READ THE INTERVIEW HERE!!! BIG SHOUT OUT TO FSM PARTNERS CAROLINAALLDAY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY!!

107.3 Jamz and Baseline Media Group presents, “The New Year’s Eve Party” with Big Daddy Kane, Nice n’ Smooth and Chubb Rock!!
Don’t miss out on this Legendary Event!!
Take advantage of the $35 Advance Tickets (Use Invoice #: MECCA and Amount: $35 @ http://www.baselinemg.com/sponsor.php)!! You will be able to print your tickets online or call 404.449.3261 for hard copies!!


When: Thursday, December 31, 2009 from 9pm-2am

Where: Carolina First Center - Ballroom Greenville,SC (21+ to attend)

Description: The only place to celebrate the New Year - Headlining Big Daddy Kane, and a lineup of your favorite hip hop legends, like Nice n Smooth and Chubb Rock. Funny man, Drew Fraser will be bringing in the laughs as seen on BET Comic view, HBO's Bad Boy's of Comedy, and Comedy Central. Status Quo, America's Best Dance Crew will bring the energy with their high octane performance. Special Guests the Ying Yang Twins tour DJ Scientist and Bad Boy's Own DJ Finesse will be on the 1's and 2's to keep the Party Bangin. Tickets are available online @ http://www.baselinemg.com/sponsor.php or call 1-800-208-2949 for VIP and Artist meet & Greet packages. Follow baseline events on facebook.

At what point did you decide you wanted to be an artist?

I started making music in 5th grade, but didn't really get serious about it until my junior year in high school. I was in a group called "Official Combination" that dropped a mixtape in the Piedmont Triad Area.

How did you come up with your stage name?

My homeboy Stunna came up with the nickname "k-o" back in 9th grade. LOL honestly don't even know why he started calling me that, but it was catchy. All I did was change the spelling and added my last name to it, to come up with "Kayo Bracey".

Do you have any musical influences?

I'm a big Ludacris fan. But most def. love TI, Busta Rhymes, and Jeezy. I use to bump all of their music before my college football games (at Morgan State University). Kinda took a little of my style from each one of them and molded it to come up with my own unique sound.

Do you have any upcoming projects we should look out for?

Always got new music for the people. Just dropped the "Target Practice Vol. 1" mixtape which is being flooded on the streets in the triad area. Volume Two is set to be released late February. Also sophomore album "Backstage Action" is set to drop summer of 2010. You should def. still be bumping that "Pick it Up" album from earlier in the year though. Check it out on iTunes. Plus we got the "Rida Girl" video (which is currently playing on the CW Network, Video Mix Channels, and receiving national college radio play), as well as my newest single "My Fresh Cool" which is produced by super producer "Kidd" Sparrow.

Where do you see your music career in the next five years?

With the right situation...BIG....REAL BIG....I'm talking Lil' Boosie, Ludacris, Plies big. While doing a show with Wale, he told me that the most important thing to do in this industry is "to grind and to be patient." I'm working on the being patient part lol. But real talk, I see the gleam in people's eyes when they hear my music, and see me perform. I can't wait until I am a household name. It's coming! I feel it!

Where can fans purchase your mixtape/album?

Itunes, and too many other websites the mention them all. Just Google "kayo pick it up" and take your pick. LOL. But of course I'm on every website that we all are: myspace.com/kayobracey, facebook.com/kayo.bracey, twitter.com/kayobracey, etc. Hit me up!

If you could work with any major producer for your single, who would it be and why?

I would like to work with Shawty Redd, 9th Wonder and Timbaland. But most of all Swizz Beatz. Everything he makes has the potential to be a number one record.

How will this FSM Artist and Producer Showcase be beneficial to you as an artist?

This showcase will give me a chance to separate myself from the pack. This showcase should give me the opportunity to prove that I can put my city on my back and carry them to the top. It will give me the opportunity to network with other rappers as well as producers which should also help me with my upcoming projects. Most of all, this will give me the chance to perform in front of major record label executives once again, and get some real feedback. I thank God for the chance to shine.

Now that we’ve brought a few labels to our area to show them our talent. What do you think we need to continue to do, in order to help take our local talent to the next level?

Support us. We all need to stick together to defeat the politics of radio and the music world period. There is legitimate local talent that is begging for the opportunity to shine. Some of these artists have the potential to be as big as a Jay-Z, Nas or Lil' Wayne. It's just sad that a lot of them go unnoticed from the lack of support and backing.

Any shoutouts?

Shout out to my squad, Gate City Kings, Ma Dukes, the big man upstairs and last but not least, big shoutout to FSM for the chance of a lifetime. 100

FSM: Triad Artist and Producer Showcase
The Triad Artist and Producer Showcase will be a networking event for local artists and producers to gain exposure and valuable information about the music business. It will allow artists to show their current status in the market to professionals in the music industry and develop beneficial relationships to get them to the next level. During the showcase, artists and producers will perform for guests and the guests will provide feedback at the end of the performance. Each guest will talk about what they do in their current role and how the artist can set themselves apart in the industry. There will also be a twenty minute period where all artists and producers can ask questions. At the end of the showcase, we will provide a trophy, monetary gift and hours of studio time to the final prize winner of each segment. This will be a historical event for the Triad area, especially Greensboro, North Carolina. There has not been an event of this caliber provided that is available to all local artists and producers.

$10 Advance tickets now on sale!

via hypebeast

SEE MORE OF THIS PERSPECTIVE SERIES BY PHARRELL x EMMANUAL PERROTIN HERE

R&B group Day 26 were offered the opportunity of a lifetime when hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs hand-picked the boy band on the MTV reality series 'Making the Band 4.' The group have since left Diddy's Bad Boy Records, but claim they are still very much connected to the Bad Boy crew. "Bad Boy is always our family, but we're with Atlantic right now," member Willie Taylor told The BoomBox.

Instead of continuing his distribution deal with Atlantic Records, Combs opted to sign with Interscope records and is working on his album 'Last Train to Paris,' with his new group Dirty Money comprised of himself, former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard and newcomer Kaleena. "They're taking music to the next level, it's called train music," said group member Quanell "Q" Mosely." It's so dope, I give them a lot of respect, Diddy's a genius."

Without Diddy's backing, Day 26 is setting out to prove that they are more than just television stars. "We really want to get people focused on the artistry, on the music," Taylor explained. "I think a lot of people lost it with the entertainment of the show. So now, we really want to show people what we're all about, that we do our thing whether its on stage, in the studio, writing and producing -- we do it all."

The band plan to hit the studio at the beginning of next year to record album three. "We're very excited about it. We know exactly what the fans are expecting from us on this third album. We're going to take the gloves off, really go for it. A lot of people thought Day 26 weren't going to be here but we're still standing."

Earlier this year the group flexed their design muscle releasing a woman's shoe line called Eight2Six. Their first product the Swaggaa Heel can be purchased online and is available in three different colors. "You can wear them at all times. You never have to take them off," group member Brian Andrews promised.

via theboombox.com

"I designed a line of jackets for Moncler using fabric from my company Bionic Yarn which will be released Fall/Winter 2010. I picked a picture from a Japanese artist named Keita Sugiura to use for the print as well. More pictures coming soon"

While the Porsche 911 stands as one of the most ubiquitous and storied sports cars of all time, another Porsche design was made popular by one particular individual.Now the German carmaker's Austrian product design studio has brought the design back back as the P'8479.

The shield-style visor is supported by a Beta-Titanium frame secured by visible screws for an iconic retro look

Inspired by Nike founder and Oregon Track & Field Coach Bill Bowerman’s time in the 10th Mountain Division of the US Army, the Innovation Kitchen on the guidance of Tobie Hatfield set out to honor their founding father. Goals of building a lighter, more breathable but still protective piece of footwear became the focus. This technical marvel has resulted in technologies such as Natural Motion Cushioning unit for improved support and speed as well as agile performance. For great grip, Sticky Rubber forefoot lugs are strategically mapped out for the necessary agility and traction in uncertain terrain. With its armed forces goal, the boot also comes complete with a “puncture and laceration resistant thermoplastic forefoot shield and genuine leather with Kevlar sheath”. All in all the boot also boasts the ability to be considered one of the lightest and fastest drying boots of its kind on the planet.

Source: Men’s Non-No

How far along are you in the recording process?
I’m still in an early stage. This is my first album and it takes a lot for me to commit to a song and be like, “I like this enough that I’m gonna put it on the album.” Every artist will have their album list, like these are the songs I’m considering. It takes a lot for me to put a song onto that list. It’s gotta be a real great song. It’s gotta be something that I feel is timeless and is better than anything that I’ve ever done. Towards the end, you listen to it as a full body of work and start to appreciate certain songs that you may not have seen the vision for initially. I’m gettin’ there though. I’mma get it done. Next few months, it’ll be done.

Who have you worked with so far?
I haven’t really worked with that many people. I sat down with Pharrell for a couple days, but it was very, very early in the recording process, so I wasn’t sonically sure what I wanted. I’m about to sit with Timbaland. Kanye and me have a lot of work to do together, and then other than them, just [Noah "40" Shebib] and Boi-1da who did the majority of the mixtape [So Far Gone] with me.

There are reports that “Shut It Down,” featuring The-Dream and produced by 40, is the first single from the album. Is that true?
No, it’s not the first single. It deserves to be a single at some point, but it’s not the first single.

Have you selected a first single?
No, not yet. I have trouble doing that. I’d say I have about six songs done and to pick from just six is hard for me ’cause I don’t know what else is going to come. With So Far Gone, before “Best I Ever Had” became the single, the entire project was done and it just happened to be the most commercially viable, catchiest song. I like picking my singles like that. Now obviously my management hates that because that doesn’t give them much time to work it. But I’m a big believer that everything should happen organically and if it doesn’t then something’s not right, and I don’t really want to change my formula. Before I start working a single, I need to get about 10, 15, 20 songs done so I can pick from a batch of music as opposed to just committing to something right now.

Does the album have a release date?
Not right now, but I’m hoping for February.

via rap up

Shyne emerged from the plane in a Harvard Law School sweat shirt and a pair of headphones around his neck. The rapper sported a full head of parted hair. He was hugged first by his godmother then his manager and others including one of his attorneys, Oscar Michelin, followed by Pulu Lightburn. Emerging to meet him at the stairs of the VIP room was his mother Imeon Myvette. She escorted him inside for the processing of his freedom on Belizean soil. After greeting with his father in the privacy of V.I.P. area, Shyne’s uncle, Michael Finnegan, gave the media an update on his status.

Michael Finnegan, Shyne’s Uncle
“Shyne is home. He wants to say how happy he is to be home and to be a free man. He would love to have a conversation with the media but because he was legally advised by Professor Ogletree, he must not speak to the media because he doesn’t want to prejudice his situation any at all with the US government or with the Belize government. So he asked me to ask you that he don’t want to disrespect you the media, but please to understand what is going on. You could see the tears in his eyes as they hugged and the romantic situation in there especially with his Grandmother and with his father, with his younger brother Anwar, they hugged and neva want let go one another.”

Jose Sanchez [Channel 5]
“Will there be a family dinner tonight with everybody, father included?”

Michael Finnegan
“No, there will be no—we are not a formal kind of people so we will play it by ear. His residence at my place is two weeks away from completion so he has rented a complete floor at Radisson Fort George Hotel. So every room on a floor was taken by him whether ih wah use it or noh use it. He said that after going through the eight and a half years he has gone through, he needs some privacy, he needs noh to deh round nobody, he needs just to sit down in isolation and contemplate his life. And I think that we need to respect that. If you notice, he has lost an extreme amount of weight.”

Jose Sanchez [Channel 5]
“As uncle what were your first words to him?”

Michael Finnegan
“come yah old bwai. That’s all I said to him cause when he was small and di raise ah I used to call ah old fart. So come yah old fart, come yah old bwai. Dat dah di way we greet one another when we talk on di phone. But he’s in good spirit, he is in good health but he is a bit frail.”

Shyne, in the company of his brother Anwar, left the airport in a red Ford Expedition towards the Youth Hostel on the Western Highway where he gave a pep talk to youths. Like the prodigal son, the former bad boy, returned home to open arms….”

via missinfo

Music Playlist at MixPod.com

The rapper was in court Wednesday in New York listening to the forensic evidence being used to tie him to the gun found when his tour bus was pulled over in Columbus Circle, NY after a July 2007 concert and cops say they saw him toss the .40-caliber into a Louis Vuitton bag. The prosecution is using a highly controversial method called “low copy number DNA profiling” which takes samples of human cells of an object to determine if somebody has touched it and even how much.

More than a dozen people were originally arrested during the incident with Wayne eventually pleading not guilty to an illegal gun possession charge which he faces 3 1/2 years for. The case starts January 20th, but rumors are already swirling that Wayne will opt out of the trial, plead guilty and do about 8 months in jail which could start as early as February.

Jay-Z X Young Jeezy Performance @ B.E.T. HIP-Hop Awards from College Kid on Vimeo.

Through the Wire is a graphic memoir that illustrates the lyrics of twelve Kanye West songs to tell his story, from his decision to drop out of college to pursue his dreams in music.Academy Award-nominated animator, cartoonist, and illustrator, Bill Plympton illustrates each of the songs in detail, his vision of Kanye’s world. The result is a one-of-a-kind book that initially grabs you and stays with you forever. “Through The Wire” will see a release on November 9th, 2009 at select booksellers, although Amazon is now taking pre-orders.

via hypebeast

via derick g on Vimeo.

DAY 3 YOUNG MONEY CASH MONEY IN LONDON on Vimeo.

SCENARIO.MP3

VIEW ONLINE HERE

Drug kingpin Anthony Gonzalez struck an unusual deal with federal prosecutors Tuesday: In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors promised not to charge four family members in the $10 million drug conspiracy that Gonzalez oversaw. He admitted to distributing more than a half-ton of cocaine and nearly a ton of marijuana over the past five years until his arrest in April. He and his associates traveled to Florida, the Southwest and even to Panama to obtain the drugs. Gonzalez admitted in court that he led the organization "in a very careful and deliberative manner," according to a statement of facts he signed in court. Prosecutors have agreed not to charge Gonzalez's wife, Davon Gonzalez; his mother, Sandra Gregory; his sister, Shana Gregory; and his aunt, Sherry Ann Wilson, the plea agreement says.

estimated to cost anywhere from $15,000-$75,000 for a customized Hermes hoodie!

KENDRICK LAMAR-BEYONCE