Raashan Ahmad, Crown City Rockers‘ resident MC, is ready to unleash his first full-length solo effort upon the world. It’s called The Push, it hits stores May 20th, and it’s a breath of fresh air in a musical climate plagued by an epidemic of success by piggy-backing and repetition. Raashan’s role in the living-legend, funk/soul/hip-hop group has clearly helped prepare the B-Boy for a confident first step out on his own. We discussed The Push with Raashan back in March, and he was kind enough to show his appreciation by hooking us up with the album before it hits stores.

Read on for our review. Full Article »

I spent this past weekend sightseeing in Washington DC. Had a blast, but let me spare you the tourism and skip right to something interesting. Being in marketing, one thing I always notice when I travel is the advertising, and how it changes from location to location, and gathering place to gathering place. In DC, I saw a lot of ads for seemingly indestructible Panasonic “Toughbook” laptops targeted to the military sector, with witty block letter press conference messaging such as “Legally, we cannot say it can take a bullet” and “Legally, we cannot say it knows where Navy SEAL team three is.” Meanwhile, venture into Philadelphia or Detroit, and Pepsi’s multi-million dollar ad campaign for whatever new color Mountain Dew comes in presents its sell messaging encoded in street lingo, spraypainted on a brick wall. Consider yourself profiled by marketing, based on where you’re standing, at all times.

The most interesting ad campaign I encountered in DC was an anonymous one asking a compelling question: “Do you own a US oil company?”

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John Edwards endorsed Barack Obama a few hours ago after dropping hints to the effect for the past week, and the predictable firestorm of debates over “the impact” and “what it means” has been launched. The fact is, the real impact of Edwards’ endorsement extends far beyond the 18 delegates he brings to the table, or whatever arguable measure of political clout he’ll provide. It was a strategic maneuver, and a goddamned genius one at that, at a moment that Hillary desperately wanted to call her own.

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In addition to the rapidly climbing death toll brought on by Cyclone Nargis nearly two weeks ago, more than 2 million people in the region have fallen into a state of homelessness and famine. Rather than die of thirst, refugees are drinking water contaminated by the floating bodies of between 63,000 and 100,000 (according to the U.N.) of their friends, families, and fellow countrymen. As a result, disease is running rampant and unchecked. As many as a million Nargis victims remain at risk of death from disease and hunger because the ruling military junta will only let a sliver of foreign aid through. That which it does allow is pillaged by authorities and sold for profit.

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For years, a heated discussion raged on about the atrocities of ruthless internet pirates and the crippling impact their cruelties had on the music business, the artists, the record stores, and even the music itself.

Finally, that ridiculous discussion is being put to rest, as more and more artists and music listeners are educating themselves beyond label rhetoric, and challenging antiquated business models and distribution paradigms.

The record labels are still trying to charge for a product that others (more and more brave souls each day) are providing for cheaper, or free, as convenient as a couple clicks of a mouse button. Even when the record labels timidly test the water by giving a little bit away for free to “see how it goes,” they do it wrong. They do low quality so as not to devalue CDs. Or they only release samples. Or they make you sign up to a mailing list you don’t want spamming you every Tuesday when they try and cram their brand new garbage down everyone’s throats. Their websites and online tools don’t work right. They don’t understand the internet like the kids do, and they don’t have the passion or vision that artists like Trent Reznor has. Full Article »

There’s been a lot of controversy lately around Disney Channel stars. First, Vanessa Hudgens’ fried eggs and ham show up on the internet, and now the 15-year-old ‘tween queen, Miley Cyrus, has been crucified over a picture posted on her MySpace page where she exposes (please make sure you’re over 21 before reading on or viewing the following photos because this is really sick shit)…

A TINY PART OF HER GREEN BRA!!! *gasp*

In one interview, a mother states that she thought she was doing a good job as a parent by only allowing her daughter to watch the Disney Channel. This is mind bottling since I’m positive that the Disney Channel will not be airing these photos in order to raise Hannah Montana’s ratings in the 15-year-old male category. Sure, the concern is probably more along the lines of knowing these photos will eventually be seen by young girls who look up to Miley. But really, what’s the big deal?

I guess the big deal is that parents are relying too much on the Disney Channel to raise their children and produce role models who are unable to make the mistakes that most other people do. Full Article »

While the record companies scramble to recalibrate their moneymaking format and plug the holes in the crumbling dam of their infrastructure, Trent Reznor’s leading the charge of the new revolution with colors blazing, and the battle’s clearly a no-contest. This is undeniably a watershed moment in the music business, and Reznor’s efforts will undoubtedly be noted as pivotal in getting the new age of music off the ground. He’s walking the walk, engaging in honest, open discussions at a time when the possibilities are limitless and millions of music fans have the music biz by the balls. Full Article »