Real Hip Hop is Back...

...in the form of Big Rec (actually it's the name of his latest project). I'm not sure that "real hip hop" as he sees it ever really went anywhere, it's just harder to locate, especially if you rely upon mainstream radio or television for that kind of music. That would be disheartening to say the least. It's out there, though...just not getting any money or attention. Big Rec is reppin' my hometown Atlanta via Oklahoma via New Orleans, and in my personal opinion he is quite the lyrical monster.



Last year Collective Efforts shared the bill with his supergroup The 5ive (five dope MCs that met in the ATL battle rap circuit and decided to combine forces) and Diamond D (who also provided the group with some production and a cameo verse). Although all five MCs wrecked shop, Big Rec definitely lived up to his name with his high energy, relentless multis and captivating stage presence. The first words that popped into mind when I saw him rapping were BATTLE and BEAST, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that his off-stage personality is quite the opposite. Without a hint of arrogance he maneuvered through the crowd, politely and humbly introducing himself to fans and other artists. Stylistically, he has a tendency to drop multi-syllabic battle rhymes that may offend the sensibilities of some listeners (those who would prefer not to be aurally bombarded with quote after quote of ceaseless self-aggrandizing). [Note the conversation he had with what appears to be RecZilla's biggest fan judging from the number of times he commented on his video.] But in the world of "real" hip hop, of which Big Rec is a proud representative, that is exactly the mission. You must convince the audience that you are the best, and let all scrub MCs know that they need to step up their unimpressive simpleton lines and never again get in the way of the complete lyrical dominance being witnessed...or to quote a young Aceyalone, "Every rapper in the house shut the f*ck up!"

I admit the battle rap scene does bore me, as it just gets more and more predictable (granted once I hit thirty the whole thing just seemed adolescent and contrived). But Big Rec does not bore me, and it's not just his constant barrage of meticulously crafted phrases that keeps me listening, it's his genuine passion for the art form that shines through and really makes him stand out from the mediocrity - that and the strong voice, which always helps. I am looking forward to hearing some big things from Big Rec, and maybe even collaborating with him on a track (those wheels are already in motion).

Sidenote: I don't want to call him out, because this can also be perceived as a weakness in the minds of fickle rap purists, but Rec can sing, too. The 5ive tracked their verses for one of the Diamond D joints over at the CE Estate, and he had a singing part on it. I wasn't recording it, but I heard it from the other room, and afterwards I had to find out who it was. Solid.

For more info on the artist and his projects, check the sites below.

www.BigRecOnline.com
www.RealHipHopisBack.com
www.TheFiveHipHop.com

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 + 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.

"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.

Collective Efforts with Diamond D...

New post on the CECrew site:
Night of the Giants...

CE Remix Contest...

Friday, we posted a Remix Contest on the Collective Efforts website and so far have had some really cool submissions. We gave producers a choice between remixing one of two cuts from Freezing World. Either "I Get Down" originally produced by the legendary Diamond D:



...or "Hour of Change," the ominous, yet somehow uplifting tune about struggling to make ends meet, and trying to find light in these dark days:



Everyone who submits at least one remix wins a gift from the crew, and the grand prize is to have their remix featured in the next CE video. So basically, the video we do next is somewhat contingent upon the outcome of this contest, which is pretty exciting! To learn more about the Remix Challenge, check out the rules on the website HERE.

To hear some of the entries, you can double-click and stream them one by one by visiting the DropBox we made. So far, we got West Coast rap versions, techno remixes, even an "I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" remix that is slammin'. I love hearing what different people come up with...so many different styles, tastes, and influences. Anyway, check them all out at http://drop.io/CERemix. Let anyone you know who makes beats, it's time to Get Down!

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...

Collective Efforts and Diamond D...

We just put up a sample of the new track featuring Diamond D on production. Check it out HERE or click the picture below...



Peace, fam.

One More Thing...

Right before I crash for the night, I just wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to Diamond D, who turns 39 today. He just stopped by for a minute, we talked about recording his new instrumental project over here at the CE mansion. He played a show last night in Milwaukee, so he didn't stay long. Peace to the one and only, the best kept secret...





A side-note: Cre did the cuts on that last video, and my man Anthony Accurate (Brainstorm Sounds) produced the track. He's a really good dude, and a brilliant producer. He went through it recently, got robbed for all his gear, had to move, ran into some health issues. I just want to wish him well, and hope he's doin' alright...it's been a minute, I need to call him.