With a series of single and video leaks, Vallejo, California emcee Moe Green, has been building a steady following and buzz for his new album, Rocky Maivia: Non-Title Match. As Moe Green and his label, Interdependent Media, take a bold step forward with the rapper’s first supported release, starting today fans can download the entire album free of charge on Green’s bandcamp page.

For Moe Green, the move is a simple matter of strategy. “Why would I make somebody pay for the new guy when they’re already getting their favorite rapper’s work for free,” says Moe as he cites recent material from Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Curren$y, and others. While a wave of support is growing around the budding rapper, including recently being named to KMEL’s 2010 Bay Area Freshmen 10 class, Moe Green and Interdependent media look to continue to capitalize on the early buzz, giving listeners the chance to get their hands Moe’s music hassle free. The internet isn’t the only place that benefits from free music. If you are in the Bay Area you can pick up a free CD at selected stores while supplies last. In San Francisco, fans can grab the album from Amoeba, while in Berkeley and Moe’s hometown, Vallejo, supporters can find the album at Rasputins.

Nods of approval have been rolling in for the artist’s leaked tunes “Non-Title Match” and the scorching “Going In For The Kill”. The build-up to the album was also bolstered by the video for “Ride,” directed by Chris Kiker, giving viewers a tour around Vallejo. The album is replete with tracks that illustrate where the 22-year old Green is as an artist and a young man. “Emerald City” discusses the hardships of being a new artist, where skipping meals, and spending savings on recording time are the risks and realities of trying to make it. “Day Dreamer,” featuring songstress Raygen Fykes, offers more insight to Green’s life and dreams over a dusty drum loop, while the similarly forward-looing “Keep It Moving (KIM)” finds Moe highlighting the need for perseverance, focusing on the ultimate goal rather than being consumed with the inconsequential.

The album gains its name from superstar wrestler/actor The Rock – Rocky Maivia served as The Rock’s moniker when he first debuted in the ring. Green sees his debut album as the Rocky Maivia phase in his own career. “It’s a metaphor for the newcomer with great potential entering the professional leagues,” says Green. The album’s title may actually have more meaning right now as Moe Green finds himself already a budding star complete with fan and industry support. The album finds an artist utilizing little more than his dreams to make things happen as the fuel to create a dense and expertly produced set that can hold its own among releases from other members of hip-hop’s emerging talent.

Download Rocky Maivia: Non-Title Match (courtesy of Interdependent Media) here:
http://moegreen.bandcamp.com/album/rocky-maivia-non-title-match

DaVinci, the Bay Area emcee, has been receiving incredible amounts of attention after delivering his critically acclaimed album, The Day The Turf Stood Still, and more recently being named one of the Bay’s best new rap talents on KMEL’s Freshmen 10 list. The rapper’s label, the quickly rising Sweetbreads Creative Collective  just released a video (in conjunction with hip-hop site 24K Milkcrate) showcasing DaVinci’s recent trip to L.A., an eventful trek for the young emcee.

DaVinci drops in on legend DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) for an appearance on Muggs’ Soul Assassins radio show on Shade 45. His appearance instantly landed DaVinci the honor of being the first San Francisco artist to appear on both the Soul Assassins program and Shade 45. The clip shows the emcee and a clearly pleased Muggs chopping it up. The video also captures footage of DaVinci in the studio with two of L.A.’s go-to producers. Tycoon, known for his work with Anthony Hamilton, Pussycat Dolls and more recently pegged as a co-conspirator of Dr. Dre’s upcoming Detox album, spends time auditioning beats for the Bay Area rapper. DaVinci also catches up with J-Thrill (Talib Kweli, Strong Arm Steady, Planet Asia). It looks like DaVinci has a lot of big things in the works.

Watch out for DaVinci’s “Concrete Jungle Juice” video, the next single from The Day The Turf Stood Still dropping next week.

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Multi-platinum recording artist Warren G, has announced that he will be releasing “Regulate… G Funk Era: Part. 2”, an E.P. to be made available at digital retailers later this year.

“Regulate… G Funk Era”, was the debut album from Warren G, in 1994 on Def Jam. The album went triple platinum stateside, selling over 4.5 million units worldwide, and debuted at Number 2 on the Billboard 200 after selling 176,000 in its release week. The lead single “Regulate” w/ Nate Dogg, was certified platinum, reached Number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and received a Grammy Award Nomination in 1995, for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The album also birthed the hit singles “Do You See”, and “This D.J.”, which reached Number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, being certified gold.

It is noted that in the early 1990’s, Def Jam created “Rush Associated Labels,” a larger moniker under which Def Jam and its various auxiliary labels would operate as subsidiaries under the PolyGram umbrella. By 1992, despite recent multi-platinum selling releases from LL Cool J., Public Enemy, and EPMD, Def Jam ran into severe financial troubles and was faced with folding. Salvation came in 1994, however, when PolyGram purchased Sony’s 50% stake in Def Jam Recordings — subsequently bringing the label into their fold. Following PolyGram’s acquisition of the company, Def Jam released Warren G’s “Regulate… G Funk Era”, which went triple platinum and effectively revived the label.

With seven LP’s (his reunion disc with Snoop and Nate Dogg 213′ “The Hard Way” was released in 2004 and quickly went Gold) already under his belt, Warren G is expected to release the new set sometime this year.

“Regulate… G Funk Era: Part. 2”, coming soon.

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California bred emcee Trek Life is excited to announce the release of his latest album, Everything Changed Nothing. Produced entirely by Oddisee, the album will be released July 27th via Mello Music Group.

The album is the culmination of years of collaboration between Trek and producer Oddisee that began with the remixes of Price I’ve Paid, Trek’s debut LP. Undaunted by the thousands of miles separating them, the pair have crafted yet another example of how a producer and an artist with the right chemistry can maintain a winning streak. “We both knew exactly what we were trying to do from the beginning,” explains Trek. “Oddisee is a producer in every sense of the world. He had a direction and it was my job to manifest it lyrically.” Oddisee’s sonic backdrop invoked a verbal assault from Trek that remains raw, and unapologetic throughout the album as Trek sheds light on the “ugly nature of the world” with his gritty but poignant lyricism.

“So Supreme”, the album’s lead single has generated a powerful buzz. The track was featured on ESPN recently for the network’s coverage of the Stanley Cup and NBA Playoffs. The track was a perfect fit for video clips that thrive on ideas of competition and perseverance; with a hard-hitting beat and aggressive rhymes complimenting the action on screen. In regards to Trek’s original intent of the track, he says, “This song is really just re-establishing my footing as an emcee. Strictly raw rhymes.” Certainly having the lead single of your new album catch the attention of the world’s premier sports broadcasting network is a good early indication of the album’s merit.

The album’s title stems from the emcee’s role as a father. Speaking affectionately of his daughter, Trek says, “I was thinking how much she means to me and how she’s literally everything I ever wanted, but the reality is life, in general, goes on.” The album speaks to the real life of nearly everyone. The personal struggles, trials and tribulations quite simply don’t act as roadblocks to the freight train that is life. It’s a sobering fact that Trek seems to have a good handle on. On tracks like “So LA” and the soul-scorching “Jump Out There” Trek makes clear his reality-to-fantasy ratio is stacked well in favor of the former. Gritty tracks of urban reality cross-pollinate with songs that deal with romantic desire such as the Bootsy Collins inspired “I’d Rather Be”.

Much as rock groups had classic line-ups lending to their defining sound, many of hip-hop’s classic recordings were a result of the pairing of producers and emcees that simply shared an undeniable chemistry. From the legendary DJ Premier and GURU of Gangstarr to Pete Rock and CL Smooth, duos with a history of building towards developing a distinct sound have often won out in the long run. Oddisee and Trek Life carry on the tradition of keeping a close-knit group dynamic together resulting in the production of a coherent and consistent effort.

Trek Life’s Everything Changed Nothing, produced entirely by Oddisee, drops July 27th via Mello Music group.

Listen  “So Supreme” here: http://media.audibletreats.com/Trek_Life-So_Supreme.mp3
Buy It  “So Supreme”: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-supreme-single/id372678132

New York, NY (July 12, 2010) – Fuse, Madison Square Garden’s national music television network, sits down with pioneer rapper, Ice Cube for an exclusive interview “Ice Cube: On The Record with Fuse.” Premiering on Tuesday, July 13th at 8pm ET, Fuse host Toure’ goes one-on-one with the former N.W.A member to discuss the anticipated release of his ninth studio album I Am The West, his family life, acting career and what inspires him to continue to make groundbreaking music.

On titling his latest album “I Am the West”: “You know, I wouldn’t have said that if I wasn’t in that position. I’m not here to diss nobody, but I am here to shed light on me and shed light on what I’ve done, my history. I’ve repped the west side from day one, and in retrospect, could have probably lost a lot of record sales by doing it. But sometimes you got to do what’s right. And I felt the west coast always gets a bum rap.”

When asked if he thinks he is the best MC from California: “Yeah, I do. Because of the substance, the arc in the career, and the influence in other areas other than hip hop.”

On making peace with Eazy-E before he passed: We actually did it right here in New York. Years had gone by since “No Vasoline.” Eazy was having his problems with Dre at that time. We was in the club, and we just saw each other, we went to the bar and just talked. We was in there talking about how we could put it back together. He said that he thinks he could talk to Dre – it was all good.

When asked if his perspective of police has changed: “Yeah, I mean they’re nice to you when you’ve got money and when you know them. So I guess that’s the key, is money. I’ve made critical records against the police still to this day. Just because things are cool with me, that doesn’t mean America is fine. I feel like I am the voice of the people, when you’re a rapper, you’re speaking for more than just yourself. [At least] You should be.”

On Hip Hop being a hobby: “It’s always been. Some people go play poker or some people go do other things to have fun. I write rhymes, make hip hop, go in the studio.”

SHOW: “Ice Cube: On The Record with Fuse”
AIRS: Tuesday, July 13th at 8pm ET
CHANNEL #: DirecTV 339 / Cable subscribers, check local listing at Fuse.tv
ONLINE: Fuse.tv
TWITTER: @FusePR

Underground indie hip-hop genre-bender Sadistik is back with his new project with Kid Called Computer – The Art of Dying EP. After his debut landmark “The Balancing Act” Sadistik has teamed up with Chicago instrumentalist Kid Called Computer to create a project that is uniquely innovative. The duo has leaked a new 7 minute opus “Bed of Flowers” in anticipation for the new record, slated for release on August 22nd. To coincide with this release Sadistik & Kid Called Computer will be headlining a full Westcoast tour with Kristoff Krane, CasOne and Alexipharmic in Late August and September. Please check out www.sadistikmusic.com for the official tour dates as well as a limited pre-order package offer of The Art of Dying EP, T-Shirt, Signed poster (limited to 300), and stickers for only $25.

The Mixtape:

Fresh off of his Sandwich Shop collaboration with fellow Tanya Morgan member Donwill, Von Pea has been keeping himself busy with his own solo project, preparing Pea’s Gotta Have It, slated for release September 2010. In order to whet the appetites of awaiting fans, Von Pea releases his free mixtape today, So Motivational: The Most Skullduggery of Mixtapes.

Consisting of a selection of new solo tracks and a host of current and past collaborations featuring talented artists like Trackademicks, XV, Che Grand, The Lessondary, and more So Motivational offers listeners a chance to catch up on much of the work Von has been doing outside his work with Tanya Morgan. “This started out as a coll♦ection of all of my recent collaborations,” explains Von of the mixtape, “but I decided to use the ones that fit best as well as record a few new tracks.” The result is a collection of tracks that to come together with fluidity. With “Lookin Fly” featuring Trackademicks and Donwill, the three rap over a funk-inspired Von Pea-produced track, while, elsewhere, “Year Of The Other” finds Von trading verses with fellow emcees Max Mega and Justin Battle over the track’s smacking drums, wobbling bass, and hazy synthesizers. The mixtape is also accompanied by special artwork, created by Shake of 2dopeboyz.com/ArtByShake.com.

Von Pea’s Pea’s Gotta Have It will be released September 7th via Interdependent Media.

To download Von Pea’s new mixtape, So Motivational: The Most Skullduggery Of Mixtapes, visit:  http://vonpea.com/