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South By Southwest Profile: Killer Mike & Pill

Fans of truthful, hard-hitting Rap music are familiar with Killer Mike. The man they also call Mike Bigga is a Grammy Award-winning disciple of the Dungeon Family (OutKast/Goodie Mob). The Adamsville, Georgia native first appeared on OutKast's Stankonia album in 2000, and after several acclaimed guest appearances, released his 2003 debut Monster through Columbia Records.

The album was a Top 10 debut, and propelled Mike into national stardom with hits like "A.D.I.D.A.S." However, it has always been Mike's lyrical depth and emotion that have made him an enduring Rap artist. Three years before Nas made "Hip Hop is Dead," Killer Mike made "Rap Is Dead." Both on records and in interviews, the Grind Time leader has been outspoken on issues of class, race, gender, history, politics and drugs.

After breaking from OutKast, Mike found success as an independent artist. Creating Grind Time, Mike established careers for Pill and S.L. Jones, in releasing two acclaimed volumes of I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind. The second, released in 2008, was HipHopDX's album of the year. Despite releasing it through his own Grind Time/SMC Recordings imprint, Mike received assistance from Ice Cube, Chamillionaire and Messy Marv to balance his fledgling Grind Time outfit with highly-respected veterans. Earlier this year, Mike offered the album as a free download to DX readers.

Last year, Mike (as Mike Bigga) confirmed that in addition to his independent output, he's returning to the major label machine. Signing with T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, Mike Bigga will play a veteran's role on the Atlantic-distributed label that also is home to B.o.B., 8Ball & MJG and Young Dro.

With SMC Recordings, Killer Mike will also be releasing a third volume of I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind, and continues to market his '09 release, Underground Atlanta.

A Grind Time associate of Mike's, Pill has become one of the biggest young emcees out of Atlanta. Having been working with the Grind Time for over five years, the artist formerly known as Gangsta Pill earned a deal to Warner Brothers/Asylum Records last year for his connection to the youth, and sincere depictions of street life.

Pill's debut is expected some time this year, as he remains working with the likes of Mike, Freddie Gibbs and DXnext alum Yelawolf.

Purchase Music by Killer Mike

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Rapper Big Pooh Debuts Slam Online Blog

Earlier this week, Little Brother's Rapper Big Pooh gave reader’s a taste of what they can expect from his upcoming blog with SlamOnline.com.

In his first blog entry, Big Pooh gave a brief introduction for those who may be unfamiliar with his contributions to music. He then began to express his love for sports, basketball in particular.

“I’m a sports fanatic, especially basketball,” Big Pooh blogged. “I grew up in the D.C. area and my allegiance has always been with the hometown teams. I pull for Georgetown and Maryland, although I lean towards Maryland if they were to ever meet head-to-head in the NCAA tournament.”

The launch of Big Pooh’s blog comes on the heels of the start of the NCAA tournament. First and second rounds of the tournament begin today, March 18.

“So, for the coming weeks, I will be here to offer my opinions and suggestions on the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tourney, and basketball in general—whether you want them or not. Join me on the journey; I guarantee you it will be an amusing one. Until next time,” Big Pooh concluded.

Aside from blogging for SlamOnline.com Big Pooh and fellow group member Phonte are gearing up to release what is likely to be the duo's last album, Leftback.

The tracklisting for the album was released last month. LeftBack is expected to be released on April 20.

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Pharoahe Monch Signs To Duck Down Records, "W.A.R." Coming

Tomorrow night (Friday, March 19), Duck Down Records will unveil their annual showcase at Austin, Texas' South By Southwest. While the bill features various Duck Down acts ranging from the Boot Camp Clik to B-Real to Skyzoo, also included are Bahamadia and Pharoahe Monch. This morning it was confirmed that Monch is officially part of Dru Ha and Buckshot's label.

"I'm incredibly excited about my upcoming release W.A.R. (We Are Renegades) and my new partnership between my company W.A.R. Media, LLC, and Duck Down Music. This album deals with conflicts and resolutions of the spirit, the soul, the government, and the industry among other things. Thus far it features Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid, Jean Grae, Styles P, Phonte, Black Thought, with more to come. It also features production from M-Phazes, Marco Polo, Mike Low, Fatin, Lee Stone, Exile and others to be announced. I am working diligently to finish the work for a summer release and I am honored to join forces with the Duck Down family during their 15 year anniversary," Monch said in a statement.

The Queens emcee entered the Hip Hop scene in the late '80s and released three albums with Prince Po in the group Organized Konfusion, along with a recent Greatest Hits compilation. Monch would later release his acclaimed solo album, Internal Affairs with Rawkus Records at the top of this last decade. Backed by massive single "Simon Says," Monch elevated the profile of the Manhattan label that included Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Company Flow and Kool G Rap on their roster. The victory was bittersweet however, as a Godzilla movie sample halted the album and song, also forfeiting many of the emcee's monetary profits from the success.

In 2007, the emcee's sophomore album Desire was released on Steve Rifkind's SRC Records. Despite critical praise, the major label debut translated into mediocre sales, ultimately making Monch leave the label that boasts Akon, Wu-Tang Clan and Asher Roth as artists.

In related news, here are Monch's Canadian tour dates with Slaughterhouse:

April 3 Saint John, NB Evolution Nightclub
April 4 St. John's, NF Club One
April 5 Halifax, NS Paragone Theatre
April 7 Ottawa, ON Ritual Nightclub
Aprill 8 Toronto, ON Venue TBC
April 9 Cornwall, ON Rangatangs Nightclub
April 10 Montreal, QC Telus Theatre
April 12 Thunder Bay, ON Roxys Nightclub
April 13 Winnipeg, MB Pyramid Cabaret
April 14 Saskatoon, SK Odeon Events Centre
April 15 Calgary, AB The Whiskey Nightclub
April 16 Edmonton, AB Starlite Room
April 17 Lethbridge, AB Venue TBC
Aprl 18 Nelson, BC Spirit Bar
April 21 Victoria, BC Element
April 22 Vancouver, BC Venue TBC



For those in or nearby Austin, here is the Duck Down showcase information:

Venue: The Scoot Inn (1308 East 4th Street)

8PM to 8:40PM - Music by DJ EVIL DEE

8:40PM to 8:55PM - Promise

9:05PM to 9:20 - Team Facelift

9:30PM to 9:45PM - Marco Polo & Torae

9:55PM to 10:10PM - Skyzoo

10:20PM to 10:35: Blue Scholars

10:45PM to 11:15PM: Kidz In The Hall + Special Guests

11:25PM to 11:45PM: Pharoahe Monch

12AM to 12:10: Ruste Juxx

12:10 to 12:25: Smif N Wessun

12:25 to 12:40: Sean Price with Black Milk

12:40 to 1AM: Buckshot with special guests 

1:10AM to 1:40AM: B-Real of Cypress Hill

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DX News Bits: Snoop Dogg, Bishop Lamont

The United Kingdom's Glastonbury Festival may see Snoop headlining the event with U2 and Stevie Wonder. Festival organizer Michael Eavis said it was his daughter's idea to seek out the rapper for a slot in the annual music festival. "She's a bright girl and she is very keen on Snoop Dogg doing the show, so we want him," said Eavis about his daughter Emily, who is a co-organizer and who was integral in bringing Jay-Z to Glastonbury in 2008.

"Her real claim to fame is booking Jay-Z," he said. "She came up with the idea, so I phoned his manager. At the end of a 40-minute chat he said Jay-Z would do the show and the rest is history." Snoop was banned from entering the UK in 2006 after he was arrested on suspicion of "violent disorder" at a London Airport. After a four-year battle, Snoop recently gained the right to apply for a UK visa. There's no word yet on whether the rapper will actually perform at the event.



In other news, Bishop Lamont, who left Aftermath/Interscope in January, is speaking up about his relationship with Dr. Dre. He said that, despite the lack of support he felt coming from those on the label, he has no ill words to say about his mentor.

"For ya'll thinking I'm going to say 'Fuck Dre' and diss him or Aftermath like every other artist that's no longer there, you got me all wrong. Dre signed me after hearing a demo I ambushed him with at a video shoot and not only did he not blow me off, he was true to his word…he listened to it. The next morning he was dropping my name on the radio and became my biggest supporter. I sincerely appreciate his mentorship. He took the time and put a hell of a lot of effort into my artistry, when most people in his position don't d that."

Recently Lamont recorded a song with John Mayer called "Gone," and is working on an upcoming film called "Fahrenheit 513."

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Gucci Mane Speaks On Jail, New Songs

Just as his career is at a high point, Gucci Mane finds himself in jail. Serving a six month sentence, the emcee has still found success. His latest album, The State vs. Radric Davis: The Verdict, topped the charts. Recently, Gucci spoke to The Associated Press about what it was like to have an album top the charts while behind the bars and more.

When asked how it felt to have an album out while serving time, the emcee was still positive.

"[I felt] excited. I still had a release party, though I wasn't there. But the day after was the toughest because I just wanted to get out there to see my fans. ... Getting on stage, it's nothing like it."

He was also asked how he'd avoid going back to jail once he is released.

"Before I make an action, think about the consequences. ... Any decision I make is a heavy decision. I got a lot of people who depend on me. Everything I do has so much weight on it."

He's also been writing a lot, as he says he has approximately 50 songs in the stash.

"Unfortunately I've been to jail a couple times. Anytime I come in it's difficult to make music, write songs. This time, I have a peace within me. I've been so excited to get out. I've written about 50 to 60 songs."

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