Joell Ortiz on the perfect debut album

Joell Ortiz has been talking debut albums on his blog. I'm particularly drawn to Rule Numero Un and Rule Numero Trois... Rule Numero Two was particularly difficult for me as I basically had 10 weeks to write and record my record. But I had a life time to prepare for it so I'm good.

Rule Numero Un: Do write about what you know and not what you think you know. – Self explanatory niggaz! There’s never a future in yo frontin’ mang!

Rule Numero Two: Take your time and do it right baby. Nothing fucks up an album more than weak mixes, tinny beats, or rushed herky jerky content. You only get to make a first impression once simpletons. It’s either you sink or swim doggy so make sure you come correct off the rip. Otherwise you get what you deserve! Rule

Nombre Trois: Just let it go. Don’t hold back now sunny, you’re there. It’s up to you. Seriously, all the preparation and long days and nights that you put into your craft have prepared you for this point. It’s up to you now. Don’t hold back and end up regretting shit. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

LINK: Joel Ortiz talks perfect albums

The image above is one of many early artwork options for 'Devil In The Distance' by the way. It's actually not that early. We were almost there at that point. I still really like it though. I'll show you some more pretty soon.

Joell Ortiz talks gentrification

Most people have no clue how frustrating and draining the process of "Gentrification" can be to working class areas. The fluctuating economy has kept a lot of South London protected to an extent but it's definitely affected the potential job markets for local people, the class war is very, very real in the UK right now. The current gentrification of music is having the same affect. It's become more and more frustrating to see the soul of the music I make ripped out because it's an "In" trend. Too many suburban college boys read the Russel Simmons and Rick Rubin Def Jam story for my liking, culturally we're stagnating in the UK and the US. There are hurdles we are told to tackle that have nothing to do with us. Club nights that have nothing to do with us dictate whether or not our songs are going to be supported in certain media circles. When did they get that power? When did we give it to them? In these times of limited record sales, extended media and short attention spans, the privileged few call the shots. I'm going to get into this heavy on my second album.

LINK: JoellOrtiz.wordpress.com- Brooklyn Bullshit

Daytona & Cipha Sounds Present: A Tribe Called Fresh

Online theme mixtape day continues with Cipha Sounds and his new artist Daytona's new mixtape 'A Tribe Called Fresh' which if I'm not mistaken, is a collection of Tribe Called Quest covers done by Daytona and a few of his friends. I heard that 'Lyrics To Go' track with Joell Ortiz and Kardinal Official (underrated) a few weeks back and I liked it a lot plus as I've mentioned on this site before; Cipha Sounds is a legend over here.

Cipha Sounds & Daytona Presents: A Tribe Called Fresh Mixtape [Sendspace]

Internet video for 'Lyrics To Go' Feat. Joell Ortiz & Kardinal Official.


More news on internet specific themed mixtapes on Monday.