Saturday, January 31, 2009

Featured Artist Of The Month:Brother Ali

I got put onto Brother Ali when I was listening to XM radio prolly a year or 2 ago then after that I googled him and bought his album "The Undisputed Truth" and bumped it for 3 months straight prolly. To this day I still listen to it.






Brother Ali has no reservations in saying that he’s “trying to be one of the greatest of all time” (on the Molemen track “Life Sentence”). Inspired by golden era legends like KRS-One and Rakim, this undisputed Master of Ceremony began rapping as a means of survival.

Growing up albino (colorless hair, skin and eyes, poor vision, and extreme sensitivity to the sun) in a world of cruel kids made it strikingly obvious to Ali that he needed a high-powered way to earn some respect and prestige among his peers. As a result, every since elementary school he hasn’t slowed down with his lyrical grind. In his rare moments of silence these days, if you catch his eyes, you’ll notice that this Minneapolis denizen is rapping in his head. For Ali, hip-hop doesn’t stop when he exits the studio or stage.

Around the turn of the millennium, Rhymesayers Entertainment couldn’t overlook Ali’s talent and drive when he submitted his self-produced demo, Rites of Passage. This rare, cassette-only effort features collections of rhymes, poems, and stories that he wove into his live sets. Its release help make him a welcome member of the RSE family alongside Atmosphere, Musab, and Eyedea and Abilities.

Before returning to the lab, Ali kicked his way onto the battle circuit and even wound up facing off with fellow RSE rep Eyedea at the 2000 Scribble Jam festival in Cincinnati. Ali beat battle champ Eyedea, but didn’t take home the trophy. Nonetheless, the MC collected his props and headed back to the Twin Cities, ready to record his official debut, Shadows On The Sun.

By no means a mixtape act, Ali focuses his energies on making complete records that will stand the test of time. This became clear on Shadows, the album that left critics and hip-hop kids alike stunned. As the Village Voice raved, “When Ali raps…I can't do anything but sit and stare at my stereo, engrossed by the raw emotion and tricky wordplay.” Released in the spring of 2003, this breakout effort produced by ANT of Atmosphere saw Ali present himself as a “modern urban Normal Rockwell” who’s a “cross between John Gotti and Mahatma Gandhi.” Indeed, Ali painted vivid portraits of inner city plight on the fiery single “Room With A View” and showed the world that you can stand your ground without always resorting to violence on the uplifting track, “Win Some Lose Some”.

Since the release of Shadows, Ali has become just as revered for his performances, in which the MC takes audiences through heavy passionate ballads to high-energy crescendos and back. Among his 500-plus shows, Ali has shared stages with the likes of Atmosphere, Brand Nubian, Rakim, MF Doom, and Murs throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. And he hasn’t been limited to playing clubs and concert halls as he has participated in renowned music festivals like Coachella, Sweden’s Hultsfred and the Eurokeenes Festival in France.

During down time from touring, Ali returned to the studio with ANT to build off the chemistry sparked on Shadows to craft the Champion EP. While brief, this mini-album is an expansive effort that sees Ali express himself through everything from classic braggadocio (“Bad Ma Fucka”) to poignant societal examinations (“Chain Link”).

Following the release of Champion in the spring of 2004, Ali ran into a number of roadblocks that halted his usually steady recording process. This included him parting ways with his wife, being homeless, and trying to secure custody of his son. Armed with a wave of stories to share, Ali recorded The Undisputed Truth, once again with ANT in his corner. Due out Spring 2007 on Rhymesayers, Ali’s second full-length sees him dig deeper into his life experiences (“Walking Away”) and political views (“Uncle Sam Goddamn”) than ever before.

“I wanted to make an album that gives you no choice but to feel what I’m feeling at the time,” Ali explains of The Undisputed Truth. “I made choices that sent me through a lot of struggle in the past few years and ANT and I have made music that really communicates the exact feeling of those situations.”

As he ponders, “How does it feel to have to walk away from a ten-year marriage with a child? You got a six-year-old boy and he’s your life. How does it feel to look him in the eye and explain to him that you’re breaking up his home? The music and the sound of my voice and the way I’m describing the situations and emotions involved should make you feel like you’re in my shoes at that moment. That’s The Undisputed Truth.”

Featured Producer Of The Month:Fabe






This months featured producer is my big homie Fabe. Prolly one of the best if the best on rocbattle.com and one of the most original producers I know. Ever since I've known Fabe he's always been cool annoying the shit out of me messing with my iChat. LOL. Anyways here's his bio. Also make sure to check out the new record he produced by Bilz Feat. I15-"Love With My City"





Fabe just started producing in the month of March of 2006 when he first purchased his AKAI MPC 2000XL. Fabe is from Hartford, Connecticut. Also, he is a class of 07 graduate of Clark Atlanta University. Since his latest 1st place victory @ the World Premier's Producer Swap Meet which consisted of 40 of the top up and coming producer in the Atlanta Region, he has already begun working in the studio with big name people such as 50 cent, Little Brother, The Paperboyz, Jazze Pha, and Jarvis. He consider himself a "unique" producer for the simple fact that he creates only GOOD music. With the ability to compose any genre of music, Paper Boy Fabe is one of the most diversified producer in the game right now. He just has a good ear for music. Fabe can also play a variety of instruments ranging from the piano to the drums. Not only is this kid musically gifted, he also a very humble person. His influences are Bink!, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, and The Corna Boyz. To hear some of his work, go check out his Myspace page. (www.myspace.com/fabebeatz)

Never Lets Us Down


I been bumping this album like on the regular. Scarface's albums are never a let down.
Nottz did his thing on this project
Recommended Tracks: "Still Here", "Unexpected", "Forget About Me", "Who Are They"

Kit Of The Month:January 2009

Here's a little present for all my producers out there. I took time putting this kit together so enjoy. I'll be putting up a new kit every month so stay tuned.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

One Of The Best To Ever Do It

"That's that FOUL ass 808"-Busta

Who Would Have Ever Thought


Who would have ever thought that Home Depot would be selling Turn Tables. LMAO

Weekly Favorite Plug In:Battery 3












This is one of my fav Plug In's. I use it for my drum sounds mainly and sometimes for sampling.







Native Instruments has just upped the amperage with the electrifying new Battery 3. The latest version of this acclaimed drum sampler has been given a prettier face and a powerful new engine with a host of sound-shaping options. The Cell Matrix is bigger and more versatile than ever with up to 128 sample cells and is fully customizable. Over 100 kits are included covering an incredibly broad spectrum of musical styles, plus Battery 3 offers adjustable articulations, such as flam, humanize, and roll, for natural-feeling rhythms, while time-stretching allows samples and loops to sync to tempo.

Native Instruments Battery 3 at a Glance:
New 12GB sound library with over 100 drum kits
Larger, color coded Cell Matrix with up to 128 sample cells
Adjustable articulations. time-stretching, tempo-matching


Extensive 12GB Sample Library
Battery 3 is armed with an extensive sample library. Over 100 professional kits cover an incredibly broad spectrum of musical styles. From authentic acoustic kits to contemporary electronic collections and ethnic percussion from all over the globe, every genre is represented. Compatibility with most standard sample formats allows seamless integration of virtually any third party libraries.

More Versatile Cell Matrix
At the heart of Battery 3 lies the Cell Matrix, bigger and more versatile than ever before. With up to 128 sample cells, it is now fully customizable - define the number of cells, rows and columns to fit your exact needs. Color-code or select multiple cells for quick and easy management. Step through all your drums of a particular type and pre-listen to samples within the current kit. Battery 3's flexible nature ensures the perfect setup for any situation.

Wide Range of Sound-shaping Features
Battery 3 offers a wide range of sound-shaping features, both for individual cells and on a global level. Adjustable articulations, such as flam, humanize and roll, add a natural feel to your rhythms. The time-stretching feature allows samples to be sculpted and loops to be adjusted to the correct tempo. Battery 3 infuses all your percussive elements with an unmistakable flavor.


Native Instruments Battery 3 Features:
Battery 3 is a comprehensive and powerful drum sampler based on a next generation sample engine
New 12GB sample library: over 100 drum kits with over 23,000 individual samples and over 2,600 categorized drum cells covering all musical styles
Improved workflow and usability, fast and intuitive access to all parameters. 8 step-by-step video tutorials included
Fully customizable Cell Matrix: freely definable rows and columns with up to a total of 128 sample cells
Improved cell effects and a new master effects section
Performance articulations: roll, flam, buzz, right hand, etc.
Beat synchronization with loop import for Apple Loops, REX, Acid Wave and Beat Creator
Time-stretching feature per cell for creative sample manipulation
NEW - Graphical waveform now allows samples to be edited on-the-fly
Sample Purge keeps RAM load to a minimum

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Glowsticks






Here's the homie Agile's remix of Kanye's song "Say You Will"




Happy Birthday!!!


Happy Birthday to my girl Kari who turned 19 on Jan 23rd.

You know once I get my cam working I'm going to sing you a song..........lmao


:D

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Boredom



                                             Bored+Photobooth
          Don't ask what's in the cup(no sauce) lol

          


$0.01


Music doesn't always have to be complicated to be good. ;)


Uh.....Yeah


Just got an advanced copy of Ryan Leslie's new album "Ryan Leslie" and I have to say I'm impressed. My favorite track is "I-R-I-N-A". 



I admire that fact that he writes and produces all his music.

Anyways make sure to go cop that when it comes out. 

Back!!






Well anyways it's been a while since i've blogged. My apologies but i've been tied up with other things. Anyways happy kinda late New Years lol.

Anyways

A few new things.

Recently linked up with my dude Zay and his click Tunnel Vision(Me, Zay, and Reedz(The Little Big Homie). He's taken me under his wing so shout out to the big homie.

Some new tracks on the PMP so check those out.

Peace,

Coop