Do Not DistHerb (Suite #420)

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

“Everybody, got their own niche”

I think that’s what Devin says. I can’t imagine a better way to start the middle of the work week than with some Devin The Dude. He recently dropped an EP called Do Not DistHerb (Suite #420), which features the single, What I Be On. That joint just happens to be my theme song for the last week and a half. I can’t stop listening to it. I listned to the whole EP a few times through and it’s not bad. What I Be On is definitely the best track but Devin’s humor carries almost any song. The production is pretty solid too. I wish it was a full lenth album but I guess it’s just a taste of what Devin will offer on his next full lenth. If you haven’t already heard What I Be On, listen now. I posted a little bit ago so check that. I am sure hardcord Devin The Dude fans will really like the project but I am looking for a little bit more.

The Manifesto

Posted on March 23, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

2010 is really starting to look like the year of the Wu, at least on paper. The success of Raekwon’s sequel to Only Built For Cuban Linx seemed to light a fire under the Wu’s ass and now everyone is dropping projects. Ghostface dropped the (fill in the blank) Ghostdini, The Wizard of Poetry and is also linking up with Rae and Meth to dropped Wu-Masscre which is sounding very ill. One of my favorite Wu members, at least when it comes to verses, Inspectah Deck dropped Manifesto. The video for Champion seemed to set the tone well BUT the album doesn’t really follow suite. Of course, most of Deck’s rhymes are nice on the album but the beat choice sounds dated and the hooks are just bad. There are a few standouts like Champion but aside from that, Manifesto will get the “floor of my car” treatment. No disrespect because I love the Wu and I love Deck but that’s just like the album graveyard. I’m hoping Rza will personally take it upon himself to produce albums for any Wu member that wants to drop a solo. Hopefully Wu-Masscre won’t be the same result. This is one of the reasons that I think the Wu lost their stronghold because they put out too many lackluster projects including solo’s and Wu affiliates. People really just want that Wu shit. Here is the Deck I am looking for.

Mike Schpitz Interview With Sen Dog of Cypress Hill

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

Many cool things have happened since I began making music. I have met so many cool people, who I might not have otherwise had the chance to meet. I have written and released two projects, shot 5 videos and performed in Chicago, New Jersey, Kansas and Los Angeles. Recently, another opportunity has presented itself in the form of interviewing. A few months ago, I interviewed the hip-hop, pop duo God-Des and She for Ballerstatus.com. The interview was very well received from all parties including God-Des and She, who I have kept in close touch with. A few weeks ago, the people at Ballerstatus.com asked me to interview Sen-Dog from Cypress Hill. The interview was just posted online today so, I wanted to share it with everyone. Here are a few questions and answers as well as the link to the full interview on Ballerstatus.com.

Mike Schpitz: I saw the video for the single, “It Ain’t Nothing”, and I know you guys are gearing up to release your new album, Rise Up, tell us a little bit about the album and what can fans expect?

Sen Dog: The album is called Rise Up and it’s gonna be out on April 20th. We have been working on this album for about two and a half years now. This project is a whole new era and a new playing field for Cypress Hill. We worked with a bunch of new artists, producers and musicians. The sound is really an advancement for Cypress Hill. It has a great feel, it’s fun, aggressive at times, and definitely energetic. We worked with guys like Tom Morello from Rage Against The Machine, Pete Rock, Mike Shinoda … just a bunch of really talented people. The album is not as dark as our other records. It just has a really great feel. We’re excited about it.

Mike Schpitz Talks With Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog

Mike Schpitz: How did you link up with the artists, producers and musicians on Rise Up?

Sen Dog: We reached out to some people, other people reached out to us as well. A lot of the artists we have personal relationships with and have known for years. Tom Morello, we have known since like 1993. Evidence and Alchemist, we have known since they were young cats, so it was easy linking up with them for the record. We got a lot of music from different people and just picked what we liked and made songs. Some of the music we made didn’t make the album because of things like sample clearance or budget issues, but we got a great group of artists involved in this project.

Mike Schpitz: Are there any producers or features you worked with that didn’t make the album? Or any people you wanted to work with but didn’t get a chance?

Sen Dog: We worked with Slash from Guns ‘N Roses, but because of sample clearances, that record didn’t make the album. We are definitely going to keep working on that record to make sure we release it eventually.

Mike Schpitz Talks With Cypress Hill’s Sen Dog

It was pretty crazy talking with someone like Sen Dog. He was real cool and down to earth. I am looking forward to hearing the new album and seeing how Cypress Hill’s new album, Rise Up is received by fans. Stay tuned for more interviews for Ballerstatus.com.

Inspectah Deck “Champion” Video

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

Happy Monday everyone. It was a crazy weekend and despite coming to work today, it feels kind of good to get back into a routine. Sorry for the lack of post on Friday but I was at a conference and had a bunch of friends in town for my buddy’s bachelor party. Needless to say, the weekend was filled a lot of unmentionables. However, I did catch Inspectah Deck’s new video for Champion. I knew Deck was dropping a new album but I hadn’t really listened to anything from it. The video for Champion is sick. Not only does Deck come with it lyrically, The Alchemist produced the track. I can’t lie, I wasn’t really planning on listening to Deck’s new album, Manifesto until this video so I got a copy of the album this weekend and it is in my tapedeck as we speak. I will give a full report tomorrow. So far, Champion is one of few standouts. Maybe it will get better though. Anyway, happy Monday once again and enjoy Champion produced by The Alchemist.

Mike Schpitz Unwraps Freeway and Jake One’s The Stimulus Package

Posted on March 18, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

Sorry for the super late post today, I have been at a conference the whole day and didn’t get a free second to find a wi-fi spot. I wanted to share a little message from yours truly about my first album purchase of 2010. Tuesday, I purchased my official copy of Freeway and Jake One’s The Stimulus Package. I was so excited about my purchase that I shot a short video. Check out Mike Schpitz showing off his copy of The Stimulus Package.

If you have not heard The Stimulus Package, go buy a copy right now.

Weekly Numbers 3/17/2010

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

The numbers are in once again. There were a few new releases that dropped last week and two of them hit the top of the charts. Ludacris dropped his album, Battle of the Sexes, and debuted at number 1, moving 137K. Right below Luda was the Gorillaz new album, Plastic Beach, debuting at number 2 with 112K. Still up at the are Sade, Black Eyed Peas and Lil Wayne’s Rebirth. Here is the top.

Top 200 Album Sales (Top 5 Hip Hop/R&B)

Rank	Artist	Album	This Week	Est. Total
1	Ludacris	Battle of the Sexes	137,000	137,000
2	Gorillaz	Plastic Beach	112,000	112,000
6	Sade	Soldier of Love	52,000	951,000
9	Black Eyed Peas	The E.N.D.	43,000	2,271,000
12	Lil Wayne	Rebirth	27,000	420,000

And for the bottom…..

Rank	Artist	Album	This Week	Est. Total
58	Gucci Mane	The State Vs. Radric Davis	9,400	310,000
64	Eminem	Relapse	8,800	1,884,000
65	DJ Khaled	Victory	8,700	37,000
118	50 Cent	Before I Self Destruct	5,000	421,000
182	Kidz In The Hall	Land of Make Believe	2,900	2,900

Kidz in the Hall also dropped this week moving just under 3K. I am still curious why selling 3,000 earns you a spot on the charts. I would like to see the top 200 back in like 95 and see what the lowest numbers were. Until next week….

Devin The Dude “What I Be On” Video

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

Last night, I was catching up on some videos that have dropped this week and I started watching Devin The Dude’s new video for What I Be On. I knew Devin was putting out an album but I wasn’t really checking for him like that. Well, What I Be On is the SHIT. I think the song has been out for a while but the video came out recently and now I’m hook. In typical Devin fashion, there is a lot of weed smoke and brews in the video PLUS honeys and humor. Dude at the end dancing in his boxers cracks me up. Devin’s EP, Do Not DistHerb (Suite #420) dropped yesterday so make sure you go pick that up. In the meantime, enjoy What I Be On. Happy St. Patty’s day to everyone. I hope your wearing green.

Battle of the Sexes

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

LUUUUUUUDAAAAA!!!!!!!

It’s been about a year or so since Ludacris dropped his last album, Theatre of the Mind, which had some pretty nice tracks with production from DJ Premier and 9th Wonder. Luda’s new project, Battle of the Sexes was originally supposed to be a guys vs girls record with Shawna. I’m not sure what happened to that but the album still has the same theme and features hip hop’s first ladies, including a few features from Shawna. Luda’s single How Low has become one of the most annoying songs on the radio due to the hi pitched, squeeler voice on there but I can’t lie, I still enjoy it. The video is pretty hilarious as well. I can’t say I was excited to listen to Battle of the Sexes but I was a little curious. Today I made it through all 15 tracks. In true Luda fashion, it’s a Luda album. There are definitely standout joints which will undoubtably invade the airwaves. Luda showcases his rhyme skills and although his punchlines are very obvious at times, his flow and entertainment value remains high. I think Battle of the Sexes will accomplish exactly what it was supposed to do. GET LUDA MORE BITCHES. Pardon my french but isn’t that the point?????? The Intro is pretty slick with an 8-Ball sampled hook, I believe, Sex Room with Trey Songz will for sure be your girlfriends favorite freak em song and suprisingly enough, Flo Rida didn’t do half bad on his feature. I can’t say that I will be bumping this album steadily but it wasn’t a bad listen and like I said, it will definitely accomplish it’s mission. I can’t lie though, I miss Luda’s street anthems and smoking songs. As a matter of fact here is Blueberry Yum Yum, one of the illest Luda songs ever. Oh yea, Luda clowns Tiger in his joint Sexting(which is the WORST word combination of all time, I have been calling it Textual Intercourse for YEARS). If I were Luda, I would watch out for Tiger because he WILL steal your bitches Luda.

I have never seen this video before but LORD have mercy. That is a lot of chronic, for medicinal purposes I am assuming. Here is the track list as well.

01. Intro
02. How Low
03. My Chick Bad f. Nicki Minaj
04. Everybody Drunk f. Lil Scrappy
05. I Do It All Night
06. Sex Room f. Trey Songz
07. I Know You Got a Man f. Flo Rida
08. Hey Ho f. Lil Kim & Lil Fate
09. Party No Mo’ f. Gucci Mane
10. B.O.T.S. Radio f. I-20
11. Can’t Live With You f. Monica
12. Feelin’ So Sexy
13. Tell Me a Secret f. Ne-Yo
14. My Chick Bad (rmx) f. Diamond, Trina & Eve
15. Sexting(Tiger Woods Diss)

The Stimulus Package

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

HOT SHIT ALERT!!!!!!!!

I’m calling this shit already. Freeway and Jake One’s new album, The Stimulus Package(despite only selling 15K so far) will be in the running for best album of 2010. Oh yea and hello and happy Monday. Sorry, I got a little excited about this album. I have been listening to The Stimulus Package for the last week and it keeps getting better and better. Not only does Freeway sound as sharp and polished as ever, the combination with Jake One is a very good one. It is refreshing to hear one album, one producer and one emcee. I think this is an element that hip hop has lost in the last decade or so. Not only does it build cohesiveness for the album and the sound, it builds a chemistry that doesnt show up when artists use 32 different producers for a 47 track album. Another really cool aspect of this album is the label that is putting it out, Rhymesayers. If you are not familiar with Rhymesayers, it is the house that Atmosphere built. It houses guys like Brother Ali, Eyedea, Evidence, etc. Not typical for a Freeway, from Rocafella album. However, it seems like a nice fit because they can just make good music rather than trying to make an Interscope or a Warner Brothers happy with hit records and sales. All around, The Stimulus Package is setting things off right for 2010. There is supposed to be a lot of really ill music coming out this year(mine included) but I think Free and Jake One are going to be in the running for best album of 2010. Who wants to put money on it????????? Anyway, happy Monday again. I also want to encourage everyone to tune in to UIC Radio this evening at 8 because I will be on there. The video footage will come soon. In the meantime, here is Freeway and Jake One featuring Raekwon with my favorite song off the album, One Thing. This sample is crazy!!!!!!!

Here is the track list and a little promo video to encourage your purchase.

1. STIMULUS INTRO feat. Beanie Sigel
2. THROW YOUR HANDS UP
3. ONE FOOT IN
4. SHE MAKES ME FEEL ALRIGHT
5. NEVER GONNA CHANGE
6. ONE THING feat. Raekwon
7. KNOW WHAT I MEAN
8. THE PRODUCT
9. MICROPHONE KILLA feat. Young Chris
10. FOLLOW MY MOVES feat. Birdman
11. SHO’ NUFF feat. Bun B
12. FREEKIN’ THE BEAT feat. Latoiya Williams
13. MONEY feat. Omilio Sparks and Mr. Porter
14. FREE PEOPLE
15. STIMULUS OUTRO

Dave Coresh “Formal Introduction”

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Mike Schpitz

Happy Friday to everyone. Like I said, this has been a big week for a lot of the artists that I know and fortunately for me, I have been a part of several really dope projects. I posted the homie, Dave Coresh’s video for Keep It Moving a little while ago, so I wanted to share his whole project, Formal Introduction Mixtape. The tape features 15 cuts, some originals, some industry beats. My guys Rob Bates, Maja 7th and Ill Brown all have production on the project and myself and Add-2 are featured on a track called Three Headed Monster, which is produced by Rob Bates. Dave really shows his ass on this tape(no homo). Every track bangs and Dave proves that he is a very talented lyricist. He does a nice job of incorporating bars, punchlines, patterns and humor into every track. It takes a lot for me to really listen to emcees because I get bored pretty easily but Dave never misses a beat. Shout out to everyone that was a part of this project, Dave, Love Ra, Chuck L.I., Classick, Rob Bates, Maja 7th, Ill Brown, DJ Tay James and everyone else I forgot the mention. Download Formal Introduction below and check the track list.

Formal Introduction

MikeSchpitz.com

Monthly Archives: March 2010