Amalgam Digital and Saigon Team up to Release the Highly Anticipated Album “Warning Shots 2″

Following the success of “All in a Day’s Work,” Saigon has partnered with Amalgam Digital, known for being hip-hop’s first digital retail store,  to release the much anticipated “Warning Shots 2″—which he guarantees will be his best album yet—September 29, 2009 in both digital and CD formats. “Warning Shots 2″ promises to build on the rapper’s highly successful “Warning Shots 1″ independent release, ultimately leading into the entirely Just Blaze-produced album “Greatest Story Never Told.” Saigon has emerged as a leading pioneer in the music business by reclaiming artistic control over his work, and he is often commended for finding an innovative means to release his work by utilizing new media outfit Amalgam Digital.

Saigon’s phenomenal body of mixtape work and creative talent quickly gained popularity in the underground circuit and on the internet, as he has been listed in many “Artist to Watch” columns (including Time magazine) and graced the covers of a variety hip-hop publications throughout the early to mid -2000s. In recent years, Saigon has become more recognizable to the mainstream due in large part to his recurring role in the popular HBO series “Entourage” and his charitable efforts to support the children of incarcerated parents through his nonprofit foundation Abandoned Nation, which was established in 2000 and also helped him and associated artists pursue their music careers.

His latest album “All in a Day’s Work” was recorded in 24 hours, put out in week, and heralded as a groundbreaking digital release, setting an impressive stage for Saigon’s newest project. Building off of the same forward-thinking approach that recently helped “All in a Day’s Work” bridge the gap between mixtapes and studio albums, Saigon explained his landmark efforts with burgeoning new media outfit Amalgam Digital:   

” I’m enjoying my experience with Amalgam Digital and being creative to give music to my fans without all the bullshit. It’s a new way of thinking and it feels good to partner with an innovative company that’s ahead of its curve. I’m excited to get this album out!”

His self-produced “For Some P**** ”  details the lengths some men will go for the chase and will serve as the lead single from “Warning Shots 2,” with the remix featuring up-and-coming artist O.J. Da Juiceman, who was recently highlighted as an artist to watch in Vibe Magazine’s June issue. The single’s clean version, “For Some Cookie,” will be targeted for mainstream media circuits, and it will be promoted through a “What Would You Do for the Cookie?” game show launched by Amalgam Digital. Despite the radio-friendly single, Saigon assures fans that his newest album, which features contributions from famed superproducer Just Blaze (who has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, etc.), will deliver the same street-geared music that he has built his career around. With his song “Spit” recently featured in the newest edition of the award-winning Grand Theft Auto video game series and his creative range virtually limitless, both Saigon and Amalgam Digital are confident that “Warning Shots 2″ will reinforce the innovation and sheer dedication displayed on his past projects.

Saigon – “Warning Shot 2″ (Amalgam Digital)

01. Nothing Comes Easy

02. That’s Not What’s Up Feat. G.Soul

03. Fatherhood (Rayne Dior) feat Lokz

04. All Around The World Feat G.Soul

05. For Some P*ssy Part 1 feat O.J. Da Juiceman

06. Cookies & Milk Introducing Young Boombaya & A.P.

07. Be On Time

08. G Optified (Tommy Tee’s Theme Sampler) 

09. F*ck Me, F*ck You Feat Quan And Ransom

10. Rusty Gunz feat. Lil Fame from M.O.P.

11. Aye Aye Aye N*gga 

12. Who Can Get Busy feat Grand Puba

13. Copping Pleas

14. For Some P*ssy Part 2

15. Saiiiiii Outro

16. Gotta Believe It 

New Album by Hip Hop Supergroup Slaughterhouse (Joell Ortiz, Joe Budden, Crooked I and Royce Da 5′9″) Dropping Soon!

E1 Music is set to release the highly anticipated self-titled debut album by Slaughterhouse on August 11th, 2009. The hip hop super-group features four of the most lyrical MCs in the game — Joell Ortiz, Royce Da 5′9″, Joe Budden and Crooked I.

The group’s first single, “The One” can be heard now at radio and the video for “The One” is being played on MTV Jams.

The sum of Slaughterhouse’s parts is incredible. Jersey City, NJ’s Joe Budden, a former Def Jam signee who rarely holds his tongue, is one of Hip-Hop’s most controversial, yet lyrically gifted artists. Detroit, MI’s Royce Da 5′9″ came up with Eminem out of the Detroit rap scene as a steel witted MC and has carved out a renowned solo career independently. Brooklyn, NY’s Joel Ortiz, formerly an Aftermath Records signee, has been long considered the torchbearer for Latin MCs in the footsteps of the late Big Pun. Long Beach, CA’s Crooked I, the West Coast representative of the crew, is a former Death Row signee whose musical output over the years, despite the lack of a proper release, is unrivaled.

The group came together only 10 short months ago when Joe Budden was working on a song for his Halfway House album and enlisted the services of Crooked I, Joell Ortiz and Royce Da 5′9″ for a song called “Slaughterhouse.” Inspired by the vibe of track and the immediate chemistry of the four rappers, a plan was immediately made to form the super-group. Several songs and a handful of viral videos later only created increased demand and curiosity from fans. Hip-hop heads demanded to hear more! And now they’ll be able to.

Slaughterhouse features production by The Alchemist, Streetrunner, DJ Khalil and Denaun Porter.

Slaughterhouse is currently touring, on both the Rock The Bells tour and on a club tour around the RTB’s dates.

For frequent video updates, go to www.youtube.com/joebuddentv or www.youtube.com/KochRecords

Fans can also follow the guys on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/joellortiz

www.twitter.com/mousebudden

HIP HOP CONGRESS 2009 NATIONAL CONFERENCE: IT’S OUR TIME

Wednesday July 28th marks the opening event for Hip Hop Congress’s 8th annual 2009 National Conference to be held in SEATTLE, WA. With a bubbling hip-hop scene easing its way onto the national radar, Seattle provides a prime location. The conference will focus on solution-based skill and network building to create sustainable social and economic progress for the Hip Hop generation and the communities from which it emerges.

In the spirit of coalition building and community support, Hip Hop Congress has partnered with such groups as the Umojafest P.E.A.C.E. Center, Dope Emporium, Seattle Hip-Hop Youth Council, 206 Zulu, Global Fam, B-Girl Media, the Bassmeant, Mothers Outreach Movement, Reclaim the Media, Urban Teachers Network, Silicon Valley DeBug, Hip Hop Without Borders, 2nd Nature, Women’s Economic Agenda Project, Women In Transition, the Poor Peoples’ Economic Human Rights Campaign, Obese Productions, SportnLife, and more. The conference will be hosted at Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center, Garfield Teen Life Center, Hidmo, and other neighborhood institutions in the Central District of Seattle.

Through trainings, film screenings, and workshops ranging from “Marketing in the Digital Age” to “Hip Hop and Healthcare,” the conference will provide tools for artists and entrepreneurs to strengthen independent Hip Hop economy, as well as provide strategies for using Hip Hop as an platform for Human Rights advocacy, education, community organizing, and youth leadership development.

“Hip Hop is social glue for today’s youth,” said Seattle Hip Hop Youth Council member J-Infinite, “It’s something that the majority of us have in common and can relate to, so we use it to teach a positive message. It’s a tool for empowerment.” Seattle mayoral candidate Wyking Garrett and Umojafest P.E.A.C.E Center co-founder added, ” It’s time for Hip Hop to focus its energy on the healing and building of communities from which it came. Hip Hop can lead the way.”

::Thursday Workshops Include:: Filmmaking :: Hip Hop without Borders- International Coalition Building :: Hip Hop in the Green Economy :: Youth Center Building:: Shaping the Hip Hop Electorate :: Movement and Culture :: Hip Hop and Healthcare :: How to Write Grants :: Working with Incarcerated Youth :: Youth Organizing :: Self-Management for Artists :: How to Organize Your Own Tour :: Starting and Building your Hip Hop Business, Plus more!

::Friday Workshops Include:: Hip Hop without Borders :: Hip Hop and the Green Economy :: Taking the Money: Ethics in the Movement :: Urban Teacher’s Network :: Vibrational Realities :: Marketing Hip Hop in the Digital Age :: From Campus to Community :: Bloggers Roundtable :: Facilitating Quality Youth Programs :: Q&A with Jacka & Umojafest Hip Hop Rally :: Plus more!

::Film Screenings::

“The New Muslim Cool” SPECIAL FEATURE

“The Beat” feat. Rahman Jamaal, 2003 Sundance

“Masizakeh” a documentary film by Scott Macklin about hip hop & education in South Africa.

“Coolout Network” presented by local Hip Hop historian Georgio Brown

::Special Guest Artists in attendance::

Akil of Jurassic 5, The Jacka of Mob Figaz, Raashan Ahmad of Crown City Rockers, DLabrie, Knox Fam, Quanstar, Toki Wright, Black Stax, Dee.aLe of DMS, Penny Pinchin Records, Skurge, Stress, YDMC, Darkside, Mic Crenshaw, Wyzdom, Sellasie, Shamako Noble, Suntonio Bandanaz, Block Teamsters Union and more…

DUCK DOWN SIGNS TO BLUE SCHOLARS: Blue Scholars partner with Duck Down Records for a modern day record deal

Walking away from numerous record label offers, Blue Scholars will release several upcoming projects through a unique partnership formed with Duck Down Records, and Seattle’s Caffe Vita Coffee Co. On August 25, 2009 Blue Scholars will release “OOF!” their newest collaborative multi-media project and the first release to be distributed through their new venture. On September 1st, they will re-issue their 2007 album “Bayani”, which has already sold over 20,000 units. Bayani Redux will include one brand new track and two songs that were previously available only via digital retail outlets. There will also be a brand new full-length Blue Scholars album and other projects coming soon. The sales and distribution model developed by the group for their upcoming releases will allow them to maintain complete ownership of their music and total control over how it is marketed, sold, and even given away. Instead of signing a standard artist/record label deal, Blue Scholars hired the label Duck Down to run point on marketing for all of their upcoming releases. As a major player in the current and ever-changing record label industry, Duck Down Records saw this deal as an opportunity to get creative and experiment with strategies for record labels to continue evolving as viable businesses. Dru Ha, CEO of Duck Down Records states, “I believe Blue Scholars is positioned to be one of the next important groups, not just in hip hop, but in music worldwide, and I want Duck Down to be a part of that. They bring their progressive ideas not just to their music and lyrics, but also in the way they think about and do their business.” Duck Down’s current distribution partner, E1 Entertainment, the largest independent distributor in the United States, will handle distribution of Blue Scholars’ physical product. Digital sales and distribution will go through Tunecore. Direct-to-fan marketing and sales will be developed by the members of Blue Scholars themselves, using Topspin web marketing tools. Says Geo, of Blue Scholars, “After weighing all the options, remaining independent is without question, the best look. Duck Down shares that vision and their track record speaks for itself. With them, we get that national and international push while still owning and controlling our music. “ To finance all the upcoming projects, Blue Scholars have formed a strategic brand relationship with Seattle independent coffee company, Caffe Vita. The coffee company will also play a role in the sales and distribution plan by selling upcoming albums in all of their retail outlets and marketing the releases via their online presence. Blue Scholars DJ/ Producer Sabzi says in regard to their partnership with Caffe Vita – “their innovative marketing, their justice and equity in business practices, and their premiere quality of product and presentation, make Caffe Vita an ideal brand to partner with. I intend to do with our music what Vita does with their coffee.” “Coffee is both International and local, it effects the lives of millions, and it has tremendous ability to generate culture. We believe strongly in the work of the Blue Scholars and their power to look beyond the basic commodity that music has become.  We are honored that Sabzi and Geo see that Vita is striving for the same goals.”Mike McConnell, founder Caffe Vita Blue Scholars have sold over 60,000 albums and played over 400 live shows. They have developed a dedicated following in the Northwest (selling over 4,000 tickets for each of their last few Seattle performances) and have shared the stage with an impressive list of nationally acclaimed artists such as Kanye West, Q-Tip, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Hieroglyphics, GZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Matisyahu, Zion-I, Flobots and the Coup.

To learn more about Blue Scholars and download a free track off their upcoming OOF! EP in stores August 25th visit: WWW.BLUESCHOLARS.COM For more information on Blue Scholars’ partners visit: Duck Down Records: www.duckdown.com Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Company: www.caffevita.com Topspin Media: www.topspinmedia.com Tunecore: www.tunecore.com

George Clinton to become BMI Icon at BMI Urban Awards Sept 10 in NYC

George Clinton to become bmi icon at Urban music Awards Slated for Sept. 10 in New York     LOS ANGELES, July 28, 2009 – Funk originator George Clinton will be named a BMI Icon at the organization’s annual Urban Awards ceremony Thursday, September 10 in New York. Staged at Jazz at Lincoln Center, the event will also salute the world’s premier r&b, rap and hip-hop songwriters, producers and publishers by celebrating the most-performed urban songs of the previous year from the BMI repertoire. BMI President & CEO Del Bryant will share hosting duties with Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.    The Icon designation is given to BMI songwriters and artists who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” George Clinton will be saluted with an all-star musical tribute during the ceremony, and join an elite group that includes The Jacksons, James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Little Richard, Chuck Berry, The Bee Gees, Willie Nelson and Carlos Santana, to name a few.   As influential as he is unique, George Clinton is the principal architect of p-funk. A musical genre built on Clinton’s experimental sounds and thunderously prominent bass lines, p-funk revolutionized the entire musical world. Fluent in a range of styles including 50’s doo-wop, deep soul and psychedelic rock, Clinton helped build the foundations of today’s hip-hop, rap and rock. As a songwriter, Clinton’s ingenuity has been no less impressive: His recordings of the self-penned “(I Wanna) Testify,” “Atomic Dog,” “One Nation Under a Groove,” “Tear the Roof Off the Sucker (Give Up the Funk),” “Flashlight,” “Aqua Boogie” and so many more revel in tongue-in-cheek wordplay and infectious grooves. As a solo artist or with his ace bands Parliament, Funkadelic and the P. Funk All-Stars, Clinton has released acclaimed studio and live albums. His work has resurfaced in hit-making hooks for songs by contemporary hip-hop royalty including OutKast, Dr. Dre, LL Cool J, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, Missy Elliot and Busta Rhymes, while he has enjoyed original collaborations with trendsetters including Ice Cube, Digital Underground and Redman. Rock titans the Red Hot Chili Peppers called on Clinton to produce their groove-laced album Freaky Styley. His songs have also been featured in a staggeringly diverse collection of more than 1,000 television programs and films including Entourage, Bruce Almighty, Menace II Society, Arrested Development, Wild Wild West, Bad Boys,Lords of Dogtown, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Cosby Show, My Name is Earl, Friday Night Lights,The Simpsons, and countless MTV network series including Cribs, Punk’d, and The Real World. In 1997, George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic became members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, claimed a spot on the Hollywood Rock Walk and garnered the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the NAACP Image Awards.   In addition to recognizing the year’s top urban songs, BMI will crown the Urban Songwriter, Song and Publisher of the Year.     Broadcast Music, Inc.® (BMI) is an American performing right organization that represents more than 375,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in all genres of music and more than 6.5 million works. BMI reported $901 million for its 2008 fiscal year in performing right collections. BMI has represented the most popular and beloved music from around the world for 70 years. The U.S. corporation collects license fees from businesses that use music, which it then distributes as royalties to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.

BLOCK STARZ: “Boss Chick” Rasheeda Released Official Mixtape “Certified”

Atlanta’s Boss Chick Rasheeda & Block Starz Music Drop New Official Mixtape “Certified” The wait is over for “Certified”, the new Block Starz Music (BSM) promotional release from D-LO Entertainment’s first lady, Rasheeda, which is now available for exclusive free download at BSM’s website, www.blocktstarzmusic.com. “Certified” features Rasheeda’s blazing hot single, “Boss Chick”, and a who’s who of female southern all stars, including Diamond (“Show Out”), Shawnna (“Juicy Like A Peach”), Jacki-O (“Boss Chick”), and former Xscape member Kandi Burruss (“Never Wanna Leave”), “Certified” is presented by UK’s premier deejay and 2009 SEA Winner for “Best Mixtape Host”, DJ Ames. Block Starz Music’s last three mixtape projects (Diamond’s “Can’t Tell Me Nuthin’”, Swazy Styles’ “Hustle Life: The Prequel” and Throwback’s “What’s High?”) since June are on pace to do over 100,000 downloads and if the initial reaction – almost 2 million MySpace plays – to “Boss Chick” is any indication, “Certified” is poised to become BSM’s most successful mixtape release to date. Download the new mixtape release, “Certified”, from Rasheeda at www.blockstarzmusic.com and be on the lookout for her fifth studio album, “Certified Hot Chick”, on August 18 from D-Lo Entertainment. To learn more about Rasheeda, visit www.myspace.com/rasheedagapeach Tracklisting: 1. Rasheeda Intro 2. Boss Chick 3. Juicy Like A Peach ft. Shawnna 4. Halle Berry (Remix) 5. Touch Ya Toes 6. Take Em To Tha Bank 7. Rasheeda Checks In 8. Stay Strapped 9. Show Out ft. Diamond 10. The Best 11. Compliment 12. Thing On Me 13. Never Wanna Leave ft. Kandi 14. Rasheeda Interlude 15. Uptown 16. Successful 17. Eni Miny ft. Nelly & Manchild 18. Bubble Gum ft. Kandi, Fabo & Diamond (Remix) 19. DJ Ames Outro 20. Boss Chick ft. Yung Ralph, Jacki-O & Diamond (Remix) CONTACT Block Starz Music info@blockstarzmusic.com www.blockstarzmusic.com www.twitter.com/blockstarz ABOUT BLOCK STARZ MUSIC Block Starz Music (BSM) is a global entertainment partnership specializing in new talent acquisition, development, and the marketing of licensed music compilations and web documentaries.

Def Jux Presents Vol. 4 In-Stores September 1st; Super Group,’The WeatherMen’. Releases First Single For Compilation

The Weathermen, consisting of Cage, El-p, Aesop Rock, Breezely Brewin (Jugganots),  Camu Tao (RIP), Tame One and Yak Ballz, release their first official single since 2003 as the second leak off the upcoming Def Jux Presents 4 from seminal underground hip hop label Def Jux.

The group is a merging of artists who continue to push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in hip hop in both the mainstream and in the genre itself. Within their own careers, The Weathermen are all accomplished musicians and successful independent artists known for their fierce dedication to the craft and fearless innovation of style and sound, as a collective they are simply a monster.

Over a decade out since it’s formation the group has undergone some personnel change and with the loss of Camu Tao the project has taken on a new meaning to both the artists and fans alike. Camu was a touchstone in the lives of many of The Weathermen, a great friend, and an inexplicably talented MC/ producer, his passing has galvanized the crew. With new resolve and purpose The Weathermen have officially taken to the studio to finally justify its cult-like following. Featured on DJXp4, ‘Reports of A Possible Kidnapping‘ is the first song from their long threatened collaborative album ‘THE NEW LEFT‘ (being recorded now). ‘Reports Of A Possible Kidnapping‘, features indie rap giants Aesop Rock, El-p, and Cage (with an intro by the late great Camu Tao) and is produced by Aesop Rock and El-p.

The Weathermen – Reports Of A Possible Kidnapping

http://www.dailyrindblog.com/audio/weathermen_reportsofapossiblekidnapping.mp3

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.definitivejux.net/

http://www.myspace.com/definitivejuxrecords

MR. MECCA “OVER HERE”

MR. MECCA “OVER HERE” from Mr Mecca on Vimeo.

dead prez “Summertime”