Mixtape Monday's: T Haddy "Mic Check"

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Track Listing
1. Mic Check Intro
2. Why You Wanna Trip on Me
3. Buzzer Beater featuring Dre Marshall
4. Break 1
5. Keep On Trying
6. Hard To Say Goodbye
7. I’ll Be There
8. Don’t Endlude

I am fan of Thor “T Haddy” Haddon. Been down since day one! I remember at Club Jubilee around New Years Day in either 05 or 06 I got a copy of Hood Gospel Vol. 1 from Theo. I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!! Not only had T Haddy remixed some of the dopest secular tracks at the time but dude was murking the beats!!! He was putting the original versions to shame. I called the number on the cd and hooked up with Theo. I told him I wanted to be apart of whatever it was they were doing. I wanted to single handedly get the word out to everyone within earshot about THOR HADDON. Dude was that next! But whaddiya know? As soon as T started getting some traction from Hood Gospel Vol. 1 & The Great Repentance (his debut album) GOD had him sit down to regroup. What the flip?

Talk about disappointment. It seemed like that sabbatical was for 10 yrs. But then I started seeing T Haddy pop up on the net again. His Myspace (www.myspace.com/thaddy ) was poppin’ again. I was getting bulletins and messages that he was releasing Hood Gospel Vol 2 soon. WHAT?! I reached out to dude personally to let him know of my heart and desire to help him this go ‘round and we been rolling since! He’s dropped Hood Gospel Vol. 2, T Haddy vs T Pain, Motivation Music & now this much anticipated “Mic Check (Michael Jackson Dedication Mixtape)”

Now let me preface my review of “MIC CHECK” with this statement:

“T HADDY IS MY MAN BUT THIS IS MY HONEST REVIEW AS A FAN”

With that said the main problem I have with this mixtape is that it’s TOO short! Dude went in on this jawn. From beginning to end T Haddy rocked this mixtape. (Is it even a mixtape or a mixed mp3 download lol!) I’m sure some critics will find fault with the structure of the mixtape, the absence of a dj or the breaks and interludes but you will not find one fault with the music here. T Haddy puts some dirty south stank on this project as he provides bass pounding backdrops for the remixes. He interweaves MJ’s original vocals on songs like “Why You Wanna Trip On Me”. Dre Marshall teams up with T again for “Buzzer Beater” and Dre being the native New Yorker he is eats this beat up with true lyricism. Don’t sleep on “Keep On Trying” either. The remix track kinda reminds me of a classic Dr Dre beat but true to his “Motivation Music” nature T Haddy provides yet another soundtrack for KINGDOM grind and hustle. Finally on “Hard To Say Goodbye” you can hear Thor pour his heart out in the booth as he belts out over a “Billie Jean” influenced track:

“Why’d you have to go/ Lord please make me strong
Help me carry on/ It’s so hard to say goodbye”

“I’ll Be There” is an updated version of the original to be sure but you better believe Thor put his signature on it. One thing about my man is that he does not forcefully incorporate GOD into everything he does like he has a Jesus quota to meet. GOD is the foundation and so the love, adoration & expression you hear in the music automatically extends from that. The only way to get a copy of this gem is to hurry up and get yo butt over to www.thaddyvip.net sign up for an account for free and then get access to download the mixtape for free .

www.thaddyvip.net
www.myspace.com/thaddy
www.facebook.com/thaddywww.twitter.com/thaddyvip

T Haddy Salutes Michael Jackson

Today is the day T-Haddy releases this long awaited dedication mixtape to one of the greatest of our time! Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

Log on to www.thaddyvip.net to download it NOW!!!

GLO @ The Saintuary

The 16yr Old Phenom GLO shut it down a@ The Saintuary Artist Showcase 6.26.09 @ The Atrium on Memorial Drive.

"The Voice of the Youth is Speaking So Listen to Ya Future"

Michael Joseph Jackson 1958-2009

I can't even begin to express my feelings at this moment. Michael Jackson has left us. Allegations, tragedy, operations, public life aside; his music was a soundtrack for my young adult life. MJ was a genius. I was impacted most by THRILLER like most people my age, but then in the GOLDEN ERA of HIP HOP like most people my age I rediscovered some MJ/ Jackson 5 gems!!! No matter what you say or think Michael Jackson was one of the GREATEST entertainers to ever grace a stage, studio, camera, etc.

In loving memory I leave you a copy of DJ JAYCEE's mixtape trribute to the KING OF POP!

RIP Michael Joseph Jackson

Michael Jackson: The Soulful Years

GLO @ Xposure

Much love to BIG RAN & A&A Worldwide for allowing me to host the inaugural XPOSURE Artist Showcase @ Vinyl 6.21.09. It was great! A lot of DOPE artists and a gang of family came to support! Check the video of THE VOICE OF THE YOUTH GLO! Guess who put it together?

Dre Marshall talks with DaSouth.com about "Before Self-Destruction"

Dre Marshall and Mahogany Jones will be droppin' a bangin' mixtape June 2nd right here on DaSouth.com called Before Self-Destruction hosted by mixtape king DJ Sean Blu. And guess what? It'll be absolutely free for download. Zee caught up with Dre Marshall to talk about the mixtape and what you can expect. You can click here to listen the first single called "Shake the World." Let's get into the interview!

Zee: How long have you and Mo known each other?

Dre Marshall: No doubt, Ok so let's see. Me & Mahogany have been working together in upstate NY for the past two years or so, maybe three. We do two annual events together. One, being Kingdombound, which is every August in Upstate N.Y., and also Cityfest which is in November in Upstate N.Y. Also, my mentor Michael Peace has adopted Mahogany as a daughter, so we always talk and vibe, she's a real sister!

Zee: That's what's up. How did the idea of this mixtape come together though and ultimately end up with Sean Blu? Dude is the Christian Hip Hop mixtape king!

DM: This whole thing actually started with DJ Links who just goes by "Links" now (laughs)

Zee: I'mma put his government out there! Whaddup Kevin! (laughs)

DM: He heard the album before most, and really has been a good brother and friend. So he passed the album off to Sean Blu and Derrick Woods. Derrick woods aka Chicagorilla is a grassroots marketing guru, and really good friend now, [he] suggested...well insisted, that I link up with Sean Blu and do a mixtape! Well I linked with Blu and he's a workhorse!

Zee: What was it like work with Mr. Sean Blu?

DM: He's amazing and really makes it a "mixtape." Most Christians don't do "mixtapes," they do compilations!

Zee: Is the mixtape all original production or what?

DM: The beats have some original stuff, but also alot of familiar stuff, yep....we Jackin beats!

Zee: Well, good thing it's free then! (laughs)

DM: Mahogany goes in on some old school stuff as well as some new stuff. She remixed 9 to 5, and I remixed her "Hate this Life."

Zee: Word? Can't wait to hear that. 9 to 5 is my joint! You and Canton ripped that! I know you said you did shows together, but what was it like working with each other? You and Mahogany, that is.

DM: In doing this album, there is a mutual respect for our styles and abilities. We wanted to collab anyways, but thought this would be a great way to cross promote our albums, seeing as though the name is different, represent the same thing, which is being transformed! So you will be "Morphed" in "Room819"

Zee: "Before Self-Destruction" Who came up with that album title?

DM: The name is all Blu! He came up with it after he heard the material, and like I said, he's a genius, so you trust what he does!

Zee: Amen. Finally, when does the album come out and where can people get it?

DM: June 2nd for free download! Exclusively at DaSouth.com

Zee: Oh word? Well, thanks! We appreciate the love! Hey, we didn't ask them to do that y'all! (laughs) That's what's up.

You can check out a leak called "Shake the World" with Dre Marshall, Mahogany Jones featuring Breyan Isaac. Click here to listen now.

Learn More
www.myspace.com/dremarshall

www.myspace.com/mahoganyjonz

www.myspace.com/djseanblu

Mixtape Mondays:

Beat Lab 7 Productionz presents its third installment of the compilation album that took the industry by surprise in 2007 when releasing “Music Meets the Truth”, an entire full length album made totally FREE FOR DOWNLOAD! Artists from all over have come together to contribute their mic-rippin’ skillz, delivering the TRUTH over some of the tightest music out there, brought to you by BEAT LAB 7 producers “Crucial” and “s.a.i.n.t. jon” of Charlotte, NC. So start downloading! Take as many as you want!! Burn more copies for your friends and family!!! TELL EVERYONE! And get ready for one of the most flavor-filled music productions of all time. Enjoy!

1. Addressing The Nation (Crucial & s.a.i.n.t. jon)

2. YES WE CAN (Tre9)

3. The Truth (Lunie 3:80l)

4. Headz Up (Yung Semaj feat. s.a.i.n.t. jon)

5. My Everything (Zee)

6. Freeze (D-MAUB)

7. We're In (Divenomous)

8. Better Than Before (Sir-Viva)

9. Face This ( The Luminary feat. Crucial)

10. Down Time (Wilchild feat. Sir-viva)

11. Beat Lab 7 Presents

12. Step Back (E. Quipped)

13. I'm Good (KamB.I.N.O.)

14. Gentrified (K-Drama)

15. Ain't No God Like Mines! (J. Flue)

16. Made To Worship (J.A.Z.)

17. Waiting On Us (Braille feat. s.a.i.n.t. jon)

18. Outro

For more information on the featured artists, click below:
D-MAUB
www.onerouteentertainment.com
Divenomous
www.divenomous.net
E. Quipped
www.myspace.com/equippedmusic
J.A.Z
www.myspace.com/justifiedandzealous
J. Flue
www.myspace.com/jflue
KamB.I.N.O.
www.myspace.com/kambino79
Lunie 3:80
www.lunie380.com
The Luminary
www.myspace.com/theluminary
Wilchild
www.myspace.com/savechild
Yung Semaj
www.yungsemaj.com
Sir-viva
www.myspace.com/sirviva1
Braille
www.myspace.com/braillebrizzy
K-Drama
www.myspace.com/kdrama
Tre9
www.myspace.com/tre_9
Zee
www.myspace.com/zeemyspace
CRUCIAL
www.myspace.com/crucialrhymes
s.a.i.n.t. jon
www.myspace.com/saintjonmusic

Mixtape Monday's DERT "Talk Strange"

I've been a fan of DERT from the jump with TUNNEL RATS. Dude is mad talented and it never ceases to amaze me how he continues to bang out beats for the entire team and doesn't burn out or run out of creativity. He's been dropping beat tapes for a minute now from "The Fledgling" to "TheShort List". Well he's back with another beat tape inspired by Bjork "Talk Strange"

Download HERE

Chck DERT online HERE

Holy Hip Hop Awards Is Here!!!

"2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Streaming Live On Internet at 7 P.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) on Friday, January 16, 2009; and also beginning at 6 P.M. on Saturday, January 17, 2009 (Eastern Daylight Time)"

9th Annual Holy Hip Hop Awards will take place January 16-17, 2009 at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live Arena) in downtown Atlanta, GA. 137 Live Performances will take place, with Supporters, Ministers of the Gospel (Emcees), Pastors, Churches and Labels arriving from over 146 cities and 40 different states, plus international countries: England, Canada, Japan, Bahamas, Sweden and Australia. Tickets available via Ticketmaster (key words: holy hip hop). Hosted by: Minister eDDie Velez and Erica Cumbo. For more information, go to: http://www.holyhiphopweek.com/

Live Internet Streaming/WebCast of 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards (Friday, Jan. 16 and Saturday, Jan. 17th): 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards, taking place at Center Stage Arena (Downtown ATL), located at: 1374 West Peachtree Street, NW, Atlanta, GA (404-885-1365) on Friday, January 16, 2009, will be able to be viewed via web-cast Starting at 7 P.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) and on Saturday, January 17, 2009 starting at 8 P.M. by clicking here on the following weblink: 2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Live Broadcast (or by clicking on any of the Holy Hip Hop Awards Artwork below or by copying and pasting the following weblink below into your web-browser): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/holy-hip-hop

Doors Open (General Public): Friday, January 16, 2009: 5:30 P.M. Holy Hip Hop Artist Showcase January 16, 2009 7 P.M.-2 A.M.(Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live))): Artist Showcase featuring Ministers of the Gospel through Holy Hip Hop, representing North, South, East and West.

2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Honorees:

* LG Wise * Young Prayzr * IROCC * S.O.M. * D-M.A.U.B. * Gospel Gangstaz * The Great Commission * Danny "D-Boy" Rodriguez (posthumous) * Legacy * XROSS * Dice Gamble * Christafari.

Ambassador Award: Kurtis Blow Walker and Josh Niemyjski

Saturday, January 17, 2009: 6 P.M.-2 A.M. (Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live)) Holy Hip Hop Honorees presentation, music and ministry, immediately followed by After Praise Party at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live)), kicked off by Tampa, Florida's - Flavor.Alliance - Live DJ, Breakin', Graffiti.

Mixtape Mondays

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Clearing the Air: Behind the DJ D-Lite / Holy Culture Split

(spotted @ Ill Spot)

Breakups suck.

Whether it’s The Hulkster & Macho Man, EPMD, or Shaq & Kobe, inevitably half the fan base aligns with one side while the other 50 percent takes the contrary position.On December 17, 2008 the Internet Christian rap community, never immune to disagreement, learned of a shocking breakup within their own ranks. DJ D-Lite was leaving Holy Culture Radio (and eventually the entire network) – an online hub where he previously held the titles of “Owner” and “President.”This wasn’t a nicey-nice mutual agreement split and, on occasion, things did get ugly. But dust has settled since then and both of the primary players are now back to working together – just not in the fashion and under the same brands as before.In an effort to clear the air and squash gossip, both Damon “DJ D-Lite” O’Brien and Victor “DJ MVP” Padilla agreed to share their stories and help fans and friends understand what truly went down and where things currently stand.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To start, one needs a bit of background information.Although birthed with passion roughly five years ago, the day-to-day managing of the entire Holy Culture brand (the radio network, message board, download store, and record pool) eventually became a burden to Victor Padilla. It was an understandably hefty workload packaged with stress that was starting to impact his health. So, in the first part of 2008, Vic made a decision to turn over his creation to a trusted friend and loyal worker – Damon O’Brien.Although nothing was ever detailed on paper, D rightfully assumed the roles of owner and president and took over operations for every piece of the HCR universe except for the download store. At the time, it was a move that seemed both wise and mutually beneficial.“The whole idea was to give him a jump start for something of his own,” Vic said. “But I have admitted to Damon that it wasn’t very well thought out.”Then, in June of 2008, it was announced that both Holy Culture Radio and Holy Culture Download had forged a cross marketing partnership with ILLSPOT.net.The press release stated that ILLSPOT would be the premier Christian hip hop content and information social networking community “exclusively promoted” by HCR and Holy Culture Radio.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Everything seemed to be cool until Election Day when another gospel rap megasite (DaSouth.com) relaunched to the Internet-loving Christian hip hop masses. Aside from news and reviews, the portal also featured an online streaming radio station with several different shows and DJs. And although the respective owners have always been friendly and share a common goal, it was in many ways a direct competitor to ILLSPOT.Behind the scenes, DJ D-Lite helped the DaSouth.com better organize and load programs into the site’s radio utility. And the November 4 launch day, on the front page was a link to download a free “DaSouth.com The Election” mixtape hosted by DJ D-Lite.Viewing such moves in conflict with Holy Culture’s formal partnership with ILLSPOT, Vic decided he would ask to reclaim ownership of the Holy Culture Brand name and offer the opportunity for D-Lite to continue to operate the sites and services under a different identity.“I expressed to him that I made a mistake and that I should have thought about handing everything over,” Vic said. “I knew this was going to be a difficult decision and a hard pill for Damon to swallow. But I had to at least ask.”D-Lite initially declined the request.Vic recalled, “At that point I said ‘Okay.’ There were no hard feelings. I later called Trig [Vic’s other HCR brand partner] and said ‘I blew it.’ I said I should have thought about how [my decision] would impact things I wanted to do later down the road.”But after a few Instant Messenger conversations later that day, D-Lite decided to give in and return the name to Vic despite his reservations.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Even when making peace, feelings can still get hurt. D-Lite resigned himself to renaming and relocating his radio network.“Maybe I took it more personal than I should have, but I felt like I deserved that name,” D-Lite said. “Vic may have founded it, but I worked just as hard and spent my time and money over the last three and half years to build and restore the HCR brand to what it is today.“But I really felt God saying that if [the HCR name] is going to be given with that kind of heart [to give and then ask for it back] then I should let it go. Like ‘Just give it up and know that I have something better for you.’”Shortly after this online exchange, Vic posted a thread about the switch on the HCR message board. It did not include D-Lite’s official joint input and he was not aware of its content until after it was offered online.Such news was obviously of great surprise and interest to the message board regulars. Soon speculation and opinions grew like wildfire.Some sided with D, others with Vic, and some who had past run-ins with Vic joined in the conversation. Instead of a personal matter between business partners, the issue had escalated to full-on message board fodder. Thankfully, the thread was removed from the board and closed to outsiders later that day.And it was then that D-Lite decided to give it all – control of the HCR message board, the radio network, the titles – back to MVP. It wasn’t the response Vic expected.“In my view, he could have still had the platform and we would have assisted with the transition,” Vic said. “And it would have given him an opportunity to start something for himself and not have to ever worry about anyone else questioning his moves or asking why he did certain things. He could partner up with who he wanted, when he wanted, how he wanted and this would be his thing.”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Both men now realize part of the problem lies in their different personalities. Vic is a visionary, one who sees big pictures and launches new ventures. D-Lite is a team player, a get-the-details-done type of guy, who is more inclined to jump aboard a train that’s already running than to try and lay his own tracks.Vic believed his original gift of the HCR brand and the subsequent request for it back were ways for Damon to start something of his own. D-Lite doesn’t see it the same.“I know God has called me to be a leader,” D-Lite said. “But to me, my leadership is not to build my name, it’s to build His name.“And it’s scary because a lot of times we want to think business minded but we don’t think Kingdom Business minded. And at the end of the day, if we’re building the Kingdom of God then our agenda should be last – period.”The situation has also taught Vic and D-Lite the value of getting an agreement on paper.“Definitely, I should have gotten an understanding [of the initial handover of the brand] in writing,” D-Lite said. “That way, without any confusion, I could have easily gone back and said ‘Look, this is what we agreed on.’”Vic says the same.“Yeah, I’ve had lots of people remind me of that now. But it really wouldn’t have made a difference in this case. I’ve never argued with the fact that he had what he had,” Vic said.“Even if we wrote a contract I would have still would have had to make a decision and say ‘Hey, will you let me out of this contract? Will you understand my angle and my thinking? Will you show me grace in this area and let us write a new agreement?’”
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Where things stand now is that Vic and Trig will consolidate their various HCR properties for maximum effectiveness and management. They’re also looking to possibly expand their brand to apparel or other areas where there appears to be a need.Meanwhile, DJ D-Lite has already launched DaSouth Radio Network and established a podcasting link for it via iTunes and other popular RSS feeds.They even worked together on renaming and rebranding the record pool they co-founded.Formerly known as the Holy Culture Record Pool, the venture now carries the name Kingdom Affiliates and sports a logo designed by Vic. The old URL, holyculturerecordpool.com, even re-directs to the new name due to behind-the-scenes work from both parties.“At the end of the day, I love Damon. And if this is what he’s chosen to do then I support him and all power to him,” Vic said.“I’m the same way. There’s no love lost between me and Vic,” D-Lite said. “I wish it hadn’t have ended the way it did but obviously God had a purpose for it and time will tell if it was the right or wrong decision for both of us.”

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Check Uno Mas & Cokbook ONLINE HERE

Mixtape Mondays

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2009 Holy Hip HopAwads & Artist Showcase

For more information on 2009 Holy Hip Hop Week, log on to: HolyHipHopWeek.com

2009 Holy Hip Hop Awards Honorees:
* LG Wise*Young Prayzr*IROCC*S.O.M.*D-M.A.U.B.*Gospel Gangstaz*The Great Commission* Danny "D-Boy" Rod riguez (posthumous)* Legacy *XROSS*Dice Gamble*Christafari. Ambassador Award: Kurtis Blow Walker and Josh Niemyjsk

Mixtape Mondays

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I Got Stripes: Spread Love Edition

Continuing my Atlanta trek through the city to see who stays fresh in adidas I snapped ics of a few heads over at Kemit's Spread Love joint awhile back.

DJ Kemit

DJ Apple Jac



Yuri



Kembo (GTM) was rocking the snakeskin Concords

Messenja "Take The City"

Ambassdor: Gimme Dat

MIXX MASTERS LOUNGE

Mixtape Mondays

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