MEETTHAARTIST

You may have seen him on MTV’s Runs House a couple times before. You may have even read about him on the net somewhere. But in case you haven’t, allow me to introduce him to those who may not know. He is Mr. Zach89, 1/3 of the group Team Blackout that first made their debut on Runs House some years ago. Since then, Zach89 has grown into a solo artist with a flow that can have him up there with some of the big time rappers. The recent college grad has dropped a mixtape called RapZhody a little while ago that features old school beats with a modern day flow. He also includes his personal drum solos on the mixtape as well. Personally and honestly, I can say he has more than a spark; the dude has a flame right now that’s only going to keep burning. But you be the judge, check him out first. Listen and download his mixtape, RapZhody, and watch the video for his song, “My Baby,” then drop your thoughts. Also, be on the lookout for his newest mixtape, “The Z Factor” which is to be dropping this spring!

Here goes some unsigned hype out of Toronto with what they call ‘hiphop funk rock’. Hit the jump to check out a visual.
Stream/Download: Link

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So basically Ceddy is in the running for that ‘Who’s Next’ on Hot 97. Yes that’s right, a 12 year old contender out of Flatbush, Brooklyn is basically one of the best spitta’s in the contest. Ceddy has been performing at countless shows, and he proves that he’s a natural, and that it’s in his blood. Check him out on Hot97, one of the worlds highest rated radio stations here

Here’s the latest from Lola Divine who resides in the great state of California. Her style is poetic and nostalgic at the same time. Look out for ‘The Winter Solution‘ aka #TWS dropping on January 19. 8% Tint was produced by 2mindz. On another note, this record is dope.

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Ontario California’s very own SS Cennaz Ave Flyy Reps release their behind the scenes MLK video. They’re definitely putting on for the city. Check them out!

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Check out Sir Froderick and OhBliv’s newest beat tape Wholly Rollers LP. (Release January 2, 2012) What a great way to kick off the new year fellas. Album art by Robb Leef.
Download: http://futurescience.bandcamp.com/album/wholly-rollers-lp

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This happens to be the very first (full) spoken word piece Lola Divine has ever written. It gets deep. It gets real. Check her out!

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“DuffleDuffleDiddly”

Photographer: “Prince A.”

“Ugo”

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Introducing Freddie Joachim as well as his newest work “Patiently” This is definitely one smooth project. “The Soul Is Back” all thanks to his clean, well-chopped and crisp style. Freddie Joachim is known for working with artists such as: Question, Aloe Blacc, Blu, Othello and so on. This guy has one of the best instrumental series with a San Francisco based label called Melloworangemusic and from the looks of it–they’re definitely doing something right.

Check it out here.

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What’s the story behind choosing the name Cals?
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“I been going by the name Cals since I was 14. My cousin gave me the name. My real name is Kyle, and somehow they just came up with Cals. It just stuck with me.” 



You have a new single with YG, Bobby Brackins and Ethan Avery called “Something About Your Body.” How’d you link up with YG and Bobby?
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I linked up with them through radio stuff. Just doing promo for them. After a while, it was like, “lets do a record.” We got in the studio, and I actually did a couple of records with each of them.”



Another artist you worked with was N.O.R.E. on “Drinking & Smoking.” What was it like working with a legend like Noreaga?


-“N.O.R.E. is one of my best friends. I have a few tracks with him. I went on tour with him earlier this year to Europe. At the end of this month, I’m going with him out to Russia. So, I’m around him all the time, man. It’s great being around a seasoned veteran that knows his way around the game. He’s taught me a lot from learning how to perform to learning how to do interviews.”
 

With your songs, a lot of them have a really nice mainstream appeal to them. Songs that would top charts and what not. What made you go this route with your music?
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“Well, my music started with more street and gangsta rap. After a while of doing that, I just got tired with it. I could do that all day, but I wasn’t really getting anywhere with it. I started being more realistic with it and made music that’s for everybody. I make a lot of feel good music.”



A lot of artists can have a hit that does well and end up falling off. Is this something you fear and how, in your mind, do you plan to make sure it doesn’t happen?
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I think with a lot of artists they don’t have that drive, like they don’t want it that much. Artists come up with a hit single, it blows and they don’t know what to do. They fall off. With me, I’ve been paralyzed before, I couldn’t move, all I had was music to get me through that. When I got out of that, I just stuck with my music. I don’t make one hit and try to put it out. I make album after album, mixtape after mixtape and just stack my music up. I got a lot of crazy hits that are top quality music.”



At this point, what’s been the best moment of your career?


-“I’ve had a few moments. When the radio stations out in Cali played my music. When I shot my first video with N.O.R.E., that was the first video I had shot with a big artist. And you know, being on tour and going on the road to different countries, like Italy and Paris. It’s so great, I loved every second of it.” 



To finish up, what are you currently working on?
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”I just dropped Still Standing three months ago, which was my first solo album. Since then, I finished up my second album, Paper Trail Gang. That’s me and I have my two in-house producers as well as my artists Ethan Avery and D-Truth. It’s my album but I have them on it a lot. I got features from YG, Mann, Bobby Brackins, N.O.R.E., French Montana and Grafh. I got every type of song on there. Love songs, gangsta songs, everything. We’ll probably going to drop it beginning of the year.”