Quirky rapper Hopsin loses faith but soldiers on for the hell of it
“I just don’t care no more,” says 30-year old rapper Hopsin, explaining the impetus for the provocative, God-doubting track “Ill Mind of Hopsin 7” off his new album, Pound Syndrome. “As I get older, I get more mature. I see life from a different perspective and it’s just like, ‘Why not?'”
In the video, he wanders a parched desert while intoning equally bereft and searching lyrics.
“Is this where I belong? Is it wrong to not believe in right and wrong,” he asks, before ultimately turning his back on the Christian faith he fervently embraced all too recently. “My gut feeling says it’s all fake … I’ll be damned if I put my own pleasures aside for an afterlife that isn’t even guaranteed.”
God and rap have never been close. (Maybe it was that phase when it kept saying it was gonna bust a cap in someone’s ass.) That hardly inhibits Hopsin. From his clothes and white contacts to his musical choices, he’s always charted his own path.
“‘Ill Mind 7’ is a gospel record in a way, but it doesn’t feel like gospel because it’s done in my way,” he says, still weighing his blasphemy. “God is maybe a thing kids never heard a rapper even mention, other than saying ‘ohmigod,’ so at least I put the thought in their minds.”
The song’s the product of a spiritual crisis the author of gold-selling singles “Sag Your Pants” and “Ill Mind of Hopsin 5” has grappled with the past year. The Los Angeles-based performer even went so far as to announce he was going to quit rap in December before backing away from that decision this year.
It follows an incident in late January 2014 when a disillusioned Hopsin walked out the back door of the venue without performing, spending the show sitting at a construction site. He recounts the event on Pound Syndrome track “Fort Collins,” featuring his friend and label/tour-mate Dizzy Wright.
Wright convinced Hopsin to stick with it.
“It took a lot of time to get what I have, so many years, and he just didn’t want to see all that work go to waste,” Hopsin recalls. “He just made me see it from a different perspective. So everybody had made an album for 2015, so I just decided to make another one as well. I didn’t want to be the weakest link on the label.”
The main issue seems to be one of disgust for his peers and what radio endorses.
“It’s just that the mainstream world is very sided towards bullshit music,” he says, citing the Auto-Tune boom. “If it was me with my control over it, I would just be, ‘I don’t care, if this guy can’t rap, he will not be played’ … because that would keep rap alive. If Dr. Dre worked at a radio station, I can’t see this bullshit getting through.”
Hopsin has taken time during this past year to heal himself and balance the work/life demands that amplified his frustrations. He’s trying to compartmentalize his life to keep it away from the backdraft of this Hopsin character he’s created. Wearing that mask for weeks at a time can be exhausting.
“It’s equivalent to a male doing a porno scene and you have to do a scene that day where you fuck 20 women. You bone hard the first two or three women, then it’s like 17 more women coming through, better keep that boner up,” Hopsin laughs. “It’s like, ‘Ohmigod, it’s starting to hurt. Can I stop please?'”
It’s sort of Hopsin’s personal take on “No Sleep Till Brooklyn.”
DJ Paul KOM “You Know Where I’m Goin” [Official Video] #MasterOfEvil
DJ Paul presents the official visual for “You Know Where I’m Goin” from the #MasterOfEvil album.
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Boondox: Staying Independent, History with Twiztid, Musical Roots, Turncoat Dirty & More
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CES Cru – Letterman – Official Music Video
CES Cru “Letterman”
iTunes – http://apple.co/1LDzOnV
Official Hip Hop Music Video | Strange Music
Recession Proof | 10.30.2015
CES Cru “Letterman” taken from the
EP, Recession Proof, in stores 10.30.2015
CES Cru’s newest EP, ‘Recession Proof’
is now available for preorder at strangemusicinc.net!
Your preorder comes with a signed copy, along
with a Strange Music decal!
Preorder here – http://bit.ly/1jMsmMl
Preorder on iTunes – http://apple.co/1LDzOnV
Hear music from the EP:
Ricochet – https://youtu.be/39ZCTAjBUV8
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Neurotic November Bassist Says Juggalos Are “Misunderstood”
Neurotic November have played many a show for juggalos—the maligned breed of fans spawned in the wake of Insane Clown Posse and their associated artists—thanks to touring alongside Twiztid and a slot on this year’s ‘Gathering Of The Juggalos‘. When asked recently by Newnoisemagazine.com how she felt about her band being accepted by them, the group’s bassist Bear offered:
“The Juggalos are probably the most underrated, misunderstood music lovers around the world. They kept an open mind when they saw a band setting up and gave us nothing but love. Touring with Twiztid was one of the most humbling experiences. They give back to the “Family”—there are no fans. They appreciate each and every one of the people who come to hang out, and even have a “signature handshake” where they bow to the audience at the end of every show. That’s not something you see every day.
Now, imagine the biggest family reunion you can think of [with] live music, carnival rides, games, food—that’s what being at the Gathering of the Juggalos was like. People brought their tents, dirt bikes, megaphones, water guns, families, and pets to the festival. If someone needed help, you helped them. More than one time, coolers on wagons tipped over and without hesitation, people rushed over to help them pick everything up. “Help the homies out, let’s go.” They feel that sense of family and unity. The humanity was strong. People would offer beverages and goodies to people they have never met before, just because, “We’re family!”
At the Gathering, there are no “rock stars.” No one is too good to go out onto the campgrounds and hang out with everyone. The Juggalos aren’t fangirls. They don’t rush artists. They settle for fist bumps and high fives; they genuinely appreciate the music and the artist. We’re incredibly thankful to Twiztid and their crew for inviting us to play the Gathering this year, and experience firsthand the magic in the air when people come together for a purpose.”
Drunk Girl on a Hoverboard + Wyld Bill’s Dumb vs. Stupid?! [Vlog]
DJ Paul KOM runs into some funny characters in Tampa while on tour with ICP… like the cute drunk girl trying to ride a hoverboard for the first time (ouch!). Would you do shots with Wyld Bill The Shot Man or naw?
Visit http://DJPaulKOM.tv and follow DJ Paul http://Twitter.com/DJPaulKOM http://Instagram.com/DJPaulKOM andhttp://Facebook.com/DJPaulKOMofficial
Filmed by GFXKID
Kutt Calhoun – On My Own (I Got You) Ft. Demond Jo
Kutt Calhoun “On My Own” Featuring Demond Jones
Official Music Video
On My Own (I Got You) on iTunes – http://apple.co/1LVQgSe
‘Kuttin Loose’ EP in stores and online
‘Kuttin Loose’ EP also avaliable on: http://www.KCWAAVYSTORE.com
or on iTunes – http://apple.co/1JIFn2p
Produced by The Jokerr
Kutt Calhoun on Twitter – https://twitter.com/thenewkuttycal
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Video Produced by: Mike Savage
Directed by: Chantal “Shorty” Savage
Cinematography: Chris Commons
Edited by: Jordon Rioux
VISION DIGITAL CINEMA
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Mike@VisionDigitalCinema
A Faygo Tsunami Swept San Antonio: Insane Clown Posse at Alamo City Music Hall
“Fuckin’ magnets, how do they work?” For those who only know Insane Clown Posse for “Miracles,” the now internet-infamous, meme-generating music video, there’s a lot more to Detroit’s horrocore hip-hop group made up of Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.
[Slideshow: 24 Photos of Insane Clown Posse at Alamo City Music Hall]
Violent J, who resembles Food Network’s Guy Fieri, even down to the frosted tips, and Shaggy 2 Dope were professional wrestlers turned rappers. Like fellow grease-paint rockers KISS, who’ve created their own empire that includes toys, movies and even their own Restaurant, ICP’s own brand called Hatchetgear — carried in every Hot Topic and Spencer’s — movies (Big Money Hustlas and Big Money Rustlas) and a pro wrestling promotion proves that music can branch out into being a multi-million dollar industry. Fourteen albums in, ICP is more than music to their devoted “down with the clown” fanbase, called Juggalos and Juggalettes, so much that they established their own mythology called the Dark Carnival and the Gathering of the Juggalo, a multi-day festival devoted to all things in the Psychopathic Records family.
When the Insane Clown Posse came on stage, it was like the psych ward just broke loose. The energy was completely unhinged. It was like a family reunion, with Juggalos rapping along, knowing every word, cherishing every song. Joining ICP on stage were clowns closely resembling the ones from the classic ’80s film Killer Klowns From Outer Space, either waving flags with the hatchet man printed on it to dousing the audience with Faygo. It was like a Faygo tsunami hit. Gallons upon gallons from liter bottles of the soft drink ranging from every classic soda pop flavor were sprayed at the audience like a golden Faygo shower consistently throughout the night. Liter bottles become giant buckets towards the end of the show, leaving everyone hot, sweet, sweaty and sticky from the Faygo bloodbath. No one was safe. Fans were clamoring for the empty Faygo bottles to take home as a souvenir in remembrance of the concert (I even scored one.)
Going into the concert, I didn’t know what to expect. Juggalos were labeled as a gang by the FBI for “violent activities.” I wasn’t sure if I was going to be scoffed at because I stood out from the majority of the face-painted fans, decked out in their finest hatchet man jerseys, T-shirts and bling, but I wasn’t. Everyone was cool to me, and I was even complemented by numerous Juggalettes. Most Juggalos live on the fringe of mainstream society, and look toward ICP and their fellow Juggalos for a support group, somewhere they’d fit in and weren’t judged. Becoming a Juggalo, to them, was like joining a family, a collection of like-minded people, and for once, feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves.
S.T.R Player Magazine Exclusive- Whitney Peyton Interview @ The Marquis Theater
80 Generations and S.T.R Player Magazine owner CRX have 1-on-1 with Whitney Peyton before her performance in Denver for the Fronzilla Tour w/ Special Guest at The Marquis Theater in October to kick off the wicked season.Whitney is also featured in the Aug./Sept. Issue of 2014 S.T.R Player Magazine available still on Google Play and online.
Check Out Whitney Peyton:
http://whitneypeyton.com/
https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyPeyto…
Whitney Peyton – Crazy (Official Video HD)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyUAI…
DJ Clay x Whitney Peyton – “Ferris Wheel”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrfM8…
Check out S.T.R Player Magazine:
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http://80generations.webs.com/s-t-r-p…
Order your copy of S.T.R Player Magazine:
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Politicize- New mixtape “Grimy” and video Featuring Doc Hollywood Hustle and Jason Porter
Zuse Is Getting Back to the Streets on His New Mixtape
For Atlanta-by-way-of-Jamaica rapper Zuse, the past few years have been a sharp learning process. The young MC, affiliated with T.I. and Hustle Gang, has been steadily making a name for himself with his distinctive flow, hyena-like laugh adlib and close relationship with Tip and Young Thug in particular, following up his breakthrough mixtape Bullet with solid offerings like Illegal Immigrant, The Real Don Dada and his latest project, TrapZuse, which came out last Friday. Bolstered by its Young Thug-featuring lead single “Plug Is Latina,” the project is a return to form of sorts for Zuse, combining his Jamaican roots with a street-oriented sound that he’s cultivated from his time working in studios in Atlanta.
But he’s also been out on the road, most recently with Strange Music’s chief Tech N9ne on Tech’s massive Special Effects Tour which took him around the country. Tech, Tip and Zuse also collaborated on the track “On The Bible,” with an official video that dropped back in May. Now with TrapZuse finally out, Zuse spoke to XXL about the concept for the project, learning from mentors like Tech, T.I. and Trae Tha Truth and what he’s got in store next. —Dan Rys
XXL: How long have you been working on TrapZuse?
Zuse: I’ve been working on it for two months.Why did you decide on that title?
Well you know, trap stands for hustle; it doesn’t stand for the same thing as it did 10 years ago. I really made this mixtape for the streets and the hustlers and the people in the trenches, you know what I mean, the people in the mud. So that’s the reason I called it TrapZuse. My fans in America who are familiar with the trap and what it symbolizes in the culture; me being from Jamaica, I felt like it was the perfect thing to fuse Jamaica with the down South culture, you know what I mean?Did you have a concept for it going into it?
I just wanted it to be very club-friendly… The process, you know, I feel like music speaks to my soul and it comes naturally and that’s what I like the most. It was very, very natural, it came very easy, there was nothing forced. The Drumaticz from EarDrummas helped me a lot, Metro Boomin, FKi, that’s the home studio, the home boy, that’s family. But it all just came very very natural.What do those producers bring to the table?
They all have their own particular vibe; I feel like everybody brought their own dynamic to the table. I’m not sitting up in the studio with every single producer; people send beats. But like I said, it came natural. It’s easy when you have chemistry with people you’ve known for over two years, you’ve known them for a while and you respect them and they respect you.You and Young Thug have a mutually respectful relationship. What’s that like for you guys?
Well you know, I’m affiliated with [T.I.’s] Hustle Gang and on the come up, when I first started my career, Young Thug was there recording; that’s when he was making “Stoner” and all these records. And when we met each other we just had so much respect for each other and we just wanted to see each other win and come up. And although he’s much, much more successful than I am today, he’s still the same guy that I met back then. He’s the type of person who would step in traffic if you need him to, you know what I mean? I can’t speak for everybody, but he always shows love to me. We have so many more songs in the vault coming, so just stay tuned. Actually, “Plug Is Latina” is an old song; it’s old but it’s new to the people. We’ve done so many songs since then. But you know, everything takes time. I don’t really want to flood too much with songs with Thug, but that’s my family.What are some of the lessons you’ve learned as a young artist on the come up?
To try to be as clean as possible. When I say clean, the music that we make is very violent, but I realize that this is still a business. You have to know how to carry yourself clean, how to speak to people, know how to carry yourself. Know how to be respectful, how to separate the streets from the music. Being on the road with Tech N9ne, he’s so successful and he’s such a respectful person. He treats everybody the same, just like T.I. They taught me that, be chivalrous and be respectful no matter what. You have to be a servant to the people, you have to serve the people; you can’t seem like you’re entitled, because people think artists are entitled and you have to show them you’re not.So it’s like the importance of being humble.
Yeah, you have to be very humble. Sometimes in music people tell you, “You’re the greatest, you’re the best,” and it clouds your judgement, you know what I mean? I try to keep myself with the elders. I show love to all the youngin’s who are coming up with me and work with me, but I soak up the game from T.I., I soak up the game from Tech N9ne, I soak up the game from Trae Tha Truth, these people because these people have had longevity, have had long careers. They must have been doing something right as to why people still love them to this day, you know what I mean?What was the experience like touring with Tech N9ne?
It was phenomenal, man. I had the chance to perform every night in front of 4,000 people with everyone screaming out “Bullet.” It’s phenomenal; people really really embraced me. It was a life-changing experience and something I’ll never ever forget, something I’ll cherish. Tech N9ne is a phenomenal person.How do you feel TrapZuse is different from your last project?
To be honest with you, my last two projects—Illegal Immigrant and The Real Don Dada—I feel like when I listen to them they feel like industry mixtapes to me. They didn’t feel like the old me. I felt like Don Dada lost the essence of what I represent sometimes. And I feel like TrapZuse is bringing that back; you’ll feel that aggression, you’ll feel every word, you’ll feel every line because it’s real. When you hear it you’re like, “Fuck.” This shit’s crazy from track one to 12, it’s ridiculous. The song “On God” that I released in July with Post Malone is more soft and more worldly. This is for the streets. “On God” and songs like that are for the world, but this is for the streets, for the projects, for the nigga in the bando posting up, the nigga on the corner. This is for the streets.What else are you working on now?
I’m going on tour with Shy Glizzy in the fall and I got a new project coming in February for the ladies. I feel like I’ve given enough to my niggas, so to speak, so it’s time for the ladies. In February, I promise you, I’ll blow your fucking mind. I have some music for the ladies that’s gonna make their panties really wet. But on TrapZuse I want you to really feel Jamaica.