G4 TV - TheFeed - Freestyle 101

Beaterator Artists Montage Trailer Vol. 2: Buckshot, Sean Price, Pete Rock!

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:14:00 -0700

You caught the Beaterator trailer we posted last week, but check out the latest peek into this music making machine!

Yes, top producers like Peter Rock, Marco Polo and Ski Beats demonstrate the awesome power of this beat-makin’ baby! You also get to see rappers like Jay Electronica, Torae, Twista, and Freestyle 101s own Sean Price and Buckshot play with the device, cranking out beats and freestyles along the way. You’ll learn that Beaterator allows you to pitch shift, time stretch, sample and even record vocals. And dig that crazy swing function! It’s….swinging!

Yup, all this and more courtesy of Rock Star Games and multi-platinum producer Timbaland. And check out the original Beaterator trailer after the jump…starring the mighty Ice-T!

Question is though: Can you really make dope beats with a device like this? Don’t you need things like two turntables and a microphone to truly freak a beat? Or is that old school thinkin’? What do you think?

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420: Freestyle 101 With B-Real (Cypress Hill)

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 12:20:00 -0700

In celebration of 420, we present to you this Freestyle 101 favorite, featuring stoney Cypress Hill rapper B-Real goin’ off the top about smokin’, games and his favorite TV network, G4!

Dig more episode of G4’s multi-platform hip hop series Freestyle 101 here. Enjoy!

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By the way, right now, it's 4:20 in St. John's Newfoundland Canada! What a world, eh?

Freestyle 101: Chali 2Na (Jurassic 5)

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Hip hop heads know Chali 2Na from his incredible group Jurassic 5. Latin music fans know him from his work in Ozomatli and appearances with Santana. Pop music fans know him, as he's worked with everyone from Linkin Park, to Anthony Hamilton, to Roots Manuva. Videogamers know his music from the soundtracks to NBA Live 06 and NBA 2K7. His 2004 mixtape Fish Market collected many of his well-known guest spots onto one collection. But it’s his upcoming solo album Fish Outta Water that has fans' appetites...ahem, so wet.

Being L.A. natives our damn selves, we were thrilled to get this West Coast legend to step in the booth at The Engine Room in Hollywood to freestyle over a crazy R.N.S. beat. Chali also spoke about moving from Chicago to Los Angeles and his first-ever taste of a real freestyle battle courtesy of a then unknown MC named Microphone Mike spittin’ on the block, who later became Myka 9 of Freestyle Fellowship.

Make sure to check out other top MCs on Freestyle 101, including hardcore rappers like Fat Joe, M.O.P., LOX, Heltah Skeltah, and Immortal Technique; legends like Mobb Deep, Ice-T and Kool Keith; nerdcore artists like MC Frontalot, MC Lars, Del the Funk Homosapien, and many more.

Find us on MySpace and Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Freestyle 101: Thirstin Howl III

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Taking his name from a Gilligan's Island character, Thirstin Howl III is one of hip hop most underrated lyricists. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn, Thirstin began his career by winning The Source Magazine's "Unsigned Hype Award" in 1997, which got him a spot on the Soundbombing II compilation on Rawkus. His 1999 solo debut Skillionaire also introduced fans to his Lo Life crew -- Rack and Bar Lo -- who joined him in the New York’s DaMann Studios, along with up and comer Meyhem Lauren, for this very special posse edition of Freestyle 101.

Along with spittin’ off the top alongside his posse over a slick Lord G beat, Thirstin sat down with Freestyle 101 and chatted about growing up in New York and how he got turned on to rhyming. Interesting stuff.

Make sure to pick up Thirstin’s many albums, including Skilligan's Island, Licensed To Skill, his upcoming album Natural Born Skiller and his collabo effort with Sadat X of Brand Nubian. Also, be sure to keep your eye out for his upcoming cooking show Jail Recipes.

Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Coming up is Charlie 2Na of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli. Make sure to check out other New York MCs on Freestyle 101, such as Fat Joe, Lil’ Fame, Sheek Louch, Heltah Skeltah, Buckshot, Immortal Technique, Mobb Deep, and more. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Freestyle 101: MC Lars

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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MC Lars plays what he calls "post-punk laptop rap," a mix of alternative rock, old school hip hop and electronica. The Berkeley, California native released his first album in 1999 (Nothing to Fear) and has issued a steady stream of releases every year since, culminating with his latest, This Gigantic Robot Kills. Recent collaborations include The Digital Gangster LP with YTCracker and tracks with everyone from "Weird Al" Yankovic to The Donnas, Bowling for Soup and Ill Bill. Now that’s a diverse lineup!

MC Lars is also part of the burgeoning Nerdcore Hip Hop movement that includes rappers such as MC Frontalot, MC Chris, and the aforementioned YTCracker. He samples from alt rockers like Supergrass and Iggy Pop. He raps about computers, tech, videogames, literature, pop culture and is often backed by a live band and various visual aids in concert. It’s quite an experience. You’ve also seen him in G4’s Nerdcore TV spots, alongside Del the Funky Homosapien, among others.

When Lars dropped by The Engine Room in Hollywood to spit over a Messiaz beat, Freestyle 101 made sure to get him to chat about Nerdcore, as well as the Bay Area hip hop scene and being a dope MC in a punk rock world.

Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Coming up is Thirstin Howell III, Rack and Bar Lo, Meyhem Lauren, and Charlie 2Na of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli. Make sure to check out other nerd-tastic MCs on Freestyle 101, such as Murs, Del, Kool Keith, Busdriver, Pigeon John, and more. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Freestyle 101: Sunspot Jonz (Living Legends)

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Many know Sunspot Jonz as a founding member of heralded Cali crew Living Legends, alongside Murs, Luckyiam, The Grouch, Scarub, Eligh, Aesop and Bicasso. Others know him as BFAP of underground duo Mystik Journeyman. Others know him as the solo artist responsible for a flood of CDs, including the awesome No Guts No Glory, as well as the recent Never Surrender. But one thing all fans know about East Oakland’s Sunspot Jonz is that he can freestyle.

So Freestyle 101 was happy as hell to get this true living legend in the booth at The Engine Room in Hollywood to spit some off-the-top rhymes over a Messiaz beat and chat about growing up in the Cali underground -- doing Top Ramen tours, sellin’ tapes at record stores back in the day for bus fare -- and generally living and breathing hip hop. Make sure to check out his upcoming house-hop project The Temper Twins, as well as solo efforts Fight Destroy Rock Volumes 1 & 2. Peep his Vlog too!

If you dig Sunspot Jonz, make sure to check out Murs, Del, LMNO, Lifesavas, Gift of Gab and Phoenix Orion. Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Next week is nerdcore hero MC Lars, followed by Thirstin Howell III, Charlie 2Na of Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli, and more. Make sure to check out our behind the scenes photos, our Forums, and visit us on Facebook and MySpace.

Freestyle 101: Killa Sha

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Newcomer Killa Sha is lighting the New York hip hop scene on fire with his blazin’ 16s and hot mixtapes. You may know him from Tragedy Khadafi’s Against All Odds album, where he was featured on five songs, or his work with producers such as Alchemist, Marley Marl, Ayatollah, and Sha Money XL. Or maybe you know him from his countless mixtape appearances courtesy of the likes of DJ Kay Slay, Green Lantern, DJ Whoo Kid and Cut Master C. But whether you are familiar with him via his album God Walk on Water, or his guest verses alongside Kool G Rap, Jedi Mind Tricks, Planet Asia, and Large Professor, there’s one thing you’ll agree on: Killa Sha is serious on the mic.

So Freestyle 101 was more then excited when Large Professor showed up at The Engine Room to tape his episode and brought the Queensbridge native with him. Ya see, Large Pro has a new album out called Main Source and yer boy is the featured rapper on it, so the duo were on tour together to promote the endeavor. We had no idea Shalumi was gonna show up, but being up on all the dope new MCs, we were stoked when he did and asked him to step in the booth to spit over a sleazy Lord G beat. And spit he did. He also chatted about growing up in Queensbridge and watching greats like his mentor Tragedy and Freestyle 101 vet Cormega battle on the block. Legendary stuff.

Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Next week is Living Legends member Sunspot Jonz, followed by MC Lars, Thirstin Howell III and Charlie 2Na. Make sure to check out other New York MCs on Freestyle 101, such as Cappadonna, Sheek Louch, Prodigy, and Heltah Skeltah. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Saafir Interview: Living with Tupac

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:28:00 -0800

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With the Biggie Smalls movie Notorious a big hit in theaters over the weekend, we thought we’d take a look at another fallen hip hop icon, Tupac Shakur.

Yesterday's Freestyle 101 webisode featured lyrical legend Saafir spittin’ a mean off the top rhyme and chatting about his early days in the Bay Area. One thing we didn’t show you though was his lengthy discussion about living with Tupac early on in their career. Both rappers came out of Digital Underground and were introduced by member Money B. They quickly became roommates and friends, spending a great deal of time together hanging out, freestyling, eatin’, shootin’, pickin’ up on girls and all sorts of craziness. In this exclusive interview, Saafir reveals never-before heard stories about one of hip hop’s greatest soldiers. This is one you won’t wanna miss!

Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Next week is newcomer Killa Sha, followed by MC Lars, Thirtin Howell II and Charlie 2Na. And if you dig Saafir, then be sure to check out other west coast MCs on Freestyle 101, such as Ice-T, Tash, Del, Murs, and more. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Watch Saafir's Freestyle 101 below:

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Freestyle 101: Saafir

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Saafir is known as one of the Bay Area’s greatest lyricists. Founder of the Hobo Junction crew, he first made waves in 1994 with his classic debut, The Boxcar Sessions. He followed with 1998’s indie Trigonometry, made his major label debut the following years with The Hit List, and issued Good Game: The Transition in 2006.

Many also know him as 1/3 of the short-lived supergroup Golden State, alongside Xzibit and Freestyle 101 vet Ras Kass. Or you may also remember him from his role in the film Menace II Society. But it is Hobo Junction’s controversial on-air freestyle battle with rival SF crew Hieroglyphics that many hip hop heads remember him best.

In his Freestyle 101 interview, Saafir goes into great detail about what set off this legendary KMEL battle with Del the Funky Homosapien’s crew; how it went down in the studio; and how it finally ended back on the streets. It’s a unique look into one of the most notorious and infamous freestyle battles ever.

He also spits over a slippery R.N.S. beat at The Engine Room in Hollywood, chats about his days with Digital Underground, and weighs in on the debate over whether written rhymes can be used in freestyle or not. Fascinating stuff from a man many feel is one of the game’s all-time most underrated.

Plus, make sure to come back tomorrow when we air a bonus interview with Saafir where he talks about living with Tupac in the early days. The two rappers were roommates in the Bay area before they hit it big, and Saafir gives us a rare glimpse into what Pac was like as a roommate, a friend and a freestyler. You will not want to miss this.

Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Next week is up and comer Killa Sha, followed by MC Lars, Thirstin Howell II and Charlie 2Na. Make sure to check out other west coast MCs on Freestyle 101 too, such as RBX, Planet Asia, Ice-T, Tha Alkaholiks, Glasses Malone and more. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Freestyle 101: Teflon

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Having made his debut on the duo’s first album, 1994's To The Death, Brooklyn (Brownsville, to be specific) rapper Teflon has been down with M.O.P. since day one. He’s appeared on nearly all of their albums and side-projects since, as well as issuing his own efforts, with 1997’s My Will, and the stellar mixtapes Bad News Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Considered one of the most underrated MCs out of the Big Apple, Teflon also has the honor of being one of DJ Premier’s go-go rappers, as the two have collaborated many times, including on Tef’s upcoming album, Contraband.

Freestyle 101 was happy to have Teflon stop by Play Studios in NYC to spit an insane crime rhyme over a crazy R.N.S. beat. Thanks to Laze E. Laze, Foxxx and Lil’ Fame for hookin’ us up with him (First Family 4 Life!). Make sure to check out other M.O.P. homeboys on Freestyle 101, including the aforementioned Lil’ Fame, Ikka-Bod, Loaded Lux and Termanology. Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Next week is hot newcomer Killa Sha, followed by Saafir, Sunspot Jonz, MC Lars, Thirtin Howell II and Charlie 2Na. Find us on MySpace, Facebook, rant in the Forums, and peep our behind the scenes photo gallery.

Freestyle 101: Cappadonna (Wu Tang Clan)

Tue, 6 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0800

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Wu Tang Clan fans know Cappadonna as the tenth, and final, official member of the esteemed hip hop collective.

After a chance visit to Wu leader RZA's Staten Island apartment/recording studio during the recording of Wu member Raekwon's 1995 album Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Cappadonna made his debut on "Ice Cream," and "Ice Water," two classics and fan favorites. He went on to record on Ghostface Killah's Ironman and was all over Wu Tang's Forever in 1997, but it wasn’t until 2000's The W that he became an official member of the Clan (meaning, the songs with him no longer listed him as “featuring …”).

In the meantime, he released 1998’s solo effort The Pillage, which was followed by 2001’s The Yin & The Yang and 2003's The Struggle. And before appearing on the Clan’s most recent comeback album 8 Diagrams, Cappa dropped a famous verse on Ghostface Killah’s 2006 Fishscale track "9 Milli Bros," addressing rumors that while the Clan was on hiatus he picked up the slack by driving a taxi cab in New York: "Diggler a.k.a. the Cab Driver / Drop 'em off in the middle of fire / Dirty Island, drag bodies to the Murderland / Knock n*ggas out hurtin' my hand."

In town to promote The Cappatilize Project at The Engine Room in Hollywood, Cappa was joined by touring partner 7th 7ign, who is also managed by Honor Allah of Honor Management. The duo tag-teamed spit some fiery off-the-dome rhymes in classic wild Wu Tang style over a crazy Messiaz beat. Make sure to peep Cappa’s upcoming album Slang Prostitution, dropping this January. And then next up is The Infamous Quran project, an album he is working on with Mobb Deep affiliate Ty Nitty of Infamous Mobb.

Freestyle 101 goes up at 9 a.m. PST (that’s noon over on the east) every Tuesday. If you dig Cappadonna, then check out other Wu Tang family members on Freestyle 101, such as Killah Priest, Trife Da God, Shyheim, Prodigal Sunn, and T.H.U.G. Angelz (a.k.a. Hell-Razah and Shabazz the Disciple). Make sure to tune in next week for M.O.P. affiliate Teflon, followed by Charli 2Na of Jurassic 5, Sunspot Jonz of Living Legends, Killa Sha, MC Lars, Saafir and Thirstin Howl III. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on MySpace and Facebook, or rant in our Forums.

Oh, and...“silent murder”…that’s all I’m gonna say…just watch…

Freestyle 101 On Holiday Break, Homie

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

In case ya noticed, G4’s multi-platform hip hop series Freestyle 101 is on break for the holidays, and there is no new webisode today. We’ll return on January 6th starting with Cappadonna on Wu Tang Clan, followed by Teflon, Killa Sha, Saafir, Thirstin Howl III, MC Lars, Sunspot Jonz, Charli 2Na and more.

Freestyle 101 goes up Tuesdays at 9 a.m. PST. In the meantime, check out past webisodes at www.g4tv.com/freestyle101 or watch this one with Smoothe da Hustler, Trigger tha Gambler and D.V. Alias Khryst (make sure to check out D.V.'s new mixtape Counteraction):

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Freestyle 101: Sen Dog (Cypress Hill)

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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There would be no Cypress Hill without Sen Dog. His gruff call and response delivery alongside fellow MC B-Real defined a hip hop era and helped put the west coast on the map in the early ‘90s. With a long list of smash hits on their resume (“Insane In The Membrane,” Rock Star,” "How I Could Just Kill A Man,” etc.), Cypress Hill is one of the most successful groups in the rap game and Sen vocals are as integral to the formula as DJ Muggs’ dark, boppin’ beats. But having been part of a group for so long, it’s no wonder he finally got the itch to go solo.

Released on Kottonmouth Kings’ emerging Suburban Noize label, Diary of a Mad Dog is Sen’s first album without his Cypress bandmates…but don’t worry, folks, he ain’t leaving the Hill. As B-Real and Muggs told us in their Freestyle 101s, the groups is simply on hiatus in 2008 as they unleash side-projects and solo endeavors and work on the group’s next album, which will blow your mind in ’09. Meanwhile, Diary of a Mad Dog should tide you over, with its gangsta beats and blunted raps, as should this dope FS101, recorded at The Engine Room in Hollywood over a heavy Golden Hour beat.

If you dig Sen Dog, make sure to read TheFeed’s interview with him on his Reyes Bros. album a while back, check out the aforementioned Cypress Hill editions of Freestyle 101, or peep webisodes with west coast vets Planet Asia, Ras Kass, Tash, RBX, Ice-T and others. Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east). Check us on Facebook and MySpace, rant in the Forums or dig our photo gallery. Up next is Cappadonna of Wu Tang Clan, followed by Teflon, Charli 2Na of Jurassic 5, Sunspot Jonz of Living Legends, Killa Sha and more.

Freestyle 101: People Under The Stairs

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:36:00 -0800

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Los Angeles is often thought of as gangland central when it comes to hip hop. From N.W.A. to Snoop Dogg to The Game, west coast MCs have always been known to spit tales of violence, Crips and Bloods. But not everyone. For every Dogg Pound, there was The Pharcyde and Ugly Duckling. For every South Central Cartel, a Jurassic 5 and Dilated Peoples. And People Under The Stairs proudly help carry on the post-A Tribe Called Quest backpacker tradition out here in SoCal …and are takin’ it ‘round the world.

Formed in 1998, and over four albums deep, rappers Thes One and Double K tour constantly and rock the stage mightily. Ya see, they came up in the golden era of Los Angeles hip hop, the days of The Good Life, Project Blow’d, Unity and Freestyle Fellowship, as is evident on their latest platter, the awesomely titled Fun DMC.

At the Engine Room in Hollywood, Thes One and Double K went hard over a funky Golden Hour beat, rappin’ about videogames old and new, and even giving out a few retro school cheats in the process. They were clearly going off the dome and having a blast doin’ it. And watch out fans of Mortal Combat and Tekken, ‘cause the boys have some controversial words for you.

If you like People Under The Stairs, make sure to check out Freestyle 101s with fellow west coast underground vets Del, Murs, LMNO, Busdriver, Pigeon John, and Freestyle Fellowship members Aceyalone, Myka 9, and P.E.A.C.E.. Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (except this week of course...long story). Check us on Facebook and MySpace, rant in the Forums or dig our photo gallery. Up next is Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, Wu Tang's Cappadonna, Teflon, Charli 2Na and more.

Freestyle 101: Coolio

Tue, 2 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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When hip hop fans think of songs that helped the genre cross over into mainstream, they think of Coolio’s “Fantastic Voyage” and “Gangsta’s Paradise,” two smash singles that ushered the way for MTV and radio’s acceptance of rap music. When people think of OGs that helped put the west coast on the map, Coolio certainly makes the cut. And when people think of true original in the game that look and sound totally unique, Coolio always comes to mind.

So it goes without saying that Freestyle 101 was excited to have the man himself step in the booth at The Engine Room in Hollywood over a bangin’ R.N.S. beat and do the damn thang. Out and about promoting his new Oxygen network reality show, Coolio’s Rules, and new album, Steal Hear, Coolio took some time out to spit off the top and give fans a glimpse into the early days of Cali hip hop. From talent show competitions to his tenure in WC and the Mad Circle to his multi-platinum career as a solo artist, Coolio has seen and done it all.

A new Freestyle 101 goes up every Tuesday at 9 a.m. PST (noon on the east coast). If you dig Coolio, then check out fellow west coast vets Ice-T, RBX, Tash, Ras Kass, Insane Poetry, and B-Real. Make sure to raise up in the Forums, peep us on Facebook and MySpace, and check out photo gallery. Make sure to come back next week for People Under the Stairs, followed by Sen Dog, Cappadonna, Teflon, Charli 2Na, Sunspot Jonz, Killah Sha and more.

Freestyle 101: Large Professor

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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New York hip hop vet Large Professor is considered one of the greatest producer/MCs in the game. Behind the mic he has helmed tracks off A Tribe Called Quest’s Midnight Marauders, Eric B. & Rakim's Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em, Kool G Rap's Wanted: Dead or Alive, and cuts by Nas, Busta Rhymes, Masta Ace, Big Daddy Kane, Mobb Deep, and many others. As an MC, his group Main Source recorded the classic Breakin’ Atoms album, where he discovered a young, unknown MC named Nas, who debuted on the track “Live at the BBQ.” After years of producing for others though, P returned to the mic for his critically acclaimed 2002 solo effort 1st Class and this year’s stellar Main Source.

So Freestyle 101 was beyond honored when this multi-talented maestro stopped by The Engine Room in Hollywood to drop science over a Messiaz beat and knowledge during the interview. Xtra P gives us a genuine off the top freestyle and schools us in hip hop with a history lesson in mic skills. He even brought along fiery up and comer Killa Sha, but you’ll have to wait a few weeks for his episode.

If you dig Large Professor, make sure to check out other New York legends on Freestyle 101, such as Cormega, Sheek Louch, Guru, Fat Joe and Buckshot. Freestyle 101 goes up at 9 a.m. PST (that’s noon over on the east) every Tuesday. Stay tuned for Coolio, People Under The Stairs, Cappadonna, Teflon, Charli 2Na and many more. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on MySpace and Facebook, and rant in our Forums too!

Freestyle 101: YTCracker

Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

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YTCracker (a.k.a. Bryce Case, Jr.) is a dope rapper, a hacker, a playa, and the undisputed king of Nerdcore Hip Hop. Just ask him.

The man who put the Colorado Springs rap scene on the map is also a huge G4 fan and has been down with us for years. He recorded TheFeed theme song way back when, he starred in our first Nerdcore TV promo earlier this year, and he has been featured on Attack of the Show several times.

As a rapper, YTCracker has been making indie hip hop on his own label, Digital Gangster Enterprises, since 1998, where he’s been releasing albums like Nerd Life and Dirty Nerdy. He tours constantly and has performed alongside such musical acts as Xzibit, Cypress Hill, Digital Underground and George Clinton. He even co-wrote Too Short’s “Pimpandho.com” from 2003’s Married to the Game. His next effort is a collaboration album with fellow nerd rapper/producer MC Lars, The Digital Gangster LP.

As a hacker, YT was exposed to computers by his folks at a young age and was soon programming, designing and terrorizing. In 1999, he made headlines when he defaced NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center website, as well as a few other government sites. This landed him into the media spotlight, making him a go-to talking head on internet mischievousness and teen hacking.

And as a playa…well, he always has a hottie under his arm, gets laid constantly, and has a wad of cash every time I see him. Like he says, “It ain’t dirty money, it’s nerdy money!” Straight up.

He’s also a survivor, as you’ll see if you watch this video of the van wreck he, MC Lars and MC Frontalot survived last week while on their co-headlining national Nerdcore tour. Leave it to YTCracker to manage to find his laptop and start filming seconds after all their gear is obliterated in a freeway pileup. (And these nerds ain’t no quitters either, as the tour is still under way and coming to a town near you NOW!).

So Freestyle 101 was stoked when the mighty YT turned up at The Engine Room in Hollywood to lay down a techy rhyme about bit torrents, videogames, and the joys of Oxycontin over an 8-bit style Messiaz beat.

Freestyle 101 goes up at 9 a.m. PST (that’s noon over on the east) every Tuesday. If you dig YTCracker then check webisodes with Murs, Del, MC Frontalot and Lifesavas. Next up is Large Professor, People Under The Stairs, Sen Dog, Cappadonna, Coolio, Charli 2Na and more. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on MySpace and Facebook, and rant in our Forums too!

Freestyle 101: H.I.T.T.M.A.N.

Tue, 11 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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His name stands for “His Interesting Talent To Motivate All Nations.” Hip hop heads know H.I.T.T.M.A.N. from Dr. Dre’s multi-platinum album Chronic 2001, where he practically stole the show alongside legends like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Eminem and Xzibit. He’s the guy who bursts out of the screen at the end of the “Difference Between Me and You” video with Dre and Em. He was poised to be the next big thing when…well…nothing happened. He parted ways with Dre and Aftermath, he never made it to the Up In Smoke tour, and he just kinda vanished without a trace. Until now…

H.I.T.T.M.A.N.’s long-awaited self-titled debut album was just released and he’s hitting the road to take his music to the people. And with bangers like “West Coast Sh*t,” “Last Dayz,” and “La La La,” he shouldn’t have too much problem making new fans. It was a pleasure to have him stop by Engine Room Studios in Hollywood to rhyme about videogames over a Bruce Yi beat. The man knows his games and publishers, and spit a rapid fire, off the dome freestyle about ‘em just for you. In his interview, H.I.T.T.M.A.N. talks about the early days of the Los Anegeles rap scenes and how he met Dr. Dre. Turns out Dre was looking for a short, stocky Eazy-E type character that he could launch like he did Snoop Dogg with his previous landmark album, The Chronic, and N.W.A. before that.

Freestyle 101 goes up at 9 a.m. PST (that’s noon over on the east) every Tuesday. And if you dig H.I.T.T.M.A.N. then check webisodes with other Dre affiliates RBX and Devin the Dude, plus Cali legends Ice-T, Tha Alkaholiks, Ras Kass and Planet Asia. Next up is nerdcore kingpin YTCracker, followed by Large professor, People Under The Stairs, Sen Dog, Cappadonna, Teflon and more. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on Facebook and MySpace and rant in our Forums too!

Vote! Vote! Vote!

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 11:58:00 -0800

As you are no doubt aware, today is Election Day, and we here at The Feed would like to encourage you to get out there and vote your little hearts out. We don't care how you vote, but, if you enjoy living in a representative democracy, you should exercise your right and responsibility and do the responsible thing. We know you might end up waiting in line, but what's an hour or so when there's years of policy making at stake?

Of course, you could stay in and watch Attack of the Show and X-Play, or you could come back after and watch them as a reward to yourself for voting. What will you see? Oh, man. First, on AOTS, Kevin Pereira and Chris Hardwick are going to bring you coverage of the campaign no one's talking about...Cobra Commander '08. Then, it's an encore presentation of X-Play's awesome Gears of War 2 special, which has all kinds of exclusive footage and interviews you won't see anywhere else.

Also, if you need a little bounce in your step while you Rock the Vote, here's a reminder, courtesy of our Webby-award winning series Freestyle 101, and hip-hop artist Aceyalone, to help you remember the reason for the season.

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Freestyle 101: Kottonmouth Kings

Tue, 4 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

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Today is Election Day, people! This is your chance to cast your vote and be part of Democracy! But after you get done flexing your freedom and being part of history, you might get a hankerin’ for some freestyle hip hop. You might even want said hip hop to touch on the election and get all current eventy ‘n’ stuff. Well, then do we have a Freestyle 101 for you: Orange County punk -pop legends Kottonmouth Kings!

Not normally known for political raps, Kottonmouth Kings rapper Johnny Richter was so inspired by the debates and the presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain that he worked up a special rhyme just for you, just for today. He also threw in some Halloween lines, some references to Tupac and sellin’ dope, and made sure to take a swing at Gov. Palin just to keep it fresh. Meanwhile, Daddy X spit an off-the-top party rap over this blazin’ R.N.S. beat, and D-Loc kept it cool in the cut. The guys also chatted about growin’ up hip hop in punk rock Placentia, located behind the Orange Curtain in SoCal, and some of the rap music that inspired them to grab the mic. Freestyle 101 was happy to have the guys stop by The Engine Room in Hollywood while they were out promoting The Green Album, their latest effort on their own Suburban Noize Records.

And if you love Kottonmouth Kings, you’ll likely dig our Rock The Vote webisode with Aceyalone, fellow underground legends Insane Poetry or Tech N9ne, Suburban Noize labelmate Phoenix Orion, fellow stoners B-Real and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill, and tourmates Insane Clown Posse, Twiztid and Blaze Ya Dead Homie. Next up on Freestyle 101 we have Chronic 2001 alumni Hittman, followed by nerdcore kingpin YT Cracker, Large Professor, Coolio, People Under The Stairs, Sen Dog, Cappadonna of Wu Tang Clan and many more. Make sure to dig our behind the scenes photos, visit us on MySpace, and rant in our Forums.