Atlanta’s own, independent emcee Señor Kaos releases a new project titled, “Walk Softly & Carry A Big Brick.”

For Kaos, the project title means to stay focused, strong in one’s convictions and to do so without being seen as a threat. When it comes to music, Kaos is soft spoken about his emcee abilities, but his lyrics hit listeners square in the face and serve as a wake up call for all other emcees. Kaos uses the title as an announcement to any formidable opponents on the microphone to be prepared.

G.O.L.D.’s debut album “Choices” is a mix between Rhythm and Praise, Holy Hip Hop & Contemporary Christian. His music is the bridge between generations and connects with all audiences.

When G.O.L.D. hits the stage, he brings musical excitement of another kind! With melodious beats and infectious worship, G.O.L.D. attracts and connects spiritually with his audiences. His energy is contagious and his lyrics are life transforming.

Hip-hop artist/ rapper Universal has the swagger of 50 Cent and Jay-Z, the smooth rhymes of Kanye West, and the energy of Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Wayne but his talent as a songwriter and performer is all his own.Creating music for “real street soldiers and generals,” for those who have less but keep up the fight, Universal demands attention with his recently released single and mixtape album, as well as his upcoming CD City of God.

The much lauded superstar in the making, Kid Sister, is releasing her long-anticipated debut album, Ultraviolet, on November 17th on Downtown Records / Universal Republic. When Kid Sister (aka Melisa Young) turned in her album, originally titled Dream Date, in September of 2008, she pulled a daring move and asked Downtown to hold off on releasing it.

Hip hop artist PenDragon, born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, is shaking up the B-more scene with his critically praised and fan-approved EPs and mix tapes, music videos and live performances at Baltimore’s hottest spots for hip hop. With a new album, Prelude to Life, coming out soon, this rapper and producer – who also writes R&B and pop music and blogs on the side – has nowhere to go but up.

The number of finalists in the Shield Teens Music Fan Search is down to just six after half of the finalists were eliminated during the first week of challenges flighted on e.tv on Sunday 18 October. The six girls remaining in the competition are Kertrice Maitisa and Thandokazi Sineke from Cape Town, Palesa Sekati and Zethu Dhlodhlo from Johannesburg, Siphumelele Mbongwe from KwaZulu-Natal, and Khutso Lebelo from Pretoria.

After taking a break from being one half of Grammy Award nominated and Grammy Award winning Deep Dish, the most successful US dance duo in history, DJ Sharam has continued to delight and confound critics in equal measure – and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The Song:

It’s a transcontinental joint that caps off Jern Eye’s upcoming release, Vision, as the Oakland-based emcee grabs a classic Notorious B.I.G. sample for the hook. World famous DJ Vinroc, who serves as a part of crews Triple Threat and 5th Platoon, steps in on the production side laying a strong foundation for Jern Eye to celebrate the long struggle of a career that has lead up to this, his forthcoming sophomore solo album, Vision. Guest emcees Roc C and Nightclubber Lang of The Boom Bap Project drop verses that recognize their similar experiences, and for Jern Eye the song serves as a great opportunity to work with the two fellow emcees on his album. Jern Eye says, “I actually recorded a handful of music with Roc C prior to making this album. I met him on tour in ’06. This song was one of the earliest songs recorded for the album. The chemistry is just real, and the beat is real grimey. I love grimey.”

Jern Eye was born in 1978, raised in Los Angeles during the 80’s through the advent of gang culture and the rising underground hip-hop scene. Immersed in all facets of hip-hop, Jern Eye developed his craft by attending freestyle battles at underground clubs in L.A. such as The Foundation, UNITY, and Project Blowed. After meeting fellow emcee Spear Of The Nation in high school, where heated rap battles would usually take place, Jern Eye and Spear came to form the hip-hop group Lunar Heights shortly after graduating in 1996. After recording many demo tapes together and playing local shows, they decided to migrate to Oakland in 2000 to further pursue their careers by becoming part of the Bay Area independent hip-hop scene.

The Song:

The time has finally come. After years of touring and building buzz, iLL-Literacy is preparing the release of their debut musical effort, IB4the1 (“I Before The One”). The album will be released in three separate pieces, which the group refers to as “chapters.” Each chapter will be released for free online six months apart. With the first chapter, IB4the1.1, quickly approaching, iLL-Literacy is proud to release the lead single, “Gentlemans Kool-Aid,” a sample-inspired, bass-driven, electro-gospel-funk track reminiscent of a ‘shroom trip in audio form. Although the beat is enough to distract the mind, the lyricism of the trio arms the record. With strongly implanted roots in the spoken word community, iLL-Literacy are not ones to be overlooked lyrically. The trio skillfully flows at a fast pace over the beat, akin to a Twista meets Andre 3000 meets Cee-Lo mash-up. The group elaborates on what it means to be a “Gentleman” nowadays and issues that come along with that, sarcasm included, “They never give a g to a gent, a gem for a g, drop a jewel and then you’re done for good, for good is dumb.” Lines such as, “Top flight gentlemen, not quite Benjamin, Andre then again, watch my etiquette, on my Edison, spotlight center then, Mach 5 enter then.” show and prove the creativity the group has for not only lyrics, but for unique, inventive, and entertaining delivery. Be on the look out for the debut chapter, IB4the1.1, from iLL-Literacy, which will be available late fall 2009.

For musicians today, a record deal can be like a used car; it might get you from point A to point B, but most likely the salesman took your money and poured sawdust in the transmission. Fortunately, while the industry is gridlocked in filesharing, the members of iLL-Literacy can teleport. And by teleport, they mean “make music that would inspire passionate love with a Silverback gorilla…if it was socially acceptable.” And like any good Silverback gorilla lovemaking, iLL-Literacy’s music somehow recalls our primal past, while leaping forward (and sideways) into a future marked by inter-racial babies and Twitter.

“Good morning world. Open your eyes, spread your arms, it’s a new day.” Bisco Smith broadcasts this welcome to the marathon of life for a second time with the brand new video for his first single “Morning Breath” off The Broadcast. In the video, which was recently featured on MySpace.com, Bisco takes on two characters with two separate personalities. As one undoes his bike lock, wearing jeans and a hat, the second steps into his car with a suit and tie.

“Bisco’s debut album has a decidedly dark, creepy and measured ambience, much like a thriller when the hero is about to turn the corner… he examines the fragile nature of our existence.” – The Source

“Bisco is continuing the longstanding NY tradition of cutting edge hip-hop.” – Skunk Magazine

(August 21, 2009 – Brooklyn, NY) New York based multimedia and hip-hop recording artist Bisco Smith is proud to reveal his newest project, The Broadcast. The album, produced from start to finish by J.Vegus, with all art and design by Smith himself, is Bisco Smith’s fifth release and will be available this fall.

Emerging out of the electric nights and stepping into new wide eye mornings, Bisco Smith aka Bisc1 is now prepared to direct his mind to a larger range of thinkers, a lighter train of thought and a more balanced way of being. From the first official release, The Basics, Bisc1 has focused mainly on himself, his inversions and his personal story. On The Broadcast, after nearly 4 years of notable releases and 4 projects, Mr. Smith has reached a new channel of art, awareness, and energy. With age comes experience and with experience change is born. From behind the microphone Bisco broadcasts his thoughts far and wide projecting to everyone inside of listening range.

(October 6, 2009 – Brooklyn, NY) Souls Of Mischief, the Oakland, CA quartet and members of the mighty Hieroglyphics Crew are very proud to announce the release of the artwork and track listing for their new album, Montezuma’s Revenge. The crew tapped artist Steven Lopez to paint a portrait of the group and album producer Prince Paul. Lopez is perhaps best known for his work with Erykah Badu. The album will be available December 2nd via Hiero Imperium Records.