Henny, Weed, Silver Sufer, The Sonic, Harlem, Dope Beat = Prolific Shizz. Max B & Charles Hamilton did their first record together. Look for it to hit the net soon!

 BONUS -- Charles Hamilton & Max B -- North Pole

 Sean Michael Maurice Taylor was an American football free safety who played for the NFL’s Washington Redskins franchise. Collegiately he played for the University of Miami, where he helped lead the Hurricanes to a national championship in 2001. Due to his ferocious style of hitting, several of his pro teammates nicknamed him “Meast,” a reference to “half man, half beast.” Among his many football accomplishments, Taylor was widely considered one of the hardest hitting defensive secondary players in the NFL.

Taylor was murdered on November 27, 2007, at the age of 24, dying from critical injuries from gunshots by intruders at his Miami area home on November 26, 2007. His death led to an outpouring of national support and sympathy, especially in the Washington D.C. area where Taylor was a fan favorite as a Redskin. In honor of Taylor’s passing one year ago, I caught up with DC rapper Wale,  he discusses the moment he heard the news, the love, and the man Sean Taylor was.

I was in South Beach, Miami this weekend and met up with Young Money artist Mack Maine. Mack is a 20 enough (as he would like to call it) year old rapper, from the Hollygrove area of New Orleans. Mack who is now  being pushed to the forefront by his Young Money Ent Label. With a feature on the first single on Lil Wayne’s album titled “Got Money”, with a much anticipated  mixtape dropping next week titled “This is Just a mixtape” hosted by DJ Cannon he is sure to be a 09 favorite. Mack says “people gonna ask why this aint on your album.” His first solo LP  titled “Timeless Music” which is slated for a feb 09 release thru Young Money/Soothe Your Soul records. Mack who also manages Wayne, helps run Young Money Ent Label and just launched his own label “soothe your Soul Records”. Mack briefly spoke about his relationship with Lil Wayne saying “We don’t look at each other as friends, we brothers, We’ve known each other since we were 6 yrs old, same hood, we family”…Till the tape drops, if you haven’t Familiarized yourself with Mack Mizzy, get familiar and check out the recent joints he’s featured on below. “Young Maine for President, I’d probably paint the white house black if it was my residents…”- Mack Mizzy

Download:

‘Lil wayne ft Mack Maine, Willie the Kid, & La the Da Darkman – Da Art of Storytellin’ 4 freestyle

Alchemist ft. Mack Maine – My Money Is My Bitch

 Charles Hamilton celebrated his 21st birthday Monday in LES, and I stopped by to check the scene. I got there pretty much when it was over, and Mr. Hamilton was drunk as a skunk on the mic thanking all his friends for coming..fast forward to two days later. I meet up with Charles and his manager Patrick at Fredrick Douglass Academy in Harlem. To my surprise the school is equipped with a very nice studio and office. Charles discuses the basics from his style, to his music, artist he would love to work with, and the reason pink is his color of choice.  After the interview was over, Charles & I took a walk in Harlem. He opened up about past relationships, his admiration and respect for a certain pop singer and the transition from being homeless and washing his face with stolen soap from Duane Reade to now gracing the cover of XXL mag.

I usually don’t relate well to up incoming rappers who rebel against the norm(usually turns out to be a gimmick), but with Charles it’s different. His voice, views and outlook on life is a bit of fresh air, very genuine. He has created his own lane through his music diversity that really hasn’t been seen in the last few years. Charles has been compared to the “hipset” often, but what people fall to realize is nothing about him screams “look at me I want to be a trendsetter”. He comes from Harlem, the place where you wear what you want and say what you want and your admired and respected for it. Whether it be right or wrong, it’s just a known fact. In our little “journey” thru Harlem, I realized this is one rapper who is thinking outside the box, and seeing things thru his third eye. He has been through so many difficult situations and regardless of any outcome he continues to make good music. I gained so much more respect and understand the man behind the headphones. Make sure you check out his blog Charles Hamilton Blog..

                      Continue for Video Interviews…

I was “graced” (I use that term loosely) to meet up with Ace Hood as he was in New York on his heavy promo run for his new album “Gutta” in stores Nov 18th. Ace in less than a minute tells you what the rundown on his new album and what to expect. I told myself I wouldn’t write my opinion on certain rappers, but this time I am (sorry Mari)…to sum up my frustration and not seem like a “hater“.. Ace Hood cheated, he came thru the back door in this rap game and the nerve of Def Jam to think he is 4th quarter worthy..with that said Ace hood in less than a minute.. 

What happens when you have a late night in Harlem, add in some random chinese spot, the hood stoop and my harlem brother The Silver Surfer? A funny night..Max & I “attempt” to talk what’s “Wavy & UnWavy” from woman, clothes, and etc….

Jadakiss Ft. Max B -- When I Grow Up