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Albuquerque emcee Wake Self releases sophomore effort

Albuquerque hip-hop staple Andy "Wake Self" Martinez had a stellar year in 2013. He released his first solo album, The Healing Process, and toured the country in support of the record, winning over new fans and solidifying his reputation as a fearless emcee. On March 18, 2014, Martinez drops his sophomore effort, Good Things Happen to Those Who Wake, a 12-track voyage through the New Mexico native's mind. Packed with flawless production by PH8, Percy Wells and DJ Young Native, Martinez effortlessly ebbs and flows over each beat with the fluidity of a master. With atypical lyrical content ranging from yoga, energy cleansing and eating organic food to population control, wearing matching flannels with his older brother and social media dumbing down America, Good Things Happen to Those

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Tef Poe releases new video from his Cheer For The Villain album

The first official video from Tef Poe's heavily buzzing new release Cheer For The Villain is here. Called Hennessy, the visuals are directed by Remrod and the track itself has a distinct sting to it, but finishes smoothly. Tef, talking real talk as always, exudes bravery and confidence in the midst of frustration and anxiety. The guitar, drums and keys on the album are mostly live by executive producer DJ Burn One and 5 Points Music Group. Cheer For The Villain was just released independently by Footklan/Overdose Entertainment. Tef Poe embodies the righteous, misunderstood villain and definitely has you cheering for him. Check out the new video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GHaVpVUoYE and album http://tefpoemusic.bandcamp.com/album/cheer-for-the-villain and say hi to the bad

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Exclusive: Zapp Band - The RAPstation Interview - Part 1

Zapp Band Part 1 By Kyle Eustice In 1977, four brothers from Hamilton, Ohio emerged with a fresh funk sound that eventually inspired an entire sub-genre of hip-hop in the '90s. Called Zapp and Roger, brothers Roger, Larry, Terry "Zapp" and Lester Troutman exploded on to the local scene armed with a talk box (vocodor) and one of the meanest stage shows anyone had ever seen. Funk music had already begun to infiltrate American culture thanks to artists like Parliament Funkadelic, James Brown and Kool and the Gang. After playing around the Cincinnati area for many years, they eventually released their debut album, Zapp, in 1980 on Warner Brothers Records. The album yielded the massive hit, "More Bounce to the Ounce" and catapulted them to a whole new level. After Zapp II, III

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MaLLy preps new album and releases single with Slug & Rapper Hooks

If The Last Great, the debut album from MaLLy, was meant to be a chest-thumping, boastful, and triumphant effort that finally broke MaLLy to the masses, The Colors of Black is the direct result of what would have been the end result if The Last Great never came into existence. Throughout the duration of The Colors of Black, MaLLy uses it as a vehicle to present the pressures of race, acceptance, and the politics, or lack thereof, in current day Hip-Hop and himself. It allows MaLLy to utilize his sharp wordplay to paint vivid depictions of what would've came to be of Malik Watkins, or what already is. Last Word's production provides MaLLy with a dark, ominous, and bleak sound to take MaLLy's dark imagery and expansive wordplay to new heights, like g

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Amber Glass releases new My Name Is tribute video to Eminem

When rapper Eminem made his 1999 debut with the ground breaking hit "My Name Is" from his "The Slim Shady LP" project, he turned the music scene upside down and positioned himself as the "Rap God" he is today. Fifteen years later, female rapper Amber Glass is vying for the "Rap Goddess" throne. Spitting fierce lyrical fury with feminine flow, the new artist, from Power Moves Media, pays tribute to the rap legend with a bold, unapologetic remake of his "My Name Is" single via a vibrantly brand new video release. Please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vkgEdqe4zI to view the video now. An Oklahoma native, Amber Glass is the discovery of Power Moves Media CEO Nitro. A potent mix of sass, sex and sizzle, Glass spews unrepentant verses that roll raw and punch with dominion. Take fem

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Open Mike Eagle signs three project deal with Mello Music Group

Open Mike Eagle (Hellfyre Club) has signed a three project deal with Mello Music Group for 2014 & 2015. The first album "Dark Comedy" is being readied for a summer release and is set to be one of 2014's biggest records. Mike is Chicago born and raised with a degree in Pyschology. After moving to Los Angeles, Mike joined up with the Project Blowed collective and began making music with Aceyalone, Abstract Rude, and Busdriver. He's also gained noteriety in the comedy world by rapping at shows for Hannibal Burress, Matt Besser, and Paul F. Tompkins. Mello Music Group is excited to have an emcee on board who raises the team's average SAT score so much. Max Bell of Passion of the Weiss writes: "Along with the announcement, Mike and MMG have released an official video for “Qualifier

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