Top Ten Five Rap Albums of 2009

Merry Christmas people. In case you don't know, this is almost my 100th post on Underground Trini Artiste so thank God for things going so long. As you'd probably know, I was busy for most of this year working on my album Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi so things have severely slowed down on this side but no worry, we still here and we're going to be pushing throughout next year. And Raining Shots video is out but trust me, there are many more to come. Look out for the video for "Stress" scheduled to drop Ash Wednesday.

Now I've listened to a lot of rap this year and it hasn't been the best of years. I know you cynical guys going to be like how hip hop dead and how dey spoiling de music years now and oh blame it on [insert currently most popular rapper here] but dats not the reason I don't rate this year though. For me the big anticipated albums largely disappointed, so much so that there are two mixtapes on my list of top albums. One of the traits of many good blogs is controversy and I willingly intend to cause it here by saying that this IS the definitive list of top 5 rap albums, I not disclaiming with no "this is my opinion" ish. If you disagree then yuh free to comment and explain yuhself but unless I didn't get a chance to listen something, this is DE LIST homie lol. So in no particular order...

ONLY BUILT FOR CUBAN LINX PT II - RAEKWON


It's a known fact that most sequels suck, especially when they come out over a decade after the original. Not this one though. Far from actually. Featuring a host of old school-sounding, mystical sampling, boom bap beats with mainly Wu-tang alumni tearing them to shreds, this album sounds like a throw-back but in the best way possible. As a matter of fact, this album actually continues the storyline of the first so you can actually listen from the first one straight into this one. How bad is dat?

NO CEILINGS - LIL WAYNE


Yeah yeah, so ah know there is going to be Wayne hate and I admit Weezy has been releasing auto-tune flavoured mess for de longest while but de boy come good here. Some of the most clever, creative and laugh out loud hilarious punchlines for the year all live on this tape and I suggest any of you haters to google the tape and listen first before hating. No ceilings!

ENEMY OF THE STATE - LUPE FIASCO


Yeah ah know, another mixtape? But yuh cyah be so. This year wasn't the best one for rap releases and oh gosh, is Lupe. The highlight is when mih boy spazzes over Lil Wayne's "Fireman" and does to him what he usually does to other rappers. Classic.

ATTENTION DEFICIT - WALE


Normally you won't expect one of the best rap albums of the year to come from a guy who had the lamest verse in the BET Cypher in which there was stiff competition for lameness. However, I must admit the man was killing on the mixtapes a while now and his album is pretty dope. It's definitely different but the punchlines are there, the music is there and the features are almost all on point. Don't sleep on this.

SLAUGHTERHOUSE - SLAUGHTERHOUSE


Now I'll start by saying that this album in my opinion was a big disappointment. Based on the individual work of the four members of this group and the tracks that they released prior to the album dropping, this album should have been at least twice as hard as it was. Nevertheless, the album is still hard and although the concepts and beats weren't what they should have been, the sheer lyrical and mcing skill of these four pull the album through.

And that's it folks. Let me hear what allyuh think. Till next time, Face out!

Recession Music: Number one on Trinidad Tunes

Well Recession Music has been out free on the Internet a while now as a thank you note to all the people who supported the project and enabled me to not only make back my costs but profit as well but more recently, I put it up on Trinidad Tunes. It came out on Trinidad Tunes a little more than a month ago and has since become the number one downloaded album there for the past two weeks with the song "Girls Like Radio" claiming the top downloaded song spot this week so I thank God for that.

With that known and yuh boy dominating Trinidad tunes and all, I want to invite all of you still reluctant folks to vibez the album as it's currently FREE leaving you with no excuse. You can preview the tracks below and download the entire mixtape here. Yeah take it in and you can let me know what you think too.

Also, the video for Raining Shots off my official album "Hitchhiker's Guide To Uwi" (buy it here) is out so you can view that below as well. Face out.

Raining Shots official video

De video out people. Vibez it and let me know what you think. Look out for the video for "Stress" next with a bigger budget. Till then folks, stay good...Face out!

I endorse this tune: In Front ah meh

This is de baddest soca song I hear for this year so far. Big up Umi Marcano.

Da Face - Weekly Status Update

Hey folks, I haven't been too up-to-date with my Underground Trini Artiste posts due to two main factors; album promotions and pure trini laziness. And to that I say no more. On the road to the new year and beyond, expect to receive weekly updates about Da Face along with other underground artistes that I link up with. I'm also going to start a video blog so you won't only be reading Da Face but seeing Da Face as well. Trust me it's going to be fun.

In line with that, I have a few upcoming things to highlight. First off, the video for the track "Raining Shots" featuring Make it Hapn is done and should be out before Christmas. This track has been out and about for months now but if you haven't heard it you can vibez it on my facebook fan page...and join one time too. The video was directed by my sister Paula Hamilton with the camera work handled by Justin Mayers and everything came out top-notch, especially for the limited resources we worked with. I also want to big up everyone who came out for the shoot, it was an $85 in doubles well spent.

Also, I just came off some good performances on Synergy, D'Rapture the concert and On Top Fridays in Kavemar and will be continuing that trend. You can see me this Wednesday in Amore cafe in Port of Spain promoting my blazing hot material from the album Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi so make sure and come through and check it out. I will have copies of Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi on me as always for the price of $20TT so anywhere you see me doh fraid to check me for one. To get a little taste of what I will be coming with, check my last performance in "One Mic" below. Face out.

Face on D Rapture pon 94.1 fm Boom

As you can see we reaching somewhere with this ting. Yuh boy was in two interview within the last week with the latter being the interview on the hottest hip hop show to hit the airwaves known as D'Rapture which is airing its last show for the season the following Sunday from 3-5 in the evening (I might be on it again, never know).

So check out the vibez below. And Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi going to be online soon so all you who not in trini will be able to cop it same speed. Face out.

A Face in the Guardian

Check out yuh boy Da Face in the Guardian newspaper today. Nuff big up to Gillian Moore for the excellent write up and thanks to all the people who purchased "Recession Music" over the last two months.

And doh forget, album launch tomorrow starting 8pm by Equinox bar in Uwi featuring DJ PUN and Marvin on the boards with performances from Make It Hapn, Skeeto, Frost Blaze, Keevan L, Gary Acosta and yuh boy Da Face. Face out.

Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi

As you may or may not know, the album that I've been working on for the last year and a half is finally coming out, launching to the world, bussing de tape and being revealed this Friday 16th October at Equinox bar in uwi. I invite all of you who have been supporting me by reading the sometimes idle words I throw on this blog to come out and vibez de event as it will feature performances from Make it Hapn, Skeeto, Frost Blaze, Gary Acosta, Keevan and yuh boy Da Face. The festivities begin @ 8pm and door price is free. And oh yeah, walk with $20 for the album. That's $20 for a fully mixed and mastered album so yuh cyah go wrong.

Additionally, you can peep the tracklist below and check out me mashing up One Mic with two big tunes from the album titled "Born Smart" and "Stress". Till Friday, Face out.

Recession Music (FREE)

I eh saying much...all I have to say is click on the pic (or here) to get Recession Music free. This is for all you stickers who didn't cop the album. Doh study it doh, I got you.

Also, check out all existing videos for Recession Music below. Face out.

Mixtape season

Yeah this 2009 has really been the season for mixtapes. What is a mixtape you may ask? Well the definition is a bit odd as it should be since it differs greatly from its original usage. You see back in the day before some of you young-uns been dreaming of conception, people would compile songs on ancient technology know as cassete tapes to bump in their decks. Nowadays, a mixtape is a compilation of music from a rapper that usually involves him/her rapping over popular beats from other artistes. And right now I'm going to get you up on the mixtape and albums you should be looking for right now and need to get.

Open Fire mixtape - Make it Hapn

This mixtape is vintage Make it Hapn, keeping it real and bringing that trini flow over popular beats. Nuff sharp lyrics and hard hitting rhymes in this one. The price is $20TT and you can cop it in Lion's Den Studios.

Recession Music - Da Face

This is the mixtape and first release of any kind from ya boy yours truly. The beat selection is diverse and features me spitting flames about life in a land of musical and economic recession. This is $20TT and can also be copped in Lion's Den Studios or Highway Records.

Play it Safe mixtape - Skeeto

This is the latest mixtape from Skeeto and features an eclectic mix of styles ranging from poetry to witty rhymes over popular beats and covering reality music over live instruments with time for a poetic duet over radiohead. Cop this one for $30TT in Lion's Den Studios.

P.I.M.P. Music - St. Ans

This actually isn't a mixtape but the debut album from the artiste known as St. Ans featuring original beats and dense wordplay. Trust me, you're going to have to listen to this one more than once to get everything. Cop this one for $40TT in Lion's Den Studios.

The Eyes of Many - Trakslasha

This one is also an album and features Trakslasha with his producer hat on mostly and other Trini hip hop artistes such as Nem Red, Hollo, Papi, KVA and many others. You can cop this one for $50TT in Highway Records or $6.99US online at cdbaby.com.

So there you have it ppl. Don't be shy, buy. Get in that real trini music and you won't be disappointed. Btw, "Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi" aka my first album is launching in uwi @ Equinox bar on Friday 9th October and you're all invited so you can be there or be square. Till then check out the latest single from the mixtape Recession Music below...Face out.

Brendon Starr

I cyah lie but Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame acceptance speech has to be one the most empowering, inspiring and real things I've ever listened to. Yeah he was a bit obnoxious; he called out past opponents and coaches on the various times when they made his life hard and/or doubted him but what's more real than that and also said "there is not 'I' in team but an 'I' in win. Still, his main point was preserved which is, when people try to pull you down, channel it into your success. Feed off that hate yo!

And talking bout success, today I'm featuring a very talented Trinidad rapper here who goes by the name of Brendon Starr. He has a free mixtape up called "The Set-Up" (check it here) which is not only a super-bargain in these recession times for the price of free but a good listen either way. The delivery, flow and heart is there along with his beat selection so trust me when I say you will enjoy this one. Remember the name people, Brendon Starr, and check out that mixtape and spread it right through Trinidad. Face out.

Roxii - A female rapper making waves

Yo ppl, waz de scene. Today I have something for allyuh that in Trinidad is not the norm and most times unexpected - unlike the budget. I want to introduce for allyuh or rather re-introduce local female rapper extraordinaire Roxii. If you have been following up on my blog though, you may notice that Roxii was on the third edition of my Underground Trini Freestyles feature and handled herself like a champion with ppl saying she even rough me up on de mic (daz how tings does go sometimes).

All that aside, she has a new single to promote dese days called "Ghetto Cry" which you can listen to here. Additionally, she is going to be a guest on a local hip hop show called "The Rapture" between 4pm and 5pm this Sunday on 94.1fm Boom Champions so make sure and listen out for Roxii live. If you didn't know, Roxii is part of the rap association of Trinidad aka RAPA which doing big tings this year with many more ginormous tings to come. So support mih girl, doh stick. Face out.

Street Style Saturdays

Yeah ppl, waz de scene. Everything cool? I certainly hope so cause I been flying since my album finish mix and it going to be out real soon. The only thing I working hard on now is to get the album cover looking crisp and den daz it, boom bang.

Right now dey have a good padna ah mine named Warren Anderson who kinda grab the baton/torch from what I been doing with Underground Trini Freestyle and do more than run...de man flying with it. He have this set a videos called Street Style Saturdays where he briefly interviews upcoming artistes and then have them show what they worth over a beat which is what ppl really care about anyways (a man after my own heart). Anyways, I have the the latest video embedded here and you can vibes them in the group on facebook one time as well to view all the previous ones. And remember, get dat Recession music and keep viewing my videos on youtube. Face out.

Recession Music (third single released)

Yeah ppl, check out the third release from the mixtape "Recession Music". If you haven't copped it yet, check Highway Records or Lion's Den Studios. Let me know what you think of it too.

Also, look out for Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi releasing this month. Right now it mixing and should be mastering this week. This album is a full concept album about life in university and it go be a mixture of seriousness, real jones, introspection and knowledge along with some surprising revelations about campus life. Doh worry though, yuh go be hearing a lot about it real soon. Face out.

Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi...coming soon

Yo ppl, Face here. It's been too long since I blogged, between getting my mixtape Recession Music out and finishing my album, so I will apologise but let allyuh know to expect real stuff out in September. As we speak, the mixtape "Recession Music" is on sale right now for $20TT so you can hit me up @ 7663443 for a copy.

Other than that, Hitchiker's Guide to Uwi is still coming early September. I have purposely kept a veil of secrecy over this album but I can promise you that it's going to be one of the strangest and best album you have heard from a local artiste in years. At its most obvious, this album is going to be the first ever based on the topic of uwi and one of the few concept albums coming out of Trinidad with all the crazy concepts and wicked lyricism dat you can expect from Da Face. So look for it in September and keep your eyes peeled on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/ArtisteDaFace) for more details.

And in the meantime, just listen to some of my previous releases. I have a special remix for "Raining Shots" for the album but you won't hear a word from me about that till later. Trust me though, it big. Face out.

Recession Music new release: "Heartless"

Well Recession Music has been selling and I'm pleased with how things are going. So far I've gotten some good reviews so what I'll tell you is get it if you haven't got it. Is $20TT so just call me 7663443 and we could link anywhere around Port of Spain during the week or check Highway Records in Curepe or Lion's Den studios in Mt Lambert.
In the meantime, enjoy "Heartless". Ah gone, Face out.

Recession Music

Yeah ppl, so "Recession Music" is done and will be made available to you next week. I was hoping to get stuff out this week but packaging got derailed for a moment so with the assistance of mih brethren Skeeto, who came in like a hero with some good news Saturday, that musical crack will be in your ears soon.

On another note, I don't know how many of you live on facebook like me but I've just recently dropped the first single "Girls Like Radio" and the responses have been numerous and all good so far. So without further ado, I present that big tune here (if you haven't heard it already) and also give allyuh de tracklisting one time as well. Remember ppl, is only $20TT and yuh could always vibez mih in de comments section here or on Facebook to get your copy. Face out.



TRACKLIST

1. Recession Music
2. Successful
3. Girls like Radio
4. Return of Autotune
5. Heartless
6. Renegade
7. Ironic
8. Everybody Knows
9. Raining Shots (ALBUM SINGLE)
10. Outro

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson. What can I say? The man was and still is very much an enigma, leaving most people to just postulate his inner thoughts and try to decipher the man behind the machine that executed complex dance moves to perfection on stage to some of the most recognizable songs on earth using probably the most recognizable singing voice on earth. Ever since guy died, as an upcoming artiste I've been doing a lot of research trying to find out who this guy really was and what was his work ethic like to achieve the things he did before his untimely and unexpected passing. I've already listened to his most popular and critically acclaimed albums (Thriller, Bad and Dangerous) and after his death the influence of those songs on popular music is even more glaring. He was the last of an era where super stardom meant that you possessed a plethora of unearthly talents; not just a good body and the autotune plugin. And despite his talents, this guy's work ethic was out of this world.

When I got into Michael Jackson at the age of about 7 or so, he was already white. I'm an 80's babe who didn't possess cable (still don't) so "Bad" was probably the first song from Michael that I heard. The first video I saw of Michael was "Black and White" on Kasey Casem's countdown and it would be quite a while still before I heard his other stuff and be able to reconcile the fact that the black dude who also sounded like him was him, just before that awful disease gripped him (btw, I wish someone could finally shed more light on that scene plese). Looking back I wonder a lot of things, a lot of 'what ifs'. What if he never broke his nose dancing or get burnt doing that pepsi commerical? Would he have participate in as much plastic surgery if he didn't need that first nose job? What if he had a normal childhood? Then he may not have had the robot-like discipline to perfect his complex signature moves and spend repeated takes in the studio with Quincy Jones recording Thriller aka the best selling album of all time or gotten in trouble liming too much with those little boys. The list goes on and on.

Anyways, the most important thing to take from this guy's death for me is the hard work that he put into his craft. Rumors and controversies aside, this guy was a true artiste who transformed music videos into what they are today and crafted some of the most edgy and eccentric sounding popular songs ever created. Songs like "Thriller" and "Billie Jean" are difficult to place in any category of music but the "Michael Jackson" category and are number one hits as well as classic songs. He wasn't just an artiste who wanted to be popular but one who was took risks with his musical choices. Most importantly, even though this guy was blessed with superhuman technical singing talents and range at his peak, he was obsessive about practicing and perfection, a trait that we should all emulate as artistes. Either way, let me know what you thought of the legend. R.I.P. Michael. Face out.

Lion's Den Studio Launch

I dunno how much of you peeped my facebook status Wednesday but in my message I had a link to the Lion's Den Studio launch event. This event was not only a launch of the studio but a launch of a new production company called "Solid Medz" as well. For those of you who don't know, Lion's Den is a new studio situated in Mt Lambert that is run by Lamar "Beebo" Pollar and Richard "Pun" Romano. The studio itself is of historical significance since it was owned by the late Roaring Lion, an icon and pioneer within the calypso music genre.

With that said, the whole event went down smooth. The ambiance of the place really set the mood for those in attendance. The crowd there wasn't over thick but was just the right size with man like Make it Hapn, Nem Red, Vmax, Bongah Chops amongst others in attendance. Sad to say, I wasn't able to make it to the after party down in the Lure @ Chaguaramas which I heard was also quite good. Nevertheless, yuh boy didn't stick wit de camera so you can check out the videos below. And don't forget to vibes Beebo and Lion's Den in Mt Lambert for your recording, mixing and production needs (check de facebook page). I do my thing there and have been working with Beebo for over a year now on my album Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi so I fully endorse them. Face out.

Five Underground Artiste Tips (unfinished)

So to prevent an over-abundance of 'loose' arguments I tacked on an unfinished to the title. I'm still underground, still hustling, mixtape "Recession Music" releasing this week (hopefully) and still massaging my album "Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi" to perfection so I won't say that I have a doctorate on giving upcoming artistes advice on what to do. However, I'm very observant so peep the unordered list and let me know what you think.

1) Ignore the haters - People like to talk and hating on new artistes is a given. Even I'm guilty of not giving ppl a chance sometimes and I'm an artiste. No matter how good you are you're going to get it so you need to learn to have that healthy confidence in yourself. As ironic as it seems, people will actually like your music in direct proportion to how much you like your music.

2) Don't ignore the haters...completely - I know that I just said ignore the haters but as hard as it may be to swallow...some of them have a point. That freestyle you posted over Jayz's "Hard Knock Life" may actually not be better than the original. Use hate, even misdirected ones like: "Yuh should stop recording mih boy. Yuh is real sh*t" as a stepping stone to improve yourself. Personally, I go in front the computer and freestyle every time someone tells me I'm mess.

3) Practice - Practice constantly. Making it mainstream from underground is like making it into the premiership from first division: You have to be first in your league to advance. Yes you have songs better than what playing on the radio but your songs need to be better than everyone else who is trying to make it. It's true that it takes more than good songs to make it but having good songs is basic.

4) Understand the business - Success in the industry is not only about your musical output. You have to understand how to position yourself to be heard. This involves marketing, knowing important people, dealing with studios, taking advice, forming alliances, using collaborations effectively, networking, acquiring a good manager etc. I won't get into all of this stuff but basically a terrible artiste with good business sense will win over a good artiste with no business sense any day (ignoring lady luck of course). Discovering and understanding the market you are trying to appeal to also falls under this. Don't frustrate yourself with badman songs if you know girl songs is your thing. Just do you.

5) Plan for the future - If you do the right things then success will come so you have to plan for it. What will you do? What's the next step? You don't want to be caught pants down when an opportunity presents itself. Additionally, when that money start flowing you don't want to be caught broke and a 'has been' months later. This game doesn't offer pension so you need to make it work and make it last.

And daz it people. Look out for "Recession Music" soon and take in "Raining Shots" below. I gone. Face out.

Underground Trini Freestyles (The Graduatez)

Ah eh lying, this Saturday was like a full work day, no lie (yeah ah not lying). On top of recording most of my mixtape titled "Recession Music", I also did the fifth edition of Underground Trini Freestyles with a local hip hop group called "The Graduatez".

Luckily though, I enjoyed working with those guys. They have a nice vibe about them and the punchlines go hard fuh real. You can check out more of their stuff on myspace or under "Synod Entertainment" on facebook. Doh take my word for it though, check them in the video below. And look out for my mixtape "Recession Music" releasing next week. Face out.

Mixtape preview: Renegade

Yo Underground trinis, Face here.
I'm finally wrapping up the last track on my album and everything is going kinda according to plan. Hitchhiker's Guide to uwi WILL be ready and delivered within the first week of September with nuff big tracks on it. I'm an intellectual too so me eh know if everyone will get everything I'm putting out on dat cd but allyuh who does follow up this blog intelligent so me eh worried.

In the meantime, I'm bringing out a mixtape at the end of the month to tide over till my album releases. It's going be only $20 so de price recession-ready out de box. On this mixtape, I have a song to buss called "Renegade" featuring four trini dialect rappers keeping it real and trust me...it out of this world. I have a little preview there from my studio session Sunday gone so check it out nuh. Mind you, is a ruff draft and I more than likely might spit over my verse but dat will give you an idea bout what coming. Face out.

VMAX: All Day video

Yeah ppl, waz de scene. I dey just working hard and by the end of this month you should be able to catch the fruits of my labour in the form of a $20 mixtape leading up to the album "Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi" in September this year. Till then you can vibes my current single Raining Shots.

Anyways, mih brethren Vmax just release the video for his current single "All Day" so I want you all to check it out please. For those who tuned in, he was pon Synergy Monday night and did his ting in bringing Trini rap to the forefront. You can also check him on facebook too so doh stick. Face out.

Trini Videos on youtube pt 10

Yeah ppl doh frighten, it's been a minute since I posted but I've been working on the album and now I've finally finished recording all the songs. I'm just polishing stuff up now so it go shine like the light from a million diamonds when I release...done know.

In the meantime you can look out for a mixtape from me dropping in early June that should tide y'all over till the album launch in September. Till then check these vids. Face out.

New Trinidad rap single: Street Bang'r

Whaddup folks. I know you know about the articles, different features and Underground Trini Freestyles from de site but I'm also going to be bussing a lot of music and videos from underground artistes as well. And what better way to start than with a song that is one of the biggest rap releases I've heard in a while. The song I'm talking about is "Street Bang'r" by Trakslasha featuring KVA.

If you doh know, KVA or Kayotic Verbal Automatics is a rap group comprised of three members that have been holding it down for a while. Over an insane beat by Slasha, they proceed to murder shit with sick metaphors and some very tight delivery. The song is the first single from the album "The Eyes of Many" due to be released 21/06/09 so you can check that out. What more can I say? Enjoy. Face out.

Underground Trini Freestyles (Frost Blaze)

Yeah ppl, what it is? If you doh know I can tell you though. Is Underground Trini Freestyles back up in it with a big artiste called Frost Blaze who totally destroyed the beat as the footage shows. Frost Blaze is a member of the Synod Entertainment clan (Click here for facebook page) and right now they're doing big tings, essentially sharing my goal which is to come from behind and take over the music game...in Trinidad...jed. lol

Anyways, just scroll down and check out the video nuh. Join the Synod Entertainment page on Facebook to get more updates on Frost Blaze and look out for the single Raining Shots from me on radio as well. Face out.

Trinidad Soca Artiste Precious Nude photos???

I just hear a ting where formerly big soca artiste Precious get in a tiff with some bf or something who proceeded to virally market aka leak some nude pics of her. I haven't seen them but from what I've heard this ting is not a rumour with ting reaching in court and man getting put on bail. Anybody with more info feel free to comment and enlighten.

Oh yeah...check out my new single Raining Shots (DOWNLOAD HERE) when yuh get a chance. Face out.

Dancehall...waz de scene

Yo ppl, it's been a good minute since I've written any lengthy discussions about anything with all the album preparation and the releasing of my new big bad single Raining Shots (download here). However, this topic is one that has been liming in my mind for a while. Back in what I like to call the 'golden age' of dancehall (nineties), there was more variety in released dancehall music than strains of the cold virus. No matter what your thing was; girls, weed, violence, knowledge, politics, rastafarianism; everything was covered. Sadly, according to my ears those days have long gone.

One of my fondest memories pertaining to dancehall music was cutting class whole day to listen to the 96.1 top 100 reggae/dancehall countdown. At the time, we were hooked on the stuff yuh know...arguing bout how Beenie is a 'now come' and how a Beenie go place higher than a Shabba or how Terror Fabulous hits should have been higher, how they put too much Super Cat...or not enough. Thinking bout that reminded me of a fonder time where dey had more to dancehall than just a war between its two current stars. Ah mean, Beenie and Bounti warring on and off for a decade now and that was hardly ever the focal point of the genre.

Things real change. An artiste like Goofy who's topics would range from channeling the Fudge vendor to wondering whether somebody just passed gas could never survive in this present dancehall world (not citing that as cream of the crop material though). Topics these days rarely stray from nihilistic type hustling, violence and giving a girl love...violently. I fully admit that I'm generalizing somewhat but it even seems like there are less artistes in total! A quick listen to an hour of Trini urban radio would go something like; Vybez, Movado, Vybez, Movado, Busy Signal, Vybez, Movado, Vybez, Movado (and yuh know yuh eh hearing local music so). And all of the topics whether informative or wutless are heavy stuff.

It's true that we're living in serious times but oh gosh man. I find de landscape getting a little too monochromatic. Dese days sometimes I does wish mainstreet crew could come back with another riddim featuring Red Rat, Goofy, Buccaneer, General Degree, Hawkeye and de rest of de clip singing bout some off de wall that using involves girls but frequently involves more obscure affair like say, somebody passing gas. Nowadays dancehall artistes getting as materialistic as rap men and is nuff talk bout money, tuff talk bout defending it etc. It's a no-brainer that artistes usually draw references from the environment around them so maybe it's a snapshot of our times...I doh know. Either way, it doesn't make for diverse music. Or at least that's my opinion. Comment and leh me know wah you think and I'm also welcoming the bun down that I'm prob going to receive as well. Face out.

New single: Raining Shots

Yeah folks. The long awaited first single from the album "Hitchhiker's Guide to Uwi" has been released. Big shoutout to Juma Bannister who took de bess photo that you see in the video. The man is a professional so if you need photos for your wedding or other such events you can see what he working with and contact him here.

And don't be shy. Let me know what you think. Face out.

Trini videos on youtube pt 9

It's been a long time people. The artiste thing has been picking up and I'm almost at the end of my album so things been busy. And oh yeah...de Face Music ting as well. Look out for my new single "Raining Shots" too. I'm dropping dat off in de radio stations and ting but yuh know ah go hook allyuh up first.

Anyways, I got some bess videos for allyuh so enjoy.

Underground Trini Freestyles (Roxii)

Yeah ppl, we back in dey skin with de Underground Trini Freestyles again. This time we're featuring on other than female Trinidad rapper Roxii pon de mic with yours truly Da Face in de mix and video production assisted by Beebo (de man almost wanted to charge we). Right now Roxii is looking to release her first single and as far as I know it's between Never put U.S down and Make It ft. KayJae & Azzassin. Either way, make sure and keep yuh ears open for it.

Well, what can I say. Check out the videos and you can hit up her fan page on facebook if you want to catch more of her. Stay tuned for the next edition. Face out.

Look everyone...a falling star

Ok I admit, this proclamation is a little premature but then again...I did say "falling star". It's not a bad thing anyway seeing as we're talking about an artiste that has been completely dominating a musical genre for about over a decade now. And as I've said in an article that I wrote some time before titled "Carnival Without Machel", this turn of events will just give other stars a chance to shine and make the carnival sky as lovely or maybe more lovely than before.

And who say he falling? Well actually I say so. Since last year I was seeing the cracks in the armour. The first sign was when he nabbed one of the melodies of "Jumbie" to spawn the mediocre "Blazin de Trail" and was actually pushing it as if it had a chance of winning road march (lmao at all of you who thought it would). The second was when he started getting out-shined on riddims repeatedly by Patrice. Even so, I wasn't too worried because I surmised that Mr. HD was just taking a little break and plus..."Defence" kinda made up for any other shortcomings. This year is a whole other story though.

It started again with Patrice out-shining him yet again; this time his "Rave" was poisoned by "Sway in de mas", showing that it was no fluke and probably a sign of the times. Then the fall continued, not because he roughed up Mr Shurwayne "Oh no no noooo" Winchester for using a song neither of them owned, but when people actually took Shurwayne's side including people like me who can't stand the dude. I didn't go AC7 but people were even saying that Shurwayne's band Y.O.U. had the better performance! And lastly, the actual push off the cliff of dominance came with the frustratingly mediocre "Wild Ants" and its hilariously bad music video. P.S. I know I'm writing this a little too late but I really wish the Soca Mafia could stop pushing "Wild Ants". I thought their little operations were supposed to be covert? Nobody really like de song so everybody done know what dey trying to do.

Yeah, well de boy real slipping. Every year until 2K8 has seen Mr HD has bringing something new and innovative to the game - Powder Puff girls, mixing genres (Mr Walker anyone?), featured dancehall artistes (Mr Vegas, Red Rat), featured calypso legends (Sparrow, Calypso Rose), the AC series, features with big international artistes (Wyclef), ignoring Soca Monarch and a continuously evolving stage performance over the years which involved splits, rapid-fire wining, balancing fat girls pon de neck, disappearing off stage, fireworks, fire-breathing moko jumbies etc. I don't know what really went on but I just know that this was the first year in a decade when Machel has not been the easiest chain-up for fete attendance (that would be KMC but soca mafia poison him this year). I won't say anything more because I want you people who reading to comment and let me know what they think but dang... how could you have Umi Marcano, Patrice Roberts, Zan, Busy Signal, Skinny Fabulous and Collie Budz all involved in a performance and it still lacklustre. Pressure! Let me know what you think. Face out.

Valentine Anti-heartbreak tip: Maintain a professional love for your favourite artiste

Happy valentines day ladies. Yeah you didn't read wrong, I said it. Maintain a professional love for your favourite artiste. Buy their music, like their music, play their music...even find them hot, but don't step into that zone where you start to make assumptions about their character and what they can and cannot do. And this is for the fellas too (doh watch mih funny), maintain that distance mih brethren. Don't understand why I'm calling out fellas too? How many men get hurt and badly wounded when Sizzla first when down the wrong road to "pump up er poom poom"? I remember days yonder when men used to quote Sizzla more then they own bible and in fact, that was the only way in which some men even knew about scripture. Yeah, so people, like them, but don't assume.

Now as the headlining picture suggests, this article is influenced by the Rihanna and Chris Brown situation. Personally, I am a little strange as a 26 year old Trinidadian male in the fact that actually I liked the music of both artistes involved. I was like the only person in Trinidad who actually enjoyed Rihanna's performance when she came to Trinidad - this performance was panned by every pen writing person with the time for an opinion at the time. I was also probably the tallest person in the Chris Brown concert and one of the only ones not screaming at the top of my lungs (I even wrote an article about it). With that being said, even though I still can't see Chris Brown having the testicular fortitude to hit anyone, I can't say I'm surprised. I (thankfully) don't see the fella when he taking a dump or when he pulling coverlet and dribbling on himself so how de hell would I know anything about him that his music label didn't painstakingly market to me? And as the story is slowly being revealed, I don't doubt that we may find shocking stuff about Rihanna hidden under her umbrella.

And I don't understand what all the shock is about in general. Remember the Akon who before Trinidad maintained an image of being "locked up" and a "soul survivor"? Who knew that he could be so 'wotless' with that under-aged girl (yeah, under-aged girl is redundant) or any girl for that matter? De man just spread de girl like a blanket and proceeded to shine the floor of Zen for Johnny Sung as if that was in the contract. Then in the aftermath, a simple google search revealed that this gunta has done the same thing before as well as lied to a significant degree about his whole convict persona and suddenly, the mirror cracks and the real image is not as pretty as the virtual one.

The last year has had a lot of these wtf moments as well. Rick Ross, now known as Officer Ricky, has built a career claiming to be a boss and a real as they come. Honestly, I never understood the whole 'boss' thing because I have a boss and trust me, he not so tough. That aside, de mark buss and dis fella was actually putting men in jail as a prisons officer right around the time when he was supposed to be ruling the streets and breaking the law. Then there was Young Buck, ex-G unit member, who was recorded crying on the phone by 50 cent about money problems. Young Berg is a next one who got slapped and had his chain snatched on separate occasions. Mos Def was found to have multiple children with many baby mamas. Even Machel was...wait a minute. That one wasn't unexpected. But you get my point. This stuff happens all the time.

If you really think about it, the problem doesn't lie with the artiste. They are just trying to become wealthy and eat a food. The problem lies with us because, as humans, we crave fantasies. Even if an artiste is coming off as a normal person, they must be a fantastic normal person. They have to be the most normal person in the history of normal people, which is, not normal. We demand these fantasies which in turn, allow people to 'eat a food' by being becoming professionals at building them. How is it that a fat man who looks like a black cross between E.Honda and Zangief could ever be even thought of as gangsta - because people are damn good at that sh*t. And what's more they do it for us. So we can get into the music and enjoy it because everyone knows that normal people are incapable of making good music. Right?

So in all the fantasy, doh get tie up. Artiste are animals. Like me. I will pick up a chicken with my bare hands and devour it, even in a posh restaurant...I eh business. I sure allyuh didn't even know a gentleman like me used to conduct it so. Trust me, we artistes are animals. Actually, we're far worse than animals. We're human beings like everyone else.

Trini videos on youtube pt 8 (Carnival Edition)

Yo people, waz de scene? I've swiftly become one of those infected by the dreaded flu and it sucks. Normally I get poisoned on Ash Wednesday but this time is like I get my share early. Anyway, check out the videos...I've added strictly soca since that is what it is in Trinidad right now anyway. Face out.


Patch and Mastamind - Rum and Roti


KMC - I Will


Bunji Garlin Ft Beenie Man - Plenty Gyal (Remix)


Maxi Priest & Shurwayne - Make it Yours


Patrice & Machel - Looking Hot, Push Bumper, Tempa Wine

Whappen COTT?

Hard luck for de delay eh readers, I was just kinda busy doing that music stuff for the past week or so but doh worry...I back on de grind harder than Israel Khan in de commission of inquiry. Boom!

Anyway, corny similes aside...I just want to keep everyone updated on an issue that is raging. As you may have known but probably not noticed, soca artiste Fireball won a COTT award with his soca song "What I want" in the hip hop category. Yeah ah know, something doesn't sound right there. For now I just want you to read an article I wrote on Trinipulse a month ago and tell me what you think (Read it here). Face out.

Underground Trini Freestyles (Bonez)

Yes folks, this is yet another edition of the Underground Trini Freestyles. This week we have Bonez who is only 17 years old but displays an uncanny gift for putting words together on the spot. You can also check him out on myspace or on trini hiphop.com once you like what you see (and I know you will). And oh yeah...I must big up Ren. I does be rocking dem Next-to-blow polos all over de place having people asking all kinda questions. When de website coming out blood? Anyways... till next time. Face out.

Freestyle Fellowship

Normally, when you hear the word "fellowship" your mind may probably drift to Lord of the Rings (well maybe if you're a nerd like me). However, when you put the word "freestyle" in front of it you get something totally different. You get the feeling that the term is representative of something much more than the name of a Facebook group. You get the sense that it is a union amongst members who have maximum respect for the freestyle/improv artform and battle each other frequently to hone their skills. And if you get that sense then guess what hoss... you're right.

Introductory build-up aside, the Freestyle Fellowship is basically a Facebook group where people are free to post poetic/rap pieces on the 'wall' or battle people using written verses. The highlight of the group however, is the battling where 'whole-day' battles even during working hours between two working competitors is not a strange occurrence. Winning decisions for these battles are kinda informal and based on an honor system whereby either the competitor admits that they lost and/or spectating readers post their opinion.

Actually the winning decision is usually much simpler than I stated. Trakslasha, famed member of the legendary Trinidadian rap group I.A.L.S. and creator of this Facebook group would normally step in to decide who wins and at which point they have won. Sometimes this may take about ten verses from either competitor but who's arguing right? My only problem with this lack of structure is that I'm usually very busy and if I'm battling someone I want to know things like what is the time limit in which to write the verses, how many bars each verse has to be and how many verses each person needs to produce before the winning decision is to be made but clearly that is just me. Most people are fine with this system so these days I doh really battle but I check out the group periodically to see the verses that people have posted or to check out any ongoing battles. But don't take my word just so, check it out yuhself. And if you want fame (or death) you can take on a man called Judah. Right now he is de champ pon de site.

Trini Videos on Youtube pt 7

It would look really bad if the day before Obama's inauguration I didn't give him a shout out so I'll hit him a "yeah yeah" and thank him for proving some of my fellow Trinidadian cynics wrong. Done know. I was supporting the fella ever since I realise Hillary was also an anomaly for the presidential vote (a female president have a few more years still). And oh yeah...check out the videos. Face out


Pro Records - I'm so fly


All the big Chutney stars - Jep Sting Naina


Maximum - The Hardest

Underground Trini Freestyles (Skeeto)

Yeah people. This is the beginning of that new interactive series of stuff that I've been telling you people about. I've never been a big fan or interviews per se because frankly, I like to see what an artiste really brings to the table in terms of skills and that's why I'm coming with a freestyle head.

And speaking of skills, in this first edition of Underground Trini Freestyles I've featured none other than Mr One Mic and part-time Soundstage host Kyle "Skeeto" Amos. If you don't know who I'm speaking about then sunlight is probably also new to you but don't beat up cause you can read about his mixtape "The Issues Live" here. Right about now, Skeeto is working on his album called "Mind Pimping" due sometime this year so make sure you cop it when it comes out. And look out for more in this series. Face out.

Happy New Year

So I spent the New Year's in Rio Claro this year. Shamefully, I had no clue which part or cardinal point on Trinidad Rio Claro existed before my experience but the place is a real cool scene - really nice and quiet. It reminds me of Palo Seco.

I also want to send condolences to the family of Jizelle Salandy. She was one of the biggest gems in the crown of Trinidad and Tobago and her passing is a severe loss to all of us. May she rest in peace.

This year, there is going to be a lot of exciting stuff for Underground Trini Artiste. I'm going to get more interactive this year and ah not saying nuttin yet but before the year's out you'll be calling me Mr. Youtube. More artistes are going to get featured and this blog will be the place where you discover diamonds in the rough that you never saw glisten. My stuff on Trinipulse is also getting bigger as well so don't forget to check up on it. Yeah people, it's going to be a good year so doh frighten...and stay tuned. Face out.