[RH Interview] TreeJay Speaks On Music & Growing Up With Mac Miller
TreeJay, a well known associate of Mac Miller, who runs his YouTube channel, produces beats, and hosts an annual 4/20 project, chopped it up with us. The Pittsburgh born stoner has hosted projects with the likes of, Dave East, Juicy J, and of course Mac Miller appearing on them. Check out our full interview with TreeJay below.
rubyhornet: Before we dive in, what are your thoughts on the XXL lineup that came out the other day?
TreeJay: I really like JID, I think he’s very talented. Also some homies from Pittsburgh (Zeke & Barry) help him out so I gotta support the hometown homies. Besides JID, I honestly haven’t listened to much of the other artists music, but congratulations to everyone that made the list.
rubyhornet: For any of our readers who aren’t familiar with TreeJay, who is TreeJay?
TreeJay: I’d like to say I’m a productive stoner ha. I got the nickname TreeJay from a kid in high school (Obviously because I smoke a lot). I made videos called “High Eyes” on YouTube back in the day of me smoking.
rubyhornet: How did you and Mac Miller first meet?
TreeJay: In grade school, I was a couple grades above him but we went to the same elementary school. Really started kicking it I’d say my junior / his freshman year.
rubyhornet: The amount of attention that you and your friends started receiving dramatically took off 8/9 years ago. Was there a “tipping point” or a special moment that you realized what was about to happen?
TreeJay: I remember Mac coming back to the homies crib from the studio back in the day. He had just recorded a jam and the verses and the hook were super fire for back then. That’s just when I knew it was all going to workout. I’ve always had faith, but that was the moment I was like yeah this is definitely happening.
rubyhornet: Your Sound Cloud has been pretty quiet for the past 2 years. Do you still produce beats/plan on releasing more in the future?
TreeJay: Funny you ask that, I’ve been working and trying to get better at making beats. I’m actually about to start uploading new content either today or the next few days. Really excited to get back to putting beats out. I still want to drop a little beat tape at some point.
rubyhornet: Most memorable experience while on tour?
TreeJay: I really can’t pin-point just one thing. There’s been a ton of cool moments. From hanging out with Juicy J, seeing Mac in the studio with Bun B. Watching Ja Rule come out and perform a couple hits, it’s been a fun adventure.
rubyhornet: Do you have anything planned for the 10th anniversary of your 4/20 tape series?
TreeJay: I have a few ideas, I’d love to do some type of Apple Music release. Would also love to have a listening party in Pittsburgh or LA. I’d rather do it in Pittsburgh, but with these new weed lounges coming to LA that sounds like the move.
rubyhornet: If you could have a conversation with yourself 10 years ago from today, what would you say?
TreeJay: To soak up all the knowledge that I can. Keep my ears and eyes open. Make sure I network a lot better. And to just enjoy life.
rubyhornet: Anyone you'd like to shoutout?
TreeJay: Shoutout Ruby Hornet! Also check out this artist from Pittsburgh her name is Sierra Sellers. She’s gonna be the next wave I’m calling it now!
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Mac Miller Surprises Fans with Three Singles
With no warning, Mac Miller surprises fans with three new singles, "Small Worlds," "Buttons," and "Programs," that dropped at midnight last night. This is the first release from the Pittsburgh rapper since The Divine Feminine in 2016. Mac has also wiped his Instagram clean with only these three singles showing. Fans have hit social media hoping this is foreshadowing a new album.
RH First Look: Choo Jackson
As a young kid growing up in Pittsburgh during the Black And Yellow era, the success from artists such as Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller took my interest in rap music to a local community for the first time in my life. When exploring underground artists associated with these larger acts, Choo Jaskson was a name that popped up frequently. The Florida native, who relocated to Pittsburgh, has since been signed to Mac Miller's label REMember Music.
After dropping several projects with REMember Music, and the collective project, FOREVERKOOL : BEFORE THE DIRT VOL. 1, Choo has surpassed millions of plays on Soundcloud. Below Choo's latest tracks, I added our interview.
rubyhornet: Where does the name Choo Jackson come from?
Choo Jackson: Choo is my childhood nickname, a family name from my grandma.
rubyhornet: Favorite late night snack/food?
Choo Jackson: Favorite late night snack is probably just cereal . I’m trying to do better with the eating late shit.
rubyhornet: I see you have “Forever Kool” tatted on your hand. What can you tell us about ForeverKool Records?
Choo Jackson: Foreverkool records is an indie label I created with my best friends. Artist/producers and creatives. Muneykidstaxx, Phil 800k, Cadet, Bubba, Bradley, Brennan, and Christo as well. We’re trying to build the next indie label for the kid that couldn’t get a chance because they're in a small town or just a weird situation you know.
rubyhornet: Do you plan on staying in Pittsburgh for the near future? As a Pittsburgh native myself, I know the music scene in the city has different opportunities/challenges than what one would experience living in LA or NYC.
Choo Jackson: Na I’m actually moving out of Pitt right now. In a few weeks I’ll be out. Going back to help my mother recover from a surgery she’s having. Help for a few months then make a move to the Atlanta area. And I’m actually not a Pittsburgh native I’m from Florida on the real, but I feel like Pitt embraced me so much I see why it can be confused. And yea it’s challenging, the scene here is growing though, and I’m apart of that. I’m just gonna expand it, and take it with me on my next chapter of life. Just as I did in Florida and Chambersburg, I bring my experience with me.
rubyhornet: What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you during a live performance/tour?
Choo Jackson: I think it was Orlando Florida. I was on The GO:OD AM tour with Mac. I’m performing and it’s so lit. The crowd is treating me like fucking Jimi Hendrix or something. Asking me to hit the weed from the crowd, so of course I took the blunt. Then someone says jump in the crowd. Mind you I’ve always been kinda heavy, and a running back in high school, so I didn’t think it was possible, at least for me. I FUCKING JUMP IN THE CROWD and they carry me all the way out like wtf .. yes! Finish my set. Hop off stage, walk back stage, then me and someone got into an argument and was about to fight. Chairs got thrown, I almost got kicked off the tour, haha shit was crazy .. real rockstar shit.
rubyhornet: What producers do you hope to link up with in the future? Between Christo and yourself, it appears like much of the production work is achieved locally.
Choo Jackson: Just Pharrell and Ye. I’ll let Cudi produce an album for me. And South Side. That’s my dream team, other then Christo and Muneykidstaxx. I’m really trying to keep it in the fam. But that’s my producer list, facts. And yea me and Christo do everything from beats, A&R, and picking all the songs, he's really like my Chad Hugo. So we wanna keep the levels up, plus he killing shit with J.I.D.
rubyhornet: What should fans be on the lookout for during the rest of 2018?
Choo Jackson: What fans should expect from me is a lot of work. This is my Lil Wayne year. I’m gonna put out at big album, Called LYNN. And a slew of mixtapes, collab tapes, and EPs everywhere . So it’s on for everybody. It’s not safe for anyone.
[Review] Lollapalooza celebrates 25 anniversary in a big way
The Chicago staple of music festival excellence brought forth yet another unforgettable weekend of music and stellar performances. Lollapalooza celebrating it’s 25th anniversary in the biggest way possible. Extending the festival to four days created a marathon of incredible musical moments.
Lollapalooza had many highlights that came from inside and outside the music festival. Chicago transformed from the city with broad shoulders into, during for the four-day festival, music mecca.
The first two days had rain showers that spanned over a few hours. The temporary muggy start didn’t effect the mega celebration of the 25th anniversary. In fact, the only set backs to the festival were the uncontrollable rain and that the festival is already over.
Over the years Lolla grew not only in size but it also grew in multiple genres. It first started as an alternative rock festival in 1991 as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. Now with over 170 acts and an extended four-day festival, Lollapalooza provided many history making moments.
It was announced by Lollapalooza that next year’s music festival will also be a 4 day festival.
Thursday, July 28 (Day 1)
Lollapalooza fixed up this problem from past years. The clear winner to the first night was hip-hop. Hip-hop actually had a deeper impact throughout the festival but it made a bold statement the first night with performances from Chicago’s own Towkio, G-Eazy, and J. Cole. Danny Brown also gained many fans with his energetic performance. Towkio brought out Chicago’s Joey Purp and Vic Mensa in a complete Chicago music takeover. Towkio from sneaking into Lollapalooza before his musical break to now setting the stage definitely was a crowd pleasure.
Another Chicago artist made headlines closing off the Perry’s stage this time from the electronic music duo Flosstradamus. They didn’t disappoint bringing their signature non-stop thrill ride of electric beats. They also brought out surprise guest Chance The Rapper, Michelle Williams, and Dwyane Wade.
From “Wet Dreamz” to “Work Out”, J. Cole stole the show with non-stop performance of hit after hit. With no back track, fans matched Cole jumping and rapping along with the Dreamville rapper. It’s important to note that Cole was the only rapper to close off the Samsung stage throughout the weekend. The others were Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and LCD Soundsystem. The biggest stage at Lollapalooza was the perfect fit for J. Cole’s unforgettable set.
Lollapalooza announces over 55 afterparties for 25th anniversary
There’s going to be plenty of incredible music to check out during Lollapalooza. If you missed your chance to snag up passes now’s your chance to get in on the action with these stacked afterparties.
For six nights, the schedule is on out to catch some of your favorite artist throughout Chicago. Announced artists like: Major Lazer, Vice Staples, Two Door Cinema Club, Mac Miller, and Halsey all headline their own afterparty.
Afterparties are a great way to see your favorite artist in an intimate setting. With other heavy hitters like Janes Addication and X Ambassadors set to host their own afterparties we known tickets will go fast.
With over 110 musical acts Lollapalooza afterparty tickets go on sale Friday, June 3 at 10 a.m. CT.
For the view list of afterparities visit Lollapalooza’s site here.
[Video] Schoolboy Q Performs Everywhere In Support of "Oxymoron"
If you haven't heard already, the second wave of TDE just crested and is currently flooding the country with smooth, introspective new-age west coast gangsta rap, courtesy of the bucket-hatted Schoolboy Q. As casual as one can be stepping into the bright lights at the top of the rap world, Q has handled it gracefully thus far, and has been on a marathon pace of performing as of late. The 27-year-old father made recent stops on Conan, where he performed "Studio" with BJ The Chicago Kid, at Arsenio Hall where he killed "Man of the Year" and then, the other night, in a parking lot outside a Hooters from the top of a tour bus with Mac Miller he did "Yay Yay" at a pop-up concert across the street from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. All that on top of the release of Oxymoron isn't bad for a week's work. The live backing band is on point in both late night show performances and the energy at the pop-up show is just an inkling of the power hold TDE has over the genre of hip-hop today. Schoolboy Q hits the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, MA on March 2 to kick off the "Oxymoron World Tour". Check out the videos below.
"Man of the Year" on Arsenio Hall
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"Studio" on Conan
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"Yay Yay" in a Hooters parking lot with Mac Miller
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[Songs of the Day] 2/6/14 (Feat. Pharrell, Future, Dillon Francis & More)
Songs of the day is back again with the latest singles to hit the Internet. We get some Midwest flavor with Murph Watkins' "Loose Women n' Booze" and Psalm One's teaser to her upcoming album Hug Life, "So Silly" which features trap drum wunderkind Young Josh of Flosstradamus on production. Some heavy hitters dropped collaboration tracks, as well. T.I. teamed up with Iggy Azalea, Young Dro, and Travi$ Scott, while Future teamed up with Pharrell, Pusha T and Casino on their new track "Move That Dope". Mac Miller put on his alternative indie hat for a cover of Bright Eyes' "Lua", which comes off as questionable at best, Lily Allen offers up her latest in "L8 CMMR" and Dillon Francis and DJ Snake come together for the thumping "Get Low".
Track of the Day: Vic Mensa: "Magic" (Smoko Ono Remix) - Chicago producer Smoko Ono puts a creative new spin on Vic Mensa's "Magic" off his recent Innanetape, allowing it a distinctly new, dance-worthy flavor that takes the track into a different realm while staying grounded in the original track.
Murph Watkins: “Loose Women n’ Booze”
T.I.: “Hell You Sayin’” (Feat. Iggy Azalea, Young Dro & Travi$ Scott)
Future: “Move That Dope”(Feat. Pharrell, Pusha T & Casino)
Mac Miller: “”Lua”
Dillon Francis & DJ Snake: “Get Low”
Psalm One: “So Silly” (Young Josh of Flosstradamus)
Lily Allen: “L8 CMMR”
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Vic Mensa: “Magic” (Smoko Ono Remix)
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Songs Of The Day 1/29/14 (Feat. Mac Miller, Paper Diamond, Cam'ron and more)
. . . And we're back with the latest wave of released tracks to hit the web today. Starting things off, Pittsburgh native Mac Miller, who recently announced his departure from longtime label Rostrum Records, dropped his single, "Tequila" today under the moniker Larry Fisherman. Cam'ron & A-Trak got together on "Humphrey" and a bit of generational hand-off happened as Freddie Gibbs and Madlib show the youngin's what's what on "Robes" which features OFWGKTA members Earl Sweatshirt and Domo Genesis who kill over the soulful Madlib-produced joint. Paper Diamond proves he's a machine by pumping out yet another track in what seems like a constant assembly line of bass-heavy jams and Future does his own rendition of Beyonce & Jay-Z's recent single, "Drunk In Love", but without Ciara. Check out all of the songs of the day, streaming below!
Mac Miller "Tequila"
Cam'ron & A-Trak "Humphrey"
Paper Diamond “Black Rose”
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib "Robes" (Feat. Earl Sweatshirt & Domo Genesis)
Future "Drunk In Love" (Remix)