Mixtape Review 7.7.15

DJ Mike Mars The Street Politician & DJ Chill Will bring you "Just Landed 7." Cool America host the 7th installment in the JL series which features: Scotty ATL, Yo Gotti, Beatking and many more. Don't hesitate, download it now!

Well the "I'm That Ni**a," mixtape has an all star track list featuring great artist, but on this one we pay attention to the production styles of, Tre Trax, Inomek in the Kitchen, Bobby Kritical and DJ Spinz. It's 32 tracks of heat produced by some of the best in the game. 

"Open Bar 2" is wide open. DJs; Tephlon, Mook, Ace, and Esudd serves the top shelf from Cap 1 on this one. Put it n'Rotation and ride out to this. 

Audio Molly 4 (Hosted By Project Pat) is brought to you by 3rdy Baby The DJ. The follow up to Audio Molly 3 features; Fetty Wap, Rick Ross, Chief Keef and a track produced by Kanye West that's been laced with bars by Tyga and A.E.

Uploaded on 7/06 the "Young Thug Barter 6 (Chopped Not Slopped)," mixtape turns the most anticipated mixtape of the year into one of the most downloaded chopped file in a day. S/O to DJs; Slim K, OG Ron C, and the ChopStars!

Yep we all want the next Lil Tunechi album to drop, but the powers that be keeps us in limbo. Fortunately NoDJ keeps the balance with the 4th of July release of Lil Wayne's FWA (Free Weezy Album)

DJ Carisma hosts Zairrion's October 8th mixtape. From the opening track "Unsigned Hype" to the closer track "H.U.D.S. (Heads Up Don't Stop)," this L.A. Artist is throwing up a "W" (win) on every track. 

DJ New Era is brings his skills and his "Fitted Cap Low" brand to Birmingham's own 4-Way LMG mixtape "On IV." Jac Trip, J-Lew and JukeHeisman are just a few of the names off of this July 4th release. Keep'em on your radar. 

The Glory is packed with your favorite artist and brought to you by DJ Plugg, DJ Schoolboy and Guy ATL. The Tony Tone featuring Fetty Wap track "Activated" is an exclusive and will be your turn-up song. 

Audiophile's XXL Summer Compilation is for all my Club Heads! Aaron Jackson, M.O.B., Intermodal combines their individual creative styles. Pop you one 😉and dance!

Top 10 Mixtape Reviews 6.24.15

@triggadadj @djlogangarrett @djbenfrank - #ProductOfTennessee4 Should become a mixtape series. From Juicy J to Young Buck and everything in between, I get why this hotbed of hip hop has and will always be here twisting up the genre and giving it a flavor that'll be craved globally. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34725/product-of-tennessee-4.html

@mixxmobbradio @chilligrindwill @frenchiebsm - #MixxMobbRadio28 is a strong mixtape series that takes the "in the lab" tracks to the street. B.O.B. And Chanel West Coast (Yung Money) join up with Frenchie on the 1st track to let you know that Mixx Mobb Radio is here to stay. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34704/mixxmobb-radio-28.html

@therealdjnewera is definitely a force to be reckoned with. You ask about Alabama music...here's the DJ to let you know Bama is on point and in many ways ahead of the curve. n'Rotation stamps this one Hard. @BobbyV host this banger and you will be ready for the 14th installment like you're waiting for the sequel to your favorite movie franchise. Check out   - #MoodMusiq13 on Live Mixtape now.

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34674/mood-musiq-13.html

@dj_hard_hitta - #RespectTheDJ3...That's all that needs to be said. 23 tracks is not enough! We want more! If Boosie Badazz "Black Heaven" featuring Keisha Cole and J Cole, doesn't get you to respect the DJ...get off my blog! http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34659/respect-the-dj-3.html

@posterchildj1 @ludacris @amberpriddy - #RedZone12 If this is the Red Zone...The score will melt the wires of your headphones. Atlanta stands up on this one. Migos, K-Camp and Rich Gang artist are just a few bringing the heat. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34684/red-zone-12.html

@djsmoothmontana @djdiggz @djalamonj @djarabmixtapes @djwispas @sosdjseast - #WhoRunNewYork6 is testament to the streets of NY. Fat Joe, Fabolous, Uncle Murda and more of your favorites come put it down for their Burroughs. The 35 tracks reminds on this one reminds me of Krush Groove. 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34679/who-run-new-york-6.html

@trapaholics @trippdahitmajor - #TrippYouDidItAgain2 is a great follow up to #TrippYouDidIt #LiveMixtapes I thank you for the great app update, now I can rock the Trap-A-Holics offline.

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34692/dj-tripp-da-hit-major-trippyoudiditagain-2.html

After a week of riding to @therealdjstatic #iCantThinkOfAMixtapeName, I agree. He didn't need to name this heat. Every track delivered! Put it n'Rotation

http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34712/i-cant-think-of-a-mixtape-name.html

You will want to personally thank @dj_tephlon & @young_lexicon for #DoYouHaveAPlan

This mixtape is slowly growing on tastemakers. The "Here I Am" video gives you a preview into the quality of this project. http://indy.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34707/young-lexicon-do-you-have-a-plan.html

@wegotthiscrew if you didnt like club music...this will have you changing your music listening likes.  #WeGotThisCompilation3

http://club.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/34670/we-got-this-compilation-3.html

@dr.13eight and @slimpolk dig through the crates to put together a track list full of unreleased bangers.  #SlimPolkChronicles

https://soundcloud.com/leslie-macevent/keep-it-real

A Change Gonna Come!

There's a serious need for a Bullshit Regulatory Commission on music. DJs control the night and they have a reputation to uphold and that's 1 reason that new track of yours isn't getting a spin when you walk it in the club. 

Let's explore the word ‘Ritual.’ A Ritual is a religious or solemn ceremony consisting of a series of actions performed according to a prescribed order. 

Now with that little bit of knowledge we can explore this "change". What is a DJ if he can't scratch, what is an MC if he can't rap? Those lyrics were directed at the future. Now we have "Push Button" DJs and songs are being pumped out of the studios faster than I

can listen and write my reviews on Fluence. Now, I will never knock talent or the attempt there of, but I will call attention to quality! So to answer the second question, a MC that can't rap is someone who hinders the movement. These MCs have unintentionally created the politics of the industry. Politics have their own place but in Hip-Hop? NO! What do we say to that? In the words of Hip-Hop legend Chuck D, "Fight The Power."

As the records, CDs, or even the colorful graphics display on your installed DJ program

have a revolution, the industry must have a Re-Evolution. An indie artist is born faster than

mothers delivering a baby through natural child birth. "There's a song and a remix in your inbox," is what just displayed on my computers desktop as I type. There’s passion in the production of these songs, however there's a lot of bad quality projects that are being put out. These projects hinder the good music from gaining its momentum to move from emails to ears. But that's a blog to be discussed at a later day. 

ATTENTION ASPIRED MUSIC ENTERTAINERS

Quality is priority #1! You absolutely, positively cannot cut corners on this part AT ALL. 

1. Get to a studio, with a booth and a engineer… get the sound A-1! 

2. Everyone with PhotoShop thinks they can do graphics, so not the case. Find that 1 graphic artist that really does know how to give you that quality...keep going to them. If it doesn't look good, what are we going to expect from the music?

3. Seek out a lot of good, consistent business relationships. DJs, promoters, Bloggers, fan engagement, and most of all treat your projects and talents as if they're the love of your life. 

This brings me back to Ritual… Imagine having to set the mood or tone for 100s even

1000s of people who want to hang out after work or after a long week or after monumental occasion. Well that's what DJs are tasked with when the club doors open. When fansstream mixtapes to their devices they're looking for that mood changer and motivation. Consider the daily and weekly Ritual of the DJ. Don't think you're going to just walk in and drop off some music and hear your song in the middle of the DJs set! Create a Ritual for your music and then you may fit into the DJs moment. 

I want to end with two finds that I have discovered. 

1. Next 

Next combines Instagram, Tinder, Twitter and Facebook all into one app and lets the artists, DJs, and Music fans discover new music without the garbage that can litter the information highway. Hence one way to regulate the bullshit in music. If you're not delivering a good Listening experience, they will swipe to the left. You have 30-seconds to preview your skills. New fans can view full-length videos and full profiles. No ads and it's free! Next boasts that it's app is, “A real, dedicated music community for mobile.” This is the app that requires you to look good and sound good. You have 30 seconds...GO!

2. Bandcamp 

I'm going to start with a fact....Bandcamp has paid $100 Million to Independent Artists and labels. This direct to fan (DTF) music sales platform, has been the new version of "out the trunk" since its launch in 2008. While the industry reports record sales declining, Bandcamp reports the opposite. In a interview with Billboard Co-founder Ethan Diamond stated, “Bandcamp  has increased 30% in sales last year and now average $3.5 million per month in record sales." That "works out to about 16,000 records a day...One every five seconds, twenty-four-seven." Oh by the way, it's free to join Bandcamp. The site is planning on some major add-ons, so it behooves you to get that project right or the consumers will continue with the 'boo' action. 

If you're looking for a start, submit your music to me at Fluence for immediate feedback. Be a part of the change or end up sounding like the artist that says, “ …I’m just trying to get my music played."  

#LeslieMac

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