NEWS, REVIEWS, INTERVIEWS, ARTIST FEATURES,MUSIC AUDIO AND VIDEO

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Government Seizures Of Music Blogs

 
Cyber Monday', the epic Post-Thanksgiving online shopping day, was more of a "Black Monday" this year for the hip-hop blogging community. On November 29, 2010, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), under the umbrella of the Department of Homeland Security, seized control of 82 domain names in an effort to crack down on alleged illegal Internet counterfeiting activity. ICE's digital raids occurred instantly, and without notice or warning to the domain owners. Most of the seized sites sold counterfeit merchandise or provided file-sharing services, but the domain names for three popular hip-hop music blogs were also frozen for allegedly trading in pirated content. These blogs – RapGodfathers.com, DaJaz1.com, OnSmash.com, and rmx4u.com – regularly receive "leaked" songs directly from artists and music companies. Did the government overstep its bounds, interfere with legitimate music marketing, and violate due process?  Or do these sites really pose an ominous threat to the nation's economy and vital interests, thereby trumping all other concerns?
The November seizures were the latest step in ICE's "Operation in Our Sites," an enforcement campaign targeting Internet counterfeiting and piracy. After the seizures, an ICE spokesperson stated that counterfeit and pirated goods, "present a triple threat to America. They rob Americans of jobs and their innovative ideas; fuel organized crime; and create a serious public-safety risk to consumers." According to the White House's 2010 Joint Strategic Plan on Intellectual Property Enforcement, intellectual property seizures increased over 50% this fiscal year.
Some have wondered how the federal government obtained the authority to seize these domain names without first giving notice to the site owners. Under the Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act of 2008, the Department of Justice can obtain a court order to seize a domain name or any other property used "to commit or facilitate" copyright or trademark infringement. To do so, federal prosecutors must convince a federal magistrate judge, through affidavit and other evidence, that there is probable cause to believe the law has been violated (similar to the requirements in order to obtain a search warrant). No counter-evidence from the domain owner in question is heard, and the judge can then order the seizure without giving advance notice to the site owner. The owner can only try to reclaim the domain name at a later administrative hearing. Additionally, under the proposed Copyright Online Infringement and Counterfeits Act ("COICA"), government authorities would be allowed to create Internet blacklists of sites suspected of engaging in "infringing activity." The bill is stalled for now, but could be resurrected by Congress later this year.
How does this all tie in to the music industry? Several of the seized domains belonged to hip-hop music blogs that regularly received intentionally leaked mp3 files from record labels, managers, and artists. Although the Recording Industry Association of American (RIAA) wants to eliminate this practice, the bloggers and some in the industry consider it a vital marketing tool and angrily protest being characterized as music pirates. In a December New York Times interview, Kevin Hofman of OnSmash.com argued that the term "leak", to those in the know, is regularly thrown around in record label marketing meetings as a positive activity, as in "Hey, can you leak this to the blogs?" A manager representing hip-hop clients such as Lil Jon and Talib Kweli agreed, saying that the industry and his artists "don't have any issues with most of these sites," because listeners go straight to the blogs when they want to hear new music ─ a practice avidly supported and encouraged by the industry.
Four months after the seizures, these domain names are still in limbo. Several of the sites were reposted hours after the seizure at slightly altered domain names (for example, RapGodfathers.com now operates at RapGodfathers.info), typically hosted outside of the U.S. In a social media effort to fight back, OnSmash started a #FreeOnSmash campaign on Twitter, asking artists who supported the site to e-mail and tweet their dismay with the situation. However, the owners of these domains could face a long, expensive process in court in order to get their original domain names back.
ICE's opening blast on Cyber Monday cast a chill over the hip-hop industry. But while the cyber-raids made headlines, it remains to be seen whether they will boost the U.S. economy, revive the flagging music business, or do anything to deter copyright infringement.
My Nigerian brothers what steps are our Government taking to looking into the country's economy regarding what the music and entertainment industry has to offer.

Introducing OBULU


Born Aifuobhokhan Osebor Charles, a talented mind with a voice that stand out with natural touch. Popularly know as OBULU, a member of one the bands made out of the Nigerian Breweries popular reality TV Competition "STAR QUEST".

Obulu doubles as a Music teacher and Choir Master.He is set to take the gospel of what he have to offer to world with his debut solo effort. Currently finished working on a gospel album which will so be available on all online retail stores. The video of his debut single featuring Urtchman and Drami.

JADAKISS ON THE SET OF HIS NEW VIDEO " HOLD YOU DOWN " - MAY 23. 2011

US Based Rapper Jadakiss recently shot a new video for his song "HOLD YOU DOWN"
Courtesy Hiphopnews 24-7

Thursday, May 19, 2011

MTV Base Meets... with MTN.

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, member of the fourth realm gathered at Planet 1 to witness the official unveil of MTV Base Meets... with MTN. The media brief which started at 10.00am shared actual details of the rumoured relationship between MTV Networks Africa and telecoms giant, MTN. Both companies have joined forces in a groundbreaking pan-African multimedia campaign designed to inspire African youth by connecting them with some of the world’s most influential personalities.

It is no longer news that young people in Nigeria, Africa and the world over are gradually taking interest in national and global affairs, and increasingly becoming vocal on matters that affect them and the world they live in.


MTV BASE 
MEETS WITH MTN: WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET?Definition of INFLUENCER
The initiative is an 8-part youth empowerment TV series that creates a dialogue between young people and the political, business and cultural leaders who shape the world today. And following closely, it is not just about mentorship, it is also about understanding how these leaders or personalities carry out their duties.

The intimate documentary series will allow Africa’s young minds to put probing questions to influential, inspirational and somewhat controversial characters. Among the eminent people who will feature in the series are Liberian President Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (Africa’s first and only elected female head of state), Mr Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and South African politician Mr. Julius Malema (President of the ANC Youth League) and many African leaders or influencers who exercise a significant impact on the continent.

The gripping series will keep television viewers - young and old - on the edge of their seats. A diverse panel of young people representing different youth interests will be assembled from across the African continent, with participants coming from Cameroon, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda, among others.

Young, but well-informed, the panelists are articulate, engaging, provocative and opinionated on a range of complex subjects - be it HIV/AIDS, global warming, education, poverty, corruption or entrepreneurship. They are fearless and have attitude. Their no-holds-barred approach will make for exciting television viewing as they fire BIG questions to the influential people whose actions and opinions have a direct impact on their lives.

African youth will be encouraged to nominate influencers and submit their proposed questions for the programme via a dedicated MTV base Meets…with MTN website or via their mobile handset. To register go to www.mtvmeets.com or http://mtvmeets.mobi from 10 May 2011 or follow the campaign on Twitter at #MTVMeets @MTVbaseAfrica.

Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa, “MTV base Meets…with MTN provides young people with the opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers and world leaders in order to address some of the key issues that are important to them. The initiative demonstrates our belief in the positive impact that the youth can have in shaping the future of the Continent. We hope that MTV base Meets…with MTN will inspire young people across Africa to know that their voice matters and to help prepare them to take their own roles among the leaders of tomorrow.”

MTN Nigeria Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, Bola Akingbade, says “MTN’s association with MTN base Meets…with MTN forms part of its on-going focus on youth empowerment, which is informed by the recognition that the world’s demographics favour the youth - with half of Africa’s population of 1 billion being under the age of 35.

“Through this series, MTN hopes to give this growing segment of Africa’s population a bridge to connect with decision-makers through dialogue. Gone are the days when young people were relegated to the periphery of important debates in business and politics,” says Akingbade.

Thought provoking questions were thrown at MTN and MTV Base representatives and all were answered satisfactorily. While we commends this initiative, we hope to see a lasting relationship between both parties; at the end of the day, there must be a business tie around this relationship and any form of discontinuity will affect the plan, especially when it’s a case of inability to financially sustain the cost of production.




MTV BASE INFO
MTN 
Play
MTV Base Meets…with MTN is an African localized version of the established MTV Meets… franchise and has previously interviewed influential individuals including Nelson Mandela, Tony Blair, Morgan Tsvangarai and Wyclef Jean. The series will air across African from 18 July on MTV base (DStv Channel 322), and on terrestrial, DTT and CATV channels including STV (Nigeria), HiTV (Nigeria), WBS (Uganda), NTV (Kenya), Canal2 (Cameroon), Muvi TV (Zambia), Zuku (Kenya), ZAP (Angola), Smart TV (Kenya) and Star Times (Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burundi).

Friday, May 13, 2011

Funny i'll call this: M.I and Ice Prince Can’t Freestyle

Read this on a friend site. I was shock when i 1st saw the subject in my inbox. I will love to share this with you. To me Freestyle is not a big deal cuz not every rapper is good at it. Many best comes from taking their time to draft out lines. My own opinion, feel free to share your take on the issue.

HERE IS THE POST FROM http://naijanedu.com


I’m writing this article in respect to what I heard last night (March 18, 2011) on a local radio station in Lagos, Nigeria called BEAT FM 99.9. I believe every Friday, they call on Nigerian rappers to ‘lick the mic’ in a session as popular DJs get on the ’1s & 2s’, spinning away as they MCs take turns to cause ‘lyrical havoc’. The show is aired live on radio and online.
In what was meant to be a freestyle session, the studio (in the radio station that is) housed quite a handful of upcoming rappers, (most of them have been introduced on NHH) who were def eager to raise the building down with punchlines and verbal display of words.
Most notable acts (as I remember, pardon me, i was on my 4th cup of coffee) were Big T, P&M, Godwon, Mojizzie, Feyizo, Phenom, T-Rex, Rilwan and the ‘utunu king’ Lynxxx. All MCs went hard, laudable freestyles, delivery techniques and out-of-the world punchlines. I mean not all raps were freestyles but hey, it was really good, far better than XXL Freshman Class of 2011 freestyle (Quote me! ). DJs on thedeck were DJ Caise, DJ Neptune and the legendary DJ Jimmy JATT.



Honestly, I was surprised to hear Lynxxx drop lines with eloquent delivery. Don’t get me wrong, the dude is an intelligent rapper, i was heavily convinced after listening to his debut album ‘This Is Lynxxx‘, but hanging out with these goons? It clearly showed that he also wants to appeal to the underground community in as much as he tends towards the commercial line.
Then there came in the self acclaimed ‘Undisputed Champion‘ , the ‘Africa Rapper No. 1‘, Jude Abaga, better known as M.I with his Chocolate City label mate, the ‘Oleku‘ hit master Ice Prince. They were highly welcomed. Then the moderator asked them to go ahead and drop a couple of freesstyles, I mean, M.I and Ice Prince are the hottest rappers out there now, aren’t they? ‘Come bust a couple of lines’, the moderator pleaded.
M.I and Ice Prince immediately confessed that on their way to the radio station, they had been listening to the other rappers tear themselves up and that they were already feeling inferior and jittery. Everybody laughed. Such humility expressed by the Choc Boys was what i thought would precede a daunting and dashing display of lyrical dexterity from them.



But to my surprise, Ice Prince stepped to the mic after much persuasion only to attempt to rap the lyrics of oleku! O-M-G!!! (like my ex-groupie girlfriend would say!) Thank God for one of the other rappers who cut him off before he could get to the 2nd bar. Same thing went for M.I who had basically nothing to say.
After much irrelevant talk, both MCs took to the Mic and started reciting nursery school rhymes…quite appauling.
The show got back on with the other rappers (who were probably irritated as I was) resuming the freestyle. As before, it was on point! The show ended on a high note.
Now my point is, I know M.I and Ice Prince were very good with freestyling back then (then = 3 to 4 years ago). I ususally watched M.I at WAPI deliver lovely rhyme schemes and constantly heard of Ice Prince stomping buildings in Jos. So what has happened to these rappers?
No matter how much fame and popularity or how successful your music gets you, remember what got you there in the first place -The Hunger
Your fans are listening and watching, don’t disappoint them.
What is freestlying? – Freestyle rap commonly refers to rap lyrics which are improvised through acapella or with instrumental beats, i.e. performed with few or no previously composed lyrics, off the top of the head.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Joshua Tosh - "PUSH" is available for Download NOW .

The Video can be download at the following pages:

►iTunes--
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-prayer-of-joshua/id384604777

►Cross Rhythms --
http://direct.crossrhythms.co.uk/product/The-Prayer-Of-Joshua/Joshua-Tosh/95913

►AMAZON
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B003XO967S/ref=dm_sp_alb

REVERBNATION-
►http://www.reverbnation.com/joshuatosh

►Cross Rhythms --
http://direct.crossrhythms.co.uk/product/The-Prayer-Of-Joshua/Joshua-Tosh/95913


►CD Baby
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/joshuagospel2

ALSO ON-
►Trade Bits
►OHTV Shop
►iTunes
►HMV
►All Major Christian Stores

Edlyne Records newly singed Twins Affair "ASA" Remix featuring LKT

10521_128228655731_128146855731_2486127_7601168_n.jpg
Twins Affair is made of Taye and Kehinde Olusola. Both music graduates
from Delta State University, Abraka.They started music professionally
4 years ago as singers and music producers working with a handful of
upcoming artistes like Finland based Nigerian Phemo, Tesleem d don and
others.

Asa was released as a single earlier accompanied with a video directed
by Nodash. This is a remix to their single titled Asa and it features
the newly signed artiste of Edlyne Records, LKT.

The song is produced by TY for Kentro World.

Download link:  http://www.4shared.com/audio/dWCmEzmt/01_Asa_remix_ft_Lkt.htm

Video for 'Asa' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If48B4w9nUg&feature=related


For Media Kit Contact:
 Dro Ameh.
BB Pin: 25886C1B  Tel: 08063822578