Live in Peace

A study, conducted by Northeastern University, focused on 28 major US cities between 2000 and 2007 and found that for young white men in Houston between the ages of 14 and 24, the murder rate was down 10 percent.

But for young black men of the same age, the study said the murder rate was up a shocking 139 percent.

In East Palo Alto, CA the recent surge in violence led to Esface creating an early third edition to the “Live in Peace” series that started in 2006.

Today’s spotlight is on Harlem based rapper Charles Hamilton.  Hamilton is currently signed to Interscope records, under which he has recently released a mixtape/album with his label, Demevolist Music Group, titled The Pink Lavalamp.  Other projects Hamilton is working on is a 2 week cycle of mixtape drops which he has dubbed the Hamiltonization process in an effort to further spread his music.  This has drawn him links by some to Soulja Boy to which he has taken much offense, leading to what seems to be another (label fabricated) beef of conscious hip hop vs. rap.  Charles recently released a track dubbed “Word? Aight” in which uses an auto-tuner to hilarious effect to take various shot at Soulja Boy.  So while another hip-hop beef plays out go peep Hamilton ,along with Wale (mentioned in a our last artist spotlight post) on the cover of XXL as one of the 10 Freshmen in the Hip Hop game.  Or visit Hamilton’s myspace page  

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=20311907 

 Download the Pink Lavalamp Album Here

http://www.zshare.net/download/52464950afef3cc1/

“Each of us are angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. The only problem is how can we fly, when the only thing we embrace are firearms.”

Now, we’re normally against promoting my own stuff, but we’ve gotten a very good set of feedback on this track of mine, and we thought we’d share. This track is produced by Allure (1/2 of The FRESHm3n) and the rapper goes by the name of Wonda. The track is off of Allure’s upcoming album “Angels & Demons” and the cover was done by C. Henry (the other 1/2 of The FRESHm3n).

Enjoy and please leave some feedback

Heartbreak Therapy (ft. Wonda)                                          http://www.zshare.net/audio/524233025abebb99/

Sidebar: Apparently up and coming Harlem rapper Charles Hamilton (download link for his dope mixtape/album “The Pink Lavalamp coming Monday btw) is beefing with Soulja Boy……yea….it’s really not that serious, but I found Hamilton’s diss track entertaining. It was entertaining to him too, because he claims to have made this song half drunk and half asleep. He hops on the autotune on it too…

Charles Hamilton (Word? Aight!)                                         http://www.zshare.net/audio/526527453580dedc/

Fashion Tip of the Week                                                                                                                                 Try Something Different
Never be afraid to experiment with a new style for if it wasn’t for people experimenting the trends and styles we see today would not exist. By trying something different in your clothing style; it shows versatility and confidence.

Yo, we’re definitely runnin on a completely off schedule, but we’re here to deliver this week’s brand new drops.

First we got H to the IZZO himself, this time teaming up with Santogold and a beat from Mr. 808’s & Heartbreak himself. Apparently this track is supposed to be for the Notorious B.I.G biopic dropping on January 16^th. Track is hot. The beat is definitely dope and the Santogold sample is definitely poppin, even if it’s a little reminiscent of the M.I.A.’s Swagger Like Us sample. If only the drums went a lil harder….Anyway here y’all go.

Brooklyn (Go Hard) ft. Santogold

http://www.zshare.net/audio/521227037e040dac/

Also dropped recently, is the Clipse’s new mixtape Road Till the Casket Drops, which is sponsored by and coincides with the release of their new line Play Cloths. There’s some quality material here, be sure to check it out. Link is courtesy of Complex Mag.

http://www.complex.com/ENTERTAINMENT/MUSIC/Clipse-Mixtape 

Here’s 2 more new Common tracks. I know we’ve been pushing the dude a lot recently, but this album is really that dopeness. Dude keeps it real, and make sure you cop the album on December 9^th. Word on the street is that he might even have the album for sale on his site for $0.99…..think about that for a bit….BTW, sidebar: the track Inhale is amazing haha.

Inhale                                                                                          http://www.zshare.net/audio/521147103ecad723/

Sex 4 Sugar                                                                         http://www.zshare.net/audio/52114629d08f2c72/

Represent Positive Change

Stay Esface

Hey, we’re especially late this week, but it’s a holiday, what can ya do? Anyway, We’re gonna keep the post pretty short today, but you still gotta check these new songs out…

Common’s got 2 new songs circulating from his album U.M.C. (Universal Mind Control) due out Dec 9^th. Both of these joints are straight fire, do not, I repeat, sleep on this!

Gladiator (ft. Pharrell)                                                                     http://rapidshare.com/files/167139999/06-common-gladiator.mp3

Punch Drunk Love (ft. Kanye West)                                     http://www.zshare.net/audio/51820099961f6483/

And Lil’ Wayne dropped yet another mixtape today (ridiculous huh?) called The Drought is Over Pt. 6. Peep the Red Magic joint with The Game first though, the song is bananas.

The Drought is Over 6 (Mixtape)                                   http://www.zshare.net/download/518865224b3ff363/

Also, here’s an unreleased track from Young Jeezy’s 2^nd album The Inspiration. It’s just now coming out, and it’s extra chill. It features Pharrell Williams.

Rumor Has It (ft. Pharrell)                                                    http://www.zshare.net/audio/5179348261805ebe/

And finally, here’s something for the ladies. This is a remix of the talented Jazmine Sullivan’s Bust Your Windows, now featuring The-Dream. Check it out.

Bust Your Windows Remix (ft. The-Dream)                          http://www.zshare.net/audio/518951772f1d2e47/

That’s it for now,

Represent Positive Change

Stay Esface

-The FRESHm3n

What is Swag, and how do I know if I have ‘it’?

FR3$Hm3n #1

Everyone possesses Swag in some shape or form even if they themselves do not recognize it.  Swag is the summation of a person’s style and personality.

Style, to be specific clothing style, is the part of Swag that people tend to think is most important, however, it is no more important than the other two factors.  In fact it is actually better to be lacking in clothing style than in personality or physical disposition, because no matter how raw your clothes may be if you’re an asshole it is all for nothing.  What is most important about style is using clothes that don’t necessarily match, yet those that flow.  By flow, I mean does your outfit work together as more than the collective sum of its parts? Simply put do you add your own flare and persona into your outfit?

In sum, your style should be unique and original, not just a carbon copy of what’s currently being worn at your school, community, or place of business. Having style means that you are able to test out new things comfortably while letting your persona shine through confidently.

 In Other Fashion News…

Lupe Fiasco’s clothing line, Fall of Rome is collaborating with False to release items in the U.S. under the Fallacy of Rome name. Recently released are 2 different versions of a Kerberos tee. I personally think the tees are dope, and they retail for around $60.

Also, Pusha T & Malice, a.k.a. The Clipse, have also officially launched their clothing line Play Cloths.  Its available at streetwear retailers like Leaders 1354 and Cmonwealth, and also online. The Thornton Brothers are also planning on dropping a mixtape on December 1^st to cross promote the line and their upcoming LP. The mixtape will be called Road to Till the Casket Drops. Peep the intro to the mixtape and pics of the clothing.

Intro

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5150564278862ad4/

Represent Positive Change

Stay Esface

-The FRESHm3m

Artist Spotlight: Wale 

Wale, born Olubowale Victor Akintimeh, is a Nigerian rapper from the DMV (DC, Maryland, and Virginia, if you didn’t know). He’s been on his music grind ever since he dropped out of Bowie State University, and kind of has a love/hate relationship with his hometown. Since 2006, he’s been rapidly gaining success and underground fame with hits such as Nike Boots and W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E. He’s now signed to Interscope Records under the Alido Records Imprint. His 2 most famous mixtapes, “100 Miles and Running”, and especially the Seinfeld-themed “Mixtape About Nothing” garnered him a huge cult following. Fans are now awaiting his major label debut album, which is still untitled, slated for a March 2009 release. In the meantime, peep him on the cover of XXL as one of the 10 Freshman in the Hip Hop game.

*Also, check out his blog/site www.elitaste.com

The Mixtape About Nothing  http://www.zshare.net/download/12770681c4ad01f5/

100 Miles & Running Mixtape http://www.zshare.net/download/2652561edde1f9/

Nike Boots                           http://www.zshare.net/audio/3667012c3660b2/

I Will (Ft. Xscape)               http://www.zshare.net/audio/514796533ff631d4/

Warwick Avenue               http://www.zshare.net/audio/51479680596e57f8/

Guest Review for Wayne’s Dedication 3

Now we can’t talk about new music without mentioning Lil’ Wayne. In his third collaboration with DJ Drama, Dedication 3 does not disappoint. Besides displaying Wayne’s infamous syrup induced lyrical prowess that we all know and love, D3 introduces us to a crew of up and comers.

“Stuntin” is one of the stand out tracks, featuring Toronto’s very own Drake. Without dropping more than a music video and a mixtape, Drake is already gaining notoriety as the “New Fresh Prince.”
http://www.zshare.net/audio/51340549cff87a15/

You know what, scratch that. Every track is a standout. Cop the mixtape and get ready for Dedication 4.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=QJQ2VPF5

-$enior-Itis

Other New Stuff:                                                                                  Ludacris Ft. Chris Rock - Everybody Hates Chris http://www.zshare.net/audio/514753309f7436b9/

Kid Sister – Get Fresh        http://www.zshare.net/audio/50363955f995f6ed/

Kanye West – Robocop (Revised Version)http://www.zshare.net/audio/514714045f498b77/

Kanye West – Say You Will http://www.zshare.net/audio/514677538fa203fa/

Represent Positive Change

Stay Esfac’e 

-The FRESHm3n

Fact Of The Day: Jordan Gruver, an American citizen of Panamanian descent, took a beating from 2 members of the Imperial Klans of America, the 2nd largest KKK group, after the Brotherhood Klan. The IKA is now being sued, almost to the point of bankruptcy by Gruver and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Their hopes are to to win damages large enough to put the supremacists out of business.

Yo, It’s our inaugural post. We’re the FRESHm3n, and we’re here to keep you up on your music and fashion game. We’re gonna kick it off with some new music.

In Stores Dec. 9th!

First up, we got Chi-Town artist Common (a.k.a Common Sense for the die-hards), who has dropped refreshing albums such as Can I Borrow A Dollar, Be, and Like Water for Chocolate, will be dropping his 8^th LP on December 9^th called Universal Mind Control. Look for production by the Neptunes, Mr. DJ, and No I.D., and features from Kanye West and Pharrell. Here’s a newly released track from the album, “Changes”. It was released to celebrate the victory of a certain black President-Elect….

Changes

http://www.zshare.net/audio/51165613df3bd263/

And look out for the next LP, The Believer, in 09 

In Stores on November 24th

Mr. West, a.k.a. the Louis Vuitton Don, a.k.a Kanye West is dropping his 4^th effort, 808’s & Heartbreak on November 24^th. The album features a heavy use of the Auto Tune software, made popular by T-Pain. He claims this album is just something that he had to get off his chest and it has much more emotion than his other efforts. The album is actually emotionally fueled; he gained inspiration from his break-up with his fiancé and the death of his mother, the late Donda West (Coldest Winter). As of now, all the tracks but 2 have leaked, but we’re gonna just give y’all a sample…the law ain’t no joke lol. Go cop the album and support Kanye’s new “pop art” genre he’s created.

Check out the tracks here

Love Lockdown

http://www.zshare.net/audio/510670673a68a64d/

Heartless

http://www.zshare.net/audio/51066721a6802520/

Street Lights

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5120276681104283/

See You In My Nightmares

http://www.zshare.net/audio/51205884d18e68bd/

 Since we’re on the Kanye subject, check him and his G.O.O.D. Music artist Malik Yusef’s song for Barack Obama’s album (yea, that’s right) Yes We Can: Voices of a Grassroots Movement due out tomorrow. The track is called Promised Land featuring Adam Levine from Maroon 5

Promised Land

http://www.zshare.net/audio/5129457324a92acc/

In Stores NOW!!

T-Pain’s 3^rd LP, Thr33 Ringz is out now. Go check it out, after all, he’s the originator of the Auto Tune craze rappers have been on as of late. Singles include Freeze ft. Chris Brown, Can’t Believe It ft. Lil’ Weezy and the newly released remix ft. Justin Timberlake.

Here’s a preview of the album

Freeze ft. Chris Brown

http://rapidshare.com/files/150615849/T-Pain_ft._Chris_Brown_-_Freeze_-_buckmarleyxxx.com.mp3.html

Therapy ft. Kanye West

http://www.zshare.net/audio/50696659abcc3a50/

Can’t Believe It Remix ft. Justin Timberlake

http://www.zshare.net/audio/510690525e416c44/

DJs Mick Boogie and Terry Urban released a mash/blend mixtape of Jay-Z and Coldplay tracks called Viva La Hova. Tracks are bananas, so check em out.

Get it here….completely legal too, since it’s a mixtape haha

www.vivalahova.com

Sidebar: Cop Coldplay’s Viva La Vida LP too…you’ll appreciate the mixtape more afterwards

Speaking of Hov, Jay leaked a track off the Blueprint 3 called History….now I gotta say, this track is beautiful. The lyrics are dope, the beat is amazing and everything comes together perfectly….I think it’s one of Jay’s top 10 tracks….yea, I said it. Production on the track comes from Kanye West and the hook is sung by Tony Williams from G.O.O.D. Music…..and I heard that Kanye sampled a French song for this? Its that dope.

History

http://www.zshare.net/audio/511249566c9f0551/

ATL rapper Ludacris is releasing his newest album Theater of the Mind on November 24^th. After hearing singles such as What Them Girls Like, Undisputed, One More Drink and some leaked tracks, this album is shaping up to be one of his best. The album boasts production from Swizz Beats, DJ Premier, 9^th Wonder, and Darkchild, among others. Since the songs on this album are meant to be like mini-movies, he doesn’t have any features on the album, but rather Co-Stars. A few co-stars on the album are Lil’ Wayne, T.I., T-Pain, Chris Brown, Common, Nas, and Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Peep the vid for the newest single, One More Drink (ft. T-Pain)….its ridiculous….and yes, he does cut his arm off to get away from a chick around 1:20 haha.

One More Drink

http://www.zshare.net/audio/20091688043355c6/ 

One More Drink (Ft. T-Pain)

Even though this track dropped a few weeks ago, I had to post this….The Cool Kids have been doin it big lately; especially from their venture with Mountain Dew’s Green Label Sound to their inclusion in the new 2k Basketball game. This track, (I Got) Colors, is sick….the beat is ridiculous and Mikey/Chuck don’t disappoint on the lyrics.

(I Got) Colors

http://www.zshare.net/audio/512952589477a51b/

…btw, wear headphones when you listen to the beginning of the song….it’s trippy lol

XXL recently did a cover featuring the 10 Freshmen of the Rap Game. It featured up and coming artists such as, B.o.B, Asher Roth, Wale, Ace Hood, Curren$y, Charles Hamilton, Kid Cudi, Blu, Cory Gunz, Mickey Factz. Three of them released a track, sampling Sam Cooke’s Change Gon’ Come to make their own version

Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, & B.o.B – Change Gon’ Come

http://www.zshare.net/audio/51295327ea8b40ce/

And finally for all the Rhymesayers fans out there, Brother Ali dropped a track celebrating Obama’s victory called Mr. President.

Mr. President

http://www.rhymesayers.com/radio/get.php?web=01_Obama_Your_The_Man_1.mp3

Represent Positive Change

Stay Esfac’e

-The FRESHm3n

Remember Veteran

FACT: Veterans Day - celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, commemorates the end of World War I, where during the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month (11/11/1918), Germany signed the Armistice.  Please honor the Veterans everyday and especially remember them today.

“For it has been said so truthfully that it is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press.  It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.  It is the soldier, not the agitator, who has given us the freedom to protest.  It is the soldier who salutes the flag, serves beneath the flag, whose coffin is draped by the flag, who gives that protester the freedom to abuse and burn that flag.”

- Zell Miller

FACT:

In 1931, historian author James Adams writes “the American DREAM is that DREAM (where) life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.”

On August 28, 1963, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers “I Have a DREAM” speech where his DREAM of racial equality “is deeply rooted in the American DREAM.”

On November 4, 2008, America elects the first African-American candidate with a landslide victory, and President Elect Barack Hussein Obama proclaims “if anyone . . . still wonders if the DREAM of our founders is alive in our time . . . the answer is spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. . . .

. . . This is our time . . . to reclaim the American DREAM and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can!”

On November 5, 2008, Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela declares the Obama victory “has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to DREAM of wanting to change the world for a better place.”

In the words of Tupac Shakur: “Live for the DREAM. Don’t ever quit!”

In the words of Esface: “DREAMS are a human right. Live Right.  Live Free.  Live Esface.”