Gladys Knight disses Hip-Hop Music; 9th Wonder Responds (OVAGROUND EXCLUSIVE)

On the site, www.newsblaze.com, Gladys Knight had some interesting things to say about the current state of Hip-Hop.


[Please ask her] How has hip-hop changed the nature of black music?

GK: [LOL] Well, it's been good as far as giving young artists an opportunity to get out there. But, it's been bad, in my opinion, as far as the quality of the music and the stories that they tell. It's one thing to be raw about your history, but they took it to another level and it became vulgar. It has not elevated our industry musically, and it definitely has not elevated us as African-Americans, because we show disrespect for our partners, men and women. I believe we have lowered our self-esteem with these performances and presentations.























Now with that broad sweep of the whole culture, Little Brother producer 9th Wonder wrote a rebuttal courtesy of Allhiphop.com :


Dear Editor,



I recently read the legendary Gladys Knight's comments about Hip-Hop and the culture thereof as it pertains to hindering the growth of black music. In a lot of ways, present day black music in a general sense is in a very bad state. From Hip-Hop to the level of R&B and Soul or the lack of in mainstream media, we are seemingly suffering across the board. However, my concerns are focused on the comments about Hip-Hop.




Once AGAIN, the attempt to separate the generations amongst us as black Americans is having much success. In dealing with the older generation of our people, our elders refuse to see or seek the GOOD facets of Hip-Hop, or even the cultural aspects of Hip-Hop when it comes to improvisation, creativity, research, and skill. The fact that TRUE Hip-Hoppers respect, glorify, and honor the great ones who came before us in our records, and the use of what we call "samples" speaks volumes. A lot of musicians I've spoken with such as Michael Henderson, Gamble and Huff, Robert Allred from the Dynamic Five, and Leon Sylvers understand the BRIDGE we are building between generations. The reason I now listen to Bobby Bland, Mandrill, Billy Paul, The Dells, The Drells, Choice Four, The Undisputed Truth and countless other 60's and 70's greats, and why my 60 yr old brothers and sisters listen to it have two totally different paths.





Looking at my life as a 34 year-old and being from the South, my parents believed that anything outside of James Cleveland was secular. So an abundance of 70's soul, even Gladys Knight and the Pips, was not played in my house. Hip-Hop was the way that I found all of these artists, traveling the world and collecting records. I learned my history of black music through a vessel that a lot of my elders see as vulgar and offensive in a GENERAL sense. Hip-Hop was not always that way. In 1976, Afrika Bambaataa started the Universal Zulu Nation in the Bronx, New York, to give a creative outlet to rival gangs. However, today our law enforcement believes that hip-hop incites gang violence.





It was because of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Brand Nubian, and A Tribe Called Quest that I heard names such as Carter G. Woodson, Medgar Evers, Steve Biko, Kwame Toure', Marcus Garvey, Fannie Lou Hamer, Shirley Chisholm, or ANYBODY outside of Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman in public schools. These artists spoke about our elders in song, whether using the funk and soul records, or telling stories and mentioning names. From 1988 to 1993, black teens' enrollment in college, especially HBCUs, rose to 45% because of the nature of the arts; from the African Medallions, to the Malcolm X t-shirts, the African-American College Alliance shirts Martin Lawrence wore on Def Comedy Jam, to School Daze, to the most powerful hour in black TV, The Cosby Show and A Different World. "Droppin' Knowledge" if you will was made to be a "cool" or "in-crowd" thing. Unfortunately, the powers that be were against Hip-Hop being used as a NEW vessel to open the eyes of black kids and remind them to honor the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's. It is very odd that around the same time, a more negative form of hip-hop was being PUSHED to the forefront, so our elders could turn their heads away from what we were REALLY trying to say, and divide us as ALWAYS.




Our elders turned away from our younger generation, which resulted in a lack of understanding of the TRUE essence of the Hip Hop art form. Subsequently, this led to resentment amongst the younger generation. The younger generation speaks- if there is no patience to understand our voice, then why should we try to learn where we came from? This only widens the divide.





HOWEVER, the true essence of what hip-hop was built on was and STILL is the tie that binds. We must learn and understand that the true version of ANY art form is not and will NEVER BE displayed in the mass media. As a result, it will stay "underground," or stolen from us. Do we actually believe that those same powers that control radio stations want our children educated through an emcee or an R&B singer who could inspire social change amongst the youth?





Do we actually think that those powers want the two, now three generations to be united and have a full understanding of each other's side of the story? I agree that YES the present state of hip-hop on THESE SAME AIRWAYS are less desirable; the same way the blacks who survived the Ragtime, Great Depression and Big Band Jazz looked down upon the black exploitation films of the 70's, your Fred Williamson movies, Ohio Players Album Covers, or the language on Millie Jackson records.





Let's pray that my generation loses the feeling of resentment, and at the same time, my elders take the time and patience to seek the GOOD messages and highlight the BEAUTIFUL things about Hip-Hop that mass media WILL NOT show you. Otherwise, we as a race will always be divided, and once again, they will have succeeded in their mission.





Here is a verse from the Hip-Hop song entitled "You Must Learn" as performed by Boogie Down Productions (KRS-One), from the album "The BluePrint" released in 1989. This verse was one of the key reasons why I went to college:




"I believe that if you're teaching history
Filled with straight-up facts, no mystery
Teach the student what needs to be taught
'Cause black and white kids both take shots
When one doesn't know about the other one's culture
Ignorance swoops down like a vulture
'Cause you don't know that you ain't just a janitor
No one told you about Benjamin Banneker
A brilliant black man that invented the almanac
Can't you see where KRS is coming at
With Eli Whitney, Haile Selassie
Grandville Woods made the walkie-talkie
Lewis Latterman improved on Edison
Charles Drew did a lot for medicine
Garrett Morgan made the traffic lights
Harriet Tubman freed the slaves at night
Madame CJ Walker made a straightenin' comb
But you won't know this if you weren't shown
The point I'm gettin' at, it might be harsh
'Cause we're just walkin' around brainwashed
So what I'm sayin' is not to diss a man
We need the 89 school system
One that caters to a black return
Because you must learn."



Today, ANY type of revolution, even in SONG...will never by televised.....




Peace, Love, Soul, and Hip-Hop,
Professor Patrick Douthit, aka 9th Wonder
Grammy Award Winning Producer/DJ/Lecturer
National Ambassador for Hip-Hop Relations and Popular Culture-NAACP

Good Googly Moogly (Project Pat Cover) by Some Random White Guy

Now, this is funny...but if he say ni**a again...I'ma smack him with his guitar mane.

Check it out.

-L'Daialogue

In Memoriam Of Derrion Albert...and Our Fight vs. The "Hood" Mentality (OVAGROUND EXCLUSIVE)

Note: This is wrong....and I am hating that I even have to speak on this. Man, we need to change. This is aimed DIRECTLY at the kids and the people that stay in these neighborhoods. We need to take the block back.

Look at this video:



R.I.P Derrion Albert. A 16 year old student that was killed in a fight that resulted in him being struck in the head with a wooden board by a group of Chicago students.

Now, amidst the plenty of other times that we as a people has had to say this year, this time really drives home.

The video footage of that young man being beaten in the streets is enough to drive any person over the edge.

What is happening to our children people?

What is happening to our future?

These are OUR children whether you believe it or not. The have-nots, the forgotten, the single-parent raised, the gangbangers, the drug dealers, the worst of the worst are our children. We are responsible for bringing these injustices to the light and not enabling these monsters to even feel comfortable to walk on OUR streets.



Sure, we can go against the omnipresent, invisible, ever-spoken about “man” that is holding us down. Jena 6, Sean Bell and many other examples can show that when it’s us against them, we can band together for a common good.

I wonder if Al Sharpton is going to ride as hard as he rides for other injustices. Are you going to even ride at all?

But, what if it’s your neighborhood or your child? What if your child was the one assaulted like Derrion Albert was? Would the outrage be the same?

It is so many stories like this everyday that are backed up and perpetuated by not only Hip-Hop (as the media commonly stated as the culprit) but the American culture as a whole.

America eats her young and the young minority of Black and Latino babies has little to no chance of becoming her next wave of appetizers in the coming decades.

But, when are we going to stop people?

These are our neighborhoods. Chicago is Memphis is New Orleans is New York City is Detroit is Cleveland is Washington D.C is Oakland is Los Angeles is Atlanta is Houston is Philadelphia. We are all in the same struggle.

Why won’t we fight against the real enemy?

Will we march on these threats that are in our own neighborhood and ARE OUR SAME COLOR????

We must fight for our communities.

In Memoriam Of Derrion Albert...

-L'Daialogue

Yo Gotti Freestyle On The Deal (w/ Memphitz)

Let 'em know about North Memphis, Gotti....because I just left again (tears) but the hustle still continues.

M-Town Luv all day!!!!!!!!!!!


-L'Daialogue

The Dalai Lama and The M-Town Fist Bump (OVAGROUND COMMENTARY EXCLUSIVE)

So,


Only in the great state of Tennessee can the Dalai Lama, who represents pure humanity and compassion, get a fist bump from our interim mayor, Myron Lowery.


Now, was that the proper thing to do?



Yeah, why not.


If it was somebody in Memphis that you knew and you wanted to say what's up, you would probably give them a fist bump too. I mean....this M-Town swagger comes out when out of towners come through. I actually was surprised that it was a fist bump and not a cool North Memphis/South Memphis handshake.


Now, with CNN blowing all of these things out of proportion...think about it. Should Lowery just given the Dalai Lama a good old American handshake? Actually, what is a good old AMERICAN handshake?

I think that people are mad that hey...everybody can't do the cool fist bump *hint, hint*. I know people were mad but I'm sure the Dalai Lama handlers let him know where he was coming.

You know the home of the blues. Birthplace of rock n roll. L'Daialogue's hometown (shameless plug). I mean...keep it real.

So, when you see this picture and read the commentary from all of these commentators that have probably never seen more than 5 Black people in positions of power (not even including President Obama), you can see why some of this "outrage" is stupid but is coming from a lot of people who STILL have a limited view of Blacks in America.

I mean....if the Dalai Lama went to China...they probably would have bowed to him. If he went to France,they probably would have kissed him on the cheeks.So,everything is in perspective.

Let Myron Lowery be....

He's showing the world how we do it in the "M" and I don't have a problem with it. You shouldn't neither.


-L'Daialogue

Back In Tha' M...with Updates

Yessir,

I'm just giving ya'll some updates since I just touched down a day ago. My internet access was a little limited...

But, I am back in Memphis people. Yes, I'm in the studio again with High Ruler King Cane finishing up the last few tracks on the new 2Deep album: Brothaz Of Tha' Struggle Pt. 2: Still Strugglin'.

Also, I got word back from MIDIMarc that the InDAIpendent project almost has a home and a release date so be on the lookout for that. October seems to be the month for ThaOvaground.com.

Plus,the Tygah Woods Week was crazy seeing that the almost all of projects' downloads were in the hundreds (I told you them dudes are bumpin'). So, expect bigger things coming from my fellow N.O. emcees.

So, yeah...nothing too much is poppin' but some HEAVY recording. If you are in the city, get at ya' boy.

-L'Daialogue


Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

EXCLUSIVE: Kia Shine Speaks On Drake Drama (OVAGROUND EXCLUSIVE)

For all of the haters that STILL don't believe it...Kia got some publishing off of the hottest song of the summer....


Kinda make y'all wanna get ya'll grind up, huh?

Remember who broke it first mane..........THAOVAGROUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


-L'Daialogue


Off of globalgrind.com

“Basically I did a record for Lil Wayne called "Do It For The Boy", which was on The Leak mixtape back in October. My dude DJ Absolute & Enuff was spinning the joint in NY. I gave Wayne the joint back in March of ‘08 and I had yet to hear the completed version until Absolute hit me. Actually, he was in the office with my man Daralle Jones at Atlantic. He wanted buy the song from me to use for Jahiem. I tried to contact Young Money to get paid for the original track before I made a move, but couldn’t get anyone to hit me back.

Producer note, as a producer, it‘s tough with mixtapes these days. Artist will rap on a 2 track version of a beat & hook you put on a beat CD to shop and the next thing you know your beat is on the radio. It’s really impossible for Wayne to do a mixtape track, because if the song is a hit, it’s going to touch radio. That’s why whenever I produce or perform on a record I immediately send it to my guy, Maani, on the publishing side to handle all the paperwork, etc.

I get a call from Absolute and he's like, "Yo, you sold the song to Drake." I’m like who's Drake??? Absolute sent me the joint in January and I’m like...wooooow! Drake sampled the melody, some of the words, cadence, etc. So because I had already registered the original record, my business was in order. I sent in the Drake record and let my legal team handle it from there. We were able to settle at 25% of the "Best I Ever Had" publishing. It's a blessing, but the moral of the story is to "follow up to get your dollars up" and always be prepared and on top of your business. People should really read my discography and they would understand that this in no surprise. They will respect my mind and my grind soon enough.”

Every1 sleeping on me will wake up working for me".... Alarm Clock Experience Mixtape Coming soon!"


And the song that's started it off, "Do It For The Boy" produced by Kia Shine.

TYGAH WOODS-"GO HARD!!!: THE MIXTAPE" MIXED BY DJ MIZUNDERSTATISTIC (NEW MIXTAPE)

Yessssir,


I told you all that the surprises are still coming people. Tygah Woods NEW mixtape: Go Hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!! features the whole Tygah Woods Collective PLUS the new singles "Back To My Roots" and "MarieLaveau (Go Hard)"


Oh, yeah...this tape is the truth.


Shouts out to DJ MiZUnderstatistic who did all of the mixing, Mr. J'ai for the outside consulting (on the tracks) and take this tape and add it to your Tygah Woods Collection. They go hard!!!!!!! Peyyyyyaaahhhhh!!!!


DOWNLOAD NOW MANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



LINK: http://www.mediafire.com/?nndhdzezmyz

Slangston Hughes (of Tygah Woods) Interview

What's up,

As we continue along with Tygah Woods Week, check out this interview with "The Connoisseur Of Fine Rhymes": Slangston Hughes.

He's one of the younger generals from the Tygah Woods squad and he's definitely making noise in the streets of New Orleans.

So, check out this in-depth article and enjoy.

-L'Daialogue

----------------------------

Off of www.nolafugees.com

Q & A with Slangston Hughes

Written by Cate Root

Okay, first things first, who am I talking to? On The Money & The Message, you refer to yourself as: Slangston Hughes, The Connoisseur of Fine Rhyme, NOV (What does that one mean??), S-dot Hughes, Rinzilla, Pookey Malibu, the Hip-Hop Bob Breck, the Black Ari Gold, and the Proficient One, and I know I've seen some new ones on your twitter (@PookeyMalibu). Where do they come from? Which are the oldest ones? What one has the funniest story?

The oldest ones have to be Nov or N.O.V. and the Proficient One. Nov, or Negroe(s) On the Verge... was my rap alias for several years before I made the ultimate transition to Slangston Hughes. The Proficient One came into being around the same time since I wanted a name that was intelligent but also Hip-Hop friendly. All of these aliases come from constant brainstorming and just trying to decipher who I am not only as an emcee but as a person. I don't have split personalities or dissociative identity disorder but do believe I have several facets to "my" person, and that's where all of these names come into play. Pookey Malibu's gotta have the funniest story. It's weird and funny at the same time to have people; friends, patrons, listeners and fans relate to a name like that and call me by that alias more than the main one. Pookey Malibu's the cat in a straw fedora, "Hawaiian Sophie" button down, open toe sandals with some cargo shorts à la Magnum P.I. days.

 

That said, to talk on the most prevalent name – Slangston Hughes – how did that name come up? And what is your favorite Langston Hughes poem?

Slangston Hughes came up as me just trying to make up a catchy yet thought provoking name. I wanted something that spoke volumes when you heard it but also made you say "Wow, I like that." It was a difficult task to transform from Nov to Slangston Hughes. I was very attached to both names but in the end, took a leap of faith and think I made the best choice. Favorite Langston Hughes poem of the moment has to be "The South."

 

Speaking of poetry, how much co-mingling do you see between the spoken word poetry community and the hip hop community here in New Orleans? Do you regularly hit any open mics around town? What sort of material do you do if you jump on an open mic?

I do see a lot of co-mingling between both communities. The hip-hop emcees can be found at open mics regularly and spoken word poets can be found at the hip-hop showcases and events. I give lots of praise to the spoken word artists of the Mardi Gras Mecca as I often sit back fascinated by their ability to inspire, educate and entertain all at the same time. I know many of New Orleans' spoken word artists personally and see them at open mics I try and frequent. My favorite at this moment has to be the Pass It Open Mic at Red Star Galerie. There are a lot of very creative people who come through the Red Star's door on a weekly basis. The environment is very inviting and intimate which I enjoy as well.

 

If you break down a song into lyrics, flow and beat – who in hip-hop do you think does each best, and who do you think has all 3?

Wow, that's a tough question. With so many different rappers and emcees out nowadays it's very difficult to pick just one per category. I'll tell you who I believe has all three, though: Andre 3000, Eminem, Nas, Lupe Fiasco, Jay-Z, Biggie, Royce Da 5'9", Black Thought, Q-Tip and J Dilla among others.

 

What shows are seared in your memory? What was your best and worst experiences performing?

My best experiences had to be winning my third championship at the Microphone Corivalry Emcee Competition, being one of the first rappers ever to perform at a Borders store last November and that same night at Kajun's Pub when I caught the "Hip-Hop Holy Ghost," which brought about my new found confidence and energetic but slightly intense onstage persona. The worst would have to be when Blaze the Verbal Chemist and myself did a show in the summer of '06 (put on by Section 8 Magazine). Mics were fading in and out, we were forgetting lyrics, very nervous, etc. All of these elements just goes to show you, lack of preparation leads to a poor performance. You HAVE to go into each show with a game plan.

 

Along the same lines – what are your top 5 seminal hip-hop albums?

My top 5 Hip-Hop albums: Mos Def's "Black On Both Sides," The Foreign Exchange "Connected," Notorious B.I.G.'s "Ready To Die," Nas "Illmatic" and The Roots "Do You Want More?"

 

How would you describe hip-hop as you understand it--a music style, a culture, a political movement? How does that influence what you think the role of an emcee is?

I look at hip-hop as a culture composed of the four basic elements; dj'ing, grafitti, breakdancing and emcing. It is also a music style comprised of more lyrical content than found in rap music which can be socially conscious along with subject matter, storytelling and concepts. The emcee's role is tied hand in hand with what goes on and has gone within the culture. In short, you won't know where you're going unless you know where you've been. Our predecessors have set the tone for what it is that we do and it is ultimately up to us as emcees to pay very close attention to our history and if need be adapt to the changing times and mold the role to fit the means.

 

That said, there are a lot of labels to try to differentiate the separate parts of this burgeoning beast we call hip hop -- "gangsta rap," "conscious," "crunk," "nerdcore," and on and on. If you had to label yourself, what would you call your style?

I try not categorize or label my style but if I had to I would call it "intelligent Hip-Hop." It's definitely hip-hop but I try to educate with my rhymes, not preach as well as infuse concepts in the songs, some subject matter and give listeners a "complete" song at the end of the day. I'm all about creativity. How can I push the envelope today?

 

In your Artist Statement for "Money and the Message", you talk about the conflict between the two. You gotta eat to live and want to get paid, but you don't want to just say a bunch of materialistic and misogynistic stuff over dope beats. How much responsibility do you feel for what you put out there as an emcee?

A ton of responsibility. What I write, perform and put out to the masses is just as important as an actor or professional athlete's image in public. It's what I stand behind, what I represent and what I hope everyone will ultimately enjoy and respect.

 

Specifically, what are your feelings on language? Do you debate whether or not to use n*gga or b*tch in your songs? When you're creating message-centered hip hop, how do you negotiate the terms used?

Certain situations to me call for certain language. I've got young cousins and an adolescent sister that like my music, so I try to make music everyone regardless of age can listen to. I also want my mom to be able to listen to my music so the language can't be riddled with obscenities bar after bar. That wasn't how I was raised so I can't relate and relay that in my rhymes. I grew up being sent to the dictionary when I wanted to know what a word meant so my vocabulary is reflected in lyrics and assists in me not having to use n*gga, b*tch or any other curse word regularly. I was raised by three women, so the respect for women is there also. I don't think about what I'm writing from a censorship standpoint. I tend more to just let the pen hit the pad and let the words flow out unhinged. The same applies to the message. It must be free or it's not me.

 

What are your thoughts on the sustainability of the New Orleans hip-hop scene? What shows or events are "can't miss"? What can people do to support (beyond spending tons of money on merch)?

The New Orleans hip-hop scene is definitely gaining ground and constantly ascending in my eyes. It's great to see so many people who care about their craft as well as the business side of things. The camaraderie is cool as well since we're all trying to achieve a common goal. Besides any Slangston Hughes' show, hip-hop fans can't miss Grassroots! every 1st Saturday of the month at the Dragon's Den put on by the homie, Truth Universal and Soundclash, every 2nd Saturday of the month at the Blue Nile put on by Truth and the Eupham crew. The best thing people can do to support is to be in attendance. By showing up in numbers to local events like these continuously builds up the New Orleans' hip-hop community and shows both the artists as well as the venue owners that hip-hop should be taken seriously.

 

And now, the moment you knew was coming ever since you told me you were from Hollygrove... What's on your mind about Weezy?

I'm not the biggest Lil' Wayne fan. I respect him for his drive, accomplishments and what he's done for the city by showing people that hip-hop does live in the South. However, my mind and ear harken back to the days of "The Block Is Hot" and "Lights Out." To me those were his best albums, because he couldn't curse in his verses and they were some of the most thought out, well planned pieces I've seen in some time, but when you in a sense "reinvent" yourself like he did shortly before releasing Tha Carter saying "I'm the best rapper alive since the best rapper retired," I just thought that was a blatant slap in the face not only to Jay but more importantly to Hip-Hop. That's just my opinion though. From time to time, he does put out some tracks that I really like and do enjoy.

 

Anything else you wanna tell folks?

Support local hip-hop!!! Shoutouts to my main sources of inspiration; Dianne, Shirley and Doretha, my Tygah Woods fam, all my co-workers, friends, fans and supporters. A Cut Above is up next. Stick with me y'all, I'm going places...

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

"Headphones" by Nola Divine

Yo,

In keeping with Tygah Woods Week on ThaOvaground.com, I see that pretty much any good music from the N.O. region (and Louisiana) in general should be included in this week. But, as I focus more on the Tygah Woods collective, I have a video that falls in the mold of what Tygah Woods represents: good music.

Shouts out to my girl Nola Divine (from NOLADIVINEWRITES and an Ovaground/Tygah Woods affiliate by extended fam yadda yadda) for this video entitled "Headphones".

My girl is looking beautiful with a Chi-Town background expressing her visual poetic form. This video is dope.

Experience the real.


-L'Daialogue

Kanye-ISMS presented by THAOVAGROUND.COM

These are crazy.

It's nice to see that Kanye has crashed the world. lol.

I'm done after this.

-L'Daialogue

D. Francis (of Tygah Woods)- Work In Progress EP [RE-UP LINK]

As we continue with the Ovaground "Tygah Woods Week"...a re-up of a D. Francis project earlier this summer entitled "Work In Progress". This is a cool project and also a very introspective one...


Check it out mane. Peyyyyyyyyahhhhhh!!!!!


-L'Daialogue

















DOWNLOAD LINK:

http://www.zshare.net/download/61930101aee41a84/

Kia Shine wins BIG at this year's BMI Awards in NYC

Memphis stand up!!!!!


Memphis artist/producer Kinfolk Kia Shine won big at the BMI Awards in New York this past weekend. He was awarded for his co-writing credit for the Drake smash-hit single "Best I Ever Had".


Okkkkkayyyyyyy.


What's that face for?????


Oh, so you DON'T believe me???


Well, here is some proof:


























See, he DOES have credit on the song (as seen above) so definitely congrats to Kia and Drake for showing Memphis more love in the game.


-L'Daialogue

Tygah Woods- Back To My Roots (NEW SINGLE)

Directed By Larry Legaux Of (On Point Media)

Tygah Woods- Go Hard (Moonwalker Edition) NEW MIXTAPE!!!!

The first installment in our TYGAH WOODS WEEK is a NEW tape fresh off of the presses.

This Tygah Woods mixtape entitled "Go Hard" (Moonwalker Edition) is an ode to the legendary Michael Jackson with production duties handled by New Orleans' own MF'Ntertainment.

While this tape features Blaze The Verbal Chemist, D. Francis, Slangston Hughes and J-Dubble, this 10 track tape is a hard-hitting mixtape and is one of the best MJ dedications I have heard out now.

I suggest you download this one immediately to get your Monday started.


-L'Daialogue

LINK: Tygah Woods- "Go Hard" (Moonwalker Edition)

Enjoy The Classic CD From The Go Hard Gang! "Tygah Woods" As MFn Entertainment Presents "Go Hard! Moonwalker Edition"..A Dedication To The Greatest Entertainer In History Michael Jackson with a Tygah Woods Touch To It.

http://www.zshare.net/download/65520744c81c5808

"Tygah Woods Week" THIS WEEK on OVAGROUND SOUNDZ!!!!

Yes people,


It is Tygah Woods Week on ThaOvaground this week. The next few days....hopefully you guys can get MORE acquainted with our favorite collective under the Mason-Dixon based out of the Crescent City, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The collective consists of: Mr. J'ai, J-Dubble, Blaze The Verbal Chemist, D. Francis, Slangston Hughes, DJ Mike Swift, Jonathan Jackson and Rusty Lowdown aka "The 6 Million Dollar Hypeman".

They, along with other local New Orleans acts have played a part in being the LITERAL phoenix that have raised the city's Hip Hop scene back from the ashes of Hurricane Katrina into the forefront along with the homey Lyrikill's monthly Soundclash Beat Competition.

So, not only will we have some more insight into this crew....we will definitely have some NEW music, EXCLUSIVES and just some general info on the hottest crew in the N.O.

Stay tuned all week for more.

Holla back,

L'Daialogue

A Good Ass Remix WEEKEND!!!!

Yes,

Finally we have some underground knock to offset the BP3(Jay-Z)/OB4ACL (Raekwon) hype (*NO SHOTS FIRED*).

I'm not knockin' them but after that T-Pain/Jay-Z/Fab fiasco earlier this week, I'm pledging my time to my Southern brothers and as Pimp C would say "country rap tunes".

So, after bugging MIDI Marc for weeks (I repeat ..."buggin" him) the project is out mane. Check out this write up by the site hosting the mixtape release, MixtapeTorrent.com and check out the tape mane.

Last time, this series did 10k in downloads plus a dope feature in the Ozone Magazine. So, please believe this tape is OFFICIAL!!! Check out the write up on MixtapeTorrent and ENJOY!

-L'Daialogue


-----------------------------------------------

Courtesy of MixtapeTorrent.com

7 months after the release of the critically acclaimed "Good Ass Remix", Part 2 is finally here.

Featuring original exclusive remixes produced by MIDIMarc (SEA Producer Of The Year nominee) & DJ Cannon Banyon, with artists such as Juicy J, Project Pat, Lil Wayne, Gucci Mane, Fat Rat Da Czar, Mr. Flip, Hollwyood, L'Daialogue and more, you already know this exclusive MixtapeTorrent.com presentation is a must download!



LINK: DJ Cannon Banyon & MIDI Marc Presents Good Ass Remix Pt. 2 (NEW MIXTAPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!)-

http://bit.ly/dDveO





LINK: DJ Cannon Banyon & MIDI Marc Presents Good Ass Remix 1 (The Original)-

http://tinyurl.com/bhqqgs


Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Andreas Hale vs. BET Networks (OVAGROUND EXCLUSIVE plus the "INFAMOUS EMAIL")

Okay peeps,


I was on Twitter off and on today (I was off from work today) and I see that Andreas Hale, FORMER (with emphasis on the "former") has parted ways with BET.

No biggie, huh????

Actually, I was happy to see him do some big things over there. I used to bug the heck out of him to get a writing gig at HipHopDx a few years back...but from what I remember he was cool.

But, back to the discussion at hand.

After you read what my mans have to say...I'm sure that you all will agree that BET is well....you know....BULLSH*T, CORRUPT, CORPORATE LEECHES DESTROYING THE THE HEART AND SOUL OF REAL BLACK PROGRAMMING to say the least. But, you guys already knew this, right?

But, other than that...it's kinda funny that it turns out like this in corporate America. You try to play a brotha...he gets fired (or leaves willingly) and the corporate heads try to either (1.) smear this man (or woman) or (2.) downplay whatever he or she may have to say because IT MAY BE THE TRUTH!!!!!!!!!!

But, yadda yadda...check out the INFAMOUS EMAIL courtesy of the site, STRAIGHT OUT OF NYC: http://str8nyc.com/

Hey, the truth hurts...


But, what hurts more is that people won't even listen to the truth though.


-L'Daialogue


p.s. Like how I said "infamous email"...lol. It's funny to me at least...lol.

----------------------------------------------------------------


Written by: Andreas Hale


To friends, colleagues and those that should know,

As of today (September 8, 2009) I am no longer the Executive Editor of Music at BET.com.

Upon entering the position at BET I said that I needed one year to see what really went on inside the belly of the beast. I needed 365 days to sleep with the enemy and infiltrate the system. One year to see if they REALLY wanted change at BET.

As someone who has been critical of BET for many years, it surprised many that I would leave my post at HipHopDX last year to take a position at BET. But it was an opportunity I absolutely had to take. I could no longer be critical of this company without accepting the opportunity to change it when given. Although I was hired to bring about change, I was systematically shut down. I wasn’t hired to make noise, I was hired to be silenced.

The truth of the matter is that everything that you thought was wrong with BET is true.

Over the past year I’ve seen a lot to reinforce my position that BET is too far gone in the negative to turn into a positive. We have all always thought the worst, but to actually see it in action is another thing in its entirety. The unprofessionalism, the tom foolery, the favors, the misappropriation of resources, the bad ideas that reinforce negative stereotypes, the emasculation of men, the meetings that break down in full fledged cursing battles, the unpaid overtime, the tears from employees scared for their underpaid and overworked positions and ultimately the unwillingness to change are all harsh realities that I’ve witnessed firsthand.

That is not to say that there aren’t some good people who have sat in the offices of BET. Unfortunately, the good people are not in positions of power to instill any change. Instead, they work their fingers to the bone just to keep their jobs in this harsh economic climate. The other good people ran out of the door as soon as an another employment opportunity presented itself. To say BET was a revolving door would be an understatement.

I came in with a plan to provide balance and to deliver good music to the masses and help make BET relevant again - at least in the dot com world. Those attempts were shut down by out of touch executives who run a dot com but could barely turn on a computer. By those who judge their metrics by page views over absolute unique visitors (that‘s ad sales talk). By those who simply don’t understand the internet.

They brought me in because of my track record but never once took a look at my body of work. If they did, they would have known that I was the pen behind editorials such as “BET’s Coon Picnic” or were aware of the many times I have been critical of their award shows and programming. All they knew is that I played a major role in making a once unknown website into a online media outlet that surpassed theirs and they wanted a piece of the action. Too bad they never researched who I really was.

During my tenure I worked long hours and sometimes succeeded at bringing in decent content to try to reflect the change I wanted to achieve. But it wasn’t without opposition. While some interviews and content initiatives were able to make it through, many others were either shut down or met with ridicule. I offered ideas to incorporate the blog world and to spotlight new talent before MTV did. Those ideas were met with comments such as “This isn’t HipHopDX” or “You don’t know what you are talking about.”

BET is not about the quality of your work. Rather, BET is about the relationships you have with powerful people within the company. BET is not about challenging. Instead, BET is about accepting and saying “yes.” If you have known or followed me over the years, you would know that these are things that simply are not in my character and ultimately resulted in my removal.

For the artists and labels that I have worked with for years, I tried. I did whatever I could to achieve that balance many of us wanted to see happen. To the writers who wanted to writer for BET, I made an attempt but was never given a budget to work with.

Upon my arrival, I was told I would be given a staff. Not true. I had a staff of one to carry out daily operations on a website. I fought tooth and nail to accomplish the minimum (an embeddable player and a site people could navigate) and was constantly brushed off. It was a position that was set up for failure. But I endured as long as I could.

Alas, I have been removed from my position after infiltrating the system and the timing was perfect. I wasn’t let go because the site’s numbers were down. Not because I didn’t work hard. Simply because of a personality clash with an individual whose proverbial ass I didn’t kiss enough. Again, not about the work you do but about the relationships you keep and the sides you take.

I’d like to thank BET for covering the cost of my relocation to bring me to the great city of New York/New Jersey. I’d also like to thank them for putting me in close quarters with people who think like me and will hopefully work with in the near future. I’d also like to thank them for providing me enough controversial content that I observed firsthand and will make for many tales to be told.

I said it and I meant in: One year to either make changes or move on. I left HipHopDX on September 16th 2008. Today is September 8, 2009. Eight days short of a year. Most thought I wouldn’t even last that long. But in that year I’ve had my greatest fears about Black Entertainment Television affirmed.

There is so much wrong with BET that I’d rather not break it down in a single email.

It is pretty good fodder for a book don’t you think?

As of today, Andreas Hale is a free agent.

Nicolay’s City Lights 2: Shibuya And Why NOT To Buy It From iTunes (Video)

My cuzzo mane....


Check the commentary on their new project mane...Itunes seem to be gettin' in my mans pockets mane. Support that project from OTHER digital distributors dude.


Check it out.


-L'Daialogue

I AM THAT DUDE- LYRIKILL (Off the Heart & Sole Project)

Go cop that NEW Lyrikill mane....this is New Orleans' Finest!!!!

Heart & Sole available now on Amalgam Digital NOW!!!

-L'Daialogue

T-Pain is UPSET with Jay-Z???

Can I say....why NOW????


Now, I know that T-Pain has felt this way for a minute. I mean...nobody wouldn't have come out with a song shi*tting on something that I did. But, this video got the "boomerang" effect written ALL over it. You KNOW that Jay-Z gonna say something about this...but I digress.

After this....hopefully people support BP3 (Jay-Z), OB4CL2 (Raekwon), Lyrikill's Heart and Sole and whoever else is dropping today. Holla front...lol.

-L'Daialogue

Good Ass Remix Pt. 2 / InDAIpendent

While you guys are stuffing yourselves with whatever people eat on Labor Day weekend, be advised that their is heat coming ya'll's way this next coming up week.

You have been hearing so much about both of these projects and even if Jay's Blueprint 3 is coming out...the buzzing still continues.

So, check out the tentative covers from both projects one exclusively presented by Angry Chimp Music Group per DJ Cannon Banyon and MIDIMarc. The other one is a collaborative effort between Affillieated Vischunz/DRDP Productions and Angry Chimp with all production handled by MIDIMarc.

What a way to end the summer.

Be on the lookout.

-L'Daialogue
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile