King Solomon and Giggles Get Silly with New Single “Take Your Pants Off”

Fun Hip Hop is back in the mix, thanks to New York duo King Solomon and Giggles! After releasing several humorously unique singles like “Smack Your Dog In The Face” and “Camoflauge Back Massage,” the multi-talented musical team has unleashed their hilarious new video for “Take Your Pants Off (Don’t Touch My Balls).”

 

An ode to a rather “touchy” situation at the doctor’s office, “Take Your Pants Off” was written, composed and produced by King Solomon, Rakeman and DJ Man-E. Giggles performs alongside Solomon with a stoic gaze as they lament on the sensitive topic. Add in a few hot chicks, some crazy dance moves and an E.R.-friendly beatbox cipher, and you’ve got nearly five minutes of comedic funk.

 

While King Solomon and Giggles have stayed true to their namesake with uniquely-styled humor engrained in their songs, they take the actual music very seriously. Solomon is a classically-trained musician and producer, and feels strongly that paying homage to fun Hip Hop in the vein of Digital Underground’s Humpty Hump, The Fresh Prince, Biz Markie and other comedic rappers is only right.

 

“Some people tell us that nobody will take our music seriously because we’re doing comedy,” explains Solomon. “But think about how Hip Hop reached the masses… songs like The Fresh Prince’s ‘Parents Just Don’t Understand’ helped get the ears of the surburban kids, and ultimately caused Hip Hop to blow up. Back then, nobody said ‘that’s not music!’ Hip Hop has become so serious over the past decade that people forget that it was often rooted in comedy.”

 

“Take Your Pants Off,” “Smack Your Dog In The Face,” and “Camoflauge Back Massage” are available on iTunes, Rhapsody, Napster, Amazon, eMusic, Zune and Walmart.com. Meanwhile, King Solomon and Giggles are making even more music to put smiles on the faces of Hip Hop fans everywhere!

 

Click here to watch “Take Your Pants Off”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGRu4dJykAQ

 

 

For more information on King Solomon and Giggles, go to www.tygereye.net/kingsolomon, www.myspace.com/kingsolomonandgiggles and www.youtube.com/user/kingandgiggles

  

Bum Squad DJ’z Takeover Houston!!!

This year marks the 3^rd Annual Bum Squad DJ’z Family Reunion taking place in Houston, TX, September 18th – 21^st. The Hyatt Regency in downtown Houston will be all abuzz, as the largest chapter of the Bum Squad DJ’z will be the host family for this year’s reunion. The illustrious industry affair brings out some of the hottest names in entertainment; introducing exclusive new music to one of the most exclusive DJ collective’s in the game. Last year the invitation only event brought out the likes of Common, Nicole Sherzinger (PCD) Three 6 Mafia, Glasses Malone, Ky-Mani Marley and more.

 

Bum Squad DJ’s have broken dozen’s of new artists and are receiving the support of such labels including: Universal-Motown, Universal-Republic, Billionaire Catt Ent, Jive, Sony, J Records, Bad Boy, SRC, and Atlantic. The label’s will host special events including private music suites, artist showcases, a celebrity softball game, block party and a last man standing DJ battle. The reunion has already received early support from artist including: The Game, Common, Missy, Rick Ross Paul Wall, Michael “500″ Watts, Scarface, Bun B, and Rob G just to name a few.

 

“Over the past few years, the collective has been focused on expanding the brand to include more corporate appeal,” explains Bum Squad founder Latin Prince, “Our corporate participation shows that companies understand the importance of the DJ in getting to the consumer utilizing our resources in innovative ways. We have DJ’s with shoe deal’s, head phones, turntable’s all types of exciting co-branding situations, so although we specialize in breaking artists, we also help companies take their message to the masses in style with our mass audiences.” explains Latin Prince. This year sponsor’s like: Rane, Vestax, Skull Candy, Bombai Liquor, and Red Bull have already come on board to show their support. 

The Bum Squad DJ’s are made up of DJ’s, as well as industry professionals and artists including: DJ Skee, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Eque, Paul Wall, Lupe Fiasco, Trey Songz, and many more. For more info check out the complete roster at www.bumsquaddjz.com

 The Bum Squad is a University of Premiere DJs, who takes pride in mentoring up and coming DJs.

The Bum Squad DJ’s, founded 5 years ago by Latin Prince (UNIVERSAL/MOTOWN National Director of Urban Mix Show) is a family of DJ’s that work as one unit to break new artist’s and create a visual aesthetic utilizing it’s formidable brand influence. Bum Squad DJ’s, as a collective, are about breaking new music, and sharing that music with DJ’s and consumers worldwide. As the #1 DJ Network Site on the web, www.bumsquaddjz.com garnered over 6 million visits in 2006.The New Music Studio Reloaded portion of the site was created as a vehicle to share their vision with the rest of the world.

Lix dot Kong

Written by The Journalista

July 2008

National rapper Lix dot Kong is proud to claim three coasts. Born in New Orleans and  raised in Bremerton, Washington, he came into manhood and snatched his position in hip hop once his relocated to New York. A true entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Lix grew up around Black Panthers and Crip gang members and listened to the music of mentors LL Cool J, Ice Cube, NWA, Snoop and Tha Dogg Pound, DJ Quik, Tupac, Biggie, Brotha Lynch Hung, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, BG, Soulja Slim, C- Murda, and Master P. Now the artist known as Lix dot Kong, is evolving into a full-time entrepreneur with internet and legal endeavors under his umbrella.

 

Aspiring MC’s and hip hop entrepreneurs can learn a few things from Lix dot Kong. Check out The Journalista’s fascinating conversation with the ex- Dogg Pound connect.

 

What’s up with your name Lix dot Kong?

Lix dot Kong is a name that best describes my trek through the different levels of Hip Hop. If you know the movie King Kong, he finally wound up in New York City, where he created quite a stir for the local citizens. Being targeted by the government, and castrated by the media. First people knew me as only Lix, but I became Kong once I finally understood the inner workings of this HipHop industry. My management team has reached out to most of the labels in New York, and have been turned away, Like Jay-Z once was. Now, I plan to cause trouble in New York until people respect me as one of the best rappers alive. I added the “dot” because as we all know “dot” connects people to the internet. Without that dot your nothing on the internet. People I know and MySpace fans always tell me I got this internet marketing game on lock, so in essence Lix dot Kong can also stand for the King of the internet.

 

How is your networking game?

I feel like without networking, you’re not going to make it in any area of life. HipHop is 90% networking. Of course you have to have the talent to make it. But, some artists feel that having one hit is good too. The kind of network you have directly determines the level of success you will have. If you don’t have a network, please put the music down for a few months, and build up your network. I am quiet at times, especially when I’m in social settings in New York, but I have learned over time that people respect confidence. So, I learned to be confident and make sure that I have something to bring to the table when I meet new people for business.

 

How has growing up in numerous cities shaped your appreciation for artistic expression?

Seattle taught me to be more creative within myself when doing music. Seattle is the alternative capitol of the world; Home to Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Kobain, Nirvana, Sir- Mix- A-Lot, and Bruce Lee. New York, as well, is a melting pot of different ideas. New York has definitely raised me from a boy to a man. I love Newark, NJ and New York for opening my eyes to new ways of thinking.

 

How did you hook up with Tha Dogg Pound?

 

I hooked up with Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound through a contest they were having on Allhiphop.com. Daz Dillinger was looking for new artists for his record label, and I was picked to form a group called DP Next Generation. We traveled to a few states together and shot some video fottage and that was about it. I teamed up with a DJ from France named DJ Suarez, who works alongside Snoop Dogg and JT Tha Bigga Figga’s camp. So, we were able to secure production from Snoop Dogg, for my single F Pac n Dogg Pound. The song is getting worldwide radio airplay, from Italy, to Germany, and a few places in between.

Tell me about the mixtape, Hip Hop Still Raised In The Street.

HipHop Still Raised in the Street is a compilation built around West Coast artists. The West Coast never really gets the respect it deserves for taking HipHop to the next level. So, we’ve always had to get our love from the streets. That’s why we titled it, Hip Hop Still Raised in the Street. I am happy the album finally made it to itunes, Napster, Emusic, and Rhapsody. It was worth the struggle.

What’s next on your agenda?

I just finished up an incredible mixtape called Super Hero Music. Everyone should download it from my MySpace website. I am also currently doing a side project called Legendary Lix, I am working on this album with Deez, and DDG Entertainment in East Orange, NJ. They work out of a studio owned and operated by the Legendary Kool and The Gang. Be on the lookout for this album by winter of 2008. This album will have the feel of a Blueprint album by Jay-Z; lots of samples, and very heavy wordplay. Stories about my life, and some lessons for people still caught in the struggle; And of course, some political topics. I love that stuff. The album will also have a feel of DoggyStyle, by Snoop Dogg. That was a great album. But, it will be all Lix. Also, I just finished a mixtape for South France called The Mary Jane Mixtape. It’s hosted by DJ Madgik.

How are you different from other rappers/entrepreneurs in the game?

Well, I am actually one of the only unsigned rappers I know with his own social networking websites, built from the ground up. I own a website called www.ItsRoomy.com, and a site called www.Gashcamea.com. So, that should tell you, that I’m attaining to get that Jay-Z type money. My words are more alive than some other rappers. If you listen closely, my words are on a broader spectrum than just bragging’, or telling another hood story. Just because I don’t sound like Tupac, doesn’t mean my music isn’t just as uplifting. People just need to listen a little closer. I’m like Tupac was before the record deals; when the music wasn’t mastered, and he was in smaller studios. I think fans want everyone to have mixed and mastered songs all the time. I have those, but I still have songs I release that I record in my bedroom. Now, that’s HipHop.

Murder City? Detroit Native Crafts Documentary—Detroit: 100 Years of Crime and Violence

Written by Biba Adams 

July 2008

What must Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac have envisioned when he stood on the shores of the Detroit River? When he built his little fort and called it De’Troit did he ever imagine that it would become a bustling city? Could he have imagined that the city would boom and then bust, in a major way? No,  300-plus years ago, the founders of this city could not have imagined the many great, and some not so great, things that would take place within it’s boundaries.

 

“Detroit has long been a buzzword for the national media. If you want to say Black, without saying it, just say Detroit. If you want to say Black people are violent, you can say ‘People are violent in Detroit.’” This observation, made by Al Profit, a Detroit native, and documentary filmmaker became the basis for his research on crime in the city. The result was Murder City, Detroit: 100 Years of Crime and Violence.

 

The DVD is nationally distributed, available all around the world in stores and on the internet. Documenting Detroit’s 100 year history as it relates to its crime statistics, specifically organized crime, Murder City is receiving positive reviews. With the national airing of the city’s dirty laundry, one can only wonder if the film will reinforce negative stereotypes. “To people outside of the city, it may reinforce some stereotypes, but they already have them.” Profit explains, “I tried to include historical data for people to understand the city better.”

 

Al Profit, which is the moniker he prefers, is a Detroit native, a Caucasian lifetime resident. A graduate of Cass Tech and the University of Michigan, he also holds a Master’s Degree from Wayne State in Economics. He got the idea for the film after working in the Department of Urban Studies at Wayne State University. After studying and researching statistic after statistic on the city, Profit knew there was a story there, “In a city with a 300 year history, there are a lot of stories one could tell.” he says, “However, crime is something that affects us all. If you live in Detroit you know someone who has been killed or has killed someone.”

 

So what can we learn from capturing the images of 100 years of crime onto film? Murder City retells the stories of The Purple Gang, Jimmy Hoffa, Y.B.I, The Chambers Brothers and the more recent, Black Mafia Family. “This is just stuff off the news, it’s the real thing. I didn’t invent anything.” Profit states that there is much all audiences can gain by watching the film which may bring up difficult memories, “There is a very strong self-identity (in Detroit). We tend to see us saying something bad about Detroit as us saying something bad about ourselves.” Moreover, the problems of Detroit are systematic, its not just a Detroit problem, it’s an American problem.

 

More information on Murder City, Detroit: 100 Years of Crime and Violence is available at www.themurdercity.com