Following Elizabethany on Twitter was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a long time; the more I discovered about her, the more fascinating she became! Aside from being a popular radio personality and blogger, she’s also a gymnast, occasional race car driver, and award-winning social media icon. Bonus – you’ve never met a more enthusiastic Mountaineers fan! Elizabethany graduated from WVU’s school of Broadcast Journalism in 2009 and landed several high profile jobs which put her in the perfect position to sway the masses. It is our pleasure to bring you the one and only Elizabethany!

Justin Umstead: DJ, Writer/Blogger, Twitter Jockey, Gymnast, Race Car Driver: You have so many achievements and interests that it boggles the mind! Could you break it all down for us? Who is the essential Elizabethany – what word could best describe you?

Elizabethany: I’ve never been able to answer this – no matter whether it’s for a fun interview like this or a job interview. I’m just Elizabethany. EB. A girl who never likes sitting around or doing the same thing over and over again (unless it includes being a regular at a bar… helloooo hook-ups!), or being known for just one thing. You know what I am? ADD. It describes me in every way [smiles].

JU: Your blog “Love, Elizabethany” is a huge success with topics on just about anything you could ever imagine. It even comes complete with a video blog and “XXX” section! What are some of your favorite things to write about and why?

EB: I’m so obsessed with the 90’s and it’s not something I just started writing about or liking recently. People who have followed me or known me since, well, forever, know that I brought the 90’s back. Okay, maybe that’s cocky…but I’ve been trying to bring them back since 2004. I even wear fanny packs in public. My latest adventure with fashion has been fun too. I legitimately look forward to Wednesdays when people send me pictures of their outfits for me to post [on my blog] for #WhatYaWearinWednesday. Fashion is a challenge for me – and I like a good challenge. Crap. And my biggest, most favorite hobby that I can actually do whenever I want is video editing. So…well…I CANT DECIDE AGAIN!

JU: What do you love the most about the 90’s: the music, the movies, the fashion, the “dances,” the people, or something else?

EB: I think the music is what makes me love it so much. It was so fun, different, entertaining, and I think a bit more talented. I have noticed some current artists stepping up their game again recently which is refreshing…but for a while there I couldn’t help but wish upon a star for some “Livin La Vida Loca”, “Gettin Jiggy Wit It”, or the Gin Blossoms. Man, the variety was fantastic.

JU: What are some of your favorite perks on the job? What do you love the most about what you do?

EB: This is actually an easy question. I love the interaction with other people. I get paid to talk to, party with, and connect with complete strangers (who tend to become friends). That’s typically frowned upon anywhere else. Fun fact: I give away more perks than I get. All the iPads, iPhones, paid bills, vacations etc my station gives away…I can only dream about.

JU: With all of the interactions you have with the public, you are bound to have some juicy/funny stories. Do you have a “favorite” caller or feedback story you would like to share with us?

EB: Any one of my club nights has a ridiculous story, but I actually do have a favorite caller recently. He’s a flamboyantly gay guy who calls regularly with these outrageous stories, hilarious commentary, and just purely entertaining calls. Makes my night! I wish more people would call just to tell me something crazy that’s happened.

JU: You have a lot of experience with social media, blogging, and content management – and in fact you’ve won awards in those areas! Do you have any advice for upcoming bloggers or personalities? What pointers would you give to ensure consistent quality for fans and followers?

EB: There are a million tips I could give – and yet there are none. My biggest pet peeve is when people tweet whatever’s on their mind. “OMG BEST LUNCH EVER.” “WAHH I’M SO SLEEPY! Bed early tonight!” Stop it. You are the reason some people hate on Twitter. I know I tweet out some things I shouldn’t, and everyone does…but all it takes is one tweet that someone doesn’t like for them to unfollow you. Beyond that, social media is always changing and we always have to adapt to it. Never fall behind. Read up on helpful articles, but never lose sight of your own personality/brand.

JU: You’ve said before that all you have ever wanted to do was entertain people. Your goal is to “bridge the gap between radio, TV, and the internet by being a memorable, game shaking personality.” That is a really ambitious goal! What do you believe sparked your interest in media? Have you always been attracted to the limelight?

EB: Kind of ambitious, but if you don’t have a huge, ultimate goal, what’s the point? I want to be a female Seacrest (even though he’s kind of the devil to radio in many ways). I don’t mind being a workaholic. I love my work. He’s more of a broadcasting god to me. But yeah! I was always teased for wanting to be famous or wanting to be on TV. I’ve always been an attention [hog] since the day I popped out.

JU: Out of all your interests, do you have one that clearly outshines the rest? If you could only choose one (I know that’s unfair), which would you choose and why?

EB: There is one thing that will make me the happiest girl on the planet no matter what, and that’s gymnastics. If I’m in a fight, feeling upset, or I’m so pissed off I could go She-Hulk on the house, all I have to do is a handstand or flip or whatever and my stress is (mostly) gone.

JU: Which area of media is most appealing to you: the web (blogging/social media), radio, or television? Which do you think has the most influence with people? Or are they all equally influential, just more or less influential to specific groups of people?

EB: Oh man… I don’t know! They all have their perks. When it comes to most influential, I think that’s TV. People are still pretty loyal to their favorites on TV, and they likely spend more time with that than radio. The internet is absolutely running the world right now, but with so many websites…well, I was going to say it’s hard for one or a couple people to stand out, but that’s a lie. People are making millions on YouTube. Let’s say social media is overall the most influential. People are sharing their internet, radio, AND TV finds there…and they’re also breaking the news faster.

JU: Is there anything else you would like to share with us at T/O?

EB: Yes. Hail to the Redskins! Let’s GO Mountaineers! And I love you, Slutty Cat. Oh, and thanks to TricycleOffense.com for making me feel cool for a little while [smiles]!

——————————————————————————————————————–

Make sure to follow Elizabethany on Twitter @luvelizabethany and check out her blog at http://www.elizabethany.com. TricycleOffense.com and I would like to extend our thanks to Elizabethany for taking the time to do this article with us and we wish you the best in everything that you do! It will be our pleasure to “follow you as you make your dreams a reality.”

Related posts:

1. WVAQ’s Leading Lady, The Real Katie Richter
2. Breaking Down The Best In The World
3. Cara Parrish: Not Your Ordinary Supergirl

Music goes beyond a hobby and becomes a way of life when you listen to hundreds of records just to find that elusive mix that strikes a perfect chord in you. I came upon Blake Allee’s My Best Friends Are Machines mixtape on DatPiff almost a year ago and it’s been cycling through my hip-hop playlist ever since! Now Blake is preparing to release his newest project Televisionn on February 27th and I knew I had to get the inside scoop.

Hailing all the way from Indianapolis, Indiana, Allee’s sound combines creative, post-apocalyptic commentary with amazing production skills. It’s easy to say that I’ve never heard an artist quite like him. With tracks titles such as “Purple iPod”, “Sunset Goggles”, “Wine and Dine a Dinosaur”, and “Wal-Mart Greeter”, you know you are in for some really unique material right up front. Indeed, one of Blake’s greatest strengths as an artist is being able to bring intelligent topics and wordplay into his art without taking his music too seriously.

Another striking trait is Blake’s ability to blend entertainment with social observation – you will clearly hear this in tracks such as “Mila” and “My Best Friends Are Machines”. The former describes a slightly bizarre romance scenario between human beings and technology and the latter details how new relationships are evolving based on the changing world around us. Other tracks such as “Zombies” and “Sunset Goggles” take on heavier topics such as the state of hip-hop and mankind’s natural laissez faire attitude in regards to eminent self-destruction.

Blake’s laid-back flow and distinct prose-style delivery are very solid and directive – in fact, his skit “Rain” showcases his style’s similarities with that of modern poetry. Another distinctive characteristic of his writing is attention to detail – you definitely won’t find any filler bars here! Each line is carefully crafted to tell a part of a story or direct the listener’s attention to a special insight or way of thinking. Fans who appreciate the lyricism of hip-hop will have plenty of quotes to choose from here!

Without further ado, I bring you TricycleOffense.com’s exclusive interview with Blake Allee:

Justin Umstead: So Blake, you are both a vocalist and producer. Which side of the business is more fulfilling for you? Do you enjoy production more or writing and performing vocals?

Blake Allee: It’s tough to choose so I’m going to take the easy way out and say both. Production is great because a good beat can relate to anyone; I feel like production can evolve much more than words. I can make a sound you have never heard, but I can only rearrange the same words you have already heard in a different order. Vocals – though – are how you gain true fans. People quote my lines and tweet my lyrics and that’s what makes people’s hearts and brains explode . Fans who I have never met feel like they know me just by the odd shit that I talk about.

JU: Do you do all of your own mixing and mastering as well? What rewards or challenges do you face on the production front?

BA: Yep! I produce, record, mix, master, and also do the artwork – everything that results in the finished product. The biggest reward for me is giving someone a completely original creation. This music would not exist without me. Nobody else had a hand in it – so whether my listeners like it or hate it – there is only one person that’s responsible. The biggest challenge is that it takes a lot of time. Any mainstream artist you hear has outside production, mixers, and engineers who focus exclusively on mastering. It’s tough to compete with the best of the best in every category AND still hold down a job. But I like it! Very few can say they have done everything and it feels more real to me.

JU: Do you have a philosophy that governs what you like to talk about on a track? What are some of the rewards or challenges you face on the vocal front?

BA: My main focus is to push the boundaries of music. If I turned my lyrics into a book of poetry I want those high class intellectuals to respect it. At the same time, even if a rapper doesn’t like my style, I want them to have to admit my rhyme schemes are very complex. But I guess at the end of the day, I’m just saying whatever is on my mind.

JU: Tell me a little about how you were introduced into the hip-hop scene. Did you start rapping or producing first? How long has your career been?

BA: I recorded my first rap in 5th grade – I’m not sure where it is but it’s still around somewhere. Hip-hop has always been a dream of mine! I started making beats in high school, but they were amateur at first – so instead I just rapped over video game beats. I was introduced into the hip-hop scene as a producer. I wanted to produce for other artists so when I started performing at shows people would already know who I was and that I could produce. Everybody needs a good beat but not everyone can make them – anybody and their mom can rap! At this point I would say I’m equally known as a rapper and a producer.

JU: My Best Friends Are Machines is largely a solo effort. Have you ever teamed up to do a group project?

BA: I’ve produced for many people and I’ve also been featured as a rapper on quite a few songs too. As far as a group project, the blog http://www.bringingdowntheband.com had a series called Beats and Breakfast. Basically, we would bring breakfast to Lonegevity’s place (who runs the site) and hang out while we wrote and worked on music. They released the songs as a compilation called #beatsandbreakfast Season 1. I think I’m on eight of the ten tracks.

JU: Can you give us an idea of what the rap scene is like in Indianapolis? What are some of the challenges you face? How is your local support system (are other artists supportive or are they more independent or indifferent)?

BA: Man, Indianapolis is such an odd scene . Literally nobody has ever broken this city. The radio will not play our top hip-hop artists (except for the ones with connections or money), the venues will not book a lot of hip-hop shows, and the same group of people seem to get all of the opportunities time and time again. Our main challenge is that people see us as “local” rappers. Your average person wants to go see the next big star and we don’t get a lot of opportunities to benefit from that. Even the bigger hip-hop blogs such as 2dopeboyz or Nahright refuse to post up anyone from here. There are a few people here, though, that are incredibly dope – I think it’s actually one of the most artistically advanced scenes around! Despite that, many of us support each other– and that’s pretty awesome.

JU: Could you tell us a little about Televisionn? Did you do all of the production for it? Do you have any interesting features? What sort of tracks can we expect?

BA: Televisionn! Yes, once again I did everything for this one. Features are an area I’m still debating, but as of right now Grey Granite, Pope Adrian Bless, and at least one more feature will be on there. The project itself is essentially done. I tweak, edit, and re-edit so much that I can’t honestly admit that I’m done yet. I’m so proud of this project! What to expect? Man, I can truly say this is one of the most forward-thinking projects I have ever heard in any genre – and I listen to music allllll day long. Not just “Oh, this is good” but more like “If you listen to this in your headphones in a dark room all alone, you may just rethink your life.” At the very least, the production is very different from most hip-hop and the story line and flow will convince you that I put serious thought into it. I hope people will let their guard down and open up their minds. If they do that, then they will get it.

JU: What is your primary goal with your music? Would you be more interested in building your own label or getting signed? Where would you like to take your music?

BA: The goal is to reach as many people as possible – I honestly don’t care about the money. It would be nice, though, to make enough money to live in a small studio apartment and support myself without a typical job – even if that meant eating ramen noodles for every meal. Saying “changing peoples’ lives” sounds so dramatic – so I will say “changing their perspective on what hip-hop – or music itself – can be”. At the same time having fun and meeting interesting people are definitely important to me. The only reason I would want to get signed is because being on a label puts you in a position where blogs, magazines, and other promoters will give you shine. It’s hard competing for attention with millions of rappers out there. On the other side of the coin, I hate the idea of people paying for my music! I always want my songs to be free and easily accessible to anyone interested in listening.

JU: You say you want to change music, how so? Which direction do you see hip-hop headed and how would you like to stem that?

BA: The self-contained artist – music as art. I do not want to be in the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame….I want to be played on the speakers of the Louvre. I’m not the first and I won’t be the last to make a mixtape/album that feels like a story, or even make all his own beats, but I believe if the right people hear Televisionn then music’s creative boundaries will be shattered. Honestly, think about how manufactured music seems! This guy maintains the image, this guy does the beat, this girl makes the artwork, this team tells you what songs to pick, and for safe measure you better throw in a ghost writer. That’s music? FFuuuucckkkkk that! I’ll make exactly what I want to make and I won’t have a million hands in it telling me whether it’s going to sell or be popular or not. I hope the future of music is people making music for the love of music and not for the money. I doubt that will happen though – money rules the world.

JU: Are there any other points you would like to add (new projects, new videos, exciting news, etc.)?

BA: Thanks for taking the time to listen to my music! Televisionn comes out February 27th!!

So there you have it folks! Make sure you catch the premiere of Blake’s new mixtape Televisionn and check out his latest news here: @BlakeAllee

Related posts:

1. EGreen: The Benediction
2. Don’t Flatter Yourself & The Rise Of D-Why
3. Higher Learning 2: Gnarly McFly To The Future

Myopia = The problem of “thinking too small.”

Several months ago I began writing an article for TricycleOffense.com about marketing for the underground hip-hop artist. What resulted was a 9 page monstrosity which I’ve since decided to make into a full-blown writing endeavor. What follows is a short preview of that project in which I discuss the way the hip-hop world connects with the business world. My intention is to complete the project by the end of 2013.

Fellow artists, it’s no longer enough to simply create amazing, high-quality music. With a constant barrage of media, advertisements, and distractions, everyone is looking for something authentic to anchor themselves to. Your audience is looking for an experience; something that caters to all of their senses and not just their eardrums. Now it’s more common to associate yourself with a “movement” rather than a label, a “team” rather than a group, and a “following” rather than a fan base. But why did it change? In this article, I’ll explore the topic of branding as it relates to the hip-hop industry and then explore methods you can use to develop your own brand.

To start the discussion, I’ll just throw a few names out there: Jay-Z, Dr. Dre, Diddy, Kanye West, Lil’ Wayne. What do all of these artists have in common? One answer is that each of these artists have developed a successful brand, another answer is that each of them are on the Forbes’s “Top 5 Hip-Hop Earners.” Music and royalty profits comprise an incredibly small percentage of their incomes because they have figured out ways to extend their influence beyond their music. For instance, a majority of Jay-Z’s earnings come from investments in Carol’s Daughter cosmetic company, the Brooklyn Nets, and Duracell batteries. Jay-Z has built his entire empire on brand and image recognition.

How about Dr. Dre? He was the hip-hop top earner of 2011 but a majority of his income was derived from premium speaker and headphone sales. Why didn’t they call the line “Speakers by Dre” instead of “Beats by Dre”? It’s obvious, Dr. Dre is known for his meticulous, high-quality beats. If Dre’s beats are off the chain, then his headphones must be equally refined – Or so that line of thought follows. Throw him behind a switchboard wearing his “Beats by Dre” headset and watch how fast people come to the conclusion that his headphones will give them an advantage over their competition.

Diddy and Kanye West are known for their attitudes and strong opinions. In the business world, they would be labeled “opinion leaders” because their influence and exclusivity make it easy for them to communicate a strong relationship with something. Diddy was the number two earner in 2011 mainly from his endorsement with Ciroc Vodka; Kanye West was the number four earner, mostly from shows and touring. Kanye can demand a higher price from each of his venues because HE is rambunctious, mic-snatching, and apology entitled Kanye West! Lil’ Wayne signed multiple contracts but Tha Carter IV is responsible for a large percentage of his earnings. Within the Top 5, Weezy and Kanye are the only ones that banked heavily on music generated income rather than product endorsement.

How about some artists who have developed their brand haphazardly? A prime example I like to use for this one is Eminem. Slim Shady was the right person at the right time with the right message, and he quickly ushered in an era of “shock rap” that hit America like a ton of bricks. However, a few years after the turn of the century, his music began to see less and less of the spotlight. Why did this happen? Its clear Eminem is a skilled artist, but I believe his popularity took a dive for three reasons. The first is because he relied too heavily on a pop platform (shock rap). The second factor was his inexplicable disappearance from the scene for a short period of time (rehab). The last factor is that people finally figured out his marketing mix (more on this later on in the book).

Snoop Dogg is another great example of haphazard branding combined with a slow market response. The Doggfather hit the scene in the early 90’s with a gangster attitude akin to NWA. After linking up with Dre, he put together two hit albums synonymous with three things: gangbanging, partying, and smoking some nug. However, by the beginning of the century his popularity had cooled. What happened? As a generalization, Snoop’s message is to blame for his withdrawal. As the era of gangsta rap came to a close and crime rates plummeted in the mid 90’s, Snoop’s lifestyle and music stayed about the same. The War on Drugs, approached lightly by the new administration, was not as contentious a topic as it had once been. After almost a decade of violence, America was ready to free itself from the drama and pain of the past. Gangsta rap sales plummeted.

So how are Eminem and Snoop currently dealing with these branding issues? Eminem was thrust into the spotlight so suddenly that he never really had the time to think about what sort of market position he was trying to achieve. I honestly believe he was playing the situation by ear – up until recently. Right now we see Eminem taking on a bigger team building and mentoring role. With collaborative efforts like The Re-Up, Eminem has taken on the supervision and agendas of his label mates. He began signing talented artists such as Yelawolf and Slaughterhouse to generate fan buzz and then set up a super-dope 2011 Cypher to showcase them. All indicators point to a strategy focused on the management of artists under his Shady label – all to be promoted by his Shade 45 radio station on Sirius.

Snoop on the other hand, still doesn’t have a succinct strategy. We can see him taking steps to reposition as early as 2004 when he released the club joint “Drop It Like It’s Hot”. Next, we had “Sensual Seduction” in 2007 – an R&B track which was a huge departure from anything he had ever recorded before. As recently as a few months ago, Snoop launched a massive rebranding movement – Snoop Lion. With this new moniker, Snoop hopes to join forces with the Marleys and make family-friendly reggae music. Snoop also seeks to place himself in the public eye by appearing on shows such as the “Roast of Donald Trump” and short films like “Malice in Wonderland.” He even hosted WWE RAW to promote his new projects. Only time will tell what happens with his career, but no matter what he does, he’ll always be a pop icon because of his brand.

Finally, I’d like to discuss a couple of artists who I perceive as having a deficient branding style. Both of these artists are in my Top 10, so I’m not trying to downplay their skill level or hard work by any means. Common and Tech N9ne are two of the most underrated rappers I can think of — and I believe it’s all due to lackluster branding. For example, Common is raw hip-hop with a message. His music is something everyone can relate to and it is educational; it’s all about provoking thought. What is his brand issue? I believe he focuses too much on promoting within his region (the Midwest) and it hinders his ability to lock in large performance venues elsewhere. Tech N9ne? He’s insane lyrically! I could easily hear him featuring with – if not being a part of – Slaughterhouse. They just sound like they belong together. So what’s holding him back? I feel like he has pigeonholed himself in with the Goth and Juggalo culture so much that the very thought of being “marketable” would be akin to “selling out” to his fan base.

Don’t misconstrue this, there are plenty of underground artists out there who I really respect and I know some of them enjoy being “underground”. But in our day and age, popular artists have the ability to release merciless volumes of material which can drown out indie artists – no matter how talented they might be. Under the assumption that everyone just wants to be heard, it’s hard to look at the situation and say that these indie artists are doing everything they can to push themselves out there. With that having been said, now I’d like to cover some strategies to help YOU become a brand and market your own music.

I hope you enjoyed this short sample of the project and I look forward to bringing you the full version soon! I will be discussing the use of social media, web services, self-image, and brand to give you an edge in the hip-hop music industry.

Related posts:

1. Hyphenated Review: Kendrick Lamar – “The Recipe” (Feat. Dr. Dre)
2. Slaughterhouse: A Short History
3. EGreen: The Benediction

Benediction
The form of blessing pronounced by an officiating minister
at the closing of a divine service.

EGreen is a compelling blend of big-city swag and small town grit; attributes one might come to expect from a successful east coast rapper. But EGreen does more than just repeat the same delivery exhibited by some of Brooklyn’s finest spitters, he combines that skill with the confidence and charisma percolating in Florida’s hip-hop scene to create a niche which is entirely his own. I was able to lock in a short interview with the Beckley, West Virginia native and review his latest mixtape The Benediction in this TricycleOffense.com exclusive.

Justin Umstead: So tell us a little bit about your hip-hop career.

EGreen: My hip-hop career began when I started college in Marietta, OH in 2004. I didn’t really become very serious or dedicated to it until about 2006 when I teamed up with an artist by the name of AhYo from Beckley, WV to create a group named I.D. So far, I’ve completed three solo projects entitled: Never Look Back, The Benediction, and Bury Myself 4 Music along with 2 collaborative mixtapes: Welcome 2 The Jungle featuring Beckley’s own Stakmillz and The Grown and Sexy featuring AhYo and Unique. I’m currently working on a new project called Face2Face.

JU: How has your career progressed and where would you like it to go?

EG: Over time, I’ve discovered my reason for being a hip-hop artist and the message I want to express through my lyrics and stage presence. The artist I am today is largely due to life’s normal ups and downs – including life-changing deaths in my immediate family which were particularly challenging. Through my experience, growth, and maturation you can definitely get a sense of the improvements I’ve made through my material! My lyrics, flow, and delivery have done a complete 180 from 2004 to present day. I’ve also shied away from doing music for money and began to do it more for the message – I’m all for the “bringing back” of real hip-hop. I hope to open the eyes of the music industry to West Virginia’s artists and every other underrated artist in the world!

JU: What is your favorite part of being an MC?

EG: My favorite part of being an MC would have to be…the effect our words have on the people and their lives.

JU: I notice you travel frequently between Beckley, West Virginia and St. Petersburg, Florida. What are the challenges of doing hip-hop in WV as opposed to FL? Which one feels more like home?

EG: Being an artist from West Virginia is a great challenge in and of itself! I’ve performed in New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky as well as my home states and I’ve found that being from WV automatically puts you in the category of underdog. While performing at the Coast 2 Coast mixer in NYC, I was able to talk to platinum producer Rockwilder and Lil’ Flip. Both told me that being from WV meant that I had to bring it harder than the other guy – we have to prove ourselves even more than the average MC! West Virginia will always be home to me but Florida, the fans, and the people of Florida make “the sunshine state” feel even more like home.

JU: Which local and industry artists do you feel had the most influence on your style?

EG: I look up to local artists for their grind – artists like the Warheadz, Will Payne, Dirty Hun, and Nauseous. As far as industry artists go – It goes without saying that I’ve been influenced by the lives and the music of the lates: Tupac Shakur, B.I.G., and Big L. There’s also Nas, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, A Tribe called Quest, and Lupe Fiasco.

JU: Where do you think hip-hop is headed in the future?

EG: I was at a point where I was scared for hip-hop but now I believe we are about to see a better state of hip-hop as well as its production. Very soon…

Off the record, EGreen pegged The Benediction as one of his most valued projects – and after listening to his mixtape it’s pretty obvious why that should be! I happened upon his newest project almost by chance and I’m glad I did because I feel like EGreen imparts a style which is unlike anything else I’ve ever encountered from West Virginia. He can admirably be described as a local rapper who sounds nothing at all like a local rapper; a champion of both underground music and staying true to one’s roots.

A cursory listen through EGreen’s The Benediction is likely to elicit at least two responses from your typical audience. The first will be “Wow, this is a really great mixtape from New York/Philly” and the second will be, “For a New York/Philly rapper, he sure mentions West Virginia quite a bit in his music.” Both impressions are misnomers: EGreen currently resides in St. Petersburg, Florida but his lyrical content is proudly West Virginian. This 24-track offering – meticulously mixed by Beckley’s own DJ “Nasty” Nate – is an exemplary effort of lyrical dexterity, clever wordplay, and quality hip-hop.

A majority of The Benediction’s production gravitates around “boom-bap,” New York-style bangers and some of the South’s heaviest street anthems and club tracks. This should be no surprise coming from an artist who eagerly reels off East Coast legends as his main influences! EGreen combines the attitudes of artists such as Jay-Z and Big L with the sensibility of artists such as Talib Kweli and A Tribe Called Quest to create a persuasive yet realistic direction to his art; I don’t think it would be an over-extension to mention or hint in the grimy street styles of Slick Rick or Rakim as another characteristic of E-Green’s influence.

The project itself is rather long – it clocks in around 1 hour and 15 minutes – so instead of reviewing the mixtape in its entirety I have selected my “Top 10” tracks for the review and cheated around that by including 5 extra “honorable mentions.” I would like to take this opportunity to say that DJ “Nasty” Nate did an impeccable job enhancing the mix with record skips, sound effects, and artistic blends throughout the project and one can’t get a worthy appreciation of that unless they listen to the project all the way though: so this goes without saying but listen to this one all the way through!

#1 – “Can’t Hear You”

This Bravestar Productions banger is the introductory track to The Benediction. Combining DJ Nasty Nate’s record skips and gunplay sound effects with semi-confrontational overtones, EGreen doesn’t waste any time explaining exactly why the haters don’t even deserve a footnote. He deftly mocks his detractors with witty wordplay like “Here’s Tommy n***a, and I ain’t talkin’ Bunz/ Guess Im’a dead-beat father, cuz I ain’t claimin’ sons/” and “Transformation/ Optimus / At 19, stopped threats, started promises…”

#2 – “A Million (On My Mind)”

This trance-inducing track slows the tempo down and allows EGreen’s “dirty state” influence to shine right on through. “A Million” focuses on Green’s will to succeed, the challenges he has faced along the way, and shunning short-term thinking in favor of long-term goals and success.

Honorable Mention: “Underground Freestyle”

This track picks up the momentum and delivers a slightly faster vision on the same subject but it does so with an entertainment approach as opposed to the deliberate and serious tone expressed in “A Million.”

#3 – “Blast Off” (ft. Keenan Rainer)

I immediately picture this track coming from the stage of a jam-packed hip-hop show – both the energy and the showmanship potential of “Blast Off” make it a huge opportunity to create rapport and engage a lively crowd. Punctuated by gunfire and turntable cuts, the energy on this fast-paced track is simply off the chain. Not only is the hook catchy – “Blast on, blast off/ It’s lyrical warfare” – but it also features Keenan Rainer who flips smooth bars such as “If I am not a miracle, go and ask my ladies what I’m doing/ This is smoother than a Maybach Mercedes…” One of the best tracks on the mixtape.

#4 – “Flava In Ya Ear”

This track is my “hands-down” favorite and I think the reason for that is a combination of things. First, EGreen’s presence here is unmatched – I firmly believe his comfort level, swag, and BK-inspired delivery couldn’t have been better complements of one another on any other track. The entertainment factor is amped, his lyrics are powerful, and the mix is immaculate. The beat also happens to be one of my East Coast favorites. This track is a “must hear.”

#5 – “Closer” (ft. Icesis)

Icesis is an incredibly talented singer with a ton of potential – In fact I could probably go on for a whole additional article about some of the amazing material she has floating around. “Closer” is probably the most commercial and radio-friendly track on the album and it’s a straight “club track” with an infectious beat and balanced mix. Entertaining and catchy!

Honorable Mention: “DreamCloud” (ft. Icesis)

“DreamCloud” is a more poignant track with a somber commentary on relationships and self-empowerment. As a bonus this track is produced by S Original – a highly skilled producer who occasionally sets his roots down in West Virginia from time to time (whom I’ve also had the privilege of working with personally).

#6 – “Dreams Money Can Buy Freestyle”

“Dreams Money Can Buy” is a textbook example of early 90’s hip-hop; everything about this track from the samples in the instrumental to EGreen’s raw delivery brings to mind Jay-Z’s technique on albums such as Reasonable Doubt and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1. EGreen’s East Coast flow shines through on this one with bars such as “Just movin’ too fast, don’t respect yourself/ Can’t expect the best if you neglect yourself/ Can’t judge another when you ain’t even self checked/ I’m tired…but I ain’t lose a breath yet.”

#7 – “Pesos”

EGreen dishes out another grimy street anthem with “Pesos” which features an unforgettable hook “I be the next young brother, fresh like none other/ Laser dots in they eyes, call it a glaucoma…” and undeniable thug audacity which just makes the track even more fun to listen to!

Honorable Mention: “She Will Jam Session”

Popularized by Lil’ Wayne and mainstream radio, spitting over this one means you have to bring twice as much to the table. I feel like EGreen applies his owns style and successfully steers the track away from its original subject matter while presenting us with a convincing rap which is also plenty entertaining.

#8 – “Take A Shot (Remix)”

“Take a Shot” slows down the tempo and offers us a soul-bearing glimpse into EGreen’s views on relationships. Warming into the track with “Girl, I can’t lie I hate you/ Never thought that the greed would overtake you…” EGreen soberly describes a relationship which is fading away rather than falling apart. For anyone who has ever experienced the pain of a relationship which drags on past its mark, this track will definitely hit home.

Honorable Mention: “Lonely Too (Remix)”

EGreen presents us with a solitary verse on this Drake remix, but with quick wit and wordplay like “Face to face, creating the movies/ My teeth hurt, she’s too sweet/ The remedy, thank you for creating the new me…” it is definitely one which you will not want to miss!

#9 – “One More Chance (Remix)”

EGreen revisits the subject of relationships with this short interlude. Bringing back his trademark East Coast flavor he spits “What they want, when they want, what has it come to/  when couples say I love you/ Only when mistakes is made, secrets are kept better than vows in these present days…” I really like this track because it showcases Green’s talent for educating as well as entertaining.

#10 – “The Motto (Remix)” (ft. JP, Will Payne, and Jarod Yungin)

Both this track and the honorable mention below pull in EGreen’s southern influence and prowess with club-type tracks. “The Motto (Remix)” features a diverse cast of talented artists who all bring their “A” game over a dope YMCMB production. Holding the longest run time on the mixtape at nearly 6 minutes, this track is able to pick up a momentum which doesn’t trail off until the clock runs out – a great way to end a remarkable project.

Honorable Mention – “Beat That P***y Up”

A somewhat raunchy overture for the ladies which boasts one of EGreen’s steadiest and most confident flows.

————————————————————————————————————————–

You can download a free copy of EGreen’s latest project The Benediction here. I want to thank EGreen for the opportunity to review his latest CD and I also look forward to listening to his current project Face2Face coming soon! Make sure to like his Facebook page here and follow his Twitter account here!

Related posts:

1. Don’t Flatter Yourself & The Rise Of D-Why
2. Higher Learning 2: Gnarly McFly To The Future
3. An Evening With “KING DAVID”: D-Why Returns To 123 Pleasant Street

You might recognize Katie as a popular radio DJ on Morgantown, West Virginia’s 101.9 WVAQ “The Hit Music Channel,” but Richter is more than just a record-breaking local celebrity – this self-proclaimed “social butterfly” is the heart and soul of our area’s social scene. After appearing in the list of “Top 50 Hottest Women In Radio” two years in a row and working with the same team who recently won a NAB Marconi Radio Award (watch their acceptance speech here), it’s clear that Katie’s influence reaches far beyond the scope of her mic. Without further ado, myself and TricycleOffense.com bring you an interview with the real Katie Richter!

Justin Umstead: What inspired you to enter the field of broadcasting?

Katie Richter: Oh my goodness, that’s such a funny story! Actually, I’ve been to two universities. I went to community college when I was a senior in high school and I took all nursing classes. I thought I wanted to be a nurse. There’s no way I could do nursing! It’s really hard, you have to have perfect grades, and I’ve never been a straight A student. I’ve always been more worried about my social life than caring about academics or sports or any of that type of stuff. I’m more of a social butterfly.

Honestly, I went to WVU because it was the number one party school. I was 18 at the time and that’s all that I cared about [Laughing]. I decided to try teaching and realized that I’m not very good with kids so I went into print journalism. My friend was a broadcast major and said “Well, you’re not completely busted – You’re not ugly or anything. Why don’t you get into broadcasting?” So I thought – okay, I’ll try this out. I studied television journalism and that’s what I graduated with my degree in. I interviewed for internships with WBOY and WVAQ, but WVAQ was the first to get back to me so I started interning with them in 2009.

JU: So broadcasting was natural for you then?

KR: Yeah, it’s really odd how things kind of progressed. They say “Don’t worry about it, you’ll find your niche. Your path will find you” – mine really did!

JU: What’s your favorite part of working in radio?

KR: It’s actually not being in the studio doing my live show, it’s definitely when I get to go out and do an event. That’s my favorite part.

JU: So you like to be out interacting with people one on one.

KR: Right! It’s so nice to interact – like when you’re playing a game or you’re giving someone a prize and you get to see the direct impact on their faces. You’re not getting that kind of gratification 6 months down the road with a rating.

JU: So do you get to talk to a lot of interesting people and celebrities from outside West Virginia?

KR: Absolutely! For example, four months after starting my full time job I was able to interview Chilli from TLC. I’ve also interviewed the guy who does the voice for Winnie the Pooh [Jim Cummings] and that was pretty cool. Those were on-air interviews. Today I met the vice president of a record label in Pittsburgh [Chukky Okobi] – he actually used to be a former Pittsburgh Steeler. He even let me wear his super bowl ring and take a picture in it. I’m originally from Pittsburgh and I’m also a huge Steelers fan so that was like the crème de la crème of awesomeness for me!

JU: Did you ever consider taking on radio in Pittsburgh?

KR: Maybe somewhere down the road – I’m not in a huge rush to leave Morgantown like most kids are after they graduate. I like the community here; it’s so close-knit. As horrible as this may sound, I kind of enjoy being a big fish in a small pond. In Pittsburgh, you would definitely be a lot more anonymous which can be welcome sometimes. I’m actually going through this whole ordeal right now with a super creepy listener and I thought I was going to have to get a restraining order. So it would be nice to have a little bit of my privacy back. I know most people don’t really think about it – especially when it involves the radio because no one knows what I look like – but social media has opened a whole new floodgate [Laughing]. Some people try to become your friend to use you – or say they are hooking up with you even though you don’t even know who they are. It’s definitely a double edged sword.

JU: That brings up an interesting topic; I notice you were voted one of the “Top 50 Hottest Women In Radio.” How do you feel about that?

KR: Both 2011 and 2012! Honestly, I’m flattered and I’m happy to be recognized for the way that I look – but I’m more focused on my career, how I sound, and how I’m perceived in the community than my appearances. I feel like that’s something a lot of women have to deal with in their field. I don’t want to be pegged as just another skirt in the office.

JU: Are there any challenges with working in radio that you’d like to share?

KR: There are a lot of challenges – a lot of people don’t really understand how radio works and that’s one of the biggest issues that I deal with. One of the things that come up a lot is “Why does the radio repeat songs so often? Why aren’t you playing this song on this station?” There are a lot of issues and technicalities that are backed by research, but why would a person care enough to go online and research how radio stations work? That would be a waste of time for them. They just want to be able to turn it on and listen. We’re the only media in the world which is used by 94% of people – not even television has that type of viewership. Revenues are generated by commercials; we aren’t paid by record labels to play songs. Research is done to prove the station has an audience and that’s why Rush Limbaugh is so polarizing. The record labels claim they are not generating enough revenue, which I personally find hard to believe since they pay $1 million to create a Rihanna song and then tax the radio stations for freely promoting their product. That just doesn’t make sense! That would be like Comcast paying their sponsors – they just wouldn’t do that.

JU: I’ve heard you like to take on DIY projects. What sort of stuff do you like to do?

KR: Okay, honestly I’m a selective, cost-conscious person. I’m a radio DJ, no one in the media makes that much money and if tell you they do – they’re lying [Laughing]. Which that’s fine; it’s something I’m willing to trade for the other benefits of my job. I had some old furniture from college which was pretty disgusting. I threw maybe 50 million house parties so it looked like it had been beaten in some type of rave or something [Laughing]. I just spent a lot of money to build a new house, so I wanted to hold off on getting brand new furniture. I saw this stuff on Pinterest all the time about people refinishing furniture so I decided to do it with my old living room furniture. It was a fun project which I did over a couple of weeks. I’m actually not an active person when it comes to building things – this is the first project I’ve ever done. I enjoyed it; I thought it was fun seeing the results. I’m definitely a results driven person. My husband showed me how to use the sander and I did the entire project by myself.

JU: So do you consider yourself more of an outdoors person?

KR: Well…..no [Laughing]. I’m definitely a city slicker. I grew up in the country which makes zero sense; you’d figure I would enjoy that lifestyle like mud-bogging and that type of stuff – definitely not. I hate bugs and I hate getting dirty. I like to go out with my friends and try different restaurants. I don’t mind sitting outside on the patio and having a BBQ with friends, but that’s about as far as it goes outside. With fleshing eating viruses and stuff like that I’m just not willing to take the risk [Laughing].

JU: What about hitting the range?

KR: Well, I guess that’s kind of outdoorsy. My husband is a huge gun fanatic and I was super-opposed to guns before him. I’ve had several friends and acquaintances commit suicide, so I hated guns. But he showed me how they could be fun. We shoot skeet sometimes and we do a lot of target shooting. We used to go out to the public range in Pursglove, but they recently closed that down. So we just do it at whoever’s house has a lot of property. We’re not hunters or anything.

JU: So what is your favorite make and model to shoot? Do you prefer a rifle, a shotgun, or pistol?

KR: I really don’t have a favorite. Obviously, a .22 is the easiest to shoot because there is no real kick back with it. I do enjoy some of my husband’s larger handguns like the Glock 40. You feel like Angelina Jolie in some crazy spy movie when you shoot it because it’s such a massive gun. There’s so much power when you pull the trigger.

JU: So how do you feel about cooking?

KR: Actually, I hate cooking. I eat take-out all the time – that’s actually my biggest dieting downfall. If I cook, it has to be something that I like to eat. I always look up recipes online but I don’t cook on a regular basis – I might cook once or twice a week. I’m never really home to cook.

JU: What sort of movies do you like?

KR: This might surprise you a little bit but I really don’t like to watch movies. If I’m going to watch movies, it has to be a comedy. I hate scary movies! I’m that person you hate in the movie theatre that screams and jumps at every little thing during a scary movie.

JU: What sort of things do you like to do in your spare time?

KR: I like to do social things. If the station is having an event or a party – even if I’m not the person broadcasting – I’ll try to make it out. I also like going to concerts. I went to see 311 at Stage AE in Pittsburgh and it was a lot of fun! I also like to DJ on the side. [Editor's note: Katie regularly DJs at Bent Willey's, one of Morgantown's hottest night spots.]

JU: You work for WVAQ, so obviously you work with a lot of “Top 40” hits. Who is your all-time favorite artist? What is your favorite personal genre?

KR: My favorite artist since 1999 has been Britney Spears. [Pause]. I know! [Laughing] I can’t even be embarrassed about it because of how much I like her. I’m one of those weirdos that would make one of those “Leave Britney Alone” videos.

JU: …That’s not bad.

KR: [Pause] Well I’m glad that you don’t think it’s bad [Laughing]!

JU: How about hip-hop?

KR: I listen to rap music too, but if I had to list my favorite artist it would definitely be Brittany Spears. I can’t really put a label on what my favorite genre is. I even like a few country songs, which honestly isn’t my first choice. I like electronic, classic rock, classic hits – anything. I even worked with U92 for a short time so I enjoy Indie music.

JU: Is anything exciting happening at VAQ right now?

KR: We’re actually in the running for a Marconi award tomorrow which is like the Grammy Awards of radio – it’s a huge deal. We are competing for the “CHR (Contemporary Hit Radio) Station of the Year”. The ceremony is tomorrow night in Dallas My general station manager, Gary Mertins, and programming director, Lacy Neff, are there right now. We won’t find out until tomorrow night. So I texted them today and said “you definitely need to text me the second you find out.” I get really impatient and anxious when I’m waiting for a rating or a big award [since the interview they won the award; pictured above].

Make sure to tune into Katie’s show from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST on WV’s hit music station – 101.9 WVAQ or online at http://www.wvaq.com. You can also follow her on Twitter here. I’d like to thank Katie for taking the time to interview with us and we look forward to tuning in to your show and your future endeavors!.

Related posts:

1. Cara Parrish: Not Your Ordinary Supergirl
2. Oakland Raiders Diary #3: “I Got This.”
3. Hyphen’s Long Travelled Thoughts: Boyz II Men and Life After Evolution

Justin Umstead: So Cara, it’s evident that you’ve been active in the modeling scene for quite some time, but we’ve also seen you popping up in music videos and hosting hip-hop events around town. On top of all that we also hear you like comics and you can throw down with some of the best of them in some Call of Duty. Tell us, is there anything you can’t do???

Cara Parrish: I’m Supergirl! Just kidding. I’m Cara with “C” instead of Kara with a “K.” Meaning she can fly and I can’t…yet. Believe it or not,  I can’t even ride a bicycle. I’m also painfully shy if you take me out from behind a camera or a microphone. I don’t let anything keep me from being an opportunist though. I firmly believe experience builds us.

JU: What inspired you to get into modeling and what do you enjoy about it the most? Where do you see it going as an industry in the future?

CP: I was approached by a local photographer and asked to shoot for his portfolio. He shared images with colleagues. It just kind of branched out from there. I started getting involved with agencies and then shooting nationally. I enjoy the push creatively. I love photographers with a unique vision. My favorite experiences modeling have always been when a photographer comes to me with an innovative concept then lets me work freely inside of it. Collaborations should always reflect the model and the photographer. As an industry, modeling has taken a major turn digitally. Whereas art modeling and print modeling used to be a line commonly crossed, this divide is widening. Now, older forms of photography are strictly art – for example Polaroid film. I have only had the opportunity to shoot with a Polaroid photographer once and it remains one of my favorite collections of images years later.

JU: Modeling can be some really tough work – a lot of time and effort go into it. What do you think is the most difficult part of modeling?

CP: Modeling is much more [strenuous] than most people I’ve met assume it is. It’s not as glamorous as it’s made out to be, basking under bright lights and balancing in uncomfortable poses only to watch someone Photoshop your every flaw. It’s unnerving if anything. It’s also a great deal of traveling; a lot of empty hotel rooms away from friends and family. Most of the time I’m in a city just long enough for the shoot or event, etc. I don’t really get to experience the places I’m in very often. It’s certainly an industry that requires thick skin, so to speak.

JU: What are your highest modeling goals and aspirations? What scenario would make you the happiest professionally?

CP: Lately, I’ve moved away from modeling and more towards business and film. I wish to expand myself as a brand. I’m breaking into television later this year. My clothing line, Death To Ordinary, which is a collaboration with my designer and dear friend, Marcus Price, will also be available later in the year. I never lay out a strict “goal” or “life plan.” Those are silly. If we predict what our life holds we will keep ourselves from a greater life than we could’ve imagined.

JU: So you’re breaking into television?

CP: Yes, I will be on an MTV show set to air in December. Since the cast list hasn’t been released yet I can’t give you the name of the show. Post the completion of that show I am looking at other opportunities in the television entertainment field specifically reality television. Reality television seems to be the easiest way to break in. From there I am hoping for more hosting opportunities. It’s all up in the air at the moment pending the results of the show I have already filmed. So, we’ll see where it takes me. I am excited for this new adventure.

JU: How do you approach new trends in fashion? Do you like to adopt early or are you selective in what you add to your repertoire?

CP: My younger sister is a cosmetologist and very fashion conscious. She used to tell me I always dress like a homeless person from the 80′s. I’m seldom aware of new trends. I’m a “going out” person more so than a “staying in” person. So I’m inspired by street fashion over magazines or television. I prefer online smaller label or thrift store shopping. That’s one of the reason I’m so ecstatic to start my brand, Death To Ordinary. I’ll finally have clothing that I actually really want to wear. Death to Ordinary is designed by my business partner and I based on clothing we wish was readily available. Right now ,every pair of shorts I own except for one pair of brown leather biker shorts have been upcycled, bleached, or cut up. I do have that signature feminine affection for shoes though. I’d marry a pair of Jeffrey Campbell flag booties and live happily ever after.

JU: Do you have a favorite brand? If so, what sets it apart from all the others?

CP: I’m a huge fan of J Brand jeans. Anyone who knows me knows finding a pair of jeans that fit me is agonizing. I’m very petite, 5’3. Not many denim designers build jeans for girls who have curves on a small frame. My measurements are 34-24-36. I like to brag that I’m almost the exact measurements from “Baby Got Back.” J Brand jeans have a perfect cut and stretch to accommodate girls with well…assets. I love street wear brands and local boutiques. In Morgantown, I love my friend Christina Deantonis’s store Altered Ego. She keeps some edgier pieces there than you can’t typically find in this area. Philly has an awesome shopping scene and Pittsburgh has the Time Bomb shop. SHOP LOCAL!

JU: Who is your favorite comic book icon? What is it about him or her that keeps you coming back for more?

CP: That’s a tough question. Emma Frost introduced me to the comic world. She’ll always be my number one female heroine/villain. Felicia Hardy and Cassie Hack are very close seconds though. I like antagonists. Deadpool won my heart over the first time I saw him. I love my good guys with a bad streak.  I like a sense of comedy in writing styles. My favorite comic characters are the ones who know they’re badasses, but don’t always come out on top. It makes them more relatable to me.

JU: Do you have a particular comic series you follow?

CP: I followed Hack/Slash the closest for the longest time. I jump around a lot though. I’m always intrigued by stories I’ve never read before and characters I don’t already know much about. I might get laughed at for this one, but lately I’ve been reading/catching up on the Marvel Western series. Being raised southern with the idea that cowboys and superheroes are damn close to the same thing is probably to credit for why I like this series.

JU: Your modeling has surely taken you all over the country. Where are your favorite places to travel and visit? Where are your favorite photo shoot locations?

CP: Someday I will plant my roots in Philadelphia. That city won my heart over the first time I visited. It’s so rich in underground culture. It’s like the people there just have bravado about them. As a city it’s less afraid to be creatively daring. I have loved every photographer I’ve met there and every shoot I’ve shot there. As an entire state Tennessee is my favorite – after West Virginia of course. It has the perfect mix of city to country. I’m fond of city shoots more so than beach shoots. Anywhere rich in texture and props. I’m notorious for posing with or on props every time they’re available to me.

JU: Have you ever been out of the country? What countries have you been to and which would like to visit next?

CP: I’ve only been to islands and Canada. My favorite international shoot thus far was in Aruba. It was spur of the moment with an English photographer I had never met. The location was absolutely gorgeous on the local side of the island. That being said I’d like to visit New Zealand, Brazil, Botswana, and Puerto Rico next.

JU: You are easily one of the biggest supporters of local music in Morgantown right now. Which industry bands or groups do you listen to the most? What is your favorite genre of music?

CP: I take that as a major compliment. Thank you. I discovered rock when I was playing my step-mother’s records in her old bedroom when my grandmother would babysit me. I’d prance around in her Ron Jon Surf Shop t-shirts and bounce around to her 80′s rock collection. It’s stuck with me since then. I love music with an old school feeling to it like The Gaslight Anthem. As I got older hip hop kept slowly creeping into my life. I’ve grown to love Common, A Tribe Called Quest, The Roots, and Atmosphere. I’m a huge fan of classics. I have Elvis Presley’s signature tattooed on the back of my right thigh and I can spend entire days listening to Otis Redding and Johnny Cash.

JU: You definitely have a wide variety of interests – but do you have a hobby you think might just surprise us?

CP: I started writing poetry when I was very young. I’ve actually been published nine times. It’s something that I do when I’m in a very emotional state or when I’m in a very tranquil period of my life. I haven’t had much tranquility lately. It’s something that I hope I never stop doing. I’ve put my life and my face out there for the whole world, but the day I put my words out in the world will be the bravest day yet.

Now that you have the scoop, make sure to head over to her fan page here and support all the hard work she’s been doing. I’d like to thank Cara for the interview and we here at TricycleOffense.com look forward to watching you succeed in everything you do.

Related posts:

1. WVAQ’s Leading Lady, The Real Katie Richter
2. Don’t Flatter Yourself & The Rise Of D-Why
3. Hyphen’s Long Travelled Thoughts: Boyz II Men and Life After Evolution

One of the most ambitious projects a DJ can undertake is a fully-collaborative, meticulously produced, and indisputably original album. With that being said, DJ Coutz has networked with the movers and shakers, underground artists, new jacks, and old hats of West Virginia hip-hop to produce his SECOND such project “Higher Learning 2” and it does not disappoint. Looking down through the track list, several artists quickly jump out at me as people I know, respect, and have heard commentary from in the past – usually on message boards. Many more are newer rappers to the scene and artists I’ve not been formally acquainted with from outside the Morgantown/Charleston area.

Before I jump into my album review, I’d like to praise Coutz’s undeniable progression as a producer and organizer. When I first heard a mixtape from Coutz almost a decade ago, he showed a remarkable ability to seek out novel tracks which were well off the radar to sample, loop, and mix into his art. Since that time, his mixing ability, drum pattern arrangements, and artistic vision have only matured and evolved to create an even more impressive sound which still stays amazingly close to his roots. After my initial listen through, I was really pleased with the seamlessness and continuity from track to track. Aside from arranging the tracks in a nice rhythm, the transition from track to track was also very well done. To me – this felt like an album, not just an arrangement of music tracks.

The second observation I made was the album’s length. I don’t like to split hairs when it comes to how an artist chooses to manage their project but some would argue – as I do – that a 25 track album appears pretty intimidating to the casual listener. Hip-hop albums are notorious for having an average of 16 – 18 tracks in an industry where 12 track albums are widely considered to be a full set. This almost implies a double-album. Another misleading view about long projects is that if many tracks are included, then at least some of them are going to have an obvious dip in quality. Although not the case here, it definitely impacts whether a listener will choose to give the album a chance. My opinion is marginal and may not be the case for everyone, but I think this project should have been split into two separate offerings. Many artists near the end of this album may not be getting the exposure they deserve because when you play a CD it usually starts over at Track #1 and Track #24 is quite a distance away.

The album picks up quickly with an introduction featuring Webster County native Paycheck Game. He raps smoothly and confidently over an electric guitar-laced, almost post-apocalyptic beat with raw turntable cuts and samples courtesy of Coutz. Next Mike the Martyr “takes over” with a dope east coast influenced flow on “Taken Over”. This track is easily one of my favorites on the album for the simple reason that the beat and the artist play off one another so keenly. It has a nice, balanced sound and everything about it just “fits.” Paycheck and Coutz make their second appearance along with Zero Da Rapper, whose punch lines like “but when I’m done I’ll mushroom stamp her and we can call it my logo” definitely take center stage on “Put Ya Hands Up”. Next, Deep Jackson comes correct on “Home” with one of the funkiest beats on the entire album.  The only complaint I have about this track is the “hard s” on some of his lyrics which was probably just a mixing flub.

Female rapper A Breezy is up next in “All Over the Place”. I instantly recognized this track from her new album Weapons of Mass Destruction and what can I say? I loved it then and I love it now! Breezy comes with an increasingly relevant message about relationships from a female point of view and the acoustic guitar and sampling done here bring to mind good ole’ fashioned southern values. This is a great example of an artist playing off of the beat to make their point more pertinent. Next, R.O.B. draws a gritty narrative with “Ink in my Blood”, a lyrically intensive and thought-provoking commentary about making music. Tone Capone presents us with a solid, no-frills hustle anthem in “Mind on my Grind”. If I had one complaint about this track, it would be that Tone’s hook is a little repetitive.

Joe Kleanest comes next with an archetypical Pittsburgh flow on “Something You Should Watch”. Although the sound fits our region, I’m not the biggest fan of the sound as a whole which probably taints my opinion a little bit. Nonetheless, Joe still gives us a persuasive listen with creative, boxy punchlines throughout. Daniel Aliff brings us a highly poetic but slightly jarring track with “Assault and Battery Acid”. The beat on this track is pretty minimal but it doesn’t really matter because Daniel makes it conform to his style. Lyrically this track is a monster, but Daniel’s monotone delivery is really stark in comparison to his other tracks on the project. Next, rapper Seven gives us “Fresh Outta Nowhere”; a smooth, organ riddled track with effortless, loosely-associated rhyme schemes and a WV inspired hook.

“Firestarta” by Nah Nitti is probably the most commercial track on the entire album, both instrumentally and in terms of quality. Nitti delivers a gritty street anthem with lines like “Y’all so foolish, stupid, slash buffoonas/Useless, I could take a few of y’all off of the to-do list.” Coutz really shines through on the production tip with merciless string chord melodies, a tactically-placed snare, and cavernous bass. Next, Night continues the street-themed trend with “Akmen-Rah” which boasts a backdrop of harsh, big-brass swells and dips. “My Medicine” is a huge stylistic departure from the previous tracks; it features a funky, memorable groove with jazz and swing elements in the foreground. Fluid Outrage’s delivery here is basic but enjoyable and fits the character of the track well.

CMoore Dollaz is next with “Looking For Answers”, a violin-infused track that explores CMoore’s experiences with the hip-hop scene, establishing himself as an artist, and the hopes and frustrations that go along with both. As an artist myself, I can personally relate to a lot of the sentiment that CMoore expresses here. “Get Lifted” featuring Blur-E-Vision and J.Cruz is a slick smoker’s anthem which takes on a breezy west coast flavor. I really enjoy the way Coutz chops up the vocals in the chorus to accentuate the track’s feel. J Mei oozes confidence and swagger over “Now For A Break”. His lyrical finesses and vocal presence both impress and the track has an undeniable performance-ready quality to it.

In “Gnarly McFly”, White Mic raps over a fresh “8-bit video game” inspired beat featuring concussive rim taps and a crazy, oscillating synthesizer. I sat down my pen for a few days while writing this review, and I kept hearing my brain repeating “Call me Gnarly, McFly, back to the future!” over and over again! I couldn’t escape it, and honestly that’s a great quality because it makes your music something people are going to remember. Null and Void’s “Base Ain’t Thumpin” features a simple guitar pattern and vocal mix which is blended so well it makes it hard to distinguish where one sound ends and the next begins. Daniel Aliff makes his second appearance here and wows with dope wordplay like “Single man swat team/kicking doors in/scorched limbs/turning vinyl into candle wax when I handle tracks.” Not to be outdone, G-Mo responds in kind with a plethora of hard-hitting, compound-syllable style bars which morph seamlessly from one subject to the next.

“You Gotta Love It” is a creative mix of instruments glued together by the lyrical dexterity of Euro P and a simple, driving drum pattern. The production here doesn’t immediately deviate from the standard, run-of-the-mill Coutz beat, but there is definitely a small departure. The next track, “Addictionz”, also possesses this subtle distinction as if Coutz was experimenting with new samples. Kulez’s skill and delivery are definitely on point, but the recording quality on this track is noticeably lower than the rest of the album which distracts from the message. Dino the Great delivers an intelligent and thought-provoking message in “Freestyle” without coming across too political; he has the perfect balance of education and entertainment. Coutz’s sitar and piano duo really make this track stand out from the rest production-wise, and I have to admit it takes the cake for me instrumentally.

Next, Don Teze spits over a jazzy, mashed up 007 anthem on “James Don”. Don Teze’s style combines a flow akin to YMCMB with the hyper-lyrical aspect of Slaughterhouse. His bars are engaging and the flow provides a sense of progression which propels the track forward. Continuing the ‘name in the song title’ trend, N8 brings us a fresh and funny track with “I’ma N8”. Spitting bars such as “I’ma never say a cuss word — Like motherfuck that fucking fuck word” definitely made me grin. The production on this track was mixed underneath N8, but it gave me just enough low end to keep track of what was going on rhythmically. “Pass the Mic” is the big finale and it features a compendium of artists who definitely go in over a smart and sly Coutz creation. Finally, Coutz leaves us with some wise words in the “Outro” which peacefully fades to silence.

Coutz’s album is surprisingly cohesive for a project that involves 20+ artists, and I have to attribute that to Coutz’s uncanny production style and the talented selection of artists he chose to involve here. This album was a pleasure to listen to and I really enjoyed “meeting” all of the artists involved. I definitely look forward to hearing more from everyone! Just as a general note, I want to say that I appreciate the work everyone has done here and I apologize if I did not embellish enough on your track compared to some of the others; with 24 tracks some of my opinions had to be curved due to time and size limitations. Overall, a very successful showcase of WV talent and I can’t wait for Higher Learning 3.

Download

Related posts:

1. EGreen: The Benediction
2. The CD The DJ Will Have On Replay On D-Day: A Blake Allee Story
3. Hyphenated Review: Kendrick Lamar – “The Recipe” (Feat. Dr. Dre)

humbs to make a hole in the corner of the plastic without tearing the tabs on the box. The sweet smell of instruction manual fragrance filled my nostrils as I jammed the plastic cartridge down into my game console as if it were some type of Indiana Jones Holy Grail.

Nostalgia

My first 3D game experience transported me to another world complete with physics-defying wall jumps, ground pounds, and tree handstands. I must have played the game for at least a hundred hours attempting to collect all 121 stars and make it to the roof of the castle. Of course, I was way too impatient for that so I eventually ended up using a GameShark instead. Chalk that up to 12 year old impatience. But either way, I enjoyed the game so much that I kept it in rotation for years and I couldn’t help but watch a few minutes of this video when I came across it while surfing one day.

To me, this is just incredible! Under two hours? Get the heck out of here with that! That’s more than one star for every minute of game play. I guess it makes sense that some people would play it enough to get that good but seriously that’s just insane. I guess it follows that some people might even find some interesting glitches and add them to the mix like the next video. WARNING: If you have ever played Super Mario 64, your mind is about to be blown.

What??? You must be kidding me. If you watch anything in that video, check out 03:05. Notice how each of the long jumps come so precariously close to the lava. That’s stone cold jedi precision. But unfortunately, friend, it also happens to be an illusion. What you have just witnessed is called a “superplay” and it is created by using a special tool called Toad’s Tool 64. Using this software, editors can change a plethora of things including in-game textures, mechanics, and controls. This video is actually a series of clips which have been masterfully plugged together to create the impression that it’s a continuous shot. Using Toad’s Tool you can make changes which make it seem like an entirely different game.

For better or worse…

For example, let’s say that you wanted to make the game Super PAPER Mario 64. Sure, why not?

Impressive, okay how about Super Mario GALAXY 64? We got you.

Alright, fine. But can we take it back real old-school? (Older-school?) Heck yeah!

If you had shown me any of this 10 years ago I would have said no way; that the actual programmers of the game must have gone back in and played around. But no, these game mods are simple enough for your average teenager to do them! The videos speak for themselves, technology is an amazing thing. I want to leave you with the most impressive and complete mod I found – Super Mario 64: Icy Adventure. Heads up: you may want to turn your speakers down because the music gets a little grating.

Related posts:

1. Anthony’s Articulated Arguments: Best of the Worst: Ranking the NFL Teams That Never Won A Super Bowl
2. Hyphen’s Long Travelled Thoughts: Boyz II Men and Life After Evolution
3. Does Wrestling Really Need Blood?

I pride myself in being able to wear two different hats at the same time. One side is the somewhat square, accountant/bookkeeper who doubles as a responsible family man. I hold down multiple jobs, I make straight A’s in school, I dress casually, and I’m book-smart. I do taxes.  I take care of my wife and daughter.  The other side which few get to see is the spontaneous, somewhat reckless tattoo addict and hip-hop artist – a street smart kid who enjoys hitting the gym almost as much as he enjoys hitting the range.

As you can probably imagine, misunderstandings are inevitable and today it did in one of the funniest ways imaginable. I don’t know what it is about Buddhist monk scams on WVU campus, but I guess they are sort of a thing. Maybe it’s my demeanor, maybe I just look gullible, but over the past year this is the second time I’ve been stopped by one of these douchebags. The first time they tried to hustle me I politely told the dude to piss off, but today I decided to play along and do something truly EPIC.

I was approached by the bald-headed trickster on my way over to the Book Exchange to grab up a couple of overpriced books for two of my classes. He was walking in the direction of the Mountainlair when I must have caught his eye because he changed course slightly and tried to make eye contact. I immediately knew something was up because he hadn’t approached anyone else on the sidewalk before me. The dude definitely looked the part so I decided to give him the benefit of a doubt.

“Hello, how are you doing sir? You look pretty smart like you can appreciate this. I just wanted to spread the word about Buddhism and meditation. This is the copy of the ‘blah blah blah’ and it’s the same text studied by Mohandas Gandhi. I want to give this to you as a gift.” He explained as he handed me a high quality paperback book. At this point I already knew it was a scam because Buddhists don’t have one major source of scripture like most other religions. So I said “Sure, thanks” and grabbed the book that was offered to me.

I studied the book as he continued babbling along, speaking faster and faster as he went. Rookie.  I can’t really recall what he was saying because I was too busy studying the inside front, inside back, and exterior back for a price. As I expected, there wasn’t one. What I was holding was a free copy of the book which he probably picked up online, in bulk, for free.

“One last thing sir, by gifting this to you I only request that you pass along the copy to a friend after you are done reading it and I politely ask for a donation to cover the cost of publishing.” Knowing full well I didn’t have a single dollar bill in my wallet, I began formulating my escape plan.

“Oh!” I replied. “How much?” I began digging around my pocket reaching for my empty wallet.

“Well sir, anything that you would like to give is fine.” He replied smiling. I opened up my wallet and showed him that I was completely broke.

“Sorry bud, it doesn’t look like I have anything on me. Thanks though!” I admitted, after which I did a complete about face and began rapidly walking in the direction I was headed before. As I turned, I could see the shock, almost the horror, of how badly I had just turned the situation around on him.

“Sir! Sir! I can’t give this away for free!” I heard him begging shamelessly behind me as I continued to create distance between us. People on the sidewalk began gazing curiously in our direction as his voice became more and more distant behind me.  Finally I could sense his voice getting closer; the bugger was chasing me down for his book!

“Sir, I can’t give this away for free! Sir, I need that book back.” He growled angrily, noticeably losing his cool. Finally after about 20 yards of him screaming at me I turned around and shoved the book back into his hand.

“Oh, here ya  go. I thought it was a gift…” I replied innocently, gleefully taking in both his enormous scowl and the bewildered looks of the crowd around me.  His anger subsided to the most sheepish look I’ve ever seen in my life as he realized the errors of his ways and how much of an ass I had just made of him.

Moral of the story: Never try to swindle the nerdy looking-guy; he might just be an underground rapper.

Related posts:

1. The Second City Saint v. The Rattlesnake: Will It Happen At ‘Mania XXIX?
2. Don’t Flatter Yourself & The Rise Of D-Why
3. The Monday Night War

As our national scores continue to parade down the ranks in math and science, it’s important to remind ourselves that our school system utterly failed us in other important ways too. During the 1950s, families were usually responsible for teaching their kids the necessities in life – like changing oil in the family car and performing simple maintenance around the house.

Also important – common sense

But the traditional family met its untimely end decades ago when dual-working households and single-parent families became the hip, new way to make a killing on your tax return. These simple life lessons were never passed along to society at large and the cracks are beginning to show. Take for example:

PERSONAL FINANCE

For those of you who have never met me, I’ve been an accountant for a number of years and I’m always a little anxious when I hear someone say they don’t have a clue where their money is going. Balancing a checkbook is important, but even electronic banking has allowed us to keep track of all of our purchases mentally and compare them with our bank account statements online.

We both know you do this

What I’m referring to is the horror every business major feels when they hear someone say they aren’t sure how much money they have budgeted for the year. This golden nugget of information is the foundation of your finances and lets you calculate how even the smallest purchase will impact your wallet. With more Americans than ever living paycheck-to-paycheck, a lot of people are happy enough “eyeballing it” which doesn’t really cut it when every dollar counts. Imagine if everyone used this strategy.

Eh… I guess that looks about right

Aside from the basics – like how to write a check, fill out a deposit slip, and manage a simple budget – it would be extremely helpful to touch on more advanced topics such as credit scores, financing, mortgages, stock & bond markets, Social Security & Medicare, and how to complete a simple tax return. These are subjects that a lot of adults don’t even have a firm grasp on and they can sink you quicker than the Lusitania if you’re not careful.

Suck it, Titanic

The financial market today is also a lot more complex than it used to be. The biggest challenge of this century will be our generation’s dual responsibility to pay for our kids’ college educations and support our parents when Social Security runs out. This puts even more pressure on sound investing and retirement planning.

FITNESS EDUCATION

Not to be confused with that essentially useless class Phys. Ed.

Pictured: A quarter of your high school Phys. Ed. Class (Probably)

Fitness Education would take over where Phys. Ed falls depressingly short. Sure it’s important to learn how to develop teamwork but Phys. Ed. still doesn’t teach you the most important aspects of “physical education.” For example, Fitness Education’s focus would be to promote healthy weight management, diet, exercise techniques, and proper form to reduce injury. It would almost be like a Phys. Ed. and Health class hybrid. Sure, I already know what some of you are thinking here:

How could this possibly go wrong?

But at a time when the media constantly bombards us with new diet plans, conflicting health tips, and misleading nutrition information, it’s more important than ever to have a system in place to educate people about the choices they make. Showing teens how to lay out workout routines, set up healthy exercise schedules to meet fitness goals, and perfect their exercise form to reduce injuries is a big deal. And the earlier we begin the better!

MULTIMEDIA ARTS

This is a more controversial class, but I’ll explain why it’s important in a moment. Multimedia Arts is the digital version of the high school art class we’ve all grown to love. WAIT, did I say love? I meant despise with every last inch of our tortured souls! Seriously, if I had to draw any more cylinders or box shapes to emulate “perspective” and “shading”, I would have probably gone insane. Art is a class where I honestly believe the right teacher is everything and I was held down by the system.

Ten times better – but only slightly less depressing than my Art Class Final

Multimedia arts would include helpful tutorials on Photoshop, Website Design, Beginners Photography, Simple GIF/Flash Animation, and Music/Video Editing. The importance of this class is giving the next generation the tools they will need to succeed in a high tech business setting where paint brushes and collages are outdated by magic wand tools and brush filters. Moving images will become more and more important as advertisers compete for our attention. Another important reason to include this class is to show the capability of programs to distort the truth. Sometimes what you see is just not what you get.

And If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is…

Now for the final class, the most important of them all!

CONCEPTUAL THINKING

The most important job our brains have is the ability to weigh alternatives and think critically about a situation. Judgment calls are not always easy and sometimes there isn’t just one easy answer. Students – especially those between middle school and sophomore year of high school – are pigeonholed into short answer, multiple choice, and true/false question tests. This limits the ability of a student’s mind to expand and think about how to measure a problem, analyze the alternatives, and make the best choice. For example, in multiple choice questions you are confined to only the teacher’s way of thinking. What you see when you get out in the real world is a whole plethora of possibilities, answers, and alternatives. In fact, I can honestly say I never “thought critically” from an education standpoint until I entered college.

Possibilities, Alternatives, and – in more grave circumstances –Answers

Conceptual thinking could take a statistics or math-based approach by giving a student an example of something and showing them how to logically draw different conclusions from it. A good example might be an ethics case where students have to weigh in on a problem where several different parties are involved and all have different stakes in the outcome. Being able to discuss effectively, argue respectfully, and make a point concisely are all really important skills to have in a democracy, but they are not really taught at the most basic levels. Being able to frame the scenario and choose the details which will give you the most accurate response for the question you are trying to answer creates an atmosphere of open thinking which eventually benefits everyone because it brings better ideas and brainstorming sessions to the table.

Pictured: Either “Hydrogen Fuel Cell” OR “Metroid” design team

Now if only they had a class in high school to teach me how to program my DVR…

Related posts:

1. Encyclopedia Crawford Knows All: Why Watch Pro Wrestling?