Tha Reelness

DOWNLOAD My Gray Skies Blue EP by Cypria HERE

If Top Dawg Entertainment’s Black Hippy collective were the 1997 Los Angeles Lakers, then Ab-Soul would be Kobe Bean Bryant. It’s true. Jay Rock fits the ultra-cool Eddie Jones mold - a super balanced, super consistent leader. Schoolboy Q is absolutely Nick Van Exel, a tricky - possibly polarizing - off-kilter cold-blooded killer. Kendrick Lamar is Black Hippy’s Shaquille O’Neal - leading the league in multiple statistical categories, unquestionably the go-to guy every night. Ab-Soul, like Kobe cira ’97 is raw and ambitious. He’s a brash outsider who thrives off of unbridled competition and, when the cypher’s complete, might be greatest of the lot. In 2011’s Long Term 2: Life And Times Of The Broke And Almost Famous, TDE’s secret weapon went public. 2012’s #ControlSystem just might be the precursor to the Ab-Soul takeover.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

William Green thinks Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., Snoop Dogg, and Scarface - as a team - would trounce any other four rapper squad in Hip Hop history. He more than thinks it; he believes it - 100%. Unequivocally. Even if the opposition includes Jay-Z, Nas, Andre 3000, and Big Pun.

Green has spent the bulk of the early afternoon running through revolving interviews. His company, Platinum League, just launched Hip Hop’s first line of interactive trading cards, and gathered a press junket in Manhattan’s London Hotel to spread word. Every card comes with a QDL code linking to exclusive content provided by each artist. And most impressively - unlike previous companies to venture into the arena - PL’s collection has landed licensing agreements with the heavy hitters. Legends Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg, and Scarface are a part of the flagship “Self-Made” series, and the CEO — black suited and booted — is riding for his squad. 

“What four can you line up that can beat that,” Green challenges, before opening rap’s ultimate no-answer question to the rest of the room. “We’ve got some people in here that are Hip Hop heads. We can lay this bet out right here.” 

Seven and a half minutes before this interview with Scarface, and suite 501 is toiling over who wins: Biggie, ‘Pac, Snoop, and ‘Face or Jay, Nas, 3 Stacks, and Pun. “Can’t nobody touch Biggie,” cosigns a fellow Platinum Leaguer. “Jay wouldn’t have a career if it wasn’t for Biggie.” 

“That’s a big “if,” says one media member. “Jay-Z’s in a much bigger [position].” 

“What about Eminem,” chimes another. 

The debate flows around the spread of picked-over “grapes and cheese and shit” (to quote Mr. Jordan) like a cypher. Points are dropped like punchlines. In the end, there’s no winner. In the end, a sparring session with fellow aficionados reveling in Hip Hop’s competitive spirit is the real victory. The ultimate value in trading cards of any kind lives in the conversation; the camaraderie. In that regard, Platinum League’s interactive collection is one hundred percent effective. 

Seven and a half-minutes later, Mr. Scarface himself explains to HipHopDX how he became a featured artist in Platinum League’s “Self-Made” series. He also reminisces on The Fix 10 years since it’s release, and explains why Def Jam passed on signing T.I.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

DOWNLOAD Showbiz & A.G.’s Preloaded (Free Album) HERE

Brooklyn Bodega & KevinNottingham.com Present…

SHOW & PROVE MAY PRELIM

Competing for a slot in July’s Show & Prove Super Bowl will be…

Tamara Davidson

Pro’Verb

330

D Strong

@ Public Assembly

70 N. 6th St.

Williamsburg, BK 11211

Brooklyn Bodega, producers of the annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (BHF), are proud to announce that legendary Brooklyn MC, Busta Rhymes will be headlining the 8th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival.

*BHF tickets have gone on sale to the general public online via Eventbrite*

Festivalgoers from 2011 will remember Busta’s show stopping cameo with long time collaborator and friend, Q-Tip. The Flatbush MC was part of Q-Tip’s “Friends” and helped launched The Festival’s ” …..and Friends” concept where headliners are carefully chosen to not only reflect the mission of the Festival but also to be honored by it.

Brooklyn Bodega wanted to work with Busta as his 20+ year career is as rare in Hip-Hop as is his signature style. From forming Leaders Of the New School to collaborating with Chris Brown, Busta has set the standard for creating a fortified and powerful career that has helped Hip-Hop grow and evolve from the streets of New York to the most powerful voice on the planet.

Brooklyn’s own Trevor Smith has endured multiple deals, group break ups and the ever fickle admiration of fans and critics. No other artist has been able to touch so many spheres in Hip-Hop. From working and signing with Dr. Dre, mentoring artists like Roc Marciano to now joining forces with Lil Wayne’s YMCMB roster.

Just as he did with Q-Tip in 2011, BHF Executive Director Wes Jackson will be working with Busta and his team to curate a list of “Friends” who will help celebrate Busta’s career and impact.

Moreover, Busta Rhymes’ career will serve as the inspiration for much of BHF’12 week. Events from Tuesday’s Bodega Education Initiative (BEI) to Thursday’s Salute The DJ and Friday’s Dummy Clap Film Festival will reflect the vitamin fortified career of Busta Rhymes.

Dates for the 8th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival are July 9th-14th, 2012.

Tickets are available for individual dates of the Festival as well as limited weekly passes via bkhiphopfestival.com or Eventbrite

There are a limited amount of early bird tickets available for the Final Day so be sure to clickety click now.

Tickets will soon be available for purchase at retail stores. Locations to be announced.

For a complete description of BHF ’12 week’s events visit BKHipHopFestival.com or click here.

Busta Rhymes Is Headlining the 8th Annual Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival

More artist and venue information to be announced soon!

DATE: Saturday, July 14th, 2012

TIME: 12-8PM

LOCATION: Pier 3, Brooklyn Bridge Park, DUMBO, BK