2011 DMV Awards... We HAVE To Do Better
It is a shame... It is a shame that we can't all get together and celebrate one another. It is a shame that what seems to stem from a petty rap beef can cause a full-on brawl. It is a shame that a hotel employee who was only trying to break up a fight was carried out on a stretcher. I was there for the first half of the event as this magazine was nominated for 2 awards. After both of the categories that we were nominated for awards were given out I went back and asked my sister and friend if they wanted to stay for the rest of the show or leave. We opted to leave which turned out to be our smartest decision of the night. As much as I complain about how things are ran, I tend to still enjoy them. Its fun and its cool seeing your peers. To me there is nothing better than walking in and hugging DJ Heat while we laugh and joke, even if it was for 2 minutes or hearing Whitefolkz say "Ay Woodz, CHUUCH" or talking to Jay Mills, who I have worked on music with in the past or even being asked to do a drop for a business. That's what it is all about. The networking, the relationships that we have built out here. It isn't about trying to physically harm your neighbor. Whether we are seperated by quadrants, counties or the 30 mins drive from DC to BMore, we are just that, neighbors. The talent in this area is immense and we should be appluaded for that. But, with this setback, I don't know the next time that we will be. And that too, is a shame.
To the promotoers, PR people, sponsors and all who had thei name attached to the awards I say - you put on a nice event, don't let the way it ended affect your feelings towards the product you put out there.
DC, Maryland and Virginia - we gotta do better!
Maria J - Space Monkey HOODMIX
Check out my folks, Maria J's "Space Monkey HOODMIX". She never disappoints.
Note: She is a ill rapper. Notice I didn't say female rapper.
Contact Maria J on Twitter: @thepostergirl
Where are all of my smokers? I said, where are all of my smokers? This is the song for you. Slim City makes the song enjoyable with his lyrics, he gets straight to the point in the first verse when he says "this ain't a forest fire, but we burning tress/ we smoking hydro, call it sea weed". Slim City's flow throughout the song is on point. It reminded me of the old No Limit days when Mystikal would have a track on each album he did for the smokers. I have two issues with the song - 1. the beat is a bit too basic for me and 2. I am not a fan of hooks where the artist is rapping and singing at the same time. Why, it tends not to blend well. Other than those two things, the song works. I'm not a smoker and I enjoyed it.
Slim City can be reached on Twitter at @SlimCityNC
Kil - Through The Wire Instrumental Album
This is my first time ever giving a instrumental album a review, so be patient. He takes sound bites from HBO's show "The Wire", starts off a track with it and then makes a beat that gives you a feel for what those sound bites are conveying. I was a little reluctant at first listen but it is a dope idea/concept. Kil is a able to capture the feel of the show through each track on the album. 22 tracks for anyone is no small task, let alone 22 conceptual tracks that are actually good. Think about it like this - your favorite rap artist doesn't give you 22 tracks on an album. But, if he did, picture him giving you a great product with all the beats from the same producer and they all fit his project. That's amazing if you ask me. So, if you are a fan of "The Wire" you should check it out and if you are artist looking for some work, check it out and hit him up. Without question, this dude has talent.
You can hear the music at: http://kil889.bandcamp.com/ and you can contact Kil Beats at www.twitter.com/kil889
