08/16/08 | The Game - "My Life" feat. Lil' Wayne (Video)
The video for The Game's latest single off "LAX" has just been released. The Cool & Dre produced song and the visual complement each other very well to create this story called "My Life".

Even though it's already his third video before the actual release of the album, this will most likely be his most successful one.

Click below to check it out:

The Game - My Life feat. Lil' Wayne (Video)

The album made its way onto the internet earlier this week and it has been receiving mostly positive feedback since. After a couple of spins it's easy to hear that Game took a different approach for "LAX". As we reported last month [see: Tracklist For The Game's "LAX"], the features alone showed that he went for a more universal sound this time around. After all, this could be his most complete album and his best work yet.

Don't forget to pick up your copy of "LAX" when it hits stores August 26th!

06/10/08 | Exclusive Interview With Felli Fel
    We had the opportunity to sit down with DJ Felli Fel for an indepth interview. In the first part we talk about radio politics and Fel responds to the accusations of not supporting West Coast artists on Los Angeles radio. He gives his opinions and he also explains what it takes to get the music played on Power 106. Fans and especially artists looking for airplay should definitely check out this piece, as Fel gives out a lot of important and interesting information.

In the second part of the interview we discuss his upcoming album called "Go DJ". Felli Fel explains how the whole situation with So So Def came about, and he also speaks about linking up with all the artists featured on the album.

Read this exclusive interview by clicking below, we'll give it to you all in one take:

Exclusive Interview with DJ Felli Fel

As ever, you can read and listen to this exclusive interview and we urge you to leave feedback on our forums or email them to liljay@dubcnn.com.

We'll keep you posted on the latest 411 regarding the "Go DJ" album. It will feature guest appearances from Snoop Dogg, The Game, WC, E-40, Too Short, Kanye West, Jermaine Dupri, Ludacris and many more.

04/24/08 | Jesse McCartney Remix Competition
    Dynamic Producer announces The Official Jesse McCartney Remix Competition. Hollywood Records’ artist Jesse McCartney recently finished recording Departure, his third solo record. Although For Departure, McCartney sought out many of today's biggest hitmaking producers including Tricky and The-Dream, Sean Garrett, J.R. Rotem, and The Clutch The Official Jesse McCartney Remix Competition will give up & coming producers an opportunity to remix the first single, “Leavin”, with a fresh and innovative sound.

The Grand Prize Winner to receive $2,000 and an opportunity to have their remix promoted. In addition, there will be an online voting component where fans will select the Fan Favorite, who will receive $500. The competition runs from February 14 through March 3, 2008. The Grand Prize Winner and Fan Favorite Winner will be announced April 7, 2008. For more info www.dynamicproducer.com.

02/06/08 | New Single From Snoop Dogg
    Check out Snoop Dogg's underground track "Neva Hafta Wurry", from the forthcoming Ego Trippin!!!! Album hits stores March 11th and features the hit single, "Sensual Seduction".

» Snoop Dogg - Neva Hafta Wurry (Stream)


And don't forget to check out the smash single, "Sensual Seduction" (YouTube Video).

For more info on Snoop, please check out www.snoopdogg.com and/or www.myspace.com/snoopdogg.

02/01/08 | Exclusive Interview With Clyde Carson!
    We had the great opportunity to sit down with the Bay Area rapper who's one step away from shaking up the industry, Clyde Carson. Of course we dicussed his highly anticipated debut solo album "Theatre Music" and Clyde gives us the real reason why it got pushed back so often. He also speaks on his deal with Blackwallstreet/Capitol, his universal sound and the reception in other regions, his influences and his fans, and much more.

As mentioned in the interview, Clyde is about to drop his next single from "Theatre Music" called "Cali State of Mind" featuring The Game with production by Ty Fyffe. Snippets were leaked here and there, and it's getting great feedback so far. An official music video will be shot soon. "Theatre Music" is scheduled to come out in May. Show some love and pick a copy when it drops!

» Exclusive Interview with Clyde Carson

Big shouts to Clyde Carson and Mayne Mannish!

12/04/07 | Featuring... Eazy E
    Twelve years after his death at the age of 31, the music world continues to celebrate N.W.A's hardcore rap pioneer Eazy-E. On December 4, Capitol/Priority will release Featuring... Eazy-E, a new 16-track collection of his best collaborations and rare solo recordings. The compilation includes four previously out of print tracks, which are exclusively available on this release, and collaborations with his N.W.A co-conspirators Ice Cube, MC Ren and Dr. Dre, as well as with Mack 10, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and others.

Between 1987 and 1991, Eazy-E released four albums with N.W.A and one solo full-length album, the double-Platinum Eazy-Duz-It. He became "a bona fide hip-hop icon" (Peter Relic, Rolling Stone Album Guide), and the most hardcore of gangsta rap's pioneers. Since 1995, four posthumous releases have been issued, including the album Eazy-E was recording before his death, Str8 off Tha Streetz of Muthaphukkin Compton, Eternal E, The Impact of a Legend and 2005's commemorative Eternal E: Gangsta Memorial Edition.

More than five million copies of Eazy-E's albums have been sold in the U.S. alone, and his influence on rap music continues today.

Tracklist for Featuring... Eazy E

1. Luv 4 Dem Gangsta'z* Beverly Hill Cop III soundtrack
2. 2 Hard Muthas w/MC Ren
3. Trust No Bitch* w/Penthouse Player's Clique, DJ Quik & AMG
4. L.A. Is The Place w/Ron-De-Vu
5. Findum, F**kum & Flee w/N.W.A
6. Get Yo Ride On w/Mack 10 and M.C. Eiht
7. Black Nigga Killa Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary compilation
8. We Want Eazy (12" remix)* Eazy-Duz-It
9. Foe Tha Love Of $ w/Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
10. I'd Rather F*** You N.W.A
11. 24 Hrs To Live Ruthless Records Tenth Anniversary compilation
12. Boyz In Tha Hood (G Mix) w/ Dr. Dre It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
13. Fat Girl w/Ron-De-Vu
14. Automobile w/N.W.A
15. P.S. Phuk U 2* w/Penthouse Player's Clique & DJ Quik
16. Ruthless Villain w/MC Ren

11/27/07 | The Best of Westside Connection
    The gangsta rap super group Westside Connection was formed in 1993 by West Coast rappers Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. 18 of the platinum-selling group's best tracks have been collected for the first time for The Best Of Westside Connection: The Gangsta, The Killa And The Dope Dealer, to be released December 4 by Capitol/Priority.

Released in 1996, Westside Connection's first album, Bow Down, reached #2 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart, fueled by the massive, chart-crossing radio and club success of the album's title track and its second single, "Gangstas Make The World Go Round."

Following a seven-year hiatus, 2003's gold-certified Terrorist Threats debuted at #16 as the week's highest new rap entry on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart, and also hit #3 on the Rap/Hip-Hop Albums chart. The album's lead single, "Gangsta Nation" (with Nate Dogg), made the Top 10 on both the Rap and Rhythmic Top 40 charts.

Tracklist for The Best Of Westside Connection: The Gangsta, The Killa And The Dope Dealer:

1. Potential Victims
2. The Gangsta, The Killa And The Dope Dealer
3. Bow Down
4. Cheddar
5. Gangsta Nation (with Nate Dogg)
6. Lights Out
7. Connected For Life (with Butch Cassidy)
8. Gangstas Make the World Go Round
9. West Up!
10. Let It Reign
11. Hoo-Bangin' (WSCG style)
12. Walk
13. So Many Rappers in Love
14. Bangin' (with Master P) [previously out-of-print track]
15. Nobody (with Timbaland)
16. All The Critics in NY
17. Westside Slaughterhouse
18. Terrorist Threats

11/27/07 | The Best of Mack 10: Foe Life
    For more than a decade, Mack 10 has been on the front lines of the West Coast rap scene, as a solo artist and as a member of the gangsta rap supergroup Westside Connection. Mack 10's top solo hits and best album cuts have been compiled for the first time in a career and label-spanning 19-track CD and digital collection to be released by Capitol/Priority on December 4: The Best Of Mack 10: Foe Life.

Mack 10's ability to infuse his gritty lyrics with wit, insight and realism makes him one of the best hard-core rappers the genre has ever seen. Titled for his 1995 breakthrough hit, The Best Of Mack 10: Foe Life features the title track and other standouts culled from six solo albums released between 1995 and 2005: Mack 10 (1995, Gold-certified), Based On A True Story (1997, Gold-certified), The Recipe (1998), The Paper Route (2000, Gold-certified), Bang Or Ball (2001), and Hustla's Handbook (2005).

Key tracks on the new collection include "On Them Thangs," "From Tha Streetz," "Money's Just A Touch Away" (with Gerald Levert), and "Nothin' But The Cavi Hit," Mack 10's collaboration with Tha Dogg Pound for the soundtrack to 1997's Rhyme & Reason hip-hop documentary.

Tracklist for The Best Of Mack 10: Foe Life:

1. Foe Life
2. Hate In Yo Eyes
3. Nothin' But The Cavi Hit (with Tha Dogg Pound)
4. Like This (with Nate Dogg)
5. From Tha Streetz
6. Only In California (with Ice Cube & Snoop Doggy Dogg)
7. Money's Just A Touch Away (with Gerald Levert)
8. On Them Thangs
9. Do The Damn Thing
10. Hoo Bangin'
11. The Testimony (with Young Soprano & Pastor Steven Hamilton)
12. Hustle Game
13. The Letter
14. Chicken Hawk
15. My Chucks
16. Tha Weekend (featuring Ice Cube & Techniec)
17. W/S Foe Life
18. Get Yo Ride On (featuring Eazy E & M.C. Eiht)
19. Mozi-Wozi

08/26/07 | Damizza Releasing Unreleased Songs
    Christmas is going to come early for West Coast hip-hop fans- multi-platinum producer Damizza has agreed to open his vast unmatched vault of more than 500 unreleased songs spanning the past two decades and release previously unheard tracks featuring stars as diverse as Krayzie Bone, Nate Dogg, Mariah Carey and more.

"I've had everybody come through the studio from Spiderman's Toby Maguire to Ludacris so what better way celebrate my 20-year love affair with music then by releasing songs by some of the greatest stars of our time?" Damizza says. The producer explains that, until now, he's been so busy working on new material with Butch Cassidy and emerging artists signed to his Baby Ree label that he simply hasn't had time to sift through the hundreds of unreleased works.

"There are volumes of new songs in there," he says, "as well as demo recordings & new material from Jennifer Love-Hewett, Roccett, Macy Gray, Ray J & Nate Dogg - it's really amazing. I surprised myself at the quantity and quality of music. We've just been producing so much material that gems just end up being forgotten. It's an amazing body of work and I feel it needs to be out there for fans."

Damizza Presents: Unreleased Volume will be in stores through Baby Ree and distributed through Fontana/Universal on Nov 31st.

That will be followed in early 2008 by two addition volumes from Damizza's vault which the producer hints may include rare works from Bone Thuggs N Harmony, Mariah Carey, Ice Cube, Bishop Lamont, Ja Rule, Knoc-Turn'al, Fat Joe and many more chart-topping artists.

"There's just no reason for good music to just sit." Damizza says of his incredible catalogue.

08/21/07 | Butch Cassidy Is Living The "Playa Life"
    As his legions of fans know, famed artist Butch Cassidy doesn't do anything with less than 110% effort - and he's following suit this fall with the release of his highly anticipated solo album Playa Life, coming from Baby Ree/KCP Records (distributed by Fontana/Universal).

Among featured guests are Snoop Dogg, WC, MC Magic, Mel-Man, Warren G, Prime, Taje and Damizza.

"It's been a long time comin'", says Butch, who's penned hits for hip-hop's greatest stars- Dr. Dre, Wyclef Jean, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube and many, many more. "I'm puttin' the finishing touches on it now", he said from a mixing session at one of L.A.'s most secretive studios, fittingly called Area 51/Studio 9.

Playa Life reunites Butch with longtime collaborator Snoop Dogg on the single "All I C" produced by Dae One, as well as the A-list of West Coast talents. "There's a little bit of everybody", Butch says.

"No one will be left disappointed. From G-hits like "Let's Ride" with Mel-Man (Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001) to the Jedi Jared Moore produced title track "Playa Life" for the ladies, all bases are covered."

Butch is currently in hot rotation nationwide with several acclaimed releases and recently returned from a Japanese tour with Damizza in support of their hit single duet "Cruzin'' from the album "Back B4 You're Lonely". He's also on the new 2Pac single as well as new tracks from Mack 10 and Glasses Malone.

Get ready. Come November Butch Cassidy is going to invite you to the Playa Life.

08/17/07 | WC Is Taking You On A Throwback Ride!
    It's WC week! As you already know, the West Coast veteran released his long awaited album "Guilty By Affiliation" on Tuesday, so it was only right that your favorite website linked up with him on the release day to chop it up about the new record. Now, not only did we speak to Dub about the present, but we also had the chance to connect with him for a second piece and put the focus on the past this time around.

For the first time in his career, WC takes his time out to rate and review all his solo and group projects. WC shares his opinion and thoughts about his albums, the mindstate he was in during certain eras, and how he rates his work today. Check out this throwback feature, as Dub takes you back to the Low Profile and Maad Circle days, through the Westside Connection projects all the way up to the solo albums, including the latest "Guilty By Affiliation", and even catches a glimpse of the future.

» Exclusive Interview With WC

Also make sure to pick up a copy of "Guilty By Affiliation" if you haven't done so already!

08/11/07 | Little Brother Launching Getback
    Nearly two years since the release of their critically acclaimed sophomore album The Minstrel Show, North Carolina’s Little Brother returns with Getback, a slim and trim 11 track album slated for release September 25th on ABB Records.

The new album features production from Illmind, Hi-Tek, Nottz, Denaun Porter and 9th Wonder, as well as guest shots from Lil’ Wayne (the playful “Breakin My Heart”) and fellow Hall of Justus family members Jozeemo and Darien Brockington, (the bittersweet thump of ‘That Ain’t Love’ and the vibrant ‘Two Step Blues’ respectively).

The inspiration for Getback came out of a desire to “get back” to the original reason Little Brother wanted to make music in the first place; simply for the love and fun of it. Frustrated with “the industry”, they wanted to return to that place in their hearts that made them want to create music. “When I sat down to write my first rhyme I didn’t say, ‘Maybe if I write this, the people at Clear Channel will love me…I never gave a sh*t about that…so when I saw myself caring about that, I knew it was a problem and I had gotten away from the original reasons why I started making music.”

The album is a return to basics for the group and hope this time around the real focus is on the music itself and not what label they’re on, how many records they’re going to sell or who’s in the group. “I think this is the closest we could get to the feeling and energy we had when we made our first record” says Rapper Pooh “Back in 2001 no one knew who we were or that we were even making music. Fast forward to 2007, fresh off Atlantic, the three man group now a duo, people either counted us out or don't know what to expect anymore. That gave us the freedom to be just that, free.”

Formed in 2001 at North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC, Little Brother has become one of the premier names in soulful hip-hop. With influences that range from the expressive boom bap of A Tribe Called Quest to the rugged back and forth chemistry of EPMD, the group’s members, Phonte and Big Pooh, have become essential names in hip-hop circles worldwide.

Little Brother released their debut album, “The Listening,” on ABB Records in 2003 to widespread critical acclaim. After receiving props from hip-hop luminaries such as Pete Rock and DJ Premier, and touring nationally and internationally with the likes of Hieroglyphics and The Roots, the group signed a deal with Atlantic Records in 2004. Their sophomore effort, “The Minstrel Show,” was released on Atlantic in 2005 to a mass of critical praise and media controversy. The video for ‘Lovin It,’ “Minstrel Show’s” lead single, was deemed ‘too intelligent’ by the BET network and was subsequently banned. Similarly, the group’s 4.5 mic rating in Source Magazine was challenged for political reasons, forcing the magazine’s editor-in-chief Fahiym Ratcliffe to resign from his position.

After the release of “Minstrel Show,” the group released a pair of stellar mixtapes; “Separate but Equal” with DJ Drama (2006) and “And Justus for All” with DJ Mick Boogie (2007). Boasting collaborations with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Kardinal Offishall and Ray Cash, “And Justus for All” continued Little Brother’s long running streak of critical admiration, receiving an XL rating in XXL Magazine, and made free to the public via internet download. Shortly after the release of “Justus,” Little Brother left the Atlantic label.

08/11/07 | Spider Loc Releasing Debut Album
    G-Unit’s Spider Loc is releasing his debut album "West Kept Secret (The Prequel)" September 11 on his independent label Baymaac through RBC Records and Koch. This is the first independent for Spider Loc which will set the stage for his forthcoming G-Unit album.

The West Coast is already abuzz in anticipation of West Kept Secret ‘The Prequel’ because of “Blutiful World” and its equally arresting video. With high-profile guest appearances such as Ice Cube and the independent success of his clever single, Spider Loc is indeed the West Coast’s best kept secret, hence his album’s title. “I wanted to represent me,” he says. “I am the West Kept Secret and it describes me in the essence.”

Spider Loc takes a hardcore turn on “Bigg Blacc Boots.” Over dramatic piano stabs, Spider Loc spins an ingenious lyrical homage to Ice Cube, who also appears on the track. The two met a few years ago on the Anger Management Tour and clicked immediately. Working with Cube on his album was a major accomplishment for Spider Loc.

Spider is the only Los Angeles-based member of 50 Cent’s G-Unit. He appeared on the platinum Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ soundtrack and Tony Yayo’s blockbuster Thoughts Of A Predicate Felon. Impressed by his lyrical acumen, Young Buck invited Spider Loc to his “Shorty Wanna Ride” video shoot in Los Angeles. While there, Spider Loc rapped for 50 Cent, who was impressed by Spider Loc’s style and content. He quickly signed him to G-Unit.

As he waits on his G-Unit debut, Spider Loc has launched his own Baymaac Music imprint, which will release West Kept Secret ‘The Prequel’. Baymaac Music is part of a bigger conglomerate of black entrepreneurs who have a multitude of business ventures, from an auto restoration company to a hauling business.

Fans get all that and more on West Kept Secret ‘The Prequel’ dropping on September 11th.

Spider Loc “Blutiful World” OG Version

Tracklist:

1. SPI - Spider Loc
2. BLUTIFUL WORLD - Spider Loc feat E-Note
3. BIG BLACC BOOTS - Spider Loc feat Ice Cube
4. GET RIGHT DOWN - Spider Loc
5. SOMETIMES - Spider Loc
6. ALL I KNOW - Spider Loc feat E-Note
7. LOOK AT ME - Spider Loc feat E-Note
8. MAKE YOU LOVE ME - Spider Loc
9. RUSS - Spider Loc
10. HUSTLE TO YOU COME UP - Spider Loc
11. HOLD ON - Spider Loc
12. CLOSE TO THE EDGE - Spider Loc
13. CRY and CRY - Spider Loc feat L.O.V.E.
14. I LIKE - Spider Loc
15. BLUTIFUL WORLD RE-REMIX - Spider Loc feat Papa Smurf & Piper

08/07/07 | 9th Wonder To Release Solo Debut
    In a whirlwind six-years, 9th Wonder has already been a vital-cog in the success of Little Brother, been hailed as one of Hip-hop’s most ingenious producers, started a “Hip-hop in context 1973-1997” course at his alma-mater North Carolina Central University (alongside Chris Martin from Kid N Play) from the ground up and participated on a Grammy Award winning LP (Mary J Blige’s 2005 The Breakthrough) and worked with two other Grammy Award winners (Jay-Z and Destiny’s Child).

In addition to crafting the beats for Little Brother (2003’s The Listening & 2005’s The Minstrel Show), 9th Wonder has gone on to become one of Hip-hop’s most sought after producers, working with a wide-array of artists such as; Jay-Z, Destiny’s Child, Mary J. Blige, Lloyd Banks, Mos Def, De La Soul, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Masta Ace, Murs, Buckshot, Masta Ace, Royce 5’9, Ras Kass, Consequence, Saigon, Sean Price and his Justus League cohorts among others. The vast diversity of the artists and genre’s 9th Wonder has worked with and in further demonstrates his ability as one of the most talented artists in music today; as his sound is infused with soul loops and jazz sentiment. 9th’s background in classical music and music theory gives his music a sonic breath and maturity that surpasses his years.

While 9th Wonder may have previously spent the majority of his time collaborating for other artists or in a group-setting, on 10-09-07 he finally strikes out on his own with his debut LP Dream Merchant Vol. 2. Littered with some of the finest established lyricists (Saigon, Royce 5’9, Mos Def, Memphis Bleek, Jean Grae, Camp Lo, Buckshot, Sean Price) Hip-hop has to offer, alongside some of the most-promising newcomers (Skyzoo, Torae, Joe Scudda and Kidz In The Hall’s Naledge) and former group-members (Little Brother) as well, making Dream Merchant Vol. 2 is a sonic and lyrical tour-de-force. When it came time to decide who he would collaborate with on Dream Merchant Vol. 2, as 9th relays the formula was pretty simple “basically it came down to who wanted to work with me. I wanted to work with a group of artists where some you had heard of and some you haven’t, but all in all wanted to work with me, without having to go thru 50 different people to get to the artist. The artists that are on the album are cats who genuinely wanted to do music with me. That was more important to me then anything else.

While 9th is shouldering allot of expectations from critics and fans alike for his debut, he has a more subtle goal for the project, as he laments “I put expectations to the side and just focused on giving the people something to listen too that they can enjoy.”

9th Wonder’s Dream Merchant Vol. 2 will be released on October 9th, 2007 on Six Hole/Hall of Justus Records, so save the date for 9th on the 9th!

Tracklisting and credits for 9th Wonders Dream Merchant 2:

1.) Mr. Dream Merchant Intro
2.) Shots f/Big Dho & Sean Price
3.) Merchant Of Dreams f/The EMBASSY, Skyzoo & Torae
4.) Brooklyn In My Mind f/ Mos Def, Jean Grae & Memphis Bleek
5.) Sunday f/Keisha Shontelle & Chaundon
6.) Baking Soda f/Big Treal
7.) Reminisce (Take Time) f/Big Remo & The Great Novej of the A.L.L.I.E.S.
8.) No Time To Chill f/Little Brother
9.) It Aint Over ft. Jozee Mo & Tyler Woods
10.) The Last Time f/ Royce the 5'9, Naledge & Vandalyzm of the MIDWEST WRECKIN' CREW- The D, The Chi & The Lou
11.) Saved f/Saigon & Joe Scudda
12.) Milky Lowa ft. Camp Lo
13.) Backlash f/Sean Boog & Buckshot
14.) Thank You f/ D.O.X & O-Dash
15.) Let It Bang f/Ness & Skyzoo
16.) What Makes A Man f/Rapper Big Pooh & Buddy Klein

(All Tracks Produced By 9th Wonder)

08/07/07 | BUZ Interactive Unveils Web 2.0 Podcast

        BUZ Interactive, an innovator in mobile personalization services, today unveiled the first Web 2.0 podcast mixtape: Step Yo Game Up, Training Day # 1. Several podcasts will feature tracks from multi-platinum artists over the next 2 weeks and will be integrated into a mixtape to be made available the end of August. The mixtape will be the first to feature user generated content (UGC) contributed by consumers who can call a number (found on www.getabuz.com) to record a voice message or freestyle. The podcast mixtape will also include words of wisdom from hood ambassadors Ant Lava AKA Mr more Famous and OG Daddy V, and author, analyst and Web 2.0 futurist, Joyce A. Schwarz.

BUZ Interactive is the company behind the popular new GETaBUZ service where users can combine their favorite songs with their voice to create custom voicemail greetings for their cell phone or to send to someone else's cell voicemail. BUZ is using the mixtape not only as a promotional vehicle for the GETaBUZ service but also as a platform to demonstrate how technology and music can be combined in creative ways to create new opportunities for brands and artists.

Mixtapes have already established themselves as powerful promotional tools from the streets to corporate suites. Until now, however, they have not embraced the interactivity and dynamic nature of user-generated content. We broke new ground for the mobile personalization industry earlier this year with the GETaBUZ service and now we're taking that innovation to a new level with a mixtape series that entertains, educates and encourages participation by consumers, says Steve Ehrlich, VP Marketing at BUZ Interactive.

The podcast mixtape series is available online at www.myspace.com/getabuz. A mashup of the podcast series will be distributed through various entertainment and promotional mediums and at events in different geographies. To make a recording for potential inclusion on the mixtape, visit www.getabuz.com for the phone number to call.

07/20/07 | Too $hort Showcases The Best Of The Bay
    West Coast Rap Icon Too Short will release the first compilation from his Up All Nite Music Label. The highly anticipated album arrives in stores today.

The multi-platinum hip hop legend debuts his release following his nomination for Best West Coast Rap Album for the 2007 OZONE awards.

"I Love The Bay" features a full roster with tracks from over 25 Artists, making it one of the largest independent hip hop compilations to date. The project is a showcase of the already burgeoning SF Bay Area Hip Hop scene. The album roster includes Keak Da Sneak, Big Rich, Messy Marv, Turf Talk, Yukmouth, San Quinn, G-Stack, Young Bay The Pack, Traxxamillion, Mistah FAB, Beeda Weeda, Dolla Will, The late Mac Dre, The Neighborhood, J-Stalin, Lil Al tha Gamer , Eddi Projex , Zo The Roasta, Bavgate, Frontline, Zion I, Madam Alizay, Kreme, Pryceless, The Team, Mike Marshall and the Ambassador of the Bay E-40.

The first singles "Lose it" featuring Mistah FAB and "Video Vixen" featuring Dem Hoodstarz are already heating up the charts nationwide. Mistah FAB & Dem Hoodstarz are two of the Bay Areas newest break out Rap stars.

Dem Hoodstarz gained popularity with their single "Getz ya Grown Man On" and is featured on commercials for the CW's King of Queens and the new season MTV's Rob & Big. Mistah FAB is one to watch as he has recently released Da Baydestrian and gained national attention with his single "Ghost Ride It".

"I wanted to represent the entire Bay Area," says Up All Nite Music CEO. "There is a lot of new talent coming from the Bay". The Godfather of Bay Area hip hop boasts collaborations with a Who's Who of the Bay Area producers including EA SKI & CMT, Traxxamillion, DJ L-Roc,Young L from The Pack, Droop E , Big Zeke and AMP Live.

Too $hort will release his next album later this fall.

Track Listing:

1. Going Dumb - Young Bay / G Stack / Keak / Too Short
2. That Thang - Mistah FAB
3. Blame It on the Drugs - The Neighborhood
4. Video Vixen - Dem Hoodstarz
5. This What It Is - Big Rich
6. I Don't Dance - Messy Marv
7. Park the Scrapers - Bavgate
8. In the Street - Turf Talk
9. Shine Like Me - Yukmouth
10. You Don't Wanna See Me Rich - San Quinn
11. You See It - The Team
12. Yes Sir - The Pack f/Mistah FAB
13. Scrape - Traxmillion
14. Doors Open - Dolla Will
15. Town Business - Beeda Weeda / Dolla Will / J-Stalin / Lil Al tha Gamer / Eddi Projex / Zo The Roasta
16. We'll Roll You - Mac Dre / Zion I
17. Don't Lose Your Head - Too Short / Zion I
18. Richmond - Frontline
19. Lose It - Mistah FAB / Too Short
20. I Love the Bay - Madam Alizay/ Kreme / Pryceless
21. This My One - E-40 / Too Short ft Mike Marshall

You can meet Too $hort and his friends at FYE Stores near you. Visit www.myspace.com/ilovethebay for more information.

07/20/07 | Justus League Member Median Drops Debut
    Every so often a musician comes along who uniquely captures the attention of the listener in a personal, heart-felt manner. Median, born James Livingston, has done just that. Median is part of the North Carolina based Hip-Hop crew The Justus League, which also consists of members Little Brother, The Away Team, Cesar Comanche, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Edgar Allen Flow, Chaundon and more.

Median first received a tremendous amount of attention and critical acclaim in 2003 when he emerged on the Hip-Hop scene with his memorable guest appearance on Little Brother’s certified-classic debut album, The Listening. Median made an even stronger impression on the Hip-Hop community with his classic 2005 single “Comfortable” (produced by 9th Wonder) b/w “2 Sided Coin (Remix)” (produced by Khrysis), as well as his outstanding songs such as “Visionary” and “Median Alleviates the Drama (M.A.D.)” from his critically acclaimed independently-released debut EP entitled The Path to Relief EP (2005). Median has since received even more recognition from his stand-out performances and quotable verses on albums including The Foreign Exchange’s Connected, Rapper Big Pooh’s Sleepers, Kenn Starr's Starr Status and Cesar Comanche’s Squirrel And The Aces, leaving fans yearning for more material from the gifted lyricist. Now, with the recent release of his new chart-topping single "Rize" (produced by Khrysis) b/w "Love Again" (produced by Koen) & "How Big Is Your World?" (produced by 9th Wonder), as well as the forthcoming release of his debut full-length album Median's Relief, Median is well on his way to proving himself as one of Hip-Hop's brightest talents and one of Hip-Hop's future stars.

Median's Relief features outstanding production from 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nicolay, Ant B, and more, as well as guest appearances from the likes of Joe Scudda, Chaundon, L.E.G.A.C.Y. and Spectac. From thought-provoking tracks like “Powershift,” “How Big Is Your World?” and “What Would You Do?” to uplifting songs like “Rize” and “Strides,” to captivating storytelling songs like “Brenda’s Baby” and “Personified,” Median’s Relief covers a wide-range of emotions and subject-matter that is sure to engage and connect with the listener in a distinctive and electrifying way.

Tracklisting and credits for Median’s Relief:

1.) Love Again f/Real Love (produced by Koen)
2.) Simile (produced by Zo!)
3.) Collage (produced by 9th Wonder)
4.) Personified (produced by 9th Wonder)
5.) Rize f/LaDehra (produced by Khrysis)
6.) What Would You Do? (produced by Ant B)
7.) Powershift (produced by Nicolay)
8.) Brenda’s Baby (produced by Nicolay)
9.) Right Or Wrong? (produced by Centric)
10.) Choices f/Joe Scudda & Chaundon (produced by 9th Wonder)
11.) How Big Is Your World? (produced by 9th Wonder)
12.) Strides f/Mark Wells (produced by Nicolay)
13.) Pardon Me Dude f/Louisha (produced by C.Keen)
14.) 2 Sided Coin Remix f/Spectac & L.E.G.A.C.Y. (produced by Khrysis)
15.) Personified (Super Charged Remix) (produced by Khrysis)
16.) Comfortable (Midnight Remix) (produced by Koen)

07/12/07 | Strong Arm Steady Preps Debut LP
    Strong Arm Steady's Phil the Agony, Mitchy Slick and Krondon have toured relentlessly and pounded the mixtape circuit for years, independently distributing over 200,000 mixtapes worldwide. SAS has become the staple sound of the new West Coast movement.

Strong Arm Steady’s debut album, Deep Hearted, (featuring Chamillionaire, Juvenile, Black Thought of The Roots, Xzibit, Talib Kweli, Dilated Peoples, Ras Kass and more) is the culmination of years of hard work. Their never ending grind and consistent track record of creating great music shows why Strong Arm Steady is a force to be reckoned with.

As fans eagerly await the release of Deep Hearted (IN STORES AUG. 28th, 2007, ON NATURE SOUNDS), DJs Truly OdD and Babu prepared a 30 minute taste of what to expect from the trio. This soon to be classic mix contains a variety of never-heard-before joints and exclusives from their debut offering. The late great J Dilla, DJ Babu, and DJ Khalil, among others, handle production on this mix with features from Planet Asia, Dilated Peoples, Chace Infinite, Talib Kweli, and more.

Download the mixtape (AS ONE CONTINUOUS MIX) here: www.nature-sounds.net/sasmix.mp3

Tracklisting and credits for Strong Arm Steady’s Deep Hearted:

1.) Intro f/jack Nicholson & The Game (prod by Dubb Knox)
2.) The Movement f/Planet Asia (prod by Thayod Ausar)
3.) You Ain’t Me f/Chamillionaire & Rass Kass (prod by Da Riffs)
4.) Bloody Money f/PNB (Pop ‘n Bullets) and Jelly Roll (prod by DJ Khalil)
5.) Co-Operation f/Dilated Peoples (prod by DJ Babu)
6.) Clean Up f/Black Thought & Saukrates (prod by Madlib)
7.) One Step f/Talib Kweli (prod by Blaqtoven)
8.) I Can’t Wait f/Tha Liks & Stylistic Jones (prod by Thayod Ausar)
9.) Kings Of The Deck f/Planet Asia (prod by Da Riffs)
10.) Come N Get Me f/Ina Williams (prod by DJ Khalil)
11.) Homies f/Blaqtoven (prod by J Thrill)
12.) Streetlights f/Talib Kweli (prod by Evidence)
13.) On The Grind (prod by J Thrill)
14.) Wreckless Words (prod by DJ Khalil)
15.) Dirty Dirty f/Juvenile (prod by J Macc)

01/02/06 | A New Year, A New Era
       Oh Bwoy oh bwoy, I told ya we'd start the new year off with a BANG! I hope everybody recovered from the mysterious RIAA scandal last night. Riiiight.... as you probably heard by now, we didn't get hacked and nobody took over the site. Now that we have your attention, we'd like to announce that Westcoast2k.net officially merged with Dubcnn.com to move on with a fresh new site under the Dubcnn tree. The good people at Dub and myself, Lil Jay, came together and are now officially one and the same. After months of hard work and planning, we bring you the West Coast News Network (dubcnn) on a whole different level, with a whole new look.

From now on, this website will be tied in with Dubcnn, after I've been hosting and running Westcoast2k as a time consuming one-man-show for over 6 years. Everything that you came here for - the news, the audio, the interviews, and everything else - is obviously gonna be on Dubcnn from now on. But don't worry because Westcoast2k is still gonna be active one way or another, just not the way it used to be before. We gonna keep feeding you with special goodies on the regular, so keep hitting up the legendery Westcoast2k.net!

Now enter the new Dubcnn.com, the premier source for West Coast Hip Hop - www.dubcnn.com