Supernat's 8 Minute Rock The Bells Freestyle!

If you don't know about Supernatural's supernatural freestyle abilities, then you probably aren't worthy of listening to Phat Root Radio lol If you've never heard of Supernat, then watch this video and peep game...

-Icepick

DJ Zimmie presents: You Got To Grill 1 & 2

Spotted and downloaded at hip hop megablogsite Kevin Nottingham...

DJ Zimmie does this mix up right... Blending and mixing all sorts of classic jawns to bring you a jam packed hour of feel good music and head nodding jams...

I listened to this yesterday at work with the gang, and I have to say, the entire time, I was like: "yeah, I wish I was barbecuing to this right now..." lmao

Download it here and if you're feeling it, try to get your hands on volume 1!

Common Speaks On New Album "Believer" W/ The Huffington Post

This was before he became an emerging leading man whose charisma filled the screen in films such as Smokin' Aces, American Gangster, Terminator Salvation and the recent Just Wright. This was before he became a philanthropist whose mission was to inspire today's young people to boldly climb the apex of their potential. This was when he could actually walk into a radio station, and if the DJ liked his song, get his record played without the big push of a major label. This is Lonnie Rashid Lynn. From the Southside of Chicago, I might add. The man who would become known to the world as Common has been blessed with a bountiful career in an industry that feasts on the forgettable tastes of one-hit wonders.

Whether he was taking a whole sect of artists to task for taking his beloved hip-hop in a wayward direction or wearing crochet hats and chilling with beautiful women while rapping over eclectic melodies--Common has always stayed true to himself. As we rapidly move through our Lord's year of 2010, the thriving artist has two projects on the horizon: a TV series in development for AMC titled Hell on Wheels and his long-awaited next album, The Believer. The latter looks to link Common back up with his friend and frequent collaborator, Kanye West. The two artists had to take a creative break during Common's 2008 album, Universal Mind Control, because of schedule conflicts.

But in the midst of all his professional success, Common has not forgotten about his hometown of Chicago. The city has been a staple on news networks this summer because of the alarming murders of young people in the city. With his foundation, Common Ground, and help from fellow Chicago luminaries such as Dwyane Wade, Common looks to offer an outstretched hand to preserve the forsaken members of Generation Y-- before it's too late.

Taking time to talk after a performance in Columbia, MD, Common waxed poetically about a plethora of topics. But we all know that the conversation would eventually make its way back to H.E.R.

You've been in hip-hop for nearly 20. As an active participant and observer, how has the culture shifted, changed and evolved?

Well, I definitely feel it has become more of a powerful force as far as influence, viability and marketability. [Hip- Hop] started as us expressing ourselves in the parks, in basements and in the clubs. But then it became where hip-hop is being used in commercials and having an influence on the way people walk and talk--I think that's the really positive thing. I think it has actually provided an outlet for many young people to express who they are. That's where I found my voice, in hip-hop. Like, that's where I found out who I wanted to be and who I am. In the same context, it's become such a big force and a powerful force that it has maybe lost some of the pure aspects, too. Not with every artist, but in some ways because it is so corporate run.

You're an artist who is known to make classic material. Can you talk a little about the process that goes into creating your music and picking and choosing the final beats and songs that make your album?

Well, first I get a title for the album, which gives me a direction and a theme to go with. But then the album always turns out to be something that elevates beyond even what I thought it would be. I also like to take the best of producers--meaning someone I vibe with whose stellar at what they do. If I want to make a classic album, I need to be working with someone that's going to make classic material and also bring out the classic aspect of me.

It seems that you make it a point to promote the uplifting of women in your music--specifically African-American women. Does the misogyny in music ever bother you at times?

I think that [misogyny] existed in the world before [hip-hop]. Unfortunately, there are people who haven't been raised to know how to treat women with respect. [Misogyny is] all some people know, in a way. That's what they've been accustomed to and that's what they've been exposed to. I can't fault our generation, or hip-hop, for being the culprit of that. It's not only a black thing; if you look at it, you see it in a lot of cultures. But that's something we have to work on. And I make it a point to say that, in hip-hop, you don't have only that. You do have artists like Dead Prez, Mos Def, Talib Kweli; people that respect women in their raps. So, it does exist.

You've recently switched your gears towards acting, and have been very successful at it. Can you talk a little about when you caught the acting bug and what makes you decide to commit to an acting project?

I got hit with the desire to act around 2000. I felt like I wanted to do something else in a creative way. I started taking acting classes and I was like...'man this is it.' I felt like I was engaging in a new aspect and discovering a new career; I was very enthused about it. From taking classes and going out and auditioning, I decided to keep pursuing it. It became something that I just wanted to do--to let that be the next chapter in my career.

One thing that I just enjoy and love about it is that it's just a constant learning process. When you take on roles, you're taking on becoming other people. If I'm playing a journalist, I really would shadow you and learn what it's like to be a writer. And at the same token, that gives me a better understanding of people. So, I definitely see [acting] in my future--as far as my career goes.

Can you talk a little about the new AMC project you are attached to star in, Hell on Wheels?

Yeah man...I'm very excited about it. It's a period piece that takes place in 1865, dealing with the building of the transcontinental railroad. The script that I read is about the conflicts of the different characters, and my character is a freed slave who is coming in to work on the railroad. Being a black man in that environment and in those conditions, not being subjected to the way slaves were treated...he really establishes himself as a leader. At the same token, [my character is] dealing with trying survive in that time period. Aside from my character, it's also conflict about the Native Americans and how they felt towards white men, and white people going against each other. It's a really strong script and I'm excited about the project.

Can you also talk about your new album in the works, The Believer?

I named the album The Believer because I feel like my career has been all about believing in myself. I think as human beings, if we apply that, we can achieve what we want to achieve. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I've been able to practice it everyday, but I strive to. If true belief is there, man, the world is yours. The album itself is really going to be a hip-hop uplifting album--culturally relevant, inspirational, hardcore hip-hop. In the spirit of KRS-One, Rakim, Nas, Kanye--cats that bring what really means something to people's lives.

As an MC who proudly wears your hometown of Chicago on your sleeve, I know it must bother you to so often hear about the murder of young people going on in the city this summer. Is there anything you have planned to do, to personally lend a hand to the epidemic that is taking place?

It's sad what's going on, because we just want to stop it. You know--what we can do to stop it? I understand that it's something that's been going on in our culture for years. But now it's tougher on the young people because they really don't have anything upholding them; they don't have the opportunities to go out and just have some activities and something productive for them to do. And then being put in situations where you don't have parents, so they don't have any guidance.

I think that's where the problem lies, but the solution is taking the village and really putting together the abilities to reach the young people. From my experiences in talking to them, they just want things to do--whether it's jobs or whether it's, like, activities. With Common Ground, we just started this program in Chicago with young people. They can take different courses and do different activities, whether it's cooking or whether it's creative arts. It can also be academic things. That's what we're doing right now. But there's more to do, too. It starts with the way we're going to treat our young people--our children. Some children don't have parents around, so we have to reach out and say something to them that's going to be inspiring. Something that can be said that can spark their lives...you know?

For more on Common and his foundation, visit www.commongroundfoundation.org.

Follow Timothy Cooper on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thecostmagazine

Actual Proof - No Competitors

I know... I know... Neither me nor 5th have been updating the blog AT ALL since the last show... For this we apologize, and plan to remedy... In an effort to set short term goals, I, Icepick will commit to posting two posts each day... Rain or shine... (I'm not promising they'll be good, but they'll be chock-full of content lol)

This is a group called "Actual Proof", a 2 man hip hop group from North Carolina being introduced to the "game" by legend 9th Wonder... They just (last week) dropped an FreEp: "The Genius EP) just google search it if you're trying to download it... I did... now it's one of the best projects I've heard in the 2nd quarter... Definitely sharing it with 5th, as the music is up his alley...

-Icepick

Super Sick 2 Hour Instrumental Edition Episode #24

Phat Root Radio Episode #24

The 5th Hour

01. (intro) 9^th Wonder – Beat 7 – Unreleased instrumentals Vol 3

02. Kev Brown – Always – A Touch of Jazz

03. J Dilla –climax (girl shit) - Fantastic Vol 2

04. Jazz Liberators – Blue Avenue - Fruit of the Past

05. 9^th Wonder – Beat 1 – Unreleased instrumentals Vol 1

06. Pete Rock – Play Dis Only At Night – Petestrumentals

peep this - Hi Tek vs Pete Rock on the same sample. 5th Declares Pete Rock, but judge for yourself!

07. J Dilla – Nag Champa – Like Water For Chocolate

08. K Def – Getting Hot – Beats from the 90’s

09. No ID – Orange Pineapple Juice – Resurrection

10. Artifacts – Wrong Side of the Tracks -

11. MF DOOM – Cedar – Special Herbs vol 7 and 8

12. J Dilla – Only 2 can win

13. Jazz Liberators – Loop Prisoners

RANDOM BEAT VIDEO #2 - DISKO DAVE

14. Heltah Skeltah – Therapy Remix

15. Verbally Diseased – Blowin Up The Spot

16. DJ Premier – Unbelievable

17. Pete Rock – Petestrumentals

18. J Dilla – 1nce again

19. Statik Selektah - Show Off Remix

The Ice Hour

01. The Passion Hi-Fi – Back To The 90’s

02. 9^th Wonder – Beat 2

03. J. Dilla – Say It

04. Supa Dav West – U Can Do (Life)

05. DJ Premier – Insp-Her-ation

06. Gangstarr – Full Clip

07. L-Fudge – Liquid

08. Vooodu – Who Am I

09. Dilated Peoples – This Way

10. Saukrates – Keep It Movin’

11. DJ Premier – It’s All Real

12. Dave West – Baby Phat

13. DJ Evil Dee – Buck Em Down

14. Poke (Of Trackmasters) & Puff Daddy – Juicy

15. Patch Adams – BeSene

16. Evidence – Three

17. ATCQ – Electric Relaxation

18. Epik The Dawn – You’re My Sunshine

19. E. Jones – Sunny CA

20. Skate Bravo – For Love

21. Yung Platinum – Fire, I Got You

22. DJ Premier – 7 Days Remix

23. Rockwilder – Do You Think About Me

Phat Root Radio Joins Facebook!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Possible Sticker Design???^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What do you think? Would you rock the Phat Root Radio Sticker?

But, to use a 5th Sequence phrase: all seriousness aside, August 13th marks the day that Phat Root Radio officially joined the internet web called Facebook...

We know you like us already... But now you can make it official and known to all of your friends by clicking that little "Like" button on our profile!

Check it out at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Phat-Root-Radio/120003258049059#!

A Quick Word About "Branding" From The Hundreds

I was browsing my usual sites when I read this blog entry from the guys of The Hundreds. It’s about branding – something that is needed if you want to stand out and rise above…and that goes for music, clothing, art, writing, sports, etc. As an up and coming artist, do you hold the characteristics to make yourself in to a brand? Here’s their editorial:

“Branding” is such a hotbutton catchphrase these days, isn’t it? When I was growing up, it was all about advertising, and then marketing, and now? Branding. Now that corporate America has numbed our senses with an onslaught of smarmy sales pitches and obnoxious billboards, let’s get back to what’s real. What’s important. Connecting with the people (I really wish we had a sarcasm font)!

“Branding” is defined as the establishment of the personality that identifies a product. So it connotes an element of human relationship, connection, authenticity. So why are so many brands and companies fixated on branding themselves outside the context of their..selves?

When I spoke at the Action Sports Conference last week, I was asked something that usually comes up from inquisitive The Hundreds fans, fresh upstarts, and mega-conglomerate suits alike. How did The Hundreds garner such a vast audience? What kind of marketing did we do, what kind of branding strategies did we implement to draw exposure? Was it Twitter or Facebook or free lollipops or some other trendy of-the-moment social networking platform?

If you’re asking questions like these, you’re already far off the mark. Again, branding is about personality, and that is what The Hundreds has always understood. From the start, The Hundreds was formulated as a personal brand, an authentic and intimate lifestyle project. Meaning that everything you see from us, whether here on the website or in our print magazine, the shoes on your feet or the wallet in your back pocket, has been infused with our own story. We do, and make, what comes logically from us and our backgrounds and interests, and that complements the sensibility of the brand. That was never intentional or strategic, as it was natural and organic. We’re obviously the best at being us, why try to be something we’re not?

Twitter and Facebook and iPad apps aren’t the answer to your company’s brand awareness issues. These are just tools, they are NOT the solution! For example, if your company emphasizes community amongst its staff and customers, if the brand is identified around personality, then it might make sense to interact with your base through powerful social tools as these. But maybe you’re a high-end, exclusive mountain hiking brand that targets a sophisticated niche French clientele with expensive taste. Perhaps blasting product tweets to 13-year-old girls isn’t the best idea.

The secret to branding is staying authentic to your brand identity, and that comes from closely observing who you (the owners, architects, and staff) are as people, the philosophy by which you run your business, and the effect you want to impress upon your customer. And every step you make with your brand should go back to reinforcing that identity, whether it’s your website’s background color or the cut of your t-shirt. Now there’s your answer.

Just keepin’ it real,

by bobbyhundreds

Reese Witherspoon - hot kneecap chinned actor?

Reese Witherspoons chin is the size and shape of my kneecap. peep the evidence

REESE WITHERKNEE

REESE SKELESPOON

Aight, the house consensus is in. She does not rock the boat.

Phat Root Radio Episode 23 (August 5th) Official Tracklisting

The 5th Hour - YO!! my playlist is so underground i can't even find any videos to go along with the tracklist. haha, how is that for underground as fuck?

01. Jigmasters - Elevate ft. Angela Johnson

02. Ill Al Skratch

03. Rascalz - Cash Crop

04. Raw Breed - Problems

Commentary

05.Funky DL - All Night

06. Fu-Schnickens - Hi Lo

07. Scientifik - Lawtown

08. Saukrates - Ay Ay Studder

09. The Fugees - La La (Refugee Camp Remix)

10. Tha Mexicanz - Burnin Hot

Commentary

11. The Sweatshop Union - The Human Race

12. Edan - Rhymes for Napoleon

13. Milkbone - Ketchrek

14. North Scientifik - Saturday Afternoon (produced by 5th sequence)

15. L Pro - Walk of Life ft. Asa (produced by 5th Sequence)

The Ice Hour

Segment 1: J. Cole Tribute Mix

01. J. Cole – Show Me Something

02. J. Cole – I Really Mean It

03. J. Cole – Shook Ones Freestyle

04. J. Cole – Back To The Topic

05. J. Cole – Can I Live

Segment 2:

06. Jeru The Damaja – Come Clean

07. Top Quality – Graveyard Shift

08. Sha Stimuli – Blasphemy (Overtime)

Segment 3:

09. Philosophy – Philosophy Instrumental

10. Jake One ft. MF Doom – Trap Door

11. Ice Water ft. Raekwon – Hip Hop Tribute

12. Ace & Edo ft. Pos – Good Music

13. Apani ft. Jean Grae – The Epidemic

14. Fashawn – Midnight Groove

Segment 4: Baby Makin’ Music

15. DJ Premier – Blow Horn Joint Instrumental

16. Joe – Can’t Get Over You

17. Nujabes ft. Giovanca & Benny Sings – Kiss Of Life

18. Mary Jane Girls – All Night Long