I was recording an upcoming project for a good friend of mine Fly Guy Patello, he was performing at a show held at a boutique in the Castleberry area. The place was packed and I even ran into the homie Divine Cight. The placed was packed and the vibe was really relaxed, but everyone was social. At events like these you never know who is listening, performing , or just watching. It's always a melting pot of individuals, most heading in a positive direction ,overall everyone held their own but a group called Vintage Nation stole the show.
If you ride MARTA constantly, you might have seen Ink(Lead vocalist from Vintage Nation) with a guitar in her hand or both her and Joe. The dedication that this group has displayed is remarkable from performing on trains, to rocking venues across Atlanta, and even a few mega concerts. I actually ran into Ink at the One Music Fest a while back that was headlined by Goodie Mob and Erykah Badu. Whenever the group gets a chance to perform they do. From holding cyphers in the mens bathroom or bringing an entire band complete with violinist, guitarist, drummers, and other percussion instruments. It's good to see talent and passion manifest itself on stage, and Vintage Nation is the personification of that
You know if its trash we won't talk about it here on ATLFAME , so definitely check this out you wont be disappointed.
Atlanta is slowly becoming a mecca for a variety of cultures. The art, music, and fashion scene is starting to develop a strong foundation. Rooted in cultural expression, shifts in mental paradigms, and people from so many different places have made Atlanta a "Melting Pot Mecca" for urban expression. .We've been gone for a minute at ATLFAME and assure you that the hiatus is over. We have new ideas, new writers, and more. To kick this of we are going to pick up where we left off, giving you the inside track on what's new and what's hot.
A newer artist on the scene by the name of Go Dreamer is making some noise do to his lyrical prowess and his new video for 7am. The video is done by ATLFAME's homie Hycianthe X, an Atlanta based video director, producer,and editor. Not to give it away,cause we want you to check it out imagine an Outkast and Common video all rolled into one. The video is dope and I hope they come out with a part II to it.
Over the past few days we've noticed different sites reporting "Ms.Lauryn Hill signed a new deal for $ 1 Million" . I was happy but thought, why would a artist who has sold over 50 Million units worldwide sign a deal for that? We read she was evicted, facing prison time for tax evasion, and more. She has signed a deal but it's more than just "a record deal" , again you have to keep in mind the artist has not put out music in 10+ years and has gone through some things in both public and private affairs; fans are overly eager to pick up anything Ms.Hill drops.
ATLFAME wasn't at SXSW but, Hyacinthe X(@HyacintheX) was out there and got some phenomenal footage for Creative Revolution Union. Hyacinthe X is a creative force behind videos for artist like EDUBB, Young Scooter, La Da Booman, and Honors English. We meet up with him a couple of years ago and stay in contact..
He went out to SXSW with a crew of other videographers and they got some dope footage. They recorded the " New Atlanta Showcase" if you don't know who it was the artist were
Dj Speaker Foxx (@speakerfoxx)
Dj @genesisHTX , rapper S.L Jones (@Sljonesy), Miloh Smith(@milohsmith) , Rome Fortune (@romefortunesw) , Villa (@Villamorvilla) , Jarren Benton (@JarrenBenton). Scotty (@Scottyatl)
Grip Plyaz(@gripplyaz), Chevy Woodz (@chevywoodz) , Spree Wilson (@spreewilson), Forte Bowie, Rich Homie Qaun, TWO 9(@two9), B.O.B(@bobatl), and Trinidad James (@trinadadJamesGG)
The video is chopped nicely and as clique as it sounds make you feel like you were there. Majority of these artist I have heard, but it's a few I haven't, I guarantee we'll be at a concert with them in the near future. Check the video out, and shoutout to the big homie Fort Knox (@Fortknoxlive) a man who is hosting all the hottest Hip Hop events in the City. (He probably scared those people behind him though)
Visual Artist Chase displays his work at the Fort Valley Art Center. The two works he displayed are part of six piece series. The two pictures are an abstract drawing of a woman. The curves are accented heavily and the actual pieces themselves remind me of a more abstract drawing of old Outkast CD ART, i put together some photos and videos from the event check them out. Show some support to @Mista_tito
BLACK PEOPLE DO BETTER! Don't know were we feel off at(personally I think it was after they "gave" us civil rights), but we have to step it up. There are 6 year, 8 year & 13 year old rappers rapping about "running trains on hoes" , "shooting n*ggas, with infrared beams", and "selling bricks", seriously? No sense of pride or community what has happened to us and why are these people parents not being beat with gucci belts.
Rapper lil Poopy at the stripclub
rapper lil mouse
The recent Rick Ross lyrics on "UOENO"(pronounced you don't even know ) which states "I put a molly all in her champagne,UOENO it, I took her home and enjoyed that she didn't UOENO it", has sparked a backlash,( which I'm thankful for, seeing how there are more just totally unacceptable lyrics out there that go on not talked about.) to where he has apologized several times for the lyrics. I'm happy that people are now starting to hold "our" public figures to a higher standard, but it shouldn't stop there.
On one hand I don't want to stifle anyone's creativity, but this whole you sold 300 bricks, shot 23 people, and run the mob all before breakfast has got to stop, or be at least address. I meet Rick Ross at video shoot in Atlanta, when you got pass his rented jewelery(I meet the guy who owns many of the chains you see in videos), Kush smoke, and Fiendi clothing you see a real person. He spoke about how he donated not just one computer BUT AN ENTIRE COMPUTER LAB AND FOOTBALL EQUIPMENT to a school, but you won't here about that in any of his rhymes, but you could visibly see in his eyes that he was proud of what he did, and he should be, that is very commendable. On the other hand Eminem and others have said WAY WAY worst.
Weezy, lil Wayne, Weezy F. Baby whatever he's calling himself these days got into some controversy recently for saying "beat the p*ssy up like Emmett Til", why would you reference him in that manner, not saying his the only rapper to use Emmett Til in a lyric but I can't remember one using his name like that.
Beyond the all mighty rap realm we don't own enough businesses. We don't own the store that we buy our hair from, the wings we frequently eat, the liquor store we shop at every other day, the gas station we get gas from, the coin wash were we wash our clothes or cars at, nothing! One thing we do have though is black doctors and lawyers, but what about the in between.
We have to find a way to keep our money in our neighborhood, teach our children to be financially responsible, and hold ourselves to a much higher scrutiny. The things we do to each other and say is increasingly unacceptable, and is only getting worse. BLACK PEOPLE I LOVE YA"LL BUT WE GOTTA DO BETTER....and maybe we should stop investing so much into rappers,entertainers, and athletes.
I like all kinds of music, but rap bar none is my favorite. Recently I've been listening to many different artist, but I'm really into Freddie Gibbs(a.k.a Gangsta Gibbs). I've been listening to him for awhile but I'm really stuck on this "BFK" mixtape. At a concert last year in Atlanta I had the privilege of hanging out with both Freddie Gibbs and the legendary Raekwon, both were performing at a show they were headlining at the Masquerade. Gibbs was extremely down to Earth and humble we talked briefly and was just hanging out, I didn't want to impose on them seeing that I was an unfamiliar face in a more unfamiliar place. He put on a great show and rocked the sold out crowd, but I'm not here to post about that I want to show you'll some videos from Mr.Gibbs The first one is called "Hard" the second "Shame"...Warning mature audiences only.
I always run into some cool people out and about, I meet DC(Divine Cight) at Fort Valley my freshman year in the "rat hole"(backside of moore hall). We've been cool ever since. I caught up with him and his talented girlfriend downtown, he didn't play any of his new tracks, he just explained how he felt about music as a whole and how he wanted to be different from the norm. He has released a series of videos on the Internet, I honestly like what he has done it's indeed different give him listen.
If you don't know we really like the boondocks. Personally I've been reading the The Boondocks since it was in the newspaper(the thing old people get coupons out off now, cause they haven't heard of apps). It was always politically charge and real to me, I easily identified with Huey, the young political revolutionary who wanted to change his people, but society has such a stronghold on them that it's becoming burdensome, keep in mind his 12.
Aaron McGruder combined many of the strips into a graphic novel called A Right To Be Hostile, This one takes places around 2006, if you read it you will laugh at the issues that were plaguing our society at the time, R.Kelly urinating on people, N.Korea acting up, black people with identity issues, the list goes on. His type of humor is not Family Guy its more of The Simpsons. It's a great read and will defiantly take you back to an earlier time.
I read a book by Aaron McGruder(creator of theBoondocks) and Reginald Hudlin(the writer & director of House Party) called Birth of A Nation. To sum it up, the community of East St. Louis were disenfranchised due to voter fraud. I private company was hired to purge voters who were not suppose to be on the list like felons. Surprise they purge the system of mostly black voters! The election rolls around and it comes down to Missouri and with less than 500 votes the president is elected. The people of the town are livid, protest to the highest court, they agree that they were disenfranchised, but voted not to do a recount. The city secedes from the union, backed by a black owned private bank they make money by becoming an offshore bank in AMERICA. They become totally self sufficient, are set to be the richest nation in the world in 4 years, and also come up with there on alternative energy source. Ole Uncle Sam ain't happy with that so they launch a full out war with them US style, hackers to crash their bank, CIA co-intel pro tactics, hired assassination, even OPEC gets in the mix it's a very short read and has some nice illustration by Kyle Baker(author/illustrator of Why I Hate Saturn)
Braves season officially started yesterday and it was a classic match up between some of baseballs top pitchers Tim Hudson and Cole Hammels, but the spotlight wasn't entirely focused on them. Over the summer the Braves acquired B.J uptown for a franchise record 5 years $75.25 million dollars and 2 months later acquired his brother. That set the stage for Atlanta history an all black outfield! To make matters even more favorable for the teammates is that the unequivocal leader Chipper Jones has retired and left a void that has to be filled, insert Jason Heyward a 6'5 left handed native of Georgia. When the Braves took the field for opening day hey lead the team on the field. If he wants the position it's as simple as standing up to the plate and swinging with grace.
Here at ATLFAME we try to bring you the latest in a multitude of genres. Over the past week I ran into Atlanta super producer Slayer Tracks of the infamous "Supreme Team". He introduced me(we'll reintroduced) to a R&B singer by the name of Rico Byrant. We chilled for almost a whole day and of course I had my camera with me and we shot a couple of small videos to showcase his talents. I took some cool photos too.
Ever noticed a stunning outfit/ style on a celebrity or friend and try it? Did the look fit? Or did you look hideous? What, it looked magnificent?! Well, for the rest of us in the real world, we have to continue to play trial and error with clothes, makeup, hairstyles, etc to find out what works. I have heard too often the phrase, “What might work for others, might not work for you.” This statement is true! An individual have to embrace their uniqueness they bring to the world for we all are different. That is gift from the Creator. Imagine being in a world and everybody looked the same. Right… boring… I know.
Below, I have comprised a basic 1, 2, 3 guide on how to discover your own fabulous style:
Dress for your shape- Thank you, genetics! Women already deal with enough and now I have to find clothes that flatter my body shape. Well yes, we all come in different shapes and sizes. Whether we are born into it, or as a result of bearing children, gaining/losing weight, etc. It is important to find your own personal shape to make shopping for clothes much easier. For example, a pear-shaped woman whose hips/ bottom is the largest part of her body cannot wear what a woman that is full-top heavy with small hips wears. It all depends on the individual.
To find your basic measurements, follow these easy steps:
Grab a cloth tape measure, pencil, string, and paper.
Measure your bust. Wrap the tape measure to the fullest part of your bust. Make sure you have a straight line on your measurement and write that number down.
Measure your waist. This is where the string comes into place. It is easier to measure your hip using a string versus measuring tape. Tie the string around your waist and try not to hold your breath. You want the correct measurement. Hold your spot on the string and place the measuring tape on top of it. This is your natural waist number, write it down.
Measure your hip. Stand with your feet together so you can have the fullest hip measurement. Pull the tape measure around your low lip and record that number.
Voila! Your body measurements. Knowing your measurements is imperative when purchasing clothes. Why? Let me give you an example. How many people ever witness a female’s backside showing because her pants were either too small or big? I have, it is not attractive.
* Keep in mind, the four basic body shapes that most women fall into are: standard, fuller, petite, and tall.
Plan your wardrobe around neutral colors- We have all heard certain colors can make or break an outfit. To be in the safe zone experts say to choose three neutral colors such as black, white, khaki, navy, or brown. Society might say these colors are dull or boring. It is not set in stone and you can always add color by a simple handbag, shoes, or scarf. Would you rather look professional and graceful or become a fashion victim?
*Take into account that the color you choose works best with your combination of skin, eye color, and hair.
Have confidence- Most of all, possess confidence! Nothing is more attractive than a woman who knows who she is and what she wants out of life. She is a woman that walks with her head up high and could care less what others think of her. Individuals are going to naturally gravitate towards her grace and elegancy. Secretly, people want to be her. Which category do you fall in to?
This article is only a beginning step in a long process. It takes you, the searcher, to find the answer. Fashion is such a broad subject...Do your research and find out what compliments you!
Former rap Uncle Luke wrote an open letter to Miami superstar Rick Ross instead of talking about it I'm going to let you check it out.
Dear Rick Ross:
As someone who survived several rap beefs, I'm going to give you some advice. You need to seriously address the threats and attempts on your life. You have worked hard to become a big name in hip-hop. You've paid your dues and you've grown lyrically since the release of your debut album, Port of Miami, in 2006. You've arrived, buddy.
But all this gangster bullshit is jeopardizing your career. No club or arena is going to risk people getting shot. You can forget about doing any tours or CD signings. And if you can't make money, watch how fast Warner Bros. Records turns on you. I know from experience how venues and the music industry would like to black ball you.
You have the Gangster Disciples breathing down your neck because you've named-dropped Larry Hoover, the gang's founder, in your music. Unlike the record and book publishing industries, these bad dudes don't understand the concept of public domain. They see you getting rich forever by rapping about their leader, and they don't like it. That's why they're on YouTube talking about how you need to go see them and cut a check.
It's a shame you can't enjoy life without spending part of your earnings on heavy security or risking your freedom by purchasing an arsenal. Remember, that's what landed T.I. and Lil Wayne in prison. You don't want that to happen to you. However, those are the consequences of rapping about being something you're not.
Hip-hop has a rich history of college guys who never committed a crime rapping about moving kilos of cocaine and taking out snitches. Every gangster rapper takes on the role of a real hood legend to build up street cred. But I don't want you to fall into the trap of believing you are really a gangster.
Trust me, you don't want to go out like Biggie Smalls or Tupac. It's time you squash your beefs.
12 inch raw papers
Box of King Size Raw Cones
New Sponsor?,New Mini Film?
"...$600 a bottle bring 6, no sparklers too much attention...."
The mixtape delivers business as usual. Bossed up flows over beats that are made to relax and vibe with. The way this one is placed together it would not be stretch to actually hear some of the tracks on radio airwaves soon. Do your self a favor and download this album.
New Jet City the new mixtape from New Orleans native Curren$y, is a full 14 tracks and has a slue of features Juicy J, Jadakiss, Wiz Khalifia,Lloyd, Styles P, Trinidad James, Trademark, Yung Rody, French Montana and production by cardo, Harry Fruadd, Dj Toomp, Lex Luger, King Thenious, Statik Select, V12, Young Los.
12 inch raw papers
Box of King Size Raw Cones
New Sponsor?,New Mini Film?
The video of the week is from New York's own Joey Bada$$, it's called Hardknocks. Very simple video but is a great introduction to Mr.Bada$$ if you are not fimilar. It features another young MC by the name of Cj Fly. What you may not not about the two is that they are young at the time this video came out they were 16 and still in high school. The complextity of the rhymes leave me to believe that he has seen and expirenced more than the average teenager, he's actually smarter than some 30 year olds I know. The song comes off of the Joey Bada$$ mixtape 1999.
With the constant bombardment of mixtapes we see on a monthly basis from artists, it's hard to point out which ones are actually worth talking about. A couple of days after his G.O.O.D. label mate Pusha T released his tape, CyHi gives us his own offering, and it actually prompted me to write a review. To me, CyHi as always been a "tweener" a term used in basketball to describe someone who is able to blend his skills as a 2 or 3. CyHi has the skills to pull of being a part swag- part trap -part introspective rapper. But there is a theme of good vibes (Kickback) and fun times throughout the mixtape, and I believe that's where he shines.
He does have moments of revisiting the traps of Stone Mountain on the lex-luger produced "Far Removed" where he tells us "I had them quarter pounders/ I aint talkin burgers/mid in the freezer/right next to that carton of sherbert". His trademark wordplay and metaphors are evident throughout the mixtape and it doesnt sound forced, not even a little bit.
The highlights of the mixtape however are the breezy, cruise worthy tracks, the Big Sean assisted "Woah" and my favorite track on the mixtape "Nothing Else to Do" (which samples a HUGELY popular song from the 90s Atlanta skate scene) are a couple of standouts. "Big Head Bitches" shows off his humor and his ability to insert some truth into a fun,light track. There a guest appearances from the likes of Childish Gambino (another stone mountain representer),2chainz, Big Krit, Smoke Dza and others. This was a good effort (no pun) and it has what I think is the formula for CyHi's success; interesting soundscapes, light lyrical content, and smart and well timed punchlines.
This week's Video comes from Cincinnati rapper Monty C. Benjamin,I choose this video because the effects were as dope as the track itself. Spit fire rhymes over heavy percussion, you gotta love that right? Overall I think the video was highly creative a break from your normal trinity of blunts, bimbos, and big screen tv's.
This is another installment from the Big Rube series. This interview picks up where the last one left off. If you haven't seen Genesis I (the previous big rube post) check it out first. Personally this is my favorite part of the interview.
This week videos comes from artist Tabi Bonney and features Fat Trel. The song is called TOHL(Time of her life) it's a very fun, colorful, and creative video. The beat is bananas and the flow matches. I especially like Fat Trel on the song cause what I heard from him was all "hood shit", but it's nice to see diversity in artist.
ATLFAME would like to make the music video Poppin' Off by a group in the dub step genre called Watch The Duck. If you want a break from the holy trinity of bling, blunts, and breast this is the video for you. It takes place in East Atlanta, Georgia. We saw this video start off on youtube, win a contest to be on MTV, get signed to a record label, to rotation on radios and 106 &Park in the span of a 2 months!
You've got to check this video out, it features a dance group in there by the name of Remote Kontrol(they were on so you think you can dance.) they make this video creative,fun, and entertaining.
ATLFAME caught up with the Rulet Gotti on the set for his new video "Really Ready" ft Gucci Mane it was shot by Cricket (@Cricketrsm),,,, the set was live full of energy. i couldn't stay long enough to see Guwoop (Gucci Mane), but hey maybe next time.
The interview I had with Big Rube was timeless, i Never thought in a million years that I would have the honor of hearing his story, this piece here is my favorite part of the whole interview, he tells the story of how he started in the to express his art. This is one you don't need to miss.
This is another installment of "The Art Of Story Telling With Big Rube", in this one he talk about "Hating" on other rappers. Make sure you stay tuned to ATLFAME this week, because I'm dropping a video everyday.
In order from left to right Killer Mike I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind, Witch Doctor American Witchdoctor, Goodie Mob Dirt South Classics, Cee-lo Soul Machine, Slimm Calhoun The Skinny, Backbone Concrete Law, Cool Breeze East Point Greatest Hits. Cee-lo Imperfect Perfection, Big Boi Sir Luscious Left Foot,Outkast Idlewild, Outkast Atliens, Outkast Aquemini, Outkast Stankonia, Outkast Southernplayalisticcaddillac, Killer Mike I pledge Allegiance to The Grind 3, Killer Mike Underground Atlanta, Killer Mike I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind 2, Killer Mike Live from the Crack House(Autographed) Killer Mike Monster.
Yeah I Got More Too!
I was going to go into a long drawn out spiel about this but, it's 5:43am EST and i'm going to bed or play 2k haven't made up my mind. I reached out to Big Rube(@BigRube) on twitter, and he gave me a contact. She arranged everything( Thanks again!). We were going to meet at a restaurant , it didn't happen, and he was gracious enough to let me and another ATLFAME contributor Rae(@fultoncofinest) come to his home. We sat down and he gave so many different perspectives on different topics. He talked about his new leak release "Whips & Chainz" , materialism in rap, being labeled as a "Hater", and the inception of the legendary Dungeon Family. He gave me so much knowledge that I have to spread it over 4-5 videos. I named it The Art Of Story Telling With Big Rube as I drop other parts of this series I will tell you all more about that day. Also the video for his leak release Whips and Chainz is below too.
-Oh Yeah on that day Falcons THRASHED! the Giants 34-0! #AtlBirdgang Fool! Ahhhhawwkkk
