LOCALS ONLY Colorado rapper Catch Lungs started get his name buzzed about in the local scene when he started working with producers SP Double and Flawless as part of the Boostwell Crew last year. After separating from Boostwell this summer, he began working on his own mixtape, Food for the Famished, which became available last month. We caught up with Catch Lungs for a quick Q&A session.
How did you know you wanted to give rapping a shot? I used to have my own radio show on late nights where I would spit freestyles on every show, I was around 15 at the time. I also have always liked writing because of the message that I can portray or a certain way I can make a listener feel just from a song.
You're down with the Fresh Breath Committee, how did you get down with them? Fresh Breathe is a collective of my friends and it was only right that I got included/ involved. I felt it was time to let it be known that we have something we believe in, a fresh perspective.
What do you think of the Colorado hip-hop scene? I think the scene here in Colorado has too many hidden gems to name. We have Jewell Tyme, Da Free Agent$, The Pirate Signal, and thats not even scratching the surface!
You're new mixtape, Food for the Famished, what should fans expect from that?
Food for the Famished was fun to record, and I had to come with some shit to vibe to. I chose the beats and topics carefully, getting rid of a bunch of tracks along the way that I felt just didn't make the cut. I came with a raw underground style, tied with a laid back feel. It's my debut piece of work so I'm excited to get a reaction from the public.
Are there any plans for an album anytime soon? I have plans to release an album next year; I hope to get it out by spring / summer. I'm working a lot with people here in CO, all I have to say is there is alot of talent here in CO. Also I have a few collabs in the works that might come as nice surprise to true hip-hop fans. I'll definitely be working with my Crew on the cut.
The Roots survive bus crash Hip-hop band The Roots survived a bus crash while in Paris, France this week. Drummer ?uestlove sent a detailed email to Okayplayer.com giving the particulars of what happened en route to Paris for a show this weekend.
“In reality the crash was all of about 7 seconds ... but to do a 360 on the highway and end up ramped up (the van that crashed into ours was UNDER our double decker bus) in the air .... is .... well ... a frigging miracle,” ?uestlove wrote. “… my first thought was not move a fucking inch. I always had fear that we would fall off a cliff while in high mountain traveling like Denver or Switzerland. I couldn't tell where gravity began and ended. I felt like I did 3000 crunches so obviously my side of the bus was now on the ground (the only way I can describe the position was imagine yourself on a bus sitting down.....now position yourself sitting on the left side of the bus....now overturn the bus so that it tips over and falls to the right side. now on top of all that position the front of the bus to stand smack dab in the middle of the air as if a ramp was holding it up 90 degrees.”
There no serious injuries, just a few cuts and scratches, but the band and their crew are so shaken up they’ll probably decide to cancel their next show. To read ?uestlove’s entire recap, visit Okayplayer.com.
Taco Bell counters 50 Cent’s lawsuit In July, 50 Cent filed a $4 million lawsuit against Taco Bell after he claimed that a letter from the company said he should change his name to 79 Cent, 89 Cent or 99 Cent, was sent to the media before it was sent to him. Therefore, 50 is accusing Taco Bell of trademark infringement for the use of his name to sell tacos. The rapper believes that his fans were fooled into believing he was endorsing Taco Bell. But this week, Taco Bell responded with some harsh words.
According to the New York Daily News, Taco Bell said the rapper is a "self-described former drug dealer and hustler" whose "gangsta rap" is associated with violent criminals. "Jackson has used his colorful past to cultivate a public image of belligerence and arrogance and has a well-publicized track record of making threats, starting feuds and filing lawsuits," Taco Bell lawyer Robert Lehrburger wrote in September. "At the same time, Jackson holds himself out as a giver to charity and one who wants to give back to his community. This lawsuit is another of Jackson's attempts to burnish his gangsta rapper persona by distorting beyond all recognition a bona fide, good faith offer that Taco Bell made to Jackson."
Salt-n-Pepa reunite for tour, album It’s been seven years since Salt-n-Pepa officially called it quits. And if you’ve been watching the Salt-N-Pepa reality show on VH1 the last couple of years, you would know the duo were working on their friendship and trying to get that magic back. It looks like they have achieved their goal: the girls are currently booking tour dates for Australia and parts of Asia. They also plan to record a brand new album sometime next year.
"The main thing about Salt-N- Pepa, is that they are a performing group, which takes pride in their performances and are known as a group that puts on spectacular shows [and] it is strictly about maintaining the brand," group manager Gavin Wray told AllHipHop.com. "It is not about the money, we don't necessarily need to do gigs on the regular, we would rather maintain the brand and make the right choices collectively and when the time is right and the group is ready we will hit the stage like we never left. That is one of the main reason's why Salt -N- Pepa's image has been polished and respected as a group on and off the stage for so many years and years to come."
NEW RELEASES Wu-Tang Clan Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan This album accompanies a DVD documentary of the same name that details the history of the Wu-Tang Clan. But any fan of the Wu would already have every song on this album. Joints like “C.R.E.A.M.” to “Triumph” to “Daytona 500” are songs Wu fans should already own.
Ace Hood Gutta For some reason, Ace Hood has been getting a bit of buzz behind him. But truth be told, he sounds no different than Plies, Flo-Rida, or any other Florida/Southern rapper trying to make a name for himself. He definitely has some radio and ring-tone hits on the album, but there really isn’t too much groundbreaking stuff here.
Pastor Troy T.R.O.Y. Pastor Troy has been reppin’ Atlanta and the southern hip-hop scene for almost 10 years. He pretty much sounds the same sound every time he puts out an album. This is his eigth album, and it’s pretty much what you would expect from Troy, songs for the club and songs for the thugs. Not much else to it.
