Encore Status Entertainment

A couple weeks ago, Encore Status made it to Hip Hop Evolution 3. It was definitely a great show. The love for Hip Hop at Soapstone gallery was so intense you could feel it.  Final Outlaw performed and crushed it. He performed a some “old” stuff and new song from his up coming project Unstoppable Love. In the video below he performs “Machine,” a song that will be on that album. He will be shooting a video for the song with Janelle Ryan in September. (P.S. they are still casting so if you are interested please hit her up).

More videos of the night are coming soon.

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Final Outlaw

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Deena Jonez

We get a lot of mixtapes. Today I was pleasantly impressed by a mixtape by a young woman from Brooklyn by the name of Deena Jonez. She’s a refreshing mix of tough and trendy. You can tell from her lyrics that she’s not just about a hot beat and a cute hook. Deena’s got it. Hopefully we can track her down for an interview soon. For now…please download her mixtape. DOWNLOAD MEMOIRS OF A LIBRA.

Listen to a track off of her mixtape below

Popularity: 1% [?]

Can you tell us some of the challenges that you faced or had to overcome as a bboy?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve had to face is the ongoing struggle that I have to balance out my school and dancing. Its really difficult to maintain a certain skill level while going to school full-time but part of my legacy that i would like to leave behind as a bboy is that it IS possible to be dope and still do well in school.
Its really important to realize this because the state that bboying is in now makes it really hard for dancers
that actually are full-time to live without struggling in the longrun.

What do you think of the people who only view bboying as a hobby?

Its cool to have bboying as a hobby because the potential for it to become something more than that is always there. Hip-hop in general is meant for every one to be apart of, and so even it is just a hobby one is still within the realm of Hip-Hop which is good because it leads to other things as well.

How do you motivate yourself as a bboy?

For me. Motivation comes from the journey of just constantly getting better.. Seeing what hard work can do up to this point makes one wonder just how far it can actually go? And while certain slumps do come at times I find its important to realize that thats natural. Sometimes one just has to step back in order to refresh the mind for a bit and remind yourself why you started bboying in the first place.

What is the most important thing do you think people should know about you?

That I’m just a human being constantly learning and elevating myself within the realm of life in general, not
separating it into just bboying or school or whatever else one may have in mind so that I may take in what it is to be a human in this lifetime as a WHOLE and not just one aspect of it.

What advice can you give for people that are starting out in the bboy community?

For people that are just starting out I would say to not just practice but TRAIN hard as well, and if it does
get to a point that you would like to do as much with this dance as you can, just remember to take everything that you do the next level by innovating any kind of inspiration you get, not just being as good as the person you look up to but BETTER.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Felixx Ray

While looking for a new R&B artist to feature on the site, we found a gem. Felixx Ray is his name – and you won’t forget it. This young artist from Massachusetts has a voice that can touch the hearts of all who will listen. Felixx is influenced by Tyrese, Ginuwine, Case, Keith Sweat, Dru Hill, and Boyz ll Men. He is on his way. Please listen and COMMENT with your opinion.

Track Produced by

C-Scharp

Popularity: 9% [?]

A team-up made in internet radio heaven… check us out on the blue panel on the homepage!

Brooklyn Collectiv Radio is run by DJ Gunz & the Brooklyn Collectiv Music Group. Determined to champion indie artists and DJs alike, DJ Gunz’ “Industry Net Worth Radio” showcases the best up & coming urban indie artists, exclusive freestyles, hip hop, reggae, r&b remixes, and much more. Together with Encore Status, they are providing aspiring talent with a platform to be seen and heard…

Brooklyn Collectiv Banner

Popularity: 57% [?]

DJ GUNZ Remix Legend

If you haven’t had a chance to download DJ Gunz Remix Legend Volume 1, shame on you. Brooklyn Collective does their thing putting a new sound to and feel to every track. My favorite track is Jumpin Whoa. This Remix uses the Black Rob ‘Whoa’ instrumental behind the Jumpin Out the Window acapella giving it a new ‘street toughness’ to the song. It did make me stop and say WHOA.
I could be trippin though. You be the Judge.

Popularity: 24% [?]

S-Caliber

S-Caliber opened for Wale around this time last month, and since then hasn’t looked back. Now with over 59,000 total plays he’s released a cut called ‘Fly Till I Die’. Tell us what you think.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Tamar Kali

Artist Review
Tamar Kali, Geechee Goddess, Hardcore Warrior Soul
Santos Party House – March 28, 2009 – New York, NY

She struts on stage like a Brooklyn OG. The music unmistakably rock yet the vibe is strangely hip-hop. She dances to her music in a trance like state with a sensuality and sexiness that belies her punk rock image. Her music and her presence overwhelm the senses and intoxicate the mind. Her voice and swagger bring to mind the glory days of Grace Jones and Nona Hendrix. There is no one like Tamar Kali! Her voice is low and raw with a touch of rebel yell! Billy Idol, meet your sister from another mother of another color!
Despite the power that she displays and the rawness of her appearance much of her music seems to deal with affairs of the heart and hints to painful experiences of being accepted in a world that is defined by Euro-central ideas of what beauty should be. In “Ocean”, she speaks about unabashed love. In “Boot”, she describes her physical characteristics, “ Her hair is short, her lips are brown…her eyes aren’t blue, her ass is round..” letting the world know that even though she may fit a certain look, she will not be defined by her physical traits and confined to what the world thinks she should be into. Black punk rocker? Is that even possible? In our MTV world, where race more often than not defines certain expectations and immediately pigeon holes you into what music you should be making, here is an artist that defies those limits and expectations.
Tamar Kali is like an unpolished diamond in the rough. Hopefully, the world at large will get the opportunity to experience her shine.

Andre Barrett a.k.a the people have spoken!

COMMENTS

Popularity: 27% [?]

Tez McClain x Photographed by Hannibal Matthews

21 year old Atlanta boy Tez McClain understands the hustle in the hip hop industry. HE. DOESN’T. BELIEVE. IN. SHORTCUTS. Tez is a windy breeze on a hot sweaty day, can I say refreshing?! I love seeing new rappers coming into the game with somewhat of the old hip hop don’t stop mentality.

This young Clark Atlanta University graduate explained to me that he wanted to focus more on sociopolitical content, the good times, the crazy and wild parties and the importance of friendships in his rhymes. The rap game has changed dramatically and rappers tend to talk more about gang, drugs and violence. But Tez wants to try to take it back to the happy moments of hip hop, which isn’t a bad look at all!

It all started in 2007… Tez won a showcase at his university that eventually rewarded him studio time with Jazze Pha. He didn’t stop there… He won MORE contests and continued to network. His relentless networking eventually connected him with artists like Lil Wayne, Ludacris, Chingy, Kanye West and more. Now 2009, networking and endless drive allowed for McClain to drop his first single “I’m Fly” which hit the radio and major mixtapes hard.

Speaking of hard…Twitter? Myspace? Ohh Tez McClain goes hard, but when you’re new to the game, why not? I DON’T BLAME HIM! Hit him up on http://www.myspace.com/tezmcclain and listen to his music. His song Booty Call, which has 14,096 hits, is definitely a hit! What? He got a little blame it on the alcohol T-Pain & Jamie Foxx feel to it. And did I say it was a hit? Oh my bad, I’m just saying, no wonder why his Myspace page plays is so ridiculous. This boy got skills! His song Celebration has to be my favorite song though. It gave off that old school meets new school let’s dance it out feel good music.

You remember slick rick bed time story? You remember the smile you get when you listened to the song? If you don’t get a smile when you listen to Tez McClain’s flow then something’s wrong with you, yeah YOU! I’m just saying Tez got you on that new school meets old school hip hop let’s dance it out groove.

- “Hip Hop is alive and thriving, in an A hat and Nike Airs.”

Get the Flash Player to see the wordTube Media Player.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Hey guys,

Here is a track by an enlightening, intelligent, insightful artist known as Gif. The track is entitled ‘Piece of the Pie.’ Obviously we are biased. We like the track…and its not because he was featured on our mixtape either! Let us know what you think about it… And if you REALLY like it, go to his site www.iamthegif.com and download for free!

Popularity: 25% [?]