My bad ass friend Mike Relm was “commissioned” to create an uber awesome TV trailer for Iron Man 2!!! Mike and I have that Bay connection (so, I knew him when…lol) and I am always impressed by his work…to think it all started with 2 turntables, a mixer and some crates full of records – has evolved into so much more. Last night this OFFICIAL TV Spot for Iron Man 2 aired during Adult Swim.
According to Mike:
Jon Favreau spotted my Iron Man 2 trailer remix, he liked it enough to have me do this 45 second spot for television!
This is the original trailer he did…
I don’t even know if there is a genre, category or niche to put Mike in, but I think it’s most important to note his work all stems from Hip Hop and he is nothing less than amazing at what he does…he has mastered mixing, scratching & creating with music AND video!!
…so, a couple years ago when he passed through Miami on tour with the Blue Man Group, I featured him on Deco Drive.
This past February, I had the pleasure of meeting Deep Foundation – http://www.deepfoundation.net, while attending the MAFA Conference in Indiana. These three emcees – MUG Shot, ILL Poetick and CJ (reppin Queens and Jersey), deliver intelligent insight and well-crafted lyrics, along with an admirable sense of social consciousness. And they are outspoken when it comes to paying respect to their Filipino roots through their music. Below check out a track and video they did in response to derogatory comments made publicly by Adam Carolla.
“Minority Report (Response to Adam Carolla)”
by Deep Foundation & Hydroponikz
Video by Hydroponikz – http://www.hydroponikz.com
*The views depicted in this recording are solely those of the artists, and by no means do they encourage or condone violence against other people.
Earlier this month, Adam Carolla made disparaging comments about Manny Pacquiao, the Philippines, and its people in his popular “The Adam Carolla Podcast.” For those who insist that it was merely a joke and that Carolla’s comments should not be taken too seriously, we encourage you to listen carefully to a clip from the podcast. We do not feel that he was joking when he made rants such as, “All they have over there is Manny Pacquiao and sex tours,” and, “Here’s how you know when your country doesn’t have a lot going for it: When everything is about Manny Pacquiao.”
When your culture, your nation’s identity and the worth of your people are devalued, misrepresented and ignorantly disparaged by one possessing a historically oppressive skin tone, those who bear the brunt of the dishonorable insults will naturally be cajoled into action. Such was the case when Adam Carolla’s comments in regards to the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao and his Filipino supporters were aired on The Adam Carolla Podcast.
Carolla posted an “apology” on Twitter, but only after thousands of Filipinos signed a petition demanding an apology did he post one on his site. We felt the need to respond to his comments reducing our people to simply Manny Pacquiao worshipers and prostitutes. So we did.
Vado has been hard at work, in the studio, shooting videos and on his interview/media grind too. So, please do look out for that Boss of All Bosses 2.5 – should be out any day now… and SLime Flu will quickly follow!
Well, this past week Natty Photo reached out to us about shooting photos of Vado, and when I saw his work, I was very impressed, so we invited him along to Vado’s video shoot for “Large On The Streets” being directed and shot by Factory Media 15 Films. Here are a few behind the scenes still shots taken by Freddy (Natty Photo).
One of my latest music obsessions has been with the B.o.B. and Bruno Mars track “Nothin’ On You.” Not only is this song at the top of the charts in heavy radio rotation, but it’s a feel good song with a beautiful melody and lyrics that’d make any girls heart melt! Side note: I actually met Bruno Mars in studio a couple years ago while stopping by to see my friend Stereotypes…small world! Anyway, I also love the music video and it’s vision for the song.
And then…I came across this great collabo for “Nothin’ on You + Soul Sister” by Sam Tsui & AHMIR. It’s just one of those things I can hear over and over again!
I attended the Erykah Badu concert in Miami last night, acting off a last-minute spontaneous invite by my friend Kimi to get me out of the house! I think this may also be the first time I’ve been to the American Airlines Arena when it transforms into the “Waterfront Theater” for a more intimate setting. I wouldn’t say I’m a HUGE fan of Ms. Badu, but I respect her music and I definitely know her more mainstream/popular hits and who doesn’t appreciate LIVE music?!
She came on stage wearing a purple hoodie and immediately Kimi freaked and was like, “Is she going to strip??” ….referring to the recent controversial music video released by Badu for her new song Window Seat, where she systematically removes all her clothing in downtown Dallas while walking to the spot were JFK was killed. Needless to say that wasn’t going to happen, but she did have a minor wardrobe change, adding a top hat and fitted letterman jacket.
I love the way she keeps it “real.” I’ve never paid too close of attention to her specific lyrics, but she is a true poet when expressing her pain and life experiences, especially when it comes to love and heartache. She also did snippets of classic Hip Hop rhymes, which the audience clearly appreciated and chimed in on the popular verses.
All in all, I had a great “date night” with Kimi. I was expecting Badu to do her frequently quoted Tyrone song, but it didn’t happen even though a whole lotta folks in the audience screamed for it!
Oh yeah, here’s a youtube I found with her On and On performance if you want a taste of the show!
Every year XXL Magazine releases an issue featuring a selection of (who they choose to label) the hot *NEW* FRESHMEN. I’m using “new” lightly because some of them aren’t exactly “new.” Anyway, there’s been some discussion and controversy (hip hop loves controversy) about who made the cover, who shouldn’t be on the cover and who SHOULD be on it. One of those artists who many feel should be on the cover is VADO – Cam’s protege and one of the artists I work with…and being that my other artist Jae Millz feels some kind of way about VADO *NOT* being selected in that class, he spoke on it with True Stories Radio …appreciate you Dutch!
Nonetheless, this interview has sparked a lot of debate, and it’s sort of funny to me that people ONLY hear what they want to hear and then proceed to take it to the next level, whether it be to take personal shots at Millz or interpret what he may or may not be saying, etc… Basically, my take is, he said he’s only familiar with half (5) of the rappers who made the XXL cover, he didn’t say those 5 all deserved to be on it or didn’t, he just said he only knew about half of them. Then he said he strongly feels VADO should’ve been included in that group.
So, it’s just funny to me because at no point did he say he, himself should be on it, or was he making direct comparisons…he just put it out there that he doesn’t agree with all of the choices! lol But, again, people just hear what they want and love to add fuel to the fire! See, this is what I like about Millz, is that he is passionate, and not afraid to speak his mind and stick by his statement. People who know me, know I’m outspoken just the same when I feel a certain kind of way…so I appreciate the raw, blunt, direct honesty!
Anyway, to sort of spin this whole XXL Freshmen cover thing…there’s a show going down tonight hosted by DJ Envy at the Highline Ballroom in NYC featuring performances by 6 of the artists who made that cover. Coincidentally, Cam’ron has been called in for a special performance and guess who he’s bringing out…VADO (ah, the irony)…and I wonder who might just make a cameo on stage with VADO!? Someone who has a lot to say and sticks by what he says… I’m just sayin’ … Millzy might just be there!!
I’m sure tonight will be an unforgettable show with great up and coming artists, who’ve probably been on their grind much longer than we’ve known their names… and with Cam and VADO (U.N.) on stage, plus special cameo appearances…this is just what NYC needs to get (real) hip hop back on track! I won’t be there tonight, but I’ll be there in spirit and waiting to see pictures and video from the event!
Jae Millz released his latest DJ Ill Will/DJ Rockstar mixtape “The Flood” today!! I’m really feelin the tracks and this is a MUST HAVE mixtape – and I’m not saying this cuz I’m on the team, but as a music/hip hop lover. You can ride out with it or put it in rotation when you hanging at home! …it’s Millz doing what he does BEST! You can download it for FREE here…
