Johnny Ca$h R.I.P. - March 31st
R.I.P to Johnny Ca$h, heres a article:

A renowned Bay Area rapper signed to slain hip-hop star Mac Dre's record label succumbed to his gunshot wounds after a shooting at a Vallejo apartment complex, officials said Friday.

Johnny Castaneda Jr., 25, of Richmond, a rapper who went by the stage names "Johnny Ca$h" and "Tha Fast Gunna," died Thursday from a gunshot wound to the head at John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek after being on life support, a Contra Costa coroner's official said Friday. Castaneda rapped on late Vallejo legend Andre "Mac Dre" Hicks' record label -- Thizz Entertainment.

Vallejo police said that Castaneda was shot multiple times in the parking lot of Sereno Village Apartments, 750 Sereno Drive. It was the second shooting victim found this year in the apartments, both with loose ties to Mac Dre's name. Police were not disclosing details of Thursday's shooting, citing the ongoing investigation.

Castaneda's death set the Bay Area rap scene abuzz, with hundreds of fans paying their online respects to Ca$h on his MySpace page (www.myspace.com/cashthafastgunna).

One MySpace comment read: "T.I.P. Homie U Wit Dre now ...", referring to Mac Dre, who was shot and killed in a still unsolved murder in Kansas City, Mo., in 2004.

Castaneda was signed to Mac Dre's label after Dre, 34, had already passed away, said Black Dog Bone, the editor of Murder Dog magazine, a popular rap magazine based in Vallejo.

"He knew Mac Dre ... but not much. They had a pretty big difference in age," Bone said.

The rap editor said he interviewed Johnny Ca$h on Tuesday as part of a larger article on Thizz Entertainment for the magazine's next issue. The slain rapper had previously joined dozens of other members of Thizz Entertainment for a photo shoot along Mare Island Strait, Bone said.

A Thizz Entertainment representative did not return a call for comment Friday.

Christiane Ambrose, 21, a Sereno apartment resident, was sleeping Thursday morning during the shooting, but heard the ruckus after.

Ambrose said Castaneda lived in the apartment complex with his wife. A Vallejo police official said Castaneda lived in Richmond, but had been staying of late in Vallejo.

Thursday's homicide marks the city's sixth slaying of the year, one more than all of 2006. The city saw 16 in 2005 and nine in 2004.

As for the rap connection to the recent violence, Black Dog Bone attributes it to inner-city problems.

"A lot of kids who do rap are forced to be in a gang because they're in their hood," Bone said. "You have to be on this side or that side. That's just the reality. You have to survive."

B.O.M., Freaky Fred, Playa Ju and Rhythm X added - March 27th
I've added to Fairfield B.O.M., Freaky Fred, Playa Ju, Rhythm X

Murder Inc. and G-Slimm added - March 25th
Sections added for Murder Inc. and G-Slimm, both are from New Orleans. Heres a track from Murder Inc. called Silence Me, from 1995, and G-Slimm - Live To Be a Man from 1994, both classic tracks, dont sleep!

http://www.zshare.net/audio/02-silence-me-mp3.html

http://www.zshare.net/audio/08-live-to-be-a-man-mp3.html

Gangsta Rhyme Posse and 44 Clique added - March 22nd
I've added sections for Gangsta Rhyme Posse and 44 Clique

Heres a song from 44 Clique called Risen Out Da Ghetto (1997)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/44-clique-05-risen-out-da-ghetto-mp3.html

Heres a song from Gangsta Rhyme Posse called On Da Unda (1996)
http://www.zshare.net/audio/11-on-tha-unda-mp3.html

Brotha Lynch Hung presents C-lim - Season Of Da Crip - March 18th

C-Lim is to release his album Season Of Da Crip, It features Brotha Lynch Hung, Tall Can G, Jayo Felony, T-Nutty, 40 Glocc and more.

Malice - The Redo - March 15th 2007

Malice has released the new album The Redo, you can buy it from http://www.mir-store.com/

1. Intro
2. Hit Em With The Quickness
3. Heart
4. Pushin Ice
5. Wanted
6. Cock Blockers
7. Return Of The Bounty Hunter feat Tony Francis of The Young D Boyz
8. Sweet Home California ( The Real Version )
9. The Meth Song
10. S.L.U.T.
11. Short People
12. Old School feat Dego
13. Break Me Off feat 4-Tay
14. I'm So feat Ryval
15. All I Know
16. Dear John
17. Angel Baby
18. Wicked Game
19. 6 Feet From The Edge

Rappin' 4-Tay - Thats What You Thought - March 12th

Rappin 4-Tay is set to release his new album Thats What You Thought on April 10th on AMC records. The cover is above.

R.I.P Woodie - March 11th 2007

R.I.P to Antioch rapper Woodie who died a few days ago .

Shorty B Interview - March 11th - 2007
Shorty B of the Dangerous Crew did a interview at dubcnn, check it out here: http://www.dubcnn.com/interviews/shortyb/

The Jacka of The Mob Figaz releases Barney (More Crime) video - August 18th

The Jacka of the Mob Figaz announces the release of the music video: “Barney (More Crime)” , the first video off of his 2005 sophomore album, T he Jack Artist .

Shot and edited by Jordan Tower of Tower Films ( Cormega , Infamous Mobb , Alchemist ), with some direction from Jacka & rapper Cormega and an intro from Emmy award winning graphic designer Rich Scurry ( Bravo , NBC , VH1 ), this is a street video with some shine.

Watch it by clicking the links below: Windows media stream:
http://northern-ridaz.com/the_jacka-barney_(more_crime).wmx Real Player Stream (Slower Internet Users):
http://northern-ridaz.com/the_jacka-barney_(more_crime).rm

To Download the video visit - www.thejacka.com Video Overview “Barney (More Crime)” is a song about the struggle it takes to make it in the streets. “ Barney (More Crime)” portrays the harsh reality about kids on the street whose only options come from rapping or selling dope. Jacka explains the conflict between good (rapping) and bad (selling dope) that people must go through in order to survive. Jacka shows that he, too, is subject to the same conflict every day. No one is perfect .
The video was shot in multiple notorious hoods across the Bay Area . It follows a story line of the Jacka teaching a young hood how to make it the right way in life, while pointing out that even legitimate ways to make money can never be solely relied upon in the streets. It features never before captured shots of real scenes straight from the streets of Oakland and Double Rock (the most notorious neighborhood in San Francisco 's Hunter's Point district).

The Jack Artist , the Jacka's 2005 sophomore offering, has received high praise from a range of critics:

“At a time when rap is lacking the strong-valued message it was built on, there are still a few MC's out there ready to fill the void. In comes the Jacka from the renowned group Mob Figaz. His second solo effort, The Jack Artist, is generating a strong buzz nationwide and is showing no signs of stopping.” – The Source Magazine

“The Jack Artist is the tightest album to come out of the Bay Area in a long time and probably one of the best out of the entire state in the past couple of years. Jacka spits flames and gives everybody something they can chillax too. People who think The Game is the only emcee slinging hot raps from the West should check Jacka out and cop his album. It's blaze.” – Spit Magazine, Spitkicker.com

“The Jacka rides over the album's head nodding production with apparent ease. His shameless hardcore style mixed with an edge of realism will hopefully complete his path to greater acclaim. Already building a buzz locally, The Jacka is set to break through to a wider audience.” – Chronic Magazine

730's New Mixtapes - August 18th

Mob Life rapper 730's County Blues mixtape is now available. The mixtape features Mopreme, Tha Realest, Kre8tor, New Child and Reek. The mixtape can be purchased from www.mobliferecords.com for $6.99. 730's debut album will be released this fall on Mob Life Records. 730 also recently recorded a free mixtape for the fans.  The mixtape is titled 101 and features 6 new songs by 730 including "Wartime Is Now Remix" featuring Bishop Lamont.  The mixtapes can be downloaded by clicking the links below.   

101
01 - You Know The Bizness
02 - SLAP (Sumthin Like A Pimp)
03 - Sumthin To Say
04 - Shut Up
05 - Just Get Along
06 - Wartime Is Now

730 - County Blues

01. Intro
02. I'll Bust Off At Any Cop (Feat. Reek)
03. In My Hood
04. Push In Every Town
05. Don't Talk Shit
06. Chronic Break
07. Please Roll Up
08. It's Crack
09. Party Poppin' (Feat. New Child)
10. Mind Ya Bizness
11. Interlude (Kre8tor)
12. Dreams (Feat. Kre8tor)
13. Ain't No Pussy (Fuck Q.U.)
14. Interlude (Kre8tor)
15. Gangsta (Feat. Kre8tor)
16. Story To Tell Pt. II
17. Why Envy Me (Feat. Reek)
18. Me And 730 (Clip) (Feat. Tha Realest)
19. Ima Animal
20. Plays Em Out
21. 7 At Ya Door
22. Shout Outs
23. Man Of The MOB
24. Live From Jail
25. Alwayz Keep One On Me (Feat. Mopreme)
26. The Release (Outro)

Preach Martin Hustles His Flow - August 17th

Richmond , CA – “You know it's hard out here for a pimp when he try'na get this money for the rent….”

The now-famous & half-way comical chorus from the movie “Hustle & Flow” rings throughout the theatre, followed by echoes of laughter. But one Bay Area MC knows a pimps' hustle ain't no joke.

Preach Martin (pronounced Mar-teen) was born a hustler. Before he realized he could flow, hustling was all he knew. From sticking up unsuspecting citizens to money laundering to plain ol' pimpin' and panderin', Preach has done it all. These real life experiences and a go-getter attitude inspired him as a novice rapper to approach the owner of the now defunct Straight Hits record label. After auditioning on the spot, Preach was immediately signed to the label as one of its flagship artists.

“Me coming from the streets with no buzz, just starting to rap and getting signed to a label – that's unheard of. Not to mention a label that is owned by the Program Director of KMEL and KYLD. I just knew that it was gonna crack,” Preach laughs.

Preach's wishful thinking proved to be untrue. A calculating perfectionist, Preach recorded songs and re-recorded songs carefully mapping out his raps and even the hooks performed by pretty young things and R&B thugs. But while he orchestrated his master plan, Straight Hits kept it moving, releasing projects by Oakland phenom Mistah F.A.B. and Filipina quartet One Vo1ce both of whom signed to the label around the same time as Preach. Although he was receiving monthly income from the label and was featured on both albums, co-writing a tune for One Vo1ce, the money was never enough. His raps reflected the life he lived and continued to lead to help support his young son. Although his album was almost completed, Preach felt like he was just keeping his head above water.

Then came the bad news. Before Straight Hits could release a project on Preach, the label shut down leaving him uncertain of what the future might hold. The opportunities garnered by Straight Hits had included radio play of his single “Bad Misses”, mixtape placement on the Bay Area Playa's Vol. 6, write ups in Showcase Magazine, and the promise of more to come. Now facing an unknown path quite possibly without his already recorded music, Preach's focus turned back to hustling.

“You know the pimp game and the rap game are similar, you gotta stay on top of your game and be prepared for anything.,” warns Preach. “If you don't pay attention, one day you'll look up and everything could be gone from under you. Your tricks, your music, your money, and your one chance. Luckily I still had my girls and other hustles, so I concentrated on that to get my money right.”

After stacking his bread, Preach brokered a deal that allowed him to release the music he so painstakingly worked at. Armed with his music and money for mastering, Preach set out to find a manager. He settled with longtime associates and Bay Area entertainment fixtures Marcel Anderson and Meilani of MPRINT MUSIC.

When asked why they added Preach to their roster, Marcel and Meilani concurrently agree. “Preach has the voice, the charisma and the experiences that make a rapper successful. Not to mention, his drive is amazing.”

One would agree that it takes a charismatic person to persuade females to parade their goodies on the Bay's city streets. And you could argue that it takes one of talent to earn two callbacks for the new Damon Dash TV show “Ultimate Hustler”. But what, besides unfaltering drive, could possess a person to spend his hard-earned money on an album that might've never seen the light of day?

Mirroring the storyline of “Hustle & Flow”, Preach confesses,” I just knew that there was something else out there for me. Something that was bigger than hustling & pimping. I didn't want to do that for the rest of my life. This album means so much to me because I did it on my own. I found all the producers, I wrote the raps, I conceived this from beginning to end. So when it drops I got this feeling people are gonna identify with me.”

With a finished project entitled “From A.M. to P.M.”, a connected management team, and steady money flowing in you'd think hustling would already be a thing of Preachs' past. “Not so,” Preach says. “Everyday is a struggle and I gotta hustle my way through it. This rap game is a hustle. Just to get noticed, to get airplay, to get distribution you gotta finagle. My album is the result of hustlin'. Like the title says, that's all I do from a.m. to p.m.”

You can find out more about Preach by visiting www.mprintmusic.com or www.preachmartin.com . You can download “Pod Safe” music by Preach by visiting www.podsafeaudio.com/jamroom/PREACH MARTIN . Dino West - Str8 Up Menace - August 17th
Here is an mp3 of a Dino West track Str8 Up Menace, using the beat from the classic MC Eiht track.

Dino West - Str8 Up Menace Dino West - August 14th

From The Southern CA area, Dino West Grew up in West LosAngeles . Although no stranger to music, he hasn't released any music in the past, or been signed with any major or underground label. Now, ready to jump off his rap career, he's secured a spot with arguably one of hip-hop's most prolific groups. No Limit Records are clearly no newcomers to the game. Around for nearly ten years, Percy Miller launched the successful careers of Mystikal, Mia X, The shocker, C-Murder, lil Romeo, Fiend, Magic, Kane and Abel, as well as a few others. They've been gone from the race for a few years, and are now ready to make their comeback with Dino west.. as one of the Many leaders of the new generation of NOLIMIT/BLACK SOPRANOS.' Kenny Kingpin - Escape From Poverty: Supa Size Yo Hustle - August 14th

Regime member Kenny Kingpin (formally know as Poppa L.Q.), is launching the highly anticipated mixtape, Escape From Poverty: Supa Size Yo Hustle , hosted by DJ Dow Jones of the CailUntouchables.  The mixtape will feature heavy hitters like Snoop Dogg, E-40, Yukmouth, and more.  With original productions by Hi-Tek, Battlecat, Tone Touch of the Demolition Men, and more. Click on the links below to preview tracks from, Escape From Poverty: Supa Size Yo Hustle.

Bigger Than That  produced by Tone Touch of the Demolition Men

http://www.acidplanet.com/components/embedfile.asp?PID=600585&T=1492 I Goes Hard feat. Bosko produced by Tone Touch of the Demolition Men http://www.acidplanet.com/components/embedfile.asp?PID=600597&T=3726 Turn It Up produced by Hi-Tek http://www.acidplanet.com/components/embedfile.asp?PID=600600&T=3068

Mopreme - Evolution Of A Thug Life N.I.G.G.A. - June 12th
After several years playing the background guest appearing on hit songs such as Tony Toni Tone's “Feels Good”, Tupac's “Papa'z Song”, "Bury Me A G", "Cradle To The Grave" and several others Mopreme Shakur's solo career is in full effect. As he prepares to drop his debut solo album Heart Of A Soulja later this year, Mopreme is hitting everyone with his debut mixtapes. Evolution Of A Thug Life N.I.G.G.A. Volume 1.1 and Evolution Of A Thug Life N.I.G.G.A. Volume 1.2 are now available. The mixtapes feature appearances by Tupac, Thug Life, Outlawz and labelmate 730. Mopreme's father Dr. Mutulu Shakur also makes a special appearance which was recorded inside a federal prison in Atlanta, GA.  Both mixtapes are available for sale at www.mobliferecords.net for $6.99 each or just $11.99 for both.  For bulk orders or masters contact. store@mobliferecords.net

Evolution Of A Thug Life N.I.G.G.A. Vol. 1.1
01. Intro (Mopreme)
02. Alwayz Keep One On Me (Mopreme & 730)
03. Str8 Ahead (Mopreme)
04. Interlude (Mopreme)
05. Stay True (Tupac, Stretch & Mopreme)
06. Thug Cycosis (Mopreme)
07. Basics (Mopreme)
08. Shit Don't Stop (Tupac, Mopreme & Big Syke)
09. Interlude (Mopreme)
10. Fuck You Pay Me (Mopreme)
11. Sick Thoughts (Young Noble, EDI, Mopreme, Napoleon & Big Syke)
12. Ghetto Passion (Mopreme)
13. Play Your Cardz Right (Tupac, Big Syke & Mopreme)
14. Interlude (Macadoshis)
15. Keep 'Em Runnin' (Macadoshis, Rated R, Mopreme & Big Syke)
16. Don't Get It Twisted (Mopreme)
17. Out Tha Gutta (Mopreme)
18. Thug Orientated (Mopreme)
19. What Goes On (Tupac, Mopreme & Mouse Man)
20. Nobody (Mopreme)
21. Interlude (Mopreme)
22. Till The End (Mopreme)
23. N.I.G.G.A. (Berocke a.k.a. B.M.E. Remix) (Tupac, Mouse Man & Mopreme)
24. Outro (Mopreme) Evolution Of A Thug Life N.I.G.G.A. Vol. 1.2

01. Intro (Mopreme)
02. Return Of The Outlaw (Mopreme)
03. Papa'z Song (Tupac & Mopreme)
04. The One (Mopreme)
05. Interlude (Mopreme)
06. What's Next (Tupac, Mopreme & Big Syke)
07. Ain't No Love (Mopreme)
08. They Never Saw Me Comin' (Mike West & Mopreme)
09. M.O.B. (Tupac & Mopreme)
10. Interlude (Mopreme)
11. Bury me A G (Tupac, Mopreme & Rated R)
12. Voodoo (Mopreme)
13. Do That (Mopreme)
14. Mackaframalama (Mopreme)
15. Street Fame (Mopreme)
16. Interlude (Mopreme)
17. To Tupac (Mopreme & Big Syke)
18. Interlude (Mopreme)
19. Cradle To The Grave (Tupac & Mopreme)
20. It Only Rains Sometimes (EDI, Young Noble, Rappin 4Tay, Big Syke & Mopreme)
21. When We Ride (Tupac, Kadafi & Mopreme)
22. Interlude (Mopreme)
23. What You Need (Mopreme)
24. N.I.G.G.A. (Hella Tight Remix) (Tupac & Mopreme)
25. Outro (Mutulu Shakur)

R.I.P Fat Tone - June 12th
Kansas City rapper was recently killed, he rapped with C-Bo, Killa Tay and other bay rappers. Here is an article.

A rap artist from Kansas City was gunned down and killed in Las Vegas, police said Tuesday. Officials in Nevada identified the body of 24-year-old Anthony Watkins, known as Fat Tone in the world of hip hop, after he was found shot and killed early Monday morning. A security guard found the bodies of Watkins and another man when he noticed a car parked with its lights on in a construction area. One man was found inside the car. The other was lying on the ground just outside the car.

Watkins died of multiple gun shot wounds, according to the Clark County Coroner's Office. A cause of death was pending for Jermaine Akins, 22, whose hometown is unknown.

Revenge Motive?
Fat Tone's death follows the fatal shooting of Mac Dre, a West Coast rapper, in Kansas City in November 2004. Dre's murder remains unsolved. KMBC's Peggy Breit reported that some people in the rap world are speculating that Fat Tone was shot for revenge of Mac Dre. Fat Tone's name had been mentioned in hip hop magazines and Web sites as a possible suspect in Dre's shooting. Kansas City police said Fat Tone had only been considered a "person of interest" in the case. Community activist Alonzo Washington said the two murders have similarities. "Mac Dre was found in a car shot to death, a car off road. Essentially the same thing happened to Fat Tone," Washington said. After Dre's murder, Washington wrote several commentaries for hip hop publications. He was concerned that the rumors about Fat Tone would generate more violence. "That's not needed. Keep out the violence, madness and the ignorance," said Eric Upton, a Kansas City rap artist. Fat Tone's death remains under investigation.

R.I.P Slick The Nigga - June 12th
Richmond rapper S.T.N (Slick The Nigga) Was killed in May while someone was trying to rob him. He released the album Game Stress in 1996.