Radio Ro Blog

Ok, i know we kept you feenin for a couple of weeks, but we're back with some more video blogs!

 

Im in the final stages of editing so give me till tomorrow to slap up a bold fresh piece of Radio Ro as we discuss hip hop.  Volume 2 baby! I know you can hardly wait!

 

 You can find it right here on:

http://www.radiorostl.com/Videos/videos.html

 

or on our youtube channel:

http://www.youtube.com/radiorostl

Today is a pretty big day in the hip hop world. Two major artists' albums are dropping today.

The first album is Kanye West's 808s and Heartbreak. Highly anticipated album from Kanye. Puts you in the mindset of a Phil Collins' album. I enjoyed listening. It was diffrerent. I recommend the track, "Streetlights". That is my favorite.

 

The second album is Ludacris's "Theatre of the Mind". This is Luda's 6th album and he delivers yet again. I enjoyed this album so much that its hard to name a favorite track. You can definitely press play and listen from beginning to end without complaint. I recommend the track, "Wake Up". Very well done.

This is one of my favorite songs! I had to throw this one in the mix.  If you don't know about it sit back and enjoy.

 

I write this on the tail end of the Vibe cover with Plies stating, "The Future of Rap".....WTF???

Magazines now-a-days do not focus on the art of music anymore, they just focus on controversy and selling copies at the expense of credibility. Vibe is not the magazine, the Source lost its credibility when owner/rapper started popping off about Eminem. Even XXL, though probably the better of the previous mentioned, even cators to the Eminem's and 50 cents 's of the industry.

 

I just wish magazines would focus on the facts and breaking new artists rather than cycling articles of their favorite artists over and over.

 

 

 

I have been listening to a lot of the songs off of Kanye West's new album "808s and Heartbreaks" and I must say he is definitely creating his own lane. The album is very personal yet deals with a lot of the insecurities in the world today. Kanye is really connecting to all music lovers and not type casting himself into one category. If you are a fan of music, this is the album for you. 

 

I have been reading various comments on various websites talking about how they are tired of the same thing. I see their point but there are some artists doing music outside the norm and they get deemed wack for trying something different.

 

Like kanye's new album, he is using the vocoder throughout the whole album and singing. He is stepping outside the box, testing his limits. a lot of people are ridiculing him for that...why? Isnt that what you all asks for...something different...i dont get people.

                                                              

I know T-Pain started the big vocoder uses for THIS generation...i know roger and zapp are the originators....but T-Pain got ridiculed in the beginning as well for doing a different style of music and unconventional topics.

 

I'm just saying, we can agree to disagree on alot of music but dont stimey the artists by killing their creativity by bashing them when they try something new. The best way to show your disapproval is to just not support those artists, dont bad mouth them for trying new things. 

My dream collaboration would be a combination of two duos. I would want to hear Outkast and Blackstar. That would be a monster combination. I say this because the song would definitely be creative and not what you would normally hear.  Secondly, it would be lyrically amazing because each member of each group are lyrical geniuses. 

There are a lot of albums that are highly anticipated for the end of 08 going into 09. I think mostly everyone has been waiting for Dr. Dre's Detox album for like ten years now. The return of Eminem is also intriguing because he normally takes over when he drops an album. The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z and Kanye's Heartbreaks and 808s looks the most thought provoking albums of the upcoming year.

 

I personally am looking forward to Common's new album, Universal Mind Control. This album is produced by the Neptunes versus Kanye so im interested in how the whole album will sound. I think they are trying to bring the whole 80s hip hop sound back. Common albums have always been thought provoking yet the production has just recently caught up to his lyrics. I'm definitely eagered to see what he has for his fans this time around.

 

First you have to break down the true definition of a lyricists. It's not just a rapper who rhymes words and have catchy cliches. A lyricist conveys a message so strong that it becomes a movement that effects the masses.

 

Some of the greatest lyricists of all time are Rakim, KRS-1, and Big Daddy Kane to name a few. Some of the the best in this day and age were the late 2pac and biggie. Those that are still around today are Jay-Z, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Lupe Fiasco.

 

The best lyricist today, in my eyes, is Nas. His latest album, "Nigger" is definitely a testament to true lyricism. This is a follow up to his last album, "Hip Hop is Dead" which also created the most controversy of that year throughout the hip hop community. The "Nigger" album was the most anticipatedhip hop album of the past year and didn't disappoint. With racial tension at a high as of late, Nas touched on sensitive subjects and shed light on the current state of society

 

When it comes to lyricists, Nas definitely is the current flag bearer of our generation keeping the hip hop culture and society on their toes as it relates to current events.

I think hip hop has a very strong influence on our youth. Hip hop is the voice of the young people today. If you want to know about fashion, language, etc, just look at what's going on in the hip hop culture.

 

I do think that the negative influences of hip hop are more exposed than the positive but it is slowly becoming more balanced. The whole mantra that thugging is cool is very overrated. As hip hop is maturing and growing up though, more of the youth are becoming responsible by voting and getting educated about AIDS. Artists are taking their influence more seriously these days which helps the youth prepare for adulthood. They still can have fun but their priorities are in order first.

 

Hip Hop is a lifestyle. It is something that is in you from birth. You can not just pick hip hop off the street and do it well. People can recognize the difference between  someone who lives the culture versus someone who just wants to make a quick buck off the music.

Rap is something that anyone can do. All it is, is rhyming words together. What separates the two is that hip hop connects the people to the music. You can relate to hip hop music where as you just listen to rap and get nothing from it. 

 

There are a lot of rappers in the world but few hip hop artists.

 

 

I think it was a good idea that went the wrong direction. The premise was good but the show is too heavily influenced on who's doing what for BET at the time. Its not about who is really deserving of the awards, it's more of a popularity contest.

 

For instance, Wayne wins Lyricist of the year....LYRICISTS...Wayne can spit but we all know he ain't saying nothing about nothing. Especially against the likes of Nas, Lupe, Common, etc. That's where the show leans to favoritism. 

 

Now they do a good job of mixing a relevant award or two in there like the "I am Hip Hop" award that goes to legends in the game and their tribute performances but that's where it ends.

 

As I stated, it's a good idea that needs to be redirected on the right path. 

The "Lyrical Lessons" album is a strong follow up to what we started with the "Resurgence". We wanted to continue to lay the ground work on what, we consider, quality hip hop is. The definition of "Lyrical Lessons" is basically showing rappers the way to make good music that's saying something without compromising who the artist is.

 

We keep it simple by making the album only 10 tracks but it is timeless lyricism from start to finish. Joe Louis produced the majority of the album with J-Dubb assisting with, what I feel, are two classic hit singles. The only features are Joe louis on two tracks, "Till the end of time" and another track yet to be finished.

 

We assure you that if you liked "16 Bars-The Resurgence", you definitely will enjoy "Lyrical Lessons".

 

My favorite performance was at The Pageant in St. Louis. We had an opportunity to perform during another local talent's set. It was our first real exposure in a concert setting. I was nervous but it was more of anticipation rather than fear. We performed "The Theme" produced by J-Dubb which was released on our Rotationists Mixtape  Volume I.

 

Being on stage with all eyes on you and seeing the crowd react to your lyrics and movements was an adrenaline rush. I knew we had something special because we had no buzz at the time and no one knew of us but yet we rocked the crowd instantly. It felt like we made an impact that night which has driven us to get better after every performance since then.

 

I want to start my 1st blog ever by saying thank you to all of the fans, family and friends that support the Radio Ro. This is our blood, sweat, and tears we are puttin on wax as well as on this website. We appreciate your feedback!  Get ready for the Radio Ro to KICK THE DOOR DOWN in the 08 and 09. Dowload 16 Bars The Resurgence of Hip Hop. Trust that you will love it from start to finish. Lyrical Lessons coming soon. Stay tuned for a concery comin to a town near you. We are going to have an official Website Release party sometime in November Details coming soon. 

 

                                    This is your local neighborhood AJ Sensation

Well folks hope you've enjoyed our blogs so far, which if the stats are right, they are the highest read articles on the site. So we are gonna bring even more to the table with our video blog. 

Once or twice a week, we will post up a video so you can see us up close and personal, talkin about hip hop and everything else under the sun. Filled with crazy suprise guests and pure unadulterated foolishness, you'll be itchin' for your fix weekly.  You will be able to find them in the blog section, and also in the videos section as an archive of episodes.

Coming next week, so stay tuned!

OBAMA 08, period

 

The RadioRo are advocates of voting since we were eleigible to vote. This issue is so important because if more people would've voted a few years back, we wouldnt be in the state we're in now as a country. The time is now, CHANGE is here, and the RadioRo supports Obama.

 

"That One 08", puntos

 

                                                              

More and more, we are beginning to see hip hop and politics come to the forefront of music, artists talking about real issues and encouraging the listening audience (many black youth) to put faith back into the system and vote for the change so many have been waiting for.

 

Rappers tend to love him -- or at least the basic idea of a black man in the White House. They understand him, they can see his dream for the future and his positive campaign, and overwhelming success is unrivaled by any other in history.  Pro-Obama rap songs and references are arriving in droves, and online video endorsements are arriving just as quickly, from "Yes We Can" a song put together by Will.I.Am featuring John Legend, all the way to hip hop stars, Young Jeezy and Nas with "My President is Black.

 

Ludacris with his contriversial "Politics" praising Obama, calling Hillary a bitch, saying John McCain should be in a wheelchair, not the White House, and declaring that President Bush "is mentally handicapped."

 

A remix of Ice Cube's "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It," mentions Barack on which Scarface raps: "I hope that Barack could pull the troops from Iraq."

On "Black Republicans," a song from Lil Wayne's mix tape "Da Drought 3," guest Juelz Santana raps: "I'm feelin' like a black Republican / Naw, I can't call it / More like a black Democrat runnin' 'em out of office / Young Barack Obama, I'm all for it."

 

Three 6 Mafia's "Last 2 Walk" includes the couplet, "There's a whole lotta room in the front of the Range / Like Barack Obama said, yeah it's time for a change." 

 

Common, a rapper from Obama's home base of Chicago, has invoked the senator's name repeatedly, as in "The People," in which he declares: "My raps ignite the people like Obama." On a remix of the Jadakiss song "Why?," Common wonders: "Why is Bush acting like he trying to get Osama? / Why don't we impeach him and elect Obama?"

 

And in a recent freestyle, Jay-Z -- who is always using analogies to cast himself as hip-hop's microphone commander in chief -- concluded: "I'm signing off as the hood's Barack."

 

Its true that Barack inspired us all, and it shows in our music, ideas, and our actions.  I hope that because of this, we can strive to be a better people, I hope we can stop killing each other, and I hope... i just hope we can take an hour out of our day on Nov 4th and make it to the polls and vote for the change that we so desperately need.

 

We all have projects that are either finished or being worked on at this moment:

DPP: My album, "My Life on A Track" is actually finished but im still creating music that may go on it on not. My album is a look into my life from when I started rhyming till now. Alot of storytelling and personal expression of my inner most thoughts.

 

AJ the Sensation: His album, "Couch Time" is still in the process of being completed. It is on a theraputic theme of his life situations. Very conversational so you can easily get into it.

 

Beezy: "Burning Bush" is an in your face look at trials and tribulations that a person can go through and a testiment of how to rise from the ashes. A truly awe inspiring album.

 

Rotationists: We all are working on a compilation called, "The Saviors". It will showcase all of us individually as well as a unit. Its more of just classic Rotationist's songs compiled together to make you feel good about music.

 

RadioRo: "Lyrical Lessons" is next to come from the Ro. AJ and DPP combine again to make a follow up to "Heavy Rotation". This album is a show of hip hop at its finest. Truly a gem.

 

That's just a taste of what's in store from the RadioRo. We will also keep you posted of upcoming live shows as well.

My biggest musical influence is 2pac. He was extremely versatile and could make you feel each one of his songs through his lyrics. He was an open book, which intrigued many to watch his life and they could find things that they could relate to. People gravitated towards Pac rather you hated or loved him, and i respected that the most about him.

 

I also love the oldschool r&b/soul artists. They told a story through their music which was emotion driven which I used in my music today. It helps the audience connect to your message. Gives them something they can feel...something they can relate to. I'm all about connecting to the listener. Music is a platform that can be used to get you through tough times as well as make you feel good. So when you hear DPP on a track, you're about to hear something I went through personally or lived to see with my own eyes.