I had a chance to sit down (Literally, well I guess it’s more crouching) with Dessa after she DESTROYED it on stage @ the Bowery Ballroom this past Tuesday in NYC.  In the interview she speaks about her beginnings in the Minneapolis slam poetry scene, here new album ‘A Badly Broken Code’ (which you can pick up by clicking the link to the Doomtree Store) and here thoughts on being a woman in Hip-Hop.  The zip is chock-a-block with goodies; copy of the interview, album art, my ugly mug and my two favorite tracks off the album!!!  Check it out, you won’t be dissapointed.  To download, click on the photo or the link here…

Brought to you by the good good homies at FreeIceCream.net (where you can get ultra dope rap music FOR FREE) and it is totally amazing!!!  A tour de force, magnum opus, the $$$, whatever you call it, it’s dope.  Download it and tell me it’s not…Completely produced by Domer from samples gleaned from the ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ album by Freddy Mercury and the gang (yeah the band name escapes me at the moment…sue me ok?) featuring Kats, Domer, Illspokinn, Jake Lefco (no Fake Rightco??? Single Tear…) and Ryan O’Niel.  Chalk up another amazing effort from the maniacs at FreeIceCream.net!!!  Click the cover art or the link here…

I once booked a show for Brzowski in a scummy basement in Reno, Nevada. I never thought that some 3000 or so miles later, I would wind up being almost neighbors with him after I moved to Boston. He’s quickly become one of my favorite emcees and live performers in New England and also a friend. After several attempts, I finally got to ask him a few questions on the heels of a European tour and a new release with fellow Portland ME artist Moshe entitled Like Woe. I present to you the man, the myth, Brzowski.  For full article check Usgmag.com…

HILAROUS!!!!!

Some people call it nu metal, some call it rap-rock, still others call it rap-metal. Bassist Ahmed (pictured far right) has a slightly different title for the music he and the rest of Game Rebellion make, “I call it Riot Music.” Guitarist/vocalist Yohimbe (pictured far left) seconds this, adding “we are artists, and collectively, like all artists, we have some concepts, energy, love and experiences to share. It’s because of who we are that our sound comes out sounding like a rumbling avalanche of mammoth skulls.” And that rumbling avalanche of mammoth skulls happens to embody everything that’s great about the nu metal genre as Game Rebellion covers a full range of emotions and topics with their music. From politics, to ideas of self, to the occasional party jam, their upcoming EP, Sounds Like a Riot, shows Game Rebellion are intelligent headbangers with lyrics that are on point.

The rest of Game Rebellion consists of (from L to R in-between Yohimbe and Ahmed) keyboardist/vocalist Emi, vocalist Netic, and drummer Aaron. All of the members cut their teeth working as session musicians, producers, songwriters, and members of house bands from coast to coast. This week I caught up with Ahmed and Yohimbe to find out more about the group, why they’re rebelling against the game, and what their thoughts are on combating some of the negative stereotypes of nu metal. They also surprised me with a couple of crazy stories, relating the time they took over a stage from a signed artist, and an incident when a fan caused a near death experience for one of the members of the group.  For full article check Adam’s World Blog…

I got this interview when Astro was out on the road promoting his first offical release on Fighting Records, “You and Yer Good Ideas”.   Recorded his live show at The Space, interviewed him the next day, even put together a feature piece for public radio (not incl in the zip…sorry) and all was right with the world.  Click on the album cover or the link here…

I got this interview with Murs after he rocked a show in a Church Basement while he was out on tour for the “Murray’s Revenge” album…Lots of great stuff in here about his frustration with the underground hip-hop scene to dealing with the success of his friends like Slug of Atmosphere…take a listen, you won’t be pissed you did!  Click the album cover or the link here…

Most emcees like to brag, but not Albany’s Oddy Gato. “Hip-hop is not just a guy grabbing a mic and saying I’m the best, I’m the best,” he explains, “it’s about other people saying ‘this motherfucker is really good.’” Over the years quite a few people have been saying Oddy Gato is really good. His goal, which he says should be the goal of every artist, is to make listeners question what is going on. “A real artist’s job is to step outside the norms of society, of the dominant culture, to challenge everything, and to challenge people to see things in a different light.” Living by that ideology it should come as no surprise that Oddy Gato once performed with Immortal Technique at a Free Mumia concert in Philadelphia. He also recorded in J-Live’s home studio with both J-Live and Rashawn Ross, a trumpeter and arranger who tours with Dave Matthews Band.

Backed by producer Lo-Fi LOBO and DJ TRUMASTR, Oddy Gato is extremely pleased with the work he and his team are creating, even going as far as saying “if anybody has a problem with the music that we’re making, not only am I nice with the microphone, I have the hand sills of a vicious puma.” This week I risked the possibility of incurring the wrath of Oddy Gato when I caught up with him to ask him about his music, why he feels it’s better to be odd, and the reasons why he loves calling Albany home.  For full article check Adam’s World Blog…

BTW, I’ll be doing a show with the homies New World Side Order in BK @ The Beauty Bar on Valentine’s day so grab your partner and rock out the the futuristic sounds of Concept 2020, Crazy E 2020 and Halo 2020 (always weird seeing him at events…so that’s what I’m gonna look like in 2020…hmmm).  I start rocking at 10pm, NWSO @ 11pm, DJ Halo 12-???