We In The Pocket talk Toronto hip-hop with SmashMouthEnt’s Brenden Hewko.

Some naivete in this interview, which is understandable given his age and the lack of localized mainstream hip-hop media in this city feeding young’ns the necessary history on their scene’s past, but he made some insightful points. Dude’s definitely been involved with some noteworthy projects in the local scene, and his comments at 8:14 are pretty much what every local blogger/promoter/deejay/scenster should understand and embrace from jump!

Previously: NEW MIXTAPE: SmashMouth Entertainment presents “SmashMouth Mentality Vol. 1″

Ahhhhh….some clarity as to what’s poppin’ in the world of JD Era.

Noisey: What’s the situation with ICEH20? Do they still have a studio in Toronto?
JD Era: They never had a studio here. They have offices in Toronto, but I know they just set up a new studio in New Jersey. They’re trying to set up in a new location in Canada because they’re still pushing the Canada thing, but I’m the only Canadian artist on ICE20. But I’m signed on the Canadian side, it’s a different situation. With myself and Raekwon, we’ve always had our own situation, because at the end of the day – that’s the guy that put on for me. All of the years, no one really came and said “I’m gonna give you a shot” before Raekwon. He’s just gotta get his business together.

What do you mean?
It’s one thing to be a great rap artist, but it’s another to be a great business man. Being associated with Rae is a double-edged sword, because you get some new fans by association, but there’s a level of expectation that comes from those Wu fans supporting you. There was a point where I stopped and looked back on what I did with my Raekwon co-sign, and I wasn’t satisfied. I put in a lot of work, and I didn’t feel like it hit where it needed to hit. No Handouts did really well it terms of how it was received, but I still think the music could have been spread to a lot more people. My goal on Barz is to sit back and reevaluate this situation, and take certain things back into my own hands.

What kind of things would you like to see Raekwon do for you?
I need a push, a budget. In any dream situation for an artist, they want the budget to create, and they don’t want to do things that they had to do prior to getting signed. Just to be able to sustain a certain standard of living and to record. I respect Rae’s ear and his vision, I know what his thoughts are about everything, so that’s why I wasn’t surprised by those Breakfast Club comments. But I feel like if you’re in a position where you can get your message to people, and I’m your artist, then you should be speaking positively about me in public.

Raekwon’s a childhood hero, but there was a moment that happened where it forced me to reevaluate. No Handouts came out and we went on tour. We came back off the tour, which by the way we didn’t get paid for, and I’m in Rae’s office. I’m like “Yo we gotta print CDs cause we just came off the tour, so let’s promote!” He’s like “I’m not printing CDs.” I’m like “you’re not printing CDs? This is a record label, how are we gonna give people my music?” He’s just like “Yo you gotta figure that out, I’m not printing CDs.”

At the end of the day, people are not gonna make sacrifices for you just because you’re Raekwon.

READ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Previous: NEW MUSIC: SCOTT KING (FKA Q DA KID) FEAT. JD ERA “DANGEROUS PRIDE 2.0″

Directed by David F. Mewa.

CBC Music drops what looks like a new series of short hip-hop profiles. In this first one, the Choclate Boy Wonder reflects on the making of “T.R.O.Y.” – one of the greatest songs to come out of the 90’s-era – while Rich and Raz offer a live rendition of that classic single. Shouts to Mewa on the direction!

Previously: NEW MUSIC: NATURALLY BORN STRANGERS (RICH KIDD X TONA X ADAM BOMB) “DRUGS” (PROD. RICH KIDD)

Previously: INTERVIEW: FREEDOM WRITERS W/ EXCLAIM.CA

Previously: NEW MUSIC: RAZ FRESCO “SLANG RAP” (PROD. RAZ FRESCO)

The IXXI saga continues. Also peep the Noisey/Vice interview @ http://noisey.vice.com/en_ca/blog/sean-leon-toronto-rapper-interview

Previously: NEW VIDEO: SEAN LEON “JUICE” (SHOT BY NIKO NICE)

40 talks sounds and frequencies with the fellas over at Pensado’s Place.

Great interview!

See young’ns, there really are ‘old dudes’ out there that aren’t just cranky and critical of the present.

Hip-Hop Producer and Engineer Noah ’40’ Shebib (Drake, Lil Wayne, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, and Jamie Foxx) join Dave and Herb on the 151st episode of Pensado’s Place!

To learn more about the MS Society:

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/onli…

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Additional thanks to:

Avid: http://avid.com
Vintage King: http://vintageking.com
Blackbird Academy: http://www.theblackbirdacademy.com/
Recording Connection: http://www.recordingconnection.com

Studio footage for Pensado’s Place is filmed at http://thestream.tv/in Hollywood, CA

Previously: NEW MUSIC: AALIYAH FEAT. DRAKE “ENOUGH SAID” (PROD. NOAH “40″ SHEBIB)

Sir Spyro is joined by Toronto grime MC Tre Mission to have a little chat about his recent work and go live in the mix with guest MC Prowla.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL PODCAST: http://rinse.fm/podcasts/?showID=7592

Catch The Grime Show with Sir Spyro on Rinse FM Sundays from 2100 – 2300.

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The Rinse FM YouTube Channel is home to Rinse TV. Featuring music and audio videos from the Rinse and Tempa record labels, video interviews and features with top recording artists, hosted by our growing team of presenters Yinka, Plastician, SK Vibemaker, and Lily Mercer, Rinse TV is the video arm of the influential radio station Rinse FM.

Previously: NEW MUSIC: JMSN “Walk Away” (Tre Mission Remix)

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Tre Mission – VAM (Directed by LAH Media)

http://www.onpointbasketball.com

On Point went on location to the 3rd annual North Pole Hoops Platform. An event that features some of Canada’s finest and fast rising basketball players in an Upperclassmen Game(2014/2015) and an Underclassmen Game(2016).

Some participants included Obi Okolie, Jacques Lukusa, Russell Baker, Kadeem Smithen, Damian Prehay, Gene Spagnuolo, Marcus Ottey, Eddie Ekiyor and many more of the country’s top young ballers. Okolie was named MVP of the Upperclassmen game while Lukusa was the Underclassmen MVP. Baker was the Heart & Hustle Award winner.

Hosted by: Drew Ebanks
Produced by: Drew Ebanks & Jay Irving
Filmed and edited by: David Zelikovitz
Music by: BLAAOW!
Graphics by Mark Sylvain

Special thanks to the North Pole Hoops crew and the Mattamy Athletic Centre for the access and accommodations.

***For best viewing please watch at 720p or higher***

@DrewEbanks
@JIFilms

Previously: NEW VIDEO: On Point “Basketball Brotherhood: Canadian Senior Men’s Basketball Team”

Canada’s Hip Hop Ambassador Kardinal Offishall sits down with The Music Biz for an exclusive interview to talk about his passion for the Music Biz Game, hip hop and charity.

Previously: NEW VIDEO: Maestro Fresh Wes feat. Kardinal Offishall “Dearly Departed” (Directed by Andre Rehal)

Era! chops it up with The Mu$ic Biz while shooting his upcoming “Aloha” video.

Previously: NEW MUSIC: JD ERA “WU-TANG FOREVER” (REMIX)

A bit of footage from Raz’s chop-up with The Music Biz.

Full interview available @ http://urthemusicbiz.com/raz-fresco/

Previously: NEW VIDEO: RAZ FRESCO “MURDEROUS” (DIRECTED BY S4ACEFILMS)