1968 signed Motown
1969 the Jackson 5 was introduced to the music industry at a special event, and later served as the opening act for the Supremes. Their first album, Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5, hit the charts
1970 “I Want You Back,” hit Number. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
1972 His album, Ben featured the eponymous ballad about a rat. The song became Michael’s first solo Number 1 single.

1975 breaking ties with Motown
1978 the group signed a new recording deal with Epic Records
1979 Off the Wall, It featured Ann infectious blend of pop and funky tracks “Don’t Stop til You Get Enough,” “Rock with You“.
1980 Triumph sold more than one million copies, and the brothers went on an extensive tour to support the recording. Jackson, however, began to branch out on his own more. Teaming up with rock legend Paul McCartney, Jackson sang on their 1982 duet, “The Girl Is Mine,” which nearly reached the top of the pop charts
1985 Michael showed his altruistic side, co-writing and singing on “We Are the World,” a charity single for USA for Africa


Thriller in 1987, Jackson reached the top of the charts with Bad. It featured five number 1 hits, including “Man in the Mirror,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” and the title track, Michael spent more than a year on the road, playing concerts to promote the album. While unsuccessful, Bad was unable to duplicate the phenomenal sales of Thriller.
1991, Jackson released Dangerous, featuring the hit “Black or White.” The video for this song included an appearance by child star Macaulay Culkin, and was directed by John Landis.
1993 he performed several important events, including the half-time show at Super bowl XXVII.
1994 Michael announced that he had married Lisa Marie Presley, daughter of rock icon Elvis Presley
1995 History: Past, Present, and Future, Book I, which featured some of his earlier hits as well as new material. “You Are Not Alone” and his duet with sister Janet Jackson, “Scream.” “Scream” earned Michael and Janet a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
2001 Invincible, Jackson was better known as an eccentric whose quirks were reported in the tabloids than as a performer. The album sold well.
There you have it, need I say more of why we in the music world call him the King of pop. You may have notices that I left a lot of stuff out about Michael through out the years; I’m not here to pass judgment, nor am I here to have you recall the bad things that were said about him.
I’m here to remind you about an icon that we last today, and what made him became that wonderful icon that so many full in love with.
Michael will be missed by many, he will be missed by fan’s, family and friends. But his memory will live forever; his story will be told over and over again an extraordinary man that lasted three decades in the Music Industry.

Thank you
Lila

In January of 2004, Promise Me Scarlet was formed between Kenny Bauer, Dan Houchins, and Chris Houchins. What started out as an acoustic endeavor in high school between three friends soon evolved into an almost full time project they had devoted themselves to. They started playing in every coffee shop, school event, venue, backyard BBQ, birthday party, or street corner they came across with the addition of their violin player Bogdan Kretiv. After a year of playing together they recorded their first acoustic EP “Reach For What’s There”. After a lot of hardship and inner band differences, the band decided they would part ways from Bogdan and see what becoming a full band with a different sound could bring. They soon after enlisted Teddy Todorovski and Travis Black to assist them in rocking the planet with melodic madness…of course…they said yes and things just clicked from there. The band decided to get back to the drawing board at that point and just simply sat and wrote. After a few months of playing out and getting tighter as a band they decided they were ready to release an EP they thought would represent a brand new and even better form of this once very mellow and almost too innocent acoustic act into the action-packed power-pop quintet you see gracing the stage before you today. In three years they have shared the stage with bands such as The Morning Light, The Spill Canvas, As Tall as Lions, Automatic Loveletter, Between The Trees, This Day & Age, Steel Train, Paulson, Limbeck, Holiday Parade, Umbrellas, The Lyndsay Diaries, AnaDivine, Self Against City, Asteria, June, Just Surrender and many more. Promise Me Scarlet has been working hard to define their sound and catch audience’s attention wherever they play. With the recent release of the band’s new EP, “The Vibrant Days”, the groups’ fan base is picking up like a virus all throughout the state of Ohio and the Tri- State area. With their catchy lyrics and unforgettable stage presence this band is showing no signs of stopping anytime soon. Promise Me Scarlet it is one of my top 40 favorite artist off of myspace.

Nas
When he entered the rap game as a 20 year old dude, he entered with a classic. How many debut albums you know, that can be compared to “Illmatic”. That’s what I thought. Premier reminisces that when they were recording “NY state of mind”, they needed to bang on the booth and wave their hands to show Nas when he should start rhyming cause he didn’t know. After that all of them said: “This kid is going to be big”, they were pretty much correct. His 1^st album isn’t the only reason he’s my personal favorite. Even though he sometimes had some really weak production on his albums, the lyrical content was always at a really high standard. Most of the reviewers didn’t criticized his albums, they had objections mostly to the musical background. Come on, when he had beef with Jigga, he totally destroyed him with “Ether”, and then finished him on “God’s son” album. Enough said. No one can spit rhymes like Nas.
Raekwon
Surprised? Rae is an absolute phenomenon in the rap game. He’s been lyrically amazing since WU tang’s 1^st album. “Only built for Cuban linx” became a classic with strong lyrics and grimy WU style beats. On any other album or guest appearance Rae spit extreme metaphors, rhymes and comparisons. He’s like a rap-Ak47 – spit’s rhymes like a machine gun. Some of his rhymes are too crazy to memorize (at least for a foreigner like me). Every time he gets on the mic I try to concentrate his rhyme scheme and the ideas he tries to deliver sometimes it ends with pressing the rewind.

Jay-Z
I don’t like him that much actually, But there are 2 main facts of why he’s in the top 3:
Reasonable Doubt
A bit misunderstood and underrated album. Not many people even noticed how deep this album was. It wasn’t just another gangster type of record. It was a whole story. A man, who was doing bad things in the community, leaves one life, and goes to another - from being a drug dealer to being a rap artist. Some of the rhymes he raps are just incredible (try to analyze “Dead Presidents II” and you’ll see what I mean.). The beats were crazy, the rhymes were crazy. A Classic.
Not writing his rhymes
That’s the main reason why he deserves the spot. Maybe not everyone knows but Jay-Z doesn’t write his rhymes. He listens to the beat, goes to the booth and records various whole 16bars. He memorizes rhymes in his head and makes a complete song in his head. How about that?
Jigga made his name a brand name. Sold many records, did many collaborations with many of the rap game’s giants. He tried to quit the rap game, but I’m pretty sure we’ll hear many more of his songs and love them. Actually, he’s one of these rappers which are authentic, not trying to grab the listener’s attention by saying things that the listener wants to hear. He just spits what’s true, and real

(NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
Places 4-10
Jadakiss
Jada is one of those rappers I’m always curious about. You’ll never know what he’ll come up with. He’s also a unique persona in the rap game. There’s no other rapper who can spit rhymes like him, no one has a voice like him. Listen closely to “kiss of death”. He’s a perfect battle Mc.
The Game
You can hate him or love him; but You can’t say he’s not talented. He spits his rhymes so easily and drops some real science in his verses. Just like Jada he’s also a great battle Mc. If You’re familiar with “You know what it is vol.3” and “Ghost Unit” mixtapes, You’ll know what I mean. On “The LAX” he showed that he can sell 5 million records on his debut, leave G-Unit and still be the most successful West Coast Mc. “The Documentary” was one of the best mainstream albums I’ve ever heard.
2 Pac (R.I.P.)
A legend. He was the best Mc at his time. If he was still alive, he would be doing a lot of work in this rap game. He would still be on the top of the charts. Rest in peace Pac.
O.C.
He’s known for being a member of D.I.T.C. and his classic solo “Word, Life”. He’s just one of a kind, with a really smooth flow and knowledge hidden in his deep lyrics. I can’t wait to hear some new tracks from Omar. If you’re not familiar with him, check “Word, life” and “Jewelz” albums - obligatory positions in everyone’s collection.
Talib Kweli
I’ve decided to put Kweli in here because he’s a great lyricist. No doubt bout that. The “Train of thought” album is really a classic piece. No one in the game did an album like Kweli and Hi-Tek did. No one did an album like “Blackstar”. Kweli - one of the most lyrical rappers ever to touch the Mic, period.
Black Thought
I’ve always been a fan of Black Thought. The energy that he gives and delivers through his really extraordinary rhymes is one of the main reasons for his presence on this list. Always in a good shape, whether he rhymes with The Roots Crew, on a Pete Rock beat or Scott Storch’s beat.
Those which can surely fit in this chart: Kool G Rap, Common, Big Pun, Fat Joe, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, Redman, Planet Asia, Rasco, Big L (R.I.P.), Guru, A.G., Ghostface, Busta Rhymes, Prodigy and Havoc, GZA, Defari, Evidence, Styles P, Cormega, Sheek Louch, Noreaga, Mos Def, Buckshot, De La Soul, Blaq Poet, Royce Da 5’9, AZ, M.O.P., Masta Ace and many others.
Part II – Producers
Now here comes the fun part for me, since I’m a big fan of making beats. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I proudly present to you, the top beatsmiths of the rap game:
Dj Premier
No, not Dre, not RZA, not Prince Paul or Marley marl. He is probably one of the most influential people in the whole hip hop music. He was one of the reasons 90% of nowadays producer’s began to make beats or to listen to rap music. He’s been in the game for about 20 years, and managed to stay consistent and elevate. Many classics were made by this man. He worked with every dope or legendary MC in hip hop. He’s the most respected person in the hip hop world - a man of few words who didn’t give up when the hard times sampling came. He didn’t change his style to become more “trendy” or popular. Traveled to N.Y. from Texas and surely paid the cost to be the boss. His beats are always recognizable among hip hop listeners worldwide. Probably the only person on earth who made Christina Aguilera sound like a soul or jazz vocalist. A happy owner of an old MPC 60 and s950 – Chris “Dj Premier” Martin. (Nas – Ny State of mind part 1 and 2, Nas is like, Gang starr – Full Clip, M.O.P. – Follow Instructions, Biggie – 10 crack commandments and a whole lot of other bangers)
Dr.Dre
Preemo and Dre are the best of both coasts. Both are responsible for the sound of rap on their coasts. Dre is a perfectionist. No one in the rap game makes beats sounding so clear and being mixed with such a precision. Even though there has been some controversy that Dre doesn’t make his beats; that he just co sign’s them, he’s still the best. Some say that he’s like a conductor. He just tells other people what to do. There may be truth about that, but even though most of the beats signed by Dr. Dre are either immediate hits, or absolute head bangers. By the way, I heard that his headphones – “Beats by Dre” are probably one of the best studio headphones ever made. He made the west coast sound. Enough said.
RZA / Pete Rock
I had to do it this way because they both deserve their place in this chart.
RZA
I’ve got mad admiration for RZA. How can you produce so many classic albums in such a short period of time? After the 93’ WU tang debut, RZA produced a couple of great solo albums of Wu members mostly by himself (some of these albums included beats by 4^th Disciple, Allah Mathematics, True Master or Bronze Nazareth but mostly only a track or two per album). Let me tell you exactly which classics I‘m talking about: Tical, Liquid swords, Only 4 Cuban Linx, Ironman or Return To The 36 Chambers. His beats set the tone for Wu at the time. He was recognizable for his dirty samples and many quotes from kung-fu movies.
Pete Rock
The master of the SP and the MPC - Soul brother no.1, a.k.a. the Chocolate Boy Wonder. Pete is known for doing all of his classic productions with the famous Emu SP1200. He has a unique talent of using samples from totally different records and putting them into beat. He made many classics with Cl Smooth and other rappers. Pete has definitely earned his legendary status just like Premier and Dre. Check his albums with CL smooth and the Soul Survivor series as well as his instrumental album entitled “Petestrumentals”.
(NO PARTICULAR ORDER)
Places 4-10
Large Professor
The founder of Nas’s talent and one of the boom bap’s finest beatmakers.
Lord Finesse
Many dope songs for the D.I.T.C. fam, plus his great “Return of the funkyman” and “The Awaking” LP’s.
Hi-Tek
Hi-Tek made his mane in the since the M.O.O.D. release. He always had really smooth and warm sounding beats, with great drum patterns. He’s one of the finest crate digger’s to me. Whether he used hard drums ore handclaps, everything sounded really things and “unplastic”.
I highly recommend to check his album with Talib Kweli “Train of thought” and Hiteknology series as well as tracks such as Common’s “Tekzilla” and “1999” witk Kweli, Sadat X nad Common.
Madlib
Now this dude is incredible. Probably no one released so many albums and made so many beats. He’s the proof that equipment doesn’t really matter that much. The “Madvillainy” album was made using a Boss Sp 303 sampler. That’s a BASIC sampler without a function to save your beats. It’s not even a sampler for producers; it’s a “Dj Sampler”. Some of the beats he did for that album were made in a hotel room using sp303, a fisher price toy turntable, a hi fi and crates. Beats were recorded on a cassette on the hi-fi and then MF Doom spit his rhymes to them in the studio. No arranging, no combinations. How about that for a basic setup? Besides he’s the craziest crate digger on earth !
Dj Muggs
All the Cypress Hill’s productions, Soul Assassins series and the incredible grimy albums with GZA (Grandmasters) and Planet Asia (Pain Language) – all off this classic material produced by the incredible DJ Muggs: The man who introduced Alchemist into beatmaking, and the man who’s the second legendary producer on the west coast.
Havoc
Mobb Deep’s producer – Havoc – using a very rare MPC 3000 is one of the finest beatmakers in NY. He made his name known by his street, dark mobb beats. Queens finest beat conductor is also famous for tracks with Method Man, Nas, Biggie, Prodigy and the Queens Mc’s and The LOX Mc’s.

Those which can surely fit in this chart: 9^th Wonder, Marco Polo, Khrysis, Illmind, Alchemist, True Master, Dj Revolution, Evidence, Joey Chavez, Black Milk, Swizz Beatz, Ski, Diamond D, Showbiz, Kut-O, Lewis Parker, Fizzy Womack, PF Cuttin, J Dilla (R.I.P.), Dj Honda, Oh No, Kutmasta Kurt, MF Doom, The Are, Locsmith, J.Rawls, P.U.T.S., Marley Marl, Rob Swift, RJD2

The Loop

Lila sits down with former Roc-A-Fella artist H.A.P.H. to discuss his debut digital release titled “The Epitome”.
For more songs from H.A.P.H. please check his Myspace out
www.myspace.com/hiprokrazymusik

Lila) “The Epitome” Why that name for your album? Is it because you feel your album is the perfect example of what music should be?

H.A.P.H.) I chose the title for multiple reasons…
(1) Politics. For the amount of years that I have been round & about this game, I have personally or either my music has been in and/or on every major label A&R’s office/desk (some of whom I may have personally known). Not once did anyone overlook The Ranjahz social & business relationship with Jay-z & focused on the music. Knowing that our music was & still is that shit!! So this album is a message to those (excuse my language) “Dick Riders”. I’m still making good music & their out of a job!!! (laughs) “I’M THE EPITOME”
(2). During the last few years I’ve had the chance to really focus on being an artist opposed to a “rapper”, so while record companies were prolonging the inevitable, I was busy mastering my craft. I began teaching my self how to play instruments, such as the guitars & bass. Never has there been a dude from the slums of Brooklyn, that not only rap his ass off but, he can actually write, compose & arrange real music… I’M THE EPITOME”!! (laughs)
(3). This album reflects my moods, mental as well as emotional state of mind I was in on every song, opposed to what the market place requires or what everyone else is doing.

Lila) There are two songs that are my favorite on the album; “I Got Soul”, is one of them;

I love this song for the fact I do feel that Hip-hop is watered down, how were you feeling when you wrote the song? Did you hear another Soulja Boy song!! Just kidding, I’m going to get in trouble again!!

H.A.P.H.) Thanks you, glad someone can appreciate my hard work.. Naw, but seriously, I had a great time recording this song, mainly because this was one of the most creative songs on the album. When I was producing the track I was sought of in the experimental state of mind, by the time I track the guitar I knew I was going to do something special to this beat. I automatically thought I want to hear something different & if that’s going to happen, I’m going to have to do it myself. So I went in the booth did the hook & the rest is history. (yeah that’s me “singing” on the chorus shhhhhh..) (laughs)

Lila) well you did a good job (smile)

Lila) The other song that I like a lot, and I feel that a lot of people can relate to; “Never Give Up”.

I enjoyed how you have the children on the hook, I feel it gives it more of an emotional effect. Is that what you were going for? And again what were you going through or feeling when you wrote the song?

H.A.P.H.) Yes indeed!! This is definitely one of my favorites on the album. Mainly because it’s a color blind record. It don’t matter what color, creed, religion, race, nationality or regional location your in. This is a record for the masses. This is that record that can be played 8:00 am every morning while you take the children to school, or while your off to church on Sunday with your moms in the car. Music with such magnitude, passion & love are yet to be plumed & promoted, or talked about as much as the negative bullshit do. I love this record because it’s real, you can hear the passion, you can see the picture and you can feel the pain!!! The chorus has my daughters singing, that’s extra special to me. This was a very emotional record for me, I actually got teary on this joint. I put my self in every situation, from the single parent, to the single parent child. I know & understand what a struggle is like, so my aim was to share that with the world.

Lila) Awww, I’m going to cry

Lila) Going back to “I Got Soul”, I’m going to ask because of the song plus you have been around the rap game for a long time; How do you feel about the music being played today? For me Hip hop use to have meaning, value, and now it’s straight bullshit!!

H.A.P.H.) Well let me say that I can appreciate some of today’s artist & their music that we’re being conditioned to listen to but, I don’t necessarily have that urge that I once had to tune in. I understand that every aspect of this business is about money & politics, so not because “birthday sex” is played 8:00 am every morning while I’m driving my daughters to school doesn’t mean it’s a great record & on the other hand doesn’t negate the fact that Jeremiah may have a better record that can be played at a more appropriate time during the day! So, what was once about art & culture is now about money marketing & commerce. What was once about upliftment & entertainment is now about how much money you have or how many niggers you shot. (in a nut shell music today sucks!!!!)

Lila) “The Epitome” how much of the album is you? What I mean how much of it reflects you of what you gone through or going through?

H.A.P.H.) This entire album reflects me!! Every song was recorded on a different day & time from the other so, what you hear is exactly how I felt and/or what was going on in my life at that present time. Music is my life & my life is music. What you see and/or hear is what you get in person.

Lila) “The Epitome”, your solo album why now? With all the mixtapes you’ve done, why a solo album now? And will we be seeing more?

H.A.P.H.) I would have to first say It was a blessing to still have an opportunity to put out an album out with all the favoritism, politics as usual & over all bullshit that can often dictate anyone’s career. Second I never lost my drive, the will or belief in myself!! I wanted to separate myself from all the saturation. There’s a mixtape DJ born everyday, most of whom don’t know the first thing about scratching, cutting or even breaking a record for that matter. Everyday there at the least 30 mixtapes out on dattpiff.com 99% bullshit (and those are just the ones that make it). I understand that I have to stay ahead of the average rap dude in terms of business & making music. My mixtapes are more about lyrics, just turn the Mic. on & give me the beat. In contrast, on the album I was more focused on creating songs & good music opposed to trying to prove I’m the illest rapper alive type shit..

Lila) My beef bout the album is that you went digital with the album, WHY? Did you feel albums weren’t going to sale good in store’s?

H.A.P.H.) That’s cool your taking it up with the man him self beef on!! (laughs)
Naw, this whole digital shit was a blessing for me like I stated earlier. I’ve been on my digital grind for the past 3 years because I have the ability to see ahead time & think accordingly. By no means did I plan on dropping a digital album but, this is what I have been dealt. A homie of mine has a digital distribution situation, he eventually pitched it to me & I said let’s do it!! I did some research on the climate of the game, low & behold records are not selling but, people sure are downloading more than a lil bit!! Still if was presented with a decent physical distribution deal I may consider going that route. Not like I need to though.

Lila) A friend of mine loves your album he went as far to say “It ain’t watered down, it’s real Hip-hop… the rap dude is a beast”, “The album is grimy but intelligent”. How do you feel knowing you gave an album with hope for a rebirth to hip-hop lover’s?

H.A.P.H.) I’m humbled, in the same token gracious. All I want is for  my work to be appreciate by all who come in contact with it. You don’t have to love it or even like it for that matter but, respecting what I do is a must!!! If you love good music? H.A.P.H “The Epitome” should be on every one’s of your playlist’s. Home, mp3 player, work, car.. I don’t give a fuck just bang it!!!

Lila) Wais (The Ranjahz) is featured on Ya Gotta, what is the current status of The Ranjahz? Can we expect an album from you guys in the future?

H.A.P.H.) Oh for sure. The ranjahz are still effective, we still got a thing or two to prove!!! Wais is currently wrapping up is solo album to be released real soon. So you can definitely look forward to seeing The Ranjahz collectively put out that quality product in the near future.

Lila) What is the current status of Javelot Music and what is your plans with it in the future?

H.A.P.H.) Ah man. I’ve had the privilege to see one company out of a few, come from a pebble to a roc, back to dust right in front of my eyes’s in a matter of years. So I plan on applying what I’ve absorbed over the years round about the industry. So we’re taking our time, thinking, planning and executing wisely and according to the climate of the industry. The company is a newborn, we’re still in the growth process but, I would like to think that we’re a step ahead of the average.
At the end of the day, knowing that this is just the beginning of our digital enterprise. Please stay tuned!!

Lila) Who is in your CD player at the moment? Which artists are you feeling these days?

H.A.P.H.) I must be honest with you, I don’t do too much rapper dudes. I’m big on old school or I do alterative!! (ONYX, Keith Urban, Outkast (Aquemini) that’s a fucking classic if I ever heard one before, Cyndi Lauper (Body Acoustics), or some 3 Doors Down) them my dudes right there!!! (laughs)… I’m a huge fan of hip hop still to this day but there’s not a variety to choose from. If I really want to hear some real shit I through my cd “The Epitome” in & rock!!!

Lila) (Laughing) he went there, so y’all step your game up

Lila) Thanks for the interview H.A.P.H. Any final words and/or shoutouts?

H.A.P.H.) Your more than welcome. ANYTIME!!! Thanks in return for providing a platform to enlighten the people..

Final words; HIP HOP IS ALIVE & WELL H.A.P.H “THE EPITOME” IS NOW ON ITUNES & ONLINE MUSIC STORE WORLD WIDE GO OUT & SUPPORT GOOD MUSIC TODAY!!!

At this time Kase was catapulted into the new age of computers and was finding out the power they held as far as putting yourself in a more creative and professional position in the music biz. Finally he had the tools to complete his mission of self producing his own hip hop music and offering his services to other local MC’s from the North Seattle area. Kase is truly a ‘one man band’ when it comes to his music; Production, engineering, vocals, vocal mastering, you name it is handled at Kase’s studio.

Kase dropped his long anticipated solo album in early 2008 and has accumulated a huge catalogue of new material for an upcoming project for early 2009. Recently aligning with Mo The General’s Cypha Music Group was an easy decision for Kase, who’s affiliations are considered the tightest in the underground, the newly formed CMG represented all the ideals with music and the progression of styles and techniques so it was a good fit. Expect nothing but dope beats and machine gun flows from MC Kase.

Lil G, a regular down to earth guy, who can take a conversation to a whole new level. Who doesn’t let struggles hold him back… Reading back on the interview, something caught my eye, Lil G would like to be remembered as the best rapper in the Valley, that to me says a lot about a person, and to be doing a compilation for all the local artist with in the valley tells me his not in it for the fame but to make the dreams happen.

Lila) In your own words what defines Lil’ G & how would you like to be remembered?
LG) The definition of Lil’G, I’m just a regular guy. Down to earth, that will sit have a conversation when having a couple of beers. I respect everyone who shows it back. I would like to be remembered as one of the best rappers in the valley, who struggled to come up!!

Lila) Who were your influences (Mainstream) when you were growing up?
LG) N.W.A., The Click , and TOO $hort

Lila) When you were first starting out, who were some of the local underground hip hop rappers you looked up to and why?
LG) Darkroom, N 2 Deep, The Velvet Click, at the time there wasn’t any known rappers from the valley and if there was there wasn’t a lot of promotion going on.

Lila) Tell us about the very first hip hop show you ever went to?
LG) I would have to say it was E-40 and Too $hort at a local car show

Lila) What do you think you could have done different on your most recent album?
LG) Since it was the 1st album engendered by myself, I would have been mix in down

Lila) Can you tell us a little bit about Nastee Habits Entertainment and how you came up with the name, seeing that it’s the same name as your album?
LG) Nastee Habits, it’s put together by some of the most talented people in the valley from rappers to R&B singers. Using the G-Spot Studio to do all the recordings, mixing, graphics, productions. One of my home boys came up with the name, saying that we have Nastee Habits!! (Ya, know what I mean) Just to tell you we never have a music session with out a “BEER or SMOKE” (he laughs when he say’s that) Since it was our 1st album we decided to use the same name for the NH Compilation for the reason that the label was new, and we’re trying to put it out there.

Lila) Did you ever get overwhelmed while planning the release of Nastee Habits and keeping all your other projects straight?
LG) I guess you can say a little we all get overwhelmed at times, when we’re trying to do many things at once

Lila) I understand that you waited awhile to release your album Nastee Habits was there a specific reason for that?
LG) Actually the promotion was out a little early, and not to mention one of my main boys was incarcerated. But it was worth the wait

Lila) When can your now fans and your new fans expect a new album from Lil’ G?
LG) Really soon I’m out with a compilation called “The Valley”, on this one I’m giving all the local artist a chance to submit their best track for it, and of course I’m working on my solo album called “Sound of Musik” there is much to come

Lila) How would you describe your style?
LG) My style I would say is versatile, I love all music and I try to combine old with the new style. I don’t really like to focus on a certain types of styles, I like to keep my thoughts open when it comes to music

Lila) I’ve been a fan since back in the day and at this time my favorite song is Forever More, can you tell us what is your favorite on your album?
LG) I can’t say I have a favorite one since we worked hard on all of them, but if I have to choose I would say Lemonsta and Soldier cause it was based on one of my boys, a marine who was serving in Afghanistan and

Lila) Who can you say has been the wildest producer you’ve worked with up until now and why?
LG) I can’t say I’ve really worked with a lot of people most of the productions is done by us, to mention a few names we have Cisko of PBC, Young Rich and myself

Lila) What is playing in your CD player right now?
LG) ICE CUBE.

Lila) How would you say, have you grown as an underground artist?
LG) Coming from tapes and Karoke to having your own studios to having your CD’s in your local stores!! I’ve think I’ve grown as an underground artist don’t you (he laughs)

Lila) Can you tell us one memory that stands out while making Nastee Habits the album?
LG) Well there’s a few, (he starts laughing hard) I remember like it was yesterday… one long studio session my boys and me just got done on a hot ass track, being so impressed on how good it came out I opened the studio door yelled out to my wife “ay call the fireman” she came running down the hall terrified asking “why”? I said cause this song’s on “Fire”!!! ( He starts laughing even harder) she didn’t talk to me for a few days

Lila) What are some types of pressures that are associated with being an underground artist?
LG) From working so hard on your, and these hating ass radio stations that don’t wanna play email… my underground people know what I’m talking about!! A lot can’t take the pressure and give up, the sad part is their so talented, and they have the love for it!!! They just got get no love

Lila) The roster of a rapper has changed over the years, what is the biggest challenge in being a hip hop underground artist now?
LG) It seems like there’s a million rapper’s out there, the challenge is to become the best without stepping on anybodies toes

Lila) What or who keeps you motivated to keep going in this industry?
LG) First of all I love making music since I was a child, second of all my wife and fan’s

Lila) Where can your fans pick up one of your albums and do you have any shows coming up soon?
LG) Albums can be picked up in the local valley stores, homeboyrap.com and also world wide on myspace.com/yoboililg. Na I don’t have any shows right now

Lila) Do you have any last words or shout outs you want to give?
First of all I wanna thank GOD for putting me here giving me this talent, I wanna thank my family, my fans, the whole Nastee Habits/Mob, Everyone else who helped put the compilation together, oh ya and to all my hatter’s FUCK YA!!!

Artist: Ridah Redd
Song: To The Core
Album/Mixtape: Remember Me
Label: Godfather Records
Director: Carlos Miller (Dirty Lenz Project)
Year: 2009

Artist: Ridah Redd
Album/Mixtape: Remember Me
Label: Godfather Records
Year: 2009
Author: The Loop
Rating: 5/5

It was a sunny afternoon when I pressed play having the “Remember me” album in my playlist. I had mixed emotions before listening to the album. I was curious after looking at the tracklist and I was excited to hear what kind of album is it. The moment has come.

Ridah Redd is a young lyricist from an independent Godfather record label. Born in Miami, raised in Palm Beach County Ridah has quite an experience when it comes to rhyming. His flow is a mixture all the best features from 2 Pac and The Game, laid back, rhyming calmly and showing that such tracks are just a lyrical exercise for him and he’s ready to rock with the top Mc’s and producers in the rap game. The lyrical content of this album is quite balanced. And this is an advantage. Nowadays we notice a lack of solid albums. A typical album we get is a mixture of about 15 songs, in which one is a banger and the other 14 are just album fillers. “Remember me” isn’t that type of thing. We have a big variety of topics starting from life struggles, something for the ladies, club, life experiences. The way Ridah delivers his points of view through rhymes is a really amazing experience. The structure of verses and metaphors make the listener really take a second and think about certain things.

Featuring artists are on a level some people would wish to be. Akon did his thing in “Remember me” song. This joint could definitely be played on MTV and BET, really catchy tune and the whole musical background makes it an instant hit. Other tracks feature Poo Bear (known from feats on Fat Joe’s album), Dana, Charbel, Kallosity and AZ Yet.

The beats really match Redd’s flow and the message he delivers. The mixture of samples and warm and calm synth sounds matches the Ridah’s warm voice.
My idea of what an album should consist of is quite the same as Redman’s and Busta’s - Creativity and album cuts. We don’t need “one hit” albums. This album is a “multiple hit” and creative piece of music - an obligatory position for every real hip-hop fan.

Highly recommended by The Loop.