http://www.theboombox.com The Boombox Music Blog http://www.theboombox.com en-us Copyright 2012 Blogsmith, LLC. The contents of this headlines and excerpts feed are available for limited commercial distribution. You may repost this feed to your site provided you link back to the original story, do not edit the material, and do not remove this copyright notice. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/29/playaz-circle-tap-cee-lo-bobby-valentino-for-flight-360/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/29/playaz-circle-tap-cee-lo-bobby-valentino-for-flight-360/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/29/playaz-circle-tap-cee-lo-bobby-valentino-for-flight-360/#comments
Playaz Circle, the Atlanta-based hip-hop duo comprised of Tity Boi and Dolla Boy, broke through with their catchy single 'Duffle Bag Boy.' The song, off the duo's 2007 debut, 'Supply & Demand,' features Lil Wayne on the hook and was such a monster hit that the duo might be known better as the Duffle Bag Boys. The Boombox sat down with Tity and Dolla Boy at Red Carpet Lanes during Ludacris' Luda Day Weekend Celebrity Game Night to discuss their connection to Luda's Disturbing tha Peace (DTP) collective, thoughts about the digital era in music and their new album, 'Flight 360: The Takeoff,' which is in stores now. Tity calls 'Flight: 360' a "very conceptual album." The "flight" in the album title represents the duo's takeoff after the popularity of 'Duffle Bag Boy' ... and for them being fly, of course. The album's first single 'Can't Remember' features R&B crooner Bobby Valentino, while one-half of Gnarls Barkley and former Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo also makes an appearance on a track they anticipate will hit hard with a wide variety of audiences. ...

'Flight: 360' is being released via Luda's DTP label. The two have a long-term history. "We basically grew up in the same neighborhood, College Park, Ga." Dolla says of Playaz Circle's connection to multi-platinum and Grammy winning artist and actor. "That's our roots. That's where we came from. We were friends from day one. We basically came out at the same time." Though both Playaz Circle and Luda began their music career at the same time, their careers did not follow the same road. After serving time behind bars, Dolla now feels lucky to be on the same path.

So what's next for Playaz Circle? "We are in the process of negotiating our own label, Duffle Bag Boyz," Dolla reveals. "We have solo albums coming out, as well as the Duffle Bag Boys album, 'Baggage Claim,' slated to drop early next year."

Before letting the two playaz play on, the Boombox asked for their perspective on the shift from CD sales to digital downloads and Internet file sharing. "The Internet has both helped and hurt in certain ways," says Tity. "We are right in the middle of the transition. It's an age where people can get information so quick, especially if they really want it. Soulja Boy used it to get fans and capitalize off it and that was a pro. Each day, though, is an argument about what the Internet really does for an artist. Does it really help or does it hurt? One incident on the Internet cannot only ruin your rap career, it can ruin your whole life, especially if its some sucka sh--."

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]]>2273857Bobby ValentinoBobbyValentinocee-lognarls barkleyGnarlsBarkleygoodie mobGoodieMoblil wayneLilWayneLudacrisPlayaz CirclePlayazCircleKim DowdyTue, 29 Sep 2009 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/11/lil-scrappy-hustles-and-grinds-on-new-album/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/11/lil-scrappy-hustles-and-grinds-on-new-album/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/09/11/lil-scrappy-hustles-and-grinds-on-new-album/#comments
After Lil Scrappy released his 2003 debut 'Bred 2 Die Born 2 Live' on Lil Jon's BME recordings, his name became synonymous with the Crunk phase of hip-hop. This December Scrappy will reportedly unleash his third studio album, 'The Grustle,' -- a clever play on the words "hustle" and "grind," on Ludacris' Disturbing Tha Peace label. Luda confirmed Scrappy's addition to the DTP crew via an April tweet and the two have certainly been keeping busy since, most recently collaborating on the new album's catchy, J.U.S.T.I.C.E League-produced, first single 'Addicted To Money.' "I have way more to talk about now besides punching somebody in the face.' Scrappy told the Boombox of his evolution on 'The Grustle.' Having learned what it means to grow up, he now raps about what's in him, not what's around him. Scrappy says he makes music "for the struggles and for the people that are getting it too," thus making the title of the new album quite appropriate. ...

When asked about his creative process, Scrappy admits it's simple -- he just goes to the studio and lays down the track. Sometimes he writes at home to train himself, "like a workout," but the home-penned tracks "have never seen a beat" until he hits the studio. Adding that element to a track usually completely changes the original song he had in mind.

As for more future collaborations with G-Unit -- both 50 Cent and former G-Unit member Young Buck appeared on 'Bred 2 Die, Born 2 Live' -- Scrappy remains optimistic. "Hopefully one day when we cross paths and can make it happen," he says. "I hooked with 50 because me and 50 had the same manager, Chris Lighty," Scrappy says of his initial G-Unit ties. "I got hit in the head with a bottle and got pretty messed up so 50 wanted to look out and he said, 'Take this as a little one time thing. I'm going to look out for you, keep it moving."

While 50 doesn't appear on the new album, expect a lot of Atlanta-based hook-ups. Apart from Luda, 'The Grustle' features guests like Gucci Mane, Diamond, Trey Songz, Pleasure P and Maino. You can also hear more of Luda and Scrappy's teamwork on the Rich Kids' 'My Patna Dem' remix, which is out now.

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]]>168260350 cent50Centlil jonlil scrappyLilJonLilScrappyludacrisyoung buckYoungBuckKim DowdyFri, 11 Sep 2009 10:45:00 ESThttp://www.theboombox.com/2009/07/29/j-holiday-roots-for-his-own-comeback/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/07/29/j-holiday-roots-for-his-own-comeback/http://www.theboombox.com/2009/07/29/j-holiday-roots-for-his-own-comeback/#comments
Listening to the bevy of R&B songs on the airwaves led me to ask...What's up with J. Holiday? You remember, the man behind the 2007 track singing "Bed -ed -ed -eeeeedddd." His followup 'Round 2' came just two years after his debut 'Back of My Lac' that boasted hits 'Bed' and 'Suffocate.' Holiday's current single 'It's Yours' came out swinging this Spring, but what's next? The BoomBox sat down with the crooner in Atlanta and discovered that he's not TKO'd yet! The BoomBox: It's been two years since your first album 'Back of My Lac' came out. How were you inspired for your sophomore album 'Round 2'? J. Holiday: For a minute I thought people were getting away from actual music and the love stories. And of course my daughter is getting a little older, so I have to tone down my lyrical content. She's getting to that age where she is repeating everything she hears. The BoomBox: 'It's Yours' was a strong single. What do you anticipate as your next release? J. Holiday: I'm actually working on my third project. Things got a little messed up...I don't like to play the blame game either. I like to keep things in house, but some things were done wrong. Right now I have three records coming out ... couple of collaborations. I also have a remix with Fabolous for the record 'Fall,' a single that's on the album that we'll probably also release. [It's] not necessarily a second single, but to let people know, 'Yeah I'm still here'. I want people to look out for this third project, it's going to be extreme. ...

The BoomBox: Who are you collaborating with on this upcoming project?

J. Holiday: Man, a little bit of everybody. I'm actually trying to get in with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis right now ... that would be an accomplishment in itself. Also, The Dream ... I'm trying to get in with [him]. I've already worked with Ryan Toby. He's a writer out of Atlanta, from New Jersey. He was in City High.

The BoomBox: Do you feel that success has changed you?

J. Holiday: Not at all. I tell people all the time, 'Biggie said it best. More money. More problems.' It's not really more problems. It's more responsibility. Now, I'm not taking care of just myself. You know what I'm saying. Obviously, I do what I gotta do to take care of my family. But now, I got at least five or six people that also depend on me working. You know what I mean? If I'm not working then they gotta go find something else to do.

Then you got people that want you to change. I think a lot of people never had it in their mind they would have somebody that became successful. When it actually happens...It's like they want to experience the celebrity that doesn't care about anybody. Some people just aren't like that. I know I'm not like that.

The BoomBox: What song do you wish you wrote or recorded? It can be any song.

J. Holiday: Good question! I wish that I had a part in writing for Marvin Gaye. I can't say a specific song. I just wish I had a chance to work with him.

The BoomBox: So Marvin Gaye was definitely one of your influences?

J. Holiday: Yeah, it's crazy 'cause I didn't get put on to Marvin Gaye until about 2003, 2004. I listened to him all my life but I didn't really try to see who he was. My mother used to listen to the oldies but goodies station. She used to listen to him. His songs were the songs I liked the most. I just didn't know who he was. We have similar backgrounds. You can hear the passion in his music. I think coming from that background you automatically have a certain passion with your music.

[There're] more people that inspire me. Like Jodeci. I used to watch Usher. Growing up, I thought I was going to be one of the entertainers that were going to dance and stuff. I can [but] some people that's just not their language. [He does a little pop dance move on the coach]

The BoomBox: This year is the year of the comeback. Eminem released his comeback album, Maxwell's album is out, Whitney is coming out in the fall...Who are you most rooting for to make a big return?

J. Holiday: J. Holiday [laughter]. Nah, I never really feel like I've gone...because...well, let me first answer that question. I definitely have to say I'd like to see Whitney come back. I don't like to see people get counted out. Some people just go through things in their life. It is what it is. Nobody's perfect. I'd like to see her comeback.

I never really felt like I was gone. I'm always everywhere. I'm in places people don't expect. I still do certain things at Wal-Mart. People try to act like they are too good for certain things. It's not that serious. When people see me in places like that, it's not like I'm, 'Nah get away from me.' I talk to them. I fellowship. I give them the respect that they may just have something they want to say. I think I'm a bit more tangible than some people. A lot of people meet me and say, 'I'm a cool dude' ... that's how my mama raised me.

The BoomBox: What do think is most missing from R&B today?

J. Holiday: Guts. A lot of people are putting this whole thing on their talent. It's not really your talent. Most people that I've met in R&B, they love what they do. It's not too many people I've met in R&B who are just doing it 'cuz.' They really love doing what they do. So if they're not winning or they're not selling, then there's either a passion that's lacking or it's the label. It's the people behind the desk. Nobody has guts anymore. Everybody just wants to make the short money. You gotta have the guts man.

In every song that I sing I try to put my whole soul into it. You gotta say no to your label. People rather sell themselves short I guess, to be at a high place for a short period of time. When I get to the top, I'm trying to stay up there for a while. You gotta have heart and passion. I don't know. If I had a million dollars I'd be able to show everybody but I don't so...]]>495562j. holidayJ.HolidayKim DowdyWed, 29 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST