2009 GMA Winners - No surprises (again)

Photo by KJ-52's iPhone via Twitter

Again, no real surprises with the winners here. Although this year's nominees certainly seemed a little more in tune with the genre.

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year:
"Do Yo Thang" by KJ-52

Rap / Hip Hop Album of the Year:
Ordinary Dreamers, Group 1 Crew

Check out all the winners here.

Lecrae also Tweeted from the show. Read his message here along with a pic of him and wifey at the awards.

The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. audio interview by Sketch about Rap-A-Lot Outreach

Victorious & Sketch @ Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day

My audio interview with Victorious & Proof from Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. about the Rap-A-Lot / Much Luvv Records 5th Ward Easter outreach event is now online exclusively at DaSouth.com.

I was impressed that these fellas drove over three hours (one way) just to be a part.

Listen in here while you view a slideshow of my images from that day.

We also got some pub on Isiah Carey's (Fox 26) Insite blog. Check that here. Thanks IC.

The Complaint: Flimsy File Names

Off top, let me say thank you to any and everyone that’s provided a free digital download of their mixtape or album. I love how there’s so much good music right at my fingertips.

But…. and you know there had to be a “but” didn’t you? But can you PLEASE take a moment to attach the proper meta-data to your files?

I’m talking artist names, cover art, genre and the like.

I hate when I get all excited about a new digital album, import it into iTunes and then see song titles like Track 03, 06, or Final Mix. It’s quite a pain to have to search for this and rename them all for my library and it’s easy to lose hope and just delete the batch.

Now I know this comes off as whiny and lazy, but as a dude that gets a lot of music and loves a lot of music, I’m just asking that you make this process a little easier.

I’m a guy that actually likes to read liner notes and know song titles and artist names. It helps me publicize and tell others about your work too.

So please, take the extra time to prep your digital download and I promise your listeners will thank you.

Vidz: deepspace5 "Raps"

This clip made my day. I believe DJ Dust is behind the lens. Dude is mad talented.

Just check the film quality, the wardrobe, the album cover stuff... this is a crew that knows how to make art.

Look for more DJ Dust clips at: http://www.dustbrandfilms.com/

UPDATE (05/06/09): I later saw a thread on the Sphere of Hip Hop message board by Freddie Bruno that indicated this video wasn't an authorized release and was something they were holding back until the group had formal arrangements in place for their next album.

My apologies to the crew if I contributed to this leak in any way. I was under the impression the release had been blessed.

As always, I'm looking forward to new ds5 material and will keep you posted on what I know.

Recap: Rap-A-Lot/Much Luvv Records Outreach

All photos and text by Sketch the Journalist

“This place used to be junkyard,” Uncle Lloyd said. “But here we are ten years later and, not only is it a place for recreation, but we also believe it is a place for re-creation.”

Lloyd Prince was talking about the Prince Complex, the non-profit youth center he co-founded over a decade ago with Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James J. Prince.


Tre9 presents Uncle Lloyd & Mrs. Prince with a token of appreciation

Located in the heart of the infamous 5th Ward Houston neighborhood he once called home, the organization is designed to be a safe haven for “at-risk” youth and offers after-school basketball and boxing activities along with various community outreach programs for students and seniors.

The complex was celebrated on April 11, 2009 with a Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day. The event was co-sponsored by Rap-A-Lot and Much Luvv Records along with Copperfield Church and several other service organizations. Its afternoon featured performances by Christian hip hop artists, grocery distribution, inflatable games, basketball skill competitions, free food, and special appearances by well known rappers Gravy (aka Jamal Woolard from the Notorious B.I.G. biopic) and Bun B (of UGK).


On stage, Gravy told the crowd he was there to hang out all day, sign autographs, take pics, and talk to people about anything


Bun B gets interviewed by former 5th Ward Boy (and new Christian MC) 007

Approximately 400 people attended the event between the hours of noon and 4pm. Five pallets of food from Target Hunger resulted in bags of groceries for more than 250 needy families and 19 people received free HIV tests from organizations like FUUSA (Families Under Urban & Social Attack.)

Christian rappers The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. drove over three hours from Austin just to perform a ten minute set and participate in the outreach.


Early morning setup for the grocery distribution


Victorious (The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.), Gifted (Much Luvv Records), 007 (5th Ward Boyz), & DJ D-Lite (DaSouth.com Radio)

“More people need to begin to show the love of God [in ways like this],” group member Victorious said. “The simple fact of the matter is we’ve got prophesying down, we’ve got preaching down, we’ve got taking offerings down… but this love thing is something we’re really suffering with and not enough people are walking in the true ‘agape’ love of God.

“Jesus said you will know my disciples, my followers, by the love they have for one another. So that’s why when a guy like [Much Luvv CEO] Tre9 calls and invites us out, we’re there to support.”


The slam dunk contest was pretty ill.


Bun either really didn't like a dunk or saw me with the camera and decided to play along.

Neither Gravy nor Bun B performed at the event, but both did take the microphone to encourage attendees and play “celebrity judge” during the slam dunk competition held in the Prince Complex gymnasium.

The fact that this day fell on Easter weekend held special significance for many of the Christians in attendance.


Volunteers from Copperfield Church did a variety of jobs, including face (and hand) painting.


The Prince Complex provided the chairs and venue.

“We will always recognize God’s place in our lives and that Jesus’ resurrection makes all of this possible,” Uncle Lloyd said from the stage. “Our family name of Prince may be on the building, but we set out to make an impact in the name of the Prince of Peace.”

The inaugural Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day began and ended with a group prayer led by Much Luvv’s Bobby “Tre9” Herring. He spearheaded the partnership with Rap-A-Lot and expressed his appreciation for the support of all of the event’s sponsors.


Colcutz & WE brought their "Worship Experience" to the event.


White tees for the volunteers also commemorated the day.

“I think we’ve opened a door to a great relationship with the Prince Complex and its 5th Ward community,” Herring said. “I look forward to doing more outreaches with them throughout the year and starting a weekly Bible study there this summer.”

Additional photos:


007, Von Won, & Tre9 perform "Rise to the Top"


Bun B takes in the final presentations and prayer.


J Xavier in a fresh "Run DC" Barak Obama tee.


The crowd gathers for the 3-point and slam dunk competitions. DaSouth.com was an event sponsor.


Issac White kilt (with a "t") the dunk comp. Vince Carter arm-in-the-hoop and errythang.


The M5 Mobile Ministry truck provided the stage & sound.


Houston holy hip hop mainstays Ras & Soulfruit


The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. drove down from Austin to be involved.


Videographer Orlando Briones, Gravy, & Sketch

Free DL: Mixtapes & Mashups

Three free mixtapes I didn't get a chance to tell y'all about yet.


DJ X - "This Is the Remix Mixtape"
Download it here.

Here X (Tweezy's regular tour DJ) has collected the finalists from KJ's "Remix the Remix" contest along with some new virtual collabs. Check for his girl Jubilee on several nice cuts.


The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S - "In the Beginning Was the Mixtape"
Download it here.

NOTE: You'll need to be a member of the DaSouth.com community in order to download this mixtape. Both the membership and DL are FREE.

The fellas have been handing out this mix at shows like SXSW & the 5th Ward outreach. On it they're flippin' mainstream tracks from guys like Kanye, Lil Keke, and Luda.

I would have left those AutoTune numbers alone, but there are some decent remakes on here that I can appreciate from a free mixtape/marketing standpoint.

And really, who can front on that "Swagga Like Us" beat?


DJ Primo - "The Best Reggaeton Mash Ups - hosted by J-Blaze"
Download it here.

I actually haven't had a chance to listen to this one yet, but I ALWAYS check for Primo's stuff and know his mash-ups are some of the best in the biz.

Official: 106 & Gone

I found a more official death certificate for BET's "106 & Gospel."

Read it here.

If you're interested in trying CPR, you can sign the online petition here.