It's been a while since I've updated anything in my web world. I've decided to make an effort to post more regularly about what's going on with me, if for no other reason than to keep track of the progress I am making with my new musical venture. As some of you may know, or at least can tell from lack of output, Collective Efforts has been on a long hiatus (going on about two years now). Since Mil moved to New York for his new job, there really has been no way for us to get together enough to finish the Diamond D EP (which was so close to being done), and it's a shame because it's very dope. All in due time, though...whenever the time is right, I guess. If we can't even get together to finish, then there is no reason to try to release the project, as we would not be able to devote the attention needed to promote it properly. Much love to any and all who have supported us throughout the years, it really has meant a lot to me.
In the meantime, I have been working with a friend of mine (drummer Max Barash) on developing a two-man musical team with me on guitars, laptop, and Ableton Live and Max on drums. I am working on some solo material, as well as songs for other vocalists and prospective projects. We have about 30 beats started, some can be combined, some won't make the cut...but it's quite a learning experience. It's tough to try to start again from scratch, but I feel very motivated right now, and Max is the perfect compliment to my creative style. I can't wait to get a way to get these live sessions recorded so I can start sharing some samples.
In the meantime, I will leave you with this video of W.I.C. featuring myself, which recently appeared on The Source, and IllHype.com. I just finished a verse for a new song with them, to be continued...
Showing posts with label Collective Efforts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collective Efforts. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Sunday, April 3, 2011
American Rapstar...
The one and only Big K.R.I.T. is on top of the music world right now, and this song is absolutely beautiful!
If you're interested, check www.cecrew.com to hear "Where It Began" featuring Big K.R.I.T from our "Time For Hope EP". (It's the third song on the player. Krit wrote and performed the hook and the last verse. The man is a song-writing machine, for real. One of the greats. Go get all his shit.)
If you're interested, check www.cecrew.com to hear "Where It Began" featuring Big K.R.I.T from our "Time For Hope EP". (It's the third song on the player. Krit wrote and performed the hook and the last verse. The man is a song-writing machine, for real. One of the greats. Go get all his shit.)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Freezing World Review...
As soon as I read this at work today, I began to have an awesome day. After getting painfully bad reviews of Trail Mix and Medicine at RapReviews.com (e.g. the guy who reviewed Medicine said not to operate heavy machinery while listening - HA!), we finally got some redemption in the form of Pete T. My self-esteem jumped up a couple notches, mainly because of lines like these:
"...their meticulously penned verses should offer at least something for everyone, and Ben Hameen in particular impresses throughout the tracklist. His blissfully smoked-out tone might be likened to Myka 9, but when he sings the hooks and backing vocals, it's more akin to an ungangstafied Nate Dogg. His multiple talents and endlessly soulful hooks buoy even the less effusive numbers. Their dedication to rap as an art and wholesome, tireless optimism will rub some the wrong way, but vocally "Freezing World" is often fantastic. "This Far" is gorgeously balanced between smooth guitar, percussion, somber synths, and a show-stopping performance from Ben Hameen for perhaps the LP's best track. The stark closer "See What You Find" is breathtaking, with a gloomy guitar line perfectly suited for his calls for introspection."
I must say, it really is a well-written and honest (and flattering) review. Thanks, Pete!
Read Pete's entire review here (or click the pic):
"...their meticulously penned verses should offer at least something for everyone, and Ben Hameen in particular impresses throughout the tracklist. His blissfully smoked-out tone might be likened to Myka 9, but when he sings the hooks and backing vocals, it's more akin to an ungangstafied Nate Dogg. His multiple talents and endlessly soulful hooks buoy even the less effusive numbers. Their dedication to rap as an art and wholesome, tireless optimism will rub some the wrong way, but vocally "Freezing World" is often fantastic. "This Far" is gorgeously balanced between smooth guitar, percussion, somber synths, and a show-stopping performance from Ben Hameen for perhaps the LP's best track. The stark closer "See What You Find" is breathtaking, with a gloomy guitar line perfectly suited for his calls for introspection."
I must say, it really is a well-written and honest (and flattering) review. Thanks, Pete!
Read Pete's entire review here (or click the pic):
Work gettin' done...
Man, I just looked up and realized March was almost over, and I have not really been posting any updates. Rest assured I am not hibernating, your boy's been busy this month:
- Diamond D EP almost done (photos, artwork, design...BOOM!)
- shooting a video for a song I did with W.I.C. (which is turning out very cool, more to come on that soon)
- working on an acoustic guitar score to a dope short film my homie Sam Dyches wrote and directed
- mixing some tracks up for young Eli Sweet from his last visit from China
- just dropped a hook and verse idea for another Goon Trax release over a beat by Japanese producer Re:Plus.
- speaking of Japan, filling out my application for Red Bull Music Academy
I wonder if they still will be holding it in Japan this year...
UPDATE 3/31/11: Just found out that it will not be in Japan this year. Damn. The new location will be announced April 11th, they apparently extended the deadline to April 26th, which is great for the slack-ass procrastinators like myself.
Not that I think I could necessarily get in, but I really want to go through the process as sort of a self-evaluation, as it requires you to make a thirty minute compilation of the best of what you have to offer, and answer a shitload of introspective questions about who you are and where you see yourself in the musical universe. So, coming soon, thirty minute Best of Ben Hameen compilation (as I will definitely be throwing a version up for download, considering it has been taking up so much of my time).
Anyway, if you are having Hameen withdrawal and need more immediate contact, you can find me on Twitter @hameen for an occasional quote, pic, comment or response.
Or actually, you can just follow me in Google World, go to my Buzz. I always share anything interesting I find while perusing the infinite blogosphere, and it automatically lists any posts I do here, and any of my amazing tweets. So it's a win/win.
- Diamond D EP almost done (photos, artwork, design...BOOM!)
- shooting a video for a song I did with W.I.C. (which is turning out very cool, more to come on that soon)
- working on an acoustic guitar score to a dope short film my homie Sam Dyches wrote and directed
- mixing some tracks up for young Eli Sweet from his last visit from China
- just dropped a hook and verse idea for another Goon Trax release over a beat by Japanese producer Re:Plus.
- speaking of Japan, filling out my application for Red Bull Music Academy
I wonder if they still will be holding it in Japan this year...
UPDATE 3/31/11: Just found out that it will not be in Japan this year. Damn. The new location will be announced April 11th, they apparently extended the deadline to April 26th, which is great for the slack-ass procrastinators like myself.
Not that I think I could necessarily get in, but I really want to go through the process as sort of a self-evaluation, as it requires you to make a thirty minute compilation of the best of what you have to offer, and answer a shitload of introspective questions about who you are and where you see yourself in the musical universe. So, coming soon, thirty minute Best of Ben Hameen compilation (as I will definitely be throwing a version up for download, considering it has been taking up so much of my time).
Anyway, if you are having Hameen withdrawal and need more immediate contact, you can find me on Twitter @hameen for an occasional quote, pic, comment or response.
Or actually, you can just follow me in Google World, go to my Buzz. I always share anything interesting I find while perusing the infinite blogosphere, and it automatically lists any posts I do here, and any of my amazing tweets. So it's a win/win.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Until My Life's Gone
Found a link to a store that is selling a digitized version of the Until My Life's Gone 12" that CE / Arc The Finger put out in 2006. First, when are they sending us a check, and second, why in the world would they use this old picture of the crew in Philly that they found on LastFM?:
Here's the artwork that Mil designed. I found it online, courtesy of Discogs.com.
You can hear samples HERE. Sounds like a terrible rip, if anyone wants this, I have much better versions of these songs in the archives that I will be happy to post for free. For now, if you want to hear I Feel Free feat H20 (aka Kid Captain Koolout), it's the second song on the player on CE's Official Site. HOLLER!
Here's the artwork that Mil designed. I found it online, courtesy of Discogs.com.
You can hear samples HERE. Sounds like a terrible rip, if anyone wants this, I have much better versions of these songs in the archives that I will be happy to post for free. For now, if you want to hear I Feel Free feat H20 (aka Kid Captain Koolout), it's the second song on the player on CE's Official Site. HOLLER!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Atlanta gets shut down...
The view from my driveway this morning...
It's getting ready to sleet all day, after a night of majestic snow. Atlanta is shut down already...this might get ugly, we are not prepared for this.
Instead of driving around, I recommend that all of us Atliens (and anyone else caught in this winter storm) do the following: sit back, make a little drink of your favorite whisky/scotch on the rocks, twist your favorite flavor, and listen to the most apropos album I can think of, courtesy of one of my favorite music blogs (until someone politely asks them to take it down and leave a purchase link in it's place):
It's getting ready to sleet all day, after a night of majestic snow. Atlanta is shut down already...this might get ugly, we are not prepared for this.
Instead of driving around, I recommend that all of us Atliens (and anyone else caught in this winter storm) do the following: sit back, make a little drink of your favorite whisky/scotch on the rocks, twist your favorite flavor, and listen to the most apropos album I can think of, courtesy of one of my favorite music blogs (until someone politely asks them to take it down and leave a purchase link in it's place):
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Diamond D + CE album?
According to our buddy Chad Radford over at the Creative Loafing, Diamond D is producing Collective Efforts' entire new album. What is strange is that it's in the middle of an article about clubs that closed in Atlanta, and kind of comes out of nowhere. Much love to Chad for the shout, we'll take it where we can get it.
But just for the record, so far the plan is just to release an EP with Diamond...but with 6 epic tracks, and the legendary producer himself on the beats, it feels like an album. Mil and I have been working for a while on our last couple verses (we wanted to feel like what we were offering this particular project was some of our best work to date). I am very proud of we have so far, and I'd say we are a good 3/4 of the way done, so I will keep you posted with any updates - and who knows, I might even give you some previews as they get mastered...
I think it's hilarious that the picture on the wikipedia page for Diamond D is the same picture as above with Mil cut out.
But just for the record, so far the plan is just to release an EP with Diamond...but with 6 epic tracks, and the legendary producer himself on the beats, it feels like an album. Mil and I have been working for a while on our last couple verses (we wanted to feel like what we were offering this particular project was some of our best work to date). I am very proud of we have so far, and I'd say we are a good 3/4 of the way done, so I will keep you posted with any updates - and who knows, I might even give you some previews as they get mastered...
I think it's hilarious that the picture on the wikipedia page for Diamond D is the same picture as above with Mil cut out.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
CE in Japan...
Collective Efforts was featured on the debut album of Robert de Boron, not the 12th century French poet, but the producer...out of Japan. We did a track called "Take Your Turn" and today I stumbled across the most bizarre video, which is apparently the official video from GoonTrax! Pretty hilarious, check it out. CE represent in Japan! Peace to Robert de Boron and crew.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
It's been a while...
Totally neglecting the blog/journal...have been spending some time concentrating on the physical realm, which seems to be making me a lot more healthy, as I've lost 20 pounds of fat and went down a pants size. Mostly working til 6, then coming home and working out immediately, then after dinner I spend my last few waking hours organizing and unpacking, or writing to some loose beats and finishing up odds and ends with the upcoming CE projects. We are supposed to have a Diamond EP, Dillon EP, and STS9 EP coming soon, but who knows. Still some work to do, but for the most part, it's all about the art at this point and prepping people for the release.
We just played another A3C...
Sometimes less is more.
We just played another A3C...
Sometimes less is more.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
A new era begins...
The last few weeks I have been swept up in a whirlwind...cleaning, moving, partying, working, moving, working, moving, cleaning, partying...I turned 34 on the 21st of last month, and celebrated so hard that I apparently injured my rib at my party clowning around. I had to temporarily stop my Insanity workouts, which I have been doing since Aug 1st, which really blows because I had been feeling so good and have lost around 10 pounds of fat in the process. Then last weekend I went on our yearly BooMan Blue Ridge Cabin Retreat with all of the old school homies, and my rib pain kicked into overdrive (of course), yet I still managed to have a great time kickin' it. I was very daunted by the thought of moving the entire CE studio and office along with all of my other personal stuff, including an upright piano, to a new place within the limited time I had upon my return (Not to mention the thousands of records Mil had to haul off to storage). We pulled it off, though, and just yesterday I did the final sweep of the old house and relinquished my key. Trying to get some of the deposit back, although our landlord complained about a lot of petty shit that was broken when we moved in 5 years ago. Granted there are a couple of minor repairs, but they are supposed to put new carpet in and clean the place for the next tenant. Anyway, we shall see...now, it's all about cleaning up the new place to temporarily accommodate the studio, and finally organizing so much stuff I have had floating with me for the past couple of residences. Time to purge a lot of useless baggage...it really feels good to be in a new place, and Ruthie has been kicking ass. She helped me sort all of my clothes, and my closet for starters, and has really been stepping up to get the place clean and ready to move things into. I feel like I made the right move, and that things will only get better from here. There is a sense of order, and a drive that was lacking in that old place. I did love living there, and had some great years, made some great music, and lived with really cool people who I consider my brothers. It was just obvious we couldn't live in the same place anymore and be happy and productive. We all outgrew our situation and need the space to grow, in order to wash away all of the petty resentment that builds living under the same roof with people whose expectations are so different. Here's to new beginnings...
Sunday, August 8, 2010
"I Get Down" review...
Someone from DJMag.com really liked this song, and I love the alliteration and throw-back references used in this brief but flattering write-up:
"Ooooh man, a Diamond D production! Yeah! Y'heard me! Fantastically spectral spooked stuff that chills the bones even in this hot summer, with brilliant shards of piano and strings and mellotron (set to William Castle settings) rolling under Collective Efforts' back'n'forth nonchalance. Propulsive and punchy and as utterly absorbing as anything he's done since the untouchable 'Stunts Blunts & Hip Hop'. You know you're gonna dig this."
Article taken from HERE.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Freezing World review...
Our new record is officially BloggerHouse approved!
"Hip-Hop as it stands today, is completely overloaded with wannabe thugs, internet beef and simplistic production. Remaining true to the earlier beginnings of the music, the Atlanta-based crew, Collective Efforts offers up anything but the expected with their recent offering “Freezing World”. Throughout the last half-decade, Collective Efforts has left an imprint on the underground by providing the listener with back to the basics production and lyricism. While Collective Efforts has yet to attain true commercial success, their consistent approach to making music is very admirable as opposed to the simplistic measures that are often the path to the garbage we that we are subjected to on the radio.
With their most recent outing, “Freezing World”, Collective Efforts’ attempts to uncover happiness amidst the everyday struggles that we often tackle as individuals. The album possesses a feeling of hope, filled with lyrical and sonic gems that find the trio of trio of MC J Mil, Bambu De Asiatic and Ben Hameen painting visual portraits of fading dreams, unfulfilled commitments and and critical oversight from the overseers of the music industry who slept on the trio. The production on the album, handled by the Collective Efforts trio is solid if not spectacular, yet it’s the lone beat contribution from the legendary Diamond D that is “Freezing World’s” crowning moment. Recognized for his musical contributions as a member of the world-renown “Diggin’ In The Crates” collective, Diamond’s production found on “I Get Down,” fits the overall feel of the album perfectly.
With hits of live instrumentation and melodic backdrops seamlessly intertwined with drunk-rattling drum spikes, “Freezing World” is a musical expedition, and a true class on “originality”. Each of the trio brings their own unique input and personalities to the developing storyline that is the culmination of all their past and present workings. “Freezing World” also features notable lyrical appearances from the likes of fellow ATL-iens, Senor Kaos (“The Dream”) and Dillon (“Freezing World”) making the album somewhat of a family affair.
With “Freezing World”, it may very well be “when hell freezes over” that the trio achieves the critical acclaim that they so do deserve, yet Collective Efforts has delivered an album that Hip-Hop needs. While the album’s title reads: “Freezing World”, Collective Efforts is sure to heat things up this summer with this stellar outing that even I slept on for months!!"
Thanks to Eric for the great write-up! Peace.
Check the review on Bloggerhouse.net
"Hip-Hop as it stands today, is completely overloaded with wannabe thugs, internet beef and simplistic production. Remaining true to the earlier beginnings of the music, the Atlanta-based crew, Collective Efforts offers up anything but the expected with their recent offering “Freezing World”. Throughout the last half-decade, Collective Efforts has left an imprint on the underground by providing the listener with back to the basics production and lyricism. While Collective Efforts has yet to attain true commercial success, their consistent approach to making music is very admirable as opposed to the simplistic measures that are often the path to the garbage we that we are subjected to on the radio.
With their most recent outing, “Freezing World”, Collective Efforts’ attempts to uncover happiness amidst the everyday struggles that we often tackle as individuals. The album possesses a feeling of hope, filled with lyrical and sonic gems that find the trio of trio of MC J Mil, Bambu De Asiatic and Ben Hameen painting visual portraits of fading dreams, unfulfilled commitments and and critical oversight from the overseers of the music industry who slept on the trio. The production on the album, handled by the Collective Efforts trio is solid if not spectacular, yet it’s the lone beat contribution from the legendary Diamond D that is “Freezing World’s” crowning moment. Recognized for his musical contributions as a member of the world-renown “Diggin’ In The Crates” collective, Diamond’s production found on “I Get Down,” fits the overall feel of the album perfectly.
With hits of live instrumentation and melodic backdrops seamlessly intertwined with drunk-rattling drum spikes, “Freezing World” is a musical expedition, and a true class on “originality”. Each of the trio brings their own unique input and personalities to the developing storyline that is the culmination of all their past and present workings. “Freezing World” also features notable lyrical appearances from the likes of fellow ATL-iens, Senor Kaos (“The Dream”) and Dillon (“Freezing World”) making the album somewhat of a family affair.
With “Freezing World”, it may very well be “when hell freezes over” that the trio achieves the critical acclaim that they so do deserve, yet Collective Efforts has delivered an album that Hip-Hop needs. While the album’s title reads: “Freezing World”, Collective Efforts is sure to heat things up this summer with this stellar outing that even I slept on for months!!"
Thanks to Eric for the great write-up! Peace.
Check the review on Bloggerhouse.net
Friday, April 30, 2010
CE International...
We have reached the last day in the Collective Efforts Remix Challenge...
LISTEN TO FIRST 13 ENTRIES HERE
HERE ARE SOME LAST MINUTE ENTRIES
...we've given producers until tomorrow morning to finish up. The really cool thing about this contest has been connecting with all of these great producers from literally all over the world...UK, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Romania, Mexico, here in the US, etc. It has been an honor and a pleasure to hear all of them deliver their own vision of our music, each one so unique and creative. We will be making the final decision this weekend (while we are celebrating my brother Tommy's dirty thirty, super blessings go out to him!!)...stay tuned to www.cecrew.com.
Peace April...hello May!
LISTEN TO FIRST 13 ENTRIES HERE
HERE ARE SOME LAST MINUTE ENTRIES
...we've given producers until tomorrow morning to finish up. The really cool thing about this contest has been connecting with all of these great producers from literally all over the world...UK, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Romania, Mexico, here in the US, etc. It has been an honor and a pleasure to hear all of them deliver their own vision of our music, each one so unique and creative. We will be making the final decision this weekend (while we are celebrating my brother Tommy's dirty thirty, super blessings go out to him!!)...stay tuned to www.cecrew.com.
Peace April...hello May!
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
What Would You Change...
I just finished typing the lyrics to "What Would You Change" feat Root & Grip (from the Medicine album). One of our fans from Istanbul, Turkey really loved the song but couldn't understand the words. I listened carefully and typed them up, and I still don't understand all of them, see if you can take a whack at it...HA!
Oh, and FYI, the group that Grip is struggling to remember at the end of the song is The Doobie Brothers - so basically he is saying that I sound like Michael McDonald. Classic! One of my favorite outros of all time!
Scroll down for the lyrics.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE feat Root & Grip
Available here:
Root:
if you talk about or try to work it out in your soul,
in this world around you may feel like it's out of control,
what would you change if you could?
would it all be explained, now the world's rearranging?
what if you wanted to...you could.
Bam:
yo...so much times gone by, I wonder why
I'm still stuck in the same spot,
yo, I tried many times to escape,
but it seems that the gates locked,
I still fight to get away, everyday,
same story with the same plot,
now I start to feel hopeless,
mad at myself, 'cause I can't stop,
I'm barely makin' it through, the struggle's taking me down,
the pressure building in my head is insane,
I say that everything's cool, but still I'm stuck on the ground,
praying to God for someone to bring change,
how'd I get to this point, what am I gonna do now,
I seen it before but still it's so strange,
man, I'm lost in the mix, about ready to quit,
I don't think I have the strength to maintain,
Grip:
Creep with me slow, see me swap lanes,
fire up the purp while I drop down the brain,
CE rockin' it so re-up your slang,
and we ain't stoppin' it until that girl sang,
I know I might sound strange,
but I can't help my lefts, that's how I do my thang,
and I ain't tryin' to explain,
"if you could change something, Grip,
man what would you change?"
If I could change this world, I'd change this thang,
I'd flame it up and recreate this thang,
I'd do my best to rearrange this game
when I introduce my country ass slang,
so move it over if you're lame,
if you ain't down with us then don't hop on this train,
I don't mean to sound vain,
but I'm just too slick for it and we goin' against the grain.
Root:
if you talk about or try to work it out in your soul,
in this world around you may feel like it's out of control,
what would you change if you could?
would it all be explained, now the world's rearranging?
what if you wanted to, you could.
Ben:
That's right...if you wanted to, you could change your life,
you ain't gotta sit there with all that pain inside,
let your mind free and your body will follow,
live now, 'cause you ain't promised tomorrow,
every loss gets harder to swallow,
with every puff, every tip of the cup or the bottle,
enough of the hustle there must be a better way,
find something you trust that'll never stray.
Mil:
Given a chance to change, I'ma stay the same,
lovin' the good times but I learn from the pain,
maintain while I'm pullin' the reigns,
lovin' the way the beat bangs when it's still in my brain,
keepin' a brother sane,
can't change your fate,
you gotta put it in place with all the moves that you make,
never negate the way the world works,
gotta set the pace and put your best foot first.
Ben:
You see the world around,
don't let it hold you down,
you're still alive, and you will survive,
I see you broken now,
but I hope you found,
that you still can try,
what you feel inside.
(repeat)
Oh, and FYI, the group that Grip is struggling to remember at the end of the song is The Doobie Brothers - so basically he is saying that I sound like Michael McDonald. Classic! One of my favorite outros of all time!
Scroll down for the lyrics.
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE feat Root & Grip
Available here:
Root:
if you talk about or try to work it out in your soul,
in this world around you may feel like it's out of control,
what would you change if you could?
would it all be explained, now the world's rearranging?
what if you wanted to...you could.
Bam:
yo...so much times gone by, I wonder why
I'm still stuck in the same spot,
yo, I tried many times to escape,
but it seems that the gates locked,
I still fight to get away, everyday,
same story with the same plot,
now I start to feel hopeless,
mad at myself, 'cause I can't stop,
I'm barely makin' it through, the struggle's taking me down,
the pressure building in my head is insane,
I say that everything's cool, but still I'm stuck on the ground,
praying to God for someone to bring change,
how'd I get to this point, what am I gonna do now,
I seen it before but still it's so strange,
man, I'm lost in the mix, about ready to quit,
I don't think I have the strength to maintain,
Grip:
Creep with me slow, see me swap lanes,
fire up the purp while I drop down the brain,
CE rockin' it so re-up your slang,
and we ain't stoppin' it until that girl sang,
I know I might sound strange,
but I can't help my lefts, that's how I do my thang,
and I ain't tryin' to explain,
"if you could change something, Grip,
man what would you change?"
If I could change this world, I'd change this thang,
I'd flame it up and recreate this thang,
I'd do my best to rearrange this game
when I introduce my country ass slang,
so move it over if you're lame,
if you ain't down with us then don't hop on this train,
I don't mean to sound vain,
but I'm just too slick for it and we goin' against the grain.
Root:
if you talk about or try to work it out in your soul,
in this world around you may feel like it's out of control,
what would you change if you could?
would it all be explained, now the world's rearranging?
what if you wanted to, you could.
Ben:
That's right...if you wanted to, you could change your life,
you ain't gotta sit there with all that pain inside,
let your mind free and your body will follow,
live now, 'cause you ain't promised tomorrow,
every loss gets harder to swallow,
with every puff, every tip of the cup or the bottle,
enough of the hustle there must be a better way,
find something you trust that'll never stray.
Mil:
Given a chance to change, I'ma stay the same,
lovin' the good times but I learn from the pain,
maintain while I'm pullin' the reigns,
lovin' the way the beat bangs when it's still in my brain,
keepin' a brother sane,
can't change your fate,
you gotta put it in place with all the moves that you make,
never negate the way the world works,
gotta set the pace and put your best foot first.
Ben:
You see the world around,
don't let it hold you down,
you're still alive, and you will survive,
I see you broken now,
but I hope you found,
that you still can try,
what you feel inside.
(repeat)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
ATL to Spain...
Just finished recording a couple of CE drops for SoulCall radio show in Spain. Jonay and Julio Perez host the show, and play some really dope hip-hop and soul music. We were honored when Jonay hit us up and asked for a drop. He told us they were playing Collective Efforts and their listeners were loving it! We sent him a couple drops and some CE tracks with SoulCall shouts at the beginning. We are sending out a package this week with stickers, the full catalog of music in mp3 form, and a copy of the new record. I can't express enough how much I would like to travel to Spain to rock a show, even if had to come out of pocket...at this point, it would still be a dream come true just to be there. Anyway, enough rambling, I was checking out their last podcasts - available HERE - and noticed that in addition to non-stop dope music, all of the other drops were from artists I respect (and some that I know personally). I definitely recommend checking them out, as their podcast put me on to some shit I was sleeping on from last year, Jet Audio, and the track "Stand Alone" from the album Stand Alone Complex. Check it out below, and support the artists.
I found the whole album HERE, haven't peeped it yet...plan to soon.
[Revision: I did get the chance to check the full album out, and although there are some good tracks on it, some of the MCs lyrics are little suspect to me (corny). That's just a personal taste issue, but on a purely sonic level it is overall a great project. There's a few skippers, but I'm feeling Che Grand's joint, "Bookmark the Style" and of course the title track.]
Once again, thanks to my homies Jonay and Julio Perez at SoulCall for supporting independent artists! Please support these brothers and click the logo below to check their podcasts. Peace and respect...
I found the whole album HERE, haven't peeped it yet...plan to soon.
[Revision: I did get the chance to check the full album out, and although there are some good tracks on it, some of the MCs lyrics are little suspect to me (corny). That's just a personal taste issue, but on a purely sonic level it is overall a great project. There's a few skippers, but I'm feeling Che Grand's joint, "Bookmark the Style" and of course the title track.]
Once again, thanks to my homies Jonay and Julio Perez at SoulCall for supporting independent artists! Please support these brothers and click the logo below to check their podcasts. Peace and respect...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The new record is here!
Yesterday, our new album Freezing World dropped on 1320 Records and iTunes. Check the e-blast HERE, and visit the site below:
CE Behind the Scenes...
Dope video Matt made for the Freezing World promo, check it out.
Here is the original post on CE's website:
Here is the original post on CE's website:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Flyin' through February...
Damn, where does the time go?
Right now, most of it to the job, which I definitely am blessed to have...so in what little "me/CE/free-time" I am left with, in addition to dropping another dope song for the upcoming Diamond D EP, Mil and I managed to get our Freezing World single and accompanying art and blast out right on schedule...unfortunately no new video to back it up, but at least Mil made the graphics look purty again.
Click the album art to check out the latest CE Newsletter. If you missed it, you can sign up at the top of our website to get it each month (sometimes twice). www.cecrew.com
If you want to be a sport and support, you can purchase the single for $0.99 on 1320 Records.com.
Stay tuned, as we are about to leak another track from the album, and put out some behind-the-scenes videos as soon as the editing process is complete. The album drops in two weeks, and the release party is coming up quick! Anyone checking in may not hear from me that much this month, but rest assured that will be a good thing.
Peace and love.
Hameen
Right now, most of it to the job, which I definitely am blessed to have...so in what little "me/CE/free-time" I am left with, in addition to dropping another dope song for the upcoming Diamond D EP, Mil and I managed to get our Freezing World single and accompanying art and blast out right on schedule...unfortunately no new video to back it up, but at least Mil made the graphics look purty again.
Click the album art to check out the latest CE Newsletter. If you missed it, you can sign up at the top of our website to get it each month (sometimes twice). www.cecrew.com
If you want to be a sport and support, you can purchase the single for $0.99 on 1320 Records.com.
Stay tuned, as we are about to leak another track from the album, and put out some behind-the-scenes videos as soon as the editing process is complete. The album drops in two weeks, and the release party is coming up quick! Anyone checking in may not hear from me that much this month, but rest assured that will be a good thing.
Peace and love.
Hameen
Friday, January 29, 2010
CE on 11 Alive
Got up earlier than I ever imagined I would have to for a show this morning. Woke up at 1:45, snoozed for 15 then rode out with the crew. We loaded in, grabbed some coffee, and sound checked, EARLY!
Senor Kaos came through with CHICAGOrilla and represented on "The Dream"...the lil homie Dilly Mau came through for "Freezing World" (unfortunately we didn't time that one right and you didn't get to see him rapping. We even did "All The Time" at the end, but he had already left...damn.)...and the always hilarious DJ Synthesis of Psyche O rolled through and blessed on the 1's and 2's.
The staff and on-air personalities there were really laid back, and made us feel right at home. You can't tell from watching below, but we played in and out of commercial breaks for the full hour (6-7), and then played two full songs (actually three, but the last one, "All The Time", was a web-only). Aside from some questionable singing by yours truly (I give myself a pass, given that my vocal chords were still not fully awake), I thought it went really well. Thank you 11-Alive and whoever hooked that opportunity for us. Excellent exposure for the crew, and great promo for Freezing World, being that most of our "bump breaks" were offset with visions of freezing rain, sleet, ice and basically bad weather all around...anyway, enjoy. Thanks to everyone who set their DVRs or actually got up that early to tune in!
An edited version of the entire broadcast is coming soon, complete with all the bumps and news segway, so you can see Senor Kaos and and Dillon reppin' with us!
Peace,
Hameen
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Happy Birthday, Pops!
Had an awesome day today (aside from some computer issues which knocked me off schedule for an hour or two)! I went to work at 7:30 to get caught up, then got off at 9:30 and came home to finish and send out the CE News Blast and update the website.
Click here to see the product of our efforts
(and sign up for the CE Newsletter if you aren't already on the list).
Once again it was crunch-time: the new CE and Diamond D single went on sale today, we leaked the super-dope Immuzikation mash-up of "The Dream", and we announced the release party next month with Dillon and J-Live!
Learn more about all this stuff (and hear samples) at www.cecrew.com.
When I got home, I had two hours to get it all done (type the copy, create the html, etc) before Pops and I were supposed to leave to play some disc golf over at East Roswell. Luckily Mil had already finished the graphics we needed so I was able to just plug in all the info and make sure everything was lined up right. Also fortunately he decided to take another day off work, and happened to be home! While I was uploading the new tracks to the CE player, my PC flaked out something severe and I had to finish everything on his Mac Book Pro (which is dope, and I would definitely get one if I could afford it right now). After all the craziness, Pops came through right in time, we hit the road and got in 18 holes and a beautiful day in the park! He showed me the proper way to stand and it really improved my drive. I would love to play more, there is something very therapeutic about it. We finished off around 5 and stopped in at Kasey's for some grub...now I am hopelessly trying to fix my computer, and realizing that I need to get with the times and get some new shit!
Here's to a new era, and a technical difficulty free year from this moment on...
Happy birthday, Pops, and happy belated King day, fam! Anyday is a good day to celebrate his wonderful contributions to our world. What a great man!
Hope, love and prayers to all of the people who are suffering or have loved ones suffering in Haiti. My heart goes out to you all...
Click here to see the product of our efforts
(and sign up for the CE Newsletter if you aren't already on the list).
Once again it was crunch-time: the new CE and Diamond D single went on sale today, we leaked the super-dope Immuzikation mash-up of "The Dream", and we announced the release party next month with Dillon and J-Live!
Learn more about all this stuff (and hear samples) at www.cecrew.com.
When I got home, I had two hours to get it all done (type the copy, create the html, etc) before Pops and I were supposed to leave to play some disc golf over at East Roswell. Luckily Mil had already finished the graphics we needed so I was able to just plug in all the info and make sure everything was lined up right. Also fortunately he decided to take another day off work, and happened to be home! While I was uploading the new tracks to the CE player, my PC flaked out something severe and I had to finish everything on his Mac Book Pro (which is dope, and I would definitely get one if I could afford it right now). After all the craziness, Pops came through right in time, we hit the road and got in 18 holes and a beautiful day in the park! He showed me the proper way to stand and it really improved my drive. I would love to play more, there is something very therapeutic about it. We finished off around 5 and stopped in at Kasey's for some grub...now I am hopelessly trying to fix my computer, and realizing that I need to get with the times and get some new shit!
Here's to a new era, and a technical difficulty free year from this moment on...
Happy birthday, Pops, and happy belated King day, fam! Anyday is a good day to celebrate his wonderful contributions to our world. What a great man!
Hope, love and prayers to all of the people who are suffering or have loved ones suffering in Haiti. My heart goes out to you all...
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