I do no frequent the ever popular WorldStarHipHop.com but I do know plenty of people who use the site as their means of receiving all their news, from the lastest fight at some random location to teacher scandals to music.  The one time I did type in the url, I felt as though my IQ was dropping with each second.  But, to the site’s credit, it receives a lot of traffic and is a decent source for the latest videos and performance clips from some notable names in Hip Hop and R&B.  But out this post from RefinedHype.com.  Got some interest points on why WSHH might not be your best bet when trying to make a name for yourself and your music…

Here’s a great artist to add to your playlist….he’s a know unknown with impeccable talent and clout!  Theophilus London II, a Trinidad born and New York breed artist has been on the scene for years and is quite popular internationally.  He debut EP Lovers Holiday released earlier this year on Warner Bros. Records is merely the icing on the cake, a multi-tier cake at that!  This dued has been selling out shows long before he earned a spot on the Warner Bros. roster.  On his most recent album Timez are Weird These Days, he’s created an album were he boldly goes beyond the normal artistic boundaries and talks about the current state of the Hip Hop culture.  His sound, deliver and character as an artist is like a musical salad.  He dishes up a dash of pop, a heap of R&B, a scoop of soul and a drizzle of electro, dishing up one helluva story! 


Theophilus London is definitely an idol with his acclaimed fame but he still has his own idol’s that he admires.  Kanye West being one of them, which he met at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.  When he’s not checking out major indie films you can find him performing at events like the Montreal International Jazz Festival in Canada or the Northside Festival in Brooklyn, NY.  He’s definitely making an impression in the music industry so, hop on the band wagon check him out!

So today is Broken Record artist Niko Villamor’s birthday. In honor of his birthday, he has released his newest album Inertia. Click the pic to download your copy today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIKO!!! :) 

(Via AleonCraft.com) Mothership: The Decatur Connection is a collaborative project between funk legend, George Clinton, and creative, hip-hop/funk artist, Aleon Craft. Mothership: The Decatur Connection is a musical creation consisting of elements from: Aleon Craft’s Mothership Decatur, The Parliament’s catalog – including, Mothership Connection – and original recordings from both Aleon Craft and George Clinton. Paul Forrest, SMKA-affiliate, is the chief producer behind Mothership: The Decatur Connection and was tasked with taking all of the pieces from Craft and Clinton and creating something unique that reflected their style and vision. Mothership: The Decatur Connection is an exciting mash-up project combining two very different artists, both with an exceptional creative process. The project is presented by SMKA & Funkprobosci.com and is scheduled to be released in 2011.

“P-Funk was basically just a giant collective of musicians with rotating membership, so this project feels perfectly natural to me,” say Paul Forrest. “It’s like Craft has just gone back in time and linked up with George, and company, on the Mothership Connection to make a sick album. There are times when the Mothership Decatur choruses’ sounds so much like P-Funk vocals that I’d forget I was listening to a mashup.”

Aleon Craft has always been captivated with, and heavily influenced by, George Clinton & Parliament. Craft and Clinton first meet in 2005 during a time when Aleon Craft was better known as Big Marc of Da Backwudz. Clinton recorded a verse on Wood Work, the southern duo’s debut album released by Dallas Austin’s Rawdy Records. “I was raised, respecting the funk, the whole funk, nothing but the funk,” Craft says. “So it was only right that the Funk Gods aligned me and George, again, to create this project. The funk is still alive, and we will never let it die…”

Craft’s 2011 project, Mothership Decatur, paid homage to Parliament’s 1967 release, Mothership Connection, fusing southern hip-hop and funk into his own brand of music called, Solar-Hop. After reaching out to Clinton, and explaining his desire to create a mashup project between Mothership Decatur & Mothership Connection, Aleon Craft learned more about the long history of legal battles involving copyright infringement and publishing embezzlement that George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic have relentlessly fought throughout the year. P-Funk, one of the most sampled groups in history, has amazingly lost most of the profits generated from sampling due to copyright (sample) trolls and questionable legal representatives. After discussing the project in more detail both artists felt that this would be a perfect opportunity to create a unique project, and possibly help P-Funk and hundreds of other funk artists in their constant fight with copyright infringement.

George Clinton is currently engaged in major court cases that could critically impact the future of copyright laws for the entire music industry, as well as motion pictures and related media.

The A3C Festival is the biggest hip hop festival in the Southeast held every year in Atlanta, GA. The best in underground indie hip hop showcase their skills in front of thousands of adoring fans! This year the A3C Fest lineup is AMAZING!!! BR artists BIGREC, Skewby, Re, Young Scolla, Aleon Craft, and Grip Plyaz set to perform as well as many recognizable acts. Cory Guns, Pill, Ying Yang Twins, BIG K.R.I.T. and not to mention Big Daddy Kane is coming to show everyone where hip hop started from. For updates on this and more BR info, check us out on Twitter or on Facebook.

For more info and ticket info, please visit www.a3cfestival.com.

Atlanta has its far share of music, art, and fashion festivals and events thorughout the year, from major productions to smaller scale initiatives.  But few can combine genre benders with creative innovators and forward thinkers like YUME Fest.  This cultural renaissance began in Tokyo and NYC last year, but the movement itself has been a live for 6 years. 

This year marks the first time it is coming to ATL with a roster of performers sure to please.  TBR’s own Niko Villamor, Ethereal, Ghost Party, DJs Teknology, Sugar Ray, and Silent Intelligent will be in the place.  Merch and art will be available from Chilly-O, Paper Frank, and ConspireATL(to name a few).  It all goes down September 10 at Apache Cafe on 3rd St.  Tix are only $10 and the night will be hosted by Jayda B and #Dent Radio.  The TBR Chicks will be in attendance so see ya there!

More Info: Click any and all links.  For the latest updates, subscribe to #Dent Radio or the FB page.

Bosco has finally returned with a new project!  Released yesterday (8.17.2011), Pacer is a 6 track EP produced by Dogbite, a member of the band Washed Out.

The album tells the journey from Atlanta to California in a 1978 Teal Pacer thats translated through soundcapes, ambient, textured vocals and melodic instrumentation. During this voyage the two will experience their fate through life, love, lust, and desire. Though Dog Bite produced majority of the EP, Ira G produced two tracks. Pacer includes Bosco flipbook with videos, exclusive baby video, and music.

Click on the picture or go to boscopacer.com to download the EP.  The download also comes with access to 4 videos.  Enjoy!   

RA the MC

When I first saw this chick perform, it was like seeing’96 Lauryn Hill in concert with The Fugees! She had the demeanor of a hungry lioness about to pounce on her prey. Her swag, her flow, and her style (equipped with the old school fanny pack) was enough to captivate the whole audience at the A3C Fest in Atlanta. I’ve been following her on Twitter ever since just to get a glimpse into her world as an artist. Not only is she cool to watch on stage but seeing her new songs and videos has been amazing. Of course, I could be only talkin’ bout RA the MC.

This DMV native is emerging as the next big female artist in the rap game. RA’s goal is to bring something fresh and new to the music scene that will completely change mainstream music. She is already on her way after having already shared the stage with hip hop pioneers Kurtis Blow and Afrika Bambaataa. Currently, she is one of the emerging artists in Sprite’s 1^st multinational integrated marketing campaign, Spark. Not to mention that she managed to release her mixtape, Trending Topics, right after having a horrific car accident that left her jaw wired shut. Now she just sticks with braces as her music’s saving grace. RA released her highly acclaimed Heart of a Champion last year and followed early 2011 with Victory Lap.

With all the flack that female MCs have been getting ever since they entered the rap scene, RA the MC is still blazing forward and in a way you gotta respect. Female MCs like the Nicki Minajs, Lil’ Kims, and Foxy Browns are cool but they will never be anything like the Queen Latifahs, MC Lytes, and Lauryn Hills. RA completely understands this concept is bridging the gap between the lyrical vs. the simply sexy female rhyme spittas. The Broken Record will be here to capture all of her rap star glory…so stay tuned.  

Put On Repeat: Victory Lap (featured video), Hate Me Now, Window Seat, Told You So, Sky’s the Limit

Download: http://rathemc.bandcamp.com

Check Out: www.twitter.com/RAtheMC, www.studio43.com, http://www.beatsandbombs.com/tag/ra-the-mc/

Young Scolla

The current state of the music industry is unfortunate to say the least.  However independent artist and the under ground music movement has never been better.  Innovative concepts and strategies are continuously being utilized for artist to capitalize on and build a bigger brand.  And SMKA, an Atlanta based music production/branding company, is doing just that!

Their current project, Young Scolla meets SMKA, is getting a lot of buzz.  They are using crowd funds to create the artist, Young Scolla, album.  This project launched barely a month ago and they’ve already reached 75% of their goal.  The most interesting points in this project are 1) the artist is getting impeccable cross marketing in this joint venture 2) funding by fans/supporters creating a wider and solid fan base 3) independently growing a brand with no major label backing. Those three reasons alone should motivate independent artist to think outside the box pertaining to handling your business.  Network and build solid relationships, Young Scolla is from Memphis, TN.  But he lives in Detroit, MI. Yet, here he is making paramount moves with like so with SMKA in Atlanta, GA.  But most importantly remember, it’s not a one man show.  So many artists think they can do it alone, and they can.  However, joint ventures have numerous benefits when you linked in with the right people.  

<!—[endif]—>

 You to can become a fan, follower, supporter and backer of Young Scolla by checking out http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1114306332/album-young-scolla-meets-smka

There are several pledge options available, just remember to choose one before you leave the website J

 To learn more about SMKA check out http://thesmkaexperience.com/

Ok so check this out….I just finished listening to Naira and I had to share my findings with you all.  At the first listen, you’ll conjure up mass comparisons when hearing her voice.  When you’re done deciding, you settle on the best option….Lil Mo’ with a Badu jazzy delivery.  Naira is definitely a rare coin, double sided indeed.  Side one, The Singer, soft warm illuminating jazzy vocals.  The flip side, The Rapper, lyrically conscious thought provoking rhymes.  The native Nigerian now ATLien has performed in many countries sharing her eclectic sound.  Take a ear to these songs: 

Nickels, Dimes & Pennies…. has an aggressive cocky female thing going on this track.

Hey Love…..she show’s her soft side as she carries soft notes singing of love

Where can you find her…..

Twitter:  @IamNAIRA

Bandcamp:   http://naira.bandcamp.com/