Fashawn’s Exile-produced ode to his daughter Hannah get the visual treatment off of his critically acclaimed album The Ecology.
“The video brings the song to life in an organic and beautiful way. There isn’t enough positive images of young black men out there being fathers to their kids to begin with, especially in rap videos. I believe it’s a break from the norm and a side of me of that my audience doesn’t get to see everyday.”
Tune in to “The Boiler Room” in the YouTube video above at 5pm EST (2pm PST) for a special DJ set courtesy of the one and only DJ Premier.
We continue on our global Stay True Journey with Ballantine’s Scotch Whisky in Moscow, Russia, where we’ll be diving into the world of instrumental hip-hop as we showcase the rise of the local beats scene. Joining us on the trip is a fine selection of US artists who will be representing a movement born half a world away that helped inspire Russia’s own interpretation of the beat-led hip hop.
Back in 2013, Nas signed on to executive produce the documentary on hip hop’s global influence titled “Shake the Dust.” Director Adam Sjöberg chronicles the stories of rappers, DJs, and b-boys across Uganda, Yemen, Colombia and Cambodia. The 85-minute documentary is narrated by Ugandan b-boy Karim as he takes us through hip hop’s powerful influence across the world.
“What these kids are doing around the world reminds me why I fell in love with hip-hop and how important it is as a creative and constructive outlet,” Nas previously said about the project. “After hearing Adam’s vision for this project and hearing the stories, I was incredibly excited to help bring the film to global audiences who need to hear this surprising message of empowerment.”
The documentary is now available on Vimeo on Demand and will begin a limited theatrical rollout in on American soil starting on May 15 at the TCL Chinese Theater in Los Angeles. Check out the trailer and below are the dates and locations for the theatrical run.
5/15-5/21 – TCL Chinese Theater, Hollywood CA
5/23 – 5/2 – Clinton Street Theater 2522 SE Clinton St Portland OR
6/11 & 6/14 – Film Bar Phoenix AZ Theatrical
6/18 Only – SIFF Film Center 305 Harrison St. Seattle WA
7/18 Only – Julydoscope Houston TX
The legendary DJ Premier has been tabbed to be the music producer for VH1’s original film about the Hip Hop business in New York City during the early 1990s titled “The Breaks.”
Based on Dan Charnas’ nonfiction book “The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip Hop,” the movie will follow a trio of friends from different backgrounds as they attempt to enter the rap game just as the culture was moving from fad to becoming the pop music mainstream art form that it is today.
The news was first reported on Deadline and highlights the significance of having DJ Premier involved.
Given the setting, which happens to mark the middle point of the golden age of hip hop, the rise of Gangsta Rap, and the height of New Jack Swing, DJ Premier’s involvement is a huge advantage. In addition to his work with Gang Starr, Premier has been involved with some of the most influential and successful rap and R&B albums of all time, including works by Compton’s Most Wanted, Nas, D’angelo, The Notorious B.I.G., and Jay-Z.
The film plans to be a potential jumping off point for a full TV series in the near future. Filming begins in June with an expected release later this year.
Dave East pays homage to the Yonkers trio with the appropriately titled “L.O.X. (Living Off Xperience).
Bodega Bamz, with Erick Sermon looking on, blesses Sway In The Morning with a freestyle. The Tan Boy’s Sidewalk Exec album is available now on iTunes.
The Liks and Kurupt bring a little West Coast flavor to Diamond D’s We Are The People Of The World. Off of The Diam Piece, which you can pick up on iTunes.
Lord have mercy. Nasty Nas pops in for a couple of words on a track that will not be making De La Soul’s Kickstarter funded album. If this is an appetizer, we can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeve with this album.
Sticky Fingaz and Fredro Starr are out to remind everyone who Onyx is with “Against All Authorities” off the upcoming EP of the same name.
Producer MoSS hires the lyricism of AZ and Joe Budden with some added ad libs from DJ Premier for “Started” off of the upcoming album of the same name.