Pure Jeanius...

by Foz

Its been a while since we heard a strong spoken female emcee. I've grown tired of the Trina's, and the lil Kim's. (mind you Lil Kim's first album was bangin')
As hip hop continues to be male dominated, we tend to turn our heads to any female artist that seems to be making any sort of noise in the industry, hoping that she could put herself on the map of great female emcees.
Jean Grae, formely known as What?what? (1998), to me, is the next one up for this position.
Jean recently came out with "Jeanius" featuring hip hop's finests producers: 9th Wonder.
I feel that this album has been slept on, and didnt get the attention it truly deserves. Supposedly it was leaked a year ago which is unfortunate and is common now to any musician out there. Jean's flow is a beautiful piece of art, and the content is mad inspirational.
Aside from that she is raw, hard, spits nothing but fire, and attacks every track with force.
Im on the Jean train, but rumor has it she retired earlier this year. (WTF?)
Lets hope that this is just a rumor cus hiphop needs someone like her.

Hearing her appear on Talib Kweli tracks were a treat and now for a full album to drop is even better. I admit that I havent heard any of her other albums, but now im hooked and look forward to copping the other joints.

Go give the album a full listen, you will not be disapointed.

LIFE IS A BEAUTIFULL STRUGGLE...

I can honestly say, that trying to be the HipHop clothing line that will represent not only Canada but the World of HipHop is not easy, but! it aint gona be hard.
We've been doing this for a year now and as the time passes we look back and notice that what ever is happening now, is a result of everything we've done in the past and depending on how hard you are going for you goal, does determine the present result.
There are times where I get tired and feel to just put it all aside, but when i see someone in one of our shirts on the street, i become strong again. mentally and physically. Theres always signs out there that we all should be aware of, signs that tell you that all will be ok, signs that tell us what to do next. And it could be anything from a billboard to a piece of a conversation that you over heard.
I know im getting closer to my destiny...straight up! it right around the corner.

And thats why i LOVE hiphop so much for its strength that passes on to us, and its message.
Listen to Talib kweli, listen to Nas, krs-one, preach ankobia, toney parka, jon-e, the list goes on.....

Peace


"time is an illusion.."

Simply NASty

By Foz

After months of controversy, Nas decided to change the name of the album from “N*gger” to “Untitled”. Im guessing he was never gona call it that from the get go. Just another marketing tool. I guess we can wait in the up coming weeks to see how sales go. Anyhow thats not what i wanted to talk about. (Man I hate when i get side tracked.)

Im gona sound so biased cus for those who know me, know that i am a Nasir Jones fan. SO, to me, this is one of Nas’ best albums.(yes i said it)

After giving it a thorough listen ima have to say that it is well structured, beats are SO on point, and lyrically he still shows strength.

Now even tho the title has changed, the album touches and embraces the N word, but not in an abusive way but in an educated way. Give tracks 6,9,12,13,14,15 a listen and you’ll know what im talking about.

And a song that will stand out on the album is the last track called: “Black President.” Just in time for the election. Now how crazy would it be if Barack chose that song for his theme music for the Presidential run. LOL!!!

The song reminded me of when Grandmaster Flash and the furious 5 came out with the song “JESSE”, in hopes of having Jesse Jackson to being the next president, back then in the early 80’s.

Now the album has its club bangers, theres a track with Chris Brown and The Game, and theres a track with Busta which is entertaining and not to mention mad jokes.

Please do not sleep on this album cus to me...TO ME.... its already a classic!

Toney Parka in DESTINY OR TEMPTATION..

So this is embarrassing.Its been weeks since i posted something on blogger. I like being consistant with my ISH, but i guess running a graphic design gig, clothing line gig, and a womens clothing line will get you side traked huh? lol
anyhow im going to try to do one once a week. we may not have a lot of readers but ima do my thang as if the whole world is reading!!!
Heres the latest news:

HOWS EVERYONE DOING?
IM AWARE THAT I SENT THIS UPDATE A MONTH AGO, BUT THE OFFICIAL DATE FOR HIS CD RELEASE IS TODAY.
JUST GO TO ITUNES AND SEARCH "TONEY PARKA" AND I ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.

IN CASE YOU DO NOT KNOW TONEY PARKA, HE IS ONE OF THE EMCEES ON THE ENDIGEE TEAM AND HE REPS MARYLAND. HE REPRESENTS WHAT PREACH ANKOBIA STANDS FOR, AND WHAT JON-E SPEAKS OF...TRUE HIPHOP AND LIVING ON A HIGHER LEVEL OF LIFE.
THE ALBUM IS LOADED WITH DOPE BEATS AND DOPE RHYMES BRINGING THAT REAL HIPHOP FEEL BACK.

THE ALBUM IS UNDER 10 BUCKS OR YOU CAN DOWNLOAD A SINGLE FOR 99 CENTS.
SUPPORT TALENT!!!!!

ON ITUNES!!!

THANKS EVERYONE AND DONT FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE STORE ONLINE

TEAM ENDIGEE

WWW.ENDIGEE.COM
WWW.TONEYPARKA.COM

BEEN ON THE GRIIND...

So it looks like we are putting up posts monthly, lol....sorry y'all i really thought that we could push the clothing line and the blog......but...we are still gona try. The past month has been hectic, doing shows for local artists, getting people to wear our shirts, and you know what, its been fun and i know itll get better. anyhow, heres a clip from the Krs-one concert this past sunday @ the National.
Endigee/Never deny Growth fully representing at the event.

Once again we do apologize but i will try to post every week.

Enjoy

"Uplift your thoughts, and the mind WILL follow...."
-endigee

TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

by: JELANI

With hip-hop music making its way more and more into mainstream media and pop culture I ask: Is hip-hop music designed for the “underground”?! YES I say!! If we were to step back for a sec to the origins of hip-hop music, its roots are virtually implanted into the streets of New York city, key word being “streets”, most of the lyrics were created and inspired for and by the environment of its mc’s. So what is happening now?? many things, as the street’s hip-hop grew up on have widened into blocks, cities, and countries, The objective should be the same: focus on appealing to the peeps you represent, and some how enlightening your community.

Mainstream success does not at all mean that some mc’s are not representin, I think it means they are simply able to convey their message a little better than some, and appeal to a wider audience. Hip-hop music is lending its name to some artists who provide mass appeal with their catchy hooks and ass shacking videos, but those who know; know! Enlightenment is key!! It what separates hip-hop from most genres of music; the collaboration of street inspired beats and rhythms with a wealth of expressive, information fused, awe inspiring lyrics; that is hip hop music!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ATTACK OF THE CLONES....

Written by: CheBefore reading, remember to leave your facebook name so we can put your name in a draw for some never deny growth gear ( or leave your email address). thanks.

Let me take you back to 1994. I was still in high school with my grey and white uniform rockin’ white and blue Ponys, with my fresh blowout fade and even fresher acne. I also had my little RCA walkman on me at all times, playin’ the latest songs from Nas or Wu-Tang. Besides CKUT, radio wasn’t playing much hip-hop back then, but when you found the station that would play it, they spun the songs you liked. But today’s hip-hop has found new homes in several radio outlets (both english and french), and has proven to a somewhat accepting society, that this genre of black music has a place among fair airplay with pop and rock music. But how did hip-hop achieve such a feat? Back in ’94, the music people “love to hate” was ripe with diverse flows, and neck snapping beats courtesy of Dj Premier and Pete Rock which might have been considered too ghetto for commercial radio. Todays hip-hop has become the music you hate to love. Why? Well it went TOO commercial. There’s a simple recipe for a hit rap song my friends and in my opinion, it goes a lil somethin’ like this. Take a very catchy beat using high synth notes, and bassy drumlines (or pillaging the motown catalog which is now the new thing), and dumbed down lyrics, with annoying hooks and rants (Mike Jones! Who? Mike Jones! Who?) and there you have it, a club and radio hit. Follow these two steps and your success might be attainable. But at what cost? Now a days these new rappers coming out all sound the same. There’s no diversity and originality which have led some disgruntled fans and a Queensbridge rapper to claim that hip hop is dead. What’s even worse is that these new cats coming out aren’t focused on longevity, and most fall victim to being labeled a one hit wonder ( ahem, Mims) or being totally forgotten (remember Jibbz? No? Thought so!) Take my man Talib Kweli. I’ve been listening to him since the first Soundbombing mixtape of ’97. Since BlackStar. He’s been here for a decade, built a very strong and loyal fanbase and continues to this day to put out good, inspirational music. Now take Soulja Boy. He has that song out and it seems to be doing well for him. But dude’s 17, so I’m hoping he’ll see the light and build what’s necessary for a strong foundation in hip hop. It appears that these new dudes, and dudettes ( I didn’t forget Lil’ Mama) are all following the same pattern to a quick hit. A get rich quick scheme if you will (despite their claim to be rapping since the age of 2). It will be a shame to see their songs on the track listing of Much Music’s One Hit Wonders Volume 10 but it seems inevitable. What’s also funny is that some of these vets, like say, Busta Rhymes, are often found piggybacking on the success of these club anthems. (I guess dignity went out the window, huh Bussa Buss.) Hip hop needs a new sound, or maybe follow the same formula they had in ’94, when everyone had a different flow and rhythm. When rappers weren’t too focused on commercial acceptance and instead built a legacy for themselves through creativity and patience.
God I miss 1994...