As I’m sure some of you know, we’ve been working on putting a mixtape together featuring some of the artists that we’ve dealt with since our start. That being said, after some hard work on the artists’ parts and a little of our own we present the ReviewSTACKS Official Mixtape: a 9 track EP featuring: Submit, J. Nolan, Mac Tha Knife, DK aka Wayne Watts, Random, A.K.A., D. Julien, 810, E.A.R.T.H. Crew, GodChaserz, San Diego-based rapper SomeOne, and featuring production from Kid Konnect and RoTone of E.A.R.T.H. Crew. Get those headphones on and enjoy. Be sure to leave us some feedback on how the tape sounds.
I got a chance to talk with Milk aka the “super-easy mightiest MC” of the legendary hip-hop duo, Audio Two. He and I discussed what he’s currently doing with First Priority Records, his roster of new acts, how the game has changed since he initially, came onto the scene, who he’s listening to, and his take on Charles Hamilton’s behavior of late.
Take a few minutes out of your day and listen to the words of a hip-hop legend.
Today we are looking at Forever Young: a 8-song project by up and coming rapper out of Atlanta, Ga. He goes by the name of Draft and he sat down with us to answer some questions and give us his own take on each of his songs.
RS: What brought you into the rap game?
Draft: Since I can remember I’ve always been interested in music. I remember being 4 or 5 dancing to Kool Mo Dee. I just always felt like I wanted to be heard. Add that with a love of music…an emcee is born.
RS: What aspect of the music do you enjoy most? Do you prefer writing, recording, or performing?
Draft: I love the writing aspect of music. When you write that hot song, [there's] no better feeling [than] when you see everybody react.
RS: ATL is full of people trying to break into this game, what does it take to stand out in Atlanta?
Draft: I think it takes individuality. [What is out there now] is so much of the same thing.
RS: Have you found the hip-hop world to be more collaborative or competitive?
Draft: I mean, its a little of both. I’ve collabed with a few people…but at the same time it is a business.
Today’s hip-hop landscape looks a lot like the lunchroom at an urban high school. What began as one thing, has grown into another, much bigger, more fractured thing altogether. While the casual observer might look at the rap genre as one thing, the more dedicated listener will note the distinct sub-categories that the music has to offer. Each category, while separate, will contain a bit of overlap for two reasons. First, each artist is influenced by the art of their contemporaries and predecessors. Secondly, what makes the product that each artist creates palatable for large audiences are the cords of similarity within the biographies of the entertainers and their fans. These shared experiences, stories, and viewpoints are the intangible elements that create the culture of hip-hop.
Here are the categories and their most notable figures:
We here at ReviewSTACKS always take an interest in the artists that we cultivate relationships with through our reviews and dealings. I got a follow up email from a contact pointing us in the direction of YouTube because there were some new videos up from the gentlemen from GodChaserz. Good to see they’re bringing what seems to be an Usher Raymond-inspired take to the J-E-S-U-S rap demographic. If only God was so cool back when I was at church camp. Someone make an appeal to T-Pain, I want him in one of these.
It’s Friday, which means the RS team is gearing up for next week. That being said we want to give you all a treat for the weekend. This is a clip of the always-looking-for-trouble Chuck Ham going in against Serius Jones in a freestyle battle. The young pup has some great lines but the strong delivery of a seasoned battle rapper like Jones absolutely slays Mr. Pink in the end.
Today we are looking at Forever Young: a 8-song project by up and coming rapper out of Atlanta, Ga. He goes by the name of Draft and he sat down with us to answer some questions and give us his own take on each of his songs.
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