see me with her chilling. She’ll get salty and be all up in feelings, cuz I keep alotta b**ches, b**ches, b**ches…”

 

Find out more: www.facebook.com/KLThageneral

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Marvell Interview: “GREATNESS is upon you, you better act like it.”

Since the release of their “The GREATNESS EP” almost two month ago, I have been bothering Marvell’s manager for an interview with the UK rap trio. Shocka, Double S and Vertex give their insight on whether the deficit of equality in UK and American Hip Hop will ever change, what they have been up to in the studio recently and who they think are the best up-and-coming artists in the UK right now.

Lee: For those reading, who may not know of Marvell and your music, give us a
brief introduction to yourselves…

Marvell: We go by the name of Marvell short for marvelous. It consists of Double S,
Shocka, Vertex and the DJ Limit. We are the voice of the voiceless, we speak for
the young generation – our message is for the young generation/youth to strive
for greatness and to know themselves inside out. We try to contribute to the
development process of them becoming better human beings. That is Marvell in a
nut shell.

The recent mixtape, Greatness, seemed the most serious and polished tape
both thematically and in the production compared to the Marvell Mondays and
Marvell FM series, was this is conscious decision?

Marvell:  The recent debut E.P. is more polished and I am glad you noticed that because
that was a conscious decision by us all to step it up. We’ve been away for a while,
our supporters have grown up, some even have kids and are facing real life
situations and so we wanted our music to reflect that the direction we are taking
is a bit different, but it still ties into what we’re all about, which is teaching the
youth to reach for the stars and achieve great thing in life so it all works out well.

I first heard of you when you supported Chipmunk on his tour in 2010, now he
has been signed to Grand Hustle and making waves in the states, do Marvell have
any plans to follow in Chips footsteps?

Marvell: We would love to go to America and follow in the footsteps of our good friend
Chip [formerly Chipmunk] but I think it’s important that we crack the UK first,
because this [our] country is in need of black Urban group. There hasn’t been
one like us before and it would be a good image for the kids to see – it would give
them hope that people who came from their areas [Tottenham] just like them
can go that far in this country, music wise. After that is accomplished we would
then like to be on the next flight to America, Young Money holler at us *cough
cough* (Laughs).

In the song “Marvell Music” theres a bar which says “Stepped in the scene, the
lights turned green”, however to me it feels as though the lights have been on
amber for a few years now. Has the fact you’ve been on the brink of mainstream
success for so long without fully making it frustrate you?

Marvell: I think God’s time is the best time. Another thing is that we are bless we
haven’t blown yet, it has given us time to study and find out what we want
to achieve and what kind of contribution we want to make. It is safe to say
that we’re ready now, oh and we would be lying if we never said we don’t get
frustrated at times (Laughs) but we know our time is coming so we’re all right.

There have been a couple of tweets informing followers that you’re in the
studio, so what is coming next? An album, a mixtape, an EP? Can we get the name
of any songs you’ve created?

Marvell: Marvell FM 5, our debut album, Marvell Mondays, new merchandise in various
colours, designs and sizes on the way.

With a number of lists being released in the last month from MTV’s “Hottest In
The Game” and XXL’s “Freshmen” could Marvell name a Top 5 UK artists to look
out for?

Marvell: Sneakbo, Krept & Konan, Cashtastic, G-Frsh and PW.

Do you think there will ever be a time when UK rappers will be regarded as
talented as the likes of Jay-Z, Nas, Eminem etc. from America?

Marvell:  That time is coming, who would have thought that Chip[munk] would be
signed to T.I.’s label or Tinie Tempah would go platinum there in America. I think
as long as we keep dreaming big it’s possible the next few years – watch what
happens.

If you could collaborate with any artist in the world, who would it be and why?

Marvell: Drake, Kendrick Lamar, James Blake, Akon and many more otherwise we would
be here forever (Laughs).

So we officially have a debut album on the way from the Marvell boys, but first head to www.marvellmusic.co.uk and download “The GREATNESS EP“.

“GREATNESS is upon you, you better act like it.”

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Tables Turn: DJ Dozen Interview

Most of us can credit some of the best nights of our lives to a turntable operator. However, after a seamless set, how many of us thank the Dj who harnessed the sounds? A skilled Dj is a symphony conductor; synthesizing the perfect blend of music to stimulate the right mood, at the right time. I can personally attest to Dj Dozen’s finesse on the tables; and chances are you’ve enjoyed his vinyl concoctions. In light of all the heads nodded and sweated out curtesy of Dj Dozen I thought it was time to get acquainted with the mind behind the mixers and let me tell you; his thoughts are moving faster than fingers on vinyl. Follow him on Twitter @djDOZEN or visit djdozen.com; don’t miss any of his mixtapes dropping this summer.

Demi: How long have you been Dj’ing?

Dj Dozen:  I started Dj’ing when I was 15, almost a decade in now.

Tell us a bit more about your position with D.O.P.E Game.

Dj Dozen: I use my position as one of the more social elements to reach out to other artist and bring exposure to the movement. Konsequence and I do a lot of work with others just because of our skill set and that has made it easier to collab and get good music done.

Do you think Dj’s get enough credit/acknowledgement in the music community?

Dj Dozen: Yes and no. People who really enjoy music always show a lot of love, BUT in the day of this digital technology our skill set sometimes gets taken for granted; like we’re big IPods or juke boxes but we’re not. Dj’s have an opinion and analytical skills to rock a crowd, sometimes people wanna put us into a box and play cookie cutter music but that’s not what I’m about.

What would you like to see change in regards to the perception surrounding Dj’ing?

Dj Dozen: The only thing I’d like to see change is  people coming out with an open mind; ready to jam to the unexpected and leave the inhibitions at home. Nobody cares if u can’t dance, I wanna see that “we ain’t gonna remember this tomorrow, lets party” feeling. Oh and support people doing good QUALITY performances, hold these artist n Dj’s accountable.

As a Dj what you do you think your most important role is?

Dj Dozen: Set the atmosphere for what ever occasion it may be. If it’s a party-inspire folks to jam, if it’s a groove thang-feed em something to groove to, and if it’s a sit down function-blow their minds!

What’s your niche on the tables? 

Dj Dozen: I jam, I don’t play music that I don’t enjoy, no matter what genre it may be. So if u ever see me actively mixing you’ll notice my eyes are closed and I’m smiling cuz I’m just having a good time and the vibe gets contagious.

What are your favorite pieces of equipment?

Dj Dozen: That I have currently it’d have to be my Technics, since I started on vinyl. My Sennheiser Headphones (you gotta be able to hear what you doing) I just bought a MPC 2000 that I’m rebuilding from scratch so I’ll have some fun with that. Although I enjoy vinyl WAYYYYY more I like my Serato hardware/software. Technology saved me years of back pain lugging around crates.

How do you feel when you’re on the tables and people are turning up to your set?

Dj Dozen: I feel like Ric Flair…like WOOOO! I feed off people’s energy if there’s a packed house in front of me I’m trying everything I can to impress them. I want to make them break a sweat, shake their hair, jump around…and I’m right in there with them!

Do you make beats as well?

Dj Dozen: Yea that has just started becoming one of my main focuses; engineering has been more of my thing but the DOPE Game is DEEP on the production side. I’m inspired to go harder in the lab because I have all these DOPE producers around me. Dealz will MAKE me sit down n make a beat; him and Jones, Black Jordan, Jay Spydatek, Fat Tracks, Mo $, Yung Tru, Big Beats Mccree & Big J definitely inspire me to be DOPE’er.

What event or artist do you dream of Dj’ing for?

Dj Dozen: I’d LOVE to rock SXSW one time. I want to do the Paid Dues Festival, the Do-Over in LA, any local big music fests in Colorado. As far as artists go, Killer Mike, Add-2, Turner Jackson, Curtis King is dope too. Ultimately though I see myself doing something like Dwele; I’m an R&B head.

What can we expect from you in 2013?

Dj Dozen: Positivity, TMZ stories, babies mommas. Uhhh oh u mean musically, Ace 2 Spacey of Urbane Society is hosting the next DOPE Game tape, dropping here in the next few weeks. In June, Yung Tru is dropping a sample pack and beat tape. I’m working on a new project by LoveLady and getting in the lab with my boy Chuck T. Spydatek and myself have something cooking up. The SQUAD as a whole is working on this collaborative DOPE Game project. Turner Jackson and I are doing a monthly hip hop open mic on Thursdays at Funky Buddha starting April 11th. I’m doing ANYTHING Jeremy Pape puts in front of me to do. I missed Valentine’s Day for the Get Right so I’ll be dropping it here soon for the slow jam lovers. I have a new summer mix, a 90’s series called “Ashley Mixes” and a workout mix. I’m just working in general! I’m doing mixing, duplication, and hosting deals all summer so anybody dope should holla at me. I’m ready to work.