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- » Name: A.H.L.O.T.
- » Age: 23
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- » Member Since: 05/22/07
- » Bio: A.H.L.O.T. (A HIGHER LEVEL OF THINKING) The BIO is left to be written.
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- » Middle Eastern Rapper: Analyst
- » Can Emcees in 2008 really "Stop the Violence?"
- » 2008 ARTIST LOOKOUT: 7even:thirty
- » Coup D'etat Brooklyn takes over the streets!
- » Is R. Kelly still the G.O.A.T?
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Altering Popular Perception Since 1985
Middle Eastern Rapper: Analyst
OK. I wanted to introduce ya'll to the "the first Arab rapper," by the name of Analyst (BTW, that's how he referred himself). He's originally from Palestine and now he resides in California. Shout out to the West Coast. He's only 20-years old but he has a little bit to say. It was just interesting to see how Hip Hop has become a global community and how the Middle Eastern influence can be heard in his music. Check him out and let ANALYST know what you think...by leaving a comment.
Interview on the red carpet:
"During his adolescence, he began writing his own lyrics and freestyling about events and people in his own life. He found that his freestyle skills were tools to express his hardships and deal with the day to day problems in his life. At the age of 14, Analyst dove right into the game by battling with locals. Winning numerous battles, Analyst earned serious lyrical credibility around his high school and neighborhood. He quickly became known as the "Arab kid that could spit” and gained an immense deal of popularity. “A lot of people who battle or battled in the past claim to be undefeated, just to come off as being ill…its ridiculous…the many who know me, know I was undefeated, and I can say that with confidence.” The word got out and Analyst gained serious attention in and out of his neighborhood as being the number one freestyler and the one to beat. But eventually, Analyst made the decision to put an end to his battling image. “I noticed battling wouldn’t get me anywhere…only a few have ever landed deals off of battling…it’s the songs that get you somewhere, so I realized I had to redirect my focus on makin’ real music and dropping freestyle tracks.” -as written in his press release.
Here's the trailer to the upcoming DVD and video:
For more information go to: www.myspace.com/analystmusic
PS: Along with the 2008 Artist Lookouts (which are blogs about dope artists that I think are next,) I also plan to post people who need advice from the fans as well as constructive criticism that will allow them to enhance their passion. I believe in equal opportunity. I want the people to decide on what is and what is not hot. I plan to give you that every week. I think this would be cool for all you people who send me emails and ask me to listen to your music. I place the critiques in the hands of the people. Its the separation between my stamp of approval and your stamp of approval. I'm giving the voice back to the people.
Can Emcees in 2008 really "Stop the Violence?"
Peace!
Recently, there was a video released called "Self Construction: The Preview" which was a branch of "Self Destruction," a track that was a reflection of the Stop The Violence Movement (STVM) headed by KRS-One. STVM started in 1987 after Afrika Bambaataa (the pioneer of Hip Hop) called a meeting about the Hip Hop Community becoming a bit more involved in political and social issues. KRS was inspired and created a track called, "Self Destruction," along with legendary Hip Hop author, Nelson George and A&R and VP of Jive Records (at the time) Ann Carli. The song became so big, that they decided to create a movement. It worked. Proceeds from the song went to the National Urban League and being political or conscious became cool. The song was also a reflection of a violent act that went down at a Hip Hop show.
I remember the song. I had to have been four or five, yet my first memories of Hip Hop stem from political edgy Hip Hop, that was bold and free. Shout out to Public Enemy for the inspiration. :0) Here's the video:
The dope thing about the version from the 80's was that they had people in it who really was showing and proving. The 2008 version is also attempt to do the same thing. I hope these set of rappers motivate, shape and are aware of the way that they illustrate their art. BTW, its good to see Nelly and KRS working together.
It's 2008 and KRS-One along with other faces decided to come together again, and do a song called, "Self Construction," which is an updated version of the same notion. For more information about events, panel discussions, your contributions and/or the project go to: http://www.stvmovement.com.
As shown on HIPHOPDX, here's the "Self Construction":
One thing that sticks out in my mind when I think of KRS-One is when he said that the thing that the people underestimated about Hip Hop, was the power of the human voice. Our voices, written words and music can impact millions. Be aware at all times. :0) There is also a "Stop the Violence" STATE OF EMERGENCY conference in Omaha, Nebraska set up by the National Hip Hop Political Convention (NHHPC) March 20-23 at the University of Nebraska. This event is going to be bananas. Here's the site: http://www.nhhpc.org/soe
With that, the question I pose is...
Do you think the STVM in 2008 can be as successful as the one in 88/89?
LET ME KNOW. PEACE.
2008 ARTIST LOOKOUT: 7even:thirty
Peace! Once again it's your favorite, "I can't sign you, A&R." I got another one people. His name is 7even:Thirty
Some of the best emcees aren't in the industry. If you're a true Hip Hop head, you probably know that some of the best emcees are on your local street corner, at your school lunch table or so deep underground, that they tend to get NO LOVE from mainstream media. Well, I wanted to introduce ya'll to a cat named 7even:thirty. I met this cat years ago, as a freshman in Jackson, Miss, when I was still ripping mics as an emcee and as a poet. Thirty was doing spoken word, at open mic nights and years later I was blessed, while being exposed to his visual art, at one of his shows. Trust me, when I say this dude has flow- I mean it. He's creative, outspoken and I think he's NEXT.
I wasn't wrong about Bonney, U-N-I and I'm not wrong about 7even:Thirty. He's a mixture of Jazz, gritty Hip Hop, OutKast and something we refer to as "sunlight." Dope dude. You guys most def have to check him out at: myspace.com/7eventthirtysounds and listen to listen to the album at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/7eventhirty . His album is titled, Star: The 7even:thirty Experience. One thing I can say is, Mississippi has some of the best artists in the world. Dudez that never really get an opportunity to shine, are right in the bottom of the map.
Performances
Jiggawatz
7even:thirty f/ 5th Child
Outerspace Spitz
Visual Art
REMEMBER NOT TO SLEEP. CHECK OUT 7EVEN:THIRTY!
A.H.L.O.T., continuing to alter popular perception est. 1985
Coup D'etat Brooklyn takes over the streets!
COUP D'ETAT BROOKLYN
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WINTER/EARLY SPRING SELECTION
FOR THE MEN:
FOR THE LADIES:
MUST HAVES:
ATTN: SPECIAL PROMOTION FROM CDTBK
About CDTBK...We are looking to expand our audience. And for helping us we are giving out an exclusive myspace discount on all cdtbk products. 15% off...Just for telling friends about coup d'etat Brooklyn.Use any source you can to spread the word:
+ Blog
+ Bullentin
+ Note
+ Post on people's page (LOL)
Just lead them to:
CDTBK Myspace Page (www.myspace.com/cdtbk)
Everyone can use your discount here:
Coup d'etat Brooklyn's Website and Online Store (www.cdtbk.com)
Myspace Special Promotion code: CDTBKFAM08
Its easy. Just reply to this bulletin, copy the code, and repost.
Simple.
Peace, and thanks in advance!
-CDTBK
Is R. Kelly still the G.O.A.T?
Peace! I wanted to keep this short and sweet. R.Kelly has been putting out records since I was five. I grew up listening to Kellz and Mary J. I'm glad to see that both are still in game. Mary is doing a great job, but Kellz...hmm. With a resume that includes collabs with Jay-Z, Nas and Biggie and songwriting for M. Jackson and Celine Dion...I sometimes wonder how he can do incredible work like that, and then go the other route and make songs for teens, who listen to Lil Bow Wow and T Pain. BTW, shout out to Bow Wow and T Pain, but he's too big for sh*t like that. I don't understand. This guy is dope, but I don't know about his actions sometimes. Maybe it was Ta-Ta's pepper-spray. Just playin'. Real talk, he is the greatest R&B singer in a long time, if not the greatest of all time. I like the R.Kelly album, TP-2, the Born into the 90's Kellz, yet I'm not too sure if I like a 50- year old man dancing with a mask on his face. Lol. Is it or is it not true that Kellz has fallen off, just a bit? Take a look at this video and let me know what you think. Peace.
The Making of a Perfect Man...
Peace!
(Me and my dude, at a party searching for good stuff.)
I've been to a lot of places and I've seen a lot of dudes, but I'm dolo. Honestly, I've been dating for the last two years. My last boyfriend was some metro-sexual model from Queens, NYC. There's a huge possibility that I have sign on my back that says, "If you're a pipe dreaming rapper, date Dominque." I tend to attract rappers, poets and producers, so the metro-sexual who was a reflection of John Legend mixed with a "Shotta," was refreshing. Regardless it didn't work. I've dated every type- from teachers to visual artists, to journalists and fake revolutionaries. I'm beginning to think that I'll be alone forever. Ha. NEVER! Maybe my level of thinking is interfering with the real world. Who knows? If i had the opportunity, to make the perfect dude, he would consist of fives things. Those five things would be: creativity, drive, swag, faith in God and the ability to stand out. I want a dude, who can get with the movement, "Altering Popular Perception." On some funny shit, I wanted to match each trait with a a face ya'll can identify with. Here it goes:
1. Creativity: Andre 3000
Ya'll already know, this dude's creativity translates into perfection. He's always bringing interesting ideas to Hip Hop and approaching things from a "higher level." Shout out to Andre 3000. If I had a dude with this much creative energy, I wouldn't have to create stuff to talk about.
2. Drive: Kanye
This guy has somehow made it through the fire. He's stayed grounded and progressive and has the ambition of a "rider." He's always trying to get further and better. His dreams are further than he can see and he just keeps on pushing. Nothing is ever enough for him. I dig it. I need a dude with the "kanye drive." Ha.
3. Swag: Jay-Z
This was a toss up between Jay-Z and Fabolous, because Fab has that swag. It's something about his voice and calmness, that creates a dope as SWAG. Lol. I can't explain it. Yet, Jay-Z embodies the flavor. He's been holding it down since 1997. When a dude and I walk into a room, we should be "stylin'" and swaggin' out. It's not about labels, its about how you walk, talk and shit. :0)
4: Faith in God: Common
God is so important in my life and I understand that God in first in Common's life. I can dig it. Shout out to the Creator! I gotta have a dude who believes in God.
5. Ability to stand out: Nas
Nas is one of my favorite emcees, so if a dude can be himself amongst other men, that shit will do a lot for me. That's 15 extra points, people. the perfect guy would have to stand out "in a room full of hoes."
I know some of you are gonna be like, "AHLOT, that's stupid. You'll never find 'perfection'." I agree. If I could, I would mix all five of these cats in one... to create the perfect "MAN." Let me know what five traits you're looking for, when creating your perfect mate. I would create An'Jaycomyenas. Ha.
Five chics you've probably slept on...
Peace,
Well, there are lots of women during their thing right now, yet not a lot of the fly girls are being presented in mass media. I take it a lot of people actually dig fly girls, so I decided to write a blog about some people you might have seen, but you didn't cop the album. Hopefully, this blog will be a free billboard to for these five women. I think these women all have incredible, innovative and progressive music. All five have been around for a while, but why not put the truth on BLAST. Stay progressive. Peace!
1. KELIS
This girl is actually one of my favorites. She's stylish, fresh, funky and something different from the majority of singers. With four albums under her belt, most of ya'll only heard or remember "I hate you," "Milkshake" or "Bossy," but those are actually her wack songs. You should most def pick up her first album, Kaleidscope and Wanderland, which is her second album. If you're looking for edgy, real and authentic music, cop her shit.
2. FIONA APPLE
I was introduced to Fiona a while back, but I thought she was a Calvin Klein chic, excited about being super skinny. I walked in an album shop, one day and saw her album, Extraordinary Machine. I copped it. It was dope as hell. I actually told Consequence, that he should sample on of her tracks to put on his upcoming project. He said, that was a good idea. We'll see. If you're searching for beautiful, calm and reality music. Cop that album and her albums previous. She's dopeness.
3. RES
This chic is actually a rocker. She's a black girl, killin' the Rock scene and she's currently doing back-up for Gnarls Barkley. Anyway, she brought out an album years back called, How I do. I haven't followed her recent shit, but that's one album that you should buy. She's another edgy, funky and cool kinda chic, who brought out a dope track on MTV2 called, "Golden Boys."
4. AMY WINEHOUSE
You already know. Cop the album. This album, got me through the summer of 2007. I was broke as shit, in Harlem, tryna live the good life and this, along with Ne-Yo and Bob Marley, got me through those tough times. Get the album...stop being an outcast.
5. JEAN GRAE
Yea...if you don't know, Jean Grae is signed under Blacksmith with good ole' Talib. She's dope...and I hope that she gets her shine. Her words are mean-she can touch mics with any dude. She's the only femcee on the list, but she deserves it. She's got four albums and one coming out this year called, Jeanius.
Peace!
Thaahum: The dawn of a new emcee
Peace! So, I wanted to introduce ya'll to a dude I thought was on point and kind of embodies what it means to be different and innovative. His name is Thaahum. Check him out and let him know what you think. He's from AZ- the place of hot cars, cool nights and diversity. Shout out to Juice and Hot Rod. Open your eyes and ears for this one. Stay altering popular perception. Peace. :0)
ONE ON ONE WITH THAAHUM
How do you perceive yourself?As a person I perceive myself as a go-getter-an entrepeneur. One who creates doors of opportunities for himself, and does what he can to transcend the status quo. This flows over into my music, because I make innavative songs, that true music lovers have been looking for. I have this perception because I am a father, and family man, so I want to set an example for my daugthers as one who stays innovative in a world followers and almost no originality. I perceive myself as one who has the ability to take any topic, and not only just put it in rhyme form, but make it sound excellent so that anyone will be into what I am saying.
How do you think you are perceived?I think listeners see me as a good lyricist, and someone they can relate to, and connect with. As a single dad, people really feel my music, and see me as a real ass dude. And even though my beats have a commercial appeal to them, people really are into the message in my music-it's something that can get them through their day. The other day I got two compliments.
How would you describe your style of rap?It's tough to say I have one distinct style. My style is a universal one that folks can relate to. Rather you like east coast, west coast, or down south, you will be able to pull something from my lyrics you like. It's one that moves the body, mind, and spirit. You can relax or jam to it. I like being artistic, and doing things most artist won't do. I'll streach my abilities, and rap over a track, I normally wouldn't rhyme over, or aspire to work with an artist the masses may not think fit my genre, just to challenge myself.
What historical icon best describes you?I don't know if I can pinpoint one exactly, but oddly enough I would say the character from Ghanian and Sumerian folklore, Anansi. My father's from Ghana, and when I was young he would always read me stories of Anansi the "man/spider." See in the story people always got lessons from him through jokes he played, or his mis-adventures. I kind of see myself the same way. I like doing my music in an unconventional way, and even though its unconventional, people can still get something positive out of it.
Let me know about the culture in AZ.AZ is state with a lot mixed cultures. Many of the people here came from a different state, so that reflects in the different hip hop styles here in AZ. It is a bit separeted between the underground "conscious" scene, and the mainstream scene. I wish I could see more unity amongts crews in AZ. One time I tried to do a track that had representation from different crews in AZ, and only one person came through on the track. Everyone else was wrapped in up their "own thing." Not many A&Rs come to AZ to find talent, so the few artists who have made a name for themselves are ones who went seeking an out of state major label like G-Unit's Hot Rod, or Black Wall Street's Juice. Honestly I feel so many artists here get wrapped up in the illusion of competition, and lose site of creating, so it stunts the growth here.
Check out more about Thaahum at:
Keneteph Entertainmentwww.keneteph.netwww.myspace.com/keneteph Sidenote: We're looking for feedback. So don't be afraid to voice your opinion.
Bigger than "Latino Rap."
Peace!
The first time I heard Big Pun, I knew that he was something different. As a matter of fact, I was somehow introduced to Fat Joe before I heard Pun. I use to be a huge Fat Joe fan. I remember the video he had with Diddy and everything. He came off as a boss. Back then it was dope to see two big Latino dudes with swag, straight spittin' and race wasn't a factor. For me, Pun was more than a good "latino rapper," he was an incredible wordsmith. I remember hearing the first Terror Squad album and thinking to myself, 'the industry has a problem.' Cuban Linx was spittin', Seis, Sunshine, Joe- it was bananas! Terror Squad was a promising crew. I think the release date was the highlight to that week in 1999. Not to mention, Capital Punishment is a classic. "Beware" is one of my favorite tracks.
I remember "The Fantastic Four," a track he had with N.O.R.E., Canibus, and Camron on Clue's The Professional. Bananas! It's dope, because he brought out the BEST in other emcees. Dudez were straight spittin' back then. He's dope- an incredible emcee for a lack of better words. When I heard he died, I cried. Ha. I miss him and I wish he was here. Shout out to Big Pun, one of the G.O.A.T.
Cuban's dedication to Pun.
Noreaga f/ Pun, Camron, Natutre & The Lox
One of my favorite songs of all time:
Shout out to all the Puerto Ricans and Afro-Latinos...Peace and blessings!
A.H.L.O.T. "Continuing to Alter Popular Perception est. 1985."
Confessions of an Internet Thug
I must admit... ya girl AHLOT is a lil' late, but I thought some of you probably haven't seen this video. You internet dudes are gonna love this one. Shout out to Meka Soul and his thuggism. :0) Take a look. Peace!
Shout out to Another Bad Creation & Bel Biv Devoe...
Peace! As we go into the weekend, lets take a look back into our past. We might need a little inspiration for the nightclub this weekend. Some of these current DJ's are trash. Let's take it back to the East Coast and give props to ABC (Another Bad Creation) and BBD (Bel Biv Devoe). Music use to be so fun and my biker shorts were serious back then. I know ya'll had a pair of biker shorts and a mesh top as well. Shout out to my brothers and their XJ 900's (the red jump ones). The 90's were so cool.
Shout out to my brother Twon for spinnin' at my 5th birthday party and bumpin' Bel Biv Devoe's "Poison," with his black cut off and grey frosty jeans. I thought my brother was a real DJ and I thought Kool Moe Dee was my uncle. Too bad, Kool Moe Dee wasn't a uncle and my brother wasn't a real DJ...but he was my inspiration for getting into Hip Hop. I dig the 90's.
I found a youtube video with Another Bad Creation. Somebody found them. Ha.
I put this video in for the hell of it:
Shout out to my uncle...Kool Moe Dee. :0) I miss you man.
Peace! Continuing to Alter Popular Perception.
- 2Pac is the most overatted rapper of all time. (679)
- Lil Wayne = G.O.A.T. (509)
- 50 Cent: Who Fucking Cares? (506)
- 10 greatest spitterz ever! And don’t argue nigga! Pt 1 (468)
- Burying the N-word? Nigga, please... (345)
- 10 Reasons Why The Saudi Royalty Is More Gangsta Than Your Favorite Gangsta Rapper (344)
- Stop Skeemin’, And Lookin’ Hard (331)
- Lil Wayne & Jay-Z Can Both Bite My Ass