Drugs are not good kids, especially those prescription pills. I just got word two days ago that my homie’s little brother 24 years old just overdosed on painkillers and muscle relaxers. Just like my potna his big bro did 4 years before him at the very same age. May they both Rest In Power. A dope fiend always thinks they’re in control of their habit until it kills them.
I’m truly glad Em pulled a one 80 on his addiction, being so close to death explains why the cat looks perennially on one now. It’s like he’s got permanent meth eye.

via:NahRight

Read M.I.A’s cover story here on Complex.com

When you think of dynamic duos, there could be many interesting pairs that come to mind. When you think of dynamic duos from the world of music, these interesting pairs represent a relationship so unique, so refreshing that you can’t help but eagerly anticipate the next collaboration between these artists. While most artists might only have one easily identifiable significant other, in the case of one of Los Angeles’ finest Murs that might be harder to identify. We could say that his collaborations with the Living Legends are the most special. Even though it represents less of a dynamic duo, it does represent artists from southern California and artists from northern California coming together to form one of the best hip-hop collectives. We could say that it is his work with Slug as FELT. This group that wasn’t a group in the first place has become a fan favorite to the point that fans eagerly await any a rare opportunity to see them perform their incredibly entertaining adventures. What makes Murs special is every collaboration he participates in is unique, represents a different musical direction, and offers fans a chance to see Murs’ range as a lyricist. However, his collaborations with 9th Wonder and Chang Weisberg represent collaborative efforts made in heaven. With the benefit of 9th Wonder’s golden touch, Murs has produced some of hip-hop’s contemporary classics, and through his Guerilla Union affiliated Paid Dues festival, Murs has been able to work with and provide a platform for some of the best hip-hop has to offer while making it an outlet different from Rock the Bells. Recently, URB caught up with Murs to discuss his most recent project, his reflections on the Paid Dues series, and his thoughts on other possible collaborations.

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URB: As you reflect on this year’s Paid Dues Festival (5th Annual), what were your fondest memories from this year as well as from the previous installments?

Murs: My fondest moments every year is knowing kids were able to get out have a good time and make it home safely. As far as personal fan of rap moments, I got to meet Lady of Rage this year. I got to shake her hand, which was awesome. Other than that, I can’t say too much because I was busier this year than any other year. I got to see the first two acts that went on, but other than that I was working.

READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW HERE @ URB.COM

An interview with downtown Va$htie shot by Tone. No excuses needed, you know this is going to look beautiful and be intelligent even if it’s just a bunch of goofing. Get Up On Magic!

Via: 2dopeBoyz

Another insightful interview on Frisco emcee DaVinci from the homies @ Thizzler On The Roof

I’m jelly of the people @ LaStereo.TV. They got to interview the guys behind one of my favorite albums of 2010 Strong Arm Steady!

Props to M.Boogie

There hasn’t been a more compelling artist to come out of the deep country south recently than Yelawolf. Headquartered  in Gadsden, Alabama not far from the famed Talladega Speedway Yela has been scooping up fans in the past 4 months like cooked crawfish by the handfull.  His blend of double time rhyme, melodic hooks, story telling and Chevy door slamming trunk popping bass is a catchy as it is an eye opener for a lot of people who thought that Eminem would be the last white dude to lyrically astound them. Constructing an un-abashed picture of hip hop from a southern country perspective he’s about as interesting, talented and humble as they come.

In this interview with 24KMilkCrate Yelawolf breaks down his tatts, preferred method of unwinding after long stints on the road and his stretch as a fisherman in Alaska’s Bering sea.  Don’t miss it!

shot by Jan Ferrer

Yelawolf X Yung & BlasSted

LAStereo.TV continues to up the ante on quality interviews on LA up and coming hip hop scene dignitaries. Big up to Val The Vandle for plugging 24KMilkCrate into the scene in out there. Homie is everywhere. Get Up On Magic!

Words: ChasenPaper

Photos: Patrick (Paddy Cake) Kawahara

Art: Wayland Chew

Take a deep breath, now say every synonym in the English language thinkable for the word swagger. Bay Area emcee J-Billion or “Billion” should be the first word from your lips as you exhale. No stranger to the hip hop scene in S.F, he’s opened up crowds for huge artists like Q-tip, Bun B, and The Clipse, and had them eating from his palm. His high pitched live voice will cut through the weakest sound system and defeat the most unschooled engineer. With a will to succeed that forces the sound waves themselves to be as determined as his heart is to be heard. Fairly unknown outside of the Bay Area, he has more gigs performed and albums stacked up than professional emcees. Which in the course of the interview led him to declare his status as the, “Illest rapper with a job you know.” J-Billion is new to the game but not in a negative way. His thoughts and movements are more mature than a young emcees, yet his spirit makes it clear that he will be forever young. Any veteran in the entertainment business will concur, the music game can be a fountain of youth or it can make a man old and weather beaten beyond his years. Trust, for J-Billion it’s the former…never the latter and luckily, he decided to gear up with 24KMilkCrate and OhDangmag.com to present you with his introduction.

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Words: ChasenPaper
Photos: Jan Ferrer
Visuals: Wayland Chew

Curt@!ns is all charm and moxie. Want evidence? Two minutes and fifty seven seconds into his song, “The Dope Supremacy” he slings the rhyme. “See me/ I’m what ya’ll coulda been/ young rebel/ I’m what Nas coulda been/” Don’t be put off. It’s not hard to tell that his impertinence for the icon stems from hunger and frustration and not from disrespect. It’s baggage he shoulders from having to deal with a major label system that shuns truly original artists like himself for followers of trends. So much so that Curt@!ns took a brief break from the industry and moved from Brooklyn out to sunny L.A to work two jobs and re-energize. Gladly he’s back and in a profound way.

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