2/25/2010

Atlanta doesn't seem to be slowing down at all when it comes to releasing talent. One of the A's newest and critically acclaimed is Pill who's rapid-fire lyricism is showcased on the latest Def Jam Rapstar video titled, "A-Town Stay Down." All it takes is one viewing of the video to see why Pill lives up to his much deserved hype.

What was the best thing you did to build your buzz?

First of all, I made sure the music was dope. Then, I made it available for free. On top of that, I did lot of free shows. That's the best way to build a buzz. People need to see and hear you in order to get into you and your music. If you want to win, you can't be shy.

What were your thoughts when you first heard of the Def Jam Rapstar video game?

I thought it was dope that you could actually rhyme along with your favorite rappers and come up with your own lyrics as well. It's a dope concept altogether.

Which song (besides your own) do you find your self rhyming along to the most when it comes on?

Jay Z "H to the Izzo." It's a very catchy song and the beat's amazing.

Being that players will be able to upload their freestyles to the Def Jam Rapstar site, how do you see yourself using the video game to promote your own music?

Well, I pretty much got a strong team to promote my music thus far considering i'm signed to a label. I don't think I would get on there to promote my music but I will definitely be playing it! LOL, I can't wait!

Which songs that came out of Atlanta would you most like to see included in the game?

I would want to see Outkast's "Ms. Jackson" in there. The beat to that song is crazy and the lyrical attack on it is phenomenal. I'd play that one all day.

What are you working on now that people should be looking forward to?

My new mixtape "1140: The Overdose" will be out late March or early April. Be on the look out for it.

If you want to keep up with Pill, catch him on Facebook and on Twitter

2/9/2010

Atlanta's latest big buzz Donnis dropped by Def Jam Rapstar headquarters to have a quick chat after checking out an early build of the highly anticipated title. You should remember the emcee from his insane "Pay Attention Shawty" video he did promoting the DJR game. If you haven't seen it already it's nothing short of fire. Check out the ATL rap freshman's experience with Def Jam Rapstar. 

What was your inspiration for the rhyme you did for the Def Jam Rapstar video?
I was starting a new mixtape project so my brain was already working. When it came time to shoot the spot, I was ready to go in.

Was it a written verse or was it off the top?
Yeah, it was written, but off the top ain't never a problem (laughs)

What did you think when you played the demo?
Loved it! The game is hot and I don't really play videos games like that. That says a lot about it, I think people will enjoy it as much as I did. You don't have to play it all day to understand it.

How do you see yourself in promoting your music through the game?
This can help a new artist get a buzz. It's kind of like putting out a mixtape through a video game. I would use it to test out my new stuff before i go into the studio. Gamers are always blunt and they never hold back. I know i'll get the truth from them.

Do you think you're strong enough in the game to start battling?
I'm good! I already beat the workers at the company [4MM Games, LLC and Def Jam Interactive]. You have to battle before you get respect. At least that's how it was for me growing up. I guess it all the same so whether I'm battling with my rhymes or playing Def Jam Rapstar, I'm going in.

Watch Donnis' Def Jam Rapstar video right here or head over to our YouTube channel to see more DJR affiliated talent.

Make sure to check out Donnis' Diary Of an ATL Brave, available now everywhere. His new mixtape, Southern Comfort, should be out later this month or the top of March. Check out www.donnismusic.com for more or hit him up on Twitter @donnisxdonnis.

1/15/2010

 Earlier this month, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. As you probably saw all over the net and on TV, it was a huge event that has shook its once-upon-a-time stigma of being just a gathering of nerds. Stand up, we're cool now!

Companies showed off their upcoming drops spanning products from 3D televisions to touchscreen everything. One of the most shocking sights however was the lack of Hip-Hop's presence at the convention.

Sure Diddy and Dr. Dre were there to push their signature line of Monster made headphones but why is it that the Hip-Hop community is only brought into the tech equation when it's time to market products? That same community is arguably one of the largest groups that uses technology and makes it cool. Except for a few DJs at a some of the booths, there were hardly any folks representing the crowd that puts these products in videos, makes songs about them and races to be the first with the latest.0 version of the hottest device. Sadly, some of the company reps I met with didn't even know who Run DMC were! For real! 

Hip-Hop's contribution to technology goes further back than Zshare and Megaupload. Remember those two-way pagers? Yup, I'm talking about the fat, silver Motorola P-935 joints that everyone had. Not only were these a wildly popular communication device in Hip-Hop but also a style accessory. Plain white tees with the front corner tucked into the holster…Classic! It was also the Hip-Hop community that started blinging them out with rhinestones before Hollywood. Super producer Just Blaze was one of the first to re-create popular songs into ringtones using the vibration function as bass.

Even on a gaming level, the most successful Hip-Hop related games were the Def Jam fighters and what else, GTA: San Andreas? Mark Ecko's Getting Up game was cool but throwing up graff pieces all day was not for everybody (at least not for me, I'd rather just look at good work). Parappa The Rapper doesn't count even though it was a fun game. Ha! There's so much to experience in Hip-Hop culture both creatively and technically, it's a shame that such a diverse community isn't represented in another that's just as diverse in concept. In order to bridge that gap, the tech game needs more folks from the Hip-Hop generation. Could you imagine a dance game overseen by the Jabbawokeez? I'm getting exhausted just thinking about it.

Not trying to stroke our own mics but that's one of the things that makes Def Jam Rapstar such an important creation. It's not just about spitting rhymes into a mic, it's an experience of being an emcee. You'll see what I mean soon enough.

These days we have producers using all types of hardware and software to make music and your favorite rappers writing their rhymes on Blackberrys. I'd love to hear one day that one of Eminem's homies helped in the creation of the hot new media player or that Young Money just signed a software developer. It's not like Hip-Hop isn't comfortable with or afraid of tech, we just need to not let Dr. Dre be the only face in the game. He's got enough to do.