(Video) Mike Zombie Releases ‘Rebel Without A Cause’ Album

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After a few months of letting the music video for “616” marinate on everyone’s TV screens, Mike Zombie has finally released his long-awaited debut studio album, Rebel Without A Cause. This is a landmark project for too many reasons to list in a simple blog post, but the main reason being that this is and will be one of the most critically acclaimed projects to release out of New Jersey this year alongside very few others.

Mike Zombie initially made waves by producing several of his own full length mixtapes, before becoming producer of Drake‘s “Started From The Bottom,” the lead single from 2013’s Nothing Was The Same album and DJ Khaled‘s “They Don’t Love You No More” featuring Rick Ross, French Montana, Meek Mill and Jay Z. Some time later, even Remy Ma came along for a memorable remix. Pretty star-studded names for a guy from a small town in NJ, but he’s been a left-field thinker for quite some time, so the accolades shouldn’t surprise anyone.

I’m most excited for this album, because with its undeniable east coast bounce, it gives me some new music to spin at the skating rink! The production is versatile, and the stories range from late nights around town with the homies, keeping it real through the industry and his new-found fame, and where he plans to go next. The project is definitely an upgrade from his last mixtape The End of the Beginning as far as beat selection and lyricism. Not many producers crossover well into rapping on their own beats (or just rapping well period), but with this body of work, Mike Zombie is proving that he’s more than just a producer.

Enjoy Mike Zombie‘s Rebel Without A Cause via iTunes.

HarleyQuinn_NJ
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(Video) Iggy Azalea Calls Hot 97 “Shady;” Hot 97 Morning Show Responds

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

Peter Rosenberg x Marisa Mendez

An interview that Iggy Azalea did with GQ last week quoted her as saying she “sparked a change” in hip-hop, naturally prompting some rather hilarious responses from both haters and supporters of the Australian raptress. It was quite a bold statement…as well as one that may not necessarily be accurate…and a ton of reaction memes immediately surfaced afterward.

Hot 97′s Ebro shared one of his own after HipHopWired asked for faces of your reaction to the quote, posting an adorable “FOH” face that his newborn daughter had once made. This set the always-outspoken Iggy off on a little tirade, calling Hot 97 “shady,” amongst other things. In response, Ebro and his morning show co-hosts Peter Rosenberg and Laura Stylez let her know how they really feel. Check out what they said below.

Who do you side with in this one? I’m on the fence. Personally, I feel that Iggy IS attacked WAY more than the average celeb…but I also feel like she needs to quit crying about EVERY situation.
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That NJ Ish: Jersey Packs Out SOB’s Past Capacity For Hot 97’s Who’s Next Live, Prompting Rant From Naughty By Nature’s Treach

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

Marisa Mendez x Mike Zombie x NJ

New Jersey is really on the rise with talent across the board right now, from producers to rappers, singers, writers, DJs…the list goes on. Last night was set to be such a big night for all of the above, as Hot 97‘s monthly ‘Who’s Next Live’ showcase featured an all-Jersey lineup, headlined by “Trap Queen” rapper Fetty Wap, “Back Up On It” rapper Dougie F. and “Yeah, OK” rapper Kazzie.

Unfortunately, though some of the opening acts like Signature, DJ Frosty and Chad B. were able to perform, the venue was shut down after only an hour due to over-capacity issues and trouble at the door. It got so bad at one point, Fetty wasn’t even able to get in!

New Jersey legends Naughty By Nature were in the building to support, and upon the police calling the event off, Treach grabbed the microphone and ended up giving a 30-minute speech about unity, police brutality, Jersey being slighted and more. He kept it quite peaceful, however, and I do commend the venue and the police for allowing him to say what he had to say. It was a pretty powerful moment!
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Throwback Thursday: How I Got Started In Blogging…And How You Can Too!

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People ask me all of the time how I got started with Flex and how I launched my own site, which then leads them into asking me how to go about doing so for themselves. To answer all of your questions in one place, I’ll break down a brief history of how I got started, and then share some tips on how to either start your own site, or to become a part of one that’s already out there.
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MTV2’s “Girl Code” Star Ness Nitty Joins Hot 97 As On-Air Personality

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NEss Nitty x HOt 97_LifeIsTremendez

Congratulations are in order for my girl Ness Nitty! The Girl Code star/radio personality has officially joined the Hot 97 team, leaving behind a 4-year tenure on-air at Bay Area radio station, Wild 94.9.

Nessa comes in the midst of tons of changes at the iconic radio station, with new DJs recently added, a new music director (TT Torrez,) a new program director (following former PD Ebro Darden‘s resignation in 2014 to focus on his morning show duties,) Angie Martinez‘s departure, Mister Cee‘s departure…the list goes on. Nessa will take over Angie‘s former 3-7pm slot, while the show’s host in the interim, Cipha Sounds, will now “transition into other on-air responsibilities,” per the press release.

“Working for Hot 97 is a dream come true!” Nessa said in a statement. “I want to thank Jimmy Steal, Rick Cummings and Deon for this amazing opportunity, as well as my mentor, Cat Collins. New York, let’s go!”
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(Video) Dip Set Hits Hot 97 To Freestyle + Announce Reunion Tour

Marisa Mendez Leave a Comment

Marisa Mendez x Dip Set 2015_LifeIsTremendez

It’s been so long overdue, but finally all members of the iconic Dip Set crew are on board for a REAL reunion, and an album is on the way. It will be warmed up first with a mixtape though, hosted by LIT Digital DJs‘ Funk Flex, DJ Mustard, Swizz Beatz and DJ Khaled.

Stopping by Flex‘s show on Hot 97 last night, Cam’Ron, Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey dropped off their new song “Have My Money,” while also spitting some bars off J. Cole‘s “Fire Squad” beat (for Lz and Jim) and “The Roc (Just Fire)” beat for Killa – which was a blast from the past, since that’s a Just Blaze beat from Cam‘s 2002 classic album, Come Home With Me.

The 15-city tour dates have not yet been announced, but the guys did reveal it will start with an NYC stop first at the Best Buy Theatre, and that they’ll also be at Flex‘s sneaker expo during All Star Weekend. The latter, however, is just to meet fans and sell Dip Set merch, NOT a performance.

Check out video from their Hot 97 visit below.
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Music Video: Machine Gun Kelly – Till I Die

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Machine Gun Kelly - Till I Die

Back in November, I headed out to the Midwest to join Machine Gun Kelly and his EST team for the Cleveland premiere of his first-ever movie role in Beyond The Lights. During my 3-day stay, he also shot the video to his new single “Till I Die,” and I fell in LOVE with this track!

Going back to the places in Cleveland that mean the most to him, the visual to MGK‘s 216 anthem goes from the streets of some of the most notorious areas of the city, to the very first house he and his friends ever lived in together, to the club where he toasted to life and celebrated his movie role with the people he came up with (aaaand me, LOL.)

It’s been over two years since Kells released his debut album Lace Up and gained international exposure thanks to his mega-hits like “Wild Boy” and “Invincible,” and he’s finally gearing up for his sophomore effort, leading off with the Justice League-produced “Till I Die.” It’s MGK SZN, y’all! Get into the Casey McPerry-directed vid below! (And of course – look out for a cameo by me and my cell phone in the BTS at the end because duh.)
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