Heart of the City Summer Jam Mixtape.

Featuring Cleveland Artists: Chip tha Ripper, Da Kennel, Niccotine, CJ Platinum, Al Fatz, Ray Cash, Blok Gang, Young Shank, Tae 4rm Da 50, Bravo, All Star Click, Money, Kick Flip B, 6S, Ray Grizzel, Peso, Young Ray, Machine Gun Kelly, Black Cease, R.O.B, Paper Chase, Fresh

More Mixtape artist performances here…

View more pictures and video from Summer Jam Cleveland here…

Rick Ross

Trina

Plies

Wacka Flocka

Roscoe Dash

Teairra Mari

Dondria

Britni Elise

RydazNRtist

They’ve both got their new albums dropping on the same day (September 14), and now Kid Cudi and Kanye West are collaborating together again on a new song “Erase Me”, lifted from Cudi’s upcoming sophomore album ‘Man On the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager“.

The song was produced by Jim Jonsin, and shows Cudi moving further away from Hip-Hop and deeper into rock territory. “I think she hates me deep down / I know she does / She wants to erase me,” sings Cudi, targeting an ex-girlfriend who broke up with him, “She says ‘I keep on runnin’ / nothin’ works / I can’t stop missin’ you.”

“Erase Me” is another 10/10 cut from Cudi’s MOTM II, and it’s certainly a lot more radio-friendly and accessible than his indie-leaning new single “REVOFEV”.

Check out this song below (Via Consequence of Sound). Do you like this new track? Is this ROCK or HIP HOP? Hot or Not?

NEW YORK (CBS) Late rap icon Tupac Shakur, famously gunned down outside of a Vegas hotel in 1996, is being remembered for his birthday today and his legacy in popular culture. Had he lived, the entertainer would have been 39 years old. Shakur died on Sept. 13, 1996.

Tupac Amaru Shakur, known by his stage names 2Pac, Pac or Makaveli, was also an emerging actor whose film career was cut short after a bitter “East Coast vs. West Coast” rap feud culminated in his death along with that of Brooklyn, N.Y., rapper The Notorious B.I.G.

Still, in a sign of overarching solidarity, rappers on both coasts have taken to Twitter today to remember the star. East Coast M.C. Talib Kweli tweeted this morning, “Happy Birthday to Tupac Amaru Shakur. We miss you.”

Compton, Calif., rapper The Game tweeted: “From someone who studied ur poetry, admired ur courage & never thought they’d ever make it as an MC, ur legacy lives thru me.”

Comedian Marlon Wayans, who co-starred with Tupac in the 1994 movie “Above The Rim” used the rapper’s birthday as a chance to reflect on their time on the set, tweeting: “Yo Pac we’ll always have ‘Above The Rim!’ Bugaloo and Birdie [Marlon and Tupac's characters in the film]. RIP finally u workaholic. One Love.”

Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide. Rolling Stone magazine named him the “86th Greatest Artist of All-Time.”

Africa  1500 – 1860
juju (from the African Hausa language) – an object used as a fetish, a charm or an amulet in West Africa, or the supernatural power ascribed to such an object.

Africa is the second largest continent on Earth.  Africans account for over 12% of the world’s population, are distributed among 54 nations in Africa and are further differentiated into about 1,000 language and cultural groups.  Though peoples of African descent have settled on every continent, their largest population concentration outside of Africa is in North and South America, where they make up about 12% of those continents’ population.  All of human history began in Africa – the earliest mammals that can truly be called human made their first appearance on earth in Africa at least 4 million years ago. Human beings developed first in Africa and populated the rest of the world. Several of the world’s oldest and most accomplished civilizations were African, including the Egyptian Dynasties, Carthage, Ancient Ghana and the kingdom of Mali, famous for its gold and its wealthy capital of Timbuktu.

The golden kingdoms of Ghana and Mali were both located in West Africa, the area now occupied by the nations of Senegal, Guinea, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and parts of the Congo and Zaire.  Most Africans who were forcibly brought to the New World between 1500 and 1860 were taken from this area, and were of many diverse tribes or nations, including Ashanti, Fulani, Gabon, Hausa, Ibibio, Ibo, Mandingo, Wolof and Yoruba.

Although some of our cultures on the African continent nurtured a rich tradition of written literature and history, for the most part, African societies are built upon passing down laws, customs and history through storytelling and ritual. Many African musical practices of today are remarkably similar to those of centuries ago. Early European travelers to Africa immediately noticed the inextricable integration and key role of religion, poetry, music and dance in African society — how they were not only crucial aspects of formal rituals and ceremonies but tightly interwoven with the rhythms of everyday life.  In every village you would find griots – professional musicians who exalted the fame and heroic deeds of the king or tribal leader, welcomed guests, recounted the glory of the occasion or ceremony, or simply entertained. The griots’ primary job was to entertain, but just as or more importantly, their function was to pass down the traditions and history of our people.

Most common in historic African music were percussive instruments, specifically drums, which were most frequently chosen as royal or sacred instruments and are still considered as such in modern Africa. Second in popularity to drums were stringed instruments that included lutes, banjos and fiddles, harps and zithers.

The clapping of human hands and the human voice were of critical importance as instruments as well.  Call and response, chant, conversational rhythmic recitation, punctuating shouts or sighs – the texts of songs could relate everyday gossip or glorious historical achievements of our ancestors or the tricky antics of the spider or jackal.

Music, dance and rhythm itself were forms of communication as well as a creative expression and recreation.  Griots were acknowledged as the best musicians in the village, but every African villager was a musician and dancer in this society where music was constantly being made – an all-pervasive rhythm and religious dialog between all of us — between the sun, rain, plants, animals, our people and the earth itself.

– Meredith Rutledge for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Fitzgerald found mainstream success in her music when she collaborated with famous jazz musicians like Cole Porter and Duke Ellington (among others) to create songbooks. The songbooks were a series of studio albums which were recorded by Ella and supported by various orchestras, big bands, and jazz quartets. The albums were a tremendous success.

Philanthropy was also of importance to Fitzgerald. She was a known supporter of the American Heart Association, The United Negro College Fund, and eventually developed her own charity, the “Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation” which continues to fund programs dedicated to children and music. Ella died June 15, 1996 in Beverly Hills, California at the age of 79. Throughout her career, Ella recorded at least 200 albums.

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.”
- Ella Fitzgerald

Fun Fact: Ella Fitzgerald has her own 39-cent postage stamp.

Zapp, also known as the Zapp Band or Zapp and Roger, is a soul and funk band originated in 1978 out of Dayton, OH. The band was formed by a group of brothers Roger Troutman, Larry Troutman, Lester Troutman, Tony Troutman, and Terry “Zapp” Troutman.

The group became famous for their style of electro funk which was becoming popular at the time through artists such as George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, who actually made a pact with Roger Troutman to help each other get on if one of them made it first. That pact between Bootsy and Roger would be the first break Zapp needed to get national exposure. The electo funk era was recognized for it’s funky sound and heavy use of the keyboard and synthesizer. Zapp also had a signature sound with Roger’s use of the talk box. This added to the groups success.

With the help of Bootsy and George Roger and Zapp secured their first record deal with Warner Brothers Records and released their debut self titled album in 1980. Since that time the band had seen their share of success scoring over four gold records and becoming a top concert draw around the world by 1985.

Today Zapp remains one of the pioneers of Hip Hop and R&B. The emergence of the autotune sound effect in most of today’s music is an example of how their electro funk and unique style has made a lasting impression of artists and fans alike.

Central Ohio Stand up and be proud of one of our own, Zapp.

Can Hip-Hop evolve any more????????? Do emcees still have something to say???????? This five member crew out of Columbus, Ohio screams Yes, we have to! Rashad, Pa.Flex, Co City, Shakes and Blaksmif, also known as The 3rd, has been a work in progress since they met in middle school. But like P.A. says, something so special takes time to germinate. Supa Soul music is what they make, and all they do is Elevate. With influences from The roots, Outkast to Stevie Wonder, The 3rd (pronounced three-are-dee) is indeed the future of music.

Columbus, Ohio is not just located in the middle of the country, it is truly The Heart of it All. The capital city is a melting pot of every culture that you can imagine. This explains why The 3rd can’t fit their music into a box. Supa Soul Music is what they make, and all they do is Elevate. By saying that we make Elevator Music, Rashad boasts, we put pressure on ourselves to create great art. Every song is better than the last. Co And Shakes agree, it gives us something to aim at. In this Godless age of music, it’s reassuring to see some up and comers wanting to add to the culture.

Next up for The 3rd is a classic LP entitled 1979. With songs like Marlee, Escalade, Hip-Hop (pt.1&2), it is beyond evident that the next level has been got. When our album is released, Rashad predicts, the whole music world will stop and look, not just hip-hoppers!

Music as we know it is about to change. Elevator Music and The 3rd have the missing link to the chain that brings us all together. When we get to the next floor, you should always expect more, Blaksmif explains. That is the motto we live by. Get ready for a new day. Supa soul music is what they make, and all they do is Elevate. NEXT FLOOR, EXPECT MORE!!

1979 was a long time ago. But ever since that time we have heard every kind of flow. Some will stay, some will go, but what you should know?? The test of times are written just so we can grow. From bible scriptures to the life that we live everyday, The 3rd is the voice of the people that get pushed away. From back streets to big stages, battle tested and war ready.

The 3RD “Escalade” from Palestra Creative on Vimeo.

Over the years,Dj Fresh has been at the top of nightclub scene in
Cleveland. Not only has Dj Fresh made his mark in Cleveland he has also
done partys in New York, Vegas, Miami, Detroit, Canada, Europe etc. In 2005
Cleveland’s number one hip hop station Z107.9 came calling. You can
catch Dj Fresh every Friday night from 10pm till 1am mixing some of the
hottest records.

50 Cent is serious about his side hustle as an actor.

It was previously reported that Curtis was going to lose 60 pounds for a role in the filmThings Fall Apart about a football player with cancer. Apparently 50 stopped at the 50 pound mark, going from a size 38 waist to size 32 after going on a liquid diet and walking on a treadmill for 3 hours a day.

(spotted at HHNM & ThisIs50.com)

UPDATE: For those of you in the comments wondering about where 50’s tats went, let us remind you that 50 stated awhile ago that he was getting most of them removed.

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