New Dee-1 Video "No Applause"

This video is very well produced, and the song is a beast! Dee-1 continues to amaze us all...

New Dee-1 Mixtape "I Hope They Hear Me!" Awakens Sleeping Fans, Critics

Dee-1 expands his brand with latest batch of musical mastery

New Orleans, LA- On April 21st, 2010, New Orleans hip-hop artist Dee-1 will release his latest musical effort in the form of a mixtape entitled, “I Hope They Hear Me!”. Fans can download the new mixtape from www.dee1music.com this Wednesday, and Dee-1 is encouraging his fans to bootleg and burn copies in order to “share the wealth” with unfamiliar audiences. When it comes to a wealth of music, Dee-1 is living large.

After the rave reviews and undeniable response to his debut album release, “David & Goliath,” Dee-1 was happy but far from complacent with his early successes. Dee-1 is hitting his loyal fan base with an array of highly anticipated new recordings, and better yet, he is making it available for free download. While many new and old fans will be able to download the music free of charge (and share it virally), he will also be providing them with the option to “Donate” through a PayPal link on his website, allowing his most diehard fans to assign their own value to the project. This “Pay What You Will” model was made famous by Radio Head, however, it’s full potential has yet to be seen in the urban music market.

According to Dee-1, the new material “makes a statement” about his position in the rap game; a position which is continually rising higher and higher, though he is still being denied the recognition he deserves. While music critics and industry shot callers have clearly acknowledged Dee-1’s unique ability to blend lyrical content with mainstream appeal, they tend to underestimate his potential as a major driving force in the forthcoming renaissance of hip-hop music and culture. The demand for Dee-1’s brand of music is clearly there; any astute observer can see the growing indifference to typical terrestrial radio, the discontent with mediocre live performers and the hunger for new fresh sounds found throughout the underground blog sites and social networking sites. For more information, contact Fatima Aarabi by phone (504)-234-8958, email dee1management@gmail.com, or visit www.dee1music.com.

T.I. Makes History!!!!!!!!

Few in the game have a rap sheet like rapper, Clifford “T.I.” Harris. The rapper, songwriter and actor has become an entity within the Hip Hop realm unto himself.

With Paper Trail [click to read] in stores, the focus hasn’t really been on T.I. – the artist – but more so, Clifford Harris – the man.

Embroiled in a highly publicly legal issue, the 28-year-old self proclaimed “king of the South” has a lot to deal with. Heavy the head that wears the crown they say. HipHopDX sits down exclusively with T.I.P. at Atlantic Records as he discusses his newest project, waves off a history of trouble with Ludacris and hints at a possible collaboration with Jay-Z for The Blueprint 3.

HipHopDX: You always have a good fashion sense about yourself. What do you like to wear more – the clean cut look with the nice pocket or jeans, sneakers and a fitted cap?
T.I.: It all depends on the occasion, the event, what’s going on and my mood. Right now, I’m just cool, calm and casual. I’m really feeling my Jordan Retro’s – I forgot what number they are – they might be the 12's. They came out in ’94.

DX: Your song “Louis Rag” with Swizz Beatz got a lot of play in the clubs amidst all the hype of your case. What is it about “Louis Rag” that makes you feel that that was the right track to put out there.
T.I.: It’s just a party record, man. I want everyone to feel good, relax and have a enjoyable time. Me and Swizz [click to read] linked up to crank the clubs up, period… There’s no serious message behind it. It’s just a record to motivate and uplift the party. “Louis Rag” is something that you can play primetime in a club at 2:30, you know what I’m saying. Everyone pull they rags out they belt loop and if you’re anything like me, you keep your rag in your belt loop – and they’d swing they rag in the club and go nuts.

DX: How was it to go back to writing down lyrics after going off the top for a few albums?
T.I.: It wasn’t hard at all… It’s actually one of the easiest decisions to make. It was an easy transition to go back to writing. I could do it, actually, either way… It just depends on the track and how I feel. It’d be a way to catch the beat and I’ll go either way. I think that on the next album, I’ll do both – half of it off the top and the other half written and let the people judge for themselves. It’s two different sounds to doing that, of course, songs like “Top Back” [click to read], “What You Know (About That)” [click to read] that type of sound – I’ll go off the dome. But for that “I’m Serious” [click to read], “No Matter What” [click to listen] type of sound, then I start writing it down.

DX: It’s good to see you back with DJ Toomp, man. People felt that that one album where you weren’t together that he was sorely missed…
T.I.: Yeah, man… it was just the one album [without each other]. I mean we always family and always gone be it, so it was like… you know… it couldn’t be a reunited thing ‘cause we were never separated. We worked together on T.I. vs. T.I.P. [click to read], it’s just that the work that we did when we worked together, didn’t make the album.

DX: A lot of people would be surprised that you and Ludacris linked up to do a track for his new album. How’d that come together…?
T.I.: It was really simple – we agreed to do a record together. For real, me and Chris [click to read] ain’t never had no real issues between one another, ya dig? We never had a conversation that couldn’t be cleared up. We’ve had conversations where we most definitely had to get some things squared away. He had my number for quite some time and I his, so some times we’ll call each other every now and again to chop it up, unbeknownst to you – the public – of course. But you know everyone has issues. I consider dude, if nothing else, very worthy competition and I’ve never hated on dude, I ain’t never been a hater and never will be. So, since there’s no issue, there isn’t no problem and we ain’t got no beef. There’s no reason why we can’t be able to or why we shouldn’t be able to come together and make music.

DX: As a competitor in the game – do you think that you’re putting out your best work to date, yet?
T.I.: It ain’t my job to judge the music, it’s my job to make the music. I mean… I like all my music, but I wouldn’t make nothing that I wouldn’t like. But I’m going to give it to the people to make their own opinion and assessments. I’m going to let my work speak for itself. I play to win and you know everyone else is going to try to play their cards, well… when I play my hand, I play to win and don’t care what anyone else thinks.
DX: This may seem kind of stale, but a lot of people are still looking at fellow Khaled All-Star, Rick Ross, with the leery eye. Do you think that beef with T.I. isn’t what it seems and do you believe that Rick can come back from such an incident?
T.I.: None of my issues are ever WWE inspired. At the end of the day, with Ross [click to read], it’s none of their business. Real talk, I don’t care… We being stars! And with us being stars that means we put out a record for people to listen to. We put out movies for people to watch it. I mean that to say that you don’t need to know everything about our lives. Matter of fact, you’re not supposed to know anything about our lives because we stars… you supposed to know less about a star, then you do about a normal person. No one ever dug around [1930s villain actor] James Cagney’s closet to find any skeletons. You can’t rate or judge a person for what he or she has been through until one has sat through it or heard the other one say it.

DX: You had your trial and your sentencing are appreciative of the support you’ve received in the mainstream and from the regular folks?
T.I.: I really appreciate it and I know that they wish the best for me. I concur with them wholeheartedly. I wish better for myself, but now… I ain’t got the wish. I just got to make the necessary adjustments.

DX: When does the countdown show run?
T.I.: The show…? Smart guy… It’ll be on TV around the first quarter of the year sometime. We’re still filming, did a few episodes, most of them being in Los Angeles, quite a few in Atlanta. I can’t really tell you what to watch out for, just watch the show, baby…

DX: You’ve done quite a few songs with Just Blaze now – can you talk about the song “Live Your Life”…?
T.I.: Just Blaze did “Live Your Life” and it’s features Rihanna and the song is just talking about what we were just speaking on – how people think that just because you’re a celebrity that they should be so involved in your life. I’m like – well, you can cut your TVs on – and you’re in my world. The rest is just entertainment for you; I’m actually living it. I’m doing the things that you scared to death of doing, surviving the things that you think you’ll never through. So, it’s my life, the entertainer, you know I assumed the position and accept the responsibility of, you know, living through the things that you couldn’t probably make it through in order for you to be thoroughly entertained.

DX: Joe Budden kind of mentioned it by saying that he understood why you needed to get some ratchet. Can anyone understand this game that you’re in?
T.I.: I mean… In order to understand my thinking – and even though it was poor judgment – it was bad decision and to understand my train of thought, you’ll have to live my life and experience my danger. Live through certain situations and circumstances that I have and ask me how you feel. You got to put yourself in my shoes. You can’t think with your mind, being in your situation, about what you would do. You got to think as though you were in my situation and then ask yourself what you would do.

DX: So what advice would you give you the kids on the street who are feeling the crunch during this rough financial crisis we’re going through?
T.I.: I’d tell them straight up and down that I ain’t the last person out there who got guns. It’s other people out there who definitely got guns. Someone can be breaking into your house, right now. You ain’t gonna find out until you see the light, baby. It’s all the same thing, you know… clear and present danger. You need to be aware of that before you get yourself involved in something that could cost you your life or your freedom and they don’t wanna know that first hand.

DX: On “Whatever You Like,” fam… you switched it up a little. You’re not going full-on Ja Rule, are you?
T.I.: A full-on Ja Rule [click to read]… [Laughs] Man, I’ma do whatever my heart desires. Wherever my creativity leads me is where my artistic expression leads me to do. I’m not finna intentionally do something or not intentionally do something. I’ma do whatever is necessary to make some music.

DX: How was house arrest?
T.I.: It was house arrest. I’m blessed. I was able to be around my family and my children. I was able to go in my refrigerator, watch my TV, drive my car around the neighborhood and live my life before I go in the box.

DX: You and Jay-Z have a lot of similarities and are the king’s of your respective crafts. Would you and him ever do a song for Blueprint 3?
T.I.: I don’t know… that’s a good question, man. It would depend on the song, on what kind of song it is. If he gets that record like a “[Dirt Off Your] Shoulder” [click to listen] then I’d probably come off the top of the dome. Whereas, if he gives me a record like “Renegade” [click to read] – that Eminem joint – then I’d probably write things down. In the end though, it’d be classic whatever myself and Hova [click to read] cook up.

http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/features/id.1232/title.t-i-serious-as-ever/p.2

T.I. "Paper Trail" Review- New Orleans Listening Party

By Ben Brubaker

T.I. Paper Trail Review- Private Listening Party
























A small crowd gathered in a first floor conference room at the Clear Channel radio station, talking quietly amongst themselves in anticipation of the events soon to follow. Just as the crowd began to grow restless, the doors opened up and the Grand Hustle entourage walked in, followed by the station's top radio personalities, the "Q93 Boys". The crowd quickly focused their gazes upon two figures; Grand Hustle's up and coming Atlanta based artist, Big Kuntry King, and of course, the "king" himself, T.I.

Tulane sophomore, "DJ" Miles Felix, stood poised behind a set of turntables in the back corner, and immediately cued T.I.'s latest chart-topping single, "Whatever You Like". After a short introduction, T.I. took the microphone and , with a gentle confidence, thanked the audience members for attending the event. Atlantic Records representatives made another quick announcement that no video recording would be allowed, due to the threat of possible album leaks.



















Standing next to DJ Felix alongside the turntables, T.I. proceeded to introduce never-before-heard songs from his new album, "Paper Trail", which dropped on September 30th. T.I. gave some brief background information about each track, explaining, for example, how his recent felony-gun possession case and subsequent sentencing of one year in prison had given him a new perspective on the world and the music he creates. He followed this introduction with the song, "You Ain't Missin Nothing"; a heartfelt look at the experiences of prison inmates and their relationship with the outside world. The song touched upon the difficulty of prison life, which T.I. is soon to encounter first-hand, while still focusing more on the notion that despite his time away, the people he loves and the world he knows will still be there waiting for him upon his release.



T.I. followed up this song with a soon-to-be classic, the recently released "Swagga Like Us", which features rap legends Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lil Wayne, over a revamped sample of the popular M.I.A. song, "Paper Planes". Following in the vein of revamped pop classics, T.I. moved on to yet another classic in the making; "Live Your Life", which features Rihanna singing over a sample of the popular dance track "Dragostea din tei" (also known as the Numa Numa dance) by O-Zone.

T.I.'s new album, "Paper Trail", contains a diverse range of sounds and subjects, however, the common themes throughout the album seem to be the refined "popular appeal" of his samples, and an increased awareness of real world issues which seems to stem from the artist's imminent prison time. The album is one of T.I.'s strongest releases in years, thanks in part to the star-studded list of featured artists and producers, including Rihanna, Usher, The Dream, Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, B.O.B, John Legend, DJ Toomp, Swizz Beatz, Danja & Drumma Boy.


Perhaps even more striking than the quality of his latest musical efforts was the way in which T.I. interacted behind the scenes at the private listening party. As the mainstay of Atlantic Records' Atlanta-based sub-label, "Grand Hustle", T.I. is not only a musical powerhouse, but also a business man. Just prior to the event, T.I. requested to meet with the station manager personally; though it was not his album he was most concerned about. Instead of focusing on his own radio spins, the superstar requested the meeting in order to lobby on behalf of his Grand Hustle label-mates, Big Kuntry King and New Orleans legend, B.G.

Knowing full-well that prison would soon limit his ability to generate income, T.I. set out to make sure that his label would continue to grow and thrive. Grand Hustle is a powerhouse in the world of independent labels, however its success seems intrinsically tied to the young rapper's star status and popularity. T.I. wanted to make sure that while he was gone serving his time, his label-mates would be able to continue to grow in their own careers. Still, with the superb quality of the "Paper Trail", T.I. is in a good position to maintain his career in spite of all the challenges he faces, as top industry analysts predict this release has the potential to break Lil Wayne's "Carter III" sales records.



Pictures:

T.I. "Paper Trail" In Stores 9.30.08: CELEBRATING GRAND HUSTLE DAY!

TI, the King, Dropping the New Album "Paper Trail" on 9.30.08















And of course, Grand Hustle Day wouldn't be complete without BIG KUNTRY KING, dropping his new album "My Turn to Eat".



































IT'S BIG KUNTRY KING'S "TURN TO EAT"
07.14.08


Grand Hustle/Atlantic recording artist Big Kuntry King has announced early details of his much anticipated new album, MY TURN TO EAT. The collection – which features the single, "Da Baddest (Feat. Trey Songz)" – drops into stores and all digital retailers on September 9th.


"Da Baddest" Video premiered on Wednesday, July 16th on Allhiphop.com. The clip sees the ATL-based rapper joined by a star-studded roster of guests, including Songz, T.I., Young Dro, B.o.B, Fantasia, DJ Drama, and Maino. Produced by Shawty Red (Snoop Dogg, Young Jeezy), "Da Baddest" mp3 is available now at the Atlantic Records Store for $0.99.
(www.atlanticrecords.com/bigkuntry)

Pretty Ricky Interview with DJ Mike Swift on 102.9

Pretty Ricky Interview with DJ Mike Swift on 102.9

Download T.I. - 'No Matter What' Video

FROM THE FORTHCOMING ALBUM
PAPER TRAIL
08.12.08

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1641243974