5 Questions with Joya Bravo

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Since posting a lil bit about he awesomely talented, amazing, an gorgeous Joya. She went and got herself a little McDonald’s commercial that errr aired during the Grammy’s. #POW 5 question form Joya.. And shout out to that guy who said he could be her DJ cause he had a “full schedule”.. Yeah…NICE TO MEET YA!

1). What Gives you an Eargasm?

Wahwahweewah! I would say anything with extreme musicianship. E.g. Key changes, anything that is not in typical 4/4 time, syncopation, picardi-thirds and whatnot. But music has changed so much, well, it has become more…convenient for lack of a better term. Its more simplistic which makes it more to the point…good thing, maybe? So an Eargasm is the energy that can come from a song and break past situational barriers; penetrate your serotonin sac and take you exactly where your subconscious or your conscious psyche wants to go at that very moment. Oh and it also makes for a delightful trending topic on Twitter.

2). Album or work with a Guaranteed Eargasm Experience other than yours(or that your directly affiliated with)?

Jeff Buckley’s “Grace” Album! Sonically delicious! The song “Such Great Heights” by the Postal Service and “Maggot Brain” from The Funkadelics.

3) Something you learned this week.

Basquiat was way hot. RIP

4) Song you would wake up to every morning if you could?

“Massage Situation” by Flying Lotus then “Right Now” by Devin the Dude.
Flying Lotus – Massage Situation by  TheEargasm

5) We’re tired of Swag. Give us your alternative to the overused word.

I get super slangtacular at times…My word of choice has been dougie for a while. For example ”Eargasm, I’m diggin’ your dougie”! Or like another example can be ”Jumping Jehosafats! Joya Bravo got super dougie on that ‘Onto the Next remix’ on her new project thats about to drop entitled ‘Move in Day’.” (Don’t judge me, thank you.)

Chip Tha Ripper “Like That”

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We’re admitted Chip tha Ripper Stans over here. This video experience is heightened by that plus the fact that he uses a sample form one of my favorite hip hop tracks.

Chip Tha Ripper – “Like That” – [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO] from Mid C Media on Vimeo.

XXL Freshman Mixtape

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Theres been alot of shade thrown at this years Freshman Top 10. Besides the fact that I have a vested interest given that Donnis was selected as one of the “honorees”, there were a few names that made me say , WHO? But this morning i downloaded the mixtpe and to be honest. It’s dope. Fashawn frigin RIPS the skin off of “So Hard”, that second verse makes my heart pitter patter…. I mean. Hip hop is in good hands. Trust.

COP IT!

And a little souther Mojo off the tape from O.J Da Juice

OJ Da Juiceman XXL Freshman Mixtape 6 Rings by  TheEargasm

Why Kanye West Can Give a “State of Creativity Address” by N. Middz

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  Let’s face it; whether you hate him, love him, or hate to love him, Mr. West is an ambassador for the creativity of our generation.  He’s a spokesperson for Hip-Hop, possibly the closest thing it’s got (excluding Jay-Z of course) to what Bono is to rock and pop music.  As an artist he has overstepped boundaries, transcending genres and paving the way for artists like Drake to put their heart on wax, making records about their real life situations like never before.  Only Marshall Mathers has been so brutally honest in the mainstream rap world before the current wave of emo/hipster rap came rushing into our iPod’s. 

  This week, on March 2nd, Yeezy posted an entry on his website kanyewest.com. In the post his thoughts ranged from listening to his old music and simply reminiscing on where he was in life at the time of its release, to the demons of fame and the passing of Alexander McQueen.  While I can’t relate to the part about looking back on the days I first released a classic debut album, I agreed with a lot of what ‘Ye had to share.  One thought in particular really resonated with me personally.  That thought was “I never feel like I’m not the underdog.  I’m never completely comfortable.  I’m tormented by the need to create.”  I consider my own creativity to be one of my strengths and so I admire Kanye in the fact that he is a creative monster and is driven to bring his ideas to a worldwide stage, even when popular outlook in music was against his kind. 

  Kanye faced a lot of criticism after reinventing his sound with auto tune on 808’s & Heartbreak, but his artistic aim was true.  If you didn’t like the album before, it’s likely that it eventually grew on you.  If you liked the album, you probably ended up loving it even more so later on. 

  The ever controversial, self-proclaimed “International Asshole” has enriched music and entertainment in its many shapes and forms.  This guy brought us the “Glow in the Dark Tour”, arguably the best Hip-Hop concert in years.  He has a thriving and highly amusing blog, Kanyeuniversecity.com, which has set a new precedent for how artists convey themselves to the media and their fans (along with ThisIs50.com).  His dive into the fashion world was highly ambitious but has been widely celebrated as he’s released sneakers with both Nike and Louis Vuitton.  The man created a new lane in today’s music culture which he has donned “Pop Art”.  He’s a torch bearer and a creative genius if you ask me.  Not to mention he’s brought great artists like Kid Cudi, Mr. Hudson and coming soon Big Sean to the forefront of the game under his G.O.O.D. Music brand. 

  The man knows how to create, to inspire, to motivate and follow his dreams via the “Go hard. Go hard. Go hard” chants that according to his post occur in his dreams.  So when a dude like this puts out a blog entry titled “Creativity”, I’m all for it. 

  You can find the full post, including Yeezy’s intimate thoughts on his connection to his past music and fact vs. public opinion at http://www.kanyewest.com/2010/03/02/creativity/.  For those of you with shorter attention spans here is an excerpt from the “Creativity” entry, via kanyewest.com:

-N. Middz

I need a Vacation

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And who who better than Jah Cure to reiterate that

Aesthetic Resistance Movement NYC

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Chase Infinite X Curt@in$ paired up for this awesome event last Saturday. I had`the privledge of stopping through, seeing a few freinds and obsessing over the Africa pendant that I want.

Prohibit NYC Presents: “Aesthetic Resistance Movement” from Kellen Dengler on Vimeo.

XXL Mag Freshmen Class Update

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  Last week I posted an article informing you guys about XXL mag’s new freshmen class of 2010 issue (on shelves march 16th).  At the time of my article the magazine had only released 8 freestyle videos, confirming 8 of the 10 names that are being labeled the rhyme spitters to look out for this year.  I stated that some of the names that are deserving of recognition  which  possibly wouldn’t be chosen were Donnis, The Cool Kids, Kidz in the Hall, Jay Rock and Pac Div.  Well it turns out that the final two spots now in fact belong to the newest member of the Atlantic Records roster, Donnis and west coast representative Jay Rock.

  The class photo cover, which spans 2 pages, was released this week. Here’s what it looks like:

  Also, you can visit the freshmen 10’s home page for more info on the artists involved and catch their freestyle videos too.  Here is the link: http://www.xxlmag.com/freshmen10/

  Lastly, XXL has put together a mixtape to commemorate the occasion.  DJ Whoo Kid Presents XXL 10 Freshman for ‘10 Mixtape will be out this upcoming Monday (March 8th).  The release will be comprised of tracks from the 10 artists being ushered into the limelight.  I’ll have the link posted here on our site but you’ll be able to find it on XXLmag.com, radioplanet.tv and ThisIs50.com as well.   

-N. Middz

XXL Mag’s Freshman Class of 2010

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  Once again it’s time for a very popular annual happening in the rap world.  XXL, the premiere publication for all things Hip-Hop in the game today is unveiling their picks for the top 10 artists on the brink of stardom in 2010.  Just as there was in ‘09 there is much debate among the fans and blog sites as to who exactly is worthy of making such a list. 

Last year’s picks have experienced a range of outcomes following being selected for the honor.  Drake, the most successful product of ‘09 was not on the last list due to the fact that his buzz became widespread just after the collective of wordsmiths was assembled.  That being said, Kid Cudi, Wale and Ace Hood have solidified themselves as the most commercially accepted of the group. B.O.B has remained strong artistically and continues to amass a following in anticipation of his debut album which has been moved up to an April 27th drop (originally May 25th).  The group’s white knight Asher Roth remains a respected player even though his debut album Asleep In The Bread Aisle failed to attain desirable sales figures (65,000 units in its 1st week).  Charles Hamilton is on a sort of hiatus after making some poor choices on when to check himself (i.e. dissing the wrong people and getting smacked by a chick during a freestyle).  Curren$y, Cory Gunz and Mickey Factz seem to be in the same boat as they were last year (although the latter has obtained endorsements from Honda and Supra).  As for Blu, he’s nowhere to be found at the moment.  

  The mystery surrounding this year’s list has only been multiplied by the fact that it has supposedly leaked and is now all over the web.  While the list does include some of the actual picks, (the magazine has released 8 videos to date in a series which hides their faces as they freestyle) some choices are most likely not in the real class of 2010. One possible clue to this fact is that although Young Money’s female MC Nicki Minaj is on this questionable list, rumor has it that both her and label mate Drake declined to be featured in the issue which hits newsstands March 16th. 

Here is the list that’s circulating online:

  A statement was released by XXL in response to the matter which reads as follows:

“I’m writing from XXL to let you know the email about XXL’s 2010 Freshman Class is a fake list that did not come from our magazine. While we are flattered about the enthusiasm and heat The Freshman Class generates, this list did not come from XXL and was most likely created and leaked by someone in hopes of boosting their career. We are always on the lookout for the most promising artists who do, in fact, make it into XXL. The current issue of XXL (our double Dec/Jan 2010 issue with 50 Cent on the cover) is on stands now.”

Freestyle videos already released building hype for the release of the list include Nipsey Hussle, Wiz Khalifa, Pill,  Fashawn, J. Cole, Big Sean, Freddie Gibbs, and Oj Da Juiceman.  Lyrically the standouts are J. Cole, Fashawn, Freddie Gibbs and Nipsey Hussle who gives viewers twice as many bars as the rest of the artists.  While you may not expect much from Oj Da Juiceman, his 15 seconds of rhymes seems like a complete waste, making many question his presence in this year’s class.   

  My predictions for the artists that will find the most critical acclaim in the months to come are without a doubt J. Cole, Fashawn and Nipsey Hussle.  Big Sean may be a contender as well especially since he’s backed by Kanye under the G.O.O.D Music umbrella.  I’d definitely keep an eye out for Freddie Gibbs.  He’s bound to show his talent through a new lane, being that we’ve yet to really see an artist from the state of Indiana at this level. 

  On a final note there’s a lot of talk about who should have made the list but probably won’t.  The names being thrown out there include Donnis, The Cool Kids, Kidz In The Hall, Jay Rock and Pac Div.  I’d say we might be seeing Jay Electronica, The Knux, El Prez and Rich Hil getting handpicked in 2011. Look out for the official 2010 list and the new issue of XXL on March 16th. 

-N. Middz

Dom Kennedy – Choose Up

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To be honest with you I’ve never really been a big fan of Dom Kennedy, but if his new shit is anything to go by I might just be converted. Check out his new single Choose Up from his From The Westside With Love project due March.

Dom Kennedy – Choose Up

Diamonds&Guns

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DOWNLOAD: Stevie Crooks – Diamonds&Guns

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