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IN THIS ISSUE:
* Gary Payton: A Sonic Or Not
* Jarramy Stevens Goes Down With An Injury
* Strife In The Alkaholik Family?
* Noc On Wood, Knockin’ Down The Doe!
* Local Producer On High Alert Status
* Seaspot Intern Project – For Class Credit!
MUSIC
LOCAL PRODUCER ON HIGH ALERT STATUS WITH DEGREE OF THE STREETS
When Drayton Micheals moved from New York City to Seattle last
fall, he didn’t know how he was going to do it, but he knew he
was going to complete his project. For years Michaels, a
seasoned musician and producer, had his heart set on
completing a self-produced compilation and while living in the
Emerald City, his dream is steadily becoming a reality.
“I’m excited about the project,” says a confident Michaels
from his Capitol Hill-based studio. “We’ve got great talented
professionals and some up and comers on board.” That he has
professionals and committed artists on his project is
important for Michaels and any project producer, because with
all the talent and not any professionalism, projects go from
good to gross – quick.
“Oh, Degree Of The Streets is going to be hot…not in the
conventional sense of the word, not the poppy way. We are
expanding the limits of Hip-Hop and experimenting with
different sounds and styles,” says a relaxed Michaels. When
Michaels solicited artists to submit demos for the project, he
listed artists like Afrika Bambaata, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos
Def and Talib Kweli as some models for what he wanted to
accomplish. The results have been impressive thus far, with
contributions from Atlanta transplant, Big Bank and his crew
Wildfire and Hip-Hop pioneer, DJ Luvva J.
Michaels says that, although Degree Of The Streets is underway
and the release date is slated for a second or third quarter
release in 2003, he is still accepting submissions from
interested MCs and DJs.
Contact Drayton Michaels at highalertstatus@earthlink.com
NOC ON WOOD, KNOCKIN’ DOWN THE DOE!
Word on the street is that, Seattle-based record label, Noc On
Wood Records is taking their campaign nationwide. With the
streets buzzing about them also going over the $1 million
spending level, there would be no doubt of their financial
support, but where are they going? To the top if Seattle
Hip-Hop veteran Gene Dexter has any say in the matter.
“Man, we’re traveling everywhere right now,” Said Dexter on
his cell phone from somewhere on the East Coast of the U.S.
“We’re pushing the Nocturnal Rage and Mad Ro singles and
people are receiving them very well, especially Ms. Mary Jane
– we have just signed Rick James to work on the single as
well.”
Look for further material from Noc On Wood artists, Mad Ro and
Noc On Wood. Each group has received critical reviews and is
thought to have potential crossover success, with radio
support.
Noconwood.com
BLACK CAESAR AFFILIATE AND TACOMA BRED MC, YOUNG HAVE NOT
TO FOLLOW HIS DEBUT WITH ANOTHER ONE FOR THE STREETS
Following the release of his highly anticipated debut, The
Major Leagues on Capital Venture Records, Hill Top
representative and former Black Caesar roadie, Young Have Not
is already working on more material. And yes, Have Not’s album
did receive much anticipation, in spite of almost every
independently released artist attempting to make the same
claim.
Young Have Not, though only 22-years-old, is a veteran of the
Pacific Northwest Hip-Hop scene and has recently been picked
up by L.A.-based record label, Capitol Venture. In other
words, he is really doing big thangs. And the big things are
going to continue, but he has not yet completed the campaign
for his debut. “I’m working on new material, but we’re still
pushing …Major Leagues, because it’s new and it’s off the hook
– there is more to do for the current release,” said Young
Have Not from a Los Angeles studio. “I’m just driven right now
and always down to create more music, so that’s what I’m doing
now – preparing for the future…I got kids, man!”
Young Have Not and Jewell, both of Capitol Venture, recently
performed at The 11th Annual Virgo Party and Seaspot Magazine
One-Year Anniversary in Seattle. Keep it going, kat!
JACE OF THE SILENT LAMBS RELEASES STREET TALKIN’…SURVIVAL
With a ritualistic following in the Pacific Northwest and even
parts of Europe, it is quite understandable how Jace of The
Silent Lambs Project could release his latest work and expect
big things. “I’m touching the four C’s with this one –
Classrooms, Cribs, Clubs and the Community,” said Jace via
telephone from his South Seattle residence.
“I hope that with this project, will come more recognition and
community awareness,” explained the intelligent half of the
Seattle-based duo. The release of Street Talkin’…Survival is
slated for either late 2002 or early 2003.
Look for Jace’s Street Talkin’…Survival on Seaspot.com
WAY OUT RECORDS TO SET IT OFF FOR HALLOWEEN IN TIME FOR A
NEW PROJECT
Way Out Records CEO, JD is throwing a Halloween Party at the
Limelight in Olympia on Halloween night in celebration of the
freaks coming out…naw we’re clownin’.
“We’re going to get it crackin’ at the Limelight in Olympia,”
said JD from somewhere in Tacoma traffic. “We’ve got Def Jam
and Moonshine in the house and DJ Luvva J on the wheels of
steel with some special guest DJs and the ladies are always at
the Limelight anyway.”
JD and Way Out Records are celebrating the pending of release
of the Krusal (pronounced “crucial”) and Strik’s new album,
It’s Still Rainin’ on Way Out Records.
Wayoutrecords.com
STRIFE IN THE ALKAHOLIK FAMILY?
Reports of strife within the Alkaholik family should be taken
with a grain of salt – unless cats are letting a bit of
success swell their heads.
Tash of The Liks reportedly questioned Xzibit’s devotion and
respect for the Pacoima, California trio that put him on the
scene in the early to mid-90s. Tash was reportedly upset with
the way Xzibit, allegedly seemed to brush off The Liks,
consisting of J-Ro, Tash, E-Swift and other affiliates, when
he was hanging around with Snoop Dogg and members of his
entourage.
Tash said that he did not appreciate the gestures, which
seemed to have made the Liks look like second-class citizens
in front of others, and asserted that Xzibit would not be who
he is right now without the Liks.
This reporter knows that to be the truth. Hopefully, this
report is a bit out of proportion and The Liks and Xzibit come
to a peaceful, thoughtful and considerate conclusion. Truth be
told, The Liks have been putting it down and many artists have
eaten off the plates prepared by these highly underrated
veterans.
DJ LUVVA J TO RELEASE LIVE FROM I-5 Volume Three on LJ 2
Recordings/CCE
The streets require heat and with Olympia/Vancouver, B.C.
representative DJ Luvva J, you get that and then some. The
Hip-Hop veteran who is currently putting it down at
Vancouver’s Beat 94.5 FM and at a bangin’ spot near you, will
release another of his signature 'mixxxes' complete with guest
appearances from Warren G., Tash, J-Ro, E-Swift, Defari, Andre
Nickatina, Equipto, Mike JC and more.
Not to be denied are the heater tracks, programmed by Luvva J,
from artists like Erick Sermon feat. Redman, Andre Nickatina
and Equipto, Phalos Mode, DJ Quik, E-40, Xzibit, Donnell
Jones, West Side Connection, Cash Money, 3…oops!, I mean 2LW
and more.
Check for DJ Luvva J and more new releases at Seaspot.com
SPORTS
JARRAMY STEVENS GOES DOWN WITH AN INJURY
Olympia native (I don’t know why I read Idaho somewhere) and
former University of Washington Football star turned Seahawk
1st Round Pick, Jarramy Stevens has reportedly injured his
ankle and is out for about three weeks with a sprain.
Stevens who bore the brunt of some media writers for holding
out, after a somewhat troubled college career, and will
reportedly start again once he is healthy.
GARY PAYTON: A SONIC OR NOT?
The question of Gary Payton being a Sonic or not should be
troubling for the fans of Seattle’s NBA squad. The lone
remaining member of anything close to an elite Sonic team
showed up late for the first day of camp, which was also media
day in Seattle. This has led many basketball analysts to
believe that Payton will not be around in green, gold and
burgundy for long – nice color combo by the way.
The possibility of Payton leaving the Sonics would, make no
mistake about it, leave a gigantic void at the point guard and
leadership positions of the Sonics. Kenny Anderson arguments
should go mute as even a remote response to replacing the
perennial all-star. Payton is the teams all-time leader in
steals, assists and is at the top of the Sonics' career
scoring list as well. Will he be gone?
Given the clueless nature of Sonic deals like keeping Jim
McIlvaine instead of paying Kemp, the Tom Chambers deal, and
the brainless Scottie Pippen fiasco – do not be surprised.
Such a deal would underscore the classlessness nature of
today’s sports ‘loyalty.’ A nature where fans are pissed at
players who don’t want to settle for less than they are
‘worth’ and hall-of-famers, like Payton, are relegated to
ending their career by leading a team of players who will
clearly send them off into a sunset of winless battles in a
Pacific Division of giants.
Get this guy some ballers to battle L.A. and Sac-Town – in the
playoffs, not the regular season.
CLASSIFIEDS
SEASPOT INTERN PROJECT
Under the guidance of Internship Director and Editor-In-Chief
Jose S. Gutierrez Jr., Ed.M., The Seaspot Media Group will
begin accepting the inquiries and resumes of students who
would like to pursue a career in publishing, journalism,
communication and the entertainment industry.
Seaspot offers opportunities for students to learn the basics
about writing, editing, and running errands (ha ha!), all
while having the opportunity to be published.
The internship will work with educational institutions that
are willing to provide credit for students. Seaspot will serve
as the verifying body of student works and performance. Some
tutelage may occur online depending on the location of select
interns.
Current internships offered:
Promotions (Street and Corporate)
Public Relations
Journalism/Writing.
For more information contact:
jose@seaspot.com
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