St. Louis Prodigy

By Kenneth Ford

“It ain’t just about getting money over here…” up-and-coming emcee Young Hades modestly explains while one of his mixtape tracks is playing. Born in St. Louis and raised just outside of Atlanta, Young Hades has the potential to be considered one of the elite rappers during his time. Listening to his mixtape, it was refreshing to finally hear something professional. Young Hades refuses to sound like every other rapper who raps about what they have over some 808 loops that everybody snaps to. He is truly about his lyrical content. One would be nothing but amazed at the punch lines this man was delivering. I wanted to say that he sounds like somebody, but in truth, he can only sound like himself. His rhyme scheme is precise and articulate, and you can’t help but move some part of your body to not only his background rhythm but also his rhythmical lyrics. He could be the next Sugar Ray Leonard of local artists, even national artists, because of the way he lyrically snaps jabs that sting you in the chest until he comes with some power punch line that lands with perfect timing. For those of us who want the best of both worlds, beats and good lyrics, Young Hades is the one to look out for.
Young Hades currently has his second mixtape about to come out. Be on the lookout for it, because I heard some of the tracks on it and I was impressed, and I am very picky when it comes to finding a good emcee. In fact, an example of just how creative he is: There is a song on the mixtape called “S.” That’s right, “S.” It’s a full song with the majority of words that begin with the letter “S” and the sentences actually make perfect sense. Not only does he lay down lyrical vocabulary science, but there are actually some deadly punch lines in this joint as well. Remember that name, Young Hades.

Check out the latest tracks from Young Hades at:

www.myspace.com/hadestheproduct

An Ghost to the Industry You Should Recognize!

PAPOOSE

By Will Murpphy

What’s really good people? I’m back again, this time with a featured artist EXCLUSIVE!!!! If you haven’t heard, Papoose is the word. You may recall hearing joe on the Busta Rhymes smash of the summer a year back “Touch It” remix. On everything I love, this kid is the TRUTH! With over 25mixtapes currently flooding the streets, you can’t question the work ethic of this Brooklyn born beast. Check out some of his hot tapes like Election Day, The Main Event, and The Boyz in the Hood at datpiff.com.
Pap brings a breath of fresh air to the game, and defines what it means to be an “educated thug”. I know some of ya’ll was going to commit suicide if you heard one more rapper come out with another dance or boast about how much dope he sells. Fret not I tell you, because the self proclaimed savior of rap, just may very well be that. The Boyz In the Hood mix tape features a second installment to his acclaimed Law Library song. Here, Pap kicks some serious knowledge to an old school sample that is sure to educate and make you slackers get on your books. I wonder how many dudes are going to avoid going to jail off of this track. IT’S THAT SERIOUS!!! On the flipside, the street comes out of Papoose on tracks like Faces of Death, where the young future goes hard over multiple Rocky samples giving not only street but real life situations where one slip up in thought can mean the end. I’m tempted to give you all a quote or two, but unfortunately on this one, you got to find out for yourself. It’s like the Bible, people always tell what’s written and what it means, but until you crack that open yourself, you will never know the truth. But take it from me, ten years from now, they’re going to say Papoose gave re-birth to what it means to be REAL……

Welcome to the Zoo…
By Tatiana R. Johnson

Straight out of the Hollygrove area in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Young Wolf and Young Money representative, Mack Maine, tells listeners, “Expect the unexpected.” His charismatic punch lines and driven lyrics demand attention. And it isn’t so bad having the President of Cash Money and former Hot Boy, Lil’ Wayne to cosign just that.
So what makes the Young Wolf stand out? His hunger, standout delivery and lyrical influenza separate him from others. Lyrics like I used to mess with crack addicts/Now I’m in a whole ‘nother tax bracket, puts listeners in a state of mind that THE MACK has definitely progressed!
Mack Maine describes his style as something that has never been heard before; not too flashy and a pinch of simplicity. This is the same guy who never lost a freestyle battle, which showed that the art of rapping was appropriate for him, so the hookup with Lil’ Wayne was only right, both being from Hollygrove. He describes Young Money as not only a label, but brotherhood and community of love. He has appeared on Wayne’s Dedication mixtape series as well as his on mixtape Freestyle 101 mixtape which shows his work ethic and hunger for the rap game. In five to ten years, he plans to “Quincy Jones’’ the industry as producer and CEO of his own label. But right now he’s in lyrical grind mode, “I been teasing [the game], I’m going to pop a Viagra and go hard!”

….You Are In the Zoo

*Interesting fact: “If I wasn’t rapping I’d be a pediatrician.”
~Mack Maine
Myspace.com/maine4president

Choklate

New >Vintage<

by Melissa Kimble

Chocolate is an old, instant favorite. Whether it’s a Hershey bar, covering a strawberry or drizzled on an ice cream sundae it comforts and soothes the soul with complete gratification. R&B artist Choklate lives up to the name. Just like the candy that so many people hold dear to their hearts she is an instant hit, her music is soulfully gratifying. The one time California resident, Seattle born singer is creating her own trail in the likes of Jill Scott and India Arie by creating music filled with purpose and power. The youngest of seven children she is no stranger to fighting for her own gratification, happiness, and place in this world. As displayed on her fresh single “Incredible” off of her debut album: “I finally found my reason for being alive/ don’t reckon I’ll define/ my place in life/ I’d be a fool to not embrace it/ To not chase it/ It’s Incredible…”
Through her music, Choklate’s spirit lives. She is not a leader. She is not even a follower. She is simply herself. That means she is not caught up in following the trends, she will live her own life on her own terms guided by a higher power. “Bigger Than You” is testament to that statement. “I know you think you do it all by yourself/ I know it feels like you got control of it all/ but I happen to know the truth behind the veil/one day I hope you see the truth for yourself/ Its bigger than you /Its bigger than me”.
Choklate’s unpolished sound is focused on a higher level between her passion, expression, and freedom. “Take your life by the reigns. Say 'sorry', 'please', and 'thank you' often, even when it's unexpected and live in complete freedom, peace, and love. Or at least try to,” the artist states. “That's all you can do. And in being the best you that you can be? There is only day after day to repeat the 'trying' again and again and again.”
An artist who describes her sound as “new vintage”, she cannot be tamed or water-downed. A scribe has come along to tell our story, a new perspective of the Black women on her journey through life. She keeps our tales of success and failures, flaws and perfections, shortcomings and identities neatly tucked away in her self titled debut album-Choklate- so that we are able to examine ourselves, our goals, and our dreams track by track. Like the candy it is delicious, addictive and satisfying with every piece you take away from it. Enjoy.

Teedra Moses

AN [INSTANT] CLASSIC

By Melissa Kimble

Teedra Moses is grown. Not I-just-turned-eighteen-off-on-my-own-for-the first-time-so-I-can-wear-whatever-I-want-grown. She is I –brought- two- kids- into- this- world- how- am- I going- to – feed- them- kind of grown.” My mama is gone and I’m trying to keep it together. I only put up with your no good behind because of your backstroke. I just wanna be happy, sipping, puffing, passing and relaxing with my family. I don't give a damn what's real or what's fake, what's truth or what's lies,” expresses the singer. This sultry songstress is bringing that type of “growness” back to the people. It is that raw sense of maturity that she brings to her music that keeps her fans coming back for more.

You may or not be a member of her extremely loyal fan base. But truth be told, there’s no reason as to why she isn’t well known. Born and raised in New Orleans and then later to California, Teedra was exposed to music early through her mother who was once active on the Southern Church revival circuit. Her debut album Complex Simplicity marked the return of real R&B. In life a woman must take control or be destroyed. Teedra stands up for the women who are in control even in the middle of uncertainty and confusion. When being a video girl is more popular than actually directing the video yourself. Her songs drip with honesty, truth, and realness, even when she’s heartbroken. On her album in the song Rescue Me she proclaims: “This poor heart of mine/ still feels I can find/ a love to call my own/ I gave him good love/made him feel like a man/ now I need someone new love.” Another true gem on the album I Think Of You (Shirley's song) is dedicated to her late mother who she thinks of when times get rough. On songs such as You Better Tell Her (one version of the song features Pitbull and Lil’ Scrappy) and Caution she lets her audacious attitude come through. Moses proves that she is a force to be reckoned with, with lyrics like “If in fact you gave her a little change it doesn't matter /cause’ I know whose name’s on the account/ I get mine no matter what the price” Any fan of true Soul and R&B music should recognize this talent, because it is not that often you encounter an artist so genuine who makes music because it is in her and not just for the fame. “I feel like this is truly what God has called me to do,” Teedra says. “I was called to sing and write music that really touches people.” Her voice is sensual and commands respect, her songwriting skills come from the soul and are complex, yet simple. Her demeanor, her work, what she says and even what she does not say, all speak for itself. The talented Teedra Moses may not be as popular as some other R&B artist, but she refuses to compromise her position as a true artist for anyone or anything. Grown women don’t pine for attention. They command it without being trendy, submissive, or common.

Being fly is for the birds- Teedra Moses is brilliant in all of her grown- woman glory.