Brooklyn emcee and battle rap host, Poison Pen, explains how the mentality of battle rappers has changed. In the 90s, rappers used to battle so they could afford the opportunity to tour, sell records, and gain more exposure as a musician. Since 2009, when the battle community exploded, some rappers…
Poison Pen on Diddy supporting battle rap with corporate sponsorships
Poison Pen weighs in on the pros and cons of corporate sponsors the ever-evolving battle rap community and the influence of Diddy attending events. Look out for Pen’s album, The Glass Ceiling, releasing in 2014.
Poison Pen | Freestyle
The Bed Stuy Best Buy ambassador of battle rap, Poison Pen stops by Rap Is Outta Control to discuss his position in battle rap and the culture evolving. Check out his freestyle over production by DJ Skizz.
The Incomparable Shakespeare talks By Any Dreams Necessary album and shares his history
Brooklyn emcee, The Incomparable Shakespeare, stops by Rap Is Outta Control to discuss his history as an artist and his new album, By Any Dreams Necessary. Growing up alongside the underground group Natural Elements in the 90s, Shakespeare was influenced to taking lyrics seriously. His latest album features Jesse Correll,…
Shabaam Sahdeeq introduces the Keepers Of The Lost Art album on Below System
Shabaam Sahdeeq discusses his latest project, Keepers Of The Lost Art, and his current writing process after many years of recording songs. The album reflects preservation of the elements on hip hop; emceeing, graffiti, b-boying, and DJing. Features include DJ Spinna, Nick Wiz, Domingo, and DJ Dister. The album will…
Shabaam Sahdeeq & The Incomparable Shakespeare | Freestyle
Emcees Shabaam Sahdeeq and The Incomparable Shakespeare have both gained popularity in the 90s alongside many of their Brooklyn-bred peers. Check out the two freestyling back-and-forth on Hip Hop Nation’s Rap Is Outta Control.
A.G. announces the D.I.T.C. remix album with Alchemist, DJ Premier, Buckwild, & more
A.G. announces a remix album by the legendary Bronx group, D.I.T.C. Spearheaded by producer Showbiz, the project will include songs from various projects remixed by Buckwild, 9th Wonder, Alchemist, DJ Premier, and many more. The album is expected to released in Spring 2014.
A.G. announces a vinyl EP project with John Robinson, produced by Ray West
A.G. explains his interest in recording a project with Scienz Of Life member, John Robinson, and how he appreciates John’s lyricism and respect to musicianship. The project is a vinyl EP, produced entirely by Ray West using an SP12.
Ray West reveals upcoming projects on Red Apples 45 with Blu, John Robinson, A.G., and O.C.
Red Apples 45 is a boutique-style record label that is dedicated to releasing vinyl and other physical products despite the digital age. Spearheaded by producer Ray West, he discusses upcoming Red Apples releases including the recent Ray’s Cafe EP with D.I.T.C. member O.C. Other projects include Pianos In The Projects,…
Ray West, A.G., & Dave Dar discuss Ray’s Cafe EP with O.C.
Ray West remembers when A.G. invited O.C. into Ray’s studio to meet and work on music. He explains how the album title, Ray’s Cafe, was created and the blend between O.C.’s style of emceeing and the smokey jazz 70s vibe of Ray’s beats. The album is a collaboration between Ray…