So for the next 5 days, I will be sharing with you all 25 artists under the age of 25 that you need to know about. With the release of the Young & the Restless just around the corner, I figure now's a good time to highlight a little bit of the work some of my peers are putting in. Lets get into it...

First up...

Hometown: Boston, MA
Genre: Hip-Hop

Already a war veteran at only 19, Rey Leon, has quite a story to tell. His debut EP, "The Pledge", dropping this Spring, will offer listeners a glimpse of some of that story. The first single, "I Still Love Her" borrows the instrumental from the classic Common Sense record.



2.
Though we were both featured on George Watsky's album, and I had heard things about this artist here and there, I must admit I've been sleeping. It wasn't until just last week that I gave his album, Monster (click to download), a serious listen. I'm sure glad I did though. I'm rarely moved by an entire project but this one deserves it. Fire all the way through. Giant is a song any man who's been in a disfunctional relationship should have no trouble relating to. What you think?



Name: Blizz Cartel
Age: 22
Hometown: Roxbury, MA
Genre: Hip Hop

One of the nastiest producers in the Boston area. When it comes to fire, Blizz Cartel got more to offer than a little bit. Currently at work on his debut project, Blizz has provided beats for the likes of myself, Illiam Savant (Tres), J. Nolan, Gridlock Entertainment and many others for years. Listen to the tracks he got up on soundclick as well some of the blazing sh*t we've worked together on (Hotter, A Love, Fight Back...and a whole bunch more on this Young & The Restless. ya heard?)

4.
Check out her blog

Name: Rene Dongo
Age: 21
Hometown: Roslindale, MA
Genre: Film

Rene Dongo is the director I work exclusively with for all my joints. He did the one you see above for Rey Leon as well as countless others. I got connected to him through Sofia Snow, who you'll read about later, but when you watch this man's Demo real, pay close attention to his eye for dope visuals...


Demo Reel from Rene Dongo on Vimeo.

Join me tomorrow when I give you the next 5 to watch 4...
Holla Black!!

Hate wakin up to bad news. Guru is a hometown Hip Hop hero and will always be remembered as such. RIP.

Pen and Sword Political Pirates Blog: R.I.P. Guru Stickers

Dig: The story of the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols

If you're as fascinated with music as I am you'll be sure not to sleep on these either.

The good news is this: The mixtape is all but complete(and some of the hottest sh*t your going to hear) and we are.. ALLLLLLL THE WAY TURNT UP!! I'm listenin to the music on the radio out there. The beats is crazy but the content lacks substance so I had to fill in the blank. The All the Way Turnt Up Freestyle (Remake of "All the Way Turned Up" by Travis Porter, Roscoe Dash and YT featuring Soulja Boy) is the newest release off the upcoming mixtape "The Young & The Restless," set to drop in May. 



Holla Black!!
#Dontgetwrecked

..I shouldn't leave you, without some strong blogs to read through. I know I keep saying I'ma get better at keeping this updated but it doesn't seem to have worked thus far. With a million and one things currently on my plate its been difficult but I haven't forgotten the many loyal readers who frequent this blog.

Its been utter chaos the past couple weeks and I have some good and also some very unfortunate news. Beginning with the bad news I am saddened to share that yet another young black male was shot and killed by Boston Police last weekend. 19 year old Manuel DaVeiga was at a memorial for his friend who was recently killed before police chased and eventually shot and killed him, making him the 17th victim of Boston Police gunfire since 1995. My thoughts and prayers go out to his friends and family, as well as the entire city of Boston as we gear up for what we all hope to be a peaceful Summer.

For updates on the situation check the Blackstonian and VOL.

It aint stopped rainnin in Boston all weekend but that didn't stop us from another successful Young Gifted and Black showcase. YGB is a family of young conscious artists out of the Bean getting it in with everything from Hip-Hop to spoken word. This past Saturday was our 7th bi-annual showcase and as always, every artist did their thing and shut sh*t down. This time around, myself and the beautiful Ashley Rose got the privelage of hosting the joint but I still rocked a couple joints in between, including this brand new joint off the Young and the Restless entitled... what else?? "Restless"

Rapper Guru, who rose to fame with pioneering group Gang Starr and later released a series of successful solo albums under the "Jazzmatazz" banner, is in a coma after suffering a heart attack and will undergo surgery today (Mar. 1), according to a Sirius radio interview with his former partner in Gang Starr, DJ Premier.

Guru, whose real name is Keith Elam, has kept a low profile of late. The 43-year-old artist released a solo album, "Lost and Found," in May 2009, which ended a two-year break following his fourth Jazzmatazz album, "The Hip-Hop Jazz Messenger: Back to the Future."

Gang Starr never officially broke up but hasn't been active in more than five years. Its last album was 2003's "Ownerz."


- Billboard.com

Did not know Hov did a video for Forever Young. Shit is hot though.



The Black and white is workin for him...he must've seen how dope Fight Back came out.
Also sidenote: my video for A Love will be premiering online on Valentine's Day which is less than a week away now. Stay Tuned.

This weekend, myself, Rene, Blizz, my homey Diego, and the lovely Amanda T wrapped up filming the video for A Love, off the Young and the Restless mixtape. Despite the cold, we banged everything out and I can't wait to see the final product. We will debut via youtube on Valentine's Day.



This will be something a little different compared to the videos for Street Soldiers and Fight Back.. It might not be as heavy on the political content as usual but don't get it twisted... This aint the Common[Sense] switchitup. You know what it is...