Keelay & Zaire – “The Times” featuring Blu, Fortlive and Nino Moschella

The Song:

Keelay & Zaire, master production duo, hit audiences hard with the first single off their debut LP, Ridin High. The track, entitled “The Times,” is a motivational social commentary on the current state of things that is lit on fire by the vocal stylings of guest emcees Slo-Mo, Nino Moschella, and Blu (all of Soul Vibe). The offer some sound advice against the injustices and tribulations of modern culture: “Tryna maintain and build me a strong foundation / as I mash, plottin’ around town patient / Growin’ in the mind and gaining tools to use / against those with opposite views who choose to abuse.” The passion behind the lyrics is reinforced by the wistful production that serves as a eulogy to an era when life was uncomplicated.

The Background:

Keelay & Zaire are a bi-coastal team that operates with only one concrete rule; creating music with unlimited range. Complementing each other’s styles with precision, Kee & Zee work as a sole production machine that spawns gritty classic hip-hop, soulful R&B, and any other medium that requires an exclusive sound from the team. With Keelay out West in the Salt Lake City region, and Zaire in the East, holding it down in Virginia, the two have almost unlimited resources from which to draw talent and inspiration. In their debut LP Ridin High, the pair’s versatility takes center stage, backed up by a talented cast of emcees and singers including Slo-Mo, Mario Dones, The A.V.E., J.Fish, Phonte of Little Brother, Supastion, Blu, Cali Agents, Darien Brockington, Tash of Tha Liks, Torae, Saafir, Khizman, Fortilive, Jonathan Moore, Emilio Rojas, Surreal, Jony Fraze, and Tiffany Paige. Keelay & Zaire’s Ridin High will be released in early 2009 by MYX Music Label.

Ill Bill – My Uncle

The Video: (November 12, 2008 Brooklyn, NY) Fresh off of his successful 2 month North American tour in support of his critically acclaimed and fan-approved sophomore solo album The Hour Of Reprisal, ILL BILL is about to unleash quite possibly the most personal and creative project of his celebrated career: an uncompromising look at his relationship with one of the most influential individuals in the MC’s life; his Uncle Howie. The video was directed by 23 year old Adam Calfee, who has also experienced the pain of addiction in his own family. Bill explains “When I was a kid, I looked up to Howie. My parents split when I was little and my mom was at work all the time. My grandmother raised me and my uncle was always around. Now that I’m older, I know that he was a heroin addict with all kinds of severe issues but as a kid, I had no idea what heroin addiction was.” Those familiar with Bill’s career are aware of Uncle Howie’s presence in Bill’s life. His record label is named after him, there’s a ton of Uncle Howie merchandise out there and you may have even read about Howie in magazines such as Mass Appeal. “Naming the label after him was a joke at first. It wasn’t until much later that it took on a deeper meaning. It was my way of attaching something positive to a person who had a huge, positive impact on me” states the MC. Bill continues “He had the potential for greatness but ended up going down the wrong path. Me including him in my music is my way of giving back.” This incredible piece of animation is set to debut on YouTube today. ILL BILL concludes “I didn’t even know if I was gonna put it on the record or not. I didn’t want to embarrass him. I’ve never really gone that far… I never got that personal as far as my uncle goes. He loved it. He told me he’d be upset with me if I didn’t put it on the record.” http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=288488391&s=143441

JIM JONES, SKULL GANG AND COMEDIAN MIKE EPPS SET TO RELEASE A TRIBUTE TO BAD SANTA.

THE NEW HOLIDAY ALBUM FEATURES SOON TO BE ‘HOOD CHRISTMAS CLASSICS FEATURING JONES, SKULL GANG, FREEKEY ZEEKEY, MIKE EPPS AND MUCH MORE

CD & DIGITAL DOWNLOAD OF BAD SANTA AVAILABLE BEGINNING TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25^th, 2008

New York, NY — Just in time for the holidays, hip hop superstars Jim Jones and Skull Gang along with Dips 730 affiliate Freekey Zeekey (and co-Executive Producers Noe and Chink Santana) join comedian and film actor Mike Epps to bring their own version of the Christmas spirit to a hood near you!

Jim Jones and Skull Gang Present: A Tribute to Bad Santa feat. Mike Epps will be released on Tuesday, November 25^th, and features 15 new Christmas bangers and hilarious new skits from Mike Epps.

Jim Jones comments, “This could be the coldest winter ever not due to the climate, but because of the recession…smoke a blunt, stay warm.”

For a glimpse into the album’s recording sessions, please click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tO_Dlt6dYk

To preview of 4 of the new Bad Santa tracks, please click here: http://eppisodes.com/

Jim Jones has been working non-stop these past few months and has a series of exciting new projects in the works including a new studio album (Pray IV Reign to be released in early 2009 featuring the first hit single/video “Pop Champagne”), a new feature film life-spanning documentary, a coffee table book, a new off-Broadway play, and much, much more to be revealed very soon.

For additional info on current and forthcoming KOCH Records releases, please visit the recently re-launched www.kochrecords.com website.