Brooklyn rapper Fabolous is still blessing fans with visuals
from his Soul Tape 3 mixtape, which
was released last December.This time
around he drops a video for his “Sacrifices” track.The song is definitely a nice dose of
reality. I have always felt like 10% of the world is doing what they want,
while 90% of us are doing what we have to do.
Fab is known for killing verses with his punch lines, but
this time these punches really hit home.I am sure a lot of you can relate as I did.Take some time out of your day and check out
the latest video by Fabolous, “Sacrifices”.
I recently spoke with Western Pennsylvania based rapper
TEN/27 as he was cruising the streets of Atlanta, Georgia. If you haven’t heard of the Johnstown rapper,
let me take a few minutes to get you familiar with him.
You can call TEN/27 a local rapper if you want, but he is
far from that, and honestly that statement just adds more value to local
rappers, because if you didn’t know…Trevy Is Famous.The 56 & Runnin’ artist has over 87,000
views on YouTube and a following that most aspiring artists would pay for.His latest video “814 Pride” gained over
2,000 views in just a few days, not to mention he is quietly putting his hometown
of Johnstown on the map.
The success that TEN/27 has recently been seeing is because
of the effort he has been putting in for years.Where some may have taken rhyming as a hobby, TEN/27 saw it as a way
out.He started rapping at the age of 13
and hasn’t looked back since.Some of
TEN/27’s inspiration comes from those who have influenced him along the
way.When speaking with TEN/27 he cited
AZ, Nas, Half-A-Mil, Royce Da 5’9”, and Philadelphia rapper Journalist as his
biggest influencers.When you listen to
TEN/27 you can actually hear those who have influenced him in his delivery and
sound.When he lays down a track he
delivers much more than what you typically hear in Hip Hop.It’s a breath of fresh air and something that
the game is missing.
With there being so much talk nowadays about the current Hip
Hop scene and where it’s headed, I had to ask TEN/27, “How do you feel about
the current state of hip hop?” “I’m adapting to it,” he replied, “I am
currently working on a new single titled “Supa Dupa” that has more of a
southern style to it. Be on the lookout for that New Trev City 2 as well.”
In TEN/27’s young career he has already performed in cities
like Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Tampa, Miami, Boston, D.C., Charleston WV, and
Cleveland OH.He has also had the pleasure
of collaborating with such artists as Shyheim, Ambition formerly of Pretty
Ricky, and 56 & Runnin’ label mate Chris DeVille.However, TEN/27 told me that his biggest
accomplishment was meeting his idol, AZ, and to perform not only in front of
him, but beside him as well.
If you took the time to read this article on TEN/27, do
yourself a favor and check out his latest video “814 Pride” which pays homage
to his hometown.When asked where his
love for his hometown comes from?TEN/27
replied, “The people…I get my love from the people who support me.”
Peep the new video by TEN/27 (Trevy Is Famous) below and be
on the lookout for his next single.I
heard it already and I’m sure you'll like it as I did.If all goes as planned his next single is
called “Magazine” and it features Ambition formerly of Pretty Ricky.Stay tuned to the movement and “Take Your
Seat At The Table” for more interviews like these and much more.
Download "814 Pride" here. Available on iTunes soon.
If you caught the last episode of “La La’s Full Court Life”
you had a brief look into the life and times of Po Johnson.On Thursday’s episode they showcased her new
single “Monsters (Be Brave)”.I recently
had the opportunity to speak with both, Po and Gorilla Records head exec Zeke
Thomas, and we spoke about their new single and much more.
During my conversation with Po and Zeke I found that the two
had a real chemistry. Po actually signed with Zeke’s label Gorilla Records not
too long ago and the two have been making a name for themselves since. When I
asked Po about her new single, “Monsters”, I could almost hear her smile
through the phone.“I just wanted to
write a song where we could get crazy and let our inner inhibitions free,” said
Po, let’s just be a monster”.“We
started writing, writing, and writing.It was actually kind of fluent.I
was like, ‘I just wanted to have fun’.I’m thinking about people dancing in the streets and that’s what I want
people to do with this record,” said the reality television star.
Zeke shared in the excitement about the “Monsters” track as
well.You may have heard of Zeke Thomas
before, as he is the son of NBA legend Isiah Thomas and one of the official DJs
for NBA All-Star Weekend events through the NBA Players Association.
Zeke added, “Not only is Po a charismatic television
personality with a great following, people around her respect her, and
individually she is really talented as a recording artist.She has such a grit and a talent that I just
really, really wanted to work with and try to mold.Po has so much potential and I think it really
came out on this “Monsters” record.”
Since the “Monsters” track debuted in May it has been
featured on Hot 97 and other top radio stations, giving this track its needed
platform and exposure. “Ebro over at Hot 97 has welcomed me with open arms and
for him to basically bless the track on Hot 97; I’m very grateful and very humbled.Everybody knows that Hot 97 is the biggest
Hip Hop station in the country, arguably the world. To have that blessing, to
have that stamp, it’s great,” said Thomas.
This is just the beginning for this super duo, so please
expect more from Po and DJ Zeke in the near future. In the meanwhile, check out the ”Monsters”
track below and look for the single on iTunes.
The road less traveled is a unique journey for those who are
lead to travel it. I salute Po for taking the road less traveled and Zeke for
following his passion.
Catch Po Johnson Wednesday nights on VH1’s “La La Full Court Life” and peep the Zeke Thomas cameos. Stay tuned to The Roundtable Empire for more stories like these and more. #WhereRoyaltyMeetsLoyalty
This year Atlanta rapper Future ran into a problem that
confronts many talented artists. When he
went to work on his upcoming album Honest
he had too many completed songs to fit on the album. This is typically a good problem, but the issue
of trying to determine what goes on the album and what doesn’t is huge. Apparently, Future had to make the call and
decided that he would release not one, but two albums in 2014.
One track that did not make the Honest album was a song titled “Rockstar” featuring YMCMB’s Nicki
Minaj.The DJ Clue produced track is
definitely a banger and if Future does plan on doubling up on albums this year,
this jam should most definitely make the album.Check out the “Rockstar” song below and let us know what you think.Should “Rockstar” have appeared on the Honest album or nah?
I salute those with a dream. I encourage anyone who truly believes in
them self to follow their dreams. You
only live once, so why not do what you believe you were meant to do. Just know that this game doesn’t always love
back and trust can never be taken for granted.
There’s going to be times where you feel misguided or even taken
advantage of, but you’re human, so it’s okay to feel some type of way. You can even cry a river, but at some time
you have got to build a bridge and get over it, because the show must go on.
The path that many aspiring artists take is the road less
traveled and there is no one set of directions that will lead these artists to
the success that they seek.With that
being said, more and more aspiring artists are popping up looking for some sort
of direction.However, the trick to this
road is to keep moving forward.Here at
The Roundtable Empire we support “local artists” and we will continue to
provide a platform for those artists seeking to make their dreams a reality.
Surprisingly, with such avenues as YouTube and Facebook,
right now is the hardest time to get into the industry. The game is flooded with everyone to their
grandmother thinking they can rap because of these same outlets. This alone makes entry into this industry
challenging.
The Hip Hop genre is so opinion based that there is always
room left for a second opinion.Who’s
right?Who’s wrong?As a result, everybody thinks that they have
a shot.
Hip Hop is so saturated that aspiring artists have to really
stand out.A buzz is needed and most
importantly a following is required.Aspiring artists have to really bring it and put in work like they
already have a major deal.
Hip Hop has evolved over the years, but one thing hasn’t
changed “The Game is to be sold and not to be told”.Place value in yourself and know your
worth.Never let anyone devalue
you.
One thing that I have learned in my short career is that I
want to build my own dreams and not get paid to build someone else’s.If you share in those same feelings as I do,
then The Roundtable Empire is perfect for you.This is “Where Royalty Meets Loyalty”.Take a seat at the table.
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