Atmosphere No Longer Underground - Album Sells A Shitload
4/30/08
36K Deep ! #5 On Billboard !
By: Trees Congratulations to MC Atmosphere, who apparently scored HIS best sales chart and week ever- debuting at NUMBER 5 (holy shit!) atop the Billboard 200. I WAS going to say that Slug & Ant have officially graduated out the underground - but when Billboard is still referring to Atmosphere as a sole individual, well.. uh.. you get my point. Here is the excerpt below:
"Hip-hop artist Atmosphere easily scores his best sales and chart week ever as When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Sh*t Gold (Rhymesayers) starts at No. 5 with 36,000. His previous charting high-water mark came from 2005's You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having, which peaked at No. 66. "When Life..." also becomes the highest-charting album for the Rhymesayers label; the previous best was, again, Atmosphere's stop at No. 66."
And in all seriousness - congratulations to Slug, Ant, and Rhymesayers who sold 36,000 copies WITHOUT lighting the Empire State building pink or going on Regis & Kelly (like the "real" diva who debuted at #1, Mariah Carey). I know for us here at UGHH, it's certainly a joy to see their success! Oh and 34,000 of those are UGHH Soundscans btw. ;)
By: Trees I was perusing the Galapagos4 message boards earlier and saw an "early warning" from Qwel about his tour kicking off in June. Here's the copy-and-paste:
"Just a lil' early warning on what's coming up ya'll.. The New Wine Tour starts in June. The New Wine Tour will feature Qwel, Robust, Dirty Digital (Qwazaar & Silence) & DJ Dallas Jackson. We will have full info on all the dates soon."
"We are also going to have a tour CD featuring a gang of new material from all the artists on the tour and some other guests... along with the brand new Qwel & Kip Killagain The New Wine CD. [We're] kicking off in Chicago with the release party @ Reggie's June 6th. The tour will continue the following week with these dates..."
6/10 - Columbus, OH @ High Five 6/13 - Des Moines, IA @ Vaudeville Mews 6/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ Dinkytowner 6/16 - Denver, CO @ Quixote’s 6/18 - Missoula, MT @ Badlander 6/19 - Seattle, WA @ Nectar Lounge 6/20 - Portland, OR @ Berbatis Pan 6/21 - Boise, ID 6/22 - Santa Cruz, CA 6/23 - San Diego, CA 6/24 - Pasadena, CA @ The Terrace 6/25 - Flagstaff, AZ 6/26 - Mesa, AZ @ Blunt Club 6/27 - Albuquerque, NM @ Moonlight Lounge 6/28 - San Antonio, TX
By: Trees If you're like me, and chances are you are, you've pretty much been hyped on Common since he was eating meat and drinking forties. You suffered through Electric Circus and were aptly rewarded with Be and Finding Forever. You probably thought, 'thank god this muhf*kka ain't dating Badu no more, and we won't have to hear no more outerspace sh*t from the man'. Not-so-Faaaaast. Common previewed his latest LP to Billboard last night, and they described it as "an electro-tinged departure from the MC's previous lyric-driven albums". ::Sigh::
When asked to explain himself for his style switch-up he stated, "I created this music for the summer time, it's about feeling good. This is the type of music I felt was missing from my body of work."
Featured on the new LP, everyone's favorite up-and-coming songstress Santogold ("one of my favorite artists right now", stated Common), as well as Cee-Lo, and production from the Neptunes and so far NO KANYE??
Here's the preliminary tracklisting:
"Universal Mind Control (U.M.C.)" "Make My Day" feat. Cee-Lo "Punch Love" "What A World" feat. Chester French "Changes" "Party Shit" "Dreaming" "Runaway" feat. Santogold
By: Mark DiSalvo Declining record sales have been one thing hip-hop has had in common with the rest of the music industry for the past few years. But could the hip-hop art form of crate diggin' be the savior of album sales and bring a renaissance with it? It could certainly be argued, as this week, The Wired Blog Network reported that vinyl sales are "climbing." According to the report, the RIAA's early reports of 2007 record sales show a 36.6% increase in vinyl sales from the previous year. This translated to a 46.2% increase in vinyl revenue. Not surprisingly, CD unit sales dropped 11.7%, and its revenue dropped 20.5%.
The influence of hip-hop on these new statistics from the RIAA is almost undeniable, as it's been the only genre that has consistently and continually put new releases on vinyl. Sure it's largely for DJs, but DJs alone obviously can’t be credited with the spike, because of new technology like Serato and the increased sales of CD-turntables.
With more and more labels jumping on the collector's edition vinyl bandwagon - it's no surprise that this formula is translating into a success story for many artists. With big bands like Radiohead and Portishead dropping exclusive vinyl-only bonus material, it won't shock anyone in the industry if this trend continues. So labels, don't give up the format yet - get your packaging and presentation up and be prepared to have it sell like crack laced hot-cakes.
Killah Priest Prepares New LP - Behind The Stained Glass
4/30/08
Killah Priest
By: Mark DiSalvo It's looking like a busy summer in Shaolin with RZA dropping a new solo album and Method Man on a handful of new tracks. Add Wu-Tang affiliate Killah Priest to that list, as he's prepping his sixth studio album for release in a few weeks. Behind the Stained Glass, is set to drop May 20th via a joint venture between Proverb Records and Good Hands Records. His last album, 2007's "The Offering" featured high profile guest spots from Nas, Canibus, Ras Kass, Kurupt, and Immortal Technique. But this time around, early reports say the album will not feature so many MCs, with Sunz of Man and 60 Second Assassin pegged as the most notable features.
By: Mark DiSalvo Everyone's favorite hip hop label Stones Throw Records will take a huge step into the digital age this week, making over 100 singles available for digital download on their site, www.StonesThrow.com. Among some of the previously vinyl-only singles now available online are some rare Jaylib tracks, and Madlib's cover of Marvin Gaye's "Inner City Blues.". And rest easy vinyl nerds - Stones Throw is one of the few remaining labels to release some music exclusively on vinyl and has no immediate plans to stop doing so.
By: Mark DiSalvo The Tony Stark of the rap game isn’t going to be standing next to the Tony Stark of the Marvel world on Friday when the Iron Man movie hits theaters. As we reported to you late last year, Ghostface Killah was set to make a cameo in the movie, but according to some who have seen the movie early and reps from Pretty Toney’s camp, Ghost has been cut out. How they gonna play Pretty Tone out like that?
Sean Bell Verdict Continues To Resonate w/ Hip Hop Heads
4/30/08
Hip Hop Speaks
By: Mark DiSalvo The Sean Bell verdict hasn't had much time to sink in, but already the outcry against the decision has been immense. This week, three of hip-hop's biggest acts have come out in protest in a big way. The Game recorded a track that hit the internet yesterday that could soon become the protest anthem of the incident, aptly titled "911 is a Joke." In a statement on his website (where you can download the track), the Game said, "I'm outraged and speaking out for my generation that are afraid to speak out against police brutality and murder." The Game went on to express his condolences to Bell family.
Prodigy weighed into the debate as well, criticizing the decision on a national scale, "America is under a spell and we need to snap out of it." He went on to condemn the NYPD's abuse of power, and said, "People of all races need to come together to control our government and run a giant comb through it, so we can see the filth that comes out. Right now we have a government that controls the people, instead of people that control their government. Until we can do that, there'll be several more incidents like the murder of Sean Bell."
Never one to keep his mouth shut in the face of injustice, Cormega said, "the Sean Bell murder itself was a reflection of how expendable black men are in the eyes of many." The verdict itself, he said, was "a far worse crime [than the shooting] because it stripped a dead man of his rights and it stripped a community of hope."
"We came so far as a people yet gained little momentum," said Cormega, "but I would like to thank society for re-opening my eyes to the myth called equality and the justice that eludes just us! Power to the People!"
By: Mark DiSalvo Jean Grae sent some waves through the hip-hop community this weekend when she wrote a reflective blog entry on her MySpace that many have interpretted as a retirement notice. "It's been a wonderful and awful journey all at the same time. Mostly leaning towards the wonderful part..lol," Grae said via her blog. Her MySpace profile name even reads "Jean Grae saying Peace Out." While she never explicitly stated she is done with hip-hop, the passive tense in which she reflected on her career and her fans have left many thinking she is done. If Jay-Z can't stay retired, it's unlikely Jean Grae will, especially considering the network of MCs she has around her (Talib Kweli for starters). Regardless, we'll respect any decision she makes, but I know UGHH's VanStylez will miss drinking Jim Beam on the store sofa with her.
Keywords: Jean Grae; Blacksmith Music; Talib Kweli
By: Mark DiSalvo In the midst of MTV using the old Yo! MTV Raps logo while showing the latest Flo Rida video, I caught this one between Lil Boosie and Birdman's latest. Kidz in the Hall's latest "Driving Down the Block," from their upcoming album "The In Crowd."
New Track From LL Cool J, Mef, KRS, Lil' Kim, & Jimmy..
4/28/08
NY Revival?
By: Mark DiSalvo New York hip-hop revival? Revivals usually aren't started with the old school, but here's a new LL Cool J track, featuring Method Man, KRS-One, Lil Kim, and Jim Jones, titled the "The Five Boroughs is Back." No word if this is taken from LL's new album. Click Here to download it.
Keywords: New York City; KRS-One; LL Cool J; Method Man
By: Mark DiSalvo Add the Roots to the "we're not happy with the Island Def Jam Group." ?uestlove told Billboard that he feels the group falls under the radar at Def Jam. ?uestlove directed those comments at Island Def Jam chairman L.A. Reid, telling Billboard, "He has no idea that 'Birthday Girl' isn't even on the album." It's funny that single has caused so much controversy. Adding to the song's list of grievances, ?uestlove said the single was made in part to appease Def Jam's executives who wanted a radio friendly single.
?uestlove went on to say that "they don't know we shot the Rising Down video. They just know they approved an [electronic press kit] budget." The Roots aren't the first in recent history to criticize the promotional efforts of the Island Def Jam family. Joe Budden left the label in 2007 after similar accusations. Peedi Peedi claimed in an interview in January that he, Freeway and Beanie Sigel, were all dropped from Roc-a-fella (which falls under the blanket of the Island Def Jam Group). Peedi appears to be the only one gone from that group. It’s not good when there's trouble in rap's old paradise.
By: Mark DiSalvo There have been many conflicts in the hip-hop world that have captured the consciousness of the masses, but there's rarely been one that ended in a physical altercation between the personalities involved. Loyal UGHH readers have long known of UGHH's CEO Quest's beef with Slug of Atmosphere. Saturday night, their feud was taken to new heights. The beef has even earned its own title around here, deemed "SlUGHH" by some of the lower level world HQ staffers,
"What started as a minor war of words on our forums has turned into grown men putting their hands on each other, no homo," said UGHH's DJ ON&ON, who was on location when Slug and Quest fought following an Atmosphere show in Boston. Our cameras were on the scene to capture it all. "I was there, Slug crossed the line when he start kickin' it to Quest's wife," DJ ON&ON said coyly, "I don't blame Quest for standing up to him. Ant is cool, but Slug needs to get his ego in check."
"I don't know what happened, I turned around and all of sudden I saw Quest take his shirt off", lamented UGHH's own Sleezy Trees, who was filming the entire affair, "I knew there was going to be trouble but I had no idea how horribly pasty, flabby, and disgusting the trouble would actually be. Slug clearly won the fight, but seeing Quest without his shirt on- Man, for that reason I think we all lost that night.."
Below is a preview of what is guaranteed to be a long saga in the story of Slug and Quest. (editor's note: The full length interview will be made live very shortly which will explain everything- so don't jump the gun on hating everyone involved (i.e. UGHH)incessantly).
By: Trees Just when you think we couldn't hit another new low in this country. Just when you think -MAYBE, we've learned from our mistakes? In the age of George Bush's war against the rights of the world's citizens.. Nothing should really shock anyone anymore. Where torture is deemed legal, capital punishment is upheld by the supreme court, censorship legislation is passed reguarly, and government propaganda that is passed openly to the public by trained military analysts are widely known about and commonplace - is it really any surprise that two lying, dirty, piece of shit NYC cops got off on manslaughter charges for murdering an unarmed civilian of the United States. This is nothing new in this country, and nothing is being done. This isn't conspiracy theory rhetoric. This is real shit.
For those unfamiliar with the situation: "Sean Bell, 23, was killed in the early morning hours of November 25, 2006 after leaving Kalua, a Queens strip club where he'd just wrapped up his bachelor party. An NYPD undercover investigation unit looking to make arrests in their prostitution case witnessed an argument between one of Bells friends and another man. Detective Isnora told the grand jury that he believed that Bells friend Joseph Guzman was going to get a gun out of Bells car.
That's when he followed the men and called for back up. Bell, along with his two friends Joseph Guzman and Trent Benefield got into his Nissan Altima. Then with Bell behind the wheel, officers approached the car and drew their weapons without identifying themselves as police, according to the testimony of Guzman and Benefield. Detective Oliver was the only one who reloaded his 9mm semi automatic weapon firing 31 shots, while Detective Isnora let off 11 shots, and Detective Cooper fired 4. NO GUN WAS EVER FOUND IN THE CAR."
The hip hop community has come out in force to react to the travesty: "What happened in that case is a FUCKING travesty," Atlanta rapper Killer Mike told AllHipHop.com. "What is the police trying to force the underclass to do? The police maintain jobs when they have something to police. By agitating the people you just create a bigger need for police. So instead of the police protecting and serving the community, the community becomes a commodity for the police force."
Smif-N-Wessun's Steele had this to say; "There's a war against us waged by the so-called powers that be and their first infantry are these murderous pigs they use to keep us in place by harassment and murder," Steele said. "We must stand together and defend ourselves and be smart. We are all under surveillance. It's time to stand up."
El-P spoke out in his blog: "FUCK THE POLICE - AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN. This is a sad day in ny. A sad day for everyone. Unless of course you like death and injustice. In that case it’s a fuckin great day."
Keywords: Sean Bell; Crooked Cops; Fuck The Police
Babygrande Picks Up NYOIL's Hood Treason for Wider Distribution
4/25/08
NYOIL
By: Lolly NYOIL's Hood Treason, although originally debuting last year, has been picked up by Babygrande for wider distribution. The re-release is set to drop July 8th. In other NYOIL news, you can check out what he and Peter Rosenberg have had to say about Nas and his new single which is directed at Nasir - "Be a Nigger Too" below.
By: Lolly Ed Banger Records, (aka Home Of The Hipsters) is getting set to release Ed Rec Vol. III, a follow up to 2007’s Ed Rec Vol. II, and it's set to feature Justice, DJ Mehdi, SebastiAn, Uffie, Spank Rock, Feadz, Murs, Busy P, So Me, Mr. Flash, DSL, Mr. Oizo and Krazy Baldhead. It drops in Europe on June 9th. Interested in hearing a teaser megamix from the project? If the answer's yes I can only assume you have on either flannel or neon. Click here for the preview. The tracklisting is as follows:
1. Mr. Oizo: "Yves" 2. Busy P ft. Murs: "To Protect and Entertain" 3. Mr. Flash: "Over the Top" 4. SebastiAn: "Dog" 5. Uffie "Robot Oeuf" 6. Justice: "Stress (Autoremix)" 7. Mr. Oizo: "Minuteman's Pulse" 8. DJ Mehdi: "Pocket Piano" 9. Krazy Baldhead: "No Cow, No Pow" 10. DSL: "Find Me in the World" 11. Feadz ft. Spank Rock: "Back It Up" 12. So Me: "Decalcomania"
By: Lolly Tim Westwood recently interviewed Lupe Fiasco over in London. Although no new songs or records were revealed, the two discussed Fiasco’s place in the world of hip hop.
By: Lolly Camp Bisco, an annual outdoor festival, will feature some notable hip hop performances this year. DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist, Eliot Lipp, MSTRKRFT, Amplive and Snoop Dogg will all perform at this years show. Camp Bisco goes down July 17-19 at Mariaville in NY. Regular tickets are $120 but will eventually go up to $145, and VIP tix are currently $200 and will be bumped up to $225 as the show gets closer.
Keywords: DJ Shadow; Cut Chemist; MSTRKRFT; Amplive
By: Mark DiSalvo New O.C. & A.G. material? D.I.T.C. reunion? I wouldn't count on it, but check out the video for "2 For the Money." Its even got DJ Premier cuttin' on the wheel-o-steel. This is the first single from their upcoming project together titled "Oasis- Together Brothers."
By: Mark DiSalvo UGHH's Weezy of the Week is in the midst of a golden age as Lil Wayne preps "Tha Carter III" for release, and subsequently guarantees this column will appear weekly. This week, we've learned that "Lollipop" has a companion. In true Weezy fashion, the Young Carter leaked "A Milli," a song supposedly from "Tha Carter III," according to early track lists of the album. But we're talking about Weezy here, so no one can be sure if this is just some song he threw together on Garage Band this morning. Either way, it's Lil Wayne, so you'll hear it on the radio soon, if not right now. No word on whether this will be made into a video. To check the trizzack - click here
Keywords: Weezy Of The Week; Lil' Wayne; Carter III
Immortal Technique Finally Ready To Release New Material
4/24/08
Immortal Technique
By: Mark DiSalvo After nearly five years of keeping his fans eagerly waiting for his next album, Immortal Technique has finally announced a release date for his full length mix cd. The Third World, the emcee's third full length project, will be released June 24th via his own Viper Records. This comes after learning last week from Tech himself that the release was near completion. "The Third World" project is on the verge of completion," Immortal Technique said via his Myspace. "Mixes are being done and the project moves forward as myself and Green Lantern prepare for different things." Green Lantern is to handle 1/3 of production duties on The Third World.
The guest list of emcees appearing on the CD includes Ras Kass, Crooked I, and Chino XL, with production coming from Southpaw, DJ Green Lantern, Scram Jones, and Buckwild. "The Third World" is a completely different project from The Middle Passage, a project Technique has mentioned off and on the past few years, which will supposedly be released on Babygrande/ Viper Records later this year.
In other Tech news, relevant to those in the Baltimore area, the Harlem emcee will be performing Saturday, April 26 at Towson University with The Roots.
