Hustle Beats - Borderline Vol 2 Mixed by VJ K.M.X.E.

The big homie Hustle Beats has been a big supporter of The Movement Fam from the jump. Coming out of Sydney, by way of Toronto, Canada, my dude is a talented producer, blogger and straight up hustler, and his grind is definitely something to admire.

Hustle has released a gang of mixtapes when he was in TO, and from what I understand this is the first disc that he's released out of Australia (homie, correct me if I'm wrong!). Y'all might have caught our single from the tape, 'Livin' This Life' with the other big homie from TO, Theology3, which we dropped a month or two back.

Finally, the tape, entirely produced by Hustle, dropped today and y'all can cop it below for free. Eighteen tracks, MCs and vocalists from all over the globe - y'all can't go wrong.

Make sure you roll past my dude's blog, iHustle Daily, and say what up!



BORDERLINE VOLUME 2 MIXCD TRACKLISTING
01. Tino Attila – Dirty Lil’ Secret
02. J. Moy – I Want To Live
03. The Show Doctor – Borderline
04. Angerville – Perspectives
05. Tek Man – Slob On My Knob
06. Kid Mac – This Is Real
07. KDB – Life Of The Party
08. Sienna Thomas – Clap Back feat Da-Coz
09. Sienna Thomas – Go On Get Out feat Esskei
10. Friday – Next Level
11. Sienna Thomas – Gotta Get It feat Da-Coz
12. Eddie Mayhem – I Don’t Give A Fuck
13. Cee & Bekah – Lvin’ This Life feat Theo3
14. Roti – Strollin’ In The Park feat Sinister
15. Mun – Conductin Bizness
16. Organised Rhyme Cartel – Trife Life
17. Nobody – Chrome, Hot, Sin
18. Sienna Thomas – Down & Out feat Da-Coz
All tracks produced by Da-coz for Hustle Beats
All tracks mixed by VJ K.M.X.E.

DOWNLOAD Hustle Beats - Borderline Vol 2 Mixed by VJ K.M.X.E.

Theology3 feat Tona and Andreena Mills - How I Flow Pt 2 (video)

T.O. is killin' it right now. The big homie Theo3 just dropped his new video for 'How I Flow Part 2', which features Tona and Andreena Mills (the amazing vocalist from 'The Last Hope'), over a Boi1da production. There's some serious names right there.

If y'all haven't copped it already, go grab Theo's album and single!

Slakah The Beat Child: "Enjoy Yaself V2" featuring Drake (video)

This joint came out last year, I think, so I'm surprised to see a video for it now.

Cool, track, and dope to see Drake still rockin' out with his fellow Torontonians.

Oh, and dude jacked our title - Slakah's album is called 'Soul Movement Volume 1', which also happens to be the title of the mixtape series that Bekah and I released, with Volume 1 of 'The Soul Movement' dropping back in 2007. We even came up with the name in 2004 in Toronto...muhfucka.

Brother Ali & Fashawn – Breakin’ Dawn Boys Live (Video)

Brother Ali is one of the hardest working cats in the game right now. Kills every show; and there's nary a track I don't like.

Check the live performance of the Brother's collab with Fashawn in Toronto.

Cee & Bekah feat Theology3 - Livin' This Life (download)

Aight, so this is some FRESH shit right here.

We were lucky enough to work with the big homie Theology3, outta Toronto, Canada. My boy Hustle Beats was putting together his new mixtape 'Borderline', and he hit us up for a joint. I suggested that we work with Theo, who we knew from appearing on his radio show, Stylistik Endeavours, when we were in TO back in '08. Hustle made it happen and BANG, we made a classic.

We recently performed this joint in Melbourne and it went down real well (minus Theo, unfortunately). Cop this track as a FREE download below, and hit us with any feedback!

Download Cee & Bekah feat Theology3 - Livin' This Life

Movin' Up From Down Under Loud.com Blog #6

Week #6: Getting Busy

So the decision was made; we’re going overseas. Awesome. Just saying it out loud made me excited as all hell. I didn’t wanna come home when we lived in Toronto and travelled for 12 months, so since then I’ve always been jealous of folks saying ‘Yeah, I’m going overseas next month’. Shit killed me. Now I was that annoying prick going on a holiday. Boom. Happy campers, we were.

But this wasn’t just a regular holiday. When the haze of excitement eventually passed, I realised how much work it would be to actually put this together. Not only did we need to arrange the logistics, but we had appointments to arrange. Where the fuck do we even start? That was the first thing that came to mind. So I thought logically. We were only going to visit cities where we had contacts; like I said, this wasn’t no umbrella-in-your-drink vacation. So we knew we had folks in Miami, Toronto, Atlanta (DJ Grain, now part of The Movement Fam, is in the A-Town) and New York that would be worth visiting. That’s a good starting point.

Emailing time. This is where my networking skills (or lack thereof) would really come into play. I hit up damn never everyone I knew to get them to put me in touch with damn near everyone they knew. Now, being that this is the music business and I was dealing with artists, producers and the like, I knew this could take a long ass time. Lucky it was like May and we didn’t plan to leave until September. This was a useful exercise, as it really showed who my friends were. I know that if I had some folks overseas who were coming out here, I’d do my best to put them in touch with everyone possible, so I was hoping for the same.

I gotta shout out Eternia, who probably spent a good hour or two of her precious time (the girl is busy!) putting together a list of damn near everyone she knew in Toronto and New York. That list was one of the most useful tools that I had at my disposal in planning this trip, and I can’t thank her enough. She’s a true friend, big ups! Also, my dudes Kevin Nottingham and Travis Glave (Wake Your Daughter Up! Blog) were invaluable, as they worked real hard to put us in touch with a gang of folks that came through the goods in the end.

So already, after talking with three main friends in the business in the US and Canada, I had things moving. Wow, this wasn’t looking to be so difficult after all. Or so it seemed. I would estimate that in total, I probably hit up around 100-150 individuals in all sectors of the music industry, all over Canada and the US (including Hawaii). I must have spent a week staying up til midnight after work every night sending emails like a crazy person. Not only to the folks I had been put in contact with, but hitting up random radio stations in cities all over the place (which I got a list of from Wikipedia, of all places). Once I had contacted everyone on my lists, all there was to do was wait.

Of course, this wasn’t just a once off activity. This was a constant thing from May until right up to when we left, and even while we were on the trip we were still trying to arrange meetings and stuff. I reckon I probably got a 5-10% response rate, which is probably better than most direct mail campaigns. So I was happy with that. Plus, you can’t really expect random folks to really wanna help out unknown artists from Australia on a whim (or an email); although that was how it panned out at times.

So with the contacting industry heads side of things underway, we had to get the logistics issues sorted (which we couldn’t do much with until meetings, radio spots, etc were locked in), and of course, finalising two mixtapes in the space of two to three months, all the while working full time. Goddamn.

Plug of the week: The homie DJ Hyphen in Seattle has a dope ass blog, The Audacity of Dope, and he featured both our mixtapes after we appeared on his show:

Notion – World Domi-NoTiOn (http://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2008/09/16/notion-world-domi-notion-mixtape/)
Cee & Bekah – The Soul Movement Volume 2 (http://www.theaudacityofdope.com/2008/09/17/cee-bekah-the-soul-movement-vol-2/)

So until next time, listen to Raheem DeVaughn. I am right now. He’s soothing. Pause.

Blessings,
Cee.
The Movement Fam.

Wristpect Presents Bridging The Gap V4 - Toronto to Virginia [Hosted By The Clipse]

Straight outta TO, check the latest installment of the 'Bridging The Gap' series from DJ Wrispect...

"Bridging The Gap V4 - TO - VA
Hosted by The Clipse
Feautring Appearances By: Pharrell, NERD, Rich Kidd, Skillz, Kardinal Offishall, Fam-Lay, JD Era & more!"

Download Wristpect Presents Bridging The Gap V4

Olympic Torch Relay - Toronto

Check out the recent Olympic Torch Relay in T.O. in preparation for the Vancouver Olympics next year. Look out for Kardinal Offishall towards the end. Such an amazing city...

Artist Feature: TaylorMade

We back on that Canadian Hip Hop shit again...where else? So this time around, we linked up with the homie TaylorMade, representing Toronto (Scarborough in particular, so dude is speakin' to us). Made has a bit of a rep in his 'hood as a dude who speaks for the locals; I remember my boy Scott telling me about Made while Bekah and I were living in Scarborough, and quoting me his raps coz dudes there related (the one that comes to mind is 'Liquor store looking like a parade on Friday' off Made's 2004 shit). That's real to me, and that's why I reached out and connected with the homie.

We caught up with Made to talk about his third and latest mixtape, 'Hustler's Wit', Canadian Hip Hop and what's next with the man. I'ma let my dude speak on it...



Cee: What up, Taylor? How's things fam?
Taylor Made: Things are good homie. Jus' out in the T-Dot tryna do my thing.

Cee: Aight, you've recently dropped your latest mixtape, 'Hustler's Wit'. Tell the people about this joint.
Taylor Made: 'Hustler’s Wit' is for people of all demographics and different walks of life. I tried to balance the project by not only addressing street issues but life issues. I try to touch on feelings that everybody has been through at some point. After playing the CD in its entirety, each and everybody has to have heard something they can identify with. I’m happy with that.

Cee: How has the response been so far to the mixtape?
Taylor Made: The feedback has been positive. My peers respect my skills too which is also a plus. It’s the people who enjoy my music that keep me going in this cut throat business.

Cee: This is your third mixtape, right? How do you feel you've grown over your releases?
Taylor Made: I feel I’ve grown by different experiences I’ve been through during the timespan of the 3 projects. The fast life, drivin' luxury vehicles, the hustler’s paranoia, loyalty, betrayal, love, beautiful women, triumph, pain. I went through all that and that’s what fuels the music I make. The more I gained experiences the more I gained newer perspectives which translated into new songs.

Cee: Are you planning to work on a full length album any time soon?
Taylor Made: A real album is looking very likely. I usually do mixtapes rapping on industry beats just for practice and to stay sharp, but I think its time to give the people something completely TaylorMade. But I do wanna expand my brand considerably before releasing an LP.

Cee: Who have you been working with lately, as far as producers and MCs?
Taylor Made: Jinx Beatz outta Hamilton gave me a couple joints for this project. I also worked with Set2 who’s another great artist outta Toronto. I usually do my own thing because I’m tryna pay my dues and put in my work on my own first. I called couple producers for some beats but they ain't holla back. Politics as usual. It is what it is, I just keep working.



Cee: Have you been doing any shows lately?
Taylor Made: I got some things I’m linin' up, stay tuned for dat.

Cee: Do you think the Canadian scene has had a lot more shine on it since cats like Drake and Kardinal blew up?
Taylor Made: I think the Canadian scene is bigger than its ever been. People are watchin' so let’s give em something to see. There’s a lotta hate in the city but as far as I’m concerned doors got opened so there’s no time for non-sense, just walk through.

Cee: What's next for you?
Taylor Made: Whats next for me, I got a daughter coming into the world shortly so I’m gonna be getting some barf on my shirt for a while and will be watching alotta Treehouse. In a while though be prepared to see me bring that lyrical, witty, smart ass rap to the microphone again.

Cee: Hit the people with your contact details and where they can get the mixtape!
Taylor Made: My contacts are:

YouTube
MySpace

I can be emailed at TaylorrMade@msn.com (with two r’s). Most of the mixtape tracks can be found on the YouTube page. Big up to The Movement Family for bringing the real Hip Hop to Australia and abroad. Big up all my supporters, I’m nothing without you. Shout out Kitty Kat my angel investor. Signin' out. TaylorMade. L.O.T. Records.

KiD CuDi Surprises Toronto with Drake - November 28th, 2009

Dope. Murkin' it.

Video: Classified ft. Maestro, Choclair & Moka Only - Quit While You’re Ahead

The latest single off the homie Class' latest album is 'Quit While You're Ahead' with an all Canadian line up of Maestro Fresh Wes, Choclair and Moka Only. Dope, dope track.

Jay as Drake's hypeman??

Beleeeeedat. Jigga brings out Drizzy to rock 'Successful' at his recent show in T.O. You know you done made it when Jay's your hypeman.

Reflection Eternal live @ Manifesto afterparty, Toronto

Just dope. You can even see 9th Wonder buggin' out.

Toronto legend Theology 3

The big homie Theology 3, the coiner of Toronto's nickname 'The Screwface Capital', is on his game right now. Y'all might have checked for the '50 Bars Same Pattern' video we posted back in May, so here's a bit of an update - two free downloads to promote his digital EP 'Featuring...No Features' coming next month.

From the man himself:

"Thank you to all the DJ’s and fans World Wide that have continued to show love for the burgeoning movements over the past year! Here is the 2nd PROMO JOINT leading up to the October 2009 digital release of THEO3’s “FEATURING…NO Features” E.P. Big Sproxx constructed a smooth head nodding rhythm to compliment some Life Living observations from the mind of Emcee Theo3. The Result is BE READY! Please Forward, Post, Blog, Spin, Retweet and most importantly marinate on the tunes yourself. A massive daps goes out to Super Engineer and Tru Fam BLAOW from World Rydah Studios who constantly chefs up the goodness."

Download Theology 3 - Be Ready (produced by Big Sproxx)

Download Theology 3 - It's Light Work (produced by Big Sproxx)

J. Period and K'Naan - The Messengers EP

Caught this over at Smoking Section. K'Naan has gotta be one of my favourite artists now; my man Dave out in Toronto BEEN telling me about dude but I fronted, til I heard 'Soobax'. Anyway, check the info below, dude did a free EP, peep...

"I could note how long I slept on K’Naan, his album Troubadour and the rest of his deep catalog. Then, I could speak on how he pretty much stole the entire show when I saw him at Rock The Bells as an opening act, amidst half of my favorite rappers. Following up by harping on how excited I got upon reading the details to the Somalian-turnt-Canuck’s new digital EP, The Messengers, and finding out he was not only doing an ode to one Bob Marley, but another as well.

Or, I could just cut the bullshit and say, here’s one extremely talented musician doing tributes to a few others.

Yea.

That sounds better."

Download J. Period and K'Naan - The Messengers EP

Raekwon live @ Sound Academy, Toronto

Highlights from Raekwon Show at Sound Academy 08/15/2009 from Real Frequency on Vimeo.

So this post is almost like we went to the future, copped that Rae show footage, then hopped back to Saturday with the goodness, right? Well, sorta. Let's just say we're ahead of our time.

Peep the footage of Rae rockin' the joint in Toronto. Cuban Linx 2 is finna be raw.

More Drake...

'Say You Will' freestlye live in Toronto...

DRAKE-Say U Will Freestyle Toronto Show from Aaron A on Vimeo.

...and the infamous 'phone' freestyle on Funk Flex.

Theo 3 - Make It Big

The homie Theo 3 outta T-Dot (he coined the phrase 'The Screwface Capital') has been making big moves.

Dude appeared on the Halftime Show in NYC recently to support his single 'Make It Big', check the post on 2 Dope Boyz. Check the video:



Make sure you check out Theo's site as well. Dude is sick, a true pioneer and a top dude.

Melanie Fiona

Shouts to the homie Kev for putting me onto this brilliant vocalist from Toronto.

Melanie Fiona is signed to SRC Records (Steve Rifkin's new label), and her debut album The Bridge should be dropping in a few months time.

Check the links below, particularly the Artist Spotlight on Kevin Nottingham.com. There's a great video there too, as well as a dope article with all the info. Oh and check the track in the video below.

Melanie Fiona's MySpace Page

Melanie Fiona's Artist Spotlight on Kevin Nottingham.com

We international, baby!

This one's for all our brethren north of the Equator, in the USA and Canada.

As of October, we now have both 'The Soul Movement Volume 2' and 'World Domi-NoTiOn' mixtapes available in selected cities in both Canada and the USA! The prices range from something like $5 to $10, depending on the store, but check the list below for your nearest spot:

ATLANTA
Soul of Sisa - 504 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, Georgia, USA



BERKELEY
B-Side Records - 2128 Dwight Way, Berkeley, California, USA



TORONTO
Da Corner - 256A Queen St W, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (in the Black Market complex)



So if you're in any of these cities and wanna get your hands on a rare hard copy of the new projects (we only pressed a small amount for the international trip), roll through and cop 'em now!

For the folks Down Under (and everywhere else), we'll be pressing up a gang of copies of both mixtapes asap (plus a launch show), so we'll keep y'all posted.