Top 10 Track Reviews! 7.8.15

GhostfaceKillah AdrianYounge ft. @raekwon @bilal - #ResurrectionMorning

Ghostface is launching his second album with Adrian Younge from their "12 Reasons To Die" series on July 10. If the album is a reflection of the single…Its definitely going to be a hit! 

@eminem @gwenstefani - #KingsNeverDie

Eminem laces the Southpaw soundtrack one again with this new joint "Kings Never Die" where he brings along Gwen Stefani for the ride. Two releases from this soundtrack…Left-Right!

@iamsu ft. @dejloaf @kcamp427 - #Famous

IAMSU gets us ready with his hit single “Famous." The single features, DeJ Loaf & K.Camp and it puts me on the edge of my seat for the "KILT 3” album.

GangstaBoo @beatkingkong - #KillBitches

Check out Gangsta Boo's new track "Kill Bitches.” This is just one of the many bangers on her upcoming "Candy, Diamonds & Pills" project. "Kill Bitches,” is produced by Houston's own BeatKing.

@djholiday @problem @frenchmontana @wale - #LetMeAtEm

DJ Holiday recruits Problem, French Montana, and Wale for his latest single "Let Me At Em" from his upcoming "God Bless the Mixtape" project. You gotta #SaluteTheDJ for this one. It's one of the best mixtape albums of the year thus far. 

@bjthechicagokid ft. @ogmaco - #ThatGirl

BJ THE CHICAGO KID and OG MACO delivers a instant classic with “That Girl.” BJ is incredible on this one and his label Motown has my vote for this to be my summer anthem. Most definitely staying in n’Rotation.

@liltunechi ft. #CharliePuth - #NothingButTrouble

The LIL WAYNE and CHARLIE PUTH track, “Nothing But Trouble” doesn't need any help. You really cant lose with Wayne. And Charlie Puth’s voice lets you know he will be around.

@husaholic_1008 @djtrickyb - #Numb3rs

OKay “Lets talk ‘NUMBER$.’” DJ Tricky B features Holic on his NUMB3R$ track. It is all day motivation that should drive you to do the damn thang! Look for the “Its A Cold Game But Fair,” album. 

@avthegreat @timbaland @velly30 - #LOD

AV The Great is not next, he is NOW! Fox’s ‘Empire’ music director, Timbaland puts his stamp on Dentons own “Man in the City!”

@talibkweli @common @kanyewest @itsthecons - #WackNiggaz

Just released today! None of us saw this coming! Talib Kweli has just released a brand new album worth of rarities, B-sides "Train of Thought: Lost Lyrics. Wack Niggaz feat. Common, Kanye West & Consequence and produced by Kanye West. The LP can now be purchased online via Kweli’s website. Features consist of:  Common, Kanye West, Consequence, Yasiin Bey (F/K/A Mos Def), DJ Quik, Hi Tek, Killer Mike, and Dave West.

Track Review 6.30.15

Bad Boys @frenchmontana releases #OffTheRip. This single is fueled by street legend N.O.R.E. and Chinx (R.I.P.). Montana performed the single at this years BET awards.

https://soundcloud.com/djfunkflexapp/french-montana-ft-chinx-nore-off-the-rip 

@augustalsina #HipHop is what it is....Hip Hop. The world premiere came at the BET awards and in 90s fashion, hands were in the air, chanting right along with hook..."Hip Hop!" You'll put this on repeat. http://www.audiomack.com/song/august-alsina/hip-hop-dirty-1  

@bigsean and @jhaneaiko team up for #iKnow. Thank you Sean for putting one of the best female R & B singers on this hit. https://soundcloud.com/childishgang/big-sean-i-know-ft-jhene-aiko-dark-sky-paradise 

@bilal @kendricklamar #MoneyOverLove! How can you not listen to this 3 or 4 times in a row will be a mystery. The crooner and the lyricist back each other up on this street tale. You can sit back and and cruise the streets to this one. http://virdiko.com/album/money-over-love 

@janetjackson - #NoSleep is the welcome back single for Ms. Jackson, and it was worth the wait. To all of my iOS users, update and #Connect with Ms. Jackson and get a peek into the creative world of a Jackson icon. http://virdiko.com/album/no-sleeep 

@officialjaheim single #BackInMyArms, let's you know Jaheim is 'Still Ghetto.' Fellas roll up the window and learn the words to this one, just in case you find yourself in that position to get that relationship 'Back Tight.' http://virdiko.com/album/back-in-my-arms 

#Anything by @natashamosley is on the top 10 bubbling under tracks with a lot of my music blog colleagues. A sexy voice and a sexy look completes the full package of her #RoseHall album. http://virdiko.com/album/anything-1 

@avantmusic #Special single is well overdue. We are getting blessed with this one. Avant’s return is seamless. He doesn't miss a beat with "Special." The buzz around the music blogsphere is, "Download Avant!" http://virdiko.com/album/special-1 

@meekmill @nickiminaj @chrisbrown #AllEyesOnYou is one you will hear a lot. This is the first time that Meek Mills and Nicki have put their relationship on blast...well on a track that is. The trio most definitely drop a historic track. http://virdiko.com/album/all-eyes-on-you 

@traviscott brings out 2 ATLeians @future1 and @2chainz for his #3500 track. This is a top 10 for a reason and Power 106s @EricDLux has put a Trap remix to this and justice is done. Check out the video and then bounce out to DJ City's remix. #TheDJmag #1DJmag #1musicBlog 

https://youtu.be/zzdDJ71lxPg 

The Mixtape Issue

MacAttack sits with The Dream

Uninspired AND Unexcited...That's some BS!!

Your music journey may have many highs and lows but one thing you must do is surround yourself with the "Real." Throughout my journey I've hit roadblocks and obstacles that only made me work harder. 

Over the weekend I was invited to the "I Am Dope Tour" where I heard a new sound Hip Hop, Punk Rap. The band "No Solutions" is going to be a game changer. Saturday I was in Denton Texas attending the Thin Line Music Festival. I saw AV The Great perform with a live band and I was like, "Damn! He killed it!" Headlining that night was the incomparable Devin The Dude who brought with him The Odd Squad and the artist RUMe of Coughee Brothaz performed the hit "Garden Tool" this is definitely one you need to have on repeat! At the end of Devin's performance, AV took to the mic and expressed his appreciation for Devin coming to rock the stage for the Thin Line Festival. I have to say that was a true moment of inspiration. 

Music should never lose its intent. I've traveled and have had the honor of meeting some of the most influential people in this business. All have given me the push and support needed in this industry. You can't do this if you're Uninspired and hanging around the Unexcited!

We all know how great music makes us feel. Plenty of life's quotes have come from Hip Hop and the DJs have been the physicians providing us the medicine to get us through each moment of our day. Most of these quotes are about girls, money and success, but there’s still great quotes about happiness in life and they inspire which turns into excitement! 

In 1995 Russell Simmons presented the world with the movie "The Show." To those of you

who don't know about this true Hip Hop classic, it's a documentary about the Hip Hop culture at that time. This opened my mind up to the stories behind the music. Before I was just enjoying the music and not giving a thought to the things that motivated them to write those lyrics. From Slick Rick to Snoop Dogg and from Dr. Dre to Andre Harrell... I fell in love with Hip Hop all over again!

Through every handshake and interview, I have been inspired to help others see their vision and grow this industry. Over at Fluence (https://fluence.io/alme214) I have the opportunity to expand your brand even more, now that is exciting to my soul!

As artist or a DJ, the only way that you can achieve the goals of your career is to surround yourself with an excited team. Not the ones who are excited to be getting in the club with the artist, but the ones who will pick you up when it's time to go to the studio, the ones who will tweet, retweet, share and repost. And

notice I didn't mention those who just hit the "Like" button. Likes don't put your music in front of new fans. So watch for those excited people. They will support your movement, they will believe in you and not just the perks. 

Hanging with the Uninspired and Unexcited is some BS! I have music submitted to me day in and day out and try not to miss a single beat. Don't hesitate to email me directly with your music or submit it to me over at Fluence. I can share to my vast network of industry colleagues. Stay inspired and excited!

#LeslieMac

Revolutionary...Scary!

Three weeks in, and this year is full of indie and mainstream releases. My inbox has reached a new level of being full. Please keep sending your material to alesliemacevent@gmail.com, and know that we are always listening. In the next week you will see a new #MacAttack with an in depth look into the DJs, producers, and artists who make our lists every week. Thanks to the collaborative efforts with @n_rotation The DJ Magazine, we are happy to bring you more than just music, we talk to every feature!

Now this portion of the blog may shake up a few of you. But truth be told the fun days of Hip-Hop are long gone or at the least the fun music is swept into the virtual trash can. 

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five "The Message" was groundbreaking and insightful to the struggle of inner city living, but now it's not how to "overcome", it's about how to "get over" and that's by any means necessary. Let me pause and state that this is about the revolution of music and nothing else! Todays “Message” isn’t far off course of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, but its aimed at the destructive nature of society. NWA talked about the streets of Compton and the music no doubt mirrored neighborhoods across the country. Promoting violence was never the intention of the group who began the “Straight Outta Compton” track with, “You’re now about to witness the Strength of Street Knowledge”. Somewhere in the days of Slick Rick & Eric B and Rakim the industry decided to focus on the downward spiral of the community and not the fun party tracks of Heavy D or Kwame’. Now, I'm a huge fan of Jeezy, T.I., The Game and Kendrick Lamar, and truly believe there's a place for them on our mobile devices and bumping them through our Beats headphones. People we can’t keep letting mindless entertainment control the outlook of the culture. Being in love with the “Coco”…Not one of Hip-Hops greatest contributions, but it finds its way into the clubs and radio... SMH! 

Meanwhile the core Hip-Hop artistry has been getting replaced by pop culture music that infuses rap talent with the catchy club tunes that don’t relate to Hip-Hop or its roots. Last year Billboard made a historical milestone. After 55 years of keeping track of what we listen to, it showed us that Hip-Hop and its culture has met its fate on the chart. There were NO black artists on top of the Hot 100 chart. And yes, the jury is still out on Macklemore claiming the #1 spot on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart. Not to mention that 1 album sold platinum last year…Taylor Swift. Revolution of Hip-Hop music is scary. This only proves that the market, the “public market” that is, is asking for the happy rap; which is not from its native origins. They want rap but not from the street poets or the righteous thinkers. 

For these facts and these facts alone, independent artists should be embraced and supported, provided the content is worth it. 

#LeslieMac

Take This Shit Personal!

I am going to start off with a disclaimer...What works for them, might not work for you. I endorse many different music services, and there is no 100% guarantee from any of these companies that your project will go platinum 😃. However, when it comes to results, I believe in these brands that I'm going to talk about. With that being said, you should really take what I'm about to say to you personal! 

First, stop spending your money in the wrong places. You will hear me say that on many occasions. Whether you are an artist or DJ, you should have had a New Year's resolution to do your music career right in 2015. I strongly suggest you start with a budget, ain’t nothing wrong with having the cost in front of you. The timeline for each project should start with a budget. Once it's in place, then comes execution. Every project is different so I can't outline any steps or plans. When you get your budget laid out these are some of my recommendations (some paid and some not). 

n’Rotation/CrateKeepers

n'Rotation is one of digital publications out that serves as a bridge between Artist and DJ and the Public and DJ. There's no fee for DJs that are featured in the magazine. If you're an Artist I highly recommend that you set n'Rotation on your top ‘TO-DO list’. It's readership has 1000s of unique first time readers every month and has been called the "Who's Who On the 1s & 2s". The CrateKeepers section of the magazine spreads the DJ/artists project across many social media platforms and their affiliates in their DDN (Digital Distribution Network). http://bit.ly/nRotationDJ Follow @n_rotation

CD Baby 

I like CD Baby, because they want you to get paid. I send all of my clients and projects thru them. When your fans buy music at CD Baby, it's like they're buying it directly from you. The staff is mostly made up of musicians, writers, filmmakers, painters, and dancers. So you know that they know what it's like to be hungry and be in entertainment. CD Baby is a global leader in independent music distribution and has paid out over $250 million to the artists that they distribute. So if you didn't know  iTunes...try CD Baby. Follow @cdbaby

Certified Mixtapez

Simply put, Certified Mixtapez is the best kept secret when it comes to streaming mixtapes. Yes I said streaming! Oh and it's free to upload! So tell your fans they can Stream and Download Mixtapes, create unlimited playlist streams of your favorite albums, and create ringtones from tracks. The app is available for Windows, iOS and Android. No excuse for anyone to say, "I haven't heard your new stuff". Follow @CertifiedMTapez 

VirDiKO

VirDiKO, Stands for and is a Virtual Distribution “KO”mpany. This is one of the best music promotion and distribution company’s on the web. Your project gets to Professional DJ's & Entertainment Industry Professionals around the world. Be in store for the professional treatment of your project. All I can is that I vouch for the very words from its website..."VirDIKO is committed to providing the highest quality service in the safest & most dependable manner available! DJs · HIPHOP · PRODUCER · ROCK · R & B · JAZZ · MODELS · REGGAE · DANCE · & More. At VirDIKO #WeWORK!!" Follow @Virdiko

Mp3Waxx.com

Our MP3Waxx contacts consist of all major music industry contacts including 65,000 DJs worldwide–radio DJs, music directors, program directors, club, satellite, mixtape, internet DJs. That's what you call getting to the business. I've watched them grow and have had great responses from the projects that I've done PR for. They deal with a nothing but the best in the industry.  Follow @MP3Waxx

With digital distribution and streaming becoming the normalcy of our industry, you need to take this shit personal!, embrace the idea of a budget and I strongly suggest you dig into each site that you register with. Find a niche in the group of sites you choose from or that 1 site that connects to a group of services that you need. Don't spread yourself thin throughout the World Wide Web. Spreading yourself thin, makes your project diluted and pretty damn weak! Take this shit personal!

#LeslieMac

The Realest Shit I Ever Wrote

Happy New Year! In the wonderful world of music, there's a New Music Year almost every day! But the shelf life of a full music project may not even last 365 hrs (3 weeks). There's no real formula on keeping a certain track or album relevant beyond the "365 hr" shelf life. Consistency is the common denominator, but when the whole world is able to drop a single with the help of an app on a smartphone or tablet, surly there'll be a lot of trash crowding the internet. I’m going to do my best to sift through this years notable mention, all be it independent or mainstream, and give you some of this years familiar and non-familiar music. 

I have a prediction...Independent music will cause a tremendous ripple effect in music and the DJs will set the new standards in what we hear. Let's face it...EVERYONE WANTS TO MAKE IT BIG! The first step is realizing that there’s success in numbers. 

Def Jam embraced all types of artists from all over New York…HMMM! From city to city there’s over 5 indie labels that are clearly doing their thing in said city. A true takeover would be to pull the resources and cause the spotlight to focus on a single music entity. How easy would it be to tour if it was truly a team thing? Your favorite team is hot because it combines players from everywhere to bring different skills to the table. 

I was blessed to be on the team that brought the Texas Rap Fest to reality. We were able to bring some of the most notable, legendary acts to up and coming artists to share the same stage. This concert placed old fans with new fans and brought some of the hottest independent artists in the state together to be part of the history making event. Now, I’m just thinking outside the box, but if this force was spread throughout the country….industry changer!!! Just something to think about when we talk about the game changing.

I hope that your NYE is a safe and happy one and please salute the DJ! He or She is working out your frustrations of the year behind you and ushering you into the next chapter of your life! 

Cheers!

#LeslieMac