“This project is my personal way of putting a distinctive bookmark in this chapter in my life, and a way to pass a sincere thank you to Jay-Z, Mr. Sean Carter, for all of the memories, the opportunity to rock on stage as an artist with him around the world, and for the kindness to me as a person. You know I had to do it in my language; a thank you in music.

A sincere thank you and respect to Jay-Z and the Roc Boys.

Take a listen, spread the word, and enjoy the music!
Peace, DJ Neil Armstrong aka the All Out King” Download it for free - http://www.djneilarmstrong.com/DNABP3/

Marc Billz is a breathe of fresh air. Voice, story telling ability, ability to empathize with the every day struggle that the majority of us know about and convey that through song.

New music video for Dramills featuring Raheem Devaughn directed by Mills Miller shot on location in New York City. Harlem, Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn.

twitter.com/dramills

I dont know about you, but I CANT WAIT until the 16th to hear the collaboration album of these two. BUY REAL HIP HOP PEOPLE!!

I did not grow up thinking “One day I am going to start a magazine”. I LOVE Hip Hop music, saw that there was not a mixtape magazine, and thought it would be dope if there was one. The whole idea was to simply do the two things that I thought were the most important. Solid reviews of the music and featuring new talent. I wanted to take it a step further then The Source did and make those two elements the majority of our content. We had a good run with this for a while until the bills started piling up. Next thing you know its more famous people, more ads, less reviews, and less new artists. I LOVE Hip Hop, I hate the business.

There seems to be two different types of media presences these days. You have “The Blogs” and then you have “The Websites” and both of these serve a specific purpose, and are needed. The Blogs seem to be here to keep us informed and up to date with new music, interviews (most of the time done by someone else besides the “blogger) new video of live performances, behind the scenes etc, album and / or mixtape release dates. The updates are phenomenal as they come every hour, sometimes quicker. The Websites serve a purpose as well providing us with original interviews, thought provoking editorials, music reviews, video, music and more. While the majority of the websites have their own version of a blog, it is not as effective as the 3 or 4 blogs that people check every hour. I go to Nahright for my daily up to the minute dose, I go to Allhiphop for the rumors and occasional editorials, I go to HipHopDX and HipHopGame for new music, and sometimes I’ll swing over to RapRadar because I am a fan of Elliot Wilson and his interviews.

In 2010 it seems that true journalism may be an endangered species. Where we used to have journalism we now have promotion. Journalism is the craft of conveying news, descriptive material, and opinion across different media vehicles. The blogs and websites do a great job at conveying news and describing new material, but the opinions seem obsolete. The responsibility of breaking new talent falls on the shoulders of the media and the DJ. I understand being overwhelmed with an enormous work load and trying to create revenue to pay the gazillion bills that owning your own business creates.

I think there are three ways for an independent artist to be featured anywhere in media. The first one is to be an amazing artist who creates original music that appeals to the masses. The second way is to be cosigned by an already established artist or DJ. While this does not guarantee success, it will get you in front of a large amount of people which will allow the fans to decide whether your are worthy of their nine dollars. The third way is to pay for your spot. All spots are for sale these days and you should be grateful this is an option because without this option most of you would never be heard. While “I” do not think this is very effective for the artist, it creates a win win situation for both the media and the artist. The media is able to cover the cost of utilizing the spot and the artist gets some exposure. Either you pay now for your spot or you keep working until your number is called. In the interim, we will feature artists who are “contributing” to the culture through artistic autonomy and creative freedom.

The Hip Hop world has come out in support of the victims of Haiti through the Hip Hop Helps Haiti Mixtape. Hosted by Aphilliates DJ Ace McClowd, features tracks from numerous well known hip hop artists. There will be a donation link on HipHopDX taking you to the Red Cross Haiti Relief & Development site where you can make a donation to the fund.

Download link - http://mixtapes.hiphopdx.com/Hip_Hop_Helps_Haiti-HHDX.zip

1 Freeway - Time (Produced by Jake One)
2 Joe Budden - 40/40 f. Royce Da 5′9″
3 Donny Goines - No Apologies
4 CNN - Exhibit CNN
5 JR Writer - Who The Hell Are You
6 Ras Kass - Since You Been Gone f. Tracy Rhey & 40 Glocc
7 Roccett - How We Roll f. Dae One
8 Jay Rock - Ballin’ f. Kendrick Lamar & Bow Wow
9 The Game & Nu JerZey Devil - We Stand Alone
10 Method Man Ghostface & Raekwon - Our Dreams
11 Bobby Creekwater - Pardon My French
12 Fashawn - Father
13 Sha Stimuli - What Are We Living For
14 Skyzoo - Salute That
15 Nottz - Shine So Bright
16 Copywrite - Aftermath
17 The Illz - Come In
18 Ali f. Nelly & St. Louis - Sum n’ Bout it
19 Murphy Lee f. Seven Li - Age of 21
20 Ben Jacobs - Hundreds
21 Wordsmith - The Daily Word
22 Lil’ Flip - Feel It In The Air (Haiti Version)
23 Jay-Z Rihanna Edge & Bono - Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour

Check out the video - http://www.apple.com/ipad/#gallery-hero-video

Nice flow, voice is right, kid’s got talent. Looking forward to hearing more from Marc Billz

So you are an independent rapper. You believe that you are the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel, but no one else has confirmed that for you as of yet. You have a mixtape hosted by your cousin with tracks that are produced by another guy who is the greatest thing since the invention of the zipper (also confirmed by no one else but himself). You pressed up 50 cd’s and proceeded to try and sell them, but became frustrated and angry when no one would buy them. From there you approach every magazine and website and insist that they put you on because your hot. To your surprise, no one does…………

Being an independent artist is not only “the same” as owing your own business, it IS owning your own business. Like any other business you need capital in order to operate. Whether that capital is raised through an initial investor, or from your own pocket is inconsequential, you just need to have it. Now you may be asking yourself “What do I need money for, shouldn’t I be getting paid?” The answer to that is no, you should not. The reason you need money is because when you own a new business you need to be marketing, promoting, pressing up posters, flyers, cd’s, you need your own website, and you need to be out at every industry event you can find. All this costs money people. You can not expect it to be done for you for free. Take show cases for instance. Show cases give you an opportunity to show case your talent to taste makers and trend setters within the music industry. While I agree, sometimes the prizes are not great, but you are out there branding your name, your look, and your music. Brand positioning is about being in the faces and ears of those who can help take your career to the next level.

It takes truly a perfect mixture of marketing, promotion, brand positioning, a strong team, great live performance, and TALENT in order to make a successful living as an MC. I have ranted and raved about Lil Wayne and many other artists I believe to be over rated, but at the end of the day they are talented. They have figured out how to tap into millions of people and created fans out of them. So:

1) Check your team. Are “your” people as excited about your career as you are?

2) Do you have mixtapes you are giving to everybody and their mother for free? Do you have posters & fliers hanging in every inch of your city?

3) Do you have a viral marketing person? Someone to update all the blogs, twitter, facebook, and send email blasts?

4) Do you know how to “operate” a microphone? Do you practice performing and breath control? Are you entertaining on stage?

4) Most importantly, are you a talented MC? To answer this question, click any of the 3 links below and HONESTLY ask your self if you are even in the same league. Im not saying you need to be AS good, but you need to be in the same league. If your not, find another career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITfWaN59GIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSo4ImI6Ib4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_IFAt8ka0

Download here ~~~~> http://usershare.net/m8gclh8hz4vi

Donny Goines is somebody to pay attention to. Humble, incredible work ethic, and the music to match.

Download here ~~~> http://www.duckdown.com/survivalkit/Mick.Boogie.nVMe.Duckdown.Survival.Kit.zip

1) Survival Kit Intro by DJ Sherazta
2) Gotcha Opin Original (Re-Mix) - Tanya Morgan (Prod. by: NVME)
3) South Bronx (Re-Mix) - Cause, The Kid Daytona & Chaundon (Prod. by: NVME)
4) Buck Em Down (Re-Mix) - Christian Rich (Prod. by: NVME)
5) Sound Of Da Police (Re-Mix) - Diz Gibran & Shawn Chrystopher (Prod. by: ILL TAL)
6) Shit Iz Real (Re-Mix) - Ruste Juxx (Prod. by: NVME)
7) Step Into Our World (Re-Mix) - Team Facelift & Jade (Prod. by: ABADDON)
Talk Shit (Re-Mix) - Torae & Skyzoo (Prod. by: NVME)
9) MC’s Act Like They Don’t Know - Sha Stimuli, Promise, J.A.M.E.S. Watts, Fashawn (Prod. by: NVME)
10) I Got Cha Opin 09 - Kardinal Offishall & Buckshot (Prod. by: Havoc of Mobb Deep)
11) Past Present Future - KRS-ONE, Buckshot, Melanie Fiona & Naledge of Kidz In The Hall (Prod. by: 9th Wonder)

Luda, easily in the top 3 most lyrical to come out the South is droppin’ heat on this tape! Download here ~~~> http://rapidshare.com/files/338534041/ConjureMixtape.zip