I just wanted to share the latest FuseBox Radio family mixtape to everyone...
The Co-Op Mixtape (Brought To You By FuseBox Radio) features some great independent Hip-Hop & Soul Music from the DMV's own (DC/Maryland/Virigina) The Co-Op (consisting of members Decon, Dee Daye and Frankie D).
Here's some information about each of the members of The Co-Op below to get some background on the group & it's foundation as well as the The Co-Op Mixtape (Brought To You By FuseBox Radio) available for FREE download.
Please let us know what you think of the project and if you like it, definitely go out and support The Co-Op's past & future projects - they are definitely on the rise!
Decon:
If you are tired of the same old gimmicky hip-hop, Listening to the lyrics of Decon will be a breath of fresh air. The majority of artists out today use music (beats) to bring out the lyrics, but Decon on the other hand uses his lyrics to bring out the beats.
It is almost like he creates the music around the lyrics so that it blends to perfection. Which is very impressive because most MC's use beats to camouflage their babbling lyrics.
Decon explores a wide range of topics that almost every listener can relate to in some way or another. Once given the opportunity, Decon will take the world back to the purest form of raw underground hip-hop.
Decon grew up in south side Jamaica Queens and slowly made his journey down to Maryland where he currently resides. He has been living and doing hip-hop since the age of eleven.
Growing up Decon was influenced by many artists such as Krs-One, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, EPMD, Run-DMC and many more. Decon makes up 1/3 of the hip hop, R&B group called The Co-Op.
Born in Jamaica, Queens, New York, and raised in PG County, Maryland, Dee Daye is the first voice you hear on the Co-Op’s signature ode to the ladies, “Girl”.
Having lived a life filled with misfortune, turmoil, and petty crimes, Dee Daye is recognized as the element of The Co-Op that more or less gives the group its street cred.
His rhymes more or less relate to the average dude trying to make moves, stories of life’s ups and downs, as well as relationships from the hood’s perspective.
Dee Daye is a well-rounded MC, who has the innate ability to flow on any number of subjects, not necessarily limiting himself to any particular style or subject matter.
Dee Daye has also produced many of The Co-Op’s songs, including the group’s DC anthem, “D-dot, C-dot”, as well as the ‘uber-sexy’, “Naked”.
Frankie D is the voice that’s heard on the chorus of the song, “Girl”, The Co-Op’s “grown and sexy” hip-hop ode to ladies everywhere.
Also known as “The R&B Component”, Frankie D possesses a vocal style that has often been compared to the likes of the late, great Teddy Pendergrass, as well as that of the late Gerald LeVert.
While Frankie D bristles at the notion of even being mentioned in the same breath as those great artists, it is his deep, mature vocal style that enables him to stand-out among many of today’s male R&B vocalists.
It’s Frankie D’s smooth vocals, as well as his penchant for “pillow talk” on the track that serve as the icing on the cake of most of The Co-Op’s music.
1. Can't Nobody Stop Me 2. Dumb It Down (DMV RMX) 3. Hatin' 4. In The Past 5. Spit Game 6. Dial My Number 7. Da DMV 8. Girl 9. Let's Get It On 10. Take A Chance 11. Naked 12. Candi Apple 13. Paper Stackin' 14. Take It To The Top
What's up this Wednesday Morning Trunk Hustlers Peoples! :)
We're dropping the first Streets Edition of the "Return of Real Black Radio" mixtape series with Blood Raw Entertainment & RawNewz.com Presents: Return of Real Black Radio, Streets Edition: D.O.F.G. (Death of Fake Gangsters) Vol. 1 - Blood Raw's News, Blues & Viewsmixed & hosted by yours truly, DJ Fusion of BlackRadioIsBack.com & the syndicated FuseBox Radio Broadcast. :)
I am a fan of all different types and genres of Hip-Hop Music and it's been a minute since I've done a straight up quality Street Hip-Hop oriented mixtape.
One of the reasons for that is I don't feel like there is a balance with a lot of Street Hip-Hop cats lately with the music AND the content - either folks are talking "SuperThug with no consequences or humanity" action over a great beat (which honestly, while escapist music is nice, I think I'm just getting tired of), trying to balance all sides of the Street life with mediocre music or are just plain trash on all ends.
It was cool to be able to run into southern Hip-Hop MC Blood Raw's music through my Florida DJ contacts a few years back and eventually get to doing a mixtape project with the brother - I feel he relays a lot of sides about Street Life in the U.S. though his music ( joy, pain, pride, wanting to get out of it, etc.) and can actually spit some emotional & charismatic bars over some on point production. Hopefully, you all will dig his music as well. As always, much respect and love for all of the support and PLEASE let folks know how you feel about this mixtape release and others from the FuseBox Radio/BlackRadioIsBack.com crew when you have the chance - hope you enjoy it! :)
** NOTE: This mixtape is NOT clean/radio/FCC friendly **
Blood Raw Entertainment & RawNewz.com Presents: Return of Real Black Radio, Streets Edition: D.O.F.G. (Death of Fake Gangsters) Vol. 1 - Bloodraw's News, Blues & Views
1. Blood Raw Intro 2. Blood Raw feat. Mr. Bones & Mighty Mike = What U Know About Dat 3. Blood Raw - Champion 4. Blood Raw feat. Gator & Mighty Mike - I Do It 5. Gator feat. T-Plezya - All About Us 6. Mighty Mike - Where Dey Do Dat At 7. Blood Raw feat. Mighty Mike, Mr. Bones & Gator - Florida Anthem 8. Blood Raw feat. Mighty Mike & Mr. Bones - Did It 4 Real 9. Blood Raw feat. Dru, Mighty Mike & Mr. Bones - Make It Rain 10. Blood Raw feat. Dru, Mighty Mike, Mr. Bones & Gator - Get Us Out Da Hood 11. Blood Raw feat. Gator, Mighty Mike, Mr. Bones - Salute You 12. Blood Raw - Shit 2 Real 13. Mr. Bones - Hustler's Life 14. Dru - Need A Friend 15. Tanza - Soul Searching 16. Tanza - Ms. Nobody
Here is some information from the Future of Music Coalition's website about their mission:
Future of Music Coalition is a national nonprofit organization that works to ensure a diverse musical culture where artists flourish, are compensated fairly for their work, and where fans can find the music they want.
Founded in June 2000 by musicians, artist advocates, technologists and legal experts, Future of Music Coalition works to ensure that musicians have a voice in the issues that affect their livelihood.
FMC’s work is rooted in the real-world experiences and ambitions of working musicians, whose perspectives are often overlooked in policy debates. Over the years, FMC has provided an important forum for discussion about issues at the intersection of music, technology, policy and law. Guided by a firm conviction that public policy has real impact on the lives of both musicians and fans, FMC advocates for a balanced approach to music in the digital age — one that reflects the interests of all stakeholders, and not just the powerful few. By documenting historic and emerging trends in the music industry, FMC has become a trusted voice in the ongoing dialog about the challenges and opportunities facing today’s musicians. In fighting for a legitimate digital music marketplace and a broadcast media that values local and independent culture, FMC helps establish a healthier music ecosystem.
FMC’s work falls into three program areas – education, research and advocacy. FMC actualizes its mission through a number of activities. We organize events that bring hundreds of musicians, technologists, attorneys, policymakers and industry representatives together for cutting-edge discussions about the changing music landscape, making sure to include a variety of voices in the conversation. We submit testimony, publish articles and speak on panels to make sure the creators’ experience is heard. We distill and translate information for musicians, and keep musicians informed about the changing music landscape. Finally, we generate original research to more completely illuminate the mechanics of the music industry.
A lot of great information was given in panels and discussions during this event that affect all forms & genres of music policy, distribution and ways to make income, especially in the internet age.
Here is the audio and descriptions from the 2 days that we were able to attend the Future of Music Policy Summit (it concluded on Tuesday, October 6, 2009) from all of the panels - feel free to listen to it & share with other who may learn something from it! :)
To see the video of the last day for FREE via a live stream, go here.
Music 2.0: How Musicians Can Use Technologies to Promote and Distribute Their Work (download)
Thanks to the internet, there are now a mind-boggling array of tools and services that help musicians and independent labels promote, distribute and sell their music. But which services work? What are the best strategies for promotion?
Which are compensating musicians, labels and songwriters, and how? This workshop starts witha virtual tour of many of the existing business models and includes a conversation with marketing experts who are involved in some of today’s most exciting music technology platforms.
Panelists:
Kristin Thomson - Education Director, Future of Music Coalition Jed Carlson - Co-founder/COO, ReverbNation
Super Social: Promotion and Networking Success Stories (download)
With every passing month, there are even more new social networking tools that musicians can use to promote their music and reach out to fans. Now the problem is one of abundance: which ones work? To what should musicians dedicate their resources and time?
In this not-to-be-missed workshop, two of the smartest social networking experts in the universe will share tips and describe successful campaigns crafted by smart musicians.
Panelists:
Ariel Hyatt - Founder and Owner, Ariel Cyber PR Charlie McEnerney - Host + Producer, Well-Rounded Radio; Instigator, Musicians for Music 2.0
Digital Ducats: Getting Paid in the Networked Age (download)
With technology so drastically changing the music landscape, there are suddenly dozens of new ways that artists can generate revenue. In addition to money from traditional CD sales and live shows, there’s now income from digital downloads, digital performance royalties from airplay on internet or satellite radio, as well as licensing for film, TV or video games, even merchandising.
Co-hosted by Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA), this workshop will survey all the sources of revenue out there, and tell you how you can ensure you collect all the money you’re entitled to.
Panelists:
Yvonne Harris - Burnley Attorney, Seventh House Music Publishing Ltd. Paul Rapp - Owner, The Law Offices of Paul C. Rapp Marcy Rauer - Wagman Associate Professor, Drexel University; CEO and Founder, MAD Dragon UNLTD
DC101: A Musician's Guide to the Policy Landscape (download)
Webcasting rates. Copyright clauses. Media ownership. Spectrum policy. In a surprising number of cases, how musicians and songwriters are compensated, and how much access they have to the media, are affected by policies made in Washington, DC.
This workshop will review some of today’s key legislative issues, and talk about why musicians need to have a voice in the debates, and how you can get involved.
Panelists:
Michael Bracy - Policy Director, Future of Music Coalition Helen Bruner - Producer, Songwriter, and Grammy-nominated artist, Phil'erzy Productions Candace Clement - Campaign Coordinator, Free Press DeAnne Cuellar - Project Director, Texas Media Empowerment Project
Monday, October 5, 2009
The New DIY: Creative Control in an Accelerated World (download)
Two of the most pressing demands facing musicians in the digital age are how to earn a living and maintain control of their careers. Today’s artists can choose numerous methods of getting their music to fans, from one-off licensing arrangements to fan patronage models. But what strategies will yield the best long-term results?
As traditional revenue streams have dried up, new contractual models such as 360 degree deals have musicians splitting tour and merchandising income with their label in exchange for broader investment in career development. But many high profile bands are choosing to forgo the major label route — from Radiohead to Trent Reznor to Pearl Jam.
This panel brings together a range of experts that are helping musicians take control of their assets, forge new alliances and use the new tools and services to build fanbases and re-engineer the DIY model for the digital age.
Panelists:
Bertis Downs - Advisor, R.E.M. Greg Kot - Critic, Chicago Tribune; Host, Sound Opinions, NPR Mac McCaughan - Co-founder, Merge Records; Musician, Portastatic, Superchunk Erin McKeown - Musician Yancey Strickler - Co-founder, Kickstarter Emily White - Partner, Whitesmith Entertainment
Scratch That: The Sample License Clearance Process and Artist Compensation (download)
Popularized by the hip-hop movement of the 1980s and 1990s, sampling is the latest manifestation of a rich musical tradition — one particularly prevalent in jazz, bluegrass, classical and blues — where artists have borrowed from, referenced, riffed off of, or ripped off artists of the past.
But sampling as we know it today represents a different form of borrowing, a more literal appropriation made easier through digital technologies. This leads to bigger questions about copyright, compensation, licensing and creativity.
In this session, law professor Peter DiCola (Northwestern University School of Law) and communications professor Kembrew McLeod (University of Iowa) will summarize what they learned about the sample license clearance process during the past three years of research for their book Creative License (Duke University Press, forthcoming 2010) and McLeod’s documentary Copyright Criminals: This Is A Sampling Sport.
Pulling from interviews with over 100 stakeholders, they uncover a rich – but complicated – legal and economic history behind the existing sample license clearance structure. While an ad hoc structure for permissions and licensing has developed over the past 20 years, could sample-heavy albums like Paul’s Boutique or It Takes a Nation of Millions be made today?
DiCola and McLeod will present three possible remedies to the inefficiencies of the current structure, focusing on ways that could maximize compensation for artists while also encouraging creativity. The 30-minute presentation will be followed by a critique from respondents and questions from the audience.
Panelists: Tony Berman - Founder, Berman Entertainment and Technology Law Hope Carr - Attorney Peter DiCola - Assistant Professor of Law, Northwestern University Peter Jaszi - Professor of Law and Faculty Director of the Glushko-Samuelson Intellectual Property Clinic, American University (moderator) Kembrew McLeod - Associate Professor, University of Iowa Hank Shocklee - President, Shocklee Entertainment
Keynote Speech by Senator Al Franken with post-conversation with Mike Mills (of alternative rock band R.E.M.) (download)
Keynote by FCC Chair Julius Genachowski (download)
Shattering the Crystal Ball: Peering Beyond the Digital Revolution (download)
The turn of the millennium witnessed the arrival of both Napster and the Future of Music Coalition. Since then, an even broader digital transformation has dramatically impacted the music, technology/policy and legal communities. Over the years, many experiments have been tried: DRM on songs, major-label-owned music services, licensed P2P and lawsuits against companies and individuals, to name a few.
Current and emerging business models rely heavily on broadband access and deployment, while consumer behavior continues to challenge long-held views on copyright. We’ve learned much over the past decade, not least of which is that once separate issues are now inextricably linked. Have previous policy choices — from the airwaves to the internet — had their intended effect? What have we learned in the past nine years, and where do we go next?
In this discussion, leading minds in music, technology, policy and law will reflect on lessons learned and discuss the remaining roadblocks to a functional and resilient music ecosystem.
Panelists:
Peter Jenner - Sincere Management; President Emeritus, IMMF Roberta R. Katz - Special Advisor, Technology, U.S. Department of Justice, Antitrust Division Steve Marks - Executive VP and General Counsel, RIAA Andrew Noyes - Journalist; Contributor, National Journal (moderator) Tim Quirk - Vice President of Music Programming, Rhapsody Tanya Sandros - Deputy General Counsel, US Copyright Office Johanna Shelton - Senior Policy Counsel & Legislative Strategist, Google Inc.
Up in your Bits: Intellectual Property, Privacy and Network Rights (download)
The internet has now become the primary vehicle for artists and entrepreneurs to distribute and promote music. But what if you don’t want your stuff flying freely through “the tubes?” Leaving room for continued innovation while retaining control over content is a complicated matter. This panel will explore the far-reaching impact of our networked culture on music, creativity, intellectual property and privacy.
Should ISPs engage in filtering, deep packet inspection or throttling to limit unauthorized filesharing? Should the privacy rights of social media users and services outweigh the need to monitor for possible infringement? Are lawsuits against YouTube and other hubs for user-driven content effective?
In this discussion, expert panelists will explore the tension between creator compensation, net neutrality, filtering, encryption, copyright litigation and privacy rights.
Panelists:
Harold Feld Legal Director, Public Knowledge Daniel Klein Media Accounts Director, Detica Group Michael Petricone Senior VP, Government Affairs, Consumer Electronics Association Hal Ponder Director of Government Relations, American Federation of Musicians Patrick Ross Executive Director, Copyright Alliance; Chairman, Copyright Alliance Education Foundation Brian Zisk Co-Founder, Collecta; Founder & Executive Producer, SanFran MusicTech (moderator) Detailed Information & Biographies on all of the Future of Music Coalition Policy Summit 2009 Panelists
Return of Real Black Radio, Hip-Hop & R&B Vol. 4 (Mixed & Hosted By DJ Fusion of the FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com)
Featuring: Grand Master Roc Raida, Slick Rick, Canibus, Brother Ali, N'Dambi, Shafiq Husayn, Bilal, Shonie, d.C., Penn Bannekar , Consequence, Rick Ross, Kid Cudi, hostface Killah, Raheem DeVaughn, Q-Tip, Kenny Garret a.k.a. Truth, Sic Osyrus, D. Malone, Life of Mine, KRS-One, Buckshot, Talib Kweli, Erick Sermon, Sy Smith, Maxwell, Pete Rock, Scholar, Young Ike Turna, Donny Goines & MORE!
Return Of Real Black Radio, Hip-Hop & R&B Vol. 3 (Mixed & Hosted By DJ Fusion of the FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com)
Featuring: Jeru The Damaja, Mos Def, Slick Rick, Aaliyah , Mary Mary, Ne-yo, Ed O.G. & Masta Ace are A&E , Tone Trump, Rosco P. Coldchain, Milli Million, Johnny Polygon , Ledisi, JAY ARE (John Robinson & J. Rawls), Willie The Kid , Wayne Wonder, Wale, Ghostface Killah, Whitney Houston, Wordsworth, Princess of Controversy, A-Alikes, Black Soultan, M.O.P., Demarco, DJ Rob A, MF Doom, Jim Snooka, Young Vadah & MORE!
Return Of Real Black Radio, Hip-Hop & R&B Vol. 2 (Mixed & Hosted By DJ Fusion of the FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com)
Featuring: 45 King, Lakim Shabazz, Georgia Ann Muldrow , The Roots , Phil Ade, DJ Hurricane, Public Enemy, Money Mark, B.o.B., Playboy Tre, Killer Mike, General Steele, Buckshot, Ashy L Bowz, Red Cafe, Pete Rock, MC Lyte, Rakim, The Jacksons, Sonny Bonoho, Nucci Reyo, Nappy Roots, Anthony Hamilton, Freeway, Jay Electronica, Enoch 7th Prophet, Zay, Hustle Simmons, U City, Poison Pen, . D.V. Alias Khryst, Memphis Bleek, Laze & Royal, Famoe, Makio & MORE!
Return of Real Black Radio, Hip-Hop & R&B Vol. 1 (Mixed & Hosted By DJ Fusion of the FuseBox Radio Broadcast & BlackRadioIsBack.com)
Featuring: De La Soul, Biz Markie, U-God, Large Professor, Gods'illa, Joe D, Raheem DeVaughn, Young Chris, Mistah F.A.B., Shunda K, Rosetta Stoned, Breeze Brewin', Fudgie Springer, Pitbull, N.E.R.D., Mu Dills, Lil' Kim, Jadakiss, DMX, Eve, Sheek Louch, Styples P, Swizz Beats, Drag-On, X.O., NOE, Dead Prez, Johnny Polygon, M. Beezy, Jus Bleezy, T-Pain, Mikkey Halsted, Bun B, La Coka Nostra, Daria Jones, American Yard, L.I., Young Ro & MORE!
