THE ROADHOUSE F/ CURT@!N$, GLC & RAKAA (PROD. DJ BABU)

From the Ruby Hornet Closed Sessions...speaking of, with SXSW coming up, Closed Sessions should be going down again. Dope!!!

LUPE FIASCO: AT WAR WITH LASERS (VIDEO)

Lupe Fiasco: At War with Lasers from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

This was created by Ruby Hornet:

"At one point it wasn't about Lasers, it was about 'yo, we want out," says Lupe Fiasco about his long standoff with Atlantic Records.  Lupe had a completed project, and an eager fan base awaiting it, yet Atlantic Records did not want to release Lupe's 3rd studio album, citing creative differences and corporate concerns.  Lupe Fiasco's fans took up the battle, staging protests and circulating online petitions for the album's release.  They got what they were after this fall, when Lupe Fiasco's Lasers was given a March 2011 release date.

In this interview we talk to Lupe about his feelings during the holdout, as well as how this ordeal has affected his relationship with the music found on the new LP and his enthusiasm to promote it.  We also talk about the impact of all the protests and demonstrations on future of the music business, and how he finds grounding and support in the Lasers Manifesto.

Shouts to Numonics for sending this over.

CURREN$Y on the SUCCESS of PILOT TALK (VIDEO)

Curren$y Speaks on the Success of "Pilot Talk" from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

Curren$y sits with Ruby Hornet to discuss what it says above.  Can't believe I forgot to post this yesterday.  Oh well in case you missed it, here it is.

?UESTLOVE x CURREN$Y x KID SISTER x Q TIP x HENNESSY - WHAT MAKES AN ARTIST (VIDEO)

What Makes an Artist? starring Q-Tip, ?uestlove, Curren$y, Kid Sister from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

Third souther artist to round out this theme, Curren$y is included in this clip, plus Kid Sister (oowwwwww):

The Roots and Q-Tip were chosen by Hennessy to curate their 2010 Hennessy Artistry series. The series consists of live shows in select cities in which Q-Tip performs with the Roots and together they hand select other artists to join them on-stage.

The concept and title made us think, what makes an artist? Is it the creative process? Could it be someone’s dedication to a craft? Is it earning a paycheck for your art? Or is it just something you’re born with? We posed the question to Q-Tip, ?uestlove, Curren$y, and Kid Sister at the Chicago edition of the Hennessy Artistry series last week. Here are their answers.

FREDDIE GIBBS x LRG & CLOSED SESSIONS (VIDEO)

Closed Sessions x LRG: Freddie Gibbs Edition from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

Ok you've seen LRG here, Closed Sessions from Ruby Hornet here and you've seen Freddie Gibbs here...we'll now they're all working together so peep it.

LRG x CLOSED SESSIONS f. OUTASIGHT & NALEDGE (VIDEO & MUSIC DOWNLOAD)

Closed Sessions: Outasight Edition from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

We brought Outasight to Chicago gave him the tour and made a dope new track called "Turn It Up" Feat Naledge of Kidz in the Hall and produced by DJ Babu of the Dilated Peoples.

The song is below

Turn It Up f. Naledge - Outasight

BUN B x GLC x BJ the CHICAGO KID - HAPPINESS BEFORE RICHES (VIDEO)

Closed Sessions: "Happiness Before Riches" feat. Bun B, GLC & BJ The Chicago Kid from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

Here is a video for a track that was done for Ruby Hornet's upcoming Closed Sessions 2.  The "Closed Sessions" took place at a house during SXSW.  This is dope and it's interesting that I missed the session where they did this track.  I believe they were the session just before the one that paired El Prez, Shawn Chrystopher, DNEZ and ESSO.  I'm looking forward to this project...and you should too.  Video was filmed at the Ruby Hornet house in Austin...I recognize the scenery...too bad the women weren't there when I was though.

CLOSED SESSIONS in AUSTIN: VIDEO TRAILER f. BUN B, SHAWN CHRYSTOPHER & MORE (VIDEO)

Closed Sessions ATX Trailer from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

I was here for a few of the sessions while we were in town for SXSW and I can tell you that Shawn Chrystopher, El Prez & DNEZ laid down a dope record with the Weathermen on the beat.  Here is some insight on the project itself, peep it:

"Behind great music is a great story."
The above quote is the true driving force behind Closed Sessions, the record label we launched with SoundScape Studios towards the end of 2009.  At Closed Sessions, we bring artists to our city and our studio, open up our production resources and address book, then just get out of their way as they do what they do: create great music.  Closed Sessions Vol. 1 featured new music and a glimpse into the lives and recording habits of Curren$y, Bun B, Skyzoo, Rhymefest, U-N-I, Emilio Rojas, Kidz In The Hall and many, many more.  Shortly following the release of the EP, we partnered up with Music Dealers and SSL, took our crew and Closed Sessions idea to Austin, Texas.  From March 17th-22nd, we ate, slept, and s**t music.  Literally.  Our mansion in Texas, became a 24-hour studio and creative outlet.  Artists passed in and out at all hours, from all regions, and all sub-genres within Hip Hop music.  In that time we were able to record 11 new songs, shoot a video for "Happiness Before Riches" and capture many great stories and moments.

The result of all our efforts will be the second release from our Closed Sessions label: Closed Sessions Austin.  The release will take the form of an EP and a documentary accompanying the music and telling our story.  Below is the first taste of the Texas experience as the trailer for the forthcoming documentary.  It outlines our goals in going to Texas, a few of the problems we encountered along the way, and a glimpse as to the artists and people that made everything possible.

NUMONICS - BEING COOL DOESN'T PAY THE BILLS

You've seen me post a few things in regards to this here...

South Florida producer Numonics has joined forces with IM KING,RubyHornet and DJBooth to bring listeners his latest release, Being Cool Doesn’t Pay the Bills.

Produced entirely by Numonics and blended by Chicago’s DJ RTC (of RubyHornet & Closed Sessions), the 21-track project finds the up-and-coming beatsmith enlisting a diverse cast of rising stars and established heavyweights to pay testament to the hustle that is required to survive and thrive in today’s music game.

The project contains new and unreleased music from the likes of Donny Goines, Reks, Shawn Chrystopher, Sene, Shawn Jackson, Co$$, BK Cyph, RAtheMC, El Prez, JtheS Wrekonize, QuESt, TreaZon, ThreatZ, Dre Biggity, Saheed, DJulien, Streets Buchanon, Butta Verses, Nero, Lex One and Paul Lewis (of PaulnotPaul).

Being Cool Doesn't Pay The Bills - Numonics

CURT@!N$ - RH TV: WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND? (VIDEO)

A new viral series from Ruby Hornet where they ask artists what's on their mind...so to kick it off they happen to catch up with CurT@!N$ while he was out in Chicago.  Check it out.

RUBY HORNET TV ep.7 - J. COLE (VIDEO)

It sucks that I know so much about the background of this interview and what Ruby Hornet was doing in Austin for SXSW, BUT I can't tell ya'll anything.  For now just enjoy the clip.  Sidenote: who remembers when I showed J. Cole on this site as he did his first LA show with UNI at LMU???  And remember when I said Eazee Street would be supporting him from here on out...?  Yeah so tell me how many blogs were down with J. Cole before the Roc Nation deal...

DJ RTC of RubyHornet.com sits down with J. Cole while for an in-depth interview in the Lone Star state. J. Cole talks about how life has changed since a year ago, how the response has gone from hype to props, and distinguishing himself from other up and coming artists without being a jerk. Check it out.

UNI, CURT@!N$ & HOLLYWOOD HOLT - SO COLD (MUSIC DOWNLOAD)

The description I was given:

Warren G tour rolled into town with opening acts CurT@!n$, U-N-I and Kidz In The Hall,Naledge reached out to us about a Closed Session with CurT@!n$, and we immediately thought about pairing him with Hollywood Holt, U-N-I heard the Mano produced joint and wanted to jump on, and "So Cold" was born, Presented by Ruby Horney Closed sessions Vol.1 out now...

Produced By Million $ Mano

So Cold - Hollywood Holt, CurT@!N$ & UNI

WHO IS KID SISTER? (VIDEO)

RH TV: Who Is Kid Sister? from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

The good folks at Ruby Hornet got this in my hands...and as my attraction to Kid Sister grows deeper it's only right I post this on this slow Thursday.

Kid Sister returned home to Chicago a week after the release of her debut album, Ultraviolet.  The album underwent three name changes, as well as a delay to accompany each.  With the album out, and a packed crowd at the House of Blues, Kid Sister was ready for her homecoming show.  We met up with Kid Sister shortly before her set.  What we thought would be a laid back interview a few hours before she took the stage turned into a frenetic interview done while Kid Sister underwent hair and makeup.  With Red Bull in hand, Kid Sis defines herself, her genre, and what it means to play at the famed HOB. 

ADaD WINS RHYMEFEST CONTEST

I posted a video of this artist catching up with our fam UNI and learned that he has some people that are originally from my neighborhood.  He recently won a small contest that is very inspiring for other aspiring artists.  Read the news below and if you're curious about ADaD head over here to hear some music.

December 7th, 2009 Chicago - It has just been announced that Chicago rapper ADaD has won Rhymefest's ““Give It To Me” Contest.
RubyHornet teamed up with Grammy Award winning rapper Rhymefest and dNBE Entertainment to offer independent artists a chance to appear on Fest's forthcoming album, El Che. The track up for grabs is entitled "Give It To Me" and is produced by Scram Jones. Also featured on the track is rapper Saigon

RubyHornet.com stated: "Not only is Rhymefest giving one undiscovered talent the opportunity to be featured on an epic album, he is also hoping to launch the career of a new dynamic voice in Hip Hop.  The winning contestant will not only be featured on the digital version of the single, but will also appear in the video for the song when it debuts.”

“ADaD is a great choice for "Give It To Me". Says Ruby Hornet's founder and Editor in Cheif DJ RTC. "Going through the entries was
not an easy thing, and there were many solid ones. There were also a lot of not very good ones.  Rhymefest set a tone and theme for the song, and ADaD not only stuck to it, but he brought something new with his verse. Based on the previous works from ADaD, I'm not really surprised at all that he turned in the winning entry.  ADaD is that dope”

DJ RTC isn't the only one who feels this way. ADaD has been getting a lot of attention recently for being picked as one of URB Magazine's 25 fastest emerging artists in their 25 NOW! Issue: http://is.gd/5cm3H .
Producer Exile has chosen ADaD to be the next MC he champions. ADaD and Exile are currently working on a full length together to be released earl 2010.
San Francisco based label Frite Nite will be releasing 2 songs from ADaD alongside producers: Low Limit of Lazer Sword and Salva in the beginning of 2010.
All Natural inc. will also be releasing an album with ADaD's side project Eulorhythmics February 2010

EXILE x UNI x ADaD - ADaD INVADES LA

RH TV: Adad Invades L.A. from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

ADaD is just racking them up. The Chicago emcee was named to URB’s 25 Now, had an interesting Taco lunch and is currently working on a full length album with L.A.’s Exile. ADaD made a trip out to the Sunshine state early last month to start the project, and he took the RH cam with him (shouts to Adam Leaders). Hit the jump to see ADaD’s trip to L.A. in its fully glory in a piece we call “ADaD Invades L.A.”, with guest appearances from Exile, and our good friends in U-N-I as well.- Ruby Hornet

UNI x RUBY HORNET at UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN

RH TV: U-N-I Live @ Madison, WI from Ruby Hornet on Vimeo.

I showed ya'll pics from this show last week or the week before...but here is some actual footage that Ruby Hornet took.  Peep it out.

UNI's MIDWEST TRIP c/o RUBY HORNET

UNI took a small Midwest trip recently and Ruby Hornet took some photos so ya'll could see.  If you go here you can see more pics.

12 Minutes with DJ BABU

A lil interview session with DJ Babu, c/o of Rubyhornet's Imeem profile.

Blu & Astonish - Ruby Hornet TV Freestyle

You already know why this goes up...

Bonus: Blu on the cover of XXL (now maybe u understand why he had that XXL freestyle vid) with one of my fav new NYC emcees. Hint: his dad was such a wack rapper!!!

PAC DIV - Freestyle in the Park

You already know I fux with these dudes since Day 0...so if it's sumn floating around with them in it...IT'S GOIN UP. UPDATE: Found an better quality version if you've been paying attention today.