*New* NORE freestyle!! (Audio)

Exclusive Audio
In preparation for his new album, Noreality, Nore's peoples just sent me this exclusive freestyle for u to listen to it. It's bangin' and 10 times better than the Chamillionaire freestyle in the previous article. Peep game!

"Nore Freestyle"
(click to listen)

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Friday, August 10, 2007   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

*New* Chamillionaire Freestyle (Video)

Posted at 8/10/2007 08:22:00 PM

Exclusive Video
On the real, we got crazy connects with the flyest -ish for you. Yo, check out this video of a awight freestyle by Chamillionaire that was just shot in AOL's studios a few days ago.

"Chamillionaire Freestyle" (click to view)

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*Exclusive Interview* Queen Princess "Turns It Up" with Johnta Austin

Posted at 8/10/2007 06:57:00 PM

Hey, we put that work down and that's the bottom line. Yeah, we're a hip hop site, as you all should know, however, when we get a great opportunity, we don't pass it up. Our peoples put our headz together and hooked up a nice interview with cool R&B singer, Johnta Austin last month (7.13.07 to be exact). Who is J.A. you might as? Well he's a multitalented songwriter/singer whose produced hit tracks for several popular singers such as Mariah Carey, Toni Braxton, Ginuwine, Aaliyah, Faith Evans, Tyrese, Ciara, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, and many more. Cool hugh? In 2005, he signed with Jermaine Dupri's So So Def records out of ATL and just put the finishing touches on his first album (a future hit by the way) called Ocean Drive which is set for a release date of September 4th.. Wow that's some interesting info. Is that enough for you...I could go on and on about his background and such but that's what we have interviews for...right!! Anyways, check out the convo and enjoy...

Queen Princess: Hey what’s up Johnta how are you?

Johnta Austin: I’m doing alright.

Queen Princess: So how did you get your start in the music industry?

Johnta Austin: I was on a television show and I wound getting an opportunity to go on the Arsenio Hall Show. From there I sung on the Show and an executive saw me sing and I got my first record deal with RCA. That didn’t work out, I got dropped and replaced by Tyrese, but I got the opportunity to write “Sweet lady” for Tyrese and that was kind of the jump off to getting into music.

Queen Princess: And when you were on the show, you got the chance to interview Michael Jackson do you remember any of that?

Johnta Austin: Yeah! Michael’s cool I just asked him some questions…….he came to town because former President Jimmy Carter was doing this drive to encourage kids and parents to immunize and protect themselves from diseases like Hepatitis A and B. They were encouraging people to get informed and Michael came out to support that and we pretty much kept the questions on that issue. It was cool Michael was nice.

Queen Princess: Okay so when things didn’t work out at RCA, how long did it take you to recuperate and get on top of things?

Johnta Austin: When I was dropped it was maybe six or seven months later that I got the opportunity to work with Tyrese again. That was the turnaround when that opportunity came. He needed a single and I had this song “Sweet lady” and they liked and it worked out for them.

Queen Princess: Well you’re a writer for a lot of artists, but what made you want to step up and release your own album?

Johnta Austin: Being around Jermaine Dupri, I’ve been working with him for a couple of years, he’s found something in me as an artist and I’ve always wanted to revisit artistry at some point and time. I just didn’t know when it was going to be, but Jermaine recognized it in me and gave me the opportunity and with Jermaine’s track record as far as what he’s been able to do with new artists, it would kind of be stupid to turn down that opportunity.

Queen Princess: In your first single “Turn it up” you mention musical talents such as R. Kelly, Luther Vandross and Alicia Keys, would you say that the music from those artists is music you look up to or really appreciate?

Johnta Austin: Definitely, Luther I think is maybe the greatest balladeer of all time. The way he could take a song and make it completely his and no one else’s was amazing. R. Kelly is great. Alicia is somebody that I’ve always wanted to work with. All the people I mentioned definitely have inspiration that they have provided to me.

Queen Princess: Okay and right now it’s really the aftermath of creating your album so are you still writing for other people or are you still focusing on yourself?

Johnta Austin: Naw, I’m back in with Mary, I’m back in with Mariah, we’re starting a new Janet album and I’m working with Usher as well.

Queen Princess: All those artists that you mention are different. Is it hard trying to find or stick to the different styles that the artists have?

Johnta Austin: Um…..not really, when you’re working with somebody like a Mariah, an Usher or a Mary, they have so much history and credit and long-standing in the game, it’s like they kind of bring their own swagger to the session and what it is they do. They know what they want so I’m just trying to assist them in what it is that they already do and add a little bit of Johnta Austin with a little bit of Mary J. Blige and hopefully we come up with a good collaboration.

Queen Princess: Okay, do you have a particular style of writing that you stick to or do you sometimes go outside of the box of your normalcy?

Johnta Austin: I just try to tell stories. That’s what I want to do with every artist that I get with, every time I go in the studio I try to write something that you can close your eyes to and kind of picture yourself right there and in the mix.

Queen Princess: Would you say that you have a perfect setting for writing songs?

Johnta Austin: Not really, to me inspiration is always there so there’s no set place that I like to be when I write. I feel like the gift is inside of me and I feel fortunate to be able to tap into the gift whenever I need it and no matter where I am it works.

Queen Princess: So what is your inspiration for writing music?

Johnta Austin: People, I’m trying to do something and write something that I think people can relate to and appreciate. I want people to feel like I’m trying to speak for them because I am.

Queen Princess: Okay, is there any artist in particular that’s in the game now that you really would like to write for?

Johnta Austin: Alicia Keys is at the top of that list, I’m actually going in with her this weekend. That’s like the one person that I haven’t had the opportunity to collaborate with.

Queen Princess: Why is the name of your album Ocean Drive?

Johnta Austin: Ocean Drive is a strip in Miami and when I think of Ocean Drive I think of a place to escape and get away and kind of be free and let your hair down. I think that’s what this album is, it’s a lifestyle album, it’s a good time album, it’s an escape. That’s why it’s not just a strip anymore to me. I don’t think it’ll be just a strip to anyone who listens to it, I think it’s become a lifestyle and just a way of life and mentality. That Ocean Drive mentality.

Queen Princess: What type of music, or what stories should people expect to hear when they listen to your album?

Johnta Austin: I mean it’s going to be some break up stories, some make up stories, some having a good time stories we’re going to do all that, sex stories all that.

Queen Princess: In your idea, what’s the toughest aspect of the industry as a whole?

Johnta Austin: It’s cliché to say to keep it real, but I do try to stay as real as possible, but sometimes this industry is based on looks and what’s a good look for me, is this a good look, is that a good look? So I think that’s the toughest aspect of the game, being able to deal with people when they be on that, but you have to remember that this is the music business.

Queen Princess: Right and you’re focused on putting out good music, but do you feel like there’s a void in good music within R&B?

Johnta Austin: Absolutely, I feel like it’s a void in good music in all genres. People say that the internet is really hurting the music business and sales are down, but the quality is down as well. I think there are still a few artists that carry the torch and keep the music alive. You have Usher, you have Mariah, you have Mary who aren’t just focused on coming up with one hot first single and there’s absolutely nothing to follow what they put out first. They put out record after record and song after song. I think if artists kind of got focused back on that, then the quality of the music would come back. I definitely think there’s a lack of quality, but I also think there’s a lack of effort on the artists’ part.

Queen Princess: Other than putting out good music, what do you think are the makings of a true artist?

Johnta Austin: Ummm I think it’s the work that goes into being a artist. It’s still that thin line of wanting to be a complete artist and just being look obsessed. I think the best artists are the most real ones and the ones that kind of allow you a window into who they are and what makes them tick as a person creatively as well as outside of that. There are artist that come out and it’s like oh my God, it’s obvious that they got a deal, because they’re nothing more than a pretty face, but there’s no talent or substance as a person yet to offer to the world. Therefore they lack substance as an artist. I heard an A&R say that one time, “We expect artists to have substance as an artist, but when you talk to them, they don’t really have substance as a person, so how do expect them to have substance creatively as an artist?” It’s all about I want to be on TV, I want to have a hot record right now, I want to play in the clubs right now. If I can get a little bit of ice and a little bit of cristal that’s what matters to me the most. Inspire people, touch the people, what the hell do you mean by that? I’m just trying to bet on TV! So I think it’s some of that mentality in artists, but not all artists. Most artists I think are still very concerned about the music they put out.

Queen Princess: Exactly, which is the most important aspect of being an artist. With Ocean Drive would you classify yourself in any specific genre of music?

Johnta Austin: I think it’s just the stories, it’s a good story album, it a storybook and to me it’s our culture. It’s black music, it’s black culture. Someone asked me earlier, “Do you think T-Pain is R&B?” I said I think T-Pain is black culture, therefore he is R&B. In R&B and hip-hop I feel that we have taken our music and we’ve crossed all genres. That’s why you have a Nelly Furtado or a Fergie rapping and doing very melodic records that’s because black culture has infiltrated all genres so my music is black culture. Right now I feel like we’re bringing some of the best music to the game. You have Akon who’s crossing all boundaries, so I feel like if I say black culture that’s all genres.

Queen Princess: If you could travel back to any era of music and still be the person that you are Johnta Austin, what era of music would that be?

Johnta Austin: Oh man, what era of music? I thought you were going to say like any era cause if I could travel back to any era…….

Queen Princess: Or that too

Johnta Austin: It would be the 1600’s. I’d be in Africa and I’d write songs telling people not to get on them boats!

(both laugh)

Johnta Austin: I’m just playing, but I want to go back to the seventies with Marvin and Al and Stevie and the Isley brothers…………… like that’s the one thing. I feel like there may be three maybe four strong songwriters in the game right now and we try to inspire each other as much as we can. If you take it back to the seventies I mean everybody had a hot album. Stevie had a hot album, Marvin had a hot album, Al Green had a hot album, the Isley brothers. Then you had Minnie Riperton and The Supremes. Everybody was just putting in work and it was all quality so you had to be on the top of your game.

Queen Princess: Is there anything else you would like to say to the people at hiphopruckus.com?

Johnta Austin: I appreciate all the support that they’ve given me over the years through the records I’ve done for other people. I appreciate the patience and waiting for Ocean Drive and September 4th the wait is over.

Queen Princess: Okay, well thank you very much.

Johnta Austin: Good talking to you sweetheart.

Yo, we'd like to thank Johnta and his peoples for the opportunity to interview him. When u get a chance go cop that "Ocean Drive" LP that's hittin' stores on September 4th. It's all that...!

Got questions or comments for the Queen Princess, email her at this link.

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Nas "Less Than A Hour" feat. Cee-Lo (Audio)

Posted at 8/10/2007 10:45:00 AM

Exclusive Audio
What's good wit ya. Before you see this joint plastered over the net, check out this new joint by Nas called "Less Than A Hour" featuring Cee-Lo. It's from the Rush Hour 3 soundtrack and is really cool. Hope you dig it!

"Less Than A Hour" (click to listen)

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Thursday, August 09, 2007   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

IceWater "Animal" feat. Raekwon & Inspectah Deck (Video)

Posted at 8/09/2007 02:03:00 PM

Exclusive Video
Word up yo. When I mean exclusive, I mean exclusive! Peep this new video by Rae's proteges, Icewater. The joint is called "Animal" and it features Raekwon and Inspectah Deck...that's a BIGGG what's up!! Peep and let me know what you think.

"Animal" (click to view)

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*New* Havoc "Be There" and "I'm The Boss" (Audio)

Posted at 8/09/2007 12:41:00 PM

Exclusive Audio
If you didn't know now, well then u will. We at HHR get the exclusive joints and this next entry is no exception. I'm proud to give you our loyal fans the opportunity to listen to 2 exclusive tracks from Havoc's new upcoming album "The Kush" which is coming out on 9/18/07. The joints are "Be There" and "I'm The Boss". Tell me what u think, Is it bangin?

"Be There" (click to listen)

"I'm The Boss" (click to listen)

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Public Enemy "Harder Than You Think" (Video)

Posted at 8/09/2007 11:31:00 AM

Exclusive Video
At one time I was a big, Public Enemy Fan. Evidently the band's gettin' back together mane, so yo check out this new video by the crew called "Harder Than You Think". Tell me what you think about it when u get a chance.

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Wednesday, August 08, 2007   MUSIC |  VIDEOS |  INTERVIEWS  | NEW ARTIST  | HOME

Jay-Z talks about new Rocawear Campaign (Video)

Posted at 8/08/2007 07:47:00 PM

Exclusive Video
What's up peoples, on the lighter side of the things Jay-Z sat down with the AP press today and did a short interview that I'd like u to view about what he felt were great and motivational aspects of the new, advertising campaign ("I Will Not Lose") that Rocawear has employed. So take a few minutes and listen what the Jigga man had to say...

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St. Laz & Pottersfield "Streetfighter" (Audio)

Posted at 8/08/2007 07:10:00 PM

Exclusive Audio
Ok I'm gonna take that ya back down in the gutta mane cuz that's where they found my stello today. Right!! And yo to extend this strife I want u to listen to the realness of this track called "Streetfighter" by St. Laz and Pottersfield and on top of that it's produced by my peoples Undaground Soundz, so peep this -ish cuz it's hard on the yard and I carry a big stick...work with that...

"Streetfighter" (click to listen)

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Red Rum "I Tried Tell' Em" (Audio)

Posted at 8/08/2007 06:54:00 PM