CA – Marcel Friday

Originally posted on HipHopDX 1/11/2018

In today’s microwave society, it’s rare to see artists recording together. Tracks are sent through email and Dropbox as rappers and producers go about their lives from different corners of the globe. So when nine artists got together in Austin, Texas to record an album in a week? DX had to find out more.

Dame Ritter of Still Movin’ and Beatstars reached out to nine creators from different walks of life and put them up in a house for one week in December — the outcome was One Week Notice. Dizzy Wright, Audio Push, Emilio Rojas, Jarren Benton, Demrick, Reezy, and producers DJ Hoppa and Kato came together to create a body of work that most collectives would be hard pressed to create in a month. The #DXLive team was able to catch up with most of the crew earlier in January as they prepared for the release and an epic show in Long Beach that fans who went won’t soon forget.

INTERVIEW: Fashawn Announces New Album, “Manna”

by Marcel

Updated: December 14, 2018

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/24/2017

Fresno MC and Mass Appeal artist Fashawn stopped by #DXLive to give us the exclusive on his forthcoming effort. “It’s about to drop on y’all, probably April 29th, the day of Grizzly Fest. Y’all the first people I’m telling this to,” says Fashawn. “It’s called Manna. That’s where the beauty comes from. I had to figure out a title that really encompassed [how I feel],” Fashawn explains to the #DXLive cast as HipHopDX Editor-In-Chief Trent Clark pointed out the parallel to the Bible where manna was “coming down from the sky.”

Fashawn also discusses the confusion between mixtapes and albums. “It’s a project. I don’t even know anymore [if there’s a difference between albums and mixtapes], the lines are so blurred. I just call them projects. The Fresno MC also goes into detail about what we can expect from Manna, “It’s just me,” Fashawn exclaims when asked about features. “I got love for everybody in Hip Hop but a lot of cats just didn’t make the cut. I still got time to work on the project so I’m still laying the finishing touches on it [so] you never know. I got a few people in mind so hopefully if their schedules permit it [and] if they got enough love for the kid they can [send their verses in].”

INTERVIEW: Murs Recalls Seeing Biggie Getting Slaughtered In A Rap Battle

by Marcel

Updated: December 15, 2018

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 3/20/2017

Triple beam lyrical dream? The late great Notorious B.I.G. may have been that cat you see at all events bent but on one fateful night, he met his match in Los Angeles. SoCal rap pioneer Murs stopped by the #DXLive set to promote his latest album and shared his favorite Notorious story about how B.I.G. may have caught an L.

“He [had a show] right around the corner from Project Blowed at Marley Gibbs place, the Crossroads of L.A,” recalls Murs. “He was opening for Craig Mack. He came out [and] did ‘Juicy’ and then said ‘Who’s the hottest MC in here? I’ll battle him right now.’ It was barely nobody [in] there. Lady Of Rage was in the back. It was maybe 50 people in there. He battled this dude named NgaFsh from [Chillin’ Villain Empire]. Fish got in his ass. Killed him. And Biggie was a good sport about it. As a 14-year-old looking up to that shit I was like, ‘Wow I’ve been listening to [Biggie’s] album all month and I love him and he got served’ but it didn’t mean anything. He was just giving this dude some shine that’s from our city. Gave him love, held up his hand and was like, ‘You got me bro,’ went back [to his set] then Craig Mack came on and did ‘Flava In Ya Ear’ twice and left.”

INTERVIEW: Casey Veggies Previews New Music & Says He’s Dropping 2 Projects Soon

by Marcel

Updated: December 13, 2018

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 1/31/2017

Los Angeles MC Casey Veggies has been on a bit of a hiatus. His last mixtape, Customized Greatly Vol.4, was only his second project in about three years along with his debut album, Live & Grow that dropped in 2015. Veggies recently stopped by the DXHQ to hit play on some new music and talk shop about his relationship with Roc Nation.

“I’m managed by Roc Nation,” Casey says. “I think it means [I’m] doing something right but it doesn’t mean [I] have it all figured out or will be the next big thing.” Casey first caught the attention of Roc Nation’s leader Jay Z when he was only 17 years old.

EDITORIAL: Farewell, Barack!

by Marcel

Updated: December 14, 2018

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 1/21/2017

Dear President Obama,

As a wide-eyed 24-year-old black man in the Metro Detroit area, I walked into my local polling place wearing my “Fuck Joe The Plumber” t-shirt in 2008 to cast my vote. For the first time in my life, I had the opportunity to participate in an American government system I never felt represented me until you shook my foundation. Like many of my contemporaries, I’ve never seen a government that I felt represented me let alone look like me. Sure, I can remember parts of Coleman A. Young’s 20 years as Detroit’s Mayor and Dennis Archer’s stint as Mayor on a local level. But a black man as President? That was unfathomable.

INTERVIEW: Bladadah!: Mozzy Runs Through The Sacramento Slang Dictionary

by Marcel

Updated: December 13, 2018

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 12/8/2016

In the realm of Hip Hop, California has been at the forefront of the culture for decades. Los Angeles and the Bay Area have been important staples in helping to shape the entire genre. Sacramento native Mozzy stopped by DXHQ to shed some light on why his stomping grounds is often left out of the equation and discuss their own unique culture.

“We ain’t got the recognition we need,” exclaims Mozzy. “They ain’t talking about us enough. Where the check? Where the bag? They ain’t came with that baggage, that luggage, so we just still cooking.” When asked about why we haven’t seen rappers from Sacramento, Mozzy explained, “It’s segregated. The Bay Area, for Northern California, is the market. That’s the market. Ain’t no other market.”

ALBUM REVIEW: Nipsey Hussle Poised For Victory On Famous Lies & Unpopular Truths

by Marcel

Updated: January 2, 2019

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Originally posted on HipHopDX 11/25/2016
Rating: 3.8/5

Since his 2013 release of Crenshaw, blue’d up MC Nipsey Hussle has been on a trajectory to become a California great. Nip has been riding high with YG as they performed their incendiary track “FDT” across the country but now Crenshaw’s own is back with new music. Famous Lies & Untold Truths is a five-track, 13-minute EP meant to whet the appetite of Nip’s fanbase as they await his upcoming album Victory Lap.

Marcel Friday

Social Media Manager Creative & Social Strategist Journalist

Tag: <span>CA</span>

INTERVIEW: “One Week Notice” Crew Talks Ambitious Collaboration Ahead Of Concert Shutdown

INTERVIEW: Fashawn Announces New Album, “Manna”

INTERVIEW: Murs Recalls Seeing Biggie Getting Slaughtered In A Rap Battle

INTERVIEW: Casey Veggies Previews New Music & Says He’s Dropping 2 Projects Soon

EDITORIAL: Farewell, Barack!

INTERVIEW: Bladadah!: Mozzy Runs Through The Sacramento Slang Dictionary

ALBUM REVIEW: Nipsey Hussle Poised For Victory On Famous Lies & Unpopular Truths