Exclusive: Bushwick Bill "Testimony of Redemption" cover and possible tracklist

It's almost here: Bushwick Bill's first gospel rap album.

I got my hands on an advance promo copy (one single and six clips) and decided to share the cover.

Note that this ain't the final pic or tracklist. I also have a flyer that shows the cover with more detail in that the Ten Commandments are spelled out on the tablets to his sides.



Also, back in December when BB had his listening party, I got away with a possible track listing that I've been sitting on until just the right moment.

Here's what it looks like. Titles with a (*) beside it means it's on the promo disc I have in my possession. This is also probably not the final sequence.

1. Takin' It Back(*)
2. I Know What U Might Think (feat. Ras, Von Won, & Icece)
3. All the Pain
4. Testimony of Redemption(*)
5. Going to the River
6. Praise God for You(*)
7. God's Side is the Best Side
8. No More Child's Play
9. Spiritual Warfare(*)
10. Guardian Angel(*)
11. Sunshine
12. Thorn in my Side(*)
13. Calling Out to You
14. Life is a Beautiful Struggle
15. Praise of a Good Woman
16. Work It Out (feat. Gifted)
17. My Renewed Mind

If you want a sneak peek, run over to Bushwick's MySpace page and check out a few of the songs.

www.myspace.com/therealbushwickbill

News Round-Up - February 2008

I haven't had a chance to post much news lately. Here's a few HHH items of note we both might have missed.

- Dallas-based gospel rapper Dooney was recently featured on Dr. Phil's show with the Ying Yang Twins regarding the "sagging" fashion and Da' Priest's song about it. Read more on the show and see photos by clicking here.

A local news station that covered this topic too. See the clip below.


- Platinum producer Rockwilder (Meth & Redman) has decided to change his life and only make beats for Christian MCs. He's currently working with former G-Unit member Whateva on some heat. Read more about it by clicking here.

- Excelsius hipped me to this article on the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary website that features one of their students who does holy hip hop in a group called Christcentric. Read the article by clicking here and then check out the video of his testimony here.

This is notable because the institution is generally pretty conservative when it comes to this type of ministry.

- Finally, my man dogfight! has released a new homemade video for his track "Revolution." It's low-budget, but 100% true to the artist. I pray we have more authenticity like this in the game.

Drank: Anti-Energy Drink

I ran across this today and was stunned. And of course it had to be some purple stuff.

Idiots.

It's amazing what we glorify and market around these parts.

I wonder if the website will have any mentions of DJ Screw, Big Moe, or Pimp C.

Promo: ReadyWriter Drops Today + Blogs Bring Sales

I gave my boy Brinson a hard time about "Jihad" a while back but still wanna show him some love.

Peep the latest from Godchaserz Entertainment that drops today. I'm downloading a preview copy as I type this and will post my thoughts on the album after I've had a chance to digest it a bit.

Sample the noise here: Conduit

And good news for both Godchaserz and me - it seems that credible blog mentions (like www.sketchthejournalist.com) actually increase album sales.

Props to Rizoh at The Rap Up for tipping me off to this one.

Peep the story from The Hollywood Reporter.

Blog posts can triple future album sales, according to a new study from researchers at New York University.

NYU Stern professor Vasant Dhar and former student Elaine Chang sampled 108 albums released between January and March of 2007 to determine the impact of blog chatter on record sales. Using Amazon.com sales rankings, albums were tracked four weeks before and four weeks after release.

Researchers found that when an album got mention in more than 40 legitimate blog posts, sales were three times the average. If those albums were associated with major labels, sales jumped five times the average. Albums that got more than 250 blog mentions saw sales increases of six times the average.

The number of MySpace friends the artist had also improved album sales, but researchers said there was a weaker correlation than with blog chatter.

Y'all cats in the record biz betta catch this wave before you're left all wet!

Promo: Love to Love (Free Music)

Free music and video from my man dogfight! -

"Love to Love" available for free download at http://www.feedtherightdog.com/ all week long.

It's also available as a free ringtone download. Dude's even got a YouTube version of the track too. (Peep it below.)

Here's the dealy from df!'s e-blast. If you dig a jazzy smooth hip hop flow (a la Common) then you'll enjoy this.

Here's what you need to do:
- Download it.
- Play it in your car stereo, iPod, work place. Let the ones you love hear it and celebrate with you. Then spread the word.
- Download it as a ringtone and make it your ring on the 14th. Spread the word.
- Watch the YouTube video. Send it to your friends and loved ones.

Here's what will happen:

People will listen, download, and watch; eveyone loves a good love song. People are more open to listening to people talk about love this time of the year. They will now get the opportunity to hear about the Greatest Love: that someone would lay down His life for His friends.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S FROM DOGFIGHT! & THE SKETCHPAD

Sizzurp killed Pimp C

It's official: the Purple Stuff killed Pimp C.


You can read all about it in this story from the Houston Chronicle: Cough syrup found in Pimp C's hotel had no label


It sounds so depressing - to die alone in your hotel room surrounded by drugs used to treat anxiety, herpes, and coughs.


Recently it's been DJ Screw, then Big Moe, and now Pimp.


When will the "City of Oil" learn to quit promoting this junk?

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NOTE: Explicit lyrics and images below.

Pimp C in Three-Six-Mafia's '00 video for "Sippin' on the Sizzurp".

Big Moe's hit "Purple Stuff"

Review: J.R. "Life By Stereo" / Let This Video Be An Example

My review of J.R.'s "Life By Stereo" is now up Illspot.net. I think it's probably the highest ranking I've ever given anyone.

Read it now here: Sketch's review of J.R.'s "Life By Stereo"

Listen to his music at here: J.R.'s MySpace page

Also, rappers - don't let this happen to you...



Here are just four reasons why this clip is so boss.

1. Dude is obviously synching.

2. Dude falls off the stage.

3. Dude recovers like a champ.

4. Dude keeps on lip synching like we didn't just see that he fell and yet we kept hearing his vocals.