SPOTLIGHT: PACE WON & MR. GREEN

This week's spotlight artist is a dynamic duo in the tradition of the classic hip hop combo of (1) DJ and (1) Emcee- PACE WON & MR. GREEN. In the essence of ‘Eric B. and Rakim’ and ‘Gangstarr.’ they define their style as classical hardcore Hip Hop. Mr. Green’s heart pounding beats blend perfectly with Pace’s gravelly yet smooth flow creating a flawless result. Within days of dropping their first single, they were already in the radio rotation of many profound DJ’s such as DJ Premier, DJ Eclipse and DJ Tony Touch. Their song ’Children Sing’ is considered to be an underground classic. With a dynamic live show that involves includes both improvisation as well as crowd participation they are true performers. The debut album THE ONLY COLOR THAT MATTERS IS GREEN will drop this Spring. Pace Won should not be unfamiliar to fans of Hip Hop. Pace Won is a member of one of New Jersey's illest crews THE OUTSIDAZ and made his debut on The Fugees classic, THE SCORE. He followed his debut with appearances on Rah Digga's DIRTY HARRIET and Redman's MALPRACTICE albums along with a couple of independent releases WON and TELEPATHY. Mr. Green is a self-taught, hip hop composer who has a straight forward approach to his production. Originally a DJ, Mr. Green's first official production credit came at the end of 2006 on C Rayz Walz album "The Dropping". The song "Childhood" featured Matisyahu, the platinum Jewish Reggae sensation and Kosha Dillz. Mr. Green has also produced for our first SPOTLIGHT featured artist CYMARSHALL LAW. Check 'em out and let them know what you think!

VIDEO: Raekwon the Chef & Wu-Tang Live Performance with El Michels Affair

TRUTH AND SOUL RECORDS' El Michels affair served as the backing band for Raekwon and Wu-Tang at a performance at NYC's Canal Room earlier this month. The band tore through WU classics such as "C.R.E.A.M.", "Criminology" and "Bring Da Ruckus". Check out the vids below-

Raekwon & El Michels Affair "C.R.E.A.M."


Wu Tang & El Michels Affair -"Bring Da Ruckus"


Raekwon & El Michels Affair - "Criminology"

Renowned Halftime Show on WNYU to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary on March 5th

DJ's Eclipse and Skizz, hosts of one of the longest running and most respected hip-hop radio shows, The Halftime Show, will celebrate the show's 10 year anniversary at the WNYU studios on Wednesday, March 5th. Joining them in the studio for live performances will be dozens of A-list celebrities and guests. The show will air during its regularly scheduled time slot, which is every Wednesday from 10:30pm -1am on 89.1 FM and on the web at www.WNYU.org.

The Halftime Show's anniversary shows have become highly memorable events that evoke nostalgia for hip-hop radio from days of past, and anticipation of the high profile guests that will join in the celebration. Every year Eclipse and Skizz invite the best producers to create live beats over which an A-list roster of emcees rhyme. This year, world-renowned producers Premier, Pete Rock, and Alchemist will be the guest producers. The list of guest emcees includes A.G., Boot Camp Clik, Big Noyd, Masta Ace, Reef The Lost Cauze plus 25+ more surprise guests. This anniversary show is not to be missed - it will be history in the making.

The Halftime Show has long been heralded as a favorite of music lovers everywhere for its incredible guests, in-depth interviews, outstanding playlists, and classic freestyle sessions. Acts such as Eminem, Kanye West and 50 Cent all count their guest appearances on The Halftime Show as a major stepping stone on the road to their worldwide success. In an era where commercial radio turns many listeners off, college radio remains one of the last remaining salvations for good music and WNYU is no exception. The Halftime Show, which started in March of 1998, brings a much-needed balance to hip-hop radio by playing the best of independent, up-and-coming, major, and vintage hip-hop music.

Hip Hop fans everywhere can tune into the 10th anniversary show on Wednesday, March 5th from 10:30pm-1am on 89.1 FM or at www.wnyu.org or through itunes>radio>eclectic>WNYU. Fans can contact the hosts directly via AOL IM (screename: wnyuradio), phone (212.998.1818) or via email: halftime@wnyu.org. DJ's Eclipse and Skizz will be giving away prizes throughout the show.

MySpace pages:
http://www.myspace.com/TheHalftimeShowAnniversary
http://www.myspace.com/halftime
http://www.myspace.com/itsdjeclipse
http://www.myspace.com/itsdjeclipse

WNYU Halftime Show Archives:
http://wnyu.org/archives

GODHEAD THE GENERAL: The Presidential Tour

One of our favorite guests on THE ZRO HOUR, GODHEAD THE GENERAL, is embarking on his 2008 Presidential tour to promote 2 releases- INTRODUCING...THE MIXTAPE and BEHOLD THE TYRANT. Godhead sets it off in Washington, D.C. tonight and continues on to several dates in March in the NYC area. More dates to follow. Hit him at the above link for more info..

DUCK DOWN VS STONES THROW SOUND CLASH AT 2008'S SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST MUSIC CONFERENCE (SXSW

Thank you to MAC Media for this:

On March 12th at this year's SXSW Music Conference, two of the most highly respected Independent Labels will join forces for a legendary showcase, sponsored by V Tech phones.

The Duck Down VS Stones Throw Sound Clash will feature:
*Sean Price (Duck Down)
*Buckshot, of Black Moon (Duck Down)
*Kidz In The Hall (Duck Down)
*DJ Mister Nash (Duck Down)
*Guilty Simpson (Stones Throw)
*Percee P (Stones Throw)
*DJ Rhettmatic (Stones Throw)

The Sound Clash is taking place at the premier venue in Austin, TX, "The Habana Annex," formerly the Fader House.

Buckshot, co-owner of Duck Down Records, had this to say about the historic event: "We are excited to partner up with Stones Throw Records to present the Soundclash. Stones Throw and Duck Down are both highly respected brands in the Independent rap game and we understand that there is power in numbers. On March 12th we'll be providing a free show to the public and it's a way to give back to the rap community who continues to support our movements and our projects.

Both labels are currently prepping new albums from:
9th Wonder & Buckshot, "The Formula" in stores April 15th (Duck Down)
Kidz In the Hall "The In Crowd" in stores April 29th (Duck Down)
Guilty Simpson "Ode To The Ghetto" in stores March 25th (Stones Throw)

For more information on this event and others please log onto:
www.duckdown.com
www.stonesthrow.com

Where Has The Romance Gone? PART III

Drea is on a roll! Read on as she continues her topic on the absence of real romance in R&B music..

I want to take this time to personally thank everyone who has sent me messages and posted comments about the articles I've written here. Just to clear the air up a bit, I am not nor do I claim to be a music expert. I am just a consumer who has a passion for great music of just about all types. Now with that being said, I've been asked to speak about one artist who I purposely left out of my crooners article. So ladies, here you go..

Usher Raymond was introduced to me (not personally of course) in 1994. "Can You Get With It" was the video and I remember that Devante (Jodeci) was driving a car with Usher riding on the hood wearing a Lakers Jersey. He proved himself to be one who demanded your attention and would not stop until he did. He managed to venture out into different avenues. He has done acting (television, movies, and Broadway) and has his own fragrance which shows that he is not limiting himself to just one particular thing. He's not afraid to challenge himself, and with the success of "Confessions" that showed me he knows how to market himself well. Now with that said, I don't consider him a crooner. Yes he has proven himself to be an excellent singer but in my opinion, Usher is more of an entertainer. He is more known for is his dancing than anything else. If you were to go to see Brian McKnight in concert, you expect to see him play his musical instruments and hear him sing. Nothing else. Usher on the other hand, you expect to hear him sing but you anticipate him to show off his dancing skills and with any luck, he will take off his shirt so you watch his chest glisten. With a true crooner, the only thing that sells you is your voice. Most of Usher's music is made for you to jam to. Yes he has his ballads to show his more sensitive side but for the most part, you are getting your workout on listening to him.

-DREA

**Check parts ONE and TWO for earlier posts**