ZeeDubb's Bronze Mixtape out NOW

Vicksburg, Mississippi Hip Hop artist ZeeDubb recently released the "Bronze Mixtape: Mississippi Edition," a collaboration with Wu Tang producer Bronze Nazareth. ZeeDubb has been a good friend of the blog since its inception; he held down the podcasts for us for a while. ZeeDubb and his wife, poet Scarlette, are leaving Mississippi for Arizona in August for new opportunities, and he leaves the "Bronze Mixtape" as his last hurrah for Mississippi.

The blog caught up with ZeeDubb last week to talk about the new release and all kinds of other stuff. After you read, click HERE to download the mixtape for free!!

Where does The Bronze Mixtape fit into your collection of releases? Is it part of a progression or is it a new direction? How did you get Bronze Nazareth involved?

The Bronze Mixtape is a project that I can say that I really wanted to do. The Voice of Abstract was more of a compilation of tracks I put together in a rush to release something, but The Bronze Mixtape is more focused and I'm sure you can hear the difference in the two, from the production, to the subject matter and the structure. It's definitely a direction my music is going into for now. Ever since I heard Wu-Tang meets Indie Culture: Think Differently Music and Bronze Nazareth's The Great Migration, I have been a fan of his production. So once I saw he had a compilation of his beats released, I downloaded them and began this project. Of course I hit him up on facebook and we discussed it and he was definitely down with the idea of a Mississippi & Detroit, MI collab.

I know you are married to an amazing poet named Scarlette. What is it like around the house? Do you guys spend a lot of time listening to each other's stuff? Do you guys only speak in rhyme to each other?

HA! Yea, going 7 months strong. Around the house there is either a lot of music playing, from Hip-Hop, reggae, blues, jazz, sometimes orchestra & classical (being married to a music major) and whatever else. You can definitely walk by our house and hear us blasting Yung Humma & Flynt Flossy. We keep the jeep riding!!! (laughs) Or we're watching The Office or Archer. We're definitely critiques of each others' works. She was definitely a big help with The Bronze Mixtape and she's back to working on her own music along with her poetry and I do my best to add my 2 cents. I think we'd both go crazy rhyming to each other like some musical. (laughs)

I know you have a deep love for Mississippi hip hop. What is it about hip hop in Mississippi that you see as being so special?

I love Mississippi Hip-Hop because people don't think there's anything more than what the mainstream puts out there. People wouldn't believe artists like myself and PyInfamous, Skipp Coon or Ulogy is down here. Most think of Mississippi as just David Banner back in the days of Cadillac on 22s. Which was great and helped put Mississippi on the map, but there's 5th Child, Trumpcard, 7even:Thirty, Lyrik, Eclipse and so many others to name. There are artists who are influenced from music and not just rap. The artists that I've met in the past few years have probably inspired me more than any famous artist. Half of the ones I've mentioned are activists or teachers that just want to make good music and I love that. I will forever represent my Mississippi family because they helped me grow. If these great artists get a moment to shine like they should, Hip-Hop would definitely make a big turn from where it's at now.

I also know that you are moving out of state soon. Where are you moving? What brought about the move? Are you excited to be going somewhere new to rep Mississippi?

Yes, Scarlette and I are moving to Phoenix, Arizona. I've been trying to figure out what I want to do outside of my music, and minimum wage jobs at a casino just aren't doing it for me. I'll be attending Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) and She will be teaching music. I'm very excited about moving and I plan to represent MS very well while hitting the streets on a Kawasaki Ninja!

What all do you have coming up? Any new mixtapes, albums, etc. before you leave?

I mainly want everyone to get The Bronze Mixtape: Mississippi Edition. That is the focus!!! Get that!! I may release some new recordings as an official project before I leave but time is winding down and I may be leaving sooner than expected but a majority of the songs can be found at www.soundcloud.com/zeedubb as the Exclusive set. I've got recordings with Rashad Street, James Crow and Ulogy that I know the listeners will love.

Before I leave this wonderful state, I would like to give a Shout-out to Seven Studioz/Cultural Expressions, Suite 106, DJ Phingaprint for putting me on with June Hardwick and 4ever Fridays, Kamikaze for getting me on at Dreamz (GenerationNXT) and allowing Ulogy and I to throw that bomb Double Album Release Party in VIP. Skipp Coon, Mr Nick, Ulogy, 7even:Thirty, Mike Bunch & Flicka II a Flame, Trumpcard, James Crow, Rashad Street, PyInfamous, DJ Young Venom, DJ Sean Mac, Cocky McFly, Urban Raw, C. Leigh McInnis, my beautiful wife, Scarlette, my boy Silent G and many others...You all have helped me grow as a person, artist, and performer, whether you know it or not. Shalom.

PyInfamous in New Orleans

(PyInfamous backstage at The House of Blues New Orleans. Photo by DJ Young Venom)

On Saturday, July 2, PyInfamous travelled to New Orleans to perform at the House of Blues, opening for PacDiv and N.E.R.D. The performance was one of the rewards for Py's victory in Coors Light's Search for the Coldest MC contest.

With the Essence Music Festival in full swing just a few blocks away at the Superdome, Coors Light took over the House of Blues for a special afternoon show. As anyone who has been to any music festival in New Orleans, the good times keep rolling all through the day and night, across several locations and venues. The Coors Light party fit right in with the vibe that Essence was putting down for the whole weekend.

For the afternoon, The House of Blues was transformed into a Coors Light wonderland, with interactive online stations, complimentary beer and food, and the crowd favorite Coors Light girls, in the tight silver pants.

A large contingency of Jacksonians held down the line to get in to the show. After some innovative uses of the guest list, we all got in. PyInfamous hit the stage at 3 PM, along with DJ Young Venom, who dropped a well placed "Cold as Ice" sample to get things kicked off. The crowd response was very good: besides the loud and rowdy and Jackson folks, the locals also seemed to be feeling what Py was giving them, doing their part to participate in "Still the King." The highlight of the performance was Kerry Thomas (KT) joining Py onstage to perform "Bliss (Cooler Than This)," the song that won the Search for the Coldest contest and brought us all to New Orleans. The ladies in the crowd voiced their approval for KT's singing, something that those of us that see him perform a lot have grown accustomed to. "Bliss" closed out the show and PyInfamous had shown once again why he is indeed the coldest.

After a short DJ interlude, PacDiv rocked the crowd with their energetic West Coast style. After PacDiv, crowd favorite N.E.R.D. delivered a raucous set of rock and roll based beat music. Ulogy and I agreed that the MVP award went to the drummer, who beat the hell out of the skins while keeping the band on point.

All in all, the show was a blast and it was so great to see PyInfamous do his thing in front of a large crowd in one of the most legendary music cities in the world. It was a great day for Jackson, especially those of us in New Orleans that were lucky enough to get in. Many people worked tirelessly to help Py win the award and Saturday felt like the culmination of all our efforts and work. The day certainly belonged to PyInfamous, but we were all lucky enough to share in it. Jackson's hip hop scene repped hard that day in New Orleans.

Check out a few pictures from the day. All photos courtesy of Skipp Coon.

Click HERE for more from Skipp Coon

Coke Bumaye's Translation 2: Limited Edition Drops Today

Today, June 28, 2011, Jackson favorite Coke Bumaye drops Translation 2: Limited Edition. As fans of Coke know, his Translation series has been a huge success and kept him on the top of the game in Jackson for a minute now. This Limited Edition version comes with all new songs and remixes as well as a few surprises or two.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD

In addition to the digital version linked above, Coke has physical copies of the CD for sale in Jackson. AND, there is also a special collector's edition of the CD with special artwork that comes packaged with a t-shirt and a sticker.

The blog caught up with Coke Bumaye to talk about the new release and a few other things.

So, Translation 2: Limited Edition. What makes this a limited edition? What makes it stand out from the first Translation 2?

Well, its the limited edition because first we changed the packaging and second there is only two original songs from the first tape, and the rest are remixes and new material

Then it (the collector's edition) comes with a LIMITED Edition t-shirt and sticker.

What progression has your music made through the past couple of years? How intentional are you in pushing your sound further?

As far progress goes, my music grows with me, and over the past couple of years I have grown and experienced a lot and you will hear it in the music. For the most part, I try to keep my sound organic and let it just happen. I go with what I feel.

People talk a lot about the Coke Bumaye movement. What do you think it is that makes people relate to what you do so well? Are you comfortable being the leader of a movement, whatever that movement may be?

I think people relate because it’s the truth. The stuff I put in my music, you can come through my neighborhood and see it’s the person that’s in the music is really me. Everything you hear I have done it, seen it, been around it, etc and I have no problem being at the front of the movment. I feel that’s where I’m supposed to be! I’m just talking for the people who don’t have a voice.

Talk some about your work with DJ BangBang. Why do you guys work so well together? And how is it that you two are some of the hardest sounding cats in the city, but also two of the nicest dudes?

Well me and Bang work well because we are our worst critics. We both have passion for what we doing and we don’t give a damn about each other’s feelings. Plus we came up together. And as far as us being nice guys, that’s just how we try to carry ourselves, but we jus ain’t taking no shit (laughing).

Tell the people where to cop the Translation 2: Limited Edition. And, where can the people get one of those Coke Bumaye shirts I've been seeing around the city?

Ok, you can get all the music at www.cokebumaye.bandcamp.com. Get at me on twitter @cokebumaye. And you get the t-shirt free when you buy the collector edition of Translation 2. (See Coke in Jackson to get the collector's edition.)

Come out tonight to Suite 106 for the Translation 2: Limited Edition release party. DJ Bang Bang and DJ Fiya Man on the Ones and Twos. Doors at 8 PM.

PyInfamous IS the Coldest MC!!!

As you remember, Jackson's PyInfamous was in the final four of Coors Light's Search for the Coldest MC contest. After voting ended last week and the final count was made, our man Py came away victorious. Now the rest of the nation is aware of what us in Jackson have known for a long time: PyInfamous is the truth and one of the best in the game, on any level.

A special shout goes to all of you that voted for Py last week and helped spread the word. It was truly amazing to see what we could do as a movement for hip hop, the south, and Mississippi when we put our energy together to achieve a goal. In a music business where the good guy and the most talented hardly ever wins, it is a breath of fresh air to see one of the best get his respect on the national stage.

We have some exclusive music coming up from PyInfamous in the following days. In the interim, check out some of these links about the win.

Ourstage, one of the sponsors of the contest, posted this yesterday. As it turns out, Py won commandingly, with 45% of the total vote. CLICK HERE TO READ

Atlanta music blog Disclosed Native did an interview with PyInfamous. CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT

And, if you are in a celebratory mood like the rest of us, join us all tonight at Suite 106 for The Coldest Celebration Ever!

Again, huge congratulations to PyInfamous and bug thanks to all of you that gave your time and energy to get this thing done. Peace.

New track from Marcel P. Black

Friend of the blog, and recent Back to Basics performer Marcel P. Black, has dropped a new single, "Rashid," the first release from his upcoming "iLuv H.E.R. too" project, set to drop on August 30th. Marcel says about the track: "The project is a dedication to the fans of mid 90's Hip-Hop, inspired by non other than the legendary Common's seminal "I Used To Love H.E.R." record. The intro to the record, "Rashid", serves as an homage to Common, and as a nostalgic look at a host of emcees, as well as Yo MTV Raps & Rap City ."

Download "Rashid" for free by clicking HERE.

Download more of Marcel P. Black's Music HERE.

In the meantime, check out a video from Marcel P. Black.

Only 2 Days Left to Vote for PyInfamous!!!

(comic courtesey of Jackson artist Justin Schultz)

What's good everyone?

We are on the home stretch in Coors Light's Search for the Coldest MC-there are only 2 more days to vote for Jackson's own PyInfamous. As you know by now, Py has been declared the South's coldest MC and is in the final four nationally. If he wins, he gets to play a show at the Essence Music Festival in New Orleans.

If you haven't voted yet (shame on you), then go to www.searchforthecoldest.com and do so now. Vote multiple times by clearing your cookies between votes. It is just that simple.

Before you do that, check out a feature on PyInfamous in this week's Jackson Free Press.

Here is a video of Py performing in Atlanta at the Coors Light South show on May 25th.

NOW GO VOTE!!!!!!!!!

Check out some videos and the VOTE FOR PYINFAMOUS!!!

What's up everyone? We are into the final week of voting for Coors Light's Search for the Coldest MC. Our man from Jackson, PyInfamous, is in the final four as the winner of the South region. Please go HERE to vote for Py and help put him, Jackson, and the state of Mississippi on the map.

Don't forget to click HERE to read an exclusive interview with PyInfamous.

In the meantime, check out a couple videos that will help you make your decision to get out and vote. Thanks for reading, and check back often this week for more updates and videos from Py's friends.

Py's acting career debut.

A message from 7even:thirty