Crazy 4 ‘K-Pop’

The Korean pop craze, popularly known as K-Pop, is now becoming a part of Filipino pop culture. With a community of more than 5,000 members and growing, a trend has indeed become a standard lifestyle wherein Filipinos express their passion for all things Korean in various ways. Some are fond of Cosplay (costume playing), some can’t get enough of Korean dance choreography, and most, if not all, just love the music ‘Hot Issue.’behind these emerging wonders.

One can’t help but wonder what caused this phenomenon to happen. It might be because of the influx of several Korean nationals who pave their way to local shores to learn English. Perhaps cable music channels also contributed to its tipping point. Yet, no matter what the reason is, K-Pop is here to stay, and fortunately, news of this has reached the hottest Korean groups, including the charming, irresistibly infectious all-girl quintet from South Korea: Ji Hyun, Ga Yoon, Ji Yoon, Hyun A, and So Hyun – collectively known as 4Minute!

Ji Hyun Nam is the group leader. She took ballet lessons at Sangmyung University’s dance program but took a leave to concentrate on her musical career.

Ga Yoon Heo has been preparing for her debut upon graduating from a girls’ high school. She is 4Minute’s lyricist.

Ji Yoon Jeon graduated from high school and has also been preparing for the debut of 4Minute. She is also fond of writing songs and cooking.

Hyun A Kim was formerly a member of Wonder Girls, before quitting in July 2007 due to health reasons. After recovering her health, Hyun A switched over from JYP to Cube Entertainment to fulfill her dreams of becoming a singer. Now she is the resident rapper of the group.

So Hyun Kwon, 14 going on 15, is the youngest in the group. She has received vocal training since childhood; even debuting in a young girls’ group called Orange at the age of 11. Despite her early debut, she is very smart and is able to maintain top grades in school, ranking first or second in her classes. Many have also accustomed her to Sandara Park due to their undeniable physical resemblance.

Here in the Philippines, they just recently released their first hit song “Hot Issue” under MCA Music Inc. which has received positive feedback and support from fans, radio stations and music channels nationwide.

The group is also set to release two of their other songs, “Muzik” – a dance craze that gives a laid back, hip-hop feel that features the rapping prowess of Hyun A and Ga Yoon. Their third single “What A Girl Wants,” on the other hand veers away from the typical fast – paced beats of the K-Pop genre. It is an infectious and adorable power pop track that features the girl’s vocals and creative choreography with their teeny bopping moves.

The group describes their music as Candy Funky which in detail means Candy (colorful and sweet) + Funky (defiant, retro and free). With their looks, talent, and adorable over-all Korean image, it is no doubt that 4Minute is bound to be one of the biggest names in the industry today – a spark among a blanket of Korean pop stars that never fail to make the Filipino K-Pop community bigger and more known to the masses.

Watch out as 4Minute visits the Philippines this Feb. 4-8 for a series of mall shows around Metro Manila. They shall also release their album in CD + DVD format in time for their scheduled promo tour.

On to OMP Acoustic Pop

In more girl group news, we swing things back to homegrown talent as the Philippines’ newest and freshest teen acoustic pop-duo Krissy & Ericka make headlines once again!

Featuring their current single “Up Up Down Down,” Krissy & Ericka recently launched their debut self-titled album in “ASAP ’09.” Joined by their fellow Cornerstone Talents Emman, Jaco and DJ & Micah, Krissy & Ericka wowed audience with their special live performance.

As young as 15 and 16, Krissy & Ericka are already excellent guitarists, singers and songwriters.

Being exposed in various shows and performing alongside big names such as Richard Poon and Sam Milby, the girls have had their share and exposure of performances which fully inspired them to really put their hearts into music. Both have also taken formal music lessons from the UP school of music for voice, classical music and flute. They are continuously honing their craft by continuing to do their own compositions and exploring unchartered territories.

Krissy & Ericka’s debut album features fresh and exciting tracks and massive hits such as “Game of Love,” “Runaway,” “Baby Now that I Found You,” and the M2M Hit “Don’t Say You Love Me,” which are all given a refreshing sound with a tinge of country feel! Talented as they are, these girls have also composed originals “He’d Look My Way,” “Hope for Humanity,” “Surf’s Up,” “Sisters” and of course their carrier single “Up Up Down Down”!

091205 4Minute ‘Muzik’ @ Music Core

4Minute brings ‘Muzik’ back on Music Core!

Now if your wondering why they came back, they performed this for the Jeju Island Special! Woo~ And they never looked so good!

dance floor at muzik haus

dance floor at muzik haus, originally uploaded by rafeejewell.





Amazing they said.

Colors swirling, mesmerizing.

Soft glow, mashy mashy,





and then there's

mr widget.

pied piper; we follow to Muzik Haus.




oh, i see eifachfilm

and calubious

and laslopantomik

and raintears

and mason

and taliesin


and so many others.

and, me so addicted to widget spins.

Rap-fueled takeover of Lotte World, Seoul

Korean Hip-hop impresario Tiger JK of Drunken Tiger will lead The Movement crew to a rap-fueled hostile take over of Lotte World next month for a pair of concerts.

Joining him will be his wife and former member of R&B group Uptown, Yoon Mi-rae (Tasha) and the rap dynamic duo of LeeSsang at the Garden Stage of the home of everyone's favorite raccoon on Dec. 19 and 20 in southern Seoul.

Titled "2009 Hip Hop in Lotte World-All Night Party" the trio's management company JUNGLE Entertainment and Ozic Entertainment teamed up for the exclusive right to use Korea's largest indoor theme park for the two shows.

According to the concert promoters, this will be the first time in Korean history that a theme park has been made available for a concert.

The pair of back-to-back performances will get things rolling at 11:30 p.m on Saturday and go on until the early hours of Sunday morning atl 5 a.m.

During the concerts, all rap heads and party people in need of a breather from bopping their heads to the tunes by some of the nation's premiere hip-hop and R&B acts can also enjoy all of the rides in the Lotte Adventure Park.

Fans of Drunken Tiger will be treated to seeing Tiger JK joined on stage with his wife Yoon Mi-rae who will attempt to take their chemistry off-stage, on stage.

The two of course tied the knot in 2007 and gave birth to their baby boy Jordan shortly after.

Both have been members of the Korean hip-hop collective called The Movement that Tiger JK founded which includes various luminaries in the field of Korean hip-hop and R&B which includes "Godfather of soul" Bobby Kim, Eun Ji-won, and Epik High.

The 35-year-old rap pioneer formed the collective as an act of non-conformist rebellion towards a pop industry that was -- in his view -- becoming increasingly commercial.

Though he struggled to gain mainstream appeal when he first debuted in 1999, he hit it big time the following year with "The Great Rebirth."

The album featured the immensely popular club banger "Good Life" which topped the charts and ushered in a new style of hip-hop in Korea.

Since then, Drunken Tiger has been able to consistently stay afloat on both the mainstream and underground radar appealing to both worlds -- a feat that not many artists have been able to do.

This year has also been a vanguard year for JK as his 8th studio album debuted at the top spot and moved nearly 100,000 copies.

The success of the album is all the more surprising as its tracks do not feature repetitive hooks, nor does it adhere to the current pop music trends.

The double album titled "Feel gHood Muzik, Feel Hood Muzik: The 8th Wonder" features DT's trademark sound of hard aggressive beats that compliment the veteran rapper's penchant for the dramatic.

As if not content with simply being the nation's greatest MC, Tiger was the recent recipient of the Best Male Artist award at this year's MNET Asian Music Awards beating out the likes of Rain, G-Dragon, Lee Seung-chul, and MC Mong.

He's also become something of a fashionista winning a host of fashion awards which included Best Dressed Male Award at the Style Icon Awards earlier this month.

According to JUNGLE Entertainment, "he's been active in various fields like music, fashion, and advertising this year and we're honored that (Tiger JK) has been embraced by everyone" and added "but more meaningful than that however, he's been able to inject some vitality in a declining rap industry even in the midst of a flood of idol groups currently saturating the music game."

(kws@heraldm.com)

Slain rapper Dolla's mother on posthumous debut

A son's death is always unbearable. But Dolla, according to his mother, will live forever in his newest music.

Dawnee Robinson speaks out on the release of her murdered son Dolla's soon-to-be-posthumously-released album, to come out of Akon's label, Konvict Muzik. It is expected that Konvict's distributor UniversalMotown, through Steve Rifkind's SRC Records, which signed Akon, will be behind the album's release and distribution, and that Akon's label will do whatever it can to promote the LP.

Ms. Robinson said that her son was close to stardom when his life was taken away at the Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport's food court in front of his cousin, as previously reported.

Here's the mom to hiphopwired.com:

"I've never been allowed to hear his music until a few days before release, so with that being said, from the critics around me they say it's awesome. It's gonna set him aside, it's totally different than anything he's done in the past. So we're working with Konvict and Bu (Akon's brother) and out of respect for me they've pretty much allowed me to give them the thumbs up on when they can go ahead with the project. They're always supportive. We've known Akon, Omar and Bu for many years and the sky's the limit with those guys. They're always looking out."

Earlier, Robinson, with a heavy and broken heart, recalled the last time she spoke with Dolla, to allhiphop.com:

"Just a few hours before the incident, I spoke to my son and he was on his way home catching a flight out. I stay close to the airport, so he used to stop by. He told me what he wanted for dinner. He wanted some yellow rice, cabbage and chicken wings. So I went to the store and made sure I had everything. So when I got the call, I was cooking his dinner."

This saddens and angers many, without question.

Akon himself spoke on Dolla's last days to Rolling Stone magazine:

"He was a great kid, he didn't deserve it. The reason he got shot was probably the most miscellaneous thing ever. It's to a point now where we're always trying to find ways to deal with our issues, deal with all these main challenges which is very hard, especially when we're surrounded by an environment that don't really have morals. [This was] a very senseless crime."

According to Rolling Stone, the album will be called A Dolla & A Dream. The record was recorded largely in Los Angeles. No release date has been announced.

I am so sick and tired of hearing about MCs involved in violent crimes. Dawnee Robinson has to be in pieces right now. The Thanksgiving celebrated yesterday had to have been the saddest one she's ever had. And why? Because of some sick, jealous, foolish people who have no souls. This woman can't be looking forward to Christmas. Her only hope is that Dolla's story is told so that the younger generation can look in their respective mirrors and ask the persons in those mirrors to change, as Michael Jackson would say. If not in memory of Dolla, Mike Bell, and Derrion Albert, they should take time off from macho behavior for their own sake at least.

Enough is enough. I have had it these motherf**king guns on these motherf**king streets.

No, seriously, I'm not trying to sound clever. This is what Sam Jackson would say about the tragedies. You should, too. and do something about it, like throw away your guns if you don't have good reasons to carry any.

Nuff damn said.

HHW Exclusive: The Mother Of Konvict Muzik's Slain MC Dolla Speaks On His Life & Celebrates His Birthday

Roderick Anthony Burton II better known as “Dolla” was not just a model for Diddy's Sean John clothing line but one of the promising young rappers of tomorrow. His mixtape Another Day Another Dolla, was given great hype as well as airplay all over the U.S. After signing with Akon's label “Konvict Muizk,” Dolla released his first big single with “Who the F*ck Is That,” which received great praises, as well as reaching the Billboard top 100.

Following with another hit single “Make A Toast,” it seemed like Dolla was on the right path to be one of Hip-Hop new promising artist. While working on his debut A Dolla And A Dream, however, the violence and ignorance that surrounds Hip-Hop had different plans for the Atlanta rapper.

On May 18th, 2009, the young rapper was shot in the back in Los Angeles, California in the valet parking lot of the Beverly Center. Dolla, who was waiting in the V.I.P parking lot with fellow rapper DJ Shabbazz was helplessly and brutally shot in the head by Aubrey Louis Berry.

The murder trial of Aubrey Louis Berry is scheduled to commence January 25th in Department 102 in Los Angeles Superior Court. We have been told by a court official that Berry's defense team has requested a speedy trial and although the prosecution could have sort the death penalty for this heinous crime, they are seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case is being prosecuted by veteran attorney Bobby Grace & David Walgren. Judge David Wesley is presiding over the trial.


While no details about the murder and the trial could be discussed because of litigation procedures, Hip-Hop Wired spoke exclusively with Dolla's mother, Dawnee Robinson, as she discussed his upcoming debut which will still be released next year on Akon's label as well as celebrating what would have been his 22nd birthday today. Speaking of his birthday celebration, Mrs. Robinson stated,

“Today is his birthday and we're going to eat brunch at his favorite restaurant, Thumbs Up, in Atlanta. He loved Thumbs Up and it's a tradition that we go every Sunday and we're gonna go there and celebrate him. Then we're going to go bowling because he loved to bowl and at midnight, we're going to release 22 platinum balloons into the sky.”

Dolla's debut A Dolla And A Dream was scheduled to be released this year before the tragic incident but is being finalized for release next year. Giving some insight on the project, she added,

“I've never been allowed to hear his music until a few days before release, so with that being said, from the critics around me they say it's awesome. It's gonna set him aside, it's totally different than anything he's done in the past. So we're working with Konvict and Bu (Akon's brother) and out of respect for me they've pretty much allowed me to give them the thumbs up on when they can go ahead with the project. They're always supportative. We've known Akon, Omar and Bu for many years and the sky's the limit with those guys. They're always looking out.

Dolla was like a sponge, he watched television, he read the paper, he read every book he could get his hands on and he was aware of his surroundings. So his lyrics were the testimony of the people…just hardships, the struggles that really hit his heart and he wanted to make a difference and he wanted some awareness. He was just being real about what's going on out here.”


Mrs. Robinson also wants to keep some of Dolla's dreams outside the music industry alive and will use some of the earnings form A Dolla And A Dream to help with those causes. Letting us take a further look at her fallen angel, she revealed,

“His music spoke volumes and at the same time, my son was entering theology school in June which unfortunately he wasn't able to do. He was very interested in opening charter schools and centers in the community because just coming from a single family household…he just wanted kids and adults to have an opportunity of hope and that's part of his legacy and that's what I'm working hard to live on to make those things happen.

We just started and founded a foundation. It's called the “I Speak Life Foundation.” He spoke on what he saw and absorbed as far as the community… the struggles, the hardships and the opportunities so with that being said, we're now looking for a school, the churches and just have a community outreach resource. We [plan] to offer tutoring, nutrition programs, lunch programs, barber shops, everything to give people opportunity. You know a haircut will make a man feel like he can change the world, go out there and get that job so he can take care of his family. Just try to build the things that he wanted to do, I'm gonna do it.”


Much success to Mrs. Robinson with the foundation and Hip-Hop Wired Wishes Dolla A Happy Born Day Too Dolla and R.I.P.

Also check out a few tracks and videos from the fallen MC.

Johan Gielen – Repeat The Music [Magik Muzik]

“ Repetition has never felt so good! ”


Magik Muzik’s storied career began in 2001, started by then named DJ Tiesto, and eventually absorbed into the Black Hole Recordings umbrella. The label is home to some of the best tracks, remixes and full CD compilations the scene has ever heard. This latest effort, from trance purist Johan Gielen, is no exception.

Unlike what you would most likely expect from Johan, he delivers a club ready progressive trance number that is dirty and destined to rock floors worldwide. This, though a departure from the old Johan sound, is perfectly in line considering his rework of the Phunk Investigation track , Shuri Shuri, on Avanti. This time around, Phunk Investigation return the favor with a slamming rework!

Read on past the break for some high quality samples and be sure to give them a listen, you won’t want to miss this infectious groove, vocal track and overall club friendly sound.

Muzik’s finest selection

THE 14 has been determined.

Now, the odds are already beginning to be laid down for each competing tune in the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) which will be held early next year.

Undoubtedly leading the list for the deserving of honours are the younger talents who have been responsible for the fresh sounds which have set the motion for one of the more relevant AJL finals in the history of the competition.

Aizat leads the field with his self-composed Kau Aku, and also is a favourite tune for the night’s top honours with Pete Teo and Amran Omar’s Pergi from the soundtrack of the late Yasmin Ahmad’s Talentime.

Then there are the all-too deserving singer-songwriter combos in Yuna for Dan Sebenarnya, Aku Skandal by Hujan, Situasi by Bunkface as well as Aurora by Estranged.

Dare we forget Bencinta which was co-written by original performer Faizal Tahir with Audi Mok which is another hot fave to win the competition – if it doesn’t have points taken off should Shila be performing
in his place come the night of AJL.

Then there are the run-of-the-mill pop staples like Tak Mungkin Kerna Sayang, Pakai Buang, Rindu Terhenti
and Adam Dan Hawa. While these tunes may not exactly rock the boat, there are little blessings tagged with each such as Alyah’s green but able performance; Stacy’s electrifying showmanship;

Tomok’s ability to sing without doing it through his nose anymore and Misha Omar’s diva-esque vocal powerhouse showcase.

Interesting ditties like Bengang and Masih Jelas should be interestingly delivered by Akim and Hafiz.

Completing the list is Aku Rindu Sayang Kamu, the inclusion of which no one can comprehend in the first place.

Whether agreeable or not BE prepared to cringe. With the recent health situation faced by ‘Superman’ Faizal Tahir (he’s down with lung infection), Muzik-Muzik followers had Shila to deal with in delivering the beautiful tune of Bencinta during the third semi-finals of the Muzik-Muzik qualifiers.

And while many may have had their ears bleed to the senseless yelping from Shila, endless applause
greeted the qualification of the song by Audi Mok with lyrics by Faizal Tahir himself.

Now the question remains. Just who will perform the song in the finals?

Well, fans of the song, as well as Faizal, should now go into overdrive in praying that the Superman
gets well in time for the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL).

According to Primeworks Studio entertainment production manager Fadzliniza Zakaria, the option was open for Faizal to make a return to the stage to perform the song in the finals.

“As in the case of the 22nd Anugerah Juara lagu where Kaer Azami had a replacement in Sahri to perform Izinku Pergi, we are open to the option.”

According to Fadzliniza, a replacement for Faizal at the semi-finals was inevitable.

“It was a situation that we couldn’t avoid and Shila was given the duty to deliver the song.

“At the moment, we have no rules or regulations governing such a scenario but we judge such scenarios on a case-to-case basis — and Faizal is welcome to, if he is able to.”

Shila meanwhile, after the song qualified for the AJL, basked in the glory of the tune’s qualification.

That is until she was put to task for virtually destroying the tune with every imaginable foul-up possible.

“Well, I would do my best if I was given the chance to perform on the AJL stage.

“Before tonight (Friday), even Faizal himself called me saying whatever the result, there is no pressure and that he would always support me.”

And despite the brickbats, Shila insisted that she was proud of her performance as it was her “best”.

“I did my best,” she said indignantly.

“I can’t please everyone and I will do better if given the chance.

“It’s not fair to compare Faizal and I, and I can never be like him. I realise I have to do better.”

Shila said her appointment to perform the tune was a shocker, but she was thankful for the support of both her fans and Faizal’s.

IT’S a confusing time for the music industry.

While the list of finalists for the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) offered a mixed bag with a variety of offerings onstage – there were murmurs that production may have had a hand in the results.

Primework Studios Sdn Bhd content and industry development general manager and head jury Azhar Borhan brushed off any doubts and insisted the results were nothing but a happy coincidence.

“Every year we have a complicated task, and this year is no less simpler.

“As of previous years, it is hard to consider what is good and not, but we have good balance.”

Azhar pointed out that the points were based on the evaluation of the tunes during pre-judging.

“This is further reinforced by the live shows where we can see just how impactful the tunes are delivered live.”
Although, again, it is undeniable that the choices make for good TV, despite some ‘weaker’ tunes making the final cut for the AJL stage.

Debates are, however, expected, as the competition has rarely — if ever — been without controversy.

“You could even say, that the results have a negative impact on ethnic songs,” said Azhar.

“The truth is, there is a lack of such songs in the market, and we did the evaluation based on what is available.”
He shrugged off the judging system, which placed him, apart from four appointed judges, to decide on what is supposedly the best in terms of body of work for the music industry.

“Questions of abuse when it comes to personal interest and such – our hands are tied as the process of selecting the right people to judge disqualifies so many people.

“At the end of the day, it’s probably not the best of the lot, but it’s what’s available.”

Indeed, the judging system of non-category Muzik-Muzik qualifiers has come under fire, as some songs may have slipped through the cracks of the vetting process.

In its 24th year, Azhar insisted that the competition was still being ‘tweaked’ for the best process.

“We can take into consideration outside voices, but we want to hear suggestions for a more effective method of judging.”

Perhaps the finals will be more promising in terms of selection criteria with a panel of nine to determine the eventual winner.

Primeworks entertainment production manager Fadzliniza Zakaria said there would be no change in the judging process for AJL.

“We will have a total of nine judges. Three to evaluate composition, three for lyrics, and three for best performance and all involved will decide on best vocals.”

The slightly more comprehensive judging system won’t undo the semi-finals but hopefully, it’ll have more ‘agreeable results’ to all.

Even the local ‘Grammys’ — the Anugerah Industri Muzik — is struggling with credibility. Its revamp of the two-tiered judging system is seen as a positive step, but not the be all and end all. So it’s back to the question of the chicken or the egg.

Do the songs have to get better, or does the judging process have to be rectified to recognise the deserving tunes first?

Whatever the answer, for the sake of the music industry, it has to be a win-win situation.

The industry still needs an event like AJL and the AJL, too, has to recognise that it needs good tunes for its survival.that these are the cream of the crop in terms of quality over the past year, the production of AJL should make for an interesting watch anyway – for whatever reason.

This is the line-up for the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu:
• Aku Skandal/Hujan/Noh/Noh
• Tak Mungkin Kerna Sayang/Alyah/Ajai/Habsah Hassan
• Aurora/Estranged/Estraged/Estranged
• Bengang/Akim/Amir/Sheikh Qalam
• Aku Rindu Sayang Kamu/Black/Yuzai/Yuzai
• Dan Sebenarnya/Yuna/Yuna/Yuna
• Rindu Terhenti/Tomok/Aubrey Suwito/Tinta
• Pakai Buang/Stacy/Edry KRU/Edry KRU
• Kau Aku/Aizat/Aizat/Aizat/Aizat
• Pergi/Aizat/Pete Teo/Amran Omar
• Situasi/Bunkface/Sam/Sam
• Bencinta/Faizal Tahir/Audi Mok/Faizal Tahir
• Adam Dan Hawa/Misha Omar/Azmeer/Loloq
• Masih Jelas/Hafiz/Aidit Alfian Ad Samad

Faizal to be replaced?


BE prepared to cringe.

With the recent health situation faced by ‘Superman’ Faizal Tahir (he’s down with lung infection), Muzik-Muzik followers had Shila to deal with in delivering the beautiful tune of Bencinta during the third semi-finals of the Muzik-Muzik qualifiers.

And while many may have had their ears bleed to the senseless yelping from Shila, endless applause greeted the qualification of the song by Audi Mok with lyrics by Faizal Tahir himself.

Now the question remains. Just who will perform the song in the finals?

Well, fans of the song, as well as Faizal, should now go into overdrive in praying that the Superman gets well in time for the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL).

According to Primeworks Studio entertainment production manager Fadzliniza Zakaria, the option was open for Faizal to make a return to the stage to perform the song in the finals.

“As in the case of the 22nd Anugerah Juara lagu where Kaer Azami had a replacement in Sahri to perform Izinku Pergi, we are open to the option.”

According to Fadzliniza, a replacement for Faizal at the semi-finals was inevitable.

“It was a situation that we couldn’t avoid and Shila was given the duty to deliver the song.

“At the moment, we have no rules or regulations governing such a scenario but we judge such scenarios on a case-to-case basis — and Faizal is welcome to, if he is able to.”

Shila meanwhile, after the song qualified for the AJL, basked in the glory of the tune’s qualification.

That is until she was put to task for virtually destroying the tune with every imaginable foul-up possible.

“Well, I would do my best if I was given the chance to perform on the AJL stage.

“Before tonight (Friday), even Faizal himself called me saying whatever the result, there is no pressure and that he would always support me.”

And despite the brickbats, Shila insisted that she was proud of her performance as it was her “best”.

“I did my best,” she said indignantly.

“I can’t please everyone and I will do better if given the chance.

“It’s not fair to compare Faizal and I, and I can never be like him. I realise I have to do better.”

Shila said her appointment to perform the tune was a shocker, but she was thankful for the support of both her fans and Faizal’s.
Judging juggling act

IT’S a confusing time for the music industry.

While the list of finalists for the 24th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) offered a mixed bag with a variety of offerings onstage – there were murmurs that production may have had a hand in the results.

Primework Studios Sdn Bhd content and industry development general manager and head jury Azhar Borhan brushed off any doubts and insisted the results were nothing but a happy coincidence.

“Every year we have a complicated task, and this year is no less simpler.

“As of previous years, it is hard to consider what is good and not, but we have good balance.”

Azhar pointed out that the points were based on the evaluation of the tunes during pre-judging.

“This is further reinforced by the live shows where we can see just how impactful the tunes are delivered live.”

Although, again, it is undeniable that the choices make for good TV, despite some ‘weaker’ tunes making the final cut for the AJL stage.

Debates are, however, expected, as the competition has rarely — if ever — been without controversy.

“You could even say, that the results have a negative impact on ethnic songs,” said Azhar.

“The truth is, there is a lack of such songs in the market, and we did the evaluation based on what is available.”

He shrugged off the judging system, which placed him, apart from four appointed judges, to decide on what is supposedly the best in terms of body of work for the music industry.

“Questions of abuse when it comes to personal interest and such – our hands are tied as the process of selecting the right people to judge disqualifies so many people.

“At the end of the day, it’s probably not the best of the lot, but it’s what’s available.”

Indeed, the judging system of non-category Muzik-Muzik qualifiers has come under fire, as some songs may have slipped through the cracks of the vetting process.

In its 24th year, Azhar insisted that the competition was still being ‘tweaked’ for the best process.

“We can take into consideration outside voices, but we want to hear suggestions for a more effective method of judging.”

Perhaps the finals will be more promising in terms of selection criteria with a panel of nine to determine the eventual winner.

Primeworks entertainment production manager Fadzliniza Zakaria said there would be no change in the judging process for AJL.

“We will have a total of nine judges. Three to evaluate composition, three for lyrics, and three for best performance and all involved will decide on best vocals.” The slightly more comprehensive
judging system won’t undo the semi-finals but hopefully, it’ll have more ‘agreeable results’ to all. Even the local ‘Grammys’ — the Anugerah Industri Muzik — is struggling with credibility. Its revamp of the two-tiered judging
system is seen as a positive step, but not the be all and end all. So it’s back to the question of the chicken or the egg.

Do the songs have to get better, or does the judging process have to be rectified to recognise the deserving tunes first?

Whatever the answer, for the sake of the music industry, it has to be a win-win situation.
The industry still needs an event like AJL and the AJL, too, has to recognise that it needs good tunes for its survival.

Fetz Da Vibe releases 14-track album

Ofentse Owen Mangope, otherwise known in music circles as Fetz a.k.a Fetz Da Vibe, has released a new 14- track album titled Lyrical Sign.

There is often a common feeling that there is little quality music in the country with many insinuating that many of our musicians don't take time to work on their music before recording their music, but Fetz's new album, is one of the few, which can challenge hip-hip lovers or rather music lovers to own a copy. The upcoming Hip-hop star, who hails from Mahalapye, is an independent artist.

While many often dismiss hip-hop as a music genre which is often filled with obscene lyrics, Fetz's latest offing has a number of meaningful lyrics. Track 10, tilted, Mama, is simply Fetz's dedication to all the mothers. The album has one number titled Natural Disaster, which he says he wrote with the aim of keeping people abreast of events around the globe. Different people have different taste in music, but Fetz decided to go out of his way to have one track titled One Love, which is dedicated to everyone regardless of the of music genre they follow, adding that the track is also meant to show appreciation to all artists mainly in Botswana.

Other songs in the album include You Are Mine, which the young man says is dedicated to all lovers, and Voice of Tha Ghetto which, according to the muso, goes out to all hip-hop heads'with a great message behind it'.

The rest of the songs include the title track, Lyrical Sign, Rock On, Courage, MIC Session, Street College, Keeping It Raw, and Thugz Confessions. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered at Chankieland Muzik and Arts in Gaborone.

Fetz only started releasing his own music recently but he has been involved with music since the age of 16.

"I started rapping back when I was 16 years of age back in senior secondary school at Naledi Senior Secondary School, where my friends and I formed a rap group called Insane Rap Maniacs. I then became a solo underground M.C battling and competing on Talent Shows on which I became the best over all, and later on got featured by one of Botswana hip-hop artists Snass who released his album in 2002.

I followed hip-hop music until recently when I felt that it is time for my own exposure, to Botswana,"

In April Fetz released a single album titled You are Mine, which has two tracks, Strai8 Down and You Are Mine featuring Charity Pego going by the Miz-Chaa and Percy V. The single, according to Fetz, did quite well with considerable airplay on various radio stations.

Fontana Partners With Element 9 Muzik

LOS ANGELES and CLEVELAND, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Fontana Distribution, the independent distribution arm of Universal Music Group, the world's leading music company has partnered with Cleveland-based Element 9 Muzik LLC to release upcoming titles from the label. The announcement was made today by Ron Spaulding, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Fontana, and Element 9 President Tony "X" Franklin. The label's release schedule is currently being finalized with plans to make the label's first release through the new partnership available during the second quarter of 2010.

Franklin brings close to 20 years of experience working in the music industry. He previously served as the President of NuBlud Management, a Cleveland based Management Company specializing in the promotion and marketing of various urban acts. Franklin also served as the Head of Street and Lifestyle/ Midwest Radio Promotion for Asylum Records/ Warner Bros. Records and previously helped broker the Swisha House major distribution deal with Asylum Records

Joining Franklin will be Stu "DJ Xplosive" Pflaum, who founded the Element 9 Company in 2005 and has partnered with Franklin in the past on various music ventures. Pflaum will act as the label's Vice President, bringing his expertise in internet marketing and new media strategies and will manage the label's digital presence.

Also joining the team will be Douglas "Fresh" Jones, who previously worked with Franklin's NuBlud Management team and will oversee Lifestyle Promotion of the label's acts. Marlowe "Mauly T" Taylor will serve as the studio engineer for all the label's projects, including the mixing and mastering of all recordings. Mauly T has mastered several Fontana projects (Capone & Noreage, Killer Mike, Beeda Weeda etc). Doc Taylor looks to continue in this capacity. Studio 76, is a renowned studio that has hosted the likes of Bone Thugs N Harmony, Snoop Dogg, Young Joc, Killer Mike, Ice Cube, Trae & Public Enemy to name a few.

"We are excited to welcome Element 9 Muzik to the Fontana family of labels," stated Spaulding. "Tony and his team are true entrepreneurs and innovators, and we look forward to working with them to maximize opportunities on all fronts for their artists."

Franklin commented that he was "proud to bring together a group of talented individuals from the Cleveland area to form a team capable of delivering professional results for our artists" and looks forward to using the Element 9 label to demonstrate the ability of a record label to prosper during this new era in the music industry without having to be based in big cities like New York or Los Angeles.

About Fontana

Fontana Distribution, the independent arm of Universal Music Group Distribution (UMGD), provides unparalleled sales and marketing support, as well as back office services, for a diverse roster of labels and their artists. Fontana distributes more than 100 labels including Vagrant Records, Telarc, Eagle Rock, VP Records, American Gramaphone, Downtown, Six Degrees, Nitro, SMC, Trustkill, Delicious Vinyl, ESL, Modular, Ministry of Sound, Ipecac, Strange Music, Music World, VH1 Classic Records, MySpace Records and many others. In addition, Fontana distributes select projects from Universal Music Group labels worldwide.

SOURCE Universal Music Group

Chamillionaire - Chamillitary


1. Intro
2. Freestyle (Shyne On)
3. Freestyle (I'm A Hustler
4. Freestyle (You'll Know)
5. Phone (Skit)
6. Still In Love Wit' My Doe
7. Freestyle (You Ain't Herd 'Bout)
8. Freestyle (Amazing)
9. Phone (Skit) 2
10. Freestyle (Victory)
11. Freestyle (Let's Go)
12. Freestyle (Hoggin' Da Game)
13. Freestyle (Roll Wit' Me)
14. Freestyle (Don't Luv Dis Game)
15. Freestyle (Put You On The Game)
16. Freestyle (I Wish)
17. Interlude
18. Freestyle (Get Outta Here)
19. Phone (Skit) 3

Hoods Muzik Spot: Trap-A-Holics & OJ Da Juiceman - 6 Ringz

1. 6 Ringz: The Michael Jordan Edition Intro
2. 6 Ringz (Prod By Lex Luger)
3. Ohh No Ft. Jody Breeze & C Bone (Prod By Hamsquad)
4. All My Life (Prod By Hamsquad)
5. Watch Da Dope Lock Ft. Bro-Dash (Prod By Jody Beats)
6. I Got Ringz (Prod By Lex Luger)
7. Own My Own Team Ft. D.R.E. (Prod By Lex Luger)
8. I Remember (Prod By Lex Luger)
9. I'm Get It (Prod By Hamsquad)
10. Halftime- On That Gas Interlude
11. Kickin It Ft. Young Chris & G.K. (Prod By Drumma Boy)
12. Long Time Coming (Prod By L Crum)
13. My Fist (Prod By Nitty)
14. Bags Ft. Young Dro (Prod By Beat Billionaire)
15. Sausage Ft. D.R.E. & Tony B (Prod By Lex Luger)
16. Freestyle (Prod By Nitty)
17. Susie (Prod By Nitty)
18. I Talk To My Car (Prod By M-16)
19. Million Bucks (Prod By Nard B)
20. Bread N Da Kitchen (Prod By Bj Beats)
21. Bong (Prod By Bj Beats)
22. 6 Ringz Outro

Waxys On The River Goes Reggae Wednesdays with Kulcha Shok Muzik

Every bar/restaurant that's into getting green should throw a good reggae night. What better for the kitchen than a high-life crowd of hungry people smoked out on the river?

Waxy's On The River (690 SW 1st Court) is taking a piece of the action with their new Reggae Wednesdays. $3 Budweisers, $4 Red Stripes, and $5 imperial pints of Guinness are the drink specials, and the kitchen rocks til 5 a.m. with signature Irish fare, bar style food, and casual upscales.

The restaurant has teamed with bashment kings Kulcha Shok Muzik to make Wednesdays on the river a reggae party. Short Order called everyday-hustling reggae promoter Lance O. to see how the deal was struck and get some info. Here's what he had to say:

"Each week it's gonna be Don Sha. Don Sha is a Latin American guy, solo artist, with a very good backing band, keys, a lady doing backing vocals, originals and covers. He's somewhat unknown but he actually is quite good.

"His standards is a little higher than most in my opinion. He'll do not-just the Bob Marley songs, but also Garnett Silk, and he'll do Luciano. Some people that don't know reggae that deep might think they're his own songs.

"Waxy's, I went there, it's very nice, very European feel with the wooden walls, great location, little hard to find, but right on the Miami River."

Short Order: What do you think about Irish food?

Lance: I'm actually Irish, but I don't particularly care for it.

SO: Did Waxy's approach you about doing the night?

L: Actually I went to them to interest them about reggae. Anytime I hear about a new venue I'm always trying to interest them in reggae. It just happened to be the right time, right place.

SO: What do you think about the food aspect of it?

L: Food always is an added experience, people love to eat, especially here in America. Mash and bangers, I don't know if they're doing anything like that, but I think it only adds to the experience.