Rap Radar

The last time we spoke to Macklemore, he was accompanied by partner, Ryan Lewis. But this time Mack’s on his own and stopped by the Double R Mansion.

He spoke on cracking the iTunes single charts, Miller Beer endorsement, collaborating with ScHoolboy Q, and the inner workings of his album The Heist.

Kay Slay’s more than just a DJ. Five years ago, he got into publishing and created the men’s magazine, Straight Stuntin. He’s also set to release his graffiti book, The Master Of Dezasters.

But despite his brand extension, music is still the cornerstone. And later this year, he plans drop his fourth and final album, Rhyme Or Die. In our last segment, Slay discusses being the Black Hugh Hefner and the state of hip-hop.

Rap Radar Interviews Kay Slay Pt.1 | Rap Radar Interviews Kay Slay Pt. 2

“You’re Kay Slay, the fee’s waived”

Remember when DJs broke artists? Well, Kay Slay does. And during his reign as mixtape king, he “contributed strongly to the success” of artists like T.I., 50 Cent, and Papoose, who secured a million dollar record deal. His word held so much weight, that even Eminem contributed a pair of tracks for free, including this freestyle. In part two of our interview, Slay speaks on breaking new talent, Em, and his conflict with Jay-Z.

Yesterday: Rap Radar Interviews DJ Kay Slay Pt. 1

shot: the dark nyte | canon eos 60d

DJ Kay Slay’s been in the game for years. During hip-hop’s infancy in the late 70s, the Harlem native was known as the graffiti artist, Dezzy Dez. As one of the city’s top bombers, he was featured in the documentary Style Wars. Eventually, he parlayed his skills to DJing. After a stint in jail, Slay turned his hobby into a job with his Streetsweeper mixtape series and gig on Hot 97.

In the first of our three part interview, Slay speaks on his origins, mixtapes, and beefing with other DJs. The Drama King is in the building.

Just like Ms. Wallace, Scarface also participated in the Platinum League junket. For our sit down, Face Mob spoke on the 10th anniversary of his classic album The Fix, Houston, new group, The Minority Report, and collaboration with Beanie Sigel.

Biggie’s mom Voletta Wallace, was in town yesterday to promote Platinum League trading cards. The cards features a slew of rappers including her son, The Notorious B.I.G.

Our conversation was great. She spoke on coping with her loss, B.I.G.’s appearance on Martin, VH1′s Behind The Music, and her decision to cremate him.

While at the CES convention in Las Vegas last week, Forbes caught up with LL Cool J. After plugging his musical venture, boomdizzle, he addressed his gripe with the music business. From Todd’s perspective, radio is mostly to blame. Somethings, we just can’t live without.

57ave

shot: The Dark Nyte | Canon Eos 60d

Fabolous is gearing up to release the third installment of There Is No Competition this Sunday. From inside the Goldbar in NYC’s Little Italy, he spoke on the mixape, working with Hit-Boy, and the status of the Bedrock Boyz album with Red Cafe.

shot: Canon Eos 60d |The Dark Nyte

We caught up with Jadakiss last week in his Yonkers studio. In between pulls—and pulls of a blunt or two, Kiss spoke on the 10th anniversary of his debut album Kiss Tha Game Goodbye, his tentatively titled upcoming album with Styles P, and top five “ins and outs”.

shot: Canon Eos 60d |The Dark Nyte

A few days ago, we had the pleasure of chopping it up with Def Jam’s founding publicist, Bill Adler. Along with Cey Adams and Dan Charnas the triumvirate released their new tome, Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years Of The Last Great Record Label.

The book beautifully chronicles Def Jam’s rise with featured interviews from founders Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons and label executives Lyor Cohen, Juile Greenwald, Kevin Liles, Chris Lighty, and others.

From his Midtown pad, Bill discusses the process behind the project and the future of the storied label. Def Jam Recordings: The First 25 Years Of The Last Great Record Label is available now!

Sidebar: Russell & Rick At NY Public Library

(more…)