words by Preach Jacobs for SoulCulture.co.uk
I often find it hilarious when I bump into relatives or old classmates that hear about my musical ventures. The exchange usually ends up with them commenting that I’m rich as hell or that I probably have a condo next door to Russell Simmons sharing vegan recipes. I usually offer one of those forced uncomfortable smiles and say to myself, “If only you can see my bank account.”

There’s nothing more disheartening than checking your bank account online thinking you have a certain amount of money finding out that you have less. A hell of a lot less. This is what happened to me as I planned for some promotional shows in support of my new EP Maple St. Sessions, with Denz, recently released on R2 records.

Immediately you begin to realize that people’s romanticized summary of touring is purely fictional; the shows with groupies lined up ready for you to tattoo a mammary, the loads of people ready to purchase your new CD and let’s not forget the five-star hotel room.

The reality is, for an independent artist these things rarely happen. Usually the shows have more guys than women (with them trying to sell you their own shit at your show), there’s usually a larger line for the bathrooms than for people to greet you and the five-star hotels usually end up being a friend’s futon or air mattress.

So, why do we do it? I can’t answer for anyone else, but I had to fight to find some answers.

I remember watching the trailer to this Bill Withers documentary titled Still Bill, and nearly being moved to tears. There’s a quote in particular where Bill confesses, “It’s okay to head out to wonderful, but before you get to wonderful you have to go through alright….when you get there take a look around, get used to it, cause it could be as good as it gets.”

In understanding that, I had an epiphany: We do this because we love it. I realize as an indie artist, if you’re looking for a quick buck, this isn’t the way to go. I mean, you could get the money quickly if you use crack rocks to finance the operation, but what about the regular person that is trying to do things the right way? It’s an uphill battle.

The best way to look at the music is to treat it like a business. The average business takes about 3 to 5 years to show hopes of survival. So, there’s going to be years of investing, years where you’re losing money and years where breaking even is something to celebrate.

The only issue is that Hip Hop culture can make you doubt yourself. There’s no loyalty and even less respect for architects that helped build the culture. If Led Zeppelin decided to put together a new album, they would have the front page of Rolling Stone. If Afrika Bambaataa put out a new record, they’d be lucky to get a blurb at your favorite rap blogger’s site.

So, with all of those things that are bubbling against me, why do I continue to do it?

It’s because I love being on the stage. I love people giving me dap after a performance. After I finished a stint of three shows in two days in Atlanta including an event where I met Dilla’s mother, I realized why I do this. The event was called Dilla Day in the A, where people gathered to help raise money and awareness for lupus research, and was filled with people (like me) rhyming on Dilla’s beats.

This is the soundtrack to my youth. The sounds that made me fall in love with this culture. So, despite my account’s negative balance or possibly because of it, I listen to the music with new ears. There’s a haunting beauty to struggle and it’s something that keeps you grounded. Using your passion to express the passions, pains and joys of your life and the struggle sustains hope for better.

Basically, if there’s no Grammys in the future or mansions in my life’s forecast, to be able to make this music will have me content. I guess I’ll be alright.

Blakroc [Album Review] by Preach Jacobs for SoulCulture.co.uk
It’s usually a disaster waiting to happen when we see these hybrid projects of rock mixed with hip-hop artists. Ever since “Rock This Way”, artists have been wanting to cross these two worlds together, and at times it works but more often than not it’s like Eddie Murphy collaborating with Rick James: Two people great at their fields, but when together, shit sucks.

Luckily for the Blakroc project, you have not only talented hip-hoppers like Mos Def (who can pretty much cater to any style of music anyways) but you also have the members of The Black Keys at the helm, who have Hip Hop sensibilities (especially since Danger Mouse produced their last album, Attack and Release.)

There are genuine moments when songs seem to mesh like “Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo)” featuring Jim Jones and Mos Def on the chorus. Usually a song bearing the name of Jim Jones, I would opt to skip, but the collaboration embodies what the entire project possesses: Rap artists who are at times cocky and full of themselves, are now humbled because they are in a territory that they may not know very well.

Songs like Mos Def’s “On The Vista” (making me feel like he should do an entire project with the Black Keys), “Dollaz & Sense” with Pharoahe Monch and Rza and “Hope You’re Happy” with Q-Tip, Billy Danze and Nicole Wray are really solid tracks. What’s even more interesting is seeing the artists work together on the innovative site where the webisodes show the recordings of the songs giving a greater appreciation for the vision of Dame Dash’s baby.

The project is predominately decent – and that’s not to downplay the impressive task of getting these artists together. As far as replay value, I’m not sure if it’ll be something I would rush to repeat for years to come. But maybe that wasn’t the point. The point may have been to show that these two worlds are not separate and that instead of just co-existing, they will have to work together. If that was the goal, then mission accomplished.

if talent equaled currency, then elzhi would be on warren buffet’s status right now. unfortunately there’s tons of people that are unaware of one of the best lyricists in the industry, but that doesn’t stop him. here’s a new mixtape titled elZhi – The Leftovers Unmixedtape [Mixtape]. enjoy.

tracklisting:
01. The Great (Produced by Oh No)
02. Deep (Produced by Black Milk)
03. Contra (feat. Danny Brown) (Produced by Apollo Brown)
04. Like This (Produced by Black Milk)
05. Red, Black And Green (Produced by Black Milk)
06. Glow (Produced by Jake One)
07. Living (Produced by DJ Dez)
08. Dream (Produced by Jake One)
09. The Crowd (Produced by Leef)
10. Dedication (feat. Fes Roc) (Produced by DJ Dez)
11. Colors Remix (Produced by DJ Spinna)
12. Flyest (feat. Smitty) (Produced by Denmark Vessey)
13. 5 Man Hustle (Produced by Black Milk)
14. Clash Of The Titans (feat. Vstyles, Royce Da 5′9″, Rapper Big Pooh & Phat Kat) (Produced by MoSS)

elZhi – The Leftovers Unmixedtape [Mixtape] Download

i love this place. and with people like the hosts of the morpheus soul show i have more reasons to.

for the people that didn’t get a chance to check out the live stream, the guys actually made a link for you all to download so you can join in on the fun. thanks to everyone that tuned in. more to come.

playlist:
The Foreign Exchange ft. Muhsinah – Day keeper (Leave It All Behind)
Love Unlimited Orchestra Presents Webster Lewis – Welcome Aboard (Welcome Aboard )

Pugs Atomz & Rashid Hadee – Hand On The Bible (Stormy)
Kam Moye ft. John Robinson – Stars (Splitting Image)
Chima Anya ft. Jason McDougall – Drinks Up
Preach Jacobs & Denz – Oh Yes (Maple St Sessions)

Snoop Dogg ft. Brandy & Pharrell – Special
[Prod. By The Neptunes] (Malice n Wonderland)
Common ft. John Legend – Strange Fruit [Prod By. Kanye West]

Preach Jacobs – South Coca (Garveyism)

The Morpheus Soul Show Speaks with Preach Jacob

Preach Jacobs & Denz – Forest Whitaker (Maple St Sessions)

Preach Jacobs Speaks with The Morpheus Soul Show

This weeks top 5 countdown

5. Preach Jacobs & Denz – Falling (Maple St Sessions)

4. Pardon The Stranger – Brand New Me (We’re Here to Help)

3. Brittany Bosco – It Was You (Spectrum 2.0)

2. Ed OG & Masta Ace ft. Posdnus of De La Soul [produced by DJ Spinna] – Good Music
(Arts & Entertainment)

1. Sonar Kollektiv Orchester – Universal Love
(4hero presents Extensions)

Erik Rico – Dorothy Parker (The Reworks Project)

Preach Jacobs @ The Morpheus Soul Show (Download)

what’s up guys? this is one of the first times i got a chance to sit down at the computer and try to update some of this stuff. i absolutely love it here in london town and with great reasons.

first off you can check out the interview we did with sensei.fm. yall wanna check out the video of the show and interview hit it up here. thanks to fabia with the interview and real biggups to amelia for hooking it all up.

also biggups to colourful radio and julie ann for a crazy interview we had last night. you can download that one right here.
we will have the morpheus show interview that we will get up tomorrow or so. things have been going pretty well. finally got a chance to smoke a proper cuban cigar (since it’s not legal in the states).

so, hopefully we’ll get some shots in it when we’re working on the video for ‘oh yes’ coming at ya. and even though it’s not a london interview check out an interview i did for thanksgiving for colavitals.com. check it out directly by clicking here.
yes, the cuban.more to come. cheers.

i gotta say biggups to my girl vanessa over at muphoricsounds.com for all the love and support. she’s been very supportive of the ‘maple st. sessions’ project and i want to thank all the people that’s supported/copped/stole/downloaded it. for those that want to cop it please check out the music/store section.

i guess the great thing about this project is that everyone seems to have their own favorite song on the record. and it seems that everyone loves the track ‘forest whitaker’ (which i have some ideas if we’re going to try and do a video eventually. but for now the video for ‘oh yes’ is next).

at any rate, please check out the review here and be sure to preview the cuts and watch the video for “falling” if you haven’t already. okay, is that enough self promotion? anyways, hope you guys enjoy.

Preach Jacobs & Denz ‘Maple St. Sessions’ review on MuphoricSounds.com

sup yall? it’s been a while since i’ve put some updates on the site (brother’s been busy) but i’m glad to fill you guys in on the newest issue of usoul mag is finally online. we have nicolay on the cover and there’s an exclusive interview in there. also, check out my review of (‘city lights 2′ on page 3). enjoy.

Check out Usoul Mag Issue 3

usually when people ask me who my favorite hip-hop group is, it’s always the holy trinity: ATCQ, the roots and these guys right here. de la soul has pretty much are the ripken jr.’s of hip-hop since they’ve been putting out music not only for 20-years, but dope ass music for two decades. biggups to mick boogie with the new mix. there’s features by some of your favorite artists re-doing your favorite de la cuts (sorta like the j.period q-tip joint you can download here).

1. Intro: Senor Kaos, Von Pea and Homeboy Sandman (produced by Dave West)
2. Me Myself and I: Kardinal Offishall (produced by Diabolic)
3. Pease Porridge: Phife Dawg (produced by Dj Rasta Root)
4. Breakdawn: Tanya Morgan (produced by 6th Sense)
5. Oooh: Fly Union (produced by Fly Union)
6. Baby Phat: Skillz & Colin Monroe (produced by nVMe)
7. Stakes Is High part 1: U-N-I (produced by 6th Sense)
8. Say No Go: Chaundon, Esso + The Kickdrums (produced by The Kickdrums)
9. Rock Co Kane Flow: Shawn Christopher & Pheo (produced by Garbs)
10. Ego Trippin: Asheru (produced by The Els)
11 Ooodles of O’s: Camp Lo (produced by Apple Juice Kid)
12. Sunshine: Christian Rich + Curtains (produced by Christian Rich)
13. Plug Tunin’: Tabi Bonney + Stalley (produced by Judah)
14. Hey Love: Chip Tha Ripper (produced by Remot)
15. The Bizness: Big Pooh, Butta Verses, and 6th Sense (produced by 6th Sense)
16. I Am I Be: 6th Sense (produced by Hasan Insane)
17. Eye Know: Daytona & Mike Maven (produced by 6th Sense)
18. Saturdays: Niko Villamor, Brittany Street & Kidd Neer (produced by SMKA)
19. Watch Out: J.Sands (produced by J. Rawls)
20. Stakes Is High part 2: Talib Kweli (produced by eJones)

Download Mick Boogie x Terry Urban – Le Da Soul: 20 Years of De La Soul [Mixtape]

the sc native has been making some noise for quite a while. after inking a deal with def jux and getting more press than the presidential election of ‘08, it was almost certain that danny! would be on your record store shelves. for some reason the album was stalled but didn’t stop the producer/mc from putting out more material. even now, after the release of ‘where is danny?’ leaked, he decided to release it as a free download (and he will add more stuff to it and have an official release thru the label). enjoy it.

1. Man, Motherfuck An Intro
2. Manic At The Disco
3. Where Is Danny?
4. Tattered Fedora Flow
5. Hoedown Showdown f. Von Pea
6. I Ain’t The Walrus
7. Turn Me Up
8. Many Reasons
9. Still Got Love
10. Sloppy Joe, Pt. 1
11. Commercial Break (Interlude)
12. Fa Fa Fa
13. This Is Your Life (In West Watch-A-Ka-Tella) (Instrumental)
14. Off The Hook f. Che Grand
15. George Wendt
16. Nah, I Don’t Like This Beat Yo
17. Theme Music To A Killing Spree f. Danny Brown
18. Lost One
19. Scrambled Eggs
20. Sloppy Joe, Pt. 2
21. Seven Seconds Of Static (Interlude)
22. Mama I Want To Fucking Sing
23. Wake The Fuck Up Man (You’re Trippin’ Man)
24. Crank Dat (Hey DJ) f. Ladi Jade
25. Get Down
DOWNLOAD: Where Is Danny?
midi marc is one of the best producers out of south carolina. winning several state wide beat battles, marc is finally getting the type of attention he deserves (with some placements in the near future…crossing our fingers).

the kid is always witty, fun and great to work with. having him bring the fun back into a southern region known for country-crack-fried anthems, it’s good to hear someone bring it back to the music. well, check out this new treat he has for yall, a MJ tribute simply titled ‘michael.’ and be sure to check out his blog too. it’s frickin’ hilarious.

DOWNLOAD: Midi Marc’s ‘MICHAEL’

Preach Jacobs Maple St. Sessions Interview
We’re fans of doing things on our own and being guerilla about it. So, when he moved back to Japan he suggested I come out and do some shows because the scene was so vibrant out there. He basically booked the gigs and I flew out there and had the best time of my life!

How did you & Denz hook up to do the project?

I was working on some stuff with Marc Mac of 4Hero and they’re all family. Denz caught wind of my older project “Garveyism” and we just started talking and working casually. That’s what I love about the project, is the fact that it came out of a pure place. There was no pressure to do it. We made it and decided it needs to get out there.

How did you come up with title “Maple St. Sessions” for the Ep?

I live on Maple Street (hope not to get any stalkers), but that’s where all of my creativity lies. I even shot my video for “Falling” in my place. It’s my zone, my sanctuary. So, I’m a big Blue Note Records fan and loved all of those jazz albums where they would record an entire performance at a certain place and it would be the address with the word “sessions” at the end. I believe the project has that organic jazz feel to it.

How would describe the overall direction for this project?

I think the main direction is just a fucking fun record. I remember listening to this Q-Tip mixtape and he said something like, people enjoy Tribe’s records so much is because it was made out of honesty and having a good time. People respond to that, and I remember growing up wanting to hang out with them dudes because they enjoyed what they were doing. That’s why I love being personal, especially in the “Falling” video getting shots of my family and baby pictures of me, because it’s me. I believe the music reflects that.

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