Chicago Welcomes:Bun B

8/26/2008 6:40 PM CT
-TheHipHopProject.com

There’s a lot of talk and posturing in the rap game about who’s the realest. Real has different meanings for different people. But in it’s most basic form, real is being true to yourself and your ethics and your people. No one in the game today exemplifies the true meaning of the word real, like Bun B. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, a city an hour and half east, and three worlds away from Houston, Bernard Freeman always set his sites high. Surrounded by chemical plants, corrupted ports, a disproportionate amount of drug houses and an overtly harsh police force, the man who would one day become known as one half of the ground breaking rap duo UGK, probably never thought that one day he’d not only have a record in stores, but that an entire region, and later the world, would hang on his every word. UGK masterfully built an unparallel catalogue and has collaborated with artists from all sides of the spectrum. Artists like Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Scarface and Kool G. Rap, who had a definite influence on Pimp and Bun, as well as big current names like Outkast, T.I. and Rick Ross, who benefited from the ground work laid and mentoring given by their predecessors, rapped side by side on what has been heralded as the greatest rap album to be released in the past year. It seemed as though the only way UGK could go was up, but on December 4th, 2007, Pimp C was found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, to the shock and dismay of Bun B as well as his family and legions of fans and supporters. It was a dark day for hip-hop, and a hard day for music in general. One can only imagine how Bun B felt. Bun also happened to be in the middle of the recording of his second solo disc, 2 Trill, an album rife with sentiment and meaning and well, Trill. II Trill is a heartfelt walk through the mind of a man who has kept his partner, his city, his family and entire culture of music fans on his shoulders for more than a decade and a half. Bun B’s II Trill boasts production from Mr. Lee, Scott Storch, Jazze Pha, Bigg Tyme, Black Out Movement, Khalil, Clinton Sparks, Enigma and Chops, and features the late Pimp C, Lupe Fiasco, Z-Ro, Mya, Mike Jones, Junior Reid, Webbie, Chamillionaire, Expensive Taste (Paul Wall, Skinhead Rob, & Travis Barker) and Slim Thug. This September 11th, Bun B will be visiting Chicago along with Decay & Astonish of the Molemen, Kinky Notti, & the Outfitters. See the events section for more information.

Lungz provides Breath of Fresh Air

8/26/2008 6:39 PM CT
-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com

No stranger to life on the South Side or North Side, Lungz is an eager wordsmith, who creates authentic and intricate lines to express his life experiences of transitioning from a child to a man that could only be learned from the streets of Chicago. Having discovered the language of his chosen art from such masters as Mobb Deep, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, the Pharcyde, and A Tribe Called Quest, Lungz brings his own voice both off and on the hip-hop stage with A Breath of Fresh Air. This breakout project is appropriately entitled to depict Lungz’s evolution as an artist and use the lyrics to share his life experiences with his audience. Lungz created a stir in the crowd at the Chicago Rocks 2007 show with his infamous song “My Town,” one of many hits to come. A Breath of Fresh Air features Mic comrades Swift, Soze, Imam T.H.U.G., YG, Nu Ras, & Osay. This audible odyssey is mixed by DJ Cosm Roks of the Hip-Hop Project

Cosm Roks & Rashid Hadee team up for the first time

5/13/2008 10:39 AM CT
-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com

Confidence is the bastard child of Arrogance and Modesty. The desire to excel to fame can become an individual’s greatest asset or their greatest hindrance. But what levels a brilliant mind to excellence and what guides them to obscurity? People from all walks of life are torn into shreds forcing this unnatural balance. We’ve seen and heard these individual’s at their climax of imagination and at their depths of creative blocks. Scores of musicians fear the day they come to pass with this vicious musical dichotomy, they fear the power of this career altering transformation but some welcome this genesis and as Sam Cooke crooned, “it's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will”. XXL Chairman’s choice, Rashid Hadee welcomes this change. “A Change Gon’ Come: Hosted by Big Pooh of Little Brother” mixed by Cosm Roks combines piercing wit, hard-edged passion, and innovative production to recount life in this gothic metropolis we call Chicago. This unique project features hip-hop staples such as Little Brother, All Natural, Thaione Davis, Pugslee Atomz and Primeridian; along with upcoming emcees Donwill of Tanya Morgan, Jay Vega, Astonish, Decay, Rita J, King, and Melatone of Chapter 13.

The Return of the Phantoms of the Opera

5/13/2008 10:39 AM CT
-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com

With Chinese philosophy, fire is characterize as dynamic, persistent, and expansive; if properly honed its strengths are endless, however the upward and evocative nature of this element is vital as it is destructive. The Phantoms of the Opera better know as All Natural have become akin to the hostile nature of fire and since the release of the classic “No Additive, No Preservatives” Cap D & Tone B have become arsonists incinerating those who resist and impeded the forward direction of fire. This go-round the emperors of the Chicago sound have enlisted Kev Brown, Proh Mic, Gee Field of Mass Hysteria, Battletek, Yuani, & Kalico behind the boards to let loose these scorching sounds on what will no doubt be a hot summer. They start of with the unleashing their first single
"You Know My Name", which you can watch  HERE 

Chicago’s finest DJ’s provide Uprise Radio a free downloadable series

5/13/2008 10:39 AM CT
-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com

No one artist is given more free reign to test the thresholds of genres than the DJ, who have long embraced their roles as the communicators and providers of music. The DJ utilizes their skill to manipulate sounds that refuse to be tamed. They have mastered ways to blend and bridge angst with direction, folly with logic, and imagination with reality. THHP is aiming to establish the bar for excellence within the Chicago hip-hop community. We have worked diligently to offer the ideal platform for local and mainstream artists to showcase their talent. Over the past year THHP has aligned itself with two trusted Chicago companies: Uprise Skate Shop and Gramophone Records, to supply a new audience with fresh and evocative music. And so we present to you “Uprise Radio”. This matchless project unites elite Chicago and national DJs beside artists to present to you their musical narratives. Enlisted behind the 1’s and 2’s are THHP DJ Roper, Intel, Jesse De La Pena, DJ Pickel, Swank Society’s Sean Alvarez, Itchie Fingers, Sean Haley of Windimoto, Teebot and first up to spin is Cosm Roks . . . who presents Volume 1 of this exclusive series.

Watch The Molemen's first ever music video HERE!

1/27/2008 8:20 PM CT


Newest member of the Molemen drops his debut single, “Can U Hear Me”, for the world to hear his smooth Chicago flow. The song acts as an intro to what Astonish has to offer, and also a pacesetter to the vibes of the whole album. Music video for his first single received over 13,000 views its first week on Youtube.com. It was beautifully shot in Chicago and features cameo appearances by the whole Molemen crew.



Visit Astonish on Myspace  HERE 

Ann Arbor's Buff 1 more than just "Fast Food"

1/21/2008 10:39 AM CT
-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com

There's a new generation of listeners who are products of a fast food style of music. It doesn't matter if the music's good for you, as long as it's given to us quick and cheap. This music is usually made to look delectable for advertisement, but once you get, it's usually less than you expected it to be and to carry on with this analogy this style of music makes a quick and uncomfortable exit.

So the question remains, where do we go to satisfy our hunger for music? We're usually bombed with backhanded offers of what's good for us, but is as empty as it's fast food counterparts. Fresh off his critically heralded debut "Pure", Ann Arbor's lyrical culinary wonder Buff1 is aiming to satiate our growing appetite. Along with the Athletic Mic League and accompanied by hard banging, eclectic soulful beats, Buff1 is poised to have his words be more than food for thought, they maybe nourishment to starving fans.

10/13/07 12:01 PM CT

Rita J Speaks Her Mind

-by Gabriel Ledezma / TheHipHopProject.com



  Hip-hop is as welcoming as it is divisive. Artists and fans alike are constantly drawing lines to a genre that keeps coming up with new labels. Each new sub-genre establishes a new type of elitist, each arguing the state of hip-hop and from time to time these elitists “discover” an artist who’s here to “save us all”.

  Chicago emcee Rita J is not here to salvage hip-hop from the MTV/BET ruins. She is here to simply speak her mind and remind you what good music sounds like. Rita J’s laid-back flow delivers swagger and insight with “Artist Workshop”. DJ Roper (who recently released the critically acclaimed From the Soul: A Tribute to Pete Rock & DJ Spinna) builds the ideal project that not only to makes your head nod, but to reminds you that at the end of the day music can be an escape, it can be thought provoking, or it can be just simply good music.

10/11/2007 1:51 AM CT

Longshot stays fresh with Old School Approach.

Chicago Emcee's mission to be the new voice of Chicago Hip Hop.
-by Chris Tannehill / TheHipHopProject.com



  It was over five years ago when a then unknown MC by the name of Longshot walked into our old downtown studios. To Chicago, he was just another emcee trying to make it, but armed with a vinyl single ("Final Number") in one hand, and a pound in the other we knew he was destined for big things.

   Since then, 'Shot has released 3 full length albums, 3 mixtapes and has guest appeared alongside of other Chicago favorites (not to mention a staple on our mixtapes). Now, in 2007, Longshot has placed himself among Chicago Hip Hop's elite; but that hasn't halted his hustle. Longshot has decided to take a more grass roots approach to pushing his music. He's promised THHP and our listeners to drop by every two weeks to lace us with his newest exclusive material. So far, about a month into his promise, 'Shot has delivered new joints featuring Chicago staples like Cap D & Psalm One, while producers like Oh No and Rashid Hadee bring their A-Games on the beats. In an exclusive interview with THHP, the emcee claimed "When people think of Chicago Hip Hop, they'll think of Longshot." Honestly, we can't think of anyone else more suited to take control with both his actions and words. Longshot also addressed the listeners who have been wondering what his status is with The Molemen. 'Shot immediately smashed any rumors by claiming "Molemen will never die", and he is "Molemen for Ever".

  Stay tuned into The Hip Hop Project, and follow along as Longshot continues to plant his feet firmly in the ground before his album "Addicted" drops early 2008. For more info on Longshot, check him out on myspace at: www.myspace.com/McLongshot.

  -Listen for yourself by going to our Interview section and downloading our exclusive interview with Longshot, aired on September 15, 2007.

10/11/2007 12:01 AM CT

And they say: ChiCity

-by Chris Tannehill / TheHipHopProject.com



   Remember when mixtapes used to be promotional tools? We at THHP certainly do, and that’s why we’re offering Cosm Roks’ latest mixtape “Chi City” as a free download. “Chi City was originally a limited pressing made specifically for Chicago Rocks, but it has now taken on a life of it’s own thanks to the internet. The 80 minute mix features some of the more recent works of Common, Kanye, Lupe Fiasco, The Molemen and many more. The Hip Hop Project thanks all of you for your continued support, as we enter our 13th year on the air in 2008. Just click the link below, and enjoy

[ CLICK HERE ]

Download Rashid Hadee "It Ain't Hard to Tell" here for FREE

12/9/2007 3:12 aM CT
Grab this free download here for a limited time -by Chris Tannehill / TheHipHopProject.com

Here it is, one of our favorite EP / Mixtapes to ever come out of the Chi. Nothing but bangers on this short but sweet project. Rashid Hadee shines not only on the beats, but on the mic as well. Enjoy this while Cosm Roks & Rashid Hadee crank out their first collaborative mixtape due out January 2008.