Foxy Brown’s new highly anticipated album, ‘Brooklyn’s Don Diva,’ hits streets on May 13th, 2008

Just weeks after completing a jail sentence for violating probation, Foxy Brown is set to release her new album, “Brooklyn’s Don Diva,” on Black Rose Entertainment/KOCH Records on May 13th, 2008.

“Brooklyn’s Don Diva” features guest appearances by Dwele, AZ, Lil’ Mo, Kira, Graph, DeMarco, Lady Saw and more.

KOCH Records’ General Manager Alan Grunblatt comments, “Foxy is the greatest female MC of all time. I’ve wanted to work with her for years. This album is very much something for the fans. She recorded the vocals before she was incarcerated. We were besieged by so many fan requests that we finished the album while she was in Rikers and rushed it out. She is currently recording new songs and a deluxe version of the album will drop in the fall.”

Foxy Brown first made a name for herself after winning a talent contest in her hometown of Brooklyn and was soon featured on tracks by LL Cool J, Nas, Case, Toni Braxton and more. She later joined the hip-hop supergroup The Firm in the late ’90s with Nas, AZ and Nature. The group released an album in 1997 titled “The Firm: The Album,” which sold over 900,000 units.

Brown released three solo albums: “Ill Na Na” (1996), “Chyna Doll” (1999), and “Broken Silence” (2001) which sold a total of 3 million records and propelled her to stardom. Foxy was the first female rapper to release an album that debuted at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 with “Chyna Doll.”

The tracklisting:
1.    Brooklyn’s Don Diva
2.    We Don’t Surrender feat. Graph
3.    We’re On Fire feat. Movado
4.    Dreams of F****** A D-Boy feat. Jay Rush
5.    When the Lights Go Out feat. Kira
6.    Never Heard This Before feat. Dwele
7.    Too Real Feat. AZ
8.    Star Cry
9.    Why
10.   She Wanna Rude Bwoy feat. DeMarco
11.   The Quan feat. Lady Saw
12.   Bulletproof Love/One Love feat. Lil’ Mo
13.   How We Get Down feat. Graph and Prinz
14.   We Set The Pace feat. Morgan Heritage & Spragga Benz
15.   The Quan ft. Lady Saw (Hip Hop Mix)

Former ‘First Lady of Roc-A-Fella,’ Amil, seeks immediate release from BabyGrande Records!

After being signed to BabyGrande Records since 2007 and having been shelved for almost a year, female rap artist Amil, formerly of Roc-A-Fella Records, is seeking immediate release from the label.

 

Veteran Hip-Hop music producer, BabyPaul/BpZy — CEO of Divine Order Entertainment, the label imprint that orchestrated the deal with BabyGrande Records on behalf of Amil has stated:

 

“There is no doubt in my mind that Amil and I have made an effort to do business with BabyGrande, but it has come to the point where we have irreconcilable differences and will not be releasing her album project with the label.”

 

“Amil is an undeniable talent that I guarantee will be appreciated when the world hears her new music.

We will situate other lucrative options for her project soon. In the meantime, look out for guest appearances, music leaks, and mix-tapes.” 

 

Amil is featured on the song ‘A-Game’ off the latest album by AZ, Undeniable, on Quiet $$/Koch Records. 

Amil has also contributed a song to the score of upcoming independent film, “Ex$pendable,” which co-stars Taral Hicks, Omillio Sparks, Sundy Carter, Gillie Da Kid, & Gary Sturgis.

Randam Luck: S.D.’s Finest

Written by Todd Davis

2008

Hailing from sunny San Diego, California, Randam Luck is an underground Hip-Hop collective with over a decade of experience in the game. The still, but not for long, unknown rap trio have already opened up shows for living legends; Krs-One, Wu Tang, and De La Soul, and are currently gearing up for the release of their brand new Babygrande Records’ entry, Conspiracy of Silence…

 
First things first, please introduce for me the members of Randam Luck…

R.L.C. (Randam Luck Crew) consists of Lucky, Randola, (and) Stadi Majadi.

How did the three of you first come together to form the group?
 
Well, when we started the group, it was Lucky and Randola, and our other homie who was kinda like our producer/engineer. And then, about a year later, Stadi joined the group.  Randola knew Stadi because he used to do music with Randola’s cousin. So, Stadi started coming to the studio doing tracks, and we all just clicked musically.
 
Who do you all consider some of your biggest musical influences?
 
Run DMC, N.W.A., Slick Rick, Wu Tang, Kool G. Rap, Rakim, KRS-One; the list could go on, but I think you get the picture.
 
Why did you all decide on naming the group this?

The original three members came up with it. Then, when we added Stadi we just decided to keep the name because it was already getting recognition.
 
As individuals, what do each of you bring to the table creatively?
 
Lucky usually comes up with the concepts and hooks for the tracks, but we all definitely have a voice in whatever we do. Stadi brings the crazy lyrical patterns and punch-lines, and Randola brings more of the slower flow, witty rhyme element to the group.
 
How do you best describe your overall vibe?
 
We are bringing that real raw, underground sound, but at the same time we try to have substance in our lyrics — Something to open your eyes, and see the world around you from a different light.
 
How did you come to the attention of the powers-that-be at Babygrande?
 
When we did the track with Vinnie Paz (of Jedi Mind Tricks fame), they hit us up to talk about clearances and what we intended to do with the track and all that.  So, we just decided to pitch our album and group to them since we had already established a contact.  The rest, as they say, is history.
 
Conspiracy of Silence is the name you chose to call your new project…
 
It just really went with the theme of the music, and had a catchy sound to it.  Plus, we feel like there’s a lot going on in this world that is kept secret from the public, so it all just tied in together.
 
You worked with several underground heavyweights; the above mentioned, Vinnie Paz, ILL Bill (of Non-Phixion & La Coka Nostra), Sabac Red (of Non-Phixion), Kool G Rap, and Outerspace — How were you able to make these collaborations happen?
 
Outerspace was our first connect, and basically we just hit them up and asked if they wanted to get down.  Once they were on board, we got in touch with Vinnie’s management to hook that up. Sabac helped get us Ill Bill, by putting in a good word for us. G Rap was a long shot, but once he saw we were doing some things, I guess he felt like it was worth him jumping on. It was actually pretty crazy how that all worked out. We really didn’t expect to be able to work with all of them, so we were definitely blessed.
 
Who handled the production of the album?

On the album, we got production from Troy K, Mister KA, Todd Bishop, and Anno Domini.  None of these cats are major yet, but they are on their way. These cats got mad skills on the beats. As far as the tracks go, we all have equal say. This is a group, so we decide things as a group.
 
Lyrically speaking, where do you all find the subject matter for your rhymes? And, do you all usually write individually or collectively?
 
Our inspiration comes from the world around us. I mean, if we ever lacking material to write about, all we gotta do is turn on the news. The world is crazy right now, so we draw from that — And also, just our own past experiences. When it comes to writing the tracks, it just depends. There are times when we come to the lab with lyrics already, and other times where we just write the song right then and there.
 
What are your plans for sticking around in this business of music?
 
Just being true to ourselves, and doing the music that we are passionate about. Everything else will just fall in place if it’s meant to be.
 
Is there anything else that you all are looking to branch out and do?
 
Hip-Hop is a platform for us to expand into many other avenues; Label, clothing line, all kinds of things that we can get into in the future.
 
Seriously, how do you all feel about today’s Hip-Hop music?
 
Other than Army of the Pharoahes, La Coka Nostra, and cats like that, we aren’t feeling much out there. It just seems like everybody and they mamas are rappers now, and it has polluted the industry and watered down the sound. If you listen to the radio, you can’t even tell half these cats apart. No disrespect intended to anyone doing their thing, but we find ourselves only listening to the classics these days. Back then, emcees had something to say; a message, an opinion, a story. Nowadays, all you hear about is chains, ice, and whips. That music is nice in the clubs, but when we chilling at the crib or cruising in the car we want someone to say something clever or something that makes you think. That’s what really drew us to the underground scene, and why we do this type of music.
 
Tell me something about you all that everyone doesn’t already know?
 
We say some crazy things in our rhymes, we might talk a lot of shit, but in the end it’s just music. We are all family men who enjoy speaking our minds to dope beats. We are really some chill ass dudes. We have calmed down a lot, and when not in the studio we spend a lot
of time at home with the fam — It’s easier to stay out of trouble that way!

What do you all like doing for fun?
 
Like we said, just chilling at home with the fam, having barbeques, watching movies, you know, things like that.
 
What do your future goals and plans entail?
 
Hopefully have our own label, still doing music, and making lots of dough.
 
I heard you all are about to go out on the road with G Rap — How do you think that whole experience will be?
 
We still trying to work out all the details with that, but if it does happen it will be nuts. I mean, we talking G Rap here — The Godfather of street rap, Nuff said!
 
What can be expected from a Randam Luck show?
 
Basically we try to give people what they paid for. (We) get hype with the crowd, and just do our thing. You guys will have to come out and see us to really find out what we about.
 
Do you have a final message for the readers?
 
Yeah, thanks for checking in with us. To all our fans new and old, make sure you pick up a copy of the album and tell your friends to cop one, too — We trying to make history here.  Be on the lookout for our tour, hopefully coming to a city near you. Thanks for all the support. Hit us up at www.randamluck.com Peace!

THE RZA TO RELEASE LONG-AWAITED NEW BOBBY DIGITAL ALBUM DIGI SNACKS IN JULY 2008

RZA’s much beloved character Bobby Digital returns this summer with Digi Snacks, a brand new studio album via KOCH Records. Digi Snacks will be out in July of 2008.

 

The Bobby Digital character was introduced some ten years ago with the release of In Stereo and went underground seven years ago after the release of Digital Bullet.  To date, Bobby Digital releases have sold a combined 1 million units.

 

“This world wasn’t in a digital format in 1998. Now digital is the most compelling force of commerce and entertainment,” RZA explains. “So this is like a re-launch of the character.” And some of the ‘real life’ characters that Bobby Digital tapped for Digi Snacks definitely lend to the mission: John Frusciante, Dhani Harrison, The Black Knights, Dexter Wiggles, Shavo Odadjian (System of a Down), Reverend William Burke, Stone Mecca and Scandinavian newcomer Thea. There’s even a track produced by David Banner. He continues, “I think Digi Snacks is an album with a lot of fun. This album is more of a performance album too. When you see it live, you’ll get a difference experience. I’m not trying to get into the world…I’m trying to bring the world to come to us.”

 

To celebrate the release of Digi Snacks, RZA will embark on a National U.S. tour with the future-soul group, Stone Mecca, as his backing band.

 

RZA has produced a number of albums for the Wu Tang Clan, its affiliates, and other A-list artists that have led to sales in the millions. He has a successful movie career and as appeared in films with Bill Murray (Coffee & Cigarettes), Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe (American Gangster), Angela Bassett (Gospel Hill), Jude Law & Forest Whitaker (Repossession Mambo), and Clive Owens (Derailed). RZA’s also created soundtracks for Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2, Afro Samurai and the cult-classic Ghostdog: The Way Of The Samurai. He’s revolutionized the hip-hop world while simultaneously creating an empire upon it.  And yet RZA says, “I’ve only just begun to enter my prime.”

 

Described by his colleagues, admirers, and even haters alike as a “mad scientist,” Robert Diggs, aka RZA, comes across more like a relentless warrior. And like any good warrior, he’s on a mission…an honorable quest to infect all he comes across with a positive polarity. “You taste everything every day. You go through these different shifts of positives and negatives throughout your whole day,” he explains. “I just make more of a fiction thing around it, metaphors in all different ways. That’s all I’m doing. You get the Manga, you get the Martial Arts, you get the Sci-Fi, you get the Blaxploitation, but you still get your real life because I’m a real person.”

 

Engulfed in a full-on story of revenge, betrayal, seduction, hustlin’ and pimpin’ slaves as souls, completed with a cast of characters that includes the return of The Raven, The Hawk, The Eagle, The Vulture, The four fouls of prey and, of course, Barbara Peppers, Bobby Digital explains, “If you follow the character, he’s always talking with himself between good and evil, trying to balance himself. Sometimes when you think you’re all the way at the end, you’re actually at the beginning.”

 

The Bobby Digital tour dates featuring Stone Mecca are:

June 10   Houston, TX             Warehouse Live               June 25   Vancouver, CAN      Richards

June 11   Austin, TX                Emo’s                                 June 27   Calgary, CAN           Sled Island Festival

June 12   Dallas, TX                 Palladium Ballroom          June 30   Minneapolis, MN     First Avenue

June 14   Denver, CO               Cervantes Ballroom         July 1      Chicago, IL                House of Blues

June 15   Salt Lake City, UT    Urban Lounge                  July 2      Pontiac, MI               Crofoot Ballroom

June 17   Tucson, AZ              Rialto Theater                   July 4      Ottawa, CAN            New Capital Hall

June 18   Phoenix, AZ              The Brickhouse                July 5      New York, NY           Webster Hall

June 20   Los Angeles, CA     Henry Fonda Theater      July 7      Philadelphia, PA       Trocadero

June 21   San Francisco, CA   1015                                    July 8      Washington, DC      9:30 Club

June 23   Portland, OR             Hawthorne Theater         

June 24   Seattle, WA              Showbox

 

The rest of his virtual super-enigma includes WuChess.com, “a great platform for the digital world…a whole new world of myth and reality where people can come talk about chess and challenge the Wu members in our chambers,” a video game, a comic book, and a film, all in development and all mostly focusing on the story of a digital superhero who “transforms into a powerful being that struggles with the good and evil inside himself by saving the lives of others.”

 

For more info on Digi Snacks, go to www.myspace.com/RZA.

NINO BLESS RELEASES UNTOLD SCRIPTURES ON 5-20-08

Following the strong response to the posse track “3rd Degree” and the new street leak “Da Livest”, Nino Bless sets out to release the long-anticipated street-LP, Untold Scriptures, on 5-20-08. “I have notable veterans of the game helping me push this project, including Big Mike, Mick Boogie, & J Love.” The street-LP runs 19 tracks deep with features from Styles P, Joe Budden, Kool G Rap, Saigon, Crooked I, Joell Ortiz & Grafh. Original production from Focus (Aftermath), Scram Jones, Veterano, & Blackout Movement sets the backdrop for the mixtape for the Puerto Rican MC out of Brooklyn, NY.
“I put this together like an album with 19 joints – and the majority of them are full length records,” Bless says. “So far, the response has been dope. At this moment I have to keep it going and I think this is a good representation of what I can bring to the table.” However, Nino isn’t stopping with Untold Scriptures as he plans to release another project at the end of this year. “Crooked I and myself are setting up to drop a mixtape towards the end of the year. Dow Jones from The Bizness is going to chip in with some beats and help put the project together along with somebody else; we ain’t sure who yet but it’ll be from the east coast.”
With all these things in the works things are looking good for this young prospect. Untold Scriptures will be online for free on May 20th and there will be a “Limited Edition” version which will be sold through many outlets, both in stores and digitally; and for the fans that want to support the music now you can buy records on www.beatsource.com.

 

Tracklisting and credits for Nino Bless’ “Untold Scriptures”
 

1.) Intro (produced by Veterano)

2.) Da Livest (produced by Yes Sur)

3.) Peep Game (Freestyle)

4.) Times Are Hard f/Joe Budden (produced by Focus)

5.) My Piano (Freestyle)

6.) Means Of Survival (produced by Scram Jones)

7.) Going In (Freestyle) f/Grafh

8.) Name Dropping (produced by Sivey)

9.) 3rd Degree f/Saigon and Crooked I (produced by Scram Jones)

10.) When It Rains (Freestyle)

11.) Urban Legends (produced by Veterano)

12.) Ever So Subtle (produced by Gunz N Butter)

13.) Cause Of Influence (Nick’s Story) (produced by Veterano)

14.) Blame It On Hip-Hop (Freestyle)

15.) 4 In The Clip f/Joell Ortiz, Styles P & Kool G Rap (produced by Veterano)

16.) Bright Lights (Freestyle)

17.) Won’t Change (produced by Frado)

18.) Going In Pt.2 (Freestyle)