The Boombox Music Blog

Musiq Soulchild Puts Neo-Spin on Christmas Classics

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST

Musiq Soulchild is a master at multi-tasking. Take an ordinary December day for example. The Philly-native is doing interviews to promote his new holiday CD, 'Christmas Musiq,' amidst rehearsals with a new band for a Dec. 30 show at Detroit's historic Fox Theater and working on his sixth album and follow-up to his Grammy-nominated 'OnMyRadio.' But this is how the R&B singer works. Afterall, Musiq recorded 'Christmas Musiq' while simultaneously working on 'OnMyRadio.' "It was actually fun and extremely intense," Musiq tells the BoomBox. "I was mixing two albums at the same time. I did the album in a matter of two months." The seven-song holiday album features his takes on such classics as 'Jingle Bells,' 'Deck the Halls' and 'O Holy Night.' "The songs I chose had to be public domain songs," Musiq says. "I couldn't do any originals by any artists. You don't really get any publishing because they're old, well-overused standards. I know it's been done a million times, but I really wanted to do Donny Hathaway's 'This Christmas.' I couldn't do his song because it was an original piece. They had to be 'O Christmas Tree,' 'The First Noel' and things like that." Ideally, Musiq really wanted to write his own songs, but that wasn't in the cards at this time. ...

"I'd really want to get into the vibe of Christmas," he says of penning an original holiday album. "I don't really get that feeling with the Christmas songs that are out nowadays. I like to always play on different vibes and things that people don't really talk about -- how it feels to sit and drink some really good hot chocolate in a nice diner down the street in Atlanta or seeing people walking around happy because they got gifts, or people who ain't so happy because they still shopping like crazy. I'd like to be really realistic and talk about real-life stuff in songs, rather than just being holly and jolly. There's always going to be that element there, too. But I just want to be a little bit more realistic."

This past November Musiq returned to the studio with producer Jack Knight (Diddy, Usher) laying down a rough ten tracks for his 'OnMyRadio' follow-up. Describing them only as "pretty OK," the Philly-native plans on heading back to the studio to record another batch before narrowing the two sessions down to a final twelve for the album.

"I know people classify me as a neo-soul artist, which is cool," he says, "but I'm trying to introduce the idea to people that there's more to what I'm capable of or what I'm interested in presenting to people musically than just neo-soul music. One thing that I've noticed in traveling is everybody doesn't listen to neo-soul music. I like to say I make music for the world. If I'm going to make music for the world, I have to make music for more than one genre of music."

So far so good. Musiq's three Grammy nods include Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for 'Sobeautiful' and two in the Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocals category. He's nominated for both his original collaboration 'IfULeave' with Mary J. Blige, as well as his guest vocals on India.Arie's 'Chocolate High.' "That's always a good thing," Musiq says of being recognized. "It means that I'm still credible, which is a very important thing to me. I feel as though whatever you do in this business it has to matter to the people. If it doesn't matter to the people the people are not going to invest in it.

While winning would be "a high," Musiq didn't realize when he was penning the tunes that they would be so well respected. "I'm never the type of artist who thinks like that," he admits. "When I make music, when I'm in the studio recording or singing or writing, I don't think about whether or not it's going to win an award, or whether or not it's going to be on the radio. I pray that somebody out there hears it and when they hear it, they like it or even love it because it's something they can identify with, feel and apply to their lives in one way or another. I don't care if you're from the hood. I don't care if you're from the suburbs. I don't care if you're from a Third World country. If you like my music, I feel as if I've accomplished something."

'Christmas Musiq' is available on iTunes.

Royce da 5'9 Juggles Family, 'The Festival' and Slaughterhouse

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:45:00 EST

Rapper Royce da 5'9 is the poster child for work-life balance. He manages to juggle all of his projects -- which include a tour and forthcoming albums by himself and Slaughterhouse -- yet still finds time for his three children. "As long as I'm at home, I have babies to take care of," he said via telephone from his Detroit-area home. "I have one on a swing. I have another I have to constantly chase around that we're trying to potty train, and an 11-year-old outside that never wants to stay in and help us." Royce has taken a break from the family life to embark on the Rock the Bells tour with Slaughterhouse, a super group of sorts that also features Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I. The 10-date festival tour runs through Aug. 9. ...

"Everybody's going to have a good time," Royce said. "Everybody's looking forward to it."

The bi-coastal conglomerate is touring in support of its self-titled debut LP due out in August. The group came together only 10 months ago when Budden was working on a song for his 'Halfway House' album and enlisted the services of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce for a song called "Slaughterhouse." Inspired by the vibe of the track and the immediate chemistry of the four rappers, a plan was hatched to form the super group.

"'Slaughterhouse' is classic," Royce said. "It's what you expect from Slaughterhouse and then some. We actually making records. I don't think a lot of people can say that. They're expecting lyrics from the jump. First thing they're gonna want to hear is lyrics. You're going get that front to back. But you're also going to get great songwriting, great song structures, great feel, all the group members show versatility with this album. Everyone just stepped up. I'm really proud of everybody."

The Slaughterhouse invite came on the heels of Royce finishing his solo album called 'Street Hop,' due for release in September. It features guest performances by Busta Rhymes, Phonte from Little Brother and Kid Vishis, Royce's younger brother.

"I had one body of work that I was just about ready to turn it in," Royce said. "Then it leaked out. I had to actually go back in. I kept a couple of songs, then I went back in and gave the whole project a makeover. It was a year or two in the making, working at a steady pace. It was a good thing that happened, though. What I have now is about 10 times better than what I had before. Things happen for a reason."

Royce, who is releasing a digital-only EP entitled 'The Revival' on July 7, said he always wanted to name an album 'Street Hop.'

"My dream album is an album that you can combine hip-hop with the streets," Royce said. "It's not too hip-hop. It's not earthy and happy. Then it's street but it's not so, 'Oh my God. I'm gonna kill, kill, kill. There's still a hip-hop element there. I found that balance. There's a fine line between the two styles.

Willy Northpole is a Friend of Phoenix

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:00:00 EST

The City of Phoenix honored Arizona-based rapper Willy Northpole with a Friend of the City designation for his work with at-risk juveniles during a ceremony last week at Doc's Place in the state's capitol. "I love the city," said a blinged-out Northpole during an interview with The BoomBox after the ceremony. "They love me back. They honored me for my community work. I go to a lot of the juveniles and talk to them. "I was incarcerated as a teen. I go and I talk to youths. I have community functions. I have eating events -- barbecues. I bring jumpers out for the kids. I just give back. Whenever I'm in town, I'll always think of something to do for the community. People get a chance to know you. They get a chance to touch you. They get a chance to be around you. It's different when you hear the music. When you meet the person, it's more official and they feel that now they really have to support that guy. I know him personally. 'That's my boy.' It's real. It's not an act. That's the kind of person I am." The City of Phoenix's representative was District 8 Councilman Michael E. Johnson, Northpole's uncle. Johnson said the City took notice of Northpole's activities of reaching out to at-risk youths to give them a positive role model. ...

Northpole's honor came on the eve of the release of his debut "Tha Connect." Northpole, who is pushing the first single "#1 Side Chick" with Bobby Valentino, signed to DTP Records after catching the attention of multiplatinum rapper Ludacris, the label's CEO.

"I went inside a Best Buy store today," Northpole said. "I said, 'You got the Willy Northpole album yet?' They all looked it up. They pulled it up. The face pops up. They looked at me. They looked at the screen. They looked at me again. They looked at the screen. 'That's you!' I said, 'I just wanted to see how you guys would react to a customer that comes in and asks for my CD.' It's good that now I have something to direct to the people. I can actually say, instead of 'Coming soon' or 'Pick it up June 23,' I can say it's in stores. Go get it now. That was my whole goal -- to put out a national album, to say that I've done that under a major label. It's just like getting a bachelor's degree. Now it's time to go for the Ph.D."

Northpole said he named the album "Tha Connect" to stress his role as unofficial Phoenix tour guide.

"When you think of Arizona, what do you think of? Hot? The desert? Maybe horses?" he said. "I'm 'tha connect' to show you what goes on out here. We have no urban national. I come from the streets. I come from South Phoenix -- Broadway and 24th street. We don't have any representation nationally. I can show you the more urban side of Phoenix -- what goes on, not violence, not the glorified violence. But we have hip-hop culture out here. We drive nice cars out here. We have fun. We do this. We do that. Everybody's not retired playing golf, riding horses, chasing geckos or geicos -- one of those guys. It's my job to actually go out there and put us on the map."

DMX Avoids More Arizona Jail Time

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 18:30:00 EST

Barring he stays out of trouble, rapper DMX won't be wearing pink underwear in Phoenix's Tent City any time soon. Maricopa County Superior Court sentenced the rapper, whose real name is Earl Simmons, to 18 months of supervised probation after X plead guilty in May to throwing a food tray at a jail officer while serving a sentence for felony charges of theft, drug possession and a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. Authorities are allowing him to serve his probation and undergo drug counseling in Florida, where he owns a home. X and his lawyer Glenn Allen are satisfied with the outcome of the plea deal. "I think even the court wants the best for him," Allen said. ...

The rapper is said to be working on his comeback album and religious television show. "I'm going to start a TV show called Pain and Perseverance," X said of plans to launch a new Christian ministry. "It's about how I can reach people that the average person can't reach because I'm grounded."

Afrika Bambaataa Inspired by Funk and Vibrations

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:00:00 EST

Instrumental in the creation of hip-hop, Afrika Bambaataa is spending these days working on a new album and creating music for EA Sports video games: FIFA Streets 3, Fight Night and NBA Live Sports. "I really don't play too much video games, but I like the music," Bambaataa said with a laugh. "I hear people playing games and I say, 'Oh, what's that? I gotta get that.' Then you gotta track it down. Maybe they don't have it as a record though. But right now, we're just doing some more music, doing stuff for video games and doing other soundtracks for other people in other countries." Bambaataa is also preparing to record a new album, his first since 2006's "Death Mix '2'. " He has been spending his time writing. ...

"I write when I'm inspired or when I have to, if there's a middle ground," Bambaataa said. "You could write when you're feeling it, or when you're traveling or when you see something. You may hear a sound and you just start thinking about it. Or you write when you're someplace like a studio and you have to write. You gotta feel the vibrations though. It's always best to write beforehand."

Next month, Bambaataa will make a special appearance at Detroit's Movement 2009 electronic music festival as a DJ. He said he will spin what makes the masses feel good.

"It's good to play anything that has electro-funk or techno or whatever thousands of categories of names they like to call things," Bambaataa said about the festival. "I'll play whatever's funky that makes the people move. It depends on the vibrations I see that makes people happening. But let them know we don't want no wallflowers. We want people to get down and enjoy themselves. There's too much chaos in the world today. When you get to the festival, just let it all go and party."

Sean Kingston Channels Summertime Fun With 'Fire Burning'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

Reggae artist/rapper Sean Kingston hopes fans get him when he releases his sophomore effort, 'Tomorrow,' this summer. He said he liked his self-titled debut, but it "didn't connect to the fans." "People loved Sean Kingston songs but they didn't know who Sean Kingston was as an artist," Kingston said during an interview with The BoomBox. "I feel like this album is so musical. You got every type of track. Everyone from young to old is going to be able to ride out to this album. A lot of people come back on these sophomore albums but they don't come back as hard as they do on their first album. I feel like this album is coming so, so hard because I've been away for a year and a half. I've been focused on my sophomore album because a sophomore album can make you or break you. I feel like the lyrics, the songs, the beat everything ... I feel like it is going to change my career when people hear the music on this album." To hammer home his point, Kingston hired some of the best producers around, including Wyclef Jean, JR Rotem, RedOne, and Timbaland, for 'Tomorrow.' "The first album, I feel like the production was good, but a lot of people didn't see my artist style," Kingston said. "JR did the whole first album. This time, I want to really go with a couple different producers so they can show my versatility." ...The first single from the album is the infectious 'Fire Burning,' a song that Kingston said defines summertime.

"Being that I'm coming out with my sophomore album, it's the summertime, I wanted to do something with a lot of energy, very club," said Kingston, who added he is tentatively scheduled to tour with Pink this summer. "I basically went in with a lot of producers looking for a big, huge club record. That's what's going on right now. I'm big on the computer. I like to read blogs and like to listen to radio and see what's working right now. I feel like the club is where it's at. I worked with a couple producers and the last producer I went with was RedOne. He did a lot of stuff with Lady GaGa. He came up with the record. He already had the beat in mind. He already had the idea of where he wanted to take the song. I came in and put the icing on the cake. It was crazy."

But whether or not 'Tomorrow' succeeds, Kingston is happy with his place in music.

"I'm the type of guy where if it's meant to happen it's meant to happen," Kingston said. "I'm very spiritual. God has blessed me. If He's going to bless me again, He's going to bless me again. I'm just writing. Wherever the song goes, the song goes. Everybody's loving 'Fire Burning' so I'm blessed. I'm excited."

Listen to 'Fire Burning'

Hurricane Chris Gears Up for Halle Berry Inspired Video

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:30:00 EST

Shreveport, La., rapper Hurricane Chris is set to film the video for his single 'She Fine (Halle Berry)' on Wednesday, April 8, hot on the heels of the actress dancing to his song on 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show.' "I set it up it's like a ghetto 'Rip the Runway' but it ain't ghetto because it got class at the same time," Hurricane Chris said during an interview with The BoomBox. "It's not too sophisticated. We're having fun on 'Rip the Runway.' A little more casual clothes than you would see on the hip-hop 'Rip the Runway.' We clean as a whistle throughout the whole video. It ain't no white T-shirts in this one. ...

"It started out with me talking to my other self in the back room looking for Halle Berry. The Ratchet version of me is like, 'Man. You have to let me go do this.' But I'm trying to control him. We have investors sitting out in the crowd. My Ratchet side of me ends up getting some chicks out the hood who look good with class. It starts out real crazy and it's another personality that's sitting out in the crowd. You gotta watch it. The dance is incorporated throughout the video. If you go to YouTube and type in 'Halle Berry dance' you'll see the same dance all over the video."

A fan of Berry's since he was 9, Hurricane Chris said he was stunned to find out that the actress had heard his song.

"I was wondering what was going to be the response," he said. "When I saw that, I was like, 'It's all good. It's all good.' It took it to the next level. That means she's rolling with it. Shout out to Halle Berry. I didn't write that song for nothing. I had a big poster of her in my room when I was about 9 or 11. I didn't just get on the bandwagon. I ain't watch too many movies, but I kept up."

"She Fine (Halle Berry)" will appear on Hurricane Chris' forthcoming album 'Unleashed,' set for release this summer. Special guests include Bobby Valentino, on the first single 'Touch Bases,' as well as Lil' Boosie and Mario.

"I came up with [the title 'Unleashed'] because basically on my freshman album, it was like the beginning of me," Hurricane Chris said. "It was big learning process and I was held down by certain restraints in certain areas. When it came to the second album, it's me all the way unleashed. I don't have no restraints, no collars or chains on me. I'm unleashed."

Bow Wow Pays Tribute to Dupri on 'New Jack City, Pt. II'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:30:00 EST

Bow Wow has much respect for former record executive Jermaine Dupri, but their relationship hasn't been without turbulence. The musician, whose real name is Shad Gregory Moss, pays tribute to that friendship in the title of his new album, 'New Jack City, Pt. II.' "I'm comparing our relationship to the actual friendship that you guys saw in the movie, 'New Jack City,' starring Wesley Snipes," Bow Wow said during an interview with The BoomBox. "In the movie, they let the business ruin them, causing Wesley Snipes to kill Allen Payne. "If you look at me and Jermaine's relationship, the business caused us to go separate ways from each other. It kind of turned me against him and us against one another, which is something we never ever thought would happen. That's something that Wesley Snipes and Allen Payne thought would never happen." Bow Wow dubbed the album 'New Jack City Pt. II' because if the business didn't break up Dupri and Bow Wow's relationship, the record label So So Def would have continued. ...

"So So Def is how 'The Carter' is in the movie," Bow Wow said. "That was their administration. That's how they made money. So So Def is our administration. That's how we made money. Me and Jermaine are the best of friends, son, big brother, pops, whatever you want to call it. That's what we like and that's why we called it 'New Jack City Pt. II."

Bow Wow explained Dupri brings out the best in him, so pairing up for 'New Jack City Pt. II' was ideal. Not only did Dupri produce the record, but the deposed Island Records Urban Music executive appears on the song 'Roc the Mic.'

"He's the only producer that actually knows me and the only producer that is always around me," Bow Wow said. "It just makes it easier for us to work in the studio with one another and come up with different things. It's not just me; it's every artist that Jermaine works with. I think that's reason why he has a hit every time. It doesn't take a rocket scientist from Jermaine's perspective to give us the kind of records that our fan base recognizes us for."

The album, due to hit stores March 31, also features guest appearances by Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, Yung Joc, Nelly, Trey Songz and T-Pain.

50 Cent to Open for Rockers on 'Believers Never Die' Tour

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST

Fulfilling a long-standing promise to work together, 50 Cent will open for Fall Out Boy on select dates of the pop band's "Believers Never Die Part Deux Tour," which kicks off April 3 in Mesa, Ariz. 50 Cent will support the band April 18 in Houston; April 22 in Orlando, Fla.; and April 25 in Washington, D.C., according to FriendsorEnemies.com. "I'm not sure where it all began, but I know the first time we met him really was on 'TRL' a little bit ago," Fall Out Boy drummer Andy Hurley told The BoomBox during an interview from Munich, March 18. "He was super nice and he kind of mentioned that he wanted to do something. We all kind of laughed it off like, 'Yeah. He's just saying that.' ...

"One thing led to another and we were talking about what we could do together. A couple dates opened up on the tour. We asked if he wanted to come out for a little bit. We're a band that has a lot of super diverse range of music that influences us and that we love. We love hip-hop so it's always cool to mix rock with that. I think there's kind of negative reaction sometimes when rock and hip-hop mix that borders on the racist. It's cool that our fans are so accepting of it. It's just a good experience."

Hurley said there is so much that can be learned when artists of other genres work together.

"Plus our fans will be able to dance to 'In Da Club,'" he said with a laugh.

Download 50 Cent Songs | Buy 50 Cent CDs

Murs, Slaughterhouse Gear Up for Paid Dues Festival

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:00:00 EST

Murs 3:16 and Guerilla Union, the brains behind such festivals as Rock The Bells and Cypress Hill Smoke Out, are gearing up for fourth "Paid Dues" independent hip-hop festival, set to return Saturday, March 28, to the NOS Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif. The 2009 lineup, hosted by 2MEX, features performances by Atmosphere, Tech N9ne, Living Legends, Brother Ali, B-Real, Grouch and Eligh, Cage, Blu and Exile, Eyedea and Abilities, LMNO, DJ Val the Vandal and Verbs and the Bayliens. "This year's Paid Dues line-up is very special to me because we have acts like Tech N9ne and Atmosphere who I've been big fans of and also trying to book forever," Murs told the BoomBox. ...
"The show also marks the So-Cal return of E & A, who haven't played the NOS since the legendary Wu-Tang reunion at the 2004 Rock The Bells. Cage, B-Real and G & E all have new records dropping this spring."

"There's nothing like being the first to see your favorite artist do their new material. On the other side of things, myself and the entire GU staff will be diligent to provide the same high quality live music experience Guerilla Union has become known for over the years."

Recently added to the bill is the buzz-worthy supergroup Slaughterhouse, consisting of lyricists Joe Budden, Royce Da 5'9", Joell Ortiz and Crooked I. The audience at Paid Dues will see the exclusive West Coast premiere performance of Slaughterhouse.

"We're honored to be joining this year's Paid Dues Festival and look forward to giving the fans a great show. Joe, Crooked, Joell and myself are very excited to bring Slaughterhouse to such a prestigious event and we look forward to becoming a part of hip-hop history," states Royce Da 5'9".

Budden adds, "We're all equally excited about this opportunity and we're going to tear that stage down. It's our first West Coast performance so needless to say we value the chance...and we're going to perform as such."

The four-man collective recently released a track titled "Onslaught." On Jan. 22, Slaughterhouse held its first live performance in front of a sold-out crowd at S.O.B.'s in New York.

Gorilla Zoe Admits 'Don't Feed Da Animals' Spawned From 'Gibberish'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST

Rapper Gorilla Zoe is kind of like the class clown that everyone loves in high school. Instead of answering questions, he creates impromptu rap songs out of journalists' names or rhymes out of his mood. "I'm doin' real good," Zoe said during an interview with The BoomBox. "We're mackin' it. You know, macaroni, macadamia cookies, immaculate. I feel real good." So it's no surprise that he describes his current album title, 'Don't Feed Da Animals,' as coming from "a lot of gibberish." "At the end of the day, I'm saying you shouldn't feed the animals," Zoe said in his raspy voice. "We've already eaten and now we want more. We've tasted success and now we want more. It's simple." 'Lost,' the first single from the album that hit stores March 17, is a Top 20 favorite at urban radio outlets nationwide and Top 25 at rhythmic after impacting as the No. 1 most added song at urban and rhythm. It was produced by longtime friend Drumma Boy, someone from whom he learned a lot. ...

After a big yawn, he said, "He taught me how to actually tweak the drums, how to tweak and make your own sound, taking the beat and taking the sound and making it yours."

'Don't Feed Da Animals' will soon be accompanied by a feature-length film of the same name, the first release from Block Entertainment CEO Russell "Big Block" Spencer's newly launched Block Films. 'Don't Feed Da Animals' stars Gorilla Zoe in an action-packed street narrative directly inspired by the album. The film features five music videos to accompany such new tracks as 'I Am The A,' 'Break It Down,' 'Talk Back (featuring Roxy Reynolds),' '100, 50, 20 &10' and 'Dope Boys.' 'Don't Feed Da Animals' will be distributed in select markets nationwide in the spring. For more information, see visit Block Films' official Web site at www.block-ent.com.

"I have a new style," he said. "I have my own style. It's unstoppable right now. It's a new sound. It's a new style. Everyone's going to love it."

Biz Markie Loves the Kids, Talks 'Yo Gabba Gabba!'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:30:00 EST

Legendary rapper/'Yo Gabba Gabba!' cast member Biz Markie is preparing a kids show that he hopes will air on Nickelodeon later this year. "I just like kids," Markie said in an interview with The Boombox. "Children [are] our future. I like to do anything for our kids. I'm going to try to get my own kids show. There ain't no real TV shows for kids right now." 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' is a children's television series currently airing on the Nick Jr. and Noggin cable networks in the United States. Markie offers his "Beat of the Day," demonstrating different beat-boxing skills. He became involved with the show after "this dude" called his office and expressed an interest in hiring Markie, he said. "Since it was for kids, I said I'd be down with it," he said. "It brings me back to my youthful age. I love kids. Every time I go around people neighborhood, they're like, 'Biz! Yo Gabba Gabba!' They want me to beatbox all the time for them. ...

"I love 'Yo Gabba Gabba!' because it's a real kids show. There hasn't been a real kids show since 'Dora the Explorer.' It mixes hip-hop with being a kid. Hip-hop came from youths anyway. It's just a great, funky show."

He initially signed up to do the pilot, but his beat-boxing segment, which is featured on the album "Yo Gabba Gabba!", was such a hit, that he was inked to be a regular cast member. Markie said he makes up his spots just before filming.

"It was such an overwhelming success that we just kept it as part of the show," Markie said. "Plus, I like the dudes who do the show. We were cool anyway. It ain't like I had to deal with some random person. I was cool with them anyway."

In 2009, he plans to get more involved with the show, but he's keeping his ideas under wraps. Markie is also considering recording a children's album, although he hasn't started writing anything yet.

"It only takes me about four days to write an album," Markie said. "It don't take that long. I just gotta have the feeling. If I don't have the feeling, it's a different story. I gotta be in the mood. It's going to be a real children's album. I think I'm going to do a version of 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands,' you know: (sings) 'I got the whole world.' I'm going to do a version of that."

B-Real Clears Up False Perceptions With 'Smoke N Mirrors'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:30:00 EST

Not everything is what it seems in the rap world, according to Cypress Hill frontman and new solo artist B-Real. So it seemed pretty logical to name his solo debut 'Smoke N Mirrors,' which is in stores now. "It's based off of the way things are perceived in rap music," B-Real said during an interview with The Boombox. "You see these videos and all them kids that are in it. They're made to look like they're ballin' out -- they're chillin' in mansions, they're driving lambos, they have the hottest girls and the jewelry and stuff like that. They're giving fans the false perception of what it really is and the work that it takes to achieve the success to have all that sort of stuff. That's pretty much what inspired me to call the album 'Smoke N Mirrors.'" The album, released through his newly formed Audio Hustlaz label in conjunction with Duck Down Records, has been three years in the making, B-Real explained. During that time, he wrote 40 songs and picked the best 16 to put on "Smoke N Mirrors." ...

"With Cypress, the work schedule was so crazy throughout our tenure with Sony that I never really had a chance to take time to do something like this," B-Real said. "When we recorded our last record for Sony -- not Cypress Hill's last record but for the contract we made with Sony -- we had a little bit of time after that because there was no deadline to turn a Cypress Hill record in until we wanted to start working on it. I figured everybody else had projects going on so I decided to take my time and work on a solo record during the time off."

Recording and writing the album was "different" for B-Real because he didn't have his "boys" -- Cypress Hill's Sen Dog, Eric Bobo or DJ Muggs--to bounce ideas off of.

"It was basically me carrying the load on my back," B-Real said. "That's all good. I love to do that. It's a challenge. But it was different in that sense. With Cypress, it's all of us with our creative input working together as one to make a solid album. With this, I had to take my experiences from recording with Cypress, bring it one to my solo stuff and bring out whatever the vibe was on my own, really."

The official lead single is the Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley-guested smoker's anthem 'Fire,' which finds B-Real flexing his beat-making skills behind the boards. Other key highlights include contributions from Snoop Dogg ('Dr. Hyphenstein'), Buckshot ('Everything You Want'), Too $hort & Kurupt ('When We're F----ing') and Sen Dog & Malverde ('One Life').

"I didn't intend to have that many collaborations. I'd only planned to have Snoop and possibly Ice Cube but Cube was busy so I didn't get a chance to get him on. All the other stuff just sort of happened. We're pretty much done with the album and certain heads started hearing it and wanted to be a part of it just to do me a solid and whatnot, how could I refuse?"

Download B-Real Songs | Buy B-Real CDs

B-Real Takes 'Smoke N Mirrors' on the Road With EPMD

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 12:30:00 EST

When Cypress Hill's B-Real jumps on board EPMD's tour in late March, he realizes that, without the help of Sen Dog and Eric Bobo, the onus will be on him to entertain the audience. "Yeah I believe there's going to be some pressure," B-Real said during an interview with The BoomBox via telephone from New York City. "Right now I'm not feeling it too much. I think when the ball gets rolling and we actually get out there on tour with the first show, it's going to be a little bit of pressure." The pressure comes from performing his solo material to new audiences. He recently released the album "Smoke N Mirrors" through his newly formed Audio Hustlaz label in conjunction with Duck Down Records. ...

"These songs are new. Not everybody knows them. Who knows if anyone's even gonna know them by the time we get on tour. It's basically playing new material to a bunch of people. That's always a gamble. They're either going to love it or they're going to hate it. We're just gonna take it as it comes and work as hard as possible to convert some people."

On his jaunt opening for the rap legends, B-Real is going to bring his Philadelphia protege Young De and DJ Julio G.

"We're looking forward to going out on tour with EPMD, opening up for them," B-Real said. "I believe it's a six-week tour. We're looking forward to going out and playing this record in front of people and seeing what the response is and what not.

"With Cypress there's obviously Sen Dog, myself and Bobo. (DJ) Muggs doesn't tour much with us anymore. We usually bring a pretty live and energetic show between the four of us. With my solo stuff, it's pretty much going to be on my back. But I will have my partner Young De and my DJ Julio G. It should be fun. We're going to have fun."

For those who can't wait for the EPMD dates to be announced, B-REAL will perform a release shows Wednesday, Feb. 25, at SOB's in New York City. B-Real is also set to co-headline the Paid Dues Festival at the NOS Events Center in Southern California on March 28.

"I'm looking forward to playing that," B-Real said about Paid Dues. "Anything without Cypress is pretty much a challenge, so I look forward to it. We'll see how people react to the music."

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Shontelle and Akon are 'Stuck With Each Other'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 12:30:00 EST

For Barbados-born R&B singer Shontelle, recording the Akon duet 'Stuck With Each Other' for the upcoming film "Confessions of a Shopaholic" was a hat trick of success. "I really feel like just because of that song I've made a giant step with my career," Shontelle told the BoomBox via telephone from New York. "It's just incredible the fact that not only do I get to do a Diane Warren song and a Rodney Jerkins song, but I finally get to do a song with my label mate Akon, which is like three strikes of all that I ever wanted to do. "Then it's going to be featured in a Disney movie? There's so much hype about the movie, too. I know my sisters, they've read those 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' books and they are crazy about them. I know there's a lot of hype around this movie. I can't believe I get to be involved, to be a part of it." ...

"Stuck With Each Other" was written by Warren, one of America's defining pop songsmiths ("Un-Break My Heart," "How Do I Live," "I Don't Want To Miss a Thing") and produced by Jerkins, whose decade-plus hit resume includes smashes by Brandy, Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Keyshia Cole and Beyonce.

Shontelle, who released her album 'Shontelligence' in November, said working with well-known workaholic Akon was "amazing."

"Akon is so much fun to work with," she said. "He's so easy. He's such a great guy. He knows exactly what he wants, what he wants to hear. At the same time, he comes in the studio and he allows you do to your thing.

"He has such a great work ethic. He's such a workaholic. I remember we were in the studio doing the song in L.A. and in the same building, he has, like, four other sessions going on at different studios at the same time. It was crazy. The people from the label are like, 'No, seriously, he doesn't stop working."

The Touchstone Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer comedy 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy, is in theaters now.

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Jay Rock Snags Lil Wayne, Ne-Yo for 'Follow Me Home'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:30:00 EST

Jay Rock doesn't release his album, "Follow Me Home," until early '09, but the Watts, Calif.-bred rapper already has collaborations in the can with Will.i.am, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz and Ne-Yo. He chalks it up to one simple task. "Just networking," Rock said during an interview with The BoomBox at a Scottsdale, Ariz., hotel. "I might catch them at a club, you know what I'm saying. Since I got a deal, I've been traveling a lot of places." In the case of Lil Wayne, who appears with Will.I.Am on the first single, "All My Life (Ghetto)," Rock met Lil Wayne as he exited a show at Universal Studios. "I said to him, 'Yo. I'm Jay Rock -- the hottest thing out there.' I asked him right then, 'I'd like to work with you some day.' He said, 'Whatever. All you have to do is give me a call. I'm a phone call away.' He was being real." ...Rock soon realized that "All My Life" was the track for Lil Wayne. "I was telling all my boys, 'I'm gonna get Wayne on this,'" the animated Rock said. "They're like, 'Right.' I'm like, 'Watch.' So I gave him a call (and said) 'I want you to jump on this track.' He was way on the East Coast for a couple shows. I didn't want to do the e-mailing stuff. He wanted me to send it to him. I'm like, 'No man. I'm going to come to you.' I bought me and my boys a plane ticket and flew out there to DC. I gave him a call, rode right up to his tour bus and I knocked on the tour bus. We went to a studio and it was real crazy."

He encountered Will.i.am while mixing songs at Record Plant Recording Studios, a renowned studio center in New York City. "He's really shy. He's a real eccentric dude," Rock said. "They real humble."

Also on his collaboration wish list -- Busta Rhymes and Scarface. But for now, the buzz surrounding Rock has generated more than 7 million views on his MySpace page, www.myspace.com/jayrock.

"Every time I think about that, I'm like, 'Man, that's crazy,'" Rock said. "I ain't expect that much people to pay attention or listen to me coming out of Watts. It's a beautiful thing."

'Fast Life,' Travis Barker Help Paul Wall 'Fall in Love Again'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST

For Texas rapper Paul Wall, the third time was a charm for his forthcoming album "Fast Life." "We actually redid the entire album, like, twice," said Wall during an interview with the BoomBox. "We had planned on putting it out last July. But we couldn't get our singles up and running in time and we were renegotiating our contract with our record label. "That kind of put everything on hold so we went back to the drawing board and came up with a new album. We planned on September, but we felt like we could do better. So we just went back to the drawing board one more time and came up with something nice. We've got some heat on this one." Fueling the fire on 'Fast Life,' tentatively due out in March, is a virtual who's who of producers/artists ranging from Beanz N Kornbread to Akon to onetime Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker. A former reality show star and recent plane crash survivor, Barker is partially responsible for Wall falling in love again with music, the rapper said. "That's my boy there," he said about Barker, who produced 'I Need Mo,' featuring Colby O'Donis and 'Pop One of These,' featuring Too Short, Skinhead Rob and The Federation. ...

"He's a phenomenal artist. Most people just know him from having his TV show and being the drummer in Blink-182 but he's an incredible musician. He makes some real dope hip-hop tracks. His hip-hop production is off the (hook). He's just incredible. It's just a lot of fun to work with him. That's another thing that made me fall in love again--going out and working with him and Skinhead Rob was just a lot of fun. We'd be in the studio day in and day out. We'd do three to four songs in a day just us over there brainstorming and having fun."

Reconnecting with the music was key to the success of producing 'Fast Life,' which features the first single 'Bizzy Body,' with Webbie and Mouse.

"We've done it for so long sometimes we have to fall in love again," Wall said. "(If) you go through a rocky relationship with somebody you might want to take them back to where you first met, go back to the courtship period where you date them all over again, fall in love again. That's just what you have to do with your job, too; music being my job. That's what I love to do. Sometimes you just have to go back to the drawing board and fall in love again."

EPMD 'Mean Business' on New Album

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST

Due in stores Dec. 9, 'We Mean Business' is a "special" album for EPMD's Erick Sermon and Parish Smith. "Erick and I, we had to do the distribution, the label, the promotion, the artwork, every aspect of the industry -- we did it," Smith said during an interview with the BoomBox. "We had to stay focused because we knew what EPMD meant to us. We knew what it meant to the industry. When we got back (from hiatus) there was no industry, like, retail was closing. The industry was giving out 360 deals which was basically, 'Give away your publishing, your marketing and hope for the best.' We formed our own label, EP records. We got distribution from Fontana/Universal, and things began to fall in place." Besides EPMD, 'We Mean Business' represents some of the best rappers in the game. "We have Raekwon from Wu Tang, who's a good solo artist and he's great with Wu Tang. Redman, Reggie Noble, that's a given. Method Man's on the album. KRS-One, the teacher, naturally. So when EPMD did a song with KRS-One, we kind of started putting the bridge back together for hip-hop and started opening up the communication. Then the big one is Teddy Riley because of the talk box and vocoder." EPMD found there was a place for it again after playing a show in October 2006 at B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, its first New York show in eight years. ...

"It was sold out with a line around the block," Smith said enthusiastically. "We were like, 'Who are all these people here for?' We thought it was for a play or something. From that point on in, we were, 'Hey.' Then we went on the Rock the Bells tour then that's when we met Rage Against the Machine and we started getting back up with Nas and everybody."

The show was just as fervent as the energy of the people in line to see EPMD. "When we started the show, the mics wasn't on but the crowd was singing the first verse of the first song very loud," Smith said. "From that point on in, we knew what we had to do and feel our way through."

Smith said the duo felt it was an a propos time to get back together because of everything that was going on in the industry. "It went from, when we first started in the 'Golden Era,' just trying to be a really good MC or artist, to a real big money thing," Smith explained. "(With) the passing of Tupac, the passing of Biggie, the passing of Jam Master Jay, Erick and I felt that so many people sampled our music, it's time for us to return -- but like us.

"Now that it's done it's kind of interesting. People are happy. It's like if you had a choice to do something in life, do what you're going to do from your heart, not what a whole bunch of people tell you. At the end, you're going to be responsible for it."

Top 20 Hip Hop Albums

EPMD Team With Deserving Youth and Artists on New Project

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:30:00 EST

Legendary rappers EPMD are proud that their latest collaboration is going toward helping kids. Unveiled by Los Angeles-based A.K.L.A. Production, "The EPMD Project" features a collection of international artists creating pieces inspired by the veteran rappers. Works from each artist will be presented on canvases and prints and auctioned off at record release events in Los Angeles and New York. The first event will take place on Dec. 8 at New York's Santos Party House. The money raised will benefit the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based charity Groundswell Community Mural Project. "Between technology, between the industry growing and hip-hop merging with Corporate America and trying to help out, it works," said EPMD's Parish Smith during an interview with the BoomBox. "It's helping a lot of kids who already took the steps in the right direction. ...

"Basically the whole organization is kids who refrained from doing bad to doing good. They're putting murals up on the wall. When it comes to hip-hop and the street music and representing one of the elements of hip-hop, tagging is one of them."

He calls kids involved in the Groundswell project those who have "bettered their life." "They removed themselves from the negativity, and moved on to the positive. They do the painting on the walls. That's called the Groundswell (Community) Mural Project."

He and partner Erick Sermon have not seen any of the entries yet because they have been overseas on the Rock the Bells tour promoting their forthcoming comeback CD "We Mean Business," which hits stores Dec. 9.

"Instead of us rushing and just dropping an album, we kind of getting the effect and the vibe from the people who have been following us for the last 20 years," Smith said.

Top 20 Hip Hop Albums

Deborah Cox Lets Inhibitions Go on 'The Promise'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:30:00 EST

Six years after her last studio album, Deborah Cox is releasing her latest project, 'The Promise,' which is in stores today. And the singer, who made a name for herself with her ballad-turned-pop-dance hit 'Nobody's Supposed to Be Here,' is taking a different approach on this record. Cox's goal for the album's first single, 'Did You Ever Love Me,' was to give fans something unexpected, so she did not come out with an up-tempo number. After all, she has had nine No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Dance chart. "I thought 'Did You Ever Love Me' was such a different-sounding record -- the production, the vibe of it, that old school-orchestrated sound," Cox told the BoomBox. "I feel like songs like that are slower to grow, but the more you hear it, the more you want to hear it. I felt that would be a good one to lead with." Perhaps the most striking number on the album is 'All Over Me,' a ballad Cox, a one time back-up singer for Celine Dion, called "sexy." "I've never heard a singer-singer do a ballad like that," Cox explained. "When I told Terry (Lewis, producer) and Big Jim (Wright, producer) that I wanted to record a vibe like that, they were like, 'OK. You have to make sure you sing. You can't whisper it. People still want to hear your voice.' ...

"So I had to become uninhibited because I tend to be very shy when it comes to real sexy or intimate style songs. I just kind of stripped myself down and came up with the lyrics. They put the music around it and that was it. That one is a special one. I delve in a whole arena that I've never dealt with before."

The album is named after a John Legend-penned song that she performs on the record. Cox explained she enjoys Legend's more acoustic side; songs that are simple with just a voice and piano. That's what turned her on to "The Promise."

"For some reason, when I heard that song, I noticed it was really hopeful," said Cox, who is aiming to tour in March or April. "The title gives the sentiment of commitment. I felt the song really represented where I am in my life today. I'm in a committed relationship. I'm a mother. There's so many things on a personal level that have changed. I feel that song really exemplified that.

"It's almost like a lullaby that you could sing to a loved one or sing to a child. It really describes the feeling of where I am right now."

Eminem's Mom Sets the Record Straight in New Book

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 EST

From Marshall Mathers III's days as an elementary school student mimicking his favorite superheroes, his mother, Debbie Nelson, knew he was going to be a star. "Marshall used to bounce all the time and hum against the wall when he'd get tired, or he would sit on the couch or sit in the car and bounce and hum," Nelson told the BoomBox about the man now known as Eminem. "Everybody would say, 'That kid's retarded.' But nobody could say anything about my son." She may have stuck up for her son but the tables were turned on Eminem's albums. She fervently supported his career but Nelson fell victim to his vicious rap attacks, most notably on the song 'Cleanin' Out My Closet.' In discussing her book, 'My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem: Setting the Record Straight,' Nelson rationalized Eminem's rants by saying it was easier for him to attack their relationship than his ties to the family of his wife, Kim. "There's nothing I wouldn't have done for my son," said Nelson, who does not currently have a relationship with the rap star. "When he first went out there, pressing those tapes and stuff with the (1996) 'Infinite' album, I was passing them out to all of my limousine customers. He told me, 'Mom, "positive" is not selling.' ...

"When he went negative and had to be different and was very creative, he thought, 'I'll just attack mom because if I attack Kim's family they'll go after me and sue me. But if I attack my mother, it'll be different.' We were all surprised on that bill."

However, Eminem's mom did sue her son for $10 million because of his lyrics and comments to the media. She won about $25,000. In the opening words of Chapter 19, Nelson says, "I did not mean to sue my son for defamation. I just wanted to stop my home being repossessed and clear up the financial problems that had been caused." She wrote that her lawyer said suing Eminem would be a "wake-up call" and he would stop demeaning her publicly. Apparently it didn't work, as a year later he released "Cleanin' Out My Closet," a scathing testimony to the way his mother treated him as a child.

The lawsuit came on the heels of what Nelson calls a onetime strong relationship. She allowed him to explore his creativity through his dressing up as Batman, Robin or Spider-Man and went to great lengths to make her son happy. She said she does not worry about her son's reaction to the book.

"If anything, it blows him up," said Nelson, who has not heard leaked versions of Eminem's new material. "It shows I'm a very proud mother."

Deborah Cox Gets Back on 'Musical Roller Coaster'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

It may be six years between soul/R&B albums for platinum-selling, Canadian-born singer Deborah Cox, but that "down time" was truly inspirational for the Miami resident. She gave birth to two children, performed on Broadway in the leading role of 'Aida,' and toured with Cyndi Lauper's 'True Colors' jaunt. "I decided to take some time off and have a family, smell the flowers ... enjoy life," said Cox, who releases 'The Promise' on Nov. 11. "I've been on this musical roller coaster for almost 15 years. "Since the first album, it's been nonstop traveling and doing so much. I felt like I was missing out on so much -- missing out on family functions, relatives passing on, weddings, births. A lot has happened over the past 15 years in my life and I really needed to take some time to just enjoy it myself." ...

While the former Clive Davis protege performed with Elton John's Broadway show 'Aida,' she penned songs for her jazz collection, 'Destination Moon,' as well as those for 'The Promise.' The nightly performances also inspired her personal stage show.

"A lot of that experience performing live with the orchestra, with the musicians, I guess kept the creative juices going," Cox said. "It allowed me to be sort of more open creatively. I didn't feel I had to fit into any specific genre. I just knew I wanted great songs. I feel like this album exemplifies that. It's not one specific genre. The basis of it is soul/R&B music. It's not trendy. It's not trendy music."

Shontelle Trades in Drill Sergeant Status for 'Shontelligence'

Christina Fuoco-Karasinski — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:00:00 EST

When Barbadian R&B singer Shontelle was a drill sergeant in a high school sub-military cadet program, she saw a tall, striking girl with green eyes. She thought to herself, "I bet she's going to be a model when she grows up." That girl was fellow star Rihanna, or "Ri-Ri" as she calls her. But that friendship didn't mean that Shontelle, who scored a hit with the song "T-Shirt," couldn't pull rank. "Being a drill sergeant, there were times when discipline calls," Shontelle said with a laugh during a phone conversation from her home. "I remember one incident specifically when all the cadets were supposed to come out on to the parade square and she was with the group that was late. Being a drill sergeant, I had to do what I had to do. Her whole group of cadets had to do 10 pushups. That was nothing. I had to do my share of pushups when I was in the cadets." Now Shontelle is following in Rihanna's footsteps, releasing 'Shontelligence,' featuring 'T-Shirt,' Nov. 18. The song, she said, is something that every girl can relate to. ..."Every girl's been through something similar where they're away from their boyfriend or whoever and they just want to have that T-shirt to feel close to them," said Shontelle, an established high school athlete. "All the guys I know, they said, 'I love T-shirt. It's an ego booster for me, hearing a girl tell me she wants to wear my shirt.'"

Fans hoping for another taste of her album can hear her second single, "Battle Cry," on "Yes We Can: Voices of Grassroots Movement," a CD sold exclusively on Barack Obama's Web site.

"That was kind of exciting for me," she said. "I'm not American and I can't vote but somehow my music gets to be a part of one of the most historic political events in . I get to be on it with all these artists like Stevie Wonder, Adam Levine, Kayne West, Jill Scott and John Mayer. This is pretty amazing being on an album with all these really, really great artists. It feels kind of cool being this is my first time around. That feels really good for me. Really exciting."