Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Brown F.I.S.H. - Bootleg III: F.I.S.H. & Friends... The Mixtape
Brown F.I.S.H. is a pretty important group in Baltimore hip hop that I feel like I've never really given enough coverage to on here, partly because a lot of their activity predates this site (I remember seeing them open for Black Sheep way back in '02). Plus, they're really deep into a whole different side of the scene (roots reggae and slam poetry and live R&B bands) that I'm not as into, although I totally respect what they do. In 2006, they did a special invite-only show called "F.I.S.H. & Friends" that was basically an unplugged performance with no sound system and a lot of special guests. I remember getting the invite but I wasn't able to go for some reason or another, and kept hearing how great it was afterwards. Now, there's a DVD full of footage of the event, which looks like it was a lot of fun, and this album/mixtape/compilation-type CD, which basically compiles a lot of remixes and collaborations the group recorded from 2004 to 2007, along with some performances from that show. There's just a lot of jams on this, including all-star remixes of "45" and Golden Seal's "Sistahs Pimpin'," and guest appearances by D.O.G., Symantyx, Greenspan, Heavy Gold, B-Fly, C Love, EJ, and Skarr Akbar.
Brown F.I.S.H. f/ Symantyx and Greenspan - "Cry Baby" (mp3)
Symantyx and Greenspan are two of the new Baltimore MCs who I've been the most impressed with in the past year or two, so I feel like Brown F.I.S.H. are really watching the scene and taking notes when they put both of them on a song like this. OOH has a line on here about how Brown F.I.S.H. was pissed when they didn't get a trading card back when City Paper did them, and I didn't really decide who got one or who didn't at the time, but I have to admit, that was definitely an oversight, Brown F.I.S.H. should've gotten one.
Labels: B-Fly, Brown F.I.S.H., C Love, D.O.G., EJ, Golden Seal, Greenspan, Heavy Gold, mixtape/album review, mp3, Skarr Akbar, Symantyx
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
A message from The Baltimore Scene regarding this Friday's Baltimore Crown awards:
233 (or so ) Bmore people/places and things you should know
Congratulations to ALL Baltimore Crown Nominees!
After personally sending out thousands of private messages, email blasts, comments, etc. We now have our Baltimore Crown Nominee List. Thank you all for your support.
Thank you all that Voted!
This is one of the rare awards where it's great to win but it's also great just to be nominated. Out of all the choices of artists, venues, etc in Baltimore, the public chose you as their very best choice and wanted to see you honored and appreciated. So we will be promoting EVERYONE who was nominated with articles, posters, and Baltimore Scene Campaigns highlighting the top nominees in every category. The winners of each category will be announced at the Baltimore Crown 2008.
Please Support Our Mission In Honoring The Scene..
1. If you are on this list, please send all of your contact info for our Baltimore Scene Directory (even if you think we already have it)
Full name
Contact Info: (phone , myspace address, and email address)
2-3 line description of what you description of what you do (optional..but ideal)
2. If you know someone who is on this list or if you have been to a venue on this list and have something nice to say about what they do in the scene or how great their spot is and why, please send testimonials/quotes with the name of the artist, promoter, photographer, venue etc.
(for articles)
3. If you know someone on this list, try to message them/myspace them and let them know that you saw them and congratulate them
4. Come to the Baltimore Crown 2008, November 7th, 2008 and show your support for the entire underground movement.
Thanks Peace!
Please send information (1 and 2) to com/baltimorescene or baltimorecrown @gmail. com Also there's a few tiebreakers. Please Check Blog
Note: This list is totally from the public vote. If you are not on this list and would like to be added to our Baltimore Scene Underground Directory online, please send message with info: for future networking, promotions, and to stay updated with voting and future events etc.
Thanks again.
Peace
Baltimore Nominees from A-Z
Ahk of 88.9, Abrock, A-Class, Al Shipley, Amotion of Deep Flow Studios, Anomoly, A & O film, Aquil Mizan, Architect Studious, Arsonists Camp, The Art Of Conversation, The Artist Cafe, Ashley Hailey, Axiom, Azya,
Baltimore Music Conference, The Baltimore Scene, B-Amazing, B Fam, Bedrock, B-EZ, B-Fly, Be Free Fridays, Big Status, Black Hole, Black Root, Bomb, Boss Man, B.I.G. Status, Black Root, Brake Fast Records, BROWN F.I.S.H,
Cash Land, C-Love, Carolyn Malachi, Chin-Yer, Chuck The Mad Ox, COMP, Crutball
Dark Room Productions, Darian Robbins, Dave the Barber, Da Truth, Darao Johnson, D Banks, D Chase, Deep Space, DJ Jabril, DJ Newport, Doc Dollaz, Diamond Digital, DOG, Dot Spot, Drag
Eden's Lounge, www.Elementsparty. com, E Major, Emanuel Johnson, E the Poet MC, 8x10,
Farajii Muhammad (NLLC), Fertile Ground, F-Gutta, 5th L, 15 minutes of fame @ The Turntable Club, 1st Fam, F.L.E.X., The 5 Seasons, Fletchers, Frank Lewis (E.C.
), Fred Locks,
Get Em Mamis, Golden Infamous, Graphic Girl (Karen), G Major, Government Names, Grass Hopper, Green Span, G Wizdom,
Handler Brand, Haven, Headphone Music, Helina Metaferia, Hilton Carter, Hip Hop 101, a 100 Gram Man, Huli Shallone
Indellible, Industry Thursdays at the Suite,
Jade Fox, J5, Jah Hipster, J Who, Jamma Wun, J.A.M.E.S., Jesse Winston, J Funk, Joel Mills, J Law, J Pope, J S.O.U.L., JS AKA the Best,
K. Barnes, Kalada Productions, Kane Mayfield, Kariz, Kelly Connelly, KG, Kia Collaway, Kid Connect, Komplex, K Swift
Labtekwon, Lamar Hill, Latte Da's, Lisa A.K.A. Liezel, Live Beats, Lois Life Blog Spot, Longevity, Love Peace Project, LOVE the Poet,
Major Graffix, Mania Music Group, Mark Henry, Masterminds Photography, Maurice (of Raw Tech Studios), Maurice (Sticky Face), Maysa, McCracken, Midas, Money in the Bank Entertainment, Ms. Stress, www. myspace. com/baltimorepoetryspots, www. myspace. com/baltimorescene
Native Son, Natural Remedy, Nick Da Wonder, No Guts No Glory, Notre Mason, Numb3rs, Nu-Soul Unit,
Olu Butterfly Woods, Ogun Ooh of Brown F.I.S.H., Only, Organic Soul Tuesdays, The Organic Soul House Band, Ottobar
Peace and a Cup of Joe, Pen Dragon, Penguins, Petula Ceasar, Pixel, P-Funk, Ponytail, Postive Entertainment News Blog, Poverty's Thread, Pro & Reg
Q
Rah Tech Studios, Rams Head Live, Ra Ra-photographer, Ravolution Multimedia, Red House Tavern, Reina Williams, Rem Star, Rimarjo Clothing, Rob Styles and Emotions, Ron G, Rougue Graphics,
Sabrina Gilbert, Sah-lence, Salim and the Music Lovers, Samos, Sancha McGee, Sean O'Grady of One Viison, Savage, Sean Toure,Selah Chick, The Session, Shaka Pitts, Shy of M.I.B, Skarr Akbar, SideFX Studios (Ryan and Zalinsky), Silence, Simba, Si Notes, 6 Wisdom, Slamicide, Slick Vic, Soul Cannon, Sovereign soul feat. Chanali Jones, Sparrow, Speak Ur Peace @ Pejus, Symantyx, Smash, Sonar, Solo D, Sonar, Sonny Brown, So Mani Stylz Clothing, Sonja Imaging, Sonny Redz, thespittersclub. net, Stylz,Sugar Bear, Symantyx, Street Heat,
Taalam Acey, Taste International, Tay Tay Promotions,Test Me, 3 Empy Cans, 347, The Artist Café, The 5 Seasons, The Session, Thomas (of Raw Tech Studios), Timothy Cooper (The B), Tim Christmas, Tim Hogan (T.H. Lawrence), Tim Trees, Tislam The Great, Tonio from the Top, Torchlight Entertainment, Trace Blam, Tre Subira, Truth Be Told, Tya Anthony of Eyeni Photos, The Turntable Club, Ty Scripts,
U
V
Walter Maxfield, Warm Wednesdays, Wax Chemistry, Web, Word Slave,
X
Yabba Pot, Yo! Tracks, Young Wood
Z
************************************************************************************
And we HEAR you …
Those of you who entered in the category suggestion section as well.
Thank you!
Your categories will be added in next year's crown.
By public vote:
Album of the year
Best Book
Best Vocalist
Best Soul Singer
Best Mixtape
Most Consistant
Best Lyricist
Most talented (Hip hop, poetry artist) and band
Best DJ
Best Artist to work with
Most Professional Artist
Best Package Award (lyrics, grind, presentation etc)
Work-aholic
Best Manager
Best Record Label
Female/Male Artist of the Year
Labels: 5 Seasons, A-Class, Ab Rock, announcements, Architects, B.O.M.B., Bedrock, Black Hole Rock Club, Bossman, Brown F.I.S.H., C Love, Comp, Deep Flow, flyer
Friday, September 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
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Thursday, April 03, 2008
The Baltimore Hip Hop Council would like to announce that it is accepting submissions for its first CD project State of Emergency. The CD will contain (TBD) songs featuring some of Baltimores finest poets, musicians and vocalists.
The Baltimore Hip Hop Council was formed in 2007 to bring poets, musicians, community activists and concerned members of the Hip Hop generation together to network, educate and create music and through these recordings raise money for specific charities. All the proceeds from State of Emergency project will be donated to organizations (TBD) located in Baltimore, MD.
The BHHC will release State of Emergency in early June, 2008 and will celebrate its release with a highly publicized event.
Details:
Each artist must donate his/her piece (note: song will only be used for the expressed purpose)
Please prepare a CD with no more than 2 songs for consideration. Email is not preferred.
The song submissions must be clean - No profanity. Nothing vulgar.
MUST BE ORIGINAL SONG(S)/ORIGINAL BEAT
Please have the general audience in mind when submitting material.
Theme: Let the world know what is going on in Baltimore from your perspective? Speak out on the Wires depiction of the City. Tell us what its like to be hungry. What are your prospects having gone through Baltimore City Public Schools. Tell us what its like to be you that is if you are someone with worth. . etc. Be creative. Be daring. Show your humanity. Express your outrage.
Sound the ALARM
Due Date:
Submissions will be collected at the next town hall meeting. We are working
to secure the date at this time.
Tentative: 4/8/08
Even though we hear about murders and other random acts of violence daily living in Baltimore City, we must not become numb. At this time, it is crucial that we ask ourselves what we can do to be more part of the solution. We can't assume that the attention the murder rates or crime statistics get is the same thing as assistance. Real help is as crucial now as it ever was.
~ C-Love
For more information email: baltimorehhc@gmail.com
The Baltimore Hip Hop Council was formed in 2007 to bring poets, musicians, community activists and concerned members of the Hip Hop generation together to network, educate and create music and through these recordings raise money for specific charities. All the proceeds from State of Emergency project will be donated to organizations (TBD) located in Baltimore, MD.
The BHHC will release State of Emergency in early June, 2008 and will celebrate its release with a highly publicized event.
Details:
Each artist must donate his/her piece (note: song will only be used for the expressed purpose)
Please prepare a CD with no more than 2 songs for consideration. Email is not preferred.
The song submissions must be clean - No profanity. Nothing vulgar.
MUST BE ORIGINAL SONG(S)/ORIGINAL BEAT
Please have the general audience in mind when submitting material.
Theme: Let the world know what is going on in Baltimore from your perspective? Speak out on the Wires depiction of the City. Tell us what its like to be hungry. What are your prospects having gone through Baltimore City Public Schools. Tell us what its like to be you that is if you are someone with worth. . etc. Be creative. Be daring. Show your humanity. Express your outrage.
Sound the ALARM
Due Date:
Submissions will be collected at the next town hall meeting. We are working
to secure the date at this time.
Tentative: 4/8/08
Even though we hear about murders and other random acts of violence daily living in Baltimore City, we must not become numb. At this time, it is crucial that we ask ourselves what we can do to be more part of the solution. We can't assume that the attention the murder rates or crime statistics get is the same thing as assistance. Real help is as crucial now as it ever was.
~ C-Love
For more information email: baltimorehhc@gmail.com
Labels: C Love
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Baltimore hip hop DVD news
It's been a while since the last time I did a DVD post, but I've gotten some lately, so let's talk about 'em a little bit:
Even A Man Can Do This is a documentary about the women in the Baltimore hip hop scene, artists or otherwise, directed by Civil Jones. It's been in development for a while now, I talked about the film a bit in my article on the same topic, Ladies First, in the City Paper last year, but now it's done and I got a copy a few weeks ago. Actually, there's a scene at the very end where Civil Jones shows the article and shouts me out and gives a plug to Government Names, so I appreciate that. The film is just one hour long but covers a lot of ground, and features appearances by G.E.M., C Love, Ms. Stress, ShellBe R.A.W., B-Fly, Ms. Tris Beats, Jade Fox, and Golden Seal, among others. One of the most impressive things about it is in addition to the female director, pretty much everyone behind the scenes on the project is a woman: Amotion from Deep Flow did most of the camera work, and the score was all by female producers Ms. Tris Beats and Reina WIlliams. My favorite part of the movie is the footage of Symantyx's set at the 5 Seasons show, I was really impressed by her that night and that performance is the main reason I check for her music now.
Baltimore Real Talk Volume 3 is the third (duh) DVD from County from Little King Entertainment, and I know he went through a lot to get this one finished. I think he was supposed to have it done almost a year ago and then he got arrested while filming outdoors and there was a whole situation with him getting equipment confiscated and losing footage and having to work on it some more. But he finally got it done, and obviously he had no shortage of footage because this thing is 3 hours long. In my opinion, that might be a little too long, because even though I know and listen to a lot of these artists and am interested in the subject matter, some of the individual segments could've been edited down to be much shorter and more to the point. He still got some great stuff in here, including appearances by Los (who spits a great freestyle), Heavy Gold, NOE, Comp, Barnes, D.O.G., B.O.M.B., M.O.L.
Bigg Patch, and Mullyman.
Paused In Time is a documentary about Baltimore hip hop that I got contacted to do an interview for a while back. At the time they said it was gonna be a DVD, but since then I guess they decided to release it on their YouTube site in 8 or 9-minute 'webisodes,' and I guess the whole thing will be out on DVD at some point later. So far 4 webisodes have been posted, and my interview hasn't been in any of them yet, but that's alright since I don't really feel like I said anything interesting, maybe they should hit me back and try to get me to say something more substantial or opinionated than what I gave them before. Anyway, here's what's up so far:
webisode 1 featuring Beat Box:
webisode 2 featuring Comp:
webisode 3 featuring Komplex:
webisode 4 featuring Bossman and Ty Gudda:
Even A Man Can Do This is a documentary about the women in the Baltimore hip hop scene, artists or otherwise, directed by Civil Jones. It's been in development for a while now, I talked about the film a bit in my article on the same topic, Ladies First, in the City Paper last year, but now it's done and I got a copy a few weeks ago. Actually, there's a scene at the very end where Civil Jones shows the article and shouts me out and gives a plug to Government Names, so I appreciate that. The film is just one hour long but covers a lot of ground, and features appearances by G.E.M., C Love, Ms. Stress, ShellBe R.A.W., B-Fly, Ms. Tris Beats, Jade Fox, and Golden Seal, among others. One of the most impressive things about it is in addition to the female director, pretty much everyone behind the scenes on the project is a woman: Amotion from Deep Flow did most of the camera work, and the score was all by female producers Ms. Tris Beats and Reina WIlliams. My favorite part of the movie is the footage of Symantyx's set at the 5 Seasons show, I was really impressed by her that night and that performance is the main reason I check for her music now.
Baltimore Real Talk Volume 3 is the third (duh) DVD from County from Little King Entertainment, and I know he went through a lot to get this one finished. I think he was supposed to have it done almost a year ago and then he got arrested while filming outdoors and there was a whole situation with him getting equipment confiscated and losing footage and having to work on it some more. But he finally got it done, and obviously he had no shortage of footage because this thing is 3 hours long. In my opinion, that might be a little too long, because even though I know and listen to a lot of these artists and am interested in the subject matter, some of the individual segments could've been edited down to be much shorter and more to the point. He still got some great stuff in here, including appearances by Los (who spits a great freestyle), Heavy Gold, NOE, Comp, Barnes, D.O.G., B.O.M.B., M.O.L.
Bigg Patch, and Mullyman.
Paused In Time is a documentary about Baltimore hip hop that I got contacted to do an interview for a while back. At the time they said it was gonna be a DVD, but since then I guess they decided to release it on their YouTube site in 8 or 9-minute 'webisodes,' and I guess the whole thing will be out on DVD at some point later. So far 4 webisodes have been posted, and my interview hasn't been in any of them yet, but that's alright since I don't really feel like I said anything interesting, maybe they should hit me back and try to get me to say something more substantial or opinionated than what I gave them before. Anyway, here's what's up so far:
webisode 1 featuring Beat Box:
webisode 2 featuring Comp:
webisode 3 featuring Komplex:
webisode 4 featuring Bossman and Ty Gudda:
Labels: B-Fly, B.O.M.B., Barnes, Bigg Patch, Bossman, C Love, Comp, D.O.G., Deep Flow, G.E.M./Tha Plague, Golden Seal, Heavy Gold, Jade Fox, M.O.L., Ms. Stress, Ms. Tris Beats, Mullyman, NOE, ShellBe RAW
Friday, February 01, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Ray Victory - By Any Means (Nite Life Entertainment)
I wrote about Ray Vic's previous mixtape Ready 2 Go a year or two back and recently got sent his new one, along with a copy of his new single "Everything Ain't Always Good" (which, I should add, is pretty good and I don't understand why it isn't on the mixtape). I like Ray, he's got a unique voice and occasionally has a hot line, but this mixtape gets kinda boring for me for the same reason the last one did, which is that every other song is over an industry beat or a "remix" of some mainstream R&B track by T-Pain or Beyonce or R. Kelly or something. Dude needs to find some talented producers and make some records for real, the original songs on here are by far the highlights, especially the two-part "Momma's Protector." This mixtape features an intro by C Love and guest appearances by Comp, B. Rich (who used to be in a group with Ray), and Caddy Da Don, and is available on Ray Victory's MySpace page.
Ray Victory f/ Shadina - "Hey Girl" (mp3)
Shadina is an R&B singer I saw perform at a show at the Latin Palace that I covered on Noise last year, I love how this song just samples a straight soul loop without really adding drums or anything, just letting it play for a kinda mellow vibe. Shadina has another collaboration with Ray Victory called "My Baby" on her MySpace page.
Labels: B. Rich, C Love, Comp, mixtape/album review, mp3
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
NOVEMBER'S BALTIMORE HIP HOP TOWN HALL MEETING
WHAT'S NEXT?
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2007
6-8 PM @ THE 5 SEASONS
830 GUILFORD AVENUE
BALTIMORE, MD 21202
FREE FOOD
PLEASE BRING YOUR ACTION PLANS!
JUST SHOW UP! THAT WOULD SOLVE SO MANY OF OUR COLLECTIVE PROBLEMS!
- C Love
WHAT'S NEXT?
TUESDAY NOVEMBER 6, 2007
6-8 PM @ THE 5 SEASONS
830 GUILFORD AVENUE
BALTIMORE, MD 21202
FREE FOOD
PLEASE BRING YOUR ACTION PLANS!
JUST SHOW UP! THAT WOULD SOLVE SO MANY OF OUR COLLECTIVE PROBLEMS!
- C Love
Labels: 5 Seasons, C Love, flyer
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Baltimore Town Hall Meeting
Topic: Solidarity = SUCCESS
Are we all on the same page?
Date: Tuesday 10/9/2007
Time: 6:00PM - 8:00PM
Location: 5 Seasons
830 Guilford Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202
(Guilford & Madison Ave. @ Mt. Vernon Shopping Ctr. near the Dunkin Donuts)
FREE FOOD!!!
FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY!
LET'S MAXIMIZE OUR ALLOTTED TIME
Moderated by "Bmore's Hip Hop Ambassador" C-Love
(Style Warz// www.itsbaltimorebaby.com //ItsBaltimoreBaby LIVE!)
Bought to you by concerned members of the highly influential, but often forgotten and/or overlooked Baltimore Metro community - Its Young Adults!
Dedicated to promoting the ideas, principles and visions of Baltimore's hip Hop generation.
Instead of waiting for the revolution.....BE IT!
I AM THE REVOLUTION!
More info: synergizehiphop@yahoo.com
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! INFORMATION AND DIALOGUE APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES, RACES AND PERSUASIONS!
See also here and here.
Labels: 5 Seasons, C Love, flyer
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
The City Paper's annual Big Music Issue is out today, so go pick that up. My big piece in it this year is Ladies First, an examination of the huge amount of female talent in Baltimore hip hop right now. I interviewed B-Fly, Jade Fox, ShellBe R.A.W., Nik Stylz, Kelly Connelly, Tufflon Dona, Amotion and Symantyx for the story, and tried to at least mention every local female MC I knew of that I didn't get a chance to talk to. The other story I contributed to was Baltimore's Jukebox, where we sat down with various local musicians and played them other local music and discussed it. I talked to Midas and a couple members of the band Thrushes, and also producer Say Wut, although it looks like his part wasn't used (I feel really bad about that since his interview was cut from my article in last year's issue too, but at least I got to feature him on Noise recently), and other writers spoke to Scottie B. and Ogun, among others. I haven't gotten a chance to look through the whole issue yet but I'm looking forward to reading everything else, especially the piece on one of my favorite record stores, Dimensions In Music.
(photo by Sam Holden)
Labels: B-Fly, Baltimore City Paper, C Love, Deep Flow, G.E.M./Tha Plague, Golden Seal, Jade Fox, magazines/newspapers, Midas, Ms. Stress, Ogun, Scottie B., ShellBe RAW
Sunday, July 08, 2007
A few days ago, this guy Jeff e-mailed me to let me know about this really cool site he has, the Baltimore Taper blog, where he reviews concerts and posts audio he recorded at them. His current post is a 'flashback' review of C Love and DNA's "It's Baltimore Baby!" show at Sonar back in August 2006. I miss those shows, it used to be real exciting to know there'd be a solid bill of all local MCs at Sonar once a month, hopefully C Love and DNA haven't totally given up on that concept yet. Anyway, check out the post, you can stream mp3 recordings of performances by Skarr Akbar, Mullyman, Golden Seal, Only, Jeneba Suma, and Don Brody.
Labels: C Love, DNA, Golden Seal, Mullyman, Skarr Akbar, Sonar
Friday, March 16, 2007
This looks like a cool event. Ogun also wanted me to spread the word that his new mixtape will be available at this performance.
Labels: B-Fly, Brown F.I.S.H., C Love, flyer, Golden Seal, Ogun, Ray Lugar
Monday, November 27, 2006
Monday, September 25, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
This week in the Baltimore City Paper, there's a review by Jess Harvell of C Love and DNA's event at Sonar last week, although for some reason it's not on the CP website so you'll have to read it in the print edition. It was a good show, although I had to give my friend a ride home so I wasn't able to stay too long. I feel bad being one of the people who cleared out after Skarr Akbar performed, but he's a tough act to follow, probably not a good idea to place his set too early in the night. I was disappointed that Backland cancelled, hopefully he'll do one of their events some other time.
Labels: Backland, Baltimore City Paper, C Love, DNA, magazines/newspapers, Skarr Akbar, Sonar
Monday, August 28, 2006
