Christmas Rapping

I recently decided to try and record a Christmas album with some friends and to do it in a hurry. I wanted to have the best songs possible and Christmas Songs have the nice open platform, well most of them. They are royalty free, meaning that I we would not have to pay anyone for the written words, O Christmas Tree, Silent Night and all that. Ever wonder why artist release Christmas albums because you don't have to pay any royalties for publishing.

And I would like to throw a new joint on there as well so we will see what happens and I am trying to do this by Black Friday, November 24, 2006.

We'll see

Mic Lowrey

What a wonderful world the Internet is, and to prove this point on this very special Eye 4 STYLE article I would like to point out some websites that I have visited and want to tell the world about.

Check out, www.bvfonts.com, it is a site that is dedicated to fonts and the different types that are available for developers of web pages (that includes myspace.com or bebo.com {there yet?}.

A site for just looking would be www.cowabductions.com, www.engaget.com, another cool site is www....com, you know you have those long URL's that takes forever and sometimes is hard to copy and put in a browser well now if you go to this site you will be able to make it a small URL before you send it out and it will not be as long.

Hay TV watchers, here is something that could be useful and entertaining, check out www.photoshoptv.com if you would like to watch how to use the new tricks in Photoshop!

If you are a form builder, or would like to get information from future customers to create a guest list, fan club, stalker list, check out www.wufoo.com now in that same breathe there is www.rubyonrails.com if you are a web developer or something, I cant figure it out what they are talking about, but it looks easy enough to use and its Open Source and all I know is that it was used to create www.odeo.com which is a heck of a site, also check  out www.43things.com it is a fun site for the goal oriented and to do list of what you like and check out what others in your area are into as well. For a shopping cart check out www.shopify.com, you will have to be a little tech savvy though. Also for file storage look at www.strongspace.com which comes with a fee or something free like www.filelodge.com

For book marks use, www.del.icio.us  for hosting your links,

And last check out www.eyestylemusic.com because I gave you this list  and look at my blog at www.miclowreyintro.blogspot.com

There is a conflict in the brain and a disdain for a prolonged, consistently destructive, inadaptable attitude toward the definition of a word whose place in our history is a place where the site of humanity has grown too old. Thinking back to the value of a hustler and finding someone who could hustle their way out of slavery and then find a modern use for their skill. The adapted hustler on the street - that gagster in a sense who found his place housed inside the elicit chamber of life, trying to create value for a community who is besieged by conflicted social injustices, one who had to become the chameleon in business and out of business. And be that hustler who legitimized the dollars of those places where he traveled and slept during the day while working at night.

The plight is the evolution of the hustler who is no longer the pimp, but instead has adapted the more diplomatic term, preacher. Found in the places where the collection of money could be had and the sideline man could produce and promote events or maybe house a drinking parlor turned club. People still hustle and use the term emphatically. These are among the ones who found the drug trade a wonderful place to be, while creating a franchised opportunity. Before we knew it we were franchisors. Now the hustler no longer has to pimp someones daughter - he has a new game, the music game or maybe more of the same game. It is the despicable idea of translating what was, into something that is, and we have no idea that we are operating in a slave trade no longer just human kind but human mind. We despise and hate each other and as a result of that self-hate, we hustle away from each other trying to destroy the community through a new more destructive hustle.

No, it is not the eradication of an old hustler, but it is the very new hustle of hustling against our fellow brother. Even though hustlers may have the ability to hustle the world they find comfort in saying that they hustle and destroying their own precious communities.

Such appreciation for hustlers is the dynamics as to why the hustler and the nigga have hustled together in history and have found this word useful. Although the term hustler should be like a dinosaur, no longer recalled no longer having a place, we hustle each other in saying that it is a term of endearment. Its almost like calling a woman the most undesirable, profane word we could find and expecting all women to embrace and find use for this title. Or maybe we have become too comfortable with hustling each other by words, we now have no room in our vocabulary and no place in our society for anything uplifting in connotation. Yet were presently conflicted by people who use it against us. We have some illiterate Neanderthals who are stuck in the ice ages, suited up in ignorance ready to hustle anything that will produce dollars for him and inevitably damage our community - all in the name of hustle. There are valuable lessons to be learned from the hustler who has evolved, I cant hustle another hustler. The community needs to see that the term hustler as well as the term nigga need to become distant memories of a yesterday, before we had the opportunity to refurbish a way of thinking that is now antiquated. We have evolved into different beings so that we understand when we are being hustled by another hustler or uplifted by another brother. They cant hustle the word upon those who have reached a higher intellectual, self-loving plateau. It is a despicable word used to our own demise, used to denigrate our society and our history and yet they implore us and all the other hustlers of the world who are too happy to get in front of cameras and in front of recording mikes and on radio and television programs to defend the use of a berating word and hustle the community to believe that we should debate instead of eliminate its use.

No other culture has taken words like hustler and embraced its corrosion on their mind and community. Those who lay down but get back up and work until they find a way to legitimately survive and to overcome, thats hustle. Hustle is not taking advantage of young girls who are to young to know the difference between an old man who couldnt relate to the women of his day, to trying to mitigate himself on young girls. The same unintelligent, unintellectual persuasion of the music game finds too much solace in being the piped piper and not understating the effect it has throughout the entire community, destroying itself for pay. This is reminiscent of the slave trade. Its a trade of mind and soul where the body follows and yet no one takes responsibility. Let us not hustle each other or find ways to enslave ourselves to words or ideas or accomplishments, for we no longer live in the ghetto. Crime does not pay at all and intelligence and education are still the tools to social mobility and prosperity. Education, whether institutionalized or self-taught still has its place. Booker T. and Dubois were both right and yet they at least made an effort to fight for the community, enabling it to be better than it once was. Let us not hustle each other, but hustle together as brothers and sisters to get above where we once were so that we may be able to substantiate our place in the community and redefine our place in the world. Peace.

Munson Steed, Publisher

First establish the single you are going to push is a good one. Not just something the artist feels (though sometimes the artist knows best)

Get in on the net, Myspace, of course than put it in other places, try to get it on itunes, that is like the barometer (plus you can skew the outcome by just buying the single yourself by creating numerous accounts and asking everyone you know to do the same thing, and you can also blast it on ya myspace page as a bulletin and ask everyone to buy it)

Ringtones, sell some ringtones, everyone has a chirp (Boost Mobile Phone) get them to buy one of ya ringtones, I know one of the local stores or the mall has someone that is selling ringtones, get them put ya music in their library and give them some money maybe and have them give ya song away to people who come to buy a certain amount (you want the song out there so this will not generate money)

College/Public Radio: every city has public radio, use them to your advantage first they like playing music and they want something different from the Hot's and Power's that are dominating the local music scene, another thing your local so they get to say you started there, (ego's are a mutha use that to your advantage, College Radio is great cause they are the ones who are the easiest to play new music at least once and if it is good you get added, but you have to contact them and since they are students that may be hard but get the CMJ Magazine it should help you and just go to schools in your area ask who does radio and go from there, dont forget to have a team of people that can call the Popular radio stations and request for your music or just mention it or a show you got coming up

Mom and Pop Stores: hit the neighborhood stores up and ask them to carry you on consignment, give a good price and promote your stuff, hit the next town close to you and go from there (bigger cities will have a problem but just go for the stores out the way somebody will give you a chance unless ya music stinks)

Other than that hit the Internet and wait for my next blog.

Call the local papers and magazines and Internet mags as well it is all a grind but you have to keep it up.

Mic Lowrey "intro" Coming Soon

Spread the Word Myspace and Blogspot

The Science of a Great Ass

When a guy sees a woman with a nice (bottom, shots to Nelly) there is dopamine
released in the brain.  The same thing goes for tits and a gorgeous face, not
to mention a sexy woman.

The problem is that guys are not subtle with it. We see a nice ass or anything
close to sexiness and we can't help it. We really can't and for the most we
shouldn't have to help it. I do admit that men have this power of that could be
real dangerous in the case of sexual predators.

Guys see s great looking lady and because of their weakness they go at the
woman and assault her without provacation from her. When a woman gets dress she is really looking nice for her own spirits. But guys don't see that. A tight pair
of jeans, a low cut shirt, low riders and tight t's are all great outfits that
drive men crazy. Some go nuts and some are nuts, me I dig the shoes myself.

I wrote a song about the subjects, Foot Fetish and Wonderland. I am writing a
book about Foot Fetish to be released before the record and also a book will be
released of the lyrics of my songs as well. But remember this is about
Songwriting.

Now what the hell is all this about. Oh yeah ass, listen, men look, we like to
see it, feel it and be with it. Some like em big, round, tight, juicy, or bubble.
From the popularity of Buffie (she my friend) to the way jeanS are made.
Girlfriends (especially mine) get over it, we look, we get online and look. When were
not with you we look. Some turn around and get crazy with it. Some stop and
gaze at it, some do the slick mirror look. But we all look, so ladies let us stare
and look, it aint nothing just looking.

Let A brother Live

The show was pretty good my seats were great on the floor in the 19 row from the stage. It was a cool show. Hot 97 Summer Jam was officially on.

It opened with Oscar Winners Three Six Mafia doing their joints, the show started a little earlier than I thought because they started performing before the 7 Oclock show time. They had the Oscar with them. Which was nuts I never saw an Oscar before that was real cool. Inspiring actually to see that up there and to know them crazy dudes won it was incredible.

They performed their set, Stay Fly and Poppin My Collar was the standouts but Riding Spinners and Sippin On Some Sizurp was also hot. Of course they performed songs the crowd had never heard but unless it is literally playing on Hot 97 how else would they know it.

Next was Remy Ma (No Fat Joe though) and she held it down for the ladies and the girls love her to death. She from the BX so she had some dancers up there doing their thing. And her stage show was actually pretty good. From the old school songs that were being played to the dance moves. She really is a good performer and a nice rapper I might ad.

She got into her songs quick, Whatever right hands and left hands were up all over the place. Than she did a freestyle that has been circulating on the Net and Mix tapes Everyday Im F*@%ing Him which the crowd ate up and most actually knew. She got into Lean Back without Fat Joe, he was suppose to perform at the Summer Jam Village (Pre-Show-Naughty By Nature, Baby Cham, Ron Artest, Beanie Man, Maino, and others) and after some time she got into the womans song of the moment Conceited she had to make a change and her stylist took very long putting things in there proper place. She performed very well despite the snafu with changing.  

Next up was a pleasant surprise performance, Ne-Yo he was scheduled to be on the bill but the way that he performed was refreshing. The boy could sing, despite reports contrary to that. And he sounded exactly like his songs. And that is rare when you see someone live, even rappers. He did some joints I didnt know and than got into When Your Mad, he didnt do Stay With Me just a little of the beginning, he should of though. He brought Remy back out for her song So Good and their sexy playful performance was a good visual thing. He performed a new single and than he exited with So Sick and everyone was happy.

Than the Snowman Young Jeezy hit the stage he tore it up went through a bunch of hits Go Crazy And Than What Trap Star Soul Survivor and some of his new stuff that sounds just as good as his old stuff. Dude is a star for real. He kilt and even went off nuts. Great Show.

Than came Sean Paul, dude accent is the heaviest I have heard in I have been up and down Flatbush. He had that choreographer chic on stage with him the one that killed it in a few of his videos. She is thick the mutha, I mean she came on first before him and did her thing and danced great but I was preoccupied with her A%*. The other dancers and Sean Paul came out and they rocked the house running through joints like Temperature Give Me the Light Like Glue I mean so many hits I dont even know where to stop. Sean Paul is definitely crazy with his.

The night air fell and the G Unit newest recruits the hood favorite Mobb Deep came out. And they had a great set starting with Shook Ones Quiet Storm Turn It Up Got It Twisted just hit after hit and they really didnt get into they early stuff the way they could of Survival of the Fittest Thug Muzik anything from the Murder Muzik Album they have a lot of joints and classic albums. The show was good and they was blinding the crown with their wrist wear and chains. Crazy!

Jamie Foxx came out next and he was funny as hell. The dude is just good and than when he got into the songs you forgot that you saw him on In Living Color and The Jamie Foxx Show or many of his other ventures and movies the guy is totally talented maybe the most talented dude in the game period. He did Unpredictable DJ Play Another Love Song and than brought out LL Cool J and he tore the house down with Head Sprung and he and Uncle L put on a very good show.

Next came Dem Franchise Boys and they had thee entire arena Lean Wit It, Rock Wit It it was crazy seeing that many people move in unison. Than they did White T the song that put them in the game. JD came out and did the remix with them and brought out none other than Janet Jackson, looking very good I might add. And they put on a lovey dovey display, which was cute sealed with a kiss. They did I think they like me and of course Da Brat came out and rocked the house. Dem Franchise Boys exited for JD to do his Money Aint a Thing and he made it rain dollars in the air which was cool but the people in the front already got it so people to need to make it rain in the bleachers sometimes you know. And when he got to the part about writing the songs that make the whole world sing, he brought out Mariah Carey and had the audience serenade her with We Belong Together it was nice and than they exited.

Than the real show which most of the female fans came to see was on. Mary J. Blige touched the stage and did her thing heavy. She was introduced by the unofficial host of the rest of the evening Jamie Foxx, she started with You Remind Me and than went into heavy hits like You Remind Me Real Love Reminisce and than she moved to the new stuff Cry No More Be Without You and another joint forgot the name but all the ladies new the words. She finished with Family Affair exited the stage in a every exciting manner, she almost bust her As*. The show was good though all in all everything was cool, not many guess stars up to this point but the night was still young I guess.

Than my little ones favorite singer, Chris Brown came out. That is one dancing fool. His sow was cool and the young ladies loved every minute of it. There were streams and yells and all that stuff, but no flips. I wanted to see a flip, I guess after Mary that had to wipe things down and the young boy maybe didnt want to go flying in the stands, his back up dancers were amazing. He started with Run It a short clip and than did Gimme That and broke into Yo finally ending with Run It but no Juelz Santana, that was a waste of opportunity.

Next came out the official King of the South, introduced by Jamie of course, T.I.  with his DJ Drama and his Gangsta Grillz That dude is ill with it. He did some joints we didnt know of course but he ran through his hits Lets Get Away Rubber Ban Man 24s and than went into things from the KING album Why U Wanna Go Do That. Got back to the hits with U Dont Know Me and Bring Em Out and was promptly shut off by the powers that by at Hot 97 when he went over his time and didnt even get a chance to do his biggest song to date What You Know About That but Mr. Cee the strongest finisher in the game saved the day when he put the song on and T.I. got a chance to sway with the crowd, Magical Moment for real.

The Highlight of the show came when Busta Rhymes came and touch down on the stage. Him and Spliff did there one two things as usual but really held it down when it came to the guest stars. I mean this dude went above and beyond for the crowd. First displaying the late great Rick James in concert in a song called Ghetto which Busta kindly went into the remake that he has for his album, The Big Bang. He did I Love My Chic and a few other selections. Went back to good time and did Put Ya Hands Where My Eyes Could See and other joints. But than touched down heavy with Touch It and the Remix bring out Rah Digga, Missy, letting the Mary part play on screen, did letting Papoose get busy. Busta and Papoose went into his song Get Right Kay Slay came out in the ill 8 Ball jacket inspired leather suit, that was a good look.

Than came the highlight of the night when Busta, before performing NY Sh*t, brought out Wu Tang Clan and they did an old classic, but came on to Wu Tang Clan Aint Nothing to F&*% With U God, was there, Method Man, Rza, Raekwon, Inspecktah Deck, and Cappadonna, Masta Killa, no Ghost Face and Gza. Than he brought out the GOD, Rakim Allah who tore it down with U Got Soul next he brought out Slick Rick and he did Children Story why not Mona Lisa. Than came Big Daddy Kane who did Warm It Up Kane and ended the trip down memory lane with Q Tip coming out and doing his portion of Scenario. After all that Busta did the NY Sh%$ and was later crowned King of NY with the Help of Swizz Beats.

I thought the show was over after that I mean how could you follow Kane, Ra, Wu, Bus, Slick, Tip and everybody else.

But the Dip Set did we a very inspiring set from Jim Jones who did his joints Baby Girl Gz Up Summer Wit Miami bringing out Trey Songz, that kid can blow. Juelz came on next and rocked the house with Santanas Town Whistle Song and others from his album What the Games Been Missing later they was joined on stage by King Jaffe Jo himself Killa CamRon, who came after Young Joc came out and did the crowd favorite Its Going Down the crowd was nuts but people was already starting to flee for the exits by the time their set was close to over. It was a long night that started for many at 3 Oclock and now it was 12 midnight. Great SHOW.

Funkmaster Flex, Angie Martinez, Mr. Cee, DJ Enuff, ,Ms. Jones in the morning crew, she was crazy on the Radio before the show, she said that Mary voice was in the building before she was and that Busta chain was there before he was on some guy she dont know and neither did Busta and finally stabbing Jamie with his ego being there before he got there. DJ Envy was in the house, DJ Camillo, but I didnt see the ladies night ladies, Jazzy Joyce and Cocoa Chanel. Miss Info was in the Summer Jam Village all in all it was a great night. Except for the early exits before the great songs where played it was a good night.

XXL presents Hip Hop Soul

The cover has a picture of Ne-Yo and Keyshia Cole on the cover: leaders of the new school. There is only one ad in the mag and it is provided by Remy Martin with an online campaign from 1738.com the ads are not overbearing and actually let the magazine stand on its own. The cover says that MJB, Al B Sure, John Legend with New Edition, Kelis, and the Top 25 rap & R&B callabos of all time (number one is the most gangsta song sung and spit but to the ladies from the NY renaissance on the mic circa 94/95) there is also a photo tribute with legends of soul (the picture of MJ is incredible we will see that on shirts soon, especially

mine)

It starts with a bang on page 9 with a letter to D'Angelo (where ya at bro)

next page catches up with The Boys from "Dial my Heart" fame they all grown and was in Africa and made music over there under the name (read the mag) next they speak on artist and their philanthropy next page is getting at the dude that said he was in love with a stripper and a nice short on Chris Brown and his former career, and than there is rumors of the glove one recording with the incredible thawk (dunn language) page 12 is telling R&B starlets business along with the aforementioned Al B Sure, next page is a funny cartoon of Def Jam and Atlantic switching artist like baseball next few pages have John Legend, Cheri Dennis, Avant, Lil Wayne and than some new cats, Governor, J Valentine (any relation to Bobby) Deemi, Megan Rochell (Def Jam is really looking like LaFace right now), Jermaine Paul

Than we get a nice sexy posing from Mrs the Monster (read the mag) and

interview (where the hell is her album) next pages is Lela James, Akon (J.C.)

Than there is that Top 25 some people will be mad others will say we deserve a better spot but Jagged Edge 'Where the Party At? Is not included that's beyond me page 44 got the cover girl Keyshia Cole with a little first lady breakdown on page 49 Ne-Yo gets going on 54 with the first bros yearly breakdown on page 60 

Next is the ever so un bashful Mrs. Jones (Kelis-sidebar there is this photo book with pictures of Kelis like she was born, amazing, the tats are incredible when you see it full that girl is serious)

Page 68 has the boy band that made the blueprint for all others, that's right

ya favorite group ever (if you over 26) nice spread they talk about things that happened and what te future is like, I think everybody waiting for that book, no more Bad Boy (Puff wanted B2'Ole)

Speaking of B2K (where the hell are they-sidebar never bite the hand that feeds you, especially when he ya cousins) Omarion turns up on page 74 than there is pictorial (buy the mag)

Page 90 has the Top 10 R&B albums of the year.  In between there is stories on Bryan-Michael Cox, DJ S&S of uptown with his club joints and bedroom joints, yeah Jagged Edge Good Luck Charm is sick than there is the Vintage article with 112 album 112 Bad Boy 1996 (they on itunes now) there is an introduction of Mela Machinko out of BK she new probably on myspace and the exit photo belong to Nina Simone (I have yet to hear any of her music, I think I'm gonna look for some it might change my life you do the same) and far a great album of the year Top 10 Keyshia Cole album is sick (I can say that cause my lady don't play it cause she aint been through it) Holla till next time, XXL with Busta on the cover is  next

http://www.xxlmag.com/Issues/2006/hip-hop-soul/HHS2.cover.jpg

Hovee's Home

"Yes Sir I'm cut from a different cloth", in the words of the Big Homie Hova, BK stand up.

Well I got the chance to see Mr. Young Mediterranean himself last week. It was great seeing him and it was something straight out of one of his videos first he pulls up while I am walking down the street. The call time for the event said to be there at 11:30 am and here I go walking down the block at 12:15 pm, all ways good though. This dude pulls up in a Black Phantom (Rolls Royce) I mean that damn thing was clean as hell. It has the suicide doors (reverse opening) and he puts the leg out while sporting the nice trench coat (tan color, like timbs) with a fresh pair of S. Carter sneakers www.reebok.com/rbk, he was looking fresh and he was on the phone being so cool (a theme throughout the interview) I walked right in front of dude and it took everything not to stream "Hova! Hova! Hova!" but I was cool and calm.

I finally go inside and it is standing room only. Jay Z was being taped for a show on the Yes Network called Center Stage hosted by Yankee announcer Michael K. The show is coming on if I am not mistaking real soon but check your local listings. Jay came out nice to the encore beat playing in the background and thunderous applause, but they didnt have something right so he did it again, this time even more ruckus.

They jumped right into the interview covering everything from his childhood to his taking over the reigns at Def Jam; as well as everything in between. First off was how Jay got into music and a little bit about how he starting writing. He said things that were well documented like he starting writing in books and once he went outside he started using paper bags and finally moving on to the coop that makes him Hova, the mental exercise and how he uses memory to write the rhymes and than delivers them. It is an art within itself to hear about a guy doing that and than to have Biggie be the same way you just know greatness is not made but born. Everybody that is trying that now, it sounds like it, thoughts all over the place but this guy is consistent with his.

Speaking on his childhood he spoke about his pops leaving and how he got the name Jay Z, they use to call him Jazzy from the way he dressed (My cousin LoLo use to call me that, just remembered that) and he just took the Jay and Z part and it stuck. He spoke on the projects and the dynamics of the hustling game and how the end is death or jail. He spoke on the true story behind 99 problems that he was pulled over and had some things in the car but would not let the cops check the trunk and a sniff dog was nowhere around and how a few minutes was difference between jail and his life now. He said as he was riding down the street the K9 (that if were closer would of been disastrous for him) Unit was riding the other way going towards where he came from. 

If you want to read more got to my Blog www.miclowreyintro.blogspot.com about the making of my new album and general thoughts of mine, Peace