I got a song in the Beaterator x MYSPACE MUSIC Challenge. It's called "Free Chili" and I was inspired by the Lupe Fiasco intro to "The Cool" called "Free Chilly" (dedicated to his business partner).

Sadly, today I have to address something that's been on my mind for quite sometime...

Sorry I haven't been updating on the Space as of lately! Been focusing in on re-upping the blog (http://www.ajcrew.com) and my NEW Twitter account (cuz my other one was deleted) @wordtoAJ.

Yesterday I chopped it up with Mr. Michael Kolar (Soundscape Studios) and Howard Brown (of Universal Motown) and we all came to the agreement of the release date for the album.

SEPTEMBER 1ST.

So about a month from now, you all will be listening to some the greatest music in a LONG time. This is definitely definitive work for me. I will say that this process of making this project was long, tedious, strenous, stressful... but in the end... it was worth every second.

OOO, and my mom gets to consider the album as a birthday gift to her (HI MOM!! lol). My only regret is not being able to see the reaction in Chicago in person. By then I'm going to be in Goshen, IN. Things happen though. More things will happen as well.

Not sure where my life is headed at the moment. Is that for me to know? Nah. It'd be nice, though. Wherever I go or whatever I do, one thing is for certain. This album is gonna be DOPENIFICENT. I'm hoping you all will vibe to it and not just listen to it, but have this be the backdrop of moments in your life that are special.

So... started in November, dropping in September, after that the buzz'll be hotter than an ember. WORD. Lmfao

A.J. Crew (Follow me on Twitter!!! Hahahahaha jkjkjk. Twitter is gonna be like the biggest craze of the decade prolly. Like we're gonna look back and be like "Remember Twitter???" Lol)

Press Release:
"TxtMsgAlrt!" was released today on iTunes, the leading digital music retailer. After thousands of downloads and being featured on three national hip-hop blogs, A.J. Crew continues to make a name for himself in this new generation of hip-hop.

Be sure to support A.J. Crew and cop the single NOW!!!

Real thoughts:
Yeah... so this is the first day of the rest of my life. I didn't think that I would be on iTunes (that's a major lie) but I did expect that I would make an impact with this song. It's definitely something I know a lot of people can relate to and I wrote it for all of those people. And for everybody that's downing the single cuz of Auto-Tune or because it's pop... oh well. I'm on iTunes, trick. HAHAHAHAHA

Much love to you all,

A.J. Crew

(PS: A vlog will be up later today...)

Yo I just got put on GoWhereHipHop's home page!! Sgt. Tibs did a dope review for the tape and I'm super excited for it!! Let's keep it moving shall we?? Hahahaha... here is the link for the review..

GoWhereHipHop Review/Article Link

The Avatar never rests,
Aang-Junior

illroots.com Feature

Mixtape Download Link:
DOWNLOAD THE AVATAR STATE HERE

Press Release:
The Avatar. The 90's. Love. Loss. Struggle. All the makings of a great mixtape. A.J. Crew brings an excellent blend of hip-hop and pop. In his self-financed debut mixtape, "The Avatar State", Crew brings sheer lyrical power with both melody and aggression. While battling his own financial struggles, Crew managed to work up enough money for studio time to record this project. Although his recording quality and buzz may not match his peers, his mixtape shows you how raw and uncut he is. This talent caught the attention of Lupe Fiasco's protégé, Gemstones, and offered him a production spot on the new Fahrenheit 1/15 mixtape entitled: "The Evolution of Gemstones". (1st & 15th). Overall, this mixtape will leave you wanting to hear more as he blazes through tracks like matchsticks. Look for his debut EP, "Nightmares & Daydreams" this March recorded at the famous Soundscape Studios in Chicago.

Links:
www.ajcrew.com
www.myspace.com/therealajcrew
www.myspace.com/thriftstoreent
imeem.com/ajcrew
twitter.com/ajcrew

So I am sooooo excited for the drop of the mixtape and everything... I am somewhat frustrated with the state of the economy, not being able to get a job, college, my own personal financial struggles, etc. However, a recent event has been brought to my attention.

M. Night Shyamalan has recently casted the four main characters of the "Avatar" movie adaptation and all of the actors are Caucasian. Some may think that this is not a big deal and that it was done out of marketability. Even this rationalization is disturbing and just plain wrong. It is unmoral, unjust, and downright infuriating as a HUGE fan of the animated series (I mean I DID name my debut mixtape after the Avatar State).

So I contemplated. Thought. And contemplated yet again. And as Aang-Junior, I have decided to use my mixtape as a vehicle to push the agenda of recasting this franchise immediately before production begins. Will it work? I have no idea. If it fails? I will not see the movies and will continue to push the agenda of boycotting the films. However, for now I will still call myself Aang-Junior Crew, still be a die-hard Avatard, but have the back cover of my mixtape serve as a statement to all those reading to stand up and take action over this mistake.

The Avatar never rests,

Aang-Junior Crew

Back Cover of "The Avatar State" mixtape

Bad news: I'm still working on the EP, mixtape (re-recording a few songs), etc. etc. so it's gonna be a quick second for the Avatar State takes full effect...

GOOD NEWS: Well..... you gonna have to check out ajcrew.com to see the good news. HAHAHAHAHAHA click on the picture of Avatar Season 3, Vol. 1 for a pleasant surprise :)

- aang-junior crew