“But as the world turns I learned life is hell. Living in the world no different from a cell…” – Inspectah Deck
Fashawn takes a line from Wu Tang’s classic, “C.R.E.A.M” and does his own version of Life As A Shorty. Here’s the video for Fashawn’s “Life As A Shorty”. Fashawn is such a great emcee with so much heart. The West Coast has emcees with tremendous amount of talent left and right and Fashawn is no different. Boy Meets World = Oct. 20.
PROTAGONISTS = FELT
CLEAR & PRESENT DANGER = DJ JS-1, KRS-ONE, & CANIBUS
L.O.V.E. = FRANK NITT
NEVER STOP = LMNO
BABY PHATT 09′ = SKILLZ & COLIN MONROE
ROCKIN WITH THE BEST = M.C. LYTE
SO & SO = JERN EYE
YESTERDAY = D. BLACK
TRUE LOVE = APATHY & PHONTE
WHATEVER YOU WANT = CONSEQUENCE, KANYE WEST, & JOHN LEGEND
SAY G & E = GROUCH & ELI
EMPIRE STATE OF MIND = JAY-Z & ALICIA KEYS
BABY = GHOSTFACE
WARRIOR = SWOLLEN MEMBERS
WIN OR LOOSE = MALCOLM & MARTIN
FRESHER THAN YOU = THE COOL KIDS
[Kanye West rockin a Flip the Bird original "90's all stars.]
What’s good people? I’ve been a fan of Kanye’s since I got a white label test press of “Through The Wire” back in 2003. I was just as disappointed as the rest of you with his actions on yesterday’s MTV’S video music awards. Back in 03′ I got a chance to interview the producer & aspiring rapper. Back then you could tell how hungry he was, and how genuine he was. There was a hint of some arrogance, but none more than you would find with your normal rap artist. I mean come on, hip hop has always been “Bragadocious”.
I do not agree with his actions, but I am still a fan. I also understand how upsetting it is to see artists you think of as less than deserving taking the spot light they do not deserve. Taylor Swift is not on Beyonce’s level, but that is besides the point. Home girl won, let her have her 35 seconds of face time on the silly ass VMA’s. I mean come on, MTV doesn’t even play that much video’s anymore. The show was honestly garbage to me. The highlights to me were seeing Eminem, and Tracey Morgan’s skits. As well as Jay-Z & Alicia Keys perform “Empire State of Mind”.
Sorry I know this is long winded. Click the link and you can check out my interview with Kanye West when 90% of the globe didn’t know who the hell he was.
An emcee for the people… MC K Swift is a Brooklyn-born emcee and educator who now resides/represents the lower east side. He’s also an activist who rhymes with a purpose. He’s kept a notebook of rhymes at the age of 10 and never looked back. “My mother would say I started making up rhymes as early as three years old. I started keeping a notebook of rhymes when I was 10, because my uncle, who’s 4 years older than I, rapped. I always looked up to him, much like an older brother. When I was 12, he saw me writing and asked me to kick something. He liked it, and started bringing me to the studio with his crew,” he says. His true inspiration comes from life and the will to create a better planet. He’s driven to create by the love of creation. “We are creation. I love who we are.” He says.
A founding member of the New Rap Order and a member of the Universal Zulu Nation, he’s bringing Hip Hop back to its essence. Rappers need teachin’ hold weight for this educator because he lends out his time. “I’m most proud that I’ve shared the art and craft of rhyming with others as a mentor. Many artists don’t take the time to pass on the jewels they’ve picked up. I’ll always lend a helping hand to anyone who wants to improve on their art, especially a younger person” he says.
In this interview, we talk about his latest project, his studio experience, what’s next for the Bucktown emcee and more.
MTR: Describe a day in the life of M.C. K Swift: MC K Swift: Since no two days are alike, I’ll describe an ideal day. I’ll wake up bright and early and have a fresh squeezed drink from the juice bar before heading off to run a day of workshops at a NYC Public High School. Naturally I’d have a good lunch during the day. Once that’s done I’d head to the studio and write and/or record something new. Then I’d have dinner, and rock a packed house, probably somewhere downtown.
Before we get into the music, I wanted to apologize for my slight absence. Besides being busy with work and life, a few offers have landed on my desk that I’m pretty excited about, but I don’t want to let the cat out the bag just yet. I’ve also been working on more feature content; interviews, album reviews and more thorough articles. For now, please pardon the slowness in updates, but stay tuned for what we have in store! On to the music. J.A.M.E.S. Watts decided to wait for the perfect occasion to release his version of KanYe’s Say You Will, one of the more introspective cuts on 808s & Heartbreak. I’ll let him explain:
“After wrapping up my work in July & August on the soundtrack for Rik Cordero & Three21Media’s feature film “Inside A Change”, I’ve returned to the Re-Fix campaign trail, this time with an installment that is definitely close to my heart.
As you can tell by the subject line, like several other MCs, I decided to take my turn on Kanye West’s “Say You Will” instrumental — the thing is, this verse was written around the release of 808s & Heartbreaks, but given the number of “Say You Will” freestyles/remixes/covers that popped up in late 2008/early 2009, I opted to hold it back, waiting for the right time to record & release it.
It’s likely that every rapper that touched this beat went at it with a degree of introspection and vulnerability, and I’m no different — I feel as if I really poured my heart out on this one. Where other Re-Fixes have been more lighthearted and fun, “Say You Will” was all business, and I feel it serves as a real window to where I’ve been emotionally in regards to my music. Nonetheless, let it serve as a true introduction to the great things that I’m about to do next — in that, I thank you for your continued support of me and my craft.”
“This is not an eighty-five affair, made clear.” – GZA
I vividly remember sitting in class at NAES (Naval Air Engineering Station) Lakehurst in New Jersey – which is just about 60-something miles from New York City. Mind you, I was T.A.D. (Temporary Assigned Duty) at this naval base; my home base was in Norfolk, Virginia – about an 8 hour drive from VA to Jersey. I’m sure most of you know that the military’s hours start at no later than 5 AM. We were up and in class by 6:30 AM sharp, going through our daily morning routine and taking about 5 minutes or so to finally get settled in. Class commenced as usual, however, this class wasn’t your typical school room. Because of the highly sensitive topics discussed, we weren’t allowed to have any cellphones, pagers (LOL!), laptops – no electronics whatsoever!
