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DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW SPRING 2011
EDITOR’S THOUGHTS Spring 2011 started off with a bang! All over the deep south great music is being produced. Despite legal issues and a stagnet economy artist are still writing, recording and performing great music. Now ,like all the world does, Arkansas artist are filming there own videos to give fans more of a inside look at the artist and all this translates into hobbies turning into careers. Yes! there is still alot of work to be done. Three years ago there wasn't much difference between the level all artist where on.three years ago if a artist tried to charge you for a feature I would have told you to laugh in there face. Thats not a diss! three years ago many artist only had 3 or 4 out of ten essentials for calling themselves artist and because of this their fan base was low, their face recognition was minimal, and they probable hadn't done any paperwork to get paid off the music. Now there are a few artist that have 7-8 out of ten, and on that feature now it is negotiable. It true, there are some artist now that can give a newcomer to the game some instant street cred by being on a track with them and thats one of the rewards in the game. Thank you so much for taking the time to flip thru the Down South Music Review magazine. yes we're small now, but every page is the truth and most of the time thats what you the reader really wants.I do read my emails. On the cover this issue TSCOTT of Playaz Production Records. Blazing highway miles all over the deep south TSCOTT is putting on for the city. Just to give you another one, watch out for Mississippi own Lil Al with that Mo Head Swagg. You heard it hear first! long live southern music.
CONTENTS
2010 REVIEW 4 Year End
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Introducing T SCOTT!
Album Reviews
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aint it man
DOWN MUSIC SOUTHREVIEW Spring 2010
PUBLISHED BY
LNORM Entertainment Holding inc. EDITOR
LNORM downsouthmusicreview@gmail.com www.myspace.com/downsouthmusicreview PO Box 45272, LR, AR 72214 The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the staff or publisher of The Down South Music Review. The Down South Music Review makes no implied or expressed guarantee of accuracy in the information included in this publication. Copyright 2011 . All Rights Reserved.
2010 YEAR END REVIEW
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It was easy picking the 25 best cd’s released in 2010, It took a little longer to rate the top 15 and after a couple of spirited debates, a cooling off period and a objective listing party a top 5 was selected. The album of the year was really the only choice in that group that was unanimous and I can say we all agreed on it. If you’re a collector or true fan this is the check list for 2010 make sure you got all of these. (in no order) Da Pike Boy – Royal Club Ent 1st Lil Mac release, A Arkansas young gunner this is only the beginning. The Best of D-Dirt – Punch line president, all of DDirts best verses and hooks. A must have album for all true A-State supporters. Brothers Band – Parker Brothers stayed on the scene all of 2009 and 2010, reppin at every show and event. Great productions and the trio bounce of each other for a good album. You thought I was sleeping – Next Page Ent young solider hosted by DJ Dejas Blu..enough said. Razorwetback – the buzz on Jfuego is well deserved, with a growing fan base and a hit cd in the making. Who is Kisha B – Mind of the Misses, takes you in the mind of KB as she proclaims the crown of Queen in the A! Stay broke or go get it. Nobody has been working harder to put the A-state on the map Lil Boosie, Sean P and Pimpin Ken lend their voices for Champ the Hillbilly. It ain‘t easy being Feezy. Mr. Antisocial blends social and personal metaphor to create what he calls Merlot Music. Coming soon. Superfly – Dmite keeps it on the low, stays out of internet controversy and yet is in the middle of everything in central Arkansas, you‘ll want this one for the cover alone. Rap Monster vol.2 One of the coldest lyricist in the deep south, Memphis raised, Little rock representing the glass ceiling has cracks. Da Saw Squad – bout that bread has all the right elements, production and features from Arkansas heavy hittersNow before you start asking where is such and so or where is my cd in this list ,ask yourself did I send a copy to be reviewed? (DSMR magazine po box 45272, lr, Ar 72214) Was I at any of the shows this year? or did the cd really get released. In any case we didn’t get it ,so its not on our radar. There where a lot of digitally release projects available for free downloading, unfortunately these type of releases in our opinion are for when artist are practicing and thus don’t count in the review! Now back to the countdown. 4 | Down South Music Review
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Urbal – 4x4 Crew every drop by the crew gets them closer and closer to the cheese. The Best of Dolamike – Listening to this cd will be like taking a journey threw the House of Tho’d, If your just now getting up on game this will take you back in time and bring you up to speed. Certified collectors item. Born Winner – Before its all over, Rap star will only be one of the many names Cat Daddy will go by. DCRG – Smart Moves Ent always finds a way to give the streets, just what it needed, Rod-D continues to show rappers how to be a boss and step their game up. This cd gets plenty of repeat play in the deck. Who do’s it! – Grim Musik vol.4. YK and the family continue to bring the best out of the camp. Personnel may change but as long as YK, Big Dave and Shea Marie are on it..like the scene in DEEP COVER..sniff.sniff..BUY IT! I am the North – Big Drew without question is an Arkansas Titan. He’s not part of a big click and he doesn’t have to have a lot of guest features to put out a major cd. The King of the Nawf was one of the artist that made Rap in Arkansas enjoyable..again I see cracks in the ceiling. Game open up.
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The Ignit Truth – Ear Fear. The only unanimous choice in the countdown polls, We don’t have to tell you who 607 and Bobby are and if you don’t know..well, I would not want to do these injustice, I recommend looking them up and seeing for yourself, as for this album it was the most complete entertainment product released in 2010. Hot tracks, video footage to go with it and a stage show unlike any other group/artist in the polls. If this album was a cell phone it would be the iphone.the iphone. Finally, 2010 was the year artist in the deep south got up on the music video game , transitioning from just rappers/singers to entertainers. the best song had music videos to match and those where the best songs of the year and made the artist the cream of the crop. Motif Flame was hands down the number one beat maker for 2010, RTLD Media is without a doubt the best promotional street team in Central Arkansas and JVision sits atop the graphic design game. Maybe next year we’ll do a award show and comeback and give Tho’d Studios CEO D-Dirt the Franchise Award. He is a artist, producer, dj, show promoter and graphic designer. No one else is doing all that and still staying atop of the game. Take time to support Sophisticated Urban, Club Heat, Rock City Kicks, Westside One Stop, Dime One, Just Wright Platinum Shops and salons, Brewster’s and Cornerstone Pub for their corporate sponsorships in supporting independent music and with that being said… turn the page and welcome in 2011.
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Writing by LNORM
Introducing T SCOTT! EMPHIS, TENNESSEE is famous for a lot of things. They are internationally known for BBQ. Elvis Presley spent some time there. Its also the home of the Blues, Eight ball & MJG, Three Six Mafia and the current King of the town Yo Gotti. For Arkansas hip-hop Memphis is also the birth place of rising star T SCOTT. Not exactly a stranger to
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game, TSCOTTS hard work has done a 360 and comeback to now shines a light on the Playaz Production Records artist. Since 2007 Playaz Production records have been carving a name for themselves in the Arkansas rap royal court and currently with two songs, “ Flashy “ and “Wanna B’s featuring Project Pat” on the airwaves everywhere from Little Rock to Jack-
son, MS to Birmingham it looks as though room must be made for a new boss at the table. Its every artist goal to maximize his potential and achieve success in the music business. This is easier said than done, but in Tscotts case he has surrounded himself with a power team headed by CEO Reggie “the Wiz” Dunn and fellow label mates LP the One and Only, and Feddi ,ego’s where checked at the door and the team effort is to make hit music. This team though based out of Little Rock on any given weekend can be found anywhere in the deep south doing shows and gaining ground in the popularity game. Tscott doesn’t take
anything for granted. Getting respect in Little Rock can be tough if your not from there and Playaz Production has quietly taken the cold shoulder given them early on and turned it into a formula of success that has heads turning and record companies calling. At print TSCOTT and the PPC where in the studio working on a official album release date and negotiating some promo tour dates to take the Ark sound to the masses. With two mix tapes Rap Monster vol. 1&2 already in the streets the wheels are already in motion. I just what they say can be true. You can be from Shelby county and rep the Rock!
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ALBUM REVIEWS
Big P Exceeding Expectations
Epiphany the Wait • Respect part 3
Nothing sets the right tone for the new year better than a great album release. Fresh new tracks and a familiar voice Big P debut release does what the title says Exceed Expectations. Born and bread in the southwest Arkansas, P releases his cd from the Astate super label Tho’d Studios! 21 tracks features from E-Dubb, Big Drew, Big Tuck, fat Bastard and Playa Mone not to mention P more than holds his own. Motif Flame and DJ Stylez provide most of the production this album is a keeper.
If your having a discussion on the largest names in Independent rap in Arkansas no conversation is complete without adding Big Piphs’ name to the short list. Perhaps only 607 has more cd, album, mix tape, and compilation appearances than the Conduit Ent president. Recently released 3rd installment in the respect saga , Piph continues to deliver thought provoking rhythms and metaphors analyzing everyday thought of humanity. No one will be able to list to this album and not take something from it. Epiphany doesn’t disappoint.
DJ Discipline and Errol Westbrook What a job this is
Blacksand STR8 Drop
You can tell the difference in partite and fulltime work. In theory there should be double the amount of work..correct? If true then Edubb is truly cream. Fresh off the release of Da Chef and da Server with Tony T, Dubb teams up with DJ Disciple to drop What a job this is adding to his catalogue of work. Tall Guy ent is the business and Errol Westbrook continues to sprinkle the streets with flavor. 32 shots of Dubb for you fans. (reverb nation.com/Errol Westbrook) Dubb reunites with Big Dollar Of Astate hustler fame and D-Gotti of the Wreckshop for good measure.
In my Hot Boys BG voice,” Tho’d studios is a army better yet a navy” CEO D-Dirt must be part android to be able to juggle and organize and put on for the game like he does. Must got that unlimited data Plan! El Dorado, AR product Blacksand first release from the label is another stellar product from the Tho’d studios machine. Blacksand mixes his baritone voice over southern soul and dboy thumpers to mix with guest features from Grand Markee, K2, Big Drew and Big P to name a few. Number 5 will have you chanting Arkansas, Arkansas! Down South Music Review
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THINGS Ain’t
that make you say‌ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
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it Man! Deep South Artist will no longer be looked over in 2011! Hating on haters is getting boring. Its time for a Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana music confrence. Coach Mike Anderson will restore Razorback basketball! Derek Rose for NBA MVP. Why all the wanna b models in Arkansas so stuckup about puttin in work. It ain't a magazine until its in print form..GET LIKE US!!!
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