Beat Cartel

by Soren Baker

"I was talking to Michael Moore and he said he was interested in doing a benefit concert,” the Aftermath Entertainment artist says, "so we’ll see."

Jon Connor has addressed the motive behind his “Fresh Water For Flint” song.

“The song is basically about the situation going on that nobody sees,” the Aftermath Entertainment artist says during an interview with XXL. “I lived in Flint up until two, three years ago, so being in California and seeing the way it’s being portrayed on the news, seeing the deterioration of my city, its all that frustration and emotion. I feel like I’m the voice of Flint, so I’m just trying to verbalize how all the natives feel.”

Flint, Michigan’s water supply has been contaminated with lead after the city’s water source was switched in 2014 from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The change from a clean source to one that was polluted resulted in the water crisis in Flint.

The Game, Puff Daddy, Big Sean, Meek Mill and other rap acts have pledged to help by donating water and money to help the city’s residents.

Connor, who was at his mother’s house in Flint at the time of the interview, says he’s working on staging an event to help Flint.

“I’m just trying to make all the dots connect of people I know in the industry who’ve reached out to me,” Connor says. “Kelly Price has reached out. I was talking to Michael Moore and he said he was interested in doing a benefit concert so we’ll see. I think we’re just trying to figure out how we can put all of our resources together for this one cause and one goal.”

Jon Connor's “Fresh Water For Flint” song is as follows:

hiphopdx.com

Masta Ace Says New Single “Globetrotter” Will Whet Fans’ Palates For Upcoming Solo Album

by Henry Mansell

“Globetrotter” is set to feature on the reissue of Ace’s 2004 album, “A Long Hot Summer.”

Masta Ace says that his newly released single “Globetrotter” will whet fans’ palates for his upcoming solo album, The Falling Season.
During a recently published interview with The Source, the iconic Brownsville emcee spoke about the song — which features London, England-based lyricist AKD (Arise King David) — and its history.
“I had been sitting on that ‘Globetrotter’ beat for over three years, just scheming on a way to use it,” Masta Ace said during the interview. “At first, we were gonna use it on an eMC album, but we never got it done. I had a little 16 on there and that was it. When the idea of adding new music to the reissue of A Long Hot Summer came up, it was a no brainer. I just extended my first verse and wrote a second one. My dude AKD just happened to be visiting the studio that day I was laying it down. I felt another verse/voice was needed and he was like, ‘Yo I might have something.’ I gave him a shot and he did his thing. It’s a classic example of being in the right place at the right time.”
The beat for “Globetrotter” appears to sample Chic’s “Savoir Faire,” a cut off the band’s 1978 album, C’est Chic. That same beat was also sampled by will.i.am on The Game’s The Documentary 2 track, “LA.”
“I’m glad people get to hear some new music from me now,” Masta Ace later said. “This [‘Globetrotter’] should whet their palates for my new solo album. KIC just spent a week out here mixing with us. I have a real emotional attachment to this album as it’s somewhat autobiographical and a glimpse into my life from 1980-1984.”

hiphopdx.com

Naughty By Nature Launch Kickstarter For 25th Anniversary Album

by Trent Clark

There is also a 25th Anniversary Tour in the works.

Kickstarter-funded albums are currently all the rage in the present musical climate and Naughty By Nature is ushering in 2016 with their custom announcement for the call of monetary fan support.
This coming September will mark the 25th anniversary of the trio consisting of Treach, Vin Rock and Kay Gee releasing their (proper) self-titled debut album and they are obviously feeling as invigorated as when they made the entire world down with "O.P.P."
“What this campaign is about is just the celebration of our 25 years in the music industry. We’re inviting you to celebrate with us," the group explained via a joint statement. "Kickstarter is the sign of the times...We felt like this would be the perfect time to [release] new music but we needed the support from the fans. We wanted to see if they really wanted the new album. Now that we’re veterans, we can go directly to the fans."
In addition to the upcoming LP, the group has also embarked on a nationwide tour (which began on January 28 in Charlotte) where longtime followers of the clique from "Dirty Jerz" can expect to hear classics such as "Hip Hop Hooray," "Feel Me Flow" and more.
Visit Kickstarter to help Naughty By Nature hit their goal of $100,000 for the new album. The remaining tour dates can be seen as follows.

January 31st – The Masquerade – Atlanta, GA
February 2nd – The Maison – New Orleans, LA
February 3rd – Warehouse Live – Houston, TX
February 4th – Empire Control Room – Austin, TX
February 5th – Paper Tiger – San Antonio, TX
February 6th – South Side Music Hall – Dallas, TX
February 9th – Sister Bar – Albuquerque, NM
February 10th – Crescent Ballroom – Phoenix, AZ
February 11th – Regent Theater – Los Angeles, CA
February 14th – Marquis Theater – Denver, CO
February 16th – Wooly’s – Des Moines, IA
February 17th – Mill City Nights – Minneapolis, MN
February 18th – The Rave II – Milwaukee, WI
February 19th – Blue Note – Columbia, MO
February 20th – House of Blues – Chicago, IL
February 21st – Mercury Ballroom – Louisville, KY
February 23rd – House of Blues – Cleveland, OH
February 24th – Waiting Room – Buffalo, NY
February 25th – The Howard Theatre – Washington, DC
February 26th – Reverb – Reading, PA
February 27th – Webster Hall – New York, NY
February 28th – TLA – Philadelphia, PA

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