Madlib

Madlib is an artist that blends jazz, funk & hip hop music with his beats and makes incredible music. Madlib’s giving name is Otis Jackson Jr. Madlib was born in Oxnard California and is living in Los Angeles. This 40 year old DJ, multi-instrumentalist, MC, and music producer has incredible amount of talent. I truly enjoy the way he takes his beats and mixes it into a hip hop, jazz and funk tunes. Madlib is has collaborated with numerous hip hop artists, including The Alkaholiks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Ghostface Killah, Talib Kweli, A.G. , Madvillain, and the late J Dilla. Madlib has opened my eyes to a lot of different music and the way it is done. Madlib has a single out called“Shame” it is a real serious song. Madlib’s music just makes me feel elated. Listen to songs from Madlib on Streetwise Radio Big Hop. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on Live365, Athena365, MyGen365, iTunes and Pandora.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madlib

Wordsmith

Wordsmith has been busy building a loyal fan base and garnering critical acclaim over the past few years with a Hip Hop style that can’t be labeled. Boosted by the 2DopeBoyz/Frostwire.com sponsored, “Prelude to the King Mixtape” that dropped in April 2012, The Baltimore native released his life lesson album, “King Noah,” on June 19th, 2012. The independent album was released through his NU Revolution Entertainment LLC imprint in conjunction with a national distributor. Powered by four lead singles, “Music for the Masses,” Never Be the Same Feat. ELiM,” “Eye for the Spotlight Feat. Phil Ade,” and “On My Job,” Wordsmith has set out to prove he is ready to make an impact on the charts.
 “King Noah” is a life lesson album that I dedicated to my son Kingston Noah Parker, so he would have a blueprint for life through my music,” stated Wordsmith.  “Everything is coming together from the music and business side with this release.  I have a style that allows me to stay ahead of the curve in terms of musical creativity and hip hop fans are at a point where they want fresh sounds and energy from artists.”
Far from a Hip Hop newbie, Wordsmith originally caught the attention of critics within Hip Hop circles by teaming with the legendary Chubb Rock and the release of their “Bridging the Gap” album which was powered by the lead single, “OId 2 the New,” which had a huge following within collegiate circles.  Bridging the Gap sparked the release of his 2010 debut “Vintage Experience” which garnered him praise for his creativity, witty wordplay and soulful melodies.  Wordsmith followed that up with a 2011 ASCAPLUS Award, which validated him as a bona fide songwriter.
Recognized in the Allhiphop.com, “Breeding Ground” section for new artists, the acclaimed site states, “After only a few moments of speaking with Wordsmith one can see his advantage over other rappers.  He is not only a talented lyricist; he also has a keen business mind and a willingness to learn.”
In an era where both established and emerging artists struggle for economic prosperity, Wordsmith has been able to utilize his business savvy and songwriting skills to garner licensing deals with Nintendo, ESPN, VH1, Golf Channel, Six Flags, ABC, CBS and PBS to build his revenue and expand his fan base.  Wordsmith attributes this business know-how to his college education and experience running his independent label which taught him to be creative and resourceful.  
Fans new to Wordsmith will soon learn he is far from the typical rapper.  The German born artist and son of a U.S. Army Colonel traveled the world as a child and developed a broad musical taste which included commercial, alternative, hip hop rock and the pure lyricism within hip hop.  The heart of his devotion to lyricism can be attributed to his true influences within Hip Hop which include Redman, Tribe Called Quest and Rakim.  
To find out more about Wordsmith, please visit www.wordsmithmusic.com, Twitter @wordsmithmusic and www.facebook.com/wordsmith.

Sammie Coming of Age

When he came on the music scene with his 1999 hit single "I Like It", off his debut album "From the Bottom to the Top", this twelve year old seem to be the next rising soul and pop singer. Well that was not the case for this singer. Was it the management that was holding him back or the record label? If you fast forward to 2006 his debut single "You Should Be My Girl" off his second album “Sammie” shows that he still has what it takes. Sammie is coming out with his third album in 2013 called “Coming of Age”. Is this album that is going to push him into soul and pop star status? I was listening too “Body Rock” and “Come And Get Down” like both of these songs. Sammie has proven again that he can still hang with the new school R&B singers, Trey Songz, Bobby Valentino, and Chris Brown. He has the whole package talent and looks to be a star. He needs to stop coming out with an album every 7 years. This is not that good for a music career. You can listen to songs from Sammie on Streetwise Radio. Also listen to Streetwise Radio on Pandora, Live365, Athena365, MyGen365 and iTunes.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammie

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBnOH_K7f74

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

9TH Wonder “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”

9^th Wonder says, “Hip-Hop is the voice of at least 2 generations. At one time, it was the POSITIVE voice. Chuck D was the black history teacher I never had, along with countless other black Americans my age. It can be that again, but with the right voices and the right players. As the late Curtis Mayfield said, “We must educate and Well as Entertain.” I agree. Over the years some hip hop artists have become so negative. There aren’t that many positive hip hop artist that are being played on the on-air radio stations. 9th Wonder’s given name is Patrick Denard Douthit, he was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina on January 15, 1975. 9th Wonder’s started listening to hip hop when he was seven years old. He absorbed the music, culture of the art form while in middle and high school, gaining experience in music theory. He decided to pursue a music career while attending North Carolina Central University. 9^th Wonder is a master beat maker and sampler. He has sampled some great music from one of my favorite artists who was politically conscious of his times, the late great Curtis Mayfield. Al Green was also one of his big influences. The heavy bass lines in his songs were due to the production of J Dilla, Pete Rock and DJ Premier. 9^th Wonder has been sought after by some well-known artists like, Mary J. Blige, Jean Grae, Wale, Jay-Z, Murs, Drake, Buckshot, Chris Brown, Destiny's Child, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Erykah Badu, Ludacris, Mac Miller, David Banner, and Lecrae to name a few. 9^th Wonder has a new solo project out “Tutankhamen (Valley of the Kings)”. This album is a chill out album it has a soulful vibe it has my heading bobbing to the beat of the songs. My favorites are “WindyJamSoul”, “WhenLoveIsNew”, “ImABeastSoul!!!!”, “Fredathump” and “JustMyThoughtsSoul”. Don’t miss out on this album.

 You can listen to this album on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Anthena365, Live365 and MyGen365.

Actual Proof “Black Boy Radio”

What can I say about the duo Actual Proof? Outstanding and Talented! This Duo grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. Their music is a combination hip hop, classic soul, funk and jazz. Sundown and Enigma, the name of its members are both emcees. Actual proof came about when Enigma had the intelligence to enroll in the North Carolina Central University. Enigma took a class that 9^th Wonder, a Grammy Award Winning Producer, DJ, College Lecturer, and Social Activist, was teaching. The class was hip hop and context. 9^th Wonder invited Enigma and Sundown to his studio and the rest is history. Actual Proof’s album “Black Boy Radio” is about a young black boy growing up on the streets of Raleigh, North Carolina. I think the best song on this album is the cover title “Black Boy Radio” it has that jazzy, funky feel and the lyrics are incredible. It tells a story about a boy growing up in the 1960’s racial North Carolina.  I also like "I Got You", a song about offering support to someone going through personal trials and tribulations. 

I think "Black Boy Radio" is a talented, educated duo from the South that has something decent to rap about. Streetwise Radio is playing “Black Boy Radio”. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on iTunes, Live365, MyGen365 and Athena365.

LM

http://www.last.fm/music/Actual+Proof/+wiki

Public Enemy Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp

Public Enemy in past has been known for their controversy’s. Well they’re back! Public Enemy released an album called “Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp” in July 2012. The opening track “Run Til It’s Dark”, is characteristic Public Enemy sound. I think the four most important songs on this album are “Get Up Stand Up”, “WTF”, “Catch the Thrown”, and “Run Til It’s Dark”. I have been listening to Public Enemy since the late 80s. I think they are still the best rap group ever. These so called rappers now days need to take note and rap about the real truth.

Public Enemy is from Long Island, New York. Public Enemy came on the scene in 1987, with their debut album “Yo! Bum Rush the Show”. In 1988 the released “It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back”, with their two hit singles "Don't Believe the Hype" and "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos". After twenty five years Public Enemy is still rapping about what’s going on in the world. Public Enemy is still doing their thing bringing the world the truth through their music. My favorite songs are, “Run Til Its Dark”, “Get Up Stand Up (featuring Brother Ali)”, “Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp (featuring Z-Trip)”, “I Shall Not Be Moved”, “Get It In (featuring Bumpy Knuckles)”, “WTF” and “Truth Decay”. Public Enemy has the second album due out sometime in September, The Evil Empire of Everything. It is supposed to be the album that talks to “Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp”. Public Enemy is the real deal of hip hop.

If you have not listened to Public Enemy you need to they are rapping some real truth. A lot of critics think Public Enemy is racist and very militant. I say to all those critics the truth hurts. You can listen to Public Enemy songs on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise Radio on, Athena365, MyGen365, ITunes and Live365.

LM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Enemy_(group)

http://consequenceofsound.net/2012/07/album-review-public-enemy-most-of-my-heroes-still-dont-appear-on-no-stamp/

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.19873/title.chuck-d-of-public-enemy-speaks-on-two-albums-in-2012

Tasha’s World

DJ Michael Ealey has discovered another under-rated artist that I have not heard of, Tasha’s World. It is no wonder I have not heard of Tasha’s World, because she gets played over in Europe. Tasha’s World is her stage name, her name is Natascha Slagstand. Someone asked her in an interview, how she came up with the name Tasha’s World. She explained that her music is about the things that keep her busy, in her own world. She was born in 1974 in Rotterdam, Netherlands with a Surinamese background. This hip hop, neo soul and jazz singer always get compared to Erykah Badu and she does not like it. I don’t blame her. I think she has a better her voice with more versatility and she is easier to listen then Erykah’s. Tasha’s World debut album came out in 2003 titled “Tasha’s World”. In 2005 Tasha’s World came out with her second album “World Domination” My favorite songs from both of these albums are, “Nothing really matters”, “All that's on my mind”, "Glowing Growing”, "Jah Bless", “Down & Around”, “Black Panther”, “Breakfast London Style”, “Fed up”, “Home Alone”, “Tasha’s World” and “Corny Love Song”. The lyrics in these songs are so relevant to what’s going on in the lives of women. Tasha’s World is very soulful!! She is another songstress for neo soul music who is incredible. She is going on my playlist. Tune in to Streetwise Radio for songs from Tasha’s World. To listen to Streetwise Radio you can go to ITunes, MyGen365, Athena365 and Live365.

LM

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/BV.aspx?ref=IE8Activity&a=http%3A%2F%2Fnl.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTasha%27s_World