Friday, December 31, 2010

FLIPTOP RULED HIPHOP IN 2010



Dirt Bag Dan VS Anygma



ILLEGITIMATE KINGS 2011, sssshhh.

ILLK



Lupe Fiasco feat. John Legend - Never Forget You




Take me to that old familiar place
Take me to memories we won’t erase
Take me to all that we had
Good and the bad
I’ll never forget you
I’ll never let you go
I’ll never forget you
I’ll always remember, I hope you know


Let the record reflect the records we set
Best foot forward with every step
And let’s push towards it, never regress
And let’s remember, if ever we get
Down, the places that we came from ’round
And all the good times on the bad side of town
The upside of bad, flip it upside down
Came from the bottom but we up high now
Believe, and from this view we achieved
We looked back at the rules we received
And how we broke those, dismantled and rewrote those
And the ghost still alive in the photos
Sounds of the summer, day and go wise
Cold wind blowin’ through a city on fire
Moments of the past, came here to find you
Not to relive them, just to remind you



REST IN PEACE CHUB-B, WE STAY HUSTLIN'.




Most slept-on album of 2010: LYFE JENNINGS "I STILL BELIEVE"

LYFE



Lyfe Jennings - I Still Believe



This blog is about music, and well - what a year it has been. A great journey, conquering old fears and carrying momentum of something I've believed in all my life. Thank you to everyone who made my year impossibly possible. Who would've thought I'd make as much impact with my team - running things from Singapore to eventually getting grounded by the Immigration officer and sent back to the islands. Thank you Lord. for the lessons and helping me work situations I hated. I've heard incredible news all throughout the year - music and non music related.

I would like my last entry of 2010 be about music, and be about someone's music that carried me through great feats this year. Part of discovering music is knowing no one else has it but you - or in this case being the second person to hear it and build a relationship with the music you just uncovered. Jess Sabater is the ultimate Lyfe Jennings fan, and he turned me to him - he gave me a copy of his supposed last album which was released this year, I STILL BELIEVE.

Since its the last day of 2010, I figured I've held on to this secret too long. I STILL BELIEVE is the most slept on album of the year. In this album, Lyfe offers listeners a wide range of lessons - but never sounded uncomfortable. He kept his songs within his writing range but deep enough to encourage new fans. Sonically, the album is king - melodies weren't trying hard to keep your attention. I don't know - it could also be I'm at a different page in my life, but yeah - the album hits home.

If this is his last album, I'll be contented to know - and you'll be happy to know, this is as refreshing as The Black Album, if you know how to pay attention to real music. Songs like "Learn From This", "Coulda Been Worse", "Done Crying" -- are testaments of growth, and with that said -- I welcome you all to listen to my 2010 via a Lyfe Jennings album.



You're welcome.



LINKS REMOVED AS REQUESTED BY ARTIST.





Thursday, December 30, 2010

MONSTER YEAR 2010



MONSTER MUSIC VIDEO




Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Hiphop Accessory of the Year: KONEKTADO LACES


JHON



Mike Swift feat. Francis M - May Sayad Nga (Produced by Paro Paro Beats)



The ultimate hiphop or urban accessory has always been a pair of headphones, not this year. I'm sorry Beats By Dre - but these laces have surpassed you with street cred alone, hehehe. The Konektado laces has found its way as one of the most undeniable things YOU should have in 2010. The genius behind these laces are possibly the close mindedness of people when they first came out. People thought WE were trying to make a living selling these laces -- tsk tsk tsk. Money is money however you put it - but you see we took the vision along with it, and ladies and gentlemen its called branding.

How many times have I - maybe even you - attended an event, walked through a mall, went to a friends house to drink and found someone you know and don't know rocking a Konektado lace? I've had countless run ins with the lace just this Christmas season alone. My friend Hitmann whom I haven't seen all year saw each other - and he is rocking this lanyard. And he rolls deep into different crowds, god knows how he got one. I've been out selling these shirts, cds -- and I still get orders for Konektado laces, and I don't even sell em -- absurd? NO.

Credit Sunugan, credit Fliptop, credit Mike Swift shows, credit Chub-b's die hard supporters -- but on the real, credit J-Heez for being the brand architect behind this phenomenon. What do you think a person with this lace does with it? I for one use it, put my car keys and 4GB flash drive around my neck with it so I don't lose it - but think about the people who have it. What do you think they do with it or what effect does it carry when they go online? You think for one second, they won't try and see whats going on at WWW.KONEKTADO.COM -- even if we gave them that lace for free.

I hear my peoples taking shots regarding these laces, but my dude - vision is a gift you've yet to have. You think if I tell you we've let go of 1,000 laces a month won't translate to at least 800 sign ups to Konektado? I tell you, I was at a photoshoot at the beach with girls in swimsuits trying to get laces from me -- and I repeat, I don't even sell it.

How dumb would you feel buying a shirt and going to a gig with 10 people wearing the same shirt as you? How would you feel? Hahahaha, I mean 10 people having the same lace as I do, no sweat.


It's called BRANDING.


WE GET IT IN, WE GET IT IN
KONEK-KONEKTADO WE GONNA WIN



ORDER YOUR KONEKTADO LACES HERE.








Tuesday, December 28, 2010

VIDEO OF THE WEEK: PARTY LIFE

PARTY LIFE from Treb Monteras II on Vimeo.




Here is the much awaited music video of Quest's second single "PARTY LIFE" This video was shot in one day, directed by Tred Monteras. Great job Direk!! Cameo by Team Strato!!! Bringing this video to Andre Young this January. 2010 ending in a high spirits! Lets carry the momentum - Quest is taking a well deserved break in Hongkong and will be back on -- of course we are not telling you that info. Hehehehe, yes he has been seen around with Carla Humphries but we dont engage into gossip here, we are good peoples - why wouldn't they wanna hang with great visionaries of the industry! And how dope is this song PARTY LIFE -- and it didn't even make my personal top 20 songs of the year.



Good things ahead!



Faith, hustle, believe,
receive, celebrate, REPEAT.


Monday, December 27, 2010

SOULFIESTA TOP OPM HIPHOP SONGS of 2010

SO WONDERFUL



Nimbusnine feat. Quest - So Wonderful


Whats good kids? Another year-ender special over here! The scene took a big step this year via the battling circuit - but lets not forget the music behind the scene also had its moments! Great songs to remember the year by! From Flipmusic's top notch production to controversial singles released online, the music carries us through the following year! There were numerous OPM hiphop songs that got their share of play throughout the year -- and in the tradition of recognition, I have put a list of MY top 20 songs of the year. Some songs have hit radio and some haven't, but these are my finds and my list. Anybody wanna argue? Eat a dick.



SOULFIESTA TOP 20 OPM HIPHOP SONGS OF 2010


1. Quest - BACK TO LOVE
2. Blaze N Kane feat. Pow Chavez - FLY AWAY
3. Ron Henley - BIGLANG LIKO
4. Nimbusnine feat. Quest - SO WONDERFUL
5. Jonan Aguilar - PILIPINO KA
6. Loonie feat. Hi-C - XXX
7. Mike Swift feat. Francis M. - MAY SAYAD NGA
8. Rjay of LDP - THE DISTANCE
9. Sly Kane - REACH THE SKY
10. Mastaplann feat. SVC - THE ANTHEM
11. Cirkulo Pugantes feat. Blain - MAY SAYAD
12. Nathan J feat. Aero, Young One, Mario, Nimbus9,
Mike Kosa & JOLO - HOY PARE REMIX
13. Marquiss - BEAUTIFUL WOMAN
14. Mike Kosa feat. Ayeeman - MAHAL KONG KULTURA
15. Dannie Boi feat. Q-York - ARTISTA
16. Peoples Future feat. Monique - THIS GIRL, THAT LADY
17. A.N.E. - WHO KNOWS
18. The Renaissance - DO DA DIPPITY
19. Gene Roca - DECEMBER
20. JOLO feat. Jazee Manuel & Maria Herrera - WE OWN THE NIGHT






GRAE x TAKING BAKKK THE CITY

KASER2

KASER1

Criminal Conversations is a title of a song in the GRAE Album.


TAKING BAKKK THE CITY is creeping up and the preparations for it is being pursued left and right. Today, we unleash a piece by MSF artist Kaser One -- inspired by a track featuring Nimbusnine of the Marquiss "GRAE" album. Taking Bakkk The City will come out this 2011. BBBBRRRRRAAAAAAPPP!!!



Friday, December 24, 2010

SEASON x SKWATERHAWZ

SK



SKWATERHAWZ - WALANG PAHINGA (PRODUCED BY B-ROC)


A few months ago, I let go of the Seasons beat which was an Aero original beat off the SickSongsOnly EP -- for people to use. Skwaterhawz gets in the track from the first tune. Santo killed the track, hehehe! Thank you to the boys at Skwaterhawz for giving time to try and rip this track apart! Van John, thank you for taking the initiative to do something with the track. You guys have been standing your ground, releasing music constantly throughout the months! Anticipating the next album you guys are putting out!


Layo mo chicks mo't baka masumaskidot ko't mokomoko/


MERRY XMAS KIDS!!



DOWNLOAD WALANG PAHINGA HERE.


ABRA VS. ZAITO



FLIPTOP was number 1 in my supposed POWER RANKINGS!





MIKE SWIFT - MAY SAYAD NGA



TO THE BILLBOARD ALL DAY!




Thursday, December 23, 2010

TO THE BILLBOARD x GRIND TIME



SUNUGAN 2011!!! Game on!!!




Sunday, December 19, 2010

LIL WAYNE PERFORMS 6 FT 7 FT






FUND RAISING EVENT!!

QUEST GIG

SEE QUEST AT HIS GIG TOMORROW!



Thursday, December 16, 2010

QYORK CITY coming out 2011!!!

QYORK1



Knowa Lazarus feat. Randal Da Vandal, Bambu, Mike Swift, God's Will, Nimbusnine
Hopie Spitshard & Chelo Aestrid - Philly Phreemix (Produced by Flavamatikz)



QYORK CITY the album is dropping early 2011. I've heard the entire album and it features songs with Jazze Manuel, Camille Velasco, Quest, PKSO, AMP, Ken Johns, Nimbusnine, Chelo and more! The album showcases good momentum coming into 2011 as we just heard albums like G.R.A.E. and Join The Quest: Revolution. There is a surprise remix here of a song called Champion - from someone bound to drop his album early next year as well.

The Q-York brand can be seen throughout Manila - they have been heavily working with the Philippine All-Stars and even started a group called O.N.E. (One Nation Eternal) that spawned the 2009 classic MAINIT - dont act like you don't know. 1 half of the Q-York tandem is DJ Flavamatikz who has been DJing around the metro through various clubs aligned with various club promotions company - he is also responsible for the beats and instrumentation you hear in all their releases!

Knowa Lazarus has been grinding it out in the scene with such passion that you won't miss his enthusiasm in the crowd. Determined to make QYORK CITY a classic - you should go and cop it and just go to listen to the song "MORE" right away and stop kidding yourself. My dude, gets it in the track hard. Harder than most, word to my momma. Q-York has done work with Young JV, Marquuiss, Dannie Boi and currently putting the finishing touches on their Champion music video, and they are headlining with Quest for the REVOLUTION TOUR.

Today we release this PHILLY PHREEMIX with your favorite home bread acts collaborating with the like of Bambu and Hopie Spitshard for the unheard remix. Oh you thought we wouldn't have the same audacity to mess with great acts like them? Come on mang! Download this remix through the link below and just sign up through their mailing list to have access to 7 more downloadable tracks from their REVERB NATION site.




VISIT KNOWA LAZARUS' FACEBOOK ARTIST PAGE HERE.
VISIT FLAVAMATIKZ FACEBOOK ARTIST PAGE HERE.
DOWNLOAD PHILLY PHREEMIX HERE.



TO THE BILLBOARD NEW YORK HITS!!

PARO PARO BEATS

MORE NEWS AT WWW.KONEKTADO.COM





Tuesday, December 14, 2010

WIPCAPS x STOKED's 10th YEAR ANNIVERSARY

STOKED1

STOKED

Check WIPCAPS.COM for more details.


StokedInc., the Philippines' pioneer boardsports retailer, has long been known as the go-to premium place to grab the latest gear and apparel for wakeboarding, skateboarding, and surfing. For their 10th year anniversary StokedInc. collaborated with Wip Caps to produce their commemorative fitted cap. "I thought the product would have more soul and significance if we worked with a home grown company much like ourselves on this project." says Stoked Inc. creative director Mumph Ruiz"

The cap is a high crown fitted cap with a comfortable stretch garter to fit your dome. It comes in a mixed polyester material for durability and comfort. The iconic front S - logo comes in 3D embroidery. The rear of the cap has a 3D embroidered Stoked Inc. logo slightly angled for that extra swagger. The Under-bill has a dope "10 Years of the Feeling" print along with a classy wreath heralding the trailblazing company's 10-year achievement. The cap comes in two color ways: Classic all black; and a tri-colored, black visor with white and orange crown: Stoked inc.'s signature colors.



J.COLE x NARDUWAR



Narduwar has some of the best artist candid interviews!



Sunday, December 12, 2010

GRAE x ERICA PAREDES

ERICA

Erica Paredes x GRAE x NKETLK x Ronac Center




Saturday, December 11, 2010

SHOUTOUTS TO KINGCRUX31!!!



NKETLK 11th Year Anniversary at We Legendary RONAC Center



Thursday, December 9, 2010

FRANCIS MAGALONA, we miss you.

FRANCISM

Picture taken by Ryan Andres



Wednesday, December 8, 2010

EARLY XMAS @ WELEGENDARY

WL2

BLAZER NEWSPRINT

WL3

Those Blazer Newsprints are nice!! WeLegendary tomorrow night @ Ronac




G.R.A.E. x NIKE TALK ANNIVERSARY

NIKE 3

NIKE 1

Yes you read it, Prolifik and A.N.E. are performing!!



AIR JORDAN V2 GROWN

AJV2GROWN1

AJV2GROWN3

AJV2GROWN2

Air Jordan V2 GROWN



Tuesday, December 7, 2010

MASTAPLANN feat ILL J & RYE - THE ANTHEM (VIDEO)



Directed by Arbi Won & Kevin Vea



Sunday, December 5, 2010

Join The Quest Entry 22 "UNCOMPROMISED"

BEATS BY QUEST

UNCOMPROMISED SOUND



Friday, December 3, 2010

DECEMBER 4TH Produced by Just Blaze

JAYZ



Jay-z - American Dreamin' (LIVE)


Happy birthday Jiggaman. I remember making Mike Swift's Legendary album - we did a track entitled Get Jay-z and Dre For Me - which is a song of pitching Dr. Dre of our services and our brand of hiphop, which also spawned the now cult classic "GET JAY-Z FOR ME" - google it, To The Billboard all day!! Now we have so far closed a Beats By Dre partnership which allows us to get the Join The Quest CD to Andre Young this January, thanks Boss Wilson!!; and my chance meeting with Sony BMG Philippines to help with their 2011 Roc Nation campaign, starting with Willow Smith. I'm also currently reading Decoded, and I say go and get it - the demeanor of a winner can be read throughout the book, winning despite circumstances; and the soul and conscience of a drug dealer is a common narrative throughout the book. But what shines is Jay-z's in depth view on hiphop and nurturing it amidst everything thats going on then and now.

DECODED1

DECODED x GUCCI JACKET


FROM DECODED: Since rap is a poetry and a good MC is a good poet, you can't just half listen to a song once and think you've got it. Here's what I mean: A poets mission is to make words do more work than they normally do, to make them work on more than one level. For instance, a poet makes words work sonically - as sounds, as music. Hiphop tracks have traditionally been heavy on the beats, light on the melody, but some MCs - Bone Thugs'n Harmony, for example - find ways to work melodies into the rapping. Other MCs - think about Run from Run DMC - turn words into percussion: cool chief rocka, I dont drink vodka, but keep a bad of cheeba inside my locka. The words themselves dont mean much, but he snaps those clipped syllables out like drum beats, bap bap bapbap. Its as exciting as watching a middleweight throw a perfect combination. If you listened to that joint and came away thinking it was a simple rhyme about holding weed in a gym locker, you'd be reading it wrong: The point of those bars is to bang out a rhythmic idea, not to impress you with the literal meaning of the words.

Will share more in the future.



DOWNLOAD JAY-Z LIVE x SOULFIESTA EXCLUSIVE HERE.
LISTEN TO JAY-Z x QUEST "MY FIRST SONG" HERE.



TURBULENCE X BEATS BY DRE

BEATS BY DRE3

Guess what album we're passing to DR. DRE this January?



Thursday, December 2, 2010

WELEGENDARY ONE DAY SALE TOMORROW!!!

WL

WL1

WWW.WELEGENDARY.COM



Tuesday, November 30, 2010

DECEMBER by GENE ROCA

DECEMBER



Gene Roca - December (Produced by Bojam of Flipmusic)




It is December 1, and fittingly we start off your month with free music by monster workers Flipmusic. Today we have a song entitled "December" - an apt song for the month as loneliness takes an extra shiver hearing Christmas carols. I received this song last month and the minimal production on the version I received was already pleasing at it was, but knowing Bojam he'll tweak it up a couple more notches before the release date. Gene Roca notoriously displays the sincerity sad songs have been missing nowadays and it is very refreshing. I also want to say belated happy birthday to Gene Roca - who spent his birthday weekend in Boracay! Hope you had a good one!


GENE ROCA: The story behind every song of mine is a girl or girls. The girl in this song, "December", is a good friend of mine who's in New York right now and she's flying in this December.

One day she just crossed my mind. So I wrote something for her, scheduled a session with BoJam, Quest was there and he helped out on the harmonizing outro. I asked BoJam to put a lot of elements that would raise hairs. The sleigh bells got me.

I think this is the perfect Christmas love song for those who are far away from their loved ones. Just play it if you miss someone or better, play it when your lady or man walks in with all the lights turned off or dimmed, rose petals on the floor, up the stairs, on the bed, candles lit everywhere... guaranteed early New Year!


December
Written by Gene Roca
Produced by Bojam of Flip Music


Caressing your body
Is all I can do
'Stead of killing my time
In a place without you
And I can't stop flipping
Pages of your face in my mind
Other faces just wont do it
Its your face that I desire


Chorus

Just remember this December
You'll be right here by my side
I'll be waiting to surrender
All my love and my pride
Baby come home this Christmas time


Babe I can't wait till you open that door
I've been waiting to melt
In your arms like before
And I can't stop thinking
Traces of your scent and your smile
Now I'm going a bit crazy
Please come home now and be mine


Chorus


Bridge



DOWNLOAD DECEMBER VIA MEDIAFIRE HERE.




Monday, November 29, 2010

SPECKS X GRAE SHIRT FOR SALE!!

SPECKS GRAE

SPECKS x GRAE shirt sold at 600PHP, place your orders via +639162702713




B-SIDES turns 5 years old

BSIDESREMIX



Mike Swift - There's No Me (REMIX) (Produced by Chrizo)


November 29, 2005 - Absinth, Greenbelt 3; we launched B-Side. A collection of songs by Turbulence and Space Monkey that included tracks like "Homegurl", "So Addictive", "Face The Pain", "You Got Me", "Too Late" and the now classic "Loonie vs. Datu" audio clip and also featured artists such as J.O.L.O, Krook, ILL-J, Mike Swift, Stick Figgas, 7Shots and introduced Turbulence artists Marquiss, Nimbusnine, PHD, God's Will and even Luzon, A.N.E., Prolifik officially to the scene. Tracks were solely produced by Turbulence head producers then, Chrizo, B-Roc and Traumatik.

The album also featured a bonus track entitled "Letter To The President" by One3D produced by Protege. The song came to me last minute, I had already printed the cd but still wanted to the song to be part of the release and serve as a moment to remember between me and my peers. So we included it as a bonus track, will upload that track here soon.

The album was done with such unique vantage point that it featured poetry from Arkane "Rorsarch" which can only be seen in the cd sleeve of that album.

2006 came, and with the added accolades we decided to remix our own release. This time around we picked songs from each of the other producers track they originally made. Chrizo did Nimbusnine's So Addictive -- which saw B-Roc create a remix version for it, Ika 6 Na Misteryo was remixed by Traumatik -- up this page is Mike Swift's There's No Me, originally a B-Roc beat remixed by Chrizo. The CD contains 6 tracks and was only released as a limited copy during the 2006 Philippine Hiphop Awards. We are now releasing it for free download in celebration of B-Sides 5th year.


Releasing classic material since 2005.



DOWNLOAD B-SIDES REMIXED VIA MEDIAFIRE HERE.






200,000th visitor on SOULFIESTA wins great prizes!

SF WINNER

Eric Reyata is the 200,000th visitor of this site and won big last NOV 25



I would like to first and foremost congratulate the team behind making the GRAE launch a successful event. Thank you to the brands that trusted our tenure and leadership - SPECKS, We Legendary, Capital G Shop, WIPCAPS, Eleksis Marketing - the official Philippine distributor of Beats By Dre. Thank you to the performers, SNRG & Kat Alano, God's Will, Knowa & Flavamatikz, Quest & Skarm. Thank you to Margaux Cortez for keeping the show intact. To everyone who came and participated whether to buy cds, putting your hands up, throwing your cheers to the performers, nodding your head to the vibe of the night -- we appreciate you for showing how much you appreciate our hard work. Thank you to Kate and the Channel V team for covering the event. Will write a more extensive piece about the launch soon.

Also, congratulations to Eric Reyata who became the 200,000th visitor of Soulfiesta. He claimed his prize at the GRAE Launch event. We promised him the GRAE CD, a JOIN THE QUEST CD and an autographed LOONIE CD -- we also gave him a Quest poster, Tippin' The Scales CD, AMP BLVD CD and God's Will EP. Thats what you get for visiting the site! I'm thinking what next to give away, Beats by Dre? Will work on it. Visit everyday and find out. Photo by Leo Dimaano.



ORDER YOUR GRAE CD NOW VIA MR.SOULFIESTA@GMAIL.COM or +639162702713



Wednesday, November 24, 2010

G.R.A.E. ALBUM REVIEW BY VICKY HERRERA

Photobucket

VICKY HERRERA REVIEWS G.R.A.E.



[G.R.A.E]

As Producer Chrizo hands me the very first copy of his joint album with MC Marquiss "G.R.A.E. [which stands for the Greatest Rap Album Ever], he takes a long stare at the disk and then lets go. That's a metaphor right there. After years of putting all his efforts together, he's finally ready to share it to the world. In a way, it's like I will be meeting Chrizo and Marquiss for the first time all over again.

A few conversations with Chrizo on why its titled G.R.A.E is explained: If you’re going to aim to produce an album, aim high. It's their ambition to have the greatest rap album ever, so lets cut to the chase by producing the greatest rap album ever shall we?

As I walked away, I first started to think, how can I review this carefully put together piece of work? Do I need to be an expert in the Manila hip-hop community? Do I need to be knowledgeable on the history of Turbulence Productions? We know that for the longest time this label that has pumped out blood, sweat and tears to get this lifted off the ground. So here's how it's going to be, I'm going to approach the task as honestly as I can: as a fan of music. And not just any music, I am a fan who sincerely supports the local hip-hop scene. So I clear my mind and hit play. I've listened to the album straight from its first song to last song and vice versa. Some day's I've selfishly skipped through tracks I'm feeling, on other days I've put my favorites on repeat. There are some songs I've judged at first beat, while others grew on me the more I paid attention to each message.

Let's now take a look at each track to show you what I mean.


GRAE COVER

Marquiss and Chrizo presents G.R.A.E (Turbulence 2010)


Album Review

1) As the first track to kick off G.R.A.E, "Behind the Scenes" gives us a glimpse of how the Chrizo - Marquiss magic happens. Like all creative collabs they toss ideas back and forth, go through technical mess-ups, and later on find moments of inspiration. What we see here is how natural their creativity hits them. This is also the first and last time we will be hearing Chrizo's voice on the album. For the rest of the tracks, we only feel his presence behind the beats and through shout outs.

2) The first official song really is "Prophet of Rage." In an instant you know these boys mean business. I'm bopping my head to the beat already and listening intently to what Marquiss has to say. I feel the hunger rising behind the song - hunger in the sense of how much these boys want to do what they love doing - making music.

3) Slightly related to the role of being a prophet, "MC" follows next. It asks the question we all wanted to ask: What does an MC stand for anyway? It's a question they throw not only to themselves but to their fellow MCs as well. And the answer comes as the songs plays out. (A: someone speaking from the heart, confident in their message, pushing the boundaries)

4) The "Soul of a Rebel" tells the story of a young kid growing up with rules, but always having the urge to break ‘em. He’s just got a mind of his own, and it’s been that way ever since. (I’m all for that.) Quest guests on this track, and he always provides a lot of depth with his voice. In this case, the fighter’s spirit comes alive when he hits the chorus.

5) And like all cats in the game, we try to think that money ain’t a thang. "If I was a Rich Man" featuring Aero provides the thoughts of what they would really want to do if we were as rich as Henry Sy. Yes, money is the dream, but for these MC's money is also a tool. The possibilities for what they could use it for are endless. However, at a certain point, I wish the chorus could have been written tighter because the rest of the verses were hot.

6) "Days of Sodom" just happens to be the fifth track with an underlying theme of hustling in a row. But that doesn’t make it any less important though. It gives a dark and frustrating outlook on the wrongs in the world. It’s not something we all want to look at or admit, but Marquis calls it out because he genuinely cares. I’m very impressed with how he delivers this.

7) And just when I thought I'd hear a similar hustler song, "Self-Righteous" feat. Ill-J knocks me over with a pleasant surprise. It's the song you want to send to every pretentious motherf*cker who acted like his sh*t don't stink.




FORGET ABOUT IT (MUSIC VIDEO)



8) "Forget About It" blew me away. With legends Mastaplann and SVC on this track, I was so psyched for this song to play. Although I wasn't around really to witness the legacy of Mastaplann and SVC at their time, I've had enough exposure (and numerous stories from hip-hop fans) to know their influence. The chorus is catchy. Listen to what the legends have to say because they still have so much to contribute. Not only is it a meeting of the past and present players, it's perhaps a passing of the torch song.

9) Slowing it down with "After Hours" Marquiss places the listener into another role of a tourist who he is introducing to the real Manila; "when the sun goes down." It's the real, gritty, up close and personal version of what's happening in the streets. I'm nodding in the imagery he describes: ranging from stray cats to corrupt mayors to the pollution. It's truth. Marquiss ends it with a “spark” of hope and needed willpower to make it through.

10) "The Payback" feat Hotnixx jumps off on a lighter note. The energy is more victorious. It’s sort of like the story of the hustler who came, conquered, and is popping bottles on the side.

11) "Gray" feat Forensic Science, Hotnixx, PhD, and Black immediately grabs my attention. The verses are showing us that not everything in life is black and white. But life is like that. Maybe we aren’t supposed to be completely sure of what to do and why things happen. Life is filled with tough choices and unexplained events sometimes. Props to the MCs who lay it down exactly how they see it.


BREAKBREAD

CHECK OUT WWW.HASANSALAAMMUSIC.COM


12) "Break Bread" has the production quality that grabs your ear and keeps it interested. Featuring MC’s Hasan Salaam and Verse 1, this is a strong song on the album. With a religious reference to the Last Supper, the messages of social awareness, peace, and oneness remind me of music's other purpose from expression and entertainment. It's also there to educate and to communicate real issues. This is why I love hip-hop.

13) "Paraiso" is obviously something I had to tune up and pay careful attention to. It is a full track in our Tagalog language with a flow so fast and eloquent with guest MC’s Labo, God's Will and Loonie also on the track. Marquiss really shows diversity as an MC in both English and Tagalog. Chrizo keeps the beat steady which allows the listener to really pay attention to the message. The overall energy of this track is so forceful and strong, with such a confident attitude resonating from every rapper. I would gladly send this track to a friend in another country and say “Look at what the MCs from my home are up to.”

14) As "Criminal Conversations" begins with a Godfather persona giving orders, I wonder if this is a metaphor for how Turbulence crew sees themselves - a mafia family. And in the event of a weak link, just send Marquiss and guest MC Nimbus9 to take care of it. That’s how the song plays out. These two MC’s jump into character so well but they still keep their style fresh. I feel like I'm that kid sitting down, wide-eyed and watching two actors tell me a story. There you go: MC acting if you would say.

15) "Deathbed Confessions" is a song of Marquiss in the future. Everything done right and wrong in life is reflected on, but at the end everything is all good. The enthralling voice of Abby Asistio provides the perfect soul to a track that tries to wrap up a life well-lived, and Chrizo definitely knows how to make a soundtrack for need to reminisce.

Beautiful Woman



"What happened to that perpetual glow?/ Believed in love but now she's skeptical, though/"



16) With "Beautiful Woman", both Chrizo and Marquiss are making me fall in love with them through music. Yes, I know this song is about Marquiss’s mother. But any song that praises a woman makes me smile. They reveal a softer side to them as opposed to the more conscious and serious versions prior. I can only wonder why we haven't heard more songs like this? [In other words, Yo boys why can't you write love songs like this for me?? Just kiddin] The theme of love is so inspirational that can be widely explored in so many different ways. I am curious to see how these artists will express the different facets of this theme in the future.

17) Lastly, "You Don't Know" is the song that brings the album full circle. We've all been down the path of having to deal with haters telling us what we can and cannot do. Perhaps this is what the underground hip-hop scene can throw to the music industry who think they know better than them. As Marquiss would say “Can you believe that man? They just don't know me".

Verdict:

G.R.A.E is a mixture of the past and late present of both Chrizo and Marquiss. It's a recorded history of their growth and shows the creative development of these artists as rapper and producer. Although some songs are strong hits (my top loves would be Prophet of Rage, MC, Soul of a Rebel, Forget About It, Break Bread, Paraiso, Criminal Conversations, Beautiful Woman, Deathbed Confessions) others can be nodded upon and credited to the learning curve.Chrizo consistently delivers as a producer. Well- informed on his music samples and beats, he stays true to his chill style. There are glimpses of some beats where he can completely let go of restraint and take the energy to a whole other level. That is something I would be excited to hear. Marquiss' rises, sometimes falls, but definitely rises again in this journey. That’s natural for MCs experience over the years. And like all signs of growth, we see how he learns and improves in delivery and content. What is beautiful about this album as well is although Marquiss and Chrizo celebrate their first album together, they also bring together their contemporary MCs to share the stage. Offering their first album to the hip-hop scene as a humble collaboration of everyone’s efforts.

It is clear that both artists in have some way along the journey found their distinct style in the local hip-hop community, but we know the potential for growth. With the talent and creativity of these artists (both individually and collectively), there are innumerable possibilities for greater tracks in the future.

I wouldn’t want to call it the Greatest Rap Album Ever. Only because when I hear “Ever” I feel like its “Final”, when I know this is just the start of many great albums to come. So Chrizo and Marquiss, I’m looking forward to the next Greatest Rap Album to come. Now don't let us wait too long.




FOLLOW VICKY HERRERA ON TWEETER AND HER TUMBLR PAGE.





Tuesday, November 23, 2010

NEW SONG FROM GRAE "BREAK BREAD"

BREAKBREAD



Marquiss feat. Hasan Salaam & Verse 1 - Break Bread (Produced by Chrizo)


A day before we launch the Greatest Rap Album Ever we leak out another song from the album. BREAK BREAD is a collaboration work with Verse One - the most slept on MC in the Philippines. If you still have a chance to purchase his CD, it is an OPM classic - untouchable with verses freal. There were even talks of signing him into Turbulence but never materialized.

Hasan Salaam has released albums in the US such as "Paradise is Lost", "Children of God" -- pushing the boundaries of taking the art form to bring about social change. Hasan is currently working on his most anticipated project to date, entitled "Life in Black and White" - which figuratively equals GRAY/GRAE. It is scheduled to be released in late 2010. Catch Hasan Salaam spill a couple of tagalog lines in this song which proves how universal hiphop has become and how socially relevant it is to take part on each others projects!





Mohammed Dangerfield - Writers Block



VISIT HASAN SALAAM'S WEBSITE HERE.
VISIT HASAN SALAAM'S FACEBOOK HERE.
DOWNLOAD BREAK BREAD VIA MEDIAFIRE HERE.
DOWNLOAD BREAK BREAD VIA DIVSHARE HERE.


See you guys tomorrow for the album launch! NOV 25 at B.SIDE Malugay St. Makati City. Rhum Coke open bar starts at 9pm until supplies last, show promptly starts at 10PM. Buy the album early and get a chance to have your names raffled out to win prizes from Specks, We Legendary, WIPCAPS and Capital G Shop. Again, there is no door charge the event is free so roll in anytime you want with anyone you're with.



VICKY HERRERA'S GRAE ALBUM REVIEW DROPS THIS AFTERNOON.




Monday, November 22, 2010

WELEGENDARY OPENS THEIR 3RD STORE!



Congrats Mark B -- keep it moving, GRAE season y'all!!




HOW TO GET TO B.SIDE THIS NOV. 25

BSIDE MAP

BEATS BY DRE2

No excuse to be late kids.



Sunday, November 21, 2010

DETOX RED X G.R.A.E. LAUNCH NOV 25

Photobucket



Marquiss - G.R.A.E. Promtional Track (Produced by Chrizo)



Developments left and right just as the week for the launch enters! Dr. Dre releases a statement that Detox will be released next year and now the G.R.A.E. Album Launch will be powered by Eleksis Marketing, the official Philippine distributor of Beats by Dre. Catch the launch on NOVEMBER 25 at B.Side Malugay St in Makati.

Same details -- but from what I heard Loonie is passing by, Lowkey is passing by, so is Chill and Sam Ransum, I heard Banj & Sarah is swinging by, some Grafitti heads are reppin', so are people from the older generation hiphop -- so it should be a dope night. We got a full list of performers a couple of surprise performers. And well, here -- we are giving away a couple of things for the CD Buyers for that night:

5 Capital G Shop T-SHIRTS
2 GRAE x SPECKS SHIRT
2 FITTED CAPS FROM WIPCAPS
1 "CORRUPTION" SNAPBACK FROM WIPCAPS

Also, dont forget for the 200,000th visitor in this site -- you will win a GRAE CD, a Join The Quest CD and an autographed Loonie THE ONES WHO NEVER MADE IT CD -- all you got to do is be the 200,000th visitor and press Print Screen and save the screenshot as a JPEG file and send it to mr.soulfiesta@gmail.com as proof. Should no one send the 200,000th visitor shot, the closest to it before November 25 4PM wins the prizes. Game? Game.

Today we are releasing this GRAE Promotional Track by Marquiss, produced by Chrizo which was recorded and released in 2007. We put this song in the CD Sampler that we gave away during the 2007 Philippine Annual Hiphop Awards held in La Pavillion. This is a testament that we've been working hard on GRAE for a couple of years and truly is a classic in the making. Feel free to listen to it and give us feedback.



PEACE & BLESSINGS!


ITS GRAE SEASON Y'ALL




Saturday, November 20, 2010

WIPCAPS releases BALISONG Fitted

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WIPCAPS releases its BALISONG fitteds


Shoutouts to my batang henyo, Batanguenos! NSC! Projekt Kulture heads! Ala eh! Batangas has been putting work down to be recognized as breeding grounds for hiphop. From God's Will's appearance as a finalist on MTV Supahstar, Kat Alano making it on TV, Mike Swift -- Cardinal Tank, Defy, Soul, Buddha -- my peoples from La Marga -- to the present figures of the scene -- DJ Stash Money, who produced beats for Civil War and released the digital download of BAKED! Here is a cap dedicated to you!



FROM WIPCAPS: Wipcaps brings homage to a truly unique Filipino icon: THE BALISONG. The balisong or "butterfly knife" enjoys a hallowed place in the culture and history of the Philippines as it is the key weapon of the Filipino Martial Art known as Eskrima. The legendary Bruce Lee was one of its known practitioners and the knife made a cameo as the weapon of choice by Hit Girl in the 2009 movie Kick Ass.

WIPCAPS presents the Balisong fitted cap to honor this icon. This fitted is an all around black cap with the iconic filipino blade up front in 3D embroidery. The "wooden" handles of the cap are accented with a felt inlay to flex their know-how on embroidery technology. The "metal" parts of the knife use metalic thread to emphasize its gleam. Rounding out the rear of the cap is "Bente Nueve" (street name of the balisong), stitched in a classic cursive font. Get yours now at select wipcaps stockists, www.wipcaps.com and www.hatclub.com.



ORDER YOURS NOW!!!



Tuesday, November 16, 2010

G.R.A.E. album launch on NOV 25 at B.SIDE

GRAE BIG

THE GREATEST RAP ALBUM EVER, NOV 25



We are inviting everyone to come celebrate this wonderful album with us. Marquiss and Chrizo have been working on this album for a couple of years now and we want you to be part of this monumental day for us. The G.R.A.E. launch will be on NOVEMBER 25 "Soulfiesta Day" at B.SIDE, The Collective Malugay St. Makati City. The show will start promptly at 10PM with performances by God's Will, SNRG, Skarm, Knowa Lazarus, Quest and..


I heard from the grapevine, Stick Figgas will be showing COMPLETE support. How you been Ron Henley?! Is it time? Just let me know, hahahaha.


FREE ENTRANCE, I repeat, FREE ENTRANCE, no door charge, libre!


The album will be sold at 250 PHP inclusive of 1 free beer. Digital downloads will be accommodated as well for 200 PHP, so bring wires for your flash drives, your MP3 players, phones so we can hook it up easier. I know right, you've never been to a launch that made this option available for you. Each CD buyer will have the chance to win prizes as we are giving away 1 GRAE x SPECKS limited edition shirt and 2 caps from WIPCAPS.


SEE YOU ON NOVEMBER 25


Be the 200,000th visitor in this site and win autographed copies of G.R.A.E., Join The Quest, AMP BLVD and Thinking Man's Hiphop -- send a screenshot to mr.soulfiesta@gmail.com to confirm your visit, prizes will be claimed on NOVEMBER 25 at the launch. Click away my iggins.



NOVEMBER 23 FIRST CD REVIEW ON G.R.A.E. WILL BE OUT

NOVEMBER 24 WE WILL LEAK ANOTHER SONG OFF THE ALBUM

CHECK THE ALBUM COVER AND TRACKLISTING OF G.R.A.E. HERE.


This event is made possible to you by Turbulence Productions, Specks Clothing CO., WeLegendary, WIPCAPS, B.SIDE and Soulfiesta. Ayos? Ayos.






Join The Quest Entry 21 "NOV 27 x SALAMIN"

QUEST

CATCH QUEST NOV 27 @ TEATRINO FOR SALAMIN'S ALBUM LAUNCH





ROCNATION: J.COLE "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"

JCOLE



J.Cole feat. Aaliyah - Best Friend



One of the most awaited releases this year was J.Cole's debut album -- still untitled under Rocnation. And while each album deserved its own set backs - J.Cole's debut wasn't exempted even with his extra ordinary co-sign under Hova. His album has been pushed to an early 2011 release and as time would have it, even J.Cole has gotten the itch to put music out.

Releasing the promised mixtape, Friday Night Lights - as answer to the demand of the people for music. Just a quick background - J.Cole initially wanted to be a pro ball player but due to chances missed and well fate had it otherwise, which explains the depiction of basketball relationships on his last few releases from title "The Warm Up", "Friday Night Lights" and cover art.

Here is a song entitled "BEST FRIEND" which borrows Aaliyah's vocals -- genius record really. Drake used Aaliyah's vocals on his song Unforgettable with Young Jeezy and now this J.Cole song shows the influence of Aaliyah in both future superstars, rest in peace.



DOWNLOAD J.COLE's FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS HERE.


This is a Rocnation release, for more details visit JCOLEMUSIC.COM -- guess who's gonna be working with SONY BMG Philippines to help with their Rocnation campaign of 2011? Go head, guess.


Sunday, November 14, 2010

Join The Quest Entry 20 "ASAP XV"



Quest performs his new single PARTY LIFE at ASAP XV



Friday, November 12, 2010

TO THE BILLBOARD: FLY AWAY Music Video



FLY AWAY MUSIC VIDEO (Directed by Nolan Bernardino)


Wednesday, November 10, 2010

CHRIZO MAGNIFICO x SOUL FILLET NOV 13

SOULFILLET1

NOV 13 SATURDAY B.SIDE MAKATI


HAPPY BIRTHDAY RJAY!



Loyalty Feeds The Movement x Leader of the New School x FLIP MUSIC VOL 3


Tuesday, November 9, 2010

THE FIRST GRAE CD SIGHTING

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VICKY HERRERA x GRAE



Thursday, November 4, 2010

MARQUISS "BEAUTIFUL WOMAN"

Beautiful Woman




Marquiss - Beautiful Woman (Produced by Chrizo)


As promised, we are letting go of one song from the debut album of Marquiss entitled "Beautiful Woman" produced by Chrizo off the G.R.A.E. album slated to drop this November 25. Additional guitars by JC Sebastian of Sinag -- enjoy this song. There are rumors of a possible music video in the works for this, a storyboard has already been put together. So stay tuned.

Further updates on the GRAE launch - news is the list of performers are Qyork, Quest, Skarm, SNRG, God's Will and a very surprise guest. The venue is at B.SIDE Malugay St, Makati - there will be a Rhum Coke open bar from 10pm until supplies last. We will raffle out 2 WIPCAPS to the people who buy a cd on the night itself and well, thats all I'm giving as of today. Also, the person who can give me a print shot of as the 200,000th visitor here on Soulfiesta gets the GRAE album for free!



Email the screenshot to mr.soulfiesta@gmail.com



DOWNLOAD BEAUTIFUL WOMAN VIA DIVSHARE HERE.
DOWNLOAD BEAUTIFUL WOMAN VIA MEDIAFIRE HERE.




Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Join The Quest 19 "MAKING THE ALBUM"



JOIN THE QUEST "MAKING THE ALBUM"


If you missed the launch last Oct 21, you missed out on 3 critical video interviews on Quest regarding his music. Shot by Jim Poblete, we are not releasing one of the three videos from that day for your viewing pleasure. Also, we would like to inform each and everyone of 2 things:

(1) Quest will be performing this coming Nov 7 on ASAP. ABS CBN is giving him a televised album launch giving him a set to rock on the show. Tune in for further details regarding this giant step into your TV screens. Whats good TFC subscribers?! Hahahaha.

(2) Quest's 2nd single "PARTY LIFE" produced by Chano of Monkey Town Music is now out on the airwaves via Magic 89.9!! Continue to vote for it everyday from 3PM - 5PM so we can create a buzz and get the single into the Top 5 at 5 countdown piloted by Andi 9 and Jessica. You can text in MAGIC899 PARTY LIFE and send to 2948. Lets get this song to the top of the charts!


"BACK TO LOVE" has quietly exited the PINOY MYX COUNTDOWN this week. We enjoyed 11 weeks in the charts, peaked at number 5 and ran longer than any other song out there this year. Thats 2 and a half months of continuous requests, voting and hard work from everyone. Thank you very much for your undying support for Quest's music. Our journey to the number 1 spot starts over with Party Life!


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

JORDAN CMFT Max Air 12

JORDAN MAX AIR2

Jordan CMFT Max Air 12



Monday, November 1, 2010

SUNUGAN OCT 30: LOONIE VS BATAS




LOONIE VS BATAS "SIBLING RIVALRY" OCT 30 2010




NEW WIPCAPS: THE WASTELAND

WASTELAND

WWW.WIPCAPS.COM



Join The Quest Entry 18 "CAPONES"



Quest with Portable Sounds performing BACK TO LOVE



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Join The Quest Entry 17 "AIRPLANES x SHOUT FOR JOY"

AIRPLANES x SHOUT FOR JOY



Friday, October 22, 2010

SOULFIESTA EXCLUSIVE: BAKED! MIXTAPE

BAKED



Natty Dro - Cali Dro (Produced by D)



As we head on out to the weekend with news of a storm brewing and hitting the country, we let go of a mixtape that has fans raving. New mixtape from my peoples in Batangas -- giving you that irie/hiphop sound, BAKED! MIXTAPE! Production work from one of the Philippines best kept producers on the come up, D. He did production work on the acclaimed Civil War Mixtape and is now blessing us all with his brand of baking classic hits!

This FREE mixtape includes tracks from AMP (Aero, Marquiss, Phd), Cali' Dro, D' Franchize, God's Will, J-hon, Loonie, Mel Christ, Mike Swift and Rhythm! Check out "TAONG PALARA" by Turbulence's own, God's Will, and "KUNG AKO IKAW" where we see J-Hon rap in tagalog, classic I tell you! Enjoy this free release and let us know whatchu guys think.


TRACKLIST:

01. INTRO
02. WE ARE - GOD'S WILL
03. RAT RACE - MEL CHRIST
04. SOMETHING IN THE RAIN - CALI DROP
05. MANGAGALAW - MEL CHRIST
06. SINO - RHYTHM
07. GETAWAY - D'FRANCHIZE, LOONIE, J-HON & MIKE SWIFT
08. SUNDAY - A.M.P.
09. LOLA'S SONG - AERO
10. IT'S ON - MIKE SWIFT, J-HON & LOONIE
11. KUNG AKO IKAW - LOONIE & J-HON
12. NATTY DRO - CALI DRO
13. BONUS TRACK


DOWNLOAD BAKED! MIXTAPE HERE.