B-Real: More Than High Hopes
"I’ve done the platinum records, I’ve done the gold records, it would be great for it to achieve that. Am I expecting that? No," B-Real says about his expectations for his solo album, Smoke N' Mirrors, coming soon on Duck Down Records. It's hard to believe that after nearly 20 years as a Hip Hop artist, it is only now that B-Real is readying a solo record. While some may have expected B-Real to lean on DJ Muggs, the producer who ushered in a new sound along with B's nasally voice, B-Real purposefully decided to do the full LP sans any beats from one of Hip Hop's best producers.
"I needed to set the tone of my solo record and put it on my back. With that I had to stay away from any sound that would have been compared to Cypress Hill at all," B-Real said. "I had to take the challenge and do it without him. His tracks are hot. He’s one of the greatest producers in Hip Hop, and one of the most underrated at that, but I had to take the challenge by producing some of the stuff myself, by going to other producers who would give me a sound that’s not at all in anyway like the Cypress Hill sound."
Cypress Hill's sound is one that not only stood out for it's uniqueness, but also it's ability to reach a wide audience. The labels that came with it, and claims that Cypress Hill sold out are all topics of discussion in this exclusive interview with B-Real. Read on as he also speaks on the hidden keys to his success, and the nasally voiced super group that never was.
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Cage: "Nothing Left To Say"
From his upcoming LP...
"After a tumultuous year of personal strife and creative frenzy Definitive Jux recording artist Cage (aka Chris Palko) prepares to release his long awaited follow up to 2005's heralded Hell's Winter. The new full length album entitled Depart From Me is set to be released on June 30th of this year. The album has been two years in the making and promises to be a harrowing journey through dense lyricism coupled with sparse resonate production by F. Sean (Martin), El-P, Aesop Rock, and Camu Tao (R.I.P.)."
Get the track below.
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RH First Look: Melanie Fiona
She lives out her suitcase. She sounds like a star. her last name is the first name of Ms. Apple. She's probably listening to Bob Marley tributes right now while I type this, and she just rocked the Canal Room in NYC and a little guy named Jay- Z stopped on by as well as Steve Rifkind. Her name is Melanie Fiona, and by the beauty of her name, it just grabs me already. Does it grab you? It's graceful...She's Guyanese..and well...no one has her card yet..How many singers you know can be compared to KRS-One? Her album The Bridge will definitely not be over anytime soon. it has only just begun...
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DJ Metrognome X RH: Hug Life Vol. 1 Mixtape
Don't say RubyHornet didn't get you anything for Valentine's Day...Indianapolis' DJ MetroGnome compiles Hip Hop songs about love that he loves, that we think you'll love in Hug Life Vol. 1, a cupidtastic mixtape available free, now, and without flowers or anxious conversation. Download link and tracklist below, includes joints from Q-Tip, Blu & Exile, Jill Scott, D'Angelo...
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RH First Look: K. Salaam & Beatnick
This week we put the RH First Look microscope on the production duo of K. Salaam and Beatnick. The two have made major way for themselves in the last calendar year. With production credits ranging from Pharoahe Monch to Young Buck, the NYC base team now turn their atention towards their first proper album being released later this year. Get to know them a little bit better here.
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VIPJ: Cooler Than That Guy...
When people mention The Cool Kids, they usually mention Mikey Rock and Chuck Inglish. But if the backbone of Hip Hop is the DJ, then the backbone of any group, or at least an important component is the guy behind the decks, who doesn't always get the spotlight but is really carries the show. VIPJ is that dude for Chuck and Mikey. Originally from South Indianapolis, PJ had Beastie Boys and Jazzy Jeff on repeat as a 6 year old, and a chance meeting with Chuck Inglish almost 20 years later changed his life forever. Fill in the blanks with this new RubyHornet exclusive. And catch VIPJ Live tonight at Angels and Kings.
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RH TV: The New Class Freestyle In The Park
We kick off the new season of Freestyle In The Park with a trio of Chicago emcees that may just be 'next up' in the Windy City. Ptoda, Bullet, and Add-2 cipher it out in the snow...That's Chicago for you. Shout outs to Slot-A who couldn't make the filming of this segment, but hooked us up with a beat for the intro and outro of the video...Check it below.
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