Every year, there is a gathering of some of the greatest minds working behind the scenes in the industry known as the New Music Seminar. This notable event was held in NY's Webster Hall this year for 3 days of enlightening discussion on concerns, issues, and hopes affecting the music industry today. Gowhere NY was in attendance to absorb the informative nature of each panels topic, or "movement" which were conducted by many of the leading indivdiduals in the music industry.
On the last day of the event, NMS hosted their first music festival, located in over 17 different venues and featuring over 150 artists. Artists performing included, Travis Porter featuring surprise guest Jim Jones, Ziggy Marley, Riots !n Paris, Futuristic Lingo and many others. We decided to hit Public Assembly in Brooklyn to show love to our favorite ghastly duo, The Doppelgangaz who were performing along with Soul Khan and the Brown Bag AllStars who hopped on stage right after them. Quite the treat to say the least. We caught up with The Doppelgangaz after their performance for a few words and to inform them on how they were mentioned earlier in the day as an example for setting up an effective youtube page by speaker Julie Perry (Vice President Social Media - BLASTmedia, Creator of "YouTube Secret Weapon").
Watch the vid above to see what they had to say about it, and be sure to get your copy of the recently released tape Beats For Brothels Vol. 2 available now on Bandcamp. It's a combination of smooth produced instrumentals and a few tracks with verses from the the two. Listen and/or purchase HERE.
For Charles' interview, he showed me one of the things he does on his free time - Muay Thai, where he taught me the basics.
Following the lesson, we discussed how his career started, his most embarrassing moment on set, something his fans don't know about him, his nationality and more.
Although Charles plays an intimidating role on "The Game," he is absolutely nothing like his character - this was by far one of my favorite interviews.
TIBS UPDATE: Our new interview with Lupe is sticky atop the site. Scroll below for all of today's updates and be sure to watch above!
The other night, Wasulu Jaco, better known as Lupe Fiasco, truly lived up to the latter part of his stage name at Milwaukee's 45th annual Summerfest. Not a fiasco as in a catastraphe, but definitely the bomb. The entire 40K crowd showed tons of hospitality to the Chicago emcee as they chanted Lupe's lyrics word for word throughout the Summerfest kick-off show. Lupe returned the love by donning a crispy Brandon Jennings jersey for the Milwaukee summer masses. After the show, he spoke on Food & Liquor 2, taking constructive criticism in stride, and Chief Keef and Chicago hip hop.
"I'm sure I'll have a conversation with Fest soon in the next few days specifically about that. He's a good dude. He keeps it 100, he keep it real. You need that balance, you need somebody to come in and say what's really real--and not in a rap song. In a very intellectual way. In a very meaningful way, which I think that's what Rhymefest did. As far as his relationship with Keef and the city's relationship with Keef, at the end of the day its been done before, it ain't like we reinventing the wheel or it's always been nonviolent or it's always been violent. It is what it is. Hip-hop is made up of everything. The worst of the worst and the best of the best, we just gotta deal with it and live with it. That's what life is about."
We're proud to present yet another classy, thought-provoking, and striking new Camovement by Cam Be as Jeff Baraka got a chance to sit-down with hip hop legends De LaSoul at The Shrine not too far back for the venue's third year anniversary.
The interview is mixed in with some amazing, slowed-down visuals to distinguish that documentary style mood that Cam is known for. The 'Words & Sounds' from De La shown above? The combination of the live audio of their iconic hip hop hits with a discussion on how the group got started in high school and their insight on De La Soul's current relevance in hip hop today. I particularly like how they feel responsible for reminding this new generation - the 'Internet Age' (my phrase) - to keep learning. And to do that, they feel like they should compete, put music out, just not in a disposable fashion. Co-sign that idea. Shouts to Jeff Baraka for steering the conversation in this direction. Press play and take in some powerful 'Words & Sounds' from the living legends - Dave, Maseo, & Posdnous, De. La. Soul.
Tito Lopez. Judging by the name he's nothing like you'd imagine. Dubbed "The Voice of the Underdogs," this down-to-earth Mississippi rapper has caught the attention of anybody who cares about quality, including Dr. Dre & Sha Money XL. Now signed to Capitol Records, he stopped in Chicago to promote his latest mixtape The Hunger Game. You might think the unrelenting smile on his face (even when he raps) might be at odds with his cutting lyricism. But that's something that sets Tito Lopez apart from other rappers; His love, passion, respect, and gratitude for music were right there on his sleeve.
Check the interview and learn more about his latest mixtape and first single, "Mama Proud," what it takes to get where he's at (i.e. why he hasn't slept in a year), how the Dr. Dre meeting wasn't the gamechanger everyone thought it was, and more.
Promising and aspiring, Pavy out the "southside" of Chicago preps his most powerful release, while edging his fans closer to the conclusion of MCI. A Gowhere Hip Hop sponsored collection which recently brought forth videos for, "Rage" and "Pointless Rap Song." Pavy's progression over the past year surely comes as a result of hard work. He's showing everyone as well as myself that anyone who dedicates time to perfecting a craft can achieve whatever they desire.
Take this time to watch Pavy and I above talking Middle Class Ignorance, his upcoming T.O.D. (Theory of Defiance) project, the S.U.H. addition of The Boy Illinois, his Atlanta studio session run-ins with the Duffle Bag Collective, and more. Tune up and get in tune. My mans is bringing the heat with this next one. Get ready.
Last week, Kuda and I paid a visit to Educated Insanity downtown at the Illinois Center for Broadcasting and had an entertaining and thought-provoking conversation with hosts JR Bang (who also hosts a show on Windy City Underground) & Jay Washington about, well, Chicago hip hop as a whole.
It was exciting to bring listeners, and you guys checking this out now, our own perspective on: the state and future of the Chicago hip hop scene, some behind the scenes insight on what goes down in Gowhere Hip Hop, what tips we have for aspiring artists out there to get our attention, and what we look for in hip hop. We talk about the importance of networking and share some fun stories and experiences throughout the history of Gowhere Hip Hop. In fact, people ask me all the time how we got started and so I answer that early on in part 1 above. Plus, since Educated Insanity talks about all of the hip hop culture - be it news, entertainment, and sports - stay tuned all the way through part 2 to hear my (now busted) NBA Finals prediction, hah! So if you have the time today, or are just working at the computer and want a radio/podcast to help pass the time, press play above and hear our thoughts on Chicago hip hop! Special thanks again to JR & Jay for hosting and having us, we look forward to working with them again soon.
I got to catch up with Chicago artist, GP during my visit to Los Angeles - who was there shopping around with label offers.
I first heard of GP when I came across his mixtape, 'Without a Deal,' which is hosted by the one and only, DJ Drama. After learning more about him, I was interested in finding out more.
In this interview, we first discuss his collaborations. GP has worked with Gorilla Zoe, Day26 and Jeremih (see music videos below), and was in LA working with Blaze The Champ, Da Internz and No I.D..
With such a successful music career so far, I wanted to get the inside scoop on why he pursued a music career, the inspirations behind it and his long-term goals (one of which I think he will definitely accomplish!)
For more information on GP, you can find him on twitter or by visiting his website. Also, be sure to check out his music videos below - my personal favorite is the one with Day26 (released this week!)
Last month a friend of mine sent over an inspirational video from author and motivational speaker, Eric Thomas.
I did not know what to expect of the video - but was so unbelievably inspired by what I heard, that I wanted to interview him as soon as possible.
Unfortunately, Eric and I are located in different locations, so an in-person interview wouldn't be able to happen until his next visit to Chicago. I was too inspired to wait that long so instead, we did a Skype interview!
In this interview, Eric first discussed the process of the book and what pushed him to complete it, his upcoming projects (there was so many that I lost count!), and his favorite place to visit for a speaking engagement.
I later took the interview to a more personal level. For those who do not know, Eric releases a new inspirational video every Monday (T.G.I.M.) so I was curious to know which of the lessons he teaches his audience was the hardest for him, followed by his inspirations and where he wants to be five years from now.
This was by far the most inspirational interview/conversation I have had with someone, and I know it will do the same for you. With that being said, after you finish, be sure to check out some more of Eric's work listed below: the video that inspired me to interview him, as well as the link to his mixtape, 'The Blueprint to Success.'
