DJ Drama Talks Mixtapes

Da U Boys nominated for Best Rap/Hip Hop Artist at Best of The Beat Awards

Da U Boys are nominated for Best Rap/Hip Hop Artist at Best of The Beat Awards by Offbeat Magazine.

Da U Boys are a rap trio coming out of Hollygrove area of New Orleans. This is their first Offbeat nomination and it comes behind winning “Best Rap Album” at the NOLA Hip Hop Awards held in October at the Joy Theater in New Orleans. After more than a half-dozen mixtapes and a debut album “Tha Shutdown”, this group has persevered through the politics of the music industry. Da U Boys were recently cosigned by Waka Flocka on Twitter after releasing their compilation mixtape, “The Rise of The Last Dynasty”.

Happy Birthday Pimp C. “We Miss You Homie”

Happy Birthday Chad “Pimp C” Butler. Gone but Never Forgotten!

Download Cise HD’s Discography “Total Recall”

http://www.reverbnation.com/store/view_item_album/artist_2195832?item_id=1555403

Da U Boys “83” first leak from upcoming mixtape, The Last Dynasty

As August 5 approaches, fans await the upcoming mixtape by Rue Rois Music recording artist Da U Boys. “The Last Dynasty” is the fifth studio mixtape by the Hollygrove trio.
Check out the first leak “83”

Copy and paste download link below:

http://po.st/Kz0G8F

NOUE FEATURED DJ: Definition DJ Redd

Check out The Heat Magazine‘s feature on the NOUE‘s own, Definition DJ Redd:

http://theheatmag.com/definition-dj-redd-making-moves-in-the-boot/

New Orleans Union Of Entertainment All Stars-The Deployment-911 Mixtape Release

According to Webster’s dictionary, the word deploy means to spread out for a deliberate purpose. In the world of urban music, the purpose is to collectively advance and overcome unwarranted obstacles says the New Orleans Union Of Entertainment All Stars.  In memory of the tragic invasion that occured on September 11th in 2001, another great body of work has been created.  “The Deployment” features Jay Da Menace’s “A Soldier’s Story” which is a tribute to America’s troops.  Timely and appropriate, New Orleans Union Of Entertainment All Stars assemble some of its seasoned artists such as Ghetto Twiinz, Fiend, UNLV, Devious, Mista Meana, Cheeky Blakk, Ms. Tee, the late Tim Smooth, Sporty T., and Soulja Slim.  Be sure to add this memorable anthology to your personal collection as the Crescent City’s finest batch of talent delivers poetic creativity while recalling the incidents of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.  As “The Shutdown” by Da U Boys approaches its release on September 20th, they are also featured along with a cast of young guns like The Show, Majesty Sozey, Young Torrento, and AMG. “The Deployment is a special project centered around our soldiers in music and it pays homage to our common American soldier and citizens who have been affected by unforeseen events in our lifetime.”

http://youtu.be/liq5LfcITEQ

‘REAL RECOGNIZE REAL’: Devious Speaks On UNITY & the Latest N.O.U.E. Mixtape To Drop

Unity is something lacking in a lot of areas of art, and sometimes that pertains to music as well. The newly formed New Orleans Union For Entertainment, or N.O.U.E. as it is known, is the exception to that rule. Together with some of the younger artists, quite a few legendary artists are affiliated with the N.O.U.E. and are the driving force behind its advancement. Devious, Partners N Crime and the Legendary DJ Erv are several of its principals, who are helping to push the envelope of entertainment, where New Orleans music and entertainment is concerned.

In a city known for being one of the music capitals of the world, discord and loosely formed cliques have, in the past, plagued the rise of what could one day be the strongest force in the music industry. Awash with raw and polished talent, the New Orleans area has produced some of the most well known artists, especially in the genres of hip hop and R&B. It was not until now that a majority of the talent pulled together to help put New Orleans on the musical map for real.

Poised to release its third various artists mixtape in as many months, the N.O.U.E. presents “Real Recognize Real”, featuring the late Tim Smooth, Ice Mike, Black Menace, Partners N Crime, Devious, Da U Boys, Cheeky Black, Mia X, Kunta Fly Snooka, Majesty Sozey, The Rap Pack, Ms. Tee, and many more more artists.  The 25 song mixtape maintains consistency as it follows the Essence Festival and Alliesmixtape releases.

DEVIOUS

“One of the main dilemmas New Orleans has faced over the years as it relates to hip hop is structure. We have always had a ton of talent but only a small amount of industrial structure. NOUE is addressing this concern because most hardworking artists echo this opinion.” – Devious

The N.O.U.E. is an action based collective that features artists in its own blog, on its internet radio affiliate stations,  Robgradio.com and Hitzinternationalradio.com, The Heat Magazine, Dtv, Ramp Tv, Phat Phat n All That, and other avenues. In addition, the N.O.U.E. is equipped with professionals who offer their services at reasonable rates. As a result, several artists have leaped over the obstacle of rejection and are now making progress in the advancement of their career regardless of their musical style. The beauty of the N.O.U.E. can be likened to “a pot of gumbo,” because the collective supports all genres and levels of hip hop.

The mixtape series consolidates New Orleans rap and allows industry professionals to be able to observe a variety of relevant music all at once, in contrast to finding New Orleans artists in a scattered fashion.

We had an opportunity to interview Devious so we could learn more about the up and coming N.O.U.E., along with its mission, what it seeks to accomplish, and much more:

NOUE: What’s the mission of the NOUE and your vision for it? 

DEVIOUS: The mission is to advance collectively. In the past, our advancement has been limited because of lack of knowledge, opportunity, structure, and rejection.  The vision is one of many: to see New Orleans in an active and professional musical industry environment.  It’s limited thinking to believe that only one form of music is credible. Imagine if rap music was never given an opportunity, where would we be?  So don’t tell me all genres can’t be or won’t be showcased.  If that is the case, then New Orleans Union for Entertainment is at odds with any media organization that censors or streamlines our music into a uni-sound genre.

NOUE: Tell us about the mixtape series and how well it’s doing in terms of exposure and downloads. 

DEVIOUS: The New Orleans Union Of Entertainment All Stars is off to a great start. Exposure is within the U.S. and overseas. The whole idea is to create a movement and cement the name and work of New Orleans rap music.  Thousands of downloads between all the sites, blogs, and forums that our series appeaars on – it’s a unified movement in music.

NOUE: Who are some of the artists who’ve appeared on the mixtape?

DEVIOUS: Partners N Crime, BlaqnMild, Ms. Tee, Fiend, Da U Boys, Mr Magic, Black Menace, Devious, Utp Skip, Cheeky Blakk, Young Torrento, Sess 4 5, Majesty Sozey, Kunta Fly Snooka, Serv-On, Six Shot, Big Ramp, Magnolia Chop, and more.

NOUE: :Some of the veteran members have been in the game literally decades – tell us about that. 

DEVIOUS: Music is universal, timeless – no such thing as time when it comes to the creation of music.  With that being said, greats like the Nevilles, Charlie Wilson, and even our rap vets from New Orleans can maintain consistency in music creation. As far as what’s up with New Orleans Union for Entertainment, we are making sure our music is represented in a proper fashion. We cannot let our music be streamlined to one particular genre. The whole idea is to create a multicultural industry in New Orleans as it relates to music. It’s not coincidental that the majority of basic rap tunes are credited to vets from our city. Like Jeezy says, The Real is Back.

NOUE: Where do you see the city’s music 5 years out, now that we are seeing unity and involvement from all different aspects of the industry. 

DEVIOUS: In five years, I’m not certain.  I know that New Orleans music will prosper to higher heights. More opportunities will come our way. Fifty Cent says New Orleans rappers are active.  I plan on intensifying that activity, hustling in a slightly different way, and carrying the torch for my homies Tim Smooth, Sporty T, DJ Baby T, and DJ Kenny D. Rest in Peace to all the fallen musicians. So if we play our cards right, stay busy and maintain a level of quality, creativity, and determination, we will conquer some of the giants that have blocked us in the past. New Orleans will return to its hotbed era with focus. In five years, we should have a new movement in music with worldwide notoriety. We should make millions with our God-given talents by then.

 

With unity and perseverance comes success – and so it is with the N.O.U.E.

You can follow N.O.U.E. and Devious on Twitter:

@NOUE1
@Deviousontwitt

Here’s the lineup for the New Orleans Union Of Entertainment All Stars-Real Recognize Real mixtape, a tribute to the late Tim Smooth:

1. Wood Grain – Da U Boys & The Show

2. My Birthday – BLAQNMILD featuring Princess of Crime Mob

3. Around The World – The Rap Pack(Dappa,The Show, K. Gates, Y Dot Luck)

4. Welcome2MyCity – Black Menace

5. Bout Ta Pop It Off – Devious

6. Be Right Back – Eazymoney featuring Skip & Mista Meana

7. Call Me – Jay Da Menace featuring Mia X w/ Kango Slim

8. Stronger Now (Bounce) – Ms. Tee

9. Wobble On It – Redd & Poizon Ivy

10. Y’all Niggas Gone Make Me – Cheeky Black

11. I Gotsta Have It – Tim Smooth (Rest In Peace)

12. Get With Me – Big Ramp

13. Moxie – Kunta Fly Snooka

14. Gotta Do Me – Mista Meana & Ms. Tee

15. Papers (remix) – Hasheem Amin

16. Come Take A Look – Majesty Sozey

17. Game Need Lotion – Eazymoney featuring Reggie Hammin

18. Mic Check – Young Torrento

19. She Rocks – Poizon Ivy, Da Streets 1st Chyna, Redd, & Shabazz

20. Meet Me In Rubensteins – Tim Smooth (Rest In Peace)

21. Superstarz – Ice Mike

22. The One That Got Away – DEE-1 featuring Mannie Fresh

23. For New Orleans – Kooly

24. Ooh La La La – The Rap Pack

25. Put Ya Ballys On – Bust Down

 

Download the mixtape here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=8WHMJ4XP

FEATURED NOUE ARTIST: Kunta Fly Snooka

Redemption:  an act of redeeming or the state of being redeemed; deliverance; rescue.

Too often we hear stories of artists who make mistakes in life – in their careers – mistakes that, for whatever reason, prohibit them from further showcasing their talent. We’re able to showcase an artist for whom this turns out in just the opposite way.

“We gonna eat this evening …Change the angle of attack on ‘em …” – Kunta Fly Snooka  

Kunta Fly Snooka, a New Orleans original who’s becoming known for his mixtape appearances and his Chillly Ray Valentine project, lives a story of redemption that he is fortunate enough to be able to tell – and we’ll be seeing and hearing a whole lot more of him in the future because of this. He’s a convicted felon who spent time in the Orleans Parish Prison, but his story was just beginning there.

Kunta Fly Snooka took a less than fortunate experience and used it as a chance to improve his situation. He’s now a graduate of the University of New Orleans, which is quite a feat. He’s defeated the odds and in the process, has become a role model to many.

New Orleans often times acts as a vacuum for young African-American men. Violent crime is responsible for cutting short many lives here. If you believe statistics, then you might believe the adage that odds are stacked against young minority males in this area.

If you look to role models such as Kunta Fly Snooka, you’ll know that no matter what someone has been through, redemption can occur and that person can pull themselves up by the boot straps. Young men such as him bring about hope that, through hard work and perserverance, just about any roadblock can be bypassed.

Kunta Fly Snooka, who’s also used the moniker Bayou Boy, is a multi-faceted individual, whose intellectual abilitites are helping to lift him to higher heights. If you follow him on the major social networks, you know he offers up some interesting and thought provoking commentary on the world around him, almost hourly, and he has quite a following. Check him out on Twitter and Facebook.

We recently had a conversation with Kunta Fly Snooka and here’s how it went:

NOUE: Tell us a little about yourself as an artist.

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: I call my stuff hip hop soul.  I try to touch souls when I rap.

NOUE: How would you describe your music and what were your musical influences?

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: When I started recording, my influences were who I was listening to at the time – Nas, Outkast, UGK, 8-Ball & MJG, Jay-Z, and also PNC,  because we were on the same label (South Coast Music Group) when I first came into the game. They were influence by default and although we didn’t make the same music, we were always in on each others’ sessions and songs.

NOUE: If you could work with any artist(s) or producer(s), who would that be?

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: I’d work with anybody who I like, but right now, that Bun B feature would a beast. Of course, everyone wants to work with Kanye, but I’d like to work with a Primere, Just Blaze or The Incredibles and Justice League.

NOUE: How much of an effect does the City of New Orleans have on your music?

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: New Orleans is the most unique place in the world. I’m well traveled and you can say some place reminds you of somewhere, just about anywhere you go, except New Orleans. This culture can’t be duplicated no where on the planet which is why I can never stay gone too long, lol.

NOUE: Where are you headed, as an entertainer?

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: As an entertainer, I believe I’m getting close to recieving some of the success and recognition I sought in the beginning of my career, because of industry willingness to place the focus back on artistry and less on bafoonery. As a person, I believe my calling is getting closer to helping the youth to make sure they don’t make the same mistake with their careers that I did.

NOUE: Tell our readers something about you that might surprise them.

KUNTA FLY SNOOKA: Here’s something most don’t know. I’m a convicted felon and former inmate at OPP. But when my daughter was born, all my focus became totally different and now I’m a recent grad of UNO (Interdisplinary Studies).

 

Check out Kunta Fly Snooka in the NOUE’s mixtape series. It’s just the beginning for a charismatic artist and we’re confident you’ll be seeing a whole lot more of him in the near future.

 

FEATURED NOUE ARTIST: Young Torrento

“Young Torrento is the definition of what a rapper, let alone what a person should be. He handles his business on the mic and off and because of that, he naturally garners respect.” – Craven, State Run Music Group

As of late, the NOUE has received a tremendous response on our mixtape series. Young Torrento, of the NOUE All-Stars, is one of our artists who appeared on the “2011 Essence Festival” mixtape, as well as “The Allies”. Young Torrento embodies the definition of DEDICATION, no doubt about it.

A strong minded, hard working young man, Young Torrento puts in the time needed to finely hone his craft.  

Young Torrento records, promotes and is learning the ins and outs of the industry, as any artist worth his salt must do. Music is in his blood, as is hustling – hustling in the music game, that is.

NOUE had an opportunity to feature the State Run artist – star of the “Jet Skis & Heinekens” mixtape series. Check out what Young Torrento had to say:

NOUE: We understand that 3 of your biggest influences in music were Fiend, Soulja Slim and Rakim. Who were some other musical influences you had growing up? Tell us about that.

YOUNG TORRENTO: My older brother and cousin used to always play hip hop around me and Rakim was always my favorite rapper. Soulja Slim was always my favorite New Orleans artist. He was the realest that ever did it, hands down, and Fiend always influenced me because of the way he commanded his listeners with his voice. Fiend always keeps it real and he has a positive message. I still listen to all of their music – every CD until this day. My mom also played all kinds of music around me. I came up listening to all kinds of music, from Etta James to Patti Labelle, to Bounce, Run DMC, and just about everybody. I love music, but I’m mostly inspired by New Orleans music.

NOUE: You have a strong work ethic – that’s obvious. If Young Torrento had a “mission statement”, what would that be?

YOUNG TORRENTO: Life is a blessing. When you wake up every morning and don’t make the best out of it, you’re the only one to blame!

NOUE: How important is hard work in achieving your goals?

YOUNG TORRENTO: Hard work is the MOST important thing. When you set goals for yourself, it’s like you’re testing yourself. You have something to achieve and the only way to get it is through hard work! Nobody is going to give you anything. You have to earn it yourself.

NOUE: Tell us about your State Run/7 Batts family.

YOUNG TORRENTO: State Run was started by my partner, Richard Smith (Craven). He’s from Independence and he likes my style, so when we linked up, it just clicked. We also have 2 ladies on the label, Ms. Tina Phresh and Ms. Whitney White. We also have a young gunna named Drastic. He’s 16 and the boy a beast. 7Batts is a label I started in 2009 and I run it with my partner, David Schetrompf (Big D). I have a few artists that I’m working with, like a young lady from the 17th named Ms. Nice. We just working slow and trying to make good music, ya heard me.

NOUE: What’s on Young Torrento’s music player right now?

YOUNG TORRENTO: Right now I’m listening to Devious, Majesty Sozai, NOUE ALL STARS and ALLIES, Marsha Ambrosia, Lil Funnel, Bizzy Bee, Na’Tee, Jets and Irongang, Dipset, Game, Wiz Khalifa, Big Sean, Miguel, and that Eminem and Royce the 5’9 joint – my opinion, best album of the year.

NOUE: What artist is on your playlist right now that our readers may be surprised to learn that you listen to?

YOUNG TORRENTO: Probably Marsha Ambrosia. Like, she is one of my favorite artists. I think she is one of the most talented people in the industry. I’ve been a fan of hers since Floetry. One day I can hopefully get her to sing on one of my songs.

 

NOUE SIDENOTE: Be on the lookout for Young Torrento. With his talent, drive, work ethic, and determination, he is sure to make his mark on the world, all the while representing that New Orleans brand.