TRACK OF THE DAY: I'm Bad (LL Cool J)

James Todd's second studio album B.A.Dreally needs no introduction. It topped charts at number 1 on Top Hip-Hop/R&B Albums and number 3 on the Billboard 200. L.L. was still living in his grandmothers basement when this LP dropped back in 1987. Well he definitly rapped his way to the top becoming a trend setting legend. All I can say is.........No rapper can rap quite like I can/I'll take a musclebound man and put his face in the sand/Not the last Mafioso Im a M.C. cop/make you say "Go L.L" and do the wop.....
Back In The Day:Guy*Guy*
There are not many albums that I put on that make me want to grab a magazine and roll it up to be a fake microphone and act like I'm a R&B singer. Well Guy's first album that was self titled Guy is one of those albums! In 1988 Teddy Riley,Aaron Hall, and Timmy Gatling(Who was replaced by Damion Hall a year later) came together to produce an album that had people dancing and slow jamming the night away. To this day when I hear Aaron Hall say "Jam Oh Jam Teddy Jam for me now" I'm transformed back to the days of high top fades,and MCM outfits and the silk shirts with the extra baggy slacks the late 80's LOL.
The group went on to have a follow up album titled the "Future" that gave us the classic "Let's Chill" but for me the first album was always the best. With tracks like Groove Me, Teddy's Jam and I like this album still gets rotation in my stereo. So enjoy this video and be sure to peep the fly MCM outfit Teddy Riley is rocking and the turtleneck underneath the Denim Jacket that Aaron Hall is rocking at the beginning of the video. The fashion may not be classic but at least the music is and like Teddy says at the end of the video "The party aint over" LOL
Track of the day *Eric B. & Rakim* - "Microphone Fiend"

Eric B. & Rakim, the world's legendary Hip Hop duo, has done it like no other. Rakim, a.k.a. The God MC, has graced the Hip Hop world for over 20yrs. I think it would be appropriate if another influential MC did the introduction for Rakim. Enjoy y'all...
Indie Artist Spotlight: ANTONIO "A&R" RICHARDSON

Eardrum Krushez was recently given the opportunity to speak with Minnesota based hip-hop artist Antonio A&R Richardson. This young man is aggressively breaking into the mainstream spotlight with his unmatched work ethics and non-stop hunger for success. Objective #1: Put Minnesota on the map. From writing the theme song for (MLB All-Star Catcher) Joe Mauer to performing at the Metrodome to entertaining fans at the Target Center to acting in major brand commercials - this lyricist knows how to move the crowd. The “man with a mission” took a few moments to speak with EDK…..
EDK: TELL OUR READERS ABOUT GROWING UP IN MINNESOTA?
AR: [Contrary to popular belief] we have a lot of drugs, violence and gangs in St. Paul. I was mostly into sports [when I was younger] but music has always been my first love.
EDK: WHO'S BEEN YOUR MAJOR INFLUENCE IN THE RAP GAME?
AR: Ice Cube. Death Certificate is like my “hip-hop Bible”. That’s the album, still to this day, that I listen to front to back. It basically explains everything that the average black male goes through. (laughing) Early on, I [even] used to have the ‘fro with the pic in my hair.
EDK: SO YOU PAY ATTENTION TO AND FOLLOW THOSE WHO HAVE HAD SUCCESS AND LONGEVITY IN THE GAME?
AR: I’m a history addict. I believe in studying and knowing what came before you. It’s the only true way to make a long impact not just one little shock. You take bits and pieces of what everybody has done and make it your own.
EDK: KNOWLDEGE AND PRESENTATION ARE DEFINITELY KEY FACTORS IN ANYTHING THAT YOU DO.
AR: I’ve paid attention to everyone from The Beetles to Frank Sinatra. You not only loved their music but you loved them as a person. They’re the type of people that you wanted to invite into your home. You wanted to have dinner and a conversation with them because they were so interesting. You liked the way they rocked an outfit or something that they quoted. The whole package [and that’s what I incorporate into my music].
EDK: WITH THAT IN MIND, WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE GOAL IN THIS INDUSTRY?
AR: I want to teach people through my music and make [Minnesota] a major scene. I’m trying to break a region on the map that hasn’t been broken. It’s my destiny. You miss 100% of the shots that you don’t take.
EDK: HOW DID MAKING THE THEME SONG FOR JOE MAUER COME ABOUT?
AR: He was having a private New Year’s Eve Party and [the DJ] played my single “Whatchu Wanna Do”. Joe came over, we started talking and the rest is history. The premier was one of the biggest moments in my career! Being an unsigned artist and having your song premier in front of 50,000 people is crazy!
EDK: TRUE. EVEN BEING OFFERED THAT OPPORTUNITY - AS A HIP HOP ARTIST - SAYS ALOT ABOUT YOUR STATURE AND WORK ETHICS.
EDK: YOU WROTE AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY TITLED “It Was Written…The Unsigned Memoir”. BRIEF OUR READERS ON THE BOOK.
AR: [I wish I could have read Ice Cubes’ or Rakims’ autobiography when I was younger and knew more about them as men, not just rappers.] You knew about their environment but you really didn’t know the person. I’m trying to develop a relationship [with my fans]. I don’t want fans that are here for one song and then they’re gone. I want them to know who I really am. I’m real excited to see how people will receive it.
EDK: GIVE US A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A&R.
AR: Everyday I’m up at 5:55am. I’m [similar] to a Wall Street guy [up early, drinking coffee and following the stock market]. I’m up reading every single hip-hop website and checking my Google alerts. If you’re trying to get into an industry then you need to know everything about it. I’m making phone calls, doing interviews, editing videos and writing. [I don’t take any off days, not even my birthday.] That’s how serious I am and how much I want it!
EDK: I CAN FEEL THAT. THE ONLY WAY TO GO GET IT IS...TO GO GET IT!
EDK: WHAT CAN EXPECT FROM THE LP AND WHEN?
AR: I’m putting together something real nice so I’m shooting for July. [The new mixtape The Godfather of the Outcast will drop on March 10th] Expect nothing less than classic [material] from me. I want to incorporate the joy, the pain and the tough subjects that people don’t want to talk about. [My music] is something that everybody can relate and adapt to.
EDK: ANYTHING GOING ON OUTSIDE OF MUSIC?
AR: [I’m about to do Fashion Week and currently working on a new sponsorship with 3 Olives Vodka.] I’m also spokesman for The Graves Disease Foundation and I got some benefit concerts [for that cause] coming up soon. So I’ll be out there [on the grind].
EDK: THAT'S WASSUP. SUM ANTONIO A&R RICHARDSON UP IN ONE STATEMENT.
AR: (silence) Somebody you’ll never forget.
EDK readers stay on the lookout for this up-and-coming rap artist. He’s bringing something fresh, original and solid to the game. You can find his music and stay updated @ www.AnRmusic.blogspot.com www.twitter.com/anrmusic www.myspace.com/anrmusic www.facebook.com/anrmusic
Peace.
J. Ameer
D/L Fabolous - There is no competition 2

Download link to the New Fabolous Mixtape - There is no competition 2!!
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=6O6QG3GI
D/L: Rocking With The Industry Vol. 2 & 3 (Mixtapes)



