So what happens when you put together four MC's who have all had some success in their own right as solo artists, but also some major record label issues? Well the answer to that question is Slaughterhouse which consists of Joe Budden,Crooked I,Joell Ortiz, and Royce Da 5'9. It is rare to see Rap groups these days heck you hardly even see duos anymore, so it is refreshing to have these four artists come together to make an album The self titled album is being released on Youtube.com/Koch Records contains 15 tracks with production from TheRealFocus, Denaun Porter,and Emile among others. The wide variety of producers could be a product of the group's own diversity itself. Royce Da 5'9 hails from Detroit,Crooked I reps for Long Beach CA,Joe Budden is from Jersey,and Joell is from Brooklyn, these cats bring four different flows, and four different perspectives to each track. Getting into the album it starts off with a Banging track named "Sound Off" produced by STREETRUNNER, a nice horn solo introduces the beat then each MC comes in saying a couple of bars in a regular tempo then as the Beat drops they speed up their flow it shows all four can vary their vocal delivery. A sample of that flow from Joell Ortiz
I got a raw flow, and I stay hungry more so Guess that's why I'm the torso I pour sweat when I perform shows What I record goes down as the best, but the vets won't let that torch go Y'all could keep it, they got flashlights now And flamethrowers, and I got one on my back right now Remain focused, that's what I tell myself now and then Don't want to go back to that block like when Varejao defends
They have a video for the track "The One" where they mix together some Rock elements to the Hip Hop beat for a nice mixture
"Microphone" is another standout track I really like produced by The Alchemist the beat hits hard and all four Lyricists bring even harder verses.
So be sure to check out the videos and the links also if you are in the Atlanta area Slaughterhouse will be performing live at The Loft September 26th 8:30pm http://www.myspace.com/roycefivenine http://www.myspace.com/crookedi http://www.twitter.com/joellortiz http://www.twitter.com/mousebudden
As always thanks for taking the time to check out the Blog be sure to leave a comment or email me with suggestions and requests at hhadblog@gmail.com Stay Up!
Hey Everybody thanks for taking the time to hit the site! Once again I must say thank you for all the great comments please keep them coming. Well people I am very happy because I have the pleasure of interviewing a great DJ, and a all around cool cat by the name of DJ Sky. I came across Sky when he used to rock a weekly show called Nod Factor 2 at The 5 Spot here in Atlanta where he and DJ Fudge would play the best in Hip Hop. Well he is not doing Nod Factor anymore but is steady on his grind spinning for local hot spots, and a regular on the Hush Hush show on 88.5. Well enough from me let's go ahead and hear from the man himself.
H.H.A.D: So DJ Sky how's it going?
DJ Sky: Very well thank you!
H.H.A.D: Who or What first introduced you to Deejaying?
DJ Sky: The skating rink was a early inspiration! I would also stay up late listening to V103's "Fresh Party" hearing groups like UTFO, Egyptian Lover and Bambataa. I that kid who had a zillion cassettes and when there was a party, I was happy to rock it with boom box and a Walkman to cue songs. On a youth trip a friend brought her boyfriend who was a DJ he had some mix tapes with him that were a whole new style with blends and scratching that I had not heard before. After hearing his mix tapes, I got to where I was in my room for hours splicing mixes and simulating cuts by the old record/pause/rewind/repeat method,after dabbling in this from '86-'93, I graduated high school and said, I wanna DJ for real and mix like I do on these pause tapes live with records! So in '93, I became "DJ SKY"
H.H.A.D: Locally here in Atlanta there has been plenty of shows going on from DeLa Soul,Mos Def,to Paul McCartney as a DJ is Atlanta a great place for Music?
DJ Sky: No doubt! Atlanta loves music and music loves Atlanta!(Laughs)Not only do we BRING some of the greatest acts, we also PROVIDE some of the greatest acts! I believe our scene has a strong pulse!
H.H.A.D: I have seen you play and I love how you experiment mixing Rock & Hip Hop what inspires that?
DJ Sky: Thank you! Again, the skating rink was an incredible inspiration! I was/am a hip hop/waver/skater/art kid and got deep into many different genres of music and feel it's being true to myself to incorporate all those genres into my mix. I get a real kick out of making someone turn there head in a mix saying,
".....whaaaaat?....he mixed that, with that?!....wait, I USED TO LOVE THAT SONG!"
Although, I'm not big into all music, I do believe there are gems in every genre and there is music for every mood and feeling!
H.H.A.D: So what is your take on the music scene right now?
DJ Sky: I'm inspired by several friends here in the A that have been making a lot of moves with new releases, videos and such! Starting to REALLY get the rewards coming to them from there hard work and persistence over the last decade! I try to listen to commercial radio occasionally to keep my ear aware of new stuff , and it makes me feel like one of those old dudes that misses the old styles. So much sounds the same using and biting the same formulas, while the passion and art of the music suffers because any kid can make a beat pressing buttons now. But, I'm very optimistic.......we gon' be aight!(Laughs)
H.H.A.D: So before I get into a few rapid fire questions please tell the people where they can see and hear you?
DJ Sky: Online you can find me on myspace, facebook and twitter all with the screen name "djsky1" where you can find free mix downloads, calendar info, etc. I'm DJing live at JEFFREY ATLANTA(Shoe & Clothing boutique) in Phipps Plaza Tues - Sat. 12 - 8 every week. Since '99 I've been a resident on WRAS 88.5FM's "Hush, Hush" show every first Wed. from 8-10PM....a full decade! I'm at Smith's Olde Bar every Thursday and every other Saturday currently and have many 1-off bookings that I've been blessed with! Things have actually slowed down just a bit with the flow of gigs since a few months ago, it's like a roller coaster, and now is kinda of that slow climb back up.
H.H.A.D:What's in your car or on your I-pod right now?
DJ Sky: In my car right now is Lee Harvey Oswald and last played on my i-pod was DJ Krush "Cold Krush Cuts"
H.H.A.D: Best place to Spin at?
DJ Sky: This isn't just because I'm there currently, no question, it's Smith's Olde Bar! From the big immaculate clubs to the cool hip clubs to the bars....Smith's caters to the coolest range of music fans! A place where I can mix The Sex Pistols, Smif-n-Wessun, RATT, The Charlie Daniels Band, Egyptian Lover and Siouxsie and the Banshees all in the same 10 minute segment and have a happy house! On top of all that, they take better care of me than anywhere hands down!
H.H.A.D: Favorite chill out Hip Hop record?
DJ Sky: Well, that's a tough one! I think ONE of my favorite "chill out" hip hop records was Redman's "Dare is a Darkside" album...., from beginning to end is like a movie or trip to follow and get deep into. And the album is thick with dopeness! Haven't heard a hip hop concept album like that in a looong time!
H.H.A.D: Last concert you attended?
DJ Sky: I miss a lot of good shows because of other gigs, but I was able to catch the most recent SpeakEasy at the Apache and Edan killed it!
H.H.A.D: Favorite Hip Hop video?
DJ Sky: My Philosophy - KRS-1
H.H.A.D: Favorite Visual artist?
DJ Sky: Wow, that's tough! Besides that brilliant dude Odell Simmons, I'm gonna say Justin Bua, he's the man!
(Artwork: Justin Bua)
H.H.A.D: Besides H.H.A.D. of course what Blogs or sites do you check for?
DJ Sky: It's been tough for me to get deep into blogs mainly due to time management, my struggle to fix my concentration and patience to spend the time, and there are a zillion to dig through, but, URB Magazine, Stones Throw, The Freak Beat, FRESH.i.AM, The Kaos Effect are a few dope ones of many to check out!
http://www.myspace.com/djsky1
http://www.facebook.com/djsky1
http://twitter.com/djsky1
I want to thank Sky for dropping by the site and thank you for checking out the Blog, be sure to check Sky out at his many links and check him out. Stay tuned for more album reviews and more interviews, please email me any comments or suggestions at artbyodell@gmail.com and like always Stay Up!
Hey everybody, thanks for taking the time to check out the Blog. I also want to thank everyone for all the comments and feedback it is greatly appreciated! Shout out to Ari,Konata,and V.M.G. for the great commentary on my last post.
Now the topic of Balling came up recently when I was talking Hip Hop with my friend "C" and we were discussing how the country is going through a recession,and some rappers are still talking about Doing it Big. Balling and Making it rain all describe excessive living and all are common phrases in Hip Hop. But are these cats really living what they are saying on record? In this post I have included a video where Plies talks about his "Plenty Money "video and also shows off his diamond chains and cars,next it is a video by Mase"Feels So Good "showing how the Bling Bling stage of rap started to come along in the early 90's. But make sure you check out the last video "What They Do" By The Roots it is a classic video where they make fun of how rap videos were and still are being made with rented cars,rented jewelry, and pure make believe situations.
So I ask you how does it feel hearing a track titled "I got plenty money"
at the same time hearing that your best friend just lost their job? Well how about some rapper talking about their Maybach and you are doing your best to keep your Honda civic on the road at the current time?
Do not get me wrong I have nothing wrong with affluent living, but I also like to hear music with some substance and hearing some cat describe the clothes in their closet,and the cars in their driveways is not substance. In Hip Hop we always have different trends that goes with the times, In the late 80's early 90's rappers were talking about coming up and being in the streets,but as the 90's went along you had the shiny era as we call it with neon lights,shiny outfits and songs about Living it up!
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