Trouble Andrew: No Gimmicks
Time and money can lead to many bad decisions. And I'm not talking about those that blow their savings on, well, blow, or blow (shut your mouth). I'm talking about those bored athletes and actors that decide to ride their image into the music industry, or to Samuel L. Jackson's scorn, those rappers that want to be actors without ever reading Shakespeare. Such musical efforts often land flat, or as pro snowboarder Trouble Andrew says, 'I think in some cases it works, but in most cases it’s corny.'
Corny is something that Andrew hopes to avoid as he preps for the release of a new LP in the fall, and is currently on the road promoting the re-release of his 2005 self-titled debut. The pro snowboarder sort of fell into a musical career, literally. After a gruesome injury that sidelined him for 9 months, he did what a lot of people would do. He holed up for 9 months at his girlfriend's house and messed around with musical instruments. His girlfriend just happened to be Santigold, who grabbed his tapes while he wasn't looking, brought them to Shitake Monkey, and boom, a recording career was born. But Trouble Andrew doesn't want people to think he's just a snowboarder trying to cash in on a large fan base ready to follow him into Tower Records, er Coconut Record, er Itunes. "The most important thing to me as far as music goes is to make real music," he said via phone while on tour in Minneapolis. "I’m not trying to make songs about snowboarding and skating, that’s not my thing. I think it’s actually cool when people don’t know what I have done in snowboarding and find out after the fact. I think it’s automatic for somebody to feel like, ‘ah man, that sounds like a gimmick.’"
In this exclusive RH Interview, Trouble Andrew speaks snowboarding vs. music, his music influences, just messing around with 4 track recorders, the Hot Sauce Committee, and more. Read the full interview below.
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Jay-Z x Eminem: "Renegade" Live @ DJ Hero Party
Eminem and Jay-Z each took the stage for the big DJ Hero blow out last night in L.A. Jay-Z took the stage first, then brought out Em for "Renegade", which was followed by Eminem's own mini-set. Check out the video below courtesy of Big Boy's Neighborhood.
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Anaa Falchi...E La Dolce Vita
There's only so many Duck Down and Bun B posts I can handle in a row...A good dose of estrogen into the RH blog just feels right at this time. I headed over to Kanye's spot and found this talented cutie, Anna Falchi and her BEP soundtracked promo video. View it below.
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La Coka Nostra: "Choose Your Side" featuring Bun B
"I'm an example of Western civilization's decline."
Bun B snaps on this Alchemist produced, La Coka Nostra track. Everlast rocks it as well, and I'm digging Everlast of late. His last LP, and material since then has taken a more socio-political focus, and this track continues on that trend. Listen and grab below. Also check out our interview with Everlast here.
Marco Polo x Torae: Armed And Dangerous
Double Barrel, the Marco Polo x Torae LP is in stores today. Just in case you're on the fence about purchasing a copy, or even if you've decided one way or the other, we have this promo mixtape presented by DJ Concept featuring select tracks from both artists. Check out the tracklist and download below.
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Quest: "Champ's Been Here"
QuEST goes in on Jadakiss' "Champ Is Here" . This cut is off the upcoming mixtape, Only One Month Left, which is mixed/host by DJ RTC and presented in conjunction with RH, DopeRoots, and HipHopDX...damn! Get the track below...
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Duck Down Cipher In The Park
At the very core of the Hip Hop art form, removing the money, flare, jewelry, and fancy marketing schemes, is the ability for an MC to rhyme. Taking it a step further is then the ability for that MC to showcase his/her talent publicly in front of a large audience and WIN THAT CROWD OVER. Duck Down Record's artists Buckshot, Rock of Heltah Skeltah, Naledge of Kidz In The Hall, Torae, Skyzoo, Steele of Smif N Wessun and members of Team Facelift gathered at Union Square Park in New York City and started a classic Hip Hop Cipher demonstrating the embodiment of what it means to be a true MC.
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J. Dilla: "Make It Fast" featuring Bun B and Termanology
Jay Stay Paid comes out tomorrow, and today we have another leak courtesy of Onsmash featuring Bun B and Termanology. Speaking of Dilla's album, you can celebrate the release of the LP this week Friday at Lava Lounge with DJ Rude One.
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