Wyzae

This isn't going to be the typical write up that I do on an artist.  All because I don't have all the info that I need but it is coming!!  :)  But I just wanted to get alot of you familiar with the name.

I met this young man a few months ago.  At the time I had no idea who he was or what he did.  Always showed me love and then the video came out and I was like hey I know this guy!!  LOL  I also found out that he is a writer and is publishing a book next year!  Check in out!!  More on Wyzae coming soon!!!

So I am suggesting that you get familiar with the name as well as the music!

http://www.facebook.com/wyzae

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baltimore-MD/Baltimore-Ink-Incorporated/154898544550599?ref=ts

4th Annual Baltimore Crown

The 4th Annual Baltimore Crown took place on November 7th.  As in years past, this event is not based on the concept of winners and losers.  It is an event that shines the light on the Baltimore Scene as a whole and to recognize those in hip-hop, R&B, poetry and spoken word who are really striving to do what they love and to make others aware of those they may not otherwise be aware of in other genres.

Every year before the event takes place, Chin-Yer sends out the list of categories and asks that the artists, their fans and even family and friends nominate people for the awards.  The difference in this event than in others is that when you nominate someone you have to give clear and precise reasons why you feel as though that person or group should be nominated.  And as in years past it has caused people to have debates if you will about who deserves this award or that award.  And every year people take this really way too far.

As I got to the event, Graddai was on stage.  These young men are very energetic and I love that they are just being them on stage and their music reflects that as well.  And rightfully so they won an award.  They actually weren't there when it was announced because of another commitment but issued an apology.  So grown up and professional of them!

When I finally got a chance to take a breath because as soon as I got there I actually found a seat and put my stuff down and started snapping pictures, I seen that 5 Seasons was packed.  I was seeing people that I couldn't say hi to because I couldn't get to them and I'm waving across the sea of people trying to speak to everyone!  Finally I got tired of walking back and forth to take pictures and just sat on the sat.  Ogun Bmore's Hero on one side and me on the other!

Larry Lancaster was great as usual.  At least this year he didn't have jokes about me as he has in the past.  One year I was Roseanne and the next I was the Snapple Lady.  Can only imagine what he had to say this year.  But the crowd was laughing and I even seen some people in tears from the craziness this man was saying!  It just flows so easy for him.  If you haven't had the opportunity to see him perform or host, please do so.

The producer battle was once again my favorite part.  The give the producers a challenge to produce a beat or beats using specific songs.  And no one disappointed.  Sorry to say that once they played Skarr Akbar's beat it was a done deal for me.  This man went above and beyond the call.  And from the crowd's reaction I think that it was well known that he had won the battle!

I don't have the complete list of winners.  But to me everyone that was nominated is a winner.  Especially if you have been working hard and trying to perfect your craft no matter what it is be it rap, hip-hop, poetry or spoken word.  There were alot of people there in that building who aren't aware of you and you aren't aware of them.  People need to be aware of their surroundings and be aware of what others are doing.  You never know, that person that you are ignoring and looking down on because you swear your music is better than anyone else, just might be the one to have a better grind and work ethic than you.  It's one thing to be confident in yourself and in your craft and it's another to put yourself on a pedestal and claim yourself the best.  Because there are going to be people to give you the God's honest truth and you are going to be mad.  Humble yourself.  

This year I had the idea of doing something for Chin-Yer for a change.  Seems like that was the same thing that Shaka Pitts had in mind too.  He presented Chin-Yer with an award for the things she does in the scene.  Now with that being said.....LOL  When they announced that I had won for Photographer of the Year, I said my thank you's but choose to use that time to present Chin-Yer with one that I had personally bought myself.  I wanted her to know that as a fan of the Baltimore music scene that I really appreciate everything that she does so that I can get to hear and see artists perform.  So the true winner at the Baltimore Crown as I see it is everyone who is effected by the scene.

And yes I won for Photographer of the Year and a Special Appreciation award as well!  Which I was really shocked to have won 1 much less 2 awards.  I wanted to say some things but I just choose not to address the negative and be happy in the positive.

Dirt Platoon were inducted in the Legends Hall of Fame which they rightfully deserve.  These guys to me are hip-hop.  If you haven't heard their music please go to Youtube and look up their videos.  If you are a lover of hip-hop, you will not be disappointed.

Congrats to all of those who won awards and to those who were nominated.  It is a great look every year to see everyone come together and have a night that is just out and out fun.

Here are the pictures I took that night
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245976&id=579821289
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=245981&id=579821289

Here are the ones that Desmond Gayle DG Photography took
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2078074&id=11101973

Ogun - In My Spare Time

Ok!  Now I finally got a chance to listen to Ogun's latest cd.  There were a couple songs that I was already familiar with being that I am a fan of Ogun and I have been to a few of his performances.  "I'm Great" that is produced by Marc Boone is to me a great track.  One of those tracks that is commercial without being commercial if that makes sense.  Another song that I was feeling was Stardom featuring Street Scott.  The lyrics as well as the beat and vibe was one of those songs that you can just kind sit back and close your eyes and just feel.

I have always thought of Ogun as a motivational artist.  While he has songs on here that are gritty, forgive the pun, they are believable as well.  There are too many people who rap about busting someone's head and you just look at them and say to yourself, who the hell are you busting??  LOL

The first song on the whole cd is called "How Do You Think I Feel".  I can feel the emotion in the lyrics and how pissed off he feels about the bullshit that had been said.  And to go along with that "Why You Acting" featuring Goon kinda goes along with that concept of nonsense talking.

Alright now what would Bmore's Hero be without a Baltimore song??  Well he has one!  "That B" is a Baltimore song for sure..  Shouting out neighborhoods and streets that everyone can listen and say hey that's my hood!  He is repping the whole city.  Not just east or west but all over.

Ogun as a few features on this cd.  One is Bakerman Blue.  He is on the song "Alien".  Everything I have heard him on I have been impressed.  The song isn't bad either.

Now I said that I always think of Ogun being a motivational artist and I was not disappointed.  The last track "Keep Pushing" was a very Ogun track and I'm glad he closed out the cd with that song!!

I'm not going to give my opinion on every single song!  You need to go cop the cd from Ogun for $5 and get that hardcopy and listen for yourself.

All in all I like the cd.  There are a couple tracks that I was just not feeling for whatever reason.  I am going to go back and listen through again at another time and see if the feeling changes.  Of course maybe I'm just comparing Ogun's "Checkmate" cd which I loved all the tracks but one.  :)  Not everyone is going to feel every track.

So if you haven't gotten it yet, then go get it.  Give it a listen.  Plus this is Ogun.  He is a veteran in this game and has alot of knowledge and some of you rappers who want to be artists need to get with the veterans and take some lessons!!

Mortal Combat Round 1 11-1-10

Well, well, well....Monday night was very interesting.  It was the first round of the Mortal Combat competition which I believe at the end of one person will be able to claim best in battling in the city.  I have never been to an MC battle until Shaka started having the Pit Fights and the more that I attend, the more I am seeing how rules seem to vary from "league" to "league".

As a member of the "scene" in the aspect of a fan and spectator, I tend to watch those around me.  With the combining of Baltimore Battles and Pit Fights I have often compared the two as full grown pitbulls and pitbull puppies.  Why that comparison??  Let's see if I can do this without pissing too many off!!  The Pit Fight fighters are more seasoned and more level headed like a pitbull who is over the age of 3 where as the Baltimore Battle fighters are like puppies who have no self control or manners.  I'm not even talking about the age as much as the ability in being able to battle someone and keep focused.  Hell Apex is the youngest and that young man has control and self awareness about himself.  That's training and respect for the battle game.

Anyway, on to Mortal Combat.

I was impressed by some and disappointed by others!  There were times when lines were said and I thought did he even research who he was going up against?  There were a few forgotten lines and a few tongue tied moments.  There were a round or two that I was thinking uhmmmm who is watching the time?  That minute seems to be going on forever.  But all in all it was a really good event with a really good turnout.

I want to say congratulations to P.T., Apex, J-Law, Smirf, and Odub.  The next round you all will have to come harder.  It's not going to get easier.  The next round looks like this.....

rio (1) vs j law (6)

pt (2)vs odub (5)

apex (3) vs et (7)

jo spade (4) vs smirf (8)

There have been alot of predictions about who is going to win in the next rounds and who is going to take the whole thing!  I can't even call it but I would like to see J-Law vs Apex.  I love Apex and think he is a fantastic battle rapper but J-Law impressed the hell out of me on Monday!  Why???  He was in the middle of his round and Goon said something and he incorporated it into his battle!  Someone behind him said something and he incorporated it in his battle!  He didn't let it throw him off track!  You have to be able to handle things being thrown at you from the crowd or be able to block the crowd out.  Just look at some of the pictures that were taken and you can see how focused he was!  

So congratulations to those who won.  To those who took the loss, it is what it is!  And I read that it was a popularity contest.....uhmmm no it wasn't!  You lost so just take the L and just because people came up to you after and said they thought you won doesn't make it so.  If I was a judge I would have agreed with the other judges.  It is what it is.  

On to the next round!!

ODUB

P.T.

SMIRF

APEX