HipHopClub is proud to announce that the Nu Music Group will be hosting its 1st Annual Twin Cities Urban Music Awards on March 23rd, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota at the EPIC Event Center. The event has 25 categories which recognizes the movers and shakers of the Twin Cities entertainment scene. Open voting for the qualifying contestants is happening now through the end of January. On February 1, 2012 the 2nd round will feature the top 8 nominees of each category for the TCUMA’s. Simply go to http://www.TwinCitiesUrbanMusicAwards.com to cast your vote. Voters are allowed to vote only once per day for their favorite contestant.

Here is the current list of categories and qualifying participants:

Music Video/Videographer Of The Year:
Black Ice ft Impirio & Cru “Take You High” – Dave Wilson
Tae Guapo “I Just Wanna Make It” – 13twentythree
Recess Kidd Redd “Dranks Up” Ft. Book Money & Avey Quakes – Casey Kruchten KCP
Big Wiz “Pure Class” – Abhinav
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk “Haterz On Dekk” – Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk
Rocky Diamonds “Drivin Wit Our Eyes Closed” – Urban Class Films
TVick ft. Young Thon “Get Money, Make Music” – Fella Fellz
2Tone ft.Crown Vick & Mikke “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏ – Mick Swag
Gaines “Mental” – 13twentythree
Da Street Kid “I’mma Problem” Easy Money Tv
Mental Mid ft. FA Beezy – Neo Film Movement
Chantel Winn “No More” – Sharpestmemory
S. Madison “Fall” Ft The Rxmedy – 13twentythree
Dookie Feat. Rocky Diamonds “Dust” – 13twentythree
Bishop Swagghop “Fred Flinstone” – Ben Hughes Studios
Left Right Boyz ft. J. Isaac , Buddah Bless “Time” – Hi-Def
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan “Revolution” – morningsidefilms
Trilla “It’s About To Go Down” – Go Hard Tv / Easy Money Tv
Straight Check$ “Drifting Away” – Neo Film Movement
Fedy ft. Gucci Mane, Griselda Blanco “All Dis Money” – Hi-Def
Kash Da Kid Ft Bizzie Official “Tunnel Vision” – Fella Fellz

Male Rap Artist Of The Year:
Smart Guy Chevelle
Chevy Boy
Yung Truth
Dookie
Buddah Bless
Meta
Mista Maeham
Unknown
Fedy
Rob-1
Meech
T Vick
Rocky Diamonds
Prof
Toki Wright
Sick
Mac Irv
Young Tyson
A-Lo
YD
Eddie Gwopo
Tony Bones
King Sandman
K-Bone
T-Storm
Gaines
S. Madison
G-Beck
FIC
Money Mouse
Chillah Rose

Female Rap Artist Of The Year:
Laidee P
Recess Kidd Redd
Miss Tress
Nook Chi-Girl
Sweetz P
Desdamona
Lady Vicious
Katana

Male R&B Artist Of The Year:
Black
Checkmate
Rico Nevotion
DaJo Vu
Deon The Phenom
Chrishan
J Isaac
Rxmedy
Kovan
Troy Bell
Trilla
Marquise KingReckless Mason
Crisis Fresh

Female R&B Artist Of The Year:
Salimah Bryant
Chantel Sings
Margeaux Davis
Chantel Winn
Auburn
Christina Sophia Fisher
Tiffany Carter
Dezire
Paris Benett

Song Of The Year:
Crisis Fresh – “Real R&B”
Money Ap Ent – “Throw My M’z Up”
KO – “I Got Money”
Kid Stunna – “Life Aint Easy”
Rob-1 Ft. Megan Duncan – “Revolution”
Trilla – “It’s About To Go Down”
Mental Mid – “Work”
Sick – “Uugh”
S. Madison ft The Rxmedy – “Fall”
TEAMRNB – “GO BACK”
2Tone ft. Crown Vick & Mikke – “Tatz & Rackz Remix”‏
Raemo-P – “O’man”
O.B.F. – “Fresh Like POW”
Midwest Selects – “Frostbite”
Holli BMS Bangz – “Charlie Sheen”

Album Of The Year:
Verstyle Cho & Kente – From Da Country 2 The City
Chantel Sings – Beautiful Dream
Absent – Amber Alert
Mike Dreams – Just Waking Up
Sick – Ridin Wit No L’s
King Sandman – Jewelleo’s Story
Book Money – Challenged
Carnage – Worth The Wait
M.anifest – Immigrant Chronicles: Coming to America
The Anchormen – South Side Action News
Tony Bones – The Legacy
Sti-Lo Reel – All of Me
Trilla – Soul Of A Man

Mixtape Of The Year:
P-Nut The Artist – The Chronicles Of Burnsville Pt.1
Crown Vick & Mr. Dee – Stuck Together
Taylor J – Takeover Vol.1
Mista Maeham- Bread or Lead
Kente – New Jack Of The Twin Cities Vol.2 “The Resurface”
Skip Grandz – Doobie Brothers w/Drew Doe & Peter Parker
Ghost‏ – Mr. I don’t Tell
G.Beck & Poncho – Pick Your Poison
T-Storm – This Is Just Practice Vol. 5.5
Young Nuk – Up Up N Away
T Baby – Maserati Baby
Selfish – Rise To Power
Gizzyboyy – Lust My Success
Chrishan – Man of the Year 2 w/ DJ Ill Will & HotNewHipHop
Youngree and JISI – Jump In Sum Ice Vol.1
Smart Guy Chevelle -Train Of Thought

Lyricist Of The Year:
Muja Messiah
Kiddricc
St. Paul Slim
Selfish
Mally
Veez Riddlez
Kashy
Mike Dreams
Toki Wright
Concept

Best Group Of The Year:
Midwest Selects
The Lawbreakers
Paper Roll$
OBF- One Big Family
The Round Table Ent
TEAM RNB
Impirio & Cru
PLK N Pakman
Pretty Money
The Anchormen
Team T.O.E.
Atmosphere
Cherry Sky Studios
Jaded Rzeign
Youngree and JISI
St. Paul Kings
Take 2
Mobb Music Affiliates
Tycoon City
Tha Villianz
Doomtree
501 Gang
Money Ap Ent
Straight Check$
U.G.S.
Long Doe Records
Get Money Crazy
Verstyle Cho & Kente
VIP
M.O.E. (Money Ova Everything)
Soundsick
G.L.U.E.

Grinder Of The Year:
Book Money
Ak Atm Muzik
Prince Carlton
DJ Rush
T Bizzy
Ice Dude
Jay Estate
Sippizone Supaunit Cbosent
Lady Williams
Rico Nevotion
Young Marciano
Lorenzo Hampton
StudioThe Kid
DJ Laylow

Minneapolis MVP Of The Year:
Ace B Hitchcock
Jay Estate
Sick
King Sandman
Ice Dude
Selfish
D-sota
Rico Nevotion
Big Wiz
Chevy Boy
Lil Cheiff On Da Trakk

St. Paul MVP Of The Year:
Willie Jamez
Fedy
Apple Jacc
HC Da Chemist
Dubb J
St. Paul Slim
Bishop Swagghop
Toki Wright
Dat Boy Brown
Mista Maeham

Rookie Of The Year:
Tay Betta
12 Gage
Lorenzo Hampton
D.Eazy
Swagnificent
Yung Jr6
Kid Stunna

TC’s Most Slept On:
Yung Jr6
12 Gage
Drizzle
Hella-Cik a.k.a Dacatti
Davinci Code
Swagnificent
Hostile 6
Capizzil
E-Monsta
BlaccOut
Sweetz P
Untamed Youth
Mobb Music Affiliates
Skip Grandz
Big Moe
Absent
Ron-G
KO
Fly Boy Beezy
Epidemic
Kristyle
P-Nut The Artist
Jay El
Yung Sippi
Verb
Keyvo
Tycoon-Da-C.e.o.
Free Money
Averahle Quakez
Fly Henderson
Poncho
King Ausar
Yella Boii
King Moee Beatz
Cashinova
Maniac P Glass
Gizzyboyy
N.I.G.
Mn_Flame
Luminati Walton
Reo Galor

TC’s Next To Blow:
Straight Check$
Young Nuk
Youngree and JISI
Tae Guapo
U- Sity
Mental Mid
Jrichol
51fitty
Crown Vick
Uneasy
Mo/Vell
Kash Da Kid
Midwest Selects
Beasly
Tonytone Montana
Dreezy The Canon
Gunna Mane
Maserati Baby
Chantel Winn
Da Street Kid
P-Nut The Artist
Apple Jack
Sti-Lo Reel
Bobby James
Dunn Deal
D. Eazy
Mr. 83
$Bags

Promoter Of The Year:
ATG
Black N White Ent
Mr. Biggs Entertainment
L.O.T.P.
Tagg Magazine
Indie Artist Circle Management
4seen Magazine
5 Star Entertainment
SBG Ent
JMR Inc.
Six twelve magazine
The Franchise
So Classy Ent
Lady Erin
Prince Carlton
T.B.M. Ent

Record Label Of The Year:
Blaze 1 Camp Ent
Guaranteed Ent
Velvo Records
Pledge Empire Records
Long Doe Records
Rhymesayers
Still Real Records
Money Ap Ent

Producer Of The Year:
T-Lace
Megha Mann
Zone Beats
Mike The Martyr
T-Mic Beats
Process Tha PulzeRazr
Chrishan
Vegas
Sinister Grinch
Tek
Nicademus
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
D Mennace
CeeSaw
Young Mennace
The Commission
Holli BMS Bangz
Hakeem The Poet
Checkmate
Greg Romero
VI
ChukOneManBand

DJ Of The Year:
DJ Papadoc
DJ Intenze
DJ Rawskillz
DJ Gemini
DJ Advance
DJ XL
DJ Drumma Boy
DJ Laylow
Dj Donte
DJ D.Mil
DJ Bro Jules
DJ Mike Mack
DJ One
DJ Hollywood Hotrod
DJ KG
DJ Clubbanga
DJ Enferno

Best Radio Station Of The Year:
Kmoj “WEEKEND GROOVE” W/Marciano & Jayestate
The Session (KFAI)
Rob G Radio
Kmoj Tite At Nite
107.5WDEPRadio
Hello Squad Music Group Da Goon Hour
IndieHop w/ Sunshine on Hittin Lick Radio

Best Graphic Artist Of The Year:
Hi-Def
Gemini Grafix
Pulido GFX
Still Real Records
Get Bizzie designz
Creative Standard
Midwest Melt Down Productionz
13TwentyThree
Phillip Garcia

Livest Local Artist Show Of The Year:
Pledge Empire Records Events
The Knockout Freestyle Emcee Battle
Tight on Ya Ass IAC
Vibin Open Mic Shows
DJ Rush Open Mic Tuesdays
1st Round Open Mic Shows
Sippizone Supaunit Cbosent Events
T.B.M. Ent Events
Where It’s At Wednesdays
Mixtape Monday’s @ T’s Place

Host Of The Year:
Tee Moore
B Wright
Chris Styles
Jemika Hayes
Young Marciano
Lisa Moy
Jay Estate
The One And Only Black
B-Luv
Lady Williams

Photographer Of The Year:
Nored Photos
Hi-Def Photos
13TwentyThree Photography
InUrFace Photography
KCP612
Fella Fellz
In House Media
Go Hard Photography
BabiBoo#1 Photo’s
Harlan Dorman

Model Of The Year:
Diamond MsBabee – TBM Model
Ashley Tremblay
Darliza Howse – InUrFace Model
Bailar Queen – InUrFace Model
Rocki-B
Brianna Jackson
Ciara Jiana – ATG Diva
Kitty – InUrFace Model
Gabby Roberts – ATG Diva
Casarah Baker
Tru Chase
Nitra
Takheisha Doss
Nema Dean – ATG Diva
Jazz Milaya
Allegra Sapphire
Netti Detwiler
Kemah Duopu

Guccio of Quit Playing Entertainment announced yesterday that the highly anticipated “Moscato Music” project with Laudie On Da Track will be available Thursday, February 9th via LiveMixtapes.com and unveiled the cover artwork. The mixtape will be hosted by DJ Scream with production from Laudie and Drumma Boy and is sponsored by the St. Lunatics Freaky Muscato wine brand. Music featured on the project will be from Shorty Da Prince, Hakeem Tha Dream, Aloha Mi’Sho, Bradd Young, Ebony Eyez, J-Kwon, Murphy Lee, Bun B, Rockwell Knuckles, Brittney J and Fame & Fortune.

Below is BTS footage of Guccio, Laudie, Kyjuan, Ebony Eyez and Rico Wade (producer for Outkast) of Organized Noize in the studio working on the project. I personally got to watch the experience which was pretty cool.

On Reflection Eternal’s 2000 album “Train of Thought,” Talib Kweli challenged fans, and himself, to “do what comes naturally.” After years of recording on mainstream labels, he now has the chance to produce exactly what he wants—and feels he needs—to produce: an album straight from his mouth to the ears of his fans. Invoking the true meaning of MC, Master of Ceremonies, Kweli brings incredible power to his live shows and feeds off the spontaneous energy of his audiences. Being able to interact directly with his audience and the musicians he most respects, he has created an album and a sound that best reproduces that ceremony for his fans. Finally, after serious urgency in the studio, Kweli presents ‘Gutter Rainbows,’ an album that takes a trip back to childhood while marking the newest stage in his long and dynamic career. This newest release, recorded on his time and with his talent as the driving force, proves Kweli is a complete and formidable musician—it presents the depth and breadth of his experience and ability, and sets a new bar for the cutting edge of hip-hop music.
Through Kweli’s various collaborations, he has been able to grow as an artist and expand his fan base. For over 15 years, Kweli has been a king of New York hip-hop who has an expansive international audience. Kweli’s work with Mos Def on “Black Star” (1998) still stands as one of hip-hop’s premiere expressions of truth. On “Train of Thought,” Kweli teamed up with Hi Tek to form Reflection Eternal, a virtuoso hip-hop duo that continues to wow audiences and critics alike. In 2007, Kweli and DJ/Producer/MC Madlib gave their fans “Liberation”—originally released free on the internet—an album that was filled with their joint love of the music they make and the respect their fans give them. Performing all over the world with unique style and an unequaled dedication to his music, Kweli has worked with artists as diverse as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake, MF Doom, Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, Common, Nelly, The Roots, Quincy Jones, Gucci Mane, Norah Jones, KRS-One and many more. With a career filled with success and innovation, it comes as no surprise that both Jay-Z and 50 Cent, at the height of their stardom, both counted Kweli among their favorite rappers. On his “solo” albums, there is no question that his lyrical talent and unique musical drive rank up there with the best in the business. Recording with other world famous musicians or alone on the mic, Kweli gives both the long-time fan and the uninitiated an unforgettable experience.

“Gutter Rainbows” was recorded with the help of incredibly talented musicians from across the country. Eric Krasno, Jean Grae, Strong Arm Steady, Iron Solomon, Outasight, Kendra Ross, Sean Price, 88-Keys, Marco Polo, Ski Beatz, M-Phazes, S-1, E. Jones, Oh No and others make appearances. With this record, Kweli is able to make the music he knows and loves, play with the best musicians around, and bring it straight to his fans.

As a boy growing up in Brooklyn, Kweli saw gutters that ran with dirt, oil and water, revealing a shimmering rainbow to his child’s eyes. Drawing its title from this memory, this album puts at the raw center what his music has been doing for years: finding and preserving the beautiful in the hideous; the rainbows in the gutter. Weaving the lyrical and the gritty, the autobiographical with an honest, no-holds- barred hip-hop spirit; Kweli sticks fiercely to what feels true to him in creating the sound of this album. Without being tied to any particular label’s conception of what his sound should be or when his work should hit his fans, Kweli is free to build his most personal album yet in both content and motivation. Kweli’s true solo career has only just begun, and although the future holds more collaboration, “Gutter Rainbows” marks a new stage in the long and ever-evolving career of Talib Kweli.

Public Wake:
Micheal “eyedea” Larsen Memorial
Date: Thursday, October 28, 2010
Public: 7:30-10:00PM
Location: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom
Address: 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101

Sending Flowers: If you are interested in sending flowers for the memorial, all deliveries must be made to arrive on Thursday, October 28, 2010. Please make deliveries to arrive prior to 12:00PM CST.

Send to: Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront, Minnesota Grand Ballroom, c/o Micheal Larsen Memorial, 11 East Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55101.

A Celebration of the life of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen
Date: Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Location: First Avenue Mainroom, 701 1st Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Doors: 5:00PM
Ages: All Ages
Donation: $20

Tickets will be on sale: Monday, October 25, 2010 at 5:00PM CST

Tickets will be available at Fifth Element, 2411 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55405. For those of you that are not in the Twin Cities area; a limited amount of tickets will be available online at Etix.com.

There is no guest list. All donations will go to the family of Micheal “eyedea” Larsen.

Quotes:

Dear Son,
Always remember that where ever you go and what ever you do my love will always be with you. I knew before you were born that you were going to affect the world. I didn’t know how or with what gift, but now I do. You have given me the most joy, trouble, happiness, and pain. Now it’s time for the rest of us to step up and be the humans you know we can be. All my love,
-Mom
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Some of you may be here because you know how much his family loves him & how much he loved his family.
Some of you may be here because you met him & he made you a friend.
Some of you may be here because his music touched you.
Mikey was always open minded.
Mikey was always open hearted.
He believes that the person you are matters.
He believes that we should love everyone always.
He believes we should listen with our hearts.
He believes that you should watch the sunset.
We love him, always have & always will…
Thank you all for your thoughts & prayers.
-Grandma and Grandpa

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Mike was the closest friend I ever had. He was as caring as he was brilliant and was a true prodigy. I am honored to have been in his life and to have created with him and help spread his messages. He was a great human being and he will be missed.
-Gregory Keltgen (Dj Abilities)
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I met Mikey when he was 14 and he was so full of energy, but so focused for his age. I have always been amazed at his knowledge and thirst for life being so young. On more than one occasion, I have had to remind myself how young he really was while we were all coming up. He was such a special individual, he mastered everything he touched and wanted to touch everything. He was the most free person I have ever known and he approached life like a scientist, wanting to dissect all of her meanings so he could share them with others. Mikey had an amazing spirit and a truly gifted mind and all of us who were blessed to experience this immediately became better people. This life couldn’t contain my friend and so he’s moved on to his next journey, but I know he’ll forever be in our hearts and minds pushing us to live life to the fullest, be better and be free.
-Brent Sayers (aka Siddiq aka Stress)
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My friend, my brother. I do not know who I would be without your influence in my life. You challenged me without tearing me down. You pushed and encouraged me to be a better person. You had my back even when I didn’t have my own back. Your words, thoughts, and ideas impacted me in ways that I probably haven’t fully realized yet. You made me laugh and cry. You made me look and question. Thank you for everything. I love you Mikey.
-Sean Daley (Slug)
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I traveled many places for the first time with Mikey, and always remember how he would wake up in the van and say, “Man, this looks just like St. Paul.” All those first tours, Mikey was under 21, and the only way I knew it was the “X’s” on his hands each night. He was always older than his age to me. When I moved to Minneapolis to work with Rhymesayers 10 years ago, Mikey had a huge impact on my decision to make that leap of faith. He gave me the courage and a purpose. There were many days away from home that we spent together, and those times have helped define who I am today. He always inspired me, challenged me and made me laugh. Anytime, I’m on the road and drive into Columbus, St. Louis or Pittsburgh, I’m going to think, man, this looks just like St. Paul. I will always remember, always love and always miss Mikey.
-J-Bird
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I never thought that I would become best friends with the person I looked up to the most, but I did. When I first met Mike, he asked me what I was doing with my life and waited with open ears for my response. Although my answer was unclear and although I was unsure, he wasn’t and he made sure that one-day I would see in myself what he could already see in me. I vividly recall his rollercoaster metaphor. He always said, “regardless of what labels you use to define yourself and no matter what you do with your time, you will always experience the same ride.” Micheal had more influence on me as a human being than anyone ever has and I assume ever will. He taught me how to listen to myself and to others. He taught me how to acknowledge my true desires and to face my attempts to escape. He taught me how to express myself. He pushed me, but never too hard; he was a gentle friend. He was never too busy to just be there with me when I needed him. Of all the questions I still have for him and for all the unfinished business we will never get to complete together, I know one thing. I know that he wanted everyone to hear his message and I will make sure that that happens. I love you Mike . May your love live through me.
-Christopher Keller (Kristoff Krane)
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Eyedea – One of the hardest working people I know. From breaking to rapping, playing the piano, guitar or freestyling, it didn’t matter he put his entire soul into it. He taught me a lot about being a musician.
-Felipe Cuauhtli

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I started performing with Eyedea & (DJ) Abilities as their ‘hype-man/back-up vocalist’ in 1997 when we were all still in high school. I was hugely influenced by such talented and passionate artists and even back then I knew that Mikey was special and would leave a lasting impact on music or whatever he decided to do with himself. Mikey always pushed the boundaries of what was accepted as truth and commonplace and was always reaching for something greater. He made everyone around him better because he had such a confidence and charisma about him that it was infectious and impossible to ignore. The only comfort I can take in his passing is knowing that where ever he is now, he’s doing just fine because he never had trouble making friends or finding his own path.

-Alexei “Crescent Moon” Casselle (Kill The Vultures, Roma Di Luna)
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Eyedea was a precious soul. We’re better artists for working with him and better people for knowing him. He added so generously to our lives and his passing leaves an empty space in our hearts. His spirit will forever be entwined in our life changing moments. Thank you, Mikey for sharing your light with us. We love you so very much and your music, insight and laughter will never leave us.

-Brother Ali
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How do you sum up the career and life of a brilliant writer and musician in three sentences. I can do it in one word, Mikey.

-Casey O’Brien (Bassist in “Carbon Carousel” and “Face Candy”)
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Miss you Mikey like I miss being a kid. You’re one of my favorite people ever and I can’t thank you enough. I promise to hold your brave, humble, searching, empathetic, hilarious spirit infront of me and press it back into my chest when it feels empty. Sleep tight brother.

-Jeremy Ylvisaker
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I was always inspired by Mikey’s focus. I always knew he was a true artist, one to be revered. He was constantly pushing boundaries. He was the kind of artist that always made me wonder, what’s he going to come up with next. I will always love and remember Mikey for being my friend. No one made me laugh like he did. I truly enjoyed his presence and I’ll miss him dearly.

-Sab

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Mikey was the 15 year old kid sleeping on my couch at Scribble Jam, slaying mc’s 10 yrs older than him. There was nothing anyone could do. I’ve never met a more supportive mother in my life than Kathy. Kathy is the shit.

-Mr. Dibbs
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Mike was always himself. He taught me how to be more myself. I’ll always remember him.

-Joe Horton
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Micheal is one of the most supportive, encouraging, and positive people I’ve ever met. He is a creative genius who has accomplished so much in his career; but that is all secondary to the fact that he treated people with such kindness and fun energy. He is an optimist, who lived his life being extremely considerate, thoughtful, and generous to those around him. Micheal will continue to be a roll model to me for those reasons.

-Michael Gaughan
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Eyedea was the purest artist I have ever met. An all around amazing human being. Great rapper. And a better friend.

-Murs
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I was able to become good friends with one of my heroes. As the years went by I started to forget him as a famous musician, and grow to love him as my friend. From time to time I was reminded of his impact on the world through him interacting with fans all over the country. A lot of people are going to miss “Eyedea”, one of the most important hip hop musicians ever. I will too. But more than that, I will miss my friend Micheal.

-Michael Stangler
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As only Mikey could, he found a way to burn a candle on three ends. As a friend and as an artist he pushed every boundary he walked, and did not hesitate to show you who he really was underneath his skin. I will sincerely miss him, and would not trade all the riches in the world for all the conversations and experiences I shared with him. Artist and Friend,

-Louis N. LaPierre
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I will always remember laughing constantly whenever he was around. He had a great energy about him that didn’t allow you to take yourself too seriously, ever. If you were spazzing out about something really minor or trivial, he was the kinda dude that wouldn’t really react to it the same way. He might just start laughing or crack a joke to break the tension and make everybody else laugh. Then you would see that you were over-reacting and calm down–without him ever really telling you to calm down. I always admired that quality about him. He never got caught up in the stream, no matter how powerful it was. He always did his own thing.

-Blueprint

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Mikey was an artist in constant transition. If you blinked and missed a moment of brilliance he’d be sure to fill you in on what you missed. Now that he can’t be here to do that we will gladly do it for him. With the heaviest of hearts.

-Sage Francis

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Micheal was sincerely the most inspiring and extraordinary person I have ever met in my life. His fearlessness in expressing himself so authentically in so many different ways has profoundly impacted me as both as an artist and as a person. I will always love you and miss you, Mikey, thank you so much for believing in me.

-Cody Foster (Sadistik)

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Eyedea helped me become a better musician and Micheal Larsen helped me become a better person. He will be missed by family, friends, and fans. The beauty of his life is that many of us are all three.

-Cole Policy
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Mikey was a challenge. To everyone. And to himself. His challenges seemed to bring him great joy and give his life meaning. If challenge is what life is all about, he lived several full lifetimes in the short while he was here. Mikey certainly challenged me and I’m eternally grateful to him for that. He was one of my favorite people in the world and I’ll miss him very much.

-Rich Terfry (Buck 65)
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Lets say you’re standing outside of a bar with a circle of friends having a cigarette before the next band starts. You might be approached by someone who’s been dealt a difficult hand in this life, and they ask you for change. Maybe that day, hard as you usually try, you can’t muster the energy to engage with that person, to be present. To my knowledge, Micheal Larsen never had that day. Maybe he didn’t have change, but he always had an open smile and treated anyone he met, no matter how briefly, like a human being… with as much right to life and basic human respect as he held for himself. I miss you, Mikey. I promise I will carry the fire.

-Michael Lewis
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Micheal Larsen was the best teacher and friend I’ve ever had. He was a living muse. He inspired countless people to become bigger and better individuals. He is the only person I know that has dozens of people who say he is their best friend and those people went on to create beautiful things hoping to make him proud. I am proud to call him a best friend and proud to have created art with him and for him.

-Austin Dufault (Puppy Dogs and Ice Cream)
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In life we are blessed with opportunities to cross paths with individuals whose souls are greater than what the body can contain. From this body is pure inspiration. The motive to do. The sheer will of desire to get from point A to Z, and all points between. We have lost a great body of being, however, what we had and what has always been is an energy that will live forever.

-Will Jenkins

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Eyedea was a brilliant visionary who wore his soul outside of his body and kept his heart on his sleeves at all times. He was on a constant evolutionary quest for truth, justice, love, peace, and the overall existence of life and our roles in it. In the spirit of John Coltrane or Malcolm X he wasn’t afraid to change trajectories mid flight despite what anyone said embracing contradictions and tension like a lost but found soul mate. To him the process and the product was the same, he was creative expression personified. I didn’t always understand him or his vision but I always felt him. He has returned to the essence in a more powerful form helping us think outside of the boxes we place or are placed in front of us. He taught us what freedom really meant and what it looked like in action and for that I am forever grateful.

-Chaka M’Kali (I Self Devine)

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Mikey, thank you for all the help, honesty and insane laughter. I will read every book you told me to. Thank you for the constant inspiration, whether to be the best, or destroy best as a concept. You never stopped progressing. You lived as art. You were a good friend, I miss you.

–Stef Alexander (P.O.S)

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Mikey always struck me as a person that said exactly what he felt like saying in a well thought out way. Be it in the battle scene, on his albums, or in regular conversation. He’s one of the few people I saw start a conversation with a stranger on a plane and talk to them comfortably for hours. He will be extremely missed.

-Toki Wright

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Eyedea was definitely thee MC from the Midwest (other than Juice) who earned our (the West Coast’s) respect for the Midwest indie rap scene thru battling in the underground circuit and shining on countless freestyle sessions heard live on stage, on nationwide radio and in street circles…I witnessed it, having had the pleasure to compete against him in Scribble Jam, watch him slay the HBO Blaze battle, then tour the USA with him on the same bus having freestyle sessions every night with some of the best MCs – his rise was true…his impact on Midwest indie rap was and still is enormous…we all saw him evolve musically from just a dope battle MC to a full fledged heart pouring artist with Abilities at his side; as an artist, i’ll always remember him as having a true passion for exploring the bounds of his creativity; but most of all, as just Mikey – he was a great friend to have, to talk to and chill with, and he always ALWAYS showed mad love, respect & acknowledgment for the Goodlife / Project Blowed family so it’s nothing but eternal love for our friend and brother from another mother…rest well my friend…rest well….

-Abstract Rude

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Anyone who carries leadership qualities always has my utmost respect. I truly feel he was a leader. So many others were so much closer to him to already know this firsthand, but if I could sense it from a distance, it must’ve been so potent to those up-front. In the few days after his passing I can tell what a dent he has left in people’s hearts by the amazing words written to describe his genius ways on & off the mic. I salute you Eyedea.

-Evidence

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I first met Eyedea in 1997 when he came through a radio show I was working at. He was just 15 or 16 then, but already seemed more passionate and creatively curious than most. In the years to come, it was my privilege to call him a friend. Mikey had a great sense of humor, an unshakable confidence in his art, and a mind that was always looking to push forward. He worked unbelievably hard, constantly trying to find new ways of expressing himself in the most honest and spontaneous way possible. I’m so proud to have known him, and I’m heartbroken to have to say goodbye so soon

-BK-One

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You never expect to hear that a friend has passed. Not someone so young, so talented, an artist at heart. I can still hear the enthusiasm in his voice, the passion for what he was doing. He is a true inspiration to anyone struggling to find their own voice, and then speak.

-Skye Rossi

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To be idle is a short road to death, and Mikey was never idle, so it is with great distress to me that my friend is gone. To think of him as a new ancestor, an old friend and a brilliant artist is appropriate, and that is what I’ll do.

-Psalm One

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He was fearless, groundbreaking, hilarious, and a warm…true friend who I had a GREAT respect for. 1 of the people who paved the way so others could do what they do. All love from me to him & K. Can’t say RIP cuz to me he’s still here, just in a higher form.

-Onry Ozzborn

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I hope to one day have the words to properly express just how much Mikey meant to me.  What I can say is whether you met him once or knew him for years…the pain of his loss is deep and the emptiness abundant.  The memories are tender and the effect he had on us all is immeasurable.  I can’t believe such a being even existed. I loved him deeply in life and I live in disbelief he is gone.
-Janessa Rosenfield

Marcus “Pleasure P” Cooper is now being managed by Ne-Yo’s Compound Entertainment along with Manny Halley, Keyshia Cole’s manager. Marcus released a new mixtape entitled “4 Ur Pleasure Vol. 1” last week and it is HOT!!. Its hosted by heavy weights DJ Ill Will and DJ Rockstar and features superstars Lil Wayne, Lil Jon, and Yo Gotti.

The reviews have been amazing and fans are saying they “love every song on the entire mixtape”. Marcus is currently working on a brand  new album for a 2011 release. He gets plenty of inspiration from girlfriend Bria Murphy, Eddie Murphy’s daughter, and his infamous #TwitterAfterDark tweets. The mixtape is a combination up both upbeat and smooth tracks that will capture any mood in which the listener cares to indulge. Check out the album cover.

Check out Pleasure P’s website:

http://www.pleasurepmusic.com

Multi-Platinum and Award Winning Hip-Hop Superstar Ice Cube makes his highly anticipated return to the mic with the debut of his ninth solo LP, titled I Am The West. As his popularity continues to grow through movies and television, Cube remains committed to the foundation of his career: hip hop music. Following the 2008 release of the critically acclaimed, Raw Footage, which debuted at #1 on the R&B/Hip Hop sales chart and #5 on the Top 200 sales chart, making it one of the years highest selling independent release in hip hop, the West Coast’s Greatest Rap Lyrist is back again. I Am The West which is the third album to be released through Cube’s independently owned label, Lench Mob Records, is available on shelves and online today, September 28th.

Very few can make as bold a statement as I Am The West and even fewer can dispute Ice Cube’s right to stake the claim. His hall of fame resume alone would be enough to own the title, but this album is an opportunity to raise the bar even higher.

The hallmark of Cube’s best known work is ever present on I Am The West: Lyrics from a realistic perspective, giving voice to those usually ignored or shunned by the power base, rhymes that make you think and 15 songs that set the party off. Boasting music from producers such as Tha Bizness, Sir Jinx, Bangladesh, Track Bully, Willy Will, Jigg, Brandon Alexander, Doughboy and Rocko, DJ Montay, T. Mix, The Fliptones, and Hallway Productions and featuring guests OMG, Doughboy, Maylay, Jayo and WC, Cube looks to continue his unwavering commitment to the west coast hip-hop movement that he helped create over two decades ago.

With the streets buzzing all summer through the album’s lead single & video “I Rep That West,” the buzz single & video “Drink The Kool Aid” and release of the free I Am The West mixtape on www.IceCube.com, Cube follows up with the album’s second official single and video, “She Couldn’t Make It On Her Own” introducing to the world his sons and MC’s on the rise, OMG and Doughboy. Directed by Matt Alonzo, the two also collaborated on videos for new tracks “Y’all Know How I Am” featuring OMG, Doughboy, WC and Maylay, which will debut today on www.IceCube.com and “Too Westcoast” featuring WC and Maylay on October 4th.

Quick to emphasize that he is and always will be a B-Boy, dedicated to writing vivid rhymes, delivering stellar stage performances and making dope hip-hop records. I Am The West is poised to be another high point in Ice Cube’s mission.

Star Trak/Interscope artists N*E*R*D* will hit

the road with Gorillaz on their “Escape to Plastic Beach Tour” beginning October 6th in Boston, MA (full routing below). In addition to N*E*R*D*, De La Soul, Little Dragon, and Bobby Womack will join the Gorillaz Plastic Beach band which features Mick Jones and Paul Simonon of the Clash as special guests.

“We are all super excited to be on tour with Gorillaz,”

said Pharrell Williams, “N*E*R*D* is all about expanding creatively and Gorillaz have been doing that for years. We are all huge fans and really admire their vision.” N*E*R*D* are set to release Nothing, their fourth studio album this fall. The group came up with the title because according to N*E*R*D* front man Pharrell Williams “It’s like nothing you’ve ever heard.” Whereas their first album, In Search Of…, was an imaginative, exploration of identities, their second album, Fly Or Die, sought out the range of genres and sounds that have influenced the group, and their third album, Seeing Sounds, grinded everything together, Nothing promises to be an album that delivers a brand new N*E*R*D* sound, an album that amplifies the attitudes, style and persona that has made Pharrell, Chad and Shae the transcendent cultural icons they are today.

Gorillaz / N*E*R*D* Tour Schedule:
Oct. 5                Wallingford, CT              Oakdale Theater
Oct. 6                Boston, MA                    Agganis Arena
Oct. 8                New York, NY                 Madison Square Garden
Oct. 10              Camden, NJ                   Susquehanna Bank Center
Oct. 11              Washington, DC                         Patriot Center
Oct. 13              Detroit, MI                     Fox Theatre
Oct. 14              Toronto, ON                   Air Canada Centre
Oct. 16              Chicago, IL                    UIC Pavilion
Oct. 17              Minneapolis, MN                         Target Center
Oct. 19              Houston, TX                   Toyota Center
Oct. 20              Dallas, TX                      Verizon Theatre
Oct. 22              Austin, TX                     Frank Erwin Center
Oct. 24              Denver, CO                    Wells Fargo Theatre
Oct. 26              Phoenix, AZ                   Dodge Theater
Oct. 27              Los Angeles, CA                         Gibson Amp
Oct. 28              San Diego, CA                Viejas Arena
Oct. 30              Oakland, CA                   Oracle Arena
Nov. 1               Seattle, WA                   KeyArena
Nov. 3               Vancouver, BC               Rogers Arena

Billboard has a new video series that takes a closer look at the cool artists hitting the Billboard Tastemakers chart, which brings you the top-selling albums each week based on an influential panel of indie stores and small regional chains.

They managed to catch up with Big Boi while in New York promoting the album on what he joked was his Grammy hustle. For the latest installment of the Tastemakers video series, he brought along DJ Cutmaster Swift ad he himself threw down a 3-song set of “Left Foot” tunes full of freestyling, whip and lasso his mic cord moves and ad-hoc photo snapping with our neighbors, the cast of MTV’s “The Hills.”

See the full story click here.

Huey is a talented young St. Louis-born artist best known for his debut chart-topping hit “Pop Lock and Drop It,” which was a top 3 single on the Billboard charts and for being featured on “MTV Jams”, appearances on MTV’s “Cribs” a performance on the finale of “America’s Best Dance Crew” and for becoming a staple on BET’s “106 & Park” countdown for almost two straight months.  The subsequent remix with T-Pain & Bow Wow only solidified “Pop Lock and Drop It” status as a bonafide smash.  Huey’s debut LP, Notebook Paper, (2007 Jive Records) featured production from T-Pain, Mannie Fresh, Jazzy Pha and Stargate and it was a Top 5 Hip-Hop debut on the Billboard charts.

Grounded on the same streets that produced successes among the likes of Nelly, Chingy and the St. Lunatics, Huey’s approach is a refreshing one. “I’m versatile,” he offers matter of factly. “It’s like whatever the beat tells me to do – it could be relaxed on a cool level to where I’m explaining my feelings for a female. It could be me explaining my feelings for money. It could be dancing in the club, crunk in the club. It’s a bunch of everything that’s going to be on this album.”

After experiencing some delays in securing his release from Jive Records, Huey’s sophomore LP, Redemption (release date 9-14-2010), is finally ready for release and the LP’s lead-single, “Smile and Wave,” f/Dorrough is currently available at iTunes and the track was featured on the AOL Music homepage with 30 million plus uniques.  The LP’s follow-up single, “I Go Crazy,” f/Colby O’Donis will also impact in the immediate future.  Huey’s “Hello To All My Haterz” video premiered on Worldstarhiphop.com in the top slot and has already received millions of views.

Only five years in, Huey has already climbed the rap totem-pole and already speaks like a seasoned veteran. And while outside opinions may sway, he’s clearly been placed in a situation to carry on the musical following of St. Louis – by any means necessary. “Right now, we’re viewed as commercial flat out,” Huey says. “Right now we’re just looked at as a commercial place and it’s not that. We’re not just commercial. It’s gutter in St. Louis and me as a young person, it probably would be hard to believe. That’s why you gotta straight give it to ‘em. It’s a new St. Louis and that’s what I’m about to show err’body.”

“Huey’s ‘Redemption’ is party-feel-good, make-you-want-to-dance music and it’s being released just in time to make the summer hit lists,” said Que Records’ CEO Quayshaun. “I am very excited about this joint venture between my label and OMG Media and our distribution deal with EMI. Huey is next in line to impact the music industry.

For more info on Huey go to: http://www.hueyomg.com

After experiencing a tidal wave of success in the early 1990’s which included two Grammy Awards and platinum record featuring the hit single “Tennessee”, Arrested Development is looking to make a return to the mainstream music scene with their new album entitled Strong.

Lead choreographer and dancer Montsho Eshe sat dawn with HipHopClub to discuss the group’s return, the current state of hip hop, the group’s success overseas and the future of Arrested Development.

This is the first album from the group in nearly three years. What was the inspiration behind Strong?

We’re musicians at heart, so of course we’re always wanting to record and do more music all the time. We just wanted to get back in the studio and release some new, fresh stuff. Within three years, a lot can happen. We just wanted to get back in the studio and do some new stuff and let our fans know that we’re still here; still making music and we’re still relevant.

Did you hear that demand from the fans, that they wanted a new album?

People always tell us they just want to hear good music and the message. We always definitely want to bring a message with our music, so that’s a definite key element that we always have to bring to our albums and our music…They just want to hear good music and they want to just be supportive of whatever we create, which is a blessing.

In The World is Changing one verse of the lyrics goes:
Now everybody is a clown/Music is so watered down
So many things that are happening now/I’m just frustrated

The lyrics obviously suggest that music today isn’t what it should be both in regards to both style and substance. How does Arrested Development hope to change the current music situation?

As artists, we have to stay true to ourselves on a consistent basis, an everyday basis; we know that’s all that we can do. Hopefully because we’re being true to ourselves and putting music out that we feel is feeding people’s spirits in a positive way, it may want our peers or people listening to make a change and say you know what, let me be real about what I’m feeling and whatever the truth is for me, and put it in my music. I feel like we’re definitely going to change people throughout music in just being true to who we are, and putting out music that’s true to us. If we don’t believe it, nobody else will.

The World is Changing has seen success in Japan, No. 9 on the Japan Pop Charts. Why do you think your band is so successful in Japan?

One thing about Japan, it’s a great place, an amazing culture. They’re really into hooks over there, so they like a lot of melodic things. I think the World is Changing is so melodic, and they’re into melodic music. It’s so funny, because I did a song over there with this Japanese artist and he was so soulful. He really doesn’t speak much English. They’re into a lot of very soulful stuff, and stuff that’s really thought provoking, even with the language barrier surprisingly. They’re into things that make you feel good, they’re a very happy culture to me…It was so amazing, we were in between Lady Gaga and Alicia Keys [on the pop charts], and that was pretty cool.

The band blew up in 1992 with the album 3 years, 5 months and 2 days. How hard is it to keep it going and keep turning out the hits?

The thing is, back then we were doing it for fun. We didn’t know that it was going to be as big as it was. We had no idea; we were just doing music and being ourselves. In the beginning, it was a slow process. It came out, it was slow then all of a sudden it just blew up overnight. You do feel that pressure, but I think we felt it more back in 1994 after the first record had been so successful, and then our second record Zingalamaduni went gold. Compared to the first one, of course people would consider that not as successful, but it was still successful because we went gold. We sold 500,000 copies; even today people still talk about that record and buy that record. Now, it’s just about putting out good music. We want to be respected by people like you and our peers, and just know that we’re putting out our records; whether it sells a million copies or two or three copies. We want it to sell of course, but we just want to put out good music really, truthfully…We just try to create good music, period.

When was the decision made to look for a new singer, and how did you find Tasha Larae?

Speech and her met a church event. He saw her singing [backup] for someone, he liked her voice and her vibe. She auditioned for the group and she’s been with us for two years now.

What’s the future hold in store for Arrested Development? Do you see another album coming out soon or more tours?

We tour all the time. We’re actually doing a Canadian tour, a U.S. tour; also we’re going to Europe and Australia. We’re going to continue to tour and release good music as long as we can and also individually we all do different things. We’re just going to keep doing what we’re doing, being creative people…Not just music. I do choreography; I want to write a book, I’m actually writing a book. Speech just wrote a book, acting. You’re going to see a lot of different things from Arrested Development, a lot of different aspects.

For more information on Arrested Development visit: www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com

Find them on twitter: www.twitter.com/ArrestedDevlpmt on Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/arresteddevelopmentmusic And Face Book: Arrested Development Music

– Article by Max Sanders