The Urban Feed

THE DOSE: HUEY

Huey speaks out about his upcoming album Redemption, his takes on hip-hop, and upcoming
projects in an exclusive Urban Feed interview.

Ke’Andrea “Kiki” Ayers
Editor-In-Chief
The Urban Feed

The St. Louis native had everyone “Pop, Lock and Droppin,” when his hit single was released from his debut album titled Notebook Paper in 2007. Huey is back and this time with another hit single, “Smile & Wave” featuring Dorrough. His sophomore album titled “Redemption” will be released in stores and online everywhere
September 14, just two days after his 22nd Birthday. The Urban Feed caught up with Huey today to discuss his upcoming album and the situation he was going through while out of the music game for the last couple of years. This is what he had to say:

How did you get your start in music?

Basically I was into music as a child. It started in church. My momma raised us at the church house. I started playing the drums and keyboard here and there. My momma bought me a keyboard when I was 14 years old. After I got that key board I started making beats and from there, started rapping to those beats. Five years later I ended up being signed to a major label.

How did you come up with the name Huey?

My last name is Huey and I was the baby boy of the family so I was baby Huey.

How was it like growing up in the music scene in St. Louis Missouri?

It was hard. Everyone was trying to make it. The next man coming up might be the next man trying to knock you. Mainly, in St. Louis if you want to try to come up and be successful you have to surround yourself around hotter people and stay a way from a negative environment or else you’ll get off track because you’ll get off track by the haters and the critics.

Your debut album Notebook Paper dropped in 2007. Why did it take you so long for you to record your sophomore album?

I was steadily according for one but the main reasons why that break even occurred is because of the simple fact that I had to get myself out of that last situation. I said one in my family that handled my team so I had to get out of his committee and get into a new situation and now that I am, I’m out here again right now. Other than that I spent time with my daughter, finished recording. I had interviews and shows here and there. I always try to make myself stay relevant as possible.

How did the collaboration for your first single “Smile and Wave” with Dorrough come about?

It started from twitter. Me and Dorrough were following each other on twitter and we ended up on the road together. We emailed each other the track and when he sent his verse we put it together. The song goes out to the haters. Instead of us being from the hood and acting in a negative way lets kill them with kindness and Smile and Wave.

What’s the meaning behind the title of your sophomore album redemption?

I feel like I let my fans down. There were die hard fans for Huey and I need to redeem myself. That has something to do with myself to. There’s a lot of people that look at me as a dance record type artist and I’m not. There’s more to Huey than “Pop, Lock & Drop It.” The world was so focused on that so they never really got a chance to know that or to know who Huey is. I have to redeem myself to a lot of people.

Your dropping your sophomore album around the same time as your 22nd Birthday. Was that planned?

Yes, my birthday is on the 12th of September and my album drops September 16th. Everyone go out and get the album. Follow me on twitter @Huey314 and add me on skype at HueyOmg. We have fun on skype and I definitely respond to twitter messages.

What would you say the hardest part about being a rapper is?

I would say the hardest part about being a rapper for real is staying humble. All of this hype can get to your head, change you and who you are. You can turn into someone you never planned on turing into. The hardest thing is to stay humble, stay focused and remember where you came from. Another hard thing is trying to be that one hit wonder and trying not to let the label put you in a position that you think is good when the whole time it’s bad. That’s very hard especially your first time around. I had to go through that myself but you live and you learn.

Who are some artist that inspired you?

From Wayne to Eminem, to Juelz Santana to Jeezy to Plies. Any artist that is out here doing their thing have all helped me when it comes down to hip-hop. You have to keep up with the industry. You can’t make the industry keep up with you.

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Chi-Town native Glen Jones aka G-Money aka the 7th Ledda is definitely “Moving His Way Up.” The soon to be Howard University Alum recently shot the music video for his new single. Check it out first on the Urban Feed.

Song Title: Moving My Way Up
Artist: Glen Jones
Twitter: Follow him @gmoneymusik

Rate Video and Song by leaving a comment!

Popularity: 1% [?]

THE DOSE: RHYMEFEST
“Rhymefest speaks about EL Che, Hip-Hop and upcoming
projects in an exclusive T.U.F interview.”

Ke’Andrea “Kiki” Ayers
Editor-In-Chief
The Urban Feed

Since the release of his 2006 album Blue Collar, rap artist Rhymefest has come a long way and is back with the release of his “brand new” album “EL Che.” The Chi Town native earned himself the title as the Goodwill Hip-Hop Ambassador in 2006 when he met with David Cameron, The United Kingdom’s Parliamentary Leader of the Opposition to discuss the issue of violent lyrics in rap music. Rhymefest released the hit song “brand new” in 2006 which featured Kanye West and co wrote Kanye’s Grammy award winning song “Jesus Walks”. The Urban Feed recently caught up with Rhymefest to discuss his perspective on hip-hop, music and life. This is what he had to say:

TUF: Why should people go out and buy this album?
Rhymefest: Because it’s for people that have an independent mindset. Who cares what someone says about me.

TUF: Why do believe this album is important for the history of hip-hop?
Rhymefest: I don’t know that this album is important for the history of hip-hop. I think there is a difference between a dope album and a hot album. A dope album is forever and hot one cools off. My album is a dope album.

TUF: What buzz have you been getting off your mix-tape?
Rhymefest: I’ve been getting a lot of good feedback. I want some more criticism because criticism is a way to grow and get better.

TUF: Do you believe there is still a future for hip-hop?
Rhymefest: It depends on what you’re talking about. Hip-hop as I know it is dead. What I grew up listening to doesn’t exist anymore. Even if I sell 10,000 records that doesn’t matter. There was a day where public enemy sold 2 million records. That day is dead we need to focus on what’s born from it.

TUF: With that said what do you believe the biggest problem with hip-hop now of days is?
Rhymefest: The biggest problem with black music in general is the ignorance factor. Everyone wants to make songs based around alcohol, drugs or sex. You se that with songs like “Blame It On The Alcohol” or “Say Ahh.” Artists perceive that the only way they can be successful is to coon out. We have to think of things as black artist that other artist have to think about. We have to be conscious.

TUF: What separates Rhymefest from other artist?
Rhymefest: Fearlessness. I don’t care about repercussions or about what people think. I don’t care if people buy my albums. I’m going to say what I want to say because I want to say it.

TUF: Is there anything else that you want to say that you want the public to know?
Rhymefest: June 8th El Che is dropping. I encourage everyone who is independent minded to go out and buy the album.

Make sure to check Rhymfest’s new video for Talk My Shit below. The single is featured off his new album El Che which was released in stores and online June 8.

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DEAL OR NO DEAL, Wiz Khalifa is definitely one to watch in 2010! Debuting at #1 on the i-Tunes Hip Hop Chart with his latest release “Deal or No Deal,” and “Say Yeah,” Wiz Khalifa is sure to put Pittsburgh, PA on the map. Check out the latest video from Wiz Khalifa for “This Plane.” #ArtistAdvice : BLOW UP IN YOUR MARKET first, Wiz Khalifa is living proof. Also check out the special feature below.

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Melanie Fiona Interview- THE URBAN FEED/ THEURBANFEEDMAG.com from The Urban Feed on Vimeo.

In this exclusive interview, The Urban Feed TV exec. Kiki Ayers recently caught up with RocNation/Universal Motown artist also The Urban Feed’s Next Up Artist Melanie Fiona. From going on tour with Alicia Keys to acting out in her video for “It Kills Me,” Melanie talks one-on-one with The Urban Feed. Check out more of Melanie Fiona on The Urban Feed at theurbanfeedmag.com , also follow us on twitter at twitter.com/theurbanfeed . The Urban Feed…not the average.

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They say junk food is not good for you, however, in this case its quality, innovative, and inspires with three fingers to the sun, two feet on the ground, and two eyes on the money. Rapper/Producer Neako gives his views in this short clip for in support of his new mixtape “Junk Food” hosted by 2DopeBoyz.com and World Team Olympics Inc. Download the mixtape here, and peep more of Junk Food in the trailer below. For more on Neako, click here.

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Krump, Clown, Break it On Down
WORDS: Robyn Gemelle
The Urban Feed
TUF’s Robyn gets to do more than krump with Raw Tribe.

Dancing has always been one of the key elements of hip hop and urban culture since the early 70’s. From break dancing to pop lockin’, dancing has always taken the lead right next to MC’ing in hip hop culture. Hip hop dancing can be seen in music videos from chart topping artists ranging from Keri Hilson to Diddy and even Britney Spears but it wasn’t until 2004 when the world was introduced to a new style of hip hop dance: krumping.

The 2004 David LaChapelle documentary, RIZE, told the story of a group of inner city youth in Los Angeles, California who expressed themselves in an aggressive form of dance that helped keep them off the streets and create family bonds that a lot of these kids didn’t have in their homes. This powerful film and even more powerful art form of dance took over the hip hop world. Krumping was featured in many videos of artists such as Missy Elliot, Chris Brown, Madonna and Ciara. But as the ever ending changes of this fast paced industry changes and trends fade, Krumping could possibly be just another trend just as the “Harlem Shake” and the “1, 2 Step” once were. Could krump dancing be just another fad that’s here today and gone tomorrow with the emergence of the new “jerkin” movement?

Danny Rannles Jr., 20, is determined to keep the dancing that he loves alive and still current. With the revamped style now known as Buck dancing, he is out to prove that his art is not just a trend that is going to pass with the season but something that will remain current in not only the Los Angeles culture but in the world of hip hop dance. Inspired by such artists as Michael Jackson and Usher and coached by his father, Rannles began his dancing career seven years ago and hasn’t stopped since. Dancing with a group called the Lunatics, Rannles earned his first dance name, Lil Diezel. Although he took pride in this, he grew tired of being under other dancers and was ready to become a leader. Donning the new dance name, Big Reck, he gathered some other dancers going down the same path and the formed the group Raw Tribe. “The Raw in Raw Tribe is an acronym for Real Ampness Worldwide and the Amp means All Mighty Prayer because Krumping and buck dancing came from Praise dancing in the church.” Rannles wanted to create a group where all the members were equal leaders who would be positive influences on kids in the community. “The purpose of the group is to not just dance but to keep kids out of trouble and get them into doing something positive instead of doing bad things.” With twenty seven current members in Palmdale, California, a group in Washington state, and a group starting in Ohio, Rannles plans to make Raw Tribe a big deal.

Although Krumping has been around for a while, people still can’t help but think that it is still violent and is another way for youth to fall into gang activity. Rannles responds “I think it’s pitiful and ridiculous because it’s nowhere near true because if that was the case we would all have guns and there will be violence and there’s not even violence because you’re not even allowed to touch each other. We’re just expressing ourselves.” When asked if he felt that krump dancing will survive in mainstream America Rannles responded: “Krump has evolved into something else. You see krump dancers in everything and you might not even know that’s a krump dancer but it really is and people are doing krump moves and they don’t even know it.” He plans to make sure that krump stays alive.

Besides being a talented dancer and a very motivated young man, Rannles also has another talent that he would like to release to the world. He is also an aspiring rapper. Going by the name of Young Snap, Rannles began rapping two years ago because of his love of music. Balancing two different personas, Big Reck the dancer and Young Snap the rap artist, doesn’t appear to be a challenge for the very determined young man. “When I’m dancing I’m focused on dancing and when I’m rapping I’m thinking about rapping so I can balance both. I want to do both. Rannles sees himself as a very successful dancer and musical artist and bringing his group, Raw Tribe to the top. Krumping is not dead; not if Danny Rannles has anything to do with it.

You can find more of Rannles music by visiting here. In the mean time check out the Raw Tribe Meeting below…

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THE DOSE: JUELZ SANTANA
“Juelz Santana announces his 2010
projects in an exclusive T.U.F interview.”

Ke’Andrea “Kiki” Ayers
Editor-In-Chief
The Urban Feed

After being introduced to rap-star Cameron through a group he started at the age of fifteen by the name of “Draft Pick,” the self-proclaimed American rap-star and Harlem native Juelz Santana stepped into the rap scene to make up for “What the Game’s Been Missing.” Mr. “Dipset” himself immediately broke into the game as he made appearances on Cameron’s hit singles “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma.” Juelz released his debut album through Def Jam Recordings and in 2005 he released his following album “What the Game’s Been Missing,” which featured his hit single “There It Go (The Whistle Song).” Since the release of his sophomore album Juelz has collaborated with many artists on songs including Chris Brown, The Dream and Jeremih. In 2008 Juelz participated in the BET Rap Cypher with Ace Hood, Fabolous and Jadakiss. Last week The Urban Feed recently caught up with Juelz Santana while he was in the studio working and this is what he had to say:

KA: How do you think hip-hop has changed since you first started rapping?
Juelz: How I think hip-hop has changed since I first started rapping is that there are a lot more people doing it. There are still a lot of true artist but not as many true artists. I think a lot a people get in the studio make beats, think of a cool hook and something catchy. There’s a lot of followers and following going on. The Internet is definitely a change on another note because it’s a positive and negative. It can help you with promotion. You gotta take the good with the bad and work around the game to make the system work for you.

KA: What’s your reaction when you hear hip-hop is dead?
Juelz: I think people been wanting to kill hip-hop for a long time. I don’t know what group of people that is but hip-hop will never be dead. I think hip-hop is actually getting back to a point where it’s getting more lyrical. I think it’s changing back around where it’s getting better again. As long as there’s music there will be hip-hop. If hip-hop is not the number one, then it’s definitely the number two genre of music. You can never say hip-hop is dead or hip-hop is going anywhere. I definitely think that is an untrue statement.

KA: How has hip-hop influenced your life?
Juelz: Hip-hop has influenced my life majorly. Coming up it was something that I adapted to, grasped onto and held on to and just as much as it has influenced my life it has also changed my life in the simple fact that I have been successful. I’ve accomplished things and live in situations that are much better. Besides that, it’s changed my life a lot.

KA: Explain your experience with your participation in 2008 BET Hip-Hop awards rap cipher. You kilt’ that.
Juelz: Thank you I appreciate that. When they told me about it the first thing I asked was who is suppose to be in the rap cypher with me? They said Jadakiss and they said Fab (Fabolous) and I was like oh yea that is definitely something I would like to do and that is definitely something that would turn out hot which it did. I still to this day think our rap cypher was the best one. When I look at other cyphers I see certain individuals who kilt their ciphers. Nicki Minaj kilt her cypher, Eminem kilt’ his cypher and Mos Def but I think ours was the most consistent. It was back to back to back.

KA: Many people think your sophomore album “What the Game’s Been Missing” was one of the hottest rap albums to hit the stores. Do you feel like that album was underrated?
Juelz: Yea, I definitely feel like that album was underrated but it was my second album. Everything is a part of a build up. I’m building my brand and it’s just about people taking notice. It always takes people time to adapt and to really understand you so they can be like ‘that’s that dude right there’. I think those careers are the best careers because they are more stable then the ones when you first come out, have a hit record and just fade away.

KA: Do you feel like you are underrated as a rap artist?
Juelz: Yes definitely. I definitely feel like I’m underrated to the people who are sleeping but it doesn’t bother me. I feel like that’s motivation to wake people up and I know I will always be me and always adapt. I feel like it always takes a little longer to get something that’s so far ahead.

KA: When do you see your next album dropping?
Juelz: Late this year. The title is “Born to loose, Built to Win.” It’s gonna be a classic. That title is something major and pure like me. You gotta mess with that title cause that’s who we are at the end of the day. You can’t walk, you can’t talk, and you don’t know who your friends are so everything can get you. That’s the loosing part but you just have to build yourself up to get hit at the end of the day and the upcoming is on you.

KA: Are there any new artists specifically that you would like to collaborate with on this album?
Juelz:: Not new but I’m gonna say Eminem. He is always somebody who has been working from his first album to now and the boy goes hard.

KA: What are some major things we can expect from you in 2010?
Juelz: My mix-tape that is right around the corner. My album “Born to Lose, Built to Win” and I just did a movie with Megan Good called “Video Girl” which will be out this year so a lot of big things.

For more of Juelz Santana check out his MySpace and Twitter.

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The Best of Albums: #1
Jay-Z : The Blueprint 3

What comes to mind when you think of “Empire State of Mind?” The same answer should come to mind when you think of “Venus vs. Mars,” “A Star Is Born,” and “Run This Town.” Greatness! Well not, quite the answer, but close. The word or person we’re looking for is Jay-Z! Jay-Z whose reign in 2009 was more than enough to put most of these “online thug rappers” to shame. With a new blueprint with RocNation, a joint venture with LiveNation, Jay-Z truly went back to the drawing board, and made history. Within five weeks into the new year, Jay-Z hit #1 on The Billlboard 100 with “Empire State of Mind” featuring Alicia Keys. Also with the likes of Rihanna, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and newest signee J. Cole, Jay-Z and The Blueprint 3 were clearly the most significant in 2009. Coming in at #1 (finally) is Jay-Z with “The Blueprint 3.” In honor of the #1 spot, check out the recently controversial video “On To The Next One” featuring Swizz Beatz. Stay tuned for The Urban Feed TOP 10 of #2010.

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The Best of Albums #2
Drake – So Far Gone

Not even signed to a major label before it’s release, actor turned rapper Drake’s “So Far Gone” blew everyone away by storm. With hits such as “Best I Ever Had,” and “Succesful,” Drake scored his first ever Grammy nomination with “So Far Gone” without the album every being an official release until the mid-late 2009. We would be “So Far Gone” if we don’t feature Drake’s “So Far Gone” as #2 on The Urban Feed’s The Best Albums of 2009.

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