Pinpoint back at it again...and this time he bought the Gummo!

So it’s been about a good week or so and I have literally spent this period….168+ hours to really analyze and dissect GHGH member Pinpoint’s newest release GUMMO. Right, I said it….GUMMO….and I know you’re sitting there wondering wth is a GUMMO? Let me allow good ole Wikipedia break it down for you…..
Gummo is a 1997 American independent drama that show a series of seemingly unrelated vignettes depicting the hopeless, nihilistic lives of the residents of Xenia, Ohio, a small Midwestern town that had been previously struck by a devastating tornado. The plot itself focuses on the impoverished people who dwell in the tornado's aftermath; however, it features no significant interconnection between each character and scene.



Ok for some of you that need the “tell it like it is” version, basically it’s a movie about all the jacked up crap that happens in this small town in Ohio after a horrific tornado ran through it. And when I say this movie is jacked up…I’m talking really jacked up, but I strongly suggest that you at least watch the movie prior to listening to Pinpoints mixtape.

So onto the real ish…..Gummo the mixtape…I honestly must say that in a nutshell…this might be one of the most realest and emotional mixtapes (right next to Lenwoods ‘Truth Be Told’ mixtape released earlier this year) I have heard thus far this year. Granted, I’ve heard Pinpoint prior to this mixtape via the Real Talk days. But with this being his second solo release….this would be the one mixtape that he actually opened up himself more than a lot of people expected him to. Anyway, this entire project just spoke to me on so many different levels that I had to do a semi breakdown of it all. Not just the normal “oh its good” crap that I see a lot of people post.


Fed-up: Every artist wants to be recognized as the realist that ever lived or spit! Period. Regardless if they just started to rap 6 years ago or just this morning, everyone wants to live the life that they rap about. Yea, that happens almost 50% of the time especially on an Indie level. As for a lot of the artist who actually put in work, money, time and energy into a talent that they were blessed with….it tends to get annoying dealing with the fakeness of the scene. Not to mention the finickiest people you deal with on a daily basis in your personal life. Some tracks that I personally took this point of view and emotion from were ‘Pretender’ f/ TMKAD (one of my personal favorites) and ‘Real’ f/Only (this should be the national man anthem or something…..these dudes definitely speak some seriousness on this one!).
Lost Love and Lust: Classic love story gone astray…boy meets girl…they fall in love..their world revolves around each other until it spins off its axis. Typical, but I think the fact that this telltale love story still comes out with a positive outcome on the track “On Top of the World”. During the relationship…..good feeling/cloud 9……after relationship…still is flying high! And of course he had to do something a lil nasty for the ladies lol And I must say girls….Track #8 ’IJS’ will….ummmm….yea…have ya blushing a lil bit.
Stop and Really listen: ‘Twenty Years’ smdh…this track right here is something that you normally don’t hear a rapper, especially an indie rapper talk about….quitting. Giving something your all for 15+ years…and still not getting the results you want. Yea, it gets frustrating. Not able to take opportunities like having a normal relationship, getting married or having a family due to his music career are some of the things that Pin touch bases on in this track. Giving himself a deadline to ‘make it’ is his self-motivation in this track. Instead of being like the other hamsters on the exercise wheel, running toward a goal that is unobtainable, he expresses on this track how much he has lost due to the rap game, and how he doesn’t want to lose anything else.

If there was to be grades handed out for mixtapes, I would hands down give Gummo a solid B. Passing with flying colors, a little short of that, but still passing my personal rap standards. Even though the mixtape does give the listener some real knowledge to digest, I personally think that it could have had more variety or had more diverse artist grace the tracks that would have fit with the theme and tone of the mixtape. Granted, I LOVE the fact that there weren’t 100+ Trap Rappers on this mixtape (which honestly sometimes can kill the mood of ANY mixtape), but I would have like to hear some singers on a track or two. And somehow someway, I feel as though he didn’t go in all the way, but more so this mixtape was a testing the waters type situation. But in reality, that’s a very good thing....just means that there is more room for improvement and that we as listeners get to look forward to some serious ish to come from Pinpoint as well as his GHGH camp.


FOR INFO ON PINPOINT CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE http://www.realtalkmusic.com/

GUMMO ON TOP!

    So last week... I had the pleasure of attending the ‘Gummo’ release party/birthday bash for GHGH members Pinpoint and TayLand as well as vetern Baltimore hip hop head/artist Bishop. Being as though everyone in the scene has some sort of concert/party for their birthday, which to be honest gets kinda old real fast, I will tell you this…this event right here….was way more than just a regular ‘showcase’ of local talent. The crowd was definitely live as all hell, the acts were on point, dj killed it…..all out nice event. But of course I must go in a little bit on some things that kinda upset me. (Ill play nice….well..my version of nice lol)

     Due to my work schedule (FML just thinking about it UGH) I missed most of the first act, DINO, but I will say as soon as I heard his voice….I thought our good ole friend Proffit was rocking the stage. LOL But as new artists to my ears, he got a reasonable rating from me. I am just not for the yelling and screaming into the mic. I DON’T CARE HOW HYPE YA GET HOMIE! But still reasonable but fair rating. I would definitely like to see more of him performing in more shows around town. Plus he definitely brought like the whole damn crowd with him (in a promoters eyes..that’s a major plus lol). Rello and Verse…..this was my first time seeing the two perform and I’ll be quite honest…it was a average performance, but you could see the potential with them. It’s like when you see a beautiful girl taking all these bathroom facebook pics instead of investing into a real photographer for a real photoshoot. I loved their style, but I think more attention should be put into the whole performance than just your outfit. I think having a Stage Prescence course 101 might do these dudes some justice because they are by far whack rappers, they are actually better than a lot of other rappers in the city. The beats were hot tough I must admit! Now about these A.C.E. dudes lol I’ve always been a fan of a lot of the work that comes out of A.C.E. this time around I’m kind of on the fence with it. With the newest members, DGK and MUVI, added to the rooster I think that with a lot more fine tuning this team will be making even more noise in the music scene and make their mark. Musicwise, one thing that I have noticed is that every song is heavily saturated with 808’s which is cool for the first two tracks of your set…..but every song is not needed. Jaye Royale and Ace’s High were defiantly one of the high points of the night. Never heard of dudes until that night, but they did leave a pretty good impression on me. But one thing that I literally ALWAYS express is a huge pet peeve of mine happened not once….not twice…not three times…but four times in two sets! IF YOUR NOT ON THE TRACK…SUPPORT FROM THE AUDIENCE! You’re not Wu-Tang…there are not 80 dudes in your group….you don’t have back up dancers….you don’t have backup singers. If you have a hype man…cool…if you’re a duo…then be a duo on stage! Having more than 15 people on stage with you at one time equals disasters. Either the equipment gets damaged, everyone is yelling into mics, it distracts the actual artists from performing plus it’s a distraction to the crowd. If I payed $10 to see Jay Royale perform, why must I divide my attention back and forth between him and a drunk dude dougie’in across the stage? Hmmmmmm Anyway, Ill be looking forward to more of their music this summer.

    Now let’s talk about the man of the hour….MR GUMMO himself..Pinpoint plus the whole GHGH team. Now I will say this sidenote….if you have not seen the movie Gummo I strongly suggest you watch it…on a empty stomach though lol The movie is literally as random as random can get and holds no punches with these dirty (no literally dirty as in seeing dirt all over them) kids and their antics. But anyway, Pinpoints performance started and ended on a Gummo note. The random Gorrila and Devil Bunny masks, Gummo skits and all…I honestly enjoyed it. I am not going to get into much detail about the music due to the fact his mixtape review is right below this blog, and really dissects the project song by song. But I will say this…you are in for a for real treat. Talk about putting everything on the line with a beat behind it…smdh. But his performance definitely added to the hype as well. And last but not least…….my ninja is back! QG IS BACK AT IT! *does the happy dance* I think this is one comeback I’ve been waiting on. And believe me it was definitely worth it. Non-Groupie tip though….QG has been one of my favorite rappers for awhile now, and I am so sad to say that this was probably like my 3rd time seeing him perform live smdh. But I enjoyed it…..waiting on his project to drop….hopefully soon (side eye) . But all in the entire event was a huge success. I was definitely very happy and proud to be a sponsor of such a organized fun event. I look forward to a lot more GHGH events during the summer.



>>>SHAMELESS PLUG<<<

DON’T FORGET GHGH OPEN MIC NIGHT!!!!!!!

'Get Chose' by Starrz .......Heeee'ssss BBBaaaacccckkk!



So I just got a advance copy of Starrz new single "Get Chose" from his upcoming mixtape "Best Mixtape Ever". Ok, let me just give a breakdown for all you newbies who may not know about Starrz. I have been a long term fan of Starrz for the past year or two. Not only have I been able to see him perform multiple classics at some of my events, but I have also seen him grow over time. And I mean literally, he has grown as a artist within a good year's time. I remember going to multiple shows in Dundalk at The Black Hole Club (RIP) and seeing him perform...and not being blown  away let alone interested in anything that he had to rap about. But after  he found his lane and started to master it....you could tell in his writing and hear it in his beat selection as well as topics he would write about...that he was starting to drift away from being just a rapper, and starting to become a actual artist/entertainer. His previous release (Check the Blog labeled Flyin High w/Mr Snapback Shawty) was definitely on point. I can honestly say that this was his trademark stamped on the rap game. Each track defined him to the 'T'. This new single "Get Chose", I personally like. But is more typical Starrz now, than I would have liked. Dont get me wrong, the song is definitely  something that  would find its way on my playlist to bump headed to the club wit the girls, or a straight up house party cut. But after having the  Sky Jones 2 mixtape on repeat for the last couple of months....this track is real reminiscent of multiple tracks on the old mixtape. Its as if its was a lost track that might not have made it on the cut list. But I will say it is definitely a 'STARRZ TRACK' lol Catchy and humerus add libs, sick bassline, 808's knockin, in your face punchlines....its definitely all him. In a way, and I know all you clubheads will definitely agree, this is almost to good to be one of those joints that is just made for the strip club. SideNote: I hate when artist do that (petpeev#5459)....yea while chicks are shaking they moneymakers actually making money....YOUR NOT GETTING PAID FOR IT lol The strippers of Baltimore appreciate you smdh .. Anyways, I think this track is dope, but I am looking forwards to alot more diversity in style and beats on this next project as well as connectivity (IE how well all the songs link together or have the same correlation). As a still budding artist, you don't get many chances with your audience to completely do a 180 in the music you are putting out. But I think if done correctly, Starrz will have us all sitting there with our jaws hitting the floor off of how dope and sick the NEW Starrz is. Completely achieving all goals of becoming the ultimate entertainer.

'

DOWNLOAD THE NEW SINGLE "GET CHOSE" HERE 

>>> http://soundcloud.com/iamstarrz/starrz-get-chose-prod-ghost-da  <<<

CHECK OUT STARRZ ONLINE!

WEBSITES
http://iamstarrz.com

http://youtube.com/realrapstarrz

twitter.com/iamstarrz

Bookings or Media Inquires

STARRZMUSIC@GMAIL.COM

STARRZREALRAP@GMAIL.COM

DIRECT #: 2404063090

Flyin high w/ Mr. Snapback Shawty himself....and goin deep in thought w/ Mr Ty Gudda

It just seems like in the indie music game, you conform or you’re not relevant to the movement these days. Within the past couple of years more artists have switched their whole persona up just to “fit” into the cookie-cutter mold that corporate music America made for them. But, of course, there are those few solid individuals who step forward with the “This is me” attitude all while giving the finger to the industry. Within the past two weeks two artists, which I put into my own category I’d like to call “Ready to Blow and Go” (no homo) , have released the second coming of a long awaited mixtape/album series to the public. Mr. Snapback Shawty himself….TMG’s own…Ambassador of Swagg…Starrz and the intellectual…anapestic (score 2pts for using an old SAT word)…tell it like it is Ty Gudda. The Skyy Jones series as well as the Complex Mind series after being released was definitely accepted by many on the scene. Problem was…both artists at the time were making hot singles and still trying to find their grove/swag/mojo/niche whatever you want to call it in my eyes. But I will be brutally honest, with both of these projects; you can see that the short break both artists took really knocked them back into THEIR OWN music reality and not the one that everyone else followed. Don’t get what I am trying to say? Cool, keep on reading and I promise you will get it by the end of this review.

Starrz….what else can I say lol The word in itself describes this young talented ball of chaotic humorous energy, that somehow makes it cool to be sought after by the women, respected highly by majority of his peers and yet still poke fun at himself, his crew and their antics. The second installment of the Skyy Jones series, Skyy Jones 2, Starrz takes you on the magical journey of …well…umm…the life of Starrz aka Skyy Jones. From beer pong, house parties and drunk girl on girl on guy bathroom action With his college-like party anthems like ‘ Fun’ and ‘D.B.I.M.B (Drunk Bitches In My Bathroom). To soul bearing confessional style ballads of fame versus sacrifice and the stress of not knowing what’s next in his life and career in ‘Red Cup Addiction’. This mixtape is the ish! Well at least I personally feel as though out of the 21 tracks (including bonus tack ‘Rich Nigga Diet’) 19 of them are worth pressing that Loop/Repeat button on my iTouch. Yea, this is where Baltimores Kimora gets kinda honest. Ok, the track ‘ UUghhh’=hate it. This is the type of single where there is no grey area, ya hate it or love it flat out. Personally, I feel as though there are enough “Maybach Music” massacres floating around the DMV scene, if not lame remixes of ‘Tupac’s Back’ (substitute Tupac with your average rinky-dink non-meaningful rapper name) being posted on everyone’s Facebook page daily. Now I won’t say that lyrically it sucks, but concept-wise and beat-wise…you can have that back sir. Next single on my “Skip” list, ‘Froze’. Ok ok ok, cute concept, but you ever hear a song where the person who was featured was either way off with the pitch or just threw the song completely off, yea well play this song and tell me what you think. And the sad part about it is that the singer on the track actually sounds like if he was to sing another song he would be great! I just think this was a bad case of wrong singer, wrong song. The mixtape in a total: I personally would give it 8 out of 10. I love to see personal and artistic growth in these indie artists. And I really don’t think anyone has more of a testimony of growth than Starrz. From being that cookie cutter artist that never stood out in a crowd, to making the crowd rock with him. Starrz is definitely on the road to stardom and the only reason he isn’t looking back.

Hot Tracks to definitely bump:
• ‘Be the 1’-beat switch club banga of love in the club, Starrz style :)
• ‘Blake Griffin’-swag on the hardwood! Hot single, basketball metaphors flipped round to describe how awesome it is to be Starrz
• ‘Snapback Shawty’- the first single off of the mixtape; was the teaser to the mixtape that had everyone anxious; Hot Line: “…Gone check my fit/Jordan’s black and white/yea they match my bitch”
• ‘All the way G’-straight shittin on ‘em in this one; Hottest Line: “..I’m a fame giant/I do it big bitch/Lane Bryant/It was all a dream/livin like its juicy/die behind these bars/living like I’m bootsie..”

Mr. Gudda on the other hand is a completely different story. A different breed of rapper, Ty Gudda’s style isn’t the flamboyant, flashy, style-setting, money, cash and hoes music the average listener is use too. With every new Ty Gudda single or mixtape that is put out, its him exposing and bearing his soul even more. Whether it be a rags to riches story, true love where ya at? Song, missing a love one or just a letter of influence to his son, Gudda brings reality to the game like no other. His poetic styling’s is more of a refreshing then what you hear on the radio, its real life. Complex Mind Theory came at a great time in the indie music circle in Baltimore due to the fact that a lot of music right now is commercialized and ‘dumbed down’ for those summer time parties and club nights. You know what I mean. If it isn’t a ‘touch ya toes and gyrate’ or ‘bang bang shoot em up’ or ‘check shoe game nigga’ type song you do not get played on the airways or at any parties. But anyway, Complex Mind Therory 2 to me is just a smaller peak into the life and mind of Tyran Hill. The first installation of Complex Mind Theory (just like I said about Starrz) was only a mere skim across his thoughts, hopes and dreams…but it also showed that there was room for growth. Even though Ty wasn’t putting himself out there as the pimp daddy or tend setter, about a year or so ago his expression of his deep rooted thoughts were heard in certain songs as well as his published book of poems, but he wasn’t going in like he is now in Complex Mind Theory 2. Kind of like the quiet before the storm. I was on the fence of his last mixtape, Cupids Revenge, but I felt as though it lacked one thing…Tyran. The first track on Complex Mind Theory 2, Can I live, gives listeners that ole school feel not just with the oldies but goodies beat and production but his way of flowing. His way of putting everything on the forefront so there aren’t any surprises or so that listeners know of gp “this mixtape is all me, no filler music”. The next track that really stood out to me is LMAO. Now I heard this track way before the mixtape came out, but now ai get the really dissect it. The ultimate pimp slap to the cyber thug. Granted there are a lot of point that Gudda makes in the song…..addressing the cyber beefing and the ‘gangsta by association’ punks….female groupies on his jock…and trashing talking about his team. I honestly like the song, this is almost like the FB anthem. Lol (opps I mean LMAO ) The other song that I personally took to is Addict. Jesus, we have all had that first love that you just could not get enough of even after the break-up. SMDH takes me back. But just the honesty about his heartache and recovery from this “addictive” female is a relatable track amongst all ages and genders. There isn’t any way you cannot relate to this song. All in all, Complex Mid Theory 2 gets a 9 out of 10. I love the fact that Gudda is starting to put his true thoughts and experiences out there through his music. All while giving listeners a more than just a catch phrase, bangin 808 sounds or new off the chain dance.

Hottest Tracks to Bump:
Jus Landed
4 by 4
Personality
She Keeps passing me Bye

Royce da 5’9 comes to Bmore Review/ Sink or Swim…the telltale story of the Baltimore Music scene

September 6, 2011- Baltimore, Maryland Straight off of a month break from the music scene…WHAT IT IZ HIP HOP WORLD! Yea, the queen is back..and I got a lot on my chest to basically get off to all of my indie hip hop family, friends, associates and business partners. Well like I said before, I did take a good month or two off from the music world to better my business and expand (oh yea, to those of yall that don’t know what EXPAND means outside of the music world, I suggest getting a Webster’s dictionary and looking it up) the PUR ENT name. Not to mention take care of family. But upon my return, I took some time out and went to my first show in months this past Friday night at Sonar. I will be quite honest with you all, I mean yall like it when I keep it 100…Royce da 5’9..didn’t know him or his music that well, but after this show…I am definitely a fan. So I headed down to the show with my usual music fam, pumped that firstly that some of my favorite people were performing (Lenwood, Savage da Beast, Skarr Akbarr and Grad Dai) and that I got to see people I haven’t SEEN in a minute, but have been hearing a lot about via social networks and out of state contacts. Now I will be blunt, honest and up front about a lot that went on Friday and my personal gripes about what the future may hold.

Now let’s start off with Grad Dai, granted I was definitely a lil late to the event (dammit it takes a min to holster and perfect all this beauty for an outing lol), but I did catch the end of their set. I will say this…for a live band these dudes, definitely KICK MAJOR ASS! Live instruments, off the chain song themes, and the stage presence is crazy! I mean I remember seeing these guys perform at a Baltimore Scene event down at the 5 seasons about a year ago and I was blown away. I have seen many a live band try to cover rap songs or put their own little spin to catchy tunes that come out like trash, but I must give Grad Dai their props. The only thing I hope and pray is that they don’t get caught into the “same ole, same ole” like a lot of the hip hop and r&b artists of the DMV tend to fall into. Same ole venue, same ole shows, same ole stage routine (back and forth with no energy) and same ole songs. Luckily, these dudes are fairly new and have great management that have already put them out there so that being trapped inside “the circle of music career death” isn’t even feasible. But hey, who knows….but I do wish them the best.

Next, the incomparable, unstoppable, pop-up everywhere, #TruthMovement pushin Lenwood and the lyrical beast himself Savage. First off, let me start from the beginning….Imma take it back….waaaayyyy back…til about 2007/2008 when I first came back onto the scene solo-dolo with Pur Entertainment. Now for those of you that know me, Steel Bars Entertainment was my first business adventure…unfortunately not everyone is made to be a business partner…so after a little restructuring and brainstorming Pur Entertainment came out. Now the Heavy Hitters tour started with Steel Bars, but damn sure didn’t end with Steel Bars. And one of our first music prodigies were Mr.20’s of that Huh himself and Mr. All Black Tints (which both have to be 2 of my favorite songs and have been ringtones on about 8 phones since I first heard em #TrueFan). Twelve shows and 5 years later…these two are part of the Heavy Hitters retired Veterans community with Pur Entertainment and still continuously support Pur Entertainment. For that, there is no words that can describe how thankful I am. But back to the point, the performance. SMDH. I tell ya, I have seen Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nicki Minij, even Nsync (ssshhhhh that was back in my Mercy High school days lol)..and I have seen people go nuts and get over the top excited for a performance. But not in an indie show setting. Every show these two do, either separate or together, it’s a freakin adrenaline rush…and IM NOT EVEN ON THE STAGE PERFORMING! So at this show Savage was holding down Lenwood on the hype man tip, but between the free giveaways (#TruthMovement bracelets, t-shirts etc.) it felt like I was down at the arena. I just think that the energy that both artist give off during their performances is magical, and something that you don’t see too often in the DMV scene. All in all superb performance boys!

On to the next one…Mr. Akbar….smdh..hmm what can I say about this dude right here. Don’t get me wrong…Pursuit of Happiness was my ish….’Ventilation’ was one of my favorite singles…and hell dude can definitely do his thing on the graphics tip. His performance Friday, I was into it. I just wish that the energy I see on his theatrical videos was the same way on stage. I remember the iVote concert earlier this year down at Bourbon street, JESUS! That whole 20 minute or so set was bumpin. I mean literally…there were chics willing to throw their panties at him. Not to mention I seen multiple “mopies” (male groupies) boopin their heads, singing along and going off. Now that was the last time I actually seen Mr. Akbarr perform, but in comparison to that performance and Friday’s….I don’t know if he was preoccupied or not…but out of 10 dude gets a good 71/2 . Still good, just not all the way there. But hell, there is always room for improvement, still a fan, still good music.

Out of everything that went on that night, all the performances and all…I would say it was a pretty good night. But the next day, I honestly had a good couple of hours to myself where I thought about my years in this industry, music I’ve heard, and people I’ve met. I had a long conversation with the boyfriend while listening to an oldie but goodie “Real Rap” (s/o to Starrz and Only) and he asked me “If you made it big in the music industry, and you could take certain artists who would you take and why? Who would have the longevity?” SMDH Now, contrary to what a lot of people think, I don’t play favorites. I go off of original god given talent, history and consistency. There are multiple artists that have had their 15mins of fame that they fucked up but should be given that extra minute to show and prove. There are artists that haven’t been given the chance ever. There are new artists that are so lost that they would even know if it’s their time or not. And there are artists that have their heads so far up their ass that they wouldn’t know up from down. I will be the first one to say it and mean it….THERE ARE NO ABSOLUTLY NO COMPLETE PACKAGE ARTISTS IN THE BALTIMORE AREA AS OF YET! Yea, I said it. Either you’re a hot artist who makes great music, looks good, has a following, has support…but can’t perform for your life. You put on a great show with your 5 hit singles and your mixtape or album is garbage. You don’t know how to market yourself right. Your management is just as lost as you. Or you think you’re the next Biggie, 2pac, Jay-z or Nas…and your more on the Lil B/Short Bus Shawty/Chocolate Drop/50 tyson side of rapping skills. Something that everyone has to learn is that no matter how “talented” or “experienced” you are…there is always room for improvement. No matter if its personal life or business. It took me a complete fail with one business to find my niche and ride it out and get where I am today. I literally call the scene the “circle of death” because that is what it has become due to a lot of different factors. Yes men/women, lying, stealing, lack of business skills, not asking for help, shady business deals, no correct promoting or marketing , egos and no self confidence is killing each and every one of the participating artists careers. Let me pose this question…out of everyone that has made it out of Baltimore (just Baltimore)..who has really “made it” out of the circle? You can’t include Mario because he was never at a Hip Hop 101 or Sonar event. Can’t include Dru Hill, they never killed a Heavy Hitters show. Out of the little circle of artists performing for artists and selling to artists who represent other artists who make beats for their artists but sell their merchandise to other artists….who has really made it…AND STAYED ON? Don’t worry I’ll wait. How many artists have toured outside of the DMV? On the west coast? Outside of the country? I’m not talking the Carolinas or Florida either. I’m talking you performed in Cali, Washington State, Texas at a show as big as Sonar or Rams Head? Hell who has performed at Rams head? And if you have please send me proof to purentertainment1@gmail.com . Not a lot of hands are raised I see. The point I am trying to make is this, until a lot of good artists that may be the shit to everyone…may not be the shit to someone from out of town, a AR from a record label, MTV, BET or even VH1.Alot of these new artists need to ditch the egos and learn from the artists that have been through some stuff. A lot of vets need to step back up to the plate and show ‘em how it’s done. Not to mention, some of the vets I’m personally waitin to show and prove again…push for that 2nd chance and kill it this time. It may be hard to get a record deal or distribution deal…yes…but think about the worse situation that you were ever in…and how you made it through it. If you can do that, I personally know you can become a superstar.

But I replied to him…I need to see some comebacks of some vets and I need these rookies to step up and get the foot in the door. I mean lets be real…lets look at Starrz…granted it just came out over the weekend (download the new mixtape Skyy Jones 2 at http://iamstarrz.com) , but I am still waiting to see him kill another stage again! Last heavy hitters he murdered I lost my damn voice screaming “Nasty Sick Disgusting ILL!”. I’m still looking for Mr. Michael Wayne to finally make a huge comeback! Where is B.O.M.B.? Backland? Hunnit Proof? Kanye Mayfield? Where is that punk that I love to beat up on called Only? I’ll even take it back to my first show….where is MLC? T-fitted? Miss Cream? Miss Stress? Where is the mighty and all powerful Rockwell? To be honest I would like to see some of these CEO’s make some comeback too? How bout it Ogun? Me and my daughter ran around all last year singing “All I see everybody wanna be a star….” What’s the follow-up because we are all waiting. Sonny Brown? Doc Dollaz? I mean what’s really good, the game needed all of you all back then…why not give ‘em what they want? Yea, you might have put out a lil single here and there…but what happened to the mega release parties, flooding fb and twitter, posters everywhere around town, the random texts at 3am from promoters blasting your next show? I look at artists that have only been out for a year at best killing it on the promotions and pushing projects. I get the whole “work in progress” spiel…that’s fine. But if it’s been almost a year or two since your last hit…unless you plan on making a comeback like Nelly, Busta Rymes , Mase or Lil Kim where this shit is about to be over the top and the most talked about single or album….your fans need a teaser or need to know yall still love them!

In conclusion, I support a lot of artists (even ones that I did not mention) so don’t take offense if your name didn’t pop up. But in the end, there are a lot of people that are making moves for you all that you don’t even know about. But it is up to you all to make the right moves to get noticed by people other than your peers and other artists. Don’t you want Baltimore to get on the talent map? Get it together first Get your business, team and supporters in order first..give your hometown a reason to WANT TO SUPPORT YOU.. then look outward for support.. It’s like my grandfather use to say before he passed, ‘…get your home in order before you ever venture out into this world. Because when the world turns its back on you, you will always have the security of your home to rebuild in. Because without support from your foundation, you’re sure to fall apart.’

Know Your Lane (part 1)

Hip Hop was born in the 1970s in New York City. It was founded on the 4 Pillars of the culture, DJing, Mcing, b-boying, and graffiti artist. This was outlined by one of the pioneers Afrika Bambaataa. He also added another element, beatboxing.


The DJ first emerged with disc jockeys creating rhythmic beats by looping breaks (small portions of songs emphasizing a percussive pattern) on two turntables, more commonly referred to as sampling. The DJ got the party started, and kept the energy of the crowd up. Kool DJ Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Grandmaster Caz were early pioneers of Hip Hop Djing.


The MC raps or just rhymes. This refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics with a strong rhythmic accompaniment".The art of rhyming can be broken down into different components, such as “content”, “flow” and “delivery”. Rapping is distinct from spoken word poetry in that is it performed in time to the beat of the music. The use of the word "rap" to describe quick and slangy speech actually precedes what we know as Hip Hop. Some early MCs were Melle Mel, and Busy B.


The relationship between graffiti and hip hop culture arises both from early graffiti artists practicing other aspects of hip hop, and its being practiced in areas where other elements of hip hop were evolving as art forms. Graffiti is recognized as a visual expression of rap music. Some early pioneers of graffiti in the 1970s include Crash, Blade, Zephyr, and Lady Pink.


Breaking, also called B-boying or breakdancing, is a dynamic style of dance which developed as part of the hip hop culture.Breaking began to take form in the South Bronx alongside the other elements of hip hop. The term "B-boy" originated from the dancers at DJ Kool Herc's parties, who saved their best dance moves for the break section of the song, getting in front of the audience to dance in a distinctive style. DJ Kool Herc described the "B" in B-boy as short for breaking which at the time was slang for "going off".Early acts include the Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers.


Beatboxing, popularized by Doug E. Fresh is the vocal percussion of hip hop culture. It is the art of creating beats, rhythms, and melodies using the human mouth.The term beatboxing is derived from the mimicing of first generation of drum machines, then known as beatboxes. It can be categorized under the production element of hip hop, though it does sometimes include a type of rapping intersected with the human-created beat. The practice was included in hip hop in the early days by Doug E Fresh, the Fat Boys, and then Biz Markie. Although it has lost its significance in the culture, it is still a showstopper when someone as good as Rahzel, formerly of the Roots, gives a performance.


As time has passed the original Pillars have been abandoned. Djs have turned into MCs, MCs try to be their own DJs and B-boys. Instead of focusing and becoming great at a Pillar, most are now just stuck being mediocore at 2 or 3 of them. Today you can include the Djs and Mcs wearing hats such as CEO, model, etc. It makes it hard to succeed in what they originally set out to do for the love of hip hop. We have a chance to bring it back and become great at our individual talents and combine to become a force in the community and music. So ask yourself, Whats Your Lane??

Stay Tuned to PUR Entertainment

Kanye Shows How to "Runaway" From Conventional Hip Hop Videos

"Creativity- like human life itself- begins in darkness." - Julia Cameron

Kanye West has been through alot in the past 2 years. The loss of his mother, being ostrocised in court of public opinion. I agreed with him, Beyonce did have a better video. The backlash for the "Taylor Swift Interruption" was due to his skin color and what he represented.

A young, black, cocky, creative, dickhead. He is a great artist, producer, and somewhat fashion icon. Although I wouldnt be caught dead in skinny jeans, and everytime I see a dude in them I believe he is going to start "Jerkin" at any minute.

Anyway, while getting ready to go out one night I noticed his new full length mini movie "Runaway". So I planned to watch a few minutes while preserving my sexy (thanks Diddy), and catch the rest when i got back home. 35 minutes later i was calling a friend to tell them to watch this video. I love this video. One thing about Kanye, he is not afraid to go left field with his ideas. Kanye directed this piece that was written by acclaimed hip hop director Hype Williams. Now let me be clear about this I dont entertain all that illuminati talk.Its dumb because the organization does not exist and control the world. And if they did, why would they worship the devil? Anytime a black male becomes successful or reaches new heights in fame, its some secret organization behind it. Satan this and satan that, get over it.

Sometimes I give it a second thought......

Back to what I was saying, the video is beautiful visually. Kanye and Selita Ebanks are horrible thespians, but it kind of adds to the video. The Phoenix falling down to earth and having to find her way back is symbolic of how Kanye views himself. She is told she shouldnt burn and return to her world, but she refuses to allow herself to be held down from being what she is. He even tells her he wont let her burn, that he will keep her from going back to her world. But just like us men, he falls asleep after a hot woman puts it on him and she steals off and burns anyway. Which reminds me, Kanye get checked bruh! Each song in this mini movie sounds like the Kanye is growing even more as an artist. Standouts are plenty, including "Devil in a New Dress", "All of the Lights", and the titular "Runaway". Kanye is a one of a kind hip hop artist. This mini movie and even just the video for the song "Runaway" is refreshing and beautiful. If you cant appreciate the grace and skill of the dancers in the video i suggest you open your eyes.




Artist you do not have to have gyrating, humping strippers in your videos. You do not have to drive around in a rented car, and aim at the camera with your trigger finger. Lets get more creativity and less ignorant imagery. I understand you may have a low budget, but think outside the box. But then again if your song is called "Booty Booty Everywhere", then i guess you cant think too far outside the box.

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