Tha Message Mag in stores

Congrats to Tha Message Magazine for their recent distribution into mainstream stores like Hastings.

Over the weekend, publisher Payday sent me this pic of his lovely daughters finding the mag on shelves in Greenville, Texas.

I'm going to check the Hastings in Conroe, Texas today and hope to find and buy a copy. You should too.

To locate a store near you, visit GoHastings.com.

Sketch article: Thi'sl in the new Message Mag

The latest issue of Tha Message Magazine is now in print. It carries a special gold-foil-embossed logo and my cover story on the Ex-Hustler Thi’sl.

Here's your teaser paragraph:

Thi’sl is the anti-Rick Ross.

Not that he’s hating on William Leonard Roberts II – the man behind the moniker. In fact, from the outside, they’re quite similar. Dark skin. Barrel chests. Thick beards.

But Travis Tyler (aka Thi’sl) is squarely the antithesis of the Miami cocaine kingpin “Rick Ross” rap image being sold to hip-hop loving youth.

Peep game.

And, publisher Payday tells me they’ve signed a distribution deal to place the book in Hastings Home Entertainment stores which means you’ll see it on the same shelf as XXL and The Source.

Cover art for Tha Message Mag Issue #4

Payday hit me with the cover art for the next issue of Tha Message Magazine that's fresh off the presses. I wrote the profile on Thi'sl and will let you know when it's available to the masses.

Sketch article: Frontlynaz cover story in Tha Message Magazine's Summer 09 issue

Frontlynaz in da' buildiiinnnnggg!

Those East Coast boys are the subject of my cover story in the Summer 09 issue of Tha Message Magazine. I just received these copies in Friday night.

Good word is you can get yours too. Hit up QualityJunk.com or (BIG NEWS) soon it will be available to you on news stands through Ingram Distribution.

Here's your article teaser:

Perhaps your first introduction to Proph 1, Bro. Wize, and Wit was when the computer-talk club banger "Gunz Down" got spun on The Wade-O Radio show. Or maybe you took notice after their independently released Game Over album received a surprise Stellar Award nomination alongside bigger titles from labels like Cross Movement and Reach Records. Or possibly, it was when their "Can't Break Us" anthem from DJ Morph's International mixtape rocked your favorite online video spot with top notch visuals and vocals.

But while they may be new to you, it's important to note that these dudes have been "Frontlynaz" for years.

Sneak Peek: Next Tha Message Mag cover

Here's your sneak peek of the next cover of Tha Message Mag.

I wrote the story about the Frontlynaz. Should be out soon.

To order back issues go to ThaMessageMag.com or QualityJunk.com.

Sketch article: Tedashii in Tha Message Mag

The good folks at Tha Message Magazine have another fat issue out with my feature story about Tedashii on the cover.

Here's your teaser:

Once upon a time, Tedashii Anderson had an identity crisis.

Biologically, he was the product of an African-American mother and Samoan father. However, Pops was out of the picture for much of his life - leading Tedashii to associate himself with only half of his true heritage.

Order your copy by contacting Chad at either (817) 420-3090 or by e-mailing him at chad@thamessagemag.com.

Also, as you may have heard, T-dot's album got pushed back to May 26. As a consilation, Reach Records is offering fans two FREE downloads of tracks that didn't make the album.

Get them here.

And (pre)order your copy of "Identity Crisis" here.

Sketch article: KJ-52 in Tha Message Magazine

The next issue of Tha Message Mag drops next week and features my cover story with KJ-52. We talked a few days before he was filming his "Stuck in the 80's" video and got in some good convo about why he maintains so many connection points with his fans and what he's planning for his next album.

Here's your teaser:

KJ-52 has a lot on his mind.

On the night we spoke, he had spent most of the day on the phone doing publicity and coordination for the coming weekend’s “Stuck in the 80’s” album release party/concert/video shoot.

Apparently re-creating the look and feel of the “Me First” decade of cheese is a lot of work.

In addition to scavenging thrift-stores and eBay for classic British Knights and bag phone props, he’s also heading to a Seattle studio with super-producer Aaron Sprinkle to craft the next KJ album and planning for upcoming tour dates with The Newsboys.

Oh yeah, KJ’s also cataloging almost all of this via a multitude of web-based fan connection outlets. YouTube. Twitter. Weekly podcasts. Video devotion blogs. Dude does it all. But how?

Order your copy at www.thamessagemag.com