Buckshot and KRS-One – Survival Skills Cover

KRS-One and Buckshot announce Survival Skills, which will be in stores September 15, 2009. The album Survival Skills will feature Mary J. Blige, Atmosphere, Immortal Technique, Talib Kweli, and more.

KRS-One and Buckshot, two of hip hop music’s most prolific MCs have linked up on a collaborative album entitled Survival Skills. Survival Skills will be released on Duck Down Records on September 15, 2009, and the duo will be featured on the Rock The Bells tour this summer. Survival Skills features guests ranging from Mary J. Blige, Slug Of Atmosphere, K‚ÄôNAAN, Talib Kweli, Immortal Technique, Melanie Fiona, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall, Sean Price, Geo of Blue Scholars, Smif N Wessun and Rock of Heltah Skeltah. Survival Skills represents a diverse range of topics, all while maintaining a consistent sound. The album has production from Havoc of Mobb Deep, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, ILL MIND, Coptic, Moss, Nottz, Marco Polo, and KHRYSIS.

On the surface the album is a testament to the resiliency of two lyrical titans, but at its root Survival Skills is a blueprint for life. For instance on the infectious head-nodder “Robot,” which was released 6 weeks prior to Jay Z’s “The Death Of Auto Tune” track, and already available World Wide at Digital Retail Shops, such as iTunes, the duo speak-out against the recent overuse of the Auto-Tune vocal effect in urban music, but under the surface the message is much deeper. “I don’t want people to get the averaged clichéd version and thinking that we’re dissing people,’” Buckshot clarifies. “What we’re calling out here is the biters, the people that feel like because this guy sold X amount of records doing this, that I’m going to turn around and do it as well,” KRS says of the array of artists who have followed in the creative footsteps of Roger Troutman, Afrikka Bambatta, Teddy Riley and T-Pain. Despite its heavy message, sonically the track, produced by Mobb Deep’s Havoc, is as inviting as anything on the radio today. The video for “ROBOT,” directed by Todd Angkaswan, has been added into rotation at MTV & BET. The track has also been included in the sound track for Activision’s upcoming Tony Hawk skate game in stores this Fall.

Coincidently, ROBOT is not the first example of where Jay Z has released similar material and concepts from KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT. In 2003, Buckshot’s group Black Moon recorded a song called “Stay Real,” which was, again, released 6 weeks prior to Jay Z’s “Public Service Announcement‚Äù track, that ironically contained the same sample as Black Moon‚Äôs “Stay Real.” A couple years prior to this Jay Z released “THE BLUEPRINT,” which was the same title used by KRS-ONE in his classic album, Boogie Down Productions “Ghetto Music: The BLUEPRINT of Hip Hop.”

Gritty tracks like Clean Up, featuring Rock of Heltah Skeltah, and the politically minded Running Away, featuring Immortal Technique, make Survival Skills a Hip-Hop fan’s dream, catering to those that love lyrics and the boom-bap. Equally as rich is the album’s Black Milk-produced track, The Way I Live, featuring the Queen of hip-hop soul, Mary J. Blige. Together they create a triumphant anthem for all those on the grind trying to conquer their dreams. The song’s summery feel and soothing melodies make it an instant hit.

KRS-ONE & BUCKSHOT Upcoming Tour Dates: Rock The Bells

Washington, DC – Sunday July 12th
Merriweather Post Pavilion

Boston, MA – Saturday July 18th
Comcast Center

New York, NY – Sunday July 19th
Jones Beach Theater

Vancouver, BC, CAN – Saturday August 1st
Deer Lake Park

Calgary, AB, CAN – Sunday August 2nd
Shaw Millennium Park

Denver, CO – Thursday August 6th
Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Los Angeles, CA – Saturday August 8th
San Manuel Amphitheatre

San Francisco, CA – Sunday August 9th
Shoreline Amphitheatre

H.A.P.H. From Da Ranjahz Shot Twice

Another sad event in hip hop music. H.A.P.H. of Da Ranjahz was shot on July 4, and is in ICU. Keep him in your prayers. Allegedly, the incident took place at a fourth of July party in Brooklyn. H.A.P.H. was shot at five times, and was hit twice. I will keep you posted as I receive more information.

Drake Sells 300,000 Copies of Best I Ever Had in 2 Weeks

The title says it all. If there is one thing that Drake has demonstrated, it is that it is possible for an unsigned artist to do numbers and achieve great success if their grind is right, and if they are willing to think outside the box. Don’t get me wrong. Drake has obviously benefitted from his affiliation with Young Money, and from co-signs from some of the industry’s biggest heavy-hitters. However, he had to turn some heads to get to that level.

Drake used TuneCore to sell his single Best I Ever Had. Mind you, this is AFTER he gave away So Far Gone for free. So let’s get this straight… Best I Ever Had was out there for the public’s taking… it was available by Drake for FREE. With that said, 300,000 units of the single were sold on iTunes. So there we go, fans found music they enjoyed and a personality to go with it, and decided to spend money and purchase it. Major labels, are you paying attention? Or are you just too caught up in your disbelief that he was able to do what you’ve failed to do for years?

Here’s the scoop, 10 days before signing the deal with Young Money with distribution through Universal, Drake’s single went up for sale independently through the TuneCore service. During the two or so weeks it has been available on iTunes, it has become one of the hottest selling singles, amassing sales of 300,000 plus. According to the New York Times Business section, Drake’s Best I Ever Had single was the #4 best selling single from June 15-June 21. More than likely, his chart status will only improve.

You can bet that the major labels, such as Interscope, held nothing back when courting Drake to sign to their label. In the end, they lost AGAIN. They lost the first time when Drake proved that an artist no longer needs the majors to achieve success. They lost again when Drake enjoyed their lavish courtship for what its worth, but in the end, realized that he can achieve greater success in this industry, not only artistically, but financially by remaining independent. Drake has shown that the game has changed indeed.

Raekwon Pushes Back Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II To September 8, 2009

Raekwon has announced today that Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II has been pushed back from August 11, 2009 to September 8, 2009. The reasons cited for the push back were issues with sample clearance, and the leak of the track named Surgical Gloves.

Raekwon has been blatantly annoyed by the leak of Surgical Gloves, expressing his anger and disappointment on twitter since it happened. The fact that Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II was pushed back yet again should not come as a surprise to anybody for obvious reasons, but since we’ve waited this long for it, one more month of waiting can’t be that bad. I only hope the album is what everybody is expecting. I guess it makes the Slaughterhouse vs. Raekwon face-off on August 11 a dead issue.

Drake Signs To Young Money / Universal Motown

Well, it is now official. Drake has signed to Young Money / Universal Motown! After weeks of speculation as to whether Drake would stay independent or sign with a major, Drizzy Drake has opted to stick with his closest associates, Young Money Entertainment. The deal is actually a joint venture between Young Money and Cash Money. Universal will take upon the distribution role.

Drake’s management is very adamant about the idea of Drake continuing to be viewed as an independent artist despite the deal. His popularity has soared since the Young Money artist distributed his So Far Gone mixtape for free. His success has been evident in not only his status on the charts, but also in that he performed with his Young Money conglomerate in the prime time slot at the BET awards.

Drake’s official debut album, Thank Me Later, is slated for release later this year, and will feature collaborations with Kanye West, Jay-Z, and Lil Wayne.

Tru Life Pleads Not Guilty to Second Degree Murder Charges

Tru Life, who recently turned himself in on first degree murder charges, has pleaded not guilty to second degree murder and gang assault charges stemming from the incident that led to an 18 year old, Christopher Guerrero, being murdered. The Miami Herald is reporting that Tru Life is being held without bail. Tru Life’s brother is also being held as he awaits arraignment.

Michael Jackson Dead At 50 Years Old – R.I.P.

R.I.P. to the greatest to ever do it. As the world already knows, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson died today after suffering a cardiac arrest. It is a sad, sad day. Like him or not, Michael Jackson was an icon. I remember waiting in front of the tv for his videos to come on so I could dance to them. Thriller got countless plays in my walkman… unbelievable. Rest In Peace Michael… you will be missed in the flesh, but your legacy and music will live on for eternity.

CNN – Michael Jackson Dead at 50 | LA Times – Michael Jackson Dead

« Previous Page — Next Page »