Beat Mogul Returns To Producers Corner 9/7

Producer Beat Mogul will return to the Producers Corner to talk about his new 8 track  instrumental album "Dat Sounds Familiar" and to talk music production with us. Tune in Monday 7:00pm central 9/7/15 on www.icebreakerradio.com 

MIXTAPE REVIEW: Nikki McKnight @706NIX – The McKnight Files

Have you heard of a little city in Georgia named Columbus? Well there is one artist that is making sure that you NEVER FORGET IT. Nikki(Nix @706nix) McKnight is a songwriter, artist, and producer that is making her name known through her music. She has made a lot of noise in Columbus and the people are listening. The McKnight Files features songs that have a lot of heart,courage, and honesty which she showcases on the high energy and hi-hat heavy track, “Motivation”, as well as the sonically refreshing “S.O.S”. NIX usually keeps it humble but on the hip hop techno synth filled “Hands Down” ft Mike Deville she basically eats her hater's food in front of them right off their plates. “I tried to remain humble but niggas think it's a game, yeah they pop off all they want to but never mention my name.” Then makes them do the dishes with “I Rep” ft Viktor Strange. Her confidence is up on this track as you can hear through the gut punching inflection in her flow. Super catchy. Viktor Strange's throaty delivery solidifies and reinforces the grimy feel of this song.   There are more than a few cuts for and about the women.

The ones that really pulled me in on personal levels were the guilt filled, piano themed, “Take Advantage” and telling a woman how bad she messed up on “Had it All” with an awesome Adele sample flip by producer Mike Kustom.   “Tell You”, produced by Nova, samples Janet Jackson's "Let's Wait Awhile" and well it really touched a G's soul. It takes a ton of strength to not only write about a loved one's passing but to also express the hurt of it all with music. Nix stood tall on this track and I only have four words for it. I WAS NOT READY.

 Strengths: I really like how NIX has begun to spit with more confidence, that is one thing that really won me over. The Chemistry she has on beats from Mike Kustom shines through, and its a great blend on the songs they've created.

Notes for Improvement: I would say NIX has a great ear for beats. A lot of the beats used were ho-hum but she managed to still put her own energy into them. I like tracks that are slower for this artist, also if it's a high energy or self promotional song I would like to see what she does on a trap type beat. Keep rapping with that confidence and work on the balance of the tracks. There were a lot of tracks specifically focused on hoes,self promotion, and love triangles. Some of which weren't my cup of tea, but again I could definitely connect with the “Had it All” and “Take Advantage”. Shine on.   Review: A- WWW.706NIX.COM WWW.TWITTER.COM/706NIX   

Song Review and Critique: "If I Should Die" by Rogizz @rogizz

I like the artist for his creativity and authentic style.  Rogizz has some gems all throughout his catalogue. Rogizz has a potential classic. I love the sound straight out of the gate. Rogizz has a veteran flow and an authentic delivery that brings you back to the early days of Rap City/ The Basement Freestyles. Confidence is the most prominent theme throughout the track. Fearless rhymes, just real g shit. The beat is a bit laid back with heavy strings and a sample chopped up in the center that gives you an old school feel. The features from Dubb,Tree, and Fatboi Fre$h rounded out the solid sound.  https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/ if-i-should-die-ft-dubb-tree [soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/ if-i-should-die-ft-dubb-tree[/soundcloud] "Think That I'm a Joke" is raw and uncut. Rogizz delivered on this track, you have to replay this one a few times. The replay factor is that hypnotic bassline and true life lyrics that brings out that IDGAF feel. If you have people that hate on you because you shine brighter, this is your theme song. https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/think-that-im-a-joke-feat [soundcloud] https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/think-that-im-a-joke-feat[/soundcloud] "Sign Me In" is one of the most creative tracks. If you are a fan of pussy tales on wax, RoGizz will supply you. RoGizz gives you Too $hort mixed with Uncle Luke, but with better lyrics. If you aren't saying "Sign Me In" by the end of the song, something is broken on your music tastemeter. https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/sign-me-in [soundcloud]https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/sign-me-in[/soundcloud] About the Music and The Artist:  RoGizz aka Black Blago "da Gov" promises to deliver the greatest edition to his mixtape catalog thus far. Tentatively titled, "Interview with a Skitzo 2: Perception Is Reality" (IWAS2), this project features a WHO's who of the NEWEST FrontRunners in the Hip-Hop Game: Vinny Cha$e, DUBB, Jose Guapo, TREE, Sean Falyon, Caleb James, St. Millie, Fatboi Fre$h and Big Hus. Production duties by SC, The Avengerz (YMCMB), Keyzz, DC, Chris Melrose, Toast-187 and Danny Rocktown. Songs mixed and engineered by DC. The first leak is "If I Should Die"...a verbal discourse of the perils from living life on da edge..sound-track designed by SC tha Great. The Struggle between Good vs. Evil, Virtue vs Vice, Love vs. Hate RETURNS... https://soundcloud.com/rogizz/if-i-should-die-ft-dubb-tree RoGizz Web: http://www.rogizz.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/rogizz Youtube: http://youtube.com/rogizztv

Mixtape Review: Balenciaga Banks @BalenciagaBanks – Made and Crafted

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Balenciaga Banks is back! Ok he never really left, but he has brought some new music to us with the new project, "Made and Crafted". Banks has stayed true to his image in his follow up to his last project, "Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams". The mixtape touches on Banks' youth, growing up poor, rising above his circumstances,haters, women and more. Balenciaga is your rapper's rapper. The title track "Made and Crafted" is the gasoline here. "Made and Crafted" is a sincere, heavy string and sample driven introduction that sets the tone. The following bars will paint the picture for you, "How you feel about them people that came fresh up out them slums but be braggin when they make it, now what you think about the people who has been privileged since their youth they can't function once they lose it." "Drink and Clap" featuring Breezy Bernanke is sampled from the popular 50's song, "Mambo Italiano". I love the vibe on this track, there is a heavy club feel to the beat, on top of that after one listen, I am convinced that Banks knows how to party. "Letting Go" isn't a total skip, but it didn't grab me. It was a little unexpected as the track is guided by a sample from pop group, No Doubt's hit song "Don't Speak". Banks narrates a tale of infidelity and losing your best friend at the same time. "Cool Again" featuring Audrianna Cole was on the way to losing me due to the commercial bland guitar sound. Banks' delivery and message brought me back in, he makes it a message that many of us can relate to, wanting things to go back to the way they used to be in the "Good Old Days", wanting things to be cool again. "Made it" is a hustler's anthem and a shout out to haters. Extremely catchy hook, infectious rhythm, and feel good uptempo hand claps. Banks has this smart,gritty, and assertive flow that you can hear bleeding through the speakers. Everybody has struggles and demons that they have dealt with. On the track "Gripes", Banks airs out his "dirty laundry", well not totally, it really served as a venting session. This is also another favorite and Banks doesn't forget where he came from. "Unpolished Diamond" is clearly an outline or blueprint if you will, of Bank's guide to success. He hits you with a more mid tempo feel. He has that hunger, and he makes it known. I think it's safe to say that Banks is clearly making a name for himself. Runways or Concert Halls, Banks is killing them all. About The Artist: DaMar Marcus-Lee Fairbanks also known by rapper name Balenciaga Banks is a Recording Artist and Fashion Designer for Perry Ellis International. Balenciaga Banks holds two associates of arts degrees in Fashion Design and Fashion Merchandising. Known for his work ethic the full-time fashion designer and up and coming rap artist. Balenciaga Banks is a rare talent that is building a legacy in the entertainment and fashion Industries at the same time. MUSIC: Balenciaga Banks is not your typical rap/hip-hop emcee. Whether he’s designing clothing in his signature street-cum-country-club style or reminding the listener of early De La Soul, his music aims to fuse the gap between the underground rap scene and mainstream music. Sure, there’s the usual club fare, but there’s also a soulful element to his music, from the production to the lyrics is what sets Balenciaga Banks apart from the contemporary offerings in the hip-hop genre. There’s the inherent emotion throughout the work of the Cincinnati, Ohio rhymer, an emotion that draws the listener in, makes you believe every word. His choice of production is at once elegant rough and real, which helps Balenciaga Banks connect with the listener in a new and interesting way. FASHION: Balenciaga Banks is a full-time fashion designer for Perry Ellis International where is specialty is menswear design. Prior to that, he was a menswear design intern for iconic fashion brand Club Monaco a division of Polo Ralph Lauren. Balenciaga Banks earned Funkshion Miami Fashion Week “Menswear Designer of the Year 2009” he’s also featured in the CFDA’s Emerging Fashion Designers Book published October 23, 2010 Needless to say, the point of view that Balenciaga Banks brings to the world of music is like no other. “ Quote from Banks “ Gaining a lot of notoriety from his locally popular single “You Mad Bro” Balenciaga Banks has performed at many events and opened for some of the biggest names in music. Recently connecting with Family Tree Entertainment’s Tiffany J. who’s company managed the careers of such names as Outkast, Cee-Lo, Frenchie Davis, Nas and super producer Bangladesh…. Balenciaga Banks future in fashion & music is heading in places that have never been seen before in history. Stay tuned

"Born Ready" - @mohflowmusic Moh Flow : Mixtape

 

Story behind 'Born Ready': 

Against to what mainstream music sounds like today Moh Flow

wanted to revisit some classic HipHop

beats and revamp them to bring back that missing element

in today's music and give them a new school touch. 

facebook.com/mohflowmusic

http://www.twitter.com/mohflowmusic

Album: 1/2-E "The Untitled Album" by @TheRealHalfE

1/2-E "The Untitled Album" by @TheRealHalfE

About The Artist: Henry Lee Rudolph Jr. aka 1/2-e has grown up across the nation in such places as Oakland, California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and what he calls home, Salt Lake City, Utah. Though his home isn't considered a strong place for hip-hop or rap artists outside of that state, playing one of his tracks will show contrary. His music is uplifting, fun, thought provoking, depressing, scary, and philosophical. Though his life has been hard, he tries not reflect the negative from it without trying to send a message of change. "Thanks for checking me out, yall," gratefully expresses 1/2-E.

Prime Tracks hits The Producers Corner Next Monday Night

Jermaine James aka Prime Tracks from New Orleans now living in Memphis after Hurricane Katrina. His goal is to make "GOOD MUSIC".Prime started making beats in 04,He was mentored by the Great Tre-8 and the Legendary DJ Ice Mike putting his Stamp of Approval on him. In 09' he had a big break with producers credit on: Tre-8 "Fresh Dress", Busta Rhymes "Wack", Papoose "Chips" & Destiny" , Twista "Still Do It", Lady Luck "Sexy Bill", and more to come....

You can catch the interview on Monday night at 7:00pm central on www.icebreakerradio.com with Dee Dot, Rych & Tre aka the Distinguished Gentleman.

Need Production for your album www.MajorMusicENT.com where every beat sale qualifies to have your album distributed by Icebreaker Productions