The Audacity of Dope

I was just talking to my boy Eddie yesterday about how Joey is a real entertaining dude and his Joe Budden TV episodes are generally pretty fun to watch, especially considering there’s rarely a point to them.  This one’s no different really, just Joe chilling outside of the club with Drake, but again…fun to watch.  Drizzy!

The new homey Q from The Mad Bloggers was kind enough to feature an interview with yours truly on their site.  Here’s the quick Q&A session…learn something about your boy, TAOD, SNSS, and more:

Where does “The Audacity of Dope” name come from?
The Audacity of Dope name comes from a play on Barack’s 2nd book, The Audacity of Hope. I founded the blog in May 2008 as a home for our Sound Session interviews and episodes, which was also around the time I started working in a fellowship program for Obama’s campaign. It seemed like a natural fit to tie my political interests with passion for music. Plus, I like that people have to spell ‘audacity’ to get to the page. Those who can’t shouldn’t be there anyway.

What’s the inspiration behind the show “Sunday Night Sound Sessions” and why you do it?
Sunday Night Sound Session is the brainchild of myself and my co-host, J. Moore. It started when KUBE 93 approached us to take their Sunday night new music show into a new direction, preferably something a little more focused on the ‘underground’ side of hip-hop. Having hosted a college radio show for four years previously, I knew I wanted to make Sound Session similar to my Beats, Rhymes, and Life college program, but take it to a new level with the increased wattage. J and I are inspired on a weekly basis to give some shine to deserving artists that may not be getting the exposure they deserve through traditional media outlets. In other words, we support good music, across multiple genres, because most commercial media outlets are more concerned with turning a profit than promoting art. We understand that it’s ultimately a business, but we think there should be more of a balance, and hopefully Sound Session provides some of that.

Why aren’t there more programs like “Sound Session” on other stations?
There aren’t more programs like Sound Session because the current business model with commercial radio doesn’t allow it. Plain and simple, radio at this level is a business designed to make as much money as possible for large corporations. There’s nothing wrong with that from a capitalist level, but from an artistic perspective, it’s a huge detriment to the music. Large corporations sell hip-hop the same way they’d sell shoes or pizza. Whatever they can do to make money, they’ll do it. This translates to media outlets across the country promoting the most base level human interests in their entertainment packages, which is particularly evident in hip-hop. If big budget action movies depend on explosions and flashing lights, hip-hop radio tries to sell sex, drugs, and violence. They’re the easiest topics to sell because they require the least amount of education. When you have a rapper on our show talking about socio-economic issues and gentrification, you’re automatically going over the heads of at least half of society. It’s sad but true. It all starts with education.

Who are three ill artists right now flying under the radar?
The first artist that pops into my head is my dude Shad. He’s insanely talented lyrically, makes great songs that everyone can relate to, and takes pride in his sound and his message. That’s pretty much my criteria for who I want to listen to, and it’s only a matter of time before he gets the recognition he deserves. Along those same lines, there’s a MC from the Bay/LA named Tunji that I’ve known for almost a decade now. He’s one of the most talented artists I’ve ever seen and like Shad, he takes so much pride in his music and what he represents. He’s going to make some classic music sooner rather than later. Lastly…hmm…I’ll throw a curveball and go outside of hip-hop. There’s an indie pop/R&B group from Sweden called Little Dragon that makes some incredible music. I don’t know too much about their story, but their music is a great mix of all the best elements of pop, soul, R&B, and even some hip-hop influences. I definitely recommend people to check ’em out.

Definitely check out their site, they’re doing some great work and highlighting artists that deserve the shine.  Keep it up fellas!

If you’re an avid Sound Session listener, you know we were on this record early.  Now that there’s a video for it, watch for Anjulie’s buzz to continue to rise throughout the summer.  In my mind, “Boom” sounds like a perfect fit on the soundtrack to a Bond movie.  Tell me I’m wrong.

In case you see me around town, it wasn’t a punch, obviously.  The last fight I was in was like 7th grade (ironically also on the court).  It was an elbow during one of my basketball games last night.  And I’m happy to say I was killing it both pre and post ‘bow.  Still probably should have got a few stitches.

My chin scar story is still my favorite though…what’s your best battle wound?

Just when I’m all caught up in the Drake buzz and can’t stop listening to So Far Gone, the “Take Off The Blues” video drops and I’m reminded there’s another dope MC with some excellent singing chops.  Phonte, Nicolay, and D-Brock linked up with Matt Koza for this clip, which shows the ups and downs of a relationship by starting with those harmless glances across the room and ending with visuals for “Valediction.”  Two of my favorite tracks off Leave It All Behind?  You can’t go wrong.

Another week, another dope edition of SNSS in the books and now on the blog for y’all.  We ran new joints from folks like Pac Div, Skyzoo, Defari, Chali 2Na, Asher Roth, B.o.B, Kid Cudi, Shad, Outasight, U-N-I, Drake, and more, plus we were joined in the studio by one of the dopest up and coming producers in the game, Kuddie Fresh.  Y’all know the drill…

Show #203 (4-19-09)

1. Crooked I & DJ Wicked – “Jackin’ For Beats 2009”
2. Pac Div – “Pac Div (What It Is)”
3. Nipsey Hussle ft. Slauson Boys & K. Young – “Roll The Windows Up”
4. Defari – “Show Some Luv”
5. Skyzoo ft. Wale – “Freshfest”
6. Grynch – “A Dream Undeferred” (Local Artist)
7. Chali 2Na ft. Talib Kweli – “Lock Sh*t Down”
8. Stepbrothers (Evidence & Alchemist) – “It’s Coming Down”
9. Big Pooh – “Rear View Mirror”
10. **INTERVIEW WITH KUDDIE FRESH**
11. Asher Roth ft. Miguel Jontel – “His Dream”
12. B.o.B ft. Devin The Dude – “Gettin’ High”
13. Sharam ft. Kid Cudi – “She Came Along”
14. Chester French – “C’Mon (On My Own)”
15. Dyme Def ft. Saigon – “Pick Up Ya Flow” (Local Artist)
16. Jadakiss ft. Raekwon & Ghostface Killah – “Cartel Gathering”
17. Shad – “Get Up”
18. Outasight – “Even Say Goodbye”
19. Common Market – “Escaping Arkham” (Local Artist)
20. Kidz In The Hall – “I Got It Made (Reebok Classic ’09)”
21. U-N-I – “Lauren London”
22. Drake ft. Lloyd – “A Night Off”

Link to download the mp3 of the show – http://www.mediafire.com/?zjwznhl3w2m
(back up / streaming link – http://www.zshare.net/audio/5895088060a5bf87/)

If there are any problems with the links or if you’d like to be added to our weekly email list to receive the playlist and download links after every show, just shoot me an email, DJHyphen@gmail.com.

The latest edition of GGR with Phonte and Brainchild dropped last week, but hey…life is busy.  Even if it’s a few days late on TAOD, the music is still as fresh as ever.  Plus, any mix that starts with an artist named Dorian gets posted.  Fact.

In celebration of his brother Big Pooh’s recent wedding, Phonte discusses his third time as a groomsman, how not wearing a wedding ring can build a healthy marriage, and how to use the word ‘bitch’ in a positive way.

1. Dorian “Be Loved”
2. Ebrahim “Tears Of Ayanna”
3. Q-Tip “Let’s Ride”
4. Ryan Leslie “Just Right”
5. The-Dream “Walkin’ On The Moon” (feat. Kanye West)
6. Theophilus London “TNT”
7. Trackademicks “Enjoy What You Do”
8. J*DaVeY “Night & Day”
9. Miguel “Dig”
10. J Dilla “Let’s Take It Back”
11. Dr Who Dat? “Kelly Drive”
12. Freddie Joachim “Meditation”
13. Mos Def “Victory”
14. Waajeed “Anything”
15. Fam-Lay “Fresh N Driving”
16. DJ Mitsu The Beats “Right Here” (Seoul City Remix)
17. Mayer Hawthorne “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out” (Astronote Remix)
18. Little Dragon “After The Rain” (GB Interpretation)
19. Esthero “Superheroes” (Afta-1 Remix)
20. Aaliyah “Rock The Boat” (Stimulated Remix)
21. Santana “Aqua Marine”
22. Mr. V “I Can Sing”
23. Herbie Hancock “Watermelon Man” (Kenny Dope Club Mix)
24. Atjazz “Wind & Sea”
25. Rapper Big Pooh “Rear View Mirror”

Download here.

Congrats to Pooh as well!

The homey Kuddie Fresh stopped by Sound Session last night and it happened to be great timing because he just dropped a real dope instrumental project called Music N Flight.  If you aren’t up on the slaps from the first ever Red Bull Big Tune Champion, stop sleeping.  After getting the official stamp of approval from Henny and Dow by signing on with Tha Bizness, it’s only a matter of time before Kuddie gets the nationwide exposure he’s due.

Download here (or here), and be sure to peep Kuddie’s blog too.

I mentioned this at the end of last night’s SNSS (which I’ll post up late tonight), so I thought I’d toss up the video for y’all.  Drake took NYC by storm at the end of last week and closed it out with a live show at SUNY Purchase.  If you weren’t convinced that this dude is going to be a huge star, watch how the audience is singing/rapping every word to “Best I Ever Had” like it’s the biggest song out right now.  Oh…and it was girls too…so you know Drizzy is gonna blow the hell up this summer.

“spending every moment in the studiooooo”

I’ve been way too busy recently, which can be a good thing, but sometimes you need to take a night off…or in this case, two.  Back on Sunday in time for Sound Session, but first, heading up north with wifey…

Drake ft. Lloyd – “A Night Off”