KAGE: PRIME TIME

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of the passing of Keith Gugliotta Jr aka Kage.  I was told about Kage by my friend and local scene dj  DJ Rome.  I remember him telling me about Kage but was never introduced to him but I believe I had seen him out at shows when I first came on the scene.

Last year when I heard the news of his passing I was saddened for many reasons!  One December 7th is also my birthday, two, he was so young and three he has a beautiful family who cared and loved him along with 3 very young children.  He was one of those guys who was working hard on his music and had the drive to push  his music.

 

So yesterday after months trying to get the song played at M&T Stadium and 98 Rock having a contest and it catching their ears and eyes, the Ravens front office agreed to play the song and video in the stadium.  Now the Ravens front office said that they couldn't use the song during the games for whatever reasons.  But I am hoping that the more people that promote this song and keep pushing, hopefully the powers that be will use this song as a theme to get the crowd and the team pumped.

There have been alot of Ravens songs being made and I commend everyone on their love for the game, music and for the Ravens but this song right here gives me goose bumps every time I hear it.  Kage wrote this close to a year and a half ago and I don't think he knew what impact it would have on people!  Then again maybe he did!

R.I.P. Kage   You are far from forgotten and the outpour of love and friendship that I seen with my own eyes yesterday showed me that.  Through your music your children will be able to hear your voice and your messages.  I know that you were there in that stadium as they played your song.  Even I could feel that!

So I will continue to push this song!  I will continue to pass it along to the Ravens players.  I will continue to do my part.  I know his dream was to get his song played at the stadium but I want to see the song played during home games!  The least the Ravens camp can do is buy the song or at least play the song so many times during the game and for every time they play it, put money in a college fund for Kage's children!  That's just my thought!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kage-Prime-Time/121835761205456

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

4th Annual Baltimore Crown

The 4th Annual Baltimore Crown Awards will be held on November 7th.  With categories like these, it should be interesting.

Hip Hop Artist of The Year: 

Battle MC of the Year 

Poet of the Year 

Vocalist of the Year 

Band of The Year 

Best Underground Release 

Graphic Designer of The Year 

Best Baltimore Media 

DJ of the Year 

Studio of the Year 

Producer of the Year 

Photographer of the Year 

Videographer of the Year 

Manager of the Year 

Promoter of the Year 

Best New Artist 

Under the Radar Award 

Best Live Venue 

Best Poetry Venue 

Best Hip Hop Venue 

*Golden Awards are awarded to Artists who ALSO make other contributions to the scene by providing services, outlets, resources, community service (Any Thing That Enhances The Scene)

Golden Mic 

Golden Pen 

Golden Stage Awards 

Special Appreciation 

Special Contribution Awards

Already the voting has started more than a little controversy. As usual.  In the few years that I have been in this scene I have come to realize that what I know isn't all that there is.  I knew about the Baltimore music scene back in 2000 when I met a friend who is a singer.  At that time he basically told me that Baltimore was not the place to be if you wanted to get a fan base and to get noticed.  He said that he and his team didn't bother to do shows in the city because there was no love.  Hmmm interesting.  

It wasn't until 2006 when I met another artist in the city who was getting radio airplay and doing things and traveling that I seen another side of the Baltimore music scene.  The commercial side basically.  I seen how he did the commercial thing and got noticed and signed and was moving and shaking.

A few months later I got to see yet another side.  I was introduced to the Baltimore scene that most of you know.  The 5 Seasons, The Black Hole, Whispers, Penguins, Fletchers, Bedrock......all the little places where events were being put together.   I got to see a unity of sorts.  A movement.  But the thing about a movement is it goes for a little ways and then stops.  It moves and then people get uninterested in the movement, get bored and they move on.  

Now here it is 2010 and I see the same things going on with alot of the same faces and a few new.  There are so many rappers and artists in this city.  My big thing is that if you only see who is in your circle, you aren't expanding your mind.  If I only worried about who and what was going on in my little circle of M.I.B. then I wouldn't know about Byrdland Music Group or Z.O.M.E. or the M.A.B.A. and the list goes on.  I'm not saying you have to work with all the people in the city but damn be aware of your surroundings.  Be aware of others who are grinding and making moves.  You think you are doing things but just maybe compared to someone else you might not be doing as much.


I have seen alot of self proclaimed royalty in the city and I find it funny.  I see alot of people claiming fame because of views on YouTube and the comments left on the videos.  These people think you are the best because that's all they know or all they see.  Is that clicking for you yet??  Hmm ok....The only cheesesteak you ever eat is at Stoko's.  You ate one at another spot one time and it wasn't nothing compared to Stoko's!  So now you making statements that Stoko's is the best.  But you only had food from one other spot.  The only way you can truly say that Stoko's is the best is by going to all the spots and trying their cheesesteaks.  Is that easier to understand?


I say things to get people to think about the things they say.  If you say that someone is deserving of one of these awards then explain why.  I think he/she deserves this award because of this and this and this.  Chin-Yer is trying to make it as fair and deserving award show.  It would be easy to say ok well he/she deserves this award because they didn't win one last year!  Well what have they done this year?  If you don't know what anyone else's is doing how can you honestly say one person is doing more than someone else?  I'm just say educate yourself with what is going on around you.  If all you know is your crew or your little circle then of course all you are going to know and vote for is them.  Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  You may be thinking that you are grinding hard but the next man is grinding and making moves and having meetings that you aren't even aware of.


So the Baltimore Crown this year should be really interesting.  I'm sure there are going to be some surprises and some sour faces.  I'm just glad to be apart of it and get to see people that I don't get to hang around with because we don't move in the same circles!  I'm looking forward to seeing all the poets and spoken word folks!  I need to get to some of their events.  Didn't even know I had a friend who does those events!  See just goes to show you that even I need to expand my mind.


So vote for whoever you feel deserves the award.  Just be sure you are able to give a good reason for why you are nominating them. 


Happy voting!

What Happened To Hip Hop?

As I was driving this morning, they were talking about the BET Hip Hop Awards show that aired last night.  Now I didn't watch it nor did I have any desire to do so.  Why?  Because I'm not a fan of industry hip hop.  Don't get me wrong, there are a few songs I will listen to but if it weren't for the fact that the cd player in my car doesn't work, I wouldn't really know anything about what is being played on the radio.  I do however like J. Cole.  I think that is a talented young man and if the industry doesn't try to control and censor him, he may be one of the few who can bring back real lyrics and real hip hop.

I know that things can't stay the same and they have to progress and move forward but have any of you really listened to any of the lyrics in majority of the songs that are popular?  Gone are the days of telling stories or being political without being militant.  Gone are the days of rhymes that make you say Damn did you just hear that??  Gone are the days of what hip hop was really made to be about.  Now you have cartoon characters and gimmicks that just make you look at the videos and say what the hell are they talking about.

Now I know alot of people are wondering Lisa what makes your fat white ass such an expert on the hip hop scene.  Well I'm not an expert, I'm a fan of music and have been listening and dealing with music since probably birth.  You see my musical ear goes beyond hip hop and R&B.  I listen to every genre there is.  So my range is wide when it comes to music.

Also I have been around people who make music for alot longer than the time I have been in this scene.  10 yrs ago I met someone who had his own group, was touring and had meeting with A&R's.  To this day he is still in the business.  Has a distribution company, has a tv show that he is filming and still recording with industry people.  I have an ex who used to write rhymes and was in NY one day and last his rhyme book on the subway.  The next thing he knew one of his boys told him he heard his lyrics on the radio being put out by Bad Boy Ent.  So I was in the scene before most of the people in it even knew what the scene was.

I just want to hear good music.  I want to hear a story being told that doesn't have the same worn out bullshit lines that every other song has.  Two people can tell the same story but it's all in how they present it that makes you listen.

Industry music has been dumbed down so much.  Don't believe me? Just look at what's being played on the radio.  Pretty Boy Swag, Teach Me How To Dougie, Anything by Waka Flocka......Tell me that the words in any of those songs matter to anyone.  The only reason that music is getting played is because it has a good beat or the kids can dance to it!  Do an experiment. Pick a song that is on the radio, something that gets played every hour on the hour, either look up the lyrics or just listen to the lyrics.  Now play the song and close your eyes and see if you can see the song in your head like a movie.  If you can then maybe you need to be in the movie business because you have a vision that I can't get.

I think there needs to be an education seminar for these young rappers coming up in the scene.  They need to stop trying to sound like Little Wayne, the females need to stop trying to be Nicki Minja and they need to listen to the likes of KRS-1, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang, Run DMC, Slick Rick, Too Short, Salt & Pepa, Mc Lyte, Queen Latifah, Guru, Gangstar, George Clinton and list goes on and on and on.

That's just my personal opinion.  But what do I know?  I'm just a nobody anyway.  Just a lover of music....all kinds!!!